Ever Seen A More Aggressive Application Of Rail On An East Coast Left? - Stab Mag

SHARK WEEK! The Great Debate Is Now Live

3106 Views
Luke names Kalani Robb, Rob Machado, and Timmy Curren as his influences. Any common threads?

Ever Seen A More Aggressive Application Of Rail On An East Coast Left?

Luke Griffo returns with some of the nastiest gauges in recent memory.

cinema // Jul 7, 2025
Words by Jack O'Neill Paterson
Reading Time: 2 minutes

A shattered leg, broken to bits and eventually bitten off by an albino whale, was enough to send Captain Ahab off the rails entirely. One busted bone as cause for a life derailed by vengeance and monomania. 

Luke Griffin broke his foot halfway through filming his latest movie. It effectively halved the project — ten sessions planned around the Gold Coast, now five. 

He’d moved over from New Zealand a year earlier, following what he describes as “this weird feeling that I needed to come to Australia. And just try to surf more. I never thought I would make a living out of it, but it would’ve just been in the back of my mind if I didn’t come over and just like enjoy this country, and just film and just see what happens.”

While filming the fifth session, his foot gave out. Unlike Ahab, Luke didn’t declare war on nature. “I just thought I’d make something out of what I’ve got,” he said. 

Which, to be fair, was plenty. He’d already harpooned the Gold Coast clean through. 

Sheesh.

Griffo’s had a productive stretch. Rode for Former during their fledgling years, designed Caity Simmers’ universally adored world title tee, and now splits his time between graphic design and riding for always do what you should do, a New Zealand-based surf/skate/fashion outfit currently testing its cultural stamina in London.

“Always are honestly the best brand. They’re always (laughs) keen to support anything I wanna do.”

In the edit above, shot and chopped by Hunter Vercoe, Griffo’s on longer boards — citing Kalani Robb, Rob Machado, and Timmy Curren as the blueprint.

Honestly, some of the nastiest rail work on an east coast left in recent memory.

Well worth your time. 

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

What’s Coming To Stab Premium 

The hard drive-release pipeline for the next five months.

Jul 28, 2026

2026 Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico, Episode 05

As cold and as perfect as waves in the US get.

Jul 27, 2026

From The Championship Tour To Louis Vuitton | Mikey February | StabMic Ep. 24

Did LV rip off Vans?

Jul 27, 2026

The Great Shark Debate: To Cull or Not to Cull? 

Dr Michael Mehmet vs Fred Pawle.

Jul 26, 2026

Rasta’s Shark Theory

Return to your animal, trust your instincts.

Jul 25, 2026

How To Shark-Proof Your Next Surf*

Shark policy aside, what tech, gadgets and gear can actually keep you safe?

Jul 25, 2026

Good Luck Killing The US Open

A preview of the 2026 US Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach.

Jul 24, 2026

Mateus Herdy Heads Home

A profile on the Florianopolin CT rookie, his rich orbit of influences, and Yago Dora’s…

Jul 24, 2026

Response: A Shark Cull Won’t Make Our Beaches Safer

Science over sensationalism.

Jul 23, 2026

Op-ed: Why Australia Needs More Shark Nets

An unapologetic take on the need for safer lineups.

Jul 23, 2026

How Reunion Island Survived Shark Purgatory

With more shark attacks per capita than anywhere else on Earth, it's taken millions to…

Jul 22, 2026

Introducing EAST’s First Goofyfoot Test Pilot: Harry Bryant

“My life’s already a board test.”

Jul 22, 2026

The Trauma Gap: Surviving vs Seeing Shark Attacks

Three witnesses recall the incidents that changed them.

Jul 21, 2026

Are There More Great Whites In California Than Ever Before?

A firsthand shark attack story, a conversation with two researchers, and how to avoid becoming…

Jul 20, 2026

Australian Oil & Gas Co. Wants To Destroy A World-Class Reef

Does that make you mad? Good. Here's how you can save Scott Reef:

Jul 20, 2026

Welcome To Stab’s Shark Week

An editorial week dedicated to the large cartilaginous fish we share lineups with.

Jul 20, 2026

What, You Haven’t Heard Of Weslley ‘King’ Dantas?

The 28-year-old has beaten loan sharks, empty bank accounts, and unmet potential to stage his…

Jul 19, 2026

Kinda Pumping: Cole Houshmand And Teresa Bonvalot Win ‘Plan B’ Ballito Pro

The sorting hat for the 2027 CT season begins its dirty work in South Africa.

Jul 18, 2026
Advertisement