48 Hours on Shifting Sand
By Alex Dick-Read
From TSJ 31.5
The author’s casual trespassing and embedded reporting on the land development on Barbuda—and the potential access and environmental implications of the project for one of the world’s most elusive and idyllic waves—had all the ingredients for me. Paired with Al Mackinnon’s stunning photography, it was the kind of piece that offered travel, adventure, and important context and information, elements that made me excited to be working with everyone who had a role in planning it and putting it together. —Alex Wilson, Editor
Stranger in a Strange Sea
Words by Jon Cohen | Photos by Leigh Weiner
From TSJ 31.2
I like surprise. No offense, but I’m frontrunner’d out. Griffin, Stoner, and the Free Ride generation have been so editorially mortared and pestled that they’ve become like “Stairway to Heaven”—fondly recalled, but you don’t need to hear it again until, oh, 2042. At some point, Gerry himself tires of Pipe water shots. So Leigh Wiener’s photographs and story hit me, low key, like hearing Television’s Marquee Moon after being forced to listen, Clockwork Orange-fashion, to Robert Plant bustling through your hedgerow. Seeing the native photo files, I did a Labrador head tilt, riveted and attentive, my attention straight gotten. —Scott Hulet, Creative Director
Regaining Control
Words and Art by Rainer Fetting
From TSJ 31.6
I’ve always been interested in areas where surfing spills into other cultures. Outside perspective is often surprising. Fetting’s words and art are a testament to surfing’s universal draw. —Jim Newitt, Art Director
The Station Hand
By Will Bendix
From TSJ 31.1
Imogen Caldwell’s surfing origin is a common one: kid finds a trashed board, fixes it up, and starts riding waves. Unlike most surfers, she grew up on a remote, world-class left point in West Oz. “It demands a do-or-die approach,” Caldwell says. And she never hesitated to huck herself over the ledge and into the maw. Despite being a mainstream fashion model, who’s often summoned to metropolitan hubs for shoots, there’s no place she’d rather be than parked in a reeling tube at home in the desert. The author’s words combined with scenic imagery show us Imogen’s beautiful and rugged world. —Ben Waldron, Associate Editor
Peak Print
By Sean Doherty
From TSJ 31.2
The author gives us a great behind-the-scenes look into the Bruce Channon and Hugh McLeod era of Australia’s Surfing World magazine. The influence of SW’s photos, art, storytelling, and production quality is still felt here at TSJ today. This feature is a much needed celebration of independent print media. —Kevin Voegtlin, Assistant Photo Editor
Lonely in the Pacific
By Derek Rielly
From TSJ 31.1
Ingredients: A small landmass 400 miles from anywhere even remotely considered bustling, year-round subtropical air and water temps, a variety of fickle setups that qualify as world class on their day with nary a surfer to be found, a local population staunchly anti-development. Penned by an author whose curiosity and charm knows no equal in surfing’s circle, you’ll want to dump your devices in the trash and scour the map by story’s end. —Whitman Bedwell, Editor at Large
Nordic Blood. Tropic Heart.
Photos by Arto Saari | Introduction by Ben Waldron
From TSJ 31.6
It’s great to see the North Shore through a fresh set of eyes. Especially those of former Thrasher Skater of the Year Arto Saari, who moved to Hawaii and started documenting relentlessly. His work shows how he’s been welcomed with open arms by the tight-knit community. This portfolio is a great look at his work so far, and his access and photography skills will continue to produce special North Shore imagery in the coming years. —Grant Ellis, Photo Editor
Solving For X
Words and photos by Mark McInnis
From TSJ 31.4
From its timeline structure to its breathtaking photography, this feature offered a sense of mystique that left me hungry for adventure. The chaos of the entire expedition made it relatable. Traveling is never easy, especially when the destination is an island in the middle of the Bering Sea. This nail-biting tale is of dream scale, and inspires me to seek out similar surfing experiences. —Lauren Garnett, Editorial Intern
