Surfing Pikachu

Surfing Pikachu in its original appearance as a TCG card

Surfing Pikachu (Japanese: なみのりピカチュウ Surfing Pikachu) is a recurring Pikachu variant, commonly depicted with a surfboard. These Pikachu know the move Surf, which, prior to Generation VIII, have only been given out in special circumstances, such as events.

In the core series games

Pokémon Yellow

File:Pikachu Beach.png

Pikachu surfing in Pikachu's Beach

The surfing Pikachu was featured in a minigame exclusive to Pokémon Yellow, called Pikachu's Beach. This can only be activated in the original editions of the games by transferring a surfing Pikachu from other games. In the Virtual Console editions, only the starter Pikachu is needed. The Surfin' Dude there apparently also has a surfing Pikachu. In addition, using Surf on the overworld with a Surfing Pikachu will show a different overworld sprite.

Surfing

Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal

Like before in Pokémon Yellow, using Surf on the overworld with a Surfing Pikachu will show a different overworld sprite. This time, Pikachu has a red surfboard if the player is male, or a blue surfboard if the player is female.

The player may receive a Surf Pikachu doll via Mystery Gift; however, this item is very rare.

Surfing (male player)
Surf Pikachu doll (Generation II)

Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver

A Surfing Pikachu can be found in Yellow Forest, an event-only Pokéwalker course. This Pikachu, when caught, can be transferred to either Pokémon HeartGold or SoulSilver. Like the Battle Revolution Pikachu, this Pikachu must forget Surf in order to be transferred to Generation V.

PIKACHU ♀

025

Pokéwalker

Lv.14

Met at Lv. 14.

-

-

None

-

Ability

Static

Can be obtained in:		D	P	Pt	HG	SS	Activation:	In-game	Event

Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon

In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, after becoming No. 1 by achieving the high scores on all four Mantine Surf courses, the player can go to the Heahea Branch of the Surf Association to receive a famous Pikachu that knows the special move Surf from the Boss of Surf Association.

Pikachu ♂/♀

025

Heahea City

Lv.40

Met at Lv. 40.

-

-

-

Can be obtained in:		S	M	US	UM

Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu!

While no Pikachu can learn Surf in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! or Let's Go, Eevee!, in the former game, the player's Partner Pikachu can use the Secret Technique Sea Skim. When using this Technique, the player and their partner surf on a surfboard to travel across water, effectively replacing the overworld function Surf used to have.

In addition to the Secret Technique, Partner Pikachu can learn the exclusive move Splishy Splash, likely inspired by Surfing Pikachu.

Generations VIII and IX

In Pokémon Sword, Shield, Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl, Scarlet, and Violet, Surf is no longer an event-exclusive move for Pikachu, and all members of the Pikachu family, including alternate forms, can learn Surf from TR04^SwSh/TM95^BDSP/TM123^SV.

In celebration of Pokémon Day 2023, a Pikachu that knows Surf and has the Water Tera Type was released in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet via the Poké Portal News. This Pikachu had the Mightiest Mark and appeared in 7★ Tera Raid Battles running from February 24 to 27, 2023 at 14:59 UTC.

Events

In addition to the methods mentioned above, Surfing Pikachu have often been distrubuted directly through events. The following is a listing of Surfing Pikachu events:

List of events featuring Surfing Pikachu

Games	Event	Language/Region	Location	Level	Distribution period
RG B	Nintendo 64 Pikachu	Japanese	Japan	5	September 21 to October 31, 1997
RG B	CoroCoro Surfing Pikachu	Japanese	Japan	?	September 1997
RB Y	Nintendo Power Pikachu	English	United States	?	October to November 1, 1999
RS E FRLG	Yokohama Pikachu	Japanese	Japan	10	March 19 to April 3, 2005
DP	2007 TCG World Championships Pikachu	English	United States	50	August 10 to 12, 2007
DP Pt	2008 Birthday Pikachu	Japanese	Japan	40	December 26, 2008 to December 25, 2009
DP Pt	Pokémon Center Yokohama Pikachu	Japanese	Japan	40	October 10 to November 3, 2008
DP Pt HGSS	2009 Birthday Pikachu	Japanese	Japan	40	December 26, 2009 to November 3, 2010
XY	Minato Mirai Landmark Tower Pikachu	All	Japan	10	August 9 to 17, 2014
XY	Minato Mirai Cosmo World Pikachu	All	Japan	10	August 9 to 17, 2014
XY	Minato Mirai Red Brick Warehouse Pikachu	All	Japan	10	August 9 to 17, 2014
XY	Minato Mirai Captain Pikachu	All	Japan	10	August 9 to 17, 2014
XY	Minato Mirai Pacifico Pikachu	All	Japan	10	August 16 to 17, 2014
ORAS	Pokémon Center Online Pikachu	Japanese region	Online	10	February 16 to August 31, 2016
XY ORAS	Pika Pika Pokémon Spa Pikachu	Korean region	Online	10	July 2 to September 30, 2016
SM USUM	Pokémon World Festival Pikachu	All	South Korea	10	April 27 to May 7, 2018

Gallery

Sprites


Overworld sprite from Yellow	Overworld sprite from Generation II (male player)

Artwork

File:LGPE Sea Skim.png

Artwork of Chase's Partner Pikachu using Sea Skim
from Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!

