Michael Cannady,

Anastasia Chong,
Brian Cisneros,
Andrew Guillermo,
Ryan Kim,
Kacie Lance,
Stephanie Martinez,
Evangelina Santillan,
Danica Taylor,
Karrl Vitor
Stand Up Surfing Field Study
Abstract:
Stand up Paddleboard (SUP) surfing has been increasing in popularity along the beaches
of the world but there is very little research on the physiological effects during surfing. The aim
of this study was to collect heart rate data from SUP surfers to test whether they reached their
maximal heart rate at some point during their surfing session. Thirty-eight stand up paddle
surfers participated in the study, where their heart rate was measured every five seconds using a
heart rate monitor, during a videoed surf session taking place at various beach locations. It was
found that the average time that each surfer was in the water was 49.18 0.59 minutes (min). An
average of 3.110.08 min was spent during wave riding total for the group, an average of
27.240.47min was spent paddling for the group, an average of 16.110.39 min was spent
stationary for the group and an average of 10.950.26 min was spent in miscellaneous for the
group. All 38 surfers were able to achieve maximum heart rate within 10 bpm of their estimated
maximal heart rate. The average max HR was 147 bpm for females, 164.37 bpm for males, and
163.43 bpm for the group. The total group average for wave riding beats per minute (bpm) was
133.750.98bpm, an average of 132.210.75bpm for paddling, an average of 122.150.75bpm
for stationary and 128.470.43 for miscellaneous. No significant correlation was also found
between wave interval and wave riding time or years surfed and ability to reach maximal heart
rate.
Introduction
Surfing has become popular among people of all ages and abilities. Most surfers do not
consider this a workout regime, but an activity and lifestyle that they enjoy. Surfing is essentially
a recreational sport with a small percentage of surfers that participate in competition. It is unclear
the exact population of surfers in the world due to lack of published data, but according to Meir
in 1991 there were over 1 million surfers just in australia alone (Meir et al., 1991). Surfing is a

sport activity that is characterized by high intensity exercise, low intensity activity, and rest
periods (Mendez-Villanueva, 2005). Surfing demands a variety of fitness requirements, due to
the multitude of tasks a surfer must perform. The surfer must paddle out to take off point, catch
the wave through vigorous paddling then stand up quickly. Surfers spend approximately 44% of
their total time out in the water paddling, and because of that time spent paddling, it is believed
that aerobic fitness plays a huge role in surfing (Mendez-Villanueva, 2005), while in a study by
Farley et al. competitive surfers spent approximately 54% of their time paddling. Surfers in the
Mendez-Villanueva were classified as recreational surfers but they were competitive in
competitions. Lately, a trending niche in the surf community is the stand up paddleboard (SUP)
surfing. SUP surfers spent their time fully upright during their entire session unlike their prone
surfer counterparts which spend a large portion of the time laying prone on the board. In order to
catch a wave SUP surfers use a paddle to gain momentum versus the prone surfers which gain
momentum by paddling with their hands. During stationary time out on the water the SUP surfer
spends their time balancing upright on the board when waiting for waves instead of sitting and
waiting like their prone counterparts. Modern SUP offers athletic cross-training exercise, an
alternative form for surfing, racing or cruising. The sport originated in Hawaii - "stand-up
paddle surfing" is a close translation of the Hawaiian ku hoe he'e nalu - where it also was called
"Hawaiian beach boy surfing," a 1960s reference to entrepreneurs paddling oversized boards to
photograph visitors learning to surf the waters off Waikiki Beach (Renstrom, 2008).
Surfers heart rates reached a high of 190 beats per minute and rarely reached below 120
beats per minute, and because of the immense amount of time paddling the heart rate stayed
above 120 beats per minute 80% of the recorded time (Farley, 2012). There are many factors to
account for when evaluating a surfers heart rate; the size of the waves, duration of the surf
session, frequency of the waves, how far the surfer paddles out, water temperature and air
temperature (Meir et al., 1991).
With the population of surfers growing, the interest for research and studies has also
grown. Even with the various fitness parameters pertaining to surfing, there are not many studies
being done on recreational surfers. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to collect data from
recreational stand up surfer subjects to test whether they are reaching maximal heart rate. It is
our hypothesis that over 85% of subjects will reach maximal heart rate for their age range.
Methods
Participants
Subjects who participated in this study were 38 healthy stand up paddle board surfers, 35
males and three females. However, one of the subjects data was unusable, so primarily 37
subjects were observed and their data was analyzed. The age range for the subjects was 30-70
years of age. They had to have at least one year of surfing experience and surfing did not have to
be their primary form of exercise. Potential subjects were recruited by contacting local Stand Up
Paddle Board businesses and local known surfers. Most participants in the study were recruited
at a popular beach many SUP surfers attend and tested that day (Cardiff State Beach) or were
scheduled to arrive.
Experimental Protocol
Subjects were informed about the purpose and procedure of the study and signed a
consent form once they agreed to participate. Subjects completed a questionnaire based on
information about their physical body information, surfing activity, and personal surfing beliefs.

