Surf It!: Advanced Techniques to Boost Your Speed

Surf It! — Top Boards, Beaches, and Gear for 2025Surfing in 2025 blends timeless stoke with new materials, smarter gear, and a stronger focus on sustainability. Whether you’re a complete beginner, an all-season weekend rider, or chasing barrels on remote reefs, this guide covers the best surfboards, must-visit beaches, and the gear that will keep you shredding all year long.

Why 2025 is an exciting year for surfing

Advances in board materials and shaping tech have produced boards that are lighter, stronger, and more responsive without losing the feel of classic foam-and-fiberglass designs.
Eco-conscious manufacturing has matured: recycled foams, bio-resins, and circular-repair programs are mainstream.
Wearable sensors and smart fins give riders instant feedback for improving technique while minimizing risk.
Global surf travel has rebounded with better community-led tourism that protects local breaks and supports stewardship.

Best surfboards for 2025

Choosing the right board depends on your skill level, the waves you ride, and personal taste. Below are top picks across categories.

All-rounder / Funboard

Why: Versatile, stable, and forgiving—great for beginners and intermediates.
Top pick: A 7’0” epoxy funboard with a wide nose, moderate rocker, and a thruster/2+1 setup for balance between drive and maneuverability.
Look for: EPS core with epoxy lamination, reinforced stringer or carbon patch underfoot for durability.

Shortboard (performance)

Why: For high-performance turns and steep waves.
Top pick: 5’10”–6’4” high-performance shortboard with refined rocker and thin rails.
Look for: Tail shape matched to conditions (squash for versatility, swallow for small surf, round pin for bigger waves).

Fish / Hybrid

Why: Superb in small to medium surf; fast and playful.
Top pick: Retro fish (5’0”–5’8”) or modern hybrid fish (6’0”–6’6”) depending on rider height.
Look for: Twin or quad fin setups, wider template, and lowered rocker to generate speed.

Longboard / Classic noserider

Why: Smooth, cruisy, great for small surf and style-focused riders.
Top pick: Glass-on longboard 9’0” with single fin or 2+1 box.
Look for: Soft-flex foam alternatives if you want extra durability and travel-friendliness.

Tow-in & Big Wave

Why: Built for stability at speed and to handle massive faces.
Top pick: Gun shapes with added volume in the tail for control.
Look for: High-strength laminates and reinforced patches for leash and fin boxes.

Surfboard tech trends in 2025

Bio-resins and recycled EPS are standard on mid- to high-end boards.
Modular repair systems let shapers swap out damaged nose/tail sections rather than re-glassing whole boards.
Smart-embedded sensors (optional) track stroke count, wave count, speed, and GPS-relayed lineups for post-session analysis.

Top beaches and breaks to visit in 2025

Below are globally varied spots covering consistent surf, travel value, and unique experiences.

Short list of standout beaches

Uluwatu, Bali (Indonesia) — World-class reef breaks, consistent swells; still a must for advanced surfers.
Jeffreys Bay (South Africa) — Long right-hand point breaks famed for speed and long walls.
Tavarua / Cloudbreak (Fiji) — Powerful, hollow lefts for experienced riders.
Huntington Beach (USA) — Classic beachbreaks, surf culture, year-round events.
Hossegor (France) — Powerful beach breaks, ideal for heavy-hitting shortboard performance.
Raglan (New Zealand) — Longpoint lefts, mellow vibe, great for longboarding and intermediate surfers.
Santa Teresa / Nosara (Costa Rica) — Reliable tropical beachbreaks and surf communities for all levels.
El Salvador (Punta Roca, El Zonte) — Affordable travel, consistent right-hand reef/point waves.
Bells Beach (Australia) — Historic contest break with powerful reefs and seasonal swells.
New spots to watch: parts of northern Peru, remote breaks in the Canary Islands, and surf-friendly micro-resorts in Madagascar.

Choosing a destination: tips

Skill vs. wave type: Match your ability to the break (reef/point vs. beachbreak).
Seasonality: Check local swell windows—hemisphere swaps matter (Northern summer sees Southern swells and vice versa).
Local culture and stewardship: Favor communities with sustainable tourism practices and clear local etiquette.

Essential gear for 2025

Beyond boards, modern surfing relies on specialized gear to improve performance, comfort, and safety.

Wetsuits & Rashguards

Materials: Limestone-based neoprene and plant-derived neoprene are common, offering similar stretch with a lower carbon footprint.
Fit: Compression-free panels and anatomically mapped seams reduce chafing; key for cold/windy climates.
Tops: UV-blocking rashguards with integrated chest padding for board impact are popular.

Leashes & Fins

Leashes: Lightweight, quick-release ankle straps and reinforced cord materials reduce drag and improve reliability—use thicker diameters for bigger waves.
Fins: Modular fin systems let you swap profiles; adaptive flex fins tuned to wave type are a trend.

Boardbags & Travel gear

Bags: Padded, heat-resistant travel bags with internal board separators and replaceable nose/tail protection.
Accessories: Inflatable roof racks and on-the-go ding repair kits for trip resilience.

Safety & electronics

Inflatable vests for big-wave riders and beginners in heavy surf.
Wearable sensors (wrist or fin-mounted) track surf metrics and can send emergency location pings.
Action cameras with improved low-light sensors and integrated stabilization remain the go-to for capturing sessions.

Sustainability & responsible surfing

Choose brands using recycled foam, bio-resins, and take-back repair programs.
Support local shapers and repair shops—repairing extends board lifespans and reduces waste.
Respect local line-ups, follow tide and hazard guidance, and avoid crowding sensitive reef areas.
When traveling, offset travel emissions and use community-based tourism operators.

How to pick the right board for you (quick checklist)

Skill level: beginner = more volume; advanced = lower volume, refined outline.
Typical wave size: small, mushy surf favors wider, flatter boards; steep waves favor thinner, higher-rocker shapes.
Travel needs: inflatable or epoxy boards for lighter airline travel; glass-on for home quiver.
Environmental preference: check for recycled/bio materials and repairability.

Maintenance and care

Rinse with fresh water after every session and store out of direct sun.
Repair dings promptly; small fixes prevent delamination.
Regularly check leash plug and fin boxes for corrosion or loosening.

Final notes

Surfing in 2025 offers more choices than ever: sustainably made boards, smarter accessories, and travel options that balance thrill with stewardship. Match gear to your goals, respect local breaks, and prioritize repairs and sustainable brands to keep waves clean and surf communities thriving.