Basis Surf Podcast

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

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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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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/ 

Chris and Evan from @thesurfcontinuum talk about how to progress as a beginner surfer in this week’s episode of the Basis Surf Podcast. We talked about the importance of starting out with a solid foundation and how most people try to move too quickly without putting in consistent time in the water. We also got into board control, on and off the wave, and covered the art of missing waves. We also talked about the value of paddling in every aspect of surfing.

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Chapters
00:32 Paddling Is the Foundation of Surfing
01:20 Introducing Chris and Evan (The Surf Continuum)
02:34 The Kookcast Origin Story
04:06 Evan’s Maldives Kook Story
06:00 What Surf Schools Get Wrong
09:33 Starting Beginners in the Whitewater and on Boogie Boards
12:10 The False “Intermediate” and Rethinking the Stand-Up
15:38 Why the End of the Wave Matters
17:55 Leashless Surfing and Board Control
21:32 Surfing With Intention, Not Autopilot
26:40 Efficient Paddling and the 50% Rule
32:33 The Art of Missing Waves
39:05 Board Choice: It’s Not the Arrow
50:27 Final Lessons, Intentions, and Desert Island Boards

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 we’ve got Cliff Kapono, a pro surfer and scientist from the Big Island of Hawaii. We speak about his approach to surfing growing up, from riding whatever boards were around to chasing the feeling of freedom and safety in the ocean. We then get into how his relationship with surfing changed over the years, and discuss the concept of chasing waves with inner peace. We also talk about his incredible work studying reef structures and their connection to surf breaks. And finally, Cliff also just came out with an amazing film, Circadian Rhythms, that encapsulates this circular story of his approach and relationship to surfing. 

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Chapters
00:48 Paddle Power and Getting More Waves
01:31 Introducing Cliff Kapono and Circadian Rhythms
02:18 Growing Up Surfing on the Big Island
05:23 Boarding School and Weekend Surf Missions
10:15 Surf Culture, Boards, and Early Style
13:11 Surfing as Stability and Escape
16:44 Chasing Feeling Over Performance
18:56 Learning 360s, Airs, and Obsession
21:42 First Sessions at Pipeline
26:01 Stepping Away From Surfing
30:06 Boards as Tools for Feeling
35:44 Letting Go of Validation and Learning Turns
45:07 The Meaning Behind Circadian Rhythms
52:39 Surf Science, Reefs, and What’s Next

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/ 

Jonas a.k.a. Bohemian Surf Bum is a German surfer and content creator who’s in the process of making a surf film titled Coastal Cowboy. In this episode, we talk about the problems that arise when you try to force surfing before you’re ready. He shares stories of frustration and ego and the many walls he hit while learning the basics of surfing. We also discuss why flow, comfort, and endurance in surfing isn’t built on power or repetition alone, but also on intention and time in the water. 

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Chapters

00:29 Introducing the Coastal Cowboy Film

00:46 Paddle Power Is the Limiting Factor

02:24 Prevalence of German Surfers

03:40 Leaving Germany for Surfing

04:44 Reconnecting With Surfing During COVID

07:45 Surfing as Therapy and Emotional Reset

12:22 Flow vs Forcing in Surfing

13:09 The Struggle With Overthinking Progress

14:54 Breaking Through Surfing Plateaus

16:03 The Importance of Humility in the Lineup

18:31 Learning More on Shitty Waves

23:47 Training Surf Skills on Dry Land

24:51 Transitioning to Longboarding

27:05 Surf Trips Without Forecasts or Phones

28:09 The Surf-Horse Adventure Begins

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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