Surfing pregnant was one of my life’s most personal journeys—a close second to giving birth. No other experience has required such a heightened level of intuition. The moment I became aware of a life growing inside of me, everything shifted, particularly on my board.
I’d always been an avid surfer. At my favored break I was known as “Rogue,” a daredevil fueled by adrenaline, charging to the shoreline in hopes of overhead sets. Now I found myself searching for smaller surf, a concept foreign to any surfer.
My motto, “Surf till birth,” received support and opposition both on and off the beach. Most surfers understood. One short-boarder enthused, “There’s nothing like surfing with a pregnant woman in the lineup!”
But disapprovers came in all shapes and sizes, and even my mom, a surfer for more than 15 years, was hesitant. “She’s still surfing!” exclaimed my concerned mother to my obstetrician at week 30 of my pregnancy.
“Good for you!” he answered, smiling proudly. Mom rolled her eyes in defeat as I celebrated the world’s best permission slip.
Health Benefits
For a pregnant woman, California’s cool ocean waters are a welcome relief from heightened body temperature, anxiety and fluctuating hormones, and the buoyancy of salt water lightens the extra weight you’re carrying. But there are health benefits as well.
My biggest supporter was Louie Yu, D.C., who has extensive knowledge of orthomolecular and traditional Chinese medicine. Dr. Yu grew up surfing Palos Verdes in the ’70s and ’80s and believes, “All women who surf should surf pregnant. Stay active and have a healthier baby. You could trip and fall walking into yoga class and that would be way more traumatic than falling off while you are riding. The amniotic sac is there to protect the baby. It disperses the energy and pressure for you.”
According to Dr. Yu, surfing pregnant is not just safe, it’s smart. “Surfing is a great cardiovascular workout,” he says. “It stresses all the joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons.”
Surfing also helps prepare for labor. “Your muscles grow stronger, so your pelvic floor wall and surrounding muscles will be strong in contracting and pushing,” Dr. Yu explains. “When your baby is born, the baby is actually in a muscle that causes a wave to form. The baby has to literally ride a wave out.”
As to the surfer momma’s rush, baby lucks out. “All the brain chemicals you are getting a high from while surfing, baby is getting, too,” says Dr. Yu.
A caveat: It’s important to monitor your heartbeat to stay between 120 and 140 beats per minute, and you won’t want to get overheated or sweat profusely. With close monitoring, I quit surfing at 34 weeks due to low amniotic fluids.
Advice for the Mom to Be
If you’re thinking of surfing while pregnant, first and foremost, be extremely comfortable in the water. Second, a supportive partner is key. If my husband had asked me to stop, I would have, but happily he does roller derby and understands therapeutic adrenaline. Third, you must already be a great surfer. This translates to having consistent impeccable balance (my doctor approved my 9’ Stewart) and knowledge of water safety and wave judgment. Finally, be in excellent shape, something I got from 15 years of Power Yoga.
World surfing champion Kim “Danger Woman” Hamrock, who surfed through three pregnancies at Trestles, offered some top-notch cutback advice. “My best advice is to do the hardest cutbacks you can while you have the perfectly centered extra weight. The best cutbacks I have ever done were when I was pregnant.”
Other tips? Steer clear of crowds. Sit on the outside. Trust your intuition. If you feel contr
actions, it’s time to get out. Get your doctor’s approval and provide constant updates at your appointments.
And most important, enjoy the ride!
Ed. Note: Lori had a smooth delivery of a healthy baby, and was back on her board in five weeks.
Surfing photo courtesy David Pu’u. Beach photo courtesy Pat Denman.
This article is a part of the April/May 2015 issue of Whole Life Times.