coaches

coaches

coaches

coaches

coaches

coaches

Meet the coaches

Meet the coaches

At the Surf Lab, our world-class coaches bring decades of experience across every level, from first waves to advanced surfers. They’re not just experts in performance, but passionate about helping every surfer progress.

Clayton

Head Coach & Former Pro Surfer

Based on the Gold Coast, Clay is our Head Surf Coach with over 30 years of surfing experience, including time on the pro tour. A surfboard shaper and Co-Founder of OMBE/SurfLab, he focuses on simplifying surfing through the OMBE framework and 5 Lines Program.

He loves coaching for those moments when everything “clicks.” When he’s not in the water, he’s usually shaping boards, skating, or chasing good coffee and good waves.

Clayton

Head Coach & Former Pro Surfer

Based on the Gold Coast, Clay is our Head Surf Coach with over 30 years of surfing experience, including time on the pro tour. A surfboard shaper and Co-Founder of OMBE/SurfLab, he focuses on simplifying surfing through the OMBE framework and 5 Lines Program.

He loves coaching for those moments when everything “clicks.” When he’s not in the water, he’s usually shaping boards, skating, or chasing good coffee and good waves.

Clayton

Head Coach & Former Pro Surfer

Based on the Gold Coast, Clay is our Head Surf Coach with over 30 years of surfing experience, including time on the pro tour. A surfboard shaper and Co-Founder of OMBE/SurfLab, he focuses on simplifying surfing through the OMBE framework and 5 Lines Program.

He loves coaching for those moments when everything “clicks.” When he’s not in the water, he’s usually shaping boards, skating, or chasing good coffee and good waves.

Alex

Surf Coach

Born in Livorno, Italy, Alex has been surfing for 21 years and coaching for 9, holding both ASI and Surfing Australia Level 2 qualifications.

He loves coaching because it gives him a front-row seat to people unlocking their potential and building confidence in the water. Outside of surfing, he’s passionate about trekking, fishing, and travelling.

Alex

Surf Coach

Born in Livorno, Italy, Alex has been surfing for 21 years and coaching for 9, holding both ASI and Surfing Australia Level 2 qualifications.

He loves coaching because it gives him a front-row seat to people unlocking their potential and building confidence in the water. Outside of surfing, he’s passionate about trekking, fishing, and travelling.

Alex

Surf Coach

Born in Livorno, Italy, Alex has been surfing for 21 years and coaching for 9, holding both ASI and Surfing Australia Level 2 qualifications.

He loves coaching because it gives him a front-row seat to people unlocking their potential and building confidence in the water. Outside of surfing, he’s passionate about trekking, fishing, and travelling.

Dru

Surf Coach & Content Creator

From Palm Beach, QLD, Dru is a former professional surfer known for his aerial surfing. He loves coaching because it allows him to pass on what he’s learned and see the reward in other surfers’ progression.

Beyond coaching, he creates all the Surf Lab video content and loves spending time surfing and skateboarding with his family. You’ll often find them together at @thatsurffamily.

Dru

Surf Coach & Content Creator

From Palm Beach, QLD, Dru is a former professional surfer known for his aerial surfing. He loves coaching because it allows him to pass on what he’s learned and see the reward in other surfers’ progression.

Beyond coaching, he creates all the Surf Lab video content and loves spending time surfing and skateboarding with his family. You’ll often find them together at @thatsurffamily.

Dru

Surf Coach & Content Creator

From Palm Beach, QLD, Dru is a former professional surfer known for his aerial surfing. He loves coaching because it allows him to pass on what he’s learned and see the reward in other surfers’ progression.

Beyond coaching, he creates all the Surf Lab video content and loves spending time surfing and skateboarding with his family. You’ll often find them together at @thatsurffamily.

Ryuichi

Surf Coach

Born in Tokyo, Japan, Ry is a WSL QS competitor and Surfing Australia Foundation Coach. He loves coaching because he gets to help surfers notice real improvements and discover the unique “key” that unlocks their progression.

Coaching also sharpens his own surfing and understanding of the craft. When he’s not in the water, Ry enjoys wave hunting, coffee, and travel.

