Surf edits show what they want you to see.
Sort of like that “Instagram vs. reality” trend on social media. We see a manicured version of a session or someone’s season highlights. While some of the wipeouts, the lost baggage by airlines, the skunked strike missions…those get the axe in the edit bay.
At least that’s how it used to be. But more recently – on social media and in surf edits alike – there’s been a resurgence of reality, a willingness to share (often overshare) all that goes into a session or season. The good, the bad, and everything in between.
Like the clip above from Nathan Florence, which comes from the recent XL swell at Cloudbreak. It’s not an epic tube, it’s not a crazy wipeout; it’s something in between, something that probably wouldn’t typically make the highlight reel.
And yet, it’s part of the experience from the session.
It shows a surfer – not even clear if it’s Nate or not – as they’re paddling out. Not even catching a wave. A sneaker set rolls through the lineup. The surfer, obviously, is caught inside. So, they scramble, paddle their little heart out, as the bomb set approaches.
Just a little moment that likely would’ve gone unseen.
In another novel clip Nate shared from Fiji, he shows two sides to one wave – two different visions. One from the GoPro on the back of his board (“Foot pics for free!” he captioned the clip), and one from a drone overhead. Same wave.
More of these clips, please. Normalize the normal, the everyday, the humdrum experience that goes into chasing swells like this. And the steamrolling bombs, too.
***
Don’t miss another headline from SURFER! Subscribe to our newsletter, follow us on Instagram, and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of surfing. We’re always on the lookout for amusing, interesting and engaging surf-related videos to feature on our channels.
Whether you’re a professional surfer or just an amateur, we want to see your best footage and help you share it with the world. Submit your video for a chance to be featured on SURFER and our social channels. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch high-quality surf videos.