Clayton Nienaber of Ombe Surf: Understanding Speed, Power, and Flow

Basis Surf Podcast

Clayton Nienaber, the surf coach of @ombesurf joins me in this week’s podcast to reveal the key to unlocking better surfing by understanding the mechanics of a wave and learning about speed, power, and flow.

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Chapters

00:00 Starting with a Passion for Surfing

04:15 Transitioning to Board Shaping

07:41 The Importance of Making Mistakes

10:28 Understanding Surfing Levels: Freeze, Flight, Fight, Flow

13:22 The Relationship Between Speed, Power, and Flow

19:11 The Power and Energy of Waves

21:04 Surfing with Speed, Power, and Flow

25:13 The Importance of Early Bottom Turns

28:07 The Combination of Rider Input and Wave Power

30:36 Transitioning Between Different Board Designs

40:16 Choosing the Right Board for Different Waves

42:10 Using Cameras to Analyze Wave Performance

44:35 The Importance of Reading the Bottom of the Wave

45:38 The Process of Learning to Surf

47:00 Understanding Different Parts of the Wave

48:56 The Debate: Head Up vs Head Down When Paddling

58:01 Using Surfskate to Improve Surfing Technique

01:05:39 Teaching Sensation Rather than Replicating Surfing

01:09:04 The Showdown: Head Up vs Head Down Paddling

Subscribe for more interviews with pro surfers, coaches, shapers, and everyday surfers like Victor Bernardo, Matt Parker of Album Surf, Matt Meola, Noel Salas of Surf n Show, Kassia Meador, Ryan Lovelace, Dylan Lightfoot, Derek Dunfee, Magnum Martinez, Isaac Stant, Nakoa Decoite, and more!

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