Innholdsfortegnelse for #374 - Autumn 2025 i Surfing Life

Nhundu wanhtharra, surfing gals, guys, groms and grandmasters. Welcome to 2025, the year we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Surfing Life magazine! Like most underdog tales, our origin story reveals how SL started in 1985 as the overlooked younger grom—the first national surf mag based in Queensland, specifically at the mecca of Australia’s world-class waves on Yugambehspeaking Country, the Gold Coast. This type of hero shows an underdog whose greatest disadvantage (and its strength) is that they are persistently disregarded by “The Suits” (the establishment, a group of uptight, land-locked, culture vultures). The Suits branded surfers as “beach bums”, taunting that surfing is not an actual sport nor could develop into a legitimate business, let alone a genuine industry. Forty years later (and a gazillion stories and shots), SL’s journey…

Smooth as the liquid he glides across, Parko exudes style. Sure, speed, power and flow are important (standard), and the seven-year retiree has them all, except Joel Leslie Parkinson has more premium performance mods: a buttery flow, silky speed, and controlled power—yep, that’s Parko. Plenty has been written about the 2012 World Champ and three-time Triple Crown king, and we have penned and photo’d a lot of it. However, to celebrate Surfing Life’s 40th Anniversary, we check-out Parko’s rear-view mirror, foot flat to the floor, skidding round a dog-leg bend, windows down, hair snarled by the squall— ’cause looking back can help us appreciate what’s ahead. SL: Welcome to the 40th Anniversary of Surfing Life. JP: Ooooh right, it’s great to be a part of it. How has the surfing…

Morrison’s thirty-year journey heading its flagship publication, ASL, was based in Jellurgal (Burleigh Heads) with ocean views and anticipated lunch ’n’ surf breaks. (Australia’s) Surfing Life’s first issue was in August 1985, and forty years later, Peter lives in Byron Bay and still surfs a few times a week. He’s searching the sealine to scan the future of surf media. SL: We are celebrating 40 years at Surfing Life. As the founder, what place do you see print magazines in the future? PM: I think print will survive as a nostalgic channel and continue being an important part of the Surfing Life brand. Do you see the return to traditional forms of media as a good thing, and do you think it will last, i.e., vinyl records, printed books, and…

Finding proper balance can take an entire life, yet twelve-year-old Leihani makes it look easy. Lei trains hard and is professional (during interviews, online and when featured on TV), yet she knows how to joke, have fun and act her age. Lei loves surfing and is brutally honest about her competitive drive. Lei says, “My contest results don’t define me.” Her achievements include winning every single heat in under-14s last year, the 2022 Nanga Mai Award for outstanding performance in sport, the 2024 Skullcandy champion (under-14s), the 2024 Occy Grom Comp champion (under-14s), the 2024 Byron Boardriders Club champion (open women’s and under-18s), the 2024 NSW State champion (under-14s), plus more. Still, Lei is equally as passionate about connecting with all kinds of people and sharing her love of the…

Surfing, for all its beauty, glory, down carves, finners and stand-up cones, there are things about this sacred dance that are not always rainbows and butterflies. Navigating and polishing the turds of the surfing experience can transform those minor blips to keep you coming back. REEF CUTS Surfing a tropical reef break is undoubtedly one of the premier surfing experiences. But, one thing you’ll learn very quickly is that the reef doesn’t move much when you slam into it on a wipeout. Ping-ponging off sharp coral heads is as fun as it sounds, and the lasting tattoos from your reef cuts will give you stories to tell for years to come. These little slashes and scratches can get infected by bacteria in the ocean and debris from the reef itself,…

Every blockbuster film, binge-able TV series or bestselling novel starts with a sizzling scene: high emotion, unwanted surprise element, and out-of-control consequences that smash those rose-coloured sunnies. SURF TRAVELLER’S GUIDE: G – GET comfortable with being uncomfortable. U – UNDERSTAND the place’s culture: be empathetic (not judging or using unfavourable comparisons), and be curious (learn the language, research history and traditional owners). I – I am accountable for my actions and knowledge. I am a visitor to someone’s home (sea country). I will meet a local surf guide—listen, learn, and respect their surf community. D – DO it for the memories and personal growth (when plans go wrong), adding to your life’s story—keep a travel journal. E – ENVIRONMENTAL support: Use a safe sunscreen for you and the reef, carbon…

“GOT THE NEED FOR SPEED? LET’S GET ZOOMING.” For a good decade or so, Mick Fanning was the undisputed fastest surfer in the world. Moulded on the zippy right-handers of Queensland’s Gold Coast with Darren Handley’s DHDs under his feet, White Lightning was renowned for his relentless speed and constant drive in waves of all sizes all over the world. Nowadays, the title is much more up for grabs, depending on who you’re asking. Some say Filipe Toledo’s small-wave pace on his quiver of SharpEyes is hard to top. Others believe no one goes anywhere near as fast as John Florence in a full-rail carve atop a Pyzel Ghost. Even the trendy cats at your local, zipping down the line on finless soft tops, reckon they’re a shot at the…