Raph Bruhwiler

Canada’s first pro surfer, and a living legend in Canada’s surf community.  Raph has gathered international recognition for his attitude, passion for surfing and living life on his terms off the rugged coast of Tofino, BC.  Raph has solidified himself as one of the hardest charging surfers in the cold-water scene.  He lives there with his wife, daughter and son. He earns a living working search and rescue with the Canadian Coast Guard, runs the Bruhwiler Surf School and operates an Adventure Surf Program.  If you want an adventure of a lifetime join Raph on one of his epic surf adventures off the coast of British Columbia.

Bruhwiler Country https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TVXxisf9PA

Iñigo Grasset

Iñigo is a self-taught surf photographer/videographer from the Basque Country of Spain. For the past 4 years he has been shooting all around the world, from warm waters in the tropics to freezing cold temperatures in the artic but always with a smile in his face and happy to be connected with nature. “Photography is his way to remember how lucky we are to be in this world”, and this is what he tries to express with each photo, the beauty of the world around us.

KB Brown

River Surfer and Rocky Mountain native. KB grew up 600 miles from the ocean. KB always dreamed of surfing. It all started when KB was 3, he was given a skateboard while visiting his family in California. That truly changes his life. From that day on KB was obsessed with everything surfing. First the streets on his skateboard, then snowboarding, skurfing, wakeboarding and kayaking. Kayaking lead KB to discover surfable standing waves in the rivers.

KB was driven to find ways to ride the newly discovered river waves. His interest began to grow, and more and more river waves were discovered. KB tapped into a lifestyle he always dreamed of. KB developed a strong tie to nature and the remote waves he found nestled in pristine wilderness. Inspired by the nature and the beauty he found, this led KB to create his own brand of surfboards “Strongwater”. KB soon after opened the first Surf Shop in the Mountains of Missoula, Montana, “Strongwater Surf Shop” was born.

His shop created a full-on community of river surfers and a strong new surf culture. These days you can find this pioneer of river surfing spending his winters in California designing and producing specialized river surfboards with top notch board builders. KB shapes while the snowfall packs the mountains and freezes the rivers. “I shape at night and surf everyday”. “The snow melts in the spring and flows into the rivers and the rivers flow into the ocean”, “I Surf the Earth”.

https://www.theinertia.com/mountain/nbc-goes-all-in-on-montana-river-surfing-missoula-is-a-mountain-town-with-surfing-fever/

Konstantin Kokorev

Acclaimed Russian surf cinematographer who chronicles the search for waves in some of the most remote and inaccessible regions in Russia. Konstantin is at the forefront capturing Russian surf culture on film. He has a feel for conveying the rawness and wildness of surf spots from Makhachkala, Vladivostock, Abkhazia, Crimea, the Arctic, Kuriles and Sakhalin Island. As seen through the eyes of Russian surf pioneers as Sergei Rasshivaev, Anton Morozov, Irina Kosobukina, Dimitri Pitiya, and David Dzhalagonia. Watch Konstantin and the tight knit crew on the frontlines, as they record the history of surfing in Russia on film.

http://surfsiberia.ru/
https://youtu.be/Igcnc8svlV0

Awards:
London Surf Film Festival: Best Film
Berlin Surf Film Festival: Best Film
Lisbon Surf Film Festival: Best Feature Film
Portuguese Surf Film Festival: Film of the Year
Bells Beach Surf Film Festival: Best Film
Waimea Ocean Film Festival: Best Film Cinematography

Kirk Flintoff

A former WCT surfer whose aerial skills are world class, Kirk learned his fly boy air raids on the beaches around Cronulla. He can still smash the guts out of any wave anytime. Now his lies with big waves and big air, chasing slabs wherever he can find them.

Growing up in surfing in Cronulla, Kirk looked up to famous pro surfers Mark Occhilupo, Richard ‘Dog’ Marsh and Gary Green who are also goofy-foots from the area.

His childhood dream was to make the WSL ‘dream tour’ and since achieving that he’s been chasing heavy slabs, including Shark Island & Cape Solander, which are right in his backyard.

