Roark Field Report: Dangerously Good Barrels in Mexico

“Maybe that’s just the nature of us, ever wishing for things that were and could be rather than things that are and will be. It takes more to hope than to remember.” 

While that line from Pierce Brown’s sci-fi novel Morning Star references humanity’s class rebellion raging across the Solar System, it could just as well apply to surf trips and their inextricable link to hope. An unwavering belief that the next venture, the next session, the next wave, will be more gratifying than what came before. 

It doesn’t always happen, but to rework a popular metaphor, when it shines, it beams. Recently, Roark’s scout team of Koa Smith, Nate Zoller and Max Beach went deep into Mexico during the first major southern hemi action of 2026. They found exactly what they hoped for — legitimately cooking waves all to themselves. 

It wasn’t the perfect roping points found in your notebook. But when most heads can’t even get to this spot, that takes a back seat to high wave count. The sessions they got were so thorough that Koa salivated on the sand and Nate’s calves twitched from mussel fatigue. 

The vibes on the trip were on point, too. Roark’s team is used to logging miles on the odometer, surfing till their body’s betray them, then hoofing it to the beach when things break down before sunrise. All while keeping a smile on their faces the entire time.

All in all, job well done by Koa, Nate and Max. After three days with barrels ranging from quiver-lightening to as friendly as cold beers, al pastor tacos never disappeared quicker.