Basis Surf Podcast

Twin fins and Midlengths with Ryan Lovelace

In this episode, @ryanlovelace , a super innovative surfboard maker and creator, joins us. He shapes everything from crazy alternative boards to high-performance craft. He shares his experience on riding the V-Bowls, insights on midlengths, surfboard feelings, his fin setups, board testing, twin fin design, and his unique perspective. We’ll dive into all that and more, including the ins and outs of tuning your craft and picking the right board. Riding one of Ryan’s boards has been a mind-expanding experience for many, including me.
 
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and the Evolution of Midlength Boards
03:00 The Inspiration and Background of Shaping Midlength Boards
06:00 Defining the Purpose and Characteristics of Midlength Boards
09:00 The Versatility and Applicability of Midlength Boards
12:00 The Design Process and Evolution of the V-Bowls
18:00 V-Bowls to Thick Lizzy to FM
26:00 The Importance of Fin Setups in Shaping Boards
32:00 Shaping for High-Performance Surfers and the Surfer-Shaper Relationship
39:00 Shaping Boards for William Aliotti and the Unique Twinfin Design
47:43 Designing Boards for Speed and Control
49:07 Designing Boards for Different Surfers
51:03 Shaping Boards Based on Feedback and Experience
52:29 The Perspective of an Average Surfer
55:12 Mistakes in Board Selection
58:02 Closing Remarks and Shoutouts
 
Subscribe for more interviews with pro surfers, coaches, shapers, and everyday surfers like Matt Meola, Dylan Lightfoot, Derek Dunfee, Isaac Stant, Nakoa Decoite, Magnum Martinez, and more!
 
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Analyzing CRAZY POV footage with Dylan Lightfoot

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to catch a perfect wave at J Bay or get barreled in the Mentawais and see it exactly from the perspective of the surfer and know all the things that were going through @dylanlightfoot’s mind from a technique perspective than you need to check out this podcast. We break down several of his waves in detail that he caught using a special camera rig developed with @chrisrogers using @gopro cameras. Our conversation ranged from assessing the right maneuver, bottom turn technique, backfoot positioning for turns vs barrels, where to place your turn on the wave, managing speed, board selection for points vs small beachbreaks, what an advances surfer focuses on, gamechangers on your backhand, and all the fine points of barrel riding technique.
 
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Excitement for J Bay
02:00 The Perfect Wave at J Bay
03:10 Analyzing GoPro Footage
04:22 Techniques for Bottom Turns
05:22 Weight Distribution and Foot Placement
06:44 Decision-Making Process for Maneuvers
08:28 Snap and Timing
09:54 Enjoying the Flow and Connection with the Wave
11:02 Backhand Surfing and Adjustments
13:05 Managing Speed and Positioning on the Wave
14:09 Snap and Timing
15:24 Self-Critique and Improvement
17:44 Choosing the Right Board for J Bay
20:34 Focus on Flow and Execution
24:38 Transition from Perfect Waves to Small Beach Breaks
28:54 Adapting to Small Beach Breaks
31:54 Improving Backside Surfing
36:37 Competing at J Bay and Surfing Against Heroes
38:54 Dealing with Nervousness and Pressure
43:48 Surfing a Bomb Barrel
46:37 Reading the Wave and Adjusting Speed
50:57 Navigating the Chandelier Section
53:16 Commitment in Barrel Riding
54:15 Scoring a Left Barrel
56:12 Technique for Backhand Barrel Riding
57:41 Managing Speed on the Backhand
58:38 Advantages of Backhand Barrel Riding
59:09 The Appeal of Mentawai Islands
59:37 Closing Remarks
 
Subscribe for more interviews with pro surfers, coaches, shapers, and everyday surfers like Matt Meola, Dylan Lightfoot, Derek Dunfee, Isaac Stant, Nakoa Decoite, Magnum Martinez, and more!
 
