Surf Asylum

Filipe Toledo and Ryota Matsushita:

1) Gaining speed: Whether it’s simply using gravity in Filipe’s case or finishing one last pump in Ryota’s case power surfing requires speed. They have most likely already identified the section at this point.

2) Getting low and reaching for the wave: Both surfers seem to be opting for a mid-face bottom turn rather than a deep bottom turn.

3) Winding up and springing out of the bottom turn: Both surfers throw their back arm back and lead toward the section with their front arm or shoulder. If their shoulders were roughly perpendicular to their stringer in the previous frames they have become parallel to their stringer or a few degrees past parallel across the stringer here.

4) Beginning the heel side top turn: Both surfers have straight front legs and bent back legs. Their leading front arm is relaxed the back arm is over the toe side rail for balance.

5) Opening up the arms: As both surfers reach for the water in the direction they are headed they open up their arms to create a turning axis and get a bit of extension as their back arm creates space from the back foot. The extension is more prominent with Filipe, Ryota may be nursing the turn a little given the much smaller wave and lack of a trailer fin.

6) Anchoring the leading arm in the wave face and bringing the back arm forward: Both surfers have their leading arm relaxed and planted in the wave face bringing the trailing arm and shoulder across the body allows for powerful rotation.

7) Beginning the follow through: As both surfers start to compress they bring their trailing arm and shoulder more fully forward and across their body in the direction their board is headed.

8) Finishing the follow through: The exaggerated follow through is mainly due to how long they hold the water with their leading arm. Both surfers are fully compressed with one arm over each rail for balance, leading arm still holding the wave face, and weight on the front foot.

9) Switching the anchor or pivot arm: Both surfers reach for the water with their trailing arm and start to shift their weight back to the tail to begin turning back down the line.

10) Weight on the back foot to re-engage the fins: As long as they come out of the maneuver with enough speed both surfers can shift their weight onto the back foot, re-engage the fins, and complete the turn back down the line.

11) Finish: surfers at this level tend to complete maneuvers in a relaxed posture that allows them to seamlessly transition into another turn.

Gabriel Medina’s take:

The following is Emily Moore’s favorite sequence from her Spring 2021 Surf League Homework extra credit. This sequence is a great illustration of a high level surfer looking at the top of the wave and then the bottom of the wave. Intermediate surfers do not have to try this maneuver above the lip. Using similar body mechanics on the face of the wave might lead to an exciting, fin drifting snap if executed properly or a reverse without the air which is an advanced maneuver you often see from Sally Fitzgibbons, Carissa Moore, Tatiana Weston-Webb and others.

1)Reaching for the wave, looking up (where she wants to go).

2)Winding up, shoulders facing the top of the wave.

3)Looking down (where she wants to go), shoulders halfway rotated back down, arms out like Caroline. A backside bottom turn and a frontside top turn are both heelside turns and often look very similar.

4)Looking down (where she wants to go), shoulders fully rotated back down.

5) Low with one hand on each side of the board in a position similar to our surf squats.

6) Still low to the board in order to ride out as cleanly as possible.

Below is Carissa Moore’s air from the WSL Newcastle event for a regular foot comparison. More height, slower rotation. If you are interested in seeing how similar body mechanics apply to a turn on the face of the wave check out Chauncey Robinson from the 2018 Florida Pro here.

In anticipation of surfing’s debut at the 2021 Olympics in Japan we thought we would share 4 videos of Japanese surfers surfing and competing in conditions similar to what we often experience in Florida.

Winter, surfer: Nanaho Tsuzuki

Zburh [Pocket], surfer: Naomi Kobayashi

Surfing Girl, surfers: Sara Wakita, Shino Matsuda, Mahina Maeda

Surfing, surfers: Kanoa Igarashi, Hiroto Ohhara, Shun Murakami

Homework:

Part 1) Choose one surfer featured in the videos above (Nanaho Tsuzuki, Naomi Kobayashi, Sara Wakita, Shino Matsuda, Mahina Maeda, Kanoa Igarashi, Hiroto Ohhara, or Shun Murakami) use 2 adjectives from the “Surfing Adjectives” list to describe their surfing. Example: Shun Murakami is Nimble and Powerful

Extra Credit) Come up with one adjective of your own, not on the list, to describe the surfer you chose.

Surfing Adjectives

Active, Agile, Aggressive, Bold, Beautiful, Brilliant, Calm, Carefree, Casual, Committed, Composed, Confident, Cool, Controlled, Creative, Dazzling, Elegant, Energetic, Exciting, Experimental, Fast, Fearless, Flamboyant, Flashy, Graceful, Imaginative, Innovative, Intense, Nimble, Offbeat, Polished, Powerful, Radical, Refined, Relaxed, Rhythmic, Smooth, Spontaneous, Stylish, Unconventional

Part 2) Use 2 adjectives from the “Surfing Adjectives” list to describe how you want to surf. Example: I want to surf casual and fearless.

Extra Credit) Come up with one adjective of your own, not on the list, to describe how you want to surf.

