Right now, the forecast has flatlined across parts of Europe. The North Atlantic is in snooze mode and could be the foreseeable. Staying surf fit is one of the biggest challenges when the surf essentially stops. As big wave surfer Garrett McNamara once said: “The best training for surfing is surfing.”
But how to train when the ocean has given on up us? The surfers who come back strongest aren’t the ones who wait out the flat spell doing nada. They’re the ones who keep their paddle muscles switched on, even when the ocean isn’t cooperating. That’s exactly the gap the Mavrex paddle trainer was built to fill.
Introducing the Mavrex
The Mavrex is a compact, at-home paddle trainer designed to keep your paddle-specific strength and stamina dialled in, whether you’re stuck in a flat spell, based inland, or just want a structured way to build paddle power before your next trip.
Unlike generic gym equipment or resistance bands that mimic swimming strokes, the Mavrex is built specifically around the surf paddle motion, the exact muscles, angles and rhythm you use lying on your board. That’s its real USP; it isn’t a general fitness gadget you’re adapting to surfing, it’s a tool engineered from the ground up for surfers, by people who understand exactly what paddling demands of the body.
Don’t take our word for it, surf coast Sebastian Jimenez has been using this paddle trainer for a while. And here he is.
Kieran Sammon, who has brought the Mavrex back to the UK, said: “The Mavrex was different. Soon as I tried it, I got why. You don’t need a pool, you don’t need a gym, you just need five minutes and you’re doing the actual motion you use on your board. That’s the bit people don’t expect, it’s not a general fitness thing, it’s built around paddling specifically. If you’re stuck in a flat spell and you want to come back paddling strong instead of starting again from zero, this is what does it.”
Sebastian Jimenez, a surf coach based in Scotland, has been using the Mavrex between flat spells. “The device is really good,” he said. “I used to lifeguard for 20 years, and swim training for surfing is so important. The Mavrex isn’t a replacement for going in the ocean, but it’s such an important additional bit of equipment that can supplement your surfing. ”
Use anywhere, improve your surfing. Easy as that.
The Mavrex Method: Improve Your Surfing at Home
Here’s a simple, training routine using the Mavrex to build the paddle strength and endurance that translates directly to more waves and less fatigue in the water. Aim for two to three sessions a week, especially during flat spells and adjust reps as your fitness builds.
1) Standard Paddle Stroke, The foundation movement. Lie in position and paddle in smooth, controlled strokes, focusing on full extension and a strong pull-through, exactly as you would catching a wave. 3 sets x 30–45 seconds
2) Sprint Paddle Bursts Short, fast, high-intensity paddle bursts that mimic the effort needed to catch a wave before it passes you by. 5 sets x 10 seconds, with 20 seconds rest between
3) Endurance Paddle Hold Slower, sustained paddling over a longer period, building the stamina needed for longer sessions or bigger paddle-outs. 2 sets x 2 minutes
4) Single-Arm Paddle Focus, Isolating one arm at a time to correct imbalances and build strength evenly on both sides, something most surfers never train but almost everyone needs. 3 sets x 15 seconds per arm
5) Pop-Up Transition Paddle, Finish a short paddle burst by transitioning straight into a pop-up position, training the exact sequence your body goes through when catching a wave for real. 4 sets x 5 reps
6) Core Stabiliser, Hold a static hold in the paddle-ready position, engaging the core the same way it’s engaged lying on a board, key for balance, control, and injury prevention. 3 sets x 30 seconds
Run through this six-move sequence as a circuit, resting a minute between rounds, two to three times through. It’s simple enough to do anywhere, and specific enough that the strength and endurance you build carries straight over to your actual paddle-outs, whether you’re using it today, or coming back to this same routine years from now.
Stay Ready for the Next Swell
Flat spells will always happen. What separates surfers who come back firing from those who spend the first few sessions rebuilding fitness is what they do in between.
The Mavrex is available through Exit. Follow Exit on social for training tips, product updates, and more from the wider range, including the XRail wetsuit hanger, wetsuit care accessories and so much more.
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Not bulky, can even take it on a trip.
