$140 Million in Funding Secured For Flotilla of Ocean-Powered Data Centers
Peter Thiel has secured $140 million to launch Panthalassa’s fleet of ocean‑powered data centers, the first commercial effort to run servers directly off wave energy. The venture, backed by the billionaire’s venture capital network, aims to place modular data pods in open water, using Ocean Power Technologies’ wave‑conversion systems for electricity. Proponents argue the sea‑based model can slash cooling costs and carbon footprints compared with land‑based facilities. The project is still in prototype stage, with regulatory and environmental questions looming.
28ft Rogue Wave Slams Florida Beach ‘Like a Tsunami’ (Video)
A 28‑foot rogue wave slammed Fort De Soto beach in the Florida Gulf, tossing tents, chairs and beachgoers into the surf. The incident follows a University of South Florida study that recorded 32 rogue waves in Tampa Bay over a four‑year span,...
‘Nobody Has Surfed This Wave’: Dylan Graves and Blair Conklin Tackle a Bizarre Japanese Jetty Wedge (Video)
Dylan Graves and Blair Conklin broke new ground by surfing a previously untouched wave off a hidden jetty in Hokkaido, Japan. The makeshift wedge creates chaotic, imperfect surf that appeals to novelty‑wave enthusiasts. Filmmaker Ryunosuke Tomizawa captured the session, highlighting the duo’s...
Gwynnik: Mike Lay's New Film Is a Love Letter to Surfing, Family, and the Joy of Staying Home
Professional surfer Mike Lay has released *Gwynnik*, the final installment of a three‑film series that turns the lens inward, highlighting his life in Cornwall with his young family. Filmed over two years across Cornwall and Brittany, the documentary blends modest...
5 Off-The-Grid Surf Escapes To Chase In May
May delivers a sweet spot for surfers worldwide, with lingering northern swells and the Southern Hemisphere’s storm‑driven peaks. While famous breaks like J‑Bay and Fiji stay busy, lesser‑known locations such as Denmark’s Klitmøller, India’s Kerala, Oman’s north coast, Madagascar’s reefs,...
Dinosaur-Killing Asteroid Spawned a 1-Mile-High Mega-Tsunami (Video)
A 6.2‑mile‑wide asteroid slammed into the Yucatán Peninsula, unleashing energy equivalent to 4.5 billion Hiroshima bombs and triggering a 1.5‑km‑high mega‑tsunami that swept across the Gulf of Mexico. The impact displaced roughly 48,000 cubic miles of sediment, reshaping coastlines from Mexico to...
‘Now Days’ Ignites a New Era of Women’s Surfing with the Super Six (Video)
Red Bull’s new women’s surf film “Now Days” premiered globally on May 1 via YouTube, delivering a 45‑minute showcase of six elite surfers—Caroline Marks, Molly Picklum, Caity Simmers, Erin Brooks, Sierra Kerr and Sky Brown. The riders tackle heavy reefs and...
Inside the ‘Most Isolated Islands on the Planet’: The Untouched Marquesas (Video)
The Marquesas Islands, a French Polynesian archipelago about 5,500 miles (8,850 km) from California, are the world’s most isolated island chain. Their rugged terrain hosts wild horses, goats, and largely untouched ecosystems, while a turbulent history of tribal warfare and...
Who's Coming in Hot to Mexi Log Fest 2026: Your Complete Guide to the Field in Mazatlan
The 2026 Mexi Log Fest will take place in Mazatlán, with the semifinals and finals streamed live on Surfer’s YouTube channel on May 8‑9. The event gathers an international roster of longboarders—from Mexico, the United States, Japan, Italy, Brazil, Hawaii, the...
Kelly Slater Wave Pool Quietly Debuts ‘Split Wave’ Setting in Mesmerizing Drone Clip (Video)
Kelly Slater Wave Co. unveiled a new "split wave" setting at its Surf Abu Dhabi pool, using hydrofoil technology to divide a single wave into two identical barrel paths. The innovation lets two surfers ride simultaneously, offering private groups a...
Puerto Escondido Swell Looks ‘Straight-Up Historic’ in New Clip (Video)
Puerto Escondido is experiencing its biggest early‑season swell in a decade, prompting local surfer Quetzal Estrada to complete a week‑long “5 A.M. Challenge” and capture historic barrels on video. The wave conditions, described as “straight‑up historic,” feature massive A‑frame walls that have...
