Surfing = Physically demanding?

[teaweed]

For any athletes or outdoorsy types, how high does surfing rank among other activities as far as physical demands?

Maybe it's wrong to ask this in a surfing forum, since most of you probably surf more than anything else, and tend to be a little biased as far as familiarity with the sport. But anyway, I haven't tried everything, but rock climbing is probably one of the harder things that I've done, which I would consider to be up there w/ surfing.

[RJD]

Surfings a biatch.

Not only is it physicaly challenging it takes balance, skill and a lot of knowledge and understanding of whats going on in changable conditions.

I cant think of much else where you have so little opertunity to put into practice what you learn at such a high physical cost, in an enviroment thats never the same twice.

[stuzzy07]

I grew up playing every sport there was until i graduated high school. I played football, baseball, hockey, ran track, and wrestled and was good at all of them. But surfing is by far the hardest sport i've ever done. Wrestling was the only one more physically demanding than surfing, but easier to get good at. Surfing is just so hard to get good at. You have to put in ALOT more time than any other sport i've done and you have to know and anticipate the oceans conditions. It is also a sport where alot of the learning comes from experience, you don't have anyone really teaching you to do anything, which also slows down the learning curve.

[jonathanderick]

I do not think this is a fair question. Surfing is very dynamic, as with all sports.

On some days, the conditions are gorgeous: off-shore winds, 15-20 seconds between waves, glassy. You paddle out almost effortlessly to the lineup and sit down to grab a breather. This surf day could last 3 or more hours.

On other days, conditions are crappy: on-shore/choppy winds, 5-10 seconds between waves. Paddling out in these conditions is torture. You need double the strokes and double the effort to make it to the same lineup. This surf day (or not-so-surfable day) could last 30 minutes to an hour.

[Beachbum]

I agree with Jonathanderick, it depends on the conditions. A small day wouldn't require much paddling and duck diving, depending on the spot, but larger days push me to my limit. A nice long ride = more paddling and duck diving to get back out there. Overall, it's a physically demanding sport, and I feel the burn every time I go out

[buckthis]

"Wrestling was the only one more physically demanding than surfing"
did your coach put the moves on you stuzz?

[drowningbitbybit]

Yes it is, Im knackered.

[flyingvee]

mentally knackerin' too

[tautologies]

haha, everybody thinks their sport is the most demanding...

to answer you short, no it is not. It can be done by just about anyone that has little bit of agility BUT it depends on the conditions. Surfing is also a lot of waiting, positioning, hanging out just relaxing.

One of the spots I go to, it must be almost a mile paddling, then when you get out there, you have constantly be moving around not to get sucked into reef, and by wind and currents...of course one of the advantages is that it isn't crowded and you get a lot more waves...after a session like that I am beat, and I really feel like I've been using a lot of muscles...anyhoo, so find your level and get on with it...

[drowningbitbybit]

no it is not..... I am beat

Er, so, yes it is then?

[tautologies]

[quote="drowningbitbybit"
Er, so, yes it is then?[/quote]

Lol, come'on don't do a Faux NEws interpretation. It doesn't have to be super demanding physically. Just normal fit, and try to not take on too much. just do it step by step. I would never take a beginner for a long paddle...or in difficult conditions...

So I guess as has been stated. It depends on the conditions...

[hawaiiSUCKSexceptsurf]

i think long all-day hikes i go on are more draining.