How do you conquer the waves in Russia? Surfing is possible even in winter

For those who think that surfing does not exist in Russia, we hasten to disappoint you, it does. You can surf both in summer and winter, there are places to go. Yes, it differs from surfing in Europe or Asia, and of course it has its own nuances. In general, professional surfers definitely have something to say. And we will talk about people, surf spots and a conscious approach to conquering waves.

“The Call of the Ocean. What makes surfing so attractive?

the first Russian surfer to conquer the Jaws wave.

I traveled almost all over the world, rode thousands of waves, met different cultures and many people. Now, living those moments again and reflecting on them, I realize better and better: the main value of my adventures and impressions is that they become a reference point in the main thing – a journey deep inside myself.

Surfing and what it is is everyone’s choice. For some people in Russia it is a sport and an opportunity to get a medal at competitions, for others it is an escape from the complexities of life (there is nothing easier than renting out grandfather’s apartment and moving to Bali), and for others it is life itself, filled with simple meaning.

For me surfing is an extreme sport, if we talk about big waves, where you seriously risk your life; and tourism – when you discover new countries, cultures, yourself; and work – I opened a surf school in Costa Rica and teach surfing.

Surfing is not harmful to your health, but on the contrary, it makes you stronger, happier and more confident. It should be perceived as a physical exercise for body and soul.

For those who are afraid to change life and are driven into the framework of inner fears, who live envious of other people’s success, who chase “likes” and not waves – we, who do not meet their standards of perception of life, are “careless”. Quite frankly, just “jerks.”

Is there a global surfing culture?

A culture? I would rephrase: an era of culturelessness in surfing. It used to be a fraternity where many people knew each other and the principle of “sharing” was an integral part of it. Riding with friends, discussing riding on shore, bitching about each other and yourself. It was a mutual exchange of emotions.

Now surfing has become a mass trend, a fashionable pastime.

Board designs are being developed by luxury brands such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs. According to my observations, the number of surfers per year is increasing the way it used to increase in 10 years. This has caused the spots to become tourist beaches where it is no longer possible to surf.

The “culturelessness” of modern surfers came not from the fact that they have not read Dostoevsky, but from the fact that the spots all over the world are overloaded. Everyone is faced with a choice: either you follow the rules or you surf.

Originally, the starting spot on a wave is called a “line-up”, which means a queue. But how can you follow the queue, for example, in Bali or Sochi? Waves in a set of maximum five, and 50 people want to ride. It is clear that everyone gets in without queuing, and this leads to conflicts.

My advice: read the book “Find Your Wave” and you will discover the world of surfing.

What is surfing like in Russia?

Surfing was included among the disciplines of the last Olympic Games, which took place in Tokyo this year. It did not go unnoticed. It became something really new and incomprehensible for people. What was always considered a simple hobby turned out to be a real sport. Complex, unpredictable and requiring a conscious approach. Russian athletes have not yet managed to enter the Olympic beach, because not everything is so simple.

Two-time Russian surfing champion, member of the Russian Olympic team

There is surfing in Russia, and it is diverse. There are waves on which you can show a high level of riding, there are those on which you can learn to ride. I can say that there are people who really create surfing in Russia, and it’s very cool. For example, Anton Morozov, Sergei Raspravaev, Konstantin Kokorev – they develop surfing with their movies, projects, schools. Evgeny Isakov, too. There are many Russian guys who promote this sport abroad.

I think that the first problem is that many riders – people who surf – want to be “in the crowd”, want to “seem” and don’t want to do anything. If you talk to riders, half or even more will say that for them the top is to win the Russian Championship. Of course, there are those who strive and try to move the industry forward, closer to the European level. But most guys don’t do that, they don’t look further into the world.

The second problem is that we have a lot of things like wakesurfing, floowaves, carvers. A lot of people spend time on them not because it’s fun and funky, as it really is, but because they think it’s going to help them in big surfing and give them the skill to ride. But it really doesn’t.

The most important thing is riding, picking up waves and making mistakes. You have to be able to read the ocean. That’s the only way one gets better.

The third problem is that it’s very hard to explain to people that surf can be different. You can be a freesurfer, you can ride a longboard (a long surfboard), and you have different competitions altogether. Everybody’s surfing is different – you can’t put everybody under one umbrella and compare results. You have to take a broader view.

Unfortunately, there are very few brands in Russia that are ready to really support surfing. To get involved in the “movement” not for the sake of a check mark, but to really support riders, help them, popularize the culture. I guess that’s the case with any other industry. But I am heartily grateful to these brands for what they are.

Surfing in Russia is more interesting abroad than surfing abroad in Russia.

Surfing in Russia is just getting on its feet. We have a whole “new” country with its own mentality, culture, attitudes, opportunities and unexplored places, which attracts foreigners, because you can surf all year round and even in winter. For Russians, surfing is mainly an additional option during vacation. Not everyone will dare to go to the other side of the planet to ride a board. I would like us to look back to the West and strive for new achievements, high level of riding, cool technologies. But at the same time remain original: with our roots and zest.

Famous places for surfing in winter: Kamchatka, St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad, Sochi. For riding in cold conditions you will need a wetsuit with a hood of 5 mm thickness, gloves and hydrotaps also of 5 mm thickness. In order not to freeze quickly, experienced surfers pour a small amount of warm water into the wetsuits. It warms up the body until it starts to produce the necessary amount of energy on its own.

How do local surfers react to newcomers?

Even though 70.8% of the world’s surface is covered with water, not everyone has the opportunity to get out of the house and go surfing. In 90% of cases, you have to go to a place where there are surf spots first.

Many people going on vacation think they can afford anything. The same surfing for them is just an option for a pleasant pastime. Such tourists bring a lot of problems to the locals, who try to monitor safety, develop local culture and make the spots comfortable for surfing. “Permissiveness” and becomes the basis for many conflicts. Like, for example, in Sochi.

member of the Olympic windsurfing team, local of Sochi surf community.

“Angry locals don’t let me ride. This is the most burning question now. It is worth saying at once that in Sochi and in Russia as a whole localism does not exist. People who claim to have been pressured by locals don’t understand what real localism is. Abroad, for example, everything is so rigid that you can’t even approach the water with a plastic board. They will immediately say to you: “Hey, kid, go back and stay out of the way”.

Unfortunately, in Russia, some people don’t understand the basic things, the nuances of wave riding. It’s not just entertainment.

Surfing becomes the meaning of life and philosophy if you really do it. Therefore, when its rules are violated, it becomes unpleasant.

To begin with the spots themselves – there are not enough of them. And there are no spots that can be divided into instructional and advanced skiing spots. Everyone gathers in one place: beginners, students, and advanced skaters too. So naturally, conflicts arise.

When a big set of waves (several waves coming one after the other) comes in, advanced surfers can calmly snorkel through it to stay on the lineup. And a person on a training board will naturally let it go, which is actually dangerous.

The board can fly into someone, injure them, or even “knock them out”. The person will lose consciousness and will have to be pulled out.

They try to explain to everyone that students need other spots, that it is better to go down the wave and try to ride there. Then everyone will be happy: the advanced – in the first peak, students – in the second. Unfortunately, people sincerely do not understand this, get angry and think they are being kicked out. Guys come to Sochi and Hosta all the time. We don’t drive anyone away on purpose, everyone skates, just no one interferes with each other. But when they start to interfere with skiing, spoil the passes and waves, then I’m sorry.

In addition to the general mass of beginners, there are those who come for advice, trying to learn new things and respectfully treat not only the locals, but also those who more or less skate. We try to help and advise everyone, as safety on the water is the most important thing that can be.