Surfing Physiotherapy

12/03/2022

Much debate is given on how effective, and even how precise, 'surf-specific' land-basis training can really be. The Surfing HPC (High Performance Centre) in Australia has facilities that simulate wave profiles to learn and practice aerial manoeuvres.

The opportunity is very interesting as being able to practice aerial manoeuvres on real waves depends on the chance of having an 'air section', which usually isn't very often. While wave pools provide a solution to this problem, the risk of injury remains particularly high when learning aerial manoeuvres for the first time. This specialised skate ramp from the Surfing HPC, together with the crash mattress, seems a sensible and efficient answer to initiating above-the-lip manoeuvres.

Rain, hail or shine, Australian surfers will be able to hone their aerial skills at the Hurley Surfing Australia High Performance Centre’s AIS Aerial Surf Sk...

30/12/2021

Q&A: " I'm going on a surf trip but I haven't surfed in a while, any advice to get fit and avoid injury? "

There is a tendency to hear complaints about muscle pain from surfers who start surfing intensively again after a prolonged absence, e.g. living in a city but travelling for a week long surf trip.
Since the body is not necessarily used to new complex movements, such as paddling, these muscle pains can be normal. However, there are a few things one can do to help prevent this:

1) Strength and conditioning of the upper back and shoulder muscles prior to the surf trip. These are your major paddle muscles.

2) Pace yourself, don't do a 3 hour session in double-overhead waves on your first day. Be progressive, start with a 45 minute session in comfortable surf, have a break, evaluate how you're feeling and adjust your next session accordingly. E.g. Longer session if feeling well, or vice versa. The last thing you want to do is burn yourself out at the start of your trip and miss the epic swell arriving next week.

3) Choose a board with a few more litres than you would usually ride (around 3-6L more will be enough) to catch waves more easily - this will offload some of the strain on your muscles when paddling. As you get more comfortable, switch back down to your normal volume board.

20/08/2020

A very intelligent Sling Immobilization technique using a standard surfboard leash, demonstrated by Surfing Medicine International, of which I am proud to be part of the Academy Team.
P.s. I also approve the leash being used in the demonstration, Ocean & Earth Komunity leashes are the best! 🔥

Sling Immobilization technique using surfboard leash.
Come to SMI Courses and discover more.

06/08/2020

SURF FITNESS 101
Well...perhaps not the most serious training programme out there but nevertheless, guess it could work!

03/08/2020

Surf Theory Workshop which I will present at NGor Island Surf Camp this Saturday 8th of August. We are going to cover a lot of interesting topics, both essential theory and practical work, including themes directly linking to Surfing Physiotherapy. Bring your friends, it's free! 😊
(🇫🇷French below)
Un atelier de surf | La Théorie du Surf, dont je vais présenter au Ngor Island Surfcamp ce Samedi 8 août. Nous allons couvrir beaucoup de sujets très intéressants, des bases essentielles en plus que de la pratique, en passant par des thèmes directement liés à la kinésithérapie du Surf. Venez nombreux, c'est gratuit ! 😊

15/07/2020

Episode 3 from BRILLIANT CORNERS | SENEGAL, a surf documentary series presented by Sam Bleakley, produced by the World Surf League.

If you join at minute 11:50, you will see a short interview with myself talking about the state of Senegalese surfing, my medical role within the Fédération Sénégalaise de Surf and how we are incorporating sports science into surfing in Senegal.

On a personal level, to see yourself on WSL TV (World Surf League, very much the FIFA of surfing) is the greatest tribute and honour I could never expect.

Link to Episode 3.
https://www.worldsurfleague.com/posts/453566/african-renaissance?playlistId=453204&s1=watch

01/07/2020

TECHNIQUE REFINEMENT WITH ADDED STIMULUS

This is a short but rather brilliant clip of an exercise designed to refine the right lower body positioning on a surfboard while using the upper body to rotate like one would during turns.

The balance/wobble discs underneath the athlete's feet provide proprioception and core stability work, while the added stimulus of a swiss ball being bounced around by the athlete forces them to split their focus, simulating a wave-riding situation during a manoeuvre - such as eyeing the section of the wave you want to perform your next turn in.

It is important that the athlete maintains the desired lower-body positioning during the exercise in order to help the brain 'imprint' the technique so that it can be assumed subconsciously during wave riding.

Video credit to Surf Camp from Senegal.
Featured Surfer: Sasou Ndoye, Senegal

29/06/2020

INJURY PREVENTION | SURFING MEDICINE INTERNATIONAL

This is a 3-level injury prevention programme designed by the medical doctors and physiotherapists of Surfing Medicine International. It is made to help you warm up before a surf session and to get stronger, more flexible, breath better and prevent common surfing injuries related to chronic overuse or muscular imbalance.

https://www.surfingmed.com/prevention/

As mentioned in my introduction post, I am part of the Academy Team at Surfing Medicine International - the global leaders in Surfing Health, covering topics ranging from UV-related diseases to beach-side first aid.

Sometimes, the work I do for surf medicine isn't presented on this page, but rather on SMI's, so be sure to check out their own page in order not to miss anything.

23/05/2020

PADDLE TRAINING | LANE SWIMMING FOR SURFERS

This photo from Surf Club Merignac shows an ingenious solution for providing access to sport-specific training for surfers who don't have immediate access to the ocean. The club have exclusive access to the pool 3 times a week, and use it to train paddle endurance in lane swimming formation.

This idea is simple, accessible and could be easily implemented in public swimming pools around the world. In turn, this could be an effective strategy to prevent injuries in surfing and promote the sport's outreach. Why not speak to your surf club representative and local pool if you wish to organise this solution?

16/05/2020

MOVEMENT PRACTICE FOR TECHNICAL MANOEUVRES

This clip from the Instituto Gabriel Medina is a perfect example of movement practice for surfing. You can clearly make out the different technical manoeuvres being simulated, such as a tail slide, tube riding and air reverse.

Movement practice allows the brain to 'practice' the necessary neuromuscular connections and limb coordination in a controlled manner which in turn promotes a higher success rate when trying the manoeuvres on a wave. I strongly recommend movement practice for all surfers wishing to progress to more advanced riding skills.

P.S. The Gabriel Medina Institute is a community-focused surfing high-performance centre in Brazil for young athletes.

05/05/2020

RSX SURF TRAINING | RESISTED PADDLE EXERCISE

The RipSurferX (RSX) by SurfSET Fitness is an interesting tool for land-based surf training. It is essentially a small surfboard placed on top of fixed BOSU-like balls, "designed to simulate the physical demands of surfing without the ocean".

With applied knowledge and creativity, it can be a novel and fun way to diversify core strength training, proprioception and surf-specifc movement practice. The exercise shown by the athlete is an interesting one; attaching resistance bands to his paddle simulation provides shoulder strength training in addition to the core strength applied to keep the board stable during the movement.

Featured surfer: Mario
***This post is not a paid-promotion**