Measurements
Each subject was instrumented with a heart rate monitor (POLAR RCX5) around their
chest that synchronized to a wristwatch. Heart rate readings were recorded at 5 second intervals.
Subjects were also recorded as they surfed and wore a fluorescent band on one of their arms so
they could be tracked during the recording. Video recording and the heart rate monitor were
started at the same time for optimal synchronization. Subjects were then allowed to surf as long
as they wanted for that day. Video recording and the heart rate monitors were stopped once the
surfer came out of the water. Subjects were provided with their average heart rate, maximum
heart rate, total time, and total calories burned from the wrist watch during their surfing session
when they asked for this information.
Using the surfline.com website, information was collected about the surf forecast based
on the beach location (Cardiff State Beach) and information was filled out on data sheets for
every subject. The information collected was water temperature, air temperature, wave intervals,
wave direction, wave height, wind speed, tide range, and average number of people within a 100
feet. After heart rate activity was collected, the data recorded using the POLAR RCX5 heart rate
monitor was synchronized and downloaded onto polarpersonaltrainer.com. Using this software
each training session was analyzed and exported to an Excel spreadsheet. This study took
measurements from each subjects training session, calculating the mean and standard deviations
of each subjects heart rate during the time of exercise, the amount of time spent each action, as
well as the percent of time spent in those actions.
Activity
Video was then analyzed and surfer activity was also recorded at five second interval.
Surfer activity was marked as the following: sitting, paddling, wave riding, miscellaneous, or
N/A if the surfer could not be seen in the video or if a heart rate of 0 beats per minute was
recorded during the surfing session. If more than 5% of the surfers session is marked as N/A, the
data was then concerned un-usable.
Results
Subject Characteristics
Thirty-eight stand up paddle surfers were used in this study, thirty-five males and three
females. The age of participants ranged between 30-70 years of age. The average age of surfers
was 46.660.27 years for the group, 46.220.30 years for males and 51.672.50 years for
females. The average years participants had been surfing was 22.13 0.43. The average height
of the surfers was 1.79 0.002m for the group, 1.640.01m for females and 1.8m0.002m for
males. The average weight of the surfers was 80.610.34kg for the group, 82.800.3kg for males
and 55.112.42kg for females. 31 out of 38 of the subjects considered SUP to be their primary
form of exercise and 37 out of 38 considered surfing to be an adequate form of exercise. The
average board length was around 108in (9) with the more common fin set up being either quad
or tri.
Environmental factors
For the study, the average wind speed was calculated to be approximately 2.30 1.32 kts,
and the average wave interval throughout the study turned out to be 10.742.20 seconds. The
average water temperature was 65.713.00 degrees fahrenheit, while the average air temperature

