Watch: Episode 1 of the Surf100 Challenger Series presented by Pacifico
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"Britt and Darren were funny as fuck. Shapers are just the best." - Stace Galbraith. All photos by Ryan Heywood.
Gallery: The World Premiere Of Stab In The Dark Starring Ethan Ewing
“No one spoke a word. Everyone was just glued to the screen.”
news // Apr 5, 2026
Words by Jack O'Neill Paterson
Reading Time: 4minutes
All photos by Ryan Heywood.
Driving through Torquay, you’d think surfing was still at the height of its cultural power.
The Surf Coast Highway is a shrine to surfing: legacy brands cram either side of the road, jostling for billboard space, competing for your gaze. Even the street names preach the gospel – Cutback Road, Barrel Way, Layback Street. Big surf energy.
A strange, stubborn fragment of a town. Its residents still believe in surfing, defiant as the world moves on. Perfect, then, for the world premiere of Stab In The Dark with Ethan Ewing. It happened last night at 4 Pines, the bar perched above the Boardriders store.
“They were at capacity, so I worried there’d be too much background noise,” says SITD filmmaker Dyl Roberts. “But no one spoke a word. Everyone was just glued to the screen.”
After the comp spat him out that morning, Ethan Ewing’s presence was questionable. But he arrived on time, and by all reports, was in very fine form.
Let’s rewind the night through photos, all shot by Ryan Heywood.
Stab In The Dark with Ethan Ewing premieres on Stab Premium, Tuesday, April 7 (PST).
“Ethan was in a pretty shitty mood that day, but he got a couple of beers into him and he was actually epic.” – Stace Galbraith.
Lens, scissor, repeat: Dylan Roberts.
TC sighting.
Team & talent.
“Ethan was actually in a really chatty mood, so I got him up on stage after the show as well.” – Stace Galbraith.
“I couldn’t actually tell you what I said. I think I blacked out.” – Dyl Roberts.
“Britt just straight away came out with this quote. He just said something, like, ‘I think Ethan Ewing is the best surfer in the world. And if I could make a board for anyone, it’s him.’ I think he also said DH is the best shaper in the world, not that he could tell from the morning loss, though.” – Dyl Roberts.
“No-one really knew if Ethan was going to come or not after the shock loss that morning. So it was sick that he came. It was kind of funny, because it’s a small-ish joint. Eth was just standing there in the corner. Everyone was watching him watching the screen. It was cool to see his reaction.” – Dyl Roberts.
On the mic, the best shaper in the world, at least according to Britt.
Future SITD star?
Full house.
“There was a bit of banter with Britt and Darren, naturally. They were kind of giving it to each other, but they were in really good spirits.” – Dyl Roberts.
Step up deployed.
Styling notes for the 2027 WSL awards.
Shirts stayed put once Eth ditched his.
“Normally I feel like most surfers would do their little commitment – show up, make a speech, and then almost just peel out. But Eth watched the whole thing right there, and he fully watched it too. No chatting. He was genuinely watching it. And then we actually went to the pub after and had beers and stuff with him. So, I guess that was the upside of the shit result that morning.” – Dyl Roberts.
Shhh. No spoilers.
“Taj’s energy is so good. He’s perfect for the series.” – Stace.
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