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

Photo Credit: Patrick Trefz Portfolio 013

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Patrick Trefz is originally from Düsseldorf, Germany — a long way from his current Santa Cruz home and surf lifestyle. But it was there in Germany his love of skateboarding got the ball rolling for his current passion. It was a few well-timed jaunts into the jungle, barefoot and eating bananas and coconuts off the vine where he saw the other side. The surf side. And photography bridged the gap from land to sea.

“After surfing and camping for four weeks at this isolated spot, I ended up shooting seven pictures with my old SLR Minolta on the final day,” he recalls. I was traveling and never developed the photos for 8 months. Once I got the images back I was tripping and wished i would have shot more. I send a duplicate slide to Rip Curl and they ended up running it for a Search ad. That was the beginning of it all.”

Since then he’s shot the world’s best in the world’s best, released a book, Surfers’ Blood which showcases his 20 years on the run with the best surfers in the world. And the best part of all, and the real flex: it was all shot on film. And marked the end of an era for him. His next venture is filmmaking. And we’ll certainly be watching. Enjoy a look through Patrick’s storied archive below.

Photo Credit jack belli what youth

Photo Credit: Jack Belli Portfolio 018

Jack Belli’s portfolio of imagery is vast. What started as a surf hobby, has since turned into an art form featuring some of the world’s most beautiful girls. We tracked Jack down to find out how that evolution occurred. And if he knows how we can make it happen for us. WHAT YOUTH: Where did…

Photo Credit: Zara Mirkin Portfolio 017

“I love music, its my biggest passion in life except I can’t play for shit so didn’t pursue it. In saying that I try to make my work as musically involved as I can and spend the majority of my money going to watch my favorite bands play, and buying silly band merch.” –Zara Mirkin…

Photo Credit Larsen Sotelo what youth girls

Photo Credit: Larsen Sotelo Portfolio 015

Being resourceful. And making the most of what you have. That’s been the ticket for a lot of successful photographers. And Larsen Sotelo became an expert at both of these things, and now his photography comes with built in edge and raw energy. We had him select some of his favorite photos and asked him a…

Photo Credit: Luke Schuetrumpf Portfolio 015

He’s young. He’s talented. He’s hustling. And he literally rode his bike here to meet us. Australian photographer Luke Schuetrumpf started by filming surfing and then quickly abandoned that when he realized he could photograph beautiful girls instead. And the call has worked out. “Where I grew up had a big influence on me: girls at…

photo credit kyle lightner what youth surfing

Photo Credit: Kyle Lightner Portfolio 014

The return of a really talented photographer

what youth photo credit

Photo Credit: Patrick Trefz Portfolio 013

Patrick Trefz is originally from Düsseldorf, Germany — a long way from his current Santa Cruz home and surf lifestyle. But it was there in Germany his love of skateboarding got the ball rolling for his current passion. It was a few well-timed jaunts into the jungle, barefoot and eating bananas and coconuts off the…

Photo Credit: Stefan Kocev Portfolio 012

A beautiful array of images from a friend of a friend.

what youth surfing waves

Photo Credit: Seth Stafford Portfolio 011

Seth Stafford spent much of his career shooting photographs for the now out of print TransWorld Surf Mag. Now he spends his time surfing and skating and shooting more photos. And as you’ll see below, the New Jersey native has accumulated quite a surreal catalog of photographs during that career — working with and shooting both…

Photo Credit: Gutterdust Portfolio 010

Gutterdust is the epic alias of Andy Wauman, artist, photographer and wanderer.

Josh Zucker shoots Geoff Rowley what youth photo credit

Photo Credit: Josh Zucker Portfolio 009

Josh Zucker hangs with a sick crew. At only 21 years old he’s already worked for Vans and Flip, is practically an honorary member of Odd Future, kicks it on Fairfax casually and has traveled the world with “it” crews as well as a solid batch of skateboarding legends. His demeanor is polite, friendly and…

Nolan hall photo credit what youth

Photo Credit: Nolan Hall Portfolio 008

Working for Vans puts you in some pretty good company. And when your’e a cool cat like Nolan Hall, you’re going to get to document dudes authentically. In the wild. How they are. Unique, creative, fucked up and amazing. Nolan has been traveling the world snapping photos for a long time and we hit him…

Woody Gooch photo credit what youth

Photo Credit: Woody Gooch Portfolio 007

When we asked Woody Gooch about his name, all he said was: “Woodya mean?” Followed by: “I don’t really have a fucking clue how I got the name of two male private parts. I still haven’t asked my parents. No one ever believes me that my name is Woody Gooch.” But we’ll be damned if…

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