Surfing Waves

Hey all,
I have a new (to me) longboard that is 23" wide and when I sit on it I am experiancing some pain in the upper legs and groin area. I am not very flexible and was wondering if anyone knew some good stretching exercises that would help me out in this department.

It is really difficult to turn around in a laying down position and I can only sit on this board for a couple minutes without being in a lot of pain.

Thanks,
-=KAPUT=-

not the most informed of stretching exercises but have a suggestion anyway...
your board is 23" at its widest point, usually near the middle... if you sit further back on it, (depending on the board... some maintain their width quite far back) it may be narrower further back, and it will turn quicker as the nose will stick out a bit and there will be less board to drag through the water.

Stretch while you sit on the board. You will get used to it. Otherwise look up hamstring and groin stretches.

Dont sit on it all the time.
Lay over it and rest while you wait for the right waves to come.
Only sit on it when needed.

butterfly stretches are the only thing i can think of. sit on your butt, bring your heels together, and bring them to your groin, or as close as you can. don't bounce your knees, you'll tear something. just do it until you can bring your heels to your groin, bending at the knee. then gently press down on your knees with your elbows

This is a Hatha Yoga technique for stretching out the inner groin. I am not a professional, but I have practiced for about 2 years. Here are 2 stretches.

First (easiest): Supine Bound Angle Pose
Sit on the ground and bend your knees so that your feet are flat on the ground. Maintain good posture (back erect, head in line with spine, do not be rigid). Slowly drop your knees outward and bring the soles of your feet together (like your praying with them). Arch your back and place your hands behind you. Slowly lower to your elbows and then lower yourself carefully to the floor. You should be laying on the middle of your back, head resting on the floor, buttocks resting on the floor. Ensure that your tailbone is not digging into the ground. Allow your lower back to arch a little, naturally, comfortably. Your knees should be apart and off the floor (at first) and your outer ankles should be resting comfortably with the soles of your feet together. Just lay there and allow the weight of your legs to drop your knees further and further to the floor. Do not force them. Over time you will notice more limber-ness in your groin.

Second (more difficult): Triangle Pose
Stand upright and place your feet a little wider than shoulder width apart. Keep your legs straight, but do not lock your knees. Bend over and touch the floor. When you can place your hands flat on the floor in this posision you can then safely move to Triangle Pose by rotating from your hips to your right and then left ankle.
It is easiest to place your hand on your calf or ankle (depending on flexibility) to maintain balance. Your torso should be straight and parallel with the ground (eventually you will be able to put your hand flat on the floor behind and right next to your foot). Your chest should be pointed forward. Raise your other arm to the sky, perpendicular to the floor. Hold this pose for as long as you can on each side (no more than 5-10 minutes is needed).

Go slowly with these poses as you are not practicing a group of asanas (Yoga Poses) together, and you can seriously injur yourself if you take it to fast or try to push yourself too far. Warm up before every stretch with some normal warm up stretching.

Look up Supine Bound Angle Pose and Triangle Pose for some pictures to guide you to the correct posture, thus avoiding some injury.

You should see results in about a month, tops, if you practice every other day. Take it slow and you'll be straddling 23" in no time.

GL,
CB

Learn to play the Cello

I've got a 23" longboard and although I'm well stretched I still find myself turning turtle by accident...because I'm crap...and learning. Oh the joys of looking like a spare d*ck.

iv seen some guys out that sit crossed legged (on longboards). could be an option but i dont know how you would be able to spin around for a wave sitting like that though.

just do some butterfly stretches and also spread your legs until u feel the stretch. do these every night and before u surf.

kneel on your board then...

It's a stretch for me too - mine is 23" wide and a pain sometimes.

I haven't used it enough not to get stretch pains yet either.

RJD wrote:Learn to play the Cello

clever
what if i play bass instead?

sebastiansurfer wrote:

RJD wrote:Learn to play the Cello

clever
what if i play bass instead?

just do what most bass players do.....

........as little as possible lol