Why do we dash from the school gates to the shoreline, check the surf forecast before the kids wake up, and fit our work schedules around the tides?
In a nutshell, surfing makes us feel great. It gives us a break from the demands of parenthood, boosts our fitness and wellbeing, and in turn makes us better mums. “Being a mum is exhausting at times and it’s often a struggle to prioritise your hobbies,” says Angie Abell, a marine biologist and mum of two. “When I get a chance to surf it reminds me how important it is to get some headspace and take time to do something for me. I am definitely a better mum for it.”
Surfing gives us a sense of freedom
It’s no secret that motherhood is a juggling act that takes a gargantuan amount of energy on a daily basis. We’re sleep deprived, up to our eyeballs with chores, trying to maintain careers and relationships, while being peace keepers, carers, cooks and taxi drivers. But as soon as you hit the sea, the parenting load gets rinsed away by the waves, as your senses are overloaded by the sounds, sights and motion of the ocean. “Surfing makes me feel free!” Says Celine Bennet, co-founder of Family Surf Co. “As mums we are all very busy, and the best way to take some time out without messages, phone calls and jobs to do, is simply to be in the sea on a surfboard.”
Blue health benefits of surfing
It’s not just our passion for surfing and the ocean that makes us feel good. There’s plenty of scientific evidence to prove that being active in the water has a positive impact on our mental and physical health. Blue Health studies show how it encourages us to be mindful, triggers a more positive mindset, improves sleep and lowers stress levels. Whether you’re bobbing around in the whitewater, thinking about your pop up, or paddling out as fast as you can to avoid getting the next set of waves on your head, the sensory overload wrenches you from your thought patterns and to-do lists. “Research is increasingly highlighting the ocean as a therapeutic environment, interrupting the momentum of daily life with its dynamic rhythms, sounds, scents and scenes,” clarifies Dr Sarah Bell from the European Centre for Environment and Human Health.
Surfing boosts your fitness
If you’re looking to boost your health and fitness after having kids, there are few sports that whip you back into shape faster than surfing. It’s a vigorous, entire body workout, burning calories at the same rate as a gym session or game of football – all while being low-impact on your joints. It’s also great for cardiovascular fitness and a healthy heart, builds strength and co-ordination, and all while connecting you Mother Nature and giving you a whopping dose of Vitamin Sea.
“Surfing is physically demanding, builds strength and mentally it’s refreshing as it focuses your mind on that one goal of getting to your feet – so all other worries, commitments, responsibilities are forgotten for that time that you’re in the sea. I come out buzzing but also feeling nicely wound down, relaxed and content,” says Surf Mum Briony Anscombe. Adding that: “Learning to surf has been a scary, often frustrating but hugely rewarding experience. After many wipe outs and near quitting, the sense of total freedom and exhilaration when I finally managed to get to my feet was totally liberating and addictive. It gave me a massive sense of achievement and is something I hope to continue to improve on throughout my life.”
The camaraderie of surfing
Aside from the tangible benefits of surfing, it’s also a vehicle to step back from our more serious roles, park our responsibilities on the shore, and simply have fun. In an all-women environment in the waves, we regress to childlike behaviour, play together and support each other in our surfing journeys – and beyond. “Starting up surfing again after a decade has been just amazing. My life with three young children and a busy job can take its toll and getting back into the sea with other mums and fantastic, supportive coaches has been so therapeutic,” says psychologist and Surf Mum Sarah Mundy. “I look forward to our sessions and feel completely uplifted afterwards. It’s made me remember that I need to work on my self-care, and it nurtures both my body and mind.”
Beyond the sea
It’s not just in the water that we reap the benefits from surfing. Beyond the ocean, we can transfer the skills we learn when we’re surfing into many areas of our lives as mums: The courage to paddle out. The stamina to keep going when we’re exhausted. The strength to get up again and again after wipeouts. The patience and timing to catch the waves. Ultimately, surfing can benefit our wellbeing and also help us to ride the ups and downs of parenthood.