I remember starting out as a young teen (decades ago) in a humble wave zone and how much fun i had just falling and going again.. no movies, no ratings. It was the presence of waves that motivated me, not comparative performance. Every session i felt a new sensation coming from tuning into the act more each time, based purely on stoke. If i saw a good surfer i simply marveled at how uncanny and tuned in their surfing was, showing me the possibilities. It wasn't about "return on investment", it was about "oh wow there's waves, i'm out there" for the cosmic vibe hidden in those curls. Now i'm into Ombe because i agree with the subtleties of "body english" and timing as paramount to enjoyment, and i'm still unlocking those avenues into the energy. Thanks Ombe.
Very brave and humble Nico! Your self-awareness is the best tool to turn out the situation and you were shredding man. Looking forward to surf with you guys
The same thing happened to me when I went to waco. Wave pools are a lot harder than they look. I was also riding a short board which I shouldn't have. Next I will probably use a long board.
Took me a fair amount of sessions at The Wave in Bristol before I came away with a smile. It’s very intimidating at first and mindset is everything. Everyone wants you to have a good surf and missing a few waves is no biggie in the grand scheme of things. Look for bundles and offers to bring the cost down.
I had my first session (cruiser lesson) at Urban on Wednesday. I missed my first wave, which was a little embarrassing, but had a great time learning from John. This is a great place for beginner-intermediates and above. I’ve been surfing somewhat regularly for a year. Going back for a second lesson on Sunday!
I’m at the tail end of an injury and I’m looking forward to surfing again. I’ve never surfed in a wave pool but I’ve become obsessed with them. This summer I plan to give it a go. So happy to see this first. Thanks!
Land training is fine but it is not the same. Yet surfskating a bowl is really helpful. Now the time in the water is the way to crystallize all training. I have started surfing August of 2021 and i spent many many hours in the water. Now I am doing bottom turns, too turns and round house cut backs always in waves 2 to 5 feet. I am 43 yo. I started watching OMBE channel back when I started amd throughout my journey. I am convinced that the time actually surfing is what has given me the progress. Since when I was 18 yo I tried for a year only in the weekends and never got to pop up. Now after a few months of 6 hrs days of surfing at times 5 times a week, I was dropping late and now there are session where I would catch many waves and don't fall once on my pop up. Reading the Ocean is cutial and there is no way around it and one can only learn that, even unconsciously, in the water. Land training helps, no doubt, yet wave riding time is the best. Glad to see Ant again! I like that man, has a big Heart. Thank you OMBE
Agreed, but people don't have the time. Families, jobs, businesses, etc. You are a very fortunate individual, but what about those who love surfing and don't have the time because life gets in the way?
I appreciate this video, its corageous of you. As an average surfer myself, i also have high expectations that are difficult to meet. Even if my surfing may not be as fluid and powerful as i want, surfing is my favorite sport. Lets have fun being the best average joes we can :)
Thanks for sharing, I have always thought that surfing is not easy but videos like this motivate me to try. I hope you have time one day to share tips 🤙🏼
Way to stay with it bro! You’re getting it and most of the hard work is over. Learning to drive the wave left and right is your next level, and once you add the power of the back foot there will be no stopping you! Lol. Thanks for sharing. Keep charging amigo!
good advice for happiness in many areas - lower your expectations - sometimes we over think, or demand more than what is required for a good experience and in reality it is a lot less.
I surfed Bristol about 18 months ago and couldn’t work out the wave at all. I’m going again in a few months time,I’ll take your advice on board. Thanks
Loved the video thanks for sharing! I feel it's fair to say your improved level of fitness and increased cardio from training for an iron man would have made a huge impact for you as I know that my technique goes out the window when I'm unfit, I'll fall more often, catch less waves, get frustrated. But when I take time to exercise and run or ride a spin bike all of that seems to fade away.
