Author Topic: How to breath before a hold-down and between waves.  (Read 12629 times)

zacksc

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How to breath before a hold-down and between waves.
« on: June 27, 2017, 10:16:56 AM »
I would love to get some advice on good breathing techniques to use to prepare for a hold-down when you can see it coming. Also, how to breath between waves during a sequence when you just have a short time before the next wave comes. I realized recently that even when I have some time before the first wave of a hold-down, I am not sure how to best use that, i.e., what breathing technique to use, or how to learn that. Any advice is much appreciated.

TallDude

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Re: How to breath before a hold-down and between waves.
« Reply #1 on: June 27, 2017, 10:38:52 AM »
Take a deep breath and relax. If you're nervous, scared and /or hyperventilating, you need to learn how to control that. Practice jumping off your board inside of were the waves are breaking. Take a breath and let the white water pass over. Then come up for air. Just stay swimming, and take a breath before the next wave and relax. Practice makes perfect. At least it might help.
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clinto

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Re: How to breath before a hold-down and between waves.
« Reply #2 on: June 27, 2017, 11:43:12 AM »
Just what TD said. Relaxing is the most important part. Unless you are on large waves, you shouldn't be held down for too long at a time. Its the tossing and disorienting whitewater full of bubbles that poses the biggest challenge. It is hard to swim in due to all of the air so planning for that helps you with not freaking out. I just go to a happy place like thinking about the ride i just had while im getting thrown around. as soon as it all calms, i swim to the surface with my hand up so i don't hit my board or another surfer. Then look around and be ready for another wave. a quick breath between waves is usually all you will have time for if you are within a set. The breathing exercises are good to do at home to help you learn to hold your breath for longer duration's and know your limits. Don't try it in a pool or anything though in case you pass out. I have also had the wind knocked out of my during a wipeout and was held down with nothing in my lungs. That is when keeping calm means the most.

digger71

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Re: How to breath before a hold-down and between waves.
« Reply #3 on: June 27, 2017, 11:51:55 AM »
First thing to realize is that unless you are surfing giant waves a hold down is only going to last 10-12 seconds max.  Yeah there is the rare possibility that you could get a 2 wave hold down, but unless you are at a big wave spot or surfing a really short period wave it's not gonna happen.  Even watch videos of guys at Jaws or other big wave spots - the single wave hold downs just aren't that long.  Though I imagine they feel like forever!

So like TallDude says...RELAX and enjoy the ride.  If you really want to learn more take a freediving course or at least research freediving techniques on the interweb.

Two obvious disclaimers:
1 - if you are surfing waves of consequence, wear flotation
2 - don't f@ck around with breath holding practice - never alone and always in a controlled environment

Tom

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Re: How to breath before a hold-down and between waves.
« Reply #4 on: June 27, 2017, 12:15:48 PM »
When you watch a big wave wipe-out video, hold your breath as long as the rider is under water. This will give you an idea if you can hold your breath long enough. Remember, you're relaxed at your computer screen, so that's cheating a bit.

supnorte

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Re: How to breath before a hold-down and between waves.
« Reply #5 on: June 27, 2017, 03:52:30 PM »
Last month, I did a short course with the Wave Crushers, the guys that train most of the big wave riders of Nazaré, in Portugal. It changed my perspective of how much I could hold my breathe under water. It is also a great exercise from SUp racing, you can improve your cardio a lot.
So my advice is to find if there's anyone doing this kind of training in your area and spend a few hours learning with them.

supnorte

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Re: How to breath before a hold-down and between waves.
« Reply #6 on: June 27, 2017, 03:58:25 PM »
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKKnCrmcEWo

The broomstick challenge in the final part was crazy. The exercise consisted on doing 10 laps blindfolded around a broomstick (on my 4th lap I was already disoriented), getting tossed into a swimming pool by this very large dude, then take the fold out, relax and focus and try to find the weight at the bottom of the pool, carry it to the other side of the pool underwater (and in the right direction) and back. You could go up for a short breathe during the exercise, but there was this one guy that did the whole exercise without breathing.

PonoBill

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Re: How to breath before a hold-down and between waves.
« Reply #7 on: June 27, 2017, 04:26:33 PM »
For me, the biggest improvement to breath-holding is diaphragmatic breathing. Practice it and you'll double your comfortable breath-hold time. being comfortable and relaxed is easier when you know you can hold your breath for two minutes. One good diaphragmatic breath before you get mowed and you're good for a minute, two breaths and you're good for two. People drown in a fraction of the time that freedivers can hold their breath--meaning they panic, use up their system oxygen, take a panicked breath under water, fill their lungs with water and die, while a freediver is swimming casually along the bottom looking at the fish. There is nothing truly physiological in that training--it's in their heads.

