Many beginner surfers tend to forget that surfing is a contact sport that involves being pushed around by foam balls, being hit by white water, smacked by heavy lips and taking some solid beatings. Constantly righting one-self, balancing and falling is apart of the surfing game.
All surfers are going to be challenged with awkward balance situations and sooner or later Mother Nature always wins. However if we can improve our nervous system, our reaction times, and our awareness we have a better chance of staying on each wave for longer. There are certain actions we can take when surfing combined with specific surfing exercises to help improve balance and remain in control when things look pear shaped out in the ocean.
Beginner Trick Skateboard
Speed is a crucial element to consider when attempting new or tricky maneuvers in steeper sections of waves. Only with speed can any real dynamic positioning be executed without falling. It's a bit like riding a bike - the slower you go the harder it becomes to balance. So whether you are surfing or surf training, be sure to work on speed development.
Body positioning and your center of gravity are also important. Always attempt to keep your center of gravity over the stringer in your board and your body low when going into maneuvers. The closer you maintain your center of gravity over your board with good positioning the more control and better balance you will have. Performing tricks on skateboards, snowboards and balance equipment will help improve your body positioning and kinesthetic awareness for surfing.
Spatial awareness is also crucial because surfing is the only sport where everything is constantly moving and changing. There are some fantastic surfing exercises to improve peripheral vision while challenging your awareness of what is going on around you. Only when you are totally aware of your surroundings can you prepare yourself for what may happen in the ocean. Perform surfing exercises that challenge many variables at once and combine this with time in the water to improve your spatial awareness and help improve your surfing balance.
Flexibility is also crucial. If you are put into a situation that requires you to twist, turn or tuck to avoid being slammed by an exploding wave and you lack the ability to bend your body in the direction the wave is forcing you to go, your off. Be sure to include surfing exercises that improve your static and dynamic flexibility. This one element is often over looked and undervalued yet is the easiest thing for anyone to work on to improve their body, energy and surfing performance.
All surfing requires core strength yet most people only relate it to improved power for surfing. The truth is that core surfing exercises are a huge factor when it comes to balance. When you lose your footing or try to regain control after nearly falling it is your core musculature that comes to the party to pull you back on your board. Train with a professional who can give you specific surfing exercises to improve core function and balance for surfers.
As surfers we will always be fighting to find balance and remain positioned above our boards with perfect balance. With good use of surfing exercises and time in the water you can consistently improve as a surfing athlete.
Surfing Tips For Beginners - Finding Balance
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