Topics

Surf History & Legends

Mastering the Waves

Surf Lifestyle & Travel

Surf Lingo & Slang

Surf Gear & Brands

The Surfing Life

Surf News & Updates

Surf Technique Deep Dive

Surfboard Evolution

Surf Travel Adventures

Surf Culture & Community

Surf Lingo Explained

Surf Gear Essentials

Legendary Surf Spots

Surf Icons & Heroes

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...?

Surfboard Evolution

Can you still experience the longboard era vibe today?

Totally, dude! The spirit is alive and well. Head to any classic pointbreak—like Malibu, San Onofre, or Waikiki—and you’ll find crews riding traditional logs with that same graceful style. The ethos of trim, nose rides, and soulful expression never died. It’s a living history lesson on water. Embracing that slower, smoother approach is a timeless joy. It connects you directly to the roots of our sport. So grab a log, practice your cross-stepping, and feel the glide!

Do these boards help with progressing my surfing?

For sure! They build fundamental skills that high-performance boards can sometimes mask. With more foam and stability, you learn to set a line, generate speed from your turns (not just the wave), and work on your style. They force you to surf the wave, not just the board. The confidence boost from catching more waves and having longer rides is huge. Skills you learn on a fun shape translate directly to every other board in your quiver.

When should I ride a twin fin?

Hop on a twinny when you want pure speed and flow. With just two fins, there’s less drag, so you can generate insane down-the-line speed. They’re super loose and skatey, perfect for small, mushy days or when you want to draw out longer, more drawn-out turns on a fish or a wider tail. Just be ready for a bit less pivot and a looser feel in the pocket compared to a thruster.

Mastering the Waves

Why are there so many different tail shapes?

The tail is your steering and release point! A squash tail gives you quick, snappy turns. A rounded pin offers hold in bigger, hollower waves. A swallowtail (like on a fish) creates lift and speed. A square tail provides stability. It’s all about how you want the board to connect with and release from the wave’s face. Choosing the right one fine-tunes your ride.

How do I handle my board to avoid hurting others?

Your board is a 7-foot projectile. Always maintain control, especially when paddling out. If you bail, cover your head and grab your board—don’t let it fly. Use a leash that’s the right length for your stick. When ditching your board in whitewater, look behind you first. A loose log can seriously injure the grom or uncle behind you. Board awareness is key to a chill session where everyone goes home with all their teeth.

How many waves is too many to catch?

Don’t be a wave hog. Even if you’re shredding, it’s not cool to paddle for every single set wave. If you’ve just caught a bomb, give the next one or two to others. This is especially important on a crowded day. Sharing is caring in the lineup. Watch the rhythm, take your turn, and let the groms or newcomers get a few. Greedy surfing kills the vibe faster than onshore winds.