I want to learn to surf, but first, I need to gain some muscle?

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.

The Surfboard Man

http://www.thesurfboardman.com/

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.

Actual workouts arn't gonna help a whole lot. You can have the strongest triceps and shoulders in the world. But if they arn't used to the motion of paddling, that person won't be able to paddle 50 yards. Find flatter days, grab your board, and start paddling!

alot of people dont even do this before they start. you either get surfing or you dont.

but anyways do push ups and alot of upper body and shoulder workouts... that will help with paddling

also get used to the ocean and theirs nothing really that can stimulate that unless you go to the real ocean.

I would just start with ocean swimming ,

That is THE critical skill you need anyways .

Start with the boogie board and work your way up .

good luck

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