# Surf Athlete: Surf Training — user reviews > 136 indexed App Store user reviews of Surf Athlete by Nautilus Surf Performance LLC, rated 4.86/5 from 388 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/surf-athlete-surf-training/id1473672898/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/surf-athlete-surf-training/id1473672898.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 348 · 4★ 20 · 3★ 3 · 2★ 4 · 1★ 4 ## What do users think of Surf Athlete? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 👍 Solid app - 👍 Detailed instructions and programs - 👍 Comprehensive surf-specific fitness - 👍 Improves flexibility, strength, and mobility - 👍 Helps with pop-up and technique - 👍 Customizable to user's needs - 👍 Detailed video explanations - 👍 Positive impact on surfing performance - 👍 Helpful for all levels, from beginners to advanced **Cons** - 🐛 Registration/login issues - 🐛 Occasional app crashes - 🔇 Lack of audio cues during workouts - 🔇 Music playback issues - 💰 Expensive for some users **Commonly reported bugs** - Registration not working - App crashing on launch - Music playback interruptions **Most requested features** - Dark mode option - Offline workout mode - Better music integration - More free content - Expanded exercise library - Improved app stability ## Newest reviews (15 of 136) ### 4/5 — Start stop beeps *2025-08-29, version 16.1.1* Latest app seems to have removed the start and stop beep signals. This makes it difficult to stay in sync with the timer. Hoping this is a bug vs a feature. Love to have them back. ### 4/5 — Great app but annoying with music *2025-01-02, version 16.0.2* I love the app and programs but it’s super frustrating to do the workouts if I’m trying to also listen to music. Would be great if it wouldn’t stop my music every time a new exercise or rest period starts/ends ### 5/5 — High quality content *2022-06-02, version 12.2* Great content from an experienced surfer and experienced trainer. What can I say, Cris def rips harder than me! ### 5/5 — Great All Around Program *2022-02-02, version 10.7.0* I recently purchased the perfect pop up and the surf athlete. I am 48 years old and between a crazy travel schedule for work and life in general my surfing has taken a back seat. I recently started surfing more and it was a disaster to say the least. I was extremely inflexible and not surf fit. The pop up I had been getting away with was no longer working and I was getting frustrated. Both of these programs have been such a huge help. I can practice the pop up as well as do workouts where ever I go. When I am back home I can focus on surfing and catching waves instead of just trying to get by hoping to catch whatever I can. The thing I love about the programs is that you can make them work for you. I tried following Chris’ pace but it was way put of shape. By spending more time on certain things I was eventually able to get on pace with the workouts. I feel great and surfing has become something I can’t wait to do. ### 5/5 — Great for overall fitness and strength *2022-01-03, version 10.6.9* Got this app to get stronger and build muscle that I need to get better pop ups…ad abeing a dancer/yoga person this app is so intuitive, and even with access to others it’s the one I keep on my home screen and one that approached whole body IRL strength like yoga and dance (not overly focused on being thin or hot or whatever…just keeps it focused on movement and getting better through practice) …I’d recommend it to anyone who is so over diet culture and just wants a more agile body that can do more things! Surf-readiness is an added bonus! ### 5/5 — Excellent *2021-12-15, version 10.6.8* Perfect to counter a sedentary desk job ### 5/5 — The Real Deal Surf Training Program *2021-11-27, version 10.6.7* Cris has put together a great training app that rivals others on the App Store- but is specific to surfing. I’m now about over a month in the Ocean Sports Academy and am getting pushed in the advanced workouts, plus getting solid tips on technique and form in the water. Plus Cris responds direct to questions and gives a sense of support. Highly recommend if you want to surf train or just train in a different way. ### 5/5 — Surf athlete by surf strength coach *2021-09-21, version 10.6.2* A great easy to use app that has tons of free stuff aswell as the paid content. All the exercises are explained in the finest detail to make sure you get the most out of what you’re doing! ### 5/5 — Brilliant *2021-09-19, version 10.6* Everything about the program is brilliant . The App is the go ! So easy and you can’t tell that the app was well planned before it was executed . So easy to use it just flows. I am very happy with the results . Thanks for the passion