Surfer Today

"Birth of The Endless Summer": Official Trailer

"Birth of the Endless Summer: Discovery of Cape St. Francis," a feature documentary from director Richard Yelland and production company Curtis Birch, makes its worldwide digital debut on June 20, 2025.

The Emmy-nominated film unearths a little-known origin story behind "The Endless Summer," the seminal surf film from Bruce Brown Films that helped shape global surf culture and defined the California Dream.

The documentary follows surf pioneer Dick Metz on a steamship-hopping, train-jumping journey around the world from 1958 to 1961.

While in Cape Town, South Africa, Metz met local surfer John Whitmore, a moment that changed the trajectory of surfing history and ultimately inspired filmmaker Bruce Brown to make "The Endless Summer."

On a tip from Whitmore, who would later become affectionately known as the "Oom," or uncle, of South African surfing, Metz would also discover Cape St. Francis, later immortalized in Brown's film as the "perfect wave."

"If Dick hadn't met Whitmore that day in 1959, The Endless Summer and the explosion of global surf culture that followed in its wake might never have happened," said director Richard Yelland.

"Dick Metz was a catalyst for the birth of modern surfing, and I wanted to make sure this history wasn't lost."

Produced in association with Bruce Brown Films and made possible through a partnership with the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center, the world's largest surf photo and film archive founded by Dick Metz, the film has earned numerous honors on the festival circuit and received a 2025 Los Angeles Area Emmy Award in the Independent Programming category.

It is currently airing nationally on PBS, following its successful theatrical run in the U.S. and Australia.

It is being distributed globally by Monkey Wrench Films and Garage Films, a division of Madman Entertainment.

Starting June 20, "Birth of the Endless Summer" will be available worldwide on Amazon, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube Movies, Fandango, and Vimeo on Demand.

Footage and Documentary: Curtis Birch / Monkey Wrench Films

The Best Waves and Rides of the 2025 Nazaré Big Wave Challenge

The 2025 Nazaré Big Wave Challenge brought fierce competition to Portugal’s Praia do Norte, where surfers tackled waves up to 35 feet tall.

Organized by the World Surf League (WSL) and sponsored by TUDOR, the event tested athletes with strong winds and choppy conditions.

Teams relied on teamwork, jet ski skills, and quick decision-making to ride the massive waves.

Winners Rise Above Challenges

French surfer Clement Roseyro claimed the Men’s Best Performance Award, scoring 21.83 points.

Partnering with Portugal’s Nic von Rupp, the duo also won the Best Team Performance Award.

Roseyro credited their success to teamwork: “Nic taught me jet ski skills, and we push each other.” Von Rupp added, “We trained hard this year. Last season, we should’ve won—this makes it sweeter.”

Brazil’s Lucas Chianca, a past champion, took second place, while Scotland’s Ben Larg surprised as a last-minute replacement, finishing third.

Larg impressed with sharp turns on steep waves, proving his skill in “tow-in” surfing—where a partner uses a jet ski to pull a surfer into position.

Women’s Division Highlights

France’s Justine Dupont returned after having her first child, riding eight waves with bold lines.

“Motherhood shifted my focus,” she said. “I worry about my baby now, not fear.”

Her teammate Eric Rebiere struggled, catching only one wave. Brazil’s Michelle des Bouillons took second, guided by partner Ian Cosenza.

British newcomer Laura Crane also stood out, towing Portugal’s Antonio Laureano into large waves.

Conditions Test Limits

Strong winds created uneven wave faces, forcing surfers to adapt. Brazil’s Pedro Vianna, last year’s team winner, noted, “Choosing the right waves was key—it wasn’t easy.”

Many wiped out but stayed persistent, aiming for high-scoring rides.

The event showcased Nazaré’s reputation as a big-wave hotspot, blending danger and skill. As Roseyro put it, “It’s about trust—in your team and your instincts.” With thrilling rides and close calls, the 2025 challenge proved why this location remains a ultimate test for surfers worldwide.

Footage: Red Bull

Wavegarden Lab: The Wave Pool Experimentation Center

The original Wavegarden Cove prototype has recently been transformed and extended to provide an increased variety of waves and new design features to ensure thorough testing of the upgraded technology before commercial use.

Open in Youutbe to read the full report...

Stoke Surf Resort in Leipzig to Host First AllWaves Surf Pool

AllWaves announced the first plans for a commercial wave pool located in Germany.

An agreement was made between AllWaves and Stoke GmbH, being the first of many Stoke surf resorts planned by both parties.

Its location is centered in the landlocked area of Leipzig.

"We are proud to bring the future of surfing to Leipzig's Neuseenland district and to contribute to the development of this former mining region that is now focused on water sports and nature-based tourism," says Stoke CEO Mike Berus, who grew up in the area.

"The wave pool technology by AllWaves looks like a natural lake and blends perfectly in the area's environment, which features multiple lakes around the city of Leipzig."

"We are putting the Neuseenland District on the worldwide map of surfing."

In September 2024, Stoke reached an important milestone by presenting comprehensive planning documents to various offices and authorities.

Stoke adds that the site will boost the local economy by creating new jobs, attracting high-quality tourism geared towards outdoor enthusiasts, and enhancing the well-being of the local community by providing a unique recreational space.

Construction could start in 2026.

Meanwhile, the AllWaves wave pool technology is being demonstrated at the company's R&D site in Knokke-Heist, Belgium, where surf park developers can witness it firsthand.

Designed to be safe, natural in look and feel, energy-efficient, and financially accessible.

AllWaves features a proprietary pillow technology that mimics the movement of ocean waves, with customizable waves to delight surfers of every ability.

