All Articles

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 Gear Essentials

Wax creates traction so you don’t slip off. It’s all about water temperature! Cold water wax is super hard and sticky for icy waves. Warm water wax is softer for the tropics. Using cold wax in Bali makes a slimy mess, and tropical wax in Iceland won’t stick. Basecoat is the first, harder layer. Topcoat is the final, grippy layer. Re-apply the topcoat often for maximum grip.

Da Cat went fully nomadic, chasing the endless summer long before it was a film tagline. He scored epic waves in South Africa, became a regular in France, and explored remote reefs in the South Pacific. This exile period was his ultimate expression of freedom—surfing perfect, empty waves far from the Malibu mob. These years solidified his legend as the original globe-trotting surfer, proving that the best search is for uncrowded perfection, with no fixed address.

These kids have grown up with apps that give them pinpoint forecasts, live buoys, and HD cams. They don’t just hope for waves; they know exactly when and where a swell will hit, down to the tide and wind window. This means they can plan their training missions perfectly, scoring more quality time on the right waves. It accelerates learning massively. They can chase swells globally with confidence, ensuring they’re always riding the kind of conditions that push their limits and build true skill.

Surf Gear Essentials

For sure! A surf hat isn’t just for bluebird days. On overcast or even drizzly days, it helps keep rain or spray out of your eyes and adds a layer of warmth for your head. The ocean reflects a ton of UV even when it’s cloudy, so that protection is still working. It’s a versatile piece of kit that’s useful in most conditions. Plus, it just completes the look, whether you’re charging or just chilling on the beach.

Ditch the direct flights and get flexible, brah. Use flight comparison sites and set up price alerts. Consider flying into bigger hubs and taking a local bus or shuttle to the coast. Traveling in the shoulder season—just before or after peak—is a total game-changer for savings and less crowded lineups. A little research goes a long way in keeping your travel fund fat for more important things, like board repairs and post-session noms.

A completed carve is a full-circle power circle. You start high on the wave, drive your rail down to the bottom, and then use that momentum to come all the way back up to where you started, or close to it. You finish the maneuver with speed and flow, ready for the next section. It’s not just a sharp snap; it’s a drawn-out, powerful arc that uses the whole face. You know you’ve completed it when you’re back in the power zone without losing your momentum.