Workouts

There are millions of boys who when confronted with the question “what would you like to be when you grow up?” would respond with Doctor, Pilot, Firefighter.    Consider changing their bedtime story book to Force of Nature and I guarantee you the answer to that very popular question will unanimously be “I WANNA GROW UP TO BE A BIG WAVE SURFER LIKE LAIRD HAMILTON”.

Many a surfer can call themselves fit, strong, in top physical shape, but none can come close to encompass the sheer power and force that is Laird Hamilton. Thanks to his famous surfer stepfather, Billy Hamilton, Laird has been cutting waves since the tender age of three.  He continues to amaze humanity by putting himself in the most harrowing situations imaginable and emerging unscathed.  Some of his notable achievements are breaking the European Windsurfing speed record, crossing the English Channel on a paddle board and surfing the wave called Teahupoo which was later labelled the heaviest wave ever ridden.  Laird is known as the guiding genius of cross-over board sports, and he is truly amazing and almost indestructible in the water.

So take these next few paragraphs as a test to your physical and mental abilities and see if you can keep up with the likes of one of the biggest surfing legends of all time.  Have a look at the tips below and get a quick sense of what it takes to walk a day in the shoes of Laird Hamilton (although he prefers to go barefoot).

EAT LIKE LAIRD:

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The Downward Dog, Plank, Corkscrew and The Teaser are all common phrases used in the daily lives of world renowned surfers like Laird Hamilton, Sam Lamiroy, Tom Curren and Kelly Slater.

There is no need to blush, these are the names for positions used in the fitness routines of many surfers across the globe, as the art of Pilates and Yoga has been taken to the big blue.

Throughout the sands of time surfers have been improving their health and fitness regime to reach peak performance in the water. From breath hold training whilst running on sea beds to becoming one with Neptune through Yoga meditation poses. Surfers are always striving to find ways in which to improve their surfing abilities - body, mind and soul.

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Being prepared physically is necessary for any sport but for surfing it can be critical. The ocean environment is a naturally hazardous one even before you add other surfers, sharp fins and flying boards into the mix. There is much attention given to getting fit for surfing, not least of all because the iconic image of a surfer is one of rippling muscles and bronzed, toned body but being fit and strong will not only help you enjoy more and get the most from your wave time it may also help extricate you from otherwise dangerous situation.

(RICK INSANE DIEGO)

However, although the necessity of getting surf fit is widely recognised, the essential element of core strength training is neglected somewhat which is odd because without this every other muscle you use has to work far harder and with significantly reduced efficiency. Furthermore, injury and fatigue will occur where the core muscles are not properly prepared; core strength training should be the root of all comprehensive fitness regimes.

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Tapping into the ocean's energy without the use of any kind of craft or equipment has got to be one of the purest, most exhilarating thrills that surfing has to offer. Even in small waves, riding with nothing between you and the wave is a total hoot and it can really give you a a new outlook on wave riding - it's a little like becoming a grom again, where every experience is new and fresh.

So how do you go about body surfing? Even though the masters like Mark Cunningham and Mike Stewart have a knack for making it look all too easy, it's really not that hard.

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Though surfing can be said to be as much a spiritual pursuit as it is a physical one, you can't really expect to get killer waves without being fit.  Surfing is a whole 'nother game compared to sports like snowboarding and downhill skateboarding- you can be weak, out of shape, and flabby and still make it to the top of the hill as a practitioner of these other sports.  Try to get out to the lineup on a day with nice overhead waves and it might be a very different story, however.  You might not be able to make it out at all!  The nature of surfing requires us to work for the ride, and the gnarlier conditions are, the harder we have to work.

If you haven't done much working out, following a DVD can be a great start, especially if you are going it alone.  A workout routine on DVD sets a good pace and can make you feel like you're part of a class.  My personal favorite, and the one that got me started towards getting 'surf fit', is a workout DVD called "Surf Stronger".  This is a workout geared towards surfers which makes use of a balance (yoga) ball to simulate the instability of being in the water on a surfboard.  For a free alternative, look for workout routines on the internet that incorporate a yoga ball.  

Once you feel pretty confident with those exercises, get into bodyweight exercises.  I believe there's no better way to build muscle and strength than through this type of workout.  I currently do pullups, handstand pushups, and L-sits regularly and have noticed an increase in core and shoulder strength- two key areas important in surfing.  I do three sets of each, and believe me when I say that these exercises are challenging!  If you can't do them, you'll have to work your way up gradually.  You are sure to notice results if you do them regularly.  A great resource for these exercises and more is "Building the Gymnastic Body".  

Although these are the the exercises I have found to work best for me, and I balance them out with Tai Chi practice, there are any number of other things you can do to get fit.  Don't be afraid to experiment, but keep in mind that certain exercises will help your surfing more than others, especially ones that focus on building core and shoulder strength.  Thus, systems like Pilates and yoga can be great for surfers as well.  Taking a class is recommended as proper posture and body mechanics is of supreme importance.  A great Pilates DVD is "Core Fusion Pilates", which features intense workouts of 10 minutes each.  Running is perhaps the best all around exercise we can do, if done correctly (check out "Born to Run" for an awesome read that will make you want to run!)

To sum up, don't let surfing be the only thing you do if you want to get better.  Work and challenge your body in other ways, and you are sure to paddle out with the confidence that a strong body will give you.