Grizzly Bear Surf

The Journal

Stories from the surf, tips for the water, and news from the brand.

How Surf Culture Changed From the 70s to Today
5 August 2026

How Surf Culture Changed From the 70s to Today

From sun-faded Kombis and retro longboards to modern surf tech and social media, surf culture has come a long way since the 1970s. Take a journey through the decades as we explore how surfing has evolved, what has changed, and why the true spirit of riding waves, embracing freedom, and living life by the ocean remains as strong as ever.

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The Biggest Mistakes Beginner Surfers Make (And How to Avoid Them)
5 August 2026

The Biggest Mistakes Beginner Surfers Make (And How to Avoid Them)

The Biggest Mistakes Beginner Surfers Make (And How to Avoid Them) Everyone starts somewhere, and every surfer has made a few rookie mistakes along the way. From choosing the wrong board to paddling too late and ignoring surf etiquette, these common errors can slow your progress and make sessions more frustrating than they need to be. In this guide, we break down the biggest mistakes beginner surfers make and share simple, practical tips to help you catch more waves, build confidence, and enjoy every moment in the water.

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How to improve your paddle
5 August 2026

How to improve your paddle

How to paddle more efficiently and catch more waves

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Falling in love... How One Wave Changed Everything
10 July 2026

Falling in love... How One Wave Changed Everything

It Started with Curiosity I’ve always been drawn to the water—swimming, bodyboarding, just floating around. But surfing? That was different.

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🏄 Surfing Essentials: The Gear You Need to Ride the Waves
5 July 2026

🏄 Surfing Essentials: The Gear You Need to Ride the Waves

Gearing Up for Surfing: What You Really Need Getting into surfing? Start with the essentials. From the right board and a reliable leash to wetsuits, wax, and sun protection, your gear can make or break a session. Beginners should stick with soft-top longboards and a snug wetsuit suited for local water temps. Add surf wax or traction pads for grip, and don’t forget reef-safe sunscreen. Whether you’re paddling out at your local beach or chasing waves on a trip, having the right setup keeps you safe, comfortable, and stoked to surf again and again.

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Why Surf?
5 July 2026

Why Surf?

7 Reasons to Grab a Board and Get in the Water

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🌊 My Top 10 Surf Spots in Australia & New Zealand
2 July 2026

🌊 My Top 10 Surf Spots in Australia & New Zealand

There's a particular kind of quiet that settles over you paddling out before dawn, the water still holding the day's first light, and no sound but the pull of your arms and the distant crack of a set breaking somewhere down the point. That's the moment that keeps pulling me back to the coastlines of Australia and New Zealand—places where surfing isn't a sport so much as a shared language.

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Reading the Surf Report in Queensland: Score Better Waves Every Session
29 June 2026

Reading the Surf Report in Queensland: Score Better Waves Every Session

The Swell—Queensland’s Heartbeat You feel it before you see it—that low, rhythmic thump in the water as a new swell lines up along the point. In Queensland, understanding the swell isn’t just a skill; it’s the difference between a forgetful paddle-out and a session you’ll talk about for years. While most surfers glance at the wave height, the real secret lies in two words: swell period. That number, measured in seconds, tells you everything about the soul of the coming waves. A short-period wind swell (6–8 seconds) might give you playful bumps at your local beachie. But when the report whispers 15+ seconds from the southeast, that’s the ocean’s deep breath. It means a distant storm has sent energy racing thousands of kilometres across the Tasman Sea. This long-period groundswell doesn’t just arrive—it announces itself. It’ll wrap perfectly into points like Snapper or Noosa, carrying a power and glassy consistency that belies the reported height. In Queensland, a 3-foot, 16-second swell can feel twice as big and ten times as good.

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Are Wave Pools Ruining Surfing? Or Are They the Future We Didn’t See Coming?
26 June 2026

Are Wave Pools Ruining Surfing? Or Are They the Future We Didn’t See Coming?

For decades, surfing has been built on one thing: unpredictability. Wind shifts. Swell changes. The wait. The frustration. The magic of that fresh set. Now? You can book a session, turn up at a set time, and get the same wave—over and over again.

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