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The Mentawais Are Calling Again: Surf Travel’s Golden Era Returns

Paddle Power: The Engine of Your Surfing

The Longboarder’s Paradise: How Malibu’s Point Break Defines Surfing’s Slow Dance

Reading the Rip: How to Know When Your Leash is Ready to Snap

The Unwritten Code of a Local Peak

John John Florence: The Aerial Master Who Redefined What’s Possible

The Green Stoke: Nicaragua’s Eco-Surf Lodges Are Redefining Tropical Travel

John John and the Spirit of the North Shore

The Skatepark in the Sky: How Skateboarding Shaped John John Florence’s Aerial Mastery

The All-American Surf Safari: Chasing Swells from Coast to Coast

The Rivalry That Defined an Era: Andy Irons vs. Kelly Slater

The New Eco-Friendly Wetsuit: More Than Just a Trendy Sticky Rubber

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Surf Technique Deep Dive

Think of it as part of a rhythm, not a panic move. Paddle with purpose toward the impact zone, scan for the lull in the whitewater, and choose your moment. After you surface from a successful dive, immediately transition back into a strong, rhythmic paddle. Take a few breaths, then assess the next obstacle. A pro-level paddle-out is a series of these efficient dives and paddle bursts, flowing through the whitewater like a dolphin. It’s the mark of someone who knows how to handle the ocean.

They’re our roots, man! These films are the historical documents of our culture. You see the evolution of boards, wetsuits, and styles. You feel the raw, DIY energy before big sponsorships. Watching guys like Miki Dora or Gerry Lopez teaches you about style and attitude, not just maneuvers. They remind us what it’s all about: fun, adventure, and connection to the sea. In today’s high-tech, contest-focused world, they keep the soulful, rebellious heart of surfing alive and pumping.

Look where you want to go, not at your feet! Your head and shoulders lead your turn. To set a line down the line, look along the shoulder. To set up for a cutback, glance back at the whitewater. Your board will follow your gaze. Keeping your eyes up also helps with balance and spotting sections. It’s all about connecting with the wave’s energy, and it starts with your vision. Don’t get stuck staring at the nose.

Mastering the Waves

The fish is a groovy, wider, and flatter shape, usually under 6 feet, with a split tail (swallowtail). It’s designed for speed in smaller, mushier waves where a standard shortboard would bog. The twin-fin setup provides insane drive and flow. If your local break is more fat and weak than hollow and barreling, a fish will keep you flying and generating speed where it seems impossible.

Look to the horizon, not just at the water in front of you. Watch for a darker, thicker line forming way out there. Often, you’ll see the horizon seem to “boil” or disappear as the set approaches. Also, keep an eye on the more experienced surfers in the water; if they suddenly start paddling with purpose toward the horizon, they’ve likely clocked a set. It’s about reading the subtle signs before they become obvious.

Ride your bike or walk to your local break when possible, brah. Seriously, reducing your carbon footprint is huge. Climate change is the greatest threat to our oceans, affecting everything from swell consistency to sea life. Beyond that, get politically engaged—support leaders and policies that protect coastal environments. And live by the simple rule: leave it cleaner than you found it. Every little action adds up to a massive collective shift for the blue we all love.