Pity, but not all of us live by the ocean and we spend most of the year in a city with no way to catch waves. However, surfing isn’t just about ocean training. You can and should prepare for surfing in advance. Therefore, to make your ocean workouts more productive, we’ll show you how to get ready for your surf trip in advance. So, what will you need?
ENDURANCE
It’s of great importance in surfing, since you’ll need to rake a lot. First, getting to the line-up, breaking the surf and then, getting onto the wave. And you’ll repeat all of it multiple times! If you don’t want to spend yourself too quickly, cardio will help. For example: swimming, running and cycling. Swimming is most similar to rowing, because it includes the work of almost the same muscles (especially the crawl stroke). By the way, you may pay attention to scuba diving, so you learn to hold breath and feel yourself more confident while being under water, once falling off the board.
STRENGTH
Most of the time you’ll need to rake in a quite unusual and uncomfortable position – bending in the back. The upper body is responsible for how you can rake on the wave and perform push-ups while getting up. Therefore, do gym exercises: push-ups, pull-ups, hyperextension sets, barbell exercises, etc. And mind your abdominals!
STRETCHING
The better your muscles stretch and your joints bend, the easier you’ll find it to stand on the board. A flexible body is your freedom of movements! Stretching also helps to avoid muscle overstrain cramps. Yoga will become an excellent form of preparation. It has a relaxing and tonic effect on our body, helping to find our own harmony.
BALANCE
People with a well-developed vestibular, find it much easier to catch their balance on a surfboard. Balance can be mastered with the “balance board”. It’s a board and cylinder simulator. First, try to put the weight from one foot to the other, squat in a surf rack and change your look direction. Sup-boarding, skateboarding, wakesurfing and wakeboarding are useful for balance training as well.
Bear it in mind that you shouldn’t jump at the first video on the Internet and start practicing. There’re lots of them and a great deal are off the topic. For starters, it’s better to get a coach. Surfing is becoming increasingly popular and affordable. There are special schools which provide surf training, for example Surfway in Moscow or OnegoSurf in St. Petersburg.
REST
We are used to living non-stop, constantly hasting somewhere and doing a bunch of things simultaneously. Upon coming here to surf, many stay in the rhythm of haste, whereas you need to chill and just relish! Therefore, we advise you to unwind and switch from the frantic rhythm of the megalopolis at least a day before the surf trip. After all, a refreshed body will bring more favor and pleasure in training, and your rested mind will come up with more ideas. Allow yourself a day to do nothing, turn off social networks, do yoga, meditate, read a book, go for a massage or a spa, choose your own way, but most importantly – chillax and switch! No doubt, you may keep that non-stop work rhythm, but you come to our surf house (or the surf school) to stay away from work! Therefore, give yourself time for a real rest, so that your body and mind relax, making the surf trip a real pleasure! Remember that surfing isn’t a struggle with the elements and yourself. It’s a unity with nature, a thrill from every wave you catch, so let yourself have these magnificent emotions!
SLEEP
No secret that everyone and even more so an athlete, needs a proper recovery. If you sleep little and come to workouts sluggish, it’ll be of no use. Therefore, be sure to have enough sleep for your regeneration. Everyone’s recovery goes differently, and each of us needs a different number of hours of sleep. Try to sleep at least 8 hours daily, and go to bed at 22-23 o’clock in accordance with your biorhythms. Moreover, surf workouts most often take place in the morning and you need to get proper sleep!
NUTRITION
Proper nutrition is crucial for a quality training. Try to get rid of useless “junk” in your diet. They are fast food, carbonated drinks, buns, sausages, excess sugar and salt. Replace it all with healthy and clean foods, consume more vegetables and fruits. If it’s hard to say no to sweet, replace it with nuts and dried fruits, but these should be in moderation as well. And surely, remember to drink enough water!
Well, it’s time to launch at training for your next trip! If you start getting ready for the trip in advance, a long break between surf them won’t be so tangible! Once you are by the ocean, you won’t need to start it all over again; you’ll progress much faster. Use our tips and listen to your body. You are always welcome for our trainings! See you on the waves!