Surfing Waves

ok im always excited to hear that its over head in florida, but when i get out there and try to paddle out, after about 3 duck dives im so tired, my muscles seem worn out and this also happens for my friend. we get worn out just trying to paddle out and we go the whole day trying to gte out there but can never do it. maybe you guys know of ways to pace your self when paddling out?

You need to get fitter dude, simple as.

Same here. I've started swimming now as well so hopefully that should help.

Not sure if you are new to surfing or not, but in my experience the more you surf the fitter you will get. Just keep going til your worn out and once out the back have a sit down and get your breath back before catching a few!

I'm in the same boat, so to speak..

But half of my issue is paddling technique, which I'm trying to correct.

If you do it wrong you waste loads of energy & get nowhere.

Fitten up more surfing more or doing more excerisice (sp)

Note* dont over strecth yourself paddling out to the point where you are exahusted(sp) as if a sneaker set rolls in that could end it for you. Dont be lulled into the idea that if you make it outback you can have a rest. Thats not always the case as with surfing there are moments of peace and moments of war

lol thats ussually the case, i rest when i get out back. thanks for the tips, ima just keep trying. I wish every day was like those days i could just walk out there.

same prob m8, only thing stoppin mi from surfing is the tide times as my beach becomes dangerous near high tide and the tide is only ot twice a day. at the moment that is late at nite and in the morning when i am at college!!!

had a funny one at hells mouth a few weeks back.i turned up to find a few mates who had been in a while on the beach just looking.i said" what you ladies waiting for?" and paddled out.....15 mins later had to get out again cos i was battered
definatlly time in the water helps,im getting stronger and paddle better,plus i can now duckdive......keep at it,it will happen for you

duckdiveing, now that would be a mirecal, cant get that one

isaluteyou wrote:Fitten up more surfing more or doing more excerisice (sp)

Note* dont over strecth yourself paddling out to the point where you are exahusted(sp) as if a sneaker set rolls in that could end it for you. Dont be lulled into the idea that if you make it outback you can have a rest. Thats not always the case as with surfing there are moments of peace and moments of war

Had that happen once. Except I was on a 10' longboard. Had no business going out on a day like that with a log, but I was determined. After finally making it to what I thought was "out" I was trying to catch my breath, and get control of my heart which felt like it was gonna beat out of my chest.

When I heard it.......looked back just as a most large wave was proceeding to crash right on me. Nothing to do but take the beating. I honestly believe if I'd lost my board that far out in the shape I was in, I'd have drown. Thank God for the leash.

WooD wrote:

isaluteyou wrote:Fitten up more surfing more or doing more excerisice (sp)

Note* dont over strecth yourself paddling out to the point where you are exahusted(sp) as if a sneaker set rolls in that could end it for you. Dont be lulled into the idea that if you make it outback you can have a rest. Thats not always the case as with surfing there are moments of peace and moments of war

Had that happen once. Except I was on a 10' longboard. Had no business going out on a day like that with a log, but I was determined. After finally making it to what I thought was "out" I was trying to catch my breath, and get control of my heart which felt like it was gonna beat out of my chest.

When I heard it.......looked back just as a most large wave was proceeding to crash right on me. Nothing to do but take the beating. I honestly believe if I'd lost my board that far out in the shape I was in, I'd have drown. Thank God for the leash.

Yep same thing happened to me thats why i mentioned it unfortunatly my leash didnt hold it was an exceptionaly long paddle out aswell took a wave and wiped out right in impact zone(anybody who has surfed garbage beach on a big swell will know what im on about when it comes to long paddle outs) and it was a really really long paddle back to shore. That ended the session luckily i got most my way in by body surfing or id be dead i just slumped on the rocks and must have looked rather foolish amazingly my board was fine.

I have some tips that might help.. I used to get pretty tired really easily, but after surfing consistently (about 4x a week, average), my paddling muscles are doing well. I try to cross-train too, by running a couple times a week and swimming when I can (I don't have access to a pool). Keeping your overall fitness up helps you in every way. I also work with weights, doing light workouts (I'm a girl, so I don't really go overboard with that stuff). That seems to help a lot.

I would also recommend monitoring your diet and making sure you eat right. A lot of people, including myself at times, blow it off, but when you eat right, your body has a lot more energy and focus.

I can paddle out smoking a ciggy

And have managed a few on smaller days with a pie too.

Timing is really important, pick your battles so you can get through the heavy bit of the kook barrier without too much trouble, get through the whitewater of the sets after they break, so you can get outback before the next one comes in, look for rips, and like everyone else said, try to save a bit of energy. Also, it's really important to stay on your board, and get paddling as soon after you have duck dived or pushed through the foam. If you get off your board, you get dragged back a long way, and waste loads of evergy making up lost ground. Don't stop for a rest until you are out the back either, or you will just tire more quickly as you get pounded on the inside.

A lot of it is about technique IMO, using your arms effectively to get the most speed, instead of giving loads of effort which doesn't achieve much, and the best way to get the technique right is to just practice as much as possible - that's why people who have been surfing for years always make it look a lot easier.

k friday should be a big day for me, lets see what happens. I also just got a new shortboard, its a 6'2 Viking so i think it should be easier to get out there with that bad boy. Lets hop i dont break it on the first day using it. Thanks guys

No ones mentioned it yet... but i'm not sure how long you've been surfing, but make sure you pick the best spot to paddle out at. Wait for the sets to come in, pick a spot away from the peak or impact zone to go in at. I know it's not always easy to do on a big windswell chop day, i'm from south FL so i know what it's like, but make sure you practice your duckdive too, if you can't duckdive you won't make it out on a big day and just spend your time getting a work out and looking foolish, i've been there too. Good luck friday, next wednesday is supposed to be really clean and good, the cleaner, the easier the paddle out.

stuzzy what part of sofla? im in ft lauderdale

Ft. lauderdale....Pembroke Pines area.... me and a friend go pretty much every week if you ever need anyone to go out with. We usually go up to deerfield beach or county line, sometimes stuart depending on the day and the swell.

im in weston. i go about every week as well either to 14th ct, or commercial pier. Are u in college?

yeah i'm goin to FIU at the moment, probly gonna transfer out though next semester. What days do you go surfing usually?