SURFING IN MOSCOW

ARTIFICIAL WAVES

Since not all surfers are lucky enough to live near the ocean, there's a need to practice their skills within the city. Progress never stands still, and a large number of urban "artificial surfing" styles have emerged:
- Artificial waves (classic or flowsurfing)
- Moving waves
- River surfing
- Wake surfing

Let's discuss each of these types separately.

Flowsurfing looks like a stream of water flowing down a soft surface, reminiscent of a tilted trampoline. It's a complete imitation of skateboarding ramps, and flowsurfing is done on short boards resembling a skateboard. The tricks and movements are the same. In Moscow, the most popular spot for flowsurfing is Naloo Balu in Luzhniki.

Classic artificial waves are an imitation of an ocean wave, but they always have one power and one flow: they do not grow or shrink like real waves do. Artificial waves are great for practicing balance, turns, and various tricks. The most common pool-based wave spots in Moscow and the Moscow region are Surf Brothers, Flow, and Freezone. Incidentally, Surf Brothers has the widest and most powerful wave, so we love surfing there.

Moving waves are the closest artificial wave to the ocean. Using specialized technology, they recreate the entire process: from wave formation to wave fading. These waves can be used to practice not only the actual wave-riding technique, but also catching the wave and standing on the board (pop-up training). You can find them in Rostov-on-Don and St.Petersburg ("More Volnuetsya"), and surfers from all over Russia have already rushed to test it.

River surfing is a special installation placed on the river that creates a wave. This type of surfing is similar to artificial surfing in a pool, but you'll agree, it's so nice to surf outdoors in nature! There are several spots throughout Russia where you can ride rivers, but the most famous and closest to Moscow is DonSurf.

Wakesurfing is surfing on a board behind a boat that creates a wave. It's a great way to practice balance, ride and feel the wave, and learn tricks! Wakesurfing can be practiced anywhere there's water: rivers, lakes, and the sea. It's more challenging at sea because, in addition to the wake created by the boat, there's also the interference of natural sea waves. Therefore, beginners are better off starting wakesurfing on lakes or rivers.

Does artificial surfing feel different from ocean surfing? Of course, they're completely different sports, but they share one thing in common: the ability to ride a wave. Ocean surfing isn't just about standing still; it's a complex set of skills: paddling to the lineup (the place where surfers start), riding oncoming waves, identifying and catching the right wave, standing up, maintaining balance, and choosing the right trajectory. Artificial waves are certainly a simplified version of ocean surfing. However, they help develop the necessary skills and make your first ride on a real wave easier.

If you start preparing for the ocean with artificial surfing, learning in real conditions will go faster. By the way, you can practice your paddling skills beforehand using special training equipment; one of them is located at Surf Brothers.

Surfing is suitable for anyone who enjoys extreme sports. Physical fitness level and body type are irrelevant in surfing. What matters is desire and regular training. A very difficult question is whether surfing is a form of exercise or just fun. Let's put it this way: if someone trains regularly in a gym and their muscles are toned, then surfing will be fun because they won't feel a significant strain. However, if someone doesn't train regularly, then walking will be difficult after the first or second surfing session: their legs will become seriously sore. Surfing provides a certain amount of exercise, but it's nothing compared to training in a gym.

There are no nuances when choosing artificial waves: all the available waves are very good, have excellent instructors, and their own unique atmosphere. Those interested in surfing should only pay attention to pricing and choose a place that suits their budget. And also determine where they feel most comfortable, where the atmosphere matches their sensations. It's worth trying all types of artificial waves and choosing the one you like.
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