Surfcoaching –  a guide to identify quality coaching!

Surfcoaching – a guide to identify quality coaching!

You wanna learn how to surf, or improve your existing skills?

 

But where to start?? Woow, how much information is out there?? 

You sit down on your computer, you hammer surfschool or surfcoaching into Google, and then BANG, you are fully covered in loads of information. And yeah, all those surfcamps and surfschools, they look amazing. Great drone videos of people having a blast in the water, sunsets and good looking people on the beach. But hang on, does it say anything about coaching at all??

Most of the surfschools and surfcamps offer a lot more than only surflessons. There is accommodation, food and extra activities. All nicely shown on their websites. But do they say anything about the way they teach you how to surf and improve?? And where do you find this important information?

 

We have put together a LITTE GUIDE on how to find out what sort of surfcoaching quality your choosen surfcamp/surfschool is actually offering. Here we go:

 

  • 1. STUDENT – INSTRUCTOR RATIO

In most countries there are strict regulations on how many students per instructor are allowed in the water. Here in Spain its 8-1 for example. As surfschools tend to be serious businesses nowadays you can be sure that most of the schools will max out this ratio. You found a school that offers max 5 students per instructor? Great, that´s a good sign for being serious about their coaching quality.

That´s our coaching group of last years surfcoaching trip to Ireland. Small group, empty line-ups, the improvements were unreal!!

 

 

  • 2. COACHING OUTSIDE THE WATER (e.g. video analysis or theory)

Many people limit good surfcoaching to commenting every single wave. Well, that´s one part of coaching but there is so much more. Direct feedback is only one little piece of the puzzle. Put the puzzle together and it will get so much more efficient. The website of your desired surfschool offers video analysis? Surf theory lessons? That´s great, again, another sign for good coaching. However, often what´s stated on the website isn´t really put into practice. Most of the times it really depends on the instructor itself. Before booking, contact the surfschool and ask how often they actually do these out of the water activities. You might be surprised by their answer. Opt for a school that promises to include these coaching techniques on a regular basis.

This is what a quality photo analysis can look like.

 

  • 3. ONLINE REVIEWS (e.g. Tripadvisor or Google)

Online reviews are fantastic. They can tell you what´s been going on at the surfcamp you want to visit. Tripadvisor and such give customers a chance to rate their experience. Often do customers praise the place because they had a good time but sometimes serious issues are highlighted. Scan the negative feedback first, any comments about bad/missing coaching? Nothing, then move one to the positive reviews. They will surely tell you about how much fun they had etc but check for any comments about the actual coaching. Anything that sticks out? One particular instructor? A specific course??

Take your time to read quite a few of them and see if it says anything valuable to you. Nothing about coaching at all?? Maybe check another surfschool, even if their website might not look as fancy as the one you picked. Little tip: it´s mostly the smaller surfschools that have their focus on quality teaching! Make the effort and check them out as well!

Can you find the hidden information about NOMB Surf´s coaching in the Facebook review of one of our happy customers? 🙂

 

We hope that this little guide helps you finding a surfcamp/surfschool that is serious about surfcocaching. Sure, surfing is about having fun and surfholidays, as they say, are about relaxing and having a great time. But if you decide to combine your holidays with learning how to surf, make sure you pick a surfschool that not only offers quality coaching but also keeps it´s promises. This little guide can help you identify what´s really happening on the coaching side of a surfcamp.

 

Here at NOMB Surf we truly believe in the significance and efficiency of personalized surfcoaching. Over and over it amazes us to see how quality coaching boosts the surfing level of our customers. Our surfcoaching trips are fully focused on coaching, with a max number of 6 surfstudents. We go even further at our homebase Fuerteventura, where we offer only Private Coachings. Just you and your surfcoach!

Sounds good, doesn´t it?? Then check what´s happening next at NOMB Surf and hopefully we will have the pleasure to coach you one day!

 

Sea you in the water soon!

Your NOMB Surfteam

 

 

Next Trip: Ireland Intense, November 2018!

Next Trip: Ireland Intense, November 2018!

November, yeah!!

That´s a month the NOMB Surfteam is really looking forward to. November means Ireland, and Ireland means epic waves and empty line-ups!

