November 10, 2025

Tom Carroll: How to Read the Ocean

47 minutes

Train your paddling anywhere, anytime so you can catch more waves and have more fun with the Basis Paddle Trainer. Shipping globally now at https://www.surfbasis.com/

In this episode, we have two-time world surfing champion Tom Carroll sharing insights on surf technique, wave reading, and building a relationship with the ocean. He talks about the value in surfing different conditions, good and bad, the delicate balance between intuition and analytical thinking, and the benefits of staying physically fit and having proper equipment for maintaining performance, especially as you get older. He also offers advice for younger surfers and shares details on his upcoming retreats focused on breathwork for surfers.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: The Ocean as a Teacher

00:51 Paddle Power and the Basis Trainer

01:52 Framing the Conversation: Surfing, Technique and Longevity

02:40 Building Wave Knowledge Over a Lifetime

05:27 Fear in Surfing and Early Experiences

07:58 Surf Everything: Learning in All Conditions

10:35 Equipment Evolution and Staying Curious

14:24 Wave Reading: Intuition vs Analysis

18:47 Developing a Mental Map of Waves

23:19 Observing and Learning from Other Surfers

25:03 Drills: Finding the Perfect Line

29:55 The Roundhouse Cutback Drill

32:25 Favorite Boards for Crappy Waves

37:22 Training for Longevity and Recovery

42:21 Final Reflections and Upcoming Retreats

Subscribe for more interviews with pro surfers, coaches, shapers, and everyday surfers like Tom Carroll, Zeke Lau, Victor Bernardo, Matt Parker of Album Surf, Matt Meola, Ryan Lovelace, Eric Arakawa, Noel Salas of Surf n Show, Parker Coffin, Dane Gudauskas, Kassia Meador, Clayton of Ombe Surf, Dylan Lightfoot, Derek Dunfee, Magnum Martinez, and more!

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By Basis Surf

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