The purpose of this study is to explore the leisure experiences and life changes of Korean surfing participants by applying a phenomenological approach. To this end, we looked at the leisure experiences of surfing participants and the changes in life after the surfing experience. Eight study participants with at least five years of surfing experience were selected and in-depth interviews were conducted. The research results that appeared through inductive content analysis based on in-depth interviews are as follows. First, surfing participants’ leisure experiences are largely divided into “positive leisure experiences” and “negative leisure experiences,” with “freedom,” “feeling fun and daily escape,” and “immersion into waves.” Second, the change in life after the surfing experience of study participants is “a change in daily life,” “change in personal values related to life” and “change of attitude toward the environment.” This study explored the meaning of the recent increase in leisure experiences and life value changes of Korean surfing participants. Based on these findings, it will be able to understand the leisure and life value changes of surfing participants and provide policies and practical implications for revitalizing domestic surfing.