The Art of Surfing: A Training Manual for the Developing and Competitive Surfer [Paperback]

Raul Guisado (Author)

Book Description

Series: Surfing Series | Publication Date: September 2002

A Training Manual for the Developing and Competitive Surfer

Covers boards and other 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.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Whether you're a pro surfer who wants to win a world title, a competitive surfer who wants to turn pro, or a recreational surfer who just wants to shred over your friends, The Art of Surfing will help you achieve your goals.
In this book competitive surfing coach Raul Guisado brings the same coaching and training principles of the more established and traditional sports to surfing - to help you enhance your performance and take it to the next level.
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 Suring help you develop a game plan to boost your physical, technical, and mental performance - and prepare to catch the next wave.

About the Author

Raul Guisado has a B.A. in Biological Sciences and is pursuing an M.A. in Sports Psychology. He is also a certified strength and conditioning specialist. He has been coaching skiers and surfers since 1989 through his business, Peak Athletic Coaching. Traveling the globe as a World Cup/Olympic Coach for the United States Ski Team, he was a coach at the 1998 Olympic Winter Games in Nagano and the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City. He one day hopes to coach surfing in the Olympics. He splits his time between Santa Cruz and Tahoe City.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: FalconGuides; 1st edition (September 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762724668
• ISBN-13: 978-0762724666
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,192,978 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A thorough analysis of the sport of surfing, April 9, 2003

By 

John (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Art of Surfing: A Training Manual for the Developing and Competitive Surfer (Paperback)

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!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fair & Honest Review, December 31, 2004

By 

Ace (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Art of Surfing: A Training Manual for the Developing and Competitive Surfer (Paperback)

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.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars enjoying in putting to use in cold maine waters....., August 4, 2005

By 

Peter B. Mcdaniel "bear1971" (falmouth, me) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Art of Surfing: A Training Manual for the Developing and Competitive Surfer (Paperback)

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.