No one wants to tear a muscle riding a wave. Align your spine and stretch every muscle in your body ready for an epic surf session without injuries with this pre-surf warm-up routine.
EXERCISES
Perform each of these energising warm-up moves for 30 seconds each for perfect pre-surf preparation.
1. SHOULDER MOBILITY
Inflexible shoulders get in the way of some major surf moves – this active stretch opens them up, as well as your back and neck to avoid injury.
2. ARMS/ ABS /CHEST STRETCH
Inhale deeply, stretching your arms out above your head and then hold. Exhale, then shake to loosen.
3. GLUTES/ LOWER BACK STRETCH
Pull one knee into your torso and hold, then repeat on the other side.
4. LEGS STRETCH
Stand on one foot and touch your buttocks with the other, holding it with one hand. Repeat on the other side.
5. LATERAL STRETCHING
Open up your side body by reaching your arms overhead to the left and then to the right.
6. WAIST ROTATION
Stand with your hands on your hips, feet hip-width apart. Rotate your pelvis in circles to boost flexibility in the mid-section.
7. KNEE ANKLES ROTATION
Fire up your flexibility with this move, rotating both knees to the left and then to the right. Do the same with your ankles.
8. SHOULDER ROTATION – switch direction
Warm up the upper body with some slow shoulder rotations, switching directions as you go.
9. CHEST STRETCH
Stretch your arms out behind you and entwine your palms to fully open up the chest, ready for a tantalising surf.
10. LEGS AND GLUTES STRETCHING
Wide lunges will get your thighs, calves and glutes ready to tackle the waves.
11. ABDUCTOR STRETCH
Bend your knees with a straight back into a deep squat, legs shoulder-width apart. If you want to take this even further, you can jump in and out of your crouching position.
Enjoy surfing!
Do you already know our article about Move well. Move often.
