FAQ's

Is the information on the website more comprehensive than the paper books?

Yes. Paper books have always been limited by page size and the number of pages. A Stormrider Passport subscription displays all the information from our database that has gone into making all 17 paper books and 42 eBooks and dozens of other interactive features. Just to buy all the paper books would represent over 2000 pages and cost over £200!

Why do some regions have less information and few or no break reports?

Some regions form what we historically would refer to as Off The Map areas that we would cover briefly in the country introduction of the books. Countries like Russia that have surf spread over multiple oceans and seas are summarized by giving you an idea of what regions have surf and sometimes naming breaks where known. We will be expanding and improving these frontier destinations in the future and welcome submissions from experienced locals (see below).

Can I contribute info, photos and resources to the website?

Stormrider is a non-user-generated website and most of the surf-specific information is sourced from knowledgeable local surfers, experienced travelling surfers and surf industry input. However, if you find there are mistakes or omissions, then you can help us ensure the information is as accurate and useful as possible.

Photos, videos or other resources are welcome, providing they improve the overall level of information on a break or region. Line-ups are usually more informative than a tightly framed action shot, but we are happy to accept all professional quality submissions. Click here for details on what kind of photos and what format we need.

All user submissions will be moderated before being uploaded into our database. Please get in touch by emailing us if you wish to contribute.

Does the information get regular updates?

We have been gathering and collating surf break information for over 34 years, featuring many waves that have been breaking in exactly the same way for decades and on the whole, surf spots tend to keep their personality. Of course some spots can change from year to year, thanks to numerous environmental factors, including human interference, so expect anomalies at transient beachbreaks and rivermouths, or where coastal construction takes place.

Our general travel information is just a starting point, so please use your favourite search engine or travel guide site for more location-specific travel updates.

We usually list some surf camps and surf-related businesses for each region, but businesses come and go, so be prepared to do more research as there are often more options out there. A select few businesses receive a Stormrider Recommends listing as we have personally stayed there in recent years and can endorse their establishment or service.

Can I get a surf spot removed because it gets too crowded?

Deciding which surf spots will be included is usually left to the local contributors who know the area best and understand which sensitive or secret spots to leave out. We can reassess a surf break’s inclusion and any specific issues around it, but we will not remove a spot that is a well-established, easily accessed surf spot for "locals only" reasons. By including the wider mainstream spots, we are helping spread the crowds and getting people surfing the right waves for their abilities, while at the same time, leaving the lesser-known spots to be ‘discovered’ by the more inquisitive, intrepid travellers.

We have taken great care in not exposing proper secret spots (which are becoming a real rarity in this online instant gratification world), but we also understand that if we want to protect our finite wave resources, adding sensitive surf spots to our unpublished secret spot database, can provide some protection if these waves are threatened by development, pollution, erosion or access issues in the future.

Can I advertise my surf camp/boat/school/shop etc on the website?

We do not have traditional advertising like banners and pop-ups on the site to keep it as clean and user-friendly as possible. We do plot surf businesses providing essential services on our maps in the same way as we list surf spots. The special locator pin opens a page showing photos plus a description of the business or service, alongside website and social media links, opening up direct communication between business and customer.

Please get in touch by emailing us.

Can I share my login with friends/family?

No. Please don’t. It’s like photocopying all of our books. We have put huge amounts of time and effort into building this incredible resource so that you can maximise the enjoyment you get from surfing new waves in new places. We have set our subscriptions at the lowest possible price so they are affordable for just about everyone. You will not only be depriving us of income, but also depriving yourself of future improvements and features that will make Stormrider even better and your travels even more rewarding. Of course, you can always gather around the screen like it’s a book!