Do you really need perfect waves to improve your surfing—or are you just making excuses?

 Whether you're a young grom or an adult just trying to break out of intermediate purgatory, surf coach James Wood has one clear message: surfing consistently—even in bad waves—can transform your progress. From common mistakes in wave reading to the power of video feedback, this episode unpacks how James helps surfers evolve faster.

• Discover the #1 mistake kids and adults make when reading waves—and how to correct it instantly

• Learn why riding the wrong board might be the real reason you're stuck at the same level

• Get James’ daily surf consistency strategy that even pro surfers follow to stay sharp

Hit play to hear James Wood’s powerful surf coaching insights and learn how to accelerate your surfing with practical, proven techniques.

Key Points

• James Wood, a former WQS competitive surfer turned surf coach and surfboard shaper, discusses his transition from competitive surfing to coaching and the challenges he faced in the early stages of his coaching career.

• James highlights common issues and mistakes among young surfers, emphasizing the importance of wave knowledge and consistency in catching waves.

• James explains his coaching methodology, which includes filming sessions and using video analysis to help surfers improve their technique by comparing what they think they are doing versus what they are actually doing.

• James discusses the challenges of coaching older surfers, particularly those aged 13-14, focusing on wave reading and turn selection.

• James provides tips on how to read waves better, including cues for identifying where to bottom turn and avoiding common mistakes like looking down for too long.

• James addresses the challenges of coaching intermediate adult learners, encouraging them to exaggerate their movements and break bad habits to improve their surfing.

• James emphasizes the importance of consistency in surfing, even on bad days, to maintain skills and improve performance when conditions are better.

• James shares his experience with the 100-day surf challenge and how it helps maintain consistency and improve surfing skills over time.

• James discusses the role of shaping surfboards in his surfing career, noting that while it may not directly improve his surfing, it keeps him engaged and experimenting with new designs.

• James provides tips for navigating crowded surf conditions, suggesting strategies like waiting for the second or third wave in a set to find more space and better waves.

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.