Meet Erika Drolet, the inspiring co-founder of Salty Souls and one of the driving forces behind The Salty Club.
Originally hailing from Quebec, Erika took a leap of faith to pursue her passion for surfing and movement in El Salvador. Since then, she has built The Salty Club, along with her co-founders Marie Chris, and Caitlin, into a thriving community of wave-loving, health-conscious individuals from all over the world who value feeling good about their bodies and their lives.
Simply put, Erika has a gun-ho approach to life that’s both infectious and empowering. Blessed with seemingly boundless energy and focus, she’s continually working on new projects to both uplift and motivate those around her to cultivate what she calls “a high quality life hygiene”.
If you’re looking for a way to fine-tune your surfing, prevent injury or just enhance your overall well being, The Salty Club is right up your alley. We managed to snag Erika for a few quick-fire questions, which you can check out below.
Read on to learn all about her surf fitness philosophy and discover how you can join the ever-growing Salty Club community.
Q. Erika! Thanks for chatting with us. Can you tell our readers why staying fit when you’re not surfing is so important?
Hey, guys! Thanks for having me.
First and foremost, staying active keeps you mentally sane!
Surfing can be unpredictable, which means it isn’t always available. It also demands specific physical abilities, including powerful paddle strokes, cardiovascular endurance, strong back muscles, mobility, trunk rotation, coordination and the capacity to calmly hold your breath when underwater.
No one wants to spend the first week of a surf trip getting back into “surf shape.” Training on land ensures you’re always ready for the waves and can make the most of your time in the water. It’s also always available to you if you want to release those feel-good endorphins.
Q. Besides yoga, what other forms of exercise or movement do you advocate for landlocked surfers?
Primal Movement, Surfskating and Apnea training form the ultimate trio.
- Primal Movement: This involves exercises that mimic natural human movements, thereby enhancing power, mobility, agility, coordination and proprioception. It’s not only effective… It’s also incredibly fun. Once you try it, you’ll be hooked!
- Surfskating: This is perfect for practising manoeuvres and building muscle memory as well as strengthening the lower body. Surfskates allow us to emulate the movement of surfing on land and keep our skills sharp when we’re away from the ocean.
- Breath-Hold Training (apnea): This training enhances your overall cardiovascular capacity and, more importantly, your ability to control your mind and stay calm under pressure. Breathing is a crucial yet often underestimated component of both physical and mental mastery.
Q. Thanks for sharing. In your opinion, what’s the biggest surf fitness myth that people shouldn’t buy into?
One of the biggest myths about the surf fitness industry is that you need a super lean and muscular body to be a good surfer.
This myth perpetuates the idea that surfing is only for those who fit a certain physical mould, which can be discouraging for many. In reality, surfing is a skill-based sport that relies heavily on technique, balance and experience.
No doubt fitness helps, but the idea that you need a specific body type to excel at surfing is misleading. Surfers come in all shapes and sizes, and what truly matters is dedication to improving your skills, a passion for the sport and a connection to the ocean.
Q. Right on! We totally agree. What do you recommend for people who want to start a surf-specific fitness routine?
Easy! Find a program that resonates with you and follow it consistently.
We offer around 15 different programs at The Salty Club. These vary in length, focus and intensity, so you have plenty of options to choose from. Little or no equipment is required, so you can also train no matter where you are.
Just press play and get started!
Q. Last but not least, what advice do you have for those struggling to set time aside for a training session?
Don’t negotiate with yourself! This is the golden rule.
Schedule your workouts just like you would an important meeting or appointment. It’s a meeting with yourself, and you need to stick to the plan. It doesn’t matter if it’s just a 20-minute express workout. You don’t negotiate with yourself.
Prioritising these sessions will help you stay consistent and make fitness a non-negotiable part of your routine.
Ready to become surf-fit and make the most of your next longboarding vacation?
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