Some of the best bodies in the world of sports belong to surfers.
The health benefits of surfing are numerous. Surfing is
a great cardiovascular exercise, using mostly upper body muscles to do
the paddling work, and leg muscles to guide the board once you're up and
riding. Since surfing involves more time paddling, it provides an
intense upper body and core workout.
Health Benefits of Surfing:
- Cardiovascular and heart health
- Muscle Tone
- Endurance
- Increased Energy
- Back
- Core
- Shoulders
- Legs
Surfing For Exercise
The best part about surfing for exercise is that it's so
darn fun that by the time you check your watch you've already been
surfing for two hours, and you don't want to quit! Usually when I go
running for exercise I want to be done before I've even been going for
two minutes! Any exercise instructor will tell you that it's not so
much about the intensity of your workout, but rather the time spent
exercising. When you're surfing, you're constantly moving for your
entire session, resulting in an excellent extended workout.
Surfing can also make athletes out of the most rooted
couch potatoes. Those who catch the surfing bug will be eager to wake
up at dawn every morning for the early glass, often continuing to their
regular job afterwords.
The Fountain of Youth?
There's an old saying that Ponce De Leon totally
missed the point when he was looking for the fountain of youth...all he
really had to do was jump over the side of the boat to find it. The
ocean is a source of revitalizing energy. Surfers thrive on riding the
energy of the ocean -- waves of pure energy that have travelled miles
upon miles to reach them. People who surf regularly can surf well into
their 60's, 70's, 80's, and even beyond. In fact, you may notice that
older surfers don't tend to look their age.
The health benefits of surfing don't only apply to your physical health. There are also the mental benefits. Surf stoke reduces stress, and often gives surfers a more laid back attitude about life which is actually beneficial to their psyche. The high stress of today's world is detrimental to our mental health. Physical exercise, especially something as fun as surfing, helps to offset the negative effects of stress. Think about it: surfers are always playing in the ocean! It helps you stay young.
The health benefits of surfing don't only apply to your physical health. There are also the mental benefits. Surf stoke reduces stress, and often gives surfers a more laid back attitude about life which is actually beneficial to their psyche. The high stress of today's world is detrimental to our mental health. Physical exercise, especially something as fun as surfing, helps to offset the negative effects of stress. Think about it: surfers are always playing in the ocean! It helps you stay young.
Proper Nutrition
Of course, surfing IS a workout, and you've gotta treat
your body right by eating well and taking some days off here and there
to allow your body to regenerate and repair itself. Diets high in
protein and low in fats are beneficial, as well as making sure you're
eating plenty of whole grains and fruits and veggies. If you're going
for a dawn patrol, make sure you eat something for breakfast and try to
drink plenty of water. A high protein meal after a surf will help your
muscles repair themselves after all that paddling.
Downsides
Surfing
isn't the perfect form of exercise, however, since it's not completely
symmetrical. It helps to supplement your surfing with stretching, Yoga,
Pilates, or some other form of cross-training so that your muscles
don't become unbalanced. For example, you can't just work out your
quads without working out your hamstrings, otherwise you run the risk of
injury. At the very least, try to implement a stretching regiment so
that your muscles don't become too short.
Further Reading
For more information on Surfing Fitness, including exercise and nutrition information, check out the excellent Surfing Fitness page!