and energy Cris . ### 5/5 — Fantastic app - I wish I’d used it years ago. *2021-09-15, version 10.6* I have been surfing since 2000, now in my late 40’s and having enjoyed Cris’ YouTube tips for years I found out he had an app. Having downloaded the app I loved the free information and decided to pay for: Surfskate Perfect pop up Cardboard surfer Wowsers, I wish I had seen these apps years ago. These are perfect if you’re landlocked (or not) like myself and can’t get to the surf as often as you’d like. The way technique is explained is real easy to follow. I can’t wait to try my new techniques in the water and can’t recommend highly enough! ### 5/5 — You will surf better *2021-08-13, version 10.5.3* Cris just kills it with every program he puts together. Train the right movements and you train your surfing. I guarantee your doing something wrong and compensating for it in your surfing. Get the app check out the programs, and start surfing better! ### 5/5 — Worth it *2021-08-12, version 10.5.3* Amazing app. So much free content, every surfer needs this. The attention to detail in the exercises and Cris’ explanations are useful for surfers at every level. After contacting Cris we found the right program for my specific needs and the purchase went smooth. So happy with the 12 week program and the stretches! Also enjoying the bonus content and the regularly released free bits on all things surfing and health. Cheers ### 5/5 — It’s never to late to start shredding, as long as you have this app *2021-08-12, version 10.5* Short story long, I tried surfing over 10 years ago. I had shoulder problems and promptly quit after paddling caused me too much pain. Now in my mid 30’s I’m at it again. It’s more hip mobility these days but some slight shoulder issues too. Luckily Cris has helped me be aware of my mobility limitations and given me the tools to prevent, treat and improve my range of motion. I feel that age isn’t an issue it’s simply a matter of information. You just need to get educated on what the problem is and get the right tools to fix it. Solution: this app. In addition to health and surf fitness there is a treasure trove of information that’s directly surf related. I chose the Surf skate program recently. It rapidly diagnosed some issues I was having right off the bat. Pointing the hips and knees and getting comfortable on rail by leaning more helped a lot in the water. Backside has gotten a lot better in the water already. Thanks so much Cris for all your hard work. You’re my hero bro, seriously. Surfing has changed my life and I wouldn’t be paddling out without your help. Stay frothy my friends 🤙 - Josh San Diego, CA ### 5/5 — Epic *2021-07-29, version 10.5* This app is legit. I got involved with the perfect pop up programme after seriously relating to Cris’s videos on YouTube. The info, assessments, training and mobilisation work is really helping me unlock those years of stiffness from sitting down. Breaking down the pop up into its base movements so you can relearn has been a game changer, and as soon as we get some swell in the U.K. I can’t wait to see how this helps my surfing. ### 5/5 — Love Surf Strength Coach *2021-07-19, version 10.5* I am 50 years old and have just got back into surfing and purchased the Pop Up program - it was amazing!! No more slow, kooky pop up. This inspired me to buy a surf skate (as I live an hour away from the surf) and the surf skate program. I have improved so much after the first few lessons. I can't wait to explore the rest of the program and then see the benefits next time I am in the water. Thanks so much. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Does not let you sign up. *2025-08-31, version 16.1.1* The registration is not working. Says invalid email address ### 1/5 — Overpriced marketing stunt *2024-12-16, version 16.0.1* I deeply regret having paid so much for so little. Feeling like I spent that money mostly to subsidize this guy’s surfing trips across the globe. Afterwards I realized I learned way more for free on YouTube and online. There are many other YouTube surfing gurus who know way more and at the same time stay truer to the surfer bros mentality and ethics, and are way cooler guys and gals. The quality of teaching remains limited and superficial; the guy is very repetitive instead of going in more detail and depth over the concepts, probably because his knowledge is limited. By comparison with other way more advanced surf teachers, he seems having reached the limits of his competence and then keeps repeating himself ad nauseam. My advice: don’t fall for the marketing guy like I did; instead: do your research, scroll through multiple YouTube queries with a variety of keywords, watch the videos and assess/think, and