Are soft tops and online petitions the end of surfing—or just the beginning of a new wave?

If you’ve ever been frustrated by overcrowded surf breaks, clueless stand-up paddleboarders, or the sudden "trendiness" of surfing, this episode with Raglan Surf Report's Luke Cederman will hit home. Recorded mid-lockdown, it dives into what happens when surfers can't surf and social commentary becomes the next best thing.

• Discover why Luke thinks stand-up paddleboards belong nowhere near surf breaks.

• Hear the inside scoop on how a Kiwi surfer accidentally built one of the funniest surf media brands online.

• Learn why surfing etiquette might be dead—and what we can (or can’t) do about it.

Hit play now to laugh, cringe, and nod along with Luke Cederman’s hilariously honest take on surfing culture today.

Key Points

• Luke Cederman, a renowned surfer from New Zealand, is known for his humorous and insightful Raglan Surf Report on Instagram.

• Due to quarantine lockdown, Luke is unable to surf but can go to the supermarket, which he avoids by using online orders.

• Luke feels he hasn't utilized his quarantine time productively and is indifferent to the apocalyptic situation, which he finds alarming.

• New Zealand has implemented strict quarantine measures, including closing borders, which has significantly impacted tourism.

• Luke started surfing in Raglan at age 10 or 11 and believes dedication and natural talent are crucial for success in surfing.

• Luke competed in domestic surfing circuits but never excelled due to self-imposed pressure, though he won events in his later years.

• Luke supports New Zealand's Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, praising her handling of the crisis despite external criticisms.

• Luke proposes a surfing license test to allow only experienced surfers in the water, aiming to reduce emergency services calls.

• The discussion touches on the impact of CCTV on surfing etiquette and the decline of physical confrontations in the lineup.

• The rise in surfing's popularity is attributed to social media, population growth, and advancements in wetsuit technology.

Follow Luke on Instagram

@raglansurfreport

For the passionate surfer—whether you're a weekend warrior, a surf dad, or an older surfer—this podcast is all about better surfing and deeper stoke. With expert surf coaching, surf training, and surfing tips, we’ll help you catch more waves, refine your paddling technique, and perfect your pop up on a surfboard. From surf workouts to handling wipeouts, chasing bigger waves, and mastering surf technique, we’re here to make sure you not only improve but truly enjoy surfing more—so you can get more out of every session and become a wiser surfer. Go from Beginner or intermediate Surfer to advanced.