Making the Most of Bad Waves: How to Improve and Have Fun in Less-Than-Ideal Conditions

Bad waves. They can be a bit of a downer... You get out there, the surf’s messy, and the waves just don’t seem to be cooperating - it can feel like a waste of time. But if we wait for the perfect conditions every time we might find ourselves surfing less and less. And with less time in the water, there’s less chance to practice, less time to stay 'surf fit' which I'm a massive proponent of, less time to improve, and unfortunately, less fun as a result of all of this.

So today I wanted to share a few tips that have helped me approach poor conditions with a more positive mindset. If you change your perspective and use the less-than-ideal surf to your advantage, you can still walk away from the session with something to show for it, which you'll be thankful for in the long term especially!

1. Embrace the Challenge

Onshore winds, choppy waves, and funky conditions aren’t exactly what we dream of when we think about a perfect surf session. But these challenging conditions can actually be really beneficial. When the surf’s messy, we have no choice but to adapt.  This forces you to get creative, adjust your timing, and develop a deeper understanding of how the ocean works. Plus, it builds your confidence in different conditions. Sometimes, it’s the tougher days that teach us the most.

2. Focus on the Fundamentals

When the waves aren’t perfect, it’s the perfect time to focus on the fundamentals. You can always work on your positioning, timing, and technique. Small adjustments to your paddling technique, your foot placement, or your take-off timing can have a huge impact. These are the things that often get overlooked when you’re just trying to ride good waves. But when the surf’s less predictable, these fundamentals become your best friend.

Think about how you position yourself on the wave—are you paddling in the right spot? Are you reading the wave’s energy before you pop up? These are all the little things that will help you when the waves do turn on, but also give you the best chance to have fun even when the surf’s not ideal.

3. Work on Your Fitness and Paddling

One I'm suuupperrr passionate about - onshore waves or smaller surf can actually be a great time to work on your fitness. We often think of fitness as something you only need for big or powerful waves. But it’s just as important for the everyday sessions, especially if we're going to surf stronger for longer. Poor conditions often mean you’re doing more paddling than riding waves, and that’s not a bad thing. Spend the session focusing on your paddling endurance, core strength, and balance. This all translates into more control in the water, better wave positioning, and more strength to handle any type of wave that comes your way. And if we're looking at onshore summer swells and months out of the water at once, this can take a toll on our bodies where we may return to the ocean feeling far less 'surf fit' than we were before, so this is a great way to keep our conditioning and strength up, to make the most of the better conditions when they come our way!

If the waves aren’t providing the excitement you’re used to, focus on what you can control: your body’s strength and your stamina. You’ll be more prepared for when those perfect conditions do roll in.

4. Have Fun with It

I think this is the most important tip: just have fun with it! It sounds simple, but it's easy to get caught up in expectations when it comes to surfing. We all want perfect waves, right? But sometimes, the best sessions come from simply enjoying the ride, no matter how small or messy the waves are. I’ve had some of my most memorable surfs on days when the waves were far from perfect. When you’re out there, fully embracing the experience and letting go of the pressure to “perform,” you end up having more fun, and that’s what surfing is all about.

Remember, the ocean is always offering something—whether it’s perfect waves or not. It’s the act of being in the water, pushing your limits, and enjoying the ride that matters most.

So, the next time you find yourself staring at onshore conditions or messy surf, don’t let it get you down. Instead, embrace the challenge, focus on your fundamentals, work on your fitness, and most importantly, have fun with it. Every session is an opportunity to improve, no matter the conditions. And hey, you’ll probably learn a thing or two along the way.

Get out there, enjoy the ride, and keep working towards becoming the best version of yourself in the water.