WHAT IS A PECKING ORDER IN SURFING?

If you ask the Oxford Dictionary you’ll get this answer: 

“A pecking order is a hierarchy of status seen among members of a group of people or animals, originally as observed among hens.”

And this sums it up perfectly. 

Just as in the animal world there is a status game, creating order out of chaos, the same thing exists in surfing. 

Put simply, the higher your status at a certain break, the closer to the front of the queue you can sit. 

...which means you get to cherry pick the waves you want. 

But this status isn’t something you just get, it must be earned. 

HOW TO EARN STATUS AT PIPE

Gaining status and earning your stripes at Pipeline is not easy, nor quick, and likely impossible for most of us regular surfers. 

For us, we’ll be cast away from the peak having to settle for mere scraps for life. 

But if you’re good enough, are brave enough, and really want to cement a spot in the lineup here’s what you’re going to have to do:

BE HAWAIIAN

With 95% of all the surfers in the Pipeline hierarchy list either coming from, or living in Hawaii, it's safe to say that being Hawaiian helps. 

Not essential, but definitely a plus. 

BE A BIT MENTAL

To earn a spot in the pecking order you’ve got to be willing to go on the biggest, scariest waves out there - repeatedly. 

Pulling back on waves you should have gone is a cowardly act, something that won’t go un-missed, kissing goodbye to any respect you’ll have in the lineup. 

BE REALLY GOOD

It’s no good being a hell-man, throwing yourself over the ledge of a 10ft first reef double up, if you don’t have the skills to make it. 

If you want to earn a spot in the Pipeline hierarchy, you’ve got to be one of the best out there, not just the bravest. 

PUT IN THE TIME

Earning your stripes at Pipe doesn’t mean coming there for one season, snagging a decent wave, and that’s it. 

Not even close. 

Try maybe ten to fifteen FULL seasons, where you’re out there every single time it breaks, and then get back to me. 

BE RESPECTFUL

If you want to earn your way into the Pipeline hierarchy, you’ve got to lead with respect. 

You’ve got to know who the OG’s are in the lineup, who has priority over who, which waves you’re allowed to catch, and importantly which waves you’re not. 

Respect the locals, respect the wave, respect the rules.

In the words of shaper John Pyzel, "...if you think it's your wave out at Pipe, it's not".

PIPELINE HIERARCHY LIST, & HOW IT WORKS

Ok, like I said earlier in this post there is an order to the chaos, and it goes as follows:

TIER ONE: OLD OG PIPELINE LEGENDS

These are the guys that have grown up on the North Shore, and dedicated their lives to the wave.

They’ve put in more time out there than anyone else, and they’re known and respected by everyone. 

These OG’s have their spot right on the peak at Pipeline & Backdoor. 

Their pack - which consists of around 20 people - will share and rotate waves, fully understanding who’s next in line, and sharing the bigger set waves between them. 

List of famous surfers in this group:

TIER TWO: PIPELINE SPECIALISTS

Sitting just underneath the Pipeline OG’s you’ll find the current generation of Pipeline devotees. 

These will be your guys that have grown up on these shores (or been coming to Hawaii for 20+ years), dedicating every winter season to charging this wave. 

List of surfers in this group:

TIER THREE: YOUNG UP AND COMERS

Local talent that have been making a name for themselves, earning their stripes year upon year, putting the time in out in the line up. 

These guys have some way to go before moving up into the next tier, regardless they command a respect in the lineup, and have earned their place.

Surfers in this group:

TIER FOUR: THE SHIT SHOW

This is where everyone else gets to fight amongst themselves. 

100+ surfers all fighting for scraps, oftentimes waiting hours to catch a single wave. 

This group includes kooks, good surfers, and travelling pro’s from around the world, even guys on the WCT - all scratching to snag a wave. 

Hectic!

List of surfers in this group:

HOW IS THE HIERARCHY POLICED?

Good question. 

Well, usually by violence - especially back in the day (a group known as the Wolf Pack)

Step out of line and you can expect things to escalate rapidly, with bust ups on the beach a regular occurrence. More back in the day when things were a bit more gnarly, but still a reality for anyone that steps out of line. 

What exactly does stepping out of line look like?

Put simply, be respectful and understand the rules of the lineup.

Know your place, and surf accordingly. 

WRAPPING IT UP

From the outside looking in it looks like a mob of angry dudes trying to police the lineup for their own greed. 

A dictatorial approach, with rules enforced by fear and violence - greedily taking all the spoils for themselves. 

Now those things are all bad in my book, but, Pipeline is a different beast.

Here’s why:

It’s dangerous as hell: This wave has claimed more lives than any other. Surfing here when it's big is no joke.

It’s the most crowded lineup in the world: With such a crowded lineup, and so many people hassling for so few waves, an order must be present to maintain safety. 

Locals vs Tourists: For eight months of the year the North Shore is surfed almost exclusively by its locals, then for four frenetic months the entire surfing world descends upon its shores, swarming every lineup on its coast. 

The locals here surf it everyday (not just in the winter), and as such deserve their waves when it gets good. 

So in short, is it a good thing, if you ask me, yes it is.

It rewards the people that have dedicated their lives to surfing the wave, and it maintains a level of safety and order for everyone else.

And a whole lot more.

There's a lot to get through in this ultimate guide, so buckle up, and let's go!

