Book the ideal surf holiday for beginners: What to think about

For many, the perfect beach holiday doesn’t require much more than a sun-lounger, a good paperback, and a few tall drinks with tiny umbrellas. But what if you demand a little more exhilaration? What if you want to connect with the immensity of nature and the sea?

Here’s why you might consider learning to surf, and what to think about when booking your first surf holiday.

Why surf?

Firstly, surfing will make you stronger and healthier. It’s great for improving your balance and upper body strength, not to mention all that fresh sea air you’ll be exposed to. Like many water activities, it can also help alleviate physical ailments like joint and nerve pain. Don’t be put off if those are things you suffer from.

Secondly, you will develop a profound connection to the water. A deep sense of environmental responsibility may be as much of a surfer stereotype as anything else. How could it not be? Nobody wants to spend that much time in toilet water, no matter how epic the waves.

What’s more, compared to other exhilarating beach activities like jet-skiing or parasailing, surfing doesn’t have to break the bank. You won’t need to win big on the stock market or online blackjack to spend plenty of quality time learning—and you may be surprised at just how quick it can be to pick up.

Start on the right foot

Approached the right way, it shouldn’t take long to reach a level where you can enjoy riding the waves. Just don’t expect to be tearing up huge barrels any time soon!

While learning to surf isn’t expensive, trying to save money may actually be more costly. Don’t simply rent a board and hope to learn from YouTube videos. Book some classes. A qualified and experienced instructor can be priceless at correcting your form and technique. And while it might be tempting to split the cost of lessons between groups, you’ll progress much quicker with one-on-one lessons. (Of course, don’t be put off by group lessons if your priority is simply having fun with friends or family!)

An instructor will also guide you in good surfing etiquette and start you off in swells that are right for your level, which isn’t just a matter of location, but also time of day. Surfers have a reputation for being unfriendly towards beginners, but frustration—and even conflict—can naturally arise when out-of-their-depth newbies block experienced surfers from the best waves. Respect the community, and the community will respect you back.

You may also want to think twice about booking back-to-back sessions…

Preparing physically

One thing that often catches beginners out is how surfing can hurt the chest and belly when unaccustomed to repeatedly flopping onto a board. Don’t try to do too much at once. If you’re booking surfing lessons in advance, take recovery time into account. Every other day is a good place to start.

While surfing can improve strength and balance, there are things you can do to get a head start before your trip. Push-ups are a great way to prepare for lifting your body up onto a board. Burpees are even better. Investing in a balance board will also help you stay upright on waves for longer, and yoga can be a terrific way of improving in all areas.

And remember, you can’t surf all the time! You won’t only be limited by physical capability but also by the tide, climate, and weather conditions. Don’t forget to think about what else you might want to do before choosing your ideal surfing destination!