2025 WAS OUR BIGGEST AND BEST SEASON YET…
We welcomed over 190 of you, from 20 different nationalities. We scored in remote Indonesia, the deep south of the Maldives, and the trusty Malé and Central Atolls.
If you were one of the lucky ones who joined us—thank you. You’re what truly makes a Renegade trip special. Seeing so many of you re-book, often with friends you met on a previous trip, says everything about the magic that happens on board.
We wanted to summarise 2025’s best moments, and what better way to do so than ask our incredible team. Read about their favourite moments below…
SIMON, FOUNDER & OWNER, UK
My highlight of the 2025 season would be our inaugural trip to South Sumatra back in January. The idea was playful head high beach breaks, perfect for learning to get barreled… As is often the case with mother nature, she threw us a curve ball and we arrived to an unseasonably large off-season swell.
It was day 1, fresh off the plane and straight into the deep end – with heavy, double overhead sets at one of our favourite right-handers in the region. I’ve surfed the spot a handful of times before and even I was slightly apprehensive – so seeing our guests (some of who were level 3) turn up at a brand new spot with solid 6 foot sets and give it a proper crack, was super inspiring. It wasn’t the user-friendly barrels we were looking for but there were
barrels nonetheless!
The highlight was on day 2, watching Gus, who sat out the previous day and had never gotten a proper tube before, get a legitimate stand up pit right in front of the rest of the crew who were all cheering from the shore. Safe to say the vibes in camp were seriously high that night!
CALLE, RENEGUIDE, SWEDEN
One of my absolute favorite moments was when the boat crew arranged a local night experience. They decorated the dining space with bamboo tables, flowers and birds. The chef made the local dishes even more extraordinary, and I had one of my best dining experiences ever. To top if off, they threw in a desert and finished with a local drumming and jam session. They performed local songs and dances and we were just blown away by
the authenticity.
Some of the more musically talented guests even jumped on the drums and jammed together with the locals. To finish it off, one of the guests, Will, played some Irish tunes together with the crew. I was floored.
JJ, RENEGUIDE, NORWAY
Highlight from 2025: hosting a boat full of regular footers where we went left for a full trip! Forced out of our comfort zone, the learning curve and the rewards were intoxicating. Combined with a rare swell direction, we got to surf several spots that rarely work – so that was something new and novelty packed, even for me on my 10th trip. Great crew, good waves and giggles all around for the Renegaders.
PEPIJN, SURF COACH, HOLLAND
One of the biggest highlights was with repeat guests. We were dancing on the roof of the dhoni, blasting ABBA and singing full volume whilst watching the rest of the crew have a sunset session in pumping waves.
Another highlight was when we were stuck due to a storm, and the crew took out their local drums and played/sang for us. Beautifully personal, authentic and empowering. The otherwise reserved local crew suddenly got a voice, and it sang!
A final moment that stood out was a last-day session at Riptides, where everything clicked for many of the guests. We’d been working on specific parts of their surfing and it seemed like most just fully locked-in and actually got the feeling they were supposed to feel. It was a pure light bulb moment. Everyone was buzzing. It was beautiful to see as a coach.
NIC, SURF COACH & RENEGUIDE, UK
55 days straight on the Renegade boat — and honestly, with the crew and guests we had on board, I could’ve rolled straight into another fifty without blinking. The energy never dipped. Every trip stood out.
It was unreal welcoming back returning guests and long-time friends I’ve been coaching for years, while also meeting new faces who quickly became part of the Renegade family. Absolute legends across the board. Being trusted with someone’s surfing journey is never something I take lightly, and it’s an honour to play a role in that progression — watching confidence grow, lines sharpen, and limits get pushed.
Rain or shine, with aching muscles, sunburnt faces, and minds loaded with new surf knowledge, everyone showed up. The commitment was next level and the results spoke for themselves.
I’m incredibly proud to be part of a team that genuinely cares — a crew that takes real pride in high-level coaching and creating an encouraging, supportive environment where surfers don’t just score waves, they level-up. In turn, it pushes my coaching and helps me to progress. I look forward to stepping-up again for 2026.
