Why is coordination and body composition important in surfing?

Question

Any great surfers out there who could give me the inside word cause I'm having a bit of trouble relating them to surfing. :) Any info about surfing and teh muscles it involves would be greatly appreciated as well :)

Answer 1

Well body "composition" is not a prime factor for being a good surfer....    Coordination is;-)

I trust you have seen many overweight surfers out there-- I know I have... Maybe having more fat molecules helps out when they get smashed by their board or hit the coral or rocks;-)

Best exercises IN THE WATER--- is 1) surf-- any way you know how-- get out there and TRY  2) low surf or no surf in sight-- then PADDLE-- lay flat on your stomcah as you should be doing when going out past surf zone-- and just paddle a mile or 2.. those are the muscles needed for stamina and coordination on your proper pose standing on your board-- the deltoids- back shoulder muscles.  Using your full arm and closed fingers-- pull the water behind you and paddle.  

Other muscles that are needed and to focus on-- the abdominals and the quadriceps (thigh muscles).  So practice on the sand--- standing up on your board from your flat stomach position.  Stand up in only TWO steps-- lay flat and jump up on two legs-- the proper stance is back leg is horizontal to length of board and front leg is parallel/vertical to the board and about 2 feet below the "toe" -- tip of the board.  Do this about 10 times for a set.

A good tip to going out in the surf-- have your board fins face the wave when walking out thru the surf.  This way it won't slap back at you and cut you...   paddle out and NOT walk as soon as possible.  When a wave is going to hit you while paddling-- press down like you are doing a push up.. your head only raises about 2 inches from board -- do NOT lay your head on board thru the wave.  But apply the pressure down toward water with your arms/hands and keep your toes pointed down toward back point of board (like a ballerina's toes)  This will keep your body on the board-- never bend your knees.

Do push ups, sit ups and swim-- be a good swimmer ALWAYS in the ocean-- NEVER depend on your board-- leashes get ripped away and such.  So always know how to swim in the ocean.  Then just get out there and practice, practice, practice.  Surfing can't get better unless you do it;-)  You can be overweight, underweight ,real tall or real short--- it is how you use your body that counts.  For beginners a long board is best at first... but it depends on the type of surf you get in your area (long boarders need a  wave that does not hit the shore right away)