Keala Kennelly

2018/19 WSL Women’s Big Wave World Champion

2019 Winner of Pe’ahi JAWS Challenge

Founding Member Committee for Equity for Women in Surfing

Keala is a fearless surfer who is not one to back down from giant waves or causes she believes in. She, who just won the Pe’ahi Challenge in Maui, on a day when the surf was so dangerous that the event was shut down before the men could finish competing. The more you learn about Keala the more impressed you become. There is a lot of substance behind this woman. She is a titan in and out of the water, and at the forefront of Gender Equality in the sport of big wave surfing.

Keala Kennelly’s Powerful 2019 WSL Big Wave Award Acceptance Speech

Bianca Valenti

2018/19 WSL Women’s Big Wave World Tour 6th Place

2018 Escondido Cup First Place Finish

2019 Big Wave Awards: Women’s Best Performance Entry

Bianca is one of the women revolutionizing Big Wave Surfing. She is a hard charging Ocean Beach and Mavericks regular who is turning heads in the lineup. She took 1st place in a special six-woman heat at Puerto Escondido in Oaxaca, one of the heaviest beach breaks in the world.   Bianca is easily recognized in the Mavericks lineup with her pink board. She is one of the driving forces in the fight for Gender in Equality in Surfing. That mission made major breakthroughs this past year with women invited to in all WSL events with equal pay.

Video: Making Her Own Waves: The Woman Revolutionizing Big Wave Surfing

Patrick Trefz

Kevin Pritchard

Andrea Möller

Bento Cuervo Moura

Nikita Ivanova

Jimmy Minardi

Ryan Seelbach

How does an environmental project manager by day become a standout at Mavericks. A break that attracts the best big wave surfers in the world. It is not an easy place to be a standout.  He does it with talent, grit and passion.  Making the semi-finals at Mavericks twice, this alone puts him the ranks of top professionals. 

Ryan honed his big wave water skills as a grom at Ocean Beach, a challenging surf break outside San Francisco.   In addition to his day job, he serves on the Board of Save the Waves.  To quote Ryan, “Every time I go out at Mavericks it is special.  Looking back at the mountains and the rocks it is beautiful and amazing.  It clears my mind and all of life’s stresses go away.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpQm_QRwm0o&feature=youtu.be

Grant Washburn

A monumental statue and a colossal ironman, few would argue that Grant is not a legendary figure of Big Wave surfing. A towering icon of the sport, he respects and understands the power of the natural element. Grant epitomizes the values of the hardcore underground surfers…. earning him his legendary status.

Deva Kane

Born and raised in Santa Cruz, California.

Deva grew up skateboarding and then slowly transitioned to surfing during middle school. Surfing became his passion. This easy-going Santa Cruz local can be found tearing into a strong bottom-turn or slicing a smooth cutback at the Lane. Nonchalant and mild mannered, Deva exudes human qualities in and out of the water. Talented aerialist and tube rider. Deva has his bases covered.

“I work hard so that I can surf every day, I love to travel, and surf the best waves out there”.

Deva’s goals in life are to keep that ball rolling. “I want to be successful enough to keep surfing and traveling all over the globe with good friends”

https://issuu.com/jackiegollbach/docs/deva_kane_surfing_portfolio

Jade River Morgan

Jade calls home the Central Coast of California. You can find Jade surfing hidden slabs, local breaks and even Mavs. When Jade is not surfing you can probably find him cruising at the Skatepark or studying in the library. Between being a full-time student, attaining a part-time job waiting tables, and being a dedicated surfer, Jade tries to make time for my other hobbies and interests in life which include woodworking, practicing yoga, and cleaning trash off the beach. Favorite artist is Bob Marley and my favorite band is Led Zepplin. Favorite country is Costa Rica and my favorite wave is Desert Point in Indonesia.

Joe Coury

Joe Coury Southern Californian Local. Avid surfer and adventurer. A locally grown Californian from Encinitas, Joe spent his early years competing in regional and national events. After college, Joe went on to Panama where he created a second home. He worked on a sailboat and gave surf tours and surf lessons.

After multiple visits to Costa Rica, Nicaragua and other parts of Central America he wanted to switch it up and so he ventured off to Europe where he surfed all of the classic places in Spain, France, and Portugal.

