5 Signs You're Not Flexible Enough For Surfing

Flexibility for surfing might only be important when you consider it from a 'dynamic access to range of motion' point of view.

When I coach surfing, I see many students who are hindered by a lack of range of motion, a general lack of mobility and a low-grade stability in certain areas of the body. Without these fundamental building blocks providing a sound groundwork for people to use in their surfing, progression can be frustrating and slow.

[johanmaritz]

I am 65 yrs old and got back into surfing after long break…watched this video for the flexibility aspect but the “slide-up” instead of “pop up” has saved my surfing!!! Thank you Nick!!!

[Seraphim_skateboards]

my brother had his spine fused from his butt to his neck from severe scoliosis limiting his mobility in some ways for surfing. I found out he isn’t even able to poo man since his back does not bend therefore all of his mobility is in his legs and hips, I taught him drop knee on the surf skate to help him achieve that lower stance and now he can surf better than me, even if you think you can’t surf based on certain injuries or limitations it’s all about shifting the flexibility you do have!

[johnbruce]

67 years old. Cavernoma. Stroke and hip replacement... but there's yet my SUP and collection of boogie boards including a legendary (well cared for) original Mike Stewart 5.5. Waves is Waves! Onwards... into the water! I was in it yesterday. 50 years of surfing. Bugger flexibility.

[sthomsonlfc]

That was cool. Not something I'd thought about before, but seriously obvious now! It's like Yoga was made for surfing... 🤩

[MotionMenace]

I have been training brazilian jiu jitsu for many years, and recently started surfing. That last smooth movement he did where he stands up in the excersise is basically just a wrestling sprawl in reverse. Huge light bulb moment for me, thank you!! <3

[cwinfrey]

I had hip replacement surgery a year ago. This may be the best instruction I've seen to develop the pop up.

[madiem]

So true, many many 'coaches' wrongly call it a pop-up...its very misleading - what was shown as a slide up and rotating at the same time is EXACTLY the best way of learning. The snap 'pop-up' is just just plain wrong. Slow down pro surfers to .25 speed and see that its a smooth flowing action - EVEN WHEN DONE QUICKLY!, not a snappy thump on the board

[beccahanson]

I have been taught, in other activities, that slow is smooth and smooth is fast. So glad this applies to surfing as well, especially in the pop-up! 😊

Thank you Kale for making all these lessons available on YouTube, Instagram and on your surfersroadmap. They allow us to bring surfing into daily life, even when we can’t hit the waves.

[johannakatharina]

Amazing tips! I do loads of Yoga & Pilates but these little tweaks & finetunings were things I didn't notice. The arm raise out of a stable back was a game changer 🙌

[monkeymansean]

Great video! I'm 41 and after a recent spained disk which left me in bed for 3 days and out of the water for a month, I realised you gotta stretch before surfing! I also do yoga most days now - I think most of the movements covered in this video are addressed in basic yoga practice. Great to see which ones to concentrate on.

[eventhorizon]

Just to let fellow surfers know these sort of exercises make a BIG difference. I was limping due to pain in my foot. I thought I was getting old and this was going to effective my quality of life. I was given advise by a sports therapist and was told to due stretching exercises to stretch the ligaments that run from my leg to my heel. After just 3 day of stretching that leg/foot/heel area pain went completely away and has never come back. Take this video seriously. IT MATTERS AND IT'S OUTSTANDING ADVICE!

[tg]

Nobody did any exercises back in my day in the 1970s, we were too tired from actually riding waves all day, with no crowds.

[Rob.Kisiel]

i surfed in Hawaii for nearly one year and noticed the good guys on the pop up instead of putting two hands on the sides of the board they placed one (in the centre) on the Stringer and the other slightly backwards on the edge....It gave them a much better position for the twist

[sicklad]

Cool to see Nick featuring in another video, his advice is really interesting 😊

[mich]

I grew up on Sydney’s Northern Beaches during the 90’s. At 36, I strongly regret not surfing at a younger age. My wife and I attended URBNSURF in Melbourne for a beginner lesson on Wednesday (and a second session today in a couple of hours).
Aside from being a tad overweight at the moment (6ft @ 112kg), I found the pop up incredibly difficult. I have the strength available through my upper body and legs, but my core is like jelly and a surfboard has more flexibility than my rigid body.
I kind of feel like today’s session will be a waste of money until I can move more freely, but also, loved it so much I can’t wait to get back out.
Thanks for the video broccoli. Looking forward to getting the body conditioned to enjoying surfing more 🤙

[SuperTittays]

I've had 2 knee reconstructions as a result of skateboarding for my entire life and I already have some arthritis in both knees. What keeps me skating/surfing is having a stretch/calisthenics routine that I do every single day when I wake up (also I stopped jumping down stairs like an idiot) as well as daily joint care. Accepting that I am in a new, achy, creaky stage of my athletic life was the hardest part of turning 30, but these kinds of exercises make all the difference in the world and allow me to keep surfing and skating safely 👍🏼 Thank you for the tips.

[dfilppi]

Great description and camera angle for the slow slide up. One thing not made clear elsewhere is the twist movement, the whole drag occurs on his side. Note also the feet position during the slide; front foot and back foot are pre-positioned and simply dragged into place. Another key point is the back foot lands first enabling a step through. Also note that the hips briefly reach head height to create space. As you develop muscle memory, that step through is lessened, but plenty of pros do it to one degree or another anyway. Game changer video for me.

[Viellgas]

Sooo gonna start doing theese exercises and movements!! Big thanks !!!
Greetings from Sweden! Keep up your great work!! Pz

[kirkdunn]

Always struggled with tail pads and booties, would always catch leading foot on tailpad getting to my feet....flexibility issue am sure

[didymostruespeal]

After a two-week lay off.my pop-up started slowing down again. So here I am again studying this one and hydro-mind... I'm fast enough it's that my front foot is not getting in the right position. Frustrating session today... After watching both videos I can see that I've let my hands go too far forward and I need to bring them back to my chest... Thanks fellas!