Basis Surf Podcast

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

New York–based shaper, Saint Christoper is pushing the envelope on Edge board design. We discuss how and why his boards create such a noticeable difference in performance. We start with the core question, “What is the Edge?” and break down the design principles behind concaves, reduced planing surfaces, and dual rockers that lead to effortless speed generation and the ability to hold a higher line for longer. We get into how to harness and design for speed through fin innovation, tail rocker, and experimental asymmetrical outlines. We also discuss Christopher’s experience not surfing for months before a trip to Nicaragua, used only the Basis Paddle Trainer in preparation, was able to surf for 5-6 hrs a day, and why building your ‘engine’ is just as important as dialing in your equipment. Tune in to learn about design, speed, and how to manipulate these elements to make the most out of your time in the water. 

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Chapters
02:05 Meet Edge Board Shaper Saint Christopher
03:01 The First Time Seeing an Edge Board Fly
04:38 The Origin of Edge Boards George Greenough
06:21 Convex vs Concave Surfboard Bottoms Explained
09:22 Why Edge Boards Are So Fast
11:36 How Edge Boards Hold a Higher Line
13:12 ASYM Edge Boards Toe vs Heel Design
16:15 Why Edge Boards Work in Fast Beach Breaks
18:53 Surface Area Drag and Speed
21:03 What Riding an Edge Board Feels Like
24:42 How to Control Edge Board Speed
27:04 New Fin Designs That Change Everything
31:09 Outline Design Short Boards Fish and Simmons
37:10 Designing Surfboards Around Your Stance
41:05 Training Paddle Power for Surf Trips 

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

In this episode, 52-year-old Aaron Buckner shares how he went from 365 pounds, morbidly obese, and barely able to surf, to logging two-hour sessions in overhead waves and quadrupling his wave count. A few years ago at Kaisers in Waikiki, he paddled out, caught one wave, and was so gassed he couldn’t surf again for two days. Landlocked in Idaho and frustrated by “one wave and done” sessions, he was skeptical when he first saw the Basis Paddle Trainer. But after finally giving it a shot, and barely lasting five minutes on his first workout, he committed to structured training three to four days a week. Eight months later, he’s surfing seven days straight, holding his own in overhead C-Street, double-overhead South Bay, and even the North Shore, catching 2–4x more waves per session. By improving his paddle power and positioning, he’s getting into waves earlier, fixing his pop-up timing, and progressing again instead of just surviving sessions, proving that with the right foundation, decline isn’t inevitable.

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Chapters
01:39 Introduction to Aaron Buckner
02:17 Aaron’s Background and Move to Idaho
02:27 From 365 Pounds to a New Surfing Goal
04:25 Why Paddle Training Became Essential
06:21 The Hawaii Paddle Out Wake Up Call
08:02 Returning to Kaisers With Real Paddle Power
09:39 Initial Skepticism About the Paddle Trainer
11:04 The Moment He Decided to Buy
12:10 First Workout Reality Check
14:18 Building a Paddle Training Routine
15:13 From 5 Minutes to 30 Minute Paddle Sessions
17:45 Surfing Bigger Waves With Confidence
19:27 Surf Trips That Were Once Impossible
22:36 Technique Feedback and Community

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

This episode features John West, also known as @thatsurfguy_ , the surfer behind the Corelord character and the @citypro.app . We dig into what makes someone kook or core, blending satire with serious insight. John breaks down how localism works, why regulation still has a place in some lineups, and shares his own story of getting regulated. We also get into common mistakes beginners make, how surf culture has changed, and what it really takes to improve. He also explains how his CitiPro app is making pro-level video feedback accessible to everyday surfers.

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Chapters
01:22 Meet the Core Lord
01:47 Kook or Core Rapid Fire
02:30 The Champion Mentality
03:21 Earning Respect in the Lineup
03:58 Practice and Sending It
04:16 Born Core
04:44 Why is the Core Lord So Angry
06:01 Enter John West
07:31 Localism Then vs Now
09:34 Beginner Spot Selection
11:04 Chaos vs Order in the Lineup
15:27 Kook Stories and Getting Burned
18:01 Social Media and Real Life Confrontations
21:37 Keys to Surf Progression
29:58 Building the CitiPro App and Surf Entrepreneur 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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🔥 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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