The Wipeout Weekly - Surf Podcast

It's the wipeout we all fear: when the wave doesn't just reject you—it launches you. In this episode, we dive into the brutal surf lingo term "over the falls" (also known as getting sucked over). It's when a surfer gets pitched with the lip of the wave, flipping head over heels straight into the wave's detonating core.

"I thought I did all the research… but it was awful." In this episode, we read a listener letter about a surf retreat from hell: long drives to the break, underwhelming instruction, bad food, and that awful feeling of being the odd one out. We've all been there—or worried we might.

One of California's most brutal waves? Never meant to exist. Never meant to be surfed. And yet… here it is. Welcome to The Wedge. In this episode, we explore how a tragic drowning, a 2,000-foot jetty, and some very unlucky wave physics gave birth to one of the most violent, bone-breaking surf spots in the world—Newport Beach's infamous Wedge.

Not all surf news makes the cut. Some of it is just… meh. But not this week. We've got a jam-packed roundup featuring: Nor'easter madness on the East Coast, where 10–15 foot waves hit NYC and surfers paddled out into the slop like storm-chasing sea gremlins Tya Zebrowski, a 14-year-old phenom who just qualified for the WSL Championship Tour (Teahupo'o at age 8? Okay then) Surfing bachelorettes, be...

This one feels like it'll ring true for many of us—the awe, the nerves, the shimmer of it all. It's called "The Source" by Reaper , a poet in his twenties from South Africa, written back in 2018.

Let's talk dirty—ocean dirty. In this episode, we shift from the muddy rivers of bore surfing to something a little closer to home: the water quality at your local surf break. When is it actually too gross to paddle out? What's lurking in that post-rain runoff? And why does it feel like everyone's suddenly surfing with pink eye?

"I'm bored of surfing in the ocean," said no one ever. But let's entertain the weird and wonderful anyway. In this episode, we take a detour from the sea and dive (well, paddle) into the strange world of bore surfing—where waves charge up rivers, not toward the shore. These rare tidal bores happen in only a handful of places on Earth and can deliver the longest wave rides imaginable—up to an hour...

You've heard of the yard sale, the ragdoll, maybe even the log doll. But have you met the scorpion? In this episode, we dive into one of the most iconic (and painful) surf wipeouts—what it is, why it hurts, and how to recover if you find yourself folded like a pretzel. Whether you're a seasoned scorpion survivor or hoping to avoid your first one, this one's for your spine.

Sunday Surf Poem is back and this week we're featuring  Surfers by Deborah Jones, a reflective piece that captures the quiet solitude, decisions, and presence of the lineup. Whether Deb is a surfer or simply an observer remains a mystery — which makes this poem even more layered. Tune in for a reading and a quick reflection on what it means to wait for the next wave.

This one's for the quietly needy among us (hi, hello, it's me too). A reader wrote in to ask: "Am I too needy for wanting a surf buddy who actually cheers me on?" In today's episode, I offer a not-at-all-clinically-sound but fully human response. We talk about praise, progress, and the power of a single "you got this!" in the lineup.  Because sometimes, all we need is someone to say, "You're doing...

Meet Peri, a 65‑year‑old beginner surfer who overcame nerve damage, ocean fears, and a lifetime away from the waves to become the self‑proclaimed "Queen of the Microwaves." In this episode, she shares how she slowly retrained her body and mind to handle the ocean, found healing and joy in tiny waves, and built a surf life—and quiver—with her husband Don. It's a story about patience, resilience, an...

Before I ever paddled for a wave, I fell in love with surfing on my couch in North London—thanks to Riding Giants . This episode is a love letter (with some minor gripes) to Stacy Peralta's iconic 2004 documentary about big wave surfing. We revisit the legends it profiles, the history it glosses over, and why it changed my life.

There was a guy at my local break recently zooming around on what I can only describe as "not a surfboard, doesn't belong here". That encounter led me down a little rabbit hole: what even is hydrofoiling? And how did it become the next big thing in water sports? In this episode, we look at the evolution of foiling — from early boat experiments to modern efoils — and how it intersects (or doesn't)...

This week's word is soul arch—a chest-thrusting flex you rarely see in the wild anymore. But since it's too short for a full episode, we're throwing in soul surfing for free. We dive into the philosophy, the contradictions, and the counterculture. No, this episode is not about Soul Surfer the movie. You're welcome.

A poetic love letter to the ocean. This week's Sunday Surf Poem is "Speechless" by Curly Steve.

In today's listener story, a beginner surfer swaps boards with a friend, gets into a minor collision, offers to pay for the dings… and is left wondering if she got scammed, shamed, or just seriously unlucky. We talk about board swaps, etiquette, damage drama, and how one weird surf interaction can make you want to quit entirely. (Spoiler: you shouldn't.)

"Surf with intention." What a hoity-toity thing to say. But maybe there's something to it. Because if you're like me—a greedy, impatient surfer with zero identifiable purpose in the lineup—this might be your sign to think twice before paddling out. Not to become some perfectly planned surf guru, just… to stop surfing like, well, shit. In this episode, we reflect on what it means to be an intention...

This week, hurricanes are doing what hurricanes do—whipping up swell, wrecking homes, and causing mayhem on both coasts. We talk about the recent East Coast chaos, collapsing homes on the Outer Banks, and SoCal's own hurricane-fueled swell rescue tally. Plus: - A billionaire wants to build a surf park... in El Segundo?! - Oceanside's long-delayed wave resort is finally happening (maybe). - And The...

What do a rogue shortboarder, some rusty rebar, a clumsy friend, and a sister-in-law have in common? They've all left dings on my surfboards—and not one of them came with an insurance payout. So today, we're asking the question: why the hell isn't surf insurance a thing? In this episode, we dig into the unspoken etiquette around paying for repairs. From the Reddit poll that no one believed, to the...

Show me a surfer who's never eaten it, and I'll show you a liar. In this episode of The Wipeout Weekly , we're diving headfirst (not recommeneded) into one of surfing's most underrated skills: the art of the wipeout. We'll cover what causes wipeouts (and why it's not always your fault) and how to fall with grace (or at least without injury) Bonus: wisdom from Laird Hamilton, Reddit surf threads, a...

Can you believe it? 200 days, 200 episodes. From surf etiquette to deep dives, kook-splaining to culture shifts—we've covered it all. And now, we're teasing what's next… In this special milestone episode, we indulge in reflection on the journey so far and share a sneak peek at what's ahead: - The All Things Surf Directory (coaches, jobs, retreats & more) - The launch of our Wee Surf Shoppe - Plus,...

Oh, the shame. This one's for every surfer who's come out of the water with a big fat zero on the wave count. One of our readers wrote in: "Hey Zuz, I went out and caught zero waves. Is that… normal?" The short answer? Yes. The long answer? Also yes—but let's unpack it.

Malibu isn't on our list of best beginner surf spots—and for good reason. It's chaotic, crowded, and famously not beginner-friendly. But it's also Malibu —home of First Point, longboard heaven, and the birthplace of modern surf culture. In this episode, we break down what it's really like to surf Malibu: First, Second, and Third Point explaine When to go (and when to avoid it) What to expect in th...

Surfing has never lacked big characters—loud, brash, full of stories. But this week, we talk about someone different: Pat Curren. A big-wave pioneer, big wave gun shaper, and quiet force in the lineup, Curren was the definition of strong and silent. From flipping beers at Waimea to building surfboards like weapons, Pat didn't say much—but when he did, it stuck. We talk about his early days in La J...