WHAT IS A POINT BREAK?

A point break is a type of wave that breaks along/across a prominent piece of land, such as:

What makes them unique is the way the waves bend and wrap around the point, creating mechanical waves that can peel and break for miles - literally. 

In fact the longest point in the world, Chicama in Chile, can break for up to 8km!.

Point breaks are coveted in the surfing community as they offer up the longest rides, and break in a predictable way.

HOW IS A POINT BREAK DIFFERENT TO A BEACH BREAK OR REEF?

The biggest difference between a points and other styles of breaks is the way a swell has to wrap around a headland (or point if you will). 

This wrapping, or refracting if you prefer, is what sets point breaks apart from everything else with the waves moving down adjacent to the point, rather than perpendicular. 

But let’s take a closer look at how they differ below:

POINT BREAK VS BEACH BREAK

Beach breaks face perpendicular to ocean swells, and as such they don’t break for as long, or as predictably as a point break would.

Instead, the direction a wave will break depends largely on the swell direction, and the under water topography, or sandbanks as they’re known. 

Typically, a beach break will throw up short, unpredictable rides breaking in either direction, left or right, and will very greatly depending upon the tides too. 

POINT BREAK VS REEF BREAK

There are a lot of similarities between a reef breaks and points, but some key differences in there too. 

Reef breaks will break on rock, or coral - as too will some point breaks. 

But the difference is in the refracting of the swell around a headland or point that sets them apart. 

The wrapping nature of a swell will allow the swell to run down the point rather than focusing straight in on it.

Not to confuse you, but you can have a reef break that follows all the same mechanics of a point; how it breaks, swell refraction etc. but it’s still not classed as a point break because it’s not connected to a land mass.

Take Restaurants in Fiji for example (ref image above), a reef break wave where the swells wrap and roll down the reef, but because it’s not connected to land, it’s considered a reef break and not a point.

POINT BREAK VS RIVER MOUTH

River Mouths are similar in so many ways to a points, yet very different too. 

A river mouth will throw up long peeling, predictable waves that break along a sandy bottom, oftentimes breaking for hundreds of meters. 

The big difference though is how the waves are formed. 

A point break is formed either from sand deposits from swells that wrap around a headland to create the sand banks, or from rocky outcrops or reefs that shape the headland itself.

River Mouths on the other hand are created by sand and silt deposits from a river flowing out to sea.

As sand and silt flow out from the river they sink to the bottom to create a sand bar, and if everything aligns this sand and silt deposit will create long, sand bottom peeling waves that can be fun as hell.

Mundaka in Spain, is the most famous (pictured above) River Mouth in surfing. 

LIST: THE WORLD’S BEST POINT BREAKS

Want to know where the best point breaks for surfing in the world can be found?

Keep reading...

JEFFREY'S BAY, SOUTH AFRICA

One of the worlds longest right-hand points, breaking over a rocky shelf in South Africa. 

An iconic spot, famous for its long stretched out walls, tubes, and its crazy marine life (yes, this is where famously Mick Fanning was attacked by a great white).

Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/An63LMgFGjVL8c746

SUPER-BANK, AUSTRALIA

The jewel in the crown of Australia's East Coast, the Super Bank (a largely man-made phenomenon) is known world wide as one of the best points on the planet. 

Expect sand bottom tubes, and long open walls - expect too a hell of a lot of people, as this is one of the most crowded surf spots in the world!

Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/An63LMgFGjVL8c746

RINCON POINT, CALIFORNIA

Rincon is a mellow right-hand point break in California, a natural footers dream. 

On it's day it can rival anywhere, but as with most famous breaks you can expect a crowd, as this is one of the best waves on the California coast. 

Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/MC7U31RvTiQBaE5f6

CHICAMA, CHILE

Officially the longest wave in the world!

Chicama in Chile spans roughly 8km, with multiple sections and take-off spots to choose from. 

The place itself might not be the most beautiful, but if you're after left handers that run for literally miles, you've found your spot.

Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/LBuzcoc1m44xMEcB8

RAGLAN, NEW ZEALAND

Raglan is home to the most iconic wave in New Zealand. 

A series of point breaks in fact, stretching out from the beach across multiple headlands, the long left-handers are a goofy footers dream.

If you're surfing in New Zealand you absolutely have to check this place out. 

Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/avQNygPJtodb2aEf8

SKELETON BAY, NAMIBIA

Discovered in an online surf competition back in the day where the public would scour Google Earth for potential, unknown world class waves, and boy did they find a gem.

Quite possibly the best wave on planet earth, period. 

Surfers have been known to have tube rides here for over 30seconds, WTF!

NOOSA HEADS, AUSTRALIA

Noosa's famous points are quite possibly the most beautiful in the world.

Sure, they may not offer top to bottom tubes like the Super Bank down the coast, but if Longboarding is your jam, then you've just found your heaven. 

Sand bottom peeling right handers, amongst a backdrop of tropical national park, Koala's and all.

Read our Guide to Surfing Noosa here for more.

Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/u9DiZbG6TBsMKUCR6

CONCLUSION

If you've never surfed a point break before, this is something that you just have to do.

One wave on a point like this could be the wave of your life, trust me. 

Yes they're often crowded, and yes your wave count will likely be low, but the payoffs of getting that one wave is well, well worth it.

