PACIFIC LONGBOARDER MAGAZINE #124

Photo Magazine

CHASING THE ESSENCE
“The WSL tour surfers are not the best surfers in the world but they are the best competitive surfers in the world,” says Kai Ellice-Flint in this 10-page profile, and as a blend of both Kai would know. Long regarded by many students of the art as one of Australia and the world’s finest free-surf longboarders, Kai’s a dedicated shaper/designer who’s had an on-again off-again relationship with competition ever since he was a standout junior. But now hitting 30, he’s also hitting his straps on the WSL World Tour and is heading into the 2025 final leg in El Salvador ranked two in the world. Writer and surf sage Rod Dale floated the idea of this piece “concentrating on equipment and attitude” and he delivered. It’s a fascinating read – buffed out with knock-out photos from Katey Shearer, Ed Sloane and Frankie Kaye.

SURFSIDE TEXAS
Yes the BBQ state! “Tucked along the Gulf Coast near Freeport lies a hidden island where time slows down and surfing isn’t just a sport - it’s a way of life. Welcome to Surfside Beach. Known for its long, soft waves and vibrant surf community, Surfside has quietly earned the nickname ‘The Malibu of Texas’, and for good reason.” Local photographer, writer and longboarder Shane Dante takes us to the heart of it.

JUNGLELAND
No fan of crowds, Matt Power is an English surfer, photographer and writer who’s spent the last few years exploring for out-of-the-way spots throughout South-East Asia: “I seek out quieter nooks on little surf missions, opting for more peaceful experiences rather than being at the most popular, pumping waves.” And in this issue’s “Jungleland” Matt takes us somewhere-or-other up the Indonesian chain to find a peeling, empty little longboard wave. And yes, they can still be found. Here’s proof.

DE MON TUBE @ TEAHUPO’O
Yep a longboard at Chopes. And it was a mission for Frenchman Louis Marchiset to just get himself there, let alone pick off a couple from the pack on a serious day. A renowned longboarder in big waves and small, Louis previously appeared in PLB in Issue 122 charging a monster barrel in Sumatra on a single-fin log. This time though he’s on a 9’1” tri-fin - captured by legendary Australian/Tahitian photographer Tim McKenna.

GETTING AWAY WITH IT
Back in Oz, we’re off on a Sunday jaunt with Evan Ledger to another empty and perfect little log wave - this one down south in WA. A partner in Moonshine Surfboards, Evan has a Masters in Architecture, is the president of the Indian Ocean Longboard Club, founder of the annual South West Log Fest, and he’s just a brilliant bloke. Evan wrote the words, and ace WA filmmaker and photographer Josh Evans brings the images. 

MAUI’S LONGBOARD EVOLUTION
Operating as DoomaPhotos, Damian “Dooma” Antico has been capturing the Maui surf scene for decades, while his mate Jack Starr has steered the annual Kimo’s Longboard Contest since the ’70s. Together they bring us this insider’s take on the various breaks on Maui and some of the great characters who ride them – including a few OGs on whoppers in amongst it. Inspiring! 

SOUTH TO FLAGLER
If you follow our weekly PLB NewsWire you’ll have seen plenty of classy vids produced by TJ Thran and his CVRRENT media company. But we had no idea TJ also shot stills and could write. A “terrain parks groomer” who works up in chilly New England, he does an annual road trip down to the balmy waters of Florida just to surf, recharge, and hang out with old friends at Flagler Beach. And yep, we hadn’t heard of Flagler either, but rapt to have TJ fill us in with a loving look at this funky spot with its thriving log culture.

LENS FLAIR
Up the front are 8 pages of wonderful surfers on great waves shot by our favourite photographers.

THE BUZZ
The Tide N Turn boardriders club in Central Queensland celebrates 60 years and writer Rod Black spins the little-known story of Gladstone’s groundbreaking position in the history of Australian surfing. Also, Hobie Surf turns 75, Malibu with mates for the MSA, and Noosa Longboards celebrates 30 years with a whole new deal on Hastings Street.

UPFRONT
A champion swimmer out of Seattle, Elizabeth Wietz upended her life to move to Hawaii, get a PHD in Psychology, work for local communities, and surf - especially relishing the windy B-grade days. 

GREY GURU
The GG graces the annual MSA Classic at his old haunt First Point Malibu where he’s right at home of course . . . except maybe for the ride there in a driverless Waymo taxi! What the . . . ?

+ THE 109th BOARD GIVEAWAY
Winner’s choice from Carabine Surfboards. You decide: A Piglet or a Shakey model, or design your own custom! Wow!”

The magazine is in English