Fatal Shark Attack Site Named One of World's Best Beaches
The 2026 World’s Best Beaches list crowned Entalula Beach in the Philippines as #1 and placed Wharton Beach in Western Australia at #3. Wharton Beach, known for its turquoise waters, was the site of a fatal shark attack in March...
Mysterious Green Lights Over Hawaii Baffle Scientists in Sunset Sky (Video)
Sunset footage captured over Kona, Hawaii, revealed a striking green glow that was barely visible to the naked eye but bright on video. Astronomers confirmed that the region experienced no geomagnetic storms, ruling out a traditional aurora, and suggested the...
Born on a Volcano, Built on Design: Latitud Fuego Is Europe's Hottest Surf Brand Right Now
Latitud Fuego, founded in 2023 by designer Geo Giner and creative director Zoe Barceló, has quickly become Europe’s fastest‑growing surf label. Leveraging high‑end streetwear aesthetics and premium organic cotton, the brand sells through boutiques in Amsterdam, Paris, Biarritz and Ericeira,...
The Creepiest Ocean Discoveries: Pyramids, Monster Squid, and a Deafening ‘Bloop’
Recent oceanic revelations underscore how little of the seafloor—under 30%—has been charted, keeping the deep blue a frontier of mystery. In 2019, NOAA and Japanese fishermen captured rare footage of giant squids, confirming the existence of these elusive giants. The...
Why Are Great Whites Sharks Overheating?
A new study in Science reveals that mesothermic fishes such as great white sharks produce internal heat, putting them at risk of overheating as ocean temperatures rise. The research, led by Trinity College Dublin and the University of Pretoria, shows...
700ft Underwater Camera Reveals Terrifying ‘Real-Life Monsters’ Off Indonesia (Video)
A YouTuber named Barney Dillarstone deployed a night‑vision camera 700 feet below the surface off Nusa Penida, Indonesia, capturing rare deep‑sea footage. The video shows houndsharks, moray eels, and a giant stingaree, which may be the first wild recording of that shark...
'El Niño on Steroids' Could Spawn the Biggest Wave Ever Surfed (Video)
Scientists predict a “Godzilla” El Niño for the 2026‑27 season, potentially the strongest in 140 years. The anomaly would push Pacific sea‑surface temperatures above a 2 °C deviation, a level seen only in 1982‑83, 1997‑98 and 2015‑16. Surf forecasters say such conditions...
Legacy of Andy Irons Kept Alive in New Signature Summer Collection
Billabong has unveiled a new summer signature collection honoring three‑time world surf champion Andy Irons. The line revives the classic Rising Sun boardshorts and adds an A.I. Champ trucker hat, echoing Irons’ iconic style. The release follows a nostalgic tale...
Scientists Unleash Giant ‘Freak Wave’ in Lab Pool and It Erupts Upward (Video)
Scientists have recreated a rogue wave in a circular wave basin by synchronizing computer‑controlled paddles to focus energy at the center, producing a vertical jet that mimics 65‑foot ocean swells. The experiment offers the first repeatable, lab‑scale visual proof of...
Inside Japan’s Haunted Ghost Island Where 1,300 Workers Died (Video)
Hashima Island, once a bustling coal mining hub off Nagasaki, peaked at over 5,000 residents in 1959 before abandonment in 1974 when coal ran out. During World War II, forced labor of thousands of Korean and Chinese workers led to more...
Bezos Sails $500m Superyacht to Costa Rica To Save Sharks
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez used their $500 million sailing superyacht Koru, supported by the $75 million vessel Abeona, to travel to Costa Rica’s Cocos Island for a shark‑conservation initiative. The couple arrived via a Gulfstream G650ER jet and stayed aboard Abeona...
Perfect Waves, No Crowd, No Problem — Miguel Blanco's 'Orienta' Is the Antidote to Modern Surfing
Miguel Blanco’s new surf film *Orienta* documents a 12‑day solo expedition along Africa’s remote beach‑breaks, where he rides a 5’8″ twin‑fin eco board in uncrowded, crystal‑blue waves. The project blends a fictional storyline with real‑time footage of dusty dunes, local...
They Tried to Ban Surfing. The Irony Couldn't Be Greater.
The article contrasts the extravagance of tech‑industry events, exemplified by a Spotify party costing $7,000 for ice cubes, with the paltry $0.003 per stream paid to musicians. It traces this imbalance back to the Victorian era, when industrial wealth turned...
