Surfing is more challenging when a person is over weight. There are various aspects of lifting the body off the board and balancing that are more difficult with more body weight.
Being overweight makes surfing a challenge but Overweight People Can Train to Surf. It requires a program of discipline to lose weight, get stronger, and more flexible. Stamina is also a common problem.
What makes being overweight a challenge is what surfers call the power to weight ratio. The surfer has to have enough strength to lift their body off the board. This requires upper and lower body strength plus core.
Flexibility is an Issue for Most People
A second issue that accompanies being overweight is not being flexible. A beginner surfer has to get their feet under their butt to stand up. The combination of having big legs and no flexibility keeps beginners from getting their feet on the board. They can usually only go to their knees and if they stand up, their feet are on the back of the board bringing the nose straight up.
Overweight people tire quickly from the paddling. If they can only last a half hour, they don’t have much time to practice and their peak practice energy is gone quickly. Stamina comes from muscle building and aerobics.
Muscle Building is a Good Exercise for All Surfers
Muscle building creates glucose stores which are used as muscles are utilized. The more glucose a person stores, the longer the muscles work. Aerobics build cardiovascular capability so there is oxygen in the blood. Aerobics increase cardiovascular capability so there is oxygen for effort and recovery.
Losing weight is probably a discipline overweight people have failed at in the past. Lean benefits surfing because it improves the power to weight ratio. It provides better oxygen uptake for stamina. The leaner person is more agile and balances better on the surfboard.
Start with a Big Surfboard
An overweight person needs a big surfboard to learn. I use high volume 9′ soft top surfboards that are 24″ wide and 3.5″ thick that will support surfers up to 240 lbs. These boards are not easy to find. A stand up paddle board is the ultimate in high volume surfboards and could be considered for anyone over 240 pounds.
Losing and weight and getting stronger while building stamina is the perfect surf training for most anyone. Most people can benefit by losing weight and getting stronger. My two books The 3 Week Plan and Get Fit to Surf offer more guidance.
Read Other Posts:
Beginner Surfers Learn on Soft Tops
5 Steps to Improve Surfing Performance
3 Ways to Catch Real Surfing Waves
Training to Ride the Surfing Short Board
Short Board Surfing Techniques
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