Hips and Surfing
With the chilly weather on the horizon our surfing community on the Surf Coast begins to perk up. Although we have lost the Rip Curl Pro this year, that’s not going to deter the motivations of many who are looking forward to the big winter swells after an absolutely shocking summer from a swell and wind perspective.
The movements of surfing although incredibly graceful and fluid are also movements that require an excellent balance of core strength, mobility and integrity within these ranges of motion. Many surfers took to the water early, learned these motions as a flexible, cartilaginous grom, and then simply adjusted as they grew. Good on you if you are in this category!
I will say the majority of people who pick it up with age have not had the same experience. These seemingly fluid movements for most of us highlight just how stiff our hips are. I found crossing over from MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) that having plenty of hip mobility in awkward ranges was an absolute asset, and meant more time reading the water and focusing on skill development instead of worrying about my mobility. Some of these tips and tricks I found along the way I would like to pass on to you!
Particularly the leg in surfing requires a great amount of internal rotation – a movement that is the litmus test for a strong and mobile hip. It is also a great way to buffer ‘valgus’ (knock-kneed) stress on the knee, which is going to happen when surfing. We also need this movement when we are bringing our front leg through in the drop in motion. Turns at the bottom and top of the wave? You guessed it – good internal rotation is required. So whether your drop in is a little sticky, or you want your hips to move as freely as they used to through your turns, this exercise is for you!
If you find these movements difficult, painful, or are having difficulty with your movement in the water, an individualised approach is best. To find out more, please call the clinic on (03) 5244 0063 and make an appointment.
Happy surfing!