Inside California’s Forbidden Navy Island ‘Covered in Unexploded Bombs’ (Video)
San Clemente Island, a 50‑mile‑off California Navy training ground, conducts the only simultaneous ship‑to‑shore, air‑to‑ground, and live‑fire ground exercises in the continental United States. The island is littered with unexploded ordnance, keeping it off‑limits to civilians. Despite intense military activity,...
‘The Blob’ Marine Heatwave Reignites Off California, Shattering Records
A marine heatwave off California, dubbed a resurgence of “The Blob,” is breaking temperature records, with surface water reaching 68.5°F—7.7°F above average—and bottom water hitting 67.6°F, the hottest April reading in a century. Scripps Pier in La Jolla has already shattered...
Watch: Mosquitos, Empty Reefs and Brotherhood
Pro surfer John John Florence shares a new episode of his Vela catamaran series, "Mosquito Bay | Vela | Presented by Yeti," featuring family time with his wife, son, and brothers. The footage captures the challenges of remote sailing—mosquito‑filled cabins,...
Florida’s New ‘Mind-Blowing’ Wave Pool Set to Pump Year-Round (Video)
Endless Surf is constructing The Point, a next‑generation wave pool in Sebastian Inlet, Florida, slated to open in 2026. The facility uses air‑pressure technology to generate precise, customizable waves across multiple zones, allowing surfers of all skill levels to ride...
The Banksy Show You Don't Want to Miss Is in San Diego Right Now
The Art of Banksy: Without Limits is on display at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in San Diego through April 22, featuring more than 200 works ranging from originals and prints to sculptures, holograms and an infinity‑room installation. Tickets cost $28‑$34 with an...
Hawaii’s 137 ‘Secret’ Islands Reveal a Hidden Underwater Archipelago (Video)
Recent video coverage highlights that the Hawaiian archipelago comprises about 137 volcanic islands and atolls, extending nearly 1,600 miles across the Pacific. While only eight islands are above water and widely known, the majority lie submerged, forming a hidden underwater...
‘100% Chance’ Tsunami Warning Haunts the Mediterranean, Scientists Say
Scientists warned that the Mediterranean faces a guaranteed tsunami of at least one meter within the next 30‑50 years, according to UNESCO. The threat stems not from typical tectonic shifts but from a potential volcanic landslide, with Mount Etna’s unstable...
Jacob Burke + Soup Bowl = Exactly What Surf Films Should Be
Jacob Burke’s new surf film *A Fish Out of Water* showcases the raw, unsponsored essence of surfing on Barbados’ famed Soup Bowl wave. Filmed throughout 2025, the documentary follows Burke and his family as they chase the demanding right‑hand barrel...
‘Unconquerable’ 500-Year-Old Sea Fortress Defies Empires in the Arabian Sea (Video)
Murud‑Janjira, a 500‑year‑old sea fortress off Maharashtra’s coast, was rebuilt in stone by Abyssinian regent Malik Ambar in 1567 after an earlier wooden outpost. Its 360‑degree moat, cannons and strategic position on the Arabian Sea trade corridor made it a...
Could Climate Crisis Insurance Save El Salvador’s Waves?
Save The Waves Coalition is piloting the first parametric insurance product aimed at protecting surf‑dependent businesses along El Salvador’s Pacific coast. The scheme, developed with Willis Towers Watson, will trigger payouts based on rainfall thresholds derived from four decades of data....
This Costa Rican Corridor Should Be A Blueprint For The World
Costa Rica’s Guanacaste and Puntarenas coast is undergoing a five‑year ecological makeover, planting 10,000 native trees across 23 hectares to re‑establish a continuous coastal forest corridor. The project, part of the Central American Biological Corridor, restores dunes, mangroves and lowland...
Indonesia's Reefs Face Increased Threat From Mining
Indonesia’s Raja Ampat, a world‑renowned dive destination, has seen a 109% rise in fish biomass within its ten marine protected areas since 2007. Yet the government recently approved new nickel‑mining concessions on three northern islands, including sites inside a UNESCO...
$60M Surf Farm Wave Pool Supercharges Australia's Sunshine Coast
Wavegarden is building a $60 million Surf Farm wave‑pool complex on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, targeting a 2028 launch. The 10‑hectare site will host a 62‑module Cove system, the largest Wavegarden installation on Australia’s east coast. World‑champion surfer Joel Parkinson backs the...
