The Wipeout Weekly - Surf Podcast

In this week's Weekly Pop-Up , we dive into one of surfing's most controversial questions: is the pop-up really as important as everyone says—or is it wildly overrated? I'll share why I'm borderline obsessed with my own pop-up (and why it's been my biggest surfing nemesis), what seasoned surfers and coaches have to say, and why some swear it's all about positioning and reading waves. We'll talk ol...

In this episode, I'm talking ocean safety for beginner surfers—no lectures, just real-life tips from someone who's been through the wipeouts, whitewash, and unexpected underwater gymnastics. From the importance of knowing how to swim (yes, even if you breaststroke your way through life) to handling rip currents, stingrays, and rogue boards, I'm sharing the lessons that keep me calm and confident i...

This week's Word of the Week is SPONGE . Yep, it's surf slang—though the sponge itself isn't exactly a surfboard. We're diving into the wild, wave-riding world of boogie boarding (a.k.a. bodyboarding). From the ancient Hawaiian paipo boards to Tom Morey's revolutionary invention on a beach in Kona, you'll learn how this soft rectangle of foam became a gateway to surfing—and in some cases, a lifelo...

They surf better than we ever will. They win titles. They get brand deals. But… should we actually care about pro surfers? This week, I spiral after reading a Reddit thread about pro surfers' political affiliations (don't worry, this episode isn't about politics). Instead, I'm wondering: beyond the legends who shaped surfing—Duke, Tom Blake, the Gidgets, Laird—do the current pros really matter to...

It's time for another surf spot spotlight—and this week, we're heading back to Costa Rica to explore Dominicalito, the laid-back little sister to Dominical. Just a few minutes south of its more famous neighbor, Dominicalito is a beginner's dream: soft, forgiving waves, warm water, and a mellow jungle-fringed bay where fishing boats bob and howler monkeys occasionally provide the soundtrack. If you...

It's time for Girl Stories Vol. 2, and this one takes us all over the globe—from Italy to Peru, San Diego to Sri Lanka—with three incredible women: Camilla, Cynthia, and Riley. 🌱 Riley learned to surf at 27 in Peru and sees the ocean as a spiritual teacher. For her, surfing is not about skill—it's a way to connect to something deeper. 🌊 Cynthia, a San Diego local, once taught herself to swim at...

This week, the surfing world actually delivered—fun, weird, and even a little heartwarming news. I know, I'm shocked too. 🧱 First up: Maui's turning surf trash into literal treasure. A company called Surf Block Maui is recycling leftover EPS foam from surfboard shaping into actual building blocks—ones being used in local homes, including wildfire rebuilds. It's genius, it's sustainable, and it's...

My foamie had a run-in with some rogue fins and got violently disemboweled. While staring into its guts, I thought—hey, maybe we should talk about how surfboards are made. In today's episode, I break down the difference between PU and EPS boards, what "feel" and "flex" actually mean, and why your shortboard is springier than your log. We'll go from foam blanks and stringers to fiberglass cloth and...

Do you bring a first aid kit when you surf? You should. This week's episode is a tale of low tide, a rogue board, and a black eye that nearly sent me into a full-blown surf freakout. We talk about what to do when your surf buddy gets injured and there's no lifeguard around, what a basic surf first aid kit should include, and why every surfer should know the basics of ocean safety.

Do you have any footage of yourself surfing? I didn't—for over 15 years. Then came the GoPro. You'd think I'd be obsessed. But I'm not. In today's episode, we unpack the love-hate relationship with action cams, T-Rex arms on a 9'6", and the small indignities of trying to film yourself surfing in 4K. Plus: hotel rental hacks, underwater shouting, battery life rage, and one very validating Dad comme...

You know it. You've seen the photos. But have you really met Pipeline? In this episode, we take a closer (but not too close) look at the world's most famous and most feared wave—where barrels break bones and wipeouts meet razor-sharp reef. We talk Phil Edwards, Barbie's better judgment, and what it's like to paddle out at a break that's basically a gladiator pit. Plus: Moana Jones Wong, 50 feral d...

You've seen the name. You've wondered how to say it. (Spoiler: It's  Tarazoot , according to the Wall Street Journal. ) This week, we're heading to the Moroccan surf mecca of Taghazout—a foamie-filled, mint tea-sipping, donkey-dodging paradise for beginners. We're breaking down the best beach breaks (hi, Panoramas and Crocodiles), what to wear, where to rent, and how to avoid stepping on a sea urc...