Yew!
Rowan

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A BEGINNER FRIENDLY SURF DESTINATION

There are plenty of tropical destinations with warm water and waves, but that doesn't mean it's fit or a surf trip.

You'll want to find somewhere that's safe, clean, has beginner friendly surf, and with a bit of luck doesn't cost a fortune too.

Also, it's important to have things to do outside of the surf too. 

So things like natural beauty, activities and amenities, cafes & bar's etc. are important considerations too. 

To help you with your decision making process I've gone and created a surf trip wish list for you below.

8 OF THE BEST BEGINNER SURF TRIP DESTINATIONS IN THE WORLD

WRAPPING IT UP

If you're planning a surf trip, lucky you, you're going to have the frickin time of your life.

Surfing is all about travel, discovery, and surfing new spots, and by the sounds of it you're on the cusp of an epic journey.

Where should you go?

Well that all depends on what you're looking for.

But if you ask me, don't just look for the most expensive, most sanitised place you can, instead throw a bit of culture and adventure too.

They're always the trips you'll remember most.

Yew!
Rowan

By the end of this article you'll have all the tools you need to create a new income pipeline for your business, one that you never thought possible before.

With no financial outlay, and little to no physical effort on your part.

Sound good?

Keep reading for more.

WHAT IS AFFILIATE MARKETING?

In a nutshell affiliate marketing is a way to earn a commission by promoting other people's products.

They create the product, handle shipping, customer support, returns, etc. 

And you get paid to promote it (when you make a sale).

Affiliate software tracks any traffic and sales that you generate by promoting the products, and pays you money.

WHAT TYPES OF AFFILIATE PRODUCTS WORK BEST IN THE SURFING NICHE?

Far and away the best type of affiliate products to promote are digital based.

Why?

Well, the commissions are WAY higher (oftentimes upwards of 50% for the good ones), and they're global - meaning they can be sold to anyone around the world.

Compare that to a physical product that only ships within a certain country and you can see why digital products are the go-to for most people.

But, having said that, the digital product options in the surfing niche are slim to say the least, however (as you’re about to see), if you know where to look there are some hidden gems…

BEST AFFILIATE PRODUCTS FOR SURFING

Like I mentioned above, digital affiliate products work best in the surfing niche (or any niche for that matter), so I’ll be starting with digital first, then moving to physical down the list.

DIGITAL AFFILIATE PRODUCTS FOR SURFERS

Digital affiliate products are by far the highest converting and best paying affiliate products....

...but, there isn't a whole lot of choice out there.

Regardless, below is the cream of the crop.

SURF HUB

Surf Hub is a digital info product library for surf schools, surf media, and influencers.

What does that mean?

It means that they have a catalogue of digital products built exclusively for the surf industry.

Furthermore, the payouts are big too.

Affiliate’s earn a base rate of 50% across all sales, couple that with the high ticket items they have in their product range and the income generating potential can be huge.

Take for example their Surfing Made Simple product. 

A premium course designed specifically for beginner surfers just stepping out of their first lesson. 

For surf school looking to leverage their audience of students, all that’s needed is a quick affiliate link in an automated thank you email showcasing the offer, and boom, new income stream right there.

With a payout of roughly $200 per sale, even if you converted a couple of students a week that money soon adds up.

It’s pretty potent if you ask me.

And they have other products too:

…and a bunch more.

Furthermore, it's free to sign up, and you could be up and selling within minutes.

AFFILIATE PROGRAM SIGN UP URL: 

https://surf-hub.com/apply/

SURF STRENGTH COACH

The Surf Strength Coach has an affiliate program for its subscription app for surfers.

The app claims to have over 50k downloads which is pretty impressive, meaning there’s obviously a demand for this type of thing, which is a good indicator as to whether it’s worthwhile promoting it to your audience.

The app has a number of different add ons and upgrades, with everything centred around fitness, strength and endurance for surfers, and pays out a 20% commission on all sales.

Here’s a pricing breakdown of their affiliate commissions:

AFFILIATE PROGRAM SIGN UP URL: 

https://surfstrengthcoach.com/affiliate-registration/

PHYSICAL SURFING AFFILIATE PRODUCTS

Generally speaking, selling physical affiliate products kinda sucks with the constraints of physical postage, distribution, and all the complexities that go along with that.

Regardless, if you’ve got an audience that’s frothing for product and you’re the right one to point them in the right direction - then the affiliate programs below are definitely worth a look.

SURF STITCH

Surf Stitch are one of the biggest surfing hardware and apparel distributors in the world.

Servicing mainly the Australian & New Zealand market they’re a bit limiting if your audience is based elsewhere, however, they do have a reasonable affiliate program that might help out.

Their affiliate program is free to join and pays out 10% commission on all sales, which is not bad for a hardware retailer I guess. 

AFFILIATE PROGRAM SIGN UP URL: 

https://www.surfstitch.com/info/affiliate.html

GO PRO

If you’ve never heard of Go Pro before you’ve likely been living under a rock. 

This independent company has become an industry leader in one of the most competitive industries in the world, camera’s and technology.

A global brand, with global reach.

Which is great when it comes to affiliate selling.

But…

…well, their affiliate payout rate isn’t all that flash. 

A poultry 3%.

Granted, the average order value will be quite high ($700+), however, 3% is still quite menial if you ask me. 

