What Makes Up a Professional Surf Experience?

Surfing looks easy right? You only need to paddle out there, duck under those waves, and ride down the face of the waves doing a bit of cut backs and bottom turns. If you have ever hired a board and had a go you will know the real surf experience is a little different!

Surfing was revived during the 1920s when Duke kahanamoku a Hawaiian swimmer formed the first surfing club in Waikiki. Professional surfing competition had become truly popular in the 1960s and it brought about the best surf experience possible. The major organizing body for professional surfing to this day is the Association of Surf Professionals (ASP), which includes 5 regional organizations. A couple of professional surfers would earn about $200,000 or more primarily from competitions but most top pro surfers would earn about $20,000 each year. Top pros can earn more than $750,000 for a lifetime from competitions alone. More money can be generated from product endorsements and also in offering surfing lessons.

So how to be a professional surfer and get the best surf experience of your life as you earn much money? The following are a few instructions:

1. Buy your own surf clothes and at least one surfboard for you to start with. But you may not have much success without the major element in the mix: good ocean waves. Thus obviously it would help a lot if you live near the ocean. You also have to be physicall fit.

2. Offering lessons is one of the side incomes for surfing teaching professionals, who often offer lessons to new surfers. It can be a major expense but it is definitely worth the investment if you plan on competing professionally. It demands a lot of practice for you to become a surfer and it includes no short cuts. You can locate experienced surfers who offer lessons by visiting surf shops like 2 Mile Surf Shop in Bolinas, California. Nick Kreiger is the shop’s program director.

3. To join in a semi-professional surfing event is your next step. Be ready to travel to other destinations to join events. You will gain significant surf experience if you compete in a couple of events and practice by yourself.

4. To join in the ASP is relatively simple for qualified users. You would have to apply and pay for membership fees. The ASP World Tour is however meant only for a small group of surf professionals who are the elite in this sport. Even female surfers are allowed to compete.

5. Travel around the world to compete in ASP events and also the ASP World Tour.

6. To endorse surf products and provide surf lessons is a good income supplement once you are inside.