Episodes

Monday Jan 20, 2025
Axel Lorentz: On high performance vs alternative boards
Monday Jan 20, 2025
Monday Jan 20, 2025
In this week’s episode of the Basis Surf Podcast, I’m joined by Axel Lorentz, the legendary shaper from the Basque Country. When he was shaping for @pukasurf his boards made it to five out of six finals for Stab in the Dark. He is now shaping under his own label. Axel takes us behind the scenes to reveal what makes his designs excel for both pros and everyday surfers, why rails are one of the most important elements in a design, his views on volume, and the biggest mistakes people make when choosing a board.
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Chapters
00:00 The Art of Shaping Surfboards
02:52 Understanding Paddle Power and Training
06:10 Personalizing Board Design for Surfers
09:07 The Importance of Rails in Board Performance
11:58 Rocker and Volume: Key Elements in Board Design
14:52 Exploring Alternative Boards for Everyday Surfers
17:49 The Journey into Surfboard Shaping
29:46 The Art of Shaping: Understanding the Craft
32:41 Navigating the Pressure of Big Wave Shaping
38:31 The Balance of Speed and Control in Surfboard Design
40:55 Personalizing the Surf Experience: Shaping for Fun
44:48 Passing the Craft: A Legacy of Shaping
49:59 Finding Flow: The Importance of Routine in Shaping
51:57 Surfing Philosophy: Enjoying the Ride
55:44 Dream Waves: The Perfect Surf Spot
57:39 The Ultimate Board: Versatility in Design
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Monday Dec 09, 2024
Todd Glaser: Capturing Kelly Slater’s Greatest Moments in “A Life of Waves
Monday Dec 09, 2024
Monday Dec 09, 2024
In this episode of the Basis Surf Podcast, I’m joined by the legendary surf photographer Todd Glaser, who has spent decades traveling the globe with surfing icon Kelly Slater. Todd and Kelly recently released a stunning new book, “A Life of Waves”, a visual masterpiece showcasing some of Kelly’s most iconic moments. Don’t miss this episode as we dive into fascinating behind-the-scenes stories from their adventures and explore the secrets behind Kelly Slater’s success.
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Chapters
00:00 The Art of Surf Photography
12:51 Surf Adventures With Kelly Slater
20:07 Kelly Slater Winning Pipe Masters at 50
30:51 Passion and Precision in Surfing
33:47 The Mad Scientist of Surfing
36:14 The Balance of Analysis and Intuition
39:39 The Evolution of Surfing Techniques
42:32 Capturing the Perfect Wave
46:22 The Excitement of the Wave Pool
50:53 Moments of Triumph in Surfing
52:20 Personal Philosophy of Surfing
57:00 The Ideal Wave and Board Choice
01:01:32 Legacy of Surfing and Future Generations
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Friday Nov 29, 2024
Friday Nov 29, 2024
Train your paddling anywhere, anytime so you can catch more waves and have more fun with the Basis Paddle Trainer. It’s available now for presale at www.surfbasis.com.
Ben went from almost quitting surfing because he struggled so much with paddle fitness to charging the Northshore of Hawaii by using the Basis Paddle Trainer. We go on a deep dive on his experience as one of the original beta testers of the paddle trainer prototypes, his 17 year journey as a surfer living in Hawaii and on the east coast, how he tried nearly everything to train his paddling but nothing worked, his first impressions of using it, how using it for just 20 minutes a week has allowed him to continue to chase swells for years now, and how it has changed his life.
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Chapters
00:00 The Struggle of Surfing and Finding Fitness
02:02 The Importance of Paddle Fitness
05:53 Introducing the Basis Surf Paddle Trainer
07:51 Ben's Journey: From Struggles to Success
11:49 Learning from Black Belt Surfers
20:11 The Role of Technique and Conditioning in Paddling
24:03 Finding Flow in Paddle Training
30:07 The Evolution of Surf Training
34:53 Transitioning to the East Coast Surf Scene
38:45 Facing Challenges and Finding Solutions
44:03 Discovering New Training Methods
51:01 The Joy of Surfing Again
56:47 Final Thoughts and Wisdom for Surfers
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!