Joe keeps it local but still manages to take multiple surf trips each year to feed his longing for adventure and empty line-ups. Joe models, works private catering events, and has his own surf business. Joe can tell you straight up “It’s all about enjoying the moment and making the most out of life, live every day to the fullest”. It’s just the beginning for this young entrepreneur. Recently releasing a new surf lifestyle series through his social media that shares the Southern California Dream.

https://www.instagram.com/joecoury/

Cassidy McClain

Cassidy started surfing in Ventnor, New Jersey standing up on a boogie board at age 5, then was given her first surfboard at age 9. Cassidy began competing at age 11 in the Eastern Surf Association (ESA) and the National Scholastics Surfing Association (NSSA).  Throughout her younger years Cassidy surfed many events over the years consistently placing in the finals. Cassidy’s years of experience landed her winning as Belmar Pro Women’s champ 4X. 2018 Sea Hear Now Festival Women’s Expression Session Champ, New Jersey Surfing Hall of Fame Female Surfer of the Year 2X. 1st Woman to win Open Shortboard (male and female of all ages) at ESA Northeast Regional’s 2 years in a row, and ECSC Women’s champ 2016. Cassidy now has joined some of the Women’s World Qualifying Series Events.

Cassidy enjoys traveling and surfing in various spots around the world from Costa Rica to Australia, but sometimes home is her favorite best spot.  In 2018 the East Coast Hurricane season provided super fun and consistent surf. The best is when winter rolls around for Cassidy. Winter is when Cassidy enjoys so many fun sessions with just friends sharing a firing peak with no one else out! Nothing beats rolling up to a spot and paddling out in the snow!

https://www.instagram.com/cassidymcclain/?hl=en

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiELIXW0qa0

Monique Kitamura

Part of the crew known as the Outer Bar Babes, a group of Bay Area big wave women surfers.  When Ocean Beach starts to break in the 10-15 foot range the texts start going off among these women.  From the first time Monique set eyes on OB instead of being scared off she felt this lure.  It was years before she met another woman in the lineup. 

Eventually meeting Rebecca Wunderlich and a few other notable women big waver surfers like Sachi Cunningham, Bianca Valenti, Anna Wankel who now make up the Outer Bar Babes.   In spite of 6 dislocated shoulders, a near-drowning, motherhood and a demanding career, Monique still wants to push herself to surf bigger and bigger waves.

Rebecca Wanderlich

A former Outward Bound rock climbing and whitewater kayak instructor; turned teacher.  It wasn’t until Rebecca returned to the Bay Area that she picked up surfing.  She started slow but it wasn’t soon before she started to venture out at Ocean Beach. With no business being out there she figured out how to do it by studying how the tricky currents and rip tides at OB worked and took her lumps.  Drawn to the thrill of surfing bigger waves, she is now part of the posse of hard charging women who are committed to challenging themselves in the punishing surf that pounds the far outer sandbars. 

Shane Desmond

A regular at one of the gnarliest, big wave breaks, Shane is the most respected backside rider to ever surf Mavericks.  Some say you have to be “nuts” to surf Mavericks with your back to the wave.  Shane has consistently done it with a fearlessness that leaves surfers shaking their heads.  Known as the “Cinderella Man of Surfing” for his underdog status, Shane has ridden on some of the biggest, paddle-in waves in history including a runner-up finish at Mavericks.

A dedicated family man first. “My family for me is #1. My passion is always going to be surfing big waves.”, says Shane.  When Mavericks is going off and Shane is out there, everyone in the lineup keeps an eye on Shane to see what he just might pull off.

Sachi Cunningham

From Emmy’s to big wave surf photographer, Sachi has done it all and more. She is also a professor journalism professor and cancer survivor.  During the winter months when oversized swells hit the coast of San Francisco you will find Sachi out in the freezing waters at Ocean Beach recording the action. 

OB with its heavy challenging current and frigid water takes endurance, skill and downright nerve.  Sachi has all of them and more. It’s this passion, that is far from normal that has driven Sachi to face her fears head on whether it be surfing OB on its biggest days or taking cancer head on.  She calls home the Outer Sunset neighbourhood of San Francisco where you will her surfing, shooting and hanging with the family.

