This document provides 10 tips for beginner surfers and strategists based on lessons that can be learned from surfing. The tips include accepting that everyone starts as a novice, remaining positive even when facing challenges, learning surfing terminology and etiquette, making connections with more experienced peers, paying attention to mentors' strengths, using resources like websites to prepare, not dwelling on potential problems, being ready to act quickly in changing conditions, and celebrating small successes. The overall message is that both surfing and developing strategy skills involve humility, perseverance through setbacks, and drawing wisdom from others.

1. 10 things that surfing can
teach you about strategy
1 10 TIPS SURFING + STRATEGY
Practical advice for beginner surfers and strategists alike

2. This isn’t a be-all and end-all guide to either
pursuit – just a few thoughts to make things a little
easier and get you stoked!
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3. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Strategy Training Sesh #2 Award Papers3
Let’s dive in
10 TIPS SURFING + STRATEGY

4. You will start as a Kook.
Make peace with it
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“Kook: a wanna-be surfer of limited skill”
– Urban Dictionary
Tip #1
4

5. SURFING / STRATEGY
Everyone starts from ground zero.
No matter how much you think you know, you have a
steep learning curve ahead of you. Accept this fact
and be realistic about expectations.
Let people know where you’re at and manage
expectations. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if
you’re not familiar with something.
There’s nowhere to go but up.
10 TIPS SURFING + STRATEGY
KOOK
MEGA
KOOK
Tip #1: Make peace with your kookiness
November 2015
5

6. Get ready to be humbled – just make
sure it doesn’t destroy your ability to
remain stoked
“If in doubt, paddle out”
– Nat Young
Tip #2
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7. SURFING
You’re first 20 sessions will consist of paddling,
taking waves on the head, and more paddling.
You’re going to watch a bunch of people catch a
bunch of fun waves before you do.
You’re going to awkwardly cut people off and have
to apologize.
You’ll probably get a few cuts on your feet.
10 TIPS SURFING + STRATEGY
STRATEGY
Your first draft of your first brief probably won’t be
very good.
Your nerves might get the best of you the first time
you present to your team.
You might awkwardly spill a drink on a partner at a
Free Food Friday.
The key here is to remain stoked, don’t let a little
failure kick your ass.
Tip #2: Remain stoked
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8. Learn the language
“It's just like... Dude, you get the best barrels ever, dude. It's just
like, you pull in, and you just get spit outem'. You just drop in,
smack the lip... Waapah! Just drop down... Swoopah! And then after
that you just drop in, ride the barrel and get pitted, so pitted"
– Surfer Dude
Tip #3
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9. SURFING
Set Wave
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Tip #3: Learn the language
SetBomb
GlassySwell Direction
High / Low TideBeach / Point Break
InsightCreative Brief
The 72 way
KPI
ATL / BTL
Media
Qual / Quant
Research
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10. Make allies with your peers and learn
from them and their experiences
“The strongest bonds are forged in the hottest fires
…or the gnarliest barrels”
– Bryan Smith
Tip #4
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11. 10 TIPS SURFING + STRATEGY
SURFING / STRATEGY
You’ll have allies in the fight – bond with them, make
friends with them.
Chances are they’ll have similar experiences and it’s
always nice to have a few people to bounce ideas off of.
Tip #4: Make allies
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12. Understand etiquette, respect the
lineup, and leave your ego on the beach
“Off my wave kook!”
– Kelly Schoeffel
Tip #5
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13. SURFING
Be sure to show respect to the big dogs, the locals,
the older guys that are covered in tattoos.
If they’re talking and acting like they own the break,
they probably own the break.
Give them the first couple good waves, stay out of
their way, and they’ll show you respect.
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STRATEGY
Although nobody will throw punches over stolen
waves in this realm, it’s helpful to understand
that there’s an etiquette and that each level has
a distinct role on the team.
Don’t be afraid to speak up and offer your
insight, but know when it’s appropriate to watch
and learn.
Tip #5: Respect the lineup
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14. Pay close attention - your mentors
have unique strengths that you can
learn from
"Style is a natural extension of who you are as a person"
– Mark Richards
Tip #6
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15. SURFING / STRATEGY
Chances are you’ll encounter someone who’s an expert
at something that you aren’t. They might even be willing
to teach you a thing or two.
Learn from them. Steal from them. Absorb what you
can. Everyone has unique strengths that can be picked
up and applied.
Tip #6: Pay close attention to your mentors
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16. Tools are your best friend – become
familiar and learn to love them
"Did you see the El Porto cam on Surfline this morning?
It was Fiiiiiring!!!"
– Jim Moriarty
Tip #7
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17. SURFING
Surfline is the bible – it’s chocked full of useful
information regarding surf spots, swell direction,
wind direction, best case scenarios, worst case
scenarios, and so much more.
The Surfer’s Journal, Surfer Magazine, and WSL are
also good reading material.
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STRATEGY
Helpful strategy resources include Google,
Simmons, Netbase, CubeYou, Cassandra Daily, The
Atlantic, Hypebeast, Complex, and Reddit... just to
name a few.
Tip #7: Learn to love the tools
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18. Don’t focus on everything that could
go wrong, it will cloud your judgement.
You have to put yourself out there
"Fear causes hesitation, and hesitation
will cause your worst fears to come true"
– Patrick Swayze in Point Break
Tip #8
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19. SURFING
Yes, there are sharks that live in the ocean.
Yes, if you are deprived of oxygen, you will drown.
Yes, that gnarly looking dude will probably yell at
you if you cut him off.
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Tip #8: Don’t focus on all that could go wrong
STRATEGY
Yes, your idea might not be well received.
Yes, making comments at the wall can be
intimidating.
Yes, that partner still looks at you funny after
the ‘FFF’ incident.
Everyone makes mistakes, it’s human.
Don’t let it deter you. Keep swinging big.
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20. Be prepared to think on your feet and
rise to the occasion
"Life's a wave, catch it"
–Someone Inspirational
Tip #9
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21. SURFING
Waves will come and go in a instant.
There are hundreds of factors at play, and
something could pop up exactly where
you’re sitting.
Apply what you’ve learned, paddle, and go
for it.
Tip #9: Rise to the occasion
STRATEGY
Have some ammo in your arsenal for
questions that only you can answer.
You might get lobbed a big ask or opportunity
– make the most of it.
Everything counts.
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22. The conditions are rarely 100% perfect,
but when the stars align it can be
pretty radical
"YEWWWWWW"
– Matt Jarvis
Tip #10
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23. Tip #1: Make peace with your kookiness
Tip #2: Remain stoked
Tip #3: Learn the language
Tip #4: Make allies
Tip #5: Respect the lineup
Recap
Tip #6: Pay close attention to you mentors
Tip #7: Learn to love the tools
Tip #8: Don’t focus on all that could go wrong
Tip #9: Rise to the occasion
Tip #10: Celebrate the radical moments
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24. 10 TIPS SURFING + STRATEGY
THANKS
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