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Hunter Joslin – Inventor of the Indo Board. Credit: indoboard.eu

“IN LIFE, BALANCE IS EVERYTHING”

Hey Gang, it’s May 5, Cinco de Mayo! I am in Florida visiting my very cool 94 year old dad and prowling around my old stomping grounds in Melbourne Beach.  So today all the Mexican restaurants and bars here are jammed with people drinking margaritas at 10am and all I wanna do is go to the beach. I did manage a morning surf yesterday and that felt good. I ran into my old pal Hunter “Indo Man” Joslin, the creator of the Indo Board Balance Trainer. We use this ingenious device at Safari Surf School and man it really works. My dad and I paid a visit to Hunter at his office/warehouse facility and had a blast. True to form Hunter had my dad ‘Log’ on an Indo Board grooving! In terms of surf training, the Indo Board is a great tool. We have one in constant use at Safari, it just kind of draws you to it, enticing you to get on. I thought a little profile of Hunter and his inspired product would make an informative and useful blog!

 

INDOBOARD PRACTICE AT SAFARI HOUSE

 

Hunter Joslin hatched his balance board idea 40 years ago as a young swimmer/surfer in Palm Beach Florida. He placed a basic wood platform on a roller and voila! He loved the sensation, it was fun but it also provided serious exercise and a balance challenge that would entertain him and his friends for hours. Then life took over and Hunter became involved in numerous surf industry ventures; owning and operating  a bikini company, importing & selling merchandize from Bali, announcing professional surfing and skateboarding events, and co-owning a surf-trip travel agency called Surf Express. Hunter hired me at Surf Express and our #1 surf trip destination was Costa Rica. It was here that I began my love affair with Costa Rica, and over my 10 year stint at Surf Express I became very well acquainted with this magical little country. Hunter ended up selling his share of the travel agency and launched full-on into developing the Indo Board Balance Trainer.

“INDO MAN” HUNTER JOSLIN AT FLORIDA HQ

 

PL: Great to see you mate! So things are hopping in Indo-World?

Hunter: Yes business has been good. We have been spreading Indomania across the globe!

 

PL: Great to hear. So what does the Indo Board do?

Hunter: The Indo Board is a fun and very effective balance trainer. The simple act of balancing the deck atop the roller engages your core and stabilizer muscles by challenging the rider with “instability” which must navigated. In scientific speak it’s called ‘Proprioception’: The ability to sense stimuli arising within the body regarding position, motion, and equilibrium.

 

PL: What are the key elements in balance training pertinent to surfing?

Hunter: A centered, “planted” stance is the key. Knees should be slightly bent, back straight, arms at your sides. If you can remember these basic elements, your surfing will improve. I see many students struggling with bending/leaning over – “butt-out-itis” – or throwing their hands up in the air which throws you off balance. If you always remember to return to the core stance you will progress. The Indo Board greatly helps with this!

 

PL: Outside of surfing, where has the Indo Board found audiences?

Hunter: Any sport or movement activity can benefit from Indo Boarding. We are working with Pro golfers, PE teachers, dance instructors, personal trainers, skiers, runners, swimmers, martial arts; the list is ever-expanding. Our latest product is the Indo YOGA board which has become very popular.

PL: As you know, Nosara has developed into a major yoga destination so this is very welcome news.

Proper Posture for Balance Training (from indoboard.com)
A centered and balanced posture on the Indo Board is achieved by

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  • feet shoulder width apart

  • look forward, not down

  • hold your head and shoulders upright

  • neutral spine with hips rolled slightly forward

  • knees bent more than you think they should be

  • engage your core to keep your alignment

  • engaged shoulder blades and back, chest out

  • quiet upper body with no unnecessary arm movements

  • strive towards perfect top to bottom alignment of the ankles- hips-shoulders.

  • do not break/bend at the waist

PL: The Indo Board comes not only with the roller, but a mouth inflated cushion. What does the cushion do?

Hunter: The IndoFLO cushion offers the user a less intimidating balance training experience. Unlike the roller, the cushion stays in one place and you can’t be thrown off. This is ideal for rehabilitation exercises and for older folks who want to take it slowly. Now, let’s get your dad on it!

My Dad – 94 years young – getting’ INDO it!

 

PL: Well to us it’s always been about surfing! Thanks Hunter and Pura Vida!

We’ll have you come down and do some training sessions when the Olas Verdes opens next year.

Hunter: See you in Nosara

 

Indo Man in Indo

FLORIDA!