you’ll find much better options eventually. ### 1/5 — Subscription not activated. *2023-08-15, version 15.5* I have just subscribed to this program via the App Store but I have not active subscription in the app or website when using the same login details used for paying for the subscription. ### 1/5 — If it worked… *2021-05-31, version 10.1* I was super stoked to up my strength for surfing. Too bad the app never works and the workouts can’t be pulled up. ### 1/5 — Crashes on launch (ipad) *2021-01-24, version 8.1* I started my first workout, only to find there is no sound to explain the activities. I thought this was a bug so I quit the app, and now it crashes immediately every time i launch it. I hope this can be fixed, it was expensive and i was really looking forward to the program. ### 1/5 — Rip-off! *2020-04-01, version 4.0* Come on guys! You can’t be charging $100+ for each course when all the exercices can be found on YouTube. This app is a complete rip-off and not in the spirit of what surfing stands for ### 2/5 — Too expensive *2021-11-01, version 10.6.5* This app is far too expensive for average surfers. They charge for each individual program separately in USD. They draw you in with YouTube videos…it is a total bait and switch. ### 2/5 — Can’t sign up or sign in! *2021-10-18, version 10.6.4* Was excited to use this app but unfortunately it times out when attempting to sign up. When you try again, it says an account with that email already exists, so I try to sign in and that times out as well. Please let me know when this is fixed! ### 2/5 — Good exercises, bad tech *2020-08-30, version 4.2* I've tried the two weeks program, exercises are great, but the app works poorly with AppleTV, I've to manually start each exercises, it doesn't run for the lenght of the exercise and it loses full screen each time. ### 3/5 — Costs $150+ to use programs. *2020-12-05, version 5.0* Only one free program + some tips. The bio makes it seem like the programs are included. Feeling deceived by the description. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Awesome surf workouts *2026-06-27, version 16.5.12* Everything is dynamic and I’m learning a lot while I do the workouts. I’m looking for long-term mobility and being able to surf more years. When I’m doing this app, I feel a lot stronger in and out of the water ### 5/5 — 44 and trying to keep going *2025-12-14, version 16.5.1* Solid app. I’m at a crossroads where I’ve been surfing less with young kids kids and I needed to do something to get back to surfing multiple days a week. ### 5/5 — Should have done this sooner! *2025-10-30, version 16.2.2* I have been freeloading off Cris’s post for years and finally got the annual membership. There is so much more in the app it is mind blowing. Get the membership. It’s a fraction of what you spend on coffee and way way more beneficial (I drink coffee daily). ### 5/5 — Love this app *2024-12-13, version 16.0.1* Such a good app.. super thorough instruction and amazing to have it surf specific in such a detailed way. When I am committed to the workout plans I definitely notice an improvement in my surfing. Thanks Chris ### 5/5 — Awesome! *2024-11-18, version 16.0.1* Started with the perfect popup program, loved it and now I’m on my 2nd program. ### 5/5 — Fantastic Workouts and More *2023-08-22, version 15.5* Tons of great programs to choose from, as a weekend warrior trying to get in shape for the few trips I get in, surf athlete has everything I need from flexibility and strength to breathe work. ### 5/5 — Surf Strength Coach *2023-08-18, version 15.5* Complete body fixes with fitness and health at the forefront. Love it ### 5/5 — Like having a pro surfer mentor *2023-07-31, version 15.5* Everything you could ever Google, or YouTube is in this app stop wasting hours, asking friends, searching the web. It’s all right here literally more than you could imagine detailed in depth on all aspects of surf. Honestly, I want to say thank you man for creating this. Hope to meet you one day. 🤙🏼 ### 5/5 — really enjoying this *2023-01-28, version 15.0* actually much more than I expected. the app works flawlessly on my iPad and the info is great. I’ve only been surfing a little more than a year but 30 years doing martial arts and bodywork. and I’ve learned a lot here. very clear instruction. great stretches, surf instruction and breathwork. ### 5/5 — Easy instruction to build out a solid foundation *2022-11-05, version 14.0* Coming to surfing later in life I have found Cris’ clear and straightforward approach, defining the movement and mechanics involved makes it an enjoyable experience. I look forward to continuing on the journey --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-17.*