Parents will be chasing a lot more than swells their next surf trip with kids. Instead of just a stack of boards, toys and kid things take over the surf mobile. A bouncing baby in the backseat watches as her daddy suits up for his first surf sesh of the day. He's in awe at how much has changed from those last-minute strike missions with the boys. Surf and beer pretty much summed it up, back then.
Now as a parent, surf trips can be summed up as a family affair. It's a balance of combining a surf trip with a family holiday. While the surfing parent wants epic waves, the non-surfing parent wants an epic massage. Kids need a sandy beach and warm weather to play in (and snacks and naps and lots of attention). But overall, the experience ticks all the boxes so that everybody has a good time.
Here's how to do a surf trip that's friendly for the whole fam:
Change the pace. Prepare to slow down, but it's not all that bad. Instead of tip-toeing out for a dawn patrol sesh, you'll sleep in–before soaking in some serious cuddle-time with the little. You might even enjoy an ocean-view breakfast from the balcony with the fam.
There's no real rush to the day; you eventually make it to the beach, and then you paddle out again during nap time–and maybe even before sunset. It's surely a lot more surfing than you'll do back home. The slower pace is also a welcomed change from life back home, where you're forecasting the size of the honey-do list instead of the surf.
Make sessions more meaningful. The little ones are our littlest bosses. Plan around their schedule (and moods). Whether it's a jet-lagged toddler meltdown or a promise to walk the beach with your loved one, surf sessions are generally shorter.
Priorities at the beach have changed now that you're a parent, but sharing moments, like these, in beautiful places is why you booked the trip in the first place (and also for the epic surfing). Make every session count.
Enjoy more sightseeing. This is where the family holiday part comes in. When the surf's flat, check out what's happening on land. Visit the aquarium or hike a coastal trail. Somewhere in the itinerary should make room for quality family time. It might even be a nice break from the mid-day sun. It doesn't take much to entertain a toddler either; go to a nearby playground in between surf sessions to tire out the little one before your window to paddle out at nap time.
Sneak in a date/surf date. Remember surf trips before baby? When every day felt like an exciting new adventure–just the two of you? Those were the days and can still be, even as parents. Ask someone traveling with you to babysit for a few hours; otherwise, most accommodations offer sitting options. If your partner doesn't surf, then use the alone time for a day hike or dinner on the beach. No matter how you spend it, the both of you will reset and be ready for more surf adventures with the fam.
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