Following the outbreak of COVID-19, many beaches around the world are closing down to help slow the spread of the disease. As a result, many unhappy surfers find themselves land-logged during these trying times. Just because you can’t hit the waves, however, doesn’t mean you can’t continue to improve your surfing abilities. There are several things you can do at home to help you keep your surfing skills sharp until you’re able to head back in the water. Here are some tips on how to improve your surfing skills during quarantine.
Practice on a rail-to-rail surf balance board
Surf balance boards provide a great opportunity to sharpen your surfing skills from the comfort and safety of your own home. Rail-to-rail surf balance boards mimic the motion of surfing using a roller that is parallel to the length of the board. Practicing on them can help you enhance your surfing style and improve your balance and fluidity. As such, they are a valuable tool for refining and maintaining one’s fundamental surfing skills.
Go skateboarding
Outdoor activities that allow you to maintain a safe distance from others are still permissible during social distancing. As such, skateboarding outside alone can be a good way to maintain your surfing skills. While surfing the pavement isn’t the same as catching waves, skateboarding can help you develop a variety of skills that are transferrable to surfing.
For example, skateboarding can help improve your balance, coordination, and stamina — all of which are also useful in surfing. Plus, skateboarding is also a great way to practice aerial tricks, which you can translate to the water when the quarantine lifts.
Do at-home surfing exercises
There are several at-home exercises you can do to strengthen your surfing skills—no water required. Muscle groups that you should particularly focus on to improve your surfing are your arms, shoulders, outer core, and back. Such muscles will be beneficial for paddling out and catching waves. In addition, you should also strengthen your hips, glutes, and quadriceps to help you stay stable once you’ve caught the wave.
Examples of exercises that will help improve your technique out on the water include squats, pushups, lunges, and Turkish get-ups. By doing these at-home exercises, you can ensure your body will be fit enough to tackle your usual break when you’re able to head back out to the beach.
