Dr. Hayden Cohen
Surfing and Shoulders
I surf a lot, try to get out a few times a week, any chance I get I’m down south and if it’s a northerly, well…see ya.
Once you’re a few hours in and starting to feel that burn through the upper back it’s frustrating to have to call it quits. Especially when you’ve got plenty more energy in the furnace and waves beckoning you onwards.
Hayden out surfing Haystacks in Torquay
Based on how my shoulders feel after a long session in the water, I’ve found that the limiting factor in performance is fatigue and paddle endurance.
So how do you get around it?
Surf a shorey? Yeah maybe... but why compromise on a great surf when all it takes are a few simple tune ups?
One thing that always stands strong is that practice makes perfect, and persistence creates stability. Keeping up regular sessions and not getting sloppy with your technique all helps.
But, what do you do when you can’t do that?
How go you get that added edge?
The impact of our day-to-day
Let’s start by looking at scenarios out of the water. Your mobility and ability to generate power are key to having a good surf. So, the different activities and the way they shape your physique will always make an impact.
Tradies
Take bricklaying for example. Let's say you're slogging it out all day before a hard earned surf. Follow that up with a few hard sessions on the weekend and chances are you have no strength issues.
But I'd bet flexibility in your tendons and joints could do with a bit of improvement…
So how do we fix this?
Stretching, alignment treatment and proprioceptive exercises would be the way forwards for you.
Office
Let’s compare this to an office worker. Here, we are looking at a lot of desk work- sitting down or maybe even at a stand up desk. Either way, a lot of your day is spent paying attention to a screen two feet away, usually with your head down. Flexion of the neck and upper back, and hunching of the shoulders will shorten the pecs and lats muscles.
This can lead to power generation issues and reduced blood and nerve supply to the upper body. In short, that's reduced power and endurance potential in the water.
But, of course, there are ways to start gaining those extra paddle kilometres back.
Strength work on your back and some postural retraining is in order. Having a treatment to help you adjust can also fast track realignment and get you back to feeling your best in the water.
Next Steps
So what's next?
No matter your surf style or board choice; peak mobility and strength will never fail to benefit your session.
Regardless of your body type, occupation or lifestyle, there's always room for individual tweaks. Improved power and endurance will help you stay out there for longer, whether that be time spent paddling into bomb sets or little runners.
Or you could take up Boogie boarding and tackle some shories…
Hey, it's pretty fun either way.