Shark Scare, Jersey Waves & Mikey Magic: The Surf World Never Sleeps
Hey Surf Snappers! Whether you're a surfer stoked on your session or a photographer hunting that perfect shot, the ocean always has something cooking. Let's dive into the latest buzz from the surf world.
California Surfer vs. Shark: A Close Call in Mendocino
Picture this: you're paddling into a pristine wave in Gualala, California, when suddenly you're hit with the force of a car. That's exactly what happened to Tommy Civik last week. About 10 minutes after entering the water, a shark slammed into him, snapping his board in half and shredding his wetsuit. The 26-year-old surfer, hailing from nearby Point Arena, didn't even see the shark coming but knew instantly what it was. In a wild moment of survival, he just put his head down and swam fast, making it back to shore with only the tail of his board left. His friend Marco Guerrero watched from a nearby sandbar, describing the attack as 'violent' with the shark's tail 'whipping' high above the water. You can read the full story over at Beritaja.
Ben Gravy's 'Mini J-Bay' in New Jersey
What do you do when you return from a Hawaiian surf trip and find blown-out conditions at home? If you're Ben Gravy, you wait for the sun to rise and catch a 'mini J-Bay' in New Jersey. Yep, you read that right. Gravy, who's known for his global surf adventures, found himself stoked on a south swell that cleaned up right in his backyard. After a hurricane and winter storm season that's been weird for waves, he caught a moment of perfection. He called it a 'mini J-Bay,' which might be a bit of a stretch, but if you were there with no crowd in the cold Jersey water, you'd probably be calling it heaven too. After the session, he even hit up Surf Expo in Florida to keep the vibes going. It's a reminder that great waves can pop up anywhere—photographers, keep your cameras ready! Check out his story here on The Inertia.
Mikey February's Surf Editing Spree
In a move that's making all the surf photographers and videographers out there jealous, Mikey February just dropped two new edits in one week. The man's on a roll! One's a raw session from the North Shore, and the other is from Brothers. If you're not familiar, Mikey is one of the surfers who's really pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the water and how it's captured. These edits are a masterclass in surf media—raw, powerful, and inspiring. They show the dedication behind the scenes of surf photography and videography. For all you Snaps out there, this is the kind of content that gets us fired up to hit the water or grab a camera. You can watch the edits on Yardbarker and get inspired for your next shoot.
That's the scoop from the surf world. Whether you're dodging sharks, hunting waves in unexpected places, or crafting the next viral edit, the ocean always delivers. Stay tuned to Surf Snaps for more stories and inspiration from the waves.