111 Surfing, Philosophy & the Search for Meaning: Longevity & Adventure with Aaron James
Surf Mastery - Surfing Tips and Wisdom for Lifelong Surfers
Release Date: 03/13/2025
130 How Details Transform Surfing, Self-Talk & Relationships with Kyle Thiermann
Surf Mastery - Surfing Tips and Wisdom for Lifelong Surfers
What if the key to mastering any craft - surfing, storytelling, relationships, or even table tennis - lies in simply slowing down and noticing the smallest details? In a fast-paced world that often rewards intensity and output, we easily overlook the quiet power of presence and reflection. Whether you're navigating the chaos of Mavericks or confronting inner narratives, this episode reveals how attention to detail can reshape not just your performance, but your perspective on life itself. Discover why focusing on one small detail - like the placement of your back foot - can dramatically...
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129 Lineup Strategy, Surfing Technique and Reading the Ocean with Surf Coach Matt Scorringe
Surf Mastery - Surfing Tips and Wisdom for Lifelong Surfers
What if the key to unlocking your best surfing isn’t how you ride a wave - but how you read the ocean before you even paddle for it? Whether you're a seasoned surfer or just stepping up to steeper waves, too many of us overlook the 99% of surfing that happens off the board. In this eye-opening episode, elite surf coach Matt Scorringe shares why ocean knowledge - not tricks or turns - is the hidden edge that separates good surfers from great ones. If you’ve ever felt lost in the lineup, struggled with wave selection, or wondered how top surfers always seem to be in the right spot, this...
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128 Surfing Etiquette and the Evolution of Surf Culture with Holly Beck
Surf Mastery - Surfing Tips and Wisdom for Lifelong Surfers
Is the surfer catching the most waves always the best surfer in the lineup - or just the loudest? Surfing is more crowded than ever, and the line between etiquette and entitlement in the lineup is getting blurry. Whether you're new to surfing or a seasoned local, understanding the evolving ethics of surf culture can make or break your session - and everyone else’s. Hear Holly Beck share how her transformation from competitive surfer to retreat leader changed her perspective on surf etiquette. Learn why the unspoken “rules” of the lineup are more complex than just "who's deepest," and...
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127 See Feel Do - The 3 Pillars of Good Surfing - (Best of Episode)
Surf Mastery - Surfing Tips and Wisdom for Lifelong Surfers
Are you truly seeing the wave - or are you missing the subtle signals that could transform your surfing forever? Many surfers hit a performance plateau because they focus only on big maneuvers and ignore the foundational skills that unlock flow, control, and wave mastery. In this “Best of” episode, discover the overlooked mental and physical shifts that elite surfers use to elevate their performance - without needing better waves or a new board. Learn how to “read” the ocean and see opportunities in every wave, just like world champion Tom Carroll. Discover why the best...
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126 Why Paddling is 90% of Surfing - And How to Master It with Rob Case
Surf Mastery - Surfing Tips and Wisdom for Lifelong Surfers
Are you wasting energy every time you paddle out - and missing waves because of it? Most surfers spend 99% of their time in the water not actually riding waves. They're paddling, positioning, sitting, or struggling to get back out - and often doing it inefficiently. If you're tired of burning out in the lineup and still not catching the waves you want, this episode is for you. Discover the three most common ways surfers waste energy - and how to fix them to catch more waves with less effort. Learn why your pop-up is the most important move in surfing - and how improving it could...
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125 Master the Pop-up: Dry-Land Drills for Faster, Smoother Take-offs
Surf Mastery - Surfing Tips and Wisdom for Lifelong Surfers
Struggling to stand up quickly and smoothly on your surfboard? Your popup might be the one skill holding your surfing back. The popup—your transition from paddling to riding—is the hardest maneuver in surfing and the foundation of every great ride. If yours is slow, clumsy, or inconsistent, it’s costing you waves, confidence, and how others see you in the lineup. But with the right approach, you can build a fast, stable popup even if you started surfing later in life. Learn why a smooth, athletic popup sets the tone for your entire ride. Discover dry-land exercises that develop the...
