Heaven Is On His Side - Stab Mag

Live Now — Episode 2 Of S.U.R.F. California Presented By Sun Bum & Kona Big Wave

193 Views
Watch the short film for a peek inside the mindset of big-wave surfer Joao “Massas” de Macedo.

Heaven Is On His Side

Nazare surfer rests his fate in the divine

elsewhere // May 27, 2022
Words by Coral McDuffee
Reading Time: < 1 minute
Shot on a Super 8, the scenic piece pairs words of Reverend Boatner with Portugal’s archaic gravity. We appreciate the artistry. Video: Marco Espirito Santo.

Surfing Nazare can look like death

Like hell itself is empty 
All nine circles 
And the devils are in the water
The prisoners are few 
Joao de Macedo rests his fate in a higher divine 
Reverend Laven Boatner’s excerpt rings in his ears 
A mantra of sorts:

I got a call from Heaven 
When I didn’t know anybody in heaven
But there was somebody in heaven that knew me 
For somebody to call you
They got to know you
And they’ve got to have your number 
So that’s when heaven was on my side 
When I got a call from the glory land 
He knew more about me than I knew about him

Heaven is on his side 
The words of delivery 
Morality is an afterthought 
This state of mind is a beautiful thing for a man about to surf slightly less than 86-ft Nazare. 

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

“I’m Glad I Was Wrong”

Why the hell did anyone think John John Florence and Caity Simmers were the underdogs?

Sep 7, 2024

Caity Simmers And John John Florence Are Your 2024 World Champions Of Surfing

"All is right in the surfing universe": JJF wins first Title since 2017 and Caity…

Sep 6, 2024

2024 WSL Finals — Live Updates, Commentary, Betting Talk, And Conjecture

Best comment wins a free surfboard. Best surfing wins a free World Title.

Sep 6, 2024

Watch: More Uncut Warm-Ups With John Florence, Italo Ferreira, Jack Robinson, And More

Seven additional minutes of section demolition from the eve of the WSL Finals

Sep 5, 2024

Everything We’ve Seen, Heard, And Learned This Week At Lower Trestles

A WSL Final 5 preview.

Sep 5, 2024

“I Could See Italo Winning A World Title, Which Is Kinda Heavy”

Unapologetic West Australian Yadin Nicol makes his Final 5 BOAG picks. 

Sep 5, 2024

S.U.R.F. California Presented by Sun Bum and Kona Big Wave, Episode 2

Dane Reynolds, Frankie Harrer, Jake Kelley, Micky Clarke, $100, cases of beer, and "Jesus riding…

Sep 4, 2024

Watch: Raw Footage Of Ewing, Griff, Caroline, And More Warming Up For The WSL Finals

Eight minutes of unfiltered footage for your viewing pleasure.

Sep 4, 2024

Unsolicited Advice From Men

As told by Caity Simmers, Felicity Palmateer, Sachi Cunningham and more of surfing’s leading women.

Sep 4, 2024

Carissa Moore, Shane Dorian, Taj Burrow, Julian Wilson, And More Make Their 2024 World Title Predictions

"Without Filipe at Lowers, I think Ethan will simply look too powerful, technical and polished…

Sep 3, 2024

Full Frame: Bruce Is Back

"He was so psyched about getting that barrel — it was like seeing Bruce from…

Sep 3, 2024

Field Notes From A Rocking Boat At Singing Sultans

Here’s how Taj Burrow took out his third Four Seasons Maldives Trophy yesterday.

Sep 2, 2024

Can Doing The Bare Minimum Win A World Title?

The intriguing gap between surfers' average heat scores and their overall competitive success.

Sep 2, 2024

What’s The Hardest Wave To Paddle?

Russell Bierke, Nathan Florence + Soli Bailey help us decide — and explain what surfing…

Sep 1, 2024

Deep Dive: The One Boardshort That Ruled Them All

How Hurley Phantoms stretched into vogue acc to the guy that made 'em.

Sep 1, 2024

Uluwatu On Life Support As Cliff Demolition Ensues

This isn't an obituary, yet.

Aug 31, 2024

Stab Interview: Ross Williams On Quietly Guiding The Best Surfers On Earth

"They don't want to underdeliver, and I help them deliver that fire — like, ‘Fuck…

Aug 30, 2024

How Did Dave Rastovich Become Our 2024 Electric Acid Psychonaut?

Reintroducing ourselves to surfing's reluctant messiah.

Aug 30, 2024
Advertisement