Our number 1 go to for grom presents!

"Learn A - Z (or The ABC) + get stoked on surfing, in case you were not already...

Tube riding Tigers, Power Surfing Mandrills and Long boarding Wombats - an aquatic alphabet adventure for Old Sea Dogs and Young Pups alike!"

From New York City apartments, to tropical bungalows, rural cottages in the Northeast, Topanga cabin hideaways, converted surf vans, and eclectic beach houses of various architectural styles on coasts all over the world—this is where our favorite people in the creative surf community call home. After four years of documenting these homes in our popular online series, we decided to curate a collection of our favorite 42 stories in the project so far and publish a "Surf Shacks" book. The book is rich with colorful and inspiring photography and contains in-depth interviews with each subject. A must have for any surfer's home. 

On the cover: Shaun Manners, achieving low orbit somewhere in the Australian desert. “I love getting down to the dez,” says photographer Josh Tabone. “It’s cold. It’s raw. It’s a little bit eerie, and it kind of sorts the men from the boys.”

Other glide paths inside include one woman’s inexplicable draw to the world’s deadliest wave, trafficking contraband via foam and fiberglass, the collision of aerospace and surf culture in a champion-breeding town, a freewheeling French Caribbean export, high-horsepower fabrications, and a low-brow artist’s big-wave motif.

More Book Than Magazine

A reader-supported surf publication founded in 1992, The Surfer’s Journal is a vivid, authoritative, and independent document that delivers purist surf energy in each 132-page bimonthly edition.

A memoir by Stephen Cooney

Stephen’s account of his childhood and life as a grom is in turn both funny and poignant, as he reveals some of his family’s tragedies and struggles. The stories of filming MOTE and those early days at Tracks will surely one day make it to the silver screen. All three acts of Stephen Cooney’s early life will entertain and enlighten you, and serve as a companion piece to other works celebrating the 50th anniversary of the seminal surf film Morning of the Earth.

WATERPROOF – Australian Surf Photography Since 1858

Features the work of Australia’s leading surf photographers from the first known photograph of the Australian surf zone through to 20th century boom in surfing and the contemporary scene. Featured photographers include Richard Daintree, Frank Hurley, Harold Cazneaux, Jack Eden, Bob weeks, John Witzig, Peter Crawford, Ted Grambeau, Joli, Bill Morris, Sean Davey, Tim McKenna, Russell Ord, ‘Rich’ Richards, Stuart Gibson, Leroy Bellet, Ray Collins and dozens more. 

“ Waterproof is not just a homage to the pioneers and leading lights of surf photography.
It provides a lineage … a road map to where we are. Influences come from around the surfing world, but this anthology tracks those particularly Australian transitions, putting a few more missing pieces in the jigsaw.
Waterproof does not dwell on professional surfing or what sort of equipment certain surfers or photographers use. It looks at surfing through a broad lens, embracing all forms of activity in the surf zone. Surf and Ocean photographers are often viewed as an unusual breed, a sub-culture inhabited by some real characters, some of whom have shuffled off this mortal coil in recent years. It is time to acknowledge them, and to celebrate their skills and dedication in creating images that inspire us.”

- Tom Carroll 

Fresh air makes you hungry! The Great Outdoors is a collection of the best recipes for outdoor cooking that will add some spice to every outdoor meal. This book explains how to cook on an open fire and presents the best outdoor cooking equipment and the most delicious recipes for different meals of the day. From on-the-go sandwiches to self-made pesto, preserved delicacies, or power food — this cook book is an essential for your next road trip or camping vacation. Take it along and you will be sure to make new friends on the road and on the campsite.

Chef and outdoor enthusiast Markus Sämmer quit his job in high-end gastronomy to travel Australia and eventually become a self-employed chef a couple of years ago. He developed the recipes in The Great Outdoors on the road in his Volkswagen van. His German edition of The Great Outdoors - 120 Recipes for Adventure Cooking has already been a tremendous success.

