Basis Surf Podcast podcast | Listen online for free

Available Episodes

5 of 70

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 an adult surfer obsessed with improving his surfing. 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
--------
52:44
--------
52:44
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 Chapters 02:12 Why Colorados Is One of the Best Beach Breaks 04:38 Seasonal Changes and When to Go 07:06 How Tides Affect the Wave 10:09 Wave Reading and Positioning Tips 12:11 Paddling Is 80% of Getting Good Waves 14:10 How to Take the Correct Line on a Barrel 16:08 Why Strong Paddle Technique Helps Your Popup 17:03 Backside Pig Dog Technique Breakdown 20:26 Recommended Quiver for a Trip to Colorados 23:48 Twin Fins vs. Single Fins in the Barrel 26:29 Common Mistakes Surfers Make at Colorados 27:00 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
--------
29:03
--------
29:03
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
--------
45:20
--------
45:20
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. Chapters 00:00 Intro 02:30 Coaching the German Olympic Team 08:36 Techniques for Major Maneuvers 09:58 The Art of Balancing Technique and Flow 13:45 The Key to Bottom Turns 15:12 Embracing Plasticity in Surfing 18:00 Training Neuroplasticity for Surfers 23:25 Preparing for Teahupoʻo 25:42 Paddle Training for Teahupoʻo 28:02 Coaching his son, Sam Piter 31:08 Secrets to Progressive Surfing 33:16 Common Surfing Mistakes 36:40 What Board to Bring If Stranded on a Deserted Island 38:05 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
--------
40:34
--------
40:34
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
--------
57:31
--------
57:31