June 29, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Jason Butter

Surfing good waves is always more fun than just hanging around… as a matter of fact, it’s more fun than just about anything I can think of. There is one aspect of surfing, however, that is more than just fun… it is, in fact, much like making love, or even being born again. That most amazing of feelings is called getting barreled, and if you ask any long-time, well-traveled surfer, they’ll pretty much all say exactly the same thing - there’s nothing they would rather do than get into a long, deep tube, completely disappearing from the beachgoer’s view, and then speed out of the barrel, back into daylight and with the most incredible feeling, a feeling like they’ve just entered a wormhole into another universe and returned - and in a way, that’s exactly what happens…

The best professionals, local tube-masters and even average Joes who get a good, long tube will agree - time expands inside the tube. It may be an actual scientific oversight, and one day a brilliant physicist may find tube-time-expansion to be true, even if it’s only for a split second.

At any rate, being inside an overhead tube, with the glass curtain of the wave hitting the water out in front of the nose of your board, and focusing so intently that it’s virtually impossible to describe is truly being in the zone - “tunnel vision” doesn’t quite do it justice. When you emerge cleanly maybe you’ll get off a few choice turns, or maybe just make a turn, and head up and over the back of the wave with a glued-on smile. Either way, when you’re done with the wave, you’ve paddled back out to the lineup, and have a chance to get settled, you’ll remember every single bit of the barrel, every single falling drop, like it’s a crystal-clear memory being played in slow motion on a plasma screen. You’ll find that ten or twenty years later, you can remember even the tiniest details of a good barrel. The best tubes are found on the best waves, which, at least for barrels, are usually reef breaks and point breaks. Reef breaks can offer big, wide-open barrels you could fit a V.W. van in, and offers that extra kick of dangerous thrill to your adrenaline soup. You can look around a bit and enjoy the view in a big tube - some good surfers actually look backwards into the pit! Point break tubes can be long, long ones, tubes that you can actually forget that hard focus, just a bit, and play around in the tube, running your fingers along the rising wall of water on one side, and feeling the breaking lip falling with your other hand.

Coming out of a barrel is like being born again, in that you emerge from the ocean’s womb and into the daylight - except that instead of crying about it, you shout out with happiness! And nobody spanks your bottom… emerging from a tube is also very much like making love, and without being too descriptive, I’ll just say this: you see a wave you like, take off and ride in anticipation of pulling into a sweet barrel, then getting as deep as you can, with one hundred percent focus of body and mind, riding the tube and forgetting all about time, and then when you’re pulling out of the barrel, you may well get spit out of the tube in a spray of whitewater…

Excuse me now while I wipe my brow…

I truly hope I don’t offend you with my description of what it’s like to get barreled, but it really is true, a fact proven by a nationwide Surfer Magazine poll, that more than fifty percent of surfers feel that riding the tube - not just surfing, but specifically, riding the tube - is the only thing on earth better than sex. On that note, I’ll end this article, and hopefully leave you with the idea of learning the truly amazing thrill of getting tubed.

Just like riding a bike, you’ll never forget your first time, and you’ll only get better and better the more you practice. It’s a occasion that people will want to see from the comfort of their ocean view villas.

Jason Butter, one of the most experienced surfers and surf teachers in Costa Rica and owns a well known Costa Rica surf camp: Green Iguana. Green Iguana offer full surfing packages including Eco-lodge, transport and meals.

Article Source: Jason Butter
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June 4, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Richard Merino

A surfing exercise program can benefit any level of surfer, from the wide-eyed beginner, to the grizzled veteran, and everyone in between. Even if you consider surfing just a casual hobby, you don’t want to be the guy who exhausts himself after only a few minutes of paddling and then spends most of his time in the water just trying to recover. And for the serious surfer who is already in pretty good shape, see how focusing on five specific areas of surf fitness will take your training to the next level, resulting in immediate improvements on the waves.

So what are the five critical types of surfing exercise that will make you a better surfer?

