Surfing Tips for Beginners and Experienced Surfers

Surfing: How To Pop Up: A Step-By-Step Guide

May 18, 2023by Dan Harmon

As a beginner surfer, there are many things to learn and master before you comfortably ride most waves. One of the essential skills you’ll need to learn is how to “pop up” because you’re only bodyboarding without it. Fortunately, this article provides a step-by-step guide on how to pop up for those embarking on a surfing adventure. The key to a successful pop-up on a surfboard is your position on the board, correct foot and hand placement, a balanced stance, and practicing the movements until they are natural. Core strength, balance, and coordination are essential for mastering the various pop-up techniques. Once you’ve learned how to paddle the board, the next important technique to learn is how to pop up. Although this beginner’s technique is fundamental to surfing (especially on a longboard or foam surfboard), it is tricky to master. This article focuses on the push-up and slide method for popping up. Start In The Right Position Fundamental to executing the pop-up technique is starting in the right position. Picture this. You’ve paddled out through the surf and joined the lineup. You’ve waited patiently (it’s a busy day), and it’s finally your turn. You paddle hard; the wave starts pushing you. In your excitement, you stand up, but alas! You’re too far back, and your board stalls. How could you avoid this? By being aware of your body’s position on the board before standing up. Where You Lie On The Surfboard Is Essential While paddling out to the waves requires certain body positioning (so you don’t fall off when going over/under waves and swells), once you’re in position, ready to catch a wave, you’ll need to lie on your stomach again in a way that maximizes your paddling capabilities. I.e., lie where you can paddle quickly with your arms so that the wave catches and drives you along. You want to lie far back enough that the surfboard’s nose is in line with, or just above, the water. Too low and you’ll nose dive; too high, the back of the board sits too low in the water, creating drag. Unfortunately, this drag results in the wave not pushing you along sufficiently. You’re too far back if your surfboard’s nose is 30° (or more) above the water. Lying in the correct spot takes practice. As a beginner, you won’t always get it right. If you surf with friends/a group, ask for pointers as you wait for waves (unless you plan on an out-of-body experience, seeing yourself from the side is challenging). Another great way to learn about the ideal position is to ride a few waves lying on a surfboard (like a bodyboarder). Although it may feel embarrassing, you’ll learn where to position yourself and what it feels like when a wave takes you. Preparing For Pushing Up On A Surfboard Once you’re correctly positioned and the right wave approaches, start paddling! You’ll paddle between four and eight strokes to move fast enough to catch a wave. Enough speed is essential for a pop-up, and part of the correct position is moving ahead of the wave. If uncertain, give an extra one or two paddles to ensure you travel with the wave. Once the wave takes over, put your hands (palms down) on the board with your fingers pointing to the surfboard’s nose. They should be next to your pectoral region. If you’re on a longboard, position your feet with the toes down on the surfboard’s tail (most beginners start on longboards, as they are easier to balance and the wave catches them quicker). Congratulations, you’re ready for a push-up! Push Up and Slide Your Feet Although there are four different pop-up methods, the push-up method is the easiest for beginners to master. This technique is ideally suited to longboards and large foam boards. Once you’re moving along with the wave and your hands are in position, push your body up and away from the board, pivoting on your toes on the surfboard’s tail. Slide your feet underneath yourself when your body is above the surfboard (your arms are stretched to their maximum, giving you as much space as possible). As strange as it sounds, the best method for this slide is to bring your back foot (if you stand regular, then your right foot, if you stand goofy, then your left foot) forward first. Your back foot should end roughly in line with your other leg’s knee. Once the back foot is in position, you’ll move the “soon-to-be” front foot forwards and place it between your hands with your knee bent under your chin (ideally, you want to land with your front foot roughly in the middle of the surfboard). Now you’re ready to stand up. Take your hands off and step up. Note: Although you can move your front foot into position first, you risk landing too far back on the board, which would cause you to stall and fall. Tips On Perfecting The Push Up And Feet Slide It’s important to push with the same force on both hands; otherwise, you might tip the board one way. Keeping your hands on the board while sliding your feet helps you maintain your balance and speed (by keeping the nose sufficiently down). Try not to grab onto the rails (side of the board). Your hands under the board create drag and could cause you to topple over. You’ll need to be able to push your body up and hold it on your hands and toes, so a degree of physical strength (arms, core, legs, etc.) is necessary. You’ll hold roughly 80% of your body weight on your arms, freeing up your legs to move forward. Look ahead of you when pushing up. If you look at your feet, you’re likely to fall. Don’t worry about trying to move both feet and land them on the surfboard simultaneously. Rather, focus on sliding the backfoot into position, followed by the front foot forward. When you’ve … Read more

