Surfing: Where to do it in Italy

Surfing is an American sport . Surfing is a lifestyle that doesn't belong to us. Surfing is a sport for young people, for daredevils, for time-wasters. Nothing could be further from the truth. Boards and waves are no longer concepts that evoke the image of the Californian West Coast, the America of long blond hair blowing in the wind in a perpetually mild climate, lapped by the omnipresent Pacific waves. Surfing has been on our beaches for years, and schools offer learning opportunities, no matter what age you choose to start. Surfing is a sport for everyone.

You don't need to go to America to surf. Italy also has very well-equipped places where you can practice this sport and have fun in complete safety. For example, in Liguria, in the Cinque Terre area (Varazze is a very suitable location for surfing, especially with the south-westerly wind); in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, from Barcola to Marina di Jula; in Veneto, on the beach at Punta Sabbioni or Sottomarina; in Tuscany, in Versilia and on the beaches of Livorno. In the south, the best region for surfing is Puglia, particularly in the Gulf of Gargano at Capo Vieste and on some beaches in Salento. Finally, Campania, from Capo Miseno to Bacoli; Basilicata, on the Ionian Sea near the beach at Metaponto; and Calabria in the area of ​​Capo Suvero and Capo Spulico.

Training

Surfers, even at an amateur level, need good general physical preparation to protect their ankles, knees, shoulders, and back . In addition to gym exercises, training with bike rides is also helpful. To strengthen their arms, swimming is recommended for surfers.

Surfing and children

Sure, surfing has its history in these images, now etched in films, songs, and photographs. Now, however, one of the oldest sports in history is now universally accessible, transcending the confines of the niches to which it was relegated until just a few years ago. Surfing is now practiced all over the world , in all seasons, at all ages, for men, women, and even children . Surf schools are springing up like mushrooms on beaches across coastal Europe, especially Italy. Sure, we have to wait for a swell or a bit of wind, but you can bet on it: fun is guaranteed, even from the first lessons on the sand.

Yes, because you learn on dry land , starting with paddling and ending with miming all the movements needed to stand up on the board. Only then do you get into the water and put what you've learned into practice. You almost never succeed on the first try, or even the second. But the challenge of the wave, of nature, is too exciting to miss, so after a few dives and lots of laughter, the first ride won't be far away, and there you'll begin to feel all the thrills that only surfing can give you. Competitive surfing in Italy is recommended for children aged eight and up.

Surfing Emotions

Complete synergy between man and sea , which forms waves to push you to shore. It's no longer a challenge, it's a musical accompaniment, a jam session of intent. You can sense all this if you've been surfing since you were a teenager, you can glimpse it if you've been practicing since childhood. If, however, you step onto a board for the first time at a more mature age, the thrill is even more intense, because you're more aware and conscious, and therefore deeper.

At high levels, it's a sport that requires the physical preparation of a Marine, but to do it on a windy Sunday in September, or a sunny and crowded Saturday in July, you don't need to be an iron man. All it takes is a few lessons at one of those schools , always staffed by excellent instructors who are none other than surfers. They love the sea, the waves, and those fiberglass boards so much that they've decided to make it their life, passing on their knowledge to anyone who wants to understand what's so great about getting in the middle of a wave and trying to surf it.

There are classes for children who have only been walking for a few months, and classes for ladies and gentlemen approaching middle age. The smiles on everyone's faces after riding their first wave, however, are the same.

risks

Even slightly rough seas require a minimum amount of caution. Surfing isn't a dangerous water sport, but the only problems can be muscular, caused by uncoordinated and sudden movements or by a very hard impact with the sea while muscles are still cold. In fact, before starting surfing, it's always a good idea to do a short stretching session . Finally, when you're hit by a wave, it's crucial to stay calm and hold your breath underwater, even for several minutes.

Read also:

• How to choose the right sport for children, from soccer to tennis, even based on age (Photos)
• Swimming: the benefits of the most complete sport
• Summer sports: don't be lazy and don't look for false excuses.