Are any of you surfers in a place with inconsistent surf conditions?
Asking because I am, and I am in such place. And the general thing is that when waves are big and its been a while, you basically grab the board and run towards the spot to catch them.
Great conditions might only last a day of two so you might be in the water for all the free hours of two days in a row. This off course, affects my training in several ways.
If there is surf on a swim, bike or run day, you will not be swimming, biking or running.
Running or biking after a long session is not really an option. You are beat for the day.
Surfing for 3-5 hours leaves you with spaghetti arms for a day or so. If your swim day is the next day, you might be weak.
Note that I am not a pro triathlete, or trying to become one. I am a triathlete and a surfer. Both are part of me.
I have been surfing less as I improved my triathlon skills these past years, but there are days when the surf is simply sweet and the waves call me.
And am wondering how anyone else deals with this kind of “interruption”.
I’ve moved away from the beach and do miss being able to just surf whenever the waves picked up.
That being said, I used to surf when the waves were good and forget Tri training. The waves are not always great but you can always run or ride. I know how hard it is to do anything except grab something to eat a few beers after a good session but on occasion I would do a short run on the boardwalk after.
I also bag Tri training in the winter for skiing. We do these sports bc we love them and love to stay active. If you stop surfing to get a run in, I’m sure you will lose motivation to run and be jonesing to get in the ocean. Do what you like until someone is paying you to swim ride or run.
I am. It’s a juggling act for sure. Makes it very difficult.
That said, I live in California and - while it’s not Indonesia or Australia, the surf is consistent enough. It’s not like the east coast by any stretch.
For what it’s worth though - surfing isn’t an incredibly aerobic or tiring activity. Even if I get a good session - I can usually squeeze in an hour on the trainer or a long run later that day.
Just think of it as a heavy swim focus day, with lots of push ups and lunges. It is a good thing to interrupt your schedule, not a bad thing. People that rely on tight schedules are the ones that don’t have as much fun or success i have found over the years. You gotta get your mind right to be your best, and i cannot think of a better way than contemplating that next big wave coming in a few minutes. Nothing else matters at those times, and that is a rare occurrence in our lives. And as to any training effect, how often do you ever feel as drained as you do after a 4+ hour session in great waves? Almost never really, because being physical while having a blast, well that just allows you to go a lot longer and harder than your scheduled brain was going to let you go…
Sort of yes to both … live in SoCal (now), and have taken up, in order, bodyboarding, surfing and traditional or prone paddleboarding since moving here ~5 yrs ago. All of this after ~10 yrs in tri. In terms of comparability, bodboarding and surfing are exercise to the rest of the world, but pale in comparison to the specificity and effort of tri training. I like to tell myself they count as a workout, but I’m not naive about it.
Also, have learned that if you do a hard or long bike workout early in the day, your legs being trashed will certainly impair your performance in the water if you are surfing or bodyboarding. Paddling is closest to training, since it is aerobic and closlely mimics swimming.
That said, I agree with the other poster that if you are not getting paid to do any of this, do what you find fun. You can always bike or run, but as you said, good surf only comes along when it comes. Missing a workout here or there will not make or break your season (esp in February).
My philosophy, when the surf is good, go surf. It’s good for your mind and soul. Count it as swim training if you want. There are plenty of days when the waves will be crap and you can get all of your tri training in. I have a similar philosophy for powder days in the winter. When it’s good, get out there.
I enjoy surfing but it’s rare I get to beach bc my drive is 1.5 hours. So the waves have to be decent. But I picked it up for something to do towards the end of tri season and into the fall.
I live in Florida, so the surf can be less than consistent to say the least. I’ll echo what others have said and that I would rather go surfing when its good than ride or run for hours. Its a great workout in itself and refreshes my body and mind.
Sure, I may miss a key workout, but triathlon isn’t my only hobby. If I were trying to KQ, then I may feel differently.
