Basis Surf Podcast

In this week’s episode of the Basis Surf Podcast, I’m joined by Craig from The Surfboard Guide (@thesurfboardguide), a seasoned surfboard reviewer known for his detailed reviews of everything from high-performance shortboards to midlengths, alternative boards, and hybrids. Being someone who can surf them all really well, Craig has a really unique perspective that’s super helpful for anyone trying to figure out their next board. So, if you’re looking for a new board, you’re not going to want to miss this episode, as we dive deep into finding the right board for your skill level and preferences, fin set ups, and the most versatile board to add to your quiver.    Sign up for our free surfboard guide for sizing down, video library, and newsletter   Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Frustration with Surfing Space 03:08 Craig's Surfing Journey and Injuries 07:27 Balancing Shortboards and Alternative Craft 09:05 Taking Care of Yourself as You Get Older 10:59 The Influence of Skateboarding on Surfing 14:49 Transitioning from Snowboarding to Surfing 17:10 Epiphanies and Breakthroughs in Surfing 19:03 Trends in Board Design: Twin Fins and Mid-Lengths 23:19 The Evolution of Board Design 25:12 Importance of Finding the Right Board 26:08 The Importance of Regular Surfing and Physical Condition 28:02 Exploring Different Surfboard Shapes and Designs 30:28 The Appeal of Asymmetrical Boards 31:28 The Rise of Mid-Length Boards 34:21 The Popularity of Twin Fins 39:02 The Impact of Fins on Surfboard Performance 42:27 Considering Other Factors for Surfing Improvement 46:20 The Desire for Speed and Progression in Surfing 52:59 The Allure of Rocky Point in Hawaii 54:30 The Versatility of Christenson and Lane Splitter Boards   Subscribe for more interviews with pro surfers, coaches, shapers, and everyday surfers like Zeke Lau, Victor Bernardo, Matt Parker of Album Surf, Matt Meola, Ryan Lovelace, Eric Arakawa, Noel Salas of Surf n Show, Parker Coffin, Dane Gudauskas, Kassia Meador, Clayton of Ombe Surf, Dylan Lightfoot, Derek Dunfee, Magnum Martinez, and more!   Join our community of over 70k followers across IG, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube: Basis Instagram Basis TikTok Basis Facebook

In this week’s episode, we’re joined by Matt Pagan (@matt_pagan), a former pro surfer, impressive shaper, and surf coach who runs his own surf school. In the podcast, Matt highlights the significance of paddling and weight distribution in catching waves, along with tips on turning midlengths. So tune in and don’t miss this episode as we discuss the importance of finding the right board size and volume for your skill level!   Sign up for our free surfboard guide for sizing down, video library, and newsletter   Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:01 Finding the Right Board Size 09:38 Mastering Paddling Technique 19:19 Understanding Volume and Lift 26:15 Balancing Technique and Wave Count 28:13 The Importance of Mentors and Coaches 28:42 Choosing the Right Surfboard 31:36 Riding Larger Boards in Big Waves 34:58 The Advantage of Being a Shaper and Surfer 38:18 Insights into Turning on Mid-Length Boards 50:40 The Significance of Paddling in Surfing   Subscribe for more interviews with pro surfers, coaches, shapers, and everyday surfers like Zeke Lau, Parker Coffin, Devon Howard, Dane Gudauskas, Ryan Lovelace, Leah Dawson, Matt Meola, Eric Arakawa, Dan Mann, Victor Bernardo, Matt Parker of Album Surf, Noel Salas of Surf n Show, Kassia Meador, Clayton of Ombe Surf, Dylan Lightfoot, Magnum Martinez, and more!   Join our community of over 55k followers across IG, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube: Basis Instagram Basis TikTok Basis Facebook

In this episode of the Basis Surf Podcast, Ron Shine (@boardporn) joins me to guide you through choosing your next surfboard. With a collection of over 100+ surfboards, Ron’s collection has it all—from see-through 3D printed designs to asymmetricals and high-performance shortboards. Whether you're looking to add a new piece to your quiver or just curious about the latest trends, you won't want to miss this episode.   Sign up for our free surfboard guide for sizing down, video library, and newsletter   Chapters 00:00 Introduction and the Importance of Trying Different Surfboards 13:05 The Art of Collecting and Experimenting with Surfboards 21:04 Exploring New Technologies in Surfboard Construction 25:21 The Influence of Top Surfers on Board Technology Acceptance 27:38 Introduction and Discussion on Alternative Board Designs 31:23 Recommendation: Dan Mann's Unique Board Designs 35:41 Exploring Different Board Designs and Innovations 48:34 Favorite Surfers to Watch 52:06 Dream Surf Spot and Ideal Surfboard   Subscribe for more interviews with pro surfers, coaches, shapers, and everyday surfers like Zeke Lau, Victor Bernardo, Matt Parker of Album Surf, Matt Meola, Ryan Lovelace, Eric Arakawa, Noel Salas of Surf n Show, Parker Coffin, Dane Gudauskas, Kassia Meador, Clayton of Ombe Surf, Dylan Lightfoot, Derek Dunfee, Magnum Martinez, and more!   Join our community of over 55k followers across IG, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube: Basis Instagram Basis TikTok Basis Facebook