In the side series games

Pikachu using Surf in Pokémon Stadium

Pokémon Stadium series

This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: Clarify info on Japanese Stadium 2

Surf can be taught to a Pikachu from the player uses it in the original Japanese or its international release. In the Japanese Stadium, Surf will be taught to Pikachu if the player clears the Master Ball division of the L1-30 Division with a Pikachu in their party. The english version, the player is required to the clear the Master Ball division of the Round 2 Prime Cup with all Pokémon selected directly from a Game Pak, not saving the game during the challenge (continues are permitted), and ensures Pikachu participates in the final battle (the Pikachu can come from any Generation I game). This does not occur in the Japanese version of the game (this game is known as Pokémon Stadium 2 in Japanese). In all Stadium series games, Pikachu has a unique animation where it jumps on a pink surfboard while using the move. In addition, all of Lt. Surge's Pikachu and Raichu in the series use Surf.

Pokémon Box Ruby & Sapphire

In Pokémon Box Ruby & Sapphire, after 1499 Pokémon are stored the player will receive an Egg with a Pichu that knows ThunderShock, Charm and Surf. This Pichu, of course, can evolve into a Pikachu that knows Surf.

PICHU*

♂/♀

Dex No.

0172

Random nature.

Electric

Thunder Shock

None

Lv5

Type

Hatched: (Location hatched)

at Lv 5.

OT

(Hatcher's)
(Hatcher's)

--

ID No.

(Hatcher's)

There is no limit to this Pokémon's availability.
It may be obtained on any date, beginning from
when it was released.
It was available in all regions.

Item

Ability

None

Static

This Pokémon must forget the move Surf in order to be able to be sent to Pal Park.

This Pokémon was distributed as an Egg. The OT and ID No. of this Pokémon is the same as its hatcher's.

This Pokémon can be Shiny if hatched in a game different from the game it was received in.

Can be obtained with:		R	S	FR	LG	E

Obtained from:		Colo	XD	Box	Chn	Distribution

Pokémon Colosseum, XD: Gale of Darkness, and Battle Revolution

Because the models and animations of Generation I and II Pokémon in Pokémon Colosseum, XD: Gale of Darkness, and Battle Revolution are derived from the Stadium series, Pikachu retains the pink surfboard animation from those games.

While no distibution of Surfing Pikachu was made in Colosseum or XD, in Battle Revolution, players could download a Surfing Pikachu onto a Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, and SoulSilver game from the shop for free after defeating Pokétopia Master Mysterial for the first time. It can be downloaded by multiple games, but no two Pikachu can be downloaded by a single card. However, the Pikachu cannot be transferred foward to Generation V or later without forgetting Surf.

PIKACHU

♀

Dex No.

0025

Hardy nature.

Electric

Volt Tackle

None

Lv. 10

Lovely place

OT

PKTOPIA

Apparently had a

Electric

Thunder Wave

ID No.

06257

fateful encounter at

There is no limit to this Pokémon's availability.
It may be obtained on any date, beginning from
when it was released.
It was available in all regions.

Lv. 10.

The date this Pokémon was received is determined by the date on the DS when it was obtained from the Poké Mart.

This Pokémon must forget the move Surf in order to be able to be sent to Poké Transfer.

Can be obtained with:		D	P	Pt	HG	SS

Obtained from:		PBR	Ranch	Ra	SoA	GS	Distribution

In the spin-off games

Taking a snapshot of surfing Pikachu in Snap

Pokémon Snap

A nod to the Surfing Pikachu can be found in the game's first level, the Beach. If the player lures the Pikachu at the start of the stage near a surfboard with Pokémon food, it will hop on the board and pretend to surf, allowing the player to take its picture for bonus points.

Pokémon Trading Card Game series

Surfing Pikachu is an obtainable card in both Pokémon Trading Card Game and Pokémon Trading Card Game 2: The Invasion of Team GR!. In the first game, the player can obtain two copies by trading a Clefable card and a Chansey card with Mr. Ishihara. In the latter game, the player can obtain two copies by trading a Articuno card and a Moltres card with Ishihara. The second copy of each features the Mt. Fuji Surfing Pikachu variant originally released in the TCG through the JR Stamp Rally in September 1997.


Sprite from TCG GB	Mt. Fuji sprite from TCG GB	Sprite from TCG GB2	Mt. Fuji sprite from TCG GB2

Pokémon Channel

A Surfing Pikachu doll can be bought from Shop 'N Squirtle in Pokémon Channel.

PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure

The Surfing Pikachu appeared in PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure. By typing in a certain code , a green surfboard is unlocked, which can then be used by Pikachu so he can play Gyarados's Aqua Dash.

