Surfing is a sport that involves standing on a surfboard and riding the waves. Around 200 years ago, the sport began on the Hawaiian Islands. Today, there are a few different varieties that are regularly used: Shortboard surfing refers to surfboards that are less than 7 feet long. They’re simple to control, which makes them ideal for tricks. Longboard surfing, often known as Malibu surfing, can characterize by the use of a wide board that is longer than 9 feet. Longboards are more stable than skateboards and thus less maneuverable. Here’s all you need to know about the advantages of surfing tips for beginners, as well as some pointers on how to get started.
Surfing’s Advantages
When a client expresses an interest in surfing, John Gardner, a National Academy of Sports Medicine-certified personal trainer and CEO of Kickoff, an online fitness coaching platform, is ecstatic. He thinks it’s a fantastic exercise for a variety of reasons:
- Paddling on the water is a great way to get a good cardio exercise.
- Surfing improves the muscles in the shoulders and back.
- It increases coordination and balance.
- It aids in the strengthening of the core and legs, both of which must be completely engaged in order to stay upright on the board.
- It’s a lot of fun and a terrific way to lift your spirits.
- It’s a great full-body workout because it works all of your muscles at the same time.
Surfing is “an terrific workout that is pretty low-impact, despite the exertion that comes with it,” says Jack Craig, a certified personal trainer with Inside Bodybuilding. He also points out that it’s thrilling, which pushes many people to persist with it over a less engaging hobby.
“The nicest part about surfing is that the early concepts are really simple to learn, and all you need to master them is your body or a cheap boogie board,” Craig explains. “After you’ve mastered the fundamentals of surfing, you can try getting on a longboard, which is the final step in learning to surf.”
Where Do I Begin?
Mastering to surf, like learning any new skill, necessitates adaptability and perseverance. You won’t be flawless the first time you go out on the lake, but that doesn’t mean your abilities won’t develop over time.
Muscles In Your Upper Body And Core Should Be Strengthened.
All of these muscles will engage during surfing, and if you’ve already been working on strengthening them, you’ll have an easier time adjusting to the activity, according to Gardner. Stretching on a daily basis might also be beneficial. Consider hiring a personal trainer to assist you create a customized program to help you prepare for surfing.
Take a Course
In regions where surfing is prominent, there are numerous possibilities for surf instructors. If you spot surfers on the beach, ask them where they learnt and if they have any advice. Taking courses is a good method to learn and improve your surfing fundamentals.
Use A Foam Surfboard To Practice.
According to Marc Bromhall, founder of Beginner Surf Gear, this is a better option than learning on a standard polyurethane (PU) board. He observes that newcomers are “usually shocked by how hard, but fragile PU boards are.” “Even when walking back from the beach to the car, they’re incredibly simple to ding. At the same time, if they collide with another surfer at high speeds, they might cause significant injury.”
Bromhall claims that a soft top (foam) surfboard is easier to carry and much safer to use in the surf. “Don’t forget that you’ll be falling off the board a lot as a novice,” he advises. “Once you’ve mastered surfing and are confident in your ability to control your board in the water, you can progress to a regular hard top board.”
Make Yourself at Home In The Water
“Every wave isn’t going to be great,” Craig explains, “so learning to discern good and terrible possibilities is the first step.” “You don’t want to learn to interpret waves by watching professional surfers compete—unless you live in California, your waves are unlikely to look like that. Instead, look on YouTube for local surfing organizations or amateur surfers in your area and learn how they study the waves and assess them.”
Put On Some Sunblock And A Rash Guard.
According to Alex Fogg, Coastal Resource Manager at Destin-Fort Walton Beach in Florida, this will prevent skin irritation from the surfboard and, of course, sunburn. It’s crucial every time you step into the water.
Use a Leash
“No, I’m not talking about a dog leash,” Fogg clarifies. “I’m referring to a tether between the surfer and the board.” When you fall off the surfboard after riding a wave, this keeps it from floating or “riding” away. he declares Your board could do harm to others if you don’t have it.
Look for Waves That Are Friendly
On the first day, you don’t want to be facing a 6-foot wave. “Practice in a beginner’s spot,” Gardner suggests, “where the waves are more gentle and it’s simpler to focus on technique without exerting too much effort.”
On the ground, practice the Pop-Up.
You’ll have to do a pop-up, which is similar to a push-up, to get back on your feet once you’ve reached the water. Practicing on land will help you improve your movements, which will become muscle memory in no time. Gardner recommends practicing the technique in a pool or in calm water. “When popping up, bend your knees, not your back,” says the expert.
Make Use Of A Lot Of Surf Wax.
According to Dylan Sims, head teacher at Ride On Surf School in Destin, Florida, it’s “a newbie surfer’s best friend.” He says that wax offers you traction so you can stay on the board while surfing the wave. Waxing your board before you try to surf will help you gain that extra bit of traction when you’re having trouble staying balanced.
Never Give Up.
Take Gardner’s warning to heart: while learning to surf, you will crash out a lot. It is something that everyone does. Keep working at it, and you’ll soon be surfing the waves just like you dreamed.