Name: Blaine Robinson
Sport: Surfing
Born: 20th January, 1997.
Lives: Gold Coast, QL
Hobbies: Surfing Favorite
Surf Spot: Straddie when it's on!
Sponsors:Carve Eyewear, JR Surfboards, Future Fins.
Best Results: 4th Australian titles, 2nd State QLD Titles.
I’ve been working as a strength and conditioning coach with Blaine Robinson for around the last 3 years, and as a coach, it’s really exciting to see a young kid start to develop into a strong, talented athlete. Over the years, Blaine has had to deal with a number of set backs to his surfing career, but he has really been putting his head down lately and working hard towards making this his full-time career. As you can see from the photo’s, the kid absolutely rips and you can see more of his mad surfing skills by following his INSTAGRAM account: @blaine_robinson
When it comes to programming strength work for a surfer, the idea is still similar to most sports, in that we need to develop strength, speed and power. Whilst resistance training is starting to catch on in the sport of surfing, it is still relatively new, which means people tend to think getting a surfer on BOSU balls and standing on unstable surfaces is the best way to develop ‘core’ strength specific to surfing. Not true. Developing strength, power and speed requires improving force production.
Research has shown that these qualities are developed to a far greater level when utilizing stable surfaces and incorporating exercises such as Squats, Deadlifts, Pressing, Pull Ups and Olympic Lifting (once the training age of the athlete has been ~1-2 years). Blaine has been developing his strength skills now for almost 3 years, and is starting to lift some solid weights.
Not only this, but his mindset has also really changed over the years, where he now understands that the work done in the gym might not be as important as time in the water, but it could be the 2-3% worthwhile change he needs to improve from being in 5th place, to leading the charge.
Be sure to lookout for this kid, he’s about to let loose. Yew!!