Nice Nico! Last time i was at URBN i literally was not prepared at all and was almost thinking it was not the right time to go, but i thought, stuff it. I would say im a mid level beginner (If thats a thing). I probably had the best surf ive ever had! I had been to URBN before and almost hated it as i could not for the life of me pop up. This last time at URBN i caught, got to my feet and rode out 90% of waves. Cant wait to go back
Excellent take on surfing Nico. Bit hard on yourself as you naturally feel the pressure at Urbn first session with everyone watching and you tend to over think it. It’s a tricky take off but once you find the right start position it’s a blast. Kind regards Phil from Melbourne
I would say I had a similar experience although it was not at a wave pool but a booked session at a local beach break. Waves were pumping, gentle offshore, 0.6mt to 1mt soft crumbly waves: basically the perfect progressing beginner landscape. Except it wasn't. To be honest, it was probably the closest thing to a nightmare. After a couple of waves, I had the plan to start working on angling the takeoff and going down the line. Then I nosedived and missed a very good wave; I told to myself: "well, this should never happen again. I want to impress my coach and let him see what I can do!". So I moved back a little bit on the board and started losing a lot of waves. Moved forward again but since I was looking at my board nose guess what: nosedived again. The rest of the session was just rinse and repeat, with me coach sending me out of the water 30 minutes before the finishing. I don't know what happened, but my brain stopped working and it was like I didn't remember nothing about the (few) things I knew. Last waves I couldn't even popup without immediately falling off. I decided I hated the spot and promise I wouldn't ever surf there again. Few months later, despite my promise, I was back at it because there wasn't anything else surf-able nearby and I wanted to stay in the water no matter what. And I had one of my best session with the longest ride ever and my first sloppy bottom turns. I guess the takeaway is: if you are focused on what your goals are, lower your expectations to a realistic level and you accept you will fail in the process you will definitely have more fun no matter what. Enjoying the process is way better than satisfying our ego: mind is our friend, but it can be our worst enemy. Stay safe and happy waves everyone, Best!
Have been to the wavepool multiple times. There are times where I rip (on a low level) and times where I suck just as described here. My 50 cent: choose a session which is rather below your level of surfing, forget about the money spent and then relax.
Thanks so much for sharing this video. I have had a very similar experience. I've been surfing for about the same length of time and I have been to URBN Surf once, about 12 months ago.. I too struggled with the take off of the intermediate sessions. It took me until my 4th session to start to make some progress. I also think it is very different to the ocean. Once the sets start coming, I felt quite rushed trying to get into the right take off spot and I never really relaxed. I'm planning to go back shortly. I keep wondering if will have the same difficulties this time. I also wonder if last time I was a bit 'under gunned' volume wise, so will be taking boards with a bit more volume this time. But, I do think I was a bit too 'in my head' as well. It's hard not to have high expectations for all the reasons you mentioned. Anyway, I'll try to channel your 2nd experience. Cheers.
Awesome Roger! Absolutely man, it's hard to manage expectations and for the second time in the wave pool I just naturally was not expecting anything. I'm not saying the key to successfully surfing that wave pool is to don't give a sh#@%t but it definitely helps.
My first session or 2 at the Bristol pool went terribly. It takes a while to figure out the best take off zone and angle for yourself/your board and get used to the pressure and flow of the take off. Now I've been loads of time I barely even think about it and have no problems. It's an amazing tool for improving once you get it dialed in.
Hey Roger Being local I have been to Urbn surf a number of times for intermediate and progressive turns. The take off spot is the trickiest part but if you start at the most forward line & about 1.5m off the wall you will be sweet. Don’t have to paddle as much but angle towards the restaurant. Good luck Phil
If you are not catching waves, swap to a bigger board. Your paddle was too weak and balance too off and should have had a bigger board. Surfing a wave pool for the first time will be difficult enough, so more volume will always offset the handicap.
Lol you dropped down to an even smaller board? Why didn't you start with a longboard or egg? I think this was more of a functional problem than mental. Freshwater is less buoyant and the takeoff is different so a bigger board would have helped.
