If there’s one literary genre that’s ideally suited for summertime beach reading, it’s surf fiction. Admittedly, it’s a niche that’s tough to take seriously sometimes. A large slice of fictional surf narratives rely on tired clichés, overused and abused beach lingo, and one-too-many references to eye-catching tanlines.

But there are exemptions, and there’s an elite few who have crafted notable tales that appeal to wave-riders and non-beach folk alike. These authors penned stories that focus less on the sand and the sex, and more on the unusual characters that are drawn to surfing — a sport that, for much of the 20th century, existed on the fringe of respectable society.

Here’s a list of five authors who have knack for examining beach culture, drawing readers into the lives of people who feel right at home amongst the pounding surf: