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Surfing Research

Decent Essays

Surfing contains a lot of arm work paddling towards and away from the waves and in order to minimize this work, surfers maximize their ride (Connor and Tessa, personal interviews). The body is exceptionally engaged in surfing. Each stroke of the arm and shifting motion engages a different muscle. When you hear about people surfing you think of the stereotypical muscles used in your core. Often the first thing that comes time mind is the intensity of balance and the strain it must place on those core muscles. While this information is true, there is a part of your body being used even more than your core. From my experiences on the water, the biggests working muscles while surfing are your arm and back muscles. As Connor McMurdo puts it, “The arm and back muscles are essential to surfing and will be the sorest after a long day on the waves” …show more content…

The actions of surfing are paddling, standing up, holding balance, and maneuvering the board along the wave. The first action, paddling, engages many muscles all along the back and into the arms. Paddling works your Latissimus Dorsi (found in your lower back), your Trapezius (found in the upper, back of your neck) and your deltoides (found in the shoulders) (Tessa Bolter, personal interview 1). According to Hypervibe.com; “Paddling out uses deltoides, biceps, and triceps, which is all upper body and found in the arms and shoulders” ( ). From my observations of surfers, paddling takes up the majority of the time on the water. Paddling out to the spot on the water you would like works all of these muscles for long periods of time. Likewise paddling away from the wave as fast as you can in order to catch and stand up on the wave is another chunk of a surfers time. Popping up on the wave and riding it as well as maneuvering the wave can be a mere 30 seconds of working your muscles. Pushing yourself up on the board while on a mo While so many muscles are engaged In just standing up it takes more than just strength to

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