I want to learn to surf, but first, I need to gain some muscle?
What workouts should I be doing before I attempt to learn how to surf. Im going to start going to the gym tomorrow and doing cardio a few times a week and training with weights but are there any specific exercises that surfers do to stay in shape or should that be enough? What muscles should I be focusing on or should I stick to weights/cardio and then let the ocean get the rest of me in shape?
Where do I start? Thanks
2009-06-01T15:51:45Z
we have a pool at my neighborhood gym but its nothing like swimming against a current. what can i do to simulate swimming against currents. the beach is a 2 hour drive away.
The Surfboard Man2009-06-01T15:53:07Z
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Swimming is a great exercise for surfing. However, if you are just starting swimming, start in a pool first. It is a lot less dangerous than ocean swimming. Then once you get some endurance and confidence you can switch to the ocean.
John F is probably going to be mad cause someone asked this same question about 3 questions ago.
Well you need more than just muscle when you are surfing. For example, you said swimming against currents. That is exactly how people drown when they get caught in rip currents. You have to swim parallel to shore until you are out of the current and then swim towards the shore. You REALLY NEED TO TAKE SOME LESSONS before you get out in the water. You will be a danger to yourself and others around you if you just buy a brand new board and hop in the water. Never buy a brand new board either if you are a beginner. Take some lessons (they provide you with boards) then rent some boards, then buy a used one from the surf shop and then when you are experienced go to the surf shop and get your nice new board.
Some exercises you should do are swimming (we all know that swimming in a pool is nothing like the ocean but you should still swim with what ever you have anyway) is an important exercise, cycling, pull ups and push ups (you need the shoulder and arm muscles for the pop ups and paddling that you will be doing). Balance is crutial so you should think about investing in an indo board because they are great for getting the balance that surfing requires. Then cycling and running are great exercises too. Practice holding your breath at random times troughout the day so you are prepared for those times when you are held under.
You don't need to worry much about weights, especially in the beginner/intermediate stage. If you feel compelled, hit up your core muscles (good idea always).
Your conditioning is what's going to be the thing letting you down. Swim, swim, then swim some more. You don't need to swim against a current; if you need more of a workout swimming, just swim faster and for longer.
NOTE: If you are going to attempt any breath-holding exercises, make sure that you are doing it at the end of your workout (to better simulate how it is paddling in the ocean) and MAKE SURE TO HAVE A SPOTTER. It's very easy to black-out doing this even when experienced.
Ive surfed for 4 years now and never once hit the gym, surfing is exercise in itself. Just get out there and give it a go. You wont last anywhere near as long as Slater or anyone but just give it a go, see what aches the next day and, if you feel the need, go to the gym and work on them. Personally, i don't, i just surf till i start to ache, come in and do the same the next time, slowly building muscle but in the places needed, not big showboating muscles that will weigh and slow you down. Their are books out there on how to surf better with yoga exercises and things to do so maybe its worth looking into one of these?
Well you don't really need to condition to learn to surf. Just go for it. Little Groms start at like 4 -10 years of age. You don't see them hitting the gym. They just go for it. If you really feel the urge to do something . . . then I suggest hitting the pool. Swim laps. It will tone your body and get your endurance up. There are also surf yoga DVD's as well as balance boards to get you into the mind set . . . but really just get out there and hit the waves.