What does it take to master surfing when you start late, face fear, and dive into the complexities of surf culture?
In this episode, Silas shares his inspiring story of committing to surfing at 19 and navigating the highs and lows of his journey. From mastering line-up politics to dealing with fear and embracing dry-land training, Silas offers a refreshing perspective on what it means to pursue passion while staying grounded in the realities of surf culture. If you’re looking to improve your skills or gain insight into the unwritten rules of the surf world, this episode is packed with practical tools and honest wisdom.
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Learn how to approach line-up politics and navigate the culture shock of the surf world with respect and confidence.
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Discover the benefits of dry-land training, video analysis, and unconventional balance exercises to improve your surfing skills.
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Get actionable tips on conquering fear, entering a flow state, and even surfing through chandelier barrels with your eyes closed.
Take your surfing skills and understanding of the surf culture to the next level—listen now!
Silas's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/surfendipitous/
www.surfmastery.com
In this episode
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How negotiate line-up politics
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How to deal with the surfing culture shock and
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How to surf with your eyes closed - make a chandelier barrel section.
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How and why to improve your balance and vision.
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Tips for dry-land training
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Practical tools to improve surfing skills, from dry-land training to video analysis.
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Techniques for managing fear and entering a flow state.
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The importance of respect and connection in surf culture.
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How to set goals and define success on your own terms.
This episode provides actionable advice, personal inspiration, and insights into building a fulfilling surfing journey.
Key Takeaways from This Episode
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Rediscovering Passion
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Overcoming Adversity
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Commitment to Improvement
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Facing Fear and Embracing Flow
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Purposeful Social Media Use
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Respecting Surf Culture
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Defining Success Your Way
Outline
Early Surfing Experience
- Silas first tried surfing at age 4 with their mother, but had a negative experience due to salt water and tumbling waves, leading to a memorable fight with their mother.
- At age 12, Silas rediscovered surfing during a family vacation to Hawaii, falling in love with it again and deciding their dream was to become a professional surfer and marry a Hawaiian.
Challenges During Adolescence
- Between ages 12 and 19, Silas experienced difficult times at home, including issues with their mentally ill stepfather, which stunted their ability to pursue surfing.
Reigniting Passion for Surfing
- At age 19, Silas's cooking school instructor suggested they move to Tofino to surf, reigniting their passion.
- In Tofino, Silas got a job at a beach resort and began surfing intensively, teaching themselves initially before getting a surfing coach to improve further.
Social Media Challenge
- Silas started a social media challenge 73 days prior to the interview, posting a surfing video every day until they get sponsored, aiming to dedicate themselves more to surfing and improve their skills.
- Silas views social media as a tool for progress rather than having specific sponsorship expectations, seeing any opportunities arising from it as worthwhile.
Philosophy on Surfing Enjoyment
- Silas believes in the logarithmic nature of surfing enjoyment; the better one gets, the more fun it becomes exponentially.
- Silas aims to be around people who share their passion for surfing and making surf films, having recently lived a 'bum surfing lifestyle' to focus on the sport.
Inspiration and Goals
- Silas acknowledges starting surfing later than many but does not see it as a reason not to try, finding inspiration in surfers like Kelly Slater who continue to compete at an older age.
- Silas is open to various paths in surfing, not necessarily aiming for traditional pro surfing sponsorship but exploring different opportunities in the surfing world.
Training and Improvement Techniques
- Silas has found working with a coach and analyzing video footage to be the most helpful in improving their surfing.
- They practice pop-ups on dry land and have considered trying to surf goofy-footed based on viewer comments on their videos.
- Silas struggles with compression and getting low while surfing, recognizing it as an area for improvement.
- The interview discusses various training techniques, including practicing in front of mirrors, skateboarding with surfing techniques, and using slacklines for balance.
- Emphasis is placed on the importance of body awareness, balance, and vision training for surfing improvement.
Interacting with Other Surfers
- Silas finds interacting with other surfers in the lineup challenging, preferring to focus on surfing rather than socializing extensively.
- The transition from surfing beach breaks in Tofino to crowded point breaks in New Zealand was initially discouraging for Silas.
- The importance of being respectful in the lineup while still asserting oneself is discussed, along with the potential for relationships to develop over time with other surfers.
Surfing Philosophy and Overcoming Fear
- Silas emphasizes the value of surfing in all conditions, even when forecasts are poor, to maximize time in the water and improve skills.
- Silas identifies fear as a significant challenge in surfing, particularly in committing to waves in critical moments.
- They draw parallels between overcoming fear in surfing and staying present in the moment, similar to appreciating current progress rather than fixating on future goals.
Flow State and Future Plans
- The concept of flow state is discussed, with Silas relating it to experiences in both surfing and their work as a chef.
- The interview touches on the science of flow states and their relevance to surfing and other sports.
- Silas is planning to move to the South Island of New Zealand, particularly Dunedin and the Catlins, without a specific job lined up.
- They express a philosophy of making decisions and observing how their environment responds, following opportunities that seem to 'click into place'.
- Silas maintains an open mindset about their future, willing to embrace both positive and negative outcomes of their choices.
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.