SCHECHANGE: The fight for Gender Equality in the Sport of Big Wave Surfing  https://www.shechangethefilm.com/

Chasing the Swell https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkprsIaoIv0

Jimmy Minardi

Founder of Minardi Training, a nationally acclaimed fitness instructor who as a surfer himself understands the unique fitness needs of professional surfers. A certified personal trainer and yoga instructor to top surfers, elite athletes and fitness enthusiasts, Jimmy will have you surfing stronger and longer no matter what your age or fitness level.

https://www.minarditraining.com/

Tyler Hollmer-Cross

An underground, slab hunter who lives on the southeastern coast in a little town called Dodges Ferry in Tasmania. Big Slab hunter. A husband and father who runs his own business.  Tyler’s passion surfing the big slabs like Shipstern Bluff and Pdera Branca that pound the shores of Tasmania.  A true Aussie, besides spending time with the family, Tyler’s favorite thing to do is, “go chase some slabs with all my best mates, get barreled all day by ourselves and have a few quite beers to celebrate”.

Tyler Hollmer-Cross Shipstern Bluff    https://vimeo.com/126665313

Tom Hewitt

The man changing the lives of South Africa’s, street children through surfing.  Tom is the founder of Surfers Not Street Children.  A charity, that against seemingly insurmountable odds helps take kids off the streets of Durban, South Africa.  Teaches them how to improve their lives with surfing as the motivating underpinning of the program.  An accomplished surfer of over 30 years, Tom knows the impact the thrill of surfing combined with a supportive social structure can have with helping children to stop thinking of themselves as street kids and rather as surfers instead.  His philanthropic work has attracted the attention of dignitaries such as the Pope, UK Royal Family and a Who’s Who of professional surfers.

www.surfnotstreets.org

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJ0GRkvM06Y&feature=share

Larry Haynes

Always happy and ready to shoot.  Ask any surfer who has been shot by Larry, they will all tell you he has the artistic eye.   With Larry, it is all about the shot.  An accomplished big wave surfer turned water cinematographer, Larry is based out of Hawaii. Larry knows what it takes to get a great shot.  Shooting from the water to get the best angles, his images offer a first-person view of cinematography from the lineup. Shooting

Shooting in the water from notorious breaks like Pipeline, Pe’ahi and Mavericks is all about confidence and being a little crazy. Larry has survived life threatening close calls with boards and fins including multiple near drownings. According to Larry, “After a real whomping, it can rattle your confidence for a while”.  But along with the danger, “comes the rush of being up-close to the action”.  This attitude sums up this legendary surf cinemaphotographer.

http://www.fluidvision.com/

Grant Twiggy Baker

An icon and living legend of big wave surfing.  One of the giants of big wave surfing.  Two-time Big Wave World Tour Champion, two Mavericks titles, 5 other WSL Tour titles, numerous WSL XXL awards, and many firsts as a surf adventurer.  With a passion for exploring off-the-grid big wave breaks in remote corners of the globe.  Twiggy’s exploits continue to confound conventional norms.

More than just a big wave rider.  Twiggy is a committed environmentalist and humanitarian. He is not one to go about flaunting it.  Much of his work is under the radar. He has served as an inspiration to a generation of surfers and street kids in Africa with his support of numerous local charities.

http://twigsurfboards.com/

Anthony Ruffo

“Straight Outta Santa Cruz” SC local and legend at the Lane.

Past Champion of the Coldwater Classic and former professional surfer. You can find this goofy footer dominating Steamer Lane, when Anthony is on, it’s time to get out of the water or get out of his way. A character woven from the threads of Santa Cruz royalty, surfers like Shawn “Barney” Barron, Vince Collier, Joey Thomas , Richard Schmitt, Adam Repogle , Pete Mel and Flea. When asked who inspires Anthony nowadays, his quick answer is Nat Young. Anthony can be considered as one of the most hard core surfer in the surf the scene. This tough exterior has a warm heart, Ruffo often gives back to his sport by volunteering with Operation Surf an Amazing Surf Tours Adventure that takes wounded soldiers surfing and the Mauli Ola Foundation.

When Anthony is not surfing, You can find him visiting his mother every day.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZubfUgBIR6/?tagged=anthonyruffo