surfer Archives - New Zealand Surf Journal

From The Mountains To The Sea: Oscar Hetherington

Derek MorrisonJun 29, 2021June 29, 20210

Every now and then a young photographer comes along who just seems to have an eye for surf culture. They see the waves, landscapes and humans in a new, more youthful light and that adds volumes to the story of New Zealand surfing. Award-winning photographer, Oscar Hetherington, is one of...

Is Surfer Magazine The Canary In The Publishing Mine?

CPLOct 16, 2020October 16, 20200

Just last week Surfer magazine folded. Yes, the seminal work that was started by John Severson in 1960 was suddenly no longer a viable business, according to its publisher, American Media Inc. It was cast aside as easily as you might squish a sand-fly on the West Coast. No fanfare....

Watch: Ben Young. Sculptor. Surfer

Derek MorrisonSep 25, 20200

Carving a niche at the intersection between glass and concrete, artist and sculptor Ben Young has become world renowned for his incredible artworks. Originally from Waihi Beach and now based in Mount Maunganui, Ben is an extraordinary talent and one of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet....

Shaper Profile: Pete Anderson

Derek MorrisonApr 24, 2020July 2, 20200

With more than 36 years experience shaping surfboards out of Whangamata, Pete Anderson is one of the most humble and well-respected surfboard manufacturers in New Zealand. In this film he shares his journey from growing up in the heyday of Whangamata’s board-building industry to his insights, his hopes and most...

Jonas Tawharu: An Indonesian Edit

Derek MorrisonSep 18, 20190

Rusty surfer Jonas Tawharu blazes a trail through Indonesia with filmmaker Oscar Johns capturing the powerful goofyfooter’s every turn, reo and barrel. Twenty-year-old Jonas may call Mount Maunganui home, but it has been the waves around Dunedin, where he is currently studying marketing and communications, that have helped him to...

Ella Williams Claims Victory At Mothernest Great Lakes Pro

Derek MorrisonFeb 24, 2019September 16, 20191

Whangamata surfer Ella Williams has claimed her maiden World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) victory of the year, taking out the Women’s division at the 2019 Mothernest Great Lakes Pro in heavy four-to-six foot surf at Tuncurry, NSW, yesterday. Williams ability to consistently post decent scores on longer running...

Five Minutes With: Surfing Filmmaker Jonathan Smit

Derek MorrisonDec 24, 2018December 24, 20180

Surf filmmakers in New Zealand tend to be passionate creatives lured to surfing by the curiosity of a colourful culture. They shine a light on surfing that is often a beautiful as it is compelling. Christchurch and Gold Coast-based filmmaker Jonathan Smit epitomises this ethos. He turns the creative dial...

Take Three For The Sea

Derek MorrisonJul 27, 2018March 1, 20190

Even though it is a city beach, Seconds in Dunedin is always an adventurous spot to get to, with a fence to scale, a landslip to slither over and a rockface to clamber down to get to the kelp-covered jump rock. This is the easy bit, the final hurdle before...