76 Donald Brink - Fascinated with Surfing

Are you obsessed with surfing—or truly fascinated by it? This episode challenges the core mindset behind how we grow as surfers and shape our relationship with the ocean.

Whether you're coming back from injury, dealing with burnout, or just questioning your surfing identity, this conversation with surfboard designer Donald Brink explores the subtle yet powerful shift from obsession to fascination—and why that change might be the key to surfing longevity and deeper joy.

• Learn how a fascination mindset helps you avoid burnout and keep progressing in your surfing.

• Discover how musical rhythm, board resonance, and self-awareness all connect to improved surfing technique.

• Hear raw, vulnerable stories about personal challenges, creative breakthroughs, and why great surfing isn't about passion—it's about perspective.

Press play to rethink how you relate to surfing and unlock more meaningful progress in and out of the water.

Key Points

• Discussion about the benefits of being fascinated with surfing versus being passionate, with fascination being seen as more sustainable and balanced due to the joy it brings.

• Comparison of surfboard volume to support, with support being highlighted as a more accurate interpretation that resonates with users.

• Exploration of the relationship between surfboard volume and flexibility, noting that a stiffer board with less volume might not feel as supportive as a more flexible one with more volume.

• Discussion about the use of epoxy in surfboard construction, highlighting its benefits for durability and resonance, with suggestions on measuring a board's resonance using a guitar tuner.

• Emphasis on the importance of technique in surfing and the value of coaching to help identify and work on specific areas of improvement, contrasting with the stigma attached to surf coaching.

• Insight into the benefits of fascination over obsession in various aspects of life, including surfing, relationships, and business, with fascination being described as more balanced and less prone to burnout.

• Discussion on the parallels between music and surfing, particularly in terms of timing and rhythm, with the importance of timing in surfing being highlighted.

• Insight into the benefits of riding larger surfboards for beginners to develop a sense of balance and timing before transitioning to smaller, more performance-oriented boards.

• Discussion on the design and testing of new surfboard shapes, focusing on a project for an exclusive collection with unique features aimed at enhancing performance in small waves.

• Prediction of the future of surfing trends, suggesting a return to longer, railed, and skinny board designs from the 90s, with an emphasis on the importance of technique and the challenge of riding such boards. {{101:21}}

www.brinksurf.com

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https://open.spotify.com/episode/4h0pZFDSs2RFVGF2AkDoh4?si=iVraOYdSSwqV2y5Zo7bx-w

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.