How To Get Past the Break On A Longboard

May 18, 2023by Luke Morris

Longboarding is both thrilling and graceful, often appearing as if you’re dancing on the waves! If you have trouble dealing with the break, you might end up wiping out or missing the best part of the wave! Here are the best techniques and tips for beginners and pros to get past the break on a longboard. You can get past the break on a longboard by using the push-up technique to lift your torso off your board and allow the water to pass between you and the board. Then, use the rocket ship technique, where you use your weight to launch yourself over the wave, and turtle rolling to roll under the wave. A lot goes into getting past the break on a longboard; you need to consider the volume of your board and the width and keep a constant speed. We’ll cover all the crucial factors and follow a detailed step-by-step guide using the push-up, rocket ship, and turtle roll techniques. We’ll cover tips pros use and examine the differences between paddling with longboards and shortboards. Paddling Out In Big Surf On A Longboard You might really enjoy using your 6’6 Foamie board with 44L of volume – its superior buoyancy and stability are unparalleled, making riding the waves much more enjoyable! While this is true, these factors also make it more challenging to negotiate the waves when you paddle out. Duck diving is a handy technique that you can use to dive under an oncoming wave to avoid getting pushed back. It requires you to push your surfboard under the water, which can be difficult with a longboard board with a high volume (buoyancy) and stubbornly refuses to sink. So, how do you get past the whitewater on your longboard? Getting Past Whitewater On A Longboard: Step-By-Step Guide While you can’t completely stop oncoming waves from pushing you back, you can control by how much. You can use a few methods to help you get past the whitewater and paddle out comfortably at a good pace. We’ll examine the raised method, the rocket ship, and turtle rolling. The Push-Up Technique Increase your paddling speed toward the approaching whitewater or the lip of the wave. Speed is vital to help you build momentum and maximize the chances of the technique working. When the whitewater is about to hit you, use your arms to lift your torso up and off the board. This will ensure the whitewater passes between you and your surfboard, significantly reducing the resistance you feel from the wave. If you want to take the push-up technique further, you can also perform a hop motion to lift your feet into the air and off the board. The less water hits your body, the less resistance you’ll experience. This method is ideal for moderate-sized whitewater because if the whitewater is taller than you, it will lift you and push you backward. The Rocket Ship When you see the approaching whitewater, sit up and move to the back of your board, raising your board‘s nose into the air. This is important for gaining the necessary momentum for the next step. As the whitewater is about to hit you, reach your arms as high up your board as you can, and pull your weight toward your board’s nose. Watch your timing; if you don’t have enough weight at the nose of your board when the wave hits, you’ll flip backward. Shooting yourself forward with your weight will help you to propel yourself up, out of the water, and over the wave. The rocket ship is excellent for dealing with smaller waves or when the waves are too big for the push-up technique, but more powerful waves will lift you up and possibly turn you on your back, so be careful! Turtle Rolling Accelerate into the oncoming whitewater, keeping your board perpendicular to the wave (facing the wave). Use both hands and grab the rails of your surfboard. Shift your body off your board and into the water, turning your board upside down so that you are underneath it and holding it with both hands. When the whitewater hits you, jab it with your board to reduce resistance. Once the wave passes, climb back onto your board and continue paddling out. Turtle rolling is ideal if there’s a wave breaking right in front of or on top of you. Rip Currents: How To Use Them To Your Advantage If you’ve spent time in the ocean or have experience with surf lifesaving, you’ve probably heard about rip currents. While they do carry a negative connotation due to their safety risks, experienced surfers often use them to make it back to the lineup much quicker. A rip current results from water rushing back into the ocean after hitting the shoreline. When this process happens for long periods, small-scale erosion forms channels that allow the water to return to the sea. These channels are often deeper than the sand around them, which means that waves don’t break in the rip current itself. Here’s how to spot a rip current: Dark patches of water deep-colored water Fewer breaking waves Rippled surface surrounded by a smooth surface Anything floating beyond the waves (foamy, discolored sandwater) Rip currents are dangerous, so practice safety first, and if there’s a lifeguard on duty, swim where they can see you and between the allocated flags. Longboarding Vs. Shortboarding: Which Is Easier To Paddle? Longboards and shortboards are loads of fun and excitement in their own right, but when it comes to paddling, longboards are easier to paddle than shortboards. Let’s look at the facts: Length – longboards are longer than shortboards, which means they have more glide and momentum on the water. This makes them easier to paddle and catch waves with. Shortboards are shorter and require more effort and speed to paddle and catch waves with. Width – shortboards are narrower and require more skill and agility to paddle and maneuver. Longboards are wider than … Read more

Common Surfing Injuries: What You Need to Know

May 18, 2023by Dan Harmon

If you enjoy adrenaline, speed, water, and risk, surfing may be the sport for you. But before you get in the water, it is always good to know about the possible injuries you may sustain, and understanding how to avoid them is equally important. Though one of the biggest fears for anyone catching waves may be shark-related, some injuries are much more common. Below, we discuss them in detail. The most common surfing injuries include dislocations, concussions, and head injuries, but may also include more specific injuries such as “surfer’s ear.” Though you may be unable to avoid them all, using the right equipment and practicing body awareness may help reduce the risk of serious injury. Whether you’re newer to the sport or a veteran surfer, knowing the injuries you may sustain and how to avoid them is valuable information to keep yourself safe and prepared in any situation. Let’s look in more expansive detail at the most common surfing injuries. We’ll also give you more detail on how to avoid these injuries and ensure you stay safe the next time you go chasing waves. Common Surfing Injuries Though there are more injuries that you may sustain while surfing, the list below is some of the most common ones. Surfer’s Ear Surfer’s ear, though common under surfers, isn’t a surfing-only injury but gets caused by prolonged exposure to cold water. Due to repeated exposure to water under 66°F, the ear’s bone develops growths that, while not initially harming the person, may cause other problems such as hearing loss, water getting trapped, and a build-up of thick or dry skin in the ear, along with recurring infections. Head Injuries And Concussions There are many possible ways that head injuries may occur while surfing, one of the most common being a surfboard hitting a surfer. With this in mind, some after-effects may include dizziness, confusion, and blurry vision. If a surfer sustains repeated head injuries, there may also be a chance of serious cognitive issues. Though concussions and other head-based trauma are common under surfers, there is also a chance that a concussion may result in loss of consciousness, with studies showing that up to 9% of participants have lost consciousness due to head trauma while surfing. Shoulder Dislocations As with many other sports, surfing also carries the possibility of dislocation, with shoulder dislocations being some of the most common. Shoulder dislocation may happen for many different reasons but putting your shoulder back into place as soon as possible is imperative since relocating after a dislocation can become more painful if you wait. You may be able to use one of these many techniques to fix your shoulder if you have the help of others; however, in severe cases when surgery is needed, it must get followed with immediate rehabilitation to ensure you can continue surfing. Ankle And Knee Sprains Another set of common surfing injuries are spraints, usually ankle or knee spraints, that may occur due to a wave hitting you too hard or slipping off your surfboard. Unfortunately, this is a common surfing injury since it is easy to have one foot slip off your surfboard while the other remains on the board; with the added pressure from a wave, it is easy for your foot or leg to go in the wrong direction. Cuts And Lacerations From Fins And Other Equipment Cuts and lacerations are the most common surfing injuries and can happen because of your or someone else’s surfboard or equipment or even because of rocks you can’t see or steer clear of. Though some of these may not be serious surfing injuries, it is always best to examine them to ensure you do not get an infection that may keep you out of the water for an extended time. Sunburn And Skin Damage Whether you were out for too long and sustained sunburn or have redness or rashes due to your wetsuit or chafing, these injuries can be very annoying, though they may not be the most severe. You can use several things to protect yourself from getting injured this way, but they are still some of the most common surfing injuries and can make your surfing experience less than optimal. Though most of the skin damage you may sustain as a surfer is minor, there are reports that surfers may be up to three times as likely to develop melanoma, a form of skin cancer. How To Prevent Surfing Injuries And Stay Safe In The Water Below we discuss some ways to avoid injuries and stay safe in the water. Wear Protective Gear, Including Helmets And Rash Guards Protective gear is essential while surfing, and it is best to remember that having fun in a way that will not lead to injury is much more important than looking good. If you want to enjoy surfing for a long time, using protective gear such as helmets to protect you against head injuries and rash guards to help prevent rashes is vital. Many people also recommend using full-length wet suits to help prevent sunburn and the possibility of developing melanoma. Practice Good Surfing Technique And Body Awareness Bad technique and not practicing good body awareness can cause many common surfing injuries discussed above. Whether you’re newer to the sport or have been surfing for years, good technique and body awareness are essential for keeping yourself and other surfers safe. If you use the correct surfing techniques, you lower the chance of sprains, dislocations, and head trauma due to collisions, and body awareness can also help you avoid cuts. Warm Up Properly Before Surfing Another great way to avoid sprains, tears, and dislocations is doing warm-up exercises before you get on your board. Some essential areas to warm up and get loose before you get into the water are your arms and shoulders, legs, glutes, ankles, and neck and back, if possible. You can find some great exercises here if you want to ensure your body is ready … Read more

