WaveKi by Brad Gerlach On-Demand Online Surf Coaching Course
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Integrated interactive video content
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Ensured mobile and web app responsiveness
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Enhanced user experience with real-time feedback
The Brief
Want to improve your surf skills anytime, anywhere? WaveKi On-Demand makes it possible.
WaveKi On-Demand represents a transformative approach to surf training by translating expert coaching expertise into accessible digital content that reaches surfers globally regardless of geographic location or access to quality instructors. Founded by Brad Gerlach - a legendary professional surfer with competition credentials including world ranking number one as a rookie, five world tour victories, and recognition as a tow-in surfing pioneer - WaveKi emerged from deep industry knowledge about where traditional surf coaching falls short. The challenge was substantial: the sport of surfing has traditionally been constrained by geographic proximity to quality breaks, established coach networks, and the expensive logistics of one-on-one in-person instruction. Many aspiring and advancing surfers lack access to professional coaching or must travel extensively to train with recognised experts. WaveKi's vision centred on democratising high-quality surf training through a systematised, digitally-delivered methodology that could reach surfers in any location worldwide.
The broader context is critical: traditional surf instruction has evolved through informal apprenticeship models where surfers learn primarily through observation, experimentation, and occasional mentorship from local experienced surfers. Formalised coaching existed but remained geographically concentrated and financially inaccessible to most participants. Additionally, surf improvement training lacks the standardised methodologies found in sports like tennis or gymnastics - each coach applies personal philosophy and experience without systematic progression frameworks. Gerlach's WaveKi methodology, positioned as the "first proven systematic surf-specific training method," addressed this gap by codifying technique progressions, progression sequencing, and training principles that could be taught effectively through video instruction and interactive digital engagement. The challenge for PixelForce was to translate this expertise into a platform that delivered individualised coaching experiences despite the asynchronous, digital nature of the medium.
Our Solution
PixelForce engineered WaveKi On-Demand as a comprehensive digital coaching platform that preserves the interactivity and personalisation essential to effective skill instruction despite the constraints of distance and asynchronous delivery. The core experience centres on interactive video content where instruction moves beyond passive observation into active engagement. Rather than users simply watching Gerlach or other expert instructors demonstrate techniques, videos incorporate interactive elements that require user participation - pausing for self-assessment, answering knowledge questions, or marking movement milestones. This interactivity transforms videos from educational broadcast into coaching experiences where surfers actively engage with content rather than consuming it passively.
The platform's real-time feedback mechanism addresses the central challenge of digital coaching: how can remotely-delivered instruction provide corrective guidance equivalent to in-person coaching observation? WaveKi implemented several feedback delivery mechanisms. Video analysis tools allow users to record themselves executing techniques, then compare their form directly against expert demonstration footage. This visual comparison enables surfers to identify specific deviations - body position, weight distribution, timing - without requiring instructor observation. Additionally, the platform incorporates chat and messaging features connecting users with coaches, enabling asynchronous detailed feedback on submitted video form checks. This hybrid approach - immediate self-assessment tools plus expert review pathways - replicates key value drivers of traditional coaching at scale.
Community features extended beyond transactional coaching into social and motivational dimensions. Surfers using the platform can connect with other users, share their progression videos, engage in peer learning, and create accountability around training commitment. This community layer transforms the experience from isolated individual learning into participation within a cohort of similarly-motivated athletes. Discussion forums and group challenge features create social reinforcement for continued engagement, particularly valuable for remote users who lack local training partners.
Content management required sophisticated curation and regular enhancement to maintain currency and comprehensiveness. Surfing technique evolves with equipment innovation, competitive progression, and changing ocean conditions. WaveKi's content strategy included systematic addition of new technique progressions, seasonal content addressing specific conditions, and featured sessions from notable surfers including Gerlach's accomplished students like Conner and Parker Coffin, Courteney Conlogue, and Tia Blanco. Each addition extended the platform's value proposition and maintained user engagement through fresh material.
The backend development supporting WaveKi required infrastructure optimised for video delivery, user progression tracking, and interactive content delivery. Video streaming required significant bandwidth optimisation to ensure smooth playback across varying internet connection speeds - critical for users potentially filming themselves in coastal locations with limited connectivity. The system tracked user progression through structured curricula, monitoring which technique modules users completed, which interactive elements they engaged with, and what feedback requests they submitted. This progression data fed into data analytics dashboards that helped coaching staff understand which content resonated most strongly and where users encountered learning obstacles.
Interactive video functionality required custom UI design balancing informational density with focus. Video playback controls had to remain unobtrusive whilst interactive prompts needed sufficient visibility to drive engagement. Progress indicators showed users their advancement through multi-module progressions, providing motivation through visible milestones. Form comparison tools required intuitive side-by-side video display, frame-by-frame analysis capabilities, and annotation features allowing users to mark specific technique points.
WaveKi's positioning as a digitally-delivered coaching platform reached significant recognition within the surfing industry. Features in Stab Magazine and appearances on respected podcasts like Surf Splendor reflected growing industry acknowledgment that Gerlach's systematic methodology represented a genuine departure from traditional apprenticeship-based learning. The platform attracted both aspiring surfers seeking structured foundation skill development and advanced athletes targeting specific technique refinement or big wave preparation.
Our services included
Technical Breakdown
The technological advancements we've incorporated into WaveKi On-Demand have established it as a premier digital surf training platform. It offers an engaging way to learn and interact with the sport, enhancing user skills and enjoyment. Our work has significantly boosted user engagement and retention, proving the value of blending technology with traditional sports training.