Gravy Charges Hawaii, Burle Warns Cameras, Santa Surfs!
This week's surf scene delivered everything from massive North Shore swells to hard-won wisdom and holiday stoke. Grab your board (and maybe reconsider that GoPro) as we dive into three stories lighting up our community.
Ben Gravy: From Weird Waves to XL Outer Reefs
Ben Gravy built his rep not on towering waves but on surfing the unexpected - from drainpipes to desert ponds. But when Hawaii's North Shore lit up with a 50-foot-plus swell, the big-wave rookie decided it was time to level up. As reported by The Inertia, Gravy joined surfing royalty like Mark Healey and Kai Lenny at Oahu's outer reefs, borrowing a Jet Ski for some hair-raising sessions. 'It feels like every year that I book a flight to Hawaii the swell of the century pops up,' Gravy quipped. While legends like John John Florence charged Pipeline, Gravy hunted 'waves that would scare him senseless' - a perfect reminder that sometimes the biggest adventures come when you least expect them.
Carlos Burle: Why Cameras and Big Waves Don't Mix
After surviving what he calls his 'worst hold-down ever' at Nazaré, Brazilian big-wave icon Carlos Burle delivered a crucial warning to surf photographers. The 58-year-old told The Inertia that holding a GoPro during the incident 'distracted him, slowed his reflexes, and complicated the rescue.' Burle, who needed vestibular physiotherapy after being trapped underwater, emphasized how crucial split-second reactions are in life-threatening situations. 'We are always looking for footage, and that can get to a point where you have a lack of attention,' he cautioned. His experience serves as a powerful reality check: sometimes the perfect shot isn't worth your life. After all, no Instagram moment is worth missing next season's swell.
Surfing Santa: Catching Waves & Catching Joy
While big-wave chargers face monsters in Hawaii, communities across the US are celebrating surf culture's softer side. The South Bay Boardriders Club recently hosted their annual Surfing Santa event on Pier Plaza, where jolly wave riders spread holiday cheer while collecting toys for charity. According to Easy Reader News, surfers in festive attire hit the waves in front of Spyder Surf, proving that giving back and catching waves go hand-in-hand. Events like these remind us that surfing isn't just about individual performance - it's about sharing the stoke with our communities. Whether you're charging in Hawaii or volunteering at your local break, the true spirit of surfing lives in connection.
From Ocean Beach's reopening to Florida's West Coast surf towns, this week proves waves come in all sizes - as do the lessons they teach us. Stay safe out there, keep your eyes on the horizon, and remember: the best shots often come when you're present in the moment, not behind a lens.