Look around any popular lineup these days and it’s clear: A new age in surfing is here. Never before have we seen so many wave-riding crafts out there—the gamut of modern shortboards, midlengths, longboards, stand up paddleboards, foil boards, kite boards, softboards, finless boards, kneeboards, surf mats, even the occasional kayak or wave ski.

Crowds are maxing out, especially when summer throngs peak with surf school beginners and novices who are still learning how to safely handle their boards. The exponential increase in the surfer population coupled with the variety and growth in wave riding equipment has created a situation where more risk is taken and more accidents are happening.