Surfing: Why You Should Learn

Surfing is a sport that has mysterious and ancient origins - no one is exactly sure when or where it began, but it is something that has been practiced by humans (for pleasure!) for hundreds of years. Today, surfing is a very popular sport with an estimated following of over 2.7 million people and a multi-billion dollar industry pushing every aspect of surfing to the masses.

Surfing is unlike any other activity or sport in two major ways, in that:

It is completely dependent upon the cooperation of nature to produce adequate surfing conditions
The "playing field" is in constant motion

It requires skill, physical conditioning, and courage, and is unique because it attracts enthusiasts from all walks of life. Something that surfers of all types seem to agree on is that it is one of the most awesome and amazing activities that you can have the privilege of being able to do in this lifetime.

Why Learn to Surf

Both surfing and surf culture have a cult-like following that surrounds them. Surfing is one of those activities that people will schedule their day around, plan their travel to include, and even uproot their lives for. But what exactly is it about surfing that puts people under its spell? The reasons themselves are personal to each individual, but here are four of the most common:

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It’s really, really addictive, whether you go alone or with a crew, whether you brave the cold or are graced with sunshine and warmth, whether you’re going for to perform or to enjoy, just it hooks you.
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It’s great exercise for the whole body, and it doesn’t feel like exercise — enough said.
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It challenges you, it never gets old or boring, it makes you confront your fears, and despite at times being difficult, the feeling you get when you make progress is unparalleled.
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It connects you with nature in a way that you may not have realized you wanted or even needed, but once you experience it, it has the ability to change your life.

Why Surfing is a Special Activity

Moreover, surfing is for everyone - kids, older adults, working professionals, students, retirees, city dwellers, outdoor enthusiasts, those who are landlocked, those who don't consider themselves athletic, and even those who don't know how to swim (while it's not recommended, it doesn't stop the truly motivated). For anyone who has ever had an inkling that they wanted to try, we wholeheartedly encourage that you to give it a go.

At Bodhi, we all have different surf backgrounds and levels (some of us have surfed competitively, while others pursue it as a low-key pastime); however, today, all of us share the belief that surfing benefits us most due to reason number four, that it connects us profoundly with our natural world. Much of what we now do at Bodhi Surf + Yoga has developed because of this point, and it is one of the strongest reasons that we want to introduce new people to the lifestyle of surfing; so that they are able to have this incredible experience in nature, and are thus inspired to go above and beyond to protect it.

Learning to Surf at Bodhi

Bodhi Surf + Yoga has been growing, evolving, and improving, since our inception in 2010, and if you're interested, we encourage you to read some of the testimonials from our guests over the years. For that reason, we have put together the best surf and yoga camp, a week-long holistic learning experience with a surf curriculum that is designed to help you achieve your learn-to-surf surf goals.

The Bodhi Surf + Yoga experience is more than just about surfing. We are proud to be a surf and yoga camp, and our weekly camps feature an equal number of surf and yoga sessions. Over the years, we have witness the mutual benefits of surfing and yoga, both physically and mentally, and especially during the learning process. Yoga provides strength, flexibility, and mental clarity, and allows students to push themselves for a whole week of surfing.

Obstacles to Learning to Surf

Surfing is an activity that requires a good teacher. Most of surfing's obstacles can be overcome (and in a much quicker timeframe), if you have a good surf coach. Unfortunately, there are countless surf "schools" that will give their clients brief coaching on how to stand up, push them into waves, snap a picture or two, and never really teach them any of the fundamentals of surfing. It is difficult to learn to surf independently and successfully in that case.

Here are some of the common obstacles to learning to surf:

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Surf conditioning is much different than that of other activities: swimming, running, Crossfit, etc.
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Fear of / lack of comfort in the ocean and its waves.
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Inability to progress due to lack of consistency (time or access).
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Self-doubt, that little voice in the back of your head that says “you’re not going to be able to do this!”

It takes time to develop into a surfer. Attaining knowledge of the ocean and its waves can take countless hours of water time. If you want to learn to surf despite its obstacles, the best tips are to find a good teacher and a good place, and invest a week into learning the fundamentals. After that, you'll be hooked!

Benefits of Learning to Surf in Bahia Ballena

Our beach-side community, Bahia Ballena, is an unparalleled place to learn how to surf or to sharpen your surfing skills. The local beach where surf lessons occur is within the Marino Ballena National Park. It is a pristine and clean environment where crowds are very minimal most of the year. The topography of the ocean floor makes our beach ideal for learning, practicing, and developing surf skills. One of the most awesome features of this area is that the water is deliciously warm all year round!

The surf instructors at Bodhi Surf + Yoga want to see you stand up on a board, and more importantly, become independent surfers. For that reason, we have designed a surf curriculum that walks our students through the basic knowledge and skills required to get them on a path of progression towards becoming independent surfers and provides ample time to practice and repeat. Likewise, for those who already have surf experience, we can help them refine their existing skill set, correct bad habits, and provide them with the tools to continue improving.