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LIFE’S A BEACH: Know before you go

UX & UI for a surf community app with real-time spot reviews and updates

Without real-time insights, surfers struggle to find the best waves and miss out on sessions with friends.

The Problem: Where to Surf? Who’s There? No One Knows

How's the conditions?

What's the best spot?

Where are my friends?

Surfers have plenty of options, but few offer the reliable, timely info needed for the perfect session.

Current Tools: Getting Reliable Surf Information is a Challenge

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Research: Surfer’s Decision-Making Process (Findings of 15 Participants)

How Surfers Choose Their Spot

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Decision tools

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How Surfers Choose Their Spot

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Decision tools

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Persona 1: “The Indecisive”

“Are the waves worth it?”

surfer1

Yossi

Often finds himself torn between staying in bed, skipping work, or chasing the
perfect wave.

Pain Points
1. What beach has the best surf?
2. Where did my mates go?

Goals
1. Deciding where to surf.
2. Stay updated on where my mates are.

Persona 2: "The veteran”

“Let me tell you where to go”

surfer2

Yair

Surfing for over 30 years. Being seen and respected in the surf community is important to him.

Pain Points
1. Can’t share his knowledge
2. Doesn’t know where his mates are.

Goals
1. Give tips for younger surfers.
2. Share his location.

Insights: Growing demand for authentic surf reports from surfers

Real time updates

Ratings and Reviews

Info up to date

Social tool

Friends finder

Location update

Easy to use

Intuitive features

Easy to use on the beach

Flow: Connecting information seekers with those who share it

Flow 1: At home

Step 1: Pick a Spot

Need: A list or a map

Step 2: Rating, reviews and check ins

Need: Info page for each beach

Step 3: Sum-up and compare

Need: List of the spots ratings

Flow 2: At the beach

Step 1: Arrive to spot

Need: Check in

Step 2: Fill a checklist Add reviews and media

Need: Rating survey, text box, camera

Step 3: Self introduction

Need: Personal page

  1. Visual Tone: Youthful and adventurous,
  2. Typography: Bold sans serif fonts with personality.
  3. UI Components: Map-first or card-first layout.
  4. Imagery & Icons: Real photos. Icons with beach-inspired shapes.

Design Style: inspired by surf culture

  1. Conversational & relaxed.

  2. Encouraging action.

  3. Short & punchy.

  4. Authentic and positive tone.

Microcopy Style: Surfer's lingo, chill and friendly

Solution: First flow for surfers at home. Second for those at the beach

Full Prototype

Flow 1: Surfer at home

  1. Sort the surf spots different parameters
  2. pick the best spot for you
  3. View spot’s Ratings, Reviews,
  4. View a reviewer’s page

Flow 2: At the beach

  1. Arrive the spot and check in
  2. Rate write review and add media
  3. Enjoy
  4. Check out when leaving or manually

Flow 1: Surfer at home

  1. Sort spots parameters
  2. pick the best spot for you
  3. View spot’s reviews
  4. View a reviewer’s page

Flow 2: At the beach

  1. Arrive to the spot and check in
  2. Rate, write review and add media
  3. Enjoy!
  4. Check out when leaving

Conclusion: Designing for the Surfing Community

Solving a real problem for surfers taught me to design with the community in mind, keeping things simple, intuitive and focused on real user needs. It showed how thoughtful UX can enhance everyday experiences.

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