Anyone who has ever spent time in the company of someone who surfs will tell you that they're arguably the most down-to-earth people on the planet. There's something about the oneness with nature that you experience on the open water which can really provide some perspective and a break from the day-to-day hustle bustle of the rat race.
Visitors to the likes of Lahinch or Bundoran will testify as to how much a surfing community can contribute positively to a town's identity but what exactly is it about surfing which makes it so appealing to so many? Here are some of the best reasons why surfing is something that everybody should do.
Surfing Is Great For Your Health
This one is fairly self-explanatory. Taking up surfing as a hobby will lead you to spending more time outdoors doing an aerobic activity and, trust us, surfing is a full body workout. We would also suggest that surfing is a fantastic way to get a tan but this is Ireland, so...
Surfing Teaches You To Be Patient
To be completely up front with you, surfing isn't exactly the easiest hobby to take up. You'll be humbled several times over before you find yourself getting better. But as soon as you reach a certain level of competency you will pat yourself on the back for sticking with it and a new life-long habit will have been formed.
Surfing Makes You Happy
Surfing makes you spend more time outdoors. Being outdoors means you will get more sun. Getting more sun means you will have more Vitamin D in your system. This makes you happy. It's really as straight forward as that.
Surfing Will Lead You To Meeting Some Very Interesting People
Any regular surfers will tell you about the sense of community which goes hand-in-hand with the sport. It is a great unifier, bringing together people of all races and creeds in the search for the perfect wave. And like a lot of great things in life, surfing is all about the journey and not so much about the destination.
Surfing Is Difficult
Surfing being difficult is a good thing, we hear you cry? Yes, it is. It's very important to push yourself into things that don't necessarily come easy to you and there are few better ways to do this than to show up to day one of surfing school with intentions to learn no matter how difficult it may be. And, as any beginner will tell you, your first day at surfing school is HARD.
Once You Master It You Will Love It
Well, no one really 'masters' surfing as there are always new ways to push yourself but once you raise your skills to a certain level you'll wish you had learned how to surf ten years earlier. Few hobbies instill such a sense of accomplishment and the sense that you can overcome any obstacle as when you find your balance for the first time on a surf board.
But you have to try it first to experience it. And once you do, you'll never look back.
