Surfing is a pretty active sport. With all the paddling, duck diving, and time spent surfing, itʻs no wonder that most people who surf are in pretty good shape.
But what if you are just starting out and you are not in the best of shape? Is it possible to surf if you are fat?
If you are overweight, or fat, it is still possible to surf, although a little more difficult. You will need to increase your fitness level and use surf equipment with more volume, but many overweight people do, in fact, surf.
As much as I hate to say it, Iʻve packed on a few pounds since my grom days. So I know from personal experience that if you are overweight, you can still surf. Is it as easy? Hell no!! But I still have a lot of fun out there. I just donʻt catch as many as I used to.
Are you interested in learning how overweight surfers can still enjoy the sport? Youʻve come to the right place. Letʻs dive in a little more to find out what it takes for fat people to surf.
How Can Fat People Start Surfing?
Ok. Youʻre just a little bit overweight. Sorry for calling you fat. But in all seriousness, for those of us who have lost a step or two, there are a few things we should do to prepare our minds and bodies for surfing.
Prepare Yourself Mentally
Sometimes when Iʻm feeling a bit out of shape, I can talk myself into reasons why I shouldnʻt go surfing. Things like “Iʻm too fat to surf” or “My body is too heavy to float on that surfboard.”
I might look in the mirror and feel ashamed about paddling out into the lineup with other surfers who are fit. Who am I to be paddling out with those guys?
That is all self-defeating trash talk. You are just as worthy as everyone else out there trying to surf. No one has a claim on the waves. And if I feel empowered to give surfing a go, even though Iʻm packing on a few extra pounds, then more power to me, and you.
If youʻre worried that you might get hurt while surfing, you should read this post before you first paddle out.
Proper Surf Equipment Is A Must
Regardless of whether or not youʻve been surfing a while or just getting started, if you are overweight, you need equipment that will work for you.
A surfboard with a higher than average volume will be what you want to choose. Iʻm about 40lbs over where I was as a fit young grom riding potato chip surfboards. These days I stick to a 2.5” thick mid-length for the bigger days and a giant longboard for the small days.
I can catch any wave I want on those boards.
A good rule of thumb is that when you are sitting on your board in the water, your body is mostly out of the water. On a smaller surfboard, you can be submerged up to your chest when sitting. As an overweight surfer, you should be submerged no more than up to your belly button.
If you feel like you can still maneuver a board despite carrying some extra weight, there are plenty of shortboard outlines with extra volume that you can check out. Degree 33 Surfboards has a few, plus sized designs that might be just the right fit for you.
Prepare Your Body Before Hitting the Waves
I know that itʻs highly unlikely that youʻre going to lose all of your extra weight before paddling out, so there are a few things you need to do before paddling out.
An overweight body is also a body that has lost its range of motion and is more prone to injury. Dynamic stretching is a must before paddling out. Loosen your muscles to help prevent injury.
Try practicing a few popups or burpees at home. Get on a bike and get your heart rate up. Or simply take your board out for a paddle and donʻt catch any waves.
Doing these things before you actually go surfing will get your body a little more prepared for whatʻs to come. Surfing is a demanding sport and if you are totally out of shape, you should try to dust off the cobwebs just a little bit before you paddle out.
If you are looking for more direction on how to get your body into better surfing shape, I cannot recommend the online training program put together by Surf Fitness Coaching. It really helps bring my body back to a level that can comfortably paddle out and catch fun waves.
Budget Required If You’re Just Getting Into Surfing
You must be wondering how much does it cost to start surfing? Well, guess what? Surfing is not one of the most expensive sports in the world.
It will cost you anywhere from $500 to $700 to get started in surfing, which will include a surfboard, wetsuit, and leash. That is all you really need. If you are an overweight surfer, there may be slightly higher costs to get yourself more specialized gear.
You can bring the cost down if you buy your gear secondhand, which you can do at many surf shops or by searching Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace.
Learn more about the cost of surfing in this post.
Other than that, surfing is pretty much free, unless you frequent a wave pool.
So choose the best equipment that suits your surfing requirements and doesn’t break your bank.
How Long Does It Take To Learn Surfing for Fat People?
The most challenging part of learning to surf is being able to balance yourself on the surfboard. But if you have the right surfboard that is designed to bear more weight, then it should be pretty easy for you to learn.
It may take longer to learn to surf if you are overweight, but it is safe to say that it can take anywhere between one day to a month to learn to surf. It all depends on how determined you are and how much time you dedicate to learning.
It may sound a bit long, but trust me on this; with steadfast determination and the urge to learn, it won’t take more than a week for a person (regardless of weight) to be able to stand up on a surfboard.
Just make sure that you have the right equipment to support you while you are out there surfing.
Should You Take Surf Lessons When Getting Started
You have two options when it comes to learning surfing; either learn it yourself or take lessons.
I never took surf lessons, but I can imagine the perks of going to a school where professional instructors will guide you.
Of course, they are better positioned than any other person to teach you how to surf. But for that, you will have to pay for the fees, which vary from school to school.
Generally, surfing schools teach you how to balance yourself first before throwing you out there in the ocean. It’s not only safe for you, but it will also help you to avoid any injury that most beginners get while they are learning on their own.
So if you are interested in joining a surfing school, hereʻs a list of surfing schools near you.
Conclusion
Surfing is all about determination and practice; regardless of how much you weigh, you can still become a surfer.
The only condition that applies is to stay committed and keep practicing.
You can start surfing today if you have the proper equipment, which includes a surfboard, wetsuit, leash, and other essential items.
Thankfully you don’t have to pay thousands of dollars to surf; you can literally start surfing with as low as a few hundred dollars.
