All Articles

The Lineup: Surfing’s Unwritten Social Contract

The Alchemy of the Ding Repair Kit: Turning a Crack into Character

The Soul of a Surfari: Living With a Fishing Family in the Mentawais

The Art of the Session: Why Your Dream Board Starts with a Conversation

The Curse of the Old Wetsuit and the Dawn of the Green Foam

The Waxy Truth About Reef-Safe Sunscreen

Chasing the Balance: When to Surf a Storm and When to Sit It Out

The Rise of Molly Picklum and the Evolution of Power in Women’s Surfing

The Shaper’s Soul: Why Al Merrick Still Rules the Surfboard Game

The Greenough Stage 4: The Fin That Rewrote The Rules Of The Wave

The Drop: Committing to the Barrel

The Unwritten Rules of the Takeoff Zone

Live Surf Cams

Surfline Live is a 24/7 glimpse into the world’s surf.

This stream moves through Surfline’s global camera network, showing spots where it’s daylight and rated Fair or better.

What’s The Deal With…?

Surf Technique Deep Dive

Initiate your cutback from your upper body by looking and turning your shoulders back towards the whitewater or foam ball. Really lean on your back foot and use your front foot to guide the board through a tight, arcing turn. The goal is to redirect your speed back toward the power source—the breaking part of the wave. Don’t rush it; let the rail do the work. A solid cutback repositions you in the pocket and looks oh-so-stylish.

For sure, brah! This is where fins shine. In weak surf, you want fins that generate speed and help you create your own energy. Smaller fins, or a specific quad set, reduce drag and allow for quicker acceleration. Fins with more flex can also help “pump” through flat sections. Look for setups marketed as “performance groveler” or “speed generator” templates. They’re designed to turn ankle-biters into fun sessions, keeping you moving when the ocean is barely breathing.

Costa Rica gets slammed by consistent, year-round SW swells, and its coastline is a crazy mix of beaches, points, and reefs that groom those swells into perfection. Add in warm water, offshore winds from the Caribbean, and the pura vida vibe, and you’ve got a surfer’s paradise. Whether you’re a grom learning at Tamarindo or a charger hunting hollow Pavones, there’s a dream wave with your name on it. It’s the ultimate surf trip where you can score without a 4/3.

Surf Lingo Explained

It’s not just about time in the water. It’s the pre-dawn checks, the wax smell in your car, the repaired dings. It’s about environmental stewardship—leaving the beach cleaner. It’s the camaraderie in the lineup and the post-surf feed with your crew. It’s living with the rhythms of the swell and wind, and finding that balance where surfing fuels the rest of your life, not consumes it.

Paddling is the brutal, unglamorous gym session of surfing. Without a strong paddle game, you’re just a spectator. It gets you out back, through the impact zone, and puts you in position to catch waves before anyone else. Think of your arms as your engine. Better paddle fitness means more waves per session, less exhaustion, and more fun. Do pop-ups and push-ups at home to build that explosive power you need to get to your feet.

It can be, but you can manage it. Visibility is the main issue—seeing rips, other surfers, or your own board is harder. Stick to a break you know really, really well. A good rule is to avoid sketchy, shallow spots you’re not 100% on. Surf with a buddy and consider a board with brighter colors. Your judgment might be a bit foggy, so take a minute to watch the sets before paddling out. The ocean’s power doesn’t change with the light, so respect it.