Inside the Mind of a World Champion's Surf Coach w/ Matt Grainger
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Matt Grainger (@surfers-compass) is a former pro-surfer-turned-coach who has worked with world champions and CT event winners. In this episode he walks us through Nathan Hedge's comeback story, including the training and mindset work behind his run to the semis at Teahupo'o, and how paddle training was fundamental preparation - something that most everyday surfers forget. We also get technical about frontside carves in terms of weight distribution and rail engagement, taking examples from John John Florence. Matt also explains why style comes down to keeping your personality in the water instead of copying anyone else's approach, and how slowing down and completing waves builds the muscle memory needed for progression in maneuvers. He also gets into board selection, land training, and the mental side of competing, pulling from decades of coaching everyone from grommets, intermediates, to pro surfers at the highest level.
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Chapters
01:07 Welcome & Meet Matt Grainger
02:32 Coaching Nathan Hedge's Comeback
04:53 Hedge’s Winning Trials & Facing Kelly Slater
06:51 Teahupo'o 2014: Facing Adriano de Souza
10:06 The Perfect Barrel & Board Rescue Drama
15:18 Reading Athletes: Mindset vs. Technique
16:46 Margaret River Prep & Wave Selection
21:01 Foot Pressure & Rail Engagement Explained
26:32 How John John Florence Redefined Surfing
33:49 Style, Personality & "Surfing Is Dancing"
40:12 Teaching Progression: Why Less Is More
47:12 Prepping for Teahupo’o & the Power of Paddling
59:47 Rapid Fire: Favorite Surfers, Fins & Boards
1:13:46 Land Training Tiers & Where to Find Matt
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