Coach Ben Big Beach Adventure New »

It’s new because it rejects the sterile gym for the organic chaos of the shoreline. It’s new because it replaces the stopwatch with the rhythm of the waves. It’s new because it welcomes the elite and the awkward, the fit and the fragile, onto the same stretch of sand.

This article was originally published in the “Coastal Sports & Adventure” quarterly.

Whether you’re a burnt-out athlete looking for joy again or just a tourist who wants to see what the buzz is about, is worth the trip. Just remember to bring sunscreen—and leave your expectations on the pavement. For more information or to sign up for the waitlist, visit (hypothetical site) www.CoachBenBeach.com or follow @CoachBenBeach on social media. coach ben big beach adventure new

“I had a team that could run a perfect pick-and-roll but couldn’t run barefoot on sand for three minutes without cramping,” Ben told me during an exclusive interview at his new headquarters—a renovated lifeguard station on the south end of Crescent Cove. “That was my lightbulb moment. The beach isn’t a vacation. It’s the ultimate training ground.”

Athletes discard their $200 trainers. Ben believes modern shoes have made feet lazy. The first quarter-hour is tactile: walking lunges in the wash, toe-grabbing drills in the soft sand, and balance work on driftwood. “You have 26 bones in your foot,” Ben shouts. “Let them work!” It’s new because it rejects the sterile gym

The answer is yes—with a catch. Because the program is entirely dependent on tide schedules and group size, Ben limits each session to 15 people. However, he has just launched a waitlist and a digital “Sand Notes” newsletter where he posts weekly drills you can do on any beach, anywhere.

“This is the locker room now,” he said with a grin, gesturing at the endless horizon. “No walls. No excuses. Just sand, salt, and hard work.” This article was originally published in the “Coastal

“He’s put us on the map,” says Marisol Vega, owner of Crescent Cove Surf & Supply. “People are driving two hours just to say they trained with ‘Coach Ben on the beach.’ It’s weird, but it works.”