The holiday season can be magical, but let’s be honest—it can also be overwhelming. Add the challenges of winter to the mix, and for surfers, this time of year often feels like a double whammy. The ocean calls, but shorter days, colder water, and the pull of holiday obligations can leave us feeling stretched thin and disconnected from the waves we love.
So how do we navigate it all—both the festive highs and the winter lows—while staying grounded, nourished, and connected to our surfing selves?
Embrace the Quiet Rhythm of Winter
Winter has a way of slowing us down, and rather than fighting it, this can be a chance to rest. Just as the ocean cycles through calm and chaos, we, too, benefit from a season of stillness.
Something beautiful and nourishing to do on these darker days is to sit down with a cuppa and a journal and reflect with these prompts on your surfing journey this year.
What are three moments from your surfing this year that brought you joy?
What challenges did you face in the water, and how did you grow from them?
You can set intentions for the seasons ahead, when the waves (and your energy) will return in full force. Perhaps you want to find some more soul surf sisters, catch bigger waves or potentially just have more fun with surfing.
Take the Pressure Off the Holidays
The holidays are filled with expectations, but they don’t have to be perfect. Let go of the pressure to do it all, and instead focus on small moments of joy.
Spend time with people who lift you up.
Gift yourself time outdoors, even if it’s not in the water.
Keep your relationship with surfing in balance with your values.
Say no to things that drain your energy, and yes to things that feel nourishing.
Keep the Ocean Connection Alive
Even if you’re not surfing as much as you’d like, you can still nurture your connection to the sea. Try:
A beach walk or ocean meditation to stay connected to the rhythm of the waves.
Journaling about what the ocean means to you and why it draws you back time and again.
Visualizing your next surf session—it’s surprising how powerful imagining the feeling of being on a wave can be.
Look Forward to What’s Coming
The holiday season and winter are just chapters in the cycle. Spring is always on the horizon, bringing longer days, warmer waters, and fresh opportunities to dive back in. Having something to look forward to—whether it’s your next surf session or a course to grow your skills—can make all the difference.
Give the Gift of Surfing
If you’re looking for a meaningful gift this Christmas (for yourself or someone else), a Gather & Glide Gift Voucher is more than just a present—it’s an experience to look forward to.
Imagine gifting:
A surf progression course designed to meet someone exactly where they are.
A one-on-one surf coaching session to help them overcome blocks or refine their skills.
The promise of connection, growth, and joy when the waves call again.
2025 Surf Course Dates Are Live
Our 2025 courses are open for booking now, offering a chance to dream of brighter days and warmer waves.
A Loving Point of Connection
Winter may be a season of rest, and the holidays may feel busy, but surfing always brings us back to ourselves. A gift voucher is a reminder that the ocean is waiting, and that the best kind of togetherness often begins with a shared love for the sea.
Explore our gift vouchers and book your spot for 2025 at Gather & Glide.
This Christmas, give the gift of hope, healing, and something to look forward to—because the ocean is always worth the wait.
Mira xx