Surfing & Skating: How Skating Can Improve Your Surfing

May 7, 2023by Luke Morris

No two sports have had such a major impact on one another. Skating and surfing have been intrinsically interlinked ever since the first surfers in California invented skating back in the 50s. Surfers began trying to “surf’ outside the water and skating quickly, progressing into the radical skateboarding we see today. The maneuvers skaters learned out the water translated perfectly back into the Ocean, and both disciplines developed into their own separate counter cultures and million-dollar sports industries. In this article, we dive into the relationships between surfing and skating. We’ll explore the history of how surfing started skateboarding, how skating pushed surfing in terms of progression, and how skating made surfing more radical. We’ll also check out the different styles of skating, from surf skate carving to traditional skating. Finally, we look at how skateboarding can help improve your surfing. It’s a super interesting relationship, and there are no two similar sports. We have a bit to get through, so let’s dive in. Surfing Vs. Skating While both sports have similar aspects, surfing involves riding waves in the ocean, while skating involves riding a smaller board on land. This describes both disciplines in straightforward terms; surfers usually ride larger boards and may change their equipment based on conditions, whereas skaters will typically ride similar style boards. There are many ways to ride waves in surfing, from performance short boarding, long-boarding, barrel riding, big wave surfing, and fun-board riding. While skating comprises park, bowl, and street. Surf Skate & Traditional Skateboarding (Similarities & Differences) Surfing Board riding in water in varying ocean conditions Combines face turns, barrel riding, and Arial maneuvers. Styles include performance shortboard, longboarding, fun boards, and big wave surfing. Skating Board riding on land using a smaller board. Combines rail, flatland, bowls, and parks. Skating styles differ from bowl skating, street skating, and park skating. How Skating Improves Your Surfing There’s no doubt that skating can help improve your surfing. Because you’re not relying on conditions and ever-changing variables like wind, tide, swell, and sand, you can repeat and practice the same moves repeatedly. This makes the rate at which you progress in skating much higher than in surfing. So, if you can’t get in the water (nothing can replace surfing), go skating. Here are some transferable sports skills that will help you surf better. Balance Balance is a vital component of both surfing and skating. Both require an incredible degree of balance for even the most basic maneuvers. So, if you’re riding a skateboard when you can’t ride a surfboard, your body replicates the next closest body movement. Because your body is repeating similar actions, it triggers your muscle memory, making everything from stance, and moves more familiar. Footwork The small movements you do with your feet in skating and surfing are transferable. More so in surfing, when you perform advanced moves, you change your foot position back and forward based on your turn. Pushing and adjusting your feet as you skate helps you do this when you surf. Maneuvers Several moves in surfing are directly related to skating. If you’re using a carver surf/skateboard, moves such as pumping, carving, and even snaps are almost the same. So, if the waves are crappy, jump in a half pipe or bowl and practice pumping and carving repeatedly getting this constant repetition is the best land-based method of replicating surfing. Co-ordination Perhaps one of the biggest crossovers between surfing and skating is having the ability to use the top and bottom half of your body to be in sync to perform maneuvers and gain speed. The Origins of Skating & Relationship to Surfing Back in the 1950s, a group of surfers in California were sick of the wave-starved summers and crappy waves, so they devised a way to “surf” on land. This involved attaching rollerblading wheels onto boards and performing surfing-type moves on land. This is how skateboarding was born. After a draught in the 70s in California, surfers began using drained swimming pools to skate in, performing more radical maneuvers and learning airs. Because of how replicable and repeatable skating was, as conditions didn’t change like in surfing, skating progressed rapidly. Things got radical, and surfers soon began translating futuristic moves like airs and carves into the water. So essentially, things came full circle, from surfing starting skating and then skating progressing so quickly that it pushed surfing to be more radical. Christian Fletcher was one of the pioneers to start translating skateboarding airs to surfing, while Kelly Slater also used moves from Skateboarding to change how waves were surfed–sparking the Momentum generation (If you haven’t seen the movies, I’d highly suggest you check them out) and surfing in a way that combined the new school flare with old school flow. As surfers continue to push what’s possible in terms of airs and above-the-lip moves, skating and surfing remain more closely linked than ever before. Final Thoughts Surfing and skating have a harmonious relationship. With surfing influencing the start of skating and then skateboarding getting radical so quickly, it influenced surfing and pushed surfing further than anyone could ever have imagined. While nothing can replace surfing, skateboarding is, by far, the closest thing you can get to surfing on land. So if you don’t live near the sea and can’t get in the water as much as you’d like, the next best thing is skating. You only have to look at John John Florence’s skating to see how transferable some skills are between the two sports. An interesting history and two of the most closely related sports on earth. When you can surf, surf, and when you can’t, skate–you’ll improve your surfing exponentially. Luke MorrisLuke Morris is an avid athlete and the driving force behind Surfhungry, a vibrant online platform dedicated to sharing the joy and passion of surfing and water sports with enthusiasts around the world. With a deep-rooted love for the ocean and a lifelong commitment to riding waves, Luke’s journey as a surfer has … Read more

