Snake oil for surfers?

[Geezer]

This came across my Facebook feed just now. Local class on breath holding, surf survival and surf psychology. I am sitting here tho king about it with mixed feelings. On the one hand there is no downside to getting better at breath holding and more importantly learning ways to relax in the water especially if you’re being held down and missed out on that last breath before going under. In the water panic can end badly and any course or training that better familiarizes a surfer with their limits can only be beneficial. The surf psychology portion is a little suspect though. “Healthy communication of boundaries and self assertiveness in the lineup”…………just not sure about that one. The other two bullet points seem to deal with allowing yourself to fail to improve and confidence building. Seems to me that all three are linked to a personality not suited for crowded lineups and as much as there is a desire to make all things available to all people, I fell that classes like these not only cheat the natural selection process by appealing to those who would have otherwise been culled, I think the thought that went behind this program, the demographic identification and the marketing angle is clever to the point of bordering on diabolical. In short, what skills that can be shared in n a one day seminar would be sought after by surfers inclined to taking one day seminars for improvement? This seems to pinpoint shy timid souls who fear waves somewhat and feel like they can’t compete in the crowds that are lineups nowadays.

[oldmansurfer]

Yeah hmmmm..... my thoughts are it's just surfers trying to make a living surfing. Is any of that factual? Probably not but might it work for certain individuals? Maybe. Lots of advances in surfing have helped those who would have been culled continue surfing. Wet suits? leashes? lighter boards? The same things that would have culled others benefits those who would have not been culled by them. Ultimately tempers in crowded lineups will still serve to regulate those who wish to venture into those situations. If this is teaching them how to get waves and avoid angering others then it sounds great. Learning to surf is a highly varied experience. If there's anything I learned on this forum it is that. The psychology of learning to surf is complex dealing with motivation, fears, assessment of your abilities and lots more. Who knows what is needed? Not them but might it help some individuals? Probably but what percentage? That business will thrive or fail on that basis.

[jaffa1949]

Snake Oil works through placebo effect, and if you pay you may believe but or day! HMMMM!

[oldmansurfer]

I should have said the perception of success of students will lead to success of the business as will the perception of failure will lead to failure of the business

[waikikikichan]

Visualizing in your mind before you paddle out.

Reality.

[billie_morini]

Some people require or think they require formalized training for stuff like this. For others, it's barely a thought because it comes naturally through self reliance.

[Geezer]

It popped up again and I noticed I’d overlooked that the program was “by women for women’. It adds a layer for me and makes a little more sense in that as a father of two daughters and a husband I am acutely aware that it is harder to pass through this world in some situations for them than it is for me (same size/build and resemble Sunny Garcia). I am constantly schooling my girls on how to be strong and assertive in their everyday interactions.

That said, the cynical side of me feels like this is a money grab. I hope I’m wrong and this benefits someone’s daughter who attends.