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Surfing is one of those things that you are what you do actually resonates. But that isn’t limited to time spent in the water. There are plenty of things you do on dry land that make you a core surfer, too.
Explore new surf breaks
One of the most exciting aspects of surfing is exploring new areas and searching for waves. Surfing different types of waves will make you a more well-rounded surfer. You also never know what you could be missing out on, that’s just around the corner from your usual spot!
Most surf breaks change with the tide, and some may be non-existent, then appear out of the blue when the tide gets high. Driving around, researching Surfline and studying Google maps is part of the spirit of surfing – the search can be half the fun.
Paddle out on all days, not just the good days
Personally, I don’t consider people who only go out on the perfect days surfers. I had a roommate in Hawai’i who surfed only a handful of times a year, when the surf was double overhead and he had access to his friend’s boat to surf offshore. Whatever.
Surfers are the ones who are out there when its glassy, when its sloppy, when there’s barely enough twilight left to even see the waves approaching. Surfing isn’t a love affair, it’s a deep, committed relationship and you get the ocean at her best and worst.
Support your local surf shop
Visiting your local surf shop and other small business surf shops when you’re traveling is one of the best things you can do for surfing culture. Locally-owned surf shops are the ones supporting the community and keeping the stoke alive.
Also seek out local surfboard shapers who design surfboards for the places that you go. Their local expertise means they can design the perfect surfboard for your favorite surf break and surfing style.
Spend time in the parking lot
Surprisingly, even when you live in a beach town, it can be difficult to make friends with other surfers. Where are they? One place they will be for sure is the parking lot at the beach.
After surfing, take your time packing up the car before heading out. Linger, eat something, let your wetsuit drip a bit and soak in that post-surf glow. If the tide isn’t quite right, you might hang out for a bit instead of leaving and checking back later.
It’s a sure-fire way to get acquainted with the locals and start being recognized as a local surfer yourself, too.
Clean your beach
The difference between tourists at the beach and surfers is that surfers care deeply about the ocean and environment and take care of it. Surfers will take the time to pick up three or more pieces of trash on the beach on their way back to the parking lot.
On the other hand, it’s common to see groups of beachgoers walk away after being posted up on the beach all day, leaving stray items behind like sandwich bags and plastic shovels. Others won’t care to pick them up, but surfers will.
Make a morning out of it – The Surfrider Foundation and other non-profit organizations host beach clean-up days, inviting the community to pitch in.
Pay it forward
I mean, the last thing we need is more surfers crowding the line-up but it’s also an amazing thing to share your passion and knowledge with someone else, and teach them how to surf.
You might hang on to old boards, or even buy a soft-top or cheap longboard to have one on-hand to teach a friend to surf. (Of course, you don’t want to lend a newbie your favorite!)
The main idea
Maybe you’ve only surfed a few times and don’t feel like you can call yourself a surfer quite yet. But once you start incorporating surfing into more aspects of your life, you’ll feel a stronger connection to surfing and the culture, and soon may not even remember what life was like before you became a surfer.
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