| "Energy and thought work speeds up goal attainment | | | | practice it and really get the good feelings flowing |
| much more than physical work alone. Physical is the | | | | through you. Sometimes the negative thoughts can |
| most visible, but it is only the final stage." | | | | feel too powerful to overcome but don't give up, |
| Alright, so you've got a move your really struggling | | | | really focus on the nature around you and be |
| with so you look at the "how to" page in a surfing | | | | grateful, you'll find the power! Sometimes the |
| magazine and yep there it is...stoked! They break the | | | | negative thoughts may be more subtle and hard to |
| technique down for you into steps; "crouch, touch | | | | detect. If this is the case for you, observe yourself. |
| water, extend out into the lip, grab, spot the landing" | | | | Next time you surf just quietly listen to what is going |
| and boom you've done it. That's all good, your amped | | | | through your mind. Is it positive or negative? Is your |
| to do it, you paddle out and try a few but no luck. | | | | attention on your weaknesses and fears, or your |
| You think some negative stuff about it and a belief | | | | strengths and desires? The more aware you become |
| gradually builds up in your mind. "I can't do airs or | | | | of your thoughts, the more you will be able to |
| cutbacks or turns etc" You'll keep trying and trying | | | | choose the ones that serve you. |
| the move but you've got that limiting belief there and | | | | You can also use affirmations or positive statements |
| every time you fail it gets stronger. "I can't do them". | | | | to help focus your mind, e.g. |
| You might think I just need to work on my | | | | - Good waves always come to me |
| technique more, practice harder, or break it down | | | | - My surfing improves with every wave |
| again but if you really want to see some change you | | | | - I am grateful to be in the ocean |
| firstly need to overcome that negative belief that is | | | | Just find out what works for you, what keeps your |
| holding you back from improving. | | | | mind on the positive side. Watch what happens, |
| As Surfing is such a dynamic, in the moment activity | | | | surfing will become even more rewarding for you! |
| its pretty hard to be thinking about a move as | | | | Learning New Moves |
| different stages of technique, it happens so quickly | | | | It's always good to feel your surfing is improving. |
| anyway and being preoccupied with technique often | | | | One of the greatest feelings is pulling off a move |
| stiffens you up and can really take the fun out of a | | | | you've never done before! However sometimes you |
| surf. | | | | might find yourself trying so hard to do something |
| I'm not saying 'how to' advice is a waste of time, or | | | | new but it just won't happen. This is another time |
| that you don't need to think about technique at all, | | | | when it's good to use the power of the mind in |
| rather I'm going to suggest a process or two that will | | | | addition to the physical energy you've been throwing |
| work on those limiting beliefs and complement the | | | | into it. If you have been trying the move for a while |
| technique work. | | | | with no success it's a good idea to break it down |
| The key to improving your surfing is finding a balance | | | | into two stages; clearing the blockage, and then |
| between physical practice and energy work | | | | visualizing completion. |
| (visualization and belief work). If you just sit down | | | | Step1 - clearing hindering believes |
| and meditate or visualize yourself busting new moves | | | | This stage clears the backlog of thoughts you have |
| without actually going out there and surfing I don't | | | | about the move and your ability to do it. If, for |
| think you will see much progress. Likewise, if you just | | | | example you are trying to do a backhand air and |
| practice the move every wave until your blue in the | | | | you've already attempted it 50 times without landing |
| face without addressing what negativity is running | | | | it, your probably not going for it with the same |
| through your thoughts. That kind of obsession is not | | | | enthusiasm as you did the first few times. The |
| going to produce quick results either. This is a holistic | | | | thoughts you have from these failed attempts can |
| approach; you begin the energy work and achieve a | | | | hang over you like a cloud and cause more |
| state where you can surf with belief, passion, and | | | | frustration. We need to get rid of this cloud and to |
| confidence. You visualize yourself completing the | | | | do this we need to identify the thoughts that are |
| move and build up a good feeling about it. You then | | | | blocking the sun. Ask yourself these questions, what |
| act, the energy work paves the way but to | | | | do I think and feel right before I attempt the move? |
| complete the learning you must practice, this is | | | | What about after a failed attempt? Do I think about |
| where the transformation takes place, in the water. I | | | | what I did wrong or what I did right? If I think about |
| really believe that this will speed up your learning | | | | or try to picture myself doing the move right now, |
| curve and it will definitely let you have even more | | | | what feelings arise then? |
| fun in the ocean! | | | | With these answers you can start to see what is |
| "When I was a kid...I still do it all the time...looking at a | | | | holding you back. |
| wave and mind surfing it you know, I've always | | | | Let's look at the backhand air example again in terms |
| visualized how I want to ride waves. I've always | | | | of the above questions. So before the move I think |
| thought since I was young that I want to be able to | | | | "I can't do these but I'll just try it", and "My feet will |