Better than nothing though I guess, and if you’re promoting them for free already, then you may as well earn a buck along the way.

AFFILIATE PROGRAM SIGN UP URL: 

https://gopro.com/en/us/legal/gopro-affiliate-program

BILLABONG

Billabong, the global surf brand, has its own affiliate program.

What’s great about Billabong is they’re a company known worldwide - with distribution channels in the USA and Australia - which alleviates some of the geographical complications with hardware and apparel sales online.

The commission rate of payout is 7% which isn’t too shabby either.

AFFILIATE PROGRAM SIGN UP URL: 

https://www.billabong.com/customer-help/affiliate-program.html

GLOBAL SURF INDUSTRIES

If you have an audience that froths on new surfboards (who doesn’t) then Global Surf Industries’ affiliate program could well be a good fit.

An umbrella company for some of the top selling beginner surfboards in the world.  

Brands like:

And a whole bunch more.

For the beginner market, these boards sell like hotcakes, so well worth a look if that’s your target audience.

AFFILIATE PROGRAM SIGN UP URL: 

https://www.affiliatly.com/af-1038586/affiliate.panel?mode=register

WRAPPING IT UP

As you can see there are affiliate marketing opportunities in the surf industry, if you know where to look. 

I’ve searched far and wide and these are by far the best options available right now, so what are you waiting for…

Go get yourself signed up, start selling, and start getting paid whilst you’re getting tubed.

Yew!

Rowan

The North Island of New Zealand has thousands of kilometres of untapped coastline with plenty of quality waves.

If you're looking for guaranteed waves and a great surf trip base, here are the best surf spots on the North Island to get you started.

PIHA

SUITABLE FOR: ADVANCED SURFERS

Just 45 minutes outside of Auckland is Piha.

Famous for its distinctive Lion Rock and striking black sand beach, the town draws beach-loving tourists and surfers year round. Piha can produce incredible waves and is one of the most consistent surf spots in NZ.

Seriously, it’s never flat here, and you’ll be hard-pushed to find anywhere more reliable. 

Piha Bar is a fun left-hander breaking off the rocks at the south end of the beach offering up long powerful lefts ending in a hollow shore break section.

A super fun wave for the advanced surfers, but definitely challenging for beginners and intermediates.

North of the rock is a long stretch of beach with countless punchy peaks dotted along its length, the quality of which will depend on the sandbanks on the day.

RAGLAN

SUITABLE FOR: ALL LEVELS

Raglan is the New Zealand's most famous surf spot, with world-class left-hand point breaks attracting surfers from around the globe.  

Raglan consists of three defined point breaks:

INDICATORS

Indicators is a fast, powerful left with speedy sections for turns - and the occasional hollow barrel sections under the right conditions.

It can handle BIG swells and is the most exposed wave of the Raglan points. 

WHALE BAY

Whale Bay is a short, fun left-hand point with fun sections breaking off a suck rock and along cobblestone boulders.

Because it's shorter and less perfect than its world-class neighbours, it gets less recognition and is generally less crowded – a great bet to escape the crowds. 

MANU BAY

Manu Bay is the jewel in the crown of surfing in Raglan.

On its day, Manu produces flawless left-hand tubes and perfectly paced walls - truly one of the most enjoyable waves you’ll ever surf.

Furthermore, it's great for advanced and intermediate surfers alike.

As you’d expect, Manu Bay is often crowded, so watch out for the locals, be respectful, don't drop in, and stick to the unwritten rules of surfing.

SHIPWRECK BAY

SUITABLE FOR: INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED

Shipwreck Bay is an unbelievably long left with multiple sections for barrels and turns.

But while the wave is incredible, don't expect to score the place on any given day.

The point here only comes to life during large storm swells - so keep your eyes on the chart and head there when most of the west coast looks blown out and too big to surf elsewhere.

MT MAUNGANUI

SUITABLE FOR: ALL LEVELS

Mt Maunganui is one of the best beginner surf spots in New Zealand and consistently offers mellow 2-3ft waves breaking over sand.

With the Kaimai Mountain range blocking weather fronts from the West, Mount Maunganui is one of the sunniest areas in New Zealand.  

Despite the small waves and inconsistency, occasionally the Mount can serve up a real treat. 

THE COROMANDEL

SUITABLE FOR: ALL LEVELS

Stretching North from the Bay of Plenty is the Coromandel Peninsular, a long finger of land with stunning white sand beaches, beautiful greenery, winding roads, excellent camping and the fun waves too.

The best spots are: 

WHANGAMATA

Whangamta is best known for its rivermouth left: a stupidly long left-hander, running over a shallow sand bank.

A little further along the beach there are several punchy beach break peaks which helps to spread out the crowd.

HOT WATER BEACH

A picturesque, white sandy beach with fun little peaks scattered all along.

TIARUA

Tiarua offers up a beach break with punchie (often hollow) waves that come out of deep water with tonnes of power.

TARANAKI

SUITABLE FOR: INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED

Taranaki is littered with quality waves.

And with its coastal road aptly names “Surf Highway 45” I guess that comes as no surprise.

Most of the waves in the area come in the form of cobblestone points, A-Frames, lefts, rights, and the odd beachie thrown in.

You name it, Taranaki has it.

Due to the unique geography of the area and the prominent Taranaki Volcano, the wind swings around the foot of the mountain, meaning somewhere is always offshore. 

