121 Exploring Surfboards as Tools for Self-Discovery with Donald Brink
Surf Mastery - Surfing Tips and Wisdom for Lifelong Surfers
Release Date: 06/16/2025
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...
info_outlineSurf 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...
info_outlineSurf 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...
info_outlineSurf 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...
info_outlineSurf 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...
info_outlineSurf 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_outlineSurf Mastery - Surfing Tips and Wisdom for Lifelong Surfers
What if your best surfing is still ahead of you—even in your sixties? Many surfers fear they’ll lose their edge with age, but Tony Roberts proves that it’s possible to surf better than ever through intentional lifestyle choices, foundational training, and a lifelong commitment to progression. In this episode, we explore how rethinking surfing as a sport, not just a pastime, can lead to lasting performance and deeper fulfillment. Learn why starting with longboarding could be the single best thing you do for your shortboard technique. Discover how the right mindset between...
info_outlineSurf Mastery - Surfing Tips and Wisdom for Lifelong Surfers
Have you ever let a disappointing surf forecast or wavecount expectations ruin your entire session before even paddling out? We often walk into the surf with expectations shaped by forecasts or past sessions—and when reality doesn't match, it kills the joy. This episode dives into a simple mindset shift that can reduce frustration and increase your stoke, even on the most unpredictable surf days. Discover how a “just one wave” mindset can transform your surf sessions from stressful to soulful. Learn how managing your expectations can help you enjoy surfing more—no matter the...
info_outlineSurf Mastery - Surfing Tips and Wisdom for Lifelong Surfers
If you’ve ever found yourself seeking balance between creativity and passion, or wondering how to turn life's challenges into powerful art, this episode is your invitation to explore that path. Joel Timmons, musician and lifelong surfer, shares how his emotional songwriting and connection to the ocean fuel each other—and how vulnerability, self-work, and rhythm tie it all together. Discover the deeply personal story behind Joel’s standout track “Say It To My Face” and the emotional reconciliation that followed. Learn how Joel’s journey from coastal South Carolina to...
info_outlineSurf Mastery - Surfing Tips and Wisdom for Lifelong Surfers
What happens when a lifelong connection to the ocean turns into a mission to surf every single day through winter? Whether you're a surfer, an ocean lover, or someone chasing consistency in your passions, this episode dives deep into the transformative power of daily dedication and the personal growth that comes from truly connecting with the ocean. If you've ever wondered how doing something every day could reshape your mindset, this is for you. Hear how DJ Morris turned his childhood love of the ocean into a thriving surf school and daily surfing ritual. Discover the surprising...
info_outlineIs 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 experimentation with ultra-narrow surfboards and how it unveiled new layers of wave reading and board control.
-
Understand the deep connection between board design, wave selection, and self-expression that transforms surfing from sport to personal art form.
Tune into this eye-opening conversation to challenge what you think you know about surfboards—and uncover the path to becoming the surfer you were meant to be.
https://www.instagram.com/donaldbrink/?hl=en
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