Surf Mastery - Surfing Tips and Wisdom for Lifelong Surfers

Are you coaching women in surfing—or raising a daughter who surfs—and wondering why the usual "just go for it" approach isn't working? In this insightful episode, surf coach Gee Cormack unpacks the critical differences in how women and girls learn to surf. From emotional safety and communication to technique and confidence, Gee shares how most coaching models fail women—and what to do instead. Whe...

What if everything you thought you knew about the "pop-up" is wrong—and it's the very thing stalling your surfing progression? In this deep-dive episode, former world #2 Brad Gerlach reveals the powerful truths behind why most surfers plateau—hint: it's got nothing to do with talent or strength. From childhood wipeouts to elite coaching through his revolutionary WaveKey method, Brad breaks down ho...

Are you stuck at the intermediate level—despite surfing regularly? In this short coaching episode, Gee Cormack from Chix Surf School explains why many surfers plateau after the beginner stage. From misreading waves to riding the wrong board for the day's conditions, Gee breaks down what separates true progression from mindless repetition. Learn why doing the same maneuver on the wrong wave type is...

Are you just floating in the lineup, or are you actually hunting for the perfect wave? There's a huge difference between passively surfing and actively tuning into your environment like a predator. In this episode, we explore how the primal mindset of a hunter—or gatherer—can heighten your awareness, help you read the ocean like a pro, and radically improve your wave selection. Discover how huntin...

Do you really need perfect waves to improve your surfing—or are you just making excuses?  Whether you're a young grom or an adult just trying to break out of intermediate purgatory, surf coach James Wood has one clear message: surfing consistently—even in bad waves—can transform your progress. From common mistakes in wave reading to the power of video feedback, this episode unpacks how James helps...

Is your surfing stuck in a rut no matter how long you've been at it—or are you unknowingly breaking the one rule that's ruining every session? In this episode, Strider Wasilewski—former pro surfer and WSL commentator—opens up about everything from surfing's unspoken etiquette to what separates world champs from forever-mediocre surfers. Whether you're riding soft tops or chasing heavy reef breaks,...

Has modern surf culture lost its soul—and does anyone still care about competitive surfing? In this candid and unfiltered conversation, Michael sits down with Surf Splendor host David Lee Scales to explore the complicated relationship surfers have with their craft, how the WSL is failing to engage real surfers, and why wave pools and soft tops are both saving and ruining the game. Hear why many co...

Think more water time equals better surfing? What if your biggest breakthrough happens on land? In this episode, elite surf coach Martin Dunn reveals why most surfers plateau—and how dry land drills, rhythm-based movement, and focused repetition are the keys to learning turns that actually stick in the ocean. Discover how task-relevant language and counting can sharpen your technique. Learn why si...

Are you meditating but still feeling stuck, anxious, or triggered by your past? In this eye-opening episode, we dive deep with Ron Rathbun—founder of Kili Meditation and mentor to elite performers—who explains why traditional mindfulness methods may be failing you, and how the true power of stillness can actually dissolve trauma, not just help you cope. Learn how to differentiate brain vs. mind fu...

Are soft tops and online petitions the end of surfing—or just the beginning of a new wave? If you've ever been frustrated by overcrowded surf breaks, clueless stand-up paddleboarders, or the sudden "trendiness" of surfing, this episode with Raglan Surf Report's Luke Cederman will hit home. Recorded mid-lockdown, it dives into what happens when surfers can't surf and social commentary becomes the n...

Why do so many beginner surfers skip the unspoken rules—and how does that impact not just the lineup, but the soul of surfing itself? In this raw, rant-filled yet reflective episode, surf coach Matt Grainger joins host Michael Frampton to explore the tension between surf culture, personal transformation, and the quiet power of breathwork and meditation. Whether you're stuck at home during a pandem...

Think a diagnosis like osteoarthritis means the end of your surfing—or even your everyday movement? In this raw and deeply personal episode, 2x World Champion and surfing icon Tom Carroll reveals how he endured decades of chronic knee pain, competed at the highest level on a crumbling joint, and eventually found peace, performance, and purpose through meditation, smart training, and total knee rep...

