Being geographically challenged surfwise, i.e. we only get surfable waves every 9 to 12 days I often feel unfit in the water.I know the best way to get surf fit is to surf, but what are some land based activities that a 49 year old could undertake to improve his surf endurance?
I don’t know where you live, but here in Texas it’s the same way. No. 1 is swimming. My sinuses hate fresh water, so I tie my board leash to the side of my pool for stroking practice. Then there’s the land based stuff: Running for heart and lungs Windmills with dumbells Bent-over rowing with a barbell Upright rowing with a barbell Pushups Situps Pullups Rocking chairs on carpet: Lay on stomach, place hands on back, arch, and rock- effective, but too rough for some aging surfers. These are my favorites, sonny.
Noodle, did you pick-up the pool trick from Harbour’s site or was it your own idea as well?I’ve been using the pool/leash trick for about 10 years ever since I moved to Anahiem Hills,Ca.(about 25 miles from the beach). I don’t care much for weights or exercize machines.I prefer the martial arts for my A.D.L.s.They keep me toned mentally as well as physically.Being half Japanese my mother insisted that I learn something from her culture,(my choice).I picked a self defense art called Sil Lum, Kung-Fu(it’s probably no longer avalible in the U.S.?).From this art I traveled to several other styles,and techniques including lessions in Jeet kune do(the way of the intercepting fist)from Master Dan… It’s not about combat.The martial arts is a way of life ,and it couples well with surfing,and in everything that I do…Whatever tools you choose to complete your goals with, make them work for you …not work you over.Herb.
In addition to some free weight workouts and cardio workouts on a treadmill, I rigged up a pully system in the garage with hardware bought at Home Depot. I have two pullys attached to the ceiling with nylon ropes, weights and handles. I sit on a weight bench and pull in a downward motion that mimmicks the swimming/paddling stroke. The bench is pulled away from the wall to allow the weights attached to the end of the ropes to move up and down freely. For little investment, it really improved my paddling ability.
Herb, One day I just looked at my leash and looked at the pool ladder, and figured it out. Thanks for the martial arts tips. Wasn’t Jeet kune do featured in the movie Remo Williams?>>> Noodle, did you pick-up the pool trick from Harbour’s site or was it your > own idea as well?I’ve been using the pool/leash trick for about 10 years > ever since I moved to Anahiem Hills,Ca.(about 25 miles from the beach).>>> I don’t care much for weights or exercize machines.I prefer the martial > arts for my A.D.L.s.They keep me toned mentally as well as > physically.Being half Japanese my mother insisted that I learn something > from her culture,(my choice).I picked a self defense art called Sil Lum, > Kung-Fu(it’s probably no longer avalible in the U.S.?).From this art I > traveled to several other styles,and techniques including lessions in Jeet > kune do(the way of the intercepting fist)from Master Dan… > It’s not about combat.The martial arts is a way of life ,and it couples > well with surfing,and in everything that I > do…Whatever tools you choose to complete your goals > with, make them work for you …not work you > over.Herb.
Herb, One day I just looked at my leash and looked at the pool ladder, and > figured it out. Thanks for the martial arts tips.>>> Wasn’t Jeet kune do featured in the movie Remo Williams?>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Geee,and I thought that I was the only one that figured the pool thing out!..good work,NOODLE!..JEET KUNE DO was the art that Bruce Lee invented in the early 60s.It was a compulation of all he had learned…As far as the movie???I don’t know,never seen that one,but I will keep an eye out for it in the video store…I can sit here at work and realize that Steven Segal trained not 2-3 miles away from here(Stanton,Ca.)He lived in Buena Park,Ca.(grad 1972 Buena Park high).Herb.
