Cross Training Activites for Surfers!

If you want to get fit for surfing then you will know the more your surf the fitter you will become! However when you are not surfing there are a number of other great cross training activites that you coud enjoy that will really make a different to your surfing ability and stamina.

Swimming is a simple and effective sport for surfers. If you are new to surfing, swimming is an excellent yet gentle way to start improving your surfing fitness. Where possible practice in the sea rather than the swimming pool and for beginners this will help you to accustom you to the motion of the ocean. Swimming helps develop your paddle strength as it involves using a lot of the same muscle groups as surfing such as the muscles in your shoulders, upper back, chest, core and legs and you will also have the added benefit of a great cardiovascular workout. Also by increasing your confidence in the water you will push your surfing further and enjoy it all the more!

For another great cardiovascular workout to improve your surfing fitness, try running. For some it's mind numbingly boring! However the benefits can be immense in terms of endurance and stamina. To really give your legs a good workout and to minimise the impact on your joints compared to road running, try running on the harder sand near the edge of the water.

Many professional surfers have realised the benefits of Yoga. Yoga works on your core strength, balance, flexibility and also helps to develop your mental and physical stamina. These are all critcal to surfers. Yoga also helps to develop calmness and patience which are also so very important for surfers. What's more you will also benefit from improved posture, improved breathing and the minimised risk of injury. Yoga works on both the body and mind and is the perfect compliment to surfing.

Finally functional training can be of immense benefit to surfers. Boyle (2004), in his book 'Functional Training for Sports, Human Kinetics', states "In its simplest form, functional training teaches athletes how to handle their own body weight. Essentially functional training focuses on exercises that involve doing similar movements to what you would do whilst out in the surf. By focusing on surf specific exercises your surfing fitness will be unbelievably boosted and will take your surfing to a higher level. The real beauty of functional training is that you don't need to be a member of a gym. You just need a flat surface, a mat if you wish and some very low cost equipment such as a fit ball, medicine ball and / or a weight plate. Functional Training helps to develop stamina, flexibility, superb core strength and fantastic power in the arms and legs. There are a number of excellent functional training programs available out there. It is worth taking looking at these and finding one that suits you.

By combining all of these cross training activities you will enjoy your surfing even more and in no time you will be performing those mind blowing tricks that you thought you would never be able to master! If you are going on a surfing trip soon, start your surf training program 4 - 6 weeks before you leave. By the time you are leaving you will be confident that you will be able to surf harder, longer and faster than ever before!