When the ocean says “no,” surfers still say “go”
The Atlantic threw a tantrum at White Crest Beach last weekend, turning the 51st Oldtimers Longboard Classic into the world’s chillest non-surfing surf contest. With Hurricane Erin pulsing swell too heavy to paddle into, the Cape Cod crew simply carried their boards to the sand and staged an impromptu land jam—complete with a soundtrack by The Grab Brothers and something called “Willie’s Wipeout” keeping spirits high. Cape Cod Wave has the full clip of beanbags-for-waves and stoke for days.
Meanwhile, 4,000 miles away, Ed Templeton was watching a different kind of impossible wave: a single, glassy shoulder on Munich’s Eisbach river. Armed with nothing but an iPhone 13 Mini and a killer eye, Templeton captured the moment a lone rider threaded endless carves in a six-foot-wide flow. No bottom turns, no cutbacks—just pure rhythm against a city backdrop. Check the frame that proves phones still beat DSLRs when vision meets vibe.
A legend clocks out at 90
While some of us chase swells on land and in rivers, others build the culture we inherit. John Salmon OAM—founder of the 50-year-old Sutherland to Surf fun run and life member at both Cronulla and Wanda SLSC—slipped away on July 29 at 90. What started as a 50-runner jog in 1972 is now the Shire’s biggest beachside block party, and every buoy turn at the event traces back to John’s stubborn belief that saltwater and sweat can fund the surf clubs that keep us safe. His family will hold a celebration of life on Sept 13 at Cronulla SLSC before two surf boats row out and raise their oars in salute. Bring tissues—and maybe a soft sand sprint in his honor.