Surf Training on Land: How to Train

May 1, 2023by Luke Morris

Nothing can replace surfing, and no exact movement replicates what we do when surfing a wave. However, we don’t all have the luxury of surfing all day, every day–dedicating our entire lives to improving our surfing. I know how it is. Life gets in the way, responsibilities crop up, and finding time to surf and chase swells falls by the wayside. But don’t stress; this doesn’t mean you can’t improve your surfing. There are countless ways to help you stay fit, flexible, and stronger when you can’t get in the water. While I would highly encourage you to surf as much as possible, if you live far from the Ocean or just can’t find the time, it’s time to start doing surf-specific training. In this post, we dive into land-based surf training; from what can be done to most accurately replicate surfing, the key fitness components you should focus on on land, to the importance of mobility and stretching in surfing. We’ll also discover how to create a land-based surf training program. A lot goes into getting fit for surfing, so let’s get down to it. Replicating Surfing on Land – Is it Possible? Because of the tiny movements you make in surfing and an ever-changing ocean, it’s super tricky (even with all the technology we have at our fingertips) to replicate the moves in the ocean. I think one of the best ways to do it is simple: watch surf movies and try and replicate the body movements you see in clips. Do this in your room when no one’s looking because it looks ridiculous. But this way, you get your body and mind used to the positions you need to perform certain maneuvers. I used to do this as a kid all the time! I also used to walk down the street pretending a bush was a long tube, adopting an upper-body tube stance as I walked along. And yes, I’m not afraid to say I still do this, aged 26. Additionally, mobility routines and stretching exercises can help mimic surfing movements. Putting your body in the same positions you do in surfing will help your flexibility and muscle memory. Despite this, training outside the water doesn’t have to focus on surf-specific movements. Training with “gimmicky” surf-specific routines can have an adverse effect! Just look at the best surfers in the world to see how they train; take Nate Florence and Gabriel Medina; in their training, they perform explosive, power-based body weight exercises in circuit-style sessions. Surf Workouts We have several fitness-based components in surfing, including power, strength, cardiovascular fitness, and flexibility–all essential in good surfing. Whenever top surfers are training, they focus on these aspects. Here’s how they relate to surfing. Strength The stronger you are, the easier surfing will be. Paddling, pushing through turns, duck diving, and how long you can surf for. Muscular strength and endurance are slightly different muscle-based but equally essential fitness components. While muscular endurance helps you surf for longer (and be able to practice more), muscular strength and power will give you the ability to push through turns and throw spray. Power All the maneuvers we do in surfing are fast and explosive; therefore, power is critical. Successful tour surfers have power in their game, big legs, strong cores, and the ability to torque and throw their boards around. Even basics such as popping up or performing an off-the-top are quick (fast twitch) movements, and power-based exercises help you perform them better. Cardio Cardiovascular training is essential for surfing. The fitter you are, the longer you can surf, the easier paddling and riding waves will be, and the more waves you catch. More waves = more improvement. If you don’t surf all the time, cardiovascular training such as running, cycling, and swimming will undoubtedly help you feel better in the water. Even if you surf a lot, this type of training helps you keep motivation and froth levels high when the waves suck (which is more often than not). Flexibility Flexibility and mobility is the most crucial factor to consider when it comes to surfing well. Everything in surfing requires flexibility, from paddling (shoulders), popping up (hips), and top turns (hips, ankles, back). If your muscles are tight, you won’t just feel sore from surfing but will be limited in the maneuvers you can perform. The Championship Tour surfer is super flexible, and this is no accident. Mobility & Stretching Rather than focusing on land-based surf replication, stretching will be more beneficial in helping you surf better. A good stretch routine (while watching a great surf movie to see how surfers move) is a great way to stay limber and flexible. I recommend starting a daily stretch routine first thing in the morning, making some flowing, fluid movements to get the blood flowing, and then into a great yoga routine. Establishing this long-term routine can help you feel better when you do get to surf. Post-surf stretching is also super important! If you surf, then sit at a desk all day, it leads to stiff muscles and soreness. A recipe for injury! But stretching, even for 30 minutes, post surf, can work wonders in helping your body feel good for the next session. How to Create a Surf-Specific Workout Routine The best surf-specific routine focuses more on developing; strength, power, cardio fitness, and flexibility than trying to replicate what you do in surfing completely. These things combine to make surfing easier and less tiring when you get in the water. Make stretching a habit (both morning and post urf), A movement-based, flowing routine in the morning and a deep post-surf stretch session. Try and do 3 x strength bases sessions per week. (Adapt depending on how much you surf that week). Perform bodyweight exercises such as push-ups, lunges, dips, squats, jumps, and spider craws. These are dynamic movements that incorporate the entire body. These are great for strength and muscular endurance as part of a circuit. Cardio Sessions: If … Read more

