All Articles

The Evolution of the Board Short: From Functional Threads to Harbor Style

How to Read the Ocean: The Three Pillars of Surf Breaks

Catching Rays and Waves: Why Your Sunglasses Matter as Much as Your Board

The Myth of the Pop-Up: Why You’re Wasting Energy and How to Fix It

The Unwritten Code: The Soul of Surf Etiquette

The Comeback of John John Florence: Redefining Flow at Pipe

The Surf Bag: Your Board’s Best Friend on the Road and at Home

The Mana of the Wave: He‘e Nalu in Ancient Hawai‘i

The Ripper’s Code: What It Really Means to Be a Skilled Surfer

How Billabong Rode the Wave of Surf Culture from Garage Stitch to Global Staple

Lineup Lingo: Why Snaking Makes You a Kook Before You Even Paddle Out

Reef-Safe Rays: Why Your Sunscreen Choices Matter for the Ocean

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Surf News & Updates

First, watch your own surfing! Get a mate to film you. You might think you’re laying down a sick bottom turn, but the video shows a wobbly mess—it’s a humbling game-changer. Second, mix up your equipment. Borrow a log if you normally ride a shorty; it’ll teach you about flow. Finally, surf with people better than you. Their lines and timing will rub off, pushing you to step up your game without even realizing it.

Core brands are rooted in the water, not the mall. They’re often still owned by surfers, focusing on function and durability for actual surfing, not just the look. Think of names like Xcel for wetsuits or Channel Islands for boards. Their credibility comes from decades of supporting teams, testing gear in heavy waves, and putting product performance above fast fashion trends.

Offshore winds are the magic ingredient, man. They blow from land to sea, holding up the face of the wave as it breaks, making it stand up taller and groom the lip. This creates those hollow, tubing conditions we all dream about. Onshore winds, conversely, blow from the ocean and mush it out. Mornings often have light offshore winds before the daily thermal onshore kicks in. That’s why dawnies are so often flawless.

Surf Lifestyle & Travel

Head to the South Shore in the summer, brah! From May to September, spots like Waikiki offer long, rolling waves that are perfect for learning. The water is warm, the vibe is generally more relaxed, and you can take a lesson from a true beachboy. You’ll be surfing where Duke Kahanamoku himself rode waves. It’s the ideal place to feel the aloha spirit of surfing without the intimidating power of the winter North Shore. Perfect for getting stoked and logging water time.

It’s a grind! The top 22 men and 10 women on the CT re-qualify each year. The next spots are filled by the top performers on the grueling Challenger Series, a global proving ground. A couple wildcards are also handed out. You gotta be consistently posting excellent heat totals in all conditions, from pumping reef breaks to mushy beachies, to earn your place among the world’s best. It’s all about year-round performance.

The eternal shop debate! Both are great systems. Futures are a single, solid tab, often feeling stiffer and more direct. FCS II uses two smaller tabs and a clever click-in system, allowing for super quick changes. One isn’t inherently better; it’s about preference and your board’s plugs. The key is to find a system and stick with it so you can build a quiver of fins that work across your boards. No need for holy wars—just go surf.