The answer to the first question is that the majority of surfers are lean, well toned, strong, tan, and perhaps some of the most fit people around.
In order to surf you need to be fit, you need to have a well established base of both strength and endurance. You need to have balance, agility, and fast twitch muscle efficiency to come close to being able to surf. All of these attributes are built with bodyweight training. Heck the same is true for gymnasts, acrobats, fighters, the military, an so on!
People who surf are not gym rats, they are outside getting in amazing shape with no gym or equipment and just their bodweight.
A few years ago I went to Mexico for a much needed vacation after I finished my undergraduate degree and before I was going into my graduate degree program.
While in Mexico I decided to try my hand at surfing. Mind you I was not tackling big waves, just little baby roller waves (or at least they seemed that way prior to getting into the water).
I met my surf instructor right out on the beach across from my hotel. The guy was in shape, six pack abs, well defined shoulders, arms, and so on. Picture Brad Pitt in Fight Club and you have his body structure.
Off we went and quickly came a nice reality check. I listened to instructions and thought to myself ”I got this, I am in better shape that everyone else trying surfing for the first time.” My first attempt failed miserably.
My second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh attempts ended with the same failing outcome (I know I am not alone here… or I pretend to think I am not). On my eighth attempt I got up.
After… Read more…