How to Master Surf, Skate, and Snow for a Lifetime of Adventure
- Brainz Magazine
- May 29
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 31
Written by Jon Addison, Performance Coach
Jon Addison is a specialist in surf and snow sports performance. As the founder of Mtnwave Fitness, he provides tailored online fitness coaching for ocean and mountain sports, in addition to organizing adventure coaching tours that integrate his rider-focused training with incredible surf and snow experiences.
The life of a boardrider/outdoor sports person is one of constant motion, where every season brings a new set of challenges and rewards. Whether you're searching for perfect waves, fresh snow-covered mountains, or even looking at cityscapes and architecture as creative outlets, there are opportunities everywhere from sea to summit.
There’s also a unique attraction to mastering the art of board riding. If you’re thinking about getting into any of the board sports, or you're a seasoned rider in one and are looking for a refreshing new take, I’ve found that the secret lies not in focusing on just one discipline, but in exploring them all.
My journey to the triple crown
For a long time, I’ve been chasing what my close friends and I dub “The Triple Crown,” not a formal title, but a personal goal to master the subtle arts of surfing, snowboarding, and skateboarding to at least a creative level of proficiency. Each sport offers something unique, yet they all share a core focus on similar movement patterns, skill development, and a deep connection to the elements and terrain. My thirty-plus-year quest has been filled with highs and lows. Some days it all comes together, catching and riding the perfect wave, whooping through pow lines, opening up a new skate trick, and other days, it’s about learning from mistakes and pushing through frustration.
But what’s driven me all these years isn’t just the desire to have more fun or become better at a sport. It’s about using these skills to explore the world around me, becoming a more well-rounded athlete, and constantly finding new challenges that I can adapt my skills to. Whether I’m paddling out at a new surf break or dropping into a new line, the pursuit of mastering these sports has kept me engaged and evolving for more than three decades.
What I’ve learned is that the more I cross between these similar sports, the more I’m able to challenge myself and enjoy the journey. The concept of the Triple Crown, in my eyes, isn’t just about getting proficient at any single one of these disciplines. It's about embracing the journey and recognizing how each season and sport feeds into the other, creating a lifestyle of continuous improvement and adventure. It’s the drive to discover new places, be out in nature, see how creative you can get with your skills in different environments, and understand how improving in one discipline helps you get better in the others.
The synergy of surf, skate, and snow
Becoming an all-terrain rider isn't about learning how to ride different boards; it’s about adapting your skills and developing a deeper understanding of how each sport relates to the other. It’s like driving different vehicles for their intended purposes: a sports car on tarmac or a 4x4 off-road. The basic principles are the same, but how you adapt to the vehicle’s capabilities and the terrain is the real difference.
For me, the connection between surfing, snowboarding, and skating was never just about doing something different; it’s about how they fuel each other. Snowboarding taught me how to get on rail and ride with power and intention, which immediately applied to carving waves.
Likewise, surfing helped me develop a deeper sense of timing, patience, and flow, making those snowboard runs feel smoother and more intuitive.
Every time I snowboard, it sharpens my surf game, and every time I ride a wave, it strengthens my snowboarding. These sports are not just separate; they’re interconnected, each one helping me evolve as an all-round rider.
Skateboarding plays a huge part in this synergy too, enhancing board control and quick reactions that are essential for balance in both surf and snow. Ramp skating and surf skating help fine-tune carving abilities, while most snowboarding tricks are descended from skating.
The crossover benefits are undeniable. Skateboarding not only builds the same motor skills needed for surf and snow, but also provides a dynamic way to practice year-round. As for wakeboarding, wakesurfing, and kitesurfing, they offer exciting summer alternatives that further refine your skills. Wakeboarding sharpens aerial awareness and timing, essential for snowboarding’s jumps and tricks. Wakesurfing, on the other hand, enables a better grasp of speed generation on a wave. Lastly, kitesurfing combines wind, water, and aerial dynamics, which improves coordination and reaction time, benefiting both surf and snow.
Exploring these additional disciplines can keep your training fresh and challenging, giving you new ways to grow and test your skills when surf or snow conditions aren’t ideal.
Fitness benefits of cross-training
Each board sport offers unique fitness benefits that complement one another. Surfing builds upper body and core strength for paddling and balance, while snowboarding strengthens the lower body, focusing on stability and power. Skateboarding introduces an explosive and dynamic element, challenging your quick reflexes, precision, and coordination. Engaging in all three sports enhances overall performance, with each discipline improving strength, agility, and control that transfer seamlessly between them.
Incorporating these disciplines into your routine not only keeps training fresh but also supports overall athleticism. However, the impact and repetitive nature of these sports can take their toll on your body. That’s why it’s crucial to balance, restore, and strengthen on your off days.
Prioritizing recovery with a well-rounded fitness regimen ensures you stay in peak condition, injury-free, and ready to ride strong for years to come.
Embracing the full board riding experience
As I reflect on my journey through surfing, snowboarding, and skateboarding, I realize how these board sports have shaped not just my skills but my lifestyle. They've influenced where I live, what I do, the people I connect with, and even how I spend time with my kids. Each sport has left its mark, helping me grow and evolve both physically and mentally.
To me, board riding isn’t just about riding. It’s about finding new challenges and ways to keep learning. When I plateau in one sport, switching to another brings fresh energy, new goals, and a renewed sense of purpose. This approach has been invaluable during injury recoveries. It's allowed me to stay active, maintain fitness, and rebuild confidence without the pressure of diving back into one sport too quickly.
I see board riding as a lifelong pursuit, similar to martial arts; each sport has its own distinct challenges, but they’re all interconnected. Miyamoto Musashi, the infamous Japanese swordsman, said, “If you know the way broadly, you will see it in everything.” I think I am starting to understand how this relates to riding. The core principles in each overlap, enhancing growth and mastery in all of them.
Evolving as a rider for life
I’m far from being pro. I’d say I’m intermediate at best in any one of these sports. You can get hooked on any one in a day, but they take decades to master, and that’s what makes them so rewarding. The more I ride, the more my passion and perspective shift, evolving into a deeper appreciation and curiosity for each discipline.
It isn’t just about charging around hooting and hollering—well, that too—but for me, it’s also about challenge, self-development, exploration, and adventure. I want to keep doing this for years to come, and that’s why I focus on maintaining my athleticism so I can keep riding and exploring for as long as possible.
If you want to level up your riding experience, check out our free 30DAYS/30WAYS Surf or Snow Fit Series. No guesswork — just practical tips, proven strategies, and clear methods to help you ride stronger, recover faster, and unlock more progression this season.
Don’t let the seasons or conditions hold you back — try new things, challenge yourself, and keep evolving as a human who loves to ride.
Read more from Jon Addison
Jon Addison, Performance Coach
Jon Addison is a Performance Coach, Surf and Snowboard Instructor, and former Snowboard Athlete specializing in fitness, rehab, and readiness for ocean and mountain sports. As the founder of Mtnwave Fitness, he helps athletes and enthusiasts overcome frustrations, plateaus, and pain through personalized coaching programs designed to elevate their performance. Jon’s own journey of injury recovery and sustainable fitness has fueled his commitment to helping others unlock their potential. With a focus on functional movement and sport-oriented fitness, he is dedicated to helping riders reclaim and enhance their abilities in surf and snow sports.
