By the early ’60s, Californian Phil Edwards was already widely regarded as the best surfer in the world. In a surfscape dominated by trim and flow, his early commitment to powerful on-rail surfing, combined with elegant grace, set him apart from his peers. In 1962 he became the first surfer to successfully ride the Banzai Pipeline on the North Shore of Oahu, and for the following half-decade his skills and exploits continued to affirm that he was one of the sports brightest stars. Even after stepping away from the limelight during the shortboard revolution, Edwards’ athletic presence, powerful approach and commitment to performance continued to influence the very best among surfing’s elite.