We’re now more than a week into the new chapter of Fortnite Chapter 7, and the island’s overhaul has produced a mixture of wins and missteps. Several quality-of-life tweaks—like an updated HUD that clearly indicates when your weapon needs reloading—are welcome improvements. Others feel less polished: the redesigned emote wheel buries non-locker emotes in a secondary menu and Jam Tracks no longer show song titles, which makes finding a favorite tune harder than it should be.
One of the biggest changes is how matches begin: surfing. After the Zero Point event blew up the Battle Bus, players began arriving by catching a wave and being launched into the sky for a final descent instead of skydiving from a bus.
Go online and you’ll find plenty of complaints—some say it’s one of the worst moves Fortnite has made, and I’ve heard the same gripes from colleagues. I disagree. I enjoy the surfing mechanic. Subjectively, it’s a refreshing break from the relentless Battle Bus drop: surfing feels more interactive, grants a bit of agency over your approach to the island, and occasionally delivers the delightful bonus of a Beach Boys track as you glide in. That combination turns the pre-game into its own kind of mini-adventure.
Image: Epic Games
I don’t dismiss the valid criticisms. Before a recent buff, surfing overwhelmingly funneled players to coastal zones, producing congested landings and sparse loot—an often frustrating start to matches. That led to chaotic, sweaty fights where you might only find a weak gray shotgun while surrounded by enemies.
Oddly enough, I found enjoyment in those chaotic moments. They pushed my friends and me to improvise: aiming for empty, unconventional drop points to scavenge vehicles or ziplines; deliberately diving into crowded spots for the adrenaline rush of immediate combat. Those uncomfortable starts sharpened our reflexes and taught us to adapt on the fly.
Now that the Battle Bus has returned more often—surfing happens roughly 20% of the time after the latest tuning—the novelty and intensity have diminished. It feels likely that surfing will be dialed back further or vaulted by the start of Chapter 7 Season 2, returning the match-opening routine to familiar territory.
Image: Epic Games
Still, the change feels invigorating. The Battle Bus has been the default since Chapter 1 in 2017, so shifting how we enter matches already stands out as a bold shake-up—especially when the soundtrack includes a classic like “Surfin’ USA.” After Epic’s recent buff that allows surfers to reach farther into the island for drops, surfing became a genuinely viable and exciting alternative to the bus.
Even if surfing’s run as a frequent spawn method is limited, I hope Epic doesn’t shelve it permanently. The mechanic has real potential, and the team should continue iterating. The recent adjustments made it measurably better; further refinements could make it essential to the game’s identity rather than a fleeting novelty.
For now, give surfing a chance. New systems almost always need tuning (see: the emote wheel). So far it’s off to an encouraging start.
Also, Epic: please consider adding “Surfin’ USA” to Fortnite Festival as a purchasable Jam Track. If you want ideas for a Beach Boys-themed Battle Pass, I have a notebook full of suggestions.
With that said, I’m going to catch another wave while the mechanic still appears on the island.
Source: Polygon