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Monday Nov 18, 2024
Donald Brink: Pushing the limits of surfboard design
Monday Nov 18, 2024
Monday Nov 18, 2024
On this week’s episode of the Basis Surf Podcast, I’m joined by one of the most innovative surfboard shapers on the planet, Donald Brink (@donaldbrink). His asym board with Matt Biolos was chosen by Mick Fanning as the winner of the 2022 Electric Acid Surfboard Test. In this episode, we dive deep into the details of board design - rails, rocker, volume, and more - to help you understand what to look for in a board to match your skill level and the conditions you face. Get ready, as this episode will completely reshape the way you think about your next board choice.
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Chapters00:00 Riding Waves, Not Boards
02:51 The Art and Science of Surfboard Design
05:55 Winning The Electric Acid Surfboard Test With Mick Fanning
09:12 Understanding Performance: The Role of Design
12:07 Challenging Conventional Surfboard Norms
15:07 The Importance of Technique in Surfing
18:01 Designing for Everyday Surfers
20:56 Embracing Asymmetry in Surfboard Design
24:09 High Performance vs. Low Performance Boards
26:58 Finding the Right Board for Your Skill Level
30:13 The Balance of Challenge and Comfort in Surfing
33:12 Experimentation in Surfboard Shaping
35:51 The Future of Surfboard Design
45:28 The Art and Science of Surfboard Design
51:06 Innovative Concepts in Surfboard Shaping
56:29 Understanding Volume in Surfboard Performance
01:01:04 The Intention Behind Surfing
01:07:52 Choosing the Right Board For The Wave
01:12:10 The Journey of Surfing and Self-Discovery
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!
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Monday Nov 04, 2024
Monday Nov 04, 2024
This episode of the Basis Surf Podcast, I’m joined by Doug Silva (@dougsilvadotcom), the coach behind pro surfers Seth Moniz, Kai Lenny, and Koa Rothman. Doug shares his insights on refining cutbacks, maximizing wave power, and the small, game-changing tweaks that can elevate your surfing to the next level. If you’re looking to improve your surfing, you’re not going to want to miss this episode.
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Surf Coaching and Techniques
02:56 Equipment Choices and Their Impact on Performance
05:54 Coaching Strategies for Competitive Surfers
08:48 The Importance of Body Mechanics in Surfing
12:13 Creating Confidence and Energy in Surfers
15:10 Navigating Competitive Surfing Challenges
18:10 The Role of Mental Preparation in Surfing
20:59 Seth's Journey and Transformation in Competition
23:56 Looking Ahead: Preparing for Future Competitions
32:06 Mastering Paddling Techniques
38:23 Coaching Surfers: Koa and Kai
48:06 The Evolution of Surfing with Kelly
53:29 Surfing for Everyday Surfers
01:02:47 The Art of Surfing: Intentions and Rhythms
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!
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Monday Oct 28, 2024
Olympic Coach Marcelo Castellanos: Finding Flow Through Training
Monday Oct 28, 2024
Monday Oct 28, 2024
In this week’s episode of the Basis Surf Podcast, I’m joined by Olympic Surf Coach Marcelo Castellanos (@marcelocsurf), a former professional surfer and coach behind some of the world’s best surfers like Bryan Perez. Marcelo, also the co-founder of the world-class academy Puro Surf in El Salvador, gives us an inside look at training for the Olympics and shares practical tips to help everyday surfers improve their technique, flow and training. Tune in for expert advice from one of the world’s top surf coaches.a
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Chapters
00:00 Entering the Flow State
05:46 Holistic Coaching Approach
11:49 Mental Preparation for Big Waves
17:58 Technical Foundations in Surfing23:53 Understanding Internal and External Forces
31:21 The Art of Surfing: Closing the Circle
38:27 Training vs. Free Surfing: Finding the Balance
42:47 Land Training: Preparing for the Waves
50:43 The Journey of a Coach: From Surfer to Mentor
56:35 Setting Expectations: The Reality of 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, 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!
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Monday Oct 07, 2024
Kahea Hart: Training Olympians and Everyday Surfers
Monday Oct 07, 2024
Monday Oct 07, 2024
In this week’s episode of the Basis Surf Podcast, I’m joined by Kahea Hart ( @hawaiisurfandperformance ), a former competitive surfer and the coach behind some of the world's best surfers like Olympian Brisa Hennessy and WSL Big Wave World Champion Billy Kemper. Kahea also works with everyday surfers, and in this episode, we explore his methods for developing world-class talent, along with the essential training all surfers can do to take their surfing to the next level.
