031 - April Denny Researcher With Australian Olympic Surf Team

In this conversation, April Denny shares her journey from growing up in Marin County, California, to becoming a PhD candidate focused on human movement and performance in surfing. She discusses her experiences as a lifeguard, her transition to studying kinesiology, and her research on elite female athletes as part of the Paddle to Podium project. April emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to training and the need for injury prevention in surfing. She also reflects on her time in Australia, working closely with athletes and coaches, and her aspirations for the future. Surf Strong Show Website Instagram Facebook April on Facebook April on Instagram Chapters 00:00 Growing Up by the Ocean 03:05 Transitioning to College Life 06:01 Exploring Kinesiology and Lifeguarding 08:55 Researching Big Wave Surfers 11:07 Journey to Graduate Studies 13:56 Lifeguarding at Ocean Beach 16:49 Training and Team Dynamics 19:50 Experiences at Kelly Slater's Wave Park 22:20 The Unique Environment of Wave Parks 27:10 The Dynamics of Surfing and Performance Improvement 32:26 Research and Education in Surfing 36:34 Navigating the PhD Journey 43:05 Cultural Insights: Surfing in Australia 48:11 Transitioning to a New Environment 51:22 Embedded Research and Athlete Support 55:19 Injury Prevention and Strength Training for Athletes 57:32 Research Focus: Preparing Female Athletes for the Olympics 01:01:23 Developing Effective Interventions for Skill Improvement 01:05:00 Challenges in Training Surfers vs. Swimmers 01:07:23 Key Findings on Stroke Dynamics and Injury Prevention 01:13:53 Community and Future Directions in Research 01:22:07 Podcast Outro.mp4