By Jenna Goldberg - September 24th 2010

Introduction By: Nicole Grodesky
Quietly working behind the scenes are the true legends of surfing. Nancy Emerson is one of these people who continues to inspire and build on the new growth of surfing by extending and giving back to surfing what surfing has given to her. The surfing community is especially lucky to have these special souls such as her, who make surfing not only a priority, but a life path. She is a true living legend operating under the radar. We here at DYLA, are proud and honored to share her story with you, our lovely loyal-readers.

Surfers have a saying, that when someone catches their first wave, they also “catch the surfing bug.” The experience of riding a wave is so thrilling; all it takes is one ride for someone to dive head- first into a love affair with the surf. If one woman proves “the surfing bug” theory, it would be Nancy Emerson. The Pacific Palisades/ Malibu native has been teaching and coaching surfers for the past 37 years.

“The first step is to teach people how important it is to relax and stay relaxed in the ocean.” Emerson said.

Emerson first learned to surf in Waikiki, 1961. During a family trip to the islands, her Mum set up a surf lesson with a Makaha International Champion, and after catching her first wave Emerson recalls she thought, “whoa, this is amazing.”

She proved to be a skillful surfer, leading her to compete professionally on- and- off from 1966- 1988. With minimal prize money in competitive surfing, it remained a pure and humble adventure for young women surfers. Emerson ventured a new path in her life when she established her own surfing school. She began teaching private surf lessons in 1973, expanding her business to Maui, Japan, Malibu, and O’ahu.

“The first step is to teach people how important it is to relax and stay relaxed in the ocean.” Emerson said. “Then we share about how the ocean and her currents move, how to read the ocean, respect the ocean, be safe and take time to read the ocean before going to play in it.”

After making yearly trips to Hawaii from California since 1961, Emerson moved to Hawaii directly out of high school in 1969. She moved to the Gold Coast of Australia in 1998, where she still resides today, often traveling to O’ahu to visit her family. She sold her surf school in Maui, but still goes there to teach private lessons.Proving to be a talented surf instructor, Emerson enjoyed the gratification of sharing her love and knowledge of surfing, leading her to coach professional athletes. She first started coaching in Maui, 1983, when she partnered with surfer Anna Moody, helping her train for the OP PRO (now known as the US Open) in Huntington Beach, CA. She has also coached surfers such as Jody Cooper and Ian Walsh.

“Some only think I work with beginners. I have been coaching serious surfers since 1983 and love to work with the grommets and groom them for their goals and going for the top. ”

Recently, Emerson has trained ASP World Tour surfer Melanie Bartels, of the Westside of O’ahu, currently number six in the world, and competing at the highest level she has in recent history on tour.

“Melanie has an amazing natural talent and beyond,” Emerson said. “She has a really warm heart. She is only using 50% of her body muscle according to a natural healer I took her to.” Bartels placed second to Stephanie Gilmore in the first event of the year, Roxy Pro Gold Coast.

In order to best suite the athletes’ needs, Nancy sits down with the surfer, and discovers where they are physically and mentally, before proceeding to create a unique training regimen.

“I develop my training regiments differently for each athlete, depending on where they are, and how committed, and what their next event is coming up for them. Also each athlete has different mindsets as well. One thing that I have learned, working with elite athletes, is that I know that the athlete needs to want to better themselves, and wants more than their coach wants for them, or they will not perform at their top level. They can be one of the best athletes in the world, but if they don’t want it as much as the coach wants it for them, then they will never reach the height of their goals. And to coach an elite athlete that feels entitled, they will never work hard for their goals. When a sponsor can see an athlete feels entitled, they will never last very long with a sponsor or a coach, and slowly they slide from any goals they may have had,” Emerson said.

Today Emerson is still invited to many surfing contests, competing in the ‘legends’ division. Her favorite contest is “The Duke Ocean Fest” in Waikiki, where she caught her first wave. “I’m a mature grommet,” she says, “As I love to watch the men and gals’ WCT and WQS events whenever I can, in person or online.” In closing, Nancy shares with us: “The ocean is a source of mysticism and the basis of legends and facts that have become embedded in who we are and what we have become. We hold the ocean in respect and awe through its many changing moods of chaos and tranquility and all phases in between. While we cannot seek to tame such an unpredictable element, we are constantly seeking ways to work with it, to harvest its potential, to find balance, to seek understanding of ourselves and the environment, and to work together in harmony with the ocean leading to greater productivity and a better way of life.”

Be sure to check out what's going on with Nancy and her upcoming events! What: Aloha Surf Clinics with Nancy Emerson is hosting "Nancy's Lokahi Surf Training" Who: Intermediate and advanced surfers up to 24 women surfers to embark on their Lokahi (unity of mind, body and spirit). This will include a powerful training program consisting of surfing with Nancy Emerson with a personal technique & critique with each surfer, Yoga and Tai Chi classes, a sharing of Hawaiian Huna( ancient Hawaiian holistic healing), the power of mind over matter and enhancing one's surfing, When: January 28th, 29th & 30th OR February 4th, 5th or 6th 2011. Where: East, South, and West Oahu Surf Spots Special: Sign up by January 2nd 2011 for $50 off Visit www.surfclinics.com or call (808) 294-5544