Prone Cross Training

[surfcowboy]

After all of the posts about beginners learning to prone surf before hitting the lineup, I went back and learned to body surf, body board and then got a long board.

In the last year that I've worked on my prone paddling my fitness level has gone way up. SUP does a great number on my core and legs but prone paddling has changed my upper body quite a bit.

I figured I'd better do it while I'm young enough to learn and my shoulders still rotate. I have to recommend it to all the folks who never proned before. It also garners a bit more respect when you paddle out on whatever the hell board you like for that day.

Anyone else notice this boost in fitness from laying down a bit?

[The Kernel]

I've been messing around with a 6'8" prone board (shortest one I own) trying to develop some better "shortboard" prone skills and to get the neural pathways to fire a bit faster (if that's possible at my age) with the intent of cross training both body and mind. 

Haven't done it enough to have an impact on the body, other than the NEGATIVE impact when I get beat up by wiping out on late drops, but it has sharpened my reaction times a bit. 

I watched my six year old at surf camp today get thumped around in the beach break at T Street and the little tiger just kept going.  Now I'm looking at buying a good boogie board and fins because he's young enough to still think it's cool to have dad with him when he goes out.  So I guess I get to add to the cross training even more.... 

As you stated, it's nice to paddle out on whatever you feel like at that moment of the day.  It's also fun to confuse some stuffed shirts in the lineup who can't believe that one would consider surfing more than one type of board.   

Of course, I secretly hope it all translates back to better SUP surfing....

[headmount]

In the late 80's a group of us began prone paddleboarding to keep in shape for surfing as we closed in on 50.  It did get us into pretty good shape but ultimately it ruined my  neck and now I don't even prone surf any more.  Prone surfing is great, you paddle just a short distance and sit up on your board but going for Maliko runs, like what we used to do, had us in that arched neck posture for over an hour at full tilt boogie. 

Doesn't end well down the line.  We all call them misery sticks here.

Hadn't learned my lesson here in 2002 when I was still thinking it was a good thing.  Also a knucklehead  for dangling legs in water because now that I've been standing for 10 years, I've got a much better view and seen some shit.

[Sup-position]

Put on some fins and go body surf, sponge or mat.
The work out from the fins really works the lower abs..

I even have had some top proners follow suit..

Ralph
Sup-position
Huntington Beach, California, USA
(714) 899-3020

www.Sup-position.com

sup.position.com@gmail.com

[mrbig]

Or just body whomp with old scott fins and funky goggles. Ixnay the speedo however! Blend rite in with tourons in SUMMAH!

[surfcowboy]

I carry fins in my car always. Love the immersion. Headmount, I always wondered about distance paddle boarding prone. You've confirmed my suspicions.

I am enjoying the mellow sitting between waves but my wave count suffers when longboarding so I always end up back on a SUP.

[mrbig]

What a great thread! I had no idea that there were other zonoids  that had fins and used them Any handplane lunatics out there as well? Hope so!

[mrbig]

Show us your stuff! Here is my ESA Airwave contest sponge and Scott fins from circa 85? Sponsored by Oakley! LOL! My swag eyeshade blew out of my caravan..