Top 10 Surf YouTube Channels
Unfortunately, surfing year-round isn't easy for most of us. When you can't get to the waves, surfing videos are a great way to get a buzz and have the waves come to you. Check out some of the Fair Harbor team's favorite YouTube channels below to learn some new tips, find new places to take surf trips, or just kick back and enjoy.
Jamie O'Brien
Pro surfer turned video star Jamie O'Brien has one of the best surfing channels on YouTube, for sure. J.O.B. and his intrepid surfing crew are always down to take on gnarly waves, dive into extreme challenges, and experiment with all kinds of crazy stuff. From Hawaii to California, these guys show no fear and always push the limits. Even better, every video O'Brien posts on his channel are professionally edited by his filmmakers.
This Is Livin'
Koa Rothman films wherever the waves are pumping (think Tahiti, Indonesia, Fiji, and Hawaii) to make This Is Livin' a YouTube surfing channel with some of the most beautiful footage out there. It certainly doesn't hurt that Rothman is an engaging and genuine host with a truly enviable lifestyle. His videos also provide an interesting behind-the-scenes look at how he and his fellow surfers on the North Shore operate, providing some real insights that come with the awe-inspiring waves.
Ben Gravy
With some of the most engaged followers out there, New Jersey surfer turned prolific YouTube vlogger Ben Gravy has helped put New Jersey on the surfing map. The surfing life and novelty waves that have become his trademark have gathered a big following with folks who like his positivity and honesty. If you're looking for a good time watching someone living the dream, then Gravy’s your man.
Beefs T.V.
Chris Monroe uses his channel Beefs T.V. to document the best SoCal riders, including Kalani Robb, Tyler Stanaland, Blair Conklin, JJ Ayala, and Johnny Redmond. It’s an American mix of pro surfers, soft boarders, and skimboarders that is punctuated with Chris Monroe’s humor and rough filming to make it highly addictive. There's lots of foamy action and great footage of top-notch riders having a blast.
Brett Barley
Armed with a GoPro to document his surf trips at home in North Carolina and around the globe, Brett Barley has become one of the most loved East Coast surfers on social media. Also a savvy fisherman, Barley has proven to be one of the best tube riders and aerialists in the world. His natural gift for storytelling and sharp editing skills are what make his channel so slick, entertaining, and compelling.
Happy Waves
Although Alana Blanchard is no longer on the championship tour, her life still revolves around the ocean. With her partner, pro surfer Jack Freestone and their son Banks, they are a family that is never too far from the waves. Surfing may come second, but sometimes it's refreshing to be reminded that there are other important things in this life. In Happy Waves, you'll get an entertaining glimpse of a surfer's family life mixed with some high-performance action.
Surf, Rinse, Repeat
Based in central California, Surf, Rinse, Repeat is where the art of cinematography intersects with the art of wave riding. Jeff Chavola is an extremely talented filmmaker who features the best local surfers and spectacular California waves. In addition to his beautifully edited cuts, he also posts a fair share of raw footage–with just the sound of the waves, as if you were there on the beach yourself.
Kai Lenny
Whether he's on a paddleboard, a shortboard, foil board, a kite-surf, or his gun to take on big waves, Kai Lenny's life is like no one else's. Always onboard to push limits and innovate, any footage of Kai will be exciting and what you'll find on his channel is no exception. With videos that offer an inside look into his Maui lifestyle, this is one channel you won't be able to stop watching once you start.
John John Florence
John John Florence, a Hawaiian-born two-time World Champion with loads of trophies under his belt, puts his life down on film for everyone to enjoy. You'll find jaw-dropping cinematic reels mixed with pieces from his life on tour, the recovery process after his devastating ACL rupture, and fun surf videos to keep you entertained for hours on end. In short, John John Florence is adept at making art, both in and out of the water.
Ho Stevie!
As the founder of the surf accessories company Ho Stevie!, Stevie has grown a substantial following through his YouTube channel videos. You'll love watching the enviable edits he posts, gorgeous raw drone clips, and GoPro footage of him riding at his local beach in San Diego. You'll also enjoy surf tips, how-to's, product reviews, and more. Stevie is on a mission to keep surfing FUN!
While our #11 pick isn't a "traditional" surfing channel, it's one of our faves not because of the incredible editing or adrenalin-inducing rush that it gives us, but the warm fuzzies that it makes us feel.
Surf Dog Ricochet
Hailing from San Diego, California, Ricochet is one of the original pups that started the whole dog surfing circuit. This world-famous, award-winning surfer girl surfs for fun but also surfs with purpose. Ricochet is a certified therapy dog that surfs with kids with special needs, veterans with PSD, wounded warriors, and people with disabilities as a form of therapy, healing, and empowerment. She's a cool cat on the waves, and we just can't get enough of her feel-good stuff.