Some mornings, I wake up and the ocean is totally still. No wind. No swell. Just glassy water and silence. For most people, that might mean taking a break from surfing. But for me, it means something different—I grab my board and head to the pool.
I know, it sounds weird at first. A surfer paddling around a swimming pool? But I’ve learned that just because the waves are sleeping doesn’t mean I have to.
The first time I tried paddling in a pool, it felt kinda awkward. I was used to the ocean giving me little pushes, helping me glide. But in the pool, it’s all you. Every inch forward is your own effort. No tides. No currents. Just you, your board, and your arms doing the work.
It didn’t take long to realize that this was secretly awesome.
💦 How Paddling Practice in the Pool Keeps Me Strong
During off-season, or whenever Batukaras goes quiet, the pool becomes my personal surf gym. I lay flat on my board, focus on my stroke, and imagine I’m chasing down the perfect wave. Sometimes I paddle laps. Sometimes I race my own timer. Sometimes I just breathe deep and pretend I’m about to pop up on a clean right-hander.
There’s something kind of magical about it. You’re in a pool—but your mind is out there on the reef break.
Practicing paddling like this has changed a lot for me. My arms feel stronger. I catch more waves when the swell finally comes back. I feel calmer in the water. One of the biggest wins? I’ve started improving my breath-hold too. Between laps, I’ll do mini hold-breath dives—nothing crazy, just enough to train my body to stay relaxed and steady. It helps a lot when I wipe out for real and get held under for a second.
Pool training also gives me confidence. Like, real mental confidence. When you know you’ve done the work—even on the flat days—you paddle out with extra fire in your heart. You know you earned your spot in the lineup.
🌐 Even the Pros Paddle in the Pool
And it’s not just me. I found out that even the pros train like this. The World Surf League shared a bunch of pool-based surf workouts, and it made me feel like I’m on the right path. If the top athletes in the world are doing it, why shouldn’t I?
Even Surfline talks about using pools for surf fitness. It’s not just a substitute—it’s a smart strategy.
🎧 Making Pool Training Fun (Even When You’re Solo)
Of course, there are fun parts too. I usually bring my waterproof speaker and blast my surf playlist while I paddle. Sometimes I drag my soft-top board into the water if the pool rules allow it. Other times, I’ll bring my little cousins and turn it into a race—winner gets an extra pancake at breakfast.
Not gonna lie, people do stare sometimes. But hey, every champion starts somewhere—and this is part of my dream.
I want to be ready when the waves come back. Not just kinda ready. I want to be so ready that when the swell hits, I paddle out feeling like a superhero. All that training in the pool becomes fuel. You feel it in your arms, in your lungs, and in your heart.
💬 Staying Stoked and Ready for the Swell
The last time I trained all week in the pool, the very next Monday gave me a solid 3ft swell. I paddled out like I had rockets under me. I was fast, smooth, and caught way more waves than usual. That feeling? It stays with you. It keeps you hungry.
There’s a quote I tell myself sometimes: “Even when the ocean is flat, my dream to become a WSL champion isn’t.”
So I keep paddling.
If you’re a young surfer reading this, or maybe someone who just misses the waves when they disappear—don’t sit still. Get creative. Your surf journey doesn’t have to pause when the ocean does. There’s always something you can do to grow.
And if you ever try pool paddling, tag me on Instagram @intan.surf. I’d love to cheer you on. Let’s train smart and dream big—one stroke at a time.
🌊 Related Reads from My Journey
Earlier I mentioned how this also helps when I wipe out. If you’ve ever been tumbled by a wave, check out how I deal with wipeouts—it’s not just physical, it’s a mental game too.
And if you want to see how a perfect wave feels when the work pays off, don’t miss Unleashing the Stoke.