Basis Surf Podcast

Paddling: Your Cheatcode to Surf Progression w/ Van Vu

Train your paddling anywhere, anytime so you can catch more waves and have more fun with the Basis Paddle Trainer. Shipping globally now at https://www.surfbasis.com/ 
In this episode, Van Vu—founder of the Basis Surf Podcast and the Basis Paddle Trainer—talks about his journey as a surfer obsessed with improving his surfing in this interview with Michael Frampton of the Surf Mastery Podcast. He shares how rushing to shortboards stalled his progress, and how returning to longer boards, focusing on fundamentals, and building paddle fitness transformed his surfing. Van also explains why paddle power is the biggest bottleneck for most surfers and how more reps—not flashy turns—are the real key to progression. The conversation dives deep into technique, board choice, coaching perspectives, and why catching more waves is the fastest way to improve.
Sign up for our free surfboard guide for sizing down volume, video library and newsletter
Chapters
02:23 Earliest Surfing Memory
05:37 First Time Shortboarding
09:00 Don’t Size Down Too Quickly
13:25 Sizing Down in a Thoughtful Manner
16:00 From Riding a Pickup Truck to an F1 Car
19:30 Inspiration for Starting the Basis Surf Podcast
22:13 Lessons Learned from Starting the Podcast
27:28 Surf Coaching is Still at Its Infancy
30:14 Learn through Brute Volume
33:24 You Need to Catch More Waves
36:00 Inspiration for the Basis Paddle Trainer
38:00 Maintaining the Arched Prone Position While Paddling
41:00 The Biggest Resource Is Your Time
43:15 2x-8x Your Wave Count 
47:30 Surfing as a Pyramid
49:10 Paddle Power of Pro Surfers vs Beginners
51:45 It’s a Game of Years
54:12 Discount Code
Subscribe for more interviews with pro surfers, coaches, shapers, and everyday surfers like Tom Carroll, 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 100k followers across IG, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube:
Basis Instagram
Basis TikTok
Basis Facebook

Nica Time: Guide to Beach Break Barrels

Train your paddling anywhere, anytime so you can catch more waves and have more fun with the Basis Paddle Trainer www.surfbasis.com 
In this episode of the Basis Surf Podcast, we have Matteo Blevins of Nica Time (@nicatime) at Playa Colorados, Nicaragua. We get into wave positioning, paddling at the apex, and angling your takeoff. He breaks down his go-to boards, twins and quads, and how they help him make impossible sections. We also dig into his unique backside pig dog stance and how the right paddle technique can help with your pop-up.
Sign up for our free surfboard guide for sizing down volume, video library and newsletter
Chapters02:12 Why Colorados Is One of the Best Beach Breaks04:38 Seasonal Changes and When to Go07:06 How Tides Affect the Wave10:09 Wave Reading and Positioning Tips12:11 Paddling Is 80% of Getting Good Waves14:10 How to Take the Correct Line on a Barrel16:08 Why Strong Paddle Technique Helps Your Popup17:03 Backside Pig Dog Technique Breakdown20:26 Recommended Quiver for a Trip to Colorados23:48 Twin Fins vs. Single Fins in the Barrel26:29 Common Mistakes Surfers Make at Colorados27:00 Mindset and Favorite Board
Subscribe for more interviews with pro surfers, coaches, shapers, and everyday surfers like Tom Carroll, 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 100k followers across IG, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube:
Basis Instagram
Basis TikTok
Basis Facebook

