Alessa Quizon, in the middle of a day at the gym. Photo: Instagram/Alessa Quizon
Alessa Quizon is a fantastic surfer. Currently sitting at number 15 in the world rankings, the 20-year-old Hawaiian is finding her feet just fine on the World Tour. She’s also one of the fittest girls on tour – and not just because she’s a 20-year-old. “I’ve always had to go a little harder to keep up with girls who are taller and have more muscle,” she told Self Magazine. Last month, the publication that calls itself the “motivated woman’s guide to life” penned a feature called Tips for Success and Strength From Four of the Best Bodies in the World. That’s right. In the world. Guess who made the list? Yup. Alessa Quizon. Also included was Allyson Felix, a runner with four Olympic gold medals, Misty Copeland, a ballet dancer, and Caley Alyssa Yavorsky, a yogi. So she’s in good company, to say the least.
Quizon turned pro at 12, then got on Tour when she turned 19. And although she’s been surfing nearly her entire life, she’s a petite girl – and petite doesn’t always equal strong. So Alessa’s been working harder than nearly anyone else to keep on top of her game. Training in the ocean for up to four hours a day, Quizon does a mix of cross fit, pilates, and HIIT exercises. “I do moves that force me to use all my energy so I can build my endurance for competing,” Quizon said to Self. “All of my power comes from my shoulders and upper back. It’s what gets me into a wave; you have to paddle to get anywhere in the water. I do push-ups, and over the years my arms have developed a certain muscle memory.” But surfing is a lot more than just arm strength, and Alessa knows that. “My core is crucial to stabilize me and balance all my turns. When I surf, I’m tightening my abs the entire time—sucking everything in and flexing.”
See the Self Magazine article here
