Life Around the Sea

Capturing the Heart of Australian Surf Culture

By (author) Russell Ord
By (author) Alex Workman

$75.00

Publishing 1st May 2025

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An essential book for anyone who lives and breathes surfing or delights in the splendor that nature — in particular, the ocean — has to offer
Displaying full-color and black-and-white photography of breathtaking scenes from surf beaches across Australia
Photographs are grouped together by region, providing a visual journey that begins and ends in Western Australia, the home of photographer Russell Ord
Profiles in narrative form are scattered throughout the book, providing glimpses into people's lives - from professionals in the industry such as known legend Tom Carroll and Olympic champion Shane Gould, to everyday people who feel the call to the sea and surf for the pure love of the sport
The book features people who live close to the water, as well as those who travel to seek the waves their hearts desire
A key theme in Life Around the Sea is the connection shared between surfers and the ocean, and the bond surfers therefore have with each other. A sense of peace, harmony, and community is felt among surfers far and wide
This book is a beautiful tribute to the surfing culture in Australia and the awe-inspiring waves its beaches can conjure

Full Description

Life Around the Sea is an odyssey through which we can explore the existence of those whose hearts beat in unison with the rhythmic swells of the ocean.
This book features stories of individuals who have discovered their true selves among the salt, sand, and surf. We encounter people from all walks of life, such as the surfer who first felt the tender caress of a wave in their childhood, the fearless and infamous big-wave riders, the artists drawn to the coastline to bring its ancient beauty to life, and the shapers who expertly craft boards for wave seekers around the globe.
The power of these narratives is truly magnified by the striking images alongside them, assembled by accomplished photographer Russell Ord. His lens captures the essence of each unique individual, revealing the depth of their profound connection to the sea. His images provide another dimension to their stories, allowing us to gaze into the eyes of the ocean’s kin, feel the salt on their skin, and experience the majesty of the sea through their perspectives.

About the Author

Russell Ord is an Australian photographer best known for his striking surf and ocean photography. Ord grew up playing rugby league, surfing, and working as a firefighter. He began pursuing photography seriously in the early 2000s and quickly made a name for himself with his intense, dramatic images of big-wave surfing and ocean landscapes. Russell’s work is regularly featured in numerous publications, including The Surfer’s Journal, Tracks, and Australian Surfing Life, and he has won multiple awards for his photography. He is particularly well known for his willingness to take risks in pursuit of the perfect shot, often putting himself in dangerous situations to capture the power and beauty of the ocean. Russell’s unique talents culminated in his documentation of a violent twist of the Indian Ocean. The hard-won and career-defining image, known simply as “The Right,” was the focal point for his celebrated documentary One Shot.

Alex Workman is a surf journalist from Australia. His love of surfing has taken him around the world covering stories on the world’s best surfers and culture shifters, working for Tracks Magazine and the World Surf League. A published writer and documentary producer, his career has given him access to hang with world champions, shapers, artists and a band of surfing misfits who, like he, have hitched their lives to the rhythm of the waves. He resides in Byron Bay with his young family where he regularly pushes them into waves of their own.

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