Advice
July 12, 2025

Surf Influencers & Creators Redefining the Lineup in 2025

Surf creators in 2025 are redefining surf culture by blending authentic storytelling, community-building, and artistic expression, going far beyond highlight reels to showcase real, raw ocean life. From van-lifers and former athletes to soulful surfers and filmmakers, these influencers are expanding the lineup with inclusivity, creativity, and content that captures both the adventure and emotion of surfing.
Written
by: 
Rachel Engen

Surf Influencers & Creators Redefining the Lineup in 2025

Looking for surf influencers to inspire your next session or partner with on your next campaign? You're in the right place. The world of surf content is evolving, moving beyond just epic barrels and contest highlights. Today, the most impactful surf creators are authentic storytellers, community builders, and artists who capture the true soul of the surfing lifestyle.

We’ve curated a list of surf influencers who are making waves in 2025. Whether you're a brand seeking genuine user-generated content (UGC) for a collaboration or a surfer looking for daily inspiration, these creators deliver.

The New Wave of Surf Creators

These surf creators are doing more than just chasing the perfect wave; they’re reshaping what surf culture looks like in 2025. We've spotlighted a new generation of surfers who bring authenticity, vulnerability, and creative storytelling to a sport long romanticized but rarely shown in full color. From sunrise paddles to moments of wipeout-induced humility, these creators show that the surf lifestyle is as much about presence, persistence, and connection as it is about carving clean lines on a glassy face.

They’re not just documenting rides; they’re telling stories about identity, healing, and community. Whether they’re locals holding it down at their home break or nomads following swells in converted vans, these creators invite us into their world with a rare openness. Their feeds are more than just highlight reels; they’re saltwater-soaked diaries of the highs, lows, and everything in between.

This new wave of surf content pushes beyond the polished, sun-kissed ideal and instead welcomes radical inclusivity. These surfers remind us that you don’t need to be the best on the wave to belong in the lineup; you just have to show up with good vibes and heart. In sharing their stories, they’re expanding the lineup, redefining the surf identity, and reminding us all why we fell in love with the ocean in the first place.

Hold up, so what exactly is the difference between an influencer and creator? Can I be both? Read UGC vs. Influencer Marketing and find out the differences between them. 

1. CeCe Noyen – The Relatable Coastal Queen

Cece Noyen is a content creator with salty hair, sandy toes, and a camera roll full of wipeouts, campfire sunsets, and coastlines from Washington to Baja. Her corner of the internet is where adventure meets imperfection, documenting the real, sun-soaked moments that happen between sets and under the stars. Whether she is road-tripping, camping, paddling out at sunrise, or rinsing off post-surf with my dog in tow, she is all about capturing content that feels warm, free, and wildly human. She doesn't just share the highlight reel, she shares the whole ride (awkward tan lines, burnt s’mores, and all). If it involves the ocean, a little grit, and a lot of heart, she is already there.

💡 Why follow CeCe? For coastal inspiration with a touch of realness, Cece’s personality shines through her everyday storytelling. She’s authentic, and we love that on the gram!

  • For Brands: A unique partner for athletic apparel, fitness, and health-conscious brands.
  • For Inspiration: A powerful example of transferring skills from one athletic discipline to another.

📸 Follow CeCe: @noyencece

2. Reed – From the Subway to the Surf

Not many surfers can say their passion started as a kid riding the NYC subway to catch waves after school. But that’s how it began for Reed, a love for the ocean that grew through years of chasing waves and teaching others. After years of stingray stings, jellyfish, sea urchins, and probably more time in a wetsuit than out of one, Reed still loves surfing more than ever.

These days, Reed lives in his van, spending months chasing waves from California to Washington, and making time for surf trips abroad to favorite spots like Portugal. While surfing is his biggest passion, his content shares the full adventure of life on the road- with humor, storytelling, and capturing the fun of it all.

💡 Why follow Reed? For van life mixed in with salty sends, Reed’s corner of the internet feels like catching up with a friend who’s been up to some exciting stuff, it’s a place you want to kick back and hang around for a while.

  • For Brands: Ideal for automotive, travel, and surf hardware brands wanting to tap into the popular #vanlife narrative.
  • For Inspiration: Motivates you to find adventure wherever you are, with whatever you have.

📸 Follow Reed: @reed_roams

3. Jenayl – The Swell Found Her

Jenayl started surfing when she was young, any chance for her to get to the beach, that’s where she would be! Surfing really chose her. No one in her family surfed, but she naturally always gravitated towards any board that was lying around and it slowly became the center of her world. While it gave her the opportunity to travel the world, she quickly learned that surfing competitively wasn’t her thing. 

