Page 26
Pulling Guard
From the city that brought you Pelé and Fittipaldi, Paulista Gabriel Medina sacked the world surfing circuit with stone-faced equanimity. In this profile by TSJ’s Brazilian correspondent, “Biel” finally looses his tongue.
The bank was by no means a beautiful wave, but having it all to ourselves allowed us to surf completely free and be totally creative. No leashes. No forcing it on closeouts. No human obstacle courses. It proved really refreshing, and somewhat reinvigorating, to be able to ride some waves and work through design concepts without the pressure of other people weighing me down.
Page 40
Attention: Chiens Bizarres
In the Côte des Basques, respite is just around the next bend.
Page 100
Portfolio: The Hesitant Professional
From government-identification costuming to Second Reef Pipeline swimming, John Hook keeps the viewfinder level.
As the years passed, my travel mode came to focus less on editorial and increasingly on personal experience. I came to see the benefit of a less-is-more approach to traveling companions, discreet lineups, and staying as far away from the masses as possible.
Page 78
Warning Shots
Observational frames by a passport stamp collector.
Fear is a totally normal emotion that protects you, but sometimes you don’t need protection. You need to act.
Page 20
Still Rolling
An interview with Rickson Gracie.
“The act of surfing is still incredibly exhilarating, you know? I see a wave breaking and, even with the Parkinson’s, I start thinking about how I can get out there.”
Page 64
The Captain
In the no-holds-barred 1970s, Michael Larmont did it all. As a competitor, explorer, innovator, and businessman, he laid much of the groundwork for South Africa as a surfing nation.
The candles and the lighters soon went out and the apparition above the stands dissolved. Charlie’s surfing secret was safe.
Page 16
Essay: In Red Texas Dusk
A single wave reverbs across the landscape of time and space.
When a wave face bends or a lip chucks or a foamball bites—or all three at once—the 17-year-old uses his pliable frame to shapeshift his way along and through, responding to every subtle bend and twist with a complementary action of his own.
Page 76
Garrima Means Respect
Australian Lungi Slabb explores the inner reaches.
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We can lament the way things turned out for Cornelius, and pine for what might’ve been, but only if we recognize it as our remorse, not his own.
Page 90
Butch Wax
The lost art of SoCal maestro Butch Cornelius.
Page 52
Roughstock
A trio of heavyweights recall their most profound and harrowing moments in maxing Hawaiian seas.
Page 40
Time Out of Mind
A postcard from the fringe.
The Surfer’s Journal is the perfect gift for every surfer.
Page 118
Undercurrents
A stickered-eyes deterrent (based on the theory of mimicry) and a public alarm system certainly can offer big fish peace of mind, especially in the activity hotbed of Western Australia. But this North Point drainer? That’s just damn-the-risk enticement.
Without even waiting for a set, Sam grabbed a nine-foot gun and jumped in the water. He just knew it was good, and, as soon as he entered the lineup, an oil-slick 12-foot set came through. Perfectly positioned, he swooped into a wave and rode it immaculately.
Page 124
Best I Ever Saw
The Workman’s Approach: Sam Jervis displays humbling Southern hospitality.
Page 124
Surfing Around
All in My Head: Reality and reveries from beachside rambling.
Purist surf energy from Page One to close-of-book, delivered directly to your door.