Supnorte, that looks like great training. I'm going to steal some of those ideas.
« Last Edit: June 27, 2017, 04:31:01 PM by PonoBill »
Foote 10'4X34", SIC 17.5 V1 hollow and an EPS one in Hood River. Foote 9'0" x 31", L41 8'8", 18' Speedboard, etc. etc.

zacksc

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Re: How to breath before a hold-down and between waves.
« Reply #8 on: June 27, 2017, 05:01:09 PM »
Thanks PB and everyone. Is there a place/site you might recommend where those diaphragmatic breathing techniques are described/taught? Any good references?  I have heard of someone in Australia who teaches diaphragmatic breathing as applied to surfing; does anyone know of anyone in California who teaches that sort of thing?

I know hold-downs are technically not very long, if measured in seconds, but I also know a lot of people over age 60 who have almost passed out in the line-up during hold-downs. I am trying to stay out of that group. So I am mostly looking for approaches suitable for older people who are looking to surf until they are in the 70+ range and hoping to avoid drama.

PonoBill

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Re: How to breath before a hold-down and between waves.
« Reply #9 on: June 27, 2017, 05:30:52 PM »
I'm 70. When I'm in practice I can hold my breath for three minutes. I'm holding it right now and I'm at 138 seconds. Ooof. You don't need an instructor, just google it.

About four or five years ago I got caught inside by a big set at Kahana. I swam the wrong direction for a few seconds, then realized my mistake (bubbles are going the other way, dickhead) got a little panic-y and bolted for the surface just in time to get mowed again. After the second wave, I must have looked a little freaked because Dave Kalama yelled over to me, asking if I was OK. He was concerned, but there was also a hint of "what the heck is wrong with you, getting freaked in these baby waves." Or at least that's how it felt. I've been freediving since I was 14--about 56 years, so it was more than a little bit embarrassing. So I went on line in search of better breath control. There are LOTS of posts about diaphragmatic breathing on the web. I practiced.

I'm still not ready for anything much more than double overhead, but last year when every day seemed like it was 7 to 10 Hawaiian I was a happy guy. I wore an impact vest a lot, and a waist leash, but if I have time for one good breath before I get pounded I draw it deep into my lower lungs and relax. It's fun just hanging out, getting pummelled for 30 seconds when you know you're good for twice that.
Foote 10'4X34", SIC 17.5 V1 hollow and an EPS one in Hood River. Foote 9'0" x 31", L41 8'8", 18' Speedboard, etc. etc.

digger71

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Re: How to breath before a hold-down and between waves.
« Reply #10 on: June 27, 2017, 05:52:30 PM »
About four or five years ago I got caught inside by a big set at Kahana.

The big mushy waves always seem to work me the worst and hold me down the longest.  Throwing, top to bottom waves give a real thumping, but it's usually over quickly.  The beating from the rolling mushy ones just keeps going and leaves me the most disoriented an out of breath.

TallDude

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Re: How to breath before a hold-down and between waves.
« Reply #11 on: June 27, 2017, 06:40:26 PM »
When it's heavy, I always expect to go for a ride. I put my feet together and let my leash pull me. It's partly to try to avoid breaking the leash, and to just relax and go with it. Every once in a while, you get that shiiiiiiit as you feel the tension immediately release. 'Damm, the leash broke.' Then it's time to swim. Throw the paddle, and swim to it. Throw the paddle and swim to it, etc.
Oh, I forgot. Throw the paddle towards my hat and swim to it first. I hate losing my free trucker hats :)
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outcast

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Re: How to breath before a hold-down and between waves.
« Reply #12 on: June 27, 2017, 06:50:08 PM »
Aside from being a great movie , Distance Between Dreams kind of shows you state-of the art
big wave training...  Ian Walsh..


https://youtu.be/6_Re47ceo7Q?t=2

the training not shown in the trailer but there's a few great sections on how hard these guys push it
« Last Edit: June 27, 2017, 06:51:42 PM by outcast »
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surfcowboy

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Re: How to breath before a hold-down and between waves.
« Reply #13 on: June 27, 2017, 07:09:56 PM »
Check out Adam Freediver on YouTube. He's got a lot of good tips and videos that apply.

So, broken record, relax, it's always short. But another thing that I do to allow myself to relax is this.

Sitting on the couch, exhale.... and hold your breath, relaxed, without a breath. I guarantee you can hold it for more than 30 seconds with no issue. Once you know that you don't even need a breath, when your in the washing machine you will know that you are fine and can just remember all of us and laugh.

Knowing the worst case scenario and finding it not that bad is often a way to overcome a fear for me.

Area 10

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Re: How to breath before a hold-down and between waves.
« Reply #14 on: June 27, 2017, 08:28:34 PM »
Try running 200 yards at 85% of your maximum effort, and then immediately try holding your breath. It is scary how hard it is to last even a few seconds. You'll see then that the trick to holding your breath is not to exert yourself in the impact zone, or indeed, even before you wipe out. Try to conserve energy and relax at all times, not just when you wipe out. Keep plenty in reserve.

 


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