Surfing: a 365, 24/7 sport | Photo: Shutterstock

Surfing is a year-round sport because somewhere on the planet, there is a storm.

And where there is wind, there are waves. So if you are extremely wealthy - like top company executives or lottery winners - then you can book a private jet to the Mentawais for winter's next big swell.

But all jokes aside, surfing, like stick and ball sports, can be enjoyed any time of the year.

Yes, we do have seasons for professional contests like the World Championship Tour. But those contests are dependent on promotional timing and premium surf conditions.

Surfers can enjoy physical activity and technical maintenance to isolate their free time and stay focused on surfing all year round.

For the everyday enthusiast, you can get out and do something surf-related any day of the year, regardless of where you live. Whether it's flat or pumping, surfers can't get enough water time.

Obviously, if it's pumping, be sure to surf as much as possible.

However - we recommend - do not skip work or school as you will definitely be reprimanded and suffer the consequences.

Set your alarm and give yourself two hours to paddle out and clean up in time for roll call.

Likewise, if it's flat, you can get out there and practice moves to enhance your abilities for when the premium surf does come.

Exercise routines in the gym or out in nature are great for keeping the body fit. If you're in the water, you can practice duck diving and paddling.

There is no excuse for missing and not catching that perfect wave. Many times, people wait until the surf season to get on their boards, but this can be a mistake.

Surfing: winter brings some of the best swells of the year | Photo: Shutterstock

Exercises For All Seasons

Imagine getting out to the lineup with a fast, big set rolling in. You set it up perfectly; you time it perfectly. But you can't get enough speed to pocket into the wave.

You can blame the board, which is easy to do. But if you critically analyze your preparedness, you'll notice you might need to look into your physical fitness.

Basically, and in layman's terms, paddling on a flat day is one of the best things you can do to build endurance and speed.

Another exercise to consider is practicing your pop-up. Lay a towel down on the beach, lie down, and emulate a wave coming in.

Then, use your arms and triceps in a push-up motion to lift your body into the air while tucking your knees to your chest and your feet onto the mat below, as if you were standing on your surfboard.

Do this many times with snappy motions. It will ensure you never go over the falls again, and you catch the most waves possible.

Another thing you can do year-round related to surfing is fix up your old boards or ultimately shape a new one.

The latter is a bit difficult, and we will need to read a DIY guide for that.

The former is something any novice surfer should learn to do because it is quite costly to pay someone else to do - and dings happen often.

This way, you have a variety of usable boards to choose from.

Whether you choose to physically "surf" every day, exercise - to enhance your experience - or dedicate yourself to repairing dings, keeping your head in the surfer's mindset will keep you stoked year-round and for generations to come.


Words by Colin Kirk

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