Clayton, I have been surfing the wave pool at Waco Texas lately and I would like that you conduct an assessment about my surfing skills and let me know what I need to improve and what I'm doing right. I suggest you to take a look a video in my channel LOCOS SURF called Surflloween. I have some struggles riding rights, you can use that video too to explain to your community the things that I'm doing wrong. Wavepools are an excellent place to improve the skills
I had exact same first session at a wave pool and I am scared to go back. I wonder if there were any specific advice that you got for the pop ups that changed everything, or did you not think about that at all?
If you are doing a lot of cycling you must strengthen and stretch your lower body .looking at you at the start you were struggling to get to your feet.
don't talk so bad about your surf style dude! I can't agree more. stop thinking! but I guess for that, you must know the experience to be stucked inside your brain. wich is definitely the opposite from reality 😂 thx for sharing your experience!
Wave pools might be a good way to practice but they are not fun. They are very frustrating and discouraging for some. The beauty of surfing is the ocean. The stoke comes crom Playing with the elements of nature Man made things are just that artificial.
@ombe Do you think he should have been on a bigger board to help him from bogging? What do think could have helped him gain more speed initially? @Ombesurf
I remember starting out as a young teen (decades ago) in a humble wave zone and how much fun i had just falling and going again.. no movies, no ratings. It was the presence of waves that motivated me, not comparative performance. Every session i felt a new sensation coming from tuning into the act more each time, based purely on stoke. If i saw a good surfer i simply marveled at how uncanny and tuned in their surfing was, showing me the possibilities. It wasn't about "return on investment", it was about "oh wow there's waves, i'm out there" for the cosmic vibe hidden in those curls. Now i'm into Ombe because i agree with the subtleties of "body english" and timing as paramount to enjoyment, and i'm still unlocking those avenues into the energy. Thanks Ombe.
Very brave and humble Nico! Your self-awareness is the best tool to turn out the situation and you were shredding man. Looking forward to surf with you guys
Thanks man! Come anytime!
The same thing happened to me when I went to waco. Wave pools are a lot harder than they look. I was also riding a short board which I shouldn't have. Next I will probably use a long board.
Lower your expectations, prepare to fail and get back up again, great Nico, an excellent video, thanks for sharing your experiences. 💪
Thank you so much Pedro!
Took me a fair amount of sessions at The Wave in Bristol before I came away with a smile. It’s very intimidating at first and mindset is everything. Everyone wants you to have a good surf and missing a few waves is no biggie in the grand scheme of things. Look for bundles and offers to bring the cost down.
I had my first session (cruiser lesson) at Urban on Wednesday. I missed my first wave, which was a little embarrassing, but had a great time learning from John. This is a great place for beginner-intermediates and above. I’ve been surfing somewhat regularly for a year. Going back for a second lesson on Sunday!
Hey Mike, all the best for your next session. Thanks for watching.
Such a great video Nico, thanks for that 🤙 legend mate!!
Thanks, Jhonatan!
What a superb interview with pure gold advice and reflection. Thanks so much for sharing this
I’m at the tail end of an injury and I’m looking forward to surfing again. I’ve never surfed in a wave pool but I’ve become obsessed with them. This summer I plan to give it a go. So happy to see this first. Thanks!
Great video and message Nico. Just what I needed to hear heading into a new year of waves 😊
Land training is fine but it is not the same. Yet surfskating a bowl is really helpful. Now the time in the water is the way to crystallize all training. I have started surfing August of 2021 and i spent many many hours in the water. Now I am doing bottom turns, too turns and round house cut backs always in waves 2 to 5 feet. I am 43 yo. I started watching OMBE channel back when I started amd throughout my journey. I am convinced that the time actually surfing is what has given me the progress. Since when I was 18 yo I tried for a year only in the weekends and never got to pop up. Now after a few months of 6 hrs days of surfing at times 5 times a week, I was dropping late and now there are session where I would catch many waves and don't fall once on my pop up. Reading the Ocean is cutial and there is no way around it and one can only learn that, even unconsciously, in the water. Land training helps, no doubt, yet wave riding time is the best. Glad to see Ant again! I like that man, has a big Heart. Thank you OMBE
Agreed, but people don't have the time. Families, jobs, businesses, etc. You are a very fortunate individual, but what about those who love surfing and don't have the time because life gets in the way?