was calculated to be 63.343.64 degrees fahrenheit. On average, the height of the waves were
2.760.85 feet. The average wave direction during the study was 257.5036.27 degrees, and the
average wind direction during the study was 159.5088.94 degrees.
Activity
The average time that each surfer was in the water was 49.18 0.59 min. An average of
3.110.08 min was spent during wave riding total for the group, 4.852.29 min was spent during
female wave riding time and 3.010.08 min for males. An average of 27.240.47min was spent
paddling for the group, 13.48.2 min for females and 28.030.5 min for males. An average of
16.110.39 min was spent stationary for the group, 13.68.8 min for females and 16.260.41
min for males. An average of 10.950.26 min was spent in miscellaneous for the group,
28.310.003min for females and 9.950.25 min for males (Figure 3). The SUP surfers spent an
approximate 5.42 0.85% WR, 47.45 5.08% paddling, 28.07 4.17% stationary, 19.06 2.76%
miscellaneous (figure 4). Male surfers spent an average of 5.26 0.14% wave riding, 48.96
0.90% paddling, 28.40 0.74% stationary, and 17.38 0.45% miscellaneous. Female surfers
spent an average 8.06 5.70 % wave riding, 22.28 13.64%paddling, 22.61 14.58% stationary,
47.05 0.01% miscellaneous.
Heart Rate
All thirty-eight surfers were able to achieve maximum heart rate within 10 bpm of their
estimated maximal heart rate using the formula 220 - subjects age = estimated max heart rate.
The max heart rate for the total group was 163.430.46bpm. The average maximal HR for the
females was 1474.95 bpm and 164.370.49 bpm for males (Figure 1). The average heart rate
for the group was 128.920.55 bpm, the average was 119.715.45 bpm for females and
129.450.59 bpm for males. Analysis of four activities: wave riding (WR), paddling (P),
stationery (S) and miscellaneous (M), were analyzed to determine which activity had the highest
heart rate in bpm. The total group average for (WR) was 133.740.98 bpm, the average for
females was 70.9550.67 bpm and the average was 137.330.83 bpm for males. Total group
average for (P) was 132.210.75 bpm, the average for females was 132.710.81 bpm and the
average was 132.170.82bpm for males. Total group average for (S) was 122.490.82 bpm, the
average for females was 116.302.19 bpm and 112.490.82 bpm for males. The total group
average for (M) was 128.470.43 bpm, the average for females was 113.902.47 bpm and the
average was 129.310.46 bpm for males (Table 1). There was no data indicating that there is a
direct correlation between surfing experience and the ability to reach maximal heart rate in bpm
for the subjects age range. (Figure 2.) The highest levels of HR during activities were achieved
during (WR) and (P) intervals of SUP surfing. Within the surf session the activities fell into a
pattern of peaks and valleys as seen in figure 5. The heart rate peaked during the WR period and
then was somewhat sustained during a period of paddling when the subject went to paddle back
out past break readying themselves for another wave.

Discussion
Currently, this is the first study to research the cardiovascular benefits of SUP surfing.
Our hypothesis was confirmed that the recreational surfers will reach their maximal possible
heart rate at some point in the surf session. The impact of environmental factors such as wind

speed and wave interval on the amount of time that was spent by the surfers riding waves was
considered. After testing for correlation and running a t-test, no significant correlation was found
between wind speed and wave riding time. Additionally no significant correlations were found
between wave interval and wave riding time. Other considerations were made for whether the
amount of years surfed had any impact on the surfers ability to reach maximal heart rate as well
as wave riding time. No significant correlations were found for any of these variables after
testing for correlation and running a t-test. Wave riding time was the variable that was compared
and investigated further because the heart rate of a surfer is at its highest when a surfer is
paddling and wave riding. During paddling intervals, the heart rate of the surfers was the most
steady compared to the other activities mentioned. The results from the study suggest that standup paddle surfing is an applicable option for aerobic exercise, since it meets the criteria of the
guidelines of the American Heart Association regarding maximal heart rate. Most of the time the
heart rate of a paddler will stay above resting level because most of the time is spent during the
paddle or wave riding phase.
When comparing past studies done on recreational surfers to the current study, the Farley
et al. study recorded their subjects at a mean HR of 139 bpm, while the current SUP study had a
mean HR of 128 bpm. Subjects in the Farley et al. study (2012) also spent most of their time
paddling (54%) while SUP subjects spent 47.45% of their time paddling. While the Farley et al.
study subjects spent 28% of the surf period stationary the subjects in the SUP study spent
28.07% stationary. In the Farley et al. study the subjects spent 8% of the total time wave riding
while the subjects in the SUP study spent 5.42% wave riding. The cause for such difference in
the percentage times can likely be contributed to several factors: it was a competitive surf
competition in Farley et al. and not a recreational leisure time, which were the conditions of the
current SUP study. Participants in the SUP study were under no pressure to perform or catch
waves, so a majority of the subjects used the stationary time as a means of relaxing and
socializing with peers. The Farley et al. study was also examining prone surfing and not SUP
surfing. To get a better understanding of the differences between SUP surfers and prone surfers,
comparisons should be made between recreational prone surfers and recreational SUP surfers or
vice versa where both subject populations are studied in a competitive environment.
Another study that was done on recreational prone surfers was by Meir et al. (1991), who
found that their subjects maximal HR while surfing, was 171 bpm, their subjects were much
younger ages (21.8 years), they did not reach their maximal heart rate for their age range and
unlike the subjects in the SUP study, most of the subjects reached maximal heart rate. In the
Meir et al. study the subjects had a mean HR of 143 bpm while paddling, while in the SUP study
the subjects had a mean HR of 132.21 bpm. In Meir et al. the subjects had a mean HR 127 bpm
while they were stationary, in the SUP study 122.49 bpm. In the Meir et al. study the mean HR
was 135 bpm while the SUP study was 128 bpm. While there is a small difference in the bpm, it
is most likely due to the fact that the Meir et al. study was done on a younger age population of
recreational surfers that have the ability to reach a greater maximal heart rate.
Limitations
The limitations presented during this study were notable and may have had an influence
on final analyzed data. The first being SUP surfing is not yet as popular as prone surfing so
recruitment of participants who were SUP surfers was limited to one local beach and only a
handful of people planning to SUP for the day depending on the surf conditions. The subject

