Introducing Flow State, a holistic surf experience.

We customize sessions so that anyone, regardless of experience, can access the healing benefits of the ocean.

What is Flow State?

As someone who knows the ocean as a joy-filled access point to healing, I created Flow State: Holistic Surf out of a deep commitment and passion to help others on their own healing journey. Whether you’re looking to build resilience, reclaim a sense of self after a setback, deepen your sense of self-worth, need help navigating the tides of trauma or grief, or whether you’re just looking to score some fun waves with good humans, we’re here to create welcoming, judgment-free experiences for you to find your flow.

As a certified surf therapy facilitator through the Groundswell Institute, I curate mindfulness-based sessions tailored to meet you where you’re at. Whether you’re looking for one-on-one holistic Blue Mind sessions (surfing, paddleboarding, bodyboarding, etc.), virtual life coaching, group sessions, sea and sand workshops for grief/trauma, or corporate team-building experiences, at Flow State, we match our practices and goals to meet the needs of individuals and communities, and we believe that by doing so, people will have the tools they need to create a more happy, fullfilling and stoke-filled life.

—Mary Frandson, Founder and CEO

Our services

  • Person paddleboarding on calm water with boats in the background.

    Holistic Blue Mind Sessions

    These 2-3 hour sessions combine mindfulness-based practices with your choice of activity (surfing, SUP, kayaking, bodyboarding, etc.).

  • Group of people in wetsuits practicing surfing techniques on a sandy beach with surfboards, palm trees, and buildings in the background.

    Surf Coaching

    From beginners to advanced surfers, our team of instructors is dedicated to creating safe and joy-filled experiences and helping you achieve your surf goals.

  • Group of people sitting in a circle on a sandy beach near the ocean, with colorful surfboards laid out around them.

    Waves of Love

    These circles are a safe and welcoming container to explore nature-based and trauma-informed approaches to help individuals and communities process grief and loss.

  • Person posing on a wooden beam in front of tall grass, with a large spoon and cherry sculpture in the background at a park.

    Yoga and Reiki

    Whether you're new to yoga or looking to deepen your practice, our individual and group sessions are a supportive space that promotes physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

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Two people in wetsuits holding surfboards walking on a beach towards the ocean.
Three people in wetsuits posing playfully with surfboards on a sandy beach next to a lifeguard tower.
Person walking on a beach carrying a surfboard, with waves in the background.
Yoga class in session with participants practicing warrior pose in a bright room with blue walls and large windows.
Surfer walking on a beach with a surfboard, ocean waves in the foreground and people in the distance. It's a sunny day.
Surfer riding a wave in the ocean
Surfer riding a wave in the ocean wearing a blue wetsuit, with whitewater and turquoise water surrounding them.
Black and white photo of a man surfing near a pier. The surfer is wearing a wetsuit and balancing on a wave.
Surfer riding a wave on the ocean

Our Commitment to Inclusion and Belonging

We are dedicated to creating inclusive spaces that honor the full spectrum of human experience. We recognize that each person carries a unique blend of identities, stories, and ways of engaging with the world. Our programs are rooted in the belief that growth and well-being are both personal and collective—and are deeply enriched by the diverse perspectives and cultural traditions each participant brings.

We welcome individuals of all races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, spiritual paths, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Our work is guided by an understanding of intersectionality, acknowledging the layered nature of identity and the many ways it shapes experience.

We strive to cultivate environments where everyone feels seen, respected, and supported as they explore their own journey toward connection, purpose, and wholeness.

In alignment with our values, we remain committed to ongoing learning and evolution. We actively seek to identify and remove barriers to access, ensuring our spaces and practices remain inclusive, equitable, and reflective of the communities we serve.

A blue lifeguard tower, number 4, with a "No Lifeguard On Duty" sign, positioned on a rocky beachfront, with cliffs on one side and ocean waves on the other, under a clear sky.

Meet our team

  • Person on a sandy beach holding a light blue surfboard, wearing a plaid jacket and beanie.

    Mary Frandson, Founder

    Opening ourselves up to vulnerability is where the magic happens. My mission is to create experiences where people can tap into the ocean's healing energy—calling on their courage, letting go of what no longer serves them, reconnecting with their true selves, and stepping into their power to live authentically. As a waterwoman and surfer, I’m here to share the stoke and soul-spark of waves. Beyond my work in the surf, I hold an MFA in Creative Writing from the New School in New York City. I’ve also taught English at St. Thomas University, served as an Editor for ESPN, and now write and edit for Amplitude Magazine. My life’s work blends storytelling, wellness, a deep, abiding love for Mother Ocean, and making meaningful contributions to inclusive surf communities.

  • Male surfer riding a wave in the ocean under a clear blue sky.

    Mike Rogers

    A well-loved and celebrated waterman, Rogers has been surfing Newport since he was nine, and has competed in seven Catalina Classics - the most celebrated endurance paddleboard race in the world. What he loves best about coaching people of all ages: “Watching people start off in fear, and end up as smooth, confident riders, who love surfing and sunrises, paddling with dolphins, and picking up trash, from a love they’ve learned from the sea.”

  • Surfer sitting on a surfboard in the ocean near a rocky shoreline with houses and palm trees in the background.

    Bryan Branch

    Born and raised at the beach, I’ve spent the last seven years helping surfers of all ages and skill levels find their groove in the water. Whether you’re catching your first wave or refining your style, I’m here to guide you with patience, passion, and a lot of stoke. Big fan of the ocean—and Star Wars.

  • Person practicing yoga outdoors in tree pose, standing on one leg with hands in prayer position, surrounded by palm trees and reeds.

    Ginny Contreras-Sawyer

    As a certified yoga teacher with an MFA in memoir and personal writing, I’ve spent years helping women find their voice—on the page and on the mat. I offer vinyasa flow, restorative sessions, and creative writing workshops that invite women to slow down, reflect, and return to themselves. A space to breathe, write, move, and live from the heart.

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What people are saying about us:

“Bryan was so patient and knowledgeable! He definitely didn’t give up on me, even though I was very slow to learn. I would highly recommend taking surf lessons with him. He made me feel very safe and calm out in the water.”

— Danielle

“Bryan is an amazing instructor and human being. I was honestly terrified of getting into the ocean and taking a lesson, but he was so patient, calm, gentle, caring, and encouraging that after the few minutes we spent on the beach going over some basics, I was ready to give it a try. Bryan makes you feel so safe the entire time you’re with him, and yet has this wonderful way of helping you step out of your comfort zone. He is so knowledgeable and down-to-earth, explaining so clearly what you should notice and do, and he truly helped me have the experience of a lifetime.” —Laurie

“Learning to surf at age 42 with coach Mike has truly changed my life. On the very first day, he taught me how to catch waves—a feeling I’ll never forget. After going through a tragic loss, I was searching for something to reconnect me to the world. Surfing did that, and so much more. It brought new life into me. What began as a lesson in balance and timing, quickly became a deeper journey. Surfing has given me a way to conquer fear, meditate in nature, and feel a sense of accomplishment I hadn’t felt in a long time. And the best part? My coach has been there every step of the way—patient, motivating, and constantly helping me grow from a beginner into an intermediate surfer. Surfing is more than just a sport. It’s been healing. It’s been empowering. It’s been a lasting gift.”

—Vanessa

Find your Flow State today.