In this episode, I interview Parker Coffin (@parkercoffin), one of my favorite free surfers. He’s a goofy footer that shreds in big waves and small waves, and hucks crazy airs. Stab called him one of the best free surfers in the world. In this episode, Parker gives us insight into what makes his surfing so good, from how to surf with more power, tips to surfing backside, and how to get your bottom turn dialed. If you want to take your surfing to the next level, you’re not going to want to miss this episode.   Sign up for our free surfboard guide for sizing down, video library, and newsletter   Chapters 00:00 Harnessing the Power of the Wave 05:26 Growing Up with a Surfing Sibling 13:45 The Analytical Approach to Surfing 19:39 The Challenges and Opportunities of Being a Goofy Footer 25:42 Passion and Dedication: Keys to Improvement 32:25 Exploring the Differences Between Frontside and Backside Surfing 34:23 Tips for Generating Speed and Making Turns on the Backhand 44:30 The Development of the CI Pro Board: Iterations and Adjustments 48:21 Adapting to Conditions and Finding the Right Equipment 58:45 The Endless Possibilities of Surfing at Cloudbreak   Subscribe for more interviews with pro surfers, coaches, shapers, and everyday surfers like Zeke Lau, Victor Bernardo, Matt Parker of Album Surf, Matt Meola, Ryan Lovelace, Noel Salas of Surf n Show, Kassia Meador, Clayton of Ombe Surf, Dylan Lightfoot, Derek Dunfee, Magnum Martinez, Isaac Stant, Nakoa Decoite, and more!   Join our community of over 55k followers across IG, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube: Basis Instagram Basis TikTok Basis Facebook

Dane Gudauskas (@danedamus), a pro surfer from South California and one of the makers of the famous Rocket Wide and G Skate surfboards by Channel Islands (@cisurfboards), joins me in this week’s episode of Basis Surf Podcast. Dane discusses how to make your surfing flow, body positioning and how to perfect your cutback. We also talked about Positive Vibe Warriors, a foundation that Dane and his brother started to give back to youth and make surfing accessible for all. If you’re looking for valuable tips on how to improve your style and technique, make sure to check out the whole episode!   Sign up for our free surfboard guide for sizing down, video library, and newsletter   Chapters 00:00 Growing Up Surfing with Brothers 08:44 The Journey of a Shaper 13:24 The RocketWide: User-Friendly Performance 19:10 The G-Skate: Blending Tradition and Innovation 25:05 Surfing Style and Stance: Finding the Right Balance 30:42 Mastering Backhand Carves and Timing 42:29 Thrills and Challenges of Big Wave Surfing 50:43 Innovative Board Shapes with Donald Brink 55:04 Promoting Accessibility and Safety in Surfing 59:28 Finding Harmony and Immersion in Surfing   Subscribe for more interviews with pro surfers, coaches, shapers, and everyday surfers like Zeke Lau, Victor Bernardo, Matt Parker of Album Surf, Matt Meola, Ryan Lovelace, Noel Salas of Surf n Show, Kassia Meador, Clayton of Ombe Surf, Dylan Lightfoot, Derek Dunfee, Magnum Martinez, Isaac Stant, Nakoa Decoite, and more!   Join our community of over 55k followers across IG, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube: Basis Instagram Basis TikTok Basis Facebook

