Tiago Silva needs no introduction. He has been a SUP surf coach for over 15 years and is owner of Mauka Lodge based in Ericeira, Portugal - one of the earliest SUP surf retreats in the world. In this episode he describes a variety of coaching tips from video analysis and walkie-talkies in wave pools to dry-land training exercises on surfskates.

SUP Surf Sessions - Episode Notes

SUP Surf Sessions - All Links

Chapters

00:00 Intro

00:58 Abu Dhabi Pool

03:39 Chicama Marathon Waves

04:31 Portugal Surf Beginnings

05:58 Why SUP is Better

10:25 Mauka Lodge Origins

15:03 Board Selection

18:05 Paddle Selection

20:38 Paddling Out Through Whitewater

25:12 Kicking The Board Over

29:57 Unlocking The Ripping Stance

32:37 Front Foot Drive

35:03 Surfskate Visualization

40:04 Progression

41:59 Therapy And Longevity

47:02 Travel Retreats Worldwide

48:32 Final Thanks And Wrap

Spicy, highly competitive, and talented - Lise Richard balances her hot sauce business with a passion to constantly improve at SUP surfing. She has followed her dreams to the highest levels - representing Team Canada at a number of international comps, including the 2025 ISA World Games in El Salvador. Lise reminisces about running into the pros (I mean literally running into them!) and learning from them in the line up. We explore the learning process of SUP surfing, including the benefits of journalling, video anlaysis and we also get into some detail about how to work with the top part of the wave.

SUP Surf Sessions - Episode Notes

SUP Surf Sessions - All Links

Chapters

00:00 Stop Looking Down

01:03 Surf Canada

02:20 ISA Worlds - Heat One

05:22 Mid Heat Collision

07:22 Free Surf Chaos

09:09 Rail Turns

13:06 Stay High for Cutbacks

17:29 Big Waves

20:38 Olympic Dreams

23:41 Mindset Over Technique

25:53 Journaling Your Sessions

27:30 MOVE Your Back Foot

28:32 Shortboarding For Better SUP

32:02 SUP Is For Losers?

33:58 Etiquette And Safety Balance

37:44 Hot Tips

42:24 Enjoying A Wild Ride

Host Sean Cassidy launches the SUP Surf Sessions podcast and interviews his friend and mentor Alex Chandler, an early east-coast Canada SUP adopter and an all-around waterman - introduced to the sport in Hawaii by Laird Hamilton. They discuss how SUPs and foils change lineup dynamics and how SUP surfers can coexist with prone surfers through skill, respect, and etiquette. Alex shares a Maui story learning etiquette after losing control of a big SUP and his evolution to earning respect from pro surfers in the water. Alex explainsthe ingredients of being a good water person. He also toucheson paddle length and stance techniques, SUP performance in bigger waves, and dealing with the thousands of sharks off the coast of Nova Scotia.

SUP Surf Sessions - Episode Notes

SUP Surf Sessions - All Links

Chapters

00:00 Welcome

01:18 Cold Water Sessions

02:53 Should SUPs Be In The Lineup?

04:36 Laird Hamilton Origin Story

08:04 How to Earn Your Place

09:48 SUP Lineup Etiquette

12:27 Bottom Turns

14:58 Stance & Paddle Length Tips

17:59 Top Turns & Paddle Switches

20:03 Ocean as Medicine

21:07 SUP vs Pro Surfer

24:02 When to Paddle Out

27:02 Sharks in the Lineup

29:49 Ocean Awe and Presence

31:01 SUP Surfing is Legit

34:37 Attitude and Safety

36:18 Wrap