Co-authors Mike Ritter (author of Thai Stick) and noted surf filmmaker Jack McCoy explode the myths around the early days of discovery at Grajagan (G-Land) one of the crown jewels of surfing. This mythical surf break would become the focus of ‘ ’ Mike Boyum’s obsession to create the world’s first camp in the zone where tiger-inhabited jungle meets pristine sea. Ritter & McCoy’s verified account of the motley crew of drifters and scammers who first found their way to this surfing mecca is both compelling and powerful. This book will delight and excite all surfers and adventurers who prefer to venture off the beaten track. 

This comprehensive guide to woodcraft and the art of carving is the only handbook you will ever need. From identifying trees and picking the right wood to carving safety, necessary tools and how to care for them, Carve! is an inspiring blend of nature lore and good design. With charming and detailed step-by-step photographs and illustrations and more than a dozen fun and unique projects, the essentials are covered to get started and learn a new skill or hone an existing one. Projects include wooden utensils, vessels and boxes, jewellery, hair combs, musical instruments and even a muddler to complete your bar kit. Sure to be a classic for years to come!
ISBN 9781584236627

From the Route des Grandes Alpes to the rough gravel paths that flank the Silk Road and into the arid Californian desert, Ride Out! chronicles some of the best motorcycle journeys in the world—both on- and offroad.

 Detailed maps lead you to famous mountain passes and along scenic ocean roads. A motorcycle rider is always on the hunt for the perfect curve, the perfect scenery, and the perfect flow, but it’s the unexpected experiences that fine tune the perfect trip. From exploring new cultures to meeting new people and soaking in the sights and sounds along the way, the culture of discovery is what drives many to gear up for a ride. Pack light for a quick day trip with friends, or gear up for a long haul around the world. Traveling by two wheels on a cross-country expedition offers a freedom unmatched—it’s an adventure in its purest form.

SWITCHFOOT - THE OTHER SIDE OF SURFING 1960-1976

"SWITCH-FOOT SHOULD BE HAILED FOR RESURRECTING THEN IMMORTALISING IMAGES OF A BYGONE BEACH LIFESTYLE. ALSO FOR STOKING THE ETERNAL DEBATE ABOUT WHETHER SURFING IS A SPORT, SUBCULTURE, STATE OF MIND OR ALL OF THE ABOVE." CHAD WATSON, SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. 

Focusing on the characters of the 1960s era and strictly 'pre professionalism' (1976) this book interviews dozens of at the elders/legends in surfing probing their thoughts, feelings and opinions on 15 dedicated subjects including;

- board design

- influential characters

- shortboard revolution

- peak experience

- the 60s culture

Laced with the iconic photographs that the SwitchFoot publications are known for, there are prominent photographic contributions from;

- John Pennings, Leo Hetzel, Bob Weeks, Dave Milnes, Steve Wilkings, Peter Green and Ron Perrott. 

With further photographic contributions from;

George Greenough, Dick Hoole, John Severson, Jack Eden, Bill Ogden, Mal and Barrie Sutherland, Chris Brock, Albe Falzon, Jack McCoy … and others. 

INTERVIEWS WITH : George Greenough - Bob McTavish - Wayne Lynch - Bill Wallace - Joe Larkin - Gordon Woods - Baddy Treloar - Jack Eden - Gerry Lopez - Peter Harris -Rabbit - PT - Nat Young - Neal Purchase SNR - Maurice Cole - ALBE Falzon -Chris Brock -Bob Cooper - Michael Cundith - Peter Drouyn - Geoff McCoy   -Jack McCoy - Jim Banks - Mark Richards - Ken Adler - John Peck - Paul Gross - Paul Witzig - Peter Troy - Phyllis Odonnel - Rusty Miller - Robert Conneeley - MIke Doyle - Dick Van Straalen - Tom MOREY. 

Emocean is an everyperson surf magazine that champions diverse perspectives, radical creativity, relatability, empowerment, and especially the narratives of women, BIPOC and LGBTQ+ surfers. 

