How to film your surfing (to see what you're doing wrong)

Updated 2026-10-11 · Unkook surf coaching

Quick answerFilm from the beach, level with where you'll ride, holding the phone horizontally and zoomed in just enough that you fill a good part of the frame. Record one whole wave from paddling to falling or kicking out, keep each clip under about 90 seconds, and wear something easy to spot. Then watch it in slow motion and look at your pop-up, your stance (knees or waist?) and where you're looking.

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.

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?

Getting feedback on your video

Watching yourself is a great start, but it's hard to know what to fix first. You can send one wave to Unkook and get it broken down moment by moment: the key moments in slow motion, arrows on what to fix, and one thing to practise next session.

See what you're doing on your own waves. Send one wave to Unkook and get it broken down moment by moment: slow motion, arrows on what to fix, and one thing to practise next session.

Analyse my wave free

FAQ

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.

More guides

What size surfboard should a beginner get?How long does it take to learn to surf?How to catch unbroken (green) wavesHow to pop up on a surfboard (step by step)