08 Nov Surfing on the weekend

Hi all – So I finally got back in the water after a massive stint doing only dry land activities. AND it was soooo good to be back in the water. There is something so magical and soothing about the water..I do think it takes me back to my childhood days when I spent endless amounts of time in our pool. Surfing can be a hard sport to grasp, but once you get the hang of it, it is oh so much fun. Don't get me wrong, I am not any where near a great surfer, but put me in the white wash or out the back of 2 footers and I can be out there for hours having oodles of fun.

The health benefits of surfing are numerous. Surfing is a great cardiovascular exercise, using mostly upper body muscles to do the paddling work, and leg muscles to guide the board once you're up and riding. Since surfing involves more time paddling, it provides an intense upper body and core workout.

Health Benefits of Surfing:

• Cardiovascular and heart health
• Muscle Tone
• Endurance
• Increased Energy
• Back
• Core
• Shoulders
• Legs

The best part about surfing for exercise is that it's so fun that by the time you check your watch you've already been surfing for two hours, and you don't want to quit! Usually when I go running for exercise I want to be done before I've even been going for two minutes!  When you're surfing, you're constantly moving for your entire session, resulting in an excellent extended workout.

Surfing can also make athletes out of the most rooted couch potatoes. Those who catch the surfing bug will be eager to wake up at dawn every morning for the early glass, often continuing to their regular job afterwards.

There's an old saying that Ponce De Leon totally missed the point when he was looking for the fountain of youth…all he really had to do was jump over the side of the boat to find it. The ocean is a source of revitalizing energy. Surfers thrive on riding the energy of the ocean — waves of pure energy that have travelled miles upon miles to reach them. People who surf regularly can surf well into their 60's, 70's, 80's, and even beyond. In fact, you may notice that older surfers don't tend to look their age.

The health benefits of surfing don't only apply to your physical health. There are also the mental benefits. Surf stoke reduces stress, and often gives surfers a more laid back attitude about life which is actually beneficial to their psyche. The high stress of today's world is detrimental to our mental health. Physical exercise, especially something as fun as surfing, helps to offset the negative effects of stress. Think about it: surfers are always playing in the ocean! It helps you stay young.

So considering all of this, I am going to be organising a surfing day for my clients start of new year! Let me know if your keen! Can't wait.

xx