Visual surf stimuli from the game’s best photographers.
A serene look at high turbulence: Building swell at Teahupo‘o, as seen from way outside and behind the takeoff point. From this angle and in the early morning light, the lineup seems relatively inviting—but mortals, take heed. Photograph by Ben Thouard.
Two takes on tropical reef pass composure from opposite ends of the spectrum. (Left) Koa Smith turns to functionality, with a re-sectioning brake check at Cloudbreak. Photograph by Nick Liotta. (Right) Harry Bryant channels his inner [name your favorite style icon from yesteryear] in the Banyaks. Photograph by Tom Hawkins.
“I was hoping to shoot this set with a blank canvas in front of me,” says photographer Anthony Fox of this Cape Town beachbreak, “but this mutt walked into the frame. I guess even he knew this was a good one.”“This wave roams,” says photographer Mark McInnis of this Panama slab. “It’s easy to get caught on the wrong end of it. Though I’m sure Wyatt McHale wishes he was close enough to swing for it here.”
(Left) Clovis Donizetti and his Cooperfish Flex Pig leave their brief mark at Côte des Basques, Biarritz, France. Côte des Basques is mostly famous for its castle, La Villa Belza, but, among surfers, it’s also known for its stairs. Called Les Cent Marches (The Hundred Stairs), they must be trekked in order to go to and from the beach. Photograph by Thomas Lodin. (Right) A touch of tire deflation can preserve your dentistry on backroads in Mexico, but spare a thought for those sidewalls. Photograph by Harry Mark. An unidentified but well-sorted tube hound slots into welcomed repetition, Newcastle Beach. Photograph by Tom Hoy.Bronson Meydi hits the inside track in sixth gear, Sumbawa. Photograph by Chris Klopf.South Australian framing. Photograph by SA Rips.
Pipeline, in abstraction. Lucas Godfrey (left) displays the drama of a miss, while Ivan Florence (right) redirects post-make. Photographs by Shane Grace.By now, pretty much anything happening in a wave pool should be absorbed side-eyed. It’s too structured, too formulaic. Clay Marzo, however, is not just anything happening. Photograph by Jimmy Metyko.A mostly non-surf audience finds a doubled-up attraction as vacation entertainment. Photograph by Kenny Hurtado. Nils Schweizer, Mainland Mexico. “Nils has a natural ability to read this spot properly,” says photographer Justin Smith, “which isn’t easy for most surfers, even top-level pros. He’s always deep, never forces it, and pulls into just about anything. He’s one of the most underrated tube riders in the world.”