My routine is more seasonal. Winter time and early light loss I have a Nordic Track cross country ski job that I rescued from Salvation Army for $20.00. Coupled with some basic push/pull ups, situps and mild yoga type back stretching (highly recommended for the aging back/neck crew like me) I do O.K. through the winter. Warm weather and time changes I get cabin fever and move outside. I’ve been riding an old mountain bike and more recently moved to the “single speed” mentality to keep it simple and it gives a good workout. I’ve “saved” the best for last. The really hot months I’ve been hauling a bunch of scaffolding and heavy ass ladders around my house doing a primo paint job. And a hearty round of applause for my wife who deemed it necessary to change the color so as to double my pleasure. Two coats instead of one. I have lots of time to think while up there. TS>>> Noodle, did you pick-up the pool trick from Harbour’s site or was it your > own idea as well?I’ve been using the pool/leash trick for about 10 years > ever since I moved to Anahiem Hills,Ca.(about 25 miles from the beach).>>> I don’t care much for weights or exercize machines.I prefer the martial > arts for my A.D.L.s.They keep me toned mentally as well as > physically.Being half Japanese my mother insisted that I learn something > from her culture,(my choice).I picked a self defense art called Sil Lum, > Kung-Fu(it’s probably no longer avalible in the U.S.?).From this art I > traveled to several other styles,and techniques including lessions in Jeet > kune do(the way of the intercepting fist)from Master Dan… > It’s not about combat.The martial arts is a way of life ,and it couples > well with surfing,and in everything that I > do…Whatever tools you choose to complete your goals > with, make them work for you …not work you > over.Herb.
For paddling the ‘total gym’ thing that they push on the infomercial is a good piece of equipment. I got the last-years version that is being sold at the Sports Athority stores. Under $200. No heavy weight exercises on this machine, but it simulates paddling almost perfectly.>>> My routine is more seasonal. Winter time and early light loss I have a > Nordic Track cross country ski job that I rescued from Salvation Army for > $20.00. Coupled with some basic push/pull ups, situps and mild yoga type > back stretching (highly recommended for the aging back/neck crew like me) > I do O.K. through the winter. Warm weather and time changes I get cabin > fever and move outside. I’ve been riding an old mountain bike and more > recently moved to the “single speed” mentality to keep it simple > and it gives a good workout. I’ve “saved” the best for last. The > really hot months I’ve been hauling a bunch of scaffolding and heavy ass > ladders around my house doing a primo paint job. And a hearty round of > applause for my wife who deemed it necessary to change the color so as to > double my pleasure. Two coats instead of one. I have lots of time to think > while up there.>>> TS
For balance and footwork I longboard skate and use a balance board. Although they don’t help cardio much, they are more fun (IMHO). Another bonus is that you could make your own longboard and balance board. Herb, Hey neighbor, I’m in Yorba Linda. Enjoy your posts here and at Rich’s site.
John…I go to the local pool over the winter…I take four KICKBOARDS and strap 'em together with velcro (big-assed rubber bands will suffice - 7 inch jobs, doubled) -I then put the kickboards under my sternum/navel and do several laps of 50 meters! It’s rough at first, with the drag, but after you get the feel, it’s just like paddling a SHORTBOARD!! (NOT a boogie!). It absolutely kicks the crap out of a VASA - (although I do use that as well!)> I’ve got all the local lifeguards doing it for THEIR surfing. I’ve been doing this for three years, and when spring comes, you wouldn’t believe the diff.! Also, you can’t beat a lat pull and rowing (machine is cool, as well!). Key is cardiovasc., and BREATHING!!! (Amen to martial arts, too - stances , alone, will improve your …well…STANCE! ALOHA, T.
A heretofore unknown society of pool-leash paddlers! I’ve also done the pool leash thing. The pool in my apartment complex is tiny so laps don’t work. It does draw some strange looks from the other residents!
John… I do 12-ounce curls… Kidding. My all-around best experience: Swim. Swim. Swim. Underwater too. After swimming: Push ups. Seriously. Do a bunch and do them as fast as you can. Herb, I’ve often considered Tai Chi, but don’t know if it helps physically. Any advice? Explain?
