Prime optics from 16 of the world’s best shooters.
“At first flash of Eden/ We race down to the sea,” from “Waiting for the Sun,” by the Doors: Pacha Lina Luque Light, gone fishing away from the New South Wales crowds. Photograph by Nick Green.
Noah Wegrich, en route to scratch the itch in frigid Bering Sea soup after days of no waves. “I shot this from the warmth of the weathered house we were staying in,” says photographer Mark McInnis. “It was the most comfortable photo I took during the entire trip.”
Gearóid Mcdaid, sprinting toward the jump-off at rainbow’s terminus, Ireland. Photograph by Tristan Keroullé.
Ben Bourgeois, inside what all hope to find at land’s end in the Outer Banks, North Carolina. Photograph by Patrick Ruddy.
“Bryce Young’s surfing during this session redefined what’s possible on finless craft at Jeffreys Bay,” says photographer Mike Ruthnum. “He was doing powerful laybacks, snaps, floaters, airs, and getting barreled on that alaia. I call him ‘The Wizard of Oz.’”
A Kiwi-flavored First Point. “Miki Dora hid out here in the early ’70s,” says photographer Logan Murray. “He’d walk to this wave through a green valley of grazing cattle, in his Levi’s and an ornate leather belt with US silver dollars stitched to it, boards and wetsuit under arms.”“During my morning walk along this shoreline,” says Murray, “I’ll occasionally pick up a tired-out lobster that’s been washed ashore, carry it home, cook it up, and enjoy it with an avocado for breakfast. Sometimes I’ll get a good photo, too.”With Australian salmon in the surf zone—and being preyed upon by big fish—Shane Dorian and photographer Duncan Macfarlane take their chances in abundant water near Margaret River. “[This photo] is a striking reminder of how inextricably linked the sport of surfing is to the natural environment it takes place in,” says Macfarlane.Searching for Stephanie Gilmore? A lined-up right point is a good place to start. Photograph by Andrew Shield.Griffin Colapinto, Western Australia. “Griff was working on a video part and surfing like he was in a video game,” says photographer Kim Feast. “We stayed out until last light, when he went into orbit on this one.”Pacha Light, mid-cross-step down the glitter strip. Photograph by Nick Green.Dave Rastovich, cutting Indonesian glass. “As usual, Dave was in sizzling form—beyond fifth gear,” says photographer Nathan Oldfield. “He was going so fast through this turn that I could hear the water hurtling off his rail. He’s riding an eight-year-old 6’3″ twin-fin shaped by Gary McNeill and glassed with flax cloth. It’s the only board he brought on our month-long trip.”When not standing on ’QS contest podiums or spearing sea hogs, 15-year-old Eden Walla is pulling into heavy Mainland Mexico tubes. “I haven’t always loved surfing big waves,” says Walla, “but my brother pushes me to be better. I become more confident with each heavy-water session. Now, I’m never satisfied—I always want to be a little deeper on a wave that’s a little bigger.” Photograph by Matthew Smith. North Shore–based quadragenarian Flynn Novak continues to push the limits of progression. His pursuit of a stylish and functional backflip started in his teens and took him eight years to land, and he’s been riding away clean for more than a decade. Here, he’s three-quarters of the way through the rotation of his signature Flynnstone Flip. Photograph by Christa Funk.
“Kelly Slater texted me, ‘Wanna hit the Box tomorrow? I’m keen to send it,’” says photographer Kim Feast. “It was after he got knocked out of the Margaret River contest, and I think he wanted to blow off some steam. Boy, did he ever—until one too many late drops snapped his board. It was incredible watching how easily he navigated through so many slabbing caverns.”
Seth Moniz, exemplar of Hawaiian style. Photograph by Shane Grace.
North Shore sandbar inspection. Photograph by Shane Grace.
Mason Barnes, Mullaghmore, Ireland. “This wave reminded me of Shipstern Bluff back home in Tasmania,” says photographer Nick Green. “I got a little too confident while swimming the inside. The reef boil sucked me into the impact zone, and I wore two sets on my head. It took me 30 minutes to swim back out. I made it to the channel right when the end bowl flared over Mason.”
Craig Anderson’s unmistakable silhouette, rapping on the back door. “This beachbreak always provides interesting material,” says photographer John Respondek. “I love the secondary wave pitching in the background.”
“This was a solid and clean 6- to 8-foot day at Teahupoo,” says photographer Ben Thouard. “When Mateia Hiquily took off, I could already feel the west bowl sucking water off the reef. I was in the perfect spot, and I had to fight to stay in position until the very last second to get under his rail. I hadn’t shot with a fisheye in a long time, so it felt good to get this photo.” Lourenço Borges de Sousa, Ireland. “I wanted to drop in from behind the peak,” says de Sousa, “so I let go of the rope too early. It was sketchy—but I was on a fast 5’11” twinzer by Adrokultura. I was mesmerized by the sunlight’s illumination of the lip.” Photograph by Ryan “Chachi” Craig.
[Feature image: Aperture dilation and North Shore night moves. Photograph by Shane Grace]
