If you’re new to surfing, rib soreness after a few sessions is extremely common.
Many beginner surfers experience bruising or tenderness around the ribs after spending long periods paddling on their surfboard.
While it can feel alarming at first, this type of soreness is usually temporary and often disappears as your body adapts to surfing.
Why Rib Pain Happens to Beginner Surfers
Surfing places pressure on parts of the body that most people rarely use in everyday life.
When paddling, your chest and rib cage rest directly on the surfboard. Over time, this repeated compression can cause soreness in the rib area.
Several factors contribute to this:
- Long paddling sessions
- Poor paddling posture
- Surfing multiple days in a row
- Lack of shoulder mobility
Your Body Needs Time to Adapt
Surfing uses muscles that many people are not accustomed to using.
The intercostal muscles between your ribs help stabilize your torso while paddling.
When these muscles are suddenly used for long periods, soreness can occur.
The good news is that most surfers notice this discomfort decreases significantly after their first few weeks of regular surfing.
How to Reduce Rib Pain While Learning to Surf
There are several simple things beginner surfers can do to reduce rib soreness.
- Wear a rash guard for extra padding
- Take breaks between long paddle sessions
- Focus on proper paddling technique
- Stretch your shoulders before surfing
Learning Proper Technique Early Helps
One of the best ways to avoid unnecessary soreness is to learn correct technique from the beginning.
At Witch’s Rock Surf Camp’s Beginner Surf School, instructors teach paddling technique, positioning, and ocean awareness so surfers progress safely and comfortably.
With the right guidance, most surfers quickly adapt to paddling and the rib soreness disappears.