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124 Surfing: Art or Sport? with Devon Howard
Surf Mastery - Surfing Tips and Wisdom for Lifelong Surfers
Is surfing a sport, an art, or something in between - and does it really matter? If you've ever felt pressure to "perform" in the water or questioned your progress as a surfer, this episode will shift your mindset. Michael Frampton and Devon Howard unpack how redefining surfing as an art form - not just a competitive sport - can transform both your approach and enjoyment, whether you're a beginner or a seasoned longboarder. Discover why kids often learn to surf faster and more fearlessly than adults - and what that means for your own surfing journey. Learn how to embrace surfing as...
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123 Wave Count Wins: How Paddle Training Transforms Surfing with Van Vu of Basis Surf
Surf Mastery - Surfing Tips and Wisdom for Lifelong Surfers
If you've ever struggled with wave count, paddle fatigue, or felt stuck in your surfing despite hours in the water, this episode is a game-changer. Van Vu — host of the Basis Surf Podcast and creator of the Basis Surf Paddle Trainer — unpacks the core reason most surfers plateau: poor paddle fitness and a rushed approach to board progression... + more Discover how incremental board volume reduction can dramatically improve your surfing fundamentals and style. Learn why elite surfers catch exponentially more waves — and how you can close the gap without living near a...
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122 Surfing’s Soul: Is It Art, Sport, or Something More? - with Donald Brink
Surf Mastery - Surfing Tips and Wisdom for Lifelong Surfers
Is surfing just a sport—or is it something much deeper, a form of art that mirrors your soul? Whether you're a weekend warrior or a lifelong wave chaser, you've likely felt that indescribable magic in the water. This episode dives into that very feeling, exploring how surfing transcends competition and becomes a deeply personal, creative expression. If you've ever wondered why your best session had nothing to do with trophies, you're not alone. Discover why Donald Brink believes surfing is more about galleries than stadiums—and how that insight can reshape your approach to every...
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121 Exploring Surfboards as Tools for Self-Discovery with Donald Brink
Surf Mastery - Surfing Tips and Wisdom for Lifelong Surfers
Is your surfboard truly helping you become a better surfer—or just keeping you comfortable? In this episode, we explore a question that many surfers overlook: are you riding the board that suits your potential or simply what the surf industry has marketed to you? Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned surfer, learning how equipment shapes performance and self-discovery in the water can revolutionize your approach to surfing. Discover why changing boards regularly—even riding the "wrong" board—can massively accelerate your progression. Learn from Donald Brink’s radical...
info_outlineWhat if the key to how to surf better wasn’t just in technique, but in how you think about the sport? Whether you’re a beginner surfer learning the pop-up on a surfboard, a traveling surfer chasing bigger waves, or a weekend warrior looking to refine your surf positioning, your mindset shapes your experience in the water.
In this episode, host Michael Frampton sits down with Aaron James—surfer, philosophy professor, and author—to explore the deeper meaning of surfing beyond the pursuit of perfection. Aaron shares how he evolved from high-performance surfing in world-class waves to embracing adventure surfing—a mindset that prioritizes connection with nature, uncrowded waves, and personal fulfillment over competition.
Their conversation dives into surfing tips for longevity, movement, and mental resilience, touching on how surf trainingcan extend both your physical abilities and your love for the sport. They also explore the psychology of surfing positioning, the social dynamics of the lineup, and how surfing parallels music and dance as a form of self-transcendence.
- Shift your mindset on how to surf by redefining success beyond competition.
- Learn how philosophy applies to surfing, from the psychology of localism to the joy of riding waves for their own sake.
- Discover how surf coaching, surf workouts, and surf training can keep you surfing stronger for longer.
Hit play now to rethink your approach to surfing, whether you're just starting out with beginner surfing or refining your surfing positioning in pursuit of bigger waves.
Click this link to develop your own surfing philosophy:
https://learn.surfmastery.com/the-philosophy-of-surfing
Aarons' books:
Music: Marahau by Nachur
Other books mentioned:
The Mature Mind - Gene D. Cohen
The Mindful Body - Ellen Langer
The Surf Mastery Podcast:
For the passionate surfer—whether you're a weekend warrior, a surf dad, or an older surfer—this podcast is all about better surfing and deeper stoke. With expert surf coaching, surf training, and surfing tips, we’ll help you catch more waves, refine your paddling technique, and perfect your pop up on a surfboard. From surf workouts to handling wipeouts, chasing bigger waves, and mastering surf technique, we’re here to make sure you not only improve but truly enjoy surfing more—so you can get more out of every session and become a wiser surfer. Go from Beginner or intermediate Surfer to advanced.