Stab Magazine | Sunset Beach May Not Be Your Favorite Wave, But It Sure Is Stunning
328 Views

Sunset Beach May Not Be Your Favorite Wave, But It Sure Is Stunning

Tasmanian photographer Nick Green takes his first stab at documenting the North Shore and doesn’t disappoint at the Vans Pro.

style // Nov 9, 2019
Words by Stab
Reading Time: 3 minutes

For over 50 years, everyone with a lens, pro or amateur, has been trying to capture the magic of the North Shore in their own unique way. From Art Brewer’s first foray in ’69, to Jeff Divine’s timeless work with Gerry Lopez, and, of course, Tom Servais’ immortal Tom Curren cutback photo, “The Rock” has been tirelessly documented by surf photography’s heaviest players.

Enter Tasmania’s Nick Green. A couple of months ago, he won the Follow The Light photography grant at the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center in California. Besides some cash and gear, one of the components of his prize was a working gig with Vans during the North Shore season. 

Green, like his Tasmanian homeland, prefers his images heavy and weighted; high contrast, high saturation, stark blacks and whites. He’d never been to the North Shore before and came to the island unjaded and wide-eyed. We think he kind of nailed his first assignment at the Vans Pro.

All captions by photographer Nick Green.

AX0I0422

“Straightening out for a long paddle back to the lineup.”

Photography

Nick Green

AX0I0839

“Davey [Van Zyl] was the most barreled out there, pretty sure he found the tube every heat. Impressive performance.”

Photography

Nick Green

AX0I0865

Kyuss King. In the words of Iron Maiden, run for the hills.

Photography

Nick Green

AX0I3739

“Inspired by Ellis’s iconic AI image, I opted to take a walk around the back angle on the second day of competition for a more unique perspective.”

Photography

Nick Green

AX0I1322

“I spent almost an hour watching this particular lady and her gal pals posing on the beach, I’d love to see the photos they got.”

Photography

Nick Green

AX0I9385

“Pat Guadaskus threading through this thing on dark the night before competition.”

Photography

Nick Green

AX0I0994

“I remember my school bus would go past the local beach of a morning and I’d always hope there would be waves so I could surf after school. There usually wasn’t as it isn’t a surf beach, but the few times the swell was big enough to get in there I’d be so excited, so I can only imagine the excitement the kids get here almost everyday.”

Photography

Nick Green

AX0I0780

“Stacked to the horizon…it’s pretty nuts when you see a big set roll through at Sunset, pretty next level.”

Photography

Nick Green

AX0I1569

“Paparazzi time.”

Photography

Nick Green

AX0I1597

“A humble dude, Davey was surrounded by close mates who were more excited than he was.”

Photography

Nick Green

AX0I3531 2

“Sunset peak…fade to black.”

Photography

Nick Green

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

Breaking: Rogue Boat Plows Through Steamer Lane, Capsizes With Family Of Six Onboard

Stab writer Holden Trnka saves a kid, gives a first hand report.

Feb 8, 2026

Watch: How $13M And 70,000 Tons Of Granite Changed An Australian Surf Town Forever

A documentary on Midds Reef — the world's best artificial wave — by Rhys Jones.

Feb 7, 2026

Pipeline Was Really, Really Good Today

CT qualifications, countless nine point rides, Australian domination, and the journey of a local hero.

Feb 6, 2026

Why Chapter 11’s Doors Are Shut + Why Former’s Output Is About To Spike

Former drops teaser for upcoming feature, ‘Defect’, starring the entire frozen pea army.

Feb 5, 2026

Joyride: What’s In An Asymmetrical Surfboard?

An asymmetrical study of Lovelace's Zambal and Satellite models.

Feb 5, 2026

What Happens When The Best Surfer On Earth Leaves The Tour?

The second order effect of John John's departure.

Feb 4, 2026

Velvet Pipeline And Nine Point Faceplants

A CT qualification update from the North Shore.

Feb 3, 2026

“It’s Louder Than An Atomic Bomb. If You Were Anywhere Near It, Your Head Would Explode.”

The Southern Ocean is now open for international pillaging.

Feb 2, 2026

“They Don’t Call It The Challenger Series For Nothing”

Local excellence and universal beatdowns on Day Two of the Pipe Challenger.

Feb 1, 2026

How Billy Kemper Convinced The WSL (And The Mayor) To Have Locals In The Pipe Challenger

And more musings from the ground here on the North Shore.

Jan 31, 2026

Exclusive Interview: Why John Florence Put The CT On Indefinite Pause

"The tour has a cap. I want to find a space where everything grows bigger."

Jan 29, 2026

Is Firing Pipeline Too Much To Ask For?

The inaugural Pipeline Challenger event starts in 24 hours. And we're en route.

Jan 28, 2026

Watch: Episode 02 of Stab In The Dark X Starring Kelly Slater

Are we all ordering five fin setups now?

Jan 28, 2026

Breaking: John John Florence Will NOT Be Surfing On The 2026 Championship Tour

Is this it?

Jan 27, 2026

Why William Aliotti Picked Up The Bong

Europe's premier freesurfer on leaving Volcom after 15 years and joining Billabong.

Jan 26, 2026

Here’s Why We Included A Wildcard In Stab In The Dark X 

The Mann among men.

Jan 23, 2026

Watch: Only The Best Waves From EAST With Mikey February

11 minutes of star-studded velvet.

Jan 23, 2026

Rumor: Is The CT Quitting J Bay In 2026?

And where it might be heading instead...

Jan 23, 2026
Advertisement