Confidence is one of the biggest factors in learning to surf. Whether you're completely new to the sport or looking to progress beyond catching white water, feeling strong, stable, and prepared makes a huge difference once you’re out in the waves. The good news is that you don’t need to be at the beach every day to build that confidence. With a few simple surf workouts, you can improve your strength, balance, and overall fitness from home, all of which will help you enjoy your lesson more when you join us at Big Blue Surf School in Bude.
These five easy surf workouts are designed for all abilities, require little to no equipment, and target the key muscles and movements you’ll use in the water. They’re quick, effective, and perfect for boosting confidence before your next surf session.
One of the first skills every beginner learns is the pop-up — the movement from lying on the board to standing. The faster and smoother your pop-up, the more stable you’ll feel on the board.
How to do it:
Why it helps:
This drill not only strengthens your upper body and core but also improves muscle memory, making your pop-up more natural and controlled when you’re in the water.
Paddling takes up most of your time during a surf session. Strong paddling technique helps you catch more waves, get out back more easily, and feel less tired.
Exercises to try:
Why it helps:
Building paddling strength boosts your stamina and helps you feel more confident when you’re navigating the waves at Summerleaze Beach.
Surfing is all about staying balanced on a moving surface. The more stable you feel, the more relaxed and confident you’ll be on your board.
Exercises to try:
Why it helps:
Improved balance means fewer falls and more time riding waves — a huge confidence booster for beginners.
Your core is the engine of your surf technique. A strong core helps with paddling, popping up, and controlling the board once you’re standing.
Try this simple circuit:
Repeat the circuit 2–3 times.
Why it helps:
A stronger core makes every movement in surfing easier. You’ll feel more stable on the board and find it easier to respond to changes in the wave.
Flexibility is often overlooked, but it’s essential for surfing. Being more mobile reduces your risk of injury and helps your body move naturally through every stage of catching a wave.
Focus on:
Why it helps:
Good flexibility means your body feels looser and more relaxed in the water. This alone can significantly boost confidence, especially for beginners who may feel tense or stiff.
The best part about these surf workouts is that they take very little time. Just 10–20 minutes a few times a week can help you prepare physically and mentally for your next lesson. When you arrive at Big Blue Surf School, you’ll feel more ready, more confident, and more excited to get into the waves.
Even if you’re brand new to surfing, starting these workouts now will help you develop the strength, balance, and technique you need to make faster progress. And if you’ve already had a lesson with us, these exercises are perfect for keeping your skills sharp between visits to Bude.
Surfing is as much about mindset as it is about movement. The more prepared you feel, the more you’ll enjoy every moment in the ocean. These simple surf workouts give you the foundation you need to stand up sooner, catch more waves, and build real confidence in the water.
At Big Blue Surf School, we’re here to support you at every step, from your first pop-up to your first green wave. With a little practice at home and a lesson on the beach, you’ll be amazed at how much progress you can make.
