Mouth mount
Also known as: GoPro mouth mount, bite mount, surf mouth mount
A bite-grip mount that holds an action camera in a surfer's mouth, putting the lens near eye level for an immersive POV shot from inside the barrel.
Updated
What it means
A mouth mount is a mouthpiece, similar to a gum shield, with a camera mount sticking out in front. The surfer bites down and the camera sits just below their eyes, pointing forward. It caught on in surfing because it shows exactly what the rider sees - the lip throwing over, the barrel closing, the board under their feet - while both hands stay free to paddle.
Compared with a helmet or chest mount, it follows head movement, so the shot turns when the surfer looks down the line. Bodyboarders and bodysurfers use the same idea, and some skiers and snowboarders do too.
How it works in practice
Mount the camera with the lens tilted slightly down so the nose of the board and the wave face are in frame, and use a wide field of view such as SuperView or an ultra-wide mode, because the lens is so close to the action. Record 4K or 2.7K at 60 fps and keep stabilization on, since head movement adds shake.
Fit a floating backdoor or a float handle and a leash so the camera is easy to find if it slips out. Start recording on the beach and let it run through the paddle-out; many surfers only bite down as they turn to catch a wave. Expect lots of paddling POV footage between a few short rides.
What to watch out for
A wipeout with something hard in your mouth is a real risk to teeth and jaw. Think twice before using one in heavy or shallow surf, choose a soft, well-fitted mouthpiece, and let go of the bite the moment you fall. Your breathing and gurgling will also dominate the audio, so plan for music instead.
Water hits the lens constantly. Many surfers lick the lens cover before a set so water sheets off instead of beading, and a water-repellent coating keeps droplets from sitting in frame. Warm breath around a cold housing can also lead to fog on the inside of the cover, so seal the camera in dry air before the session.
How RawClip handles it
A mouth-mount session is mostly paddling and waiting, with a few seconds of riding per wave. Upload every clip to RawClip and the AI picks the rides and barrels, drops the paddling and duck-dives, and assembles a beat-synced highlight. RawClip does not remove water drops, so keep the lens clean in the water.