Reasons Why You Should Try Surfing from Girls all over the World

I remember my first time to try surfing. It was in Lanuza back in November 2015 and it was a disaster. I’m not prepared and I did not know what to expect. But despite the not so good experience about this activity, I decided to try it again. Indeed, you have to give it a second try before saying “I’ll never do it again”.

I already said it before, and I will say it again. Surfing is the only activity that gave me a good feeling, even if I would end up with multiple bruises. I would gladly flash it to the world as my battle scars.

And because I love this sport so much that and I want other girls to experience it even once. If I can’t convince you, here are other girls to give you reasons why you should try surfing.

Kelly

Blog: Girl with the Passport

Instagram: @kellyduhigg

I never thought I would surf.  EVER. I mean, I am not super coordinated and was intimidated by the sport and its seeming grace. But I was in Lima, Peru and I felt lost and alone. I needed an escape and thought, “Why not escape into the water?” And I did. While surfing, I did not think about my path in life and where I was headed next. Rather, I focused on the balance of the board as I glided my hands through the cool and refreshing water.

The smell of the salt water perfectly complimented the spray of ocean mist that grazed my forehead. For the first time ever, I felt completely and totally connected with my surroundings. To me, the ocean, gave me a sense of peace and a singleness of purpose that I had never felt before. As a result, surfing saved me from myself, and provided me with a sense of accomplishment. I mean, there is no better feeling than when all your hard work finally pays off, and you are able to stand up and catch a wave.

And while I wouldn’t surf in Lima, Peru again, since it’s rocky,, the instructors don’t speak English, and you have to change into a wet suit in a porta potty,  I am glad I went surfing because I found something I never knew I loved. And to me, that is the best gift of all.

Genie

Blog: Gallivanting Bean

Instagram: @gallivantingbean 

I’ve always wanted to try surfing and being a Los Angeles/California girl I still feel the obligation to learn! I’ve actually never surfed in California before but every time I go to Hawaii, specifically Oahu, I take a beginner surfing lesson. So no I’m definitely not a pro by any means! I still need the instructor to push me in order to be fast enough to catch a wave. Surfing was attractive to me because I love both trying new things and challenging myself. 

The only other sport I’ve done that’s close to surfing is snowboarding. And I’m not very good at that either. So it was definitely a little nerve wrecking at first. There were all these thoughts and concerns running through my head while I was practicing on land and then paddling out into the ocean. Don’t embarrass yourself. Hands, knees, then feet. Turn onto your back if you fall. Make sure the board is strapped onto your ankle. Stand up on your first try (This one because I’m super competitive with these kind of things). But I swallowed my nerves and just went for it. And guess what? I stood up on my very first try! It’s not as scary as it looks and there has to be a first time for everything. So just go for it!

And my recommended surfing destination is Oahu, Hawaii! I always take lessons with Pro Surf 

Vanda

Blog: The Yogi Wanderer

Facebook: The Yogi Wanderer

My reason: Surfing is pure joy!

Surfing was a dream of mine since I was a little girl. But although I was born in an island and have lived most of my life in one of Europe’s best surf destinations – Portugal, it was only a couple of years ago, at the age of 35, that I finally climbed on top of a surfboard for the first time.

And oh boy did I have fun! More than fun – it was pure joy! I felt like a kid playing in the ocean for the first time. To my surprise I was even able to stand up on the surfboard and surf a couple of small waves. I felt so free, blissful and proud that I was back for more the next day.

I would definitely recommend any woman of any age to try this amazing sport. There’s something about riding a surfboard that’s impossible to describe. You have to try and feel it for yourself.

If you’re just starting out, the best and safest way to do it is with an experienced teacher, on a spot suited for beginners. I chose a surfing school on Carcavelos Beach, Lisbon. Carcavelos was the birthplace of surfing in Portugal and is considered one of the best surfing beaches in Europe, which make it the perfect place to surf your first wave.

Amanda

Blog: Amanda Around the World

Instagram: @amanda.around.the.world

Reason to try surfing: No regrets!

I have been travelling the world for the past 5 years for work and travel, and one thing is for sure: I never regret things I tried, but it’s always easy to wonder “what if….” for things you were too scared to even attempt. Surfing is a really intense sport. Although I’m not a “sports person”, I wanted to try it out. It was hard. It was exhausting. You might get salt water up your nose, and sore arms, and a sun burn, but by the end of the day I felt amazing to say that I actually stood up on the board and rode a wave!

I’ve never been surfing again, but a number of my friends from that trip in Australia actually joined surf clubs and went every weekend – a great way to stay in shape and make new friends. Looking back, I have no regrets, because I know I’m not afraid to try something new just because it’s hard.

Where to surf: Gold Coast, Australia

Johanna

Blog: Camera and Cheese

Instagram: @cameraandcheese

I tried surfing in July 2016. I was going through a rough time and that moment of my life was very pivotal. I was surprised at how amazing I felt when I tried it for the first time. At first, I did not know I’d get hooked to it. I later found myself going to the ocean more often than I used to and I could never appreciate the sea as I did before when there’s no waves.