She continued surfing locally and internationally with brands that supported the gorgeous vision of the feminine divine surfing waves of nature honoring the art as a whole entity. Different boards, different shapes of waves, same addicting experience - that will forever keep us evolving as surfers participate in this craft. Nature is God’s greatest playground and she feels so blessed to have been chosen to experience it so tangibly. 

💡Why follow Jenayl? For a raw, soulful blend of surf, art, and storytelling that captures the quiet power of life lived close to the ocean.

  • For Brands: A great fit for sustainable swimwear, wellness, and surf-inspired artisanal brands.
  • For Inspiration: A beautiful reminder of the spiritual connection between a surfer and the sea.

📸 Follow Jenayl: @jenaylpeters

4. Liv Squyres – From the mainland to Hawaii

Liv Squyres is a creative soul from Arizona who followed her love for the ocean all the way to Hawaii—and never looked back. Surfing quickly became her passion, connecting her to the ocean and an incredible community. When she’s not in the water, Kaitlin runs her own marketing agency, helping small businesses across the world bring their creative visions to life through social media, photography, and videography.

She also creates content on her personal page, where she inspires others to surf, travel, and embrace a healthy, adventurous lifestyle.

Whether she’s behind the camera, in the lineup, or building brands, Kaitlin is always creating, exploring, and chasing her dreams.

💡 Why follow Kailtin?  For a beautifully curated glimpse into surf, creativity, and coastal living—where entrepreneurship meets adventure and ocean-minded freedom.

  • For Brands: An excellent choice for travel, and lifestyle brands targeting the modern, business-savvy adventurer.
  • For Inspiration: Proves you can build a career you love around a lifestyle you're passionate about.

📸 Follow Kaitlin: @kaitlinkerby

5. Jensie Givens – College Gymnast turned Surfer

Jensie Givens is a former collegiate gymnast who won an SEC championship and competed on the national stage, showcasing her dedication and athletic drive. After her gymnastics career, she found a new passion in the ocean and now competes in tandem surfing, blending power and grace on the waves. 
Based in Hawai‘i, Jensie embraces and celebrates the legacy of the islands’ surf culture. She shares her journey through authentic storytelling and content that inspires others to connect with the water and live adventurously. Her background as an elite athlete fuels her commitment to pushing limits, building community, and honoring the traditions of surfing in Hawai‘i.

💡 Why follow Jensie?  For an epic mix of acro and surfing mixed in with beautiful storytelling that follows her island life

  • For Brands: A unique partner for athletic apparel, fitness, surf, camping, and adventure brands.
  • For Inspiration: A powerful example of transferring skills from one athletic discipline to another.

📸 Follow Jensie: @jensiegracie



6. Tritan Pietz – Eastcoast Filmmaker Capturing the Spirit of Surf

Tristan Pietz is a content creator and filmmaker capturing the energy of surf, travel, and adventure. Based between the U.S. and Europe, he shares raw, hype-filled videos that bring you into the heart of whatever adventure he’s on. His style blends cinematic storytelling with humor and a behind-the-scenes vibe that makes you feel like you’re part of the crew. 

Whether he’s hiking or chasing waves at golden hour, Tristan keeps it real and creative. Follow along for daily drops that make you want to pack a bag and go.

💡 Why follow Tristan?  For cinematic content capturing the spirit of east coast surfing.

  • For Brands: The go-to creator for high-energy video content for camera gear, tech, and adventure-focused brands.
  • For Inspiration: Get hyped for your next session, no matter what coast you're on.

📸 Follow Tristan: @tristanpietz

Connect with Top Outdoor & Adventure Creators

The powerful storytelling from these surf influencers showcases the core of modern, effective marketing: authenticity. This is where a platform like Popfly thrives. For the outdoor industry to grow, it needs creators who can generate compelling, user-generated content (UGC) that resonates deeply with an engaged audience. Popfly is a dedicated UGC platform designed to seamlessly connect innovative brands with a vetted network of talented outdoor and adventure content creators.

Whether you're looking for surfers, hikers, climbers, or van-lifers, our platform makes collaboration simple and effective.

For Brands: 

Ready to scale your marketing with content that inspires trust and action? Popfly unlocks access to a stream of high-quality, authentic content that builds community and drives real results. Book a Demo with our team today and your next outdoor UGC creator at Popfly.

For Creators: 

Are you an adventurer with a story to tell? Let your passion fuel your next opportunity. Popfly provides the tools and connections to partner with brands that align with your values. If you're wondering how to become a UGC creator, we have resources to get you started. 

🚀Create Your Free Creator Profile and start building a portfolio that stands out.

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