Stretching plays a vital role in any sport. Athletes know all too well that not being flexible enough perform techniques can cause various injuries. For high-performance surfing, physical flexibility is very important—almost a requirement—to last a long time enjoying the tides.
While other sports have you in contact with other athletes, surfing is as unpredictable as the water it treads on, having you splash against the tide and thrown in the current. Warming up loosens the tension in the muscles and helps you get ready to hit the waves. How you warm up, train, and cool down are integral phases to stay in good shape for surfing.
Accidents are inevitable, but stretching and surfing with good level flexibility lessens your chances of having muscle-related injuries. Good posture is a must, too. How your feet land on the board is another issue that requires much attention, as strains, sprains, and joint dislocation is mostly caused by bad board contact.
Increasing the ability of your spine to flex, extend, and rotate more efficiently, takes a lot of stress from your hips and knees, as your weight is distributed well to other muscles of the body. People often think that cooling down isn’t as important as warming up; this is absolutely wrong. Stretching after surfing relieves tension in the muscles. It would be best to maintain a conscious effort to soften the upper body, relax the shoulders and the arms, and think as if you’re just walking on the street; keep everything soft and free.
Hi there! I’m John Clemenza, and I’m a surfer from Oahu, Hawaii. My parents introduced me to the sport when I was 7, and I’ve been in love with surfing since. Despite living in Hawaii, I still dream of conquering New York City. Follow my blog for more surfing tips.
John Clemenza 