There’s nothing quite like this experience. I love the adrenaline and the high feeling when I get to catch a wave on my own. It is because I am in control of my body, I get to clear my mind, and I have a sense of accomplishment. I am by no means a pro at it but I really love surfing. It introduced me to a world of sea-loving, genuinely helpful, down-to-earth, and chill people. And as cheesy as this sounds, it helped me get through the many downs of my life.

Surfing destination: Dulag, Leyte, Philippines

Lisa

Blog: Fjords and Beaches

Instagram: @Fjordsandbeaches

If you are considering surfing, or already love the sport, surfing at Surfer’s Paradise, Gold Coast, Australia is a must. The name gives it away, as this beach is incredibly popular amongst surfers and beach bums alike. My first time trying surfing I headed to Surfer’s (as the locals simply call it), after getting an awesome surf school offer on Groupon (make sure to always check there), and had an amazing time. In addition to surfing, there are loads of fun things to do in Gold Coast, but you just can’t visit the area without trying the ‘national sport’. I didn’t think surfing would be as rewarding as it was, which is one of the main reasons you should experience it! I struggled a lot in the beginning of my class, but have never felt so accomplished in my life as when I finally stood up on the surfboard.

Kate

Blog: Our Escape Clause

Facebook: Our Escape Clause

I have never been accused of being a graceful person. However, when I arrived in Puerto Escondido, Mexico, home to some of the best surfing in the world, I as determined to give it a shot. As it turns out, I wasn’t half bad for a complete novice!

Regardless of your athleticism or skill level, I highly recommend trying surfing at least once: skimming along the top of the water why the powerful ocean propels you forward is an incredibly freeing, powerful feeling that everyone should get the chance to experience–and it’s well worth the inevitable fall.

I fell in love with surfing in Mexico. It may have been my first time hopping on a board, but it won’t be the last.

Recommend Surfing Destination: Puerto Escondido, Mexico 

Izzy

Blog: The Quirky Queer

Instagram: @muccycloud

I think people should try surfing because you just feel so good after a hard day on the waves! You get into bed feeling super exhausted, happy, and just satisfied, even if you spent most of your time falling off your board. The feeling is indescribably amazing, you’ll have to try it to experience it for yourself.

My recommended surf spot is Croyde in Devon, I went on a surfing holiday there every year as a teenager, we’d camp and surf and it was always a blissful weekend.

Rosie

Blog: Flying Fluskey

Facebook: Flying Flusky

My reason: It’s not something you have to be good at to enjoy.

I have spent ten years trying to convince my other half to try surfing. At the age of sixteen, I’d taken a trip to Newquay and tried it. I really enjoyed it but I could never convince him…until January. We were in Mirissa Sri Lanka and it was my 30th birthday. This meant I got to pick what we did all day! I booked us a lesson (with a little birthday discount) and we jumped on a bus to Weligama, the next town West.

Once in the water, it was clear that my husband was not a natural surfer. We both plunged into the surf on our first few attempts, laughing uproariously. The waves died down briefly and our instructor encouraged us to climb on our boards to wait. Karl capsized repeatedly. We were both laughing too hard to recover properly. It was so much fun.

I ended the lesson by managing to stand up for a whole 13 seconds, on a wave that was so big that my instructor shouted “don’t look the wave!!” Karl ended the lesson with a seven second stand which was fantastic compared with the belly-flopping seal of his first half an hour. The following day, we had aching arms from the surfing and aching tummies from all the laughing. Now, we can’t wait to try it again

Amy

Blog: Page Traveller

Facebook: Page Traveller

I’ve always loved the idea of surfing, perhaps I was just obsessed with Point Break when I was growing up, though I sadly lived in-land. I took my first surf lesson in Hong Kong, pictured above, at Tai Long Wan, though HK is definitely not known for its surf! I was hooked and starting looking into surf schools in Asia, deciding on Bali.

So, last autumn I backpacked around Southeast Asia and ended my trip in Bali, where I’d planned to take a course in surfing. However, I got one of those typical annoying scooter burns on my leg and was told the risk of infection was too dangerous! It wasn’t meant to be, but it’s all the more reason to return again soon.

 

Lisa

Blog: Anywhere’s Perfect

Instagram: @lkf_anywheresperfect

I was never particularly interested in trying surfing. I can’t even tell you why, but I was never as excited about it as a lot of people around me. But then I got to Australia in 2010 and the lifestyle got me. So I thought to myself, being a surfer would be pretty cool. I tried it once but I wouldn’t count it as my first experience, cause it was just a few hours.

But then I went to Bali in 2014 (Kima Surf in Seminyak) and gave the whole surfing thing another try. For a whole week. I mean, what could go wrong?

Apparently a lot. From the very first day, I had bad luck. I got the Bali belly, I sprang my ankle, I hit the fin into my leg and bled like crazy. So needless to say I only had around 3 actual surf sessions without being injured or sick. So how could you get any better with that?

Now I kind of lost my motivation. After two  so“-experiences I just gave up on it. Maybe I’m not made for it. But I still love the lifestyle. And I would tell everyone to try it at least once. Because if you figure out that it’s your thing and you’re good at it, then you are part of one of the most relaxing, beautiful and cool lifestyles out there.

 

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