Devon Howard (@devon_howard), a pioneer of midlength surfing and the designer of the Channel Islands Mid (aka CI Mid), joins us on this week’s episode of the Basis Surf Podcast. Devon shares his approach to riding midlengths and offers tips on how to better position yourself on a wave and execute better bottom turns and cutbacks. Whether you're new to midlengths or a seasoned egg rider, this episode offers valuable insights on improving your style, enhancing your technique, and selecting the right midlength for you. Don't miss this deep dive into midlength surfing with one of the best in the game!   Sign up for our free surfboard guide for sizing down, video library, and newsletter   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Mid-Length Surfing 13:02 Technique: Staying Committed to the Rail 28:49 The Importance of Style in Surfing 34:11 Weight Distribution and Shifting 45:17 Style: Making the Difficult Look Easy 46:43 Achieving Good Style: Body Positioning and Hand Placement 57:29 Choosing the Right Mid-Length Board and Fin Setup 01:17:47 The Art of Catching Waves: Positioning and Timing 01:26:51 Favorite Surf Spots: A Personal Perspective   Subscribe for more interviews with pro surfers, coaches, shapers, and everyday surfers like Zeke Lau, Victor Bernardo, Matt Parker of Album Surf, Matt Meola, Ryan Lovelace, Noel Salas of Surf n Show, Kassia Meador, Clayton of Ombe Surf, Dylan Lightfoot, Derek Dunfee, Magnum Martinez, Isaac Stant, Nakoa Decoite, and more!   Join our community of over 55k followers across IG, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube: Basis Instagram Basis TikTok Basis Facebook

Zeke Lau (@zekelau), a native Hawaiian pro surfer joined me in this week’s episode of Basis Surf Podcast to share his journey and approach to training and competing on the championship tour. Tag along as we dive deep into his training process, the importance of paddling, and the role of technique and mindset in his surfing.   Sign up for our free surfboard guide for sizing down, video library, and newsletter   Chapters 00:00 Mastering Technique and Shifting Weight 04:50 The Unconventional Approach to Surfing 12:49 Adapting to Different Types of Waves 24:33 The Importance of Paddling 29:34 The Psychological Edge of Paddling Training 30:58 Paddling Endurance and Training 33:53 Riding Bigger Waves at Pipeline 38:24 The Significance of Equipment and Working with a Local Shaper 48:09 The Technical Aspects of Surfing 53:07 The Experience of Fatherhood 55:26 Working with a Local Surf Brand   Subscribe for more interviews with pro surfers, coaches, shapers, and everyday surfers like Victor Bernardo, Matt Parker of Album Surf, Matt Meola, Ryan Lovelace, Noel Salas of Surf n Show, Kassia Meador, Clayton of Ombe Surf, Dylan Lightfoot, Derek Dunfee, Magnum Martinez, Isaac Stant, Nakoa Decoite, and more!   Join our community of over 55k followers across IG, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube: Basis Instagram Basis TikTok Basis Facebook

Chris Gentille, the owner of Pilgrim Surf + Supply (@pilgrimsurfsupply), joined me in this week’s episode of Basis Surf Podcast to talk about the importance of choosing the right board, the concept of edge boards, his background as an artist and how he directed the film “Self Discovery For Social Survival,” and the connection between skateboarding and surfing.   Sign up for our free surfboard guide for sizing down, video library, and newsletter   Chapters 00:00 Introduction and the Community at Pilgrim Surf Supply 02:24 Chris's Introduction to Surfing and Skateboarding 05:17 The Scarcity and Desirability of Surfing in the Northeast 10:24 The Origin and Meaning of the Name 'Pilgrim' 16:38 From Florida to Owning a Surf Shop in Brooklyn 28:33 The Versatility of Gliders: Riding Small Waves at High Speeds 35:10 Exploring Edge Boards: A Unique Surfing Experience 43:17 The Importance of Bottom Contours and Rail Design 44:43 The Resurgence of George Green's Designs 49:06 The Diverse Community of Shapers and Surfers at Surf Supply 56:17 The Creative Process Behind 'Self Discovery for Social Survival' 01:09:12 The Significance of Style in Surfing 01:18:42 The Benefits of Riding Different Types of Surfboards   Subscribe for more interviews with pro surfers, coaches, shapers, and everyday surfers like Victor Bernardo, Matt Parker of Album Surf, Matt Meola, Ryan Lovelace, Noel Salas of Surf n Show, Kassia Meador, Clayton of Ombe Surf, Dylan Lightfoot, Derek Dunfee, Magnum Martinez, Isaac Stant, Nakoa Decoite, and more!   Join our community of over 55k followers across IG, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube: Basis Instagram Basis TikTok Basis Facebook

