The physics of surfing - Nick Pizzo

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Whether or not you realize it, surfers are masters of complicated physics. The science of surfing begins as soon as a board first hits the water. Surfers may not be thinking about weather patterns in the Pacific, tectonic geology or fluid mechanics, but the art of catching the perfect wave relies on all these things and more. Nick Pizzo dives into the gnarly physics that make surfing possible.


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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Nick Pizzo
  • Director Ryan Rumbolt
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
  • Illustrator Miguel Ángel Camprubí
  • Animator Ryan Rumbolt, Christine Le, Juan Pontaroli, Jose Moreno
  • Storyboard Artist Christine Le
  • Compositor Ryan Rumbolt
  • Music Wes Slover
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Associate Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Script Editor Alex Gendler
  • Fact-Checker Brian Gutierrez
Additional Resources for you to Explore
To read more about the science of surfing, check out these resources here, here and here.

Customize this lesson

Create and share a new lesson based on this one.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Nick Pizzo
  • Director Ryan Rumbolt
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
  • Illustrator Miguel Ángel Camprubí
  • Animator Ryan Rumbolt, Christine Le, Juan Pontaroli, Jose Moreno
  • Storyboard Artist Christine Le
  • Compositor Ryan Rumbolt
  • Music Wes Slover
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Associate Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Script Editor Alex Gendler
  • Fact-Checker Brian Gutierrez

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