How I learned to surf in one-hour without leaving New York City’s Times Square 

“In that hour, I realised I might actually have what it takes to conquer some real waves.”

New York City’s famous legion of vulnerable adult learner surfers have swarmed to a rooftop workout at the Margaritaville Resort Times Square. 

For thirty-two dollars, free if you’re a guest at the resort, patrons can enjoy a surf inspired workout on an ellipitcally shaped  balance board designed to mimic the rock-and-roll of the ocean. 

The New York Post’s wellness reporter MckEnzie Beard, who keeps the Post’s readers “plugged into the latest trends and timeless tips for better living” describes the workout as being as close to surfing as you can get without all the hoo-ha of having to find an ocean, negotiate parking, wax, padding out etc. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by SurfsetNYC (@surfsetnyc)

“My Surf & Shore session kicked off in front of Margaritaville’s aptly named Chill Bar, where Thouvenin, a master trainer, instructed us to step onto our boards.

“Easier said than done.

The moment I climbed on the Rip Surfer X — a six-foot board perched atop three shifting stability balls that stimulate the physical demand of surfing on land — my legs turned to jelly and I toppled off almost instantly.

“The trick, Thouvenin explained, was to stop staring down at the board and instead lock my gaze on a fixed target ahead.

“Amazingly, it worked. I found my footing, and soon, my classmates were steadying themselves, too.

“Simply standing on the board was enough for me to break a sweat. Then I remembered: This wasn’t just a balancing act — it was a workout, which meant I had to move.

“Before long, we were lunging, crunching and squatting on the unstable boards, my muscles firing on all cylinders just to keep me from face planting. Shifting from left to right, my quads and core burned like I’d just ridden out a rogue wave.

“Next came the classic “pop up” move.”

And so on until. 

“Before I knew it, a foghorn blew, signaling the end of class. I was soaked and muscles I didn’t even know I had were screaming, but there was a perma-grin plastered across my face.

“I had just tackled one of the toughest workouts of my life, and I knew I’d be feeling it for days. But in that hour, I also realized I might actually have what it takes to conquer some real waves.”

The session ended with the advice “Surfing is a lifelong sport that you can start at any time (and) if you would like to learn to surf, the best way to prepare is to take a SURFSET NYC class.”

Powerful words. But true or no?

I would suggest that surfing is not a sport that you can start at any time and admit to be unconvinced of the workout’s merits when it comes to preparing a would-be surfer for the rough and tumble of the ocean.

Or am I terribly wrong?