Competition surfing tips

[k mac]

theres a inter skools contest sort of a thing goin up in newquay in april which i may go to i aint never bin to one before though .i currently have a mini-mal and wonderd if anyone has any tips uvver then the usuall practiceing and goin to the gym and stuff ,anyone help .please .....

[PapaW]

Just get out there and practice, obiviosly when its flat any exercise is good.

The main thing you'll find with it being your first comp is that your on a time limit. Heats are usually 15-20mis so time is important. Cause of this ou can often end up making silly mistakes or rushing.

See the topic on Comp Psycology over at MSW here --> http://magicseaweed.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1614

[Broosta]

Yeah agree on the time thing - deffo take a watch with countdown timer into the water so you know how long until the end of the heat.
In normal free surfing its not that unusual to not even catch a single wave in 20 mins so in order to catch 2 or 3 good ones you have to be very industrial about it.
Time flies by in a heat, you won't even have time to notice the cold! But you will be absolutely knackered - its far more tiring than free surfing so do get fitter.
And don't forget to think about what you are gonna eat and drink throughout the day - comps go on all day.
Also think about if you are gonna get changed into dry clothes again after each heat or gonna stay in wet wetty - in which case you will need a wind proof to wear over it as its cold!