Training for competition

[Matthias]

Hi guys,

I really used the search function for this topic but I didn't find anything concret so I am just asking, I really hope this is the right forum since I am new here and its my first topic..

Ok let's start..

I go surfing pretty much every day and I try to work on maneuvers every time I am in the water. Last week I did an inscription for a surf competition in october and I want to get prepared. The problem is, here where I live, there are no surf coaches, there are some schools but they are crap... So I try to build up a training plan for me apart of surfing which should consist in stretching exercises (yoga,pilatesetc..), endurance exercises and flexibility exercises. There is some information on the net, but I just can't find a way to put them together since I don' t have any experience. And then in reports you see guys like Mick Fanning doing spectacular warm ups or stretches before a heat and you try to figure it out...

Maybe anyone of you has been preparing for competition or has competed and can give me some hints?

I would be really gratefull since I' m trying to figure it out since some time and I' m getting kind of frustrated

Thank you so much!

[esonscar]

Get a rucksack fill it with 45kg and go walk/jog up vertical hills/mountains.
This is good for core strength, legs and breathing.

Also swim a load too wearing gloves - good for arms, shoulders and water endurance.

[NorthMyrtleB]

Have someone video you surfing. Then you can see what you need to work on. Remember its not who does the most rad moves! Its who has the best form, correct stance, smooth transactions, ect. watch a few competitions online and see what scores the best. Smooth and clean moves will get you ranked higher. Some judges watch you feet placement - do you move on the board when needed or do you keep one stance?

Its not much different than surfing another time (endurance wise), except you have people watching every move you make. Watch yourself on video and work on the fine details.... Best of luck! Let us know how ya do!

[NorthMyrtleB]

Also, get a copy of the regulations, may be online. The worst thing is to show up with a board that doesn't meet their standards. (ESA rules Long boards no shorter than 9', Short boards have to be no longer than 2' higher than you) Some may require boards no taller than 2" - 3" above your height.

Go surf where ever its being held at, get a feel for the waves at high and low tide.

[billie_morini]

Matthias,
I recommend this book: "The Art of Surfing - A training manual for the developing and competitive surfer," by Raul Guisado and printed by Falcon Guide.

The aforementioned book is chock full of exercises. Lots of photos and diagrams. Plus plans / schedules. Easy to read. Worth the price ($16.95) when I bought it in 2007. I'm pretty sure I bought it through Amazon dot com.

billie

[Matthias]

Hello guys, sorry I couldn't respond before, I really appreciate all your answers, thank you so much!
@esonscar: The rucksack exercise sounds really interesting, I think I should go for it !! I think with going for surf there is not more need to swim, maybe on a flat day

@NorthMyrtleB: Actually my girlfriend loves to take fotos of me, the problem is I' m to broke to buy a video cam:-) Anyway I ll try to find a friend who can lend me a cam I hope. Acually I try to follow all the local contest here in Tenerife and as well I watch all the ASP Contest online as far as possible.. I surf a 6,5 ..Lost board and I actually move to try to do maneuvers more radical and as for tubes I try to ge the back foot more to the front in order to reach more speed... Thanks a lot and I ll let you know how the contest worked out.. The surf contest wil be hold in france, so I ll go there one week before in order to ge tused to the crappy beachbreak...I am kinda used to quality reefbreaks over here but we also got some harder beachbreaks so I will also used them to train in smaller messy waves..

@billi_morini: Thank you very much for the recommendation. I just bought the book at amazon in the "used" section fr 3,99 pounds, lets see when it gets here Thank you so much for the hint, it looks like it ll be very usefull for me!!

[billie_morini]

Matthias,
now that you've made all these new friends, you'll have to keep us informed of your competition efforts.
billie

[Matthias]

okay, I ll definetly do!! cheers guys!

[billie_morini]

Matthias,
take a look at this:
http://www.surfstronger.com/

You might find something useful.
billie

[Matthias]

Thank you bilie, I already have surf stronger 1. It s a really useful video, I took some exercises from it for warming up (though I have to do the warm ups on rocks instead of on the beach ) and some relaxing exercises, really good stuff! Thanks!!

[esonscar]

Thank you bilie, I already have surf stronger 1. It s a really useful video, I took some exercises from it for warming up (though I have to do the warm ups on rocks instead of on the beach ) and some relaxing exercises, really good stuff! Thanks!!

Dude:

http://www2.swaylocks.com/user/esonscar

Pic of me - all I do is walking up hills with a pack and swimming (and surfing loads !)- LooK at my foking leg ! - Better than many a pro sportsman !

I kid you not (I take nothing to enhance - I just eat decent and have fun exercising).

But hey, I am Welsh - ::: Hwy'l i chi ::: !