Stent road is the area's best wave: a fast, reeling right-hander with long walls with plenty of room for multiple turns and the odd barrel too. 

GISBORNE

SUITABLE FOR: INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED

Gisborne gets the brunt of the frequent south swells that wrap around the bottom of New Zealand.

With a number of different set ups to suit all kinds of winds and swell directions, it's no wonder it's regarded as the best surf spot on NZ's East Coast.

South of Gisborne (a 45-minute drive) lies Mahia.

A peninsular offers up some great waves, that are super consistent drawing surfers from the surrounding areas frequently.

BEST SURF SPOTS IN SOUTH ISLAND, NZ  

New Zealand’s south island is regarded as one of the most beautiful places in the world.

With lush rolling green hills, snowcapped peaks and a dramatic coastline, waves are a plenty. 

KAIKOURA

SUITABLE FOR: INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED

Kaikoura is one of the best surf spots in NZ on its day.

While the points need some swell to crank, when they're on, it's world class.

We’re talking perfect 4-6ft reeling rights, peeling forever, surrounded by snow topped mountains and rugged coastline. 

If the points aren't working, don’t stress, Meatworks is a reliable cobblestone point that picks up plenty of swell.

Although the name sounds unappealing, the wave here is a punchy, powerful A-frame that always has something to ride. 

GREYMOUTH

SUITABLE FOR: INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED

On the wild west coast of the South Island lies the small town of Greymouth. While the town offers little beauty compared to other parts in the south, the waves get super fun here.

However, the coast gets absolutely hammered by swell, and for much of the winter, it’s un-surfable - not to mention the freezing temperatures. 

But when the swell does drop, there's plenty of waves to choose from: fun little jetty waves and some great beach breaks.

DUNEDIN

SUITABLE FOR: INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED

Dunedin is one of the most consistent surf spots in all of NZ, and for many is considered the best place to be a surfer in the country.

The area is slammed frequently by swells from all angles, and it's cold!

For a fun surf in town, head to St Clair beach right in Dunedin, a great place for surfers of all abilities. 

Around the coast, there are countless surf setups, which all come to life under specific winds and tides.

We’ll let you do your research to find most of them but if you're heading to Dunedin, check out Purakanui Bay for its spinning tubes and famous white cliffs or Aromoana for its thumping beach break wedges.

You’ll always get waves in Dunedin, as long as you don’t mind the cold.

WRAPPING IT UP

If you’re willing to get on the road and live among the great outdoors, New Zealand is an awesome place to surf.

Whatever your surfing ability, there’s something for everyone; from beginner-friendly beach breaks, to long peeling points and hollow shore breaks.

Oh, and to top it off, many of NZs best surf spots are some of the most picturesque places you’ll ever surf.

All that's left now, is for you to get out there and go exploring!

WHAT’S YOUR LEVEL & WHERE TO GO

Different locations have different times of the year where conditions are optimal. 

Use the guide below to find beginner friendly locations, and the best time of year to visit and surf: 

JANUARY - MARCH

APRIL - JUNE

JULY - SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER - DECEMBER

SURF TRAVEL ESSENTIALS: 10 TIPS TO AN EPIC TRIP

If you want your surf trip to go smoothly, it’s important to plan things ahead of time to avoid getting stuck in any sticky situations, getting ripped off, or making any rookie errors that could ruin your trip.

Below, are 14 hard-earned travel tips from over 40 years on in-house surf travel experience:

1. CHOOSING THE RIGHT DESTINATION

We broke down the best surf travel destinations for beginners above, now it’s time for you to decide where is right for you.

Choose a destination fit for your surfing level, that’s in your budget, and has the type of waves your looking to surf. 

And remember, the surf season for different destinations will vary, so pick a spot that’s in-season for your travel dates. 

2. KNOW YOUR AIRLINE, KNOW THE FEES

Now that you know where you’re going, you’ll need to book a flight, but beware, as not all airlines treat surfers equally…

Airlines have cottoned on the the idea that surfers love to travel, and in recent years have hiked up the fees for surfers travelling with surfboards - so this is definitely something to investigate before booking your flights.

Some airlines charge per board, some per board-bag, and some don’t charge at all. 

The fees for this can add up, so do your research before booking to avoid getting smashed with fees at check-in.

Here’s a list of airline surfboard fee charges to help you along.

3. PACKING THE RIGHT STUFF

Oftentimes the best surf travel destinations are off the beaten track, in third world countries, with less than ideal access to travel essentials, so you’re going to want to pack everything you need before you go:

Here’s a surf travel essentials checklist for you. 

4. SURF CAMP, OR GO IT ALONE…

If this is your first surf travel experience you might be considering a surf camp as an option, or you may be considering going it alone. 

Either is fine, but it’s important that you know the pros and cons of each to make the right decision for you:

SURF CAMP

Surf Camps are great because they take a lot of the stresses out of your travel experience, they’re safe, and you’re surrounded by other surfers just like you - immersed in the travel vibe.

GOING SOLO

Going it alone is usually reserved for the more experienced surf traveller. They like this option because it’s cheaper, more flexible, and puts them in control of their every move.

If this is your first ever surf travel experience it might be wise to go the surf camp route purely to put your mind at ease, but for the intrepid traveller amongst you going it alone could be the best thing you’ve ever done.

