Fuel for Surfers
Wake up. Coffee. Check the surf. Paddle out. Surf. Breakfast. Have more coffee.
The morning surf routine is delightfully simple, especially in the summer when volatile weather and layers of neoprene are at a minimum. Surfing does not require an app, signing up in advance, having a class card or imposing cancelation fees, but it does demand that you are up for the task physically and mentally. One way to be at your best in and out of the water is through what you are putting in your body.
Making healthy choices with preferences about what works for your diet are a great start. Incorporating more of those choices and adding others specifically to fuel, recover and reset are critical to our wellness. And it will help you be an efficient surfer with less opportunities for injury and illness.
Every person’s diet, activity level, and health scenario varies, but generally we can calibrate our meals to better match our goals. Have you noticed you crave specific foods after surfing? While it is true you are what you eat, this doesn’t necessarily mean you will turn into a fish taco. However consuming non-processed, nutrient dense foods on a regular basis will make you healthier and stronger.
Recovering from an injury? Trying to prevent one? Mindful of a sensitive stomach or dietary restrictions? Consuming foods abundant in vitamins, nutrients, and minerals facilitate better digestion, a robust immune system and aid in hydration. Think fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein (fish, eggs), complex carbohydrates (oatmeal, sweet potatoes), healthy fats (nuts seeds), lots of water. We battle the convenience of less healthy meals over shopping, prepping, and cooking for our own longevity. If you are taking the time to surf, why not take the time to give yourself all the support your body needs to fully enjoy it.
A shortcut to figuring out if you ate well the day before is how you look and feel surfing today. A friend would always have a container of raw cashews in his car post-surfing. Another eats avocado, hard-boiled eggs and blueberries before paddling out. You must choose what works for you, so be mindful of avoiding added sugars, empty calories, ingredients you cannot pronounce. This is a case of simpler usually means better, which goes back to why we surf in the first place.
Happy Surfing!