How to Learn to Surf if You Don’t Live Near the Beach

Surfing is a great sport and captures the hearts of many of us. Be filled with adrenaline as you pop up and catch each wave, from small to large, each and every one is exciting. The popularity of surfing also comes from it’s simplicity; one board, one leash and the beach is all you need.

However, having a beach nearby to learn is not always that helpful, as surfing does require a certain type of wave that cannot be guaranteed at every beach (when learning you want some nice, even small breaks with an interval period of about 10 seconds).

Furthermore, how do you learn to surf when you live inland with no beaches close-by? As such, in this blog we are going to highlight how you can learn and not live near a beach 😊

Indoor Practice

Firstly, if you don’t live near a beach to get your first surf lesson, you can always do a bit of practice at home! Obviously you can’t physically catch any waves at home, but to help you progress quicker at surfing it is great to get used to the positions required for surfing and finesse the technique. Practice ‘popping up’ at home, whether that be just on the carpet in the living room or your surfboard if you have one; and if you want added training, burpees are great to try too!

The Steps of a Pop Up:

The Wave - Bristol

This is the most spoken about inland surfing destination that has only been around for a few years. Surf and bodyboard for all ages and abilities with perfect, consistent waves every day of the year. The Wave offers lessons for all riders and abilities, get yourself on a beginner, intermediate, advanced, expert, bodyboard or even adaptive surf lesson to get you more confident on the water!

The Wave creates perfect surfing conditions with a high-powered water pressure system that precisely calculates the requirements for each type of surf session and wave required. With 5 sets of around 20 waves, each session runs smoothly with plenty of opportunities to catch your perfect wave if you miss them the first few times!

The popularity of The Wave at Bristol is mainly due to its accessibility. Starting off it is in a great location for those all around the country, it has a great café, restaurant, shop and plenty of seating area inside and outside for those to watch their loved ones surfing or for those wanting to relax after a session on the water (in the warm or cold!).

Accessibility also spreads onto the water. Experienced surfers can pop onto the water for an hour and keep progressing and maintaining their skills even if they aren’t too close to a beach or the conditions aren’t right. Beginners can learn the basics on land before heading onto the water with professionals around them to help guide them and gain their practice. Those surfers in between these levels, can book water hours when it suits them and practice on the perfect wave. Not only this, The Wave also provides sessions for those with impairments or disabilities, in that they provide adaptive surfing to encourage everyone to get on the water, improve their well-being and connect with like-minded activity lovers.

The Wave is a fantastic facility for everyone, for those that can’t rely on being near a beach to surf, or even for those that want to rely on some consistent, clean waves. Check it out here: The Wave.

Just like The Wave, there is another indoor wave pool in the UK at Adventure Parc Snowdonia. However, in development are many more of these to be situated around the country; at Southport, Edinburgh, London, Bournemouth, Milton Keynes and Coleshill near Birmingham meaning there could be 10 facilities by 2024!

As with any sport, going out and doing it is the only way to learn. Whether at a beach or at an in-land facility, surfing can be learnt by anyone and the excitement on the water is addictive! Go catch that wave 🏄‍♀️🏄‍♀️🏄‍♀️

For any more guidance or advice on this blog, please let us know at 01202 700503, info@pooleharbour.co.uk or Live Chat.