MAD! Stories

Global/WSL: Early 2026 Championship Tour Opens ...

The 2026 World Surf League Championship Tour launched its landmark 50th anniversary season with the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach (April 1–11) in Victoria, Australia. Brazilian surfers stole the show...

California: XXL Swell at The Wedge Delivers Epi...

A massive early-season south swell slammed into Newport Beach’s legendary The Wedge on March 12, 2026, producing monster 8–12+ foot wedging waves (with some sets pushing toward 20 feet) that...

England: Fynn Gillespie and Belle Betteridge Cr...

Young surfers Fynn Gillespie and Belle Betteridge, both 19 and raised on the powerful waves of Croyde in North Devon, were crowned the 2026 Open Division English National Surfing Champions...

California: Hawaii Man Offers Free Surf Lessons...

In early March 2026, Hawaii-born instructor Buddy Wiggins gathered a group of friends on a California beach to offer completely free surfing lessons to total strangers. With no fees and...

Australia: 7-Year-Old Phenix Ashby-Shaw Sets Yo...

In challenging wind and rain at Birubi Beach, 7-year-old Phenix Ashby-Shaw surfed continuously from sunrise to sunset (approximately 12 hours), becoming the youngest person to achieve the feat while supporting...

Australia: Oscar Berry Shines as Young CT Rooki...

Rising Australian talent Oscar Berry, recognized as one of the youngest to qualify for the Championship Tour, impressed with strong showings in cold-water conditions ahead of events like Bells Beach...