You might be wondering, do people go surfing alone? Is it safe? To clarify, by surfing alone, I mean not just surfing without someone you know, but surfing without any other people in the water!
Surfing without other people is something few surfers do, mostly because popular surf spots usually have other surfers there if the conditions are suitable.
It is generally not recommended to go surfing without anyone else in the water unless you know what you’re doing. This is because surfing can be quite dangerous.
However, if you’re at a known surf spot and the conditions are reasonable for your skill level, it is possible to go surfing as long as you do it safely!
Do people go surfing alone?
People do go surfing alone, but it is not the norm for the casual surfer. Usually, the surfers that go alone either go to a secret spot that not many people know about or go to a popular spot when no one else is out.
Finding a secret spot is not easy, especially near large cities or populated areas. There are of course secret spots to be found if you look hard enough and you know what to look for.
The key words here are “know what to look for”. It can be hard to identify a good surf spot because of the variation in conditions. It is something only experts can do accurately.
Therefore, for the sake of this article, we’ll only discuss surfing alone at a known surf spot when no one else is out. This is a much more realistic opportunity to surf alone for many people and is much safer than the former option.
Why would you want to surf alone?
First, you might be wondering, why would anyone want to go surfing alone? What’s the matter with surfing with other people, whether they be friends or strangers?
That is a valid question. There are some major reasons why people like to surf alone.
- Isolation
The main reason people like to surf alone is simply the isolation. The privacy. The uniqueness and freedom. Being the only one out in the break is exhilarating!
Often surf spots get crowded depending on where you are. It is great to see other people out having fun, but sometimes, some space from others is good too.
- More waves
A downside of other surfers is that they catch all your waves! Surfing along lets you hog all the waves for yourself.
- Excitement
It’s not everyday that you can surf alone with no one else out on the water. In fact, it is quite rare, at least in my experience.
This rarity makes surfing alone exciting! Not to mention surfing alone is aesthetically picturesque.
Downsides to surfing alone
It’s not all fun and games at the solo surf party. There are downsides to surfing alone. If you need some surfer friends, learn how to find people to surf with.
- Risk
The main downside is risk. With other people in the water, you know the conditions are more likely to be suitable for surfing. In particular, currents and rocks are two large dangers that can be mitigated by knowing that more people are surfing.
If you don’t know the surf spot well, surfing alone is a bad idea because there can be strong currents or rocks that you don’t know about. Maybe there’s a reason no one else is surfing there. That reason could be dangerous conditions.
If you do get hurt out there, no one will be able to help you. Perhaps someone on the beach will see you struggling, but the chances are unlikely. You’re on your own!
- No comradery
With no one in the water, there’s no one to cheer you on! No one will be able to see you hit that smooth bottom turn or that sweet floater that you barely didn’t wipe out on.
I love the energy in the water when the waves are good and people are cheering each other on. It’s fun to give someone a “YEW!” when they catch a nice wave and of course receiving some praise yourself feels good.
How to surf alone safely
If you do choose to surf alone, make sure you do it safely. You should only surf alone at a spot that you have surfed at before, or at the very least, a spot that you know is popular.
I don’t recommend surfing alone at a spot you haven’t been to before. There’s simply too many unknowns with the currents, any sort of rocks, or other dangers.
Assuming you have surfed at that surf sport before, you might consider surfing alone. However, make sure the conditions are suitable for your skill level. Obviously don’t go out if the waves are too big for you to handle.
Make sure you can read the currents adequately and check for any rips before you get into the water. Know where there are rocks under the surface of the water and familiarize yourself with major landmarks for positional awareness while you’re in the water.
These are all basic things to do whether you’re surfing alone or on a crowded day. Read more on how to surf safely and avoid dangers.
But with surfing alone, you have to go above and beyond the basic safety precautions because of the increased risk.
You should be extra aware of the conditions when you go surfing alone. Pay extra close attention to where you are drifting and the currents in the water.
Check the tides and surf forecast before going so you can be as prepared as possible. Also, it’s smart to tell someone you know that you plan to be surfing within a certain time window.
Conclusion
Surfing alone is possible, but should only be done by experienced surfers and with a high level of caution.
If you are a beginner surfer, then don’t go out surfing alone. Wait until other people are out in the water too.
You should never surf alone at a spot you have never been to. There are simply too many unknowns and dangers.
That being said, there are some cases where surfing alone can be safe and exhilarating! For example, you wake up extra early on a great day and are the first one out in the water.
Surfing alone has its benefits like isolation and having all the waves to yourself, however, there are also downsides; mainly an increased risk.
If you do decide to surf alone, make sure you know what you are doing. Remember, no surf session is worth serious injury or your life.
Heads up! Surfing is awesome but it can be dangerous! Learn more about how to stay safe and avoid dangers while surfing. If you are a beginner surfer, check out my other articles about surfing and my ultimate guide to learning how to surf.
