Surf Fitness

Surfing as a sport is growing exponentially in popularity. One of the beauties of surfing is that it can be enjoyed throughout all ages.  Surfing is a dynamic and explosive sport and care must be taken to avoid injuries.  With surfing’s popularity we are seeing land based surf conditioning  programs to  prevent injuries and manage existing injuries.

Surf Performance Training: strength and flexibility is the key:

A Surfer’s flexibility is very important to both injury prevention and performance.  Ten minutes of ‘loosening up’ movements (warm up) prior to surfing can make a great difference.  Dynamic movements rather than static stretches are more effective.

Areas to work on include:

• Thoracic spine extension and rotation
• Posterior shoulders
• Pecs
• Glutes
• Lumbar flexion / extension
• Hip flexion and rotation
• Ankle dorsiflexion.
• Strength  is also a key component.

Surfing poses major challenges to balance so balance and core strength exercises should form an integral part of training.  Strength training should be functional where you are up and moving not lying down on a mat or sitting.

Exercises might include:

• Squats
• Lunges
• Push ups

Agility exercises that combine strength and flexibility are ideal especially if performed on an uneven surface.

Training programs will make a huge difference to your surfing and to injury prevention but as all surfers instinctively know, there is no better training then getting out in the water and surfing!

Pottsville and Cabarita  Pilates run a Surf Performance Fitness Program every week: designed by a surfer and Sports Physio

 Phone 02 6676 4000 or 02  6676 4577  to enquire or book