Surfing World Magazine

Surfing World is the oldest, deepest and most respected surfing magazine in the world. Founded in 1962, it's become a cornerstone of surfing culture both in Australia and right around the globe. It's a premium, high concept magazine, showcasing the best surf writing and photography. It's both classic and contemporary, reflecting the kaleidoscopic surfing culture of today.

Surfing World

TWO AUTUMN DAYS IN OCTOBER

Surfing World Magazine

DARKEST BEFORE DAWN

THE NARRABEEN SANDS — signs of life • In late spring, for two mornings at least, Narrabeen looked a lot like Narrabeen used to. Almost, anyway. You were either there or you weren’t. Terry Fitzgerald was, but TF doesn’t like big calls when it comes to his home break. “Well,” – he harrumphs, before leaving it hanging in classic TF style, causing the person making the big call to panic (me) preparing for the inevitable TF counterpoint – “Well, I actually agree.” After the shock, TF comes in again, “But…” – a similar pause follows – “… it was maybe 50 per cent of what Narrabeen used to be. But there were signs of life.”

RAHASIA OMBAK—Indonesia’s last great secret wave… then a guy paddles off the beach on a single-fin like it’s 1980 again. • There aren’t many surfers who can keep a secret. I mean, what would you do if you stumbled across gaping eightfoot tubes breaking in bathtub temp water with no one else around? Could you put a lid on your froth and keep this rare gem stashed in your back pocket? Or do you tell a mate or two, post a pic on Insta and bask in the vainglory of your discovery to risk ruining it forever?

PACIFIC ROCK — Between Forster and Na Pali, the whole Pacific in one island

LANCE KNIGHT, BEFORE THE LEFT, BEFORE THE RIGHT—Captain Seaweed Part 1

IN THE CANOEWITH MR. BRASUR—Captain Seaweed Part 2

FULL MOON OVER KATIET—Captain Seaweed Part 3

WHILE LANCE LEFT, SHANNON STAYED—a new life in the islands

HARRY’S DONE HIMSELF A MISCHIEF — Motel Hell is the front bar of Harry Bryant’s mind

ROADSONG 1982 Surfing World Photo Annual 7 • SW’s most iconic issue… reproduced cover-to-cover.

“PS: NOT A FOOTMARK ON THE BEACH” A letter from Dick Evans

THE NINE-0 SHORTBOARD — Lachie Rombouts and his spiritual vehicle

“YOU CAN’T ESCAPE YOURSELF AS EASILY AS THAT” The Road to Patagonia Part 1

“THE WORLD IS FULL OF PERSONS, ONLY SOME OF THEM HUMAN” The Road to Patagonia Part 2 • There’s a moment in The Road to Patagonia when Matty Hannon – protagonist, filmmaker, surfer – stands, surveying the damage to his Kombi van, which has just flipped and rolled off a remote Alaskan highway. He’s unscathed, but in the background of the shot, transporting oil to Valdez, lies the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline. It’s a neat, if accidental, piece of symbolism: even in the wilderness, we’re never far from the long reach of exploitation.

GROUNDED FOR LIFE Noah Hassett has been a naughty boy • Having kids is the most important thing you can ever undertake in life. One that comes with no manual, endless responsibilities and a financial umbilical cord that only gets severed when you die. But it can also be the most rewarding. Magic moments to cherish and behold for the rest of your days. But the antics of a testosterone-juiced teen are not one of them. Just ask my mate, Richie Hassett.

KINGSWOOD COUNTRY—Dean Dampney and the quiet corners of surfing • I’ve been trying to take photographs like Dean Dampney for twenty years now. We’re mates. He’s told me his secrets and sometimes bargains off his used gear to me when he upgrades. So there have been times – plenty of times – when I’m using the same gear and slipstreaming the same postproduction techniques, and yet, at the end of the day, there are my photos and there are Deano’s photos and a Nullarbor Plain between.

NGURRA...