Hit the Road – and leave your comfort zone behind. Step aboard a four-wheeled home that allows you the freedom to stay wherever you want, whenever you want, and however you want. Watch the passing landscapes, follow the desire to see what is just over the horizon line, and escape from modern monotony.

Be it the story of a couple that traveled across Spain, Portugal, and the United Kingdom in a Volkswagen T4 on a journey to enrich their culinary education to a trek from one tip of Canada to the other behind the wheel of a Honda Element with the aurora borealis as a guiding light to a group of friends who perseveringly drove a Porsche 944 from England to Cape Town: Hit the Road welcomes you to follow these nomads and their journeys with stunning photography and details of their intrepid transportation. Rides range from classic Volkswagen Bullis to refurbished Airstream trailers and unstoppable 4x4s. From the deserts of Africa to the snow-capped mountains of Mongolia: prepare to hit the road.

Photographer Matt Dunbar and editor Vaughan Blakey have joined forces to produce a 120 page journal of Laura’s journey into big wave surfing, as seen in the Undone film. Our book provides authentic insight into the personal challenges that Laura faced, as she went in pursuit of the most dangerous waves in the world. Laughter and tears aplenty, it was truly epic - even though it didn’t always go to plan.

Featuring interviews with surfing royalty such as Stephanie Gilmore, Joel Parkinson, Layne Beachley and others, accompanied by imagery from leading Australian surf photographers, Matt Dunbar, Stu Gibson, Nick Green, Duncan Macfarlane, Simon ‘Swilly’ Williams. Interviews by Vaughan Blakey, design by Danny Johnson.

What if you could pull back the curtain to a new view each day? Call the Alps your office? Head off-road into the sweeping sand dunes of the Sahara for a few days of total peace? Dip into the Mediterranean any day of the week? And, as the sun starts to set, return to the comfort of your compact roving home?

This compendium of the world’s most fascinating vans and four-wheeled homes shows that home really is where you park it. Let the creative fit-outs inspire your own van-venture, and join the journey with illustrated maps that take you across snowy mountain passes and along sunny ocean roads. Van life is a movement for all seasons, so throw off the shackles of modern life and join us as we hit the open road.

Create your own unique sustainable home and life with tools, tips, and inspiration from The Humane Home. Sarah Lozanova shows us how to evaluate all the ways our lifestyle and living choices can be more sustainable, from powering our homes to the food we consume and the air we breathe. Small steps empower us to act immediately by starting an herb garden, reducing utility bills, and learning how to conduct a home energy audit. The fun, DIY activities and easy-to-follow, ecofriendly practices reshape how we think about our living spaces and help us create a blueprint for our own personal version of a humane home.

If you were there, even just for some of it – Hawaii, California, surfing, the ’70s – the memories and stories will flow freely from these photographs by Jeff Divine. The photographs collected here, taken throughout California on the coastlines at Baja, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, La Jolla, Malibu, San Clemente and Oahu, give a vivid image of this close-knit culture and the incredible athletic feats of its heroes and heroines. With a foreword by Pulitzer Prize–winning author William Finnegan.

Off the Road is a collection of outdoor adventures and the vehicular travel companions and equipment that make them possible. Its stunning photography transports us to awe-inspiring landscapes while revealing the lifestyle of those who make their homes on wheelst least temporarily. The book also tells the stories of young families, globetrotters who travel on a dime, weekend explorers, surf libertines, and professional adventurers who have created a slice of paradise wherever they chose to park.

When it comes to the great outdoors, the USA has it all: wild mountains, vast prairies, barren deserts, tropical forests and other worldly canyons. And there is no better way to explore them than that all-American activity: the road trip.

The Great American Road Trip provides a new appreciation of this grand tradition. Leading beyond magnificent landscapes and seeking out history, culture, food, and people; Retrace the Underground Railroad, follow the Blues Highway, go on a pilgrimage to the best lobster shacks. The Great American Road Trip encourages readers to start an adventure of their own. So what are you waiting for? The road awaits...