Region	Code
North America	02970626
PAL	84925064
Japan	78872252

Pokémon GO

Surfing Pikachu were made available for Pokémon GO's first Community Day event. During the event, players could also potentially teach existing Pikachu Surf via Charged TM. Like all special moves, Pikachu will forget Surf it it is transferred to a core series game.

Detective Pikachu

Using the Pika Prompt while near the swimming pool on the S.S. Prime Treasure will reveal Detective Pikachu standing on a surfboard. He then jokingly tells Tim that he's using Surf before falling off.

New Pokémon Snap

A female Pikachu in Blushing Beach can be lured over to a sandbank, where she'll hop on a Stunfisk, and pretend to surf on it. Taking a picture of this is required for the LenTalk Request "Near the Water's Edge". When submitting the photo, Professor Mirror will comment saying that it looks like the Pikachu is practicing surfing. Similarly, in Maricopia Reef, throwing an Illumina Orb at the Crystalbloom at the beginning of the course will cause a Mantine to appear with a Pikachu surfing on its back.

In the anime

Surfing Pikachu in the anime

Puka in the anime

Puka is a Pikachu that seems to be based on this, making its only appearance in The Pi-Kahuna.

A surfing Pikachu is mentioned in the full version of Exciting Pokémon Relay.

Ash's Pikachu later appeared riding a surfboard in The Mystery Menace and Expedition to Onix Island!.

In Battling the Beast Within!, Ash can be seen wearing a T-shirt with the Surfing Pikachu from the TCG card on it.

In the manga

Pika using Surf in Pokémon Adventures

Yellow's surfing Pikachu in Pokémon Pocket Monsters

Pokémon Adventures

Yellow arc

Yellow was able to teach Red's Pika the move Surf through the use of Substitute to create a surfboard.

Pokémon Pocket Monsters series

In Pokémon Pocket Monsters, one of Red's rivals, Yellow, has a Pikachu with surfing skills. In The Fake Pikachu!!, he uses it in battle against Red's Pikachu.

In the TCG

Surfing Pikachu originated from the Pokémon Trading Card Game. The following are cards named Surfing Pikachu.

Surfing Pikachu Cards listed with a blue background are only legal to use in the current Expanded format. Cards listed with a green background are legal to use in both the current Standard and Expanded formats.
Card	Type	English Expansion	Rarity	#	Japanese Expansion	Rarity	#
Surfing Pikachu		Wizards Black Star Promos		28	Unnumbered Promotional cards
					Unnumbered Promotional cards
					Pokémon Web		025/048
		Rising Rivals		114/111	Bonds to the End of Time		089/090
		Evolutions		111/108	XY-P Promotional cards		264/XY-P
Surfing Pikachu
Card	Type	English Expansion	Rarity	#	Japanese Expansion	Rarity	#
Surfing Pikachu		Celebrations		008/025	25th Anniversary Collection		021/127
Surfing Pikachu
Card	Type	English Expansion	Rarity	#	Japanese Expansion	Rarity	#
Surfing Pikachu		Celebrations		009/025	25th Anniversary Collection		022/127

Merchandise

20th Anniversary Special Pack: M Slowbro-EX + Surfing Pikachu

The 20th Anniversary Special Pack: M Slowbro-EX + Surfing Pikachu (Japanese: 20th Anniversary スペシャルパック「メガヤドランEX＋なみのりピカチュウ」 20th Anniversary Special Pack: MYadoranEX + Surfing Pikachu) was released on the same day as the Expansion Pack 20th Anniversary subset, September 16, 2016, in the buildup to the 20th Anniversary of the Japanese TCG. The pack features the Hermit Crab Pokémon Slowbro in both its regular and Mega Evolved forms as Pokémon-EX cards, its Spirit Link Item card, and a re-imagined version of the Surfing Pikachu promotional card originally released in 1997. All cards feature a layout reminiscent of those from the Original Era. The special pack also comes with 3 Expansion Pack 20th Anniversary booster packs.

Promotional cards:

Surfing Pikachu (XY-P Promo 264)

Product image:

20th Anniversary Special Pack:
M Slowbro-EX + Surfing Pikachu

In other languages

Language		Title
Chinese	Cantonese	会冲浪的皮卡丘 Surfing Pikachu
Chinese	Mandarin	会冲浪的皮卡丘 Surfing Pikachu
French		Pikachu surfeur
German		Surfer-Pikachu Surfendes Pikachu (TCG)
Italian		Pikachu Surf Surfing Pikachu (TCG)
Spanish		Pikachu Surf

Surfing Pikachu

In the core series games

Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal

Generations VIII and IX

Events

List of events featuring Surfing Pikachu

Gallery

Sprites

Artwork

In the side series games

Pokémon Colosseum, XD: Gale of Darkness, and Battle Revolution

In the spin-off games

Pokémon Trading Card Game series

In the anime

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Pokémon Pocket Monsters series

Merchandise

20th Anniversary Special Pack: M Slowbro-EX + Surfing Pikachu

In other languages

See also

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