Surfing

On This Page:

• Learn to Surf with Bodhi Surf
• Benefits of Learning to Surf
• Bodhi Surf Philosopy

Surfing, an ancient sport whose place of origin is still not known for sure, is a water sport that involves a board (or other object) used to ride waves in oceans, lakes, or rivers. The sport first gained popularity in Hawaii, and later made it’s way over to California and Australia. Today, surfing is very a popular sport with a huge industry and following that surrounds it.

1. Surfing is unlike any other activity or sport in two major ways:
2. It is completely dependent upon the cooperation of the ocean to produce adequate surfing conditions
3. The “playing field” is in constant motion

Like other activities, surfing requires skill, physical conditioning, and courage. However, a unique characteristic is that it attracts enthusiasts from all walks of life. Kids as young as three years old as well as adults in their seventies have the ability to ride the waves. As an individual sport, there is no need to find an opponent to play against, or rally a group of friends to play with. Though surfing is individualistic in nature, it does not promote self-centeredness; rather, it distinguishes itself from other activities by dropping the “winner” vs. “loser” dynamic and allowing each surfer to find their own motivation for and pleasure in surfing.

The best way to pick up on surfing is to dedicate time to it by enrolling in a surf clinic or taking a surfing vacation. An single surf lesson is a great option if you are limited in time; it can serve as an introduction or refresher course, and gives you the added benefit of having a surf instructor guide you through the basics of learning how to stand-up, as well as ensuring your safety in the water. However, to really progress in your surfing ability you need to spend hours in the ocean.

Surfing clinics and surfing vacations are the ideal option because you not only spend a lot of time in the water, you also benefit from working consistently with a surf instructor who, over the course of a few days, can provide tips and pointers to get you surfing exponentially better. Once you have a solid foundation then it’s just a matter of practice and dedication to continue improving your skills.

Here are some of Bodhi Surf’s options for surf instruction:

Surfing is one of those activities that has a large following, for one or more of the following reasons:

• Has a status of being an elite sport that few will ever master
• Takes place somewhere that nearly everyone wants to be — at the beach
• Those who do it well make it look amazing; effortless, like walking on water
• Has its own, very visible culture that surrounds it complete with popular clothing and accessory brands

While experienced surfers make riding a wave look easy, learning to surf, for many, is an incredibly challenging activity. The physical exertion that one must exude, the courage, and the skill that one must develop seems overwhelming, but is attainable. It’s just a matter of building endurance and strength, self-confidence, and practicing — a lot. Developing a knowledge of the ocean and its waves takes hours and hours of time in the water. You can learn to stand-up in a day but the fact is that it takes time to develop into a surfer.

For us at Bodhi Surf School, surfing is more than just a sport or physical activity; it is our way of life. As surfers, we come into close contact with the ocean on a regular basis, developing a certain dependence and unique respect for its role in our lives. Our oceans are an important component of the earth, and we should not ignore the impact that we, as humans, are having on them.

The Bodhi Surf School philosophy highlights the importance of being in tune with the ocean. While most sports focus on competition and discipline, surfing stresses a basic understanding of, and respect for nature, the ocean, and the waves. Throughout our surf instruction we like to share information which extends beyond surfing, including:

• How waves are formed
• The functions of the marine ecosystem
• The importance of tides
• Marine life facts
• Ocean safety
• Costa Rica facts
• … and much more

Our goal is to not only to get you standing on a surfboard, but to provide you with a unique surfing experience that will bring you closer to nature and rediscover the value of our oceans.