What are the benefits of surfing for your body, mind and health?

Wondering about the benefits of surfing? Get ready to find out why this passion for the ocean is so much more than just a hobby: it’s a life booster. At Lacanau, your daily paddles in the water give you muscle, cardio and deep serenity. Here, every wave brings you a cocktail of endorphins and self-confidence that reconnects you to your best self. Want to find out how surfing transforms your body, your mind and your outlook on life?

1. A full-body workout with every session

Surfing is often seen as a leisure activity, but it’s actually a full-body sport, scientifically recognized for its physical intensity. A study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research indicates that surfers can cover up to 4 km per session, mainly by rowing, which puts a deep strain on the muscles of the back, shoulders, arms, abdominals and legs.
But that’s not all: this sport alternates between short, intense efforts (explosive paddling, take-off) and recovery phases. Between 60% and 80% of rowing time is spent in sequences of 1 to 20 seconds, more than half of which are under 10 seconds. It’s a real split session in a natural environment.
As soon as you catch a wave, the lower muscles come into play: thighs, buttocks, calves, but also the deep, stabilizing muscles. Every take-off (the moment when you go from paddling to standing) calls on your abs, your core and your balance. Surfing is a mix of explosiveness and endurance.
When it comes to cardio, you don’t need a treadmill: the ocean takes care of that. You’ll burn between 500 and 800 kcal per session, depending on your size and intensity. You’ll also work on your breathing in a natural way. Alternating effort/rest (rowing/resting on a board/wave) teaches you to manage your endurance.

2. A shot of endorphins and confidence

It’s often said that surfing is therapeutic. And it’s no myth. Surfing is one of the most complete sports for mental well-being, validated by researchers. Thanks to the sport’s intermittent intensity and connection with the elements, your body releases endorphins with every session. It’s like a natural antidepressant based on sea salt and adrenaline.
When you surf, your body releases endorphins (the famous happy hormones) with every effort. But above all, you enter what’s known as a state of flow: maximum concentration, letting go, a feeling of deep well-being. A kind of active meditation.
And what about self-confidence? Facing a wave, however small, takes courage. It’s a lesson in humility, but above all in resilience. And with every successful take-off, you gain in pride, self-esteem and mental strength. It’s the perfect sport for teambuilding.

3. The ocean, an ally for your overall health

Breathing the sea air, feeling the salt water on your skin, walking barefoot on the sand… contact with the natural environment is a medicine in itself. Negative ions in the sea air improve sleep quality, boost the immune system and promote muscle relaxation. The result is better physical recovery, deeper sleep and reduced stress levels. All without medication.
Exposure to the sun (in moderation and with sunscreen!) allows your body to synthesize vitamin D, essential for immunity and bones. And believe me, a surf session in Lacanau is worth all the light therapy in the world.
At Ocean Ride, we help you make the most of these moments, and understand that surfing isn’t just about gliding. It’s also about learning to sit back, observe and reconnect with yourself and nature.

4. An unexpected brain workout

When you surf, you’re not just engaging your body: your brain is in ultra-connected mode. Wave anticipation, timing, posture and balance micro-adjustments call on your motor cortex, cerebellum and hippocampus. In short: you’re working on your spatial memory, coordination and decision-making all at the same time.
And that’s not just a detail: surfers often reach speeds of between 22 and 35 km/h, with peaks of over 40 km/h. At these speeds, you have to analyze, adjust and execute in a fraction of a second. It’s a real cognitive exercise, akin to high-precision sports.
You also learn to be in the here and now. You can’t think about tomorrow’s appointment when a 1.20 m wave crashes over you. Surfing forces you to reconnect with the present moment. You become more lucid, more focused… more alive.

5. The surfing lifestyle: fun, community and freedom

Surfing isn’t just a sport, it’s a culture, a state of mind, a philosophy. You join a community, you adopt a rhythm of life, you learn values like respect, patience and humility.
At Ocean Ride, we see it every day: surfers greet each other in the water, encourage each other, respect each other. We laugh together, share sessions, tips and problems. Even when you’re just starting out, you’re part of the tribe. And that feeling of belonging changes everything.
Surfing also teaches you to live with nature, to adapt. You don’t impose anything on the ocean, you read it, feel it, become one with it. And it’s this philosophy that rubs off on your life: you become more flexible, more open, cooler too.
That’s why we like to say that surfing makes you happy. Not just because it’s fun, but because it transforms you profoundly, with a smile.

When you think about the benefits of surfing, you realize it ticks all the boxes: fitness, mental balance, energy, confidence, connection with nature, and as a bonus, a caring community. Surfing isn’t just a sport, it’s a transformation. It teaches you to breathe, to slow down, to confront, to let go, to have fun…
So if you want to feel all that, come and try it out at Ocean Ride, surf school in Lacanau. We’ll take you from your first foam to your first rollerblade, always with a smile and passion. Whether you’re a beginner, curious or already hooked, there’s a wave here just waiting for you. Now you’ll never wonder what to do in Lacanau.