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Bethany rides custom sticks tailored for her unique style. Her boards often feature a modified nose shape, sometimes with a handle or extra grip for stability during take-off. She typically rides shorter, high-performance shortboards that are wider and thicker through the front for extra paddle power and balance. The tails are often pulled in for control in critical sections. It’s all about that perfect blend of paddle-ability, pop-up speed, and radical maneuverability to tackle anything from Pipeline to small peelers.

Think performance, but with a touch of extra glide. A standard shortboard around your everyday volume works, but many opt for a slightly longer, narrower outline—a step-up or a “gun-lite”—to handle the speed and connect through the sections. You need drive down the line and hold in the barrel. Thrusters are the go-to for control, but some legends have been known to ride quads for extra speed. Don’t bring your groveler; bring your good board that you trust on a fast, walling face.

Keep it simple. Clean the deck with rubbing alcohol so it’s bone dry and grease-free. Don’t peel the whole backing at once—start with the tail kick, align it perfectly with the board’s tail, and press it on. Then slowly work your way forward, smoothing out bubbles as you go. Take your time to get it straight; a crooked pad is a permanent buzzkill. Let it cure for a few hours in the sun before you paddle out for the best bond.

To chase the most consistent swell, aim for the winter months (March to September). That’s when the dominant east swells light up the points, creating those long, mechanical walls you see in the mags. Summer (December to February) brings warmer water and more tropical vibes, with cyclonic swells that can produce some sneaky-good days, especially at the beach breaks. Just watch out for the afternoon sea breezes that can chop it up.