40 Samba Mann - Surf Coach

Are you standing in the wrong spot on your board—and is that killing your ability to surf top-to-bottom?

Even experienced surfers often have poor foot placement, especially their back foot, without realizing it. In this episode, elite Australian surf coach Samba Mann breaks down why that subtle misalignment limits your ability to turn powerfully and surf in the pocket—and what to feel for instead.

• Learn how to feel where your feet are without looking—and why that changes everything

• Discover how different boards (like twins and longboards) train your weight distribution and surf awareness

• Hear how coaching a blind surfer sharpened Samba's approach to intuitive, sensation-based coaching

Press play to rewire your surfing from the ground up—starting with your feet—for more speed, control, and flow.

Key Points

• Michael introduces his recent trip to Nicaragua's Malibu Popoyo Resort and upcoming plans for September.

• Samba discusses the importance of feeling in surfing and how 'only a surfer knows the feeling'.

• Samba identifies foot placement as the most common issue in surfing coaching, particularly with recreational surfers.

• Discussion about surfing technique with Mark Richards' twin fin boards and their unique riding style.

• Samba shares his experience coaching Matt Formston, including surfing together in overhead waves.

• Samba announces his relocation plans and new coaching direction focusing on recreational surfers with GoPro footage.

Surf Coach Samba Mann talks about the feeling of surfing and how to improve yours. https://www.instagram.com/samba_mann/?hl=en https://www.surfingaustraliahpc.com/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoOcDV5-VvY https://www.instagram.com/samba_mann/?hl=en

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.