This week, we’re heading to the beating heart of Canggu’s surf scene—Batu Bolong. If you’ve ever dreamed of learning to surf in Bali, this is probably the place you pictured: long, rolling waves, warm tropical water, and a lively lineup packed with learners, locals, and traveling wave-chasers.

We’ll break down everything you need to know about surfing Batu Bolong, from what makes the waves beginner-friendly to the reality of the crowds (and the occasional runaway longboard). You’ll get the lowdown on the best seasons to visit, water quality tips, and what to wear so you don’t roast under the Balinese sun. Plus, we’ll share our favorite spots for a post-surf smoothie bowl, a sunset Bintang, and a little retail therapy.

Whether you’re planning your first surf trip or just want to daydream about warm water and mellow waves, this is your Batu Bolong primer.

In this episode, we trace the surprisingly nerdy, wartime origins of the modern wetsuit. From Hugh Bradner’s experiments with neoprene in the 1950s to Jack O’Neill’s surf shop innovations and the rise of Body Glove, learn how a few cold-water pioneers made it possible to surf year-round—without turning into a popsicle. We’ll also break down what actually keeps you warm in a wetsuit, why seam construction matters, and which zipper style surfers can’t stop arguing about.

In this episode, we catch you up on this week's wildest headlines in surfing:

First up, The Wave in Bristol—the UK’s famous wave pool that abruptly shut its doors last week—has supposedly reopened under new ownership.

On the luxury front, pro surfers are dropping brand collabs at every price point. Kelly Slater’s latest with Breitling is the Superocean B31 watch, and Rob Machado has unveiled the $250,000 Rogue Wave surf van.

Meanwhile in Sri Lanka, Weligama’s beginner-friendly surf scene has been shaken by the demolition of unauthorized surf school structures.

Over in Florida, a surfer survived one of the most Florida things ever: getting headbutted by a leaping spinner shark.

And finally, it’s almost time for SurfAid’s Make a Wave fundraiser, where surfers worldwide commit to surfing 30 days straight in September to raise money for clean water, healthcare, and food security in remote surf communities.

When I learned to snowboard, I did it on an indoor slope. But when I started surfing, wave pools weren’t even a serious option. Fast forward to 2025, and they are everywhere—and hotter than ever.

This episode dives into the surprising history of artificial waves, from 1920s “surf baths” in Germany (yes, really) to the high-tech surf machines of today. We’ll explore how wave pools went from splashy amusement park novelties to precise surf training grounds powered by software, giant plungers, and submerged sleds.

We’ll also look at why wave pools are so appealing to beginners and pros alike—guaranteed perfect waves, no crowds, and endless repetition—and why they spark fierce debates about whether this is real surfing or just a very expensive simulation.

From Kelly Slater’s famous Surf Ranch to The Wave in Bristol, we’ll break down the innovations, the promise, and the controversy of surfing’s artificial frontier.

Have you ever sat in the lineup, squinting at a lump on the horizon, trying to decide whether it’s about to turn into the wave of your dreams—or a total closeout? This episode dives into the science behind wave breaking, so you can stop guessing (or at least sound really smart while you guess). Apparently, there's more science to it than just eyeballing it.

News alert! This week kicks off our weekly surfing news roundup, and there’s no shortage of surf drama and inspiration.

First up: The Wave—Bristol’s solar-powered inland surf park—suddenly shut down this week in a swirl of financial chaos, only to reemerge days later under new ownership (but with bookings still paused). We’ll talk about what happened, why it matters, and why you probably can lose money running a wave pool.

Then, we dive into CNN’s feature on women big wave surfers—highlighting Laura Crane and Polly Ralda, who are redefining what’s possible (and surviving wipeouts most of us can’t imagine). We look at how far women’s big wave surfing has come, and how far it still has to go.

Finally, a baby shark meets a baby surfer in SoCal, and everyone keeps their cool. We’ll share what to do if you find yourself floating above a curious juvenile great white, why they’re drawn to warm summer waters, and how often they’re hanging out right under your board without you ever knowing.