When the waves die down or the weather isn’t surfing friendly, it can be tempting to just sit back and think about surfing. I would not recommend this, though! Instead, find hobbies that will allow you to build skills which will assist you when you get back on the water. Surfing was actually the fourth board sport I took up, in front of only snowboarding. I definitely attribute part of my ability to get a grasp on it to the balance that I acquired from these other activities. Just getting a sense of what it’s like to be on a board out of the water can make a world of difference. The following two are my recommendations for surfers during the offseason, dry spells, or those simply looking for hobbies related to catching waves.
#1 : Snowboarding
Many Mainers who cannot brave the frigid waters during the winter months consider this time to be the surfing offseason. I totally understand not wanting to paddle out, but instead you should be hitting the slopes! Snowboarding is not only a great way to take advantage of the cold, often snowy winters that frequent New England – it’s also a great way to help dial your surfing form! Going down the mountain requires crisp, forceful turns that come with a bit of a steep learning curve. Those who overcome this have outstanding balance, though. Don’t be afraid to start off slowly! Getting down the mountain will take a bit of time. While there isn’t any sort of pop up involved, being on a snowboard will absolutely give surfers a great way to work on board stability and general feel.
#2 : Paddleboarding
If the waves aren’t good but you still want to be in the water, paddle boarding is an amazing option. We can actually help with this one, as a new shipment just arrived at the shop last week! While on a paddle board you ride with your feet facing forward – which is different than surfing – you can actually treat it just like a surfboard to work on your form. Picture yourself on a wave, and pretend it’s simply a bigger version of a surfboard! Practice popping up in flat waters, and even point your feet to the side if you’re looking to really get into it. Because of their length, width and stability, paddle boards are a great tool to work on surfing form and technique. Not to mention, they’re just plain fun to get around on!