Highlights from surfing Black’s Beach during a big WNW swell on December 7, 2023. The Surfline report this morning was 8-12 feet. Jordy Collins got the wave of the day with his epic double barrel.

The J-Bay Open Country Feeling J-Bay Surf Classic was held at Supertubes, Jeffrey’s bay, East Cape, South Africa, on the newly formed ASP (WSL) World Tour.

Mark Occhilupo, an 18-year-old from Cronulla, NSW, won the event unleashing a backside attack that changed the game on tour and around the world.

His coach at the time, Derek Hynd exclaimed: “Those there to witness it left with the impression they weren’t just watching the best surfing ever—they were witnessing the best surfing that might ever be. In my notebook, I had to invent new codes for what he was doing.”

Occy sported his now-iconic pink, and blue short-sleeved Peak, was riding riding a thick, boxy, low rocker Rusty thruster, and was only a few weeks from stating his infamous quote, ““Now I want to get real and stop these American wankers”,” in Australia’s Tracks Magazine.

The mid-1980s was a time of a clash in generations on tour with Curren and Occy leading the new guard. Lifelong great sporting rivalries were being born amongst future world champs and the l
level of surfing on tour was being transformed forever.

Beautifully understated, ‘Outer Edge of Leisure’ is the latest chapter of core surf cinematography featuring Russell Bierke by filmmaker Andrew Kaineder.

Amidst a boundless expanse of turbulent waves and remote seascapes, Bierke emerges as a silhouette on the horizon, the tempestuous waters his canvas. Each wave is not a battleground to conquer, but an opportunity to be in tune with the rhythm of the ocean’s pulse.

Contrasting black and white 16mm and Hi-Res cinematography, set to a unique solo drum scape ‘Outer Edge of Leisure’ takes you on a visual journey as Russell redefines his own idea of surfing as a leisure activity.

Directed, Filmed, Edited by Andrew Kaineder / @andrewkaineder @alteredstate.tv

Contributors
Art: Nick Green
Music: Maria Moles

Previous Russell Bierke Films by Andrew Kaineder: ‘Bezerke’ and ‘Flow State’

A day in the southern desert. As a clean swell fills in, the tide drops and nature comes to play. Almost playful surf evolves into something more typical – southern ocean sculptures.

It’s been a number of years since I’v been able to get back over to Cyclops. It can be very difficult to pick the right window as well as balance my commitments with shooting pro-surfers, but once every so often the stars align.

On this particular occasion there was a really nicely directed swell heading for home but with really light and variable winds. I was pretty sure that waves would be fairly sloppy and not that great for surfing footage. The conditions, however looked flawless for Cyclops with ideal winds and a solid high tide peaking at mid day. The only issue was that the swell was supposed to fill in throughout the day.

Iv always been interested in seeing just how surf-able the wave could be on a more manageable clean swell so I thought it the perfect opportunity to find out.

I fired up my mate Rex (frequent filming collaborator) and we grabbed his jet ski and committed to the mission.

The usual dramas (unsealed roads and beach driving disasters) ensued but we managed to get ourselves where we wanted to be with minimal damage.

We spent the entire day from sun up to sun down on the water with not another soul in sight (with the exception of the sea life that greeted us).
Taking turns driving/filming and witnessing the ocean in its most refined rawness.

We were pretty well prepared and luckily nothing did go wrong (as we weren’t exactly playing it safe with the ski positioning), but if something had gone wrong we would have been fair pickled.

It was quite a relief to get back to shore all safe and sound with the added bonus of coming across an echidna having an evening wallow in the coastal stream.

Natures greatest show all in one day. @tomjenno

However, when a late-season swell promised some significant size paired with just the right direction, all eyes were set on that very special stretch of reef on the shores of the tiger’s lair

Wade Carmichael visits Mexico’s renown point break Barra de la Cruz. Along for the ride are fellow rusty team riders Jacob Szekely and Letty Mortensen. The boys scoring both perfect barrels as well as the most rippable, fun sized walls you could just about get.

Film and edit by Jesse Little