Olympic Champ, Surf Dog & JJF's Adventure
Hey ocean crew, let's dive into some waves of inspiration! First up, meet Kauli Vaast—the Tahitian surfer who just rode his way into surfing's elite. After snagging Olympic gold in Paris last year, this 24-year-old crushed the Challenger Series, nailing second in Newcastle and winning the Ericeira Pro. That’s right—he’s officially on the Championship Tour! As Vaast told World Surf League, 'I am super happy and proud to be on the CT. It has been a dream since I was a child.' With two Frenchmen on tour now (including Marco Mignot), the stoke is real. You can get the full breakdown on his journey right here.
Next up, grab the tissues. Huntington Beach’s own Sugar—the five-time World Dog Surf Champion—had her final surf session this weekend. At 16, this rescued pup’s battling cancer, but her owner Ryan Rustan made sure she caught one last wave. Lifeguards gave Sugar a VIP ride to the lineup, and crowds gathered on the pier to cheer. 'She’s taught me how to forgive,' said Rustan, who credits Sugar with saving him from addiction after his dad passed. The city’s even declaring her surf-dog day! More on Sugar’s beautiful story here.
And for your visual inspiration, John John Florence’s dropping a film series called 'Vela – Edge of the Ocean.' As a three-time world champ turned deep-ocean explorer, Florence’s journey on a boat hunting waves is pure soul fuel. Part one’s out now, blending adventure and surf photography magic. It’s the perfect reminder why we chase swells. You can watch the trailer over at Tracks.