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From Northern Skater to Southern Beach Boy : Exploring oneself through surfing



From Skater to Surfer


“I've been skateboarding before, and surfing is the origin of it, so I wanna know its originality and how is it like before becoming today's skateboarding”


Tiger or Tian Changhin gave us this answer when we asked what made him move from Phrae to live in Phang Nga and do an internship in order to be a surf instructor with Memories Surfhouse. 

Before trying surfing, he's been in the skateboarding circle for many years. He started skateboarding since he was in 6th grade or around 12 years old.  At the beginning, he used a skateboard that was available in a department store at the time and glided around with his friends, as curious and adventurous kids did. He continued playing, falling and getting up repeatedly, learning until he became proficient.

Besides skateboarding, Tiger also played other sports throughout his life, including football, basketball, and long jump. However, accidents caused the pause of his participation in these sports at times. He underwent knee surgery twice. The first time occurred while representing his school in a long jump competition. His right knee ligament was almost torn, forcing him to rest. When he returned to compete, he reinjured the same ligament, causing a complete tear and requiring hospitalization. The second incident happened because he stretched too much before skateboarding, resulting in a torn left knee ligament during a kick flip down three steps while skateboarding.

Despite these physical obstacles, his strong will and determination to pursue his favorite sport allowed him to recover and return to do what he loved.



Surfing through Skater Sense


“Skateboarding is controllable because we do it on the ground. We can do whatever we want. But surfing needs waves. We have to understand the nature, which is uncontrollable.”


When Tiger first started skateboarding, he relied on his instincts. However, over time, he began to learn and understand skateboarding through scientific lens. He began to see invisible arrows representing the forces acting on the board while maintaining balance and controlling types of forces according to the situation.

Tiger applies this ‘invisible line' to surfing and when teaching students as well. For example, seeing a dividing line on the board helps with weight balance. The invisible arrows representing different forces help him learn surfing more visually. He admits to still being a beginner to surfing, even though he's learned basic techniques. He says he needs more practice and understanding, and more hours of experience to fully grasp the fundamental techniques of surfing.



What Surfing Serves 


When asked whether he preferred skateboarding or surfing, Tiger told us he liked both equally, as they offered him different meanings.

For him, skateboarding wasn't just a sport, it introduced him to culture and social groups, and allowed him to meet friends of diverse nationalities. It was like a passport that led him to new experiences during his time at university in Chiang Mai. In Phrae, skateboarding was a bridge that connected people he'd only met before but wasn't close to, but through shared interests, the friendship grew.



As for surfing, nature is the thing that gives him happiness. Compared with Chiang Mai, where he woke up to cement, buildings, and car pollution, in Khaolak he wakes up to work by the beach, feeling the sand and the sea barefoot. These are natural creations, unlike chlorinated water processed by humans. We could say that the surroundings of surfing brightens his soul.

Nature differentiates surfing from skateboarding. “Surfing is a sport you can do solo, like skateboarding."


You just have to understand nature and the waves.

When there's the need to consider various factors like weather, waves, and wind, it teaches him to think and look ahead in order to understand what he can't control. It teaches everyone to stop in the present, to observe, and to wait.



Tiger's surfing journey still has a long way to go, to learn, and to experience. You can cheer him up on his path to be a professional surf instructor via Instagram @memoriessurfhouse, or book a surf lesson with us to get a chance to learn how to surf with him! Maybe you can learn surfing from another perspective from him.


Phone & Whatsapp: +66 92 795 4951



 
 
 

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