Underwave Training: Train This or Panic in Big Waves

Train your paddling anywhere, anytime so you can catch more waves and have more fun with the Basis Paddle Trainer. Shipping globally now at https://www.surfbasis.com/
In this episode of the Basis Surf Podcast, we have Augusto Carrara, founder of Underwave Training (@underwave.training). A breath and apnea coach specializing in land and water-based breath-hold training designed specifically for surfers. We’re gonna talk about how to acclimate to repeated CO2 exposure, discover your own personal relaxation triggers, adjust the gears of breathing for surfing and the importance of being a good swimmer/paddler.
Sign up for our free surfboard guide for sizing down volume, video library and newsletter
Chapters
01:23 Meet Augusto from Underwave Training
02:16 Augusto’s Early Breath-Hold Background
06:25 Why All Surfers Need Breath Training
08:38 Functional Breathing for Surfing
10:55 Regulating Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide
12:41 Prepping for a Hold-Down in Real Time
14:40 Relaxation Techniques During Wipeouts
20:17 What Happens When You’re Exhausted
23:07 Training Your Body to Tolerate CO₂
26:25 Underwater Drills for Realistic Surf Scenarios
33:57 Never Train Breath-Holds Alone in Water
35:33 The Swimming Gap in Surf Culture
44:03 Surf Intentions, Boards, and Dream Waves
Subscribe for more interviews with pro surfers, coaches, shapers, and everyday surfers like Tom Carroll, 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 100k followers across IG, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube:
Basis Instagram
Basis TikTok
Basis Facebook

German Olympic Coach Didier Piter on Technique vs Plasticity

Train your paddling anywhere, anytime so you can catch more waves and have more fun with the Basis Paddle Trainer. Shipping globally now at https://www.surfbasis.com/
In this episode of the Basis Surf Podcast, we have Didier Piter (@didierpitersurfcoach), who was the head coach for Germany in the 2024 Olympics, a 4 time European champion, and a semi-finalist at Pipeline. We’re gonna talk about the key to bottom turns, paddle training for Teahupo’o, common mistakes that most surfers make, and the importance of balancing art and technique.
Chapters00:00 Intro02:30 Coaching the German Olympic Team08:36 Techniques for Major Maneuvers09:58 The Art of Balancing Technique and Flow13:45 The Key to Bottom Turns15:12 Embracing Plasticity in Surfing18:00 Training Neuroplasticity for Surfers23:25 Preparing for Teahupoʻo25:42 Paddle Training for Teahupoʻo28:02 Coaching his son, Sam Piter31:08 Secrets to Progressive Surfing33:16 Common Surfing Mistakes36:40 What Board to Bring If Stranded on a Deserted Island38:05 Intention When Surfing
Sign up for our free surfboard guide for sizing down volume, video library and newsletter
Subscribe for more interviews with pro surfers, coaches, shapers, and everyday surfers like Tom Carroll, 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 100k followers across IG, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube:
Basis Instagram
Basis TikTok
Basis Facebook

Tai Buddha: Guide to Indo Surf Strike Missions

Train your paddling anywhere, anytime so you can catch more waves and have more fun with the Basis Paddle Trainer. Shipping globally now at https://www.surfbasis.com/
In this episode of the Basis Surf Podcast, we have Tai Buddha (@taibuddha), a pro surfer of Maori descent, spent his years surfing between Australia and Bali. He’s a master of the Indo strike mission and established the iconic beach bar called the Single Fin in Uluwatu. We’ll be diving into the importance of having the right board, the key to taking off and the importance of paddling and committing in big waves.
Sign up for our free surfboard guide for sizing down volume, video library and newsletter
Chapters
00:00 The Importance of Paddle Power
01:57 Tracking Swells and Planning Strike Missions
06:28 The Thrill of the Chase
11:16 Risk and Reward in Surfing
13:33 Preparation for Adventure
16:00 Essential Gear for Strike Missions
20:01 Developing the Big Horse Board
26:39 Eliminating Doubt in Heavy Waves
28:53 The Joy of Surfing with Family
30:09 Mastering the Pop-Up: Tips from the Pros
33:19 The Importance of Training and Conditioning
36:14 Backside Surfing: Techniques and Preferences
39:59 Mindset and Intentions in Heavy Waves
44:20 Life Lessons from Strike Missions
Subscribe for more interviews with pro surfers, coaches, shapers, and everyday surfers like Tom Carroll, 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 100k followers across IG, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube:
Basis Instagram
Basis TikTok
Basis Facebook

