Can Anyone Learn to Surf
Surfing is on many bucket lists but Can Anyone Learn to Surf? In surf lessons I have had every variety of size and conditioning attempt to learn surfing. Not everyone is successful.
There are parameters for who can learn to surf. Being overweight is not a road block but a severe difficulty. The problem with overweight is that exercising probably stopped along the road. The surfer needs a power to weight ratio which is the strength to lift the body off the board.
The Physical Necessities
Surfing requires strength, flexibility, stamina, and courage. I have only had a few people who did not have the courage to stand up on the surfboard even though we learn in waist deep water. The strength to push one’s body off the board affects women and children. There is a push up effort followed by standing on one leg for a brief moment which require some physical strength.
More common is the flexibility issue. The beginner pop up includes pushing up and putting a foot under the butt flat on the board. Without flexibility, the surfer can’t put the foot flat on the board under their butt so they can stand on it. If they can’t stand on the foot, they can’t releases their hands to the other foot can get to the front of the board.
The Ability to Learn Something New
Another issue is some people can’t get out of their head. We have instincts about how to stand up since we have been doing it since toddlers. The stand up on a surfboard is different. The student has to learn a new method of standing up, but many default to the method they know which is deeply encased in muscle memory. It is a function of being able to learn something new physically.
The time in the water is spent getting people past their muscle memory and instinct issues. Some people pop up on the first ride. Everyone else somewhere between soon and the end of the lesson. Most people with normal weight and some athletic ability are surfing soon.
The Process to Surf Shape
For those who need more work I suggest they start with losing weight, doing pushups, squats, and dead lifts. The last two exercises can be done without weights but they are the best for developing flexibility. Touching palms to the floor is a good measure of how tight the hamstrings are.
I suggest reading my books The 3 Week Plan or Get Fit to Surf. They were both intended for the person who learns they are not yet in surf shape and wants to get there. I think most everyone could get in surf shape and learn to surf.
More Posts
Oceanside Surf Lessons for Beginners
Beginner Surfers Learn the Pop Up
How to Progress to Surfing the Short Board
For Surf Lessons in Oceanside, see the Home Page
To in surfing shape see my website Get Fit to Surf
See me on Instagram
Explore the Surf Lesson and Fitness Coaching Package
Why Not Prioritize Gratitude in Your Life? We aim for many goals that will take time or may not happen. We can have gratitude everyday. Isn’t gratitude the companion of happiness, achievement, life satisfaction? We can have it every day without having to achieve. Gratitude can become a habit. Why not be happy everyday?
Buy Now on Amazon. E-book $2.99 or Paperback $6.95
The Surfing Trilogy combines three books into one E-Book. Learn in one easy to read concise volume how to lose weight, get fit, and learn to surf.
It combines the books: The 3 Week Plan, Get Fit to Surf, and Learn to Surf Guide
Buy the E-Book on Amazon for $6.99
Want to get in great shape for surfing and an improved lifestyle? Start with the Free E-Book The 3 Week Plan. It is the perfect start for getting in great shape and losing weight.
Consider Coaching and the Surf Package the combines Surf Lessons and Fitness Coaching
Learn More
Get my new book Get Fit to Surf
Its time to get back in shape. This book discusses strength, flexibility, stamina, and nutritional needs for getting in shape and losing weight. It is the great guide to get back to fitness for all your recreational desires. If you can surf, you can do most anything.
Buy on Kindle for $2.99 or Paperback on Amazon for $6.95
Get the Learn to Surf Guide Course in Kindle, Paperback or Audio
A great 29 page course on the fundamentals of catching waves, doing beginner and advanced pop ups, riding real waves, how to do maneuvers on real waves, which surfboards to ride, and how to progress. Great for lesson preparation, after lesson review, or learning on your own.
Kindle price $2.99 on Amazon. Paperback price $6.95 on Amazon. Audio download price $7.95
Seniors Get Fit to Surf
Description:
Seniors often ask if it is too late to learn to surf. Age is functional not chronological. If people have been exercising and maintaining body strength, surfing can be accomplished. If people have not been exercising, then getting in shape to surf could be a life changing move. Learn how to develop strength, flexibility, and stamina to learn surfing. If you are in surf shape, you could pursue most any recreation.
Buy the E-book on Amazon for $2.99
Buy the Paperback on Amazon for $6.95
Receive Weekly Active Lifestyle Tips on Nutrition Merchandise, Losing Weight, Getting Fit, Recipes, Meal Plans, Exercise Videos