Surfing Waves

What are some ways I can train my body for surfing? I watched the movie Chasing Mavericks, and I wonder if anyone actually does anything like that to be more physically and mentally fit to surf (holding breath and paddling A LOT). I don't live near the ocean, which sucks, and I'm not going to be living near one any time soon. I have a lake in my backyard, and that's about it. I can probably just paddle around and work on my endurance. I can also try making some artificial waves or maybe try going up north to Lake Superior.


Also, what are some ways to improve my surfing knowledge? I don't know what just about any of the words mean. Should I just look up surfing terms on Google and go from there? I just started figuring out what the different types of boards are. Most of the words confuse me tons though. I guess that's the same for just about anything when just starting to learn about it.

Thanks

Big wave surfers do a lot of different things to prepare for big waves. Holding your breath while paddling is just one way to get used to working without enough air. Some guys go so far as to have others hold them by their ankles with their body underwater and shake them around violently to try to relicate what will happen to them on a wipeout. Some carry weights or a big stone and walk under water. It's a good idea if you are going to do these things around water to have someone watching you to make sure you are ok just in case you pass out.

Paddling around on a board is great for building muscles. If there are no waves try to paddle long distances and short fast paddles too. Wave knowledge comes from going in waves. It may help if you go with someone who already understands waves. It's difficult to communicate types of waves or conditions and positioning and much easier to show someone. The internet may provide you some examples of stuff but it's all different once you get in the ocean. The ocean changes constantly, tides, wind, currents, waves size, direction and frequency and learning to read the ocean is a lifelong learning process.

I've never done this, but wake surfing might be right up your alley.

I appreciate your stoke......maybe you should consider another hobby? Surfing is awesome if you have.........waves. Endless training might get you surf fit, but unless you have some time to spend in the ocean regularly it will only be a fitness regime since time in the ocean on waves is what it will take to learn to surf, not holding your breath or running underwater with boulders.

When I was a kid I remember going through a phase where I really wanted to learn to bobsled (post winter olympics)....then it was skiing, then snowboarding.......I lived in Washington DC and had as much access to winter playgrounds as you do the ocean.....went skiing less than 10 times in my teens I think.....I loved the idea though. A lake in your backyard? Sounds like an opportunity for a lot of different activities......but maybe not surfing..

I looked this up just for fun....Can you imagine how COLD the water is!?

Surfing in Lake Superior
http://www.mprnews.org/story/2013/02/12/human-interest/lake-superior-surfing

Lake Superior Surfers (youtube)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTjm5L2PtCQ

and of course, there's a Surfline Forecast
http://www.surfline.com/surf-forecasts/great-lakes/michigan-up-superior_71632

The coldness of a North American lake in winter , does not strike me as just for fun!
Had my surf today in board shorts and rashy!
Feel blessed by my warm climate.
Keep the stoke Kyle we are on your! side

Ain't no surfing like surfing in a 6 mm

I have to agree with Big H. If you're not close enough to water to surf at least a few times a month, then no amount of conditioning is going to help you. While conditioning is helpful and important to a point, nothing else substitutes for water time. Learning to read and catch waves takes lots of time and repetition. There is no other way to learn than by surfing, and surfing a lot.

If you are unable to get to rideable surf frequently -- and the Great Lakes don't count, they are just not consistent enough -- you need to go somewhere for an extended period (weeks or months) and surf daily. So if I were you I would try to book an extended vacation somewhere with consistent waves (Costa Rica? Mexico? So. Cal?) and also get some good surf coaching.