You can find them on almost any beach that has waves, surfers that seem to glow with self-belief and make even the hardest things look easy. I’m sure you’ve asked yourself if it’s something in the water that gives them their confidence or could it be those big surfboards inflating their self-esteem? Well new research from Exeter University in the UK has now proven that surfing is officially the most confidence-building of all sports and there are a couple of theories why.
Lets take a look at how the research worked before we look at the reasons put forwards for the findings. 20 sports were tested overall and around 200 people took part who did not take part in regular sport themselves. A psychology test was used to measure confidence and was filled in by the participants both before and after they had completed their 3 month involvement in a certain sport. The conclusion from the study was that among all the sports, the participants who had been riding the waves for 3 months showed the highest increases in their confidence test scores.
Surfing is a sport that promotes confidence on a variety of different levels according to the Exeter University students who conducted the confidence study. Firstly it takes place outdoors and participants are pitted against the elements. Sport Science student Phil Turner explains that “people are often confident when they are safe in the their normal surrounds, but not when they are out of their comfort zone and tackling new problems, so being able to conquer the waves in the sea gives people a real sense of self-belief”. Additionally, due the very physical nature of surfing, participants usually dramatically improve the way they feel and look, which naturally boosts their confidence. Surfers are often made to look even more healthy by the all-over tan that they often pick up from being outside in the sun for much of the day. Lastly, there is a perceived ‘coolness’ around the surfing culture and people easily become moulded to the laid back and confident way of life that goes hand in hand with the sport.
Runner up in the list of most confidence building sports was cycling, so if you’re in need of an ego boost grab your surfboards or mountain bikes, get outside, and start training today
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