Surfing, Skateboarding, Music, Photography, Travel, Culture and general antics of the youth on the run.

Owen Wright and the First day of spring And tomorrow we have a new issue for you

what youth owen wright surfing snapper rocks

Over the weekend, lots of you probably watched Owen Wright win the Quiksilver Pro. A feel good hit for the spring to be sure. There were times over the past year in which I had conversations with people about whether Owen would ever properly surf again, so I must say it was a pleasure to sink a glass of wine as he took down Matt Wilkinson in the final, came in and was greeted by his girl and new baby. I mean, I never thought I would watch him surf Snapper again, let alone win the Quiksilver Pro — which marked his first event back in over a year after suffering a head injury at Pipeline.  So today, we toast to you, Owen. And those daffodils blooming in my window sill.

Watch the final here if you missed it: 

This weekend we also got to leak a few issue 17’s around town before they hit the shop. It will go on sale tomorrow (tonight at 9pm PST/12am EST). Issue 17 is a triumphant return for us. A return to doing shit for the sake of doing it. In this issue, we nearly capsized (but didn’t) during a trip to Indo. We went to Norway, we interviewed Andrew Allen, Ty Segall, got inside the studio with Allah-Las, Chas Smith tells us why surf journalism is absurd, there are mice cubes and Manhattans and more than a few things we’ll probably get in trouble for. But, that’s always worth it!

what youth issue 17 surf magazine

So here’s the deal: Tonight at 9pm PST/12am EST, Issue 17 goes on sale and will ship to you immediately.

We’ve been getting closer and closer to selling each issue out so make sure you grab one while they’re around. Reprinting sounds like a hassle and we probably won’t get around to it. So these are one and done.

So remember: Tonight at 9pm PST/12am EST, Issue 17 is on sale. Spring has sprung!

creed mctaggart surfing what youth cluster

The What Youth Caption Contest Photo captions are dead. Let’s reinvent them.

Photo captions suck because they’re easy to write instead of great to read.

what youth recommends

Miki Dora on Surf Competitions Sage advice from “Da Cat”

Editor’s Note: Just a little magic for your day. Miki Dora, from Surfers: The Movie: “The competitive part of it all is a whole different ball game, a whole different camp. What I’m involved with, I don’t even think about it. I don’t wanna think about. It destroys for me the whole purpose of riding waves….

what youth yago dora surfing

This is Yago Dora We couldn’t love him more, and you will too

We met Yago Dora on this trip. The ever-smiling “Yogs.” Without much formality, we Instagram-directed him an invitation to come on the trip because we love his surfing and we’d heard he’s just a great dude to be around (he is). He changed a few plans and tickets and just like that he was in….

Gallery California Quinn Matthews first submission from a swell happy coastline

Editor’s Note: California is a magical place. Especially if you’re a photographer…right? Well it’s trickier than you think. Even with trains of NW swell stacking up in the Pacific. To get gold it takes a lot of homework and a good amount of luck to get the classic imagery you’re after — or maybe you should…

what youth this is us north surfing trip

North in a big white van Yago Dora, Brendon Gibbens, Andrew Doheny and Dillon Perillo road trip to SF in This is Us: North

It was Wednesday morning when we picked up the big white van in Orange County. Planes took off from the nearby airport and the hustle of 8 a.m. was well underway. Donuts and smoothies were being consumed. People driving with eyes glued to their phones as we ticked the box on the rental agreement for…

what youth adriano world champ

Why this is so great Sending our love to Adriano de Souza’s WSL World Title

Yesterday I watched one of my favorite surfers (Mason Ho) surf against Adriano de Souza in a heat that would decide the WSL World Title — and I found myself rooting for Adriano. I posted my feelings about it on Instagram at one point and was immediately berated for the opinion, which is fine, but…

what youth beau foster surfing

Once the Testosterone Settles A little behind-the-scenes glimpse at Beau Foster’s new movie Shitkicker to ease the tension

There is a lot of testosterone in the air right now. People are SHOUTING. Good and bad. Tears are flowing and emotions are really raging. So let’s take a deep breath and remember how fun surfing is. Which is what Beau Foster’s new film “Shitkicker” is. And yes, we are very proud of Adriano DeSouza…

what youth issue 13 julain wilson

Deadline Done Issue 13 is currently being covered in ink for you

Every deadline has a personality. Traits that distinguish it from the last one faced, and this issue was no different. A temptress of the late night, our next book is lubricated with midnight oil, covered in many moon’s light, but in our experience, that’s where the good shit comes from. After a few weeks on…

what youth greg long jaws surfing

On Yesterday Evan Geiselman, Billy Kemper, Andre Botha, Jaws, John John Florence, Greg Long…damn dudes.

Yesterday was a beautiful day in California. It was calm. Sunny. The waves were 3-foot. Football was on and mama was cooking chicken all across the land. But if you were a surf fan — like an online surf-watching Instagram-hound type of surf fan — yesterday was fucking stressful and emotional. The morning was high-octane. Greg Long…

what youth magazine bruce irons

Do Surf Magazines still matter? Our own Nate Lawrence on then and now

Do surf magazines still matter? I’ve been asking myself this question for the last few months. It’s probably my growing older and wondering if kids these days think the same as I did. When I first had a dream to get a photo published, magazines were everything. Everything I would work for and spend money and…

We Are All Bruce Irons Our case for the feel good hit of the winter

[UPDATE: November 23, 2015]: Kieren Perrow and the WSL have officially awarded Bruce Irons the Wildcard for The Billabong Pipeline Masters. Bruce had this to say: “I’m so honored to be given the opportunity to compete in the Pipe Masters in memory of my brother,” Irons said. “I reached out to Kieren (Perrow) a couple of…

Spilling Condiments on your shirt Unfiltered moments from the road with Droid

This is a little bit ridiculous, but I’m writing from a log on the beach surrounded by sand dollars while tethered to Internet from my futuristic iPhone. I’m watching Andrew Doheny, Dillon Perillo and Yago Dora rip a reform somewhere near the center of California. It aint perfect but it’s pretty damn fun and the…

Sign up for letters from What Youth


By enabling this page, you are acknowledging and accepting our privacy terms and conditions.