Updated on 22 July 2024
Top tips for getting back into surfing after having kids.
Whether you’re new to surfing or surfed for years before having kids, it’s not an easy sport to fit in around family life – especially when your kids are young. Juggling parenthood and a job is difficult enough, yet alone planning your days around the tides and swell, and mustering the energy and time to hit the waves.
However, surfing and playing in the ocean is also the perfect antidote to the demands of parenting – boosting your energy and well-being, and giving you time to reconnect with yourself and nature. And not only will you feel less stressed, fitter and happier from time spent in the waves, with any luck you’ll pass on your love of the ocean and a healthy outdoor lifestyle to your children. So, here are our top tips for getting back into the water after having kids…
TAKE YOUR TIME…
There’s no hurry to throw yourself straight back out into pumping surf. Ease yourself back into surfing gently. Build up your stamina and ocean fitness with sea dips, bodysurfing, bodyboarding and bellyboarding – getting used to playing in the waves again to remember what it’s all about and boost your confidence.
Ride a bigger board
The combination of less frequent surf sessions and less paddle power will probably mean your wave count drops when you get back in the water – especially if you’re riding a shortboard. Consider getting a bigger board with more volume, enabling you to catch more waves more easily. More ride time will boost your surfing skills and confidence, and also give you that vital surf stoke!
Take surfing lessons
When you take on the responsibilities of motherhood, it can take an unexpected hit on your confidence. Gone is your invincibility blanket and the waves look bigger, take offs look steeper and you might well find yourself standing on the beach feeling like you can’t paddle out in the sort of waves you used to love. While fitness and time back in the water will help, consider taking a few surfing lessons to re-build your skills and confidence alongside a professional.
Join a Surf Club
Hitting the waves with other surfing mums can make it much more fun. One way to meet other surf mums is to join a surf club. In Cornwall there are several women’s surf clubs, including our dedicated Surf Mums club at Kingsurf in Mawgan Porth.
Start a fitness regime
Don’t expect to paddle straight out and start shredding on your first surf after giving birth. You need to restore your core strength and fitness through a progressive exercise regime that focuses on the muscles you need for surfing. Pilates and yoga are perfect for building strength and balance, while swimming and jogging will work your cardio-vascular fitness and give you more stamina when you hit the surf. Checkout vitaminseacollective.com for surf-focussed workouts.
Eat a healthy diet
When you’re breastfeeding and living on very little sleep, it can be easy to grab comfort food and sugary snacks to fuel up. But swap the pastries, cakes and pasta for wholegrains, seasonal veg, vitamin-packed smoothies and protein balls, and you’ll soon reap the rewards of having more energy to expend on exercising and surf sessions.
Book a surfing break!
Motivate yourself to go surfing by booking onto a spring surfing break for Surf Mums. Our luxury breaks are perfect for active mums – whether you’re a complete beginner or want to improve your surfing skills. Find your inner mermaid while boosting your surf fitness, through a programme of surf coaching, yoga, beach fitness, spa and relaxation.
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