Eric Arakawa (@arakawasurfboards), the shaper for over ten World Champions, including Andy Irons, Jack Robinsons, and Michael and Derek Ho, joined me in this week’s Basis Surf Podcast episode to share his insights on shaping boards for these world-class surfers and to discuss how each board was crafted to help them perform at their best. Sign up for our free surfboard guide for sizing down, video library, and newsletter   Chapters 00:00 Introduction and the Impact of Small Changes in Surfboard Design 03:02 The Importance of Balance in Board Performance 05:27 Refining Board Designs Based on Surfer Feedback 09:08 Analyzing Performance and Making Improvements 12:04 The Joy of Seeing Surfers Excel on Arakawa Boards 30:10 The Art of Last-Minute Board Changes 33:23 Shaping Boards for Pros 39:37 The Challenges and Rewards of Shaping Boards for Surfers 45:27 Building a Quiver: Considerations for Everyday Surfers 48:58 Delivering an Experience: Tailoring Boards to Customer Needs 55:31 The Importance of Teamwork in Shaping Boards   Subscribe for more interviews with pro surfers, coaches, shapers, and everyday surfers like Victor Bernardo, Matt Parker of Album Surf, Matt Meola, Ryan Lovelace, Noel Salas of Surf n Show, Kassia Meador, Clayton of Ombe Surf, Dylan Lightfoot, Derek Dunfee, Magnum Martinez, Isaac Stant, Nakoa Decoite, and more!   Join our community of over 55k followers across IG, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube: Basis Instagram Basis TikTok Basis Facebook   Surfer: @father._.sean 📸: @john_hook

Philippe Malvaux ( @philippemalvaux_surfcoaching ) is a former ASP judge, coach, and the team manager for Hurley and during his time has worked with and coached an incredible list of pro surfers including Kanoa Igarashi, Julian Wilson, Carissa Moore and John John Florence to name a few. In this week’s episode of Basis Surf Podcast, we delve into what he does with the big names to get them surfing so good, his adventures as a team manager for Hurley, his tips and tricks to better carves, and how to efficiently generate speed on a wave.   Sign up for our free surfboard guide for sizing down, video library, and newsletter   Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 13:37 The Importance of Building Relationships and Creating Good Memories 25:26 Improving the Forehand Carving Turn: Philippe's Work with Kanoa Igarashi 30:23 Analyzing Footage and Going Backward: Finding the Root Cause of Technical Issues 32:23 The Importance of Speed in Surfing 35:49 Generating Speed through Intention and Wave Usage 39:15 Body Positioning for Speed and Power 46:56 Coaching Approach: Video Analysis and Personalized Feedback 01:03:51 The Value of Sharing Knowledge in Surfing   Subscribe for more interviews with pro surfers, coaches, shapers, and everyday surfers like Victor Bernardo, Matt Parker of Album Surf, Matt Meola, Ryan Lovelace, Noel Salas of Surf n Show, Kassia Meador, Clayton of Ombe Surf, Dylan Lightfoot, Derek Dunfee, Magnum Martinez, Isaac Stant, Nakoa Decoite, and more!   Join our community of over 55k followers across IG, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube: Basis Instagram Basis TikTok Basis Facebook

Surfing with icebergs in Iceland, dodging sharks at Trestles, and scoring double overhead waves at Manhattan Beach - in this episode of the Basis Podcast, pro surfer and filmmaker, Hunter Jones (@hunterjones), discusses all this and shares his experience with oxygen deprivation training with big wave legend Laird Hamilton.   Sign up for our free surfboard guide for sizing down, video library, and newsletter   Chapters 00:00 The Journey of a Pro Surfer: From South Bay to the World 03:54 Transitioning from Longboarding to Shortboarding: A Surfer's Story 07:05 Inside the World of Surfing: Hunter Jones' Career and Experiences 23:12 From WSL to Branching Out: A Surfer's Journey 29:37 Unique Surfing Experiences: Iceland, Sharks, and More 42:30 The Power of Intentions: Catching Waves with Purpose 44:27 Inspiring Others: Sharing the Passion for Surfing Subscribe for more interviews with pro surfers, coaches, shapers, and everyday surfers like Victor Bernardo, Matt Parker of Album Surf, Matt Meola, Ryan Lovelace, Noel Salas of Surf n Show, Kassia Meador, Clayton of Ombe Surf, Dylan Lightfoot, Derek Dunfee, Magnum Martinez, Isaac Stant, Nakoa Decoite, and more!   Join our community of over 33k followers on IG and 17k on TikTok: Basis Instagram Basis TikTok Basis Facebook

