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@arenui_parker, valiantly attempting to wrangle this Teahupo'o monster with his own two hands. Filmed by @timpruvost.

Here at SURFER, we’re usually in the business of escapism. We publish photos, videos and stories about perfect waves along idyllic coastlines, which can be nice distractions from whatever unpleasantness is going on in the world. But right now, what we need isn’t an easy escape. What we need is to face something very difficult with clear eyes and open hearts. Systemic racism is killing Black people in America, just as it killed George Floyd last week, and we must all use our voices in condemning it. If you’re wondering what this has to do with surfing, you’re missing the point. To be silent is to be complicit. For more info on how to donate and help end police violence, click our link in bio. #BlackLivesMatter #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd

What do you do when a global pandemic hits while you're surfing abroad? New York-based author @owenjamesburke faced the ultimate "should I stay or should I go?" when COVID-19 spread through his home while he was scoring in Central America. Link in bio. Photo by @grantellis1.

Throughout the month of April, the North Shore of Oahu lit up like a tree on Christmas morning — or, less metaphorically speaking, it lit up with swell as it normally does during the winter months, when the Seven Mile Miracle goes from good to great. Despite the winter season officially coming to a close, swell after pumping swell continued to bombard the island, resulting in what some locals are calling one of the best Aprils in recent memory. And with global restrictions in place, locals have been enjoying less crowded lineups than normal. With an abnormal abundance of late-season North Shore activity, it’s no surprise then that Koa Rothman, Torrey Meister, Eli Olson, Nathan and Ivan Florence made April’s “Clips of the Month” with their recent respective performances at the Banzai. Rothman took the cake with his below-sea-level Pipe bomb, with Meister following suit with his Backdoor bronco. Of course, from the ether emerged other memorable clips, like Noah Wegrich’s acid drop, Luke Davis’ Panamian chip-in and more. 1. @koarothman | Filmed by @germainfilms 2. @torreymeister | Filmed by @aguatography 3. @lukedavisthegrey | Filmed by @chris_papaleo 4. @nicvonrupp | Filmed by @vanlife_productions 5. @ivanflorence_ | Filmed by @parallelsea 6. @eli_olson | Filmed by @casecolonell 7. @nathan_florence | Filmed by @zoard 8. @noahwaggy | Filmed by @perrygershkow 9. @koloheandino22 | Filmed by @noahjm22 10. @kaelwalsh | Filmed by @milllhouse

Welcome back to The People’s Board Review, a board test series in which we enlist working-stiff, relatable rippers to give us feedback on the latest surfboard models in dims you can find right there in the rack at your local surf shop. For this review, we put @rssurfco's "Musubi" model in the hands of four surfers of varying sizes and board preferences and took them down to fairly average California beach break on a peaky, head-high day. With a fuller outline and plenty of foam, it’s no surprise that this board paddles well and carries speed, but its ability to still perform at or above the lip is as mysterious as it is welcome. The “Musubi” carries a constant curve from nose to tail and can be ridden as either a thruster or quad. At a glance, it’s a design that appears to be more small-wave groveler than high-octane rip stick, which is why it shocked our testers with its performance levels in rippable faces. “I tried two airs—it’s probably been 15 years since I’ve tried an air,” said Tester #2, who is 5’11” and 215lbs, but rode a 6’0 x 19” x 2.25” “Musubi” with a volume of 30.8 L — a full 2.2L less than his normal shortboard. While this particular board was on the small side (for him), Tester #4 was sold (literally) on the “Musubi”. “For the waves around here that are soft with a few punchy sections…this board would work perfect. I’m going to order this board, actually.” All four testers rode this craft with traditional polyurethane foam construction, although RS also offers this board in epoxy. Head to our site for the full review.

Nicaragua's been pumping lately. @thunderbombsurfcamp, pulling up and pulling in. Shot by @germanphotos_.

@dylangraves and @psycho_ward6.0, crossing tracks for a syncronized shralp. Filmed by @alexkilauano.

Welcome back to The People’s Board Review, a board test series in which we enlist working-stiff, relatable rippers to give us feedback on the latest surfboard models in dims you can find right there in the rack at your local surf shop. For this review, we put @rssurfco's "Low Love" model in the hands of four surfers of varying sizes and board preferences and took them down to fairly average California beach break on a peaky, head-high day. All the testers agreed that this Lowers-inspried craft is the best board of the four when the surf is pumping. There’s no shortage of responsiveness and control in this low-volume, high-performance thruster — our testers agreed that the board can more or less do whatever you want — but putting it to good use requires good surf, being in good surf shape, or both. Tester #2 (5’8”, 175 lbs.) isn’t accustomed to riding anything this blade-y, so he took a 5’11” x 18.5” x 2.38” 27.4 L “Low Love” for a spin first thing in the morning while his coffee buzz was still good and strong. “This board was obviously designed for Lowers,” said Tester #3, who ripped on the board, but said low-volume shred sticks like that are more effort than he usually wants to give. If you don’t mind putting in the work to surf at peak performance, however, the “Low Love” is a magic carpet. All four testers rode this craft with traditional polyurethane foam construction, although RS also offers this board in epoxy. Head to our site for the full review.

15-year-old @lukeswanson_ can't drive legally but he sure as hell can fly. Hit our link in bio to watch this grom rain hammers on the North Shore. Filmed by @daveswan.