If you're like me then coffee is an essential part of any surf - but is it best before or after a surf? or dare I say it - can you have both!
The case of the pre-surf coffee
We all know a dawnie surf often involves an alarm at an ungodly hour. Perhaps you are one of those people that are a bundle of energy first thing - congrats ! I'm happy for you I really am, but that's not me. I pride myself on being a morning person, but have come to realize that this should be caveated with "requires caffeine".
I have a coffee machine at home, and if I'm really struggling I will make myself one as I leave the house. But this is where I feel I have skills, very coffee specific skills, worthy of being added to any CV, I can find cafes and petrol stations serving coffee at ridiculous o'clock.
The biggest revelation to me was the BP/Z apps where you can order in the app, time it for your arrival at a particular station and like magic its waiting for you at the counter - bliss!.
I like to think that all the research about caffeine acting as a genuine performance aid is not without its merits. The pre-surf coffee is likely kicking in as you paddle out, making you alert and ready for those waves!
Now - what about the post surf coffee?
There's nothing quite like a coffee post surf, especially on a cold day to warm you up, or with a mate to debrief on all the amazing waves you caught (or not!), and after a long surf, perhaps you're headed to the office or home to the kids - that extra little caffeine hit might be just the pick me up you need.
Can you do both?
Yes - I like to think you can, but..... in full disclosure, when I am at home I drink decaf coffee, and if I do go for both the pre and post coffee they are often NOT large sizes..... as much as I love my coffee I don't want to be bouncing off the walls!!
Want to know my fave coffee spots on the east & west coast?.... stay tuned