3 Breathing Techniques for Surfing
You’re sitting on your board, watching the horizon, and suddenly you see a bigger set building. Your heart starts racing. Your breathing gets shallow. Your mind starts asking, Can I handle this? Should I go? What if I wipe out?
We’ve all been there.
And while we can’t always control the size of the waves, we can learn to control how we respond to them.
Your breath is one of the most powerful tools you have in the water. Learning how to control your breathing can help you stay present, calm your body, and feel more prepared when things get intense.
The goal isn't to eliminate fear. Fear is part of surfing. The goal is to learn how to breathe through it and trust yourself.
Here are three breathing techniques you can practice on land and bring with you into the water.
1. Box Breathing
Box breathing is a simple way to slow everything down and bring your attention back to the present moment.
Try this:
Inhale for 4 seconds
Hold for 4 seconds
Exhale for 4 seconds
Hold for 4 seconds
Repeat 4–5 times
Use it before paddling out or practice at home.
Think of it as your reset button.
2. Bee’s Breath 🐝
This one is all about a long, slow exhale.
Take one deep, full inhale, then slowly exhale for about twice as long as your inhale. You can even make a gentle humming sound as you exhale, like a bee.
For example:
Inhale for 4 → Exhale for 8.
Try it while sitting on your board between sets, after a wipeout, or before taking off on a wave that feels a little intimidating.
3. The Full Lung Breath
This is one you want to practice before you need it.
Take one slow, deep inhale and imagine filling your lungs completely — belly, ribs, chest — until you feel completely full. Then hold that breath comfortably for a few seconds.
The goal is to get familiar with the feeling of taking a big, full breath so that when you need to go underwater, your body knows exactly what to do.
This is especially useful to practice for turtle rolls and wipeouts. Before going under, take that big, full breath and fill your lungs all the way up.
Inhale fully → hold → relax → release.
Practice this on land first and gradually become comfortable with a full breath hold. Never practice breath holds in the water alone or as a challenge against time.
Your Breath Is Part of Your Surfing
The next time you find yourself intimidated by a wave, remember: you don't have to be fearless to surf it.
Take a breath.
Come back to your body.
Trust your training.
And decide what feels right for you in that moment.
Because confidence isn't the absence of fear. It's knowing you can meet the fear and stay present anyway.
Breathe in. Let go. Paddle out. 🌊