There has been a lot of buzz about training and surfing of late. Maroubra's John Gannon gives us the low down on what he's up to with Taj Burrow on tour.

The stand out argument that you hear all too often is that surfing is the best training for surfing. I guess that’s true for some. However, I think in order to maintain your consistency, and lessen your chance of injury, specific training outside of surfing will help you achieve this. Training Taj Burrow over the past couple of years has given me insight into how to train if you want to go faster, higher and stronger in the surf. We have found out what type of training works for him and we continue to try out different exercises. It’s never ending, and that’s what keeps this job challenging and fun.

The one thing we worked out real quick was that if the waves are on Taj surfs. Surfing is a unique sport in that the ocean allows only small windows of opportunity to actually surf. While skating involves similar movements those guys get to ride the same bowl or ramp 24 hours a day, everyday. Surfers can go weeks without a decent wave, so we need to utilize the waves when they are on. Plus, trying to get any surfer in the gym when the waves are good is a sure fire way to be told to get f#cked!

So when the waves are good he surfs. We pull back on other training but Taj does take the time to stretch and do some foam roller work, to keep him in alignment and feeling strong. If we check the forecast and the waves are looking rank we step up his training.

Over the coming months I’ll give you some tips on training, breathing and stretching to better your surfing. My suggestions may not be for everyone. I know some boys on tour do things differently. Some only surf, others train and surf six days a week while a few smash ten beers a night and then surf. My point is to try different types of training and find out what works for you.

Johnny Gannon