The hips, the great steering wheel of the surfboard

Llanes Garden — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 15:33:00 +0000

As we progress in surfing, we try different movements, skills, trajectories, and so on.

Like everything in life, some people have an almost innate ability to develop these techniques. They are so connected to the board that they feel it’s an extension of their body (like Rafa Nadal with his racket).

When we surf, we need to use our hips to make the board move forward, slow down, gain momentum, shift its center of gravity, and release the fins, or conversely, dig in a rail to carve, etc.

All of this, and much more, depends on the action of the hips, which at certain moments shift their position, transmitting the necessary thrust or lightness to the rest of the lower limbs and the soles of the feet. Since we’re talking about a kinetic chain, we can’t forget the upper body (the arm action) and the help of the head and gaze, which contribute to a streamlined and fluid movement, even mimicking a dance in certain surfing styles (retro, logboard, etc.). Similarly, for more radical maneuvers, these movements throughout the chain intensify, generating greater power, which is ultimately transmitted to the board.

What’s certain is that the key connector is the hip, home to one of the most powerful muscles in the human body: the iliopsoas, which connects the lower body (lesser trochanter of the femur) to the spine (lumbar vertebrae and internal iliac fossa).

At Llanes Garden, we have a foolproof technique to help improve these types of movements in a preparatory setting. Using a Bosu ball or a surfskate, we can enhance hip control and make corrections even while standing still, so we can later replicate those movements on the surfboard.
For this reason, the surf lessons we offer on the various beaches of Llanes incorporate the use of this equipment on the sand or even on asphalt.

Surfing as a couple. Benefits.

Llanes Garden — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 14:41:00 +0000

Often, couples decide to take up a sport together, but they don’t know what the path will be like or what it might lead to. In this case, surfing is a constant source of uncertainty, since it is precisely that: a sport of continuous adaptation to the weather (wave type, wind, tide, current, etc.) and to the equipment (softboard, longboard, fish, mini-malibu, shortboard, etc.). (In Llanes, we are lucky to have many surfable beaches with varying tides and conditions.)

Although in this case, it’s inherent to the sport. But if we look at the psychological aspect, motivation can provide constant encouragement: improving together with my partner helps to get “hooked” on this sport. Be careful not to get discouraged if progress isn’t as expected. For this, we have dryland lessons or surfskating. (I’ve included a link to our previous post about surfskating.) Everything helps.

Another benefit is the lifestyle it fosters. When you go out to find your spot depending on the day, you share that journey, which is often done alone, and you “gain” a deeper emotional connection with your partner. It also helps to talk about and anticipate the type of swell you’ll encounter, gradually immersing yourself in the experience.

Once in the water, the ultimate therapeutic environment, we experience a state of weightlessness, which helps us relax overall.
And then, when we manage to surf the waves, the joy is twofold, as the satisfaction of riding our own wave is multiplied by seeing our partner’s success.

That’s why we say the benefits are exponential, helping to overcome barriers, connect body and mind, and experience sensations that gradually build. Thus, once the session is over, there’s a greater anticipation and desire to return to the water again for the next session, and naturally, with your partner, strengthening your relationship.

Surf lessons adults – Llanes Garden

The hips, the great steering wheel of the surfboard

Surfing as a couple. Benefits.