Conner Coffin, On rail at Lance’s Right, Mentawais

“I don’t need wind,” said Conner Coffin, standing on the deck of the Indies Trader IV as it floated through the Mentawais. “I’m an old school surfer”. Conner’s comment was in response to numerous complaints about a lack of onshore wind, coming from some of the other crew on board. Conner and the rest of the crew, including Ev Geiselman, Kolohe Andino, Bruce Irons, Adriano De Souza, Jamie O’Brien, Ian Walsh and more, were on the ship for Red Bull’s annual Minor Threat boat trip. Also aboard was filmmaker Kai Neville, who’ll be cooking up a four-part webisode series, coming at you soon. Conner Coffin is powerful for a teenager. He surfs with a more traditional style than most his peers, opting often to wet his rail or plant the back foot into a section rather than taking to the air. Not to say kid can’t fly, it’s just a deeply-embedded power instinct he has. This was even more noticeable on the Red Bull Minor Threat trip, where the two guys closest to his skill-level were K-Lo and Ev Geisel– both of whom are often prone to air-flair. Bruce Irons, on the first surf trip back since his brother died, sees the traditional power quality in Conner’s surfing, and digs it: “I like the way Conner surfs,” he says. “It’s not just bubblegum.” For more of Ryan Miller’s awesome work, jump over here.