Inspiration - New Zealand Surf Journal

Conservation Week: Moss Thompson, The Ranger On A Mission To Save Sea Lions

Josh GaleApr 24, 2026April 23, 20260

DOC ranger and surfer Moss Thompson works in the same waters he loves –protecting endangered sea lions where they live, breed and play. Moss shares his story from the deep south. My family has always been the outdoorsy types and from an early age we were in the hills tramping....

Conservation Week: A Predator Detection Specialist With A Passion For Surf

Derek MorrisonApr 23, 2026April 23, 20260

This DOC ranger travels the southern surf coast, mixing her battles for biodiversity with sessions at hidden spots. Writer Jose Watson catches up with Melissa McNaughtan on the West Coast. Surfer Mel McNaughtan is a DOC Biodiversity Monitoring Ranger who works out of Hokitika. She is part of a team...

Conservation Week: How The Karioi Project Returned Birdsong To Raglan

Josh GaleApr 22, 2026April 23, 20260

Next time you’re out for session at Raglan and you hear birdsong in the bush-clad hills above the break, remember the 100+ volunteers, including many surfers, who brought it back from the brink. Whenever Kristel van Houte is out at one of her go-to Raglan spots with her 6’10” mid-length...

Conservation Week: Looking Beneath With Kirsty Prior

Nicole StevenApr 21, 2026April 23, 20260

Surfer, diver, conservationist, civil servant: Kirsty Prior wears many hats. We caught up with her ahead of Conservation Week to chat about how surfers can contribute to a healthy ocean. One day, out at Jailbreaks in the Maldives a young woman was settled on her board between sets, when she...

Tom Butland And Alani Morse Win Wildcards Into Raglan Pro

Derek MorrisonApr 20, 2026April 20, 20260

Taranaki’s Tommy Butland and 15-year-old Raglan surfer Alani Morse win the Backdoor King & Queen of the Point, and claim the wildcards for the Raglan Pro, stop number 4 on the World Surf League Championship Tour, May 15-25. With the cleanest 3-5 foot surf of the five-day event window at...

Conservation Week: The Inspiring Comeback Of Lizard Specialist Ben Barr

Josh GaleApr 20, 2026April 23, 20260

Founder of the Good Surf Now app, Ben Barr lived and breathed conservation until a surfing accident ruined his life. Whangārei writer Josh Gale shares his remarkable comeback story. There was a moment when Ben completely fell apart. He had been teaching Conservation and Environmental Management at NorthTec Wānanga, pushing...

Watch: Puerto Escondido Opening Swell, Barrels, Hold Downs And Big Closeouts!

Keo MorrisonApr 18, 2026April 17, 20260

This film by Nathan Florence shows him surfing the first big swell of the season at Puerto Escondido – one of the heaviest beach breaks in the world. In this film we see Nathan Florence charge a heavy, wild beach break in the heart of Puerto Escondido, Mexico. Nathan spends...

Watch: Best Surf Of My Life With Jordy Smith

Keo MorrisonApr 17, 2026April 17, 20260

When it is Jordy Smith claiming the best surf of his life, it’s hard to look away. Watch Jordy in the session of his life at his home break in Durban, South Africa. The video highlights how rare and special these conditions are, with Jordy surfing at an extremely high...

Watch: One Of A Kind

Keo MorrisonApr 7, 2026April 17, 20260

A glimpse into the life of Hawaiian surfer Matt Meola as he shares his hunting, fishing and surfing experiences around his home in Maui and surfing throughout the world. One of the world’s leading freesurfers, Matt is multi-talented, and in this film he brings his hunting and fishing skills to...

UPDATED: Could Raglan Be The New J-Bay WCT Stop?

Derek MorrisonJan 24, 2026January 24, 20260

Rumours are circulating that J-Bay has been dropped from the 2026 World Championship Tour in favour of another fabled pointbreak: Raglan. Yes, it’s shaping up to be true. Over the past few months, swarms of WSL officials have been spotted throughout Raglan, doing due diligence on the town and assessing...