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
- Etiquette
Kristen bringing a tricky topic to the table! Hah, I love to take a swing at these tough ones.
While there are some black and white points to make when it comes to the rules of the road, they’re generally in front of a backdrop of situational context and nuance of surf culture. I don’t really try to organize my thoughts in this video, but rather resort to free association to drive my thoughts. I think if you have the patience (21:45 mins worth to be exact), you’ll be able to glean a few things, or at the very least have some foundational knowledge for your own experiences going forward from someone who’s been dealing with this stuff for over 25 years.
Side note: Listening back to this and other videos I make for members, I wanted to clarify something. I noticed I say “you” a lot in my answers. “You shouldn’t drop-in on other surfers” for example. I don’t mean to sound so pointed, like I’m calling the inquirer specifically out. I think the position I feel answering these questions to a computer screen and knowing more than one person will listen subconsciously triggers me to use the word “you” when really I mean “surfers in general”. Hope that eases the sting for the times I say “you”.
- 22 mins
- Podcast
A classic episode we like to hit on every now and again…how not to kook it with your wetsuit !
- 20 mins
- Free, Podcast
A great episode for prospective and old students alike, in this episode Coach Chris and Coach Ev are helping you become a better student.
- 19 mins
- Podcast
When you compare a surf lesson to working with a surf coach, does anything stand out in your mind or imagination of each?
The question above is sort of rhetorical and intended to get you thinking to yourself because
*Spoiler Alert:
There is no difference, or at least there shouldn’t be.
Unfortunately, that isn’t how it goes in the real world. Surf “schools” everywhere claim to teach surfing, but in direct defiance of their own message and culture, embark into the ocean in hordes breaking the surfers code left and right before they even begin.
Our Mission: Change that approach to learning how to surf into something that preserves the sanctity, spirituality, and safety of educated surfing.
- 25 mins
- Surfboards
Jenn had a good question that also felt somewhat challenging to answer. In hindsight, it’s possible the answer felt difficult to articulate because it’s really so simple. There is no benefit to riding one board or the other in terms of retro vs modern, because it’s possible to learn to ride any board well. This is simple a matter of preference. In regards to the fundamentals, they are always the same regardless of the board you’re on.
It feels like a relief to jot that conclusion down here, because I’m not sure that came off in our video. Nonetheless, Coach Ev and myself had a good time batting this one back and forth and I’m sure you will find some nuggets of valve sprinkled in our free association on surfboard design. Thanks for your question, Jenn!
- 14 mins
- Board Control, Question
Question from Kristian regarding the duck diving technique for getting through waves.
- 11 mins
- Podcast
Matt Warshaw is back for the second time on KookCast !
- 76 mins
- Stand Up Technique
This week we’re evaluating John’s pop-up which is controlled, balanced, and results in good foot placement with minimal excess movement during execution. This is vital in order to achieve a fluid and smooth take-off. Let’s evaluate some of the keys to having a great pop-up.
- 2 mins
- Stopping Skill
There’s all kinds of scenarios that can unfold as you’re catching a wave. In some cases, things can take a turn for the worse and it becomes wise not to commit to the wave. The better your ability to stop on a dime, the more comfortable you’ll feel about approaching the ledge without fear of getting pitched.
- 2 mins
Recommended Focus
- Live Studio
Coach Ev and Naomi hop into the Live Studio to review some of the clips they acquired together after a recent session.
- 63 mins
