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Scott Batch

Fifty Things I Wish I Knew BEFORE I Started Surfing! #40- Surf Fitness- Cardio

Surf Fitness- Cardio-

Cardio workouts are so good for surfing because they improve your aerobic fitness, which is essential for paddling, catching waves, and recovering from wipeouts. Cardio workouts also help you burn calories, boost your metabolism, and reduce your body fat percentage, which can improve your surfing performance and prevent injuries. Here are some of the benefits of cardio workouts for surfing:


-Paddling: Paddling is one of the most important skills in surfing, as it allows you to move around the water, position yourself for waves, and generate speed and power. Paddling also requires a lot of stamina, as you have to constantly fight against the currents, winds, and waves. Cardio workouts can help you improve your paddling endurance by increasing your heart rate, lung capacity, and blood circulation. Cardio workouts can also help you strengthen your upper body muscles, such as your shoulders, arms, chest, and back, which are involved in paddling. Some of the best cardio workouts for paddling are swimming, rowing, and skipping rope.


-Catching waves: Catching waves is another crucial skill in surfing, as it determines how much fun and excitement you can have on the board. Catching waves requires a lot of speed, timing, and coordination, as you have to match the speed and direction of the wave and pop up on your board at the right moment. Cardio workouts can help you improve your catching waves ability by enhancing your explosive power, agility, and reaction time. Cardio workouts can also help you develop your core stability and balance, which are essential for popping up and staying on the board. Some of the best cardio workouts for catching waves are sprinting, jumping squats, and Turkish get-ups.


-Recovering from wipeouts: Wipeouts are inevitable in surfing, as they are part of the learning process and the challenge of the sport. Wipeouts can be scary and exhausting, as you have to deal with the impact of the water, the pressure of the depth, and the lack of oxygen. Cardio workouts can help you recover from wipeouts by improving your breath control, mental toughness, and resilience.

Cardio workouts can also help you prevent injuries from wipeouts by increasing your flexibility, mobility, and joint health. Some of the best cardio workouts for recovering from wipeouts are yoga, breathing exercises, and stretching.


As you can see, cardio workouts are so good for surfing because they improve your aerobic fitness, which is essential for paddling, catching waves, and recovering from wipeouts. Cardio workouts also help you burn calories, boost your metabolism, and reduce your body fat percentage, which can improve your surfing performance and prevent injuries. You don’t need to do a lot of cardio workouts to see the benefits for surfing. You can start with 20 to 30 minutes of moderate to high-intensity cardio workouts three times a week. You can also mix up different types of cardio workouts to keep yourself motivated and challenged. You can do cardio workouts on land or on a paddleboard1. You can join a class or follow a video online. You can do cardio workouts before or after surfing or on days when there are no waves. The choice is yours.

The important thing is to have fun and enjoy the journey. Cardio workouts and surfing are both amazing ways to improve your health and happiness. They are both ways to challenge yourself and express yourself. They are both ways to live in the moment and feel alive.






















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