A gadget only a little more high-tech than your average waterproof watch will play a key role in a study assessing New Zealand's best surf breaks.

Kelly Slater has created the first never-ending wave that surfers are actually desperate to get a ride on.

Surfer's pursuit of a fourth world title ends in heartbreaking fashion, just a day after his brother dies.

Older brother Peter died just hours before surf champion competed in Hawaii.

Heavy surf wipeout compilation.

Thick barrels and solid power surfing with Brett Burcher, from surf movie 'INNERSECTION BLACK.

Big wave surfer Mark Matthews taking his Groms to Shipsterns for the first time.

David Rastovich bodysurfs for days at home in Byron Bay. From the film "Gathering".

Harrison Roach and Joel Fitzgerald score perfect barrels in Indonesia. From the surf film "Se7en Signs".

Darren Rogers' living room is full of surfboards, but it is all he can do to get back in the water.

French resort of Biarritz is prescribing surfing lessons to ward off a range of ailments from depression to heart disease.

Incredible slow motion vision of famous big wave surfer Mark Mathews.

A video has gained popularity on Facebook of a surfer riding the waves of a 75-foot launcher near Waiheke Island over the Labour Weekend. Supplied/Jesse James Cassrels

Beachgoers are being urged to stay safe this summer, with lifeguards already gearing up this long weekend. A special pre-season rescue exercise was held yesterday at Muriwai Beach to show the work lifeguards do while on duty. Volunteers used inflatable boats, jet skis and other life-saving equipment in the choppy waters to demonstrate a rescue.

A special pre-season rescue exercise was held yesterday at Muriwai Beach to show the work lifeguards do while on duty.

Guinness World Record holder broke neck in four places when he hit a rock during surfing contest.

Sometimes work is just work ... even on a beach, with beautiful people, and never-ending surf, writes Elisabeth Easther.

Australian surfer Mick Fanning's decision to abandon a yellow surfboard in favour of one with more black and blue colouring has raised the question of how sharks perceive colour.

Shark-punching surfer Mick Fanning received NZ$82K for an interview... here's what he did with the cash.

Champion surfer Mick Fanning has an encounter with another shark.

Australian pro-surfer Mick Fanning has returned to the water days after being attacked by a shark on live television.

While recently in Tahiti filming for "Who Is JOB 5.0," Jamie carried out one of his surfing dreams: to get barreled on one of the world’s heaviest waves ... while lit on fire. Source: Red Bull/Youtube

Energy drink and fellow surfing contest sponsor Rip Curl under fire for "crass hijacking" of interview.