The saying goes, "The second best thing about surfing is talking about it afterward." Gerry Lopez, one of the most revered surfers of all time brings readers a collection of stories of harrowing waves, epic wipeouts, and heroes encountered over a lifetime on the water. From growing up in Hawaii and finding the tube in the early days at Pipeline, to pioneering legendary spots like Uluwatu and G-Land, Surf Is Where You Find It preserves memories of surf eras gone by and commemorates those who helped shape the surfing world today. Originally published in 2008, more than 50,000 copies later, this re-launch is redesigned with new photos. Timed with the release of a new documentary, The Yin & Yang of Gerry Lopez, produced by equally legendary surfer and skateboarder Stacy Peralta, these 38 stories and hundreds of photos offer more Gerry than ever before.

3rd Edition- paperback

In The Responsible Company, published by Patagonia, Yvon Chouinard, founder and owner of Patagonia, and Vincent Stanley, co-editor of its Footprint Chronicles, draw on their 40 years' experience at Patagonia – and knowledge of current efforts by other companies – to articulate the elements of responsible business for our time.

In The Responsible Company, published by Patagonia, Chouinard and Stanley recount how the company and its culture gained the confidence – step by step and misstep – to make its work progressively more responsible, and to ultimately share its discoveries with companies as large as Wal-Mart and as small as the corner bakery.

COVID did its damnedest to stop us printing this year, but we kicked it square in the balls and made the 2020 Monster Children Photo Annual. This is the 67th issue of Monster Children, and in it you will find the following: results from our 10th Annual Photo Competition; a long-ass photo featured called ‘The Year in Photos’; a beautiful homage to the late great Keith Hufnagel; a special feature about some very clever young people forging the future of the planet; a nude photo of Vaughan Blakey; an interview with legendary photographer JJ Gonson; many full-colour advertisements; too many single and double-page departments than can’t be listed here. Sick.

William Sharp began taking surfing photographs in southern California in the early seventies and was quickly drawn into the nascent skateboard scene, shooting friends emulating surfing moves on pavement. The work is priceless, not only for its documentary value, but for the beautiful images captured and later developed by Sharp himself. Now in a more compact format, this title is a timeless and nostalgic collection of photographs documenting the skateboarding scene in the 1970s.
ISBN 9783943330472. Gingko Press.

Over the last 25 years, Cam Honan has trekked more than 90,000 km (55,000 mi). Backpacker Magazine claims to never have met “anyone who’s logged more miles.” Cam has hiked in over 50 countries and splits his time between Australia and his second home of Mexico.

Embark on a thrilling exploration of the world’s most exciting, magnificent, and diverse walking trails and hiking destinations. Besides the better-known paths, The Hidden Tracks will also highlight some of the more out-of-the-way gems—be it an expedition on the other side of the world or a day’s hike just a few hours from your hometown.

 From a magic trail leading through a forest of giant trees and breathtaking mountain ascents in South America to a trek among some of the highest sand dunes in the world in Mongolia, this selection of one-of-a-kind trails is presented with stunning imagery, detailed trail descriptions, overview maps, and insider advice on how to make the most of each trip. The book is both a visual journey and an invitation to pack your hiking boots and discover untouched hiking destinations. 

The New Outsiders showcases must-visit locations and unusual experiences from Iceland to Patagonia for everyone who calls the great outdoors their second home.

At the heart of this book are those maverick spirits who are striding forward to find creative solutions to protect and preserve the landscapes that have transformed us—ideas deeply inspired by our connection to nature. From pioneers of closed-loop clothing, who continually recycle their materials into new products, to the open-source approach of sustainable outdoor brands, we are holding ourselves accountable for our actions in everything we do. We free dive beneath the ice in Canada and free-climb Patagonian peaks. We trek through the frozen tundra of Baffin Island, savor the beauty of North America from the saddle of a bike, and surf Arctic waves. Pick up your backpack and step outside—it is time to get inspired to live a life less ordinary beneath the open sky.