Art of Surfing

By Raul Guisado

Book Overview

Surfing has evolved from a relatively obscure pastime to one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Today, there are millions of surfers across the globe. The Art of Surfing was the first book of its kind to avail participants, both beginner and advanced, with the same training and coaching principles of the more established and traditional sports. It has empowered both recreational and competitive surfers to prepare for and catch the best waves.

This thoroughly revised and updated new edition--with 160 color photos--covers boards and equipment, the anatomy of waves, body position and stance, and techniques for everything from paddling to walking the nose. Special chapters on competition and training, biomechanics, and the psychology of surfing round out this first-of-its-kind textbook for the developing surfer. Inside you'll find information on:

- The basics of boards and other gear, the anatomy of waves, and a review of basic maneuvers
- Advanced techniques for everything, from paddling to turning to walking the nose
- Basic and advanced exercises for improving flexibility, balance, and stability
- Strength-training and power-building routines
- Cardiovascular endurance workouts, as well as cross-training options
- Tips on performance nutrition, and the latest advances in sports psychology

A chapter on surf contests rounds out this coaching and training manual. Let The Art of Surfing help you develop a game plan to boost your physical, technical, and mental performance--and prepare to catch the next wave.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0762773758
• ISBN13: 9780762773756
• Release Date: November 2011
• Publisher: Falcon Press Publishing
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 1.34 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 7.4" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Review of the book: "The Art of Surfing..."

This book is a general overview of all the important aspects of the sport of surfing. I think every surfer should read it, cause it's really helpful.

Very detailed and thorough

The Art of Surfing: A Training Manual for the Developing and Competitive Surfer is a very informative read and manual for those interested in starting out in the sport-whether it be for career choices or even recreational purposes-to those looking to advance competitively and improve their performance. For anyone interested in the basics of surfing, or for anyone looking to advance in competition, this book does not dissapoint. Worth every penny.

enjoying in putting to use in cold maine waters.....

some of the review are too critical. The author does a great job of breaking down surfing etiquite as well as providing beginning, intermediate and advanced tips that can be used for all surfers. I have checked out other books and while they are good I find this book to be a great reference for those of us who try to surf as often as we can. the conditioning tips are very progressive and opened new facets of training for myself and some friends.

Fair & Honest Review

I feel some of the other reviews were a too harsh. I first read the book at Borders and really liked it :) Obviously no book or video compares to time spent in the water but I found the book to be very good and informative. Most "learn to surf" books always seem to contain the same basic info (paddling, popping-up, duck-diving) but this book goes far beyond and can be appreciated by the advancing-beginner & intermediate surfers looking to improve. I'm hoping to teach a surfing class at the college I work for & would seriously consider recommending this book for any surfing students. The other book I really liked was Taj Burrow's Book of Surfing but I believe is for more advanced surfers and contains too much surf jargon & slang for the beginners.

A thorough analysis of the sport of surfing

I have been surfing for 20 years and I have yet to read a book that breaks down the essentials of surfing as well as this book does. It's very easy to read and contains a lot of helpful photos. I picked up numerous tips on technique and cross-training that have already improved my surfing!