Surf books are the best way to learn about the culture and history of surfing. Classic surfboards, alternative lifestyles, surfing memoirs, epic tales, surf heritage, and science of the waves have all been published in quality reading materials.
When waves are too small or too big, there's nothing like a cold beer or hot chocolate by the seaside with a good-looking surf book in our hands.
Time will run fast, and you won't even notice the passing of time. There's so much to learn and discover in surf books that you'll be looking forward to getting a new one.
Surf books are usually written by surf historians, pro surfers, and surf journalists.
More than the usual surf industry propaganda, books about surfing always have something new to reveal - a secret wave, a hot surf destination, a hidden wave peak, the transformation of coastal regions, wave riding stories, and the lives of the surf legends.
Fortunately, surfing has been building an outstanding book legacy through time, and surf publications are released quite frequently. And we've selected a list of books every surfer should read.
A good surf book will teach you something that applies to your life. How did surfboards evolve?
For example, knowing how and why the single fin era evolved to the thruster fin system will definitely make you rethink your daily fin setup.
SurferToday has selected a small sample of high-quality surfing books. There are thousands of excellent saltwater titles for your pre or post-surfing sessions.
Your surfing library should feature the following books:
The Encyclopedia of Surfing
The most important surf book ever published. It features 1,500 alphabetical entries and 300 illustrations and is widely considered the most comprehensive review of the people, places, events, equipment, and lively history of surfing - a must-have.
Author: Matt Warshaw
Buy: Amazon.com
The History of Surfing
It is a great book for those wishing to learn how surfing was first seen by James Cook back in 1778 and evolved into the 21st century. At nearly 500 pages, with 250,000 words and more than 250 rare photographs, this is a book all surfers should feature in their home library.
Author: Matt Warshaw
Buy: Amazon.com
The World Stormrider Guide
The most detailed surf spot guide ever published. The trilogy explores the most famous surf peaks by adding descriptions, photos, swell and wind patterns, ocean floor characteristics, and surf statistics.
Author: Bruce Sutherland
Buy: Amazon.com
The Surfboard
This book has every single example of surfboard shapes and formats. From the first wooden and balsa boards to the modern materials, this surf book shows you monstrous "koa" planks from the ancient Hawaiian. Incredible.
Author: Ben Marcus
Buy: Amazon.com
Surfing The Manual: Advanced
The best coaching manual for intermediate and advanced surfers. Get step-by-step photographic sequences with intuitive training captions, covering every maneuver in surfing - a fundamental surf book.
Author: Jim Kempton
Buy: Amazon.com
The WetSand WaveCast Guide to Surf Forecasting
One of the best surf science books on the market. Know the explanation behind waves, winds, water temperatures, tidal swings, etc. Learn how to predict when swells will arrive, how big waves will be, and telltale signs of common hazards.
Author: Nathan Todd Cool
Buy: Amazon.com
Fit to Surf
The ultimate surfer's guide to strength and conditioning. Stay fit and learn the best physical exercises before you hit the waves. Features sample workout programs for more demanding maneuvers.
Author: Rocky Snyder
Buy: Amazon.com
Surfer Magazine: 50 Years
A collection of the best features and most iconic images that made Surfer Magazine in the last five decades. The ultimate stories, the legendary surf personalities, the evolution of surfboard design.
Author: Sam George
Buy: Amazon.com
Surfing Hawaii
A complete guide for the most well-known to the not-so-well-known surf spots in the Hawaiian Islands, from Tavares Bay on Maui to Waimea Bay, on Oahu to lesser-known Manele Bay, on the island of Lanai. Very useful.
Author: Rod Sumpter
Buy: Amazon.com
Making Mavericks: The Memoir of a Surfing Legend
More than just a testimony of a Mavericks big wave pioneer. It tells the story behind the passion and ambition of Jay Moriarity through the eyes of his mentor. It has lessons for our lives and careers. Better than many MBA classes.
Author: Frosty Hesson
Buy: Amazon.com
Surf Forecasting for Invasions During World War II
A book that reveals the surprising true story of how an oceanographic meteorologist worked on wave forecasting for the planned Allied Invasion of Normandy. Crowell studied at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, and ended up forecasting swell for the D-Day. Absolutely incredible.
Author: John C. Crowell
Buy: Amazon.com
Surfing The World
A great pocket guide. If you're traveling and surfing, don't forget this book. Spot after spot, every beach in the world gets its surfing characteristics, from wind direction to swell.
Author: Chris Nelson and Demi Taylor
Buy: Amazon.com
Discover our comprehensive list of surf books.
Are you a fan of surf science? Take a look at the best surf forecasting books.