How Do You Film Surfing with a GoPro?

By Henrik Andersson, founder of Nordic Flash. Published November 12, 2026

A turquoise Nordic Flash float holding an action camera at the water's surface

To film surfing with a GoPro, pick an angle first: on the board, in your hand, or from someone else in the water. A board mount has to go on a clean, smooth spot at least 24 hours before you surf. Nordic Flash adhesive mounts can be used on surfboards, alongside car hoods and other boards. GoPro says the standard adhesive mount that comes with the camera isn't meant for surfboards. Whatever the angle, a float is the backup if the camera comes loose.

Key takeaways

Decide the angle first: board, hand or a friend filming.
Board mounts need a clean, smooth surface and at least 24 hours to set, per GoPro.
GoPro says not to use adhesive mounts on porous soft-top boards.
A float keeps a loose camera at the surface; check the weight against its rating.
Phones are a different story: Apple lists surfing as something to avoid with an iPhone.

How do you want to film the session?

Choose oneMounted on the boardIn my hand or on my wristWith a phone

Set the mount a day ahead, and add a float

Give an adhesive mount at least 24 hours on a clean, dry board. A float is the backup if a wipeout takes the camera off the board.

Adhesive mounts

Wear a float on your wrist

Loop the cord around a mounting finger and tighten the thumbscrew. In rough water, loop the camera strap around the float as well, and consider both floats from the 2-pack.

How to attach a float

A waterproof case and a float, not a bare phone

Use a case with a lanyard loop and attach a float. Weigh the phone in its case against 7 oz (200 g) per float. A board-mounted action camera is usually the more stable setup in surf.

Does a waterproof phone case float?

A surfboard with a nose-mounted camera, and a second camera on a wrist float.

By the numbers

GoPro says to allow at least 24 hours for an adhesive mount to adhere (GoPro, how to apply and remove adhesive mounts (opens in a new tab)). Nordic Flash adhesive mounts can be reused by putting a new adhesive pad on the back; the pads come separately.
GoPro says the HERO13 Black is waterproof to 10 m (33 ft) without a housing (GoPro (opens in a new tab)).
Each Nordic Flash float is made to float an item up to 7 oz (200 g). GoPro lists the HERO13 Black at 157 g with its battery (GoPro, HERO13 Black size and weight (opens in a new tab)).

Journalists and writers may use these figures with credit and a link back to this page. Questions: [email protected].

Which angles work?

There are three basic setups, and each gives a different shot.

Angle	What you get	What to think about
Board mount	The surfer and the wave from the board	A mount made for surfboards, applied a day ahead
In your hand or on your wrist	Your own view, easy to point	A float or floating strap in case you let go
A friend in the water	The whole ride from outside	A float on the camera, and a good swimmer

Top view of a surfboard with an adhesive camera mount near the nose.

Where does a board mount go?

On a clean, smooth, hard spot with no wax, applied at least 24 hours before you surf, and never on a soft-top board (GoPro (opens in a new tab)). Our guide to GoPro mounts for surfing, kayaks and boats covers placement, surface prep and curved or flat mounts.

Where does a float fit in?

Anywhere the camera could come loose. A board mount keeps the camera on the board, but a handheld camera, or one passed between people, has nothing holding it if it slips. Action cameras sink, as our guide to keeping a GoPro from sinking shows.

The camera float 2-pack is worn on your wrist, with a quick-release cord that clips to the camera. To attach one, loop the cord around a mounting finger and secure it with the thumbscrew; in rough water, loop the camera strap around the float too, and connect both floats to one camera for added security. Check the cord and clip before you paddle out, and replace the float if either is frayed or damaged. The step-by-step guide covers the setup.

Add up the weight first. A HERO13 Black is 157 g by GoPro's figure before anything else is attached; compare the full setup with one float's rating, 7 oz (200 g) (GoPro (opens in a new tab)).

What about filming with a phone?

Be careful. Apple lists surfing among the high-velocity water activities to avoid with an iPhone, and says liquid damage is not covered under warranty (Apple (opens in a new tab)). If you want to film surfing, use a camera rated for the water, like an action camera, and keep a float on it.

A camera on a wrist float, with checks for a closed door and an undamaged cord.

What should you check before paddling out?

Door and covers closed, per your camera maker (GoPro (opens in a new tab)).
Board mount applied at least 24 hours ago, on a hard board.
Float attached to any handheld camera, tested in shallow water, and the cord and clip checked for fraying or damage.
Battery charged and card cleared.
After the session, rinse the camera in fresh water with the door closed, then dry it (GoPro (opens in a new tab)). The snorkeling checklist has the full routine.

Gear for this

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a regular GoPro adhesive mount on a surfboard?

GoPro says the standard adhesive mount that comes with the camera is not meant for surfboards. Nordic Flash adhesive mounts can be used on hard surfboards (and on car hoods and other boards), not on soft tops. See GoPro mounts for surfing, kayaks and boats for placement and prep.

How long should a board mount set before surfing?

At least 24 hours. GoPro says to apply adhesive mounts at room temperature and allow at least 24 hours for them to adhere.

Can I mount a GoPro on a soft-top board?

GoPro says not to. Soft-top boards are porous, so the mount will not adhere properly.

Does a GoPro float if it comes off in the surf?

No. Action cameras sink, so keep a float on any camera that isn't fixed to the board.

Can I film surfing with my iPhone?

Apple advises against it. Apple lists surfing among the activities to avoid with an iPhone, and liquid damage is not covered under warranty.