Griffith University: Researchers look down the line at surf study benefits

With competitive surfing making its Olympic debut at this year’s Tokyo Games, Griffith University researchers are on the hunt to discover what surfers should be focussing on in their training to produce podium-worthy performances.

PhD candidate Ricky Dann, supervised by Dr Steven Duhig from the School of Health Sciences and Social Work – Exercise Science, is calling for surf athletes and coaches to participate in the new study that will explore what surfers should incorporate into their training, to improve manoeuvres like aerials, cutbacks, snaps and more.

The findings will then be used to inform more specialised training modalities that can be used by surfers and coaches of all levels, from amateurs to sponsored professionals.

“This study is a great opportunity for the surfing community to voice their opinions and contribute their ideas,” Dann said.

“We ultimately want to understand what surfing coaches, athletes and recreational surfers think the best ways are to train for surfing.

“Studies like this help bridge the gap between winning and losing, between plateauing performances to vast improvements.

“These findings will inform surfers and their coaches on how to create effective training sessions for the development of surfing manoeuvres.

“And with surf competitions continuing around the world and surfing making its Olympic debut this year, we could see some new faces on podiums with research like this into training modalities.”

Surfing is a big business thanks to global touring competitions presented by the World Surfing League, attracting big name sponsors such as Red Bull and Billabong that support high profile athletes, such as Mick Fanning, Gabriel Medina and Carissa Moore.

However, there is little research into what training modalities work best to push surfers up through the ranks.

Surfers also experience a high injury rate due to high impact manoeuvres such as aerials, snaps and cutbacks.

“We want to hear from surfers, especially competitive surfers, and coaches so that we can help improve the coaching methods used to enhance their performance and avoid injury,” Dann said.

“This knowledge is powerful for not only the surfers themselves but also for their sponsors, who likely to support and back those that are always on the front foot of enhancing performances and injury preventions.”