Feeling Stuck in Your Surfing? Here’s Why (and How to Get Your Mojo Back)

A beautiful morning at Watergate Bay / Longboard week / pic @myeyeswontdry

Surfing sucks!

Not really... but sometimes it feels like it does.

Maybe you’ve been putting in the hours,surfing every chance you get, binge-watching YouTube tutorials, doing everything “right” and yet somehow, you still feel like you’re not progressing.

Good news, you’re not going backwards. You’re in a plateau. It’s normal, but it still feels icky.

We all hit them, even Carissa Moore and Kelly Slater!

Heres what I have learnt:

So… What’s Actually Going On?

A plateau is basically your brain going through a software update.

You can’t see it, you can’t speed it up and it feels like you're staring at the spinning wheel of doom… only for it to freeze at 99%... (standard)

But guess what? It hasn’t actually frozen!

Your brain is busy processing everything you’ve learned so far, sorting, adjusting, rewiring and getting ready for your next breakthrough!

Why Plateaus Happen

Mental

You’ve slipped out of curiosity and into overthinking. Instead of embracing the jounrey, you’re analysing every tiny movement.

Physical

You’re tired, mentally, physically, or both. No matter how motivated you are, things just refuse to click.

Environmental

Same break. Same board. Same routine.Your brain stops learning when nothing changes.

Emotional

Expectations creep in, pressure builds and suddenly surfing becomes a performance, learning through play is forgotton.

Breakthroughs happen when you’re relaxed and having fun, the “play zone.” (Learnt that one the hard way!)

Commited! / Level one longboard course / pic @myeyeswontdry

How to Get Un-Stuck

(Without Losing Your Mind)

In the Water

Goal Setting

Set one small, achievable goal when you paddle out. Gentle goals shift you out of pressure mode and into progress mode, bringing back that sense of achievement.

“Today, I’m going to catch three waves.”

Coaching

Book a session with a coach. A trained eye can spot things you’d never notice and help you set clear, realistic intentions.

If you can, join a surf club or community group, supportive surfers help with motivation and can restore the joy!

Switch It Up

Give yourself permission to surf differently, with no pressure!

Try bellyboarding, bodysurfing, or bodyboarding for a playful reset, go on a mini-adventure, surf a new break or borrow a different board.

A tiny change can reignite your excitement and remind you why you love surfing.

Searching with friends / Pic @bellarosebunce

On Land

Surf Skating

Waves are flat, you’re landlocked or just not feeling it? Surf skating builds muscle memory, coordination and leg strength. Repeated carving transitions can help you find flow in the water.

Dance, Yoga or Pilates

These strengthen your body, increase flexibility and improve balance, all essential for controlled surfing. They also deepen body awareness, helping you move with more intention on your board.

Apnea & Breath-Hold Training

Breath-hold work builds calmness and confidence in challenging situations. It boosts resilience, helps you stay relaxed during hold downs and speeds recovery after wipeouts - and can make you feel like the baddie you are!

Fun frolics on one of our surfskate workshops / Longboard week

Mindset

When you surf with something to prove to yourself or others you slide into pressure, frustration, and eventually burnout.

Surfing is a journey, not a test.

Shift your focus from performance to experience. Embrace the small moments, the learning curves, the simple joy of being in the water.

Progress flows naturally when you’re not forcing it.

After each session, ask yourself:

“What three things were good about that surf?”

These don’t need to be big wins. Maybe you saw a friend, spotted a seal or simply felt refreshed by the water.

Noticing the positives keeps you grounded, grateful and connected to why you love surfing.

The Bottom Line

When you prioritise enjoyment over perfection, everything falls into place.

Be kind to yourself, keep it simple, stay patient and remember why you started surfing in the first place.

Keep paddling legend, I’ll see you out there!

Allannah