Huntington Beach is one of the most iconic surf communities in the world. What makes it so iconic are the waves and its history, yes, but also because of its people, including surfers running generational businesses near the ocean. This includes the Pai family, who run Huntington Beach Surf and Sport. Located just across the street from the Huntington Beach Pier, it's the ultimate surf shop. Not only can you get anything and everything you need, from t-shirts to boardies, sur

Regardless of where we surf, the type of board we ride, and our skill level, all of us surfers have the same fear in the lineup: sharks lurking beneath our toes. If you're surfing on the East Coast, you may be worried about small but powerful bites from bull sharks; if you're surfing in the murky and chilly waters of California, you may be worried about great white sharks; and if you're visiting Hawaii on a trip you've always dreamed of, you may be worried about tiger sharks.

One of my favorite surf communities in the US is a small beach town on the edge of a big coastal city: Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Why? Well, if you've been there, you probably know: the waves, the food, the community that's driven by selfless service, and so much more. And if you haven't been there, well, keep reading for why you absolutely need to make it your next trip. Let us introduce: "SeaGals" Visit Jacksonville recently dropped "SeaGals", a latest installment of the

If you've ever struggled with getting surfboards to the beach, the RadRack team knows your pain, and has a pretty rad solution. Photo courtesy RadRack A few years ago, Brian Spinrad had a problem. Just after purchasing his dream car, a Ford Bronco, he wanted to take his family, including his kids, to the beach and surf. Issue was, he couldn’t strap his surfboard to the top of his Bronco because of its soft roof. He couldn't fit the boards inside the vehicle, either. When this

How do you earn the nickname "Surf City?" First, the location must have good, consistent waves. Second, the area must also be the epicenter of the surf industry, with surf shops, surf businesses, and home to iconic surf contests. And third, the community must be tight-knit, care and respect for each other, all the while exhibiting surfing's greatest quality: aloha. There’s only one location around the world that embodies all of this: Huntington Beach, otherwise known as Surf

There's no doubt about it: surfing requires toughness. After all, some of the best sessions come with the most risk: difficult paddle outs, fighting currents, paddling for waves of consequence, riding walls of water the size of buildings and enduring long hold-downs. With that in mind, we partnered with Xtratuf — an apparel company who's products (especially their boots) are the definition of tough — and compiled a list of the toughest surfers today. Surfers who charge the bi

The rich history of surfing, the world’s best surfers discussing their all-time best waves and worst wipeouts, how riding a wave is therapeutic, the spectacle that is the North Shore, the best places to surf, the ultimate surf road trip… You can find out all of this — and much more about surfing and our surf culture at large — by reading surf books. But not just surf books — the best surf books. Whether you’re looking for entertainment on your next trip, or you’re looking for

Everything was going great — until the cold set in. Surfing at an undisclosed East Coast location in cold temperatures, the waves were firing. The early morning sun rising over the horizon revealed exactly what I had road-tripped north for: a long beach break with empty and glassy A-frames peeling on a shallow sandbar. Can you really enjoy waves like this in a damp wetsuit? I couldn’t paddle out fast enough. With such an empty crowd, I tried to take every bump that morphed

Fortunately, shark attacks are not very common in the Gulf of America. However, they do occur occasionally and it’s important to be aware of that. Sharks are also only one of the hazards hidden beneath the Gulf’s sparkling blue waters -- beachgoers and surfers should be aware of stingrays, skates, jellyfish, and other marine life they may encounter. How Many Shark Attacks Happen in the Gulf of America? In 2024, there were six recorded shark attacks in the Gulf of America, all

12 Reasons El Salvador Should Be Your Next Surf Destination

For me, summer is, and always has been, synonomous with the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach. From the surf action to the activities on the beach, concerts meeting up with friends to enjoy it all and more, it's the annual event that I (and so many others) always look forward to. Though the US Open of Surfing has marked my summers for years, the contest never gets stale. Why? Because it's so different from year to year: different surfers vying for glory, different bands

If you’re looking for a surf trip destination with low chances of shark encounters, Puerto Rico is one of your best options. While over 40 species of sharks are found in the island’s surrounding waters, attacks are very uncommon, and most species near the shore are smaller and usually harmless. How Many Shark Attacks Happen in Puerto Rico? According to the International Shark Attack File (ISAF), 11 shark attacks have been reported in Puerto Rico since the year 1749. By comp

Pavones Point, Costa Rica: The Rare Family Surf Trip That Actually Worked

We’re right around the corner from summer time, which also means we’re heading into graduation season. If you haven’t gotten the graduating surfers in your life something special to celebrate their achievements yet, we’ve put together a list of some of our favorite swimsuits, boardshorts, clothing, and surf essentials, right in time for summer. YETI Everyday Carry Backpack Photo courtesy Yeti Even though school’s out, a solid backpack is still a must-have, especially for beac

Whether you're shopping for a surfing mom, a mom of surfers, or a mom who does it all, we’ve picked out some of our favorite suits, clothes, accessories, and beach necessities that are perfect for any mom who spends most of her time in and near the ocean. Rumpl Towel With Rumpl towels, moms don’t have to worry about lugging wet, heavy towels off of the beach after every surf session. The quick-dry Tech Towel Totes convert into tote bags perfect for carrying sunscreen, wate

"Surfing tends to get better when your wave count goes up," said Dave Allee, the Founder of Almond and the brain behind the surfboard. "The Joy was designed to make everyday waves worth paddling out for."

Photo courtesy ZONiE For surfers and outdoor enthusiasts today, energy is at a premium. And that extra energy we need, whether it's pre or post surf or getting through the day, usually comes from energy drinks. But here’s the problem. With so many energy drinks out there today, which one is actually good for you? The truth is that many of today's energy drinks are choc full of high sugar content, high caffeine, artificial colors, artificial flavoring and other ingredients th

When the weather turns cold, Northern surfers have a choice to make: brave the tundra, or hop on a plane to warmer waters. For those who’d rather go with the latter (hard to blame you), this list spans destinations from the Caribbean to Central and South America, all the way to the Maldives. Flights from the US ranging from under three hours to over twenty. Spots suitable for beginners to experts. Reef breaks and beach breaks. There’s something for everyone here. What should

The only West Coast action sports and outdoor lifestyle trade show returns to the San Diego Convention Center May 14–15, 2026

If you’re looking for your next pair of boardshorts, we’ve got you covered! There are endless factors to consider when shopping for boardshorts, but the main goal should be to interfere with your surfing as little as possible. The last thing you want is a rough pair of boardshorts chafing you in the lineup. On the other hand, you don’t want to fork over all your money for a brand new pair of boardshorts. In this article, we’ll break down the best boardshorts for you today,