5. SURF TRAVEL INSURANCE

I know what you’re thinking, boring!

And you’re right, there is nothing more boring than insurance, until you really need it that is..

I’ve known countless people that have needed medical help on their travels and without appropriate cover they would have been screwed. 

I get it, it feels like a waste of money as you’ll likely never need it, but for the one time you do, it’ll be worth every penny you’ve ever paid. 

If you’re looking for some retubale insurance brokers that cater well for surfers, go check these guys out:

1 Cover: Surf Travel Insurance

World Nomads Travel Insurance for Surfing

6. CULTURE VULTURE

Immersing yourself in different cultures is what makes surf travel so frickin cool, but each culture you go to will have their own set of customs, rules and traditions - that need to be respected. 

And it’s important that you know what you’re getting yourself into before you go. 

For example in Muslim countries like Indonesia, women are expected to cover up with their clothing in and out of the water. 

In other countries outward signs of physical intimacy like kissing etc. is prohibited too, so it’s worth checking in with the local cultural norms before you go, so that you can go about your business without causing a fuss with the locals.

7. VISA

Pretty much every country you visit will require a visa for entry. 

Some will require visa’s to be granted before arrival, and some you can get at the airport when you land. 

Either way, find out what the visa situation is ahead of time so that you don’t get caught out. 

Here's a good resource for more info: https://visaguide.world/

8. GETTING JABBED UP

Certain destinations require you to be vaccinated before entry. 

These can be for things like Yellow Fever, Tetanus, Typhoid, Rubella, etc. 

And now too there can also be restrictions for the covid vaccine too. 

Most countries are pretty laid back on all this stuff, but some aren’t, so do some research beforehand to see if there are any mandatory vaccines needed for entry. 

Here's a good resource for more info: https://www.kayak.com/travel-restrictions

9. SURFBOARD QUIVER

A lot of the best surf locations oftentimes don’t have a lot of infrastructure, or a lot of access to good surf equipment, especially surfboards. 

So, it’s well worth packing an extra board or two in case you snap or damage anything on your trip. 

Sure, there’ll be surfboards around to buy, but much of the time they’ll be old beaten up pieces of crap that are not fit for purpose. 

If you’ve got an extra board in the garage be sure to bring it along with you. 

10. BOARD PACKAGING

Surfboards and aeroplane baggage handlers are not the best of friends, in fact there have been numerous occasions whereby surfboards have been absolutely trashed during transport. 

So it’s important to pack your boards as best you can to avoid damage. 

Some people go absolutely nuts and wrap everything in bubble wrap, but in my experience that’s overkill.

And if you get the wrong baggage handler no amount of bubble wrap will save you. 

In short, buy a good, thick travel board bag, remove the fins from your board, back your boards tightly, and stuff towels, wetsuits and clothes around the nose, tail and rails for padding. 

Then cross your fingers and hope for the best.

11. FOREIGN CURRENCY

Undoubtedly, wherever you travel to they’ll have their own currency, so you’ll want to make sure you have a little local currency on you for when you arrive. 

You don’t need to go crazy, but you’ll want enough to get you out of trouble should any issues pop up with taking money out of local ATM’s.

Usually around $200-$500 is more than enough.

You can get access to the currency at any airport at a currency conversion desk. 

12. ARRIVE EARLY

When travelling to a new country, in a completely foreign land, the last thing you want to do is arrive late at night. 

Arriving late is when bad stuff happens.

If a late arrival is unavoidable book yourself into an airport hotel for that night and pre arrange airport pickup to avoid having to deal with taxi drivers and finding accommodation late at night. 

Your best off booking flights that arrive in daylight hours to avoid all of the above. 

13. LOCAL SIM

If you’re staying somewhere for a while it might be worth buying a local sim card. 

The fees will be super cheap, and it’ll save you a lot of money in overseas roaming fees. 

14. BUDGETING

If you’re planning on travelling for a number of weeks/months it’s absolutely vital to have a budget. 

Oftentimes, when first arriving in a third world country where everything is a third of the price the tendency is to splash out and go wild. 

If you're just travelling for a week or two that’s fine, but if you’re going the long-haul it’s important to stick to a budget. 

Here’s what you should do.

Get the total amount of savings, divide it by the number of days on your trip, the total is the amount you have available each day. 

If you overspend on one day, be sure to pay it back the next, that way you won’t get caught out, or worse still be in dept at the end of your trip.

WRAPPING IT UP

If you’re about to embark on your first ever surf travel experience, lucky you. 

You’re in for the trip of a lifetime.

Travel is at the heart of surf culture, and always will be. 

Once you start on this journey, a world of possibilities and adventures open up for a lifetime of discovery. 

“Every adventure requires a first step”, and this guid may well be yours.

Yew!

Rowan

IS THERE GOOD SURF IN NOOSA? 

During the cyclone season from Jan - March Noosa can be blessed with some world class setups.

Consecutive right hand point breaks which offer long rides and exquisite scenery of the Noosa National park has certainly cemented Noosa has one of the must visit surf destinations of Australia. 

With five right hand point breaks and ample beach breaks that stretch from Sunshine Beach - Coolum beach, there's a lot on offer.

And for the beginner surfers amongst us, there's plenty of beginner options too.

