Calories Burned Surfing in San Francisco, CA
Calculate how many calories you burn doing surfing in San Francisco, California. Adjusted for San Francisco's mediterranean climate (avg 58°F). MET: 6. Climate adjustment: 0%.
Surfing Calorie Calculator for San Francisco
Surfing in San Francisco for 30 minutes
218 kcal
MET 6 · 73 kg · 435 kcal/hour
Climate Impact on Calorie Burn in San Francisco
Moderate temperatures are ideal for exercise. Your body does not need extra energy for thermoregulation, so calorie burn matches the standard MET calculation.
San Francisco, California has a mediterranean climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F and 11 months suitable for outdoor exercise. When doing surfing here, your body burns calories at approximately the standard rate, as the temperature closely matches the conditions used in MET research (68-72°F).
Calorie Burn by Duration (San Francisco)
How many calories you burn during surfing at different durations in San Francisco's mediterranean climate.
| Duration | Base Calories | San Francisco Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 minutes | 109 kcal | 109 kcal | 0 |
| 30 minutes | 218 kcal | 218 kcal | 0 |
| 45 minutes | 327 kcal | 327 kcal | 0 |
| 60 minutes | 435 kcal | 435 kcal | 0 |
| 90 minutes | 653 kcal | 653 kcal | 0 |
| 120 minutes | 871 kcal | 871 kcal | 0 |
Monthly & Yearly Calorie Burn Estimates
How many calories you could burn doing surfing for 30 minutes per session in San Francisco, based on your current weight.
3 sessions / week
2,832
calories per month
34,008 cal/year
= ~9.7 lbs of fat
5 sessions / week
4,720
calories per month
56,680 cal/year
= ~16.2 lbs of fat
*Based on the widely used estimate that 1 lb of body fat = ~3,500 calories. Actual weight loss depends on diet, metabolism, and other factors. Climate adjustment of 0% applied for San Francisco.
Surfing Tips for San Francisco's Climate
- With 11 months suitable for outdoor exercise, take advantage of year-round outdoor surfing opportunities.
- Start with a large, foam surfboard for stability while learning
- Practice your pop-up on land until the movement becomes muscle memory
San Francisco Fitness Overview
San Francisco, California (pop. 873,965) has a fitness score of 83/100 with 11.2 gyms per 100K residents and a walk score of 89. Residents average 7,800 daily steps and burn approximately 2,410 calories per day. Popular activities include cycling, yoga, hiking.
Fitness Score
83/100
Walk Score
89
Obesity Rate
26.1%
Outdoor Months
11
Other Activities in San Francisco, CA
Martial Arts
MET 10.3 · High
~374 cal / 30 min
House Cleaning
MET 3.5 · Low to Moderate
~127 cal / 30 min
Box Jumps
MET 8 · High
~290 cal / 30 min
Wall Sits
MET 3.5 · Moderate
~127 cal / 30 min
Snorkeling
MET 5 · Moderate
~181 cal / 30 min
Raking Leaves
MET 3.8 · Low to Moderate
~138 cal / 30 min
Field Hockey
MET 7.8 · High
~283 cal / 30 min
Elliptical Training
MET 5 · Moderate
~181 cal / 30 min
Surfing in Other California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
65°F · Mediterranean
~218 cal / 30 min
San Diego, CA
64°F · Mediterranean
~218 cal / 30 min
San Jose, CA
62°F · Mediterranean
~218 cal / 30 min
Fresno, CA
63°F · Mediterranean
~218 cal / 30 min
Sacramento, CA
65°F · Mediterranean
~218 cal / 30 min
Long Beach, CA
66°F · Mediterranean
~218 cal / 30 min
Oakland, CA
63°F · Mediterranean
~218 cal / 30 min
Bakersfield, CA
62°F · Mediterranean
~218 cal / 30 min
How We Calculate Calories Burned for Surfing in San Francisco
Our calculator uses the standard MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) formula with a local climate adjustment for San Francisco:
Calories = MET × Weight (kg) × Duration (hrs) × Climate Factor
= 6 × Weight (kg) × Duration (hrs) × 1.00
The MET value of 6 for surfing is sourced from the Compendium of Physical Activities. The climate factor of 1.00 accounts for San Francisco's average temperature of 58°F. Research shows that exercising in non-neutral temperatures increases energy expenditure as the body works to maintain its core temperature.
Surfing is a full-body workout that combines paddling (which builds upper body and cardiovascular endurance), popping up (which requires explosive core and arm strength), and riding waves (which develops balance and leg strength). Most of a surfing session is spent paddling, which provides sustained cardiovascular exercise. Riding waves engages the entire body in a dynamic balance challenge. Surfing also provides the mental health benefits of ocean immersion and connection with nature.
Explore More Calorie Calculators
Calculate calories for any activity or check your total daily energy expenditure.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories does surfing burn in San Francisco, CA?
A 160 lb person burns approximately 218 calories during 30 minutes of surfing in San Francisco. This accounts for San Francisco's mediterranean climate with an average temperature of 58°F, which adjusts calorie burn by 0% compared to standard conditions. The base MET value for surfing is 6.
Does San Francisco's climate affect calories burned during surfing?
Yes. San Francisco has a mediterranean climate averaging 58°F. Moderate temperatures are ideal for exercise. Your body does not need extra energy for thermoregulation, so calorie burn matches the standard MET calculation. This means surfing in San Francisco burns approximately 0% calories compared to the standard MET calculation at 68-72°F.
What is the best time to do surfing in San Francisco?
San Francisco's moderate climate (avg 58°F) with 11 outdoor-friendly months makes surfing comfortable most of the year. Morning exercise may boost metabolism for the rest of the day, while evening sessions can help with stress relief and sleep quality.
How many calories per month can I burn doing surfing in San Francisco?
At your current weight, doing surfing for 30 minutes in San Francisco: 3 sessions/week burns ~2,832 cal/month (34,008 cal/year), while 5 sessions/week burns ~4,720 cal/month (56,680 cal/year). These estimates include the 0% climate adjustment for San Francisco's 58°F average temperature.
Is surfing popular in San Francisco, CA?
While surfing may not be the most popular activity in San Francisco (popular activities include cycling, yoga, hiking), it is still widely practiced. The city offers 11.2 gyms per 100K residents and has a fitness score of 83/100. The mediterranean climate with 11 outdoor months supports surfing for much of the year.