What do you do when your family doesn't want you to surf?

In this episode of Hey Zuz, I'm Confused, we tackle probably the hardest question we've ever received—from an 18-year-old who wants to surf but is facing a hard no from their parents.

Is it fear? Cultural pressure? Safety concerns? We unpack it all without the internet's usual "just do you" energy.

This week's surf news has it all: a surf comp postponed after teen girls were harassed in Scotland, a heroic surf rescue in Oceanside, and a surfboard that floated across the Tasman Sea. Also in the mix: China's first surf-themed mega resort opens in Hainan, and a coven of paddleboarding witches casts good vibes across Wisconsin.

Ever wondered how well you need to swim to surf? In today's episode, we dive into one of the most overlooked but critical questions in beginner surfing. From the myth of "you'll be fine in waist-deep water" to the real risks of wipeouts, rip currents, and leashless boards, we talk about what "water competence" actually means. I share why I skipped my first surf lesson in Malibu, what lifeguards recommend, and how even strong swimmers can struggle in the ocean.

Tiffany Barwick, also known as Midlife Surfista on socials is a self-described fully stoked "begin-termediate" surfer based in the San Francisco Bay Area, who began learning to surf at 40 years old, just two years ago. Among many other things, we talk about her lack of fear of the ocean, tackling the more unusual obstacles to learning to surf, and why Tiffany keeps coming back to the Big Wave Risk Assessment Group meets.

Before plug-in fins, there were glass-ons—clean, sleek, and permanently part of the board. This episode dives into the history of glassed-in fins, how they shaped modern surfing, and why some surfers still swear by them.

This week's Sunday Surf Poem comes from French surfer‑academic Jean‑Baptiste Mognetti and his piece Rise and Shine, first published in The Inertia. We don't quite get it, but you might.

Like this never happened to you. You fell out of love with your surfboard on day two and regretted it ever since. This episode dives into why new board might feel all wrong and why having six boards doesn't mean you've "figured it out". We do get real though.

Becoming a local isn't about your zip code—it's about your surf attendance record. In this episode, we unpack what it really takes to become a local at your surf break (spoiler: it's not about living two blocks from the beach). From building trust in the lineup to the politics of localism, we explore why being a familiar face matters—and whether it's even worth chasing. Plus, a few warm-fuzzy stories that suggest the tide may be turning in the lineup, one friendly nod at a time.

What do Olympic surf teams, economic development boards, and rogue sea otters have in common? This week's surf news!

Hawai'i wants in on the Olympic action — Officials are inviting national teams to train on the islands ahead of LA 2028.

Save the Waves Summit — What coastal protection looks like in 2025, and how surf ecosystems are becoming everyone's business.

Arizona goes full send — A surf/skate/music festival is coming to the desert, because of course it is.

Otter 841's spiritual successor? — A Santa Cruz sea otter commandeers a surfboard and refuses to leave.

We haven't done a Weekly Popup segment in a while—but this one's worth it. We return with a game-changing tip: stop obsessing over the pop-up, and start focusing on just one thing. For her, it was a 45° takeoff. The result? Her brain chilled out, the pop-up happened faster (still clumsy, let's be real), and it was actually fun.

Also: a Reddit user delivers the best-ever breakdown of why so many of us land on our back knee. Spoiler alert: it's not your mobility. It's your eyes. This one is gold. If you struggle with slow, knee-denting pop-ups, this is the episode you want.