3 Simple Yet Powerful Things You Can Do to Become a Better Surfer
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Looking to amp up your surfing skills this year? If you’re on the hunt for effective ways to help you become a better surfer that are uncomplicated, you’re in luck!
On this post, I’m sharing 3 simple things surfing enthusiasts can implement within their daily routines that have been proven to benefit the mind, body, and soul. Be sure to give them a try. Who knows? These tips may just help you to become the surf champion you’ve always dreamt of!
1. Fill Your Mind With Positive Thoughts
Think positive thinking is a just bunch of hogwash? Think again!
Even the great Mike Doyle aka ‘Iron Man Mike’, a living surfing legend who is still actively hitting the waves at 70, believes in the power of positivity. He advised, “Keep your mind focused on the positive things, mind clutter can create body clutter and unhealthy state of being.”
Learn to consciously ‘ride’ your thoughts as if it were the ocean’s waves. Instead of wasting your time on thinking of the skills you lack or succumbing to fear of the waves, choose to focus on what the skills that you already have and what you’ve already accomplished. Fill your mind with optimism and possibilities. Believe that you have what it takes to be a great surfer and you’ll soon find yourself living up to that belief.
Still skeptical? Perhaps results of scientific research on positive thinking will help to convince you. A study of more than 275,000 participants, for example, found that not only does positive thinking helped them to positive minded people longer lives (an average of 10 years longer than those who are pessimists), it has been shown to be a big factor in creating their success in life.
So, harness the power of positivity and you’ll be amazed by the size of the waves that you can tackle!
2. Cultivate a Habit of Meditation
Having a clear mind and a sharp focus is a must when it comes to being a great surfer. And if you’re looking to improve your clarity and focus, there’s probably no easier yet effective way to do so than through daily practice of meditation.
Begin by just setting aside at least 10 minutes of quiet solitude each day. Within just 8 straight weeks, you will not only sharpen your mental focus but also enhance your brain’s cognitive functions and performance. Through consistent practice, you will become more mindful and learn to embrace the present moment while surfing, helping you to make the most of your time in the water.
Join the already long list of celebrated surfers who have long been reaping the abundant benefits of meditation such as big wave surfing champion, Greg Long, as well as Dave Rastovich and Taylor Knox.
3. Take Care of Your Body
Like any other sport, it’s imperative that we commit to surf training taking good care of our body in order to maximize our physical performance. In addition to hitting the waves on the daily, be sure to make some time for physical activities outside the water such as running, weight-lifting and doing core workouts.
To help prevent injuries and to increase flexibility, always include a session of adequate stretching prior to getting into the water. Your warm-up routine should consist of movements and mobility drills which replicate your usual surfing movements.
Video credit: Snell Brothers Surfboard YouTube Channel
As surfing is one of the most physically demanding sports out there, you’ll also need to fuel the body accordingly. Hence, it’s important to be mindful of what you eat. Incorporating a nutritionally balanced diet will enable you to become stronger, stay lean and keep you energized for those long hours in the water.
Want to learn more on what you should be eating before and after a surf session? This post from Surf Science offers an example of surf nutrition plan that you can use as a helpful starter guide.
Looking to take your surfing game to another level without breaking the bank? Sign up for one of BookSurfCamps.com’s budget surf camps located all over the globe!