Surfing Travel Insurance | Protecting Your Trip & Gear

May 1, 2023by Dan Harmon

The list of surf trip costs is endless, from flight tickets to accommodation, transport, food, travel gear, and a new board or two if we’re lucky, and that’s not to mention any coaching and extra activities. But one thing often overlooked, particularly on a budget surf trip, is surf travel insurance—an annoying additional cost but one that is just as essential as your plane ticket. We’re all guilty of it, right? “Ahhh, it’ll be fine; I won’t need insurance; that would be a waste if nothing goes wrong.” On surf trips, everything is, and hopefully will be, fine until it isn’t. Surf trips, by nature, are unpredictable, and there are countless opportunities for things to go awry. But when things go to sh*t, they go to sh*t very quickly, and paradisical dreams can turn into life-threatening nightmares in seconds. If you’ve got no cover to back yourself up in emergencies, then you not only put yourself in a dangerous (and potentially life-threatening) situation but under a mountain of debt you’ll be paying back for years to come. However, with a small pre-trip payment, you can prevent such situations and give yourself the peace of mind you won’t finish the trip with a $10,000 medical bill, injured or stranded. Surf travel insurance can also cover you for other surf trip mishaps, such as delayed flights and lost or stolen baggage. In this article, we dive into everything you need to know about surf travel insurance, from what to look for, the essential criteria, why you need it, and the best companies to buy policies from. We have a heap to get through, so let’s dive in. Why Do You Need Surf Travel Insurance? If you’ve been on a surf trip, you won’t need me to tell you how many things can and inevitably will go wrong. From severe injuries and emergency evacuations to stolen boards and delayed flights, surf travel insurance helps you in countless ways: Serious Injury Death Minor surf accidents Traffic collisions (Bali mopeds) Delayed flights Broken surf equipment Lost or stolen baggage Natural disaster But while the list of potential surf travel mishaps is long, not all surf travel insurance companies cover these things. Instead, you’ll have to look at specific policies to see what is and isn’t covered on your respective policy. Always check your policy wording carefully, and no matter what insurance you get, here are the essential criteria for any surf travel insurance policy. Essential Surf Travel Insurance Criteria Medical Expenses This is the big one. Medical expense coverage is crucial for any surf trip. Whether going on a mellow longboarding vacation to Sri Lanka or chasing slabs deep in the Australian desert, medical expenses cover your medical bill should you get injured. For example, if you’ve fallen off and hit the reef at Ulutwau, gotten cut up, and potentially broken a bone, you need to go to the hospital to get checked out and have a cast put on. That doesn’t come free for foreigners in Indonesia. With medical expenses covered by your policy, you can get the care you need without worrying about paying for it immediately. To hammer the importance of this home, I was once on a surf trip to Lakey Peak, Sumabwa, a relatively remote Indonesian surf paradise. One day we were eating lunch, and a surfer was being paddled in from the surf, having badly broken his leg and needing urgent medical attention and pain relief. His friends informed us, and everyone else at the camp, he was an American with no travel insurance! They did a whip round to get as much money together as possible, which I’m sure didn’t completely cover the cost of his hospital transfer and treatment. This is exactly the situation you want to avoid, and for the sake of a few extra dollars, it’s stupid not to get insurance. Medical Evacuation For serious injuries and life-threatening situations, medical evacuation insurance is needed. Hopefully, you’ll never need this, but when you do, you’ll be super thankful you had it! Let’s say you’re on a surf trip to the Mentawaiis (if you’ve been there, you’ll know how frickin remote it is). You get a head or spinal injury from hitting the shallow reef and need urgent care. The closest hospital is Padang–usually a 4-hour boat trip, but you need a helicopter to airlift you to the hospital in Padang. Padang isn’t the biggest city, and if the hospital there isn’t equipped to deal with your injury, you’ll need to be transferred to Singapore or Kuala Lumpur! Yep, that’s a lot of flying, and costs soon rack up. Medical evacuation covers these costs essential. Personal Liability Another vital aspect of your surf travel insurance coverage is personal liability. In short, this means an injury you cause to someone else. It doesn’t matter how good a surfer you are in crowded line-ups; it only takes a misread of an oncoming section to run over someone. Personal liability coverage helps cover their medical expenses if you injure or seriously hurt them. This is essential for helping them get the care they need (regardless of their insurance) and gives you the peace of mind of not having to pay for their medical expenses. What Does Surf Insurance Typically Cover? What’s covered in your insurance policy will depend on who you purchase cover with, and not all policies will cover the same thing. For example, you’ll want to cover bases such as medical expenses, evacuation, and personal liability, but often things such as baggage delays, damage to equipment, trip cancellations, etc., are things you buy as extras on top of your policy. Well worth considering. Types of Surf Travel Insurance For surf travel insurance, there isn’t a specific company that operates as a sole surf travel insurance provider. Therefore, you must look for extreme sport and adventure travel companies that offer surfing insurance. These companies provide travel insurance for backpackers traveling long term (6 months +), extreme sports … Read more

How to Stay Warm When Surfing in Cold Water: Top Tips for Toasty Waves

April 25, 2023by Luke Morris

person surfing on waves in winter - wondering how to stay warm when surfing in cold water

