Get to Know Vendela: Our Surf Programme Manager
Stuck in your head instead of enjoying the moment?
You’re not alone.
If you’ve ever found yourself questioning your entire life, techniques or breakfast choice all at once mid-takeoff… welcome to the club!
Overthinking is one of the sneakiest wipeouts in surfing. But what if the key to unlocking progress wasn’t more muscle, but more mindset?
Meet Vendela: Rise Up’s Surf Programme Manager, coaching genius and former horse girl turned wave whisperer.
She didn’t grow up surfing and she definitely didn’t have it all figured out from day one. And that’s exactly why she’s so good at helping others push past fear, perfectionism and those “WTF-am-I-doing-out-here” moments.
In this interview, Vendela shares her story, drops some serious surf wisdom and reminds us that sometimes the only way forward is to remember it’s all in your head.
Let’s dive in!
You grew up in Sweden. What was life like there before surfing came along?
Growing up in Sweden, surfing wasn’t really part of my world (there’s not much surf there, although now I know certain spots get good waves if you know when and where to go haha).
Instead, I was all about horses. I competed in showjumping and absolutely loved it. When I quit around 18, I never thought I’d find another sport I liked as much or more.
Funny enough, I see a lot of similarities between showjumping and surfing. Both keep you on your toes because you never fully know what to expect.
Flowing through a jump course with your horse, getting the right strides between obstacles, feels kind of like flowing on a wave with your surfboard.
Both take timing, feel and a deep connection with what you’re riding.
Maybe that’s why I love surfing so much.
Do you remember how you first discovered surfing? Was it a trip, a person or just pure curiosity?
When I was 19, I moved to Byron Bay in Australia. At first I wasn’t planning on becoming a surfer even though I’ve always loved the ocean.
My friend actually signed us up for a two day surf course.
She had to convince me because we were broke backpackers at the time and spending $300 on a surf camp felt like a stretch. But that was money well spent.
I haven’t stopped surfing since and it completely changed my life.
What was it about that first wave that made you think… I’m all in?
Hmmm. I don’t really remember my first wave.
I just remember a lot of falling and failing with the occasional moment where it actually worked.
That feeling when something finally clicks… that’s what kept me coming back.
Surfing is mostly failing. But when it goes right or you surprise yourself with something you didn’t think you could do, it’s magic. And totally addictive.
Sweden to Nicaragua is a big leap. What inspired you to make that move and build your life here?
I was living in New Zealand at the time and running women’s surf and skate programs. I had this itch to go somewhere completely new and I’d never been to Central America. So I thought… why not?
Since I was already coaching, I applied to a bunch of surf retreats. I had an interview with Phil and about a month later I was on a flight to Nicaragua. I barely knew anything about the country.
When I got here, I couldn’t believe how consistent the waves were.
Good surf every single day? That definitely wasn’t the case on New Zealand’s east coast.
I also loved the slower pace and how friendly everyone was. That mix made it easy to stick around.
You’ve been called the mastermind behind Rise Up’s surf coaching methods. What inspired you to shape the program the way you have?
One big advantage I have is that I learned to surf fairly recently.
I remember what it felt like to be confused and unsure where to focus (I didn’t have a coach). I’d catch a wave but wouldn’t know what I did wrong or what I should do next.
That’s why I created a surf program for Rise Up that guests get access to after their retreat.
It’s laid out step by step so you know what to focus on in what order.
It explains movements and concepts in detail, highlights common mistakes and includes drills to keep practicing. So even after your trip, you’ll know exactly what to work on until your next one.
When you watch guests arrive a little nervous and then leave totally lit up about surfing, what does that feel like for you?
That’s one of my favorite things about coaching… helping people realize they can do way more than they thought.
Surfing is more mental than physical. So one of my goals is always to help people shift that mindset.
When someone catches a wave on the last day that they didn’t think was possible on day one, it feels like such a win.
I see everything they’ve worked through and how their persistence paid off!
A lot of people who’ve never surfed before get caught overthinking everything. Why do you think that happens so often?
In my experience, people start overthinking once they’ve moved past the basics.
When they’ve started going down the line or catching waves on their own, that’s when the overthinking kicks in.
This is what I call the power struggle phase. Suddenly it’s not just about your pop up or following your coach’s instructions. Now you have to read the ocean, make decisions and adjust to every single wave.
It’s tough. You start failing more. The ocean seems unpredictable. You might even paddle out on bigger days and that adds to the mental pressure.
I always remind my students that this phase is normal. Be kind to yourself. Laugh when you wipe out. Don’t expect perfection. The more present you are, the easier it becomes to move through this.
And by “move” through it, I don’t mean the struggles disappear. Failing and feeling overwhelmed will always be part of surfing. It’s more about how you handle it and keep showing up.
What does it usually look like when someone’s stuck in their head instead of feeling the wave? Are there any telltale signs you notice?
Definitely!
Feeling the wave means being present. If someone’s stressed or afraid, it’s obvious they’re not connected because they’re overwhelmed by everything happening around them.
When that happens, the first step is calming the nervous system. I always recommend box breathing (I do it all the time myself).
Then I help them set a super small goal. Maybe just catch one whitewater wave going straight. Don’t expect to surf your best right away… just take it step by step.
In the water, I also see people trying the same move over and over on every wave, like a cutback or a pump. But if they’re not getting the timing or placement right, they keep losing the wave.
In those moments, it’s often better to forget the drills and just ride the wave.
Enjoy it.
Let the rest come naturally.
Can you think of a guest who was really overthinking it but ended up having a big breakthrough?
Yes I remember a retreat where the forecast was huge… way bigger than ideal for newer surfers.
I had three women in my group and on the first day we paddled out the back. I remember thinking “I hope I’m not scaring them too much haha.”
They all caught a few waves (which was already amazing) but there were definitely tears too. The next few days the waves were too big so we stayed in the whitewater and I had to get creative with drills.
On the second to last day, the swell dropped a little but it was still big… bigger than day one. I told the girls that our only goal was to get out the back. Catching a wave would be a bonus.
Not only did they make it out, they caught waves, wiped out and came out of the water glowing. I know they all felt like “I did that.”
On the last day the waves dropped again and they were all just cruising. You could see how comfortable they felt after pushing their limits all week.
That retreat really showed us that discomfort can lead to big breakthroughs.
When someone starts spiraling in their thoughts out there, what’s the first thing you say to help them get back to the moment?
As I mentioned earlier, box breathing works wonders. Whether someone’s scared or frustrated, it’s such a great tool to reset.
After that, it really depends on the person. I might gently push them to catch a wave or I might tell them it’s okay to go in and take a breather.
It’s all about reading what they need in that moment.
Do you have any little rituals or mental tricks you use yourself to stay calm and connected when you’re in the water?
Besides box breathing, there’s a quote I love that my friend Paige (who also works at Rise Up) always says… “It’s just a head game.”
That hits home for me. In surfing, if you believe you can catch that wave or make that turn, you probably can. If not today then soon. Your mindset plays a huge role.
If someone is feeling really anxious about trying surfing, what would you tell them to help ease their mind?
I’d tell them yes, learning to surf is nerve wracking and yes, it’s really hard. But it’s not impossible.
Find a coach you trust and feel safe with. That makes all the difference. Also know that you’re not going straight into big waves.
When you first start, you’ll be in shallow whitewater where you can touch the bottom. You’ll be riding tiny knee high waves.
Progress only happens as fast as you’re ready. It’s totally okay to take your time. Enjoy being a beginner. There’s so much it can teach you about yourself.
