Think you need to surf better waves or get more footage to improve? Olympic coach Matt Scorringe says that’s not what’s holding you back—and the truth might surprise you.

In this episode, we dive into Matt’s experience coaching New Zealand’s Olympic surf team and how that elite-level insight is changing the way everyday surfers are coached. From managing high-pressure mindsets to embracing breathwork and land-based movement, Matt breaks down the tools that help surfers perform at their best—no matter the conditions, crowd, or stress.

• Learn how to regulate your nervous system and find flow—even when your session starts rough.

• Understand why visual content alone won’t transform your surfing, and how personalized coaching bridges that gap.

• Discover how elite athletes use meditation and breathwork to build confidence—and how you can use those same techniques in just one breath.

Hit play now to learn what Olympic surfers know that can radically shift how you approach your next session—mentally and physically.

Key Points

• Comparison of rock climbing and surfing, emphasizing the critical importance of mastering foundational techniques in both sports.

• Olympic experience summary, emphasizing excitement, team atmosphere, and the challenge of managing athlete excitement and focus.

• Discussion on the trust and relationship between coach and athlete, highlighting its importance for performance at high levels of competition.

• Strategies for maintaining athlete calmness and focus, including breathing exercises and visualization techniques, were discussed and implemented.

• Transition to remote coaching post-COVID, detailing the launch and success of Matt Scorringe's online coaching services.

• Land-based training techniques and their importance in surfing progression, with an example of a client's impressive improvement through dedicated practice.

• Discussion on the unique aspects of surfing as a sport, including its accessibility for practice and improvement at any level.

• Importance of varied coaching approaches to accommodate different learning styles and the value of long-term coaching relationships.

• Details on Matt Scorringe's coaching programs, including membership options and a special offer for listeners of the podcast.

  Code - SURFMASTERY20 for 20% off the academy Link- https://www.theartofsurfing.com/taos-academy-membership    Anyone that joins the November cohort put SURFMASTERY in the comments box during checkout and they will be emailed their 100% off code for 1 year of the academy. Link- https://www.theartofsurfing.com/remote-coaching   Matt's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartofsurfing/?hl=en   Matt's first episode (ep 05): https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Pf2ZKTG9R1qiJXLD8cnMz?si=MUhhPyddTMypANvYQlo9mg   www.surfmastery.com   Thank you Matt Scorringe    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.