Where I live in Western Australia, we happen to get our best swell in the winter months. As a cold-water winter surfer, I know firsthand how important it is to know how to stay warm when surfing in cold water in order to enjoy the waves. Cold temperatures can quickly sap your energy and make it difficult to perform at your best. With that in mind, I’d like to share some tips on how to stay warm while surfing in cold water. One of the key elements to staying warm during those frosty surf sessions is paying close attention to how we protect our extremities, like our hands and feet. These body parts are typically more exposed to the elements, and as a result, they require some special consideration. In the next sections, I’ll be discussing the different ways to keep your hands and feet warm while riding those chilly swells. What Do Surfers Do to Stay Warm in Winter Wetsuits and Accessories When I surf winter swells in cold water, I make sure to wear a good quality wetsuit with the appropriate thickness to keep my body warm. Thick neoprene wetsuits, especially hooded ones, provide extra insulation against the cold. I also wear essential wetsuit accessories like gloves, booties, and earplugs to protect my extremities and prevent heat loss. Gloves and booties keep my hands and feet warm, while hooded wetsuits and earplugs protect me from cold water flushing and possible ear infections. Techniques and Tips One important tip I follow to stay warm when surfing is to keep moving in the water. I paddle regularly and stay active, as this helps in maintaining my body temperature and blood circulation. Avoiding unnecessary duck dives also helps in retaining body heat by not submerging myself and the surfboard beneath the waves when it is not needed. I don’t know about you, but the old ‘doing a wee in the wetsuit’ offers a bit of immediate relief too and is a classic surfer’s trick where I’m from (Haha, sorry, too much information!?) Diet and Nutrition In order to maintain my energy and body temperature while cold water surfing, I plan a nutritious pre-surf meal. High-calorie foods rich in carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats provide fuel to my body and help me stay warm. Fruits and vegetables with high water content might not be the best choice before cold water surfing, so I opt for more substantial meals instead. Coffee and alcohol might be tempting for a quick fix, but they are not advisable as they can reduce my body’s core temperature. Of course, a hot drink and warm feed immediately after surfing is a great way to warm back up again too. I personally love the Aussie classic of a hot choccie and a sausage roll with tomato sauce! Preparing for Winter Surfing Before heading out for a winter surf, I make sure to warm up by stretching and doing light exercises. Having a warm and insulated van to change in and gather my gear is a great way to start my session comfortably. It’s also a good idea to keep a changing poncho and a container of warm water handy for rinsing and warming up my hands and feet after a surf. Understanding Water Temperature I always consider the water temperature before a winter surf session. Knowing the ideal wetsuit thickness and accessories needed for specific water temperatures helps me prepare better and stay warm while surfing. For instance, thicker wetsuits and extra accessories like hoods and gloves might be essential when water temperatures drop significantly, certainly this is needed when I surf in the colder south eastern states of Australia in the winter; I can only imagine what it’s like in parts of Europe and the USA (you guys are mad!). Rejuvenating after a Cold Surf Session After a cold surf session, I focus on rejuvenating my body and warming up quickly. A hot shower, warm drinks, and dry clothes help me regain my body temperature and recover faster from the effects of cold water surfing. I also make sure to refuel my body with a nutritious post-surf meal to replenish energy and restore balance. In Australia, we surfers wear ugg boots – sheepskin wool lined boots; in fact you wouldn’t be a surfer in winter in Australia unless you pulled your uggies on straight after your feet were nearly dry (even with sand on them, the lot!). Don’t let the cold water stop you chasing epic waves! Get the right gear, eat the right foods, warm up quickly and enjoy the winter swell! Luke MorrisLuke Morris is an avid athlete and the driving force behind Surfhungry, a vibrant online platform dedicated to sharing the joy and passion of surfing and water sports with enthusiasts around the world. With a deep-rooted love for the ocean and a lifelong commitment to riding waves, Luke’s journey as a surfer has inspired him to create a community where like-minded individuals can come together to celebrate their shared passion.

How Many Times Per Week Should You Surf?

April 21, 2023by Dan Harmon

It sounds dreamy, right? Surfing all day, every day, tropical paradise, not a care in the world! An endless surf trip. However, such a lifestyle is much more difficult and less fun than it may seem. Surprisingly, there is such a thing as too much surfing. For most of us, surfing is a fun pastime, and it should be exactly that. Still, when surfing starts negatively affecting other areas of your life, such as your career, family, and relationships, you must ask yourself some serious questions. In contrast, feeling like you don’t surf enough and stagnating can also take the fun out of surfing. If you can only surf a handful of times in a month and take one surf trip a year, being able to surf how you want to surf is tricky and frustrating. But whether you wish to improve or just enjoy surfing, there must be a perfect balance. A balance between surfing enough to satisfy your appetite and still having time to thrive in your personal and professional life. This article explores this balance. We dive into all the aspects involved with achieving a healthy relationship with surfing and establishing a surf frequency to suit you. There is no one answer to finding the ideal amount of surfing; it’s all down to you. The Benefits & Risks of Surfing Daily It’s tricky weighing up the benefits and risks of surfing every day. And while surfing all day every day sounds amazing, it takes a massive toll on your body! (Let’s face it, we’re not all John Florence and can’t all surf for ten hours daily). However, surfing as much as possible has both positives and negatives. Benefits Progress The best way to get better at surfing is to surf as much as possible. You can do all the out-of-water training in the world, eat healthily, and watch every surf movie ever made, but unless you’re in the water surfing, there is nothing you can do to 100% replicate surfing. Therefore, progression will be limited. You only have to look at the best surfer you know and see how much time they spend in the water. Chances are the best surfers you know are out there at any chance they get! The more waves you surf, the more you expose yourself to different conditions, familiarise yourself with equipment and gather more surfing/ocean reference points. Everything you notice, whether it be how a wave breaks to where to push through a turn, are all references that build up the more your surf. You’ll develop stronger muscle memory when performing maneuvers through sheer repetition, and the more you surf, the more opportunity you’ll have to practice such maneuvers. Enjoyment Let’s face it, we surfers are a greedy bunch, and the more waves we can catch, the happier we are. We’re all guilty of it, taking waves off inferior surfers, getting “one more” wave, and staying out for another 2 hours; it’s part of our nature! While this may seem selfish, the more water time and barrel vision you can clock up significantly affect surfing enjoyment; just imagine it, two weeks straight of getting barreled every day–euphoria. Risks Injury If you’re not super fit, surfing every day all of a sudden can easily lead to overexertion and injury. You can’t go from sitting at a desk for 8 hours per day to surfing all day and expect your body to say, yep, that’s ok; I feel great! Just think back to your last surf trip; you’ll know first-hand how sore and tired you feel after that first day. Surfing with sore and tight muscles only takes a tweak in an awkward position to blow out a knee or twist an ankle. Being Surfed Out If you’ve ever been on a surf trip for ten days or more, you know how hard it is to surf all day for that long. It doesn’t matter how good the waves are or even how much your surf; surfing for more than 5 hours a day is hard, let alone for consecutive days! Even the world’s best need rest days. Surfing too much can also majorly affect your surf motivation, leading to passing up sessions you would have previously been frothing for. So while this is one of the better surf frequency issues, you can surf too much. And surfing as much as possible (as a long-term goal) isn’t necessarily ideal either. For example, if you got paid to surf, whether creating content (like me) or surfing professionally, going surfing can feel like a full-time job, which is a strange feeling because it’s the best job in the world, right? But if you add finances and pressure to anything, it can feel more of a chore than a fun past time. So how do you do it? How do you strike that perfect balance between surf, rest, family, and your professional life? How do you combine these aspects to achieve a healthy life and a good relationship with surfing? Let’s find out! Surfing for Optimal Progression Whether you’re surfing for enjoyment or progression, there are a few considerations that will affect how much you progress in surfing. Water time, conditions, equipment, and enjoyment are the main ingredients for facilitating surf progression. Water Time I know I said above that getting surfed out can be detrimental to your surfing, but the fact remains the more time yous end surfing, the better you get. However, randomly surfing and repeating the same mistakes and bad habits will stagnate your surfing, resulting in the opposite effect. Instead, you want to combine lots of water time with focused sessions, where you consciously go out and work on specific maneuvers. Add in some video analysis coaching, and you have fast-tracked surf progression. Fitness Knowing your fitness level is massive in finding your optimum amount of surfing. And if you want to improve, it’s in your interest to get fit in and out of the water. If you can’t make … Read more

