Surfing is first and foremost about having fun.
Good vibes in the lineup, friends sharing waves and shimmering sunsets over the ocean after a long day sliding and gliding are what it's all about.
That said, not being able to reach the lineup, make a pop up or successfully ride a wave without falling off can get frustrating. Seeing people score epic waves around you while you're trapped in the whitewater or coming in with zero waves caught can sour an otherwise fun surf session.
We've all been there before, but the good news is this: there exists a cheat code for your surfing that can both accelerate your skills and ensure every session is full of waves and fun!
And that cheat code is… the surf trip!
Here's the interesting science behind why surf trips are the missing piece in your progression puzzle.
What does it mean to feel "stuck"?
We're not super focused on who the best surfer in the lineup is.
For us, surfing is about more than who can do the fanciest maneuvers or rip the biggest waves.
But we also can't deny that there is a certain level of satisfaction and accomplishment that comes from improving our surfing skills. It's natural to want to progress and feel like we're continuously getting better at something we love, right?
Feeling "stuck" in your surf progression could mean different things to different people, but some common signs may include:
- Struggling to paddle out to the lineup or constantly getting caught in the whitewater
- Finding it difficult to identify and catch waves in crowded lineups
- Unable to consistently make a pop up and catch waves on your own
- Struggling to turn and maneuvers on the wave
- Feeling limited in your ability to handle different conditions such as bigger waves or changing tides
- Feeling frustrated or disappointed in your lack of progress
- Beginning to entertain thoughts of giving up surfing (god forbid!)
Again, it's totally natural to feel these frustrations on some level. But when they begin to wreak havoc on your confidence and colour your experience of surfing, it's time to take action.
Why do some surfers progress faster than others?
It's easy to look at more advanced surfers and assume that they’re just gifted with natural talent or have been surfing for years.
While these may be partially true, there's actually a lot more to it. For example:
- Surfing, unlike most sports, has you learning on a constantly changing playing field
- Not only does the ocean itself change daily, but every wave is unique and requires a different approach
- One day you might feel like you're absolutely killing it, only to surf a few days later and feel like a complete beginner all over again
- There's also the fact that ocean waves are a finite resource: you can't just keep practicing the same skill over and over again like you could on a soccer field or basketball court
- You have to wait for the right wave to come along (and hope like crazy you're in the right spot when it does)
Surfers who progress faster than others understand all this, but that's only telling some of the story.
How does a surf trip accelerate your surf progression?
The real reason why some surfers progress faster than others is exactly the same reason why surf trips are the missing piece in your progression puzzle.
It all has to do with massed versus distributed practice.
As it applies to surfing, massed practice is defined as practicing a skill repeatedly in a short period of time.
Consider the surf trip whereby you're staying by the ocean or on a boat. This environment enables you to surf multiple times a day, every day for many days in a row.
By doing so, you're able to get more waves and practice your skills on a consistent basis. This type of concentrated practice allows you to make quicker progress compared to only surfing a handful of times per year.
Distributed practice, while still effective, is defined as practicing a skill over a longer period of time with breaks in between. This is the category that most landlocked surfers fall into.
You probably spend your holidays at the beach, but with friend and family commitments plus the limited ocean time, you're not able to surf as consistently as you'd like.
A dedicated surf trip, whether it's at a surf house, surf retreat or surf charter boat, is where you see real progression. And the best part is you don't even realise it!
You slip into the rhythm of daily surfing, pushing yourself to catch more waves and try new turns without even really noticing.
Then, by the time you go home then return to the ocean at a later time, you'll be shocked at how much better you are.
Keen to level up your surfing?
Guys... we're all about good weather, good food and good conversations. The waves and rides, in many ways, are just a bonus.
If you're ready to take the next step and boost your surf skills though, our surf trips are the answer.
They’re insanely good for levelling up your surfing, but our upcoming beginner/intermediate trip to Santa Cruz in Portugal and our advanced Maldives boat trip are particularly great for building your confidence and skills in a more relaxed environment.
Hit us up using the button below to find your perfect trip.
More fun, faster progression and waves, adventure and smiles. What more could you ask for?
