Large Medal

How Catching A Wave Can Help Your Self Esteem

You can find them on almost any beach that has waves, surfers that seem to glow with self-belief and make even the hardest things look easy. I’m sure you’ve asked yourself if it’s something in the water that gives them their confidence or could it be those big surfboards that inflate their self-esteem? Well now surfing can claim the title of the most confidence enhancing sport of all, after new research from Exeter University in England proves it categorically.

Lets take a look at how the research worked before we look at the reasons put forwards for the findings. 20 sports were tested overall and around 200 people took part who did not take part in regular sport themselves. An industry-standard written confidence test was filled out by each person that took part, who then participated in one of the sports for a duration of three month, before filling in the test once more after the three months was up. The research concluded that the participants who recorded the most improved marks on their confidence tests were the surfers, and by quite a margin.

The Masters students who conducted the research have suggested that there are many factors to surfing which promotes confidence. Firstly the sport is very environmentally-oriented and people find themselves often battling the elements rather than other surfers. Sport Science student Phil Turner explains that “people are often confident when they are safe in the their normal surrounds, but not when they are out of their comfort zone and tackling new problems, so being able to conquer the waves in the sea gives people a real sense of self-belief”. Further more, surfing is a very physically demanding sport and participants gain confidence from not only being fitter but looking fitter to others. Surfers often get a good tan from all their time outside and this again makes them look healthier. Lastly, there is a perceived ‘coolness’ around the surfing culture and people easily become moulded to the laid back and confident way of life that goes hand in hand with the sport.

Runner up in the list of most confidence building sports was cycling, so if you’re in need of an ego boost grab your surfboards or mountain bikes, get outside, and start training today

2007 USEF Large Pony Medal Finals