Really great to see a different face and voice. Good on you Nico for sharing.
I appreciate this video, its corageous of you. As an average surfer myself, i also have high expectations that are difficult to meet. Even if my surfing may not be as fluid and powerful as i want, surfing is my favorite sport. Lets have fun being the best average joes we can :)
Thanks for sharing, I have always thought that surfing is not easy but videos like this motivate me to try. I hope you have time one day to share tips 🤙🏼
Thanks a lot Nicolas!
Way to stay with it bro! You’re getting it and most of the hard work is over. Learning to drive the wave left and right is your next level, and once you add the power of the back foot there will be no stopping you! Lol. Thanks for sharing. Keep charging amigo!
good advice for happiness in many areas - lower your expectations - sometimes we over think, or demand more than what is required for a good experience and in reality it is a lot less.
Definitely more focus on being in the moment and have fun
I love this guy! Very humble and gentle. And better than he gives himself credit.
he has an accurate assessment of himself
Thanks, Nico. I'll stop surfing, do an Iron Man, and see how that helps my takeoff.
I surfed Bristol about 18 months ago and couldn’t work out the wave at all. I’m going again in a few months time,I’ll take your advice on board. Thanks
Loved the video thanks for sharing! I feel it's fair to say your improved level of fitness and increased cardio from training for an iron man would have made a huge impact for you as I know that my technique goes out the window when I'm unfit, I'll fall more often, catch less waves, get frustrated. But when I take time to exercise and run or ride a spin bike all of that seems to fade away.
I think the massage is try a different mindset 🤗
Thank you Silvia
You style is good bro! Fluid and cruisy. 🤙
The dreamers are saviors of world
Well done Nick , great video and so true . Thanks again for sharing totally believe what you are saying mindset is the gift with surfing
Nice Nico! Last time i was at URBN i literally was not prepared at all and was almost thinking it was not the right time to go, but i thought, stuff it. I would say im a mid level beginner (If thats a thing). I probably had the best surf ive ever had! I had been to URBN before and almost hated it as i could not for the life of me pop up. This last time at URBN i caught, got to my feet and rode out 90% of waves. Cant wait to go back
Excelente Nico, el paisaje,el mar las olas hacen de Australia el lugar perfecto para este deporte,ideal para cumplir tus sueños y fantacias .
Excellent take on surfing Nico. Bit hard on yourself as you naturally feel the pressure at Urbn first session with everyone watching and you tend to over think it.
It’s a tricky take off but once you find the right start position it’s a blast.
Kind regards
Phil from Melbourne
Muy bien Niko, sigue así de juicioso, eres un campeón!
Great advice!
El dueño de la vida guíe tus pasos y tus decisiones y te de experiencias fabulosas en las olas por las cuales viajas
Good video, a message everyone needs to hear.
Go Nico! This year you must surf more
I would say I had a similar experience although it was not at a wave pool but a booked session at a local beach break. Waves were pumping, gentle offshore, 0.6mt to 1mt soft crumbly waves: basically the perfect progressing beginner landscape.
Except it wasn't. To be honest, it was probably the closest thing to a nightmare. After a couple of waves, I had the plan to start working on angling the takeoff and going down the line. Then I nosedived and missed a very good wave; I told to myself: "well, this should never happen again. I want to impress my coach and let him see what I can do!". So I
moved back a little bit on the board and started losing a lot of waves. Moved forward again but since I was looking at my board nose guess what: nosedived again.
The rest of the session was just rinse and repeat, with me coach sending me out of the water 30 minutes before the finishing. I don't know what happened, but my brain stopped working and it was like I didn't remember nothing about the (few) things I knew. Last waves I couldn't even popup without immediately falling off. I decided I hated the spot and promise I wouldn't ever surf there again.
Few months later, despite my promise, I was back at it because there wasn't anything else surf-able nearby and I wanted to stay in the water no matter what. And I had one of my best session with the longest ride ever and my first sloppy bottom turns.
I guess the takeaway is: if you are focused on what your goals are, lower your expectations to a realistic level and you accept you will fail in the process you will definitely have more fun no matter what.
