🔥 Get your FREE personalized 2-4X wavecount training plan in under 30 seconds. https://surfbasis.com/pages/trainingplan

New York–based shaper, Saint Christoper is pushing the envelope on Edge board design. We discuss how and why his boards create such a noticeable difference in performance. We start with the core question, “What is the Edge?” and break down the design principles behind concaves, reduced planing surfaces, and dual rockers that lead to effortless speed generation and the ability to hold a higher line for longer. We get into how to harness and design for speed through fin innovation, tail rocker, and experimental asymmetrical outlines. We also discuss Christopher’s experience not surfing for months before a trip to Nicaragua, used only the Basis Paddle Trainer in preparation, was able to surf for 5-6 hrs a day, and why building your ‘engine’ is just as important as dialing in your equipment. Tune in to learn about design, speed, and how to manipulate these elements to make the most out of your time in the water.

Sign up for our free surfboard guide for sizing down volume, video library and newsletter

Chapters 02:05 Meet Edge Board Shaper Saint Christopher 03:01 The First Time Seeing an Edge Board Fly 04:38 The Origin of Edge Boards George Greenough 06:21 Convex vs Concave Surfboard Bottoms Explained 09:22 Why Edge Boards Are So Fast 11:36 How Edge Boards Hold a Higher Line 13:12 ASYM Edge Boards Toe vs Heel Design 16:15 Why Edge Boards Work in Fast Beach Breaks 18:53 Surface Area Drag and Speed 21:03 What Riding an Edge Board Feels Like 24:42 How to Control Edge Board Speed 27:04 New Fin Designs That Change Everything 31:09 Outline Design Short Boards Fish and Simmons 37:10 Designing Surfboards Around Your Stance 41:05 Training Paddle Power for Surf Trips

Subscribe for more interviews with pro surfers, coaches, shapers, and everyday surfers like Tom Carroll, Zeke Lau, Victor Bernardo, Matt Parker of Album Surf, Matt Meola, Ryan Lovelace, Eric Arakawa, Noel Salas of Surf n Show, Parker Coffin, Dane Gudauskas, Kassia Meador, Clayton of Ombe Surf, Dylan Lightfoot, Derek Dunfee, Magnum Martinez, and more!

Join our community of over 140k followers across IG, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube:

Basis Instagram

Basis TikTok

Basis Facebook

🔥 Get your FREE personalized 2-4X wavecount training plan in under 30 seconds. https://surfbasis.com/pages/trainingplan

In this episode, 52-year-old Aaron Buckner shares how he went from 365 pounds, morbidly obese, and barely able to surf, to logging two-hour sessions in overhead waves and quadrupling his wave count. A few years ago at Kaisers in Waikiki, he paddled out, caught one wave, and was so gassed he couldn’t surf again for two days. Landlocked in Idaho and frustrated by “one wave and done” sessions, he was skeptical when he first saw the Basis Paddle Trainer. But after finally giving it a shot, and barely lasting five minutes on his first workout, he committed to structured training three to four days a week. Eight months later, he’s surfing seven days straight, holding his own in overhead C-Street, double-overhead South Bay, and even the North Shore, catching 2–4x more waves per session. By improving his paddle power and positioning, he’s getting into waves earlier, fixing his pop-up timing, and progressing again instead of just surviving sessions, proving that with the right foundation, decline isn’t inevitable.

Sign up for our free surfboard guide for sizing down volume, video library and newsletter

Chapters 01:39 Introduction to Aaron Buckner 02:17 Aaron’s Background and Move to Idaho 02:27 From 365 Pounds to a New Surfing Goal 04:25 Why Paddle Training Became Essential 06:21 The Hawaii Paddle Out Wake Up Call 08:02 Returning to Kaisers With Real Paddle Power 09:39 Initial Skepticism About the Paddle Trainer 11:04 The Moment He Decided to Buy 12:10 First Workout Reality Check 14:18 Building a Paddle Training Routine 15:13 From 5 Minutes to 30 Minute Paddle Sessions 17:45 Surfing Bigger Waves With Confidence 19:27 Surf Trips That Were Once Impossible 22:36 Technique Feedback and Community

Subscribe for more interviews with pro surfers, coaches, shapers, and everyday surfers like Tom Carroll, Zeke Lau, Victor Bernardo, Matt Parker of Album Surf, Matt Meola, Ryan Lovelace, Eric Arakawa, Noel Salas of Surf n Show, Parker Coffin, Dane Gudauskas, Kassia Meador, Clayton of Ombe Surf, Dylan Lightfoot, Derek Dunfee, Magnum Martinez, and more!

Join our community of over 140k followers across IG, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube:

Basis Instagram

Basis TikTok

Basis Facebook

🔥 Get your FREE personalized 2-4X wavecount training plan in under 30 seconds. https://surfbasis.com/pages/trainingplan

This episode features John West, also known as @thatsurfguy_ , the surfer behind the Corelord character and the @citypro.app . We dig into what makes someone kook or core, blending satire with serious insight. John breaks down how localism works, why regulation still has a place in some lineups, and shares his own story of getting regulated. We also get into common mistakes beginners make, how surf culture has changed, and what it really takes to improve. He also explains how his CitiPro app is making pro-level video feedback accessible to everyday surfers.

Sign up for our free surfboard guide for sizing down volume, video library and newsletter

Chapters 01:22 Meet the Core Lord 01:47 Kook or Core Rapid Fire 02:30 The Champion Mentality 03:21 Earning Respect in the Lineup 03:58 Practice and Sending It 04:16 Born Core 04:44 Why is the Core Lord So Angry 06:01 Enter John West 07:31 Localism Then vs Now 09:34 Beginner Spot Selection 11:04 Chaos vs Order in the Lineup 15:27 Kook Stories and Getting Burned 18:01 Social Media and Real Life Confrontations 21:37 Keys to Surf Progression 29:58 Building the CitiPro App and Surf Entrepreneur Journey

Subscribe for more interviews with pro surfers, coaches, shapers, and everyday surfers like Tom Carroll, Zeke Lau, Victor Bernardo, Matt Parker of Album Surf, Matt Meola, Ryan Lovelace, Eric Arakawa, Noel Salas of Surf n Show, Parker Coffin, Dane Gudauskas, Kassia Meador, Clayton of Ombe Surf, Dylan Lightfoot, Derek Dunfee, Magnum Martinez, and more!

Join our community of over 100k followers across IG, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube:

Basis Instagram

Basis TikTok

Basis Facebook