Surfing Calorie Calculator
Calculate calories burned surfing. Competitive surfing, general surfing, body boarding, and paddling options.
By Jonas Lindemann · Updated · How we build our calculators
1 hour
1.5-2 hours
3+ hours
Most calories are burned during paddling out through the surf
527kcal
Calories Burned
352kcal/h
Per Hour
5MET
Intensity
Moderate
Intensity Level
Style: General surfing
MET 5 - Regular surfing with paddling and wave riding
This is approximately 26.4% of a 2000 kcal daily diet.
Surfing Benefits: Upper body strength, core stability, balance, cardiovascular fitness, mental wellness
Full-body workout combined with connection to nature and ocean
Calorie Factors: Wave conditions, paddle distance, session intensity, water temperature
Paddling accounts for 50-60% of time in the water and most calories burned
Limitations: Surfing involves significant waiting time between sets. Calorie burn varies greatly with wave conditions.
Accuracy: Moderate ±30-40%
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About the Surfing Calorie Calculator
Learn more about the calculator and its creator
Jonas
I'm a software developer and endurance athlete (cycling, running, triathlon). I built this calculator to help water sports enthusiasts track their calorie burn using published MET values.
Surfing Calorie Calculator
Surfing burns between 200-450 calories per hour, with most calories burned during paddling out through the surf.
How the Calculator Works
Calories Burned = MET × Weight (kg) × Time (hours)
MET Values by Surfing Activity
| Surfing Activity | MET Value |
|---|---|
| Competitive Surfing | 6.0 |
| General/Paddling | 5.0 |
| Body Boarding | 5.0 |
| Body Surfing | 4.0 |
| Casual/Learning | 3.0 |
Example Calculation
For a 70 kg person surfing for 2 hours:
1. MET Value: 5.0 (general surfing)
2. Calculation: 5.0 × 70 × 2.0 = 700 calories