All Articles

The Grommet’s Code: Earning Your Waves

The Fish Surfboard: The Underrated Wave Machine

The Dance of the Lineup: Why Every Break Has Its Own Heartbeat

The Wetsuit: Your Second Skin in the Lineup

The Enduring Spirit of Duke Kahanamoku

Reading the Wave Face: The Key to a Proper Bottom Turn

The Quiet Magic of a Hood: Keeping the Chill Out When Winter Swells Roll In

The Dawn Patrol: Living the Surfing Life

The Silent Morning Paddle: Where Soul Surfing Begins

The Subtle Art of Duck Diving: Timing the Inevitable

Hanalei Bay: The Soul of Garden Isle Surfing

Waikiki’s Endless Summer: How a Hawaiian Break Shaped the Soul of Surfing

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Surfboard Evolution

Don’t just chuck it in the garage! Find a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and temperature swings. Stand it upright on its tail, or store it flat on a rack with wide supports. Never leave it leaning on its rail or resting on a hard point, as this creates pressure dings. Give it a full wax scrape and a clean before you stash it. A little TLC now means it’ll be water-ready when the next swell hits.

You want a clean, angled spear, not a belly flop. As you paddle to meet the wave, take one or two strong, deep strokes to build momentum. Grab the rails near the front of your board (around chest-width apart), then in one fluid motion, push the nose down at about a 45-degree angle while shifting your weight forward. Your body follows the board’s path under. A clean entry slices through the surface tension and gets you deeper with less effort. It’s all about that smooth, committed motion.

Beyond your board bag, pack a solid first-aid kit, reef booties, a spare leash and fin key, a quality zinc stick, and a portable ding repair kit. Don’t forget a reusable water bottle and a good hat for sun protection. A compact towel and a positive attitude are mandatory. You’ll be living out of your car or a bungalow, so pack light but smart. Being prepared means more time in the water and less time stressing.

Surf Culture & Community

It’s a gray area, but the respectful approach is to make a connection first. Paddle out, say g’day, and ask if they’d like some shots. Most surfers are stoked. If you post online, tag them if you know their handle. For commercial use, you absolutely need a model release. Building relationships in the lineup is the best practice—it’s about community, not just taking. Respect goes a long way.

It’s all about respect and stoke. The Spirit of Aloha means sharing waves, respecting the locals and the ocean, and simply finding joy in the session, whether you’re getting shacked or just connecting with the saltwater. It’s not about being the most ripping person out there; it’s about good vibes, patience, and appreciating the glide. Paddle out with a smile, hoot for your friends, and leave the lineup better than you found it. That’s the true soul of surfing.

It’s all about craft and curation. Magazines invest in top surf photographers, giving them assignments and time to get that perfect, timeless shot. The printing process brings out insane detail and color you lose on a pixelated screen. Every image is carefully chosen to tell a story, not just to get quick clicks. Holding a double-page spread of a perfect barrel is an experience that a tiny Instagram square just can’t match. It’s pure, undiluted art.