Rhodes bats for surfing and its role in maintaining fitness

WITH Mamallapuram hosting the International Surf Open, part of World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 3,000, for the first time in India, the former South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes believes the sport has a bright future in India.

- KALYANI MANGALE

The 54-year-old, who started surfing only after retiring from international cricket, said that surfing is a complete workout and it has even helped some of the Lucknow Super Giants players in the India Premier League.

"There is a lot of Surfing and Yoga that go hand in hand. Surfers use a lot of upper body, upper back, and shoulders, like yoga. And you need flexibility because the waves are not still and smooth. Surfers require hand strength, strong glutes, and a hamstring," Rhodes told this daily during an informal chat on Thursday. "In IPL, with the Lucknow Giants, a few of us came down to Goa for a break. I got some of the boys surfing lessons. When they started, for the first 2-3 waves, they struggled but later they thoroughly enjoyed it," the LSG fielding coach said.