The Relational Surfing Approach Beyond Performance
At backyard Surf Club, we’ve create the backYARD Method, a unique and innovative coaching strategy that redefines what it means to excel in surfing. This method places paramount importance on the dynamic relationship between the surfer and the sport, focusing on the mutual exchange where both give and receive. It’s a holistic approach that values the joy, fulfillment, and connection derived from surfing as much as, if not more than, performance or competitive prowess.
The Evolution of Our Coaching Philosophy
As a surfer, I always watched pro surfers and competitions, believing that was the ultimate goal. However, when I started teaching as a surf coach, I realized that most people learning to surf are in a completely different reality. Some just want to experience surfing, while others, especially those learning as adults, will never have the chance to become pros due to the different learning curve. Despite this, many still focus heavily on their technique and performance.
Everyone wants to perform well, but surfing takes a long time to improve. If the focus is solely on technique or performance, it often leads to frustration. To address this, we integrated the 4 Co-Active Model into our coaching, which encompasses technical, tactical, psychological, and physical aspects. This brought more dimensions to our coaching and benefited our students, but we found it still wasn’t enough. The performance-driven mindset continued to overshadow the broader and more enriching aspects of surfing, leading to ongoing frustration.
As a coach we need to help our surfers to achieve their goals but most important we should help them defining realistic and meaningful goals. Their goals. And the goals different form person to person but mainly they wanted to be better surfers. So we define our tagline to – we coach people to be better surfers.
But this led me to a critical question: what does it mean to be a better surfer?
What does it mean to be a better surfer?
This question guided my exploration over two years, seeking a more objective and specific understanding to better assist my students. Traditionally, the idea of being a better surfer is tied to performance: mastering waves, showcasing superior technique, and achieving competitive success. However, surfing is much more than that.
When I was a kid, I heard a quote that said,
“The best surfer is the one that is having the most fun.”
Nowadays, I believe this even more. But surfing is also more than just having fun.
Surfing encompasses a vast array of experiences and passions. It drives us, pushing us to conquer, discover, and venture into new adventures, providing adrenaline and a sense of belonging. Surfing gives us something to look forward to, offering accomplishments, confronting fears, dealing with frustrations, and evoking a range of emotions such as happiness, sadness, hope, motivation, and ecstasy. It teaches us to adapt to changing conditions and challenges us to know ourselves better. Surfing also develops our physical capabilities, our skills, and encourages us to question our values, emphasizing responsibility, respect, and integrity.
Moreover, surfing extends beyond the individual to communities and the environment. It allows us to connect with nature and other humans, helping us organize our lives around natural rhythms and relate to a diverse, intersecting community.
After much reflection, I realized that the impact of surfing and the definition of a good surfer are very subjective and vary from person to person. So, the key is to forget the broad and universal definition of a good surfer and focus on the relationship each individual has with surfing. The most important aspect is the quality and sustainability of a surfer’s relationship with the sport, encompassing what they take from and give to surfing.
The BackYARD Method is built on this understanding. We believe that the better the relationship with surfing, the better the surfer.
The BackYARD Method: Fostering a Quality and Sustainable Relationship with Surfing
The BackYARD Method aims to ensure that surfers have a quality and sustainable relationship with surfing. This involves two main components: what surfing gives to you and what you give to surfing.
What Surfing Gives to You
Surfing is more than a sport; it is a way of life that offers numerous benefits and enriches our lives in various ways. It challenges you to push your limits, face your fears, and overcome obstacles, fostering personal growth and resilience. Being in the ocean connects you with the natural world, promoting a sense of peace and mindfulness, and allowing you to appreciate the beauty and power of nature.
Surfing fosters a sense of community and camaraderie, bringing people together and creating lasting friendships. It encourages exploration and adventure, inspiring you to travel to new places, experience different cultures, and surf various waves around the world. The thrill of catching a wave and the joy of being in the water provide endless fun and excitement, contributing to overall happiness and well-being.
Regular surfing can offer a sense of structure and routine, providing balance and stability in your life. It can also be a powerful outlet for stress relief, helping you to manage emotions and maintain mental health. Furthermore, surfing is a full-body workout that improves strength, endurance, flexibility, and cardiovascular health.
What You Give to Surfing
Your relationship with surfing is not only about what you receive but also about what you contribute. By sharing your passion for surfing, you can inspire and motivate others to take up the sport and enjoy its benefits. How you treat others in the water reflects your respect for fellow surfers and the surfing culture, and practicing good surf etiquette helps maintain a positive and cooperative atmosphere.
Sharing your knowledge and experience with others, especially beginners, contributes to the growth and development of the surfing community. Being a positive presence in the lineup and helping to maintain order contribute to a better surfing experience for everyone. Protecting the ocean and beaches by practicing sustainable habits and participating in conservation efforts ensures that future generations can enjoy surfing.
Engaging in the sport’s culture and traditions helps preserve the rich history and values of surfing. Supporting local surf events, businesses, and initiatives strengthens the surfing community. Getting involved in local surf clubs, participating in beach cleanups, and advocating for coastal preservation are ways to give back to the community that supports your surfing lifestyle.
By focusing on these two aspects, the backYARD Method helps surfers improve their relationship with surfing, enhancing both what they give and what they receive from the sport. This approach ensures a positive, enriching, and lasting connection with surfing.
The BackYARD Method is designed to cultivate a deeper, more meaningful relationship with surfing. It encourages surfers to appreciate the holistic benefits of the sport while also recognizing their role in fostering a supportive, respectful, and sustainable surfing community. By balancing what surfing gives to you and what you give back, the backYARD Method promotes a healthy and fulfilling surfing journey.
The Cornerstone of Our Coaching Philosophy
The BackYARD Method is the cornerstone of our coaching philosophy—a unique and innovative coaching strategy that redefines what it means to excel in surfing. Our method goes beyond performance, focusing on the holistic development of each surfer and their dynamic relationship with the sport. The idea behind the backYARD Method is to help surfers build a lasting and quality relationship with surfing, where they can fully appreciate its benefits and positively contribute to the surfing community and environment. By fostering this balanced exchange, we ensure that surfers not only improve their skills but also enrich their lives and the lives of those around them, creating a sustainable and fulfilling surfing journey.
Words by Afonso Tornelli
