Written by Portico
Lessons from a Beginner, Novice, and Long-time Surfer
The team at Portico has collectively been to hundreds of countries. As savvy world travelers, we always love to experience the authentic side of each place we visit. Which is why many of our travels have led us to surfing.
We’ve rounded up three perspectives from three different members of our team: Jacqueline, our CEO and novice surfer; Steph, our head of social media and beginning surfer; and Arestia, our head of content and long-time surfer. Spoiler alert: we think everyone should try surfing. Read on to learn why.
Anyone Can Learn – And at Any Age
While you might not be catching waves at Pipeline or Mavericks anytime soon, it’s fairly easy to get the basics of surfing down. If you have an instructor (please go out with an instructor) and a solid board, you should be able to pop up. It might take a few tries and a good amount of falls, but practice on the sand to start. Keep at it and you’ll get there.
For Steph’s first time, she says, “I went with a surf instructor and a small group of women… Once I got going and the instructor pushed me into the first wave, I was able to stand up on my own. I’m a fairly athletic person – with extensive experience in water sports – so I was able to catch on quickly. After catching a couple of waves, I felt confident that I could paddle into my own wave and paddle out into the bigger (2ft) waves.”
It doesn’t matter your age either. Jacqueline gave a lesson for a 50th birthday present and it was a hit. And Bev Sanders, who started when she was 44, then created a surf camp for women.
It Will Teach You Something
There are so many lessons in surfing, and we don’t just mean actually learning how. As Jacqueline describes, “Surfing has reminded me to be patient, to assess the next wave in life and go with the flow. It’s provided me with a new appreciation for the powerfulness of the ocean (from tumbling time after time). And it’s provided me with a sense of calm and another dimension to sitting on a beach as I now love watching others surf, too.”
You’ll Make Friends
When everyone is having a good time in the water, or even in the parking lot before or after, surfing is a great way to meet people. Says Arestia, “I’ve met some really incredible female surfers in my area (Los Angeles) through the Yoniswell surf collective, so it’s been a great way to make friends and connect with my community. And anytime I travel and surf, I always meet awesome locals that end up taking me to their favorite post-surf chow spots.”
It Will Challenge You
Even though we surfers believe any day in the water is a good time, there are always good days and not as good days. “Because I am impatient and need to be constantly challenging myself, I quickly became bored with the baby waves…but the bigger ones my friends were on were way too scary” says Steph. “I think because I’m constantly surrounded by either phenomenal surfers or awful surfers, I haven’t found the confidence to continue to challenge myself with the sport. It’s hard. I get self-conscious…but I know it takes time, practice, and patience and I’ll get there.”
It Just Feels Good
There is really nothing like riding on top of a wave. As Jacqueline describes it, “It’s like you’re standing on the top of the world (literally the water) with this immense power propelling you forward. And it’s all-natural. You can feel and hear the rush of the waves. And you know the ride is up to how you balance your body and weight (vs driving a car or a jet ski or something else). It’s much more an art form. And it’s absolutely amazing.”
It’ll Make Your Whole Day Better
Just try to find a surfer not smiling. “There’s always something to work on or challenge myself on, but I always enjoy it,” says Arestia. “Any day surfing is a good day. It isn’t just something I do but part of who I am.” It can also be a fun new way to experience a beach vacation, whether you’re in Todos Santos, Costa Rica, Bali, or anywhere with a break.
Think you’ll try your hand at surfing for your next trip? Head over to Portico and start planning your next–or first–surf trip. Portico is the ultimate travel organizer that helps you ditch those tiresome spreadsheets, more easily travel dream, save ideas, and plan your trips. Read more about some of our favorite spots to get you started.
Part of the #TravelCanHeal community, Portico is a woman-owned business aiming to empower through travel.