1. Cardiovascular: as part of your surf fitness, you will want to build up your endurance. Paddling takes a lot of energy, and you will be doing it for long stretches at a time. Running and swimming are very good surf exercises with cardio benefits. Be sure to do enough to keep your heart rate up for 30 minutes at a time.
2. Core strength: addressing your core means building up your abdominal and back muscles, which also are very important for paddling. In addition, core fitness is a big part of fighting against the weight of the water, which is something you do almost constantly while surfing the waves. Abdominal crunches, presses, and planks are good examples of core surf exercise.
3. Upper body: yet another area that will help with paddling! But again, because you spend so much time paddling, there are huge benefits to doing it well. By paddling faster, you’ll be able to catch more waves. A stronger upper body also will allow you to pop up onto your board more quickly. The bench press, pushups, pull-ups, and upper back moves like lat pulldowns are good in this area. Specific surf paddling exercises are shoulder presses and rowers, if you have access to a machine.
4. Flexibility: your surfing exercise program also should include stretching, something that a lot of people tend to avoid. More flexibility and mobility will allow you to maneuver your board better, remain upright, and do more tricks. As an extra benefit, if you are like some surfers and have lower back problems, stretching your back and hamstrings should give you some relief.
5. Lower body: conditioning your lower body is another way to help you remain on your board and do more advanced maneuvers. Movements involving balance and power will help strengthen your lower body. Your surf fitness program should include drills like lunges, squats, and calf raises. Incorporate the use of a stability ball to improve your balance even more; squats and bridges with a fitness ball are examples of enhanced lower body strength exercises for surfers.

By getting yourself fit for surfing, you will reach a level of health that most people only can imagine. You also will transform your appearance, which will have plenty of benefits too, especially when you’re on the beach lounging in your bathing suit. And perhaps most importantly for those of us who truly love to surf, your surfing exercise plan will help you reach your full potential as a surfer, allowing you to enjoy yourself more every time you step in the water.

To discover more tips and tricks for putting together a multi-dimensional surf workout, see pictures and video of the surfing exercise program designed by a licensed fitness trainer at http://surfingfitnesstips.com.

Article Source: Richard Merino

Surfing Exercise: The Top 5 Fitness Areas That Will Make Any Surfer Even Better

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May 28, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Zoul-Kifl Pio

Have you been asked to East Coast Surf? Surfers worldwide would travel and go the distance just to find that perfect wave that they can ride. The feel of being on top or inside those gigantic barrel-like waves is incomparable. As a keen surfer, one should know that surfing, being so much more than just a sport, has several factors to consider too if you intend to have the best surfing experience. One of them is to select the right spot. With so much coastlines to choose from around the world, you may be able to wander but not wander enough. Each surfer can have a turf of his own but some of them stand out completely from the rest. Perhaps it is because of the crowd or the local vibe or it can be because of the fast changing of the weather or simply the capacity of the place to produce huge waves that make it more popular than others.

So, what is there that makes East Coast surf so well-liked by many? It may be claimed that there are plenty of prime spots that are all a short drive from Boston, along New England’s North Shore, so even if you won’t find giant plunging tube waves that are mostly prevalent in Hawaii, there sure are plenty of ankle to chest-high rolling waves that are perfectly ride-able. The North Jetty is considered the most popular since surfers only have to paddle shortly for them to find the best waves in the East Coast. Monster Hole, south of the inlet and about 3/4 mile off the beach is the place where head high swells take longboarders for a long ride, but it’s a pretty good paddle out to the breaking waves so usually only locals attempt the paddle.

Going to Massachusetts, surfers will often find the longest surfable coast without the overcrowding which makes it perfect for beginners since blending won’t be a problem. As the surfing population grew over the years, a wide range of beach breaks, reefs and also points have been discovered and developed to provide more great venues for the sport. Also called as the “Eastern Seaboard,” the East Coast offers a lot of discoveries as it stretches from the Atlantic Ocean all the way towards Canada. The beaches here provide consistent East Coast surf the whole year round, giving surfers more time and chances to test their feet on the boards.

Surfing as a lifestyle and out of the patronage from surfers and surfing aficionados alike presents itself as a great venture that you will love more and more each day. So be among a lot of people who get the natural high through surfing. Try East Coast surf and find out why it has become so popular.

