The first thing we need to acknowledge is that everyone can become an accomplished surfer - the tall and fat man, the short and skinny woman, the weak and unfit boy, and the athletic girl.
The same rule applies to age. Anyone - young and old - is ready to take on surfing. Because it's all in the mind, and surfing is not an impossible mission.
So, is there an ideal body type for surfing? The answer is tricky because it can lead to a controversial analysis that discourages people from learning to surf.
Now that we know that everyone can enjoy the pleasures of wave riding, we reformulate the question.
Is there a physique that better adapts to the requirements of surfing? Yes, there is. But let's understand why.
Surfing is an outdoor sport that involves a lot of balance and constant adaptations to waves in motion.
The human body is repeatedly invited to adjust to movements on all axes.
It starts with paddling and finding balance on a surfboard, continues in the take-off and pop-up stages, and progresses through the trimming and maneuvering moments.
Surfing is a constant act of balance. You can train and improve balance with simple physical exercises.
The Three Different Body Types
There are three basic human body types: the ectomorph, the mesomorph, and the endomorph.
- Ectomorph: It is characterized by a thin, linear, and tall structure. It lacks fat and muscle tissue, and it can be fragile;
- Mesomorph: It is characterized by an athletic build, a good posture, and well-developed muscles;
- Endomorph: It is characterized by a preponderance of body fat, underdeveloped muscles, and a rounded build;
In theory, the mesomorph body type will be fitter than the other two because it is better prepared to excel in explosive sports that involve speed and power.
But that doesn't mean the other two are excluded from surfing.
They can eclipse the "ideal" body type with talent and natural skills. Moreover, they can train and work out to look like a mesomorph.
Apart from body types, it is also important to note that the vast majority of world surfing champions are not tall.
Tom Carroll (5'6''), Tom Curren (5'10''), Kelly Slater (5'9''), Mark Occhilupo (5'9''), Mick Fanning (5'10''), Adriano de Souza (5'6'') have won dozens of titles with an average height.
So, statistically, you could say that an average-height man or woman who adopts a healthy diet and a regular exercise regimen will be ready to challenge the waves and become a prolific surfer.
Discover how to get a surfer's body.
Words by Luís MP | Founder of SurferToday.com