Last Sunday, eight bleary eyed surf enthusiasts met early in the morning, by the Achilles Statue in Hyde Park to begin to hone those muscles used in surfing, in preparation for summer surf trips. Surf fitness training is a brilliant way to maintain a precious connection the sport, and to improve performance of course, from within the capital.

Turner readied the equipment while the rest of us wondered just how much our desk jobs might have affected our physique. After a quick warm up, we got stuck into sprint training (to develop explosive power that is essential for effective paddling), with burpees worked in to recreate the pop-up. Admittedly a shock to the system but a few more of these and I’ll be less intimidated by the waves when I do make it out of the capital and out to the coast.

After sprint training came circuits, alternating between all manner of exercises with  straps and medicine balls worked in for good measure.

Surf Fitness Training in Hyde Park, London with the Surf Cooperative

We finished off with staged sprint training, and I’m pleased to say that I noticed a marked improvement within the session itself (thank god), before stretching everything out and patting ourselves on our backs.

The Surf Cooperative is really keen to continue to bring outdoor sports into the capital, so that members can continue to develop their passion for coastal or mountain sports while they go about their lives in London. We will be holding surf fitness training on a weekly basis going forwards and everyone is welcome. Free for first timers, sessions then cost £10 each or £45 for a set of five.

Non-surfers are also welcome, and the training sessions would be relevant for anybody training their bodies for any endurance sport.

Get in touch to find out more!

We now run surf fitness training sessions in Hyde Park. At the moment we have scheduled just two pilot sessions, but if people like them, we’ll start doing a few each week. The sessions will be designed to build members’ fitness levels in order to significantly and noticeably improve performance in the water, which means more fun overall!

Suitable for surfers of all levels – whether you have never surfed before or you are an experienced surfer wanting to train for big waves – the sessions will increase general fitness levels with the added incentive and benefit that you will see the direct effects in the water, doing something that you love.

Sessions will be run by Turner, a full-time professional personal trainer, surf instructor, swimming coach, beach lifeguard and all round good guy.

The first sessions are scheduled for:

April 14th 2013: 9.00am – 11.00am

April 28th 2013: 9.00am – 11.00am

Cost is £10 per person. Payment details will be sent to those who confirm attendance. Refunds will be provided if any session is cancelled by the Surf Cooperative.

Get in touch if you would like to join!

The Surf Cooperative is now recruiting people to host the surf club weekends! In exchange for organising accommodation and food, and generally being the go-to person, you will get your costs covered.

The indomitable Rue Holdaway hosted the recent March trip, which proved a huge success, and she will also be hosting the forthcoming April trip.

The good news is that with more hosts, there will be more weekends, which means there will be more surfing…

Get in touch if you’d like to host your own weekend!

As a new London Surf Club, I’ve been busy getting the word out to the powers-that-be (the websites that list cool things to do in London and places to go for weekend breaks) in an attempt to get more Londoners surfing! It always surprises people how many surfers there are living in the city but every time I go out I meet somebody new who is thrilled to learn that there might be a way that they can incorporate surfing into their city life, and meet more surfers.

But it’s the momentum that’s key to surfing from the city – if you don’t get it in the diary it never happens – and that’s where a surf club can help. Every single time I go surfing I vow to go more often and to make impromptu trips to the coast between Surf Cooperative trips but I have learned that this never ever ever ever happens. The only time I go surfing is with the Surf Cooperative and so the only answer is to get more Surf Cooperative trips in the diary!

This is a picture from one of last winter’s trips. Widemouth Bay and the surf was excellent.

Speaking of which, we’re all systems go for the next trip on December 7th. I personally cannot wait. It’s already been far too long!