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Don't Sweat The Big Stuff
Why Big Waves Have Made Us Dishonest And Lazy, And Why Small Waves Represent Everything Good About Surfing
By Brad Melekian

Say what you will about the Chinese-made surfboard, the Australian pink T-shirt, surf-industry commoditization, lineup overcrowding, and the brief-but-disturbing return of the beavertail wetsuit, but the most destructive element to be foisted on the surfing population in the past decade has unequivocally been the big wave.

Consequently, it has also been the most absurd.

High Roller
Girls, clubs, casinos, videos: Taj Burrow has had it all. Now he just wants a world title
By Tim Baker

Taj Burrow cracks open a ginger beer as he takes in the sweeping view of the Gold Coast’s famous beaches from the windows of his plush, high-rise apartment at Burleigh Heads. “This is the only kind of beer I’ll be touching for a while,” he laughs.
  

It’s early February and Taj hasn’t touched a drink in the month since he embarked on the most grueling preseason training of his career. Three weeks out from the season opener, the Quiksilver Pro, and Taj is already ensconced in his Gold Coast base, tuning his quiver, surfing his brains out, and subjecting himself to the strict regime of his personal trainer and prominent “Bra Boy,” John Gannon.

Trading Waves With China: Foraging Through The Forgotten Philippines
Words and Photos by Cory Scott

I’m not sure who decided to lend a bunch of surfers a pair of A-Team-style vans equipped with police lights and sirens, but this being the Philippines and all, I knew the prospect carried some inherent national-security risks. The ex-government vehicles we rode in had been purchased recently by our hosts, and the official plates, sirens, and lights were still intact. The temptation to abuse these false badges of authority was something I knew our crew wouldn’t be able to resist and, sure enough, minutes into our adventure, we caved when Manila’s crushing traffic offered the perfect opportunity. After a quick debate on the worst-case scenarios, the crew inside our van flipped the switch. 

Exposure

A collection of jarring images that have floated across the desk of Photo Editor, Grant Ellis. Enjoy