When the summer sun hits its peak and the ocean turns into a flat, glassy lake, the ardent winter surfer often feels a sense of restlessness. The adrenaline of chasing heavy winter swells, dodging freezing rain, and navigating thick wetsuits seems a distant memory. However, summer does not mean surfing is off the table. It just requires a shift in perspective, turning the “off-season” into an opportunity for creativity, skill refinement, and exploring different facets of wave riding. Bringing the spirit of winter surfing into the summer heat is all about adaptation and seeking new challenges when the heavy groundswells are absent.
Embrace the Alternative CraftOne of the best ways to combat the small-wave doldrums is to change what you are riding. The high-performance thruster that works wonders in overhead winter surf will likely feel sluggish in knee-high summer slop. This is the perfect time to explore alternative, high-volume equipment. Longboarding is the classic summer remedy, allowing for endless rides on tiny, peeling waves, teaching you to glide and find the sweet spot on the board. For something faster, fish, mini-simmons, or even foamies (soft-tops) can transform a dismal day into a blast. Riding a foamie in summer is freeing; it encourages trying stupid, fun maneuvers without the fear of damaging a hardboard, keeping the playful, experimental spirit alive.
Hunt the Early Morning GlassSummer days often start with a period of calm, glassy conditions before the onshore winds kick in by mid-morning. Adopting the winter habit of waking up before dawn is essential. These early sessions, often bathed in a golden sunrise, offer clean, albeit smaller, waves. It mimics the early, cold morning patrols of winter, minus the freezing air temperature. The crowd factor is also significantly lower, allowing for more waves and a better opportunity to work on specific maneuvers like turning, cutbacks, or improving your paddling speed in a tranquil environment.
Focus on Technical Training and FitnessWinter surfing demands intense physical exertion, requiring high endurance and strength to paddle through powerful currents. Summer provides the ideal, relaxed pace to train for the next winter season. Instead of relying on the ocean for a workout, you can focus on functional, surf-specific training. This includes high-intensity interval training (HIIT), yoga for flexibility, and swimming in a pool to keep the shoulders strong. Practicing on a surf skate (a skateboard with a special truck system that mimics surfing) on a quiet, flat street can improve your carving technique and body positioning, translating directly to improved performance when the waves pick up again.
Explore New GeographyYour local beach break might be flat, but another location, perhaps just an hour away, could be catching a different swell angle or experiencing a local wind effect. Summer is the perfect time for a “surfari.” Look for points or bays that are shielded from the prevailing summer winds or that work on smaller, longer-period swells. This exploratory mindset—checking wind reports, maps, and local surf cams—is a hallmark of a serious winter surfer. Finding a hidden, fun wave in the middle of July is deeply rewarding and keeps the thrill of discovery alive.
Appreciate the Lighter Side of SurfingFinally, winter surfing is often serious, focused, and physically demanding. Summer surfing should be the opposite: light, fun, and casual. It is a time to appreciate being in the water without the need for a 5/4mm wetsuit, booties, and a hood. Enjoy the feeling of the warm sun on your back and the lack of winter chill. This relaxed approach allows you to focus on the joy of surfing itself, rather than the difficulty of the conditions, which can lead to a more creative, relaxed riding style that improves your overall surfing ability.
Bringing winter surfing ideas into the summer is not about trying to replicate the heavy, dangerous waves of the colder months, but rather about taking the dedication, curiosity, and adaptability of the winter season and applying them to the warmer, smaller, and more forgiving conditions. By shifting to alternative gear, hunting early morning glass, focusing on technical skills, exploring new spots, and embracing a more playful approach, the summer becomes a vibrant, productive, and enjoyable part of the surfing year. It is a time to evolve your, keeping the stoke alive until the first winter groundswell returns.
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