Adults Learn to Surf on Soft Top Boards because it makes the process easier. Surfing is physically demanding and many adults have not been doing surf specific exercises. They need more assistance from the surf board which is how soft tops are designed.
Surfing requires upper body strength, core, lower body strength and flexibility. Adults often do not have the smooth flow important for the pop up. Any physical impediments such as ankles, knees, or backs can impede this smooth flow. Tight muscles in the hamstrings, buttocks, and lower back make the flexibility more difficult. A soft top board helps float the surfer and support them through imbalanced moves.
The Basics of Learning to Surf on a Soft Top Board
Soft top surfboards can range in length from 6′ to 10′. They range in volume up to 100 liters. Depending on a person’s weight, he should select the correct volume surfboard. I start most teens and adults over 110 pounds on a 9′ soft top. It helps compensate for beginner mistakes. At 190 pounds, I have a board with even more volume that is 24″ wide and 3.5 inches thick. Over 205 pounds I use a higher volume board that is 4″ thick.
The beginner surfing pop up is designed to get the surfer in the right stance on the surfboard. It is technical, but still simple. The difficulty is in the surfer understanding the movements and being able to follow them. Like learning a new dance step or how to memorize a poem. Can the brain translate what it hears to the body? Some people’s brain can’t do it.
The pop up is a sequence. I give students a count to say out loud in the water. The count is paddle, stop, push, back foot, stand up, front foot. In this process, the surfer paddles to catch the wave. Then they place their hands in a man’s push up position. Then they push and put their back foot under their butt and flat on the surfboard. This is where lack of flexibility is an impediment. If the back foot is not flat, then the surfer cannot properly stand up on the rear leg while raising his hands and placing his front foot.
The surfer has to land correctly on the surfboard. The stance is feet shoulder width apart with the hips and shoulders facing square to the front. Weight is equal on front and back leg and the knees are flexed. On low volume boards like you see in the movies, the surfer nails the stance. Beginners have difficulty getting it perfect. Therefore, they need the help of a high volume surf board that allows for some imbalance, but not much.
As surfers improve, they can start moving to lower volume surfboards to improve performance and handling. For a person that does not get into the water more than once a week, this move may never occur. Its best to stay with a board that paddles easier and is easier to ride.
Visit the Home Page for Surf Lessons
See my new website Get Fit to Surf.com
See helpful books below:
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Get the Learn to Surf Guide Course in Kindle, Paperback or Audio
A great 29 page course on the fundamentals of catching waves, doing beginner and advanced pop ups, riding real waves, how to do maneuvers on real waves, which surfboards to ride, and how to progress. Great for lesson preparation, after lesson review, or learning on your own.
Kindle price $2.99 on Amazon. Paperback price $6.95 on Amazon. Audio download price $7.95
Get Fit to Surf
A great guide to strength, flexibility, stamina, and leanness for surfing. Beginner strategies for getting stronger, more flexible, stronger cardiovascular system, and nutrition to lose weight. An improving surfer or one who wants to prepare must meet the whole body physical demands of surfing. Getting stronger improves ones ability to perform better.
Buy on Kindle for $5.99 or the Paperback for $7.99
Every Body Can Surf
To read a great book for getting in shape to surf or getting in better surfing shape, read my new book Overweight People Can Surf, a Health, Fitness, Nutrition, and Surfing Adventure
Description:
Get healthy and fit to surf or set a goal of surfing to improve weight, fitness, nutrition, and health. This guide by a surf instructor/health coach/personal trainer gives the short version of how to lose weight, get strong, build stamina, develop nutrition, and learn to surf. Surfing is a lifestyle enjoyed by millions and so is fitness. Fitness creates opportunities to enjoy life through lots of different kinds of recreation. No need to stand on the sidelines while others are having a great time. Start your program to health with easy steps and progress at your own pace. That is the secret to maintaining a lifestyle. Do it at your pace. This book will start you on the path.
Buy the E book on Amazon for $5.99
Buy the Paperback on Amazon for $7.99
Seniors Get Fit to Surf
Description:
Seniors often ask if it is too late to learn to surf. Age is functional not chronological. If people have been exercising and maintaining body strength, surfing can be accomplished. If people have not been exercising, then getting in shape to surf could be a life changing move. Learn how to develop strength, flexibility, and stamina to learn surfing. If you are in surf shape, you could pursue most any recreation.
Buy the E-book on Amazon for $5.99
Buy the Paperback on Amazon for $7.99
