5 things I’ve learnt about surfing while being pregnant ♡
1. It’s less about wave count, and more about the joy of being in the ocean. Go at your own pace, and don’t feel disappointed if you don’t catch anything!
2. Switching to a 9ft foamie rather than my usual mid-length or longboard after about 18 weeks was a complete game changer! Getting into waves became much easier, and it felt like a much safer vessel to manoeuvre in the waves.
3. Avoid jostling line-ups and pick times to head out when there will be less surfers in the water. Here in Raglan, I prefer surfing at the beach (when it’s small enough) rather than the points as there are more empty wave opportunities.
4. Listen to your body, and adapt as it changes. I could quite comfortably paddle on my belly up until about 24 weeks, and then after that, I switched to paddling on my knees with slower and more careful pop-ups. I might switch to a boogie board soon!
5. And lastly, it’s best to take it easy and enjoy the process. If you start to feel frustrated with your ability and clumsiness in the water, just remember that there will always be more waves! Personally, I was worried about not being able to surf into my last trimester, but I just haven’t felt the motivation to do so, and I’m surprisingly okay with it! It’s simply the season I’m in, and surfing will always be waiting for me when I’m ready again.
Have you experienced surfing while being pregnant? What did you find made the experience more enjoyable? Eleanor x