 

For the third year in a row we offer a coldwater surfcoaching trip to Ireland. And so far Ireland has never disappointed us. On the contrary, we keep discovering new waves and adventures. Our local guide, Good Old Lee, makes sure that we won´t get bored and happily shares his breaks with us. Legend!

That´s Good Old Lee doing what he loves doing most.. Shredding!

Normally our trips to Ireland were run as Surf-Holidays. That´s our perfect mix of surfing and relaxing time. But voices were getting louder, wanting more surfing time so we deliver: Ireland Intense 2018 will be run as a Intensive Surfcamp. Woohoo! One surfcoaching session per day and also a freesurf session. That´s if muscles and conditions allow of course. By the end we always listen to the ocean, and our bodies.

So how exactly does it work, this Ireland Intense Trip?? Well, here is a quick overview:

  • Getting picked up in Dublin
  • Supermarket run on the way to our homebase
  • Checking into our homebase
  • Getting ready to hit the water
  • Safety Introduction & general information
  • Handing out of surf equipment
  • First surfcoaching session
  • Personal intro sessions with head surfcoach Angie
  • Welcome dinner prepared by our campchef Basti
  • Sneaky welcome drink
  • Sleep

 

That´s day 1 done. And what´s next?? How about surf? And surf? And even more surf??

Just like NOMB Surfer Thomas was doing it on last years trip. Nice wave, hey!

All our surfcoaching trips are care-free trips. Everything is organized for you. All YOU need to do is surf, eat and sleep. Repeat.

You wake up, a delicious breakfast is ready and waiting for you when you get out of your bed in our cozy house.

The best surfspot for the day is being picked for you.

Coaching instructions for you to improve rapidly are being laid out.

A warm snack is waiting for you when you get out of the water.

Your freesurf session will be guided so you won´t get into trouble.

A warm fire will be cracked up for you once back in the house after a long surf day.

And after a warm shower a hearty and healthy dinner will nearly be ready.

Surftheory and also photo/video analysises will be prepared for you to keep boosting your surfing.

The sofas are waiting for you to come and chill on them in front of the fireplace.

Sometimes, a yoga session will be organized so you can sit on the sofas at night even more relaxed..

 

That´s the 2016 Irish NOMB Surfcrew chilling after a long day out in the ocean back in our house ´James Palace´.

And after one week of care-free surfing, all YOU need to do now is say goodbye to our little cold water paradise, and start dreaming about coming back next year! That´s how the NOMB Surfteam does is every year 😉

If you are up for your own cold water challenge and want to improve your surfing through professional and personalized surfcoaching, than do not wait to book your surfspace on this great trip to Northwest Ireland. Hurry up because spaces are filling up quickly.

Here you can find more info about Ireland Intense 2018, or simply email us on [email protected].

Sign up to our newsletter & stay tuned for more crazy info to be released!

 

Sea you in the water soon!

Your NOMB Surfteam

 

 

#Tripnotes Groove on Galicia: Ohhh my god…

#Tripnotes Groove on Galicia: Ohhh my god…

…. there are waves!!!! And sooo many of them!! In all shapes and sizes!!

 

That´s how lucky our NOMB Surfcrew was on our recent surfcoaching trip to Galicia. Everything from small & glassy to big & powerful.  14 days of surfing, double session most of the days  = looooads of waves for everyone.

Head surfcoach Angie and local guides Ramon (aka the surfing pirat) and Josh (aka KungFuPanda) picked a certain beach every day, depending on the conditions and on what the headcoach had in mind for the group. At the beginning of the trip Angie sat down with every NOMB Surfer and identified specific reachable goals on what to improve. The Atlantic Ocean presented itself with beautiful small but glassy conditions. Perfect to work on the timing and gliding in the wave.

Check out campchef Lovely Lindis enjoying a sneaky righthander.. Small but beautiful! (don´t ask about the beanie..)

Speaking of Campchef Lindis. She made sure that after all the surfing the NOMB Surfers recharged their batteries. Lindis spoilt the crew with power breakfasts, including fresh juices and smoothies, Swiss style Roestis, eggs, pancakes and other fresh goodies. Important to mention is the tasty Galician ´tit-cheese´, the base of our breakfasts. No joke, it´s really called like this. It´s like a giant Babybell in form of a female breast. So jummy!

