We’re introducing a new instructor to Premium this month, Daniel Mischon-Gross. Dani took up Pilates in order to get fit for surfing. We had to have a quick chat with her to find out more.
Dani, where are you from and what do you do?
I love living by the ocean, I’m originally from Germany, but I live in Ericeira, Portugal now. My main job is as a flight attendant, which I’ve done for 10 years and I love as flying allows me to combine my job with my other passions, surfing and Pilates. There is barely any layover where I don’t join a good Pilates workout or catch some waves in the ocean.
How long have you been surfing?
I’ve been surfing for more than 10 years. As I’m originally from Germany I grew up away from the ocean and started then surfing in my 20’s. Before living by the ocean in Portugal, surfing made me travel to the most beautiful places in this world.
What do you love about surfing?
Surfing simply brings me joy and makes me feel free and alive. I love these moments, when I catch a good wave and I can’t resist paddling back out into the lineup with the biggest smile on my face.
How did you get into Pilates and what’s so good about it?
I started Pilates pretty much when I started surfing. While living away from the ocean it was my main goal to stay fit when I wasn’t surfing. I wanted to be strong and ready to catch waves when I had the chance to. While I started with traditional Pilates, I now enjoy a strong Pilates Flow. Pilates did not only strengthens my body, it also strengthens my mind while focusing on the breathe.
“There’s no better feeling, than working through a set of exercises and knowing that I’m capable of everything afterwards.”
How does Pilates help your surfing?
I believe that the foundation for surfing is a strong core. With practicing Pilates we automatically train our core with any exercise as we keep our so called “Power House“ activated during every movement. Pilates forms the body with lean and long muscles. Pilates helps us to balance on the board while paddling, but also gives us the strong core, we need to practice turns. Pilates doesn’t only focus on one body part, most exercises include several muscle areas, if not even your whole body. It’s the perfect all-round training to get fit and ready for surfing.
Why Pilates is good for surfing…
1. Strong Core: Surfing requires strong and stable core muscles for balance, paddling, and manoeuvering on the board. Pilates focuses heavily on building deep core strength through exercises like planks, leg lifts, and roll-ups.
2. Improved Balance: Balance is critical for surfing, whether you’re paddling, popping up, or carving on a wave. Pilates exercises are designed to improve proprioception (awareness of body positioning) and balance by engaging stabilising muscles.
3. Flexibility: Surfing involves a wide range of motion, particularly in the shoulders, hips, and spine. Pilates enhances flexibility through controlled stretches and movements, reducing stiffness and allowing for better performance.
4. Upper Body Strength and Mobility: Paddling requires significant upper body strength and endurance. Pilates strengthens the shoulders, arms, and back muscles while improving posture and alignment, which reduces the risk of overuse injuries.
5. Lower Body Strength and Mobility: A surfer’s lower body provides power for turns and stability during pop-ups and manoeuvres. Pilates focuses on strengthening the glutes, hamstrings, and quadriceps while improving hip mobility.
6. Breath Control: Surfing often requires holding your breath or controlling your breathing during wipeouts or while paddling. Pilates incorporates focused breathing techniques that can improve lung capacity and control, benefiting surfers in high-stress situations.
Introducing Dani…