Rafael Kroeff: On Mind Body Reactivity Training for Surfing

Shipping globally now! Train your paddling anywhere, anytime so you can catch more waves and have more fun with the Basis Paddle Trainer. Shipping globally now at www.surfbasis.com 
In this episode of the Basis Surf Podcast, we have Rafael Kroeff a.k.a. RK (@rktraininghawaii) who’s a big-wave surfer/surf coach on the north shore of Hawaii. He has trained athletes like Rio Waida, Erin Brooks, and Shino Matsuda and other big-wave surfers like Jack Robinson and Ian Gentile. Tune in as we talk about his innovative surf training methods—combining physical conditioning, cognitive drills, and breathing techniques—to help elite and everyday surfers improve reactivity, creativity, and performance in unpredictable surf conditions.
Sign up for our free surfboard guide for sizing down volume, video library and newsletter
Chapters
00:00 Reactivity and Surfing Performance
02:01 The Purpose of Reactive Drills
03:31 Stability as the Foundation
05:18 Overloading the Brain to Unlock Creativity
08:07 Innovative Tools: Body Blade & Muscle Activation
12:19 Skate Balance vs. Indoboard
18:31 Mini BOSU Ball Plyometrics
21:22 Surfing’s Resistance to Innovation
26:01 General vs. Maneuver-Specific Training
28:54 The Full Training Protocol
31:52 Advice for the Everyday Surfer
35:33 Foundational Plyometric Progressions
36:34 Lightbulb Moments & Training Insights
42:06 A Fins Revelation at Jaws
45:30 The Role of Paddling in Big Wave Surfing
50:12 Surfing as a Spiritual Experience
52:16 Where to Find Rafael Kroeff
Cover Image Credits:
@yusurf
 
Subscribe for more interviews with pro surfers, coaches, shapers, and everyday surfers like Tom Carroll, 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 100k followers across IG, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube:
Basis Instagram
Basis TikTok
Basis Facebook

How Getting Fit was a Game Changer w/ Alistair Bramley

Shipping globally now! Train your paddling anywhere, anytime so you can catch more waves and have more fun with the Basis Paddle Trainer https://www.surfbasis.com/ . 
In this episode, we dive into Alistair’s experience as one of the original beta testers for the Basis Trainer. He breaks down what worked, what didn’t, and why common training methods like elastic bands don’t always translate to better paddling. We also explore how the Basis Trainer transformed his wave count, positioning, and overall performance in the water.Sign up for our free surfboard guide for sizing down volume, video library and newsletter
Chapters
00:00 The Journey to Surf Fitness
03:13 Challenges of Surfing as an Adult
09:28 The Importance of Paddle Fitness
12:24 Training Techniques for Surf Fitness
16:02 Understanding Energy Systems in Surfing
22:40 Training Techniques for Optimal Performance with the Basis Paddle Trainer
24:36 The Limitations of Elastic Bands and Swimming in Paddle Training
26:31 Understanding the Specificity Principle in Sports Training
30:43 The Importance of Recovery and Wave Count
33:38 Basis Paddle Trainer Results
40:12 Maximizing Joy Through Paddle Power
Subscribe for more interviews with pro surfers, coaches, shapers, and everyday surfers like Tom Carroll, 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 100k followers across IG, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube:
Basis Instagram
Basis TikTok
Basis Facebook

