We will not always be motivated, so we must stay dedicated to improving our surf skills. Of course, we’d all rather surf in calm, clean, sunny conditions, with enough time between sets that you can reach the lineup without even getting your hair wet. However, it won’t always be like this—that’s just how it is. Unfortunately, we can’t control nature, so let’s focus on what we can control: techniques, flexibility, and attitude. So, let’s go over some steps to keep the excitement going and to stay motivated while the conditions aren’t ideal.
Focus on Technique Improvement:
There are many fun ways to practice your surf techniques and you’ll be surprised at how much they can enhance your skills! For example, skateboarding is great for your balance and helps your body memorize surf movements. Another way to improve balance is by using a classic balance board. It forces your muscles to keep you stable. It might seem scary at first, but once you get used to it, you won’t want to get off!
Engage in yoga —not only beneficial for putting your mind in the right place but also because it focuses on core strength, flexibility, and balance, making it an excellent exercise for surfers.
Practice surf flow training. It’s a surfing workout where you mimic the movements you make while riding waves by practicing them on land. Doing these movements on land helps your body memorize them and naturally evolve your maneuvers. This type of training might seem stupid, but do a little bit of this in your free time and before you enter the water, and you will see how much it will improve your session!
Something every surfer actually should do is train their paddling out of the water. The stronger your paddling becomes, the more waves you will be able to catch, and to more you will evolve, so start training now!
Find more details about this topic in one of our previous articles: ‘Surf Exercises That Will Improve Your Paddling and Posture.’ These exercises are perfect for enhancing your surfing skills and preparing you for your next surf trip.
Set Small, Achievable Goals:
Instead of thinking about what’s not possible, focus on what is achievable for that day and set goals before every session. Improve your balance, stability, and speed by practicing your pop-up in messy, choppy, or small conditions, work on your duck dive, and even try paddling to the lineup while waves crash over your head, making you want to cry—or actually cry. All of this will help you in future surf
sessions, and improve your strength—both physically and mentally. Your patient has been tested and you developed resilience, you’ll laugh about those crying sessions later.
Related Read: Surfing and Emotions
Try to remember that every session offers something to learn, even if you didn’t catch any waves. You learned by visualizing others, practiced your paddling technique, and balanced and got to know the ocean a bit more. This mindset will help you stay motivated and enjoy the process, regardless of the conditions.
Related Read: Why surfing waves break on the shore
Stay Positive and Flexible
It can feel like a setback not being able to practice in perfect conditions, but it doesn’t have to be. We put so much pressure on ourselves during those few days off, thinking, “I need to catch as many waves as I can and improve as much as possible.” This pressure often leads to frustration, irritability, and disappointment. It’s good to have some goals and to push yourself, but also enjoy the ride towards them. It can be challenging not to react to our feelings and to transform our thoughts into positive ones. Fight the black-and-white thinking and leave some space for flexibility and positivity. Ask yourself, “What goals am I achieving with this mindset?” Then, try to reshape your thoughts in this case to something like: ‘This offers me a chance to practice techniques that I might not otherwise focus on, but that are necessary to level up my surfing skills!
Find Joy in the Journey
Our mindset is everything. When we have high expectations for our long-awaited week off and experience bad surf conditions, we can become very frustrated and unmotivated. The storm crossing the ocean can also cross our minds like a grey cloud, covering our bright and positive mindsets. We shouldn’t always listen to our first thoughts; instead, we should try to transform them into positive ones and find joy in the journey. You might be surprised at how powerful this can be! As the typical quote goes, “Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.” — Vivien Greene.
Plan for Different Conditions
Our goal is to stay in the water as long as possible, catching as many waves as we can. To achieve this, we must be prepared for different surf conditions. Keep in mind that not every surf session will be like surfing in the warm Indian Ocean. Make sure to bring suitable surf equipment on your trip, such as a wetsuit in case the water temperature is low, so you can stay comfortable and extend your time in the water. Also, consider bringing a surf cap and high-quality, water-resistant sunscreen for protection when the sun gets too strong.
Many surf camps provide a rash guard, but a useful tip is to bring extra yoga pants that you can wear in the water. As a beginner, you may spend up to two hours lying on your surfboard in the sun, feeling like a chicken on a barbecue. Sunscreen alone won’t protect your legs from hours of exposure. Adapt your surfboard to different conditions to keep the fun and progress going. If the waves are very small and you’re an intermediate surfer used to riding a smaller board, get nostalgic and take out the soft top! The best surf sessions are always had by those who are having the most fun!
Related Read: How surfboard design impacts your surfing, Choosing the Right Surfboard for Your Level of Expertise
Conclusion:
Immerse yourself in surf culture both in and out of the water, because it’s so much more than just a water sport. Keep an open mind and look for alternatives when conditions aren’t ideal. Improve your physical and mental flexibility by practicing yoga, and enhance your balance and stability by using a skateboard or balance board. Hit the gym for strength exercises to build a stronger paddling technique. Learn visually by observing other surfers, reading books, and researching different surf spots to plan your next trip, where you can enjoy the progress you’ve made!
At Hollow Tree’s Resort, even when the waves aren’t perfect, you’ll find the inspiration to keep going, surrounded by the beauty of nature and a community of passionate surfers who understand that the best rides are often about more than just the conditions.
