Hey Dean

What have you signed up for? And when?

Hi Dean

The Equipment is last on the priority list in terms of coaching. We also need to minimise too many changes. By bringing your own board that you are used to you can’t blame the board.

Most surfers at that level of commitment should have their own board. Yes it is a hassle bringing your own board but it is worse if the waves are good and you don’t get a “great” rental match.

The retreat has so much to offer and look forward to surfing with you!

Hi OMBE community

I’m on my way home from being very fortunate to be on one of Clayton’s boat trips to the Mentawai Islands. It was a fantastic experience, beautiful and also challenging. I encountered waves on some days which were beyond my comfort level and the fear / mental factor definitely kicked in.

I just wanted to say thank you Clay for writing this piece. For me this is gold and totally my experience on the trip of Clay’s individual support and coaching.

The fears on my trip were not immediately conquered (but in my own defence I paddled out every day and gave it a crack 😀🤙) I agree it’s not always a quick fix. But having identified them and with a pathway forward it’s over to me and I’m on my way

Cheers all

Colin 🤙

When you join us on a retreat, whether it’s on the Gold Coast, Nicaragua, or one of our boat trips, you’re stepping into more than just a surf lesson. You might think that I, as your coach, will simply tell you where to stand on the board or how to catch a wave. But what we’re offering is much deeper than that—it’s a process of mental, emotional, and physical transformation.

Here’s What to Expect:

It’s Not Just About Technique, It’s About Mindset

Surfing is as much a mental game as it is a physical one. Many surfers are held back not by their abilities, but by their mindset—by fears, doubts, or the “pain voice” in the back of their mind that keeps them from taking on the next challenge. My job is to help you identify and overcome those mental barriers using proven psychological tools.

We’ll work together to shift your focus from fear to opportunity, from survival to flow. This won’t happen overnight, but it’s a process where every wave you ride will take you closer to mastering both your body and mind.

You’ll Step Outside Your Comfort Zone

At some point, every surfer hits a plateau. Whether it’s fear of bigger waves, fear of the unknown, or fear of failure, it’s natural to hold back. One of the key things I’ll help you with is pushing just beyond that comfort zone. For 10 seconds, you’ll feel the thrill of conquering a wave that once seemed impossible—and that single experience could reshape your entire approach to surfing.

You’ll learn to reframe fear as excitement—turning anxiety into adrenaline, which can actually heighten your focus and performance in the water.

We’ll Focus on Pattern Recognition and Decision-Making

Many surfers get stuck thinking surfing is random—each wave different and unpredictable. But by training yourself to recognize patterns in the way the water moves, how waves form, and how your body interacts with the ocean, you’ll become more confident and intuitive in your decision-making.

We’ll work on cognitive techniques to help you stay present, read the water accurately, and make better, faster decisions on each wave. You’ll learn how to turn fear-driven hesitation into calm, calculated action.

Mindfulness and Flow Will Help You Unlock Your Potential

A lot of the work we do together will be about calming your mind and body so you can perform at your best. We’ll use breathwork and mindfulness techniques to help you stay present in the moment, overcome fear, and trigger flow states—where everything clicks, and you’re fully in tune with the wave.

Flow isn’t something you can force, but through proper training, you’ll learn how to enter that state more often, where surfing feels effortless, and you’re simply riding the energy of the wave.

This Isn’t a Quick Fix, It’s a Lifelong Process

The reality is, there’s no magic pill for becoming a great surfer. It’s not about one quick tip or adjustment—it’s about learning to adapt and evolve. Over the course of the retreat, we’ll be building your understanding of surfing from the inside out, one wave at a time. The progress might feel slow at times, but every moment in the water is a step forward.

What I’m really teaching you is how to train your mind to respond to challenges in new ways. This is something that will go beyond surfing—it’ll help you in other areas of life as well. Once you learn to push through fear in the ocean, it becomes easier to do the same in everyday situations.

By setting these expectations early, you’ll prime your clients for the type of transformation they’re about to experience. Let them know that the journey is as much about self-discovery as it is about mastering their technique, and that with each wave, they’re learning more about themselves and what they’re capable of.