I love to read and I love to surf. Combine them and I can hardly put my book down! I’ve read some pretty awesome surf books, and today I want to share my favourites with you. All of them are inspiring, useful, and just a good read.
If you’re looking for the best surfing books for inspiration, these are definitely worth checking out.
Ready?
Related:
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Top 5 Surf Destinations You Can Sail To
#1 Surf For Your Life by Mick Fanning & Tim Baker
Easily my favourite surfer autobiography, Mick is such an inspiring person as well as a surfer, and to read about part of his life is amazing.
The book takes you from his childhood and teen hardships all the way to winning his first world title, and all the training, wins, and losses in between. If you’re looking for an engaging, interesting, and inspirational surf book, there’s a reason Surf For Your Life is my number one choice.
#2 Soul Surfer by Bethany Hamilton
Even if you’re not into surfing, you’ve probably heard of Bethany Hamilton.
I first read her book when I was probably ten, and ever since I’ve been inspired by her faith and her surfing. The way she writes about how she worked through the trauma and getting back in the water—her confidence and trust in God—is next level.
If you haven’t read her book, you should. Especially if you’re a young woman (or know one) in need of some inspiration and a moving tale of grit, perseverance, and raw faith. You won’t be the same after reading this book—in a good way!
#3 Layne Beachley: Beneath the Waves by Michael Gordon & Layne Beachley
Layne Beachley is such an important figure in women’s surfing. She has achieved so much in her career and is still doing amazing things. Her book walks through her early years growing up in Australia, learning how to own the lineup when the guys gave her a hard time, and her incredible journey to winning a whopping seven world titles.
Known for her witty comebacks and never-back-down attitude, a lot can be learned from her life story. It also has to be mentioned that she was crazy in big waves as well, taking on Hawaii’s massive peaks and setting records there as well as in the competitive arena.
Though not all her life decisions were wise, she is an inspiration to anyone who wants to push themselves and give their career everything they’ve got.
#4 Against The Water by Owen Wright
There is so much depth in this book that it’s difficult to summarise, but I’ll try.
Owen Wright is another Australian surfer, though with a very different story. He grew up with a father determined to see his kids become surfing champions, and he succeeded—all three of the Wright siblings are world-renowned surfers.
Owen’s journey was a difficult one, however, as he went from sky-high to rock bottom and back again. He went from competing on the world stage to suffering for months from a huge brain injury. He made it through such hard times, came out stronger, and got all the way back into surfing’s highest competition—eventually making it to the Olympics.
If you’re keen on a heartfelt, inspiring, yet tough retelling, this is for you.
#5 World Stormrider Surf Guide by Bruce Sutherland & Antony Colas
Buy this book. I can’t say it any other way—if you surf at all, buy this book!
A bit different from the previous books I’ve mentioned, this is a surf guide that is always in my hands whenever we head somewhere new.
There are several different editions of the World Stormrider Surf Guides, but the main one is the World Stormrider Surf Guide, which you really have to have in hardcover to realise how awesome it is.
It’s filled with detailed maps, descriptions of breaks, recommendations, where to stay, when to go, what weather works best, and the names of almost every surf spot. It includes many of the breaks I’ve surfed myself. I still haven’t managed to read the whole thing, though I’m getting closer.
The authors have visited so many of the spots in the book that when you read it, you feel like you’re there and can arrive with all the information you need. It’s genuinely that good.
Did I mention it has pictures? Oh man—every page has photos of the waves in the area! So you can see what it’s like and get excited.
So, like I said… buy this book.
Summary
I could go on about books and surfing for ages, so I’ll pull up here.
These surfing books are ones that have helped inspire me to do my very best in surfing and even in life. From autobiographies to maps and detailed surf guides, this book list is one you should definitely take a good look at—and read!
I really hope these books inspire you and that you enjoyed reading my thoughts on each one. Whether you’re a surfer or not, I would genuinely recommend reading all of them.
I’d love to hear what you think of them—catch you in the comments!
Bonus: Where to Get These Books
(Affiliate links help support this blog — thank you!)
- Surf For Your Life by Mick Fanning & Tim Baker
- Soul Surfer by Bethany Hamilton
- Layne Beachley: Beneath the Waves by Michael Gordon & Layne Beachley
- Against the Water by Owen Wright
- The World Stormrider Surf Guide by Bruce Sutherland & Antony Colas