| surf waves the way I see waves ridden in my mind." | | | | slip off the board". After it I think "I can't do them, |
| Kelly Slater - 9 x World Champion | | | | my technique is wrong", I paddle back out feeling bad |
| I've split up these ideas into two different areas; | | | | about my surfing. When I think about the move I |
| overcoming bad surfs, and learning new moves. | | | | feel frustrated and unconfident, I think my technique |
| Overcoming "Bad" Surfs- turning them around | | | | is way off, I doubt I can improve it. |
| Why do you surf? Whether for fun, to connect with | | | | Now that we have identified those hindering thoughts |
| nature, or to relax, I'm sure we all have pretty similar | | | | we can move forward. It takes discipline and practice |
| reasons revolving around a good feeling, positive | | | | but we stop giving our energy to those unhelpful |
| energy. However is this always the case? I'm sure | | | | thoughts and put the energy into something more |
| some people can say yes to this question but I've | | | | useful and positive. |
| seen a lot of frustration out in the water and I know | | | | Before you go to the next step, consider a baby |
| that many of us don't always get the intended good | | | | that is learning to walk. When it falls down it doesn't |
| feelings from our sessions. So what causes these | | | | worry about what it did wrong, or whether its |
| bad surfs, what stands in the way of our fun? It | | | | technique was correct, and it doesn't dwell on the |
| could be because we don't live up to our own | | | | mistake. It knows that the learning was in the |
| performance expectations, it could be too crowded, | | | | process, the mistakes don't need to be analyzed, it |
| or it might be because others are surfing better than | | | | focuses all energy on the next attempt and charges |
| us and we want to do what they are doing! We can | | | | back into it! Always try and remember that you learn |
| just accept these bad surfs, or we can realize that | | | | something from any failed attempts instinctively. Let |
| our experience in the water, good or bad, is more to | | | | go of any hindering thoughts and know you can |
| do with what's going through our heads out there, | | | | achieve whatever you focus on. |
| rather than what is actually happening in the lineup or | | | | Step 2 -visualizing the specific move |
| on the waves. | | | | Now we have all this energy which we have claimed |
| I think it's pretty ridiculous when I look back at some | | | | back from negative thoughts, feelings and over |
| of the bad surfs I've had. I have been out in tropical | | | | analyzing our mistakes and technique. That alone will |
| places with perfect waves, warm water, only friends | | | | improve your surfing, but if you channel this energy |
| around and somehow found myself not having fun, | | | | into supporting yourself, you will really be on your |
| oblivious to the beauty around me. It wasn't because | | | | way to pulling that new move. We can do this with |
| of that situation at all; it was all in my head. That's a | | | | visualization. |
| good thing though, if it was the situation that caused | | | | Firstly we need to get a strong visual image of what |
| bad surfs there would be nothing we could do about | | | | the move looks like. Watch a DVD or look at a |
| that, we would be powerless. But now we know it's | | | | magazine, find the move and take it in. Hit slow-mo if |
| in our heads, and we can change what bounces | | | | you want, soak up the technique but don't stress |
| around in that thick skull of ours! The power is in us, | | | | about it, just absorb it with full awareness. |
| we can change all those bad surfs to good ones! | | | | Now, go somewhere quiet and relax, close your eyes |
| Now, you've probably turned a bad surf to a good | | | | and imagine you are going surfing at your local break. |
| one before, albeit unconsciously. You were out there | | | | Try to be as realistic as possible, think of the sound |
| having a horrible time, sitting there catching no | | | | of the waves, smell of the ocean, how the water |
| waves, maybe you just fell off on a good wave and | | | | feels. Imagine yourself catching a wave and feel the |
| then you sat there with a negative chain of thought | | | | sensation of riding it, then when you are ready |
| running rampant "I just blew my chance then...I won't | | | | visualize the move. Imagine how it would feel, your |
| get another wave now...I always fall off when I try | | | | body flowing through the movements, your board |
| that move..." | | | | firmly under your feet, your excitement as you |
| Having those kinds of thoughts going on, obviously | | | | complete it perfectly. If you feel any negativity |
| you're not going to be having too much fun! You | | | | coming up that's ok, let it pass and try again, all you |
| probably feel tense and restricted and that isn't going | | | | are doing is getting the feeling of completion. There |
| to lead to you surfing your best or paddling | | | | might be a certain part of the move you usually |
| energetically for waves. But then miraculously a wave | | | | mess up, stay with it until you see yourself flowing |
| appears in front of you and no one is around. You | | | | through that movement with perfect technique. |
| manage to surf it well and the buzz of that one good | | | | Visualize every last detail so it becomes alive. Once |
| wave changes your attitude completely. Your | | | | you have a good feel for the move, try visualizing it |
| thoughts become more positive. All of a sudden | | | | from another person's perspective, as if you are |
| you're paddling around confidently, catching heaps of | | | | watching yourself surf. Make the scene as realistic as |
