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It's official. Experts are predicting a high likelihood of the
first full-fledged
El Niņo
in over a decade. And the prospect has surfers rubbing their palms
together like Clay Marzo watching an overhead set barrel through an
empty G-Land line-up during a Young Guns video. Anticipation of
significant world class swells is in the air—large, long-lasting
swells that could obliterate the memory of several mediocre seasons
the instant we see the first sign of corduroy on the horizon.
If the current El Niņo pattern persists, your stamina could well be
tested to its limits, month after glorious month. Can you be sure
you will be up to the task?
 Surf
Stronger Co-Founder
Scott Adams and big wave charger
Tyler Fox
have joined forces to offer Santa Cruz surfers
a rigorous training program that promises to deliver a competitive
mental and physical edge, which will have you answering “yes” to the
above question. Its participants have reported better body
awareness and confidence. Sponsored pro surfer Kyle Buthman, who
has been doing the program for a few months, says, “The workouts are
really fun and a great way to stay in shape! Above that, I have
noticed that they have improved my balance and focus. They
really do improve your surfing.”
Both private trainings and 1.5-hour surf
clinics are sure to challenge even the most athletically fit. The
former, which can be purchased in one-week, one-month or three-month
sessions, consists of both balance and conditioning (1 hour) and
surf training segments (90 minutes). The land-based programs begin
with a light warm-up followed by exercises utilizing various-sized
medicine balls, balance boards, and TRX resistance bands (invented
by a former Navy Seal Captain). You might toss a medicine ball
back-and-forth with your partner while balancing on an Indo Board,
for example. Throughout, Adams and Fox incorporate exercises that
work surf-specific muscles while focusing on yoga-like concentration
and breathing techniques. Weight and difficulty levels increase as
the workout progresses. The goal is to build explosive power, as
well and fast twitch muscles through balance exercises, say Adams.
 Surf
training programs start on the sand with warm-up drills, balance and
conditioning exercises, and light stretching. Then participants
grab their boards for some leashless surf interval training.
For a period determined by individual fitness levels, surfers
alternate between timed wave catching and sprinting back to the
sand, where they test their limits through abdominal, lower body,
and upper body conditioning exercises. The endurance-testing
program concludes with a filmed free-surf. Participants later watch
the footage with Fox and Adams, who give detailed feedback on style,
wave choices, and how effectively the wave was surfed. Following
video analysis, Adams and Fox recommend additional exercises to
improve flexibility, core strength or power, as needed.
Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist
Scott Adams co-created the Surf Stronger workout approximately 10
years ago with Todd Walsh while seeking to improve their wave-riding
skills and endurance at their then local break, Ocean Beach (Todd
now runs Surf Stronger programs in Santa Barbara). By combining
core training, lower body conditioning, yoga, Pilates, balance
training, flexibility work, and plyometrics, they found that a blend
of all the elements really had the best transfer of function towards
surfing performance, says Adams.
Fox, who was doing the training on his own
before teaming up with Adams, was initially drawn to the program
because of the benefits to his balance, coordination, and overall
surfing ability. Seeing the advantages of combining his own
experience as a professional surfer with the Surf Stronger regimen,
he teamed up with Adams to offer Santa Cruz locals a unique surf
training program—one that is already turning heads in and out of the
water. Pleasure Point sponsored free surfer Darshan Gooch says of
the program, “I notice a big improvement in stability and balance,
as well as quickness and endurance. Gaining improvement in these
areas has given me a new confidence in my surfing.”
Pro surfers and up-and-coming groms alike are
turning to the programs to up their game. During a recent Santa
Cruz clinic at Soquel High, local up-and-coming rippers, such as Nick
Hernandez, could be seen doing pop-ups, crunches, and sprints next to
pro surfer Kim Mayer. The 1.5-hour clinics focus on balance, core
strength, stability, paddling endurance, lung capacity, and dynamic
flexibility. The
current series takes place on Mondays and
Wednesdays from 6:00-7:00 pm, through October 7th at 26th Avenue
Beach. All levels are welcome. Space
permitting, drop-ins will be offered at $15 each (inquire the day of
@ 831/239-2339).
If it’s warmer waters you’ve been dreaming of, why not trek on down
to Santa Barbara for a Surf Stronger Fitness and Performance Camp
led by Scott Adams and Todd Walsh, together with pro surfer Holly
Beck?
The camps
(www.surfstronger.com/camp)
typically include daily workouts, yoga, stretching, surf coaching,
videotaped analysis, evaluation of surfing performance, and more.
For information on future camps, email
info@surfstronger.com.
Or, if working out at home is your style, visit
www.surfstronger.com/store
for
total body, surf-specific cross training, core-intensive, and TRX-based
videos, and a comprehensive choice of exercise equipment.
With so many choices, Santa Cruz surfers have
every opportunity to step up their skills and stamina. Kim Mayer
says of the program, “I had a great time at the surf stronger
workout. It was a perfect mix of cardio and core strengthening.
Tyler and Scott gave a lot of positive feedback while constantly
offering tips on how to improve technique. I can tell it's going
to help a lot with pulling maneuvers out in the water. I'm super
sore from the first workout, but can't wait until the next one!”
For information on which Surf Stronger program is right for you,
email Scott Adams
here.
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