Bali's Trash Fires Explained: What Travelers Need to Know Before They Go
Bali’s 32‑hectare TPA Suwung landfill stopped taking organic waste on April 1, with a full closure set for August 1, leaving thousands of tons of trash without processing. Residents and businesses have turned to open‑air burning, creating persistent smoke plumes across the...
Scientists Stumble on Hidden Island in Antarctic ‘Danger Zone’
Scientists aboard the Alfred Wegener Institute’s icebreaker Polarstern discovered an unnamed island while navigating the Weddell Sea’s notorious “danger zone.” The landmass measures roughly 130 meters long, 50 meters wide and rises 16 meters above sea level. The find emerged during a mission...
Insane 800ft Waterslide Unleashed in Philippines: ‘Is This Even Legal?’ (Video)
Locals in Bansalan, Mindanao have turned the 250‑meter spillway of a 1978 irrigation dam into an unofficial waterslide, drawing thrill‑seekers and generating viral videos. The concrete channel, originally built to supply farms and homes, now serves as a makeshift waterpark...
It's Commerce Versus Coral At One Of Florida's Busiest Ports
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is moving forward with a $1.35 billion dredging plan to deepen Port Everglades to 55 feet and widen the entrance to 800 feet, aiming to accommodate larger container ships and tankers. Environmental groups warn the project could...
Lucas ‘Chumbo’ Chianca Charges Possible 75-Foot Nazaré Record Wave (Video)
Brazilian big‑wave surfer Lucas “Chumbo” Chianca was towed into a massive wall at Nazaré that observers estimate at roughly 75 feet, sparking talk of a new world‑record wave. The current Guinness record remains Sebastian Steudtner’s 86‑foot ride from 2020, but measuring...
Jon Rose: Healing From 16 Years of Disaster Relief
Former pro surfer and Waves For Water founder Jon Rose spent 16 years on disaster‑relief missions before recognizing severe burnout and PTSD. After a breaking point in New York, he pursued MDMA‑assisted therapy, breathwork, EMDR and meditation to heal his...
New Surf Film "Undercurrents" Spotlights Mentorship, Sisterhood, and Nazare
Maddie Meddings’ new documentary *Undercurrents* chronicles veteran surfer Laura Crane mentoring 16‑year‑old Imari Hearn as they tackle the giant waves of Nazaré, Portugal. The film spotlights a rare female‑focused mentorship narrative in a sport long dominated by men, while also...
Florida’s New Coastal Resilience Law Blocks Destructive Projects and Supercharges ‘Living Shorelines’
Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 302 on March 19, establishing Florida’s first comprehensive coastal resilience law. The statute directs the Department of Environmental Protection to create clear rules and permits for nature‑based shoreline projects such as dunes, wetlands, mangroves...
Ancient Asteroid Detonates North Sea, Unleashing 330ft Mega-Tsunami
Scientists have confirmed that the Silverpit structure on the UK continental shelf is an asteroid impact crater dating back more than 43 million years. The impact displaced water and rock, creating a megatsunami that surged over 330 feet—taller than the Statue of...
Surf for East Oz Set to Fire
Tropical Cyclone Vaianu is generating a strong easterly swell that will affect Queensland and New South Wales over the next week. A modest first pulse begins tonight and continues through Thursday, followed by a larger Friday‑Saturday pulse as the storm...
Family Clings to Life for 7 Days in 10ft Seas Before Dramatic Coast Guard Rescue
A family of three was stranded for seven days in the Federated States of Micronesia after their 23‑foot skiff lost engine power. The U.S. Coast Guard launched a massive search covering more than 14,000 square nautical miles and located the...
'Strongest El Niño in 140 Years' Could Supercharge Global Weather This Year
A 62% probability of an El Niño forming in 2026 was announced by NOAA, and European Centre for Medium‑Range Weather Forecasts models now suggest it could be the strongest in 140 years. The event would qualify as a “super” El Niño, with...
$45 Million Wave Pool Surges Toward Reality in Oceanside Only 3 Miles From the Beach (Video)
A $45 million surf lagoon is finally breaking ground in Oceanside, California after a four‑year delay caused by lawsuits, permitting hurdles, and archaeological findings. The 3.5‑acre wave pool will generate customizable, year‑round surf conditions using pneumatic technology similar to other U.S....