I had the opportunity to help a rookie WCT surfer prepare for the 2021 Surf Ranch event, although having never actually been to the site. At first a daunting prospect, but as I reviewed previous surfed waves at the Surf Ranch, it became obvious to me that there was a standardised pace and look to the wave, that would allow a pattern to be devised to fast-track the learning of how to surf the wave?

Both the right and left show similar characteristics, in regards to pace, manoeuvrability, and tube riding, but in different combinations.

From my observations, and after two days of practise at the surf ranch done by the surfer, I came up with a formula [or pattern] for both waves that would create solid scores if the surfer adhered to these patterns. The left for example could be broken into 4 distinct sections:

The start, a “racing “section, the “pockety” section, and the tube section at the end.

Each section needed to be attacked differently in terms of the type and intensity of manoeuvres performed, so that a surfer’s pace down the line was not compromised. This pattern could then be repeated and honed to create consistency and self-belief, so that the surfer could maximise their performance on competition day.

Interesting work which I really enjoyed.

A full breakdown of this process is available in the membership area of martindunn.com.au