So you took up surfing during summer? Of course you did! Why wouldn’t you? The days were long, the weather was perfect, the sea was bursting with life. Mates were always keen for a session with good vibes and stoke all round.
But now the days are shorter, the water is a little bit colder and your friends are too busy in the daily grind. So how do you keep up all the progress you’ve made on the waves during the cooler months?
JOIN A SURF SCHOOL
Surf schools around the country have just finished their craziest time of the year. They’ve helped loads of newcomers learn how to paddle, pop-up and ride the waves. Now they get to see who actually sticks with it. If you want to stay motivated - join a surf school. There are heaps up and down the coast just waiting for you. Search the closest to you, or try a few to find one you click with. Surfing within a group will always push you to improve. Or if you like the serenity of surfing by yourself, consider a few private lessons. Coaches can watch you surf and give you some pointers to focus on when you go out again.
Some of our favourites for surf schools and private lessons are: Currumbin Alley Surf School at Currumbin Alley, Go Ride A Wave at Coolangatta and Surf Getaways in Burleigh Heads.
SURF CREW CHEER SQUAD
If you haven’t added all your surf buddies into one big group messenger chat, sort that out right now! Add as many as you can. Encouraging each other to get out there means you’ll always have a friend in the water with you. Plan weekend surf trips for something to look forward to at the end of the week or month, and make it a priority to support each other’s progress. Having your own surfing cheer squad will help keep your love of surfing alive. There’s also plenty of Gold Coast surf groups who go out for weekly surfs. OneWave is a non-profit surf community raising awareness of mental health through a simple recipe - saltwater therapy, surfing and fluro. There’s a OneWave Greenmount crew that paddle out every Saturday morning at 6am. Check them out for some weekly motivation.
ON-SHORE PRACTICE
Can’t get to the beach during the work week? There are plenty of activities you can do that will help keep you on track. One is to take up a surf skate. These help you maintain surf skills on the land so when you do get back in the water, you won’t have gone backwards. There are plenty of surf skate classes in real life and online. It might feel like you’re learning a whole other skill, but it’s all about moving your body in similar ways to being on a wave. Head to Gold Coast Longboards to shop locally-made surf skates.
A pop up can make or break catching a good wave, but the good thing is this important skill can be practised anywhere, anytime. Keeping your fitness up on land will make it so much easier when you get back on the board. For targeted surfers training programs, try out Rhythm Wellness Surfers Yoga as well as Surf Fit Gold Coast.
GO WITH THE FLOW
Seasons change, and so does the surf. It means the only way to feel confident and continue to share the stoke is to get out there and enjoy every surf session, not just in summer, but in every season.