How to Train for Contest Surfing

"While I'm free surfing, I'll occasionally pretend I'm in a heat and need to impress the judges. That's a good time to finish waves out and mix it up with new maneuvers," says Timmy Reyes, O'Neill Surf Team rider.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Women's Athletic Swimsuits
• Sunscreen
• Adhesive Traction Pads
• Board Shorts
• Surf Leashes
• Surf Waxes
• Surfboard Bags
• Surfboards
• Surfing Rash Guard
• Surfing Wet Suits

1. Have mock heats with your friends in the water and judge each other's waves.
2. Think about how you'd score your own waves, considering wave selection, number and difficulty of maneuvers, and length of ride.
3. Paddle aggressively for position while you're free surfing. Remember, competition will be even fiercer in a contest.
4. Surf your wave start to finish, milking it for all it's worth.
5. Be creative and mix up your moves a lot.
6. Ride without a leash so you're forced to lower your center, which will help with your recoveries. Grab your board in case you fall.
7. Perfect the maneuvers you're working on now but aren't comfortable trying in a contest for fear of falling.
8. Stay out for long sessions to get in the best possible paddling shape. Contests can be exhausting.

Tips & Warnings

• "You can practice surf all you want. But there comes a point where you just need to start entering contests to see how you match up against the competition," says Timmy.