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  Factors Affecting Surfing Performance - Main Determinants

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  Factors Affecting Surfing Performance - Main Determinants

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The main objective in the sport of surfing is to successfully navigate a surf zone, a skill that requires skill, knowledge, physical ability and psychological alertness and capacity to deal with possible injurious situations.  Surfing is dominated by the phases of prone paddling and stand-up manoeuveringThe main determinants of surfing performance are:

Paddling Strength

Balance and stand-up maneuvering

Physical fitness, reaction time, mobility

Environment and ability to assess risk of injury in a given situation

As there is very little research in this area, compared to other sports, additional exploration is required to gain an understanding of the skills required of a professional surfer with appropriate training program design and implementation

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- The surfer must paddle through the path of least resistance with high and low intensity intervals of paddling.
- Paddling is performed in the prone position with the arms, spine in hyper extension, abdomen in contact with the board, neck extended and often legs kicking from knees

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Surfing is an intermittent exercise, controlled by environmental factors, however, there is limited information regarding activity patterns of surfing

The objective of the attached study was to examine activity patterns of professional surfers within the context of a competition heat. As patterns change with individuals, due to unpredictable environments, the length and frequency of surfing activities are highly variable, therefore, activity identification may assist in development of surfing-specific fitness and testing programs and protocols

Surfers must respond to explosive demands of the lower body in wave riding and strength of upper body in paddling with sometimes mimimum recovery periods. Moreover, performing some manoeuvers require high speed and a great degree of difficulty that demands superior fine motor skills and posture that is dominated by isometric contraction of the legs and torso.

Competitive surfing success relies on high levels of technical, skill and tactical ability, particularly given the inconsistent surf and weather conditions and type of breaker, such as reef or beach breaks

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Secure Login - The University of New England

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The University of New England respects and acknowledges that its people, programs and facilities are built on land, and surrounded by a sense of belonging, both ancient and contemporary, of the world's oldest living culture. In doing so, UNE values and respects Indigenous knowledge systems as a vital part of the knowledge capital of Australia.

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Surfing is a popular sport in Australia with many of the first generation of surfers being over sixty years of age and still enjoying the sport.  This is relevant where the increased risk of morbidity from falling and illnesses is found in the over sixties population.
The study below examines long term participation in surfing and its affect on neuromuscular adaptations in control of muscle force production and posture

Long term recreational surfing maintains and  improves neuromuscular functioning and proprioception

Older surfers have superior postural control over their non-surfing, age-matched counterparts, due to specific adaptations to surfing exercise. The study showed that the older surfers could correct their postural sway more rapidly with eyes opened and closed and they had better upright posture and control of steady muscle contractino

(click download pdf after opening)

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Effects of Long-Term Recreational Surfing on Control of Force and Posture in Older Surfers: A Preliminary Investigation

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Surfing has become a popular sport activity in Australia and many other countries since the 1960s. The first generation of surfers is now older than 6...

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The study below found that due to the physiological demands of surfing, it is important to introduce fitness and strength training programmes that will lead to improvements in critical performance for elite and novice surfers

Depending on force and velocity of currents, a surfers ability to paddle depends on strength and aerobic capacity.  Sprint paddling is important in a compromised situation, such as avoidance of underwater turbulence that occurs in the whitewater of a breaking wave.

The skill of manoeuvering on a wave requires practice and physical strength. There are several manoeuvers in surfing that aim to manipulate accelerations and deceleration of the surfboard and require rotational forces and joint mobility as well as core muscle strength, particularly in 'aerials' and 'cutbacks' (see figures on right of this frame)

Musculoskeletal injuries are common in elite-level surfers, particularly rear-knee valgus stress that occurs in freestyle manoeuvers, requiring a knee strengthening regime incorporated into training schedule.

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Secure Login - The University of New England

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The University of New England respects and acknowledges that its people, programs and facilities are built on land, and surrounded by a sense of belonging, both ancient and contemporary, of the world's oldest living culture. In doing so, UNE values and respects Indigenous knowledge systems as a vital part of the knowledge capital of Australia.

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Unpredictable environment of the ocean and sudden changes in surf conditions, can lead to serious injury and even death.  Physical conditioning and experience is required in larger surf conditions. Injuries from coral reefs, underwater rock platforms and surfboard fins are common injuries (see images to the right).

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Greatest Wipeouts Compilation |  Best (as in worst) Surf Wipeouts of 2012

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This study evaluated balance control in surfers compared to participants of other physical activities. Measure were made on a force platform while performing tasks of visual deprivation and somatosensory disturbance.  The study was done on a group of participants aged 21 to 35 years in a static environment.

The results showed that although surfers perform high level skill tasks in a dynamic and unstable environment, they did not outperform non-surfers in a static environment, contradicting the paper linked to this frame.

A larger sample size and higher level of surfers standard as well as manipulation of support bases would perhaps have different results, therefore more study is required in this area

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Analysis of the balance control in surfers during the erect posture

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Links ] 18. 17. Kollegger H, Baumgartner C, Wöber C, Deecke L. Spontaneous Body Sway as a Function of Sex, Age, and Vision: Posturographic Study in 30 Healthy Adults. Eur Neurol 1992;32:253-9. [ Links ]

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The study below investigated the effects of stance on horizontal and directional balance in recreational surfers. Static and dynamic balance was assessed, however, static balance testing is inappropriate for surfing as the environment is continually changing and unstable.

An uncontrolled finish to a wave ride ie. loss of balance and falling, is not only negatively correlated with competitive judges scores, it also increases the risk of injury, particularly when surfing over coral reefs

The study found that regular stance surfers (left foot forward) had greater horizontal balance than goofy stance (right foot forward) surfers.  There is a possible relationship with location of initial learning and where most time is spent surfing

Relationship of dynamic balance ability with performance measures is correlated with surf stance, but more research is required

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Secure Login - The University of New England

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The University of New England respects and acknowledges that its people, programs and facilities are built on land, and surrounded by a sense of belonging, both ancient and contemporary, of the world's oldest living culture. In doing so, UNE values and respects Indigenous knowledge systems as a vital part of the knowledge capital of Australia.