A wipeout followed by a trip in the ocean washing machine.
Surfing is one of the most frustrating sports in the world. Let me tell you why in a few "pain points":
Good surfing conditions (swell, period, wind, tide) are rarely synchronized, and when they are, you're usually busy working, sleeping, or far away from the beach.
If you don't surf or do any other sport for several weeks, you'll lose a lot of stamina, which will make your next session exhausting.
There's always someone else taking the best waves seemingly effortlessly while you're struggling in the whitewater.
The ocean doesn't like you and will throw big waves at your head as you try to reach the lineup. Currents, close-up and hidden rocks will also put you at risk if you're reckless.
You'll have to choose between spending time with your relatives on land or surfing.
You'll buy "just one last surfboard, I promise." Then you'll spend too much time choosing one for your next session.
You have to put on a cold, dripping wetsuit because you forgot to lay it out yesterday.
Nevertheless, I think surfing is the best sport in the world, so much so that it has become a lifestyle for many people:
The feeling of surfing is hard to describe. Once they try it, most people are hooked.
I don't know many surfers who stop surfing. Even if you live far away from the beach, you always come back. As Kelly Slater, the 11-time world surfing champion, said: "Surfing is like the mafia. Once you're in, you're in, there's no way out." and "It's an addiction."
Surfers tend to be in shape.
Because of the image created by the surf industry, people think you're cool.
So yeah, surfing sucks, but it's awesome!