Lesson Library
Explore surf lessons, coaching answers, live-session replays, and conversations designed to help you understand what to practice next.
Browse by Fundamental Skill
All Lessons
- Question, Rail Set
Linda is asking for greater detail on how to set your rail. Here’s my longer than necessary reply.
- 14 mins
- Press Up
You might remember a lesson that was recently uploaded called, Controlling Your Take-Off. This weeks video addresses the same technique, but speaks to the form and posture you should aim to achieve when using the press up skill during your take-off (and punching through waves for that matter).
- 2 mins
- Board Control
This is a great question. If you heard it once, you’ve heard us say a thousand times “don’t let go of your board!”. But what about when you’re wiping out? Thank you for your thoughtful question, Stephen. Here’s our answers!
- 8 mins
- Podcast
Coach Chris tells Coach Evan about his kooky moment keeping up with his 100 day challenge. He also tells the story of his recent hiking trip in Europe, and how he applied the surfing mindset to it. Finally, the coaches review a clip of someone getting pushed into a wave and analyze who is at fault.
- 40 mins
- Stories
Coach Chris tells his story of forgetting his wetsuit for a surf trip and Coach Evan describes a recent shark encounter. The coaches also go over a clip of professional surfer Mick Fanning pushing his kid into waves.
- 38 mins
- Board Control, Free
The first of two turns we use to control our surfboard when navigating the line-up and setting up waves. We use this turn when direction change is more important than maintaining forward momentum, like spinning for a good waves that is upon us, for example.
That being said, with a good and accurate transition to paddling position from the sitting position, the corking technique can be harnessed and your paddling speed can quickly be recovered from having just been stopped in the sitting position to turn quickly.
- 2 mins
- Podcast, Surf Senses
Here we go into part two of the Surf Senses series discussing…your voice. Posted up on the beach for sunset, long day behind us, and cold brew in hand. Let’s do this.
- 24 mins
- Paddling Technique, Question
Sarah asked about paddling technique and form…specifically, what should she be doing with her legs while she paddles ? This is an important thing to get right, because you’ll see a lot of people, even great surfers do different things with their legs (lift them in the air, peddle kick, etc.) I approach this question from an athletic perspective, and to be the most efficient and high level athlete, you want to have the best technique at the most basic things.
- 5 mins
- Stand Up Technique
Joel wrote to ask about some tips for getting a little more fluid and mobility in his stand up. This is a common issue, especially for men, so I work through this question verbally and theoretically first, and then show Joel some of the things I’ve done and still do to keep my hips moving. It’s an uphill battle, especially if you’ve spent most of your life not working on your hip flexibility and mobility, but it’s never too late and a little work is better than none, so get to it !
- 14 mins
Recommended Focus
- Live Studio, Podcast
Coach Chris and Coach Evan are joined my Mind the Surf creator, Andrew Hapke to discuss The Art of Missing Waves in their second live session ever. Check your emails from us to learn more about upcoming live calls.
- 43 mins
