How We Coach Surfing
Our surf coaching retreats stand out from other surf coaching services due to the distinctive blend of skills and tools we’ve incorporated into our programs. While it’s possible for others to replicate certain aspects of our retreats, the unique combination of skills, tools, and expertise that we bring to the table would make it challenging for others to match our holistic approach, level of quality and effectiveness.
Our surf coaches are seasoned professionals with extensive knowledge of the local surf conditions and strong connections within the local communities. This expertise allows them to deliver personalized coaching that is tailored to each participant’s unique needs and goals. With their deep understanding of the local surf conditions, they can identify the best breaks and conditions for each surfer, ensuring that they receive the most effective and relevant coaching. Additionally, their connections within the local communities enable them to provide insights into the local culture and environment, enriching the overall surf coaching experience.
We limit the size of our retreats to very small groups to ensure that each participant receives ample one-on-one attention and personalized coaching. This allows us to provide a more intimate and focused experience, where every surfer can receive the guidance and support they need to improve their skills and achieve their goals. By maintaining a small group size, we’re able to create a more personalized and effective learning environment that sets us apart from other surf coaching services.
Each of our surf coaching trips typically consists of three crew members. Our surf coaches are a highly experienced and qualified instructors who will work closely with you to identify and improve your surfing skills. In addition, our trips also include two multi-skilled crew members who bring a range of expertise to the table.
Our crew members possess a variety of skills that complement the surf coaching, including surf photography and videography. This means that you’ll have the opportunity to capture your surfing progress and memories through high-quality photos and videos. Additionally, our crew members are trained in sports medicine, which enables them to provide expert advice and support to help you manage any injuries or discomfort that may arise during the trip.
Yoga, mindfulness and meditation are also integral parts of our surf coaching trips. Our crew members are trained in various yoga and meditation techniques that can help you relax, focus, and improve your overall well-being. These practices can be especially beneficial for surfers, as they can help reduce stress and anxiety, improve flexibility and balance, and enhance mental clarity and focus.
With our team of three crew members, you can be assured of a comprehensive and supportive surf coaching experience. Our crew is dedicated to helping you achieve your goals and make the most of your surf coaching trip.
Surf Coaching in Indonesia
– For Intermediate to Advanced Surfers –
We offer surf coaching trips in Indonesia, catering mostly to intermediate to advanced surfers. We are passionate about coaching committed surfers who are eager to learn and improve their skills. All that we ask is that you are confident catching waves on your own, as there will be nobody to push you into the waves.
To us an intermediate surfer is someone that can catch waves on their own and trim on the face of the wave. An advanced surfer already knows how to perform maneuvers and so our main focus during advanced surf retreats is on improving their flow, power & technique. You can find more information here: What level surfer am I?
A Typical Day
Our morning routine starts with mindfulness practices. Once we are centered and grounded we begin the Power Surf practices which are land-based movements specifically designed to create muscle memory and awareness of the body parts involved in performing surf maneuvers. We will then follow those practices up with a focused surf session with one-on-one coaching.
Afternoons are usually spent practicing on-land surf techniques to reinforce body memory. Additionally, we use the Smoothstar skate trainers to reinforce those movements prior to surfing.
And finally we close out the day by returning to the water to fully integrate all of the newly learnt maneuvers, and conclude with a comprehensive review including video analysis.
Power Surf Techniques
All of our surf coaching retreats put a high focus on practicing our surfing techniques on-land. This is the reason why we don’t do very many boat trips, as it would take focus off some of the important parts of the training.
During our intermediate to advanced surf coaching trips, we practice the Power Surf techniques with Rodrigo Machado. Power Surf is a practice of land-based movements that are inspired from yoga, ginastica natural and martial arts. We break down all of the fundamental body movements professional surfers practice while surfing.
Through this practice, we create muscle memory and awareness of the parts of the body that should be engaged while performing surf maneuvers.
For a visual representation of the Power Surf techniques, please view the following video:
The Mental Game – Mindfulness & surfing
A lot of the time, what prevents us from surfing better is our mind. How do we transcend those limiting beliefs?
The first step is to bring awareness to our negative or limiting thoughts and beliefs.
We recognize that the mind often plays a significant role in preventing surfers from reaching their full potential. During our surf coaching retreats, we practice mindfulness meditation to learn how to develop a deeper awareness of our thoughts in everyday life. Our founder, Uriel, is a mindfulness meditation facilitator who helps participants cultivate this awareness. While Rodrigo, with his extensive experience coaching top surfers for over 20 years, also has tools to support and help remove limiting beliefs – both in and out of the water.
