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I don’t really like the ocean. Let me clarify: I don’t really like the idea of the ocean. Who knows what’s down there? Not me. So you might not think of me as a prime candidate for a surfing class. Luckily, a surfing class on dry land is no longer a myth, for I have seen it.

Not on the beaches of Long Island in the middle of summer, but in the depths of winter on the hardwood floor of a Manhattan dance studio, where SurfSET Fitness recently organized a string of introductory pop-up workouts. The sessions were so successful that organizers decided to offer classes at the Sports Center at Chelsea Piers through March 4.

SurfSET Fitness Promo – The Rip Surfer X from SurfSET Fitness on Vimeo.

The goal is not necessarily to teach participants how to surf but to simulate the exercise of surfing for 40 minutes without a little thing like an ocean bothering you.

This is made possible by an apparatus called the RipSurfer X. Imagine a surfboard less than two feet off the floor and sitting on top of a handful of miniature body balls that shift and displace air as you perform moves that cause the muscles in your legs, stomach and arms to work hard to maintain your balance. This alone is enough to break a sweat.

read more at nytimes.com