Surfers are known for early morning surfing and arriving at the beach at or before sunrise. This is known among surfers as the dawn patrol. But why do surfers like surfing so early, and what time do surfers have to be in bed in order to wake up in time for dawn patrol?
Surfers typically go to bed between 9 and 11 pm if they plan on waking up by 6 am. Mornings usually have minimal wind and the least amount of people at the beach, making for ideal circumstances as there are more waves to choose from that are of better quality.
So, waking up so early is worth it to the many surfers who consider sunrise to be the best time for surfing. Keep reading to find out more about what makes early mornings an optimal time for surfing and a few ways to make waking up for dawn patrol a little easier.
Why is Surfing in the Morning Better?
There are a few things about mornings that make them the best time to go surfing, two of which are optimal wind conditions and smaller amounts of people on the beach. High winds can make or destroy waves by making them break less evenly,
which makes the water too choppy to surf on.
The best wind for surfing is offshore wind, which is when the wind blows from the land out to the ocean. Offshore winds hold up the waves, and this is noticeable when you see those large, powerful, barreling waves. This “holding up” of the waves helps the waves to break cleanly, and the wind helps the wave hold up for a little longer before breaking.
Offshore winds aren’t necessarily that common in the morning, so the appeal of surfing in the morning is that the wind isn’t as strong as it is during the day. However, the winds vary depending on where you are and the day, and there are local climates that often have mild offshore winds in the morning. In other areas, the wind is stronger in the morning than during the day.
Because wind conditions vary so much, make sure you pay attention to your local weather conditions and use the forecast to determine what time is best for you to go surfing.
Another major reason why surfers prefer waking up early to surf is that they can avoid the large crowds that show up on the beach throughout the day. There are fewer people in the water, meaning there are more waves for you, more space, and a larger area to choose from.
Depending on the beach, there still might be a group of other surfers that are also up for dawn patrol. Many hardcore surfers never miss a dawn surfing session, but this is still a smaller group than you are likely to encounter at any other point of the day.
How to Wake Up Early for Dawn Patrol
Waking up for an early morning surfing session is not for the faint of heart. The thought of stepping into cold water might seem unappealing when compared to staying asleep in your warm cozy bed. However, waking up early to go surfing is worth it to many people, and there are ways to make getting out of bed at 4, 5, or 6 am easier.
Here are some tips to help make early morning wake-up calls less of a challenge:
Go to Bed Early – Getting to bed at a decent time is the most basic and essential key to waking up early. Although you may be tempted to stay up late partying or watching a movie with friends, it’s best to leave those activities for a different night. If you are planning to be up by 6 am to surf, you should be in bed no later than 11 pm. Getting a good night’s rest of at least 7 hours will help you perform better in many areas of your life, and surfing is no exception.
Eat Well – Taking care of your body is important for every athlete. Eating a light and healthy dinner with plenty of fruits and veggies before waking up for dawn patrol will help improve digestion and overall sleep quality. Also, be sure you stay hydrated and drink plenty of water the night before.
Avoid Coffee and Alcohol: The night before early morning surfing, be sure to avoid any drinks that might keep you from getting to bed early, including alcohol or drinks with a lot of caffeine, such as a late-night coffee. The last thing you want before going surfing is to be up late because you were tossing and turning in bed, unable to sleep, or wake up with a gnarly hangover.
Engage in Relaxing Pre-Sleep Activities: Exercising too much and too close to your bedtime can actually make it more difficult to fall asleep, so make sure your activities an hour before you go to bed are relaxing ones that will help you wind down.
This also includes avoiding screens, since the blue light can affect your body clock and make it more difficult to fall asleep. That includes phones, tablets, computers, and TVs. Reading before bed is a great activity that is also a stress reducer, so it can make falling asleep easier.
Sleep With the Curtains Open: Sleeping with the curtains open will allow daylight to slowly pour in, which will help your body wake up naturally.
Place Your Alarm Clock Away From Your Bed: Placing your alarm clock in a spot that will require you to get out of bed to turn it off is a simple but effective way to make waking up early a little easier. Just place your alarm on the opposite side of the room and turn the volume up. Don’t let yourself jump right back into bed for “just a few more minutes” of rest, even though it will be tempting.
Although getting up early isn’t always easy and is rarely fun, many surfers can attest that it’s worth it.