How to film a proper surf video
Updated 2026-10-12 · Unkook surf coaching
Where and how to film
- Stand level with your takeoff spot, slightly to the side, not directly behind or in front.
- Phone horizontal (landscape), steady (lean on something or use a small tripod).
- Zoom in moderately. Too wide and you're a dot; too tight and you leave the frame. You should be clearly visible.
- One wave per clip, from paddling into it to the end of the ride. Long session videos are hard to learn from.
- Wear something visible (a bright rash vest or wetsuit colour) so you're easy to find among other surfers.
- Light: morning or late afternoon, with the sun behind the camera, gives the clearest picture.
Where the camera goes
Stand on the beach, to the side of the takeoff, about level with the rider. Straight behind them hides the stance. Straight in front of them hides the face of the wave.
What the frame should look like
You should fill a clear part of the frame, head to feet, with some of the wave still visible. A dot in a wide shot and a crop that cuts off the board are both hard to coach.
File limits, and a clip that fails
- Length: one wave, under 90 seconds. A longer file is refused. It does not use a free breakdown.
- Type and size: MP4, MOV, M4V, AVI, MKV, or WebM, up to 300 MB. A file we can't read is refused and does not use a free breakdown.
- If analysis fails after the upload (no surfer clearly in view), that free breakdown is given back. You still have it for a clip we can see.
Phone vs drone
Phones from the beach are the easiest and work well for small waves close to shore. Drones give a great view of positioning and line choice on bigger, further-out waves, but check local rules before you fly.
What to look for
- The pop-up: one motion or knee first? How long do your hands stay on the board?
- Your stance right after you stand: knees bent or bent at the waist? Chest up?
- Your eyes: looking forward or at the board?
- Where you are on the wave: too far behind the peak, or right in the steepest part?
Send the clip
Watching it back is a start. The hard part is knowing what to fix first. Send that one wave and get it broken down: slow motion, arrows on what to change, and one thing to practise next session.
You've got the clip. Send that one wave and get it broken down: slow motion, arrows on what to fix, and one thing to practise next session.
Get my breakdown freeFAQ
What's the best angle to film surfing?
From the side, roughly level with where you take off, so you can see your whole body and the board.
How long should a surf video clip be?
One wave: usually 10–60 seconds. Trim long recordings down to the wave you want feedback on.
Can I use a GoPro?
Yes, but a board- or mouth-mounted GoPro shows the wave, not your body. For technique feedback, film from the beach or a drone.
What if my clip fails?
A file that is too long, or that we can't read, is refused and does not use a free breakdown. If the upload goes through and the analysis can't find you, that free breakdown is returned.