THE BEST SURF COACHING IN SRI LANKA
Our team of highly experienced and professional surf coaches are dedicated to taking your surfing to the next level, but of course, having fun too! After your time with Talalla Surf, we guarantee that you will leave as a more confident, independent, and stoked surfer.
IN-WATER SURF COACHING
During every in-water session, your level-specific surf coach will be with you every step of the way, because this is where the action happens! From helping you through your first whitewash and green waves, to seeing the subtleties of weight shift during your bottom turns and top turns, your in-water surf coach is essential for progression. And we have some of the best that Sri Lanka has to offer! Properly evaluating your surf level will help both you and us clearly identify what areas and skills you need to focus on in order to progress and improve.
LEVEL 1: BEGINNER
Giving you the confidence and reassurance you need for your first time surfing
Controlling your surfboard in the lineup
Helping you pick the best waves in the lineup
Giving you positive and encouraging feedback after each wave
Helping you make your first transition to ‘out the back’
Assisting you in getting through the lineup and through the ‘no stopping zone’
Assisting you into your first green waves – positioning and speed
In-water safety
LEVEL 2: BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE
Observing your ocean awareness and your positioning in the lineup
Assisting you to select appropriate markers for positioning
Assisting you with green wave selection
Watching the subtleties of your surfing technique and approach to different waves
Maneuvers such as surfing along the ‘trim line’ and commencing turns back to the power source
Assisting you into green waves with appropriate board positioning (angled takeoff) and speed
In-water safety
LEVEL 3: INTERMEDIATE
Observing your ocean awareness and positioning in the lineup
Changing position for bigger, more hollow, and/or reef break waves
Assisting you in choosing appropriate markers for positioning at changing wave types
Assisting you with green wave selection for the appropriate level 4 maneuvers
Surfing away from the ‘trim line’
Increasing the intensity and power of your bottom turns
Utilizing bottom turn speed to perform ‘off the top’ maneuvers
Carving turns, top turns, and floaters
Increasing the intensity of these maneuvers and progressing to laybacks, barrel riding, and aerial maneuvers
Adequately assessing and progressing your ‘rail to rail’ surfing
In-water safety when progressing to bigger waves and reef breaks
LEVEL 4: ADVANCED
Observing your ocean awareness and positioning in the lineup
Changing position for bigger, hollower, and/or reef break waves
Assisting you with appropriate markers for positioning
Assisting you with green wave selection for appropriate level 3 maneuvers
Surfing away from the ‘trim line’ – bottom turns
Utilizing bottom turn speed to perform top turn maneuvers
Carving turns
Adequately assessing your ‘rail to rail’ surfing
In-water safety when surfing bigger waves and reef breaks
VIDEO REVIEW FEEDBACK SESSIONS
Talalla Surf has a very talented and professional crew of videographers and photographers who will film your every session. In the afternoons, your surf coach will then break down this footage with you so you can see how you’re doing and what goals can be set for the coming surf sessions. This is an invaluable tool for getting the most out of your surf experience!
LEVEL 1: BEGINNER
Filming is such a helpful tool for beginner surfers. At first, for some, it can be intimidating to see a video of yourself surfing, however as surfing is such a ‘fast-paced’ activity, it is beneficial to have a different perspective of what is going on when you are out in the water! In a fun and encouraging environment, your video review sessions will be a great way for you and your surf coach to see how you are progressing.
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LEVEL 2: BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE
For level 2 surfers, this might be the first time you have been filmed surfing. You will be able to see any old habits that are holding you back from progressing. The most common things we break down in level 2 video reviews are:
Making green wave takeoffs more consistently
Improving turning technique along the green face/trim line of the wave
Shoulder and leg positioning for generating speed and coming back to the power source
Seeing this on camera makes it much easier for you and your coach to set some goals for the following sessions and provide you with some great pointers on how you can change your positioning and technique.
LEVEL 3: INTERMEDIATE
As you improve your surfing level, the video review becomes a cornerstone of your coaching sessions. The subtleties of your surfing are the biggest things stopping you from getting the most enjoyment out of each wave! You will see on video feedback how to better utilize your body to make the most of the entirety of the wave. The most common things we break down in level 3 video review are:
Moving away from the trim line – bottom turns & top turns
Eyes, shoulder, and leg positioning for frontside and backside turns
Grab rail and takeoff technique in bigger and hollower waves
As you progress in your surfing, video review and analysis will be crucial to your progression. You will see on video feedback how to utilize your body to throw more power and control behind your maneuvers. The most common things we break down in level 4 video reviews are:
Moving away from the trim line with more speed, power, and flow – bottom turns & top turns
Eyes, shoulder, and leg positioning for putting more power into your frontside and backside turns
Grab rail and takeoff technique in bigger and hollower waves
LEVEL 4: ADVANCED
SURF THEORY SESSIONS
These sessions will provide you with the knowledge to feel safer in various surf conditions and increase your wave count. Our coaches will work on helping you surf the entirety of the wave, select the appropriate board for your level and get the most out of each surf.
