Hang Ten
Posted in Sport and Recreation
Now the World Cup is over – and we won – our attention turns to summer!
New Zealand has some great surf spots and one of the best left-hand breaks in the world. Like any sport, surfing needs training and preparation. There is also the old saying ‘know no fear’ which sums surfing up well when you paddle out to the waves – and possibly the odd shark!
So to get ready to surf this summer, here are some of the HisBiz top surf tips from HisBiz surfers. Thanks Kieran, Hemi, Aubrey and Mark.
- Don’t forget your surf board. There is nothing worse than getting to the beach without your gear due to the excitement of a big swell. If you do forget and turn up at your mates asking for a spare… be prepared!
- It is ok to pee in your wet suit, just not while you are still in the car.
On a more serious note…
- Surfing is a sport. You do still need to stretch and warm up to avoid surf related injuries – shoulder strain can be pretty common and most injuries occur in smaller waves.
- A soft tip nose guard on your board can also help prevent some knocks, often to the head and the odd eye gouge (French boards only).
- Get your core strength up and keep it up. It's easy to lose, and makes it much harder to surf when you've got a pudgy middle.
- Surf all conditions – don't be a wave snob. You learn a lot about position and spotting the best wave from windy conditions – perhaps more than when it's perfect.
- Get the correct board for your size and weight.
- Respect others in the water. Learn the 'surfers code' and try to stick to it.
- Have fun! There are too many angry old men in the water these days – it makes you wonder they bother?!
- Get into the water as much as possible – half the battle is learning about the ocean.
- Embrace the ‘Dawny’ – some of the best waves of my life have been at 5:30am.
- Travel – there is a world of waves out there and New Zealand has some great ones. The reward of finding perfect waves after several hours driving or days flying, or bussing, or boating or hitching is hard to beat.
- Get fit – it makes life easier.
Our top five surfing tips with a Mental Health Foundation twist!
- Keep learning – Get surf lessons from a surfing New Zealand approved surf school or coach. Try before you buy a board and wetsuit to see if it’s for you – they have all the gear and experience to make it a great day out in the water. (There is always something new to learn.
- Take notice – Notice the conditions and be prepared. It’s not just about the surfing. You need to consider the waves, beach, bird and marine life, sun rise on the east coast and sunsets on the west coast which seem to slow time itself, life has chaos and order...so does the surf!
- Be active – Staying fit will help you in the water for sure and whilst it’s great to be sport specific, yoga, stretching, biking, swimming, running and walking all give your lungs a work out. Doing something you enjoy will help keep you motivated. A few press-ups and sit ups won’t go amiss either!
- Connect – Surfing with mates is a great way to touch base, sharing excitement at a new swell and connecting with the ocean is good for the mind, body and soul.
- Give – Take someone else for a surf...it’s a real buzz, especially kids, pushing them into a wave, seeing their faces light up.