Gallery: A “Successful Strike” Is A Relative Phrase

Getting hoaxed by swell is common on strike missions. But, in reality, expectations are the real killer. When you think it’s going to be good and it’s only decent, it can feel like a failed mission. Still, for a healthy serving of waves, it’s a price we’re all willing to pay. Photographer Ben Jackson rationalised this to me after his run from Coffs Harbour to the desert with friend Ryan Sewell of Drag Board Co, last June.

Ben sent us the above series of Creed McTaggart and Shaun Manners and explained how this accidental meeting – changed the course of his trip.“We bumped into Creed and Shaun while checking the waves one morning,” Ben explained. “We spent the next week with them; Camping, surfing, fishing, drinking beers – it was an all-around good time. What else is there to do in the desert, right? The waves definitely weren’t amazing everyday and a few swells hoaxed us pretty bad, though we still had epic days. This trip became about just surfing and shooting – without taking it too seriously.“

Plus, if you’re job is to chase swell, camp, drink beer, fish and have a general good time; no one’s gonna listen to you complain.