Fortnite can't cut surfing after chapter 7, we need it forever

The Battle Bus is fine, but surfing gives me the Beach Boys

We're over a week into the new chapter of Fortnite, and the multitude of changes that came with the latest island are a mixed bag for most. Some of the quality-of-life upgrades, like the redesigned HUD highlighting a need to reload your weapons, are quite welcome. The redesigned emote wheel, on the other hand, isn't great; Jam Tracks don't display song titles, and your non-locker emotes are now on a secondary menu, rather than additional tabs.

Then there's the surfing. Surfing onto the island was introduced at the beginning of chapter 7, after the Battle Bus exploded during the Zero Point event. Instead of skydiving in, you now catch a wave before being rocketed into the sky for a final landing.

If you were to look around the internet, you'd believe it's one of the worst things Fortnite has ever done. Even my coworkers don't like it. However, I am not one of those people. I actually think the surfing mechanic is a wonderful addition. Granted, this stance is entirely subjective, but not only have I been glad for a reprieve from nonstop Battle Bus drops, I'm also having a lot more fun going on a surfing safari. Surfing is more interactive, gives me a bit more control over the direction I'm approaching the island from, and if I'm lucky, there will be a Beach Boys song playing while heading in. What's not to (Mike) love?

I understand the criticism aimed at surfing, mind you. Before this week's buff, it was practically impossible to land anywhere other than a coastal region of the map. That led to crowded areas without enough loot for everyone, creating a sweaty mess for basically every match.

Personally, I took joy in those elements. It made my friends and I aim for non-traditional landing spots devoid of chests and weapons, in hopes of snagging a car or zipline further into the island. Or we would drop directly into a busy area and take part in the mad dash for anything you can get your hands on, even if that's a lowly grey pump shotgun. Surfing forced us into uncomfortable circumstances, which I think made us better at reacting quickly.

And now that the Battle Bus is back and surfing has been decreased to happening only 20% of the time, the excitement is fading. It will no doubt be fully vaulted by the beginning of chapter 7 season 2, with the Battle Bus becoming the only way you reach the island, returning everything to the status quo.

The status quo is getting a little long in the tooth, though. The Battle Bus has been the default way matches begin since chapter 1, back in 2017. That was so long ago that surfing to the island to a song released in 1963 somehow feels fresh and exciting. Granted, "Surfin' USA" does slap, but this new way of arriving on the island was an excellent alternative to the bus — especially when Epic buffed it earlier this week, allowing surfers to reach the middle of the island during a drop.

So while we will inevitably be saying goodbye to surfing soon, I hope it's not a permanent vaulting for one of my favorite additions to the game in a very long time. And, by all means, Epic should keep iterating on it. The latest buff already made it a far more exciting way to start a game. Who knows what other improvements they could make?

Whatever the case, don't give up on surfing. When new mechanics are introduced, there are typically adjustments to be made. (Don't believe me? Go check out the emote wheel.) And, so far, surfing is off to a great start.

I would also ask that Epic add "Surfin' USA" to Fortnite Festival, so I can purchase it as a Jam Track. Alternatively, I can help the team over there with a full Beach Boys Battle Pass, if they'd like. I've got a notebook full of ideas.

Now, I'm off to catch a wave while I still can.