Dinners were super tasty, too. Loads of beans (proteins), salads, pasta, meat, risotto, fresh fish, Barbecue… Just to name some of the delicious dishes Lindies prepared. Not to forget the deserts. The desert highlight was definately the chocolate mouse. Like spooning chocolate. What a treat!

One night the NOMB Surfcrew got all dressed up and set out for a dinner in nearby O Grove. They found a sweet little restaurant located right on the Ria (one of the inlets that divide Galicia into different parts) and enjoyed a fantastic meal of fresh seafood, loads of tapas and a suuper delicious desert. Big smiles all over the surfed out faces!!

Surfed out you think?? Yeah, this NOMB Surfcoaching Trip was even more about surfing then usually. Groove On Galicia was run as a 14 days intensive surfcamp. Most of the days the crew surfed twice. Plus surftheory and photo analysis to back it all up. The results of the group were incredible. More than once surfcoach Angie found herself screaming in pure excited on the beach when seeing her students advance to the next level.

Dedication, concentration and fun are the most important factors if you want to improve your surfing. Angie made sure that the motivational levels stayed up. Frustration sometimes is hard to handle when expectations are too high. That´s why the group was briefed to enter each surf session with low expectations. And it worked!!

After soo much surfing a layday was decided, to relax body&mind. Well, the relaxing layday didn´t really work out like planned. With half the group joining Angie for an early bird surf session 😉 Turned out to be the right decicion, After a late breakfast the crew set out to explore a bit of Galicia. NOMB Surfer Casper found a great route called the ´Route of the water and stones´, following a little creek up through some lush forests. It was a beautiful hike that ended at a chapel, where the crew rested and found out that they had walked part of the Way of St. James. A little bonus to this beautiful walk. The NOMB Surfcrew wouldn´t be the NOMB Surfcrew if there hadn´t been a little big of daily ´Schabernacking´.. hihihi.. Check out Lindis, Christine and Angie trying to jump over this old statute. Hands up who think they made it??

Back to the ocean. During the 14 days the crew surfed different spots. Starting small to optimize technique and timing, then growing in wavesize to gain more confidence. The local guides Ramon&Josh made sure to bring the group to the best spots with the best conditions. Often the break just around the corner was great to surf, sometimes the crew travelled further up the coast and spend the day surfing and chilling one Ria more north.

When conditions looked great for nearby Portugal the NOMB Surfers were ready to get up early and make the drive south. They were greeted with challenging waves, and a little rain and wind. No problem at all for the crew, motivation levels were high and everyone accepted the challenge. And we are talking close-out bomb.. That´s how NOMB Surfer Annette ended up with the nickname Annette-Bombette, woohoo!

That´s surfing. Sometimes you need to touch your limits, and cross them, in order to improve. And the whole group did great, everyone made it into the line-up and caught waves. NOMB Surfer Christine, who started surfing at that same beach, left the water impressed with herself and her new surfing skills. Well done, Christine!

The second session was a little less challenging, even though it involved a lot of paddling. That´s the NOMB Surfers in Portuguese waters!

Groove On Galicia 2018 has been a total success!!

Thanks to the great group of NOMB Surfers. It´s amazing to see how surfing brings together amazing people from every corner of the world. Thanks for joining us: Annette, Casper, Christine, Dani, Thomas and Ross! You guys rock!!

Big thanks as well to our local guys from Ocean Squad Surfacademy, can´t wait to share more waves and Schabernack with you next year!!

Last but not least a big Merci to campchef Lindis! Not only for her cooking adventures but also for her crazy spirit! Hope to have you on more NOMB Surftrips in the future!

Have a great summer, past and future NOMB Surfers, go out & explore and find yourself your own little gem (like NOMB Surfer Dani in this pic).

Stay tunes to the NOMB Surfnews (best sign up for our newsletter), there are big news on the horizon. Woohoo!

 

Sea you in the water soon!

Your NOMB Surfteam

 

PS: Wanna see more pics of this fantastic trip? Head to our Facebook page and enjoy!

