GoPro Surf Hero FAIL!

Once again, failing to thoroughly read directions has cost me precious material.

Undoubtedly, one of my biggest character flaws is that I hate reading instructions. It’s bitten me in the ass before, and it'll, more than likely, continue to bite me in the ass in the future. That is, unless I start to address the problem.

In this particular instance it was a Friday night and I was gearing up to use my new GoPro Surf Hero camera (a miniature waterproof video camera) for the first time. With fresh batteries installed, I proudly mounted the camera at the nose of one of my surfboards. I had checked the surf report earlier that day, and knew that Saturday’s dawn patrol was going to be epic – Surfline forecasted a solid SW swell along the SoCal coast. Fair – Good conditions. 4 – 5 foot swells, with a timely period and a rising tide. In other words, at the right break, set waves would flaunt faces from 4 to 8 feet, not bad for the first time back in the water since February. I couldn't wait.

I set my alarm for 4:45am, awoke promptly, and was out the door by 5:15am. The drive to Secret Spot was uneventful, in fact, it was actually quite peaceful. I arrived at 6am and snapped this picture. The sun was rising, the waves were pumping and I couldn't wait to hit the water. I suited up in my 4/3, made the trek down the cliffs, and embraced what was unfolding before my eyes.


I pressed record and paddled out into the lineup. I got what I thought to be some pretty awesome footage. However, when I returned home later that day, I was greatly disappointed with my results. Long story short, the GoPro Surf Hero was a FAIL. Apparently you're supposed to use Lithium batteries and not Alkaline, as Alkaline apparently drops voltage in cold temperatures. But of course, not having read the directions, I didn't know this simple fact.

How does this translate? Simply; User Error. Let's just say that my camera kept shorting out and shutting off while I was in the water. The longest water clip I got was about 3 seconds in duration. The only real footage I scored was me paddling out. With remorse, all I can say is "Groovy." Guess you'll have to wait until my next surf to see how the camera really works. Sorry to disappoint. Oh, and yes, I bought Lithium batteries.