What is surfing today? When it came time to sit down and plan the first issue of SURFER in nearly five years, that’s the question we asked ourselves. One of the beautiful things about the sport, culture and lifestyle of surfing is that it’s in a constant state of evolution and largely defies definition. Ask 10 people what surfing means to them and you’re bound to get 10 different answers. So, what is surfing today?
As we’ve just seen with the inspired performances of Caroline Marks, Kauli Vaast and the rest of the Olympic wave-riders, the sport of surfing has never been showcased on such a massive stage. The now iconic image of Gabe Medina levitating out of a heavy west bowl came to define the 2024 Games. There’s no doubt that in 10 years there are going to be surfers competing in the Olympics that were inspired to pick up a board because of what they just saw in Tahiti.
Ryan "Chachi" Craig
But as 11-time world champion Kelly Slater astutely points out in the new issue, “The sporting side of surfing is just a small aspect for the average person, if at all. You have 20 million people around the world surfing, maybe tens of millions more than that, and the sporting side is non-existent for almost every one of those people.”
In this new issue of SURFER, we find Slater reflecting on his myriad of accomplishments and looking towards what the future may hold in store. Five-time world champ and Olympic gold medalist Carissa Moore shares her journey from the male-dominated lineup at Kewalo Basin when she was a kid to reveling in where the next generation of young women are taking the sport. And among the leaders of that new vanguard of women, Caity Simmers steps to the mic for an exclusive conversation with SURFER. We also rounded up a cadre of today’s most elite big-wave chargers and got their take on where the unridden realm stands.
But to Kelly’s point, there are more stories to be told than those of our surf heroes alone. This issue also features a touching tribute to the late, great SURFER lensman Art Brewer. There’s an in-depth piece about the disastrous environmental impact of mineral mining along South Africa’s wave-rich coast. We checked in with intrepid explorer Captain Martin Daly. True to form, he’s been uncovering new wave fields and fending off pirates. And at the behest of artist Thomas Campbell, the power of the surfboard is brought to light through the relationship of Ryan Burch and Bryce Young.
“You try to get your first picture in the magazine, your first ad, your first full page. Try to get a spread or a poster or a cover,” Kelly explained. “It was such a thing to aspire to in surfing as a young guy coming up. I was so excited when I saw my name in there for the first time. It was an ESA result…second place, Central Florida. It made me feel like I was achieving something. You’re trying to do this little thing in your little town, and you get recognized around the world in the magazine you love.”
That brings us to the new cover. As we were trying to figure out the best way to celebrate the resurgence of SURFER, who better to land on the front of the book than the GOAT himself? For over 30 years he’s taken us on an unimaginable ride. From his world titles, to innovations in surfboard design and wave pools, to his unflinching commitment to the environment and making the world a better place, it just feels right to have Kelly on the cover of this issue.
A huge thank you to Kelly, Carissa, Caity, and all the other surfers, writers, photographers, editors and creative folks that made this issue what it is. And thank you to all of the advertisers in the magazine. The surf industry is at a crossroads, and we’re honored to be arm in arm with everyone making a rad surf magazine, celebrating our heroes and inspiring everyone to get out there and just go surfing—whatever that means to you.
The new issue of SURFER will officially go on sale on August 23, 2024. Copies will be available online, as well as a fine retailers throughout the United States.
Special collector’s merch from this historic SURFER cover will also be available. Stay tuned for more details to come.
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