Issue No. 15 Fall 2026

Happy Fall everyone.

So what’s that funny looking aircraft doing on our back cover? That's a fully electric airplane made by our friends at Beta Technologies who are racing to become the first 100% battery-powered aircraft to be certified by the FAA. Why is this significant? Beta is partnering with Mokolele Airlines and Surf Air to lower the cost of travel to virtually zero energy cost (and zero emissions) allowing friends and families to visit one another more frequently and less expensively between Hawaiian islands. What better way to stay connected when separated by water than to reduce the carrier's fuel cost to almost nothing which allows them to travel back and forth as often as they like. The future of aviation and air travel is quickly approaching and we couldn't be happier to see this Vermont-based startup leading the charge with plenty of cargo capacity to bring a small quiver of wings, boards and foils with us on our travels. 

Our fall issue kicks off with an environmental story of the mining industry on South Africa’s west coast and the crew of big wave riders led by Mike Schlebach and Frank Solomon who are committed to protecting the surf breaks and compromised beach access threatened by mining activity.

I can't say enough about my new friend, Cole Stafford, who invited nine of us on an epic trip to an iconic bucket-list location shared by a group of fathers and sons to foil the longest waves in the world in one of the smallest fishing villages in South America. We’ve all heard about the endless lefts that peel off this famous headland and our group received daily confirmation that the hype is real and the rides go on forever. 

Benjamin May and his travel mate Harri take us to Finland to experience a trip where the sun never sets, the forecast is never accurate, and the essence of simplicity, authenticity and a post-session sauna make the cold water more bearable. 

From there we head to the Middle East where Marcus Paladino visits Saudi Arabia to experience a new wave pool built in the Red Sea region. He’s joined by several professional surfers creating a direct feedback loop of rider to engineer to produce an experience that is unmatched by the pools that came before them.

Dylan Stott delivers the goods. He always does. His writing style is infectious, clear, direct and always personal. In this issue, he recounts the work days of Jesus is Lord Tree Service wearing ratshit-soaked uniforms that barely cover the rashes and bites from the hazards of the job. The imminent threat of death from above whether from an outside set at Sunset or a raging boss man is a daily occurrence in the life of a mainlander making his way on the North Shore.

Then we have our own Evelyn O’Doherty just back from a five-day camping and paddling excursion through the fjords of Norway. Ev warned us that she would be “offline” taking some much earned time to unplug and savor every paddle stroke through what she calls one of the most breathtaking places on earth. 

Next up is Vinni Martins who explores the emerging wing foiling scene in Rio at a location only considered from a chance invitation from an eager friend.

To wrap things up, we have Steve West who reminds us of the pre-YouTube era of experiencing surf films when theaters were barnstormed by a raucous crowd of surfers audibly engaged in every frame who would not learn of the concept of a “like” button or a comment section for many more decades. I miss those days too, Steve.

As always, we appreciate your patronage and support for this magazine. We love bringing it to you each and every time.

Enjoy,

Russ