When I arrived home from work Friday afternoon and saw a cardboard shipping box sitting on my front patio I knew it had to be my NOHO Surf Trainer from Simbal Sports. I stumbled on the NOHO surf trainer while looking for new and innovative products to write about. I contacted Simbal Sports about trying out the trainer and they agreed to send one for review.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t charge right in and give it a try, as my kids had soccer practice that afternoon. Finally, after putting my daughters to bed, I unwrapped the trainer from its packaging, read the setup directions (very simple and easy to understand), brought a board in from the garage, strapped the NOHO Surf Trainer’s curved shaped pods onto my surfboard and…HAD A BLAST!
The pods are well built and won’t scratch your boards. They are made of a tuff plastic with a soft rubber lining that won’t ding up your quiver. You get four pods so that you can train on a short board or a longboard.
Setup takes only a few minutes, with most of the time dedicated to removing the fins from my board. I was able to strap the pods onto my surfboard within minutes. Once on, simply roll your board over and start practicing. I concentrated on improving my cross stepping technique, something that I’ve been working to improve. I threw on my favorite longboarding DVD, Single Fin Yellow, and got to work. Because I was training on my own board, I believe the techniques I practiced will transfer easily to the water.
The following morning, I found my daughters taking turns on the NoHo, laughing and having a blast. My wife, a non-surfer, tried out some beginner surfing fundamentals and thought that it would benefit beginner surfers as well.
If you cross train, the NoHo could add that extra balance element to your workout. I tried out my hand weights while standing on the NoHo. I was able to work on both strength and balance at the same time (don’t drop the weights, as the NoHo won’t ding your board, but the weights sure will)!
Because of the time change, work, and soccer season, I’m finding it hard to get some surfing in before dark. Fortunately, I can use the the NOHO Surf Trainer in my living room well after the sun has set. While there is nothing better than hitting a real wave, I believe the NoHo will keep me tuned-up until I can make my next paddle out.
$159.00 is a small price to pay for the NoHo trainer. The NoHo will help you get through those long flat spells that drive surfers to near madness. It will also improve your technique and balance making the NoHo a bargain.
Every surfer would benefit from the NoHo and it would make a perfect Christmas gift for that special surfer in your life. I would order early to make sure you receive it by the Holiday season.
Bottom line – I love my NoHo Surf Trainer and can honestly say that I think it will help my surfing.
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