Rachel didn’t grow up near the ocean. She didn’t even grow up around surfers. But one messy winter session in New Zealand flipped a switch—and before long, she’d traded city life for crystal-clear waters and reef breaks in Fiji.

In this episode, Rachel shares how surfing helped her rewrite her entire life story: from sore muscles and shaky pop-ups to surfing soft reef breaks near Cloudbreak and building a surf retreat business in paradise. We talk surf progression, longboard dreams, period-friendly waves (yes, really), and why Fiji’s surf culture is some of the most generous and joyful on earth.

Spoiler alert: You’ll probably want to book a flight after this one. ✈️🌊

Waves. We read them, ride them, turtle roll through them — but how much do we actually know about them?

In the kickoff to our wave series, glider pilot turned surfer breaks down why waves are more than just pretty water bumps — from oxygen mixing to coastline shaping and even cloud-making. Plus—Stokes drift.

Next episode in the series: how waves are made, and what makes the best ones.

In this episode, we’re diving into a small but powerful surf habit that could change your entire pop-up: where you’re looking. From collapsing bodies to nose dives, we explore why looking down is sabotaging your surf game—and how looking forward can instantly boost your balance, timing, and confidence. Plus, a little neuroscience, a horse riding analogy, and a rhyme-in-progress. Eyes up, friends!

Your board has a tiny ding. A crack. Something weird you can’t even describe. Do you panic? Take it to the surf shop? Try to fix it yourself with glitter and a YouTube video?

In this episode, we talk about how easy it is to damage your surfboard—by accident, by obsession, or by loving it just a little too hard. From tail chips and pressure dings to drive-by shortboard attacks and questionable DIY repairs (yes, Splenda may be involved), this is a cautionary tale and a how-to.

You’ll learn:

• When to repair your board yourself (and when to please don’t)

• Why epoxy and poly boards are NOT the same thing

• The many weird, real ways boards get wrecked

• And how a cracked rail can unexpectedly teach you to let go of perfection

Also: dragging your board on the beach, storing it tail-down on gravel, and the quiet heartbreak of the world’s prettiest longboard meeting a rogue fin.

It’s part therapy, part surf nerding, and part glitter resin experiment. You’ve been warned.

p.s. This episode description was written by AI because I had alcoholic drinks.

I consider myself a proficient surflingo user, dude. But I’m not sure I’ve ever actually said the word “stoke.” Until now. 😜

In this episode, I dig into the history of one of surfing’s most iconic—and oddly poetic—words: stoke. From 17th-century Dutch fireplaces to the 1950s California beach scene, this word has traveled its fair share to become the defining expression of surf joy.

We’ll talk Beach Boys, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, skate culture, mountain bikers, and getting excited about a burrito.

Let's get stoked on it!

Beginner surfers on Reddit told me they don’t care about surf history. So naturally… I made an episode about it anyway. 😇

This week, we dive into the wild theory that surfing didn’t originate in Hawaii—but in Peru, 3,000 years ago, with ancient fishermen riding “caballitos de totora” (little reed horses) through the waves.

We’ll talk about Felipe Pomar, the Peruvian surf legend who tried to convince the world surfing started in South America. We’ll revisit Thor Heyerdahl’s totally bonkers 1947 Kon-Tiki expedition. And we’ll ask the big question: does riding waves for utility count as surfing?

Also: I get nerdy about Matt Warshaw’s History of Surfing, confess my teenage love of Kon-Tiki, and share how my British Museum aunt shattered all my surf conspiracy dreams.

Spoiler alert: surfing was born in Hawaii. But this story? Fun!

Kuta gets a bad rap, but here’s the truth: it’s still one of the best beginner surf spots in Southeast Asia.

In this episode, we break down why Kuta Beach is a chaotic, charming gem for new surfers. From soft sandy breaks and endless foamie rentals to low-pressure vibes in the lineup, it’s got everything a beginner could want—if you know what to expect.

This was supposed to be the “Alaia and Paipo” episode… but then I fell deep into the Paipo rabbit hole, and I’m not ready to come out.

In this episode, we dive (prone-style) into the ancient world of the Paipo—one of surfing’s earliest and fastest planing totems. Made from koa, breadfruit, or wiliwili wood and ridden mostly lying down, these sleek, finless boards were all about speed, control, and wave intimacy (yes, really).

From ancient wave riding to $600 modern reboots, this is your all-access pass to one of surfing’s most overlooked icons.

Tempted to try one? Same. Especially if it means skipping the pop-up and still getting barreled.

This week’s popup is poppin’ off. We’re calling BS on the myth that dry land pop-ups are the key to getting better at surfing. Sure, they build strength—but if you’re wondering why your living room practice doesn’t translate to wave magic, we’ve got answers (spoiler: it’s physics). We break down why popping up in the water is actually easier, how your board helps you, and why muscle memory on a yoga mat isn’t the same as in motion. A fiery little rant—with love—for every beginner stuck between the floor and the surf.

Not every session can be glassy and perfect—and that’s actually a good thing. In this episode, we dig into why “bad” waves might be exactly what you need to level up as a surfer. From building your paddle power in mushy whitewater to getting more reps without the crowd, we’ll explore how less-than-ideal conditions can make you a better, braver surfer. Plus, we share some stories from the Girls Who Can’t Surf Good community about the best lessons learned in the worst waves. 🌊🏄🏻‍♀️