Going on your first surfing trip can be exhilarating, but a bit scary too. If you’re still a novice, then you might be worrying about your skill level, or you may not know what to expect from the surfing conditions where you’ll be going. However, you shouldn’t worry, as learning is part of the fun, and there are plenty of things that you can do to prepare yourself physically and mentally for your trip. Here are a few tips to get ready for your first surfing trip ever.
Make Sure You’re Surf Fit
If you’re not in your best shape, then you should start working on getting in surfing shape immediately. Being physically fit will allow you to take on heavier waves, make you more flexible, and allow you to get away from dangerous situations faster.
If you want to improve your flexibility, we strongly suggest you try yoga. Yoga will help improve your balance and will reduce the chances of injury as well. You will also need to get on a cardio regimen to help you with endurance.
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Brush Up on Your Skills
If it’s been a while since you’ve been surfing, you’ll need to brush up on your skills, and we’re not talking about the surfing part only. Another important part you should be focusing on is your paddling. If you can’t go to the shore and practice, you could try swimming. This will work on the same muscles you use for paddling.
If you don’t know how to surf yet, know that learning how to surf doesn’t have to be expensive. You can easily find a beginner board online for less than $1000 that will be more than enough to get you started. You can then enroll in lessons. However, before you start your lessons, you have to make sure that you invest in good surfing gear, eat a good meal, and consider watching a few instructional videos. This will give you some initial pointers that will help you to adapt faster.
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Research the Destination
Researching the place where you’ll be surfing is essential. You have to get intel on what type of waves you can expect, the best type of boards for these kinds of waves, how shallow or deep the ocean is, and how cold/warm the water is. You should also get information on how to access breaks, prominent diseases, local customs and dress codes, and places where you can buy essentials if you’re missing something.
Start Thinking About Transportation
Some people will prefer driving themselves or hiring a guide or chauffeur. Both options have their advantages. If you go with a guide, you’ll have the benefit of always knowing the best spots, and will have more inside information about the destination. If you decide to rent a car, then you’ll have more liberty, but there’s also the chance that you end up getting lost or have issues with authorities and local driving laws. It all depends on whether you want more structure or want to be able to roam freely.
Have Fun!
Don’t forget to have fun, and bring a few friends with you. It’s never a good idea to go on a first trip somewhere solo, and you never know when you might need some help. Having a surf buddy with you will go a long way and make you feel more secure.
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These few tips will help you make the best of your first surfing trip. Whatever you do, make sure that you know everything there is to know about the destination, and that you’re in tip-top shape before you leave.
