Hi there surfer,
If you’re new to the shaka: welcome!
I’m happy to share that this newsletter just got out of a deep hibernation. It has been a long winter away from the ocean, but we can see better times and endless waves ahead.
In the meantime, we have been organising new surf trips and tweaking old ones. We’re looking forward to improve together, share the stoke and surf, surf, surf from this Spring onwards! (down here 👇 a photo of a Portuguese wave that makes us drool every single time)
So here we are, back with an irregularly-delivered list of links to our favorite surf videos and stories. A mix of interestingness, entertainment, adrenaline and – why not – some much needed escapism.
Winter in Oahu
For surfers, winter is often synonymous with migrating somewhere warmer and at the ocean. For skilled and professional surfers, this means going to the North Shore of Oahu, in Hawaii. Considered to be the ultimate surfing proving ground, every year we get to enjoy the best surfers in the world tackling waves like Pipeline, Sunset and Waimea.
Mason Ho and 30 minutes of friends trading perfect and treacherous waves at the Pipeline. Come for 62 years old Michael Ho on a bomb and the incredible soundtrack, stay for two people barrel and the wipeout section mid-video.
Having grown up right in front of Pipeline, John John Florence makes surfing these deadly waves almost... too easy? This is how good surfing in waves of consequence looks like -> JJF: Valentine Swell.
You know what’s as dangerous as surfing this kind of waves? Shooting photos and videos of them from the water. Here is a spotlight on the big-wave female photographers of Hawaii.
Pure stoke
There’s many surfing videos released online every week. These were the ones that made us stop, stare and ask ourselves “Wait, what?!?”.
What were you doing at 13? Me, I was tired of riding the waves prone and in the process of figuring out if my small frame could stand up on a bodyboard. Sierra Kerr, she is getting barrelled and throwing airs in the Mentawaiis. Ok.
Fast, silly, raw, exciting surfing. Harry Bryant attacks every section with reckless abandon and makes you wonder how is knee joints are holding up. If you’re looking for hi-fi surf action, BIOHAZ is as good as it gets.
We haven’t been to Morocco this winter and we miss everything about it; watching Asher Pacey stylishly surfs our favorite waves makes us dream of being there even more. Asher Pacey won’t go left, and why would he when these are the rights on offer.
This is where the newsletter ends, but not before thanking Aaron for being a great mate and checking in. Aaron here we are and we can’t wait to surf together soon once more!
Remember to surf, yes, but also to check in on close friends, distant relatives and even random strangers. Small acts of thoughtfulness can make someone else’s day much brighter.
Stay stoked,
gian & the surf tribe