I’m stoked to everyone in tune with their training. Lots of goog ideas! Swimming is geat, but sometimes hard to find some water! Also at 49 you gotta watch out for that pesky rotator cuff damage(repetitive use injury to the shoulder). My current training on dry land is the VASA trainer and an exercycle (running is too hard on the knees anymore). LOTS of work on the core(midsection) by way of the Swiss ball or stability ball as it is known. No matter what you do you need to train your rotator cuff properly to avoid injury. If you hurt it you’re out of the water for 4 months minimum otherwise it will have a heck of a time healing,then you must re hab it and that’s another story!! No matter what you do to train you must STRETCH!! Take it easy at first as with any form of exercise. Proper diet and watch the alcohol consumption. If you’re gonna SURF past your 40’s you must train to surf, not surf to train. aloha
My older brother just got into martial arts and it has been a great thing for him. Scott
For balance and footwork I longboard skate and use a balance board. > Although they don’t help cardio much, they are more fun (IMHO). Another > bonus is that you could make your own longboard and balance board. Herb, > Hey neighbor, I’m in Yorba Linda. Enjoy your posts here and at Rich’s > site. There are two books (that I know of) on surfing fitness. One is by Dr Paskowitz called Surfing for Health (or something close to that - i have it at home and i can’t remember!) which is a home published book that’s pretty redundant but good. Then there’s a new one called Fit to Surf by Kevin Miske (mr drop knee) and Rusty Snyder. Also check out this site http://www.damoon.net/sma/index.html
I’m stoked to everyone in tune with their training. Lots of goog ideas! Us surfing geezers are kinda funny that way. If you surf, you don’t need to tell people you build up. Either you build up, or you can’t surf.>>> Also at 49 you > gotta watch out for that pesky rotator cuff damage(repetitive use injury > to the shoulder). > No matter what you do you need to train your rotator cuff properly > to avoid injury. If you hurt it you’re out of the water for 4 months > minimum otherwise it will have a heck of a time healing,then you must re > hab it and that’s another story!! I thought surfing caused a rotator cuff injury in my shoulder. Even went to the doc for a cortizone shot. The doc said I had an inflamed deltoid muscle. The light bulb came on after it recurred. Surfing didn’t cause my shoulder pain. Using a computer mouse all day caused it. Surfing merely moved the muscle more, causing it to hurt and cramp. I’ll bet surfing computer users above 40 years old everywhere are making the same mistake. Rest your elbow while using the computer mouse. That’s how I cured my shoulder pain.>>> No matter what you do to train you must > STRETCH!! Take it easy at first as with any form of exercise. Proper diet > and watch the alcohol consumption. If you’re gonna SURF past your 40’s you > must train to surf, not surf to train.>>> aloha I’m not so sure… I think exercise rules change with aging. I discovered after a certain age, that pre-exercise stretching caused my muscles to cramp during exercise. I quit stretching, and merely worked into the exercises slowly. The cramping went away. -Noodle
I think exercise rules change with aging. I discovered after a certain > age, that pre-exercise stretching caused my muscles to cramp during > exercise. I quit stretching, and merely worked into the exercises slowly. > The cramping went away. Try it: Stretch AFTER excercise. At least that’s what my Swedish marathon-runner friend told me. Stretching prior to warming your muscles up is what the old “cold rubber band” reference refers to. We don’t want any snapped gastrocnemiuses now, do we?
Thanks for all the interesting comments re. oldguys andmaintaining fitness. I’ve attained 2ndDan in karate over a period of 6yearsso I know all about it’s benefits. PresummerI swim 35 to 40 laps of the local Olympic pool this is also beneficial, I now need to start stretching, hit the weights, take up running and paint the house! Thanks again men, and by the way I live and surf on the north coast of Tasmania, ( yes there is life here!)
Bruce Lee originally studied Wing Chung under Yip Man in HK. He developed Jeet Kune Do from that style and felt that it was a better method in certain circumstances. I would recommend The Tao of Jeet Kune Do to anyone that is interested in this style. Zen and the Martial Arts is another very good book that you can relate to your personal relationship with your boards and the ocean. Another excellent form of exercise that will help your surfing is yoga. Many professional athletes are now incorporating yoga and the martial arts in order to improve performance. Tai Chi Chuan will improve your balance which is always a good thing. An important muscle group that will help your overall health are your internal and external obliques (abdominal) muscles. Properly executed crunches take just few minutes a day that will bring you a wealth of benefits starting with better posture and balance.
Being geographically challenged surfwise, i.e. we only get surfable waves > every 9 to 12 days I often feel unfit in the water.I know the best way to > get surf fit is to surf, but what are some land based activities that a 49 > year old could undertake to improve his surf endurance? John, I’m no expert on physical fitness. I’m 52, I believe that you can’t turn back the biological clock, but you sure as hell can slow it down.On surf-less daze, I will either work out @ a local gym, mostly free weight, play racquetball and winter season ski. Last August, started eating more protein, less carbs, dropped my weight from 160 lbs to currently 135lbs. Almost forgot (must be a senior moment) also swim laps.