How to record yourself surfing to improve twice as fast

For decades, the world's best surfers have done the same thing before and after every session: review videos. Kelly Slater has mentioned it in several interviews. Olympic teams do it systematically. And yet, 95% of beginner and intermediate surfers never film themselves. It's the easiest habit to adopt and the one that changes progression the fastest.

You don't need an expensive camera. You don't need a professional tripod or a GoPro. You need someone with a phone on the shore and to know what to look for when you watch the video. In this article, we explain exactly how to do it, from where to film to what to correct. If you also want to know how artificial intelligence is taking this analysis to the next level, we have a specific article on that.

Why filming yourself surfing accelerates progression

When you're in the water, your brain is busy with a thousand things at once: reading the wave, paddling, timing the pop-up, maintaining balance. In that state of active concentration, it's almost impossible to have a real awareness of what your body is doing. You think your feet are well placed. You think your pop-up is clean. You think you're looking forward.

Then you watch yourself on video and the reality is different. The body does things the mind doesn't register. And that gap between what you think you're doing and what you're actually doing is exactly what slows down your progression.

Video closes that gap. It gives you the only completely objective feedback that exists: what happened, exactly as it was, without interpretations. A coach can tell you that your weight is too far back, but seeing it yourself on screen makes it immediately understandable and memorable. The body learns much faster when the brain visually understands the mistake.

How to film well: position, angle, and distance

Most surf videos that are filmed are useless for technical analysis: too far away, incorrect angle, the surfer appears for half a second on screen. Here's what the person filming you needs to do:

1. Position: sideways to the wave, not head-on. The side angle provides the most information. From there, you can see the complete pop-up, foot placement, torso posture, and relationship with the wave. Filming head-on or from behind is of little use in technical terms.
2. Distance: close enough to see you whole. The most common mistake is filming from too far away. The surfer must occupy at least half the screen. If they appear smaller, technical details disappear.
3. Tracking: follow you with the zoom, not with your steps. It's easier to zoom from a fixed point than to run along the shore. Tell the person filming you to stay still and use their phone's zoom to follow you.
4. Horizontal mode always. No exceptions. Vertical videos cut out half the information and are useless for technical analysis.
5. Slow motion if the phone allows it. Almost all current smartphones record at 120 or 240 fps in slow motion. Use it. The pop-up happens in less than a second, and in real-time, it's impossible to analyze. In slow motion, everything is visible.

What to look for when reviewing the video: technical checklist

Having the video is just the first step. The real value lies in knowing what to look for. These are the points that provide the most information about your current level and the most common mistakes in beginners and intermediates:

If you practice balance boarding at home, video will allow you to confirm if what you train on land translates to the water. It's the most direct way to connect dryland training with real improvement in the ocean.

What to do with the video once you have it

Having the video and not knowing what to do with it is almost as useless as not filming yourself. Here are the options, ordered from least to most in-depth analysis:

1. Review it yourself in slow motion. Always the first step. Look for the points on the checklist above. With this, you'll already identify 2-3 clear mistakes you can work on in the next session.
2. Upload it to Surfr.pro. AI automatically analyzes your technique and gives you feedback on posture, timing, and positioning. Free to start. It's the natural next step when you've exhausted what you can see on your own.
3. Pass it to a coach. With video, a coach can give you a 10-minute analysis that's equivalent to hours of observation in the water. Many coaches now offer online video analysis, without the need for physical presence.
4. Use it as a reference over time. Save videos with dates. Comparing your pop-up from three months ago with today's, with images, is one of the most motivating ways to see real progression.

And if you want to understand well how to prepare each session to make the most of it, start by knowing how to read the wave forecast. Choosing the right day and spot is as important as technique.

The right board also appears in the video

One thing many people don't expect when they watch themselves on video is to realize that their board is not suitable for their level. If the board is too small, the pop-up is forced, and maintaining balance on the wave is impossible, no matter how good the technique. If it's too big for the spot, the board doesn't respond, and maneuvers don't work.

If, when reviewing your video, you see that the problem isn't just technical, you might need a board with more volume or length for your current level. In our collection of surfboards, you'll find options specifically designed for each stage of learning, from the first board to upgrading to fiberglass.

Frequently asked questions about filming surfing to improve

What should I use to film my surfing if I don't have a GoPro?

Use any person's mobile phone on the shore. A modern smartphone records in more than enough quality for technical analysis, especially in slow-motion mode (120 fps). You don't need any special equipment to get started.

From where should the person filming me record?

Sideways to the wave, horizontally, close enough so that you occupy at least half the screen. They should stay still at one point and use the zoom to follow you, not run along the shore. The side angle provides the most technical information.

What's the first thing I should look for in the video?

The pop-up, always. It's the most important movement in surfing and where most beginner and intermediate mistakes are concentrated. Look at hand position, timing, where your feet land when you stand up, and whether your weight goes forward or backward.

Can I analyze the video myself, or do I need a coach?

You can start alone, with the checklist in this article. To go further, tools like Surfr.pro analyze the video with AI and give you specific feedback without the need for an in-person coach. A human coach is still the highest level of analysis, but it's no longer the only path.

How often should I film myself?

Ideally, at least once a month, to compare progression over time. If you're working on a specific mistake, film yourself in consecutive sessions until you confirm that the change has solidified in the water.

Ready to start? Ask someone to film you in your next session, review the video with the checklist in this article, and choose the right board for your level at Flysurf. The biggest change in your surfing might be one recording away.