01 Matt Grainger - Surf Coach

What do the world's best surfers know about technique, training, and mindset that could transform your surfing journey?

This episode features Matt Grainger—elite-level surf coach, former New South Wales state champion, and owner of Manly Surf School and the High-Performance Surf Center in Sydney. From his days as a sponsored free surfer to coaching the next generation of champions, Matt shares invaluable lessons to take your surfing to the next level. Whether you're an intermediate surfer aiming to fine-tune your technique or a seasoned rider looking for fresh inspiration, this conversation is packed with actionable insights.

• Learn the secrets to mastering paddling, pop-up speed, and wave positioning for better rides.

• Discover the importance of surf coaching, dry-land training, and mimicking movements to build muscle memory.

• Explore how to generate speed on small waves, handle challenging slabs, and refine your bottom turns to unlock advanced maneuvers.

Transform your surfing skills with the expert advice shared in this episode—press play now!

Key Points:

• Matt Grainger's background as an ex-pro surfer, New South Wales state champion in 1991, and his journey as a sponsored free surfer while attending university.

• The importance of surfing with better surfers, watching better surfers, and receiving surf coaching to improve one's surfing skills.

• Common mistakes made by beginner surfers, such as poor paddling posture and technique.

• The significance of paddling, generating speed, and the pop-up for intermediate and experienced surfers.

• The role of surf coaching in breaking down skills and techniques, and the benefits of video analysis.

• The importance of training and fitness for surfing, including strength, endurance, and mobility exercises specific to surfing movements.

• The influence of surfing different types of waves, such as slabs and reef breaks, on improving surfing skills.

• The progression of surfing at an older age, with examples of surfers like Tom Carroll and Kelly Slater continuing to surf at a high level.

• The benefits of the High Performance Surf Center, combining coaching, training, and specialized equipment for surfers of all levels.

Some good surfing in some average waves can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHT0nTHSi7Q Pop-up vid here: https://surfhealthandfitness.com/2012/12/09/pop-up-with-jordy/ Paddling vid here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0uJCv7Ueeg More info on Matt: https://au.linkedin.com/in/matt-grainger-6896a620

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.