Sports are great. They promote a healthy lifestyle, the exercise makes you happier, and they’re incredibly social (even for individual sports). There are so many sports out there, that there is guaranteed to be one that you love and find exhilarating.
With technology, you aren’t limited like you used to be, either. You can surf on any water with a motorized surfboard from jetsurfny.com. Whatever the water is like near you, you should try surfing. Not only is it great for you, it is great for your kids. Teach them, or learn with them! Here are 5 reasons why surfing is a great sport to learn:
- It teaches respect
There is nothing more humbling than how fast a wave can pull you under. Respecting the power of nature is just one of the many ways that surfing teaches and instils respect in its surfers. You also have to respect the other surfers, both the more talented than you and those who are less so.
- It has a great community
Surfing has a culture of great people in it. You are all coming together because of your love of the ocean and the sport, and for the most part, everyone wants to help each other out. Surfing is rarely about being better than someone else; it’s about catching that wave and having a great time doing it. Most of the time you’ll be hanging out in the water waiting for a wave to come. As you are waiting you have plenty of time to talk, socialise, and make friends with your fellow surfers.
- It’s great exercise
Surfing is a full-body workout. It requires incredible balance and muscle memory. When you aren’t on the board itself, you’re swimming in the ocean, which is far more demanding than still waters. Whether you are looking for a cardio workout or a strength workout, surfing does it all.
- It teaches discipline and commitment
Surfing doesn’t have much of a learning curve. It could take years before you even catch your first wave. To become a surfer, rather than someone who floats on their surfboard, you need to be committed. You need to go out there regularly and try again and again and again. Surfing takes incredible discipline and commitment to pull off, and learning those skills at a young age will take your child far in life.
- It becomes a way of life
Surfers are everywhere, all around the world. There is a culture and community based around them. Surfing, and being in that community, is a great way of life. It could mean that you have a place to go to and relax, or it could take you across the world to some of the most beautiful destinations. When you become a surfer, you adopt it as a way of life. It becomes a part of you.
As with any sport, you have to give your child (and yourself) the freedom to enjoy it. There is no point in putting pressure on a sport, even if your child shows promise to do it professionally. Surfing brings joy, it is fun, it is exhilarating, and it’s relaxing. Every talented surfer is good not because their parents pushed them to work harder for it, but because they love the sport. Surfing should always be about the experience, so no matter the experience level you or your child is at, just enjoy it.
Surfing image by ShutterStock.
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