08/31/2026
🌊 Sometimes the biggest breakthrough in surfing has nothing to do with catching a wave.
I had a coaching moment with my student Hannah when she opened up about the fear and anxiety she was experiencing in the ocean.
And in moments like this, my job as a coach isn’t to say, “Come on, you can do it.”
It’s to listen.
To understand what she’s feeling, slow things down, build trust, and help her take the next manageable step forward.
Fear in the ocean is real. You don’t overcome it by pretending it isn’t there. You learn to understand it, respect it, and gradually build the confidence to face it.
Some students need help with their paddling.
Some need help with their pop-up.
And sometimes, they simply need someone beside them who understands that confidence comes before progression.
Hannah showed a different kind of courage this day, she was vulnerable, she communicated what she was feeling, and she continued to work through it at her own pace.
That’s progression too. ❤️🌊
I don’t just want to teach people how to stand on a surfboard.
I want to help them become more confident in themselves and in the ocean.
One step. One paddle. One wave at a time. 🤙
I'm PROUD OF YOU hannah her•rhino•wicki
