Stability Ball, Swiss Ball, Exercise Ball… whatever you call it- make sure you get one!
As well as acting like a piece of gym equipment when you’re working with your free weights, they are fantastic to stretching out on after a surf session.
If it’s all new to you, or even if it isn’t take a lokk at About.com’s Choosing And Using An Exercise Ball.
BTW Surfers also love Yoga! Check out the Yoga For Surfers System!
Surf is a tough sport and even more so for girls, because we typically start out with much less upper body strength than guys. I remember when I first started out; I’ve always been quite sporty from sports like skiing, snowboarding, swimming, hillwalking, running, horse-riding and karate but I can still remember how amazed I was at just how absolutely exhausted I was even after the first few sessions with the tamest white water!
Here are the steps of surf fitness program that will train you up in no time:
There’s even a special beginner’s program as well as more advanced programs and all using minimal equipment. This program helps surfers like you that will not only help reduce the risk of injury, increase your health, make you look toned and fabulous, but also actually help you become an awesome surfer! For more info, click on the link.
Yoga works on the mental level to help you develop focus and concentration which is absolutely essential for performing well on the waves. Sometimes the difference between a good day and bad day of surfing is all to do with your emotional state.
It can get scary and fear is not the best companion to have when you’re trying to catch waves! It’s necessary to practive caution of course, with other surfers, with boards, wit the waves and with the sea bed below, but if you’re unable to tune out negative thoughts then it affects your surfing negatively.
Yoga also works on the physical level to improve your strength, flexibility, stamina, balance and coordination. That means you’ll be able to surf longer, with more energy and endurance. No more paddling back in to the beach early because of fatigue or aches and pains!
Finally, yoga works on a spiritual level to help you deepen your connection to nature! Surfers thrive on the energy of the ocean. Yoga helps you remain present and aware so you deepen that experience.
For the best system around that concentrates on yoga for surfing, check out Yoga For Surfers.
http://www.thaimarathon.com/2009/10/05/surfing-in-sydney-youre-never-too-old-to-learn/
from girlsurf’s posterous
If you were thinking that surf makes your skin healthy with all that sea water and sun then think again- one look at a group of seasoned surfers will usually tell all: wrinkles! Sun spots! Sun damage!
These days we are savvier about the damaging effects of surf and sun. Surfing can have its upsides for your skin, there’s no doubt about it, I have noticed that I suffer much fewer breakouts and I especially don’t mind keeping a bit of colour on my face, but you have to be diligent about your skin care routine.
Surfing is not like going sunbathing you’re in the water for hours on end, not to mention wiping out a few times. All that means that you need a heavy duty sunscreen that will stay on.
I have tried a lot of products but the best one I have found is Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 55. Just put it on 15 minutes before getting into the water and it leaves a clean, lightweight, non-shiny finish plus it doesn’t clog pores.
Be diligent with your sunscreen, that includes your lips- get a lip balm with an SPF of at least 30.
Because this sunscreen works for me I have never needed to wear a cap- sometime you surfers, especially in tropical climes with caps with brims on in the water. Something I always use though, even if it’s really hot is a rashguard/rash vest. Shoulders and back are really vulnerable to getting sunburned especially when you’re face down on your board for extended periods. Skip the ugly peeling shoulders and put on a rash vest.
After a day of slathering on sunscreen, skin can feel as waxy as the surface of your surfboard, so use a flannel/face cloth in the shower with your shower gel to gently remove all traces of sunscreen and sand from your skin.
Once squeaky clean again, smooth some moisturiser all over to sooth tired skin and get all-over healthy radiance.
If I were you I wouldn’t go way expensive with your moisturiser because you use a lot of it. I use sweet almond oil mixed with whatever essential oils are my flavour of the month, like right now I’m using ylang-ylang essential oil mixed with a little lavender and grapefruit. It smells luscious, it’s light and I can just smooth it over me in a flash after a shower. It absorbs right into the skin and it’s fast, natural and cheap!
Despite all the precautions, now and then you get burned. I have found that aloe vera gel works the best- I have a few plants at home so when I get home I just chop off a spike, split it open and smear the fresh gel over my skin and then shower it all off later. Then I smooth some more gel over my skin mixed with a moisturiser later. The aloe takes the heat out of the skin. You can buy aloe in tubes if you don’t have the plants at home.
Be a sunscreen fanatic and avoid the burn and those wrinkles!
Here's a perspective on learning to surf from a 39 year old woman, very interesting:
from girlsurf’s posterous
http://www.xnetsurf.com/blog/?p=1218
from girlsurf’s posterous
Surf Fitness Surf is a tough sport and even more so for girls, because we typically start out with much less upper ...
Surfing-specific Yoga If you already practice yoga regularly and surf, then I'm sure you know what an amazing help it is. If, ...
Surfing and Yoga work beautifully together Yoga works on the mental level to help you develop focus and concentration which is ...
Are you sick of having arms like jelly after only a few minutes of paddling and then struggling to stand up because you don't have enough strength left in your arms to push yourself up?
Girls tend to lack upper body strength at the start which can hold you back. WIth the Total Surfing fitness you can speed the process up by using your time away from the waves to build strength in all the key areas using specific training methods.
Read my article about surf fitness or
click here for more information and instant access- You can start getting surf-fit TODAY in the privacy of your own home!
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