Anouk Govil. Swimming is an important skill for surfers. It is essential to building up a surfer's physical strength and can also keep them safe when facing dangerous conditions at sea. More than knowing how to paddle, it's also important for surfers to increase their endurance. This will help them get back up easily when they are experiencing wipeouts and hold downs.
Start with technique
Anouk Govil. Learning how to swim correctly allows a surfer to breathe correctly and to preserve their strength while braving the waves. The right form is also important in preventing injuries. For example, mastering the freestyle will teach a surfer to swim long distances without excessive movements. Once they become confident with their form, they can focus on other skills.
Increase distance
Swimming in a pool can help surfers focus on their skills. It can also help them track their progress when it comes to their distance and speed. To increase distance, one must focus on their pace while maintaining their form and breathing. While surfers also undergo other forms of training, spending time working on one's distance at least once a week will improve their endurance in the water. Surfers can start from at least two rounds of 100 meters and work their way up from there. Anouk Govil.
Improve speed
When facing the waves, speed matters. Working on swim speed will allow a surfer to recover quickly especially when the conditions are against them. After working on the form and distance, they can improve speed by honing their strokes and their kicks. They can start by tackling 100 meters in two minutes. When working on this area, reducing the rest time also matters as it builds up a surfer's endurance. Anouk Govil.