The Future Of Australian Surfing Seems Decidedly Untroubled

Australia’s last world champions were Mick Fanning and Stephanie Gilmore. Steph, you’ll recall, for her stampede from 5th to the podium in 2022.

For Mick, you’ll have to scrape the bottom of your memory bank — 2013, when the ASP hadn’t yet been swallowed whole by the WSL. 

Strange, really. A nation with a surf history thick enough to choke on, and a population where even the average person can ride a wave with some level of dignity, yet no male world titles for over a decade.

But do not fret, proud patriots of Australian surf. Things are looking up. Sure, we’ve got Dane Henry, Lennix Smith, and Hughie Vaughn. But beneath them, a pack’s lurking, growing, hungry. 

This edit, which is filmed in one session, mind you, sees three young lads rise as lead birds in the flock of erupting young Australian surfers. With CI’s underfoot, they’re just as lethal in the air as they are in the juice; ready to steal your wave, your sandwich, and your pride in one clean swoop. 

Here’s who’s in the ring: 

Ocean Lancaster, fresh off Rip Curl’s ‘DUNNO’ — the children’s magnum opus.

Loci Cullen, who took out Stab High Japan’s Bottle Rockets division and had many salivating over his potential to sweep the whole field and grab the men’s crown.

And Mitch Peterson, a 16-year-old from the Sunshine Coast. Perhaps not yet a name that rings in your ears, but he might be after this. 

Who you got taking the heat?

And more importantly, which CI mod are you ordering?