Surf Fitness & Nutrition

[wawaverider]

also lets face it over half of surfing is paddling so I think working those paddling muscles for endurance (and explosive power) is very important

A.C.

[nm]

also lets face it over half of surfing is paddling so I think working those paddling muscles for endurance (and explosive power) is very important

A.C.

I agree.....completely.

However......just 'cuz I can kick your azz in the pool....doesn't mean I can out in the ocean. Yes....I can paddle fairly fast on my board (actually knee paddling is way more efficient for me).......but neither do me any good.....when an outside set sends me all the way to the beach because I don't have the strength to muscle through it. (I'm 5'8" and almost 120lbs.) I've taken to sliding off my board....holding the nose and ducking under the wave just so I don't get carried back 20 yards.

I personally could benefit from adding weights to my daily routine. When I was competing....there was no question that weights helped my swimming.....I'm sure it could do the same for my surfing.

[purenitrous]

You could drop down to one of those 5'10" potato chips. They're a snap with duck diving. Or better yet.... Try one of those kickboard from the pool.

oh... btw nmm... I'd pass on the board I told you about. Apparently it has a twist in it. (I don't remember seeing it but that's the latest news)

[wawaverider]

nmm,
You could always dive for bottom, but then you might piss some people off if they are behind you. I'm really big on calisthenics for gaining power. Part of it may be a weight function (you mentioned that you were almost 120 lbs, I can't believe that a women actually told everyone her weight over the net, you don't have many inhibitions do you?). It seems like some of the more successful big wave guys that I have known were bigger than the chop hop air jockeys. How big of a set are you talkin about also? What kind of lifting did you do to improve your swimming? I'm curious because I might be doing a triathlon in about 3-4 months.
Laters

[nm]

Or better yet.... Try one of those kickboard from the pool.

Lol nitro.......weren't you with us the year we snagged some from the pool in CC and took them out into the surf?

And wawa......no...not many inhibitions. Why should I not tell people my weight? It's a fact of life.....I prefer not to hide from it. I also don't have a problem telling people my age.

As far as weight workouts......we worked the tri-cep, lat, delt.....basically all of the shoulder and back muscles......(I mostly stuck to free weights).

And yeah.......I'm talking about bigger sets......as in.......head high plus. You know the ones......that come from outside....when you're sitting there watching someone else ride the line......not paying attention.....and then you're paddling for all you're worth to make it over before it breaks on your head.

[Guest]

maybe if yall knew how to duck dive and paddle it wouldn't be a problem

[Koo Nass]

you ever duck dived a long board?

[Trula]

Anyone have any cycling workouts? Critter do you?

[Doc]

Koo Nass asked:

you ever duck dived a long board?

I can sink my 8' 3", but my 9' 6"? No. I can turn it sideways and knife it in but stability and timing are an issue especially in bigger waves. I still think the tried and true "turning turtle" is the best way to go in bigger surf.

Doc

[Bison]

I've been having calf muscle cramps recently. It happenens right when I pop up and it causes my toes to curl screwing up my stance
Anyonne else had this issue?
Any suggestions Bannanas Stretching

[nm]

I have a tendancy to get calf cramps when I've been in the water for a long time. My (somewhat limited) understanding of why muscles start to cramp......it's usually due to a lack of potassium, magnesium, zinc or calcium in your diet. It could also be from sitting in the cold water.....your muscles are constricted (ie: tense). A good stretching on the beach usually helps me. (And taking a multi-vitamin.)

Maybe somebody with a little more knowledge would like to add to this?.........

[Koo Nass]

Eat a banana about an hour before you enter the water. That should help alot

[wawaverider]

Sure I would love to comment, I'm not a Dr. but I have experience Athletic Training and I'm working as a Physical Therapist Aide (I have my undergrad in Biology and a minor in Physical Therapy). For most people the primary reason they are getting cramps is due to dehydration. You may not know that you are dehydrated by the time it happens. I must be a little frank, are you drinking lots of suds the night prior? The alcohol of course dehydrates you try to have a glass of water with each drink. Water is the key not only is the source of our pleasure in surfing it is our life (it can also put the fear of God in us). nmm is right, vitamins and minerals are helpful, but I prefer to eat lots of broccoli and leafy greens. That way you are getting benefits besides just the vitamins and minerals (fiber a few calories, phytochemicals, etc). Sorry to hear about the cramps. I know that cramps can completely shut a person down more than a big set. If you want a list of foods I can PM you one. Also the stretching is a great idea. I try to stretch when I'm sitting on my board by grabbing my toes, it is basically good to keep some blood flowing in them while you are inactive and waiting so they are pumping and ready to go for your drop. Ok, I'd like to hear if any of this helps!!!

[Bison]

Thanks for the tips...I will try them out. I don't do too much boozing (if I know I'll be surfing) but do drink lots of coffee so dehydration is probably a factor. I never stretch and pretty much live off of bloody chunks of meat. I get these damn calf cramps pretty regularly in the water though so I will have to make some changes...
Thanks

[Trula]

Powerbar and a liter of water the breakfast of champions on dawn patrol. Warm up before (I have seen things saying that you are not supposed to stretch before). Orange juice with calcium is also a good thing to drink for muscle cramps.