1+2=3.
There is no arguing that the best way of staying surf fit is to get your head wet and go battle some of the Big Blue’s finest. But for many of us working on the road and, like me, paying the bills with the help of a mining boom, it isn’t always as simple as cruising down to the nearest break for a paddle.
Staying in touch with a skill set only earned through hours in the water can be a difficult task at the best of times and even more so for those who don’t have an easily accessible break at their disposal. But by keeping in mind just a few strategies, you may just be able to help the process enough and hold onto a well-conditioned body and, arguably more importantly, a well-conditioned mind.
It all starts here. Photo: Dan LeMaitre
1. Diet
As is with any sport (or for that matter, anyone in general looking to keep their love handles at bay), a clean diet is essential for keeping on top of your overall health. Dropping the standard three meals a day and replacing them with five to six smaller meals is a good way to force your metabolism to constantly be working. It pays to do this with a balanced diet, steering clear of “easy” meals littered with saturated fats and instead involving lots of those leafy greens, plenty of nuts and heaps and heaps of H2O (just not the salty kind).
Keeping yourself conditioned out of the water will make it a whole lot easier when you get back in. Photo: Shutterstock
2. Core Stability
Going hand in hand with diet is exercise. At the heart of any surfer looking to stay in peak physical shape is to develop a method of a building a strong core. Standing at the front of that line is Pilates, a simple yet tough training method easily performed in any hotel room or donga, keeping the dedicated travelers on top of their game and on top of their board. Along with other methods, Yoga, swimming and a whole heap of stretching will also help keep the body conditioned, all of which will make things easier upon your return to the water.
Let this be your visual mantra. Photo: Paul Greene
3. Visualization
Although a strong physical condition is essential, having a strong mindset is just as important. Whether it be pre-surf prep or the ability to stay calm in a heavy wipeout, having right thought process will most certainly help you get the best out of any conditions regardless of how fit you are. Visualizing your pop-ups, your wave selection and even getting battered is a good way to keep your mind in the water when you’re the furthest thing from it. Because once you’re back in the swell, being able to keep your head on tight will be the difference between getting out of those sticky situations and ultimately having the most fun.
It only takes a short period away from the water to begin losing what you have worked for, but whether you are traveling, on a business trip or stuck in a mining camp, with a little upkeep there are ways to slow the process and keep feeding the soul. But let’s face it: when all is said and done, the best training of all for surf is to check your calendar or plan a trip, get back to the Blue and do just that. Surf.