Extra Credit) Give us Homework. Send us a link to a surf video (Youtube, Instagram, etc..) and the time (in minutes and seconds) of a wave or maneuver in the video that shows surfing that you would like to be able to do. We will create a photo sequence of important moments during the wave or maneuver for you to study and imitate.

Turn in your homework as a typed or handwritten sheet or email it to us on or before May 23.

Part 1-A) Mental Representations – Excellent Surfers in Waves like Ours

As the site for Surfing’s debut as an Olympic event in Summer 2021 you may be surprised how much Japan has in common with Florida. The most consistent surf zone in Japan is the East Coast and their best surf is created by typhoons just as our best surf is due to tropical storms or hurricanes. Below you will find 3 videos of Japan’s top surfers warming up for the Japan Open in waves similar to our own.

Part 1-B) Additonal viewing (Extra Credit):
2020 Japan Open Final Day – Womens Highlights
2020 Japan Open Final Day – Mens Highlights

Part 2) Homework
(Submit via email anytime before Friday’s practice or as a typed or handwritten page at Friday’s practice.)

2-A) Tell us your favorite surfer and write one sentence why. (Feel free to come up with someone on your own or choose someone from the videos above or our list of surfers below).

2-B) Using Youtube or Instagram find a video of your favorite surfer that shows them surfing. Tell us the name of the video if using Youtube or the Instagram handle and date the video was posted if using Instagram.

2-C) In the video you have selected tell us the time in minutes and seconds (format mm:ss example 00:11, 02:15) of your favorite wave or maneuver and write one sentence why.

Surf Asylum’s Favorite Surfers Shortlist
Descriptions and video links below list. (You are not required to watch all of the videos in the links below but feel free to use the videos for Part 2-C).

Brett Barley A dedicated East Coast surfer who specializes in barrel riding and airs. Video.

Courtney Conlogue One of the strongest and most creative surfers on the Womens World Tour. Video 1. Video 2.

Ethan EwingOne of the smoothest styles and most functional stances in modern surfing. Video.

Italo Ferreira 2019 World Champion and one of the most consistent surfers in the air in the world. Video.

Sally Fitzgibbons One of the hardest working surfers on the Womens World Tour. Sally is also a great runner and all around athlete. Video 1. Video 2.

John John Florence World Champion surfer who credits his surfing success to the community on the North Shore of Oahu and their love and respect for the ocean. Video.

Stephanie Gilmore Considered one of the most stylish surfers of our time. Video.

Evan Geiselman An excellent Florida surfer from New Smyrna Beach. Video.

Mateus Herdy A young Brazilian surfer who is fast and light on his feet. Video.

Kanoa Igarashi Raised in Huntington Beach but representing Japan in the 2021 Olympics. Kanoa is a hardworking competitive surfer. Video.

Riaru Ito A young Japanese surfer who is light on his feet. Similar to Brett Barley he is confident in the air and in the tube. Video.

Caroline Marks Young Floridian Womens World Tour surfer known for powerful backhand surfing. Video.

Carissa Moore One of the most powerful surfers on the Womens World Tour. Video.

Isabella Nichols An athletic soccer player and surfer with great technique. Video 1.Video 2.

Hiroto Ohhara Small in stature but lightning fast and great in the air. Winner of the 2015 US Open of Surfing. Video.

Rachel Presti A dedicated Florida surfer who excelled in ESA competition and has gone on to compete on the WSL Qualifying Series in hopes of making it on to the World Tour. Video.

Chauncey Robinson A Florida surfer from Sebastian Inlet who has had great results on the WSL Junior Tour. Video.

Caity Simmers One of the best young surfers out of California right now. Video.

Amuro Tsuzuki A powerful Japanese surfer who has been successful on both the WSL Womens Qualifying Series and Pro Junior Tour. Video.

Tyler Wright One of Australia’s best surfers. She recently made a successful comeback from an almost year long battle with complications from a virus. Video.

1) What’s possible on midlength surfboards

Beau Young and Leah Dawson prove that midlengths which aren’t quite longboards and aren’t quite shortboards can be ridden with radical, playful style.

2) Solid fundamentals and refined technique

Tyler Wright and Matt Banting exhibit near flawless surfing technique in relatable sized surf. We believe that with dedication you all can surf like anything you see.

3) Pros in Florida waves

In the winters of 2018 and 2019 some of the worlds best surfers traveled to compete at Sebastian Inlet in Melbourne, FL. Surf Asylum was there and we created these videos to show the basic elements of intermediate and advanced surfing. Mirrored for Goofy or Regular.

Homework: Featured below are links to 6 videos representing different styles of surfing. Watch each video, choose your favorite and write one paragraph why. Due date Wednesday July 29, typed or handwritten.

1) Late Morning –

2) Involvement Test –

3) Caroline Marks –

4) Coffee Break Session –

5) Peanut Butter –

6) Funfetti at the Jetty –

Extra Credit: Watch the 4 additional videos below. Choose your favorite and write one paragraph why. Due date Wednesday July 29, typed or handwritten.