The Ultimate Guide to Yoga for Surfing

March 31, 2023by Dan Harmon

woman in black tank top and black leggings doing yoga on blue yoga mat on water, yoga for surfing, she is doing yoga to improve surfing

Surfing and yoga are not an unusual duo. You may have noticed yoga & surf retreats all over popular surf travel destinations. While surfing and yoga may seem unrelated, the two have much in common. Taking up yoga for surfing will do wonders for your on-water surf capability, fitness and skills. Consistent yoga will help ease aches and pains from long sessions, increase paddle strength, improve balance, and prevent injuries. Aside from the physical benefits of yoga to your surfing skills, there is the mental side of yoga. Doing yoga helps you focus on your breath, which tends to calm the body making it super useful if you have a wipeout or dive through a wave. The benefits of yoga are numerous, and in this guide, you will understand why surfers do yoga. 8 Best Types of Yoga for Surfing Originating from India, Yoga is an ancient practice that dates back to 3000 BCE. Its practices involve deliberate stillness, balancing, stretching, and breathing periods. The benefits of yoga are widely documented. But does yoga help with surfing? Yes, yoga helps with surfing; regardless of whether you practice it on a paddleboard or dry land, it offers incredible benefits. Here are some types of yoga you can practice improving your surfing performance. 1. Yoga for Surfing: Warrior 1 – Virabhadrasana In yoga, there are different types of warrior poses, but what differentiates them is the alignment of your hips. In warrior 1 or virabhadrasana, your hips are facing front. As such, you will have a deep stretch in your rear leg. With your front leg bent almost at a 90-degree angle, it also helps activate the muscles in your front leg. Also, keep your front knee secure and stable when trying to get in this position. When practicing the warrior 1 positioning, lift your hands to get more into this stretch and ensure your shoulders are relaxed. Generally, this pose is great for surfers to practice as it helps your hip become more flexible and increases your stability. 2. Yoga for Surfing – Warrior 2: Virabhadrasana II Warrior 2 is another great pose; it improves your balance, works up your hips and groin area, and opens up your chest. From a standing position, place a foot in front and a foot behind at about 5 feet apart. And as you bend your legs deep into the front knee, try to keep your knee in line with your big toes. Also, when practicing the warrior 2 pose, raise your arms at shoulder level and relax your neck. Furthermore, engage your lower belly as you drop your pelvis while ensuring your lower back is straight as possible. Repeat this move on both sides and hold it for 10 to 15 seconds. And while you are in this position, lightly inhale and exhale while ensuring your quadriceps are parallel to the ground. 3. Yoga for Surfing: Pigeon Pose – Eka Pada Rajakapotasana The pigeon pose is one of the most challenging pilates for surfers, but it is efficient if you want to open up your hips and get a deeper stretch. This pose targets your hip flexors and is great for increasing mobility, which are excellent features for surfers. In the pigeon pose, the front leg is bent and lying flat on the yoga mat, while the back leg is straight and being you. Your chest should be relaxed but in a proud position. The pigeon pose is a classic yoga position that offers a fantastic stretch for your glute muscles. As a surfer, this pose aids in improving the flexibility of your hip area. If you aren’t very flexible, using blocks for this pose will be nice. 4. Side Plank Pose – Vasisthasana The side plank pose is another incredible pose that will help strengthen your wrist, shoulders, and abs. It also helps with improving your overall balance. To start with this pose, get into a side plank position with one arm on the ground and the other straight up. Keep your shoulders and core activated and engaged as you get in this position. Also, ensure your body is aligned with a neutral neck. When done well, this pose activates your side core muscles and gets a stretch at the same time. This pose is a good combination because you work out every body part and improve core strength. And if you’d like to make this pose more advanced to help your next surf session, lift your upper foot and hold it with your raised hand. 5. Cobra Pose – Bhujangasana The cobra pose is a great way to increase the spine’s flexibility and relieve pain in the lower back. It involves laying on your stomach with your hand next to your cheek. Ensure your legs are at your back and a hip-width distance. In that position, your hands should be pressed down to lift only your upper body from the ground. And as you lift from the ground, spread your shoulders outwards, and your chest held high. This pose looks similar to how you will lay on a surfboard. When in the cobra pose, have your chest up and slightly bend your back while you try to keep length in your lower back so there is no uncomfortable pressure. Compressing your spine and arching in the spine are common, especially after surfing, so this pose is great to practice before and after surfing. 6. Locust Pose – Shalabhasana The locust pose is more like the inverse of the cobra pose. It is the perfect pose for surfers trying to improve their paddling ability. It involves exhaling and lifting your head, upper torso, legs, and arms away from the floor. In the locust pose, you should rest on your belly, front pelvis, and lower ribs. In this position, you must keep your toes touching as you stretch to reach your legs. At first, reaching your leg seems challenging, but with practice, it gets easier. Remember not to spread your legs apart in this … Read more

