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What is a surf retreat (and is it for you)

The Wipeout Weekly

Release Date: 04/14/2025

You are too old to surf Pipeline show art You are too old to surf Pipeline

The Wipeout Weekly

“You don’t stop surfing when you get old. You get old when you stop surfing.” But if you spend enough time online, you’ll meet surfers who think calling it quits at 54 is not just normal—but wise. Travesty. In this episode, we dive into the relationship between age and surfing. From 7-year-olds casually surfing Pipeline to grown adults wondering if it’s too late to start, we’re unpacking the myths, expectations, and very real feelings around progress, fear, and what it means to be a surfer at any stage. Spoiler: It’s not about how big the wave is. It’s about how big you smile...

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Surf spot spotlight: Imsouane, Morocco is where beginners and longboarders party show art Surf spot spotlight: Imsouane, Morocco is where beginners and longboarders party

The Wipeout Weekly

This week, we’re heading to Morocco’s dreamy Atlantic coast to spotlight Imsouane—a sleepy fishing village turned longboarder paradise. 🌊 Think: mellow, endlessly peeling rights at The Bay (hello 800-meter rides), beginner-friendly takeoffs, and sandy entries. 🌞 Plus: the best seasons to go, what wetsuit you’ll need, a few sneaky hazards to watch for, and why it’s perfect for solo travelers craving a slow, surf-eat-nap-repeat kind of vibe. Whether you’re catching your first green waves or just want to noseride into the sunset, Imsouane might just be your next surf crush.

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She was raised on “Stoked”, built on reef cuts—and now, Ashlee’s got a front yard break show art She was raised on “Stoked”, built on reef cuts—and now, Ashlee’s got a front yard break

The Wipeout Weekly

When Ashlee first watched the cartoon Stoked, something clicked—and her dream of becoming a surfer was born. Fast forward to today, and she’s living it: surfing daily in front of her home on the Gold Coast, coaching others, and hosting all-women surf meetups with Groove Girls. In this episode, we follow Ashlee’s journey from landlocked beginnings and anxiety-filled sessions to Mentawai reef breaks, noserides at Currumbin Alley, and her mission to hang ten on every board she owns. It’s a story of grit, growth, and finding joy in every wipeout, turn, and trim. Whether you’re still...

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Outside! (and why it’s scarier than “Get off my wave”) show art Outside! (and why it’s scarier than “Get off my wave”)

The Wipeout Weekly

In today’s episode, we break down one of the most misunderstood words in the lineup: outside. Yes, it sounds harmless—until someone yells it mid-session and you realize you’re about to get absolutely steamrolled by a rogue set. 😬 We cover: - What “the outside” actually means in surf terms - How to avoid getting caught in the “Danger Zone” - Why it’s normal (and formative!) to get worked as a beginner - When to move from the inside to the outside—and how to do it safely Spoiler: getting caught inside is a rite of passage. But knowing what “outside” means might save you...

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You’re doing it wrong… because you’re not doing it enough. Damn you, pop-up! show art You’re doing it wrong… because you’re not doing it enough. Damn you, pop-up!

The Wipeout Weekly

This week’s pop-up truth bomb comes from Kyla Peterson—surf coach, fearless leader of Surfin Fire Surf School in Oceanside, and longtime member of Girls Who Can’t Surf Good. She popped up for the first time at age seven, so... yeah, she might not get the whole “stuck on my knees” thing 😜—but she does know how to help you fix it. In this episode, we break down: Why hip mobility might be your secret pop-up saboteur The harsh truth about progress if you’re only surfing once a week (don’t shoot the messenger) Kyla’s favorite land-based drills to speed up your...

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Can I be honest with you? Surfing once a week isn’t good enough show art Can I be honest with you? Surfing once a week isn’t good enough

The Wipeout Weekly

It's time to face some uncomfortable truths. But don't you worry! Kyla Peterson—surf coach and fearless leader at Oceanside Pier’s Surfin Fire Surf School has your back. In today’s episode, Kyla shares how growing up in a beach camp led to running her dad’s surf school, how COVID sparked her career pivot, and why she’s now focused on empowering female surfers to feel confident in any lineup. We also get into: Why surf etiquette might be harder than the pop-up How often you really need to surf to get better What to do when the ocean isn’t available Why surfing with people...

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Word of the week: Shaka show art Word of the week: Shaka

The Wipeout Weekly

This week, we throw a shaka to the shaka itself. From a sugar mill accident in early 1900s Hawai‘i to a universal symbol of good vibes in the lineup, we trace the history of surfing’s favorite hand sign. Who was Hamana Kalili? And why do surfers everywhere keep throwing this thumb-and-pinky wave? Let’s find out.

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The first woman in space...sorry, surf show art The first woman in space...sorry, surf

The Wipeout Weekly

When Matt Warshaw mentioned there were no girls in the Venice Beach lineup in 1969, it sent us down a wave-chasing, goddess-worshipping, surf-history rabbit hole. From the naked surf duels of ancient Hawaii to Princess Kelea, Queen Ka‘ahumanu’s heavy-wave skills, and the legend of Namahana’s dexterous drop-ins—we’re asking: who was the first woman in surf history? Spoiler: it’s not as simple as one name. But it’s a hell of a ride.

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Beginner surfing in Tamarindo: What to know before you go show art Beginner surfing in Tamarindo: What to know before you go

The Wipeout Weekly

Tamarindo is one of the most popular beginner surf destinations in Costa Rica—for good reason. Year-round waves, bathwater-warm temps, and a town built for beach life? Say less. But it’s not all pura vida and peelers—this spot gets crowded, and sometimes the chill vibes are more influencer-core than actual-core. In this episode, we break down when to go, what to expect, how to avoid the worst of the crowds, and whether Tamarindo is still worth it in 2025 if you’re just starting out. Spoiler: It probably is.

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70 pounds, one wavestorm, and a whole new life: Kristy's story show art 70 pounds, one wavestorm, and a whole new life: Kristy's story

The Wipeout Weekly

This Friday, we meet Kristy Barone—a self-proclaimed late bloomer who didn’t see the ocean until her 30s and now shreds Rockaway Beach like she was born on a board. In this episode, Kristy shares how a spontaneous surf lesson with her daughter became a full-blown life transformation: 70 pounds lost, anxiety quieted, and passport stamps gained. From crying at the ocean to paddling out in Puerto Rico and Costa Rica, Kristy’s story is proof that it’s never too late to dive in. Whether you’re landlocked or just stuck in your own head, her journey might just be the nudge you need.

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More Episodes

What is a surf retreat—and is it for you? In today’s episode, we unpack the rise of the structured surf vacation: part wellness, part wave-catching, and sometimes a little woo-woo. From Agatha Christie’s unintentional surf tour to the birth of the modern retreat industry, we trace the evolution of surfing holidays and what sets a retreat apart from your average surf trip.

Plus, a teaser: tomorrow we’re joined by surf retreat guru Nikki Nie, who’s ready to spill everything about picking the right one, what to expect, and how not to end up stuck doing sunrise journaling when you just want to surf.