Curious about the benefits of surfing and stand-up paddle boarding? Here are 15 reasons you should give these amazing watersports a go!
1. Physical fitness
Both surfing and stand-up paddle boarding provide excellent full-body workouts, engaging muscles in the arms, legs, core, and back. Paddling through waves and balancing on the board require strength, endurance, and coordination… but you’ll be having so much fun, you won’t even notice those abs getting chiselled!
2. Cardiovascular health
The continuous paddling involved in both activities elevates the heart rate, improving cardiovascular health and endurance over time. With so many of us spending long periods sitting down at a desk, it’s so important to move our bodies and get that heart pumping!
3. Balance and coordination
Balancing on a surfboard or SUP board enhances proprioception (your body’s ability to sense movement, action, and location) and coordination skills. Regular practice can improve overall balance, which carries over into daily activities. This is especially important for children as developing good balance early on will set them up for success in sports and physical activities later in life.
4. Mindful stress reduction
Being out on the water, surrounded by amazing scenery, you can’t help but feel calm and in touch with nature. The rhythmic motion of paddling and the focus required for surfing promotes relaxation and allows you to be fully present. Whatever it is that’s been stressing you out lately — whether it’s work, money, family or something else — seems to just melt away when you’re out on the water.
5. Connection with nature
Surfing and stand-up paddle boarding offer unique opportunities to connect with the ocean, developing a deeper appreciation for its amazing ecosystems and fostering a greater awareness of serious issues like plastic pollution and marine conservation.
6. Social benefits
Both activities can be enjoyed solo or with friends, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie among participants. Surfing especially has a strong culture of inclusivity and support among surfers, and you’ll find the surfing community in Ireland to be welcoming and inclusive, no matter what skill level you’re at.
7. Mental health benefits
Spending time in nature and engaging in physical activity are both known to have positive effects on our mental health. Surfing and stand-up paddle boarding combine both of these and provide a healthy outlet for stress and anxiety.
8. Adrenaline rush
There’s nothing like the feeling of catching a wave… once you do, you’ll be hooked!
9. Improved sleep
Physical activity and exposure to natural light during the day can contribute to better sleep quality at night, which in turn has a positive effect on your mood the next day.
10. Confidence and skill development
Both surfing and stand-up paddle boarding require skills that might seem daunting at first, but just wait for the sense of accomplishment once you get the hang of it! For kids in particular, it’s a real confidence-booster that might just instil a lifelong love of watersports.
11. Increased vitamin D production
Spending time outdoors in the sunshine promotes the body’s production of vitamin D, which is essential for bone health and overall well-being. Here in Ireland, we’re often lacking in Vitamin D, especially in the wintertime, so this is a great way to give yourself a natural boost.
12. Enhanced immune function
Regular exercise, combined with exposure to fresh air and sunlight, can strengthen the immune system, helping participants ward off illness and stay healthier overall.
13. Provides a much-needed break from screens
Unplugging from technology while surfing or stand-up paddle boarding provides a valuable opportunity to escape the digital noise of everyday life. By leaving behind the distractions of phones and devices constantly pinging and demanding our attention, you can fully engage with your surroundings, focusing on the rhythm of the waves, the feel of the board beneath your feet, and the beauty of nature around you.
14. Cross-training benefits
Both surfing and stand-up paddle boarding complement a variety of other sports and activities, providing cross-training opportunities that can dramatically improve your overall fitness and performance.
15. Fun, fun, FUN!
Surfing and stand-up paddle boarding are so much fun, no matter what age or fitness level you’re at. You’re guaranteed to feel great after your lesson and be looking to get back in the water as soon as possible!