Do you keep getting frustrated in the surf, even after years of paddling out? In this episode, Michael Frampton sits down with renowned coach Samba Mann to unpack why so many adult intermediate surfers hit a plateau—covering everything from wave reading and board choice to mental expectations and surf etiquette. Learn the exact mindset shift that transforms your sessions from stressful to smooth D...

Still stretching your hamstrings and doing crunches to improve your surfing? That's cute—but also outdated. In this no-holds-barred conversation, surf strength coach Cris Mills (of Surf Strength Coach and the Surf Athlete App) joins host Michael Frampton to talk DNS, chronic pain, back injuries, morning routines, surfing culture, homelessness, and the surprising connection between gut health and m...

Why is it so rare for women to smile at each other in the surf—and what if one simple pledge could change that? If you've ever felt the competitive tension in the lineup or struggled with the slow grind of surf progression, especially as a woman in a male-dominated space, this episode offers an inspiring perspective shift. Alexa Hohenberg, founder of Still Stoked, joins us to talk about community,...

Are you unknowingly training yourself into injury and underperformance every time you paddle out? This episode explores how Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS)—a system based on infant motor development—is transforming the way pro surfers train, recover, and perform. With elite surf athletes like Kelly Slater and teams in the World Surf League using DNS, it's time to understand why it matter...

Are your hips locked, paddling clumsy, or turns falling flat? You may be making the same two mistakes almost every intermediate surfer does. In this short coaching concept episode, Michael chats with coach Twiggy Van Ryan about the two biggest killers of surfing progress: poor foot placement (the infamous "duck foot" stance) and paddling posture that actually makes you slower. Twiggy breaks down e...

Are you misreading waves and blowing sections—either too early, too late, or just completely off? Most surfers fixate on the lip to decide their next move, but Clayton Nienaber reveals that the true key to flow, power, and top-to-bottom surfing is actually found in reading the bottom of the wave. This short episode gives you one concept to transform your next session. Learn how to anticipate the w...

Do you take your surfing seriously—but find yourself frustrated, stuck, or simply not having fun anymore? In this powerful episode, Jesse Faen—former editor of Waves Magazine, surf industry leader, and lifelong waterman—shares what decades around the world's best surfers taught him about mindset, joy, and performance. Recorded at the end of a transformative surf retreat in Nicaragua, this conversa...

Are your surf trips fun—but still leave you feeling unfulfilled or frustrated afterward? In this special episode, recorded during a profound surf retreat in Nicaragua, we explore what happens when you combine high-level surf coaching with Kelee meditation, emotional awareness, and conscious living. Taylor Knox and Matt Griggs share how this integrative approach is changing the way surfers improve—...

What happens when surfing is no longer enough to carry you through life's heaviest moments? In this intimate conversation, pro surfer-turned-writer Jamie Brisick opens up about the addictive nature of surfing, the trauma of losing loved ones, and how the sport that shaped his youth eventually led him toward a deeper creative and personal path. Discover the emotional and spiritual cost of surfing a...

Why do some surfers seem to attract waves and flow effortlessly—while others flail and struggle no matter how hard they paddle? In this short but powerful episode, guest Clayton Nienaber breaks down how tension in the lineup and in your own body directly impacts your performance, your energy, and your ability to read and ride waves effectively. Learn how to identify subtle physical tension that ki...

To see and purchase the Surf Basis Paddle trainer visit: www.surfbasis.com   For $30 off use discount code SURFMASTERY  Are you stuck surfing whitewater and wondering how to finally ride clean, unbroken waves? If you're struggling to move beyond beginner surfing, this solo episode breaks down exactly what separates intermediates from beginners—and what simple shifts in perspective and practice can...

Do you really know what kind of surfboard you need—or are you just guessing like everyone else? If you've ever struggled to catch waves, blamed your board, or felt stuck in your surfing progression, this episode with master craftsman Donald Brink will rewire how you think about board design, technique, and the soul of surfing itself. Learn why your feet, not your volume, might be the key to unlock...

Ever wonder why your nose rides always fall short, even when the conditions are perfect? In this episode, Devon Howard breaks down what most surfers get wrong about nose riding—and it's not just about your board. From subtle shifts in ankle engagement to trusting the wave's energy pocket, Devon shares how traditional longboarding is less about force and more about finesse. Discover how body positi...