Surf Mastery - Surfing Tips and Wisdom for Lifelong Surfers

Michael Frampton
  • 4.8 (249)
  • SPORTS
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Are you finding it hard to get better at surfing, struggling to catch waves, negotiate the line up and understand surf culture? This podcast that helps passionate lifelong surfers to catch more waves, surf with more speed, style, grace and to gain wisdom and confidence in the water Discover why you aren't getting the most out of your surfing, the exact steps to take to improve, so you can develop not only your surfing, but also your relationship to surfing and the ocean. The podcast shares lessons of my transformation from frustrated, below-average adult-surfer, to a confident, competent and respected surfer. The podcast is a mix of long form interviews with the best surfers, surf coaches and industry leaders, and focused, shorter episodes with specific surfing tips. Episodes 100, 108 and 111 are a great place to start.

  1. FEB 5

    134 You're NOT Too Old for Surfing: How Aging Can Actually Improve Your Surfing

    Are You Really Too Old to Surf - Or Just Believing the Lie? Feeling slower in the water, stiffer in the joints, or unsure if you've aged out of the sport you love? What if it's not your body that's holding you back, but your mindset? Surfing is often seen as a young person's sport, but that belief is costing older surfers joy, progress, and freedom. If you've ever felt like your best surfing days are behind you, this episode shows that they might actually still be ahead. Backed by neuroscience and real-world examples, this conversation reframes what's truly possible in your surfing life after 40, 50, and beyond. What You'll Gain from Listening A science-backed mindset shift that shows how the brain can get better with age, leading to smarter wave choices, emotional control, and more satisfying sessions. Real stories of aging surfers like Kelly Slater and Laird Hamilton who defy decline, plus insights from The Mature Mind, The Mindful Body, and Gnar Country that expose the myths of aging. Practical ways to thrive as an older surfer - from cognitive strategies to physical habits and creative approaches that will reignite your passion and performance. Press Play If You're Ready to Surf Smarter, Not Slower Discover how to keep surfing, keep learning, and keep enjoying the ocean, for life. www.surfmastery.com Books: The Mature Mind by Gene Cohen The Mindful Body by Ellen Langer  Gnar Country by Steven Kotler - or the podcast interview: https://jamesaltuchershow.com/episode/superpowered-aging-with-the-master-of-flow-steven-kotler https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id794030859?i=1000679523450 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

    12 min

  2. FEB 2

    133 Why Good Surfers Think Like Stoics, and How Stoic Philosophy Can Make You a Better Surfer

    What if mastering the waves has less to do with technique, and more to do with ancient philosophy? Whether you're paddling out for the first time or carving your hundredth wave, frustration, fear, and unpredictability are always part of the ride. In this episode, host Michael Frampton explores how stoic philosophy offers timeless wisdom that every surfer, beginner or seasoned, can use to improve not only their performance, but their overall surfing life. Discover how living "in agreement with nature" is the foundation of both surfing and stoicism, and why resisting the ocean never works. Learn how the four stoic virtues, courage, temperance, justice, and wisdom - naturally align with the traits of truly great surfers. Understand how to shift your mindset from ego to awareness, helping you manage frustration, navigate lineup politics, and stay stoked even in challenging conditions. Tap into the mindset of resilient, wise surfers by listening to this episode and learn how to ride the waves, and life - with stoic flow. For more go to: https://surfmastery.com   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

    10 min

  3. 12/23/2025

    132 The Only Way to Get Better at Surfing: Obsess Over It

    Are you ready to transform your surfing in 2026 by going all in - completely obsessed, fully immersed, and totally committed? This is the ONLY way to truly improve. If you're feeling stuck in your surf progression or yearning to break through to the next level, this solo episode with host Michael Frampton dives deep into the one mindset shift that separates average surfers from true masters. It's not just about passion, it's about short-term obsession to create long-term transformation. Learn why a temporary period of full-blown surfing obsession could be the key to lasting surf progression. Discover practical ways to build your life around surfing without giving up your responsibilities. Get inspired with a clear roadmap for turning 2026 into the year you finally identify not just as someone who surfs, but as a true surfer. Press play now to find out how to make 2026 your breakthrough year of total surf immersion and mastery. www.surfmastery.com 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

