Surfing has become a popular sport in recent years. Many surfers spend hours each day riding waves around the globe. But how much energy does surfing require?
Surfers often complain about sore muscles after a long session. The average surfer burns between 500 and 600 calories per hour. That’s about the number of calories burned during a brisk walk or run at the same time.
Surfers expend energy through their arms, legs, core, and back. They also use their upper body to paddle out into the ocean and catch waves. This requires a lot of strength and endurance.
In this article, we take a closer look at just how many calories surfers burn and how tiring the sport can be.
We look at ways of keeping those energy levels high through food and other methods, so you can keep on surfing without feeling overtired or run down. Let’s dive in.
What Is A Calorie?
A calorie is a unit of measurement for the amount of energy required to raise one gram of water by 1 degree Celsius (1 °C). It is equal to 4.2 joules (J) or 0.004 kilowatt-hours (kWh). One calorie is roughly equivalent to the amount of energy needed to heat one milliliter (ml) of water by 1 °C.
The human body uses energy from calories that we find in food to perform all its functions. When you eat, your digestive system breaks down the food into nutrients that are absorbed into your bloodstream. Your cells then use these nutrients to produce energy to power your body.
The amount of energy your body needs depends on your size and activity level. If you exercise regularly, you need more calories than someone who doesn’t work out.
If you are trying to lose weight, you need to be in a calorie deficit, which means burning more calories than you eat. This also means if you want to gain weight, you need to be in a calorie surplus which means you are eating more calories than you are burning off.
How Much Many Calories Does Surfing Burn?
If you’re an avid surfer, you probably know that it takes a lot of energy to ride a wave. You might have even tried to calculate how many calories you’ve used while surfing. But did you know that surfing burns more calories than running or walking?
On average, surfers expend between 500 and 600 calories every hour they spend surfing. That’s enough to burn off a large bagel with cream cheese or a small pizza.
You can also work out calories burned based on the waves you are riding. For example, surfing in smaller and more relaxed waves means you will only burn about 250 calories an hour but surfing in medium-sized waves, goes up to about 400 calories every hour and in tough conditions, you could be burning up to 700-800 calories an hour depending on your size and weight.
Surfers expend more energy than runners because they must lift their bodies over the water. That means they use more muscle mass, which burns more calories. Surfers also use a lot of energy paddling out into the ocean and catching waves. Paddlers use their arms, legs, and core to propel themselves forward.
While paddling, surfers use their upper bodies to control their movements. For example, when they stand up on their boards, they use their shoulders to push them forward.
As surfers paddle out into the ocean, they also use their upper body muscles to pull themselves along. Surfers use their lower bodies to balance themselves while standing on their boards. Their feet act like shock absorbers to help absorb the impact of each wave.
When surfing, surfers use their whole bodies to move through the water. They use their hands to hold onto the board, their core to stay balanced, and their legs to push against the water. This means it is the ultimate sport for burning calories quickly.
Surfers’ upper body muscles include their biceps, triceps, deltoid, trapezius, pectorals, rhomboids, and latissimus dorsi. The main muscles involved in paddling are the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, adductors, abductors, iliotibial band, hip flexors, and calf muscles.
How Can I Get More Energy While Surfing?
To get more energy while surfing, try these tips:
- Drink plenty of fluids. Water helps keep your muscles warm and hydrated.
- Eat foods high in carbohydrates. Carbohydrates give you quick energy. You should also try eating protein before you go surfing. Protein gives you long-lasting energy. You need to eat enough high-calorie foods to sustain yourself through your surfing session, but avoid over-indulging as this can make you lethargic and feeling stuffy which only decreases your energy.
- Don’t drink alcohol. Alcohol reduces your ability to concentrate and focus. It also slows down your metabolism. You should also avoid caffeine as caffeine increases your heart rate and blood pressure.
- Stay active during breaks. When you take a break from surfing, make sure you do something fun, such as playing catch with friends or going for a walk around the beach, so your energy levels do not drop. Remember to eat a nutritious snack at this time to give your body a few extra calories to keep going.
- Surf at different times of the day. Different parts of the world experience different weather patterns. In some places, there may be strong winds or rough seas. These conditions can affect the amount of energy you need to ride a wave. If you’re planning to surf in areas where the wind is blowing hard, consider waiting until after lunchtime when you have had all morning to fuel your body.
- Take advantage of the sun’s rays. During the summer months, the sun provides extra energy that can boost your performance. To get the most out of the sun, wear sunscreen and cover up exposed skin.Use a leash. A leash keeps you connected to your board, allowing you to steer and turn without having to worry about losing your grip. Not only is this the safest way to surf, but it means you won’t be expending extra energy swimming around trying to catch your board.
Final Thoughts
We hope after reading this article you have learned all you need to know about calories and surfing and just how many calories you can burn in one surfing session alone.
Remember the number of calories burned will depend on the types of waves you are riding, the average speed you are surfing, weather conditions, and of course your size and body weight. It’s a great way to keep fit and can burn more calories than running and a lot of other physical activity. So keep at it!
