We have all seen those surfer types, strutting their stuff on the beach and making everything they do look effortless. I’m sure you’ve asked yourself if it’s something in the water that gives them their confidence or could it be those long surfboards inflating their self-esteem? Well now surfing can claim the title of the most confidence enhancing sport of all, after new research from Exeter University in England proves it categorically.

Lets take a look at how the research worked before we look at the reasons put forwards for the findings. Over 150 non-athletes took part in the research which tested 15 popular sports. 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.

According to the students who carried out the study, surfing is a sport that promotes confidence in a number of ways. Firstly the sport is very environmentally-oriented and people find themselves often battling the elements rather than other surfers. 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”. Further more, surfing is a very physically demanding sport and participants gain confidence from not only being fitter but looking fitter to others. Surfers often get a good tan from all their time outside and this again makes them look healthier. 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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