    8 min

  4. 11/25/2025

    131 Why You're Missing Waves (and What the Pros See That You Don't)

    Are you truly reading the wave, or just watching water move? Discover how paying attention to the ocean's smallest details could completely transform your surfing. If you've ever felt stuck in your surf progression, unsure why better technique isn't getting better results, this episode is your wake-up call. It's not just about turning sharper or paddling harder, it's about changing how you see the ocean. Whether you're an intermediate surfer or decades in, understanding how to focus and read the wave can be the game-changer you've been missing. Learn how world-class surfers like Tom Carroll gain a massive edge by spotting secondary swells, backwashes, and subtle refractions that most surfers miss. Discover why your technique won't matter if you can't focus and how mindfulness and meditation off the board can level up your performance on it. Shift your entire relationship with surfing by embracing a personal surfing philosophy rooted in joy, longevity, and self-defined progression - not surf industry hype. Press play to learn how changing your mindset and mastering wave reading can unlock deeper flow, better waves, and more fulfilling sessions in any surf condition. www.surfmastery.com Michael Frampton and Van Vu (Originallly published on the Surf Basis Podcast) 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

    59 min

  5. 11/19/2025

    130 How Details Transform Surfing, Self-Talk & Relationships with Kyle Thiermann

    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 improve your surf sessions and silence self-doubt. Learn how table tennis taught Kyle Thiermann a life-altering lesson about humility, ego, and mastery that spills over into his big wave surfing. Explore how interviewing his parents not only led to his new book but also transformed his relationships and deepened his empathy through the art of asking better questions. Listen now to uncover how Kyle Thiermann's philosophy of detail and reflection can elevate not just your surfing, but your entire approach to growth and connection. Kyles' - Book:  https://geni.us/onelastqbeforeyougo Website: https://www.kylethiermann.com Insta: https://www.instagram.com/kyle_tman/ Kyle was first on the show in 2018 - episode 27 Kyle Thiermann is a surfer, podcast host, and author of One Last Question Before You Go, a book about why you should interview your parents. www.surfmastery.com Music: Leo Meizoso - Soul Elegance  The Surf Mastery Podcast:  For the passionate surfer - whether you're a weekend warrior, a surf dad, or an older surfe - 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

    1h 8m

  6. 11/11/2025

    129 Lineup Strategy, Surfing Technique and Reading the Ocean with Surf Coach Matt Scorringe

    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 conversation is for you. Discover the missing piece in most surf coaching: how reading the ocean gives you faster decision-making, greater confidence, and better waves. Learn how to turn crowded lineups into a game of strategy, not frustration, using Matt's unique "first line of defense" approach. Explore how treating the ocean like a playground—not a proving ground - can unlock more joy, progression, and long-term success in your surfing journey. Hit play now to learn how rethinking your approach to wave reading and lineup dynamics can instantly elevate your surfing experience. https://www.theartofsurfing.com Use Discount Code: "surfmastery25" for 25% discount on Matts Academy and Remote coaching program. Matts Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattyscorringe/?hl=en For more visit www.surfmastery.com Music: "Fernweh" by Nachur 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

    59 min

  7. 10/14/2025

    128 Surfing Etiquette and the Evolution of Surf Culture with Holly Beck

    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 how understanding nuance can lead to a better surf experience. Discover how surf culture can shift towards empathy and inclusivity without sacrificing skill, tradition, or respect.  Tune in to hear a refreshingly real and nuanced conversation that will challenge how you think about surfing, sharing waves, and what it truly means to be the best surfer in the water. https://surfwithamigas.com www.surfmastery.com   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

    1h 23m

  8. 09/17/2025

    127 See Feel Do - The 3 Pillars of Good Surfing - (Best of Episode)

    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 surfers don't think balance - they feel it, and how you can train your instincts to surf with more fluidity. Get a simple yet powerful breakdown of how waves and surfboards work, and why leaning - not forcing - is the secret to rail surfing. Hit play now to uncover the three timeless surf insights that will sharpen your focus, deepen your feel, and transform how you approach every session. www.surfmastery.com  Quotes from Episodes 2,3 and 14. Music: "make a smile" Anthony Mea

    12 min
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4.8
out of 5
249 Ratings

About

Are you finding it hard to get better at surfing, struggling to catch waves, negotiate the line up and understand surf culture? This podcast that helps passionate lifelong surfers to catch more waves, surf with more speed, style, grace and to gain wisdom and confidence in the water Discover why you aren't getting the most out of your surfing, the exact steps to take to improve, so you can develop not only your surfing, but also your relationship to surfing and the ocean. The podcast shares lessons of my transformation from frustrated, below-average adult-surfer, to a confident, competent and respected surfer. The podcast is a mix of long form interviews with the best surfers, surf coaches and industry leaders, and focused, shorter episodes with specific surfing tips. Episodes 100, 108 and 111 are a great place to start.

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