The Benefits of Surf Apnea Training

Keeping a clear head under ocean’s pressure

BY KEREN BELLOS

Riding the colossal swells of Tasmania’s Shipstern Bluff, seasoned big wave surfer Shanan Worrall faced a near-fatal wipeout, which tested every fibre of his being.
Held under by two powerful successive waves, he was on the brink of unconsciousness when his surf apnea training kicked in.
“Losing mental focus or having poor breathwork can mean life or death in that situation,” he said.
“As my head hit the surface, I was blacking out from a lack of oxygen, but my breathwork took over to force air into my body, and I survived.”
An accomplished waterman, Mr Worrall began surfing and fishing in his youth and later worked as a commercial abalone diver.
His achievements include winning the Tube of the Year at the 2017 World Surf League Big Wave Awards for an epic barrel ride at The Right, off Western Australia’s south coast.
Now, at 45 years old, Mr Worrall – who has developed a visual shark deterrent called Shark Eyes – devotes his expertise to teaching surf apnea, along with heavy water safety and rescue.
In one-day courses delivered with surf photographer Russell Ord, participants learn how to improve their breath-holding capacity and mental strength – crucial for staying calm and focused under pressure in the water.
Mr Worrall said surf apnea training originated as a survival technique for handling big wave wipeouts but transcended the sport by building mental and physical resilience.
“If you are in control of your mind and breath, you are giving yourself the best chance of a good outcome in almost any scenario,” he said.
“The training also teaches stress management, and improves mental and physical conditioning – especially willpower and cardiovascular health – making it beneficial for enhancing endurance across various sports and aspects of life.
“Beyond the water, emergency responders, athletes, corporates, and anyone wanting to regulate their stress levels and improve their mental fortitude can benefit from learning these techniques.”
Mr Worrall said the course covered positive mental anchors, static and dynamic apnea (holding breath while stationary and active), plus in-water rescue and recovery techniques.
It also includes breathwork dynamics, biology and oceanography, allowing participants to better understand their physiological responses and the marine environment.
“We find the more tools people have to understand and deal with a situation, the better they manage it,” Mr Worrall said.
According to Mr Worrall, water-based training typically starts around the age of 15, but this can vary depending on an individual’s physical maturity and comfort in the water.
He said watching beginners discover what they were capable of was always a highlight.
“It’s quite amazing to see the smiles on people’s faces when they achieve things they never thought were possible,” Mr Worrall said.
“The process is about gradually exploring boundaries without instilling fear or too much discomfort, allowing the body and mind to adapt and enjoy the process of breath holding.”
Mr Worrall said regular practise was key to mastering surf apnea.
“Practising breath-hold techniques
several times a week can lead to significant improvements, with trained professionals able to hold their breath for up to five minutes in calm conditions,” he said.
“However, never practise alone in the water – it is extremely dangerous to do so.”