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Improve your Style and Technique with Magnum Martinez

In this episode, we have @magnummartinez, an Olympic coach, a world champion in the master’s category, and a former pro. We discussed his approach to surfing, what’s the fastest way to improve, how to make adjustments in your technique, the interplay between style and technique, frontside top turns, common mistakes men and women make, and the importance of compression for turns. Definitely make sure to tune into this one!
 
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Background
01:42 Getting into Surfing
04:37 Surfing in Venezuela
06:28 Challenges of Surfing in Venezuela
08:21 Improving as a Surfer
10:17 The Importance of Surfing in Subpar Conditions
11:17 Becoming a Better Surfer through Hard Work
13:41 Moving to California and Polishing Surfing Skills
15:30 The Relationship Between Technique and Style
20:38 Fixing Stance and Technique
27:54 Adjusting Stance and Technique in the Water
33:09 The Debate on Style in Surfing
37:49 Emphasis on Technique at Different Skill Levels
44:44 Common Technique Mistakes
50:28 Making Adjustments in Technique
51:51 Improving Technique: Arm Position and Body Compression
55:13 Repetition and Habit Formation
56:21 Contacting the Coach
57:17 Online Coaching and Training Camps
58:41 Supporting the Podcast
 
Subscribe for more interviews with pro surfers, coaches, shapers, and everyday surfers like Matt Meola, Dylan Lightfoot, Derek Dunfee, Isaac Stant, Nakoa Decoite, Magnum Martinez, and more!
 
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How Matt Meola did the world’s best airs

@MattMeola is one of the world’s top aerial surfers and in this episode he shares tons of wisdom all about airs. He talks about how he got good at surfing, how his skating translated to surfing, surfing in Pipemasters and stories about some of the craziest airs he ever did. He also talks about the importance of wave reading and speed management and shares the most important thing to focus on for airs. He talks about the biggest game changers for progression, what it’s like pushing the limits, and how to accelerate your own progression. He also has an online course on the Inertia on how to do airs for those of you that want to develop your air game.
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Background
02:15 Getting Into Surfing
04:26 Surfing for Fun
06:52 Landing the First Air
08:04 Skateboarding and Surfing
13:03 Doing Airs at Pipe
14:42 Transition to Elite Surfer
17:16 Creative Aerial Surfing
19:51 Commitment and Speed in Aerials
22:32 Walkthrough of Air #1
28:33 Walkthrough of Air #2
34:42 The Best Feeling in Surfing
40:49 Training for Difficult Maneuvers
45:10 The Importance of Filming and Comparing
48:10 Closing Remarks
 
Subscribe for more interviews with pro surfers, coaches, shapers, and everyday surfers like Matt Meola, Ryan Lovelace, Dylan Lightfoot, Derek Dunfee, Magnum Martinez, Isaac Stant, Nakoa Decoite, and more!
 
Join our community of over 24k followers on IG and 14k on TikTok:
 
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How to Break Through Your Plateaus with Former Pro Surfer Nakoa Decoite

In this episode, we have @magnummartinez, an Olympic coach, a world champion in the master’s category, and a former pro. We discussed his approach to surfing, what’s the fastest way to improve, how to make adjustments in your technique, the interplay between style and technique, frontside top turns, common mistakes men and women make, and the importance of compression for turns. Definitely make sure to tune into this one!
 
Sign up for our free surfboard guide for sizing down, video library, and newsletter
 
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Background
01:42 Getting into Surfing
04:37 Surfing in Venezuela
06:28 Challenges of Surfing in Venezuela
08:21 Improving as a Surfer
10:17 The Importance of Surfing in Subpar Conditions
11:17 Becoming a Better Surfer through Hard Work
13:41 Moving to California and Polishing Surfing Skills
15:30 The Relationship Between Technique and Style
20:38 Fixing Stance and Technique
27:54 Adjusting Stance and Technique in the Water
33:09 The Debate on Style in Surfing
37:49 Emphasis on Technique at Different Skill Levels
44:44 Common Technique Mistakes
50:28 Making Adjustments in Technique
51:51 Improving Technique: Arm Position and Body Compression
55:13 Repetition and Habit Formation
56:21 Contacting the Coach
57:17 Online Coaching and Training Camps
58:41 Supporting the Podcast
 
Subscribe for more interviews with pro surfers, coaches, shapers, and everyday surfers like Matt Meola, Dylan Lightfoot, Derek Dunfee, Isaac Stant, Nakoa Decoite, Magnum Martinez, and more!
 