Ryuichi

Surf Coach

Born in Tokyo, Japan, Ry is a WSL QS competitor and Surfing Australia Foundation Coach. He loves coaching because he gets to help surfers notice real improvements and discover the unique “key” that unlocks their progression.

Coaching also sharpens his own surfing and understanding of the craft. When he’s not in the water, Ry enjoys wave hunting, coffee, and travel.

Ryuichi

Surf Coach

Born in Tokyo, Japan, Ry is a WSL QS competitor and Surfing Australia Foundation Coach. He loves coaching because he gets to help surfers notice real improvements and discover the unique “key” that unlocks their progression.

Coaching also sharpens his own surfing and understanding of the craft. When he’s not in the water, Ry enjoys wave hunting, coffee, and travel.

Dean

Mindfulness Coach

Originally from Adelaide, Dean has been surfing on and off for 25 years. He specialises in visualisation, mindfulness, meditation, and mobility, helping surfers reset, relax, and re-energise between waves.

Dean also runs a health retreat, Temple of Vitality, just south of the Gold Coast, and is passionate about all things health, fitness, and making people smile.

Dean

Mindfulness Coach

Originally from Adelaide, Dean has been surfing on and off for 25 years. He specialises in visualisation, mindfulness, meditation, and mobility, helping surfers reset, relax, and re-energise between waves.

Dean also runs a health retreat, Temple of Vitality, just south of the Gold Coast, and is passionate about all things health, fitness, and making people smile.

Dean

Mindfulness Coach

Originally from Adelaide, Dean has been surfing on and off for 25 years. He specialises in visualisation, mindfulness, meditation, and mobility, helping surfers reset, relax, and re-energise between waves.

Dean also runs a health retreat, Temple of Vitality, just south of the Gold Coast, and is passionate about all things health, fitness, and making people smile.

Matty

Surf Performance & Breathwork Coach

Based in the Northern Rivers, Matty Barber combines a strong education background with extensive fitness and surf credentials.

He holds degrees in Education and Contemporary Studies, plus qualifications including Cert III & IV Fitness, Cert III Sport & Recreation, Cert IV Training & Assessment, ASCA Level 1 Strength & Conditioning, and Bronze, Silver & Gold Medallion Aquatic Rescue. He’s also a certified Progression Surf Coach with Surfing Australia.

Matty

Surf Performance & Breathwork Coach

Based in the Northern Rivers, Matty Barber combines a strong education background with extensive fitness and surf credentials.

He holds degrees in Education and Contemporary Studies, plus qualifications including Cert III & IV Fitness, Cert III Sport & Recreation, Cert IV Training & Assessment, ASCA Level 1 Strength & Conditioning, and Bronze, Silver & Gold Medallion Aquatic Rescue. He’s also a certified Progression Surf Coach with Surfing Australia.

Matty

Surf Performance & Breathwork Coach

Based in the Northern Rivers, Matty Barber combines a strong education background with extensive fitness and surf credentials.

He holds degrees in Education and Contemporary Studies, plus qualifications including Cert III & IV Fitness, Cert III Sport & Recreation, Cert IV Training & Assessment, ASCA Level 1 Strength & Conditioning, and Bronze, Silver & Gold Medallion Aquatic Rescue. He’s also a certified Progression Surf Coach with Surfing Australia.

Transform your surfing with the five line method

Whether you’re a beginner looking to catch your first wave or an advanced surfer seeking to refine your style, Surflab gives you the tools to surf with confidence and flow.

5.0 rating on Google Reviews, from 301 reviews

50,000+

SurfLab Users World Wide

Transform your surfing with the five line method

Whether you’re a beginner looking to catch your first wave or an advanced surfer seeking to refine your style, Surflab gives you the tools to surf with confidence and flow.

5.0 rating on Google Reviews, from 301 reviews

50,000+

SurfLab Users World Wide

Transform your surfing with the five line method

Whether you’re a beginner looking to catch your first wave or an advanced surfer seeking to refine your style, Surflab gives you the tools to surf with confidence and flow.

5.0 rating on Google Reviews, from 301 reviews

50,000+

SurfLab Users World Wide