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
- Boogie Wonderland
Karen took a surf lesson in California and accidentally discovered a new passion. Now she’s wondering if getting a boogie board is the right first step for her to continue on her own.
- 11 mins
- Free, Paddling Technique
Beginners often look at paddling and assume the most important aspect is your shoulder and back strength. While this can be a factor in at certain moments of surfing, it’s hardly the difference maker and it’s the reason why children and dainty little surfer ladies can still be excellent and fast paddlers.
Yes, your stroke is a physical task, but perhaps more so a mental one.
Like the steps you take on the way to a mountain peak, you must be willing to do one more forever.
Endurance, and the ability to hold good form are more important characteristics than strength.
Think of your strokes as the breath of your surfing. You can do it laboriously and controlled by whatever state-of-mind you’re in, or calmly, long, slow and drawn out, with intention on maintaining a consistent and balanced rhythm.
- 1 mins
- Podcast, Positioning
Shout out to Bob for asking this epic question about tips for holding position in a line up when there’s a current ripping through. One of my favorite scenarios actually and in this video I explain why.
- 9 mins
- Board Control, Stopping Skill
It’s inevitable, you’re going to wipeout. However, having a heightened awareness for the potential of a wipeout impending ultimately leads to wiping out less.
- 9 mins
- Board Control, Press Up
Coach Chris and Coach Evan discuss when NOT to stand up, and how always trying to get to your feet right away can hold you back. They also talk about a step in between paddling for a wave and setting your rail that many people miss out on. Finally, Coach Evan tells a story about finding your voice in the lineup.
- 43 mins
- Uncategorized
Coach Ev, Coach Chris, and Sophie checking in to discuss 13 Common Beginner Mistakes !
- 44 mins
- Mindfulness, Podcast
On this call, Coach Ev and myself are recording the confidence episode for KookCast, but before we dive in (and afterwards too) Coach Ev fills me in on the status of a few custom boards he’s working on for clients.
- 32 mins
- Prone Turn
A prone turn is changing direction while continuing to drive forward, an important skill you should be proficient in. When used to setup a wave, it can be a graceful transition from moving for position and into catching a wave.
- 2 mins
- Question, Riding Waves
Steven surfs the Gold Coast which can be MEGA crowded, especially at the big name point breaks. So he opts to surf the beach breaks that are less crowded (good job finding your spot, Steven!) Here’s the thing…beach breaks have more free space, and point breaks are jam packed with surfers for a reason. Point breaks are easier to surf. Surfing a beach break requires some pretty quick, nimble, and proficient fundamentals. In this video, we get into the take-off and how that is the crucial, make-or-break moment, in determining whether you drive down the line in the pocket, or get caught behind the section and left in the flats.
- 8 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
