Live Now: Finals Day Of The Burleigh Single Fin Festival - Stab Mag

Live Now — The 24 Most Spectacular Waves (And Wipeouts) Of 2024

457 Views
Photo: Billabong

Live Now: Finals Day Of The Burleigh Single Fin Festival

“The greatest surfing contest in the world”

news // Jan 12, 2025
Words by Jack O'Neill Paterson
Reading Time: < 1 minute

There’s nothing like a recurring yearly event to slap you in the face with the reality that another year has slipped away. And for what? What have you accomplished?

Let’s not talk about it. 

This weekend is one to embrace, not to waste thinking about the brevity of it all. The Burleigh Single Fin Festival is here, and for that alone, we should be damn glad we’re alive. There is drinking, there is live music, and it’s been going strong for 28 years.

Rules are few here — the main one being that boards must be pre-1985, weathered and well-loved — much like many of the competitors themselves. 

The comp draws a mixed crowd of former world champs, current CT heavyweights, and seasoned old dogs from the area. Among the former champs are Joel Parkinson, Ethan Ewing, and Taj Burrow.

The waves, it must be said, are lacking juice today, not exactly what the event deserves. But with Vaughn Deadly, Jed Smith, Rabbit, Peter McCabe and whoever else rolls into the booth, it’s worth sticking around just to hear the boys rant about psilocybin, the astral realm, and life beyond the matrix.

Quarters are live — watch now.

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

Stab Interview: A Former Stab High Money-Winner Is On The Frontline Of The L.A. Wildfires

We caught the Kevin Schulz on his break as he battles the "most destructive fire…

Jan 12, 2025

Gabriel Medina Undergoes Surgery After Pectoral Injury in Maresias 

CT door blows open: Ian Gentil or Al Cleland?

Jan 12, 2025

What’s The Secret To Taro Watanabe’s Layback?

A six minute single session from San Clemente's crown jewel.

Jan 11, 2025

A Hero Is Gone: Mike Hynson 1942-2025

The Endless Summer star was 82.

Jan 11, 2025

Here’s How Rasta’s Electric Acid Surfboard Test Soundtrack Came To Life

An interview with Stab's resident music maker, Rick Snowden.

Jan 10, 2025

Surfers Are Leading The “Community Brigades” That Are Fighting Malibu’s Wildfires

"The 'hero-saving-victim paradigm' only perpetuates our refusal to acknowledge our decision to live in a…

Jan 9, 2025

The Sponsor Changes Keep Coming In 2025

New year, new deals.

Jan 9, 2025

Online Now: ‘Horse’ – A Tranquilising Surf Film Of Shelf Discovery Ft Noa Deane 

“Mash was just a mash of shit, this is a bit more cohesive,’ says filmmaker…

Jan 9, 2025

“It’s Ridiculous To Put A Two Dimensional Measurement On A Three Dimensional Force”

Alo Slebir and Luca Padua articulately dismantle the rat-race of big wave World Records

Jan 9, 2025

The Expanding Correspondence Between Surfing And Self-Expression

Ozzy Wright, Thomas Campbell, Jaleesa Vincent, Otis Carey, and Alex Knost speak on the curious…

Jan 8, 2025

Can You Make A Living As A Freesurfer In 2025?

Former Quik marketing guru explains the economic realities of surfing for your supper.

Jan 6, 2025

Empty Set: Why The Fuck Are We Measuring Waves In Kilojoules? 

Stormsurf's Mark Sponsler and Surfline's Daniel Thomson explain the surf forecasting equivalent to board volume. 

Jan 4, 2025

A Middle-Aged British Man’s Ins & Outs For Surf Culture In 2025

Let the pendulum swing!

Jan 2, 2025

The 24 Most Spectacular Waves (And Wipeouts) Of 2024

A collection of the most memorable surfing from the past 8760 hours.

Jan 1, 2025

John John Florence and Caity Simmers Just Won Stab Surfer of the Year 2024

Step inside to see who claimed the junior, edit, film, and YouTube crowns.

Dec 31, 2024

Stab’s Most-Read Stories Of 2024

Sharks, goats, scams, empty waves, eight-figure tax slaps, and more.

Dec 30, 2024

Stab Surfer of the Year 2024: Stab Premium Members

Day 10 of 10: Locals only!

Dec 29, 2024

Stab Surfer of the Year 2024: John John Florence, Nathan Florence, Coco Ho, Russell Bierke, and Alan Cleland Jr.

Day 9 of 10: The end begins here.

Dec 29, 2024
Advertisement