If you’re taking surf lessons to help you master the sport, you can still practice at home even when you can’t get out on the water. Here are a few pointers on how to train your body on land, so it’s better equipped for handling the waves.

3 Tips for Practicing Surf Lessons Out of the Water

1. Work on Balance 

Surfing requires excellent balance, so get a balance board or trainer. Every day, spend some time standing, squatting, and lunging on it.

Once you feel comfortable staying upright no matter how you’re moving, add side-to-side twists and rotations in your upper body, as they’ll be necessary while navigating the waves.

2. Master Position Changes 

Before you can even start riding the waves, you’ll need to know how to do the pop-up. Place your surfboard on the floor and lie down on top of it, ensuring your feet aren’t dangling off the end. Arch your back a little as you pretend to paddle.

Then imagine reaching the peak of a wave, and push yourself up on your hands with your elbows out. Arch your back while bringing your feet beneath your chest. Rise up carefully, and keep your knees bent to lower your center of gravity.

Repeat this exercise as often as necessary to feel comfortable with it. 

3. Build Endurance 

Even if you become proficient at balancing and transitioning from your stomach to your feet, you won’t be able to stay on a surfboard for long if you lack stamina. Planks, push-ups, and burpees will build your muscles with moves that will apply to what you learn in surf lessons.

Do ab work as well, like crunches and Russian twists, so your abdomen can handle twisting and staying upright.

Throw in some cardio like running and swimming to improve your overall endurance.

If you’re ready for the water, join a surf lesson at the locally owned LahAina Surf Shack. Whether you’re a Hawaii resident or a tourist looking for fun things to do, their surf shop is happy to provide you with all the necessary equipment and expert education from CPR-certified instructors. To sign up, call them today at (808) 661-2700, or check out their offerings online.