LEVEL 1: BEGINNER
Level 1 surf theory is targeted at making you feel more comfortable and knowledgeable in the ocean from the get-go and includes the following topics:
Learn to recognize risks and avoid danger in the surf
Position yourself appropriately in a re-form lineup
Techniques for getting ‘out the back’ – press ups and turtle rolls
Green wave lineup and positioning
Simple wave terminology and understanding wave types
Eyes, shoulder, hip and knee positioning for your functional stance and making green wave takeoffs
Surf etiquette
How to get as much fun from the surf as you can!
LEVEL 2: BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE
Level 2 surf theory is targeted at making you feel more comfortable in the green waves/out the back and increasing your understanding of how different types of surf breaks should be surfed and also includes:
Learn to recognize risks and avoid dangers in green wave lineups
Position yourself appropriately in a green wave lineup
Understanding different positioning for different wave types – point breaks, beach breaks, and reef breaks
Understanding wave terminology and the different parts of a wave such as peak and shoulder, face, lip, flats, and trim line
Eyes, shoulder, hip, and knee positioning for turning along the face of the wave
Surf etiquette in green wave lineups
LEVEL 3: INTERMEDIATE
Level 3 surf theory is targeted at making you feel more comfortable in bigger surf and reef breaks while increasing your understanding of how to surf the entire wave. This is a big transition point for those who are used to catching waves and surfing the entire length – but aren’t yet deviating from the safety of the trim line. Topics covered include:
Learn to recognize risks and avoid dangers in bigger, more hollow and reef break waves
Position yourself appropriately in bigger, reef break and hollower waves
Understanding what happens during longer hold downs and how to manage them
Understanding how to surf the different parts of the wave
Understanding wave terminology and the different parts of a wave such as: peak and shoulder, face, lip, flats and trim line
Eyes, shoulder, hip and knee positioning for bottom turns and carving top turns
Surf etiquette in bigger and hollower waves
LEVEL 4: ADVANCED
Level 4 surf theory is targeted at making you feel more comfortable in waves of greater consequence. You will learn how to add more speed, power and flow to your surfing as well as the following:
Learn to utilize different components of the wave for different maneuvers
Position yourself appropriately in bigger, reef break and hollower waves
Understanding what happens during longer hold downs and how to manage them
Understanding how to surf the different parts of the wave
Understanding wave terminology and the different parts of a wave such as peak and shoulder, face, lip, flats and trim line
Eyes, shoulder, hip and knee positioning for more radical change of direction maneuvers
Surf etiquette in bigger and hollower waves
POOL THEORY SESSIONS
Pool theory sessions are ideal for improving various in-water techniques including paddling, sitting, turning, duck dives, and turtle rolls, as the pool simulates some of the real-life forces experienced when surfing.
LEVEL 1: BEGINNER
Level 1 pool sessions are designed to increase confidence when paddling out and sitting out the back of unbroken waves.
Learn about the no-stopping zone
Surf smart, not hard
Learn the turtle roll and push-up techniques to aid in getting out the back
The correct sitting technique when out the back
Turning to catch waves or paddle over set waves
Paddling technique
Basic breath-hold techniques
Level 2 pool sessions are designed to increase paddling effectiveness for unbroken waves.
Increasing your paddling effectiveness
Increasing paddle fitness
Looking behind you when paddling
Turning and catching waves more effectively
Gaining initial momentum when catching unbroken waves
Furthering breath-hold technique and confidence
LEVEL 2: BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE
LEVEL 3: INTERMEDIATE
As a Level 3 surfer the pool session involves more advanced techniques including duck diving a shortboard and surfing-related fitness.
Effective duck-diving technique for different wave sizes
Pool fitness training
Increased breath-hold technique for bigger waves
LEVEL 4: ADVANCED
As a Level 4 surfer the pool sessions are designed to increase your confidence when wiping out in larger surf.
Pool fitness
Underwater training for wipeouts in large surf
Increasing breath hold