One standout moment? There were plenty, but scoring empty line-ups in the Southern Atolls stands out. Just us, flawless waves, and the satisfaction of watching surfers put everything together. That day was cranking. Moments like that are exactly why this job never feels
like work.
For me, Renegade isn’t just a surf trip. It’s a standard. And being part of that journey has been something truly special.
BETH, RENEGUIDE, UK
This day! (above)
The charts had been very misleading so we were all slightly disappointed with what we had scored so far. We stayed hopeful that the swell was a bit delayed, so we got up early and to the sight of firing waves. I hadn’t seen this spot like that before, and it was beautiful to witness! Better still, no one joined us all day. We had two long sessions all to ourselves, with many of the crew finding some shade.
AUSSIE SI, RENEGUIDE, AUSTRALIA
This was my first season working for Renegade, and when I reflect back on the 2025 trips, the first thing that comes to mind is the team. The local guides, Edam and Yaman were incredibly welcoming, funny and insightful on the local culture and history – they are those people who instantly feel like they become friends.
Shannon, the coach, was so positive, thoughtful and a knowledgeable. And the boat crew were really engaging and helpful, and I loved getting to know them!
It’s always the people you meet and spend time with that are the highlight of any travelling experience.
Then there was the waves…. Coming from Western Australia and having spent a lot of time in Indonesian waves, I had reserved expectations about what to expect from the Maldives.
However, I was insanely impressed! So many fun options with a lot of variety. Being mobile on a liveaboard boat really allows us to fully appreciate all the different waves and setups.
I’m so grateful for the experience and really looking forward to being involved in future trips!
MITCH, SURF COACH, SOUTH AFRICA
One of the biggest highlights of this year was spending time with such great guests and sharing so many memorable moments – both in and out of the water.
Having Edam and Yaman on board – always making sure sure we are in best spots possible – made each trip feel unique. Getting the opportunity to surf 3 undiscovered spots absolutely pumping with not another boat in sight was unbelievable. Those sessions were definitely some of the standout moments for me! What really ties it all together, though, is the level of professionalism that Dale and Simon bring to Renegade — it truly shows in the overall experience on board and in how smoothly everything runs.
I can’t wait to repeat those moments in 2026 and continue building on what has already been such a great experience.
DALE, OWNER & RENEGUIDE, UK
2025 delivered a few standout moments for me. First and foremost, the number of returning guests was genuinely humbling. Seeing people travel with us for a second, third, fourth, and even fifth time never gets old. The fact that some of you re-book for the following year while sitting in the Malé departure lounge, only hours after leaving us, is something I’m incredibly proud of and grateful for.
Visiting the Southern Atolls for the first time in February was another highlight. We scored endless playful waves, followed by a couple of solid swells rolling through in early March. Blue Bowls, Five Islands, and Tiger Stripes were all firing and quiet, resulting in a ridiculous number of hours in the water. I’m not sure I’ve ever been more surfed-out than boarding the domestic flight back to Malé!
Lastly, a huge thank you to our incredible team. We talk about it a lot, but I genuinely believe they’re what make a Renegade trip so special, and our internal feedback suggests many of you agree.
WHAT’S NEW FOR 2026?
2026 is shaping up to be our best season yet…
- Firstly, we’ve seriously levelled-up our media equipment – ensuring you’ll get even more detailed clips for analysis, and head home with professional-looking footage.
- We’re also welcoming some new faces to our team! Despite receiving multiple applications every week, the Renegade team is a tough club to crack. Those who’ve made the cut bring a wealth of experience, top-tier people skills, and an unwavering passion for surfing. We can’t wait to welcome them to the family.
- NEW DATES! Early October has been firing the last few seasons, so to capitalise, we’ve locked in a new Level 2/3 trip from October 1–11, 2026.
- These are just the obvious things, but there is so much more we are constantly improving behind the scenes as well.
Great waves, world-class coaching, and good times? They’ll continue as usual.