Why do some experienced surfers hate beginners? We’ve all felt the vibe—side-eyes in the lineup, snarky comments, or worse. In this episode, we dive into the strange divide between crusties and kooks, and unpack everything from safety concerns and surf hierarchy to toxic masculinity and wave scarcity. Spoiler: it’s not always about etiquette. Sometimes, it’s just ego. But we also share what beginners can do to hold their own—and how to keep progressing without the drama.

What do Japan, Iceland, and a stolen sandwich have in common? Freia. In this episode, we meet 25-year-old filmmaker and Arctic surfer Freia, whose unlikely surf journey started on a family vacation in Japan and eventually led her to the freezing lineups of Reykjavík. We talk about her first surf (and first eagle encounter), why she made a documentary about women in boardsports, and the quiet pressures female surfers still face in a male-dominated scene. From Hoddevika to equal pay in surf comps—this one’s a joy.

You’ve outgrown the whitewash—go you! But now you’re spending 25 minutes getting slammed by wave after wave, and the lineup still feels a mile away. In this episode, we break down why getting “out the back” is one of the hardest parts of beginner surfing—and how to actually get there without losing your board, your breath, or your will to surf. Turtle rolls, timing, channels, and the long, slow battle of building confidence. You belong out there. Let’s get you there.