Reasons why your surf training gets stagnated

Evolving into an experienced surfer takes a lot of time and dedication. The learning process is long and hard and many people give up along the way once they see that their surfing is not improving. To prevent the drop-out list getting longer, us at Calima Surf would like to offer some helpful tips on how to avoid throwing in the towel!

Improve your fitness.

Do you know how many calories you burn on your board? Just so you can get an idea, a high level surfer burns around 1500 un to 2000 calories in an hour and a half. This means that you should accompany your time surfing with other exercises outside of the water to improve your cardiovascular resistance. Crossfit for example, is a sport that could help in this respect. In the sixties and eighties, when crossfit was not yet internationally known surfers, whether professionals or not, were very good swimmers and divers because they spent most of their time swimming or diving. Choose either one of these.

Choose the right board for you.

In a previous post we spoke about the different types of surf boards on the market and which ones you could come across in a surf camp such as the ones held at Calima Surf. Each one of these boards has a different function, are used for different types of waves and above all, different types of surfers. The correct way to learn how to surf is to start with a soft board and follow the necessary process to be able to use a short board. Do not shorten the natural process and try to reach a shortboard without having previously used an evolutionary or a Malibu, otherwise your surf will suffer an unexpected setback.

Do not expect to teach yourself (to be self taught).

Surfing isn't learned through YouTube. It is important to always have someone with more experience to guide you and correct your posture, to avoid falling into bad habits. Surf courses and surf camps are a very good way to identify the aspects which need most attention and to continue improving. Usually surf schools include technique correction video sessions which are more useful than one may think. Do not feel shy to join a beginner surf camp, we have all been through it.

Make your sessions regular.

Going to surf only when it is sunny is good for getting a tan but not useful for your training.  In surfing one has to learn how to suffer a bit and not refuse to get into the water when the weather is not inviting. This is what thick wet suits are for.  It is also not worth going to a surf camp every summer and not practicing what you learnt the rest of the year. Living far away from the sea is not a valid excuse either. Very interesting alternatives exist like the Carver Skates, which allow you exercise movements you would use on a wave, but do it on land. Even professional surfers use the Carver Skates when conditions do not permit.