Adam Knox ( @adamknox_ ) is a former pro that's the younger brother of legendary rail surfer Taylor Knox and has coached some of the best up and coming pro surfers like Caity Simmers, Kade Matson, Tia Blanco, and many more. With his expertise in kinesiology, we dive deep into technique, energy leaks, using surf skates as a tool, and how to improve your turns.    Sign up for our free surfboard guide for sizing down, video library, and newsletter   Chapters 00:00 Introduction and the Importance of Technique 03:38 Adam's Background and Challenges 10:16 Surfing at 60% and Making Finals 14:29 Taylor Knox and Surfing Competitions 23:46 Using Surfskates as a Training Tool 25:07 Learning from Coaches and Studying Footage 26:05 The Challenges of Surfing 32:12 The Importance of Body Positioning and Weight Distribution 39:08 Mastering Paddling Technique 41:03 Coaching Professional Surfers to Success 43:47 Analyzing and Emulating Successful Surfers   Subscribe for more interviews with pro surfers, coaches, shapers, and everyday surfers like Victor Bernardo, Matt Parker of Album Surf, Matt Meola, Ryan Lovelace, Noel Salas of Surf n Show, Kassia Meador, Clayton of Ombe Surf, Dylan Lightfoot, Derek Dunfee, Magnum Martinez, Isaac Stant, Nakoa Decoite, and more!   Join our community of over 33k followers on IG and 17k on TikTok: Basis Instagram Basis TikTok Basis Facebook

In this week’s episode, Duke Aipa (@aipasurf), son of the legendary Hawaiian Shaper Ben Aipa, joins us to share the backstory of his father’s inventions, the "Swallow tail" and "The Sting" style boards and discusses how he continues his dad’s legacy by combining elements of past and present to create innovative boards like the Dark Twinn, the Modern Sting and the Wrecking Ball.    Sign up for our free surfboard guide for sizing down volume, video library and newsletter   Chapters 00:00 Introduction and the Legacy of Ben Aipa 05:38 The Invention of the Sting 13:19 Duke Aipa's Unique Designs: The Dark Twinn and the Wrecking Ball 28:49 Finding the Right Foot Position on a Twin Fin 39:18 The Wrecking Ball: A Super Groveler with Unique Design Characteristics 41:14 Conclusion and Future Innovations   Subscribe for more interviews with pro surfers, coaches, shapers, and everyday surfers like Victor Bernardo, Matt Parker of Album Surf, Matt Meola, Ryan Lovelace, Noel Salas of Surf n Show, Kassia Meador, Clayton of Ombe Surf, Dylan Lightfoot, Derek Dunfee, Magnum Martinez, Isaac Stant, Nakoa Decoite, and more!   Join our community of over 32k followers on IG and 16k on TikTok: Basis Instagram Basis TikTok Basis Facebook

In this week’s podcast episode, join me and Leah Dawson ( @leahloves ) as we dive deep about finding the magic spots on your board to improve your style in surfing and how to fix your stance for generating more speed.   Sign up for our free surfboard guide for sizing down, video library, and newsletter 👇   Chapters 00:00 The Art of Style: Becoming One with the Wave 04:42 The Progression of Women's Surfing: Opportunity and Experience 08:59 Studying Lineups: The Key to Catching More Waves 27:34 Mastering Paddling Skills and Efficiency 30:57 Unlocking Your Feet for Successful Surfing 36:44 Exploring Different Surf Craft 43:08 Developing Personal Style in Surfing 45:00 Finding Joy in Standing and Going Fast 50:15 Improving Posture and Maneuverability 51:14 Leah's Retreats and Courses   Subscribe for more interviews with pro surfers, coaches, shapers, and everyday surfers like Victor Bernardo, Matt Parker of Album Surf, Matt Meola, Ryan Lovelace, Noel Salas of Surf n Show, Kassia Meador, Clayton of Ombe Surf, Dylan Lightfoot, Derek Dunfee, Magnum Martinez, Isaac Stant, Nakoa Decoite, and more!   Join our community of over 32k followers on IG and 16k on TikTok: Basis Instagram Basis TikTok Basis Facebook

In this week's podcast, the shaper behind Kelly Slater’s magic boards, @dan__mann, joined me to talk about the secrets of making boards that are high performance enough for the pros but also super user friendly for the everyday surfer.   Sign up for our free surfboard guide for sizing down volume, video library and newsletter   Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:42 The Design Principles of the Dominator Boards 14:40 The Influence of High-Performance Shaping on User-Friendly Boards 26:09 The Role of Paddling Skills in Surfing 28:06 Finding the Right Balance: Volume and Planing Surface for Small Waves 39:03 Collaborating with Kelly Slater: Designing High-Performance Boards 53:09 The Importance of Physical Fitness and Paddle Speed in Surfing 55:53 Embracing the Process: Trying Different Boards for Optimal Performance Subscribe for more interviews with pro surfers, coaches, shapers, and everyday surfers like Victor Bernardo, Matt Parker of Album Surf, Matt Meola, Ryan Lovelace, Noel Salas of Surf n Show, Kassia Meador, Clayton of Ombe Surf, Dylan Lightfoot, Derek Dunfee, Magnum Martinez, Isaac Stant, Nakoa Decoite, and more!   Join our community of over 31k followers on IG and 16k on TikTok: Basis Instagram Basis TikTok