Just DO IT! You are never too old to surf, you are never too young to surf, and there are no gender barriers or disabilities that can’t be overcome in the sea with the right attitude, the right board or the right support. Literally anyone can surf, even dogs.

Those who have experienced the thrill of catching that first “proper” wave rarely look back. There is something unique about paddling into, catching, and riding an oceanic wave; combining your own physical energy with that of the elemental forces of nature. That uniqueness is something which surfers find impossible to turn away from. It is at once a sport, a passion, a religion, a tribal ritual and, most of the time, a whole lot of fun. Beware! Once you’re in, you’re in for keeps.

Riding waves is what we do… but the waves aren’t all the same and nor are we. Sometimes the waves, or your ability, require you to ride a longer board, sometimes a shorter board. Sometimes you may want to walk gracefully to the nose and hang 10, and other times you may want to throw yourself at the wave like a wild thing!

At Surfing GB HQ we just love it all: we love it that our British Bodyboarders are air-dropping into 20ft barrels that no stand-up surfer could survive, we love it that our British Longboarders are challenging for a place at the very summit of their discipline on the Global stage, we are glued to internet broadcasts of the WCT, and we are making it a mission to get a British Shortboard Surfer onto that tour within a decade. We dream of solitude and perfection… the soul surfer’s holy grail; and we have a morbid fascination, and no little pride, in watching our home-grown big wave riders charging world-class crazy slabs in Ireland and Scotland.

Whatever and however you are riding: long or short, fish or gun, lying down or standing up, artificially or naturally propelled… at some point you are going to get worked. The ocean deals us all a fair hand, and we are all responsible for looking after the passion and the environment we share. If you surf, there is a reason for you joining your NGB. Check out the categories in this section and get involved!