Is Being Overweight a Problem for Surfing?
Some people have asked if Being Overweight is a Problem for Surfing. I have also heard people comment they know why surfer seem to be skinny. Weight can be an issue for learning to surf.
There is a ratio in surfing called power to weight. It asks if the surfer’s strength is enough to lift his weight off the surfboard. The problem with people that have gained weight is they have probably stopped exercising. They often can’t lift their upper body off the board for the pop up.
Losing Flexibility
The other issue they find is loss of flexibility. Flexibility is an issue for most people. In the pop up, the surfer brings a foot under their butt and places it flat on the board to stand on the foot. Then he lifts his hands and brings the other foot forward. For a second, the person is lifting their body on one leg.
Being overweight complicates both issues. The person has probably lost the flexibility to move the foot far enough forward under their body and place it flat on the board. They have probably lost the power to lift their body on one leg.
There is a good measure of body weight used by medical and health professionals called the Body Mass Index. It can be calculated with the Body Mass Index Calculator to tell you if you are overweight.
Lose Weight and Get Stronger
The solution for learning to surf is to lose weight and get stronger. They can both be done at the same time. The best three exercises for surfing are pushups, squats and deadlifts. The latter two can be done without weights. They will loosen the hamstrings, buttocks and lower back.
The next requirement is stamina. Non-exercisers have not built muscle ability to absorb glucose. In fact, lack of exercise closes muscle receptors to glucose and all carbohydrates eaten go directly to fat. Exercise starts building receptors to absorb glucose. Glucose is muscle fuel. It is needed for effort and recovery.
My books The 3 Week Plan and Get Fit to Surf were written for surfers and can guide the program of losing weight and getting surf fit. When I have students that can’t surf because they are unfit, I suggest they take at least three weeks to follow the above suggestions.
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
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