December 12, 2023 4 min read

Learning to surf has become very popular, as more and more people living in big cities far from the ocean recently want to get out and try something radically new. In this article, I will cover questions about the best surf scholarship for students. 

To receive the scholarship, you must submit an application by attaching a video of your training sessions as well as an essay. If you have problems writing an essay, it is better to seek help from EssayShark.com. You can spend more time on the training video while the writer writes you an essay that will attract the attention of the admissions committee.

ISA Scholarship Program

surfer in the move

Receiving an ISA Scholarship is a good opportunity to study for young surfers. Application is open until January 15, 2024. To apply, click here

How much is it?

The ISA will be distributing a total of $20,000 USD to all recipients. The amount of each award will range from $100 to $1,000 and will be determined on an individual basis. It's important to note that scholarships will now be awarded based on specific needs rather than a fixed amount given to all recipients in previous years.

Are you eligible for the scholarship? 

To qualify, you must be 18 years old or younger as of December 31, 2023, currently enrolled in school, demonstrate financial need, be an outstanding role model to your community, and be recommended by your National Surfing Federation.

You can use scholarship funds for:

  • Equipment
  • Education
  • Competition
  • Training
  • Tuition
  • Uniforms
  • Books
  • Transportation
  • Surfboard
  • Wetsuit
  • Coaching
  • Leash
  • Travel
  • Contest fees, etc.

The scholarship was established in 2007. Since then, it has awarded over $388,500 in scholarships to more than 400 surfers to help them further their education and surfing careers.

Learning to Surf

surfer with a board walking on the beach

Who can surf?

Surfing lessons are available to anyone, regardless of age and gender. But if you are going to surf, it is better to prepare yourself and your body in advance. After all, surfing requires good breathing, excellent endurance, and, preferably, a developed shoulder girdle (although this will come with time). 

Aside from preparing physically, it’s also essential to pick surf spots that suit your budget and experience. As a student surfer, it’s important to find locations that won’t break the bank but still offer quality waves. Some of the best surf spots for students on a budget include places like Portugal, Bali, and Peru, which are not only affordable but also provide great conditions for learning and improving your skills.

What do you need to know to surf?

Surfers spend a lot of time in the ocean, and the ocean is a dangerous and unpredictable element. Sometimes, it is soft and pliable, and sometimes, it can teach a lesson with sad consequences.

In this regard, it is necessary to have a good understanding of how the ocean behaves and be able to "read" it. To do this, you need to know what waves there are, surf spots and what a swell is, what ebbs and flows are, what ocean currents are, as well as which spots are best for beginners, and how to read the wave forecast.

Knowing all this, learning to surf will be much easier and safer.

Which board to choose for learning surfing?

In this article, I would like to share my thoughts about the boards on which you can and should definitely learn to surf.

The first thing I want to say is that you should forget about short boards. Forget about short boards for the first year of surfing. Moreover, we are talking about a year of surfing, not for a month a year, but about living for a year on the ocean and surfing almost every day. Having watched enough videos of professional surfers, most beginners dream of quickly starting to surf a short, narrow, and thin board. But a novice surfer's shortboard surfing can be compared to a snowboarder's attempts in the first months of riding to start jumping from a springboard with a 20-meter span.

Choosing the right equipment is crucial. From selecting a board to picking eco-friendly options like sustainable wetsuits and gear made from recycled materials, it's essential to prioritize quality and the environment. Many surf brands are offering eco-friendly surf equipment to help reduce environmental impact while maintaining performance. Opting for such equipment supports sustainability while you enjoy the sport.

Choosing a short learning board (anything shorter than 8 feet) will dramatically reduce your surfing progress. It is quite possible that you will simply "give up" on surfing because it is "difficult" and because "you just can't catch a wave."

Plus, surfing on a big board is a big plus. After all, the larger the board, the more waves you will catch. The longer you surf on this board, the more you will surf, not sit on the line-up and unsuccessfully try to get into the waves. And the more you surf, the faster you will begin to understand how to catch waves, where to catch them, how not to lose the wave and find it in the right place, how to turn, etc. All of the above is experience. The more experience you have, the sooner you can switch to the short board without loss.

For those looking to take their surfing to the next level, surf sponsorship can open doors to opportunities like traveling the world for competitions, accessing high-end equipment, and receiving financial support.

Author - Nurlana Alasgarli
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nurlana Alasgarli          

Content Specialist

Nurlana Alasgarli is a professional copywriter with more than 6 years of creative writing experience. Having lived and experienced all over the world, there are many writing genres that Nurlana follows, including adventure, outdoor and water sports. Nurlana brings life to content creation, captivating her readers.


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