All aboard the struggle bus as I try to work out doing figure 8s....
Posting more as a way to keep myself motivated as I work towards the goal but comments are always welcome.
These are some of my "better" (LOL) attempts. I feel like getting my head low is really gonna be the only way to make the turn radius on the second half. After watching these, realize I definitely have to get my left arm up higher (above my head even) to hopefully help whip the board around. I can also lunge more, try to get the knees lower. I'll be giving those ideas a go tomorrow.

Clayton Nienaber part 1: figure 8s.

This was drastically less successful.

Trying to do the figure 8s per video 1 feedback. Very unsuccessful. It's such a tight turn radius, that at this point feels like short of doing a kickturn at the second part, or putting my arm down and doing a burt slide I'm not really sure how I can fit it in.
Not gonna give up as these were only the first few attempts, but that 2nd corner is not a mirror of the 1st corner as there is a roll in there, which makes the corner less rounded off. The roll in is aimed at the 1st corner of my figure 8, so coming out of the first halve I'm heading basically straight up the roll In.
I will keep at it and see it I can get it but it's for sure gonna be a tough on to master.

Clayton Nienaber part 2 arms vs legs: based on feedback from previous video submission.

Forgot to take my cups with me, left them on the counter on the way out the door, tried to replicate it anyway. It was a little awkward only cause I had to avoid the one corner which is always wet from some reason first thing in the am.

Per the suggestion of Scott Wagenblast trying to change my line to work on getting my head lower and carving around the corner instead of just cruising around the bowl.
Not gonna lie much more difficult then I had expected. Mainly trying to build enough speed going into the turn. I don't know how to drop in yet- I feel like that would really help here instead of pushing from the bottom and trying to pump around the bowl to get the speed the hit the corner. By the time I get enough speed my legs are already burning (too many squats last night I guess.)
Will keep working on it. I realize the whole turn needs work. Getting my head around, getting the coffee cup passing around, getting the front arm up and outta the way. I don't pretend these are good turns....YET! Gotta start somewhere though...

Figured I'd post my most recent clips since it doesn't seem like there is gonna be a feedback session for a while.
Pretty happy with my 1st 2 turns, unfortunately my park doesn't really have a corner, just the half pipe... thinking I may have to drive 2 hours to the next closest park to get a good corner bowl section with a nice roll in, so I can work on getting my head lower through the turn.

In the bowl I'm trying, rather unsuccessfully to do the same thing, kiss the knee more and head my head lower in line with the board. Feeling like it's probably a little bit of a speed issue since I'm too afraid to drop in to this one.

I watched the feedback from the "unlocking your backhand" session and Clayton mentioned to multiple people about getting that head lower and letting the board pivot around it. Again, kinda feeling like my park doesn't really offer a section that would be good for working on that. But I am trying to get those airplane wings to roll/lean.
As always any feedback welcome. If I ever make it to the other park I'll be sure to get lots of clips, but a 4 hour drive (2 each way) plus time at the park is hard to come by with 2 young kids so not sure if that's gonna happen any time soon.

So is it safe to assume there is not going to be a November or December feedback session, since they are no longer on the calendar or in the video section?

Dry-Land Training:

So I live is South Carolina, unfortunately the waves here are less than steller MOST of the time. As such, I try to maximize my improvement through dry land training. Wondering if there is anything Y'all do that maybe I have not thought of. I have 2 young kiddos and work full time so my time is limited but I do what I can as often as I can.

My usual training looks something like this:

Weight lift: 3x per week-squats, deadlifts, overhead presses, bench, barbell rows. It's a program called strong lifts 5x5. I like this cause it's simple being only 5 exercises and quick,5 sets of 5 with little rest in between, so I can squeeze it into 25 mins if the squat rack isn't being used.

Stretch/foam roll/ deep tissue release with golf ball or tennis ball on the in between lifting days. Use Chris mills surfstrength coaching programs for the variety of stretches/ body weight movements I can do at home. Also work on holding my oreo biscuit back arch for a few mins to improve my low back strength and flexibility.

Surfskate practice: usually do 20-30 mins a day, as long as it's not raining, after dropping my girls off at school before I head to work. Usually involves a few laps around the bowl, working on flow and compression/extension. Do about 5-10 mins in bowl, 5-10 mins on the 4' transition working on turns, 5-10 mins on the 6' banks working on my twist and passing the coffee cup and compression on the way down. (I've posted a few videos of my normal surfskate stuff In the community in the past.) If my girls want to play outside when I'm home from work I'll also skate the street (flat ground) while they scooter or ride their bikes.

Surfing: anytime I can and there are waves. Still a line 2 surfer, but since joining my pop up/walk up is no longer an issue at all. Dropped down from riding a 8' fun board to a 41L groveler to between 34 to 37L depending on waves. Now just trying to get the whole compression/extension and turning thing dialed in. Being a mushy beachbreak though most waves here are extremely short and 1 turn and done type waves.

Flowrope: added this recently but I do need to get a better rope to do it with. Using some paracord I had laying around but it feels to light so have to make a trip to get some better rope for it I think.

Videos: watched the whole of the OMBE programs probably 3 times through by now including all the video coaching sessions. I find these are actually now the most helpful as seeing Clayton's advice on other people issues helps me to figure out and correct mine. Also watch pro videos, John john, Kelly, Nathan florence, Koa rothman, Clay marzo, Mason ho are my favorites to watch, I try to watch at half speed and really pay attention to their body, head, hand positions while they rip.

At the moment that's about the extent of it. If anyone has any suggestions or things that have really helped you to improve please let me know. Surfing well is something that has been a life long goal, and luckily now I live close enough to the ocean and have an opportunity to chase that dream. Thanks in advance for any pointers or ideas.

Called off work today, went surfing for 3 hours!
Perfect fall day in South Carolina, 80 degrees, water just cool enough for a 3/2, sun shining, off shore breezes And only 3 dudes out. Granted SC doesn't have great waves, but it was a fun day regardless. Got a couple card board slides in, worked on some things, tried some new turns I've never done. Feel like I'm much better than I was before I joined OMBE, thank you for that!
Also, Decided my previous higher volume board is no longer needed as I feel I've progressed enough to drop down in volume again.
Getting 1% better every time I go out.

Couple of turns from this morning.

Working on fixing my twist and passing the coffee cup at the top and the timing of the compression/ cardboard slide on the way down.

I feel like it's getting better... could just be fooling myself.

All things Stick skating. Really trying to control my arms and keep them for doing whatever they please. Think I still may need to keep my elbows tucked in more and closer to my body, but at least they aren't doing big wild circles.