Finding Flowstate

A roundtable of surfers on finding their flow

Photos by Morgan Maassen

Flow·state (noun) | 'flō-,stāt |

a mental state of deep, effortless focus. Also known as being in the zone. When the outside world seems to fade away and you are fully immersed in what you’re doing. Something we strive for on the daily through practice, ritual, routine, and being in the present moment. The Flow Trip gang caught up with a few surfers to see how they find their flowstate on and off the board and what their daily practice looks like. 

Brisa Hennessy 

I think my upbringing and early beginnings in Costa Rica showed me what flow really is. Growing up surrounded by the jungle and the ocean, I learned from an early age that nature has its own rhythm. Places like Costa Rica remind me of how interconnected everything is, and being immersed in that environment taught me the value of presence, patience, and trusting my instincts.

Even today my daily practice is pretty simple. I try to create small moments to slow down and reconnect with myself and my surroundings. This is usually through breathwork, movement, and spending time in nature. Whether it's walking through the jungle, waking up early to watch the sunrise, or being in the ocean, these moments help me get out of my head and into the present. The more present I am, the more naturally flow seems to appear, not just in the water, but in everyday life as well.

Caroline Marks 

Photo by Red Bull Content Pool

For me, finding flow starts with surrounding myself with good people and sticking to my routine. I believe that if I’m doing everything that’s within my control to the best of my ability, it puts me in the best mindset to perform. That means training consistently, eating healthy, taking care of my body, getting enough rest, and staying present each day. Having supportive people around me keeps me grounded and brings positive energy into everything I do. Once I know I’ve done the work and stayed true to my routine, I can let go, trust the process, and be fully present whether I’m competing or just enjoying time in the ocean.

Koa Smith

Photos by Ryan Valasek

My morning routine is everything. Whether it's an off day or an on day, if there is a huge swell, I’m still doing my morning routine. I’m big into meditation. I feel like practicing meditation helps me find a very connected center, so when I'm going through my day, I am more aware of those emotions that are coming up, and not being controlled by them as much. Letting them pass through me, and still being able to activate on a very clear, levelheaded experience.

I feel like surfing is the ultimate meditation. It's hard to find that feeling that surfing gives us back on land, so I’ve worked really hard to explore that. Meditating for 30 minutes to an hour, journaling, a little bit of body movement, making sure there are no cracks or aches, activating my body, and then just feeling as nice as possible throughout the day. Making sure I am super centered and calm, so I can approach the waves head-on. 

Sterling Spencer

I go swimming every morning. The first 30 minutes, I feel my mind fighting me. It goes through issues and problems and feelings and as time goes on I feel them fade and then it’s quiet. The rest of the swim is peace. At the end of every swim when I feel so good I give a little prayer to all the sick and suffering, and pray they can make it through their hardships and find peace.  

Fierro Sisters: Vahine, Heimiti, and Kohai

Vahine Fierro

Having a routine is so important for me since I am on the road so much. When life gets confusing or uncomfortable, I love having a practice that brings me back to my body, back home. One thing I do when I am both at home and traveling would be when I wake up, I don't touch my phone. It is so important to emphasize this because my phone connects me with everything around the world, but I feel the most disconnected within myself. Then I do 12 minutes of meditation (sometimes it's breathing, sometimes it's mindfulness, sometimes it's just watching my thoughts).

Then when I am done with that, I have a morning activation that I call the Perfect 10. It’s 10 activation exercises for one minute each. Then 3 minutes of box breathing and 3 minutes of active breathing. 

When I am home or traveling, on Sundays I usually do a hike, a run, or a walk. This activity always brings me back to my body and to the place I am in and somehow starts the week with a clear mind. 

Kohai Fierro

Surfing is my daily practice. Being in the ocean every day helps me stay connected, present, and in tune with both my mind and body. It’s where I feel most grounded and where I naturally find myself.

Outside of surfing, I practice Tahitian dance, which helps me stay fluid and connected. The rhythm and coordination allows me to move freely, release tension, and keep my body and mind in sync. It helps me carry that same sense of flow from land into the water. I’m also passionate about cooking. Preparing my own meals gives me the opportunity to focus on what I’m putting into my body to fuel my performance. (Plus it’s nice to whip up something other than a spray of the lip.) Staying consistent with surfing, dance, and cooking helps me remain balanced, focused, and connected, regardless of the conditions. I don’t wait for special moments to find my flow state — I create it daily through movement and the way I choose to live. 

Heimiti Fierro

My daily practice in a couple words: Wake up. Hip mobility practice (I have very bad hip strength). Big glass of water. Big protein breakfast. Surf. Sleep. Namaste. Repeat. It’s a simple, efficient, and very light on the mind routine that I’ve been really enjoying. Sometimes less is more. 

A place that really helps me find my flow state is being surrounded by nature, the ocean, and people I love. That’s when I feel my best and the most aligned with myself.  Anything that initiates me to create, whether it’s music, art, drawing, or moving my body through dancing, aren’t things I only do before a “big swell” or a contest.

To me it’s an everyday mindset. Wellbeing isn’t a switch you turn on when you “need it most.” If it’s something that makes you feel good, that makes you feel your best, then it is something you should practice everyday. For me, that's what living well means: choosing the simple things that make me feel aligned with myself, and giving myself permission to enjoy them fully.

Rob Machado

My daily ritual goes like this: Wake up when the sun rises. Make tea — fresh ginger, fresh turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, and honey. Let tea steep while on a one- to two-mile walk. Sauna for 30 minutes while drinking tea and doing deep long stretches to feel where the imbalances are. Cold shower in the front yard. Begin a series of body movement or strengthening exercises. Breakfast — high protein, low carb. 

Four to five days a week keeps me in a state of feeling physically prepared for whatever life throws my way, which in turn gives me the ability to free up my mind to focus on family, projects, and whatever else might come up. 

Surfing is still a huge part of my life and is the ultimate motivation for all of this. If I can be in the water riding waves then it’s all worth it. Surfing is the flowstate. There is no other activity in the world that is as connected as surfing is. When you can connect with a wave and do the dance, find the rhythm, feel the flow — it’s unlike anything — one of the highest forms of meditation, in my opinion. Giving yourself the opportunity to be in the right place at the right time and being present. That’s all we can ever want.