[Jack Crank]

How in the hell do pros spend all day, many many days in a row surfing in heavy conditions.  I did 2 back to back 7hr sessions last weekend in pretty mellow conditions and my body and mind were totally crushed (in an awesome way but still...).  I definitely notice that I'm able to spend more time in the water now that I'm in better shape, and starting to figure out better wave choice (read: less paddling back out after taking off on stupid closeouts). 


Besides drinking a ton of water (or Vita Coco if I can find it), what tricks do you guys use to be able to log tons of time?  How do you recover from a long day out with the intention of heading out the next day?  I'm still worked from this weekend.

[The Lone Surfer]

I've finally come to the conclusion that I cannot. I did a six hour session followed by a couple of three hour sessions two weeks ago and my back is still paying the price. I think from now on I will limit all of my sessions to three hours, and be extra careful about a DP following no sleep.

Of course if your a pro, and young, it's no different than other athletes. they are in amazing shape. And even pros don't spend 7 hours in the water every day.

One thing i've found is that taking breaks throughout the day helps.

[SeaCliff]

Taking breaks, hydrating routinely, and plenty of sleep def help - as does soaking in a hot tub or bathtub.....and ibuprofen. 

I actually find that the sun exposure does me in as much as anything else. I can go much longer on an overcast/cloudy day.

[newyorkc]

im about to attempt 10 days in a row in likely head high+ conditions...ill let you know how i fare.

[onefinookas]

bananas, water, coffee, sunblok, bingers, carbs and beer, that should get you 12 hours in the water, it does me.  I can go two days, if there is a third day I am pretty for shlt and can usually only muster about half the time of the first two days, if the swell goes on for a fourth day i really start to pick and choose my sessions, if there is a fifth I am so shot and fried I surf a little bit and spend the rest of the time curled up in the fetal position hoping for at least a one day break so I can recover.  And start the process all over again.

[HydroGlide]

it always helps to define surfing in a "how many waves attempted per hour" kind of way cause some surf all day via stamina, some surf all day via bobbing in place, and some surf all day through meth (see the NW USA).

[The Lone Surfer]

it always helps to define surfing in a "how many waves attempted per hour" kind of way cause some surf all day via stamina, some surf all day via bobbing in place, and some surf all day through meth (see the NW USA).

very good point. a day with a 10 mph drift is very different experience from one with none.

[Dorado]

PMA ( postive mental atitude ) , fruits , nuts , ( usually packed by Looseness in bag of Odwalla Bars on our road trips /surgical strikes ) water , cofee , cofee , pasta the night before ...... and a whole lot of HEART and Desire

[surfnli]

hg brings up a more interesting point.  recently i've had some time crunch surf sessions where my usual laidback catch as catch can approach has turned into more of a pillage.  are you guys super aggressive, wave-paddle back-wave-paddle back kind of surfers or are you more of a wave, paddle, chill, wave, paddle, chill kind of guys?  have to say, i much prefer the latter,

[The Lone Surfer]

The only time i ever chill is when I've already gotten so many waves, or had so many days in a row of good surf that I feel sated. Though I'm getting more and more into just enjoying the time with friends over a mad dash to get as many waves as possible.

[Jack Crank]

Cool cool, so it seems that my desire to be a superhuman shredding machine that feels no fatigue or pain may be setting the bar just slightly too high...  darn.

[onefinookas]

im a doer not a sitter

[Looseness]

hg brings up a more interesting point.  recently i've had some time crunch surf sessions where my usual laidback catch as catch can approach has turned into more of a pillage.  are you guys super aggressive, wave-paddle back-wave-paddle back kind of surfers or are you more of a wave, paddle, chill, wave, paddle, chill kind of guys?  have to say, i much prefer the latter,

Depends on the circumstances.....
If I'm doing a before work DP, it can be a bit of a 2 hour contest heat for me  where I am somewhat maniacal, especially when i find out there is 30 minutes left. You might as well blow the airhorn cuz I'm gonna go bonkers for a bit.

to the topic though, yeah two days of all day surfing leaves me pretty shot and starting to pick my battles, especially in the heavy rubber. 

[Dorado]

hg brings up a more interesting point.  recently i've had some time crunch surf sessions where my usual laidback catch as catch can approach has turned into more of a pillage.  are you guys super aggressive, wave-paddle back-wave-paddle back kind of surfers or are you more of a wave, paddle, chill, wave, paddle, chill kind of guys?  have to say, i much prefer the latter,

it depends on the waves , and the crowd and which board im on . Lately i have been riding my mini simmons which paddles like a board  4 ft longer and catches waves as easy . If i am out with a couple of friends on regular boards i have to check myself because it is very easy to become a wave glom on a board that has a distinct advantage on catching waves . in drifty hevier conditions in winter might have to be a little less aggressive in order to conserve energy and pick the most makeable waves and to conserve energy in the winter rubber . A lot of my sessions over the last 6 months i have been fortunate enough to pick spots away from crowds and be out with only a few friends which makes it a lot easier to get in a rhythy and catch a lot of waves

[Kdropin]

last time i was out mon? when that storm pushed through in the afternoon i caught 7 waves in the first ten minutes and was so shot! i was frothing bc it was coming in so nice i burnt myself out.. stayed in for about 2 hours but was done.. i usually can't make it past 3.. i start cramping big time in my triceps