All too often we have trouble motivating ourselves to exercise. Whether that is getting off the couch, turning off Netflix and going for a run, getting in the car, and going to the gym.
All these things become barriers to getting some exercise - not to mention, they can be really boring! Swimming laps in a pool or clocking over that next virtual hill on a treadmill in a smelly airconditioned gym is not necessarily a welcoming experience.
Enter surfing.... What other form of exercise is low impact (it's water after all!), gets you out into nature and gives you an exhilarating workout to boot!
The sheer level of physical athleticism elite surfers maintain is unbelievable. Not that we all can aspire to such lofty heights - but have you ever seen a 3 sesh a week surfer that is overweight or unfit? It's a full body workout.
What kind of physical activity does surfing encourage?
Paddling
Paddling itself can be an intense upper body workout - and that's before you catch any waves! Some far more experienced surfers than myself have commented that the majority of our time in the water, up to 85%, is paddling. We are paddlers that catch the odd wave. Rotating our shoulders, traps and upper body is a great way to reduce tightness from sitting and typing at a desk for too long.
Popping up
The pop up is effectively an explosive controlled pushup movement. I've tried to get into the habit of doing a few of these a day each side even in the colder months just to keep my hand in. Again, we might never get to the effortless gravity defying stunts of the John John and the Goat, but hey, even a few of these a day will get you on the path for a nice quick wave entry.
Duck diving
Full disclosure, I'm still working on this movement and our head coach always gets a laugh when i try this manoeuvre. But again, watching some of the greats, this is clearly an extreme yoga move (sun salutation into cobra pose?). Not sure. We also tend to adopt the cobra pose slightly in order to get the most leverage when paddling.
Just being in the ocean
Sounds a bit silly but simply being in the ocean, negotiating waves, currents and the general flow of the mighty sea is fantastic resistance training. You'll get a full body workout moving yourself and your board around in the ocean even if you don't catch a single wave. If you add in a wetsuit (not that you'll really need one in Bali!), the wetty by design fills up with a small amount of water that heats up as it's held close to your 36 degree or so body - making you slightly heavier and providing a slight resistance workout as you move around in the water.
Plenty of opportunities to exercise your body and mind surfing. Come join us for a surf - it doesn't matter if it's your first time in the water or you're at intermediate level. It's always a good idea to surf with a buddy. Contact us now to arrange a session.
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