Savage wave took no prisoners | Surfing Australia

A brutal session, everyone copped a flogging in relentless, gnarly conditions. Kudos to all the surfers, there was so much water moving out there, amazing to watch.

WARNING: Contains slow-mo

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A dramatic civilian rescue

A dramatic civilian rescue has restored hope off the coast of Margarita Island. After drifting at sea for five days following an apparent mechanical failure and the subsequent sinking of his vessel, a humble artisanal fisherman was found alive in Caribbean waters.

The rescue operation was carried out by fellow fishermen who were patrolling the area. "God is great; He put us on the right path to rescue this man," the rescuers recounted, visibly moved, upon finding the only survivor reported so far.

📋 Details of the incident so far:

Time at sea: 5 days, enduring dehydration and extreme sun exposure.

The discovery: Made possible thanks to the solidarity of allied civilian vessels that continued their voluntary patrols.

Crew status: Four people were on board; one survivor was rescued, while three colleagues—who unfortunately did not share the same fate—remain the subject of an active search.

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Coastal rescue teams, volunteers, and family members are not giving up; they are keeping the maritime search active in hopes of finding the rest of the crew. The rescued fisherman is currently receiving emergency medical care to stabilize his condition.

 

A NEW START IN THE ATLANTIC | John John Florence

Video by John John Florence.

We're in a new part of the world! It's been fun to learn a new boat and be somewhere that's a first to all of us. Total contrast to everywhere else we've been. Sailing here was really cool, it was all just a flat shallow shelf of the clearest water we've ever seen. Close to the islands or sailing between islands it was all ten feet deep. No barrier reefs, or deep water passes to navigate so it changed the whole feel of exploring somewhere new. Thank you to everyone we met who showed us the way and shared their waves!

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SAND SLAB | Puerto Escondido

Days after Puerto Escondido’s historic June swell, something unexpected appeared.

A brand-new sandbar formed in a completely different section of the beach, creating fast, hollow, and incredibly fun waves. They weren’t the biggest waves of the season—but they were some of the cleanest and most exciting.

Local surfers and visiting chargers quickly realized this place was special. During the session, both Kurt Rist and Charly Quivront started calling it “Sand Slab”—and the name stuck.

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This video documents the first days of this unique setup, featuring perfect barrels, clean lines, and a look at how one giant swell completely reshaped the coastline.

If you enjoy raw surf sessions, heavy barrels, and the constantly changing nature of Puerto Escondido, this one is for you.

🌊 Filmed in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico.

KIKIRIBU - Kepa Acero and Havana surfers exploring the hidden coastline and local culture of their...

A raw and authentic journey where Kepa, along with a community of Havana surfers, travels through Cuba to meet local communities and discover the people, places, and stories along the way.

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Edited by Jon Aspuru, KIKIRIBU (19 min) takes us on a surf trip focused on roots, where the itinerary is shaped by the locals they encounter along the way. Surfing becomes an excuse to discover Cuba's rich culture, its lifestyle, and the true spirit of its people.

KIA’I KAI: The Story of the Hawaiian Water Patrol

Year after year, this team of elite watermen dedicate themselves to ensuring surfers safety during Hawaii’s most extreme big wave sessions. KIA’I KAI takes you behind the scenes of this esteemed group, diving deep on their decades long history and highlighting how they approach the world's heaviest waves.

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MERGE | A Billabong Team Surf Film

No fixed concept for why a crew of team riders found themselves chasing swell and bogging four-wheel drives across Australia and Fiji. And yet, somehow, everywhere the team went, the ocean fired up. Ethan Ewing went to Fiji – scored. Lennix Smith invited Eithan Osbourne, Willis Droomer and Taylor Bartlet to surf out the front of his house – scored. Creed McTaggart went home to WA – scored.

So, with a ton of footage and no real storyboard, Billabong filmer Thomas Crews got busy mashing the trips into a 20-minute film that is reminiscent of iconic 90s Australian surf films like Pulse.

A true Merge of unforgettable travel missions.

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Think big gaffs, unadulterated power, gaping tubes – all rail, minimal tail; the sort of surfing that brings tears of joy to Occy’s eye.

Starring: Ethan Ewing, Lennix Smith, Creed McTaggart, Willis Droomer, Eithan Osbourne and introducing Taylor Bartlett.

Filmed in: Western Australia, Victoria, Fiji and NSW South Coast. 

Surfing South America's Most Dangerous Slab | Koa Smith

"Hands down one of the scariest waves I've ever surfed. South America doesn't care how prepared you think you are! This place will humble you fast, crack something open, and leave you wanting more." 

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Koa Smith travels to South America to test personal limits while navigating a notoriously technical reef break. Through careful observation of the lineup and strategic adjustments, the search for the perfect ride involves overcoming internal hesitation to embrace the challenge of these intense, shallow waves.

In Indonesia...

In Indonesia, there is an island called Lembata, located in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). The island is small, but the world knows it. It has a village called Lamalera, famous for its traditional whale hunting tradition called "Baleo." 

This tradition has existed since the 17th century, using traditional sailing boats called paledang and special spears called tempuling. Lamalera fishermen have strict rules, such as only catching certain types of whales (specifically sperm whales or koteklema) and not targeting young or nursing whales. 

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Before starting a whale hunt, the locals, mostly Catholic, hold a Leva mass to ask for blessings for a successful and safe expedition. These chosen hunters carry the paledang out to sea and begin chanting mantras. If a whale passes by, the spearman will immediately throw the spear at it, usually from the bow of the boat. 

This whale hunting tradition has become a hallmark of Lamalera fishermen.