8 Pro Surfers Share Tips on the Psychology of Winning

Continuing the theme of discovering and maintaining a winning mindset (see my recent post titled Staring Fear in the Face: Olympic Athletes and Engrams) I came across an article in the August 2008 issue of Surfing Magazine that highlights the things top surfers focus on as they prepare for competition. As I read the article I tried to focus on one thing that is important to each athlete concerning preparing for a high pressure competitive situation. Here is a sampling of quotes:

Kolohe Andino: “I have a set routine for any heat-hard or easy. I don’t like to eat before I compete, maybe just some water…really watch the waves closely…listen to the Red Hot Chili Peppers…when the heat’s about to start I like to be the last one to the water’s edge. Just slip by everyone, paddle out and get down to business”

Kelly Slater: “It is hard to be really competitive with a good friend, whether its a wave or a contest of a girl. No matter what, its going to feel bad at some point.”

Tom Curren: “Singlemindedness”

Andy Irons: “There is a zone. I never really noticed it, because when you’re living it, you don’t realize it…you’re just at ease with where you’re at. I knew in my head if I stuck to my plan I’d win…Heat by heat, nothing to prove. Having fun with it. When you’re having fun with it, that’s when you’re scary.”

Jordy Smith: “when you’re devastated from a loss you gotta hold it together in public…I also learned I should be more prepared for a heat. It doesn’t matter how much confidence you have; you can’t just run down and go for a surf and expect to win.”

Taj Burrow: (on competition) “I was…so excited about it…I enjoyed the attention of all the eyes on me. I loved a bunch of people watching me and me showing off, going, ‘I can do this and this and this’…its always been a priority for me to put on a good show”

Dane Reynolds: “Everybody thinks its a part of my heat strategy-to claim that I don’t care about winning. But I don’t think I was lying…you surf like you would any other day…there’s no pressure when you want to lose. You surf with more freedom.”

Mick Fanning: “Everyone who competes or races or is a top athlete has this desire to keep bettering themselves…I want to come in the winner. I want first place…I don’t want to lose. It’s sort of like an addiction.”

As I read through the article I realized that each surfer has a different approach that ties in with their own uniqueness and personality. What is your approach to competing? Are you intense or laid back? Focused or relaxed? Do you need competitive pressure to rise to the occasion or do you prefer to over prepare so that the actual competitive moment is easier than your training?