How to Improve Your Surf Balance: The Ultimate Guide

When you’re out of the water or want a productive Saturday afternoon, consider learning to improve balance in surfing. To be a good surfer means having a good balance. It also reduces the risks of water injury when you’re surfing.

There are lots of ways to improve surf balance. Whether you’re at home, at the gym, or at the beach, there are ways to help you get ready to catch the perfect wave on your next surfing session.

In this article, we will talk about tips and tricks that are proven to be effective in improving surf balance and overall, your surfing skills.

Table of Contents

How to Improve Your Surf Balance: The Truth

1. Try skateboarding.

If the idea of hitting the gym and doing balance workouts doesn’t appeal to you, you should try skateboarding instead. Jumping on a skateboard and on a surfboard is similar in many ways. It requires you to maintain your stability when you’re zooming in on the momentum of both air and water.

Skateboarding is also a great way to practice surfing when you are not in the water. There are no dangers of falling and drowning here, making it ideal for beginners in surfing as well.

2. Practice yoga.

Yoga is not only for mindfulness and relieving yourself of stress and anxiety. It can help to improve balance in surfing. It is one of the best surfer exercises that you can try.

Yoga helps to improve your flexibility, and balance, and strengthen your core, aside from helping you relax after being out on the water for a long time.

Make sure that you focus on yoga workout routines that are anchored to improving your balance. As a result, you’ll be able to stand on the board without losing your balance. If you can’t afford a yoga instructor, you can always buy a yoga mat and get started in the comfort of your home.

#3. Exercise at home.

You don’t need to hit the gym just to work out. If you want to improve your balance in surfing, spend every vacant time of yours exercising and trying to be healthy at home.

For instance, you can try a single-leg balance. This exercise is famous among surfers because it helps them to stand on the board and control bigger waves easily. When doing a single-leg balance, all you need to do is get up, keep your dominant feet on the floor, and raise your non-dominant leg. Make sure that you maintain your hips square and your knees bent slightly. Now that you’re standing on one leg, slowly place your hand on your knee and keep that position for at least 30 seconds. After that, repeat the same process using your other leg.

Aside from the single-leg balance exercise, there are other workout routines such as diamond press-ups, wide press-ups, sit-ups, and even tossing a tennis ball that can help you in improving your surfing balance. You can do all of these in the comfort of your home.

#4. Invest in the right surfing gear.

If you want to get serious about surfing, aside from investing in the best surfboard out there, you should also invest in the right surfing gear and gadgets that can help to improve your balance in surfing. Some exercise routines may also require proper equipment for effective execution.

For instance, one of the most vital surfing gear that you should invest in is a balance board. This rolling cylinder and board combo will allow you to improve your stability and strengthen your legs. It is also a great way to practice placing your feet firmly on the board.

Balance cushions are also a significant investment. This cushion allows you to stand atop and improve your stability, the perfect activity to do during a rainy afternoon when you can’t go out and surf.

Aside from these, there are also fitness balls that help to improve your core. Coordination between your hands and your eyes is vital when surfing. Fitness balls can help you get the most out of your exercises at home.

5. Maintain your position.

This applies when you are in the water. After you’ve captured the green wave, make sure to maintain the right position. It prevents you from falling in the water or getting thrown off your board.

Bend your knees just a little but keep your spine straight and stiff. Make sure that you relax your arms when it’s hanging down. Try not to stiffen as it can add weight to your board, making you lose your balance when you are surfing.

Aside from that, you also need to master compressing your lower body while keeping your upper body in a straight position. Bend your knees and make sure that it is pointing toward each other. Bending your upper body down will only shift your weight and may cause you to lose your balance.

6. Choose your board wisely.

Choosing the right board plays a significant role in improving your balance in surfing. There are lots of surfboards that you can choose from. Some are ideal for beginners, and some boards are for experts.

For starters, it is best to invest in a high-volume surfboard. Aside from its excellent weight support, this type of board is easy to ride, allowing you to maintain your balance when you’re in the water.

You should also consider investing in surfboard traction pads and surf wax. The texture of your surfboard should prevent you from slipping. It also helps to keep your balance while on the board and gain better control when you are surfing.

Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Do I need to be an excellent swimmer to learn how to surf?

If you want to learn surfing, being a good swimmer is an advantage. You don’t need to be a professional swimmer. Just make sure that you’ll be able to swim yourself to the shore if you off your board. You will also slip from your board from time to time, so make sure that you can retrieve it when this happens.

Q: Am I too old to start learning how to surf?

Just like any other sport out there, the younger you start, the easier it will be for you to learn. When you go surfing in towns, you will see kids as young as 12 years old who have breathtaking surfing skills. But you shouldn’t get discouraged. You can learn how to surf and be good at it at any age. Even middle-aged people who want to take a break from their busy life are willing to learn how to surf. If you have the patience and determination to ride the waves, you’ll be able to pull it off just right.

Q: Which surfboard can help in improving my balance?

Typically, you’ll have to choose between a longboard and a shortboard. For a beginner like you, you might want to start on a longboard. Bigger and longer boards are easier to control and offer a generous surface area. It helps in supporting your weight and allows you to control the board effectively when you catch the wave, making sure you don’t lose your balance in the process of learning.

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Rach Taylor

G’day, my name is Rach Taylor and I’m the proud Founder of Surf Hungry. I am a former Australian Olympic athlete and Australian representative surf sports athlete. I’ve worked in the surf industry and lived at many of Australia’s best surf spots, sparking a life-long love of the ocean and a passion for surf sports which also rubbed off on my two young sons! I am also lucky to spend a lot of ocean-time in my favorite second home, Indonesia. In addition to SurfHungry I have founded several other websites in my areas of passion, namely coffee and rock climbing, and am also a regular rowing content contributor.

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