"I'm thrilled to share this important milestone," said Steven Nauwelaerts, AllWaves founder and CEO.

"We are revolutionizing the surfing experience, allowing enthusiasts to surf close to home without the unpredictability of ocean conditions. With a strong partner with a vision, like Stoke, the customer experience will be above and beyond."

Footage: ‪@allwaves_surf‬

Bahrain Surf Park: The First Wavegarden Wave Pool in the Middle East and North Africa

The Kingdom of Bahrain announced the launch of Bahrain Surf Park - Club Hawaii Experience, the Middle East and North Africa's first surf park using the Wavegarden Cove technology.

Bahrain Surf Park will form the first leisure and entertainment element of the wider Bilaj Al Jazayer development, a 1.3-million-square-meter project along Bahrain's southwest coast.

The project will also feature luxury beachfront hotels, residences, and commercial spaces.

Also included in the Bahrain Surf Park is Club Hawaii Surf Academy.

The facility will train, mentor, and develop surfers of the future through a series of comprehensive training programs for beginners, improvers, intermediates, and advanced surfers.

Club Hawaii acknowledges, through its brand, the spirit of Hawaii, the birthplace of surfing.

Bahrain Surf Park is expected to attract approximately 300,000 visitors per year, with upwards of 140,000 surf sessions annually.

The park will feature F&B outlets, a spacious terrace, a retail store, cabanas, event space, and a large private entertainment area for corporate or school groups.

There are also plans to host a major international surfing competition at the park in 2026.

The Wavegarden Cove can accommodate up to 90 surfers and produce up to 1,000 waves per hour, catering to all skill levels, from beginners to elite surfers.

The wave-making technology has a low energy consumption, and the facilities provide a vast range of social and economic benefits to local communities.

Bahrain Surf Park - Club Hawaii Experience is scheduled to open in 2026.

Surfing Rocha, Uruguay | Sebastian Olarte Rides Big Waves

At 32 years old, Sebastián Olarte has spent much of his life chasing waves as a professional surfer.

He hails from Uruguay, a small country in South America nestled between Brazil and Argentina...

Source & Credit: Surfer Today

Surf Protected Areas: The Virtuous Circle of Waves and Nature

Forests, mangroves, and marshes surrounding surf breaks store nearly 90 million metric tonnes of "irrecoverable carbon," crucial for climate stability.

A new study by Conservation International highlights the importance of these coastal ecosystems in fighting climate change and preserving biodiversity.

The research mapped over 4,800 surf spots worldwide, revealing significant carbon storage in areas within one to three kilometers of the waves.

However, less than a third of these ecosystems are protected.

Expanding Surf Protected Area Networks (SPAN) could help safeguard these vital regions and address global environmental challenges.

Footage: ‪@ConservationInternational‬

Letícia Bufoni Transforms Deserted Paris Streets into a Skateboarder's Paradise

As the bustling streets of Paris empty out for the summer, the City of Light transforms into an expansive playground for one of the world's top skateboarders, ‪@LeticiaBufoni‬.

Watch Bufoni showcasing her extraordinary talent against the backdrop of Paris' most iconic landmarks...

Footage: Red Bull

Italo Ferreira Surfs at the Opening of RiF010 in Rotterdam

Brazilian pro surfer Italo Ferreira was the star guest at the grand opening of ‪@rif0103‬, the world's first urban wave pool.

The hyperactive world champion surfer put on a highly entertaining show for all who attended the event held in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on July 6, 2024.

Ferreira was completely stoked and fired up.

The goofy-footer unveiled all his talent, performing acid drops, 360, and aerial moves on the 21-meter wide, 130-meter long wave-generating Dutch canal.

For more information about RiF010:
https://www.surfertoday.com/surfing/rif010-the-downtown-rotterdam-wave-pool

Teahupoo: The Paris 2024 Olympic Surfing Wave

Welcome to Teahupoo, Tahiti, the official Olympic surfing venue for the Paris 2024 Games.

Teahupoo, a notorious surf break in Tahiti, is renowned for its extraordinarily heavy, thick waves, making it both a thrill and a hazard for surfers.

Known as "The End of the Road," this reef break produces life-threatening waves due to the sudden transition from deep to shallow water. Some key highlights include:

1. Historical Significance: First ridden in 1985 by Thierry Vernaudon, Teahupoo's challenging waves have since drawn top surfers from around the world.

2. Dangerous Nature: The waves break about 500 yards offshore over a sharp coral reef, with the depth dropping to over 300 feet just beyond the reef. This sudden change creates powerful and dangerous waves.

3. Record Rides: Notable rides include Laird Hamilton's "Millennium Wave" in 2000, Nathan Florence's massive paddle-in wave in 2015, and Jamie O'Brien's fiery ride the same year.

4. Deadly Reputation: The wave has claimed the lives of five surfers, highlighting its perilous nature. Briece Taerea's tragic death serves as a stark reminder of the dangers.

5. Unique Characteristics: Teahupoo's wave faces are two to three times bigger than their backs, and the break has three main take-off spots catering to different surfing styles and levels of risk.

6. Cultural Impact: The spot is steeped in local culture, with its name meaning "the pile of heads" in Polynesian, and it has become a legendary venue featured in films and documentaries.

7. Sporting Milestones: It hosted its first pro surfing event in 1998 and will be the surfing venue for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Kelly Slater also made history here with a perfect score in 2005.

8. Extreme Stunts: The wave has been surfed blindfolded, ridden on a skimboard, and even tackled by a motorcyclist, demonstrating its broad appeal to extreme sports enthusiasts.

Learn More:
https://www.surfertoday.com/surfing/things-you-didnt-know-about-teahupoo