Enjoying the process is way better than satisfying our ego: mind is our friend, but it can be our worst enemy.
Stay safe and happy waves everyone,
Best!
Have been to the wavepool multiple times. There are times where I rip (on a low level) and times where I suck just as described here. My 50 cent: choose a session which is rather below your level of surfing, forget about the money spent and then relax.
Love it!!!! ❤🎉
Thank you Maria!
The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dream
Thanks so much for sharing this video. I have had a very similar experience. I've been surfing for about the same length of time and I have been to URBN Surf once, about 12 months ago.. I too struggled with the take off of the intermediate sessions. It took me until my 4th session to start to make some progress. I also think it is very different to the ocean. Once the sets start coming, I felt quite rushed trying to get into the right take off spot and I never really relaxed. I'm planning to go back shortly. I keep wondering if will have the same difficulties this time. I also wonder if last time I was a bit 'under gunned' volume wise, so will be taking boards with a bit more volume this time. But, I do think I was a bit too 'in my head' as well. It's hard not to have high expectations for all the reasons you mentioned. Anyway, I'll try to channel your 2nd experience. Cheers.
Awesome Roger! Absolutely man, it's hard to manage expectations and for the second time in the wave pool I just naturally was not expecting anything. I'm not saying the key to successfully surfing that wave pool is to don't give a sh#@%t but it definitely helps.
My first session or 2 at the Bristol pool went terribly. It takes a while to figure out the best take off zone and angle for yourself/your board and get used to the pressure and flow of the take off. Now I've been loads of time I barely even think about it and have no problems. It's an amazing tool for improving once you get it dialed in.
Hey Roger
Being local I have been to Urbn surf a number of times for intermediate and progressive turns. The take off spot is the trickiest part but if you start at the most forward line & about 1.5m off the wall you will be sweet. Don’t have to paddle as much but angle towards the restaurant.
Good luck
Phil
@@ombesurf Thanks again.
@@hammster8255 Hey Phil, thanks for the tips.
*Great insight on what nowadays is considered a somewhat controversial topic 🧠*
First Wavegarden experience is tough, for sure!
If you are not catching waves, swap to a bigger board. Your paddle was too weak and balance too off and should have had a bigger board. Surfing a wave pool for the first time will be difficult enough, so more volume will always offset the handicap.
Lower expectations, prepare to fail and get back again👍
That's it! Thanks Vane.
Lol you dropped down to an even smaller board? Why didn't you start with a longboard or egg? I think this was more of a functional problem than mental. Freshwater is less buoyant and the takeoff is different so a bigger board would have helped.
Clayton, I have been surfing the wave pool at Waco Texas lately and I would like that you conduct an assessment about my surfing skills and let me know what I need to improve and what I'm doing right. I suggest you to take a look a video in my channel LOCOS SURF called Surflloween. I have some struggles riding rights, you can use that video too to explain to your community the things that I'm doing wrong. Wavepools are an excellent place to improve the skills
I had exact same first session at a wave pool and I am scared to go back. I wonder if there were any specific advice that you got for the pop ups that changed everything, or did you not think about that at all?
Look at the line you want to take and not the board or the drop. Where you look is where you go
If you are doing a lot of cycling you must strengthen and stretch your lower body .looking at you at the start you were struggling to get to your feet.
don't talk so bad about your surf style dude!
I can't agree more. stop thinking! but I guess for that, you must know the experience to be stucked inside your brain. wich is definitely the opposite from reality 😂
thx for sharing your experience!
Is it just me or does it look like he was on a more difficult setting on his first trip?
Wave pools might be a good way to practice but they are not fun. They are very frustrating and discouraging for some. The beauty of surfing is the ocean. The stoke comes crom Playing with the elements of nature Man made things are just that artificial.
@ombe Do you think he should have been on a bigger board to help him from bogging? What do think could have helped him gain more speed initially? @Ombesurf
He absolutely needed a bigger board. He didn’t have the balance nor the paddle power. If you’re not catching waves, swap to a bigger board.