Join our community of over 24k followers on IG and 14k on TikTok:
Basis Instagram
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Supercharge your rail game with pro surfer Isaac Stant

In this episode we have @Isaacstant, a competitive pro surfer based in Maui who competes on the challenger series and was part of the crew that started paddling Jaws. Isaac shares his insights about how riding a step-up can improve your surfing, how surfing small waves is how you level up, improving your power surfing, breaking through plateaus, the nuances of weight distribution and generating speed, and the importance of paddling. We will dive deep into Isaac’s approach to technique and all that he has in his head.

Unlocking the Kinetic Chain with Okia Surfing

In this episode, we welcome back Richie Murua of @okia_surfing, the head ISA coach for the Guatemala team. Richie shares his insights on the kinetic chain of movement and how it can unlock your surfing, whether it’s really as simple as looking where you want to go or opening your arms to turn the surfboard, the secrets of weight distribution, the subtleties of pressure when doing a front leg extension, the correct stance to maximize speed generation, the exact place where you want your front foot placed on the surfboard, how to do a beach observation and catch more waves, the mental approach for overcoming waves out of your comfort zone, the three things that will knock you off your surfboard, and how he prepares his team for the ISA games. This is a must-listen for anyone who wants to improve their surf technique and learn from a top-level coach. Tune in and get ready to be blown away by Richie’s knowledge and passion. Full podcast out now on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and wherever you find your podcasts!

How to transform your body for surfing with Red Belt Fitness

If you are interested in transforming your physique this podcast with @RedBeltFitness / @coachlennyv is a must listen because we go deep into how they have helped people lose up to 50lbs of fat, how important weight management really is for surfers, the fundamental equation governing weight loss vs weight gain, the biggest mistakes people make when dieting, optimal nutrition for surfing including protein and carb intake before and after surfs, intermittent fasting, the mental battle of consistency and sticking to a diet, dealing with shoulder and knee injuries and maintaining mobility and fitness, and much more!
The crew at @RedBeltFitness /@coachlennyv  have also been kind enough to include the following free resources!
Free Training program:https://www.redbeltfitness.com/basis
Calorie and Protein Calculator:https://www.redbeltfitness.com/calorie-protein-calculator/
Goal Setting Calculator:https://www.redbeltfitness.com/goal_setting

What it’s like surfing giant waves with XXL Big Wave Paddle Award Winner Derek Dunfee

@derekdunfee is a XXL big wave paddle award winner, photographer whose work has graced the cover of The Surfer's Journal, and published a riveting book about his big wave surfing journey called Waking Up in the Sea. In this interview we go deep into everything from him cutting his teeth at Cloudbreak and Hawaii, his initial forays into surfing proper big waves at Mavericks including the award winning wave that changed his life forever, to his near drowning at Cortez Bank and how that inspired a pivot to photography, his recent book, and his mission to raise awareness around concussions. 
 
Along the way we cover his advice to beginner surfers, how to deal with fear, holding your breath in bigger waves, the importance of having a mentor, and many other nuggets of wisdom to help take your surfing to the next level whether you're surfing 1 ft waves or 60 ft waves.

Biggest game changers in surf technique with Surf Pro Techniques Coach Chapin Kreuter

In this interview we go deep with surf coach Chapin Kreuter on how you can surf for 20 years and still surf bad, the key changes to his technique that took his surfing to a whole new level, the most common mistakes that he sees with his clients, how his background as a high-level soccer player translated to surfing, and much more! His account @surfprotechniques on YouTube is a treasure trove of advice that you should definitely check out.