1) Yours Truly, Mateus Herdy –

2) Ladybirds –

3) Mikey February’s Quiver –

4) Paige Alms’ Barrel at Jaws –

Recommended Reading: John John Florence’s ideas about surfing align very closely with Surf Asylum’s core values in his piece below:

“The Ocean is Everything”

Bring your paragraph (and optional extra credit paragraph) with you on a piece of paper, printed or handwritten, by Wednesday (July 29) of Advanced Week.

Is there anything more delightful than time dedicated to celebrating women and their relationship with the sea? (If you happen to be a man, bare with me here, please) That is exactly what Women of the Waves, held annually in Cocoa Beach, is all about. Female surfers of all ages and all skill levels are invited to join together in Cocoa Beach for a weekend of community, friendship and sharing in the joy that is a life spent in the sea. Naturally, it is one of my favorite surf events of the year!

Despite having to be rescheduled once (Thank you Hurricane Matthew) and a somewhat dismal forecast for the new dates, this year’s event was just as special as years past. A less crowded event simply meant an even more intimate experience than usual and the opportunity to spend lots of time catching up with old friends. I dearly missed many of the friends who couldn’t make it this year, but was thankful for the chance to meet new ones and expand my growing network of surf sisters.

After a ridiculously fun surf session at home Friday morning, I jumped in the car and hit the road for the longest three hours of my life. Surf fatigue and driving are not friendly with each other! I did eventually get there, meeting up with my friend and weekend roommate Allison, just in time to head to the Friday night surf movie. This year we were treated to the Sisterhood of Surfing by Dr. Diana Wehrell-Grabowski, a film that captured the essence of what it means to women when they get to share waves with other women, completely comfortable, without competition, communing with each other and the ocean. The film heavily featured women from around the state of Florida (with a pit stop in Sayulita, Mexico) and the audience cheered and clapped whenever a familiar face graced the screen.

We awoke Saturday morning to the glaring reality of that dismal forecast and could see the tree tops blowing from our hotel room, but we were here and would not be kept from the highlight of the weekend, the surfing social. This is usually a time to jump in the water with about a hundred of your closest surfing girlfriends and trade as many stories as waves. Mother Nature decided to mix it up this year by throwing hard NE winds across the surface of the Atlantic, creating choppy surf conditions and a swift drift that swept almost everyone down the beach. I opted out of the drift session and was thankful that I did as I ended up making a couple new friends who also chose to relax on the sand. Mid morning someone suggested we might check out Jetty Park, a spot just north that had a jetty and might block some of the wind. The waves were smaller, but much cleaner and Allison and I, our new friend Ana, and a handful of others ended up having a fun surf session.

When the afternoon came around and Ana suggested lunch with some other surf sisters at Surfinista, Allison and I jumped at the opportunity. Surfinista is a funky, surf themed place in downtown Cocoa Beach with a menu filled with juices, smoothies, sandwiches and the adored acai bowl and walls filled with surf art. They also have a little retail space with boards by Tom Neilson and Stu Sharpe on display. We had a great time sharing stories of surfing and traveling and finding out what each others different interest were (three out of six have had very good luck growing eggplant!). We followed lunch with a quick stroll around downtown and a bit of shopping before heading back to get ready for the Saturday night potluck.

This year’s potluck was at Manatee Sanctuary Park, overlooking the sunset on the Banana River, with plenty of oohs and aahs to go around. The tables overflowed with an assortment of dishes and music from local band, The Aquanuts, filled the air. The raffle and silent auction are always a hit, with participants anxiously clutching their tickets and waiting to hear themselves announced a winner. At this point in the weekend, we’re all old friends, laughing and story telling the night away. Smartphones were pulled out and selfies galore were snapped to commemorate the fun of the evening. With stars twinkling overhead, plans are made for one last surf the next morning. The wind was still not cooperating, so Jetty Park was the call.

A perceived extra hour of sleep (thank you time change!) was more than welcome after a full weekend and allowed Allison and I to make the agreed upon 8:00 a.m. meet up time for the surf. Unfortunately the weather would not listen to our pleas for light winds and cleaner conditions. If anything, she persisted in blowing harder than the previous day, adding more chop to an already tumultuous ocean. It was our last day and we were all together, so in we plunged and despite the conditions, marveled in the beauty of the sea and the powers that be that brought us to gather, in celebration of ourselves and the sea.

My deepest thanks to Melody De Carlo and Sharon Wolfe Cranston for their commitment to this event and for the work they put in each year to provide us with an opportunity to come together in the name of women’s surfing. Thank you to Dr. Diana Wehrell-Grabowski for her work on the Sisterhood of Surfing and sharing it with us and to Teri McCutchen for the beautiful artwork for this year’s event. If you are a sponsor or donor to this event, thank you too! Sandy Lee, Ana Joly, Meredith Hackwith-Edwards, Judy Taylor-Gorman and Patricia ‘Sissy’ Dittrick, it was a pleasure to spend extra time with you this weekend. Allison, thank you so much for being my roomie, an all around awesome person, and hanging with me all weekend!