How to Have More Fun in Surfing – Play Like a Grom Again
At some point, many surfers stop playing in the water. Instead of experimenting, laughing at wipeouts, and pushing boundaries, we get cautious. We worry about injury, work on Monday, or just looking silly. The result? Surfing feels more like pressure than play.
Here’s how to bring the fun back – and why it’s key to progression.
1. Remember How Groms Surf
Kids treat surfing like a playground. They throw themselves into waves, try ridiculous maneuvers, and celebrate failure as much as success. They don’t stress about looking good – they just play. That playful attitude accelerates their learning.
2. Adults Lose This Instinct
As adults, we often trade curiosity for caution. We sit on the shoulder, avoid trying new maneuvers, and protect ourselves from failure. But playing it safe slows progress. To improve, you need to put yourself back in situations where mistakes – and fun – are inevitable.
3. Make Falling the Goal
Instead of surfing to “stay upright,” surf with the intent of wiping out. Try a maneuver so hard you expect to fall. Each failed attempt gives you feedback: what went wrong, what felt right, and what to adjust next time. That’s real learning.
4. Turn Surfing Into a Game
Pick one playful challenge and make it your mission for the session:
- Hold a floater as long as possible
- Try a noseride on every section
- See how vertical you can push a bottom turn
The point isn’t landing it perfectly. It’s playing with the feeling, learning through failure, and enjoying the process.
5. Confidence Comes From Repetition
Fear fades when you give yourself permission to try, fall, and try again. Every failed attempt builds understanding. Every small breakthrough replaces fear with confidence.
TRAX: Turning Play Into Measurable Progress
TRAX makes play productive. By tracking your weight shifts, turn angles, and flow, it shows what you’re actually doing in those playful attempts. Whether you’re trying floaters, noserides, or new turns, TRAX helps turn experiments into lasting improvements.
Related Reading:
→ Learning to fall in surfing — Why wipeouts accelerate your progress
→ Embrace the suck – why struggling helps you progress — Frustration means you’re learning
→ Surf workout – how to train smarter, not just harder — Build the habits that support playful progression
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