WHAT IS THE BEST MONTH TO SURF NOOSA

The best months to surf Noosa is February or March.

These months tend to provide more consistent swells generated by low pressure systems from the pacific, offering up the best opportunity to surf Noosa's most famous right hand point breaks.

Quick word of warning...

March is when the Noosa Festival of Surfing rolls into town - alongside a boatload of the worlds best Longboarders, and spectators alike.

So, crowds during this event window can be an issue, especially at First Point.

WHICH SWELL IS BEST FOR NOOSA

East-northeast swell

The best conditions reported for surf at Noosa - First Point occur when a East-Northeast swell combines with an offshore wind direction from the South.

WHERE TO SURF IN NOOSA

To make things easy for you to digest, I've split the surf breaks into different sections: Point Breaks, and Beach Breaks

Each of the spots has itss own unique flavour, coming to life when conditions are right. 

Hopefully, armed with the knowledge below you'll be there when they do:

NOOSA POINTS

NOOSA BEACH BREAKS

CONCLUSION 

Noosa is one of Australia's East coast surfing meccas. 

A short drive and you're amongst some world class right handers.  There are plenty of waves on offer for all abilities, and a variety of waves to choose from. 

It’s rare to turn up to Noosa and score nothing. 

With a whopping 40km2  square national park surrounding the majority of surf breaks you’ll be blown away with the backdrops of lushness scenery and quality set ups here. 

Pack your back, be ready the heat and go and see why everybody loves Noosa (and that's just not the surfers saying that). 

Hope to see you out in the lineups of Noosa soon

Loz 

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR

Alright, before I share with you my top women's surf retreat picks, I’ve first got to explain a little as to the criteria I’ve used. 

Why?

Well, because there are a few things that really take something from good, to spectacular. 

With that being said, I’ve made my selection based on the following:

9 OF THE BEST WOMENS SURF RETREATS WORLDWIDE

Here it is, your list of the absolute best female only surf retreats on the planet.

Hold on tight to your credit card, as things are about to get spicy!

CONCLUSION

If you’re looking to travel to an exclusively female surf retreat, hopefully you’re now much closer to finding that perfect spot that’s going to tick all the boxes. 

So what are you waiting for!

Do your research, and get yourself booked in.

You’re going to have the time of your life, meet some incredible people, and birth a whole new love for surfing & travel I promise. 

Is there a women's surf retreat that I missed? Somewhere else you could recommend? If so, pop it in the comments below.

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR

Ok, as a female traveller there are a few important considerations for your trip. 

Things like:

There's a lot to think of right there, but don't worry, as all of the above has been taken into account in curating the list below, saving you the leg work in the process. 

So, without further ado, let's get stuck into the fun part and start getting excited about your travel plans...

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SURF CAMP AND A SURF RETREAT?

A surf retreat will generally be high-end, boutique accommodation, with luxury as a prerequisite, with a generally focus on personal wellbeing.

A surf camp on the other hand is catered more towards the younger, budget traveller that's happy to bunker up in a shared room, with a big emphasis on meeting other people, alongside extra curricular activities like nightlife and bars, cafes and the like. 

Sure, there's a bit of crossover between the two where things get blurry, but this is a good guide.

7 OF THE BEST SURF CAMPS FOR WOMEN RIGHT NOW

CONCLUSION

Women's only Surf Camps are one of the best ways to meet new girl friends, make connections with other women that froth on surfing and travel, and experience new waves and cultures at the same time. 

A way for women to travel and surf safely, and do it in a nurturing group environment. 

Pretty damn cool if you ask me. 

If there's anywhere I've missed that absolutely has to make it on this list post it in the comments below.

And a whole lot more. 

Buckle up, and get ready, as things are about to get interesting…

DO SURFERS EVER GET ATTACKED BY SHARKS?

Do surfers ever get attacked by sharks?

Yes.

Is it common?

Absolutely not. 

To get some context, let's get some data from our friends over at the Florida Museum who’ve been collecting shark attack data since 1900.

Here’s what the stats say:

SHARK ATTACK STATISTICS

Over most shark attacks over the past 50 years came within 2010 - 2019, with a total of 799.

Of these attacks only 6.8% were fatal. 

Below is a map highlighting unprovoked surf attacks worldwide:

Here's a table of the ten countries with the most recorded shark attacks:

FAMOUS SHARK INCIDENTS WITH SURFERS

Although there have been multiple shark incidents with surfers, two stand out as the most famous by far. 

INCIDENT 1. MICK FANNING VS GREAT WHITE (J-BAY, SOUTH AFRICA)

I remember this one like it was yesterday because I was watching it LIVE, yup that's right, on a live broadcast streamed around the world!

If you're not familiar with it, here's what went down...

It was the Semi Finals of the Billabong Pro J-Bay in South Africa, 2015.

The waves were fun, 3-4ft and clean, and Mick was up against his good friend Julian Wilson in his heat. 

Everything was normal until, bang, on live camera you see a Great White Shark breach behind him. 

A split second later, a wave passes and blocks the view of the camera team, and the world is on the edges of their seats expecting the worst. 

A few long seconds go by and you see Mick perched on his board fending for his life from the shark. 

The jet ski safety team race to his assistance, and thankfully get to him in time. 

A crazy sequence of events broadcast around the world, with miraculously no injuries whatsoever. 

