Hi there

I'll be going surfing for 2 weeks at the end of August. I have never surfed before and am quite looking forward to it. I'll be spending most of the 2 weeks surfing (Monday to Firday, 2 x 2 hours sessions per day).

I'm wondering if anyone else has experience of surfing and what exercises/workouts will help. I'm guessing that working on balance, core strength, and legs will be important (as being able to swim!)

If anyone has any ideas or suggestions on training and workouts that will help me before I get in the water I'd like to hear them.

Thanks

I'm not an advance surfer. As a matter of fact, I just got my board. So far, I'm just practicing paddling and sitting ont he board. All I can say is don't expect the first time you will be doing things like the pro surfers.

Anyway, here are some tips about the board: get a soft top long board/fun board, about 8-9 ft in height, and about 20-23 in wide and about 2-3 in thick.

Good exercises would be pull ups/chin ups, and push ups. Use your body weight.

Also, where are you going? I'm at Virginia Beach at 1st street with about 2-3 ft waves coming in.

Thanks, looks like I'm already on the right track then. A friend also has an indo-board which they are going to lend me - they're for balance training and developed to help skateboarders, surfers, snowboarders etc.

I wont be able to actually practice with a board until I'm there unfortunately i.e. actually surf, but they will provide all the equipment etc.

I'll be heading off to the west coast of Portugal. It's supposed to be one the best spots in Europe (I live in England). Really looking forward to it!

Well you could say that I surf a little. Meaning every day sometimes twice a day all year round.

Honestly man there arent alot of workouts that are going to help your surfing at your level. Just keep getting back on that board when you fall off. Easy for me to say having caught my first wave at age 4.

If it's your first time hitting the ocean water, you're in for a surprise. Just play it safe and be sure to watch the ocean for a long time before you go in to make sure where the currents are going, where others are surfing, where people are avoiding, etc.

The best tip about ocean water is that if you ever get caught in a rip current, swim diagonal toward the shore or let it drag you out then swim back in diagonal to the shore. Don't rely heavily on the floatation of your surfboard, if you can't swim it, don't go in it.