Five Reasons to Surf

EXPERTS ONLY: To enjoy surfing, you don't need waves like this. Photo Jeremy Bishop

To start surfing the only equipment you need is a wetsuit, which can be purchased affordably from, for instance the Wetsuit Centre, and a surfboard you can hire at most popular surfing destinations. Here’s a few reasons why surfing is ... er ... cool.

1 Fun and Fitness
Surfing is a sport which builds your core strength, upper body strength, stamina and joint mobility. Essentially, each surfing lesson or training session will give you a full body work out. The great thing is that it is enjoyable in comparison to sweating out in the gym. What could be better than paddling out to sea and trying to maintain your balance in the face of a wave? The sport is ideal for those who struggle to maintain healthy habits because you will feel motivated to get back in the water and try again to improve your ability to ride the waves.

2 Get In Touch With Nature
Those who lead busy and hectic lifestyles while working in the city will find that getting into the ocean away from the urban stresses is the perfect antidote. There are few simpler pleasures in life than catching a wave as the sun sets, or rises.Surfers understand the threat facing our oceans like no-one You’ll also learn a new-found respect for the power of the sea, as you gain an understanding of how to take on the challenges it throws your way. You might find yourself caring about the environment a bit more than you did before - this is a critical issue. Surfers understand the threat facing our oceans like no-one.

3 Travel Opportunities
Once you’ve caught the surfing bug, you’ll want to try out popular surfing destinations across the globe. Travelling with a centralised "theme" is always a great way to travel. It always takes you to places you'd never normally explore. But then if you like lizards, you'd go on a totally divergent path. Your new (surfing) hobby will provide you with the perfect excuse to hit the exotic tropics of say Costa Rica or Indo, or closer afield, Madagascar or Mozambique.

4 Stress Relief
When you paddle into the ocean, just you and your surfboard, you literally immerse yourself in something much bigger, and more fluid than terra firma. Surfing is the ideal distraction from stress. Surfing requires a degree of mental energy that requires your undivided attention. Plus, like any exercise, surfing releases endorphins and adrenaline, which are great for improving your mood, reducing tension and helping you to relax.

5 Meet New People
Wherever you decide to surf, you’ll find a surfing community. The sport has a rich cultural history and with that comes unique attitudes, styles and subcultures to be explored and immerse yourself in. If you sign up to surfing lessons, you’ll instantly be put in touch with a group of like-minded people. Surfers are known for being friendly and laid back, so if you’re travelling alone this is a great way to meet new people and socialise, and of course learn a weird new lingua franca.