Hey everyone, I just signed up and am new to swimming in a pool (and taking it seriously)! I'm from San Diego and I've surfed all my life, so I love the water, but now I'm living in New York City. There's no surf, and I'm getting fat! I've never really had to work out, except surfing, and I was wondering if there is something I should be doing other than swimming. Could someone maybe give me a few tips for training so I can get into shape before this summer! (my friends and I are going on a month long Caribbean surf trip)! I would really appreciate the help! Thanks
-Joe.
I'll give you some tips if I get to come along on the surf trip. Deal? I'm only kiding ... though that sounds AMAZING!
I'd try and find a team that's your best bet. Look at the USMS homepage (USMS.org) and find a team in your area. Other than that there are some great workouts on this thread. If you haven't swum much focus on drills and getting used to the pool first. Gradually build your endurace.
I'm a 9'2 longboarder myself, yo. As for getting into shape, well, that's how I make my living these days. I'm a full time masters swim coach at Cal and one of the blokes posting workouts in the workouts section of this site.
Medicine ball workouts are a great supplement to swimming if you're looking for a lil something extra. It's pretty easy to get a good solid workout with just a medicine ball, and it is probably the best way to tighten the abs.
If you're looking to lose weight, there is no substitute for watching what you eat and drinking plenty of water. The key is to burn more calories than you consume, regardless of the protein, fat carbohydrate ratios you consume. Our bodies store the extra calories as fat regardless of the source. Don't believe the hype of all the fad diets; eat sensibily from a variety of nutrient sources as organic as possible and drink lots of water.
Also, as strange as it may sound, another great supplement to getting into shape is a regular meditation practice. Quiet your mind and your heart will lead you in the right direction. Guaranteed.
Spinning burns calories big time. Any use of the major muscles (legs) will help you drop weight and achieve some aerobic fitness. Swimming though is great for the arms...and will help your paddling ability. So you should keep up with that by all means.
www.metroswim.org has local pools and programs.
I'm a member of the Eastern Long Island Chapter (Surfrider Foundation)...but the folks in the city might have a few tips on where to go...in case you were wondering about local spots. We get some amazing surf towards late summer in Montauk. Overhead barrels are the norm near the lighthouse.
Here's the link to the NYC chapter....If anything they host some good movie nights.
www.surfrider.org/.../resources.html
I liked what Kevin had to say as well.
Around the point they closed off direct access. But the deep water coves a little further west are great on big days when the shore break gets out of control.
When it's big though...the outside sand bars breaks almost everywhere up and down the coast.
www.montauk-online.com/reports.cgi
Can't add much to the advice except surfing withdrawal is terrible. I feel for you. Been 'clean' for about 35 years and would make a pure fool of myself now.