 

 

NOMB Surftrip Series: #2 The desert does magic

NOMB Surftrip Series: #2 The desert does magic

Welcome back to our surftrip series. This time it will take you to Fuerteventura, the most incredible of the Canary Islands.

We are in love with Fuerteventura and it´s magic, that´s why the NOMB Surf headquater is based here. Fuerteventura is the lowest and therefore the driest of the Canary Islands. You probably think that there isn´t much going on in terms of lush forests and vegetation but surprisingly you can still tell the seasons apart and see how the desert landscape changes. Check out those little funny plants that we discovered while checking the waves on our recent surftrip.

 

 

But back to our roadtrip. It was one of those trips where a friend calls you to tell you that the conditions are going to be epic and that you really, really, really have to come. So you check with work, put your boards on your car, pack some blankets, wood, food and water (and a sneaky bottle of wine for the campfire), call another motivated friend and you and your dog are ready to go! Heading where?? No idea really, you will see once you get there.

Being based in the North of Fuerteventura we decided to head south. Good music, great conversations and a lot of laughter, we were all hyped up to jump into the water. The new swell wasn´t due to arrive until midnight so imagine us being stoked to find some of the spots firing already. Chilling out at a bonfire watching the stars, we tried to calm down and not expect too much. But let me tell you, waking up in the morning was like Christmas and your birthday all in one. The word epic doesn´t even do justice to what had arrived overnight! That´s our view waking up in the car.

 

 

Looks small you think?’ Well, double overhead might have been an understatement for some of the sets that hit the reef. Sure we have traveled quite a bit, and sure we have seen a wave or two in this world, but this morning was definitely one to remember.

Maybe it was the perfect mix of great waves, good friends and empty line-ups but this short roadtrip reminded me of the essence of surfing: being grateful for what we have and sharing the stoke!!

Let´s hope that, in days when surfing is being consumed rather than lived, the original spirit doesn´t get lost!! We here at NOMB Surf believe in the beauty of our sport and feel honored being able to live a life close to the ocean. The love for mother nature and the ocean is one of the core believes of our surfcoaching trips, and we try to bring it across to all our NOMB surfers. If you wanna share our believes, why not join us on one of our upcoming surfcoaching trips?

 

Sea you in the water soon!

Your NOMB Surfteam

Next Trip: Groove on Galicia, May 2018!

Next Trip: Groove on Galicia, May 2018!

Get your groove on in Galicia!! Yeaah!! That´s the motto of our next Surfcoaching Trip. Not long to go and the NOMB Surfcrew will rock the Spanish Northwestcoast.

Some details wanted about our 2 weeks surftrip??

Timeframe: 19/05 – 02/06/2018  Surfspaces still available: 4 of 6  Surflevel: advanced beginner – advanced intermediate

What´s included in the first ever NOMB Intensive Surfcamp! Here we go:

  • daily professional surfcoaching
  • daily guided freesurf session (if your arms still work)
  • shared accommodation (twin or double room) in a great house walking distance from our homebreak
  • superb power breakfast & crazy tasty dinner cooked by NOMB Surfchef Linda
  • transport from/to meeting point in Santiago de Compostella
  • all transport to the surfspots
  • yoga sessions to stretch your battered muscles

 

  • a lot of surftheory to get your mind into ocean mode
  • the best local surfguides
  • rest days which you can either use to simply chill or explore Galicia
  • surf equipment if needed
  • 3 months NOMB Surffitness Preparation Program
  • NOMB Surf goodies bag
  • looooads of waves and even more laughters! Plus new friends and unforgettable memories!!

 

So how does it work, a NOMB Surfcoaching Trip? Well, it´s really easy to be honest. Sign up for one and book your travel ticket to be at the meeting point in time. Everything else will be organized for you.

All YOU need to do on a NOMB Surftrip is surf, surf, surf, and have a hell of a time!

A NOMB Surfday starts with a power breakfast during which the group is getting briefed on the conditions and program of the day. During the day we surf, learn about surfing and the ocean, analyse your surfing through video&photo analysis, surf a little bit more and then finish the day with a freshly cooked delicious dinner. A glass of local wine or an icecold beer, watching some stars, going asleep.

