Surf Strong: Training for the Waves, Inspired by a Life Outdoors

July 16, 2025
Posted by Queenie Matthews

When I think about what shaped my love for an active lifestyle, my mind always drifts back to mornings spent in Portugal and Hossegor, France. Life there revolves around the ocean - but it's what happens outside the water that really stuck with me.

From sunrise surf checks to evening bike rides through pine forests, those places taught me that training isn't confined to a gym - it's part of your everyday rhythm. I’d see people hitting outdoor gyms between boardwalks, doing yoga on the beach, or cycling past with surfboards strapped to their bikes. That blend of movement, nature, and freedom is what inspires everything we do at 10 Over Surf.

And it’s why we’ve built a collection of gear to support that same surf driven lifestyle on and off the board.

Yoga for Mobility and Mindset

After hours in the water (or on the road), my body craves mobility work. I learned early on that yoga isn’t just about flexibility - it builds strength, injury resilience, and mental focus.

Try this beach or garden flow:

Yoga Wheel: Use it to open the chest, roll out your upper back, or support deep hip openers.
Stretching Strap: Ideal for hamstring stretches, shoulder mobility, and gentle resistance.
Yoga Mat: The base of every good session. Ours are lightweight, grippy, and roll up small, perfect for travel or daily use.

Recommended: Our Yoga Wheel + Stretch Strap Combo - Whether you’re camping, travelling, or training at home, these tools keep you mobile and surf ready.

Cycle for Endurance, Strength and Surf Check Freedom

One of my favourite memories is cycling with a board rack beneath the tall pine trees of Hossegor, cruising along flat trails, past campsites and sleepy side streets, on the way to check the waves. Riding builds your cardio base, tones the legs, and gets you from camp to surf with zero stress.

Use hills or intervals for power training.
Cruise coastal paths for recovery rides.
Carry your board hands-free with a secure rack.

Recommended: Surflogic Surfboard Bike Rack - Whether you’re Hossegor or your local point break, this sturdy rack keeps your board safe while you ride to the waves.

Pair it with our breathable clothing by Roark and wetsuit dry bag for the full set up.

Swim Sessions for Ocean Confidence and All-Over Fitness

You don’t need to be a competitive swimmer to benefit from time in the water. Just a few short sessions a week can improve your paddle strength, boost your breath control, and build the kind of full-body fitness that makes surfing feel easier and more enjoyable.

Try this simple approach:

Swim 4-6 lengths at a steady pace, rest, then repeat for 15-20 minutes.
Focus on long, smooth strokes and steady breathing.
Mix in some light treading water or floating to build comfort and control.

Recommended: Women's Swimwear + Men's Trunks - Supportive, comfortable, and designed to move with you, whether you’re swimming laps or heading straight from the beach to the café.

Fast Dry Towel - Compact, lightweight, and ultra absorbent perfect for slipping into your swim bag or throwing in the van after a morning dip.

Women + Men's 3.2 Summer Wetsuits - Lightweight, flexible, and made to move with you in warmer waters.

Whether you’re at the swimming pool, the lake, or dipping in the ocean between surfs, swimming is one of the best low-impact ways to stay surf fit and connected to the water.

Surf Skate Sessions: Build Flow, Footwork and Fun

Surf skating is one of many surf camps go-to tools when the swell isn't looking great. It helps mimic the motions of carving, turning, and weight shifting you use in the water.

Practice frontside/backside carving on flat ground.
Use cones or lines to create turning drills.
Warm up with shoulder circles and hip openers.

Recommended: Carver Skateboards – Designed to simulate real surfing, they're perfect for driveway drills, campsite carves, or carpark laps between sessions.