Coaching News

More Waves, Private surf, SUP, skate, and snowboard lessons/coaching from professional athletes

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 8 January, 2010 : - - Yes it's crowded everywhere in Southern California, but how can you not love it when it seems like the whole world wants to be where you live? Egotistical, maybe, but it's the truth. It is a magical place where you can surf, snowboard, and skate in the same day.

Anyone that has ever been to the U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach can attest that beyond all the marketing and 500,000 drunken spectators, is something beautiful. Just as is the occasional solitude of a Fall or Winter's day when it's hard to believe there's NOBODY around and there's perfect overhead surf or three feet of untracked powder."

No one was ever born a proficient surfer, skater, snowboarder, or stand up paddle boarder. It takes years to develop the fundamental skills, whatever one's goal. MORE WAVES cuts that time by thousands with a "no pressure" approach based on just having fun! After all, that's the point, right? For many years under the radar of the public eye, their clients reads like a who's who of the action sports world.

More Waves started with surfing lessons/coaching, then snowboarding, skateboarding, and finally stand up paddle boarding. The benefits and backgrounds of each sport are complementary and grew from each other. There's no doubt that snowboarding and skateboarding came from surfing. Also if the conditions aren't right for one you can always do another and stay stoked, physically, and mentally prepared for the next good day.

A lot of people figured this out a long time ago, but they were the first to offer only private lessons and coaching of all of these sports by professionals. What is great for clients, is that they can participate in all disciplines, depending on the conditions and go back to their primary sport stronger which prevents the most common injuries. More Waves emphasizes a cross training program that is more fun than the usual techniques.

One, for example is "carveboarding" invented by Brad Gerlach and his father Joe, which they have found to be integral in teaching proper turning techniques for surfing and snowboarding. "Plus the rider has to hike back up the hill. The boards instantly undo the dreaded "falling leaf" style (riding back and forth on one edge down the hill) which is a bad habit taught at many ski resorts.

The rider is forced to do proper heel toe turns, and the decks lean 45 degrees. We encourage everyone to carveboard as much as possible since it turns any day into a powder day or glassy Trestles, without a lift line or crowded lineup."

"Some days for surfing and some not. this one not. Plenty more waves, relax" Henry Preece (Excerpt from  THE SURFERS CODE) That comment is the basis of their business plan.

With an endorsement from the legendary Shaun Tomson (1977 A.S.P. World Champion) as well as the leading surf, skate, and snowboard shops in Southern California, they set the standard in extreme sports lessons/coaching for the world to follow. The Head Coaches consist of Bud Llamas, Chance Boyer, Chris Gentry, Dave Reul, Don Szabo, Nathan Fletcher, and Paul Tomson (Shaun's brother). Many other professionals drop by to surprise clients to help motivate them to the next level by just casually joining in a session.

More Waves is not a surf, skate, or snowboard "Camp". "We only coach privately which we've found is much more effective. All of us come from camp style backgrounds, in which there is no real governing body to ensure that your coach or instructor has much experience. All of our coaches have a minimum ten years of teaching/coaching experience and most are top professionals or former pros in their respective sports. You'd be amazed that many instructors or coaches at reputable resorts, or camps that run lessons in miserable or dangerous conditions."

  Locations in San Diego, San Clemente, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, and Malibu ensure the best locations and conditions available for surfing in Southern California. Working closely with Rick Fignetti (2003 Masters Champion, and annual announce of the U.S. Open of Surfing) whose daily surf report airs everyday on the world famous KROQ (FM 106.7) wind, tide, swell direction, and period are calculated precisely to personally suit one's specific needs. Although eagerly anticipated by more advanced surfers, large Summer or Winter swells pose obvious problems for beginners.

One will only surf where and when it is appropriate, a far cry from the standard weekly camp format where there is no control of what type of conditions will be faced. "From one foot foamies to double overhead barrels, the elusively fickle beach breaks, to the premier point breaks, we have it wired. "

The stand up paddle board division established in 2006 offered the first formal instruction in the continental U.S. Head Coach Ernest Johnson recently set a new course record during the 2009 Catalina Challenge and is the Grand Prix of Ocean Racing points champion for 2008 and 2009.

The recent boom in S.U.P. popularity has been shadowed by a negative vibe due to disrespectful behavior or inexperience by a large population of the enthusiasts, and as a result been segregated from certain lineups. Their instructors goal is to take people away to more secluded locations to enjoy the sport without becoming a wave hog or worse the possibly fatal danger of a loose S.U.P. bouncing through a crowded surf spot.

The skateboard division offers exclusive entry into the most pristine, private, world class backyard pools and ramps, which are never available to the general public. On the other hand they frequent the best skateparks that each county has to offer. The only limitations are one's own, as the best terrain, previously available to only the best skaters in the world is at their at their fingertips.

The snowboard division is divided between the groomed runs, park/half-pipe, and the backcountry (depending on location)  as personal skills are individually considered. All of each mountain's terrain, from mini kickers to giant pillow drops are pre-scouted and tested by their pros to ensure personal success. People will only be allowed to go as big as they are ready and in a safe, respectful and informed manner.

"Our main emphasis is for riders of all levels to become well rounded and safe. There are too many kids who can jib insanely but have no carving, deep powder, or backcountry skills. We are here to help anyone, and everyone with all skill levels and ages at whatever they want to do, however we encourage all to master tree runs before boxes and rails. We have first timers regularly ride the top of the mountain their first day."

Coaching and lessons are available from the crack of dawn to the last moments of evening glass. sessions are usually booked two weeks to a month in advance. Special consideration is considered to those on a strict travel schedule or a need to prepare for an upcoming contest. Be aware that More Waves schedules around the weather unlike the "School" format and last minute cancellations are only accepted at the coaches discretion. Nobody wants to learn to ride in a blizzard, paddle into a headwind, or surf miserable conditions, including them.

Their personal and professional relationships with the greatest surfers, skaters, stand up paddle boarders, and snowboarders in history is unparalleled. Never before has such a talented and respected group of extreme sports athletes been assembled by any institution. Check out their website at morewaves.com for more information.

www.morewaves.com

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Chance Boyer

Coaching - Surfersvillage