What Do You Wear Under a Wetsuit?

February 22, 2023by Luke Morris

Perhaps one of the most commonly asked questions among beginners is what do you wear under a wetsuit? It can be confusing to decide if you are supposed to wear anything or go wholly naked underneath. There are different opinions on this matter, but you only need to remember how you have to go with what works for you – whether it means wearing an entire layer of clothing or nothing at all. This article tells you why you need to be layered up inside and what to wear under a wetsuit. What Do You Wear Under a Wetsuit? What you wear under a wetsuit is a matter of your personal preference. You can wear board shorts or a bikini. You can go nothing at all or with your undies. It is up to you. However, most experienced water enthusiasts prefer to wear an item of clothing according to the activity they are participating in. Sport Specific Gear Generally, wetsuits are designed to keep you warm while in the waters without wearing anything unique underneath. Still, sometimes we feel we can do better to keep ourselves cozy and warm from within. Here are what most people do: Surfing and General Watersports A large number of surfers and riders prefer to wear board shorts or swimsuits under the wetsuit. These pieces of clothing are easy, convenient, and flexible. They do not make the wearer feel restricted with the extra layer inside. A rash vest under a wetsuit can add an additional layer of wamth and even protection if the wetsuit seams rub or chafe your skin after a long surfing session. Thermal rash vests are available if the cold water is really an issue in the climate you’re surfing in. Some mind the bunching of board shorts. In such cases, they wear Speedo-style suits or rash undershorts to keep it unnoticeable. Triathlon Open water swimmers usually have a Speedo-style swimsuit under their wetsuit. On the other hand, competitive triathletes wear bike shorts or one-piece tri suits to transition from swimming to biking or vice versa efficiently. Scuba Diving The majority of divers wear a swimsuit underneath their wetsuits. A full-body rash guard or a poly fleece baselayer are practical options for staying warm and protected in cold waters. Full body rashguards make it easy to slide into a think scuba suit. Poly fleece thermals act the same while wicking moisture and keeping you warmer. Why You Should Wear Something Under Your Wetsuit Undergarments offer more insulation and protection. While wetsuits provide warmth and protection from cold waters, adding these extra layers of undergarments will keep the body warmer, whether immersed in or above the water. However, if you struggle with flexibility and feel like your wetsuit limits your movement in the waters, you may consider getting a thinner wetsuit. Be sure to layer up inside for added warmth and insulation. Comfort Some wetsuits can be pretty uncomfortable to wear for extended periods when naked underneath. The inside seams may brush up against your skin and cause chafing. On the contrary, some surfers find underclothing uncomfortable, too. To ease up, wear at least a Speedo (for men) or a two-piece bikini (for women). These should be enough to provide the comfort you need, especially on those intimate parts. Moreover, it makes you more comfortable when you need to take it off in public places. Hygiene Washing your wetsuits guarantees it stays longer and doesn’t stay bad. However, if you wear it naked underneath, the rubber may absorb your body juices and start developing a smell. In addition, it is even more important to wear undergarments if you are renting a wetsuit. You may not be sure just how often the people at the rentals wash their wetsuits before letting them get rented. Other Undergarments You Can Wear Underneath Your Wetsuit Understanding your tolerance to cold waters can help you decide what to wear under your wetsuit. Aside from the pieces of clothing we already mentioned, here are a few more choices; Surf shorts Sleeveless vest Bike style shorts Men briefs Neoprene shorts Underwear Full body jumpsuit Conclusion Generally, what do you wear under a wetsuit is common question, and the answer mostly depends on the activity you are wearing wetsuits for and when you are wearing it. Paddleboarding during mid of February is an excellent reason to wear a full-body jumpsuit within for added warmth and insulation. Surfing in summer doesn’t really require you to put effort into getting it warm inside, however you might want to consider rash/chafe when deciding what to wear under your wetsuit. A two-piece swimsuit or men’s brief should work just fine. FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) Q: What do you wear over a wetsuit? A: In some sports like kayaking, wearing something over a wetsuit can help. This technique is called layering. A quick-dry top under your wetsuit is your base. A long-sleeve base layer or rashguard over the wetsuit adds for more warmth or sun protection. You can also go with something heavier if the air is cool. Related Resources Best Cheap Wetsuits Best Plus Size Wetsuits Best Wetsuits for Women Best Wetsuits for Kids Best Wetsuits for Wakeboarding Luke MorrisLuke Morris is an avid athlete and the driving force behind Surfhungry, a vibrant online platform dedicated to sharing the joy and passion of surfing and water sports with enthusiasts around the world. With a deep-rooted love for the ocean and a lifelong commitment to riding waves, Luke’s journey as a surfer has inspired him to create a community where like-minded individuals can come together to celebrate their shared passion.

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