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THE CONATUS APPROACH
Conatus represents the vital force within all existence that drives us to persevere and flourish, no matter the obstacles we face.
This philosophy manifests differently in each kind of phenomenon. In human beings, it appears as our drive for homeostasis and flourishing. We never fully achieve complete or perfect homeostasis and flourishing, but we can experience it in glimpses by engaging in activities that increase our powers for agency and human freedom.
Surfing becomes a pathway to strengthen your conatus—building the physical, mental, and spiritual resilience to thrive both in the ocean and in life. The key is knowing the difference between what increases and what diminishes your vital force, then learning from those with more experience in whatever realm you're trying to navigate.
MY BACKGROUND
Born in Monterey, California in 1980, I've been surfing since I was one year old. My academic journey includes a BA in Religious Studies from UC Berkeley, an MA and PhD in Philosophy from The New School for Social Research, and certification in Plant-Based Nutrition from the T. Colin Campbell Institute at Cornell University.
For over 20 years, I've developed expertise in every aspect of surfing practice—from wave forecasting and board design to surf-specific fitness regimens and performance nutrition. My approach integrates the philosophical concept of conatus (the vital force within all existence that strives to persist and flourish) with cutting-edge coaching methodologies.
Based at Rockaway Beach, NY, I coach surfers worldwide through intensive programs, international surf trips, and my exclusive club membership model.
FEATURED DESTINATION: RANCHO DIANDREW
Our Premier Costa Rica Training Compound
Rancho Diandrew in Southwest Costa Rica serves as our go-to destination for intensive surf trips linked to our semester and intensive programs. This specially curated property offers the perfect environment for accelerated surf development.
What Makes RDA Special:
Dr. Dion personally cooks all meals - experience how a professional surf coach fuels performance
On-site surf-specific workout facilities at the compound
Immediate access to multiple world-class surf breaks
Complete immersion environment for rapid progression
Optimal video analysis setup for daily session reviews
What I Offer
Intensives — Week-long immersive programs in New York. Daily coaching, video analysis, surf-specific training, and mindset work.
Trips — Destination coaching in world-class surf locations. Costa Rica, France, and beyond.
Ongoing Coaching — Year-round programming through the SurfReady365 app. Custom training, regular calls, and accountability from anywhere.
The right path depends on where you are. That's what the consult is for.
Who This Is For
All levels—beginners to advanced. Geography doesn't matter; I coach people worldwide.
If you're looking for someone to push you into waves and yell "stand!"—or cheer you on when you know you could be doing something better—this isn't the right fit. I'm not interested in hype. I'm interested in helping you understand what's actually happening so you can fix it yourself.
What matters is willingness to do the work. I prescribe training. You follow it. You progress.
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