INCIDENT 2. BETHANY HAMILTON (KUIAI, HAWAII)

Way back in 2003, a then 13 year old Bethany Hamilton was surfing her local beach with her good friend Alana Blanchard. 

The up and coming future world title prospect going about her day just as any other. 

Then, out of the blue a 14ft Tiger Shark attacks, biting off her arm in the process. 

Thankfully, with the help of other surfers in the water Bethany was able to make it back to land and survived.

Any normal human would never step foot in the surf again, but not Bethany, she'd defy all odds and continue to surf with just the one arm and go on to compete at the highest level. 

Her now infamous story has been shared all over the world, even featuring in a Hollywood Movie: Soul Surfer, that shares her traumatic story.

WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF A SHARK ATTACK IN THE SURF?

Ok, let's get stuck into the data, what is the chances of a shark actually attacking you in the surf? 

There are approximately 70-100 shark attacks annually resulting in about 5 deaths.

THE RISK OF DEATH FROM A SHARK ATTACK IS APPROX: 1 in 4,332,817

To put things into perspective, here is a list of things that you're more likely to die from than a shark attack in the surf:

Just to name a few. 

In short, yes there is always the possibility of a shark attacking you in the water, but the odds of it happening are ridiculously slim.

DO SURFERS HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT SHARKS?

Like I mentioned above, sharks are a real concern for surfers regardless of how small the odds of attack are.

So yeah, surfers do have to worry about sharks, but there are some simple things that can be done to minimise risks even further, and put that worry to bed: 

HOW TO AVOID SURFING WITH SHARKS

TIP 1. DON'T SURF HIGH RISK AREAS

This sounds obvious I know, but just by avoiding high risk areas your chances of an attack are reduced significantly. 

Take the US for example, if you avoid surfing in Florida your chances of a shark attack drop massively (Florida has nearly nine times more attacks than the rest of the country combined).

TIP 2. SURF IN DAYLIGHT HOURS

Sharks tend to do the majority of their hunting outside of daylight hours. 

Simply not surfing crazy early in the morning, or late at night will drop your shark encounter chances once again. 

TIP 3. DON'T SURF ALONE

Sharks are less likely to approach a group of surfers compared to a lone individual. Surfing with with other people provides safety in numbers.

TIP 4. AVOID RIVER MOUTHS

Sharks tend to congregate around river mouths and estuaries, as this is where the fish hang out. 

Avoid surfing close to these areas.

TIP 5. AVOID MURKY WATERS

Sharks are more likely to mistake surfers for prey in murky waters, so stick to clear water wherever you can. 

HOW OFTEN DO SURFERS SEE SHARKS?

How likely is it to see a shark while surfing?

It all depends upon where you are in the world, and the types of waves you're surfing. 

If for example you surf in Europe you'll likely go a lifetime without ever seeing a shark. 

If you're surfing in Western Australia however, it might be a once a month occurrence, it really does all depend on the location.

For what it's worth I've been surfing for nearly 30 years and I've seen one shark in my lifetime, and that was from the beach, so for most shark sightings are incredibly rare.

WHAT TYPES OF SHARKS ATTACK SURFERS

Did you know there are over 500 species of shark in the ocean?

Crazy right. 

The good news is that 497 of those different sharks pose no threat to humans whatsoever. 

The bad news however is that three do.

They are:

SHARK DETERRENT TECHNOLOGY FOR SURFERS

As you'd expect, wherever there's a problem people get to work looking for a solution. 

Which is why we now have a number of technology solutions to deter attacks from sharks. 

Let's take a closer look:

Do these shark deterrents actually work?

Well they claim to at least, but I wouldn't fancy putting them to the test in all honesty. 

But if it puts your mind at ease, they're definitely worth a look.

SHARK TRACKING APPS

Alongside the shark deterrent tech above, there are also shark tracking apps too.

A couple of notable surfing apps to check out are:

OSEARCH SHARK TRACKER

THE GREAT WHITE APP

DORSAL SHARK REPORTS

But here's the thing with these apps. 

I'd like to think that all the sharks in the water are geo-tagged, and easily trackable on these apps, but that's simply not the case. 

Instead it's a much more manual process of users documenting shark sightings, which for me, just doesn't cut the mustard. 

Sure, it's better than nothing, but hardly a hard science solution for staying clear of sharks in the surf in my opinion.

HOW TO GET OVER A FEAR OF SHARKS WHEN SURFING

As with all fears, the first step to overcoming them is unpacking the process in the body.

Once you understand the biology of what's happening to you, it creates a distance between you, and the fear itself.

Just that little bit of space is enough to acknowledge that this isn't something that's happening to you, something outside of your control, instead it's self generated. 

From this perspective, healing can take place. 

Building upon this ownership, using a stoic approach can really help too. 

Understanding the tiny probability of anything ever happening, and understanding what you can do to minimise that chance even further can go a long way to stopping the fearful narratives running through your head in the water. 

Follow along with these steps next time you hit the surf, and see what a difference it makes. 

CONCLUSION

Unfortunately, the possibility of surfing with sharks is something that you're going to have to come to terms with - as they're not going anywhere anytime soon. 

With that being said though, the probability of anything ever happening being so minuscule, you really don't have anything to worry about - statistically at least. 

Anyway, I hope this article has been informative and help put your mind to rest at least a little bit. 

Yew!

Rowan