The hipsters divide opinion more than Maggie Thatcher, Benjamin Netanyahu and the Prophet Mohammed put together. Some people love their creative DIY retro style and free thinking attitude towards life.

Some think it’s just the Emperor’s New Blowrag, or maybe all wet fart but no actual skid.
Us though, we love it all. If you point your trembling vein pole in our direction, we’ll tug it. What ever floats your boat, whatever blows your hair back man, we dig.

So for those that are thinking of heading down the hipster route, here’s a little Instaguide, using some of the best in the business. Make your own mind up.

1. Equipment. Your surfing equipment is paramount. Riding a “normal” thruster is akin to walking on broken glass. It actually hurts. You want loggers and asymmetricals, you want balsa bars of soap and finless hulled wizards. You want at least 30 boards in a quiver, 5 of which must be handshaped by you, 5 authentic shapes from the ’60s and the rest barely bordering on the functional.

2.Wetsuits

Functional 2013 model wetsuits are generic, modern and highly functional. Three massive no-nos. If you look long and hard, like Ellis Ericson and Alex Knost,  you’ll find wetsuits that are none of these things.

3. Style

It’s hard to define style and even harder to express. You want old cameras and cigarettes. You need to play a guitar and you need to care just enough that it looks you don’t. You need to be individual, but in a way that the tribe accepts. You just need to be.