hiya wa howa aswat

Time is running out. The surfer in the red jersey needs a perfect 10 to clinch his maiden world tour title. So, what do you know about high performance surfing under pressure?

They say it's all in the mind but, many times, our bodies rule over our brains. We need to go, we must score, it's our last chance, it shall be perfect.

Tension plays a critical role in high performance surfing. When you're surfing the heat of your life, our brain works like a surfer on a deep barrel. All efforts are focused on getting out untouched, on successfully accomplish the goal, like an animal in survival mode.

Pressure is part of competition, and learning how to deal with pressure should part of the daily training of a professional surfer. Usually, surf coaches play the role of psychologists, but it shouldn't be like that.
"Pressure is often experienced as a compelling or constraining influence on the mind, or an urgent demand that must be met. Pressure is a feeling that is created by ourselves, when we react to particular events or situations", writes Michelle Paccagnella, author of a paper study published in "Sports Coach" by the Australian Sports Commission.

Interestingly, surfers feel the pressure to perform well, but they don't usually understand where does that pressure come from. There are multiple sources - parental expectations, their own desired results, other people's expectations (surf coaches, family, friends), media constraints, fans', etc.
Pressure can also be originated by immaterial phenomenon - how well prepared they feel, importance of the performance, anticipated degree of difficulty, (lack of) self-confidence, repeated errors, testing new surfboards and maneuvers, etc.

"Pressure isn't something that happens to us - it is something that is manufactured by our own thinking. It doesn't have a form, a color, a smell. Pressure is simply how we perceive the situation we are in. Pressure is an illusion!", adds Paccagnella.

When a professional surfer needs to win the last event of the season to be crowned world surfing champion, he should embed a few thoughts for himself.

1. Pressure only exists if you are concerned about the outcome. The first and final heat of the season are exactly the same. Nothing changes the way you surf. Train your mind to stay in the present.

2. Learn to practice at the same level you compete at. Learn to train as you mean to play.
3. Pressure situations require enhanced communication. Talk to yourself with ease. Let the other surfer in yourself help you make decisions.

4. Never, ever give in - maintain commitment and desire in the face of adversity.

5. Keep focused when paddling for your favorite waves, and believe in their potential with maximum dedication.

6. Slow down. Even though you may feel under time constraints,
it's better to slow down and get it right than to rush it and make an error.

7. Practice mindfulness. No negative thoughts. Think positively. You will do it.

8. Share your feelings with friends and close supporters.

10. Strive for excellence, not perfection.

11. Have good error recovery strategies. Transform your errors into useful, real-time advantages. What can you make better?

12. Identify the actions/skills that suffer most when you are in a pressure situation. You've surfed many heats, so try to identify the most common mistakes and write down what you'll do to avoid and/or reduce them.


This sports pressure model is based on the principle that a situation changes, and it ignites a mental response. Then, you feel emotional and physical responses which will result in actions and consequences.