Find the best resources that can let you in on the latest about East Coast Surf and other highlights about surfing. You can find them at Surfing Secrets Revealed.

Article Source: Zoul-Kifl Pio

How East Coast Surf Became Popular

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May 12, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Ant Cocco

Surfing is a great alternative to gym style workouts. It can also be a great escape from the cares and worries of the world. The ocean for many can have a very soothing and stress relieving effect. Couple these effects with surfing and you end up with a total mind and body workout.

Surfing promotes aerobic and anaerobic fitness benefits. Or in other words, surfing increases endurance and strengthens muscles throughout the entire body. The art of catching a wave involves several key factors all working together. First and foremost is the understanding of your own limits. Are you a good swimmer? It is oftentimes recommended that you not paddle out farther than you think you would be able to swim without a surfboard or other flotation device. If you have any doubts about your swimming ability you may want to reconsider surfing in the ocean and maybe start with your local wave pool. Next would be knowledge and understanding of swells, tides, currents, channels, reefs, sand bars and wave anatomy. Most of Mother Nature’s tendencies become common sense once you have been ocean educated. Not to be overlooked, and probably one of the most important factors is surfing etiquette. Respect the ocean and be respectful of others.

Start with a large board if surfing for the first time. A larger board will help with balance. Check your equipment. Make sure you have a leash and that you have fastened it to the ankle of the leg that will be placed on the rear of the board. Wax up your board to keep yourself from slipping or sliding off. Make sure to stretch and do not surf right after a meal. You can always practice on the beach before hand with the board on the sand or grass or better yet, just take it out into the white water. Get a feel for the board in shallow water before attempting to paddle out. In shallow water, lie down on the board and find the spot on the board that brings the nose up out of the water by just a few inches. Try your paddling. You should be able to glide without too much effort. If your board feels like it is really dragging then you may be too far back. White water can also be a good place to practice your pop up. If your board is buoyant enough you could probably just turn it towards the shore and wait. Once you feel the white water taking the board, place both hands down flat on the board in a push up movement, bring one of your legs under your torso and slowly stand up. After a few tries you should be able to speed up your pop up.

When you are ready to try your hand at a wave, head out past the white water and into the lineup. Point your board back to shore and wait for the swell. Start your paddling before the wave reaches you. When you feel the wave start to lift yourself and the board lean back slightly with your chest raised and place your hands flat on the board. Wait until you reach the flat of the water before attempting your pop up. Another option is to ride prone the first few times to get used to the feel of catching a wave.

As is the case with any new sport or activity, progress and improvement is going to require consistent effort and hard work. The thrill of riding waves and the fostered connection with nature is well worth the physical and mental challenges that surfing demands.

Ant Cocco enjoys outdoor activity and fitness related articles. Visit her Stand Up Paddle blog and forum at http://supsista.com.

Article Source: Ant Cocco

Start Surfing and Enjoy the Fun and Fitness

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March 29, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Damian Papworth

Practice yoga and be the best surfer that you can be. Every serious surfer wants to maintain a strong and sprightly body and also a calm disposition when engaging in such challenging sport. Surfing instructors and experts say that it’s important not only to be physically flexible, balanced and not easily fatigued, but also to be mentally prepared. Yoga can do much in providing the stamina and mental conditioning for surfing.

You may practice yoga in a number of different ways. You can enroll in a class right in the city and learn the basic yoga skills that can calm the senses and improve posture and breathing. Or you can sail away to an exotic destination if you have the money and enjoy a refreshing package that includes yoga, massage, nature hiking, and surfing. Yoga styles vary. Some companies combine the various principles to help individuals have a stronger, healthier and more contented flow. People go away from a yoga class feeling less stressed and anxious and ready to reap the benefits of a life that’s more balanced.

The power of the ocean can be overwhelming, but a surfer can stay in command with proper mind conditioning for surfing.

When you’ve embarked on an adventurous, fun-filled vacation and you’ve enlisted the services of a team of experts to help provide a holistic experience that includes yoga and surfing, you can bring your surfing to the next level.

