Exposing surf industry scams, fake gear, and fraudulent schools.
Fake Firewire, Channel Islands, and other premium boards sold online at 50-70% off. Made with cheap foam and fiberglass that delaminates quickly. Some snap in normal waves.
Professional-looking websites advertising surf camps in Bali, Costa Rica, and Portugal. Collect full payment ($1,500-5,000) then don't exist. Stolen photos from real camps.
Surf schools with no ISA certification, no insurance, no lifeguard training. Instructors can't perform rescues. Multiple drowning incidents linked to unlicensed operations.
Brands using AI-generated or unauthorized pro surfer endorsements to sell gear. Surfers never tested or approved the products.
Online wetsuit sellers with intentionally wrong sizing charts. When the suit doesn't fit, return shipping costs more than the suit. No refund on 'worn' items.
Apps charging $20-40/month for surf forecasts available free on Surfline, MSW, and Windy. Repackage free data with a fancy UI. Auto-renew with difficult cancellation.
Organized theft of surfboards from beach racks and cars, resold on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. Often repainted or re-labeled to avoid identification.
Stolen surf photography sold as prints on Etsy and Instagram. Original photographers receive no credit or payment. Prints are low-quality reproductions.
Fake wave pool development projects seeking investors ($10k-100k minimum). Promise 'guaranteed returns' from the surf tourism boom. Projects never break ground.
Fake Sex Wax and other premium surf wax brands on Amazon. Wrong formula doesn't grip. Cheap leashes that snap in overhead surf โ dangerous safety hazard.
Know a scam we haven't covered? Help protect others.
Get scam alerts and exposure reports delivered to your inbox.
Recommended security gear. Affiliate links โ we earn a small commission at no extra cost.
Spin the wheel for free rewards. One spin per day!
New scam warnings & protection tips. Weekly. Stay safe.
We never spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Free developer tools at spunk.codes — Use code SPUNK for exclusive access