Explaining the Excitement of Surfing

1. Explaining the Excitement of Surfing Surfers’ passion for their sport is well known – it may even be described as an addiction, but let’s call it a favorite recurring pastime. One of the properties that makes surfing so addictive is its unpredictability. The ocean is a constantly changing environment, making it difficult to know exactly when and where the next wave is about to break. This means watery reinforcement is delivered on something called a variable-interval schedule; any number of quality waves might arrive at any point in a given time frame. Importantly, we receive a stronger release of the motivating neurotransmitter dopamine when a reward is unexpected. So, when a surfer is surprised by the next perfect wave, dopamine-sensitive pleasure centers in the brain become all the more stimulated. Behavior that is trained under a variable-interval schedule is much more likely to be maintained than behavior that is rewarded more consistently, making surfers better able to persevere when the waves take a long time to materialize. Because this environment is so changing, your surfing gear needs to be able to work no matter the situation. Finding the right surf shop online is crucial before you ride the next wave. Equally important is getting the right surf accessories like surfboards, surfboard fins and wetsuits that can handle anything the waves throw at you. Key in on these helpful tidbits and that dopamine rush will be all the better as you ride the waves safely and in style.