There are many myths surrounding surfing. Being a ‘surfer’ usually comes with stereotypes, such as being lazy and having bleach blond hair. Today, we look at 6 surfing myths that need busting, urgently!

Picture your stereotypical surfer: A dude in his early 20’s, super fit, has bleach blond hair, a great tan and is catching waves somewhere sunny. The concept of the beach bum probably originated in California in the 1950s and 1960s when young people were turning away from traditional career paths, embracing more rock than roll and spending their leisure time with what were then unconventional hobbies, such as skating and surfing.

The free spirited, bohemian surfing lifestyle ist still very much a thing, however, surfing has spread through the classes and ages and is now very much a sport for the masses, among which are high flyers, the likes of the surfing doctor Phil Chapman or CEO and GoPro founder, Nicholas Woodman.

The beach bum myth is outdated and not true ❌

Just like with any sport, starting early and practising often helps, of course it does. But is that the only way to succeed in surfing? Certainly not. You can learn to surf at any stage of your life if you’re physically fit enough to paddle into waves and pop up on your surfboard and mentally tough enough to combat the wipeouts.

In our surf camps, we welcome surf holiday guests of all ages. We often have surf campers in their 40s or even 50s who come with their families or on their own and want to try out something new. Ability levels vary in all ages, but the expression on a surf newbies’ face when he or she is catching a wave is always priceless, no matter the age.

There’s an age limit to surfing? No, it’s a myth ❌

Surfing is often referred to as a way of life or a lifestyle rather than a sport with surfers ‘living only for the swell’ and their next wave. That’s a load of rubbish, of course. Surfing has long been a recreational activity and, in more recent years, surfing has also started to be recognized competitively.

Surfing is a fully legitimized sport, governed by the International Surf League (ISA) that defines Surfing as Shortboard, Longboard & Bodyboarding, StandUp Paddle (SUP) Racing and Surfing, Para-Surfing, Bodysurfing, Wakesurfing, and all other wave riding activities on any type of waves, and on flat water using wave riding equipment.

Then there’s the World Surf League (WSL) which is comprised of tours and events, celebrating the world’s best surfers across all disciplines and annually running more than 180 global contests and crowning the undisputed World Champions across all divisions.

And, last but not least, Surfing made its debut appearance at the 2020 Summer Olympics in 2020 in Tokyo, Japan. It has also been approved by the IOC for inclusion at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. So if that doesn’t convince you that surfing is a sport, nothing will.

Surfing isn’t a sport? Of course it is! ❌

En contraire, mes amis! There is no such thing as “too cold to surf”! Oh no. Although most of our summer surf camps only run in the summer, there is nothing stopping you from surfing EPIC waves in colder temperatures. Take England, for example, the surf only really gets good here between December and March. And yep, there are some pretty sweet waves in Iceland where it’s not unusual to surf with seals and icebergs. 

And then there are plenty of popular winter surf destinations where you get to escape the cold at home to enjoy some winter sun. Yes, please! Amongst our favourite winter holiday destinations for surfing is Fuerteventura, also called the island of eternal spring. The oldest of the Canary islands enjoys warm and sunny conditions and lacks the typical European seasons and annual temperature variations. Thermometers on Fuerteventura show pleasant mid-twenty degrees throughout the year and an average of more than 300 days of sunshine per year. And not to forget Morocco, where the surf season is best between September and March when you will find consistent swell, warm water and warm air temperatures.

You can only surf in the summer? Totally made up ❌

This one couldn’t not be further from the truth and if you have ever tried surfing you will know just how hard it can be. Like any other sport, there are so many components that go into surfing: you have to have good fitness, knowledge of the ocean and determination, just to name a few.

Now we get that the pros can make it look easy, but that’s why they are pros! Surfing can be a hugely frustrating sport and takes a lot of patience and perseverance to master. But trust us, the first time you catch a green wave, you pop up on your surfboard and glide down the face of the wave; that feeling, that adrenaline rush will keep you coming back for more. 

Surfing is easy? That’s a big fat lie ❌

Yep, well that one is true I’m afraid. Try it yourself, and you’ll know what we’re talking about!

Surfing is addictive! ✌🏽🏄