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Chapters
00:00 The Importance of Physical Training for Surfers
01:46 Experiences at the Olympics: Coaching Brissa Hennessy
10:07 Training Techniques for Elite Surfers
18:44 Paddling Techniques and Their Importance
24:53 Foundation Training: A Game Changer for Surfers
32:10 Common Mistakes of Everyday Surfers
39:46 Advanced Techniques for Better Surfing
50:03 Final Thoughts and Personal Insights
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!
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Monday Sep 30, 2024
How Losing 30 Pounds Improved My Surfing with Coach Lenny V
Monday Sep 30, 2024
Monday Sep 30, 2024
How much can fitness really impact your surfing? In this week’s episode of the Basis Surf Podcast, I’m joined by Coach Lenny V (@coachlennyv) and Cooper Walters (@cooper_walters) to share how dropping 30 pounds has completely transformed my surfing. From quicker pop-ups, catching more waves and surfing for longer. If you're ready to take your fitness and surfing to the next level, you’re not going to want to miss this episode!
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Transformation Journey
03:01 Adherence and Accountability in Dieting
05:58 The Importance of Protein and Caloric Balance
08:55 Surprising Weight Loss Insights
11:46 Physical Benefits of Weight Loss on Surfing
15:01 Paddling Power and Weight Loss
18:08 Training for Surfing Performance
20:59 Building a Sustainable Fitness Program
23:54 The Role of Coaching in Transformation
27:13 Mental Discipline and Overcoming Food Addiction
30:09 Strategies for Consistency and Success
33:04 The Importance of Systems in Dieting
35:57 Final Thoughts on Transformation and Fitness
Lean Bulk Masterclass
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!
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Monday Sep 16, 2024
Margo: On style, longer boards, and being in the moment
Monday Sep 16, 2024
Monday Sep 16, 2024
In this week’s episode of the Basis Surf Podcast, I’m joined by Brenden Margieson (@margomargs), hailed by many as the world’s ‘best-ever free surfer.’ Margo’s iconic style has left a lasting mark on generations of surfers, and in this episode, we’re lucky to have him share his wisdom on surfing. From mastering carves and roundhouse cutbacks to developing your natural style and refining your positioning and timing, this episode is packed with invaluable tips to level up your surfing. Don’t miss the chance to learn from one of the best in the game!
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Chapters
00:00 The Art of Spontaneity in Surfing
03:11 Brendan Margason: A Journey Through Surfing
06:02 Evolution of Surfboards: From Thrusters to Quads
08:50 The Influence of Surfing Environment on Style
11:45 Board Design and Personal Preferences
15:04 Adapting Technique with Age
17:53 The Vesper: A New Era in Surfing
20:48 Training and Maintaining Surfing Skills
24:00 Emotional Connection to Surfing
26:53 Chasing the Perfect Wave
30:14 The Future of Surfing: Learning and Progressing
33:06 Ideal Surf Conditions and Equipment
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!
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Monday Sep 09, 2024
The Surfboard Guide: Must-Have Surfboards for Your Quiver
Monday Sep 09, 2024
Monday Sep 09, 2024
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.
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Chapters00:00 Introduction and Frustration with Surfing Space03:08 Craig's Surfing Journey and Injuries07:27 Balancing Shortboards and Alternative Craft09:05 Taking Care of Yourself as You Get Older10:59 The Influence of Skateboarding on Surfing14:49 Transitioning from Snowboarding to Surfing17:10 Epiphanies and Breakthroughs in Surfing19:03 Trends in Board Design: Twin Fins and Mid-Lengths23:19 The Evolution of Board Design25:12 Importance of Finding the Right Board26:08 The Importance of Regular Surfing and Physical Condition28:02 Exploring Different Surfboard Shapes and Designs30:28 The Appeal of Asymmetrical Boards31:28 The Rise of Mid-Length Boards34:21 The Popularity of Twin Fins39:02 The Impact of Fins on Surfboard Performance42:27 Considering Other Factors for Surfing Improvement46:20 The Desire for Speed and Progression in Surfing52:59 The Allure of Rocky Point in Hawaii54:30 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!
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Basis Surf Podcast
We interview pro surfers, surf coaches, every day surfers, and experts in related fields to learn about their interesting stories and find gems of wisdom to improve our surfing.