Global Surf Sparks: Juniors, Divas & Cold Water Lens
Hey wave riders and lens lovers! While you're waxing down sticks or framing the perfect barrel, the surf world's firing up from Vanuatu to California. Let's dive into three stories that prove stoke doesn't need a passport. First up, California's Central Coast became the ultimate women's surf playground last month when the third annual Diva Cup hit Cayucos Pier. Picture this: 30 heats of pure girl power across shortboards, longboards, and grom divisions, plus that cheeky 'Men in Heat' heat (just one, mind you). The beach transformed into a festival bubble of haircuts from salty stylists, blue corn waffles from Hidden Kitchen, and surf rock soundtracks. For competitors like Ella Pucci from Cal Poly, it's more than a contest—it's a sanctuary. 'In normal surf competitions, it’s very male dominated so it’s nice to be surrounded by a bunch of girls who are excited,' she shares. No aggression, just pure stoke.
Meanwhile, way southwest in Vanuatu, 16-year-old Manoa Tarroux just etched his name in surf history. This kid became the first Vanuatu surfer ever to win a heat at the ISA World Junior Championships in Peru, scoring 12 points against 400+ global juniors. 'Our waves in Vanuatu are really sick, mostly reefs, really slabby, long rides and close to the shore,' he told ISA media. His win isn't just personal glory—it's a lifeline. 'I hope we can get more boards so people who don’t have much money can surf every day,' he says. That's the kind of ripple effect that grows our sport. You can catch the full story right here.
Now, let's talk about chasing light and lines. Meet Conor Flanagan, an Irish photographer who turned the Atlantic's bone-chilling slabs into his office. Starting with a GoPro in his village of Standhill, he's now capturing bombs at spots like Mullaghmore—where the water's so shallow 'you’re standing in waist-deep water' while shooting. 'In the winter I’m up before sunrise and tracking the swell,' Flanagan says. 'It could mean driving anywhere from 30 minutes to three hours.' His dedication? Pure love. 'Nothing really compares to spending all winter chasing swell after swell with friends, hoping this will be the swell they catch the bomb of their life and that you’re lucky enough to capture it on film.' That's the patience and passion that makes surf photography magic. Dive deeper into his world over at The Inertia.
So whether you're charging junior heats, shredding a women's fest, or freezing your fins off for the shot, remember: every wave counts. Keep chasing that stoke, Snappers!