When was the last time you surfed?  This morning, yesterday, a week ago or a month?  Or is it even longer?  No one blames you if you can’t face the freezing waters of northern Europe, so if you need distracting whilst you wait for warmer surf, for some swell or for a surf holiday, take a look at our top 5 activities to keep you fit, healthy and ready for the surf.

 

1. Watch Surf Competitions Online

When the weather, life and general lack of surf is really getting you down, it’s great to be able to simply turn on the internet and find a surf contest being broadcast.  Watching the incredible professional surfers in Hawaii rip apart powerful waves will help to see you through the winter days, and help inspire you to keep training.  Check out January’s competitions here.

 

2. Take up Yoga or Pilates

How does your body feel in and out of the water at the moment?  Is winter getting the better of you?  Time to limber up and get your body surf fit again.  Even though you may not be surfing all the time, or at all, doesn’t stop you from improving your surf technique and fitness levels.  Why not take up Yoga or Pilates to help tone, strengthen and improve flexibility for your next surf session.

 

3. Eat Right

Feeling great whilst you surf is often down to what you eat. Getting the balance right for your training in the lead up to a surf is essential and a great way to keep yourself occupied when there is no surf.  Ask yourself what you want to improve on: more energy, strength, loose those extra Christmas pounds, or even flexibility.  You are what you eat, so look at what you want to achieve and vary your diet.  Just remember that any change in diet needs to be teamed with a good workout program to really boost your health and improve your body.

 

4. Plan a Trip

There are few things better or more exciting than planning a surf trip.  This could be anything from trying out a new break, going on a road trip or even a surf holiday to a county you have never visited.  If you really need a big distraction, then plan a big trip to somewhere far flung, like Indonesia, Australia or Hawaii and daydream away.

 

5. Cardio

If you really are fed up of not surfing, but there are still no waves- then there is only one solution.  Go do some cardio.  It may not give you the same buzz as surfing, but doing a full on workout where you get properly sweaty, out of breath and tired by the end of it, will really help you to get your extra energy out.

If you thought that the Billabong Pipeline Masters at the legendary Ehuhai Beach Park was the end of the Hawaiian contest season, think again.  January continues to use Hawaii’s incredible north shore to hold two of its main events, whilst the third goes south for the winter and is held in Lima, Peru.  Here are the details of what to check out on line in January to help keep you dreaming of hot waves and surf holidays...



Event: Sponsor Me Now Sunset Open presented by Da Hui

Rating: 1* WQS

Date: 12th to 22nd January

Location: Sunset Beach, Oahu, Hawaii

Prize Money: $10,000

Last year’s winner: Myles Padaca

Details: Here’s a chance for all the up and coming surfers to make their mark.  The Sponsor Me Now contest is not only a showcase for relatively unknown talented surfers, but a chance for them to earn a wildcard entry into the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing at the end of 2011


 

Event: Copa Movistar Pro Peru

Rating: 1* WQS

Date: 21st to 23rd January

Location: San Bartolo, Lima, Peru

Prize Money: $10,000

Website: www.alaslatintour.com

Details: More of a low-key event, the Copa Movistar isn’t necessarily attented by the big names, but showcases the great waves found in Lima, Peru.  The contest is held at San Bartolo, which is a rocky bottomed beach break that will provide a good combination of left and righthand breaks.  There is both a guys and girls contest at the event, so watch out for the phenomenal Peruvian surfer Sofia Mulanovich making a guest appearance


 

Event: Volcom Pipeline Pro

Rating: 5* WQS

Date: 23rd January to 5th February

Location: Banzai Pipeline, Oahu, Hawaii

Prize Money: $120,000

Last year’s winner: Jamie O’Brian

Website: www.volcompipelinepro.com

Details: Volcom only created this event last year, so it’s great to see it return to sort out the pipeline and backdoor masters from the groms.  With big points and a lot of respect on the line, the Pipeline Pro will be the place that surfers can really start off their 2011 campaigns.
 

Christmas is over and now it’s time to get ready for New Year’s, but how is everyone feeling about themselves?  Have the excesses of Christmas left you feeling like your body would appreciate a new year overhaul?  

 

Time for a detox and some fitness training to get you feeling your best for New Year’s and your next surf holiday.  Here are a few suggestions to get you on your way.

 

Challenge yourself



There is nothing like deciding on some attainable goals and going for them, so what do you want to change in your exercise, diet and health? Think of your last surf session, and think how great you felt... now what would make it even better? Challenging yourself to improve your fitness, your all around health and boosting your confidence is essential to making your next surf even more enjoyable, or maybe giving you the confidence to go for the first time.

 

Clean up the diet



After what can be months of lead up to Christmas, the parties, drinks and meals, it is about time to clean up the diet. It’s not about denying yourself, because that never works, it’s about introducing new, cleaner, healthier foods that will make you feel great.  Think lots of vegetables and fruit, frozen or fresh, wholemeal carbohydrates like brown rice, and lean protein, whether that is chicken or fish.  Be creative, cook at home and enjoy the vitamin and mineral boost from all the good clean food.

 

Get outside

Being stuck indoors wont do much for your mind or body, so get outside and remind yourself why you love nature, the forest, a beach and of course- the surf.  Start off by getting yourself out for walks whenever you can- even if the weather is freezing, getting your body moving is key to feeling more alive and ready for a challenge.

 

Workout



Nothing beats the feeling of being healthy, looking good and feeling confident when you are on your surf holiday.  Knowing that your body is fit and ready to go surf, gives you motivation and the confidence to get yourself in the waves and really enjoy it. So it’s worth getting uncomfortable, getting sweaty, feeling out of breath, even in major discomfort through working out. When you push your limits to the max you expand what you can do, and it will feel great the next time, because you know you can and your body will have adapted.  So workout, feel great and go surf.

 

Reward yourself



After facing your inner sofa demons, running those Christmas pounds/stones off, and claiming your mind, body and soul back from hibernation mode... go reward yourself with a surf holiday.  Surfing is one of the most beautiful of sports to watch and to do.  So don’t let the winter excess stop you from living, enjoying the body you’re in and going for that surf.
 

There have been a number of changes to the ASP’s world championship tour in 2010, the biggest of which has been the cropping of the top 45 surfers to 34 half way through the year.  With the 2011 around the corner, here’s how the tour looks for the new year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There will be some familiar faces back on tour in 2011, the most recognisable of which will be Joel Parkinson.  After spending over half the year out of action due to a very nasty foot injury Parkinson is well and truly back.  He won the Triple Crown of Surfing in Hawaii this month, making it three years in a row, achieved a perfect 10 score on his first wave at the Reef Hawaiian Pro, and managed to finish to finish 24th on the dream tour despite missing 6 of the 10 events on tour.



Also returning to the tour are Brazilians Heitor Alves and Raoni Monterio, and Aussie Josh Kerr.  They have all worked their way through the grind that is the World Qualifying series to finish high in the rankings to re-qualify.

 

 

A big well done to those who re-qualified, none more so than Dusty Payne, who managed to earn his place by defeating former world champion Mick Fanning in the final seconds of their heat at Pipeline.

 

 

 

 

Along with the top 32 surfers in the world requalifying, the ASP is able to grant 2 wildcards, and these fall to Otton and Kling this year.

 

 

As part of the cut each year, sadly some well loved surfers have to go.  However, 2011 will be different for all those who are looking to get back on tour.  There will be change over periods when the top 32 in the world- not just the tour- will be moved onto the tour.  So it will give more chances for those knocked off the tour, or those newbies with talent to claim a place again... more exciting and more opportunities.  It looks like 2011 is going to be a good year.

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