population was primarily male with only three female participants. One of the females had a gear
malfunction with the heart monitor and watch and ended up turning it off rendering a dataless
surf session and resulting in the use of only two female subjects with useable data. Other
equipment malfunctions to note was the charge life on the camera batteries. Both batteries only
held a charge life of up to 120 minutes and needed a minimum of 2hrs to fully recharge which
limited us to the filming of only one or two participants per day. Environmental factors played a
role in data collection as well when wind speed and wave height was less than desireable for
SUP surfers it was harder to recruit study participants. Also the choppy conditions of the water
and high wind speed makes it harder for SUP surfers to stay on their board since they are
primarily upright throughout their surf session, this being the primary reason one of the female
participants in the study had no data correlating her with any wave riding intervals. Another
factor we can contribute to limitations is the fact that we tested recreational surfers on their
leisure time so time spent socializing should be accounted for when analyzing the lack of wave
riding in the data set. Lastly, since Cardiff Beach was the primary hotspot for SUP surfers, and
there has been prior researchers frequenting the same beach for participants, we ran into the
obstacle of people who have already been a participant for past classes. Had some of these
factors been eliminated the data may have had different outcomes.
Future Studies
This is one of the only studies to observe SUP surfers. Due to the lack in female subjects,
the study should be continued with the aim of collecting more female subjects, and possibly
comparing the difference between strictly recreational SUP surfers and prone surfers. A
longitudinal study is another possibility to study the physiological adaptations during surfing and
to investigate if surfing has similar effects compared to other physical activities Another study of
interest would be to measure the differences between recreational SUP surfers and competitive
SUP surfers.

Figures and Tables

Figure 1.

Figure 3.

Figure 2.

Figure 4.

Figure 5.
Average Heart Rate In Bpm During Activity
Subjects

Wave Riding
(WR)

Paddling

Stationary

(P)

(S)

Males

137.330.83

132.170.82

112.490.82

129.310.46

Females

70.9650.17

133.01.41

116.32.19

113.92.47

Group

133.740.98

132.220.75

122.160.76

128.470.43

Table 1.

References

Miscellaneous
(M)

Farley, O., Harris, N., & Kilding, A. (2012). Physiological Demands Of Competitive
Surfing. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 26(7), 1887-1896. Retrieved from
http://cc.csusm.edu/pluginfile.php/197481/mod_resource/content/1/Farley et al., Journal of
Strength and Conditioning Research, 2012 (2).pdf
Mndez-Villanueva, A., J. Perez-Landaluce, D. Bishop, B. Fernandez-Garca, R.
Ortolano, X. Leibar, and N. Terrados. "Upper Body Aerobic Fitness Comparison between Two
Groups of Competitive Surfboard Riders." Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport 8.1 (2005):
43-51.
Meir, R., Lowdon, B., & Davie, A. (1991). Heart Rates and Estimated Energy
Expenditure during Recreational Surfing. Australian Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport,
23, 70-74. Retrieved from
http://cc.csusm.edu/pluginfile.php/197480/mod_resource/content/1/Meir et al., Australian
Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 1991 .pdf
Renstrom, R. (2008, March 10). Surf's up! Stand-up paddle boards take off. Plastics
News. Retrieved from https://global-factiva-com.ezproxy.csusm.edu/ha/default.aspx#./!?
&_suid=14313679818930311978024430573