For beginners, yoga can be practiced months in advance before trekking to a surfing spot. By helping increase balance, stability, and power, the mind-relaxing activity can let you glide with less effort and push yourself to the limit with less spills.

Surfing’s a sport that entails great physical exertion. You need to have perfect timing and make split-second decisions as a wave approaches. If you’re just starting out, your limbs will ache and you’ll be out of breath after so much paddling and balancing. The fatigue may be enough to make the average person give up. A rejuvenating yoga class or relaxing technique like Reiki after surfing can ease the tension and offer deep relaxation.

A yoga master may guide you through timed exercises like 20 minutes of targeted poses for the abs and back, about half an hour of enhancing mental focus, and a few minutes of a relaxing sequence to remove stress and instill calm energy.

Through restorative classic yoga, you can create a mind, body and spirit connection and get renewed conditioning for surfing. Most surf and yoga packages offered by scenic destinations off the beaten track offer healthy organic meals to go with a memorable surfing experience and vacation.

Damian Papworth recently purchased baby high chairs for his daughter. He really likes the Graco Contempo High Chair

Article Source: Damian Papworth

Try Yoga & Have a Mind-Blowing Surfing Experience

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September 30, 2009 by jameslucas.

By Steve Moriarty

Can There be a Cooler Sport than Surfing? There is no doubt that the coolest sport on earth, is surfing. It is a passion, a way of life and state of mind. It is for those who want to live a natural uninhibited life that revolves around the sun, sand, sea, surf and your surfboard.

The very first time you ride a wave; you will know why surfing is here to stay and why it is the fastest growing sport worldwide. Taking your longboard or short board out on the ocean provides you with an opportunity to challenge the elements and nature itself, although you know in reality that it can only really be conquered for a moment. This is what keeps you coming back for more. Surfing is cool, exciting, challenging and fun.

Walls of Green and Blue

Tumbling down moving walls of green and blue water and being able to manoeuvre your board left or right and up or down is a sensation similar to skiing or flying. Surfing differs in that you are not the only thing moving because the force (the swell) is also moving. That is until you are dumped in the surf (a wipe-out), which is the moment a particular ride on the waves comes to an end.

Surfing gives you the freedom to track and ride the perfect wave, to have surfing lessons and develop your skills to their peak. Independence to take risks, fail and rise again. The life of a surfer has a significant rhythm and beat to it, which comes from the rhythm of the surf and of the wild, motivating music he listens to.

Hang Five Hot-Dogger

Surfers have their own cool language with words such as, hang five (putting five toes over the nose of your surfboard), curl (the break of a wave), pearls, wipe-out and hot-dogger (red hot surfer), which may all seem like double Dutch to the non surfer. However for the surfer, it’s his talk, he understands it and lives it.

The dream of surfing inspires lifestyles, journeys and freedom, but you need more than the right surfing gear in order to exercise this freedom wisely, especially if you are a novice and planning a surfing holiday. The surfer needs to have plenty of training from a surf-pro or good surfing school and needs to be fit. Unless you are fit, you will be unable to meet the challenges or earn the right to this freedom.

Challenge Your Ego

The cool image of surfing is heavily promoted, but it takes more than buying the best equipment, surf gear and surf clothing before you can call yourself a surfer. Waves can be chaotic and currents and wind direction can change without warning. Knowing how a wave will break needs experience and you will find it easier if you keep fit, take proper surfing lessons and have a surf buddy.

Surfing will challenge your ego and character and you are unlikely to have a beach to call your own so that you can surf solo. Consequently you will find that you have to follow surf etiquette when you share the ocean and this takes a degree of will power. However, as you ride the perfect wave under a clear blue sky, you will know why the coolest sport on earth is surfing!

This article is by Steve Moriarty from http://www.welovesurfing.co.uk. To buy a wide range of surfboards, surf clothing and wetsuits in UK, please visit our Surf Gear & Surf Wear online store.

Article Source: Steve Moriarty
Surfing: The Coolest Sport on Earth?

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