Word of the Week: Tow surfing (a.k.a. that thing we'll probably never do)
This week's word of the week is less "word" and more "wild concept": tow surfing. You know—the kind of surfing that involves a jet ski, a rope, and a wave the size of a five-story building.
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Sunday Surf Poem: "Dover Beach" by Matthew Arnold
Couldn't find the perfect surf poem this week? No problem—we're going old school. Like really old school. This week's Sunday Surf Poem is "Dover Beach" by Matthew Arnold, a classic of the sea from the 1800s. No, Arnold wasn't a surfer. But he was a guy standing at a window, staring out across the English Channel, letting the sound of waves trigger a deep spiral into faith, disillusionment, longing, and love.
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Teahupoʻo: The wave that shouldn't be surfed
This week, we take you to the end of the road. Literally. Teahupoʻo—pronounced cho-poo—is one of the most dangerous waves in the world. Known as the "place of broken heads," this Tahitian reef break doesn't just barrel—it mutates. It folds over itself like a collapsing building made of water. And it breaks over live coral sitting just 20 inches beneath the surface. This episode covers the mythology, the science, and the stories that made Teahupoʻo legendary—from Laird Hamilton's Millennium Wave to the infamous Code Red swell that shut down the contest scaffolding but not the surfers.
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Hey Zuz, I'm confused: Am I too friendly for the lineup?
One of our unofficial taglines is "normalize smiling in the lineup"—and that's exactly what this Hey Zuz, I'm Confused is all about. What happens when you paddle out with good vibes and kind words… and get met with cold stares and zero eye contact? This week's listener wants to know: Does being friendly in the surf actually make you a target?
This week's surf news roundup takes us to Australia, Hawaiʻi, Northern California, and Florida. In Western Australia, a 61-year-old surfer survives a shark attack by punching it in the face. In Hawaiʻi, four legendary ocean athletes are inducted into the Waterman Hall of Fame. NorCal sees the first proper Maverick's swell of the season—40-foot faces, snapped boards, and one very determined 19-year-old. And over in Florida, Alyssa Spencer becomes the first surfer to win the Super Girl Surf Pro three times.
The Wipeout Weekly is the one and only daily surf podcast for beginner surfers, wannabe surfers and seasoned wipeout enthusiasts. Powered by Girls Who Can't Surf Good, but boys can listen to.
To pee or not to pee in a wetsuit? Where can I find a beginner surf break? Should I wax my foamie? What on earth is the Olo? We answer all your questions in short, easily digestible (no heartburn!) episodes.
And once a week, we chat to a guest or two.
We cover stories about getting started surfing, surf etiquette, reading surf conditions, beginner surf spots, must-know surf facts and lingo, first-hand recommendations, and more.
You can find us at: https://thewipeoutweekly.com and we even have a free weekly newsletter!
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