Basis Surf Podcast

🔥 Get your FREE personalized 2-4X wavecount training plan in under 30 seconds. https://surfbasis.com/pages/trainingplan

In this episode, we have Benjamin Golding-Webb, a landlocked surfer based in the UK who juggles family life, running a business, and a 3-hour drive just to surf. He shares his journey from struggling to catch more than a few waves to now consistently surfing 2-3 sessions in the wave pool and 10Xing his wavecount - all from paddle training. We covered how landlocked surfers can really benefit from the Basis Paddle Trainer, and how it can dramatically increase your wavecount and confidence in the water. Benjamin also shares how it helped him build paddle endurance. The online resources gave him tools to improve his paddling and pop-up technique and stay motivated to surf, even with the effort it takes to get there.

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Chapters
01:40 Introducing Ben
02:23 Surfing in Liverpool
03:09 First Surf in Portugal
03:53 Madeira Wipeouts
05:52 Watching a CT Pro
08:44 Surfing Once a Month
10:20 Family Work and Time Limits
12:36 Three Hour Drives for Waves
14:17 Exhausted at the Wave Pool
16:19 Pool Training Fails
24:42 Early Paddle Trainer Results
31:13 Paddling from 90 Seconds to 30 Minutes
36:18 From 3 Waves to 50 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!

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🔥 Get your FREE personalized 2-4X wavecount training plan in under 30 seconds. https://surfbasis.com/pages/trainingplan

2-4X your wavecount with the Basis Paddle Trainer and accelerate your progression and fun with the Basis Paddle Trainer www.surfbasis.com

In this episode we have Pepijn Tigges, a former competitive surfer turned surf coach based in the Netherlands. He dives deep into the fundamentals of pop-ups, takeoffs, and turns. He shares a fresh take on the takeoff, comparing it to a seesaw and showing how nose angle controls your speed into the wave. We also break down pop-up mechanics, including front foot vs. back foot timing and how to train movement on land that realistically transfers to the water. Pepijn also explains what happens under your board when you turn, and why this is such a crucial aspect to progression and technique. Lastly, we discuss paddling and why improving this one element of surfing can upgrade every part of the sport. 

Get 5% (€34) discount on sign up for "5 years of unlimited online surfcoaching including 100+ video course" at https://www.surfacademypro.com/home?amid=vanvu6278 with the discount code: “BASIS5”

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Chapters
02:02 Pepijn’s Background and Dutch Surfing Roots
03:19 Surfing in the Netherlands
08:45 How Bad Waves Shape Good Surfers
11:11 Why Small Waves Expose Technical Gaps
12:51 The Seesaw Takeoff Explained
15:58 Chin Down vs Chin Up
18:55 Controlling Speed on Entry
23:12 The Viral Pop-Up Debate
27:25 Back Foot vs Front Foot in Critical Waves
31:15 Building a Controlled Pop-Up
36:32 Slow Practice vs Explosive Movement
42:33 How Boards Actually Turn
46:05 Rotation and Kinetic Energy in Turns
50:54 Paddling as the Foundation
58:16 Coaching Trips and Online Programs

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!

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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, surfboard shaper and Pacific Northwest surf explorer Jeremy Diasio shares how he’s been able to double his time in the water by focusing on paddle training even though he lives nearly 4-6 hours from most of the waves that he surfs at. Jeremy discusses the limits of certain exercises like pull-ups, and why they don’t fully prepare you for paddling in the prone position. He also explains how building paddle strength and endurance gave him the explosiveness, speed, and confidence to handle heavy conditions. Lastly, he breaks down how physical fatigue triggers mental fatigue, and how fixing that chain reaction made a big difference in his surfing and doubled his fun.

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Chapters
00:32 Paddle Power as the Key Limiting Factor
01:07 Jeremy’s Transformation: Quadrupling Wave Count
01:42 Surfing in the Pacific Northwest
03:12 Hidden Barrels and Heavy Conditions
05:23 Six-Hour Strike Missions
06:53 Surfing, Superstition, and Backcountry Exploration
09:17 Consistency, Commitment, and Finding Treasure
10:22 Why Jeremy Got the Paddle Trainer
11:29 Paddle Training Routine and Muscle-Ups
13:32 Why Pull-Ups Alone Aren’t Enough
16:09 Cold Before Tired: Paddle Endurance in Action
17:39 Fatigue, Mindset, and the Physical Exhaustion Domino Effect
21:07 Land Drills, Pop-Ups, and Improving Backside Surfing
25:12 Learning Through Failure and the Long Road to Progress
36:41 Shaping Surfboards on a Sailboat and the DIY Journey

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!

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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, Kei Kobayashi shares what helped him level up his competitive surfing over the past year. He talks about how having a clear and positive mindset played a big role in his results. Kei also breaks down his technique—especially his backside bottom turn, where he grabs the rail to stay low and go vertical. We also talk about how small changes to his board made a big difference, and why training your paddling is so important for contests.

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Chapters
02:25 Kei’s origin story: A Japanese family and San Clemente roots
04:14 Early signs of ocean connection and childhood surfing
06:22 How San Clemente and local surfers shaped Kei’s style
08:44 Asking for help and learning from the best
10:49 Mental health: The underrated key to competitive success
13:47 Surfing as chess: Strategy, priority, and heat management
19:03 Sports psychology and his breakthrough at the Korea wave pool event
31:28 Physical training, early mornings, ice baths, and discipline
42:44 Paddle power and realizing the need for targeted training
47:18 Coaching with Tepe, drills, pressure tests, and positivity
50:24 Technical growth and surfing cues for power surfing
57:26 Surfboards, shorter length, tapered rails, and performance gains
1:12:25 Fins, the H4 experiment, and sticking with what works
1:22:30 Intentions before surfing, mini goals, and perspective
1:26:07 Reflecting on growth and what's next for Kei

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!

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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/ 

On this episode we have returning guest Adam Knox, a former pro surfer turned high-level coach who works closely with adult surfers to help them break through performance plateaus and surf with more power, control, and confidence. We talk about his coaching approach and how he emphasizes the importance of letting go of ego when surfing, and encourages surfers to embrace what he calls “dirty days” where progression comes from falling, experimenting, and getting uncomfortable. He explains how many adult learners skip the playful stage of surfing and end up lacking basic board control. Adam also talks about the value of paddle training, surf skates, and surfing mid-face to build real speed and connection with the wave. At the core of his approach is learning how to harness the wave’s energy through better mechanics, positioning, and mindset.

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Chapters
02:17 Welcome Back Adam Knox
02:36 The Accident: Dirt Bikes, Loss, and Perspective
09:17 Recovery, Pain, and Progress
12:07 From Prodigies to Adults: Coaching Shift
14:50 Individualized Coaching vs. Generic Programs
16:45 Surfing Midface & Harnessing Energy
18:21 Dirty Days: Playing, Failing & Board Skills
26:46 Surf Skates & Carvers: Training Tools
30:16 Breaking Down Rail Engagement & Wave Energy
34:32 Lineup IQ, Hunting Waves, and Sniper Mindset
38:43 Wave Pools for Rapid Progression
47:09 Surfboard Selection & Volume Strategy
52:54 Final Thoughts: Train, Commit, and Let Go
57:06 Upcoming Trips & How to Work with Adam
59:09 Recovery, Community, and Rebuilding Through Coaching

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!

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