Surfing is a waiting game – waiting for the right tide, right wind, right waves. But when the swell picks up; there’s no time to waste slaving over a hot stove making lunch and fussing over what’s going to benefit you (and your surf) most. So instead, we’ve got you covered. Here’s 5 smoothie recipes created for surfers by surfers so you’ll never be late to the waves again.
No.1 The Sandy Bay Spirulina Smoothie
If you’ve ever had the privilege to surf Sandy Bay in summer, then you know of the unforgiving algae that turns the surf into soup. This first smoothie does not only inspire nostalgia with its main ingredient actually BEING an aquatic alga, but it is one of Earth’s fine
st super-foods. Spirulina contains copious amounts of nutrients and antioxidants, making this smoothie ideal for your pre-surf meal.
Ingredients
250ml of raw organic apple juice or coconut water
½ an Avocado (creates a silky texture, great for vision and heart health)
1-2 handfuls of spinach and/or kale (fresh or frozen)
½ a cup of frozen berries (loaded with antioxidants)
1 teaspoon of Spirulina powder (either blue or green)
1 pitted medjool date or honey for sweetness
1 teaspoon of chia seeds (great source of fibre)
Helpful Hint: Put powder in last to avoid sticking to blender
No.2 Shippies Cacao and Banana Smoothie
Bananas; a great source of potassium, delicious in taste, and natures energy shot. Throwing a frozen banana into your smoothie adds a silky-smooth texture – much like the smooth left-handers from one of NZs famous surf breaks; Shipwreck Bay.
Straight from the seed of an Amazonian fruit tree, cacao is one of the highest antioxidant foods on the planet, being rich in iron, magnesium, chromium and ‘the bliss chemical’ (anandamide). Caca
o strengthens bones and improves cardiovascular health – two highly important areas of a surfer’s body. This superfood is also a plant-based protein, full of good fats and tastes of chocolate - healthy AND chocolate!? What are you waiting for? Go, get blending.
Ingredients
250ml of milk of your choice (I use oat milk)
1 frozen banana
1 tablespoon of cacao powder
¼ teaspoon of cinnamon (optional)
½ cup of oats (lower cholesterol and are very filling)
½ teaspoon of agave for sweetness (optional)
No.3 Indicators Ballsy Berry Smoothie
If you’ve surfed Indicators and made it out alive, then you know the energy needed for this boulder-ridden beach. This berry smoothie has your back when it comes to giving you that energy; but being ballsy enough to ride here is down to you. A tip from a friend; if you do drink our berry smoothie pre-surf, just remember to swirl some water around you
r mouth afterwards – we don’t want your stoked smile to be ridden with berry pips as you speed down one of the gnarliest waves Raglan has to offer.
Ingredients
½ - 1 cup of frozen mixed berries
250ml of coconut water or raw organic apple/orange juice
1 pitted medjool date
1 teaspoon of hemp protein powder (or your chosen protein powder)
1 tablespoon of natural Greek yogurt
1 teaspoon of chia seeds
1 frozen banana or ½ an avocado (for thickness)
No.4 Henderson’s Nutty Number
This smoothie is for you nut-lovers out there and you nutters that love barrelling Henderson’s. Peanut butter does a whole lot of good for our body’s whist being simultaneously delicious. It’s a good source of protein, along with essential vitamins and minerals; such as magnesium, potassium, and zinc. If you aren’t a PB lover – you can substitute with a nut-butter of your choice.
Ingredients
½ a tablespoon of peanut butter or nut butter
1 frozen banana
250ml of milk of your
choice
1 pitted medjool date or 1 teaspoon of honey
1 tablespoon of cacao powder (or protein powder of choice)
½ cup of frozen berries (optional)
No.5 90 Miles of Immunity and Wellness
A healthy immune system is important for everyone; but especially for surfers. Being out in the elements for hours on end can result in an immunity rundown. This smoothie was created to keep your gut, heart and soul healthy. You’ll be paddling up and down 90 mile in no time.
Ingredients
1 frozen banana
½ a cup of frozen mango
1-2 handfuls of spinach (fresh of frozen)
1 teaspoon of fresh ginger grated
1 teaspoon of manuka honey or raw honey or agave
½ teaspoon of turmeric powder
2 grinds of pepper (to activate turmeric)
250ml of coconut water/milk of choice/raw organic juice
So here you have it, 5 smoothie options for your next session. Finding out what suits your body best is a process for everyone, have a play around with each of these recipes until finding one that suits you and rewards your body. We hope we’ve not only saved you time, but that you feel the benefits of these to the max on your next surf. Be sure to share with us your surf smoothies on Instagram (@nzsurfacademy), we’d love to see ‘em!