| waves, surfing to your full potential, having fun. | | | | possible again, see yourself catch a wave, surfing |
| However, for every bad surf that you have turned | | | | confidently and completing the desired move with |
| around, you've probably had a few where that magic | | | | ease. |
| wave hasn't come and you've paddled in feeling a bit | | | | Do these visualizations regularly, they will build |
| down with the whole thing, you didn't get the | | | | confidence and a sense of possibility in your surfing. |
| positive experience you paddled out for in the first | | | | You'll soon be approaching the move with full |
| place. This is where you have to take responsibility | | | | commitment and believing that you will make it. |
| for your own thoughts and turn the negative into a | | | | Previously you may have been giving it your best but |
| positive, realize the situation isn't the problem. | | | | the negative thoughts were sabotaging your efforts, |
| So how do you do this? First of all, you need to stop | | | | meaning your best was less than 100%. Now you will |
| the thoughts that are currently creating your bad | | | | be running at 100%, you will completely expect |
| experience. In most cases you'll find these thoughts | | | | success, and I bet you will see some drastic |
| are based on weaknesses and fears e.g. I can't surf | | | | improvement, both in your surfing and the amount of |
| on my backhand or I'm not going to catch any | | | | fun you will have. |
| waves with this crowd. The thing is weaknesses are | | | | Visualization alone is not enough though, so its time |
| in the past and all fears are about an imagined future, | | | | to hit the water again and have some fun. Practice |
| so come back to the present moment and their grip | | | | enthusiastically, transformation happens through |
| on you weakens. A good way to do this is to look | | | | action. As mentioned earlier, affirmations are another |
| around, really look at the waves, how amazing they | | | | technique that can be used to complement the |
| are, they've traveled thousands of kilometers to be | | | | visualizing. These are particularly useful while you are |
| here, look at the scenery, the trees, the headland, | | | | out in the water, they remind you to focus on the |
| really feel the elements, the water on your skin, and | | | | positive side. Revisit the questions from step 1. What |
| be grateful that you are playing in the ocean. | | | | negative thoughts did you identify? Take those |
| Now that you have those negative thoughts and | | | | negative thoughts and turn them around to form |
| images out of your head, you need to put some | | | | your own positive affirmations. |
| good thoughts in place of them. So let's have a think, | | | | "My feet will slip off the board" could be changed to |
| what would be some good thoughts to have? | | | | "my feet are glued to my board" |
| Imagine you just rode an awesome wave and your | | | | "I can't do them" to "I have landed lots of backhand |
| surfing felt better than it ever has before. What | | | | airs" |
| would you be thinking about? Your attention would | | | | Affirmations are great if you use them to retrain any |
| most likely be on your strengths and desires e.g. "I'm | | | | old negative thoughts, whether it's before you try |
| surfing real well, I'm going to land that move next | | | | the move or after a failed attempt. If the negative |
| time". What we focus our attention on expands so | | | | thought comes up, say the affirmation to yourself |
| thinking about what we want to happen is the key. | | | | then remember the feeling you get during your |
| You are also likely to be very focused on the | | | | visualization sessions. |
| present moment after an exhilarating ride, enjoying | | | | Using these new tools it is inevitable that you will still |
| the scenery, the water, at one with the whole | | | | have failed attempts, even pros kook moves now |
| experience. Really recall in detail how you felt in a | | | | and then. The important thing is to not give in to the |
| past good surfing experience. How did your body | | | | temptation of negativity and analysis of what you did |
| feel? Strong? Flexible? Energized? How did you | | | | wrong. If you practice visualizing regularly and stay |
| paddle? Confidently? Aggressively? What was in your | | | | aware of your thoughts in the water, your ability to |
| mind? Positive thoughts? No thoughts? Really try and | | | | stop the negativity will improve over time. Trust that |
| recreate that same positive feeling. | | | | your body learns from mistakes automatically and |
| As an example, you might feel like a paddling | | | | that each failure brings you closer to completion. |
| machine, your body light and energized, already | | | | Keep focusing on the feelings from your |
| anticipating how good your next ride will feel, your | | | | visualizations, tell yourself you can, and you will |
| board slicing through the water with speed, excited | | | | transfer those moves from your mind into the ocean. |
| to try a move you haven't done before. | | | | "There has to be something in your mind that really |
| Connecting with nature by spending the wait | | | | makes you focus so completely on one thing and put |
| between sets swimming underwater, or looking at | | | | so much time on the mat into what your doing, and |
| the headland is another good way to generate some | | | | when that all comes together, and with surfing its like |
| positive thoughts. It doesn't matter how you do it, all | | | | all these things coming together plus your equipment |
| that matters is that you generate thoughts that feel | | | | and the waves and I don't know, just your spirit and |
| good to you. | | | | your frame of mind, like when all that comes |
| This process may take a little time to develop so | | | | together its really an amazing feeling. |