How to Train for Shortboard Surfing

"If you can't surf every day, then you need to do something else to increase upper body paddling strength, like swimming or water polo. But the best training is to do the real thing as often as possible," says Timmy Reyes, O'Neill Surf Team rider.

Things You'll Need

• Running Shoes
• Women's Athletic Swimsuits
• Adhesive Traction Pads
• Board Shorts
• Free Weights Set
• Surf Leashes
• Surf Waxes
• Surfboard Bags
• Surfboards
• Surfing Wet Suits

Instructions

1. Surf as often as possible.

2. Join a swim team or club, or try out for a water polo team.

3. Do sports that work the upper body muscles, but don't ignore the legs.

4. Work on your cardio by running, biking or paddling so you can handle those days when you get caught inside of a macking 10-wave set.

5. Stretch or do yoga for flexibility and agility.

6. Play other sports that require quickness and good decision making.

7. Practice holding your breath for those occasions when you get thumped on the head and held under by a big wave.

Tips & Warnings

• "Surfing is so acrobatic that you often throw your body into weird positions, so it's totally important to be flexible enough that you don't pull muscles. Plus, you need the strength to be able to recover from those moments," says Timmy.

• If you lift weights, focus on triceps, shoulders, back and abdominal muscles.

• Surfing is a physically demanding sport that could result in serious injury. We recommend that you seek the proper training and equipment before undertaking this activity.