We're back with another collection of surfer girl stories—and this time, it's a lineup of three! These tales may be short, but they pack plenty of stoke, soul, and realness. Meet Karla (Santa Cruz), Emma (Devon, UK), and Angela (LA)—each navigating their own wave-filled journey, from Cowell's Beach to Fistral to Bolsa Chica. These are stories of starting late, starting over, and starting scared, b...

This week's news is… a bit sharky. 🩴 A foot-chomping incident in New Smyrna Beach reminds us why it's called the "shark bite capital of the world." 🩸 A UK hydrofoil surfer in the Canary Islands gets seriously bitten by a suspected mako shark. Spoiler: makos are terrifyingly fast. 🧭 A 13.8-foot, 1,653-pound great white named Contender pinged near Cape Cod—close enough to make Nantucket's tan lin...

Shark Week? We're so over it. Let's talk paddling—because surfing is 95.6% paddling and 4.4% wondering why you're not catching anything. These are made up stats, you know. In today's episode, we dig into one of surfing's biggest misconceptions: that catching waves is about paddling harder . Spoiler alert—it's not. We'll talk about how position, timing, wave type, and "feeling the water" matter way...

Shark Week continues! But let's get practical—what can you actually do to avoid surfing with sharks? In this episode, we dive into the numbers (yes, there's an actual International Shark Attack File 😳), talk about the sharkiest surf spots in the world (Reunion Island, we're looking at you), and break down why sharks even bother with surfers in the first place. Spoiler: they're not into neoprene....

It's Shark Week, baby! 🦈 And we're diving headfirst into the wild, weird, and occasionally terrifying relationship between surfers and sharks. From the 50th anniversary of Jaws to the surprisingly chill shark scene in the UK, we talk about why most sharks couldn't care less about you—and why one great white off Stinson Beach definitely did. Zuz reflects on her shark-free surf beginnings in Wales...

Today, we're heading to Portugal's Silver Coast to unpack the story of Nazaré—the tiny fishing town that became the global capital of monster waves. We'll look back at how an underwater canyon deeper than the Grand Canyon turned Nazaré into a freak of nature, capable of producing 100-foot walls of water. From Garrett McNamara's historic first ride to record-breaking waves by Rodrigo Koxa, Sebastia...

Thinking about your first surf trip to Central America? In this episode, we're taking you to San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua—where warm water, mellow waves, and a laid-back surf scene make it one of the best places for beginners to get comfortable in the lineup. We'll walk you through the area's most popular beaches, from the soft, rolling waves of Playa Remanso to the long rides at Playa Hermosa and...

Today, we're sharing the inspiring story of Posh—a longboarder, surf camp owner, full-time mom, and all-around small wave girlie from the Philippines. In 2016, after a cancer diagnosis, Posh decided to change everything about her life. A single surf trip with friends turned into an obsession that led her to quit her job, move to the coast, and eventually find her perfect wave-rich home on the isla...

This week's roundupon: - Beginner surfers are (allegedly) banned from Cloud 9 in Siargao—so why are surf mags cheering? - The Hawaiian princes return to Santa Cruz (well, their boards do) for the biggest surf history exhibit ever - And in much better news, dogs are officially better surfers than all of us—especially at the UK Dog Surfing Championships

Before surfing became a global obsession, there was Duke Kahanamoku—a Hawaiian waterman whose life changed the sport forever. In this episode, we explore how Duke's Olympic swimming triumphs and joyful spirit introduced surfing to Australia, California, and the rest of the world. From riding giant waves on handmade boards to standing on his head as beachgoers watched in awe, Duke embodied a style...

Ever wondered what those swirling or bubbling patches on the water mean when you're paddling out? They're called boils—and they're more important than you might think. In this episode, we'll break down exactly what boils are, why they form over rocks, reefs, and seabed contours, and how they can completely change the shape of a wave. You'll learn why boils can be both a red flag and a useful landm...

This week, it's my birthday—and the perfect excuse to look back on nearly two decades of surfing as a self-proclaimed perpetual beginner. From the first wobbly pop-up in Wales to countless sessions in California, I'm sharing everything I've learned (and unlearned) over 17 years chasing waves. We'll talk about: Why taking a surf sabbatical might cost you more than you think The myth of the "real su...

Ever wondered what it's like to paddle out after dark? This episode dives into the surreal world of night surfing—where moonlit waves replace crowded lineups and the ocean feels like a whole different planet. We'll trace the surprising history of surfing by lamplight, from acetylene lanterns strapped to wooden boards in Waikiki to modern sessions under floodlights in Brazil. You'll hear tips on ho...