Stretching is one of the most under-utilized techniques for improving athletic performance, preventing sports injury and properly rehabilitating sprain and strain injury. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that something as simple as stretching won’t be effective.
Staying upright on the board requires good balance and a solid base of strength in the lower body and core. Strong arms and legs are needed when paddling into the surf.

Many people are unaware of the fact that there are different types of flexibility. These different types of flexibility are grouped according to the various types of activities involved in athletic training. The ones which involve motion are called dynamic and the ones which do not are called static. The different types of flexibility are:

If you have been out in the surf all day and your shoulders are worn out try and shoulder stretch!

start by kneeling on the floor with a swiss ball {above} place the plam of one hand on the ball and look to the side, as you do lightly press down on the ball and feel a light stretch take place in the front of the shoulder.

Dynamic flexibility

Dynamic flexibility (also called kinetic flexibility) is the ability to perform dynamic (or kinetic) movements of the muscles to bring a limb through its full range of motion in the joints.

Static-active flexibility

Static-active flexibility (also called active flexibility) is the ability to assume and maintain extended positions using only the tension of the agonists and synergists while the antagonists are being stretched . For example, lifting the leg and keeping it high without any external support (other than from your own leg muscles).

Static-passive flexibility

Static-passive flexibility (also called passive flexibility) is the ability to assume extended positions and then maintain them using only your weight, the support of your limbs, or some other apparatus (such as a chair ). Note that the ability to maintain the position does not come solely from your muscles, as it does with static-active flexibility. Being able to perform the splits is an example of static-passive flexibility.

Research has shown that active flexibility is more closely related to the level of sports achievement than is passive flexibility. Active flexibility is harder to develop than passive flexibility (which is what most people think of as “flexibility”); not only does active flexibility require passive flexibility in order to assume an initial extended position, it also requires muscle strength to be able to hold and maintain that position.

Basic Stretching with Ben and Oli

Get a swiss ball and start your surfing flexibility program today

Swiss ball cat stretch

Start the stretch by placing both hands on the swiss ball.

Boost your surfing with a good flexibility program!

Once you have placed your hands on the ball, slowly push the ball away from you tucking your head down between your arms as you do so.
This is a good stretch for the muscles of the back, this is a great post surfing stretch!

Good flexibility to handle the tossing and twisting in the surf from a wipe out (and everyone has them) is essential. Strong swimming skills, with good upper body strength is a must for the surfer, A good flexibility program that will aid all your surf training is a must!