What on earth is “outside”? And how not to get caught “inside”

Two things I’m not keen on hearing in the lineup:

One—“Get off my wave, I’ll kill you.”
Two—“Outside.”

Honestly? I prefer the first. 😂

🌊 What does “outside” mean in surfing?
The “outside” is the area farther out to sea, beyond where the waves are breaking.  It’s where the clean, unbroken waves first start to rise. Surfers paddle out to the outside to catch these waves before they crash and turn into whitewater.

🚨 Why it matters
If you’re just learning to surf, you’ll mostly hang out on the inside (closer to shore), catching whitewater and learning the basics. But eventually, you’ll want to head to the outside to catch “green waves”—the unbroken, rideable ones.

The outside is also where the bigger sets break. So when someone yells, “Outside!”—it means larger waves are about to crash farther out, and you might want to start paddling hard toward the horizon.

😬 Getting caught in the Danger Zone
To be caught on the outside means you’re stuck behind where the waves are breaking, usually when a big set rolls in—and you’re not in a good spot.

You’re too far out to catch the wave, but not far enough to avoid getting smashed by it. So, you end up taking wave after wave on the head.

🏄‍♀️ What it feels like
You’re paddling back out, thinking you’re in the clear—and suddenly you see a wall of water forming farther out. You realize you’re not going to make it over the top. Cue panic paddling and duck diving for dear life.

🧠 How to avoid
Know your break: where the takeoff zone is, how far sets break out. Always keep your eyes on the horizon for signs of approaching sets, and leave a little more distance than you think you need.

🐣 Beginner tip
Being caught on the outside is a rite of passage… and a core memory in every beginner’s surf journey.

I remember mine: I literally bodyboarded from the lineup all the way to the beach in Malibu—the same week Laird Hamilton shot Malibu Pier. (It was big!) I had no business being out there on a day like that.

Catching waves on the outside takes paddle fitness, good timing, and the ability to read the ocean. There’s no shame in hanging in the whitewash or catching smaller ripples on the inside until you’re ready.