"Imagine 50 people in the water, each with their own personal drone. Surfing is dead because of social media and influencers."
The vulnerable adult learner surfer community has reacted with a rapture not seen, I think, since Jesus strolled the deserts of Judea, after a tech company release an autonomous waterproof drone that films your waves via a tracking device wrapped around your arm.
The HoverAir Aqua, introduced in late May 2026 by Zero Zero Robotics, a consumer robotics company specialising in compact, intelligent, self-flying cameras and drones, represents a novel category of consumer drone designed specifically for surfers.
The little bird, which costs thirteen hundred dollars, is the first truly waterproof, self-flying camera capable of taking off and landing directly on water surfaces. Weighing 249 grams, it uses a wearable “Lighthouse” armband beacon for tracking rather than visual recognition, allowing it to follow users through waves, spray and occasional submersion.
Birdy has a 12-megapixel sensor, the Aqua records 4K video at up to 60 frames per second (and 100 fps in slow-motion mode). You get 15 autonomous flight modes, wind resistance up to 33 knots, and about 23 minutes of flight time per battery.
The adult learner surfer and influencer Laura Sidoruk created a fizz online when she posted her experience with the bird.
Have you ever seen anything like this? Because I haven’t!
This is AQUA, the world’s first 100% waterproof, self-flying camera from @hoverair_global And if you grab one between May 28 and June 3rd, you get a free smart battery included!
Fellow adult learner surfers reacted with, What a cool way to analyze your surf skills, and I NEEEDDDDD THISSS and This is so cool! while others, longer in the game, pushed back.
And now imagine 50 people in the water, each with their own personal drone. Surfing is dead because of social media and influencers, now I can’t even stay in the water anymore and just listen to the sound of the sea.
This is the ultimate kook accessory. Just screams I’m an insta kook that’s totally missed the point of surfing.
Ffs leave the tech behind and just enjoy the stoke.
Buy your I Hate Surfing gear here!
PS: In a study of contrasts, the former pro turned foiler Adam Bennetts did a similar post without the kook accessory pushback. Instead, commenters focussed on the technical pros an cons of the device.
An example of white man patriarchy, white privilege etc?
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Anally-mounted selfie-stick, mo betta.
can only imagine the chaos:
“sorry I had to burn you….my drone battery was gonna die”
although in a VAL lineup there would be complete understanding:
“Oh no, no worries….I completely understand and empathize. if you need, I can film you with my drone and send you the clips. what’s your insta? I’ll DM you. Skaka”
HDJS 1.0 (approx. $20k US) https://uploads.disquscdn.c… Handheld drone detection & defense system with up to 3 km range, precision jamming using low-power narrowband signals. Ideal for protecting airports, public events, government facilities, and surf spots.
Pretty much. My gf at the time and I were in Sicily in 2017, high up on a picturesque hillside, alone with an amazing view. Bluebird day. After a few minutes I could hear that now all too familiar buzzing. Look up – Fucken drone. Hated the fucken things since. Even what I know is really good surf footage is tainted by that experience. Except that Lungi Slabb wave. Oh boy.
zionism is a death cult
Says a lot about this new generation of adult learners that they think about watching their self surf as much or more than they want to just surf. I can’t wait for the next fad. I’m sure it will be super cool.
The Supermax El Salvador Pro, brought to you by Hover Air AQUA – taking your fun to another level while simultaneously increasing your own personal surveillance status.
Gosh, we had so much fun on the laydays with our Hover Air AQUA units…
Kaipo’s out in the channel now with his own special armed Hover Air AQUA supplied personally by Lord Bukele – just makin’ sure that all the good humans remain safe and watched – constantly watched – with the new Hover Air AQUA.
Watcha up to, Kaips!?
“And now to Mitch Salazar who is out on the WSL support boat, what’s it like out there Mitch?”
“It’s blowing up out here Joe,
totally on fire!!”
That 23 minute charge just about covers my paddle outs.
I kind of hate surfing
The surfing itself is innocent it’s the people who practice it
The kookpacalypse
I see this less as a VAL problem and more of a wannabe pro blowin problem.
Now every monkey that has learned to do a turn will add these to their accessories along with the nose mounted and mouthpiece gopro on their next surf trip.
Strap a Super Soaker to your back and you can drop drones while surfing
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Just encountered this today at a spot that used to be empty during the week but now filling up with hijos de papi insta-kooks monday to friday. Fucking pathetic state of affairs.
What a great way to see different angles of myself doing an awkward poo stance
Drone companies: we’re developing drones and sensors to assist finding and tracking surfers.
The surfers in question:
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Why are you killing your flock Negs??? Cruel overlord
I have spotty internet so no clever AI generated image from me bruz
Actual photo of Negs taking out SC.
This sort of technology is a line in the sand moment. You’re either for or against. It’s war.
Cute you wanna play!!!!!
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That is Optimus Prime, Negatron has turned him evil again.
Dognuts is being presented with an opportunity for a “you know what”
I have Zero Zero respect for any kook riding their one wheel or Ebike to the lineup dragging one of these things along with them.
23 min battery life, I hope everyone else buys one.
surf girlfriends of the world unite against this blasphemy. Surfer dads, too.
Hopefully will stay confined to e foil kooks.
My Thoughts exactly, nothing they like more than filming themselves on their foils (except talking about themselves and their foils) grade A wankers
Foils are the MAMILs of the sea.
Good luck with that. The mantra of modern man is “ME. Look at ME.”
We’re living in times where a lack of humility is venerated.
is it legal to buy the anti-drone technology?
You can get em through tor disassembled from Ukraine…I think I’ve said too much. Delete
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You can pick them up for free at any construction site https://uploads.disquscdn.c…
In the US it is, cheap too.
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Shark Banz has anti-drone technology that is as effective as their anti-shark technology
https://uploads.disquscdn.c… A $20 Wrist Rocket and some pachinko balls should do the trick.