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SURF PSYCHOLOGY
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Surf Psychology applies the knowledge and principles of sport psychology specifically to the sport of surfing. Sport psychology is a specialist field based upon sound scientific knowledge, research and practical application. Sport psychology explores your thoughts, feelings, experiences and behaviour and how you respond to your social and physical sporting environment.
Areas of education in the field of surf psychology cover all the key mental factors that influence your personal and surfing performances. These include:
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| - Awareness - Responsibility - Personal openness - Courage - Desire and will to achieve - Confidence and self belief - Attitude |
- Motivation - Positive persistence - Coping ability - Concentration and focus - Preparedness - Physical and mental arousal - Decision making |
- Visual search and selection - Technical adaptability - Creativity and style - Mood and emotion - Boredom and burnout - Stress management
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| Psychological skills training is utilised to facilitate and improve surfing performance as well as to establish and foster a solid personal foundation to spring from. Psychological skills training is provided on a needs basis and may include: |
| - Goal setting - Mental imagery Visualisation Simulation and rehearsal Mental practice - Relaxation training - Self communication Self talk Body talk Mood talk - Concentration and focus techniques - Arousal modulation strategies - Competitive planning and tactics - Devising a mental preparation routine to consistently attain your ideal performance state - Improving ocean rhythm and instinct - Managing performance nerves and anxiety - Managing fear and adrenalin in high intensity ocean conditions: big and dangerous waves - Motivational strategies - Technical skills and style development - Equipment selection and suitability |
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work The athlete and their support network Team games and competition - Developing effective coping resources - Managing performance slumps/losses - Injury prevention and recovery - Physical and mental burnout: early warning signs and proactive management - Personal management/organisation - Career planning/professional issues - Public and media presentation skills - Managing fame - Personal issue counselling - Crisis management - Drug education and counselling Effects on performance Management strategies - Psychological assessment - Gaining and maintaining perspective Surfing life and personal life |
Surf Psychology thus facilitates psychological well being and serves to optimise your preparation and mental approach in all surfing and personal endeavours.
Richard's new book THESURFERSMIND is the complete, practical guide to surf psychology, covering all the areas of education and psychological skills training above as well as presenting words of inspiration and advice from more than 70 of the worlds best surfers. Buy your personal copy today...
