What makes surfing so popular

However, more and more women are beginning to enter the sport on both a casual and professional basis, all because females are getting more recognition. Wave pools are opening across the world, offering more substantial training facilities and easy surf access for those who may not have access to perfect surf throughout the entire year. Surfing has officially become an Olympic sport!

We could see the popularity of surfing grow substantially over the coming year, inspiring a whole new generation of surfers. We all feel a bit like this, or depending on the individual and our circumstances in life, we may feel that this is very true.

We can compare our lives to someone living on a remote desert island who finds a surfboard washed up one day. They have never seen anyone surfing, never seen a surfboard nor heard of surfing. They appreciate that this object is a thing of beauty, and probably very special, even though they have no idea what it is used for.

They spend their day polishing it, they make a special place to store it so that they can keep it safe, they often wonder what it is for, but for all of their time wasted on these associated activities, they never understand the surfboard, they never realize its purpose and so miss the absolute joy that it can give. Just like our lives. As a surfer, you will, almost without doubt, be one of those few lucky people who have at least realized what a surfboard is for.

At whatever level you surf, you will have experienced moments of freedom from the constant chattering of the mind. When you plunge into the water and paddle out, or pull into a wave and slide down the glassy wall, or even during your first white water ride to the shore, the mind empties.

There is no need to think about anything else. There is no need to polish the board or to put it in a case to be observed and pondered. At this time, the modern surfing era began in its ancestral home of Hawaii as well as in California and Australia. Since then surfing has gone through a few booms and even some lulls, but in terms of mainstream appeal and global spread, it is now experiencing unprecedented growth. From Hawaii to Bali , Portugal to Russia, South Africa, Brazil, California and Morocco, there are dedicated surfers, hobbyists, professionals and casual admirers of surf culture.

Here they are in no particular order:. What other sport lets you glide across the water without any additional tools except the board under your feet? Surfers can feel like they are flying, skating, swimming and walking on water all in one good session. Call it an obsession, a compulsion or just a healthy quest. The search for the perfect wave may always be just out of reach, but the closer you get the more fun you have!

This one may be a bit narcissistic, but if you also love watching other people surf, count yourself as a great appreciator of the art. Whoever you are — surfers and non-surfers alike — you have to admit that surfing looks seriously cool. Pick a coast, grab your board and follow your dreams! Like all active sports and nature-based activities, surfing gets those endorphins going, but few pursuits can match the adrenaline kick of catching a great wave. Feeling depressed? Hit the waves!

Nobody said surfing was easy. While virtually anyone can start surfing mild beach breaks with a bit of instruction. Getting out on the waves is as close as it gets to becoming one with Mother Nature.

Surfing is exhilarating, healthy, and helps to instil an appreciation for life and the natural world. Looking for a fun way to get fit? Look no further than surfing! Lessons vary based on surf level, so you can also move on to higher level lessons as you learn to surf.

There will be times that you will be frustrated and overwhelmed, but these times will be humbling experiences as you wash out from time to time. Hard work does pay off. Surfing is like meditation and even therapy for some as they paddle up to the wave and find themselves on top of a natural element, a wave.