Paul Godette: Guide to fixing dings on your surfboard

Train your paddling anywhere, anytime so you can catch more waves and have more fun with the Basis Paddle Trainer. Shipping globally now at https://www.surfbasis.com/
In this episode of the Basis Surf Podcast, Paul Godette ( @gaul_p ) and I talk all about ding repairs, the dos and don’ts for wet foam, delaminated boards, snapped boards, etc. We also talk about how important it is to stay paddle-fit for inconsistent surf spots like Rockaway and how the Basis Paddle Trainer is able to help you get there through cold wintery flat spells.
Sign up for our free surfboard guide for sizing down volume, video library and newsletter
Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:06 Ding Repair Basics
04:48 Temporary Fixes vs. Professional Repairs
06:34 Understanding Ding Repair Kits
11:05 Common Mistakes in Ding Repair
16:01 Dealing with Wet Foam
21:02 Repairing Dings and Delaminations
25:25 Repairing a Snapped Board
27:20 Fin Box Repairs
28:15 Repairing Concaves on Surfboards
29:17 Understanding Ding Repair
30:27 The Journey of Shaping a Surfboard
33:51 Lessons Learned from Shaping
36:12 The Art and Science of Surfboard Design
40:14 Tips for Surfing Cold and Tricky Beach Breaks
42:52 Choosing the Right Equipment for Rockaway
45:47 The Importance of Paddle Fitness
50:11 Light Bulb Moments in Surfing Technique
53:01 Finding Your Perfect Surfboard
Cover Image Credits:
@zane.elias @__moaj_ 
Yury Tsednov
Subscribe for more interviews with pro surfers, coaches, shapers, and everyday surfers like Tom Carroll, 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 100k followers across IG, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube:
Basis Instagram
Basis TikTok
Basis Facebook

Accelerate Your Surf Progression w/ Clancy Dawson from Surfing Australia

Train your paddling anywhere, anytime so you can catch more waves and have more fun with the Basis Paddle Trainer. Shipping globally now at https://www.surfbasis.com/
In this week’s episode of Basis Surf Podcast, I’m joined by Clancy Dawson ( @clancydawson ), one of the coaches at @surfingaus who’s focused on preparing elite Australian surfers for the world stage. We dive deep into the importance of training in the gym, getting paddle fit, ways to improve your cutback, and more importantly, how to stop caring about what other people think and start focusing on improving your techniques. 
Sign up for our free surfboard guide for sizing down volume, video library and newsletter
Chapters
00:00 Embracing Failure in Surfing
06:02 Innovative Training Techniques for Surfers
14:53 The Role of Gymnastics in Surf Training
12:06 Balancing Strength and Surfing
15:04 Preparing for Surf Trips and Competitions
16:24 Training Power Surfing in the Gym
25:26 The Importance of Paddling in Surfing
33:20 Mental Aspects of Surfing and Paddling
39:25 Tactical Approaches to Competitive Surfing
46:02 Intention and Focus in Surfing
50:10 Dream Waves and Ideal Surfboards
Subscribe for more interviews with pro surfers, coaches, shapers, and everyday surfers like Tom Carroll, 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 100k followers across IG, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube:
Basis Instagram
Basis TikTok
Basis Facebook

Lakey Peterson: Developing Elite Technique & Mindset

Train your paddling anywhere, anytime so you can catch more waves and have more fun with the Basis Paddle Trainer. Shipping globally now at https://www.surfbasis.com/
In this episode of the Basis Surf Podcast, we have Lakey Peterson ( @lakeypeterson ), the first ever woman to land an air in NSSA. She was also recently featured in a movie with @805beer called “Making Waves: The Lakey Peterson Story” documenting her surfing journey as a competitor on the Championship Tour. Don’t miss out on this episode as we talk about her rollercoaster ride of joining the tour, working on wraps, setting intentions on a wave, and working on head positioning for snaps.
Sign up for our free surfboard guide for sizing down volume, video library and newsletter
Chapters
00:00 Introduction: Breaking Barriers in Surfing
01:56 The Journey of the Film “Making Waves”
04:50 The Rollercoaster Ride of Joining the Tour
08:41 Overcoming Challenges and Self-Doubt
14:13 Training and Technique for Success
20:48 Consistency in Performance
24:13 Working with a Sport Psychologist and Techniques for Staying Present
28:11 Preparation for Upcoming Events
29:47 Equipment Evolution and Board Choices
33:57 Coaching Insights and Technical Adjustments
36:15 The Importance of Head Positioning
41:01 Intention Behind Surfing
Subscribe for more interviews with pro surfers, coaches, shapers, and everyday surfers like Tom Carroll, 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 100k followers across IG, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube:
Basis Instagram
Basis TikTok
Basis Facebook