Only to wake up and do it all over again!..

 

You see, there´s a lot of surfing involved. Isn´t that great?? We here at NOMB Surf are suuuper excited to start our first ever 14 days intensive surfcamp! If that´s no reason to celebrate!! That´s why we throw in a NOMB Surf goodie bag for every surfer that joins us on this fantastic surftrip to northern Spain.

Hooked on the idea of surfing heaps for a couple of weeks?? Good news is that there are still a few surfspaces available. Bad news is that they book up really quickly. So get in touch asap and secure your surfspace.

More info about ´Groove On Galicia´ can be found here! We are counting the days!

 

Sign up to our newsletter & stay tuned for more crazy info to be released!

Sea you in the water soon!

Your NOMB Surfteam

 

Surffitness – a fancy word but how does it work?

Surffitness – a fancy word but how does it work?

Being a landlocked surfer sucks! No waking up to the sound of the ocean. No sunset surf session in bright colors. No finding of your balance by staring at the horizon. But hey, the next surfholiday is not too far away.

So you have booked your tickets, tried on your wetsuit at home (just to make sure it still fits) and just for fun tried a few take-offs to get into the mood. And once in a sudden you realize that your fitness & strength levels are round about zero. So you start thinking about the muscles pain from your last surftrip, and the missing endurance to spend more than 1 1/2hrs per day out in the ocean. Surffitness, that´s the key you think. You run into your local gym and they offer Drysurf classes and all that fancy stuff. You sign yourself into some quite expensive courses, to only realize that the whole so called surffitness hasn´t got much to do with surfing at all. So you start checking the internet. And you find looooooads of information. But where to start??

Let us help you with a little guide through surffitness. Look at NOMB Surf, N-ature O-cean M-mind B-body. The 4 pillars that make you live and surf in balance and to your full potential. Nature and ocean are out of your reach while being landlocked, but your body and mind are there, 24/7. And are ready to be prepared?

Our mind is often overlooked. Personal issues and stress at work are part of everyone´s life. But are you actually doing anything to change those negative energies around you? You don´t like your job? Well, change it. You are not happy in your relationship? Well, change it. It´s easy said but it´s also easy done. Isn´t life about being happy? Once you try to get to the roots of your troubled mind, you might find out that solutions for everything are out there, and that noone apart from you can make decisions for you. How do they say? Free your mind, and the rest will follow 😉

Preparing your body is a little bit more tricky. But not impossible. Allow yourself at least 12 weeks to get back into shape. So where to start? Let´s devide your body preparation into three main parts:

 1. Aerobic training (swimming and running)

2. Basic mobility & flexibility exercises

3. Basic strength (core & plyometric) workouts

Now that you know what you are looking for the information available online is a lot more clearer. Swimming and running programs are openly available. Or sign into a couple of classes with a professional swimming or running instructor and get some advice.

Basic mobility and flexibility exercises can be found for free on Youtube and you can make them part of your watching TV routine.

To improve your strength, especially in the core area, scan the internet for surfstrength exercises. Surfstrengthcoach Cris Mills offers some really great exercises. You can either buy his complete training program or take advantage of his Youtube channel. Plyometric doesn´t mean much to you? It basically means you want your muscles to exert maximum power in very short intervals of time, a take-off for example. Best way to prepare your take-offs? A take-off straight out of a push-up. Check out plyometric expert Dani showing you how to do it:

Our NOMB Surftrips are designed for your to boost your surfing. The most efficient surfcoaching trips we offer are our intensive surfcamps and adventure surftrips. Included in the trippackage of those two is a 3 months fitness preparation programm. That´s right! Not only do we coach and guide you during the trip, we also give you a structured fitnessplan to prepare. And guess what? Right, after the trip you will receive your own detailed feedback about the achievements during the trip, plus extra excercises to improve back home.

Sounds good to you?? Then do not hesitate but sign in for our next surftip ´Groove On Galicia´, a 14 days intensive surfcamp to the Northwest coast of Spain.

Good luck with your surffitness, sea you in the water soon.

Your NOMB Surfteam