Dean ‘Dingo’ Morrison spent a decade competing on the WCT after qualifying in 2001. Alongside Gold Coast contemporaries Joel Parkinson and Mick Fanning he became one of the most celebrated Australian surfers of the modern era, finishing a career best ninth in 2007. In the water Dean is a pocket dynamo, known for his compact, fluid style and sublime cutback. On land his humility and good nature ensure he is the kind of pro surfer who is approachable for people from all walks of life. Since drifting away from competitive surfing, Dingo has joined the ranks of the big wave scene and also taken up competitive boxing. Most recently Dingo has utilised his considerable surfing experience to play the role of coach, launching his Wave of a Lifetime platform. Below he talks about how he can help make you the best surfer you can be.
Are you still boxing?
Yeah brother love it. Nothing better than learning and having fun. There’s a science to boxing I never knew before I started training and now I’m hooked.
Do you feel confident that you can improve someone’s surfing and the amount of fun they have in the water?
Yeah for sure. When I look at someone surfing I can see where they’re getting stuck and help them to open up more. It’s super simple and basic but sometimes you can have a lot going on and be working on the wrong thing. Just a few little tips about the basics usually sees huge results.
Other ex-pros have become coaches for WCT competitors, but is it almost more rewarding to see an average surfer become a much better surfer?
Yeah, the reward of being there to help someone be the best they can is why I’m here. I feel I have the knowledge to share and to help them achieve that, whether it is someone on the tour or just your average guy or girl wanting to get better.
<iframe src=”https://player.vimeo.com/video/282620553″ width=”640″ height=”360″ frameborder=”0″ webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p><a href=”https://vimeo.com/282620553″>The Wave of A Lifetime – Harry McCabe Coaching Session with Dean "Dingo" Morrison</a> from <a href=”https://vimeo.com/user87952694″>Dean Morrison</a> on <a href=”https://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a>.</p>
Why is the jet ski such an effective coaching tool?
I am right there with them and can give them feedback straight away and get them back on another wave within seconds and it’s fresh in there mind, and we can do it over and over again so they can improve a lot quicker.
How many sessions do you need to see a real improvement?
Just one session and you’ll see improvements as I’ll give you the knowledge that enables you to keep working on getting you to the next level.
What’s the biggest factor in transforming an intermediate surfer into a good surfer?
It’s all about the basics. Getting them dialed and knowing the movements of a simple bottom turn and top turn, and then letting their creative side come out once they have this knowledge.
Can you teach me to do airs?
Hahahahaha bro. I could definitely tell you how to break it down so you know the motions and what exactly you’re doing wrong to improve and then for you Lukey, the sky’s the limit.
