Few athlete profiles rise to the artistic level of Morgan Maassen's portrait of O'Neill team rider Soli Bailey. It celebrates Bailey against a rich pallet of Antipodean hues, and with a mood that perfectly captures his roots and how they inspire his surfing.
Maassen is one of the best in the game, and it shows in this clip. There's also an undeniable understanding of and respect for his subject shining through, which Maassen explains:
"10 years ago, an Australian surf magazine editor handed me one of my first photography assignments and said "capture Soli".
"We had only a few hours together, shooting portraits and action on a small day in Hawaii, but I was immediately struck by the incredible demeanor of the teenager. Polite, quiet, but so fiercely determined to make his mark, Soli was rising through the junior ranks and dreaming of making the World Tour."
A lot has happened since then, including Soli realizing this dream of competing on the CT. Enjoy six minutes of one of the best clips you will have seen in a while.
Morgan Maassen's Captivating Portrait Of Australian Surfer Soli Bailey
Ben Collins
Few athlete profiles rise to the artistic level of Morgan Maassen's portrait of O'Neill team rider Soli Bailey. It celebrates Bailey against a rich pallet of Antipodean hues, and with a mood that perfectly captures his roots and how they inspire his surfing.
Maassen is one of the best in the game, and it shows in this clip. There's also an undeniable understanding of and respect for his subject shining through, which Maassen explains:
"10 years ago, an Australian surf magazine editor handed me one of my first photography assignments and said "capture Soli".
"We had only a few hours together, shooting portraits and action on a small day in Hawaii, but I was immediately struck by the incredible demeanor of the teenager. Polite, quiet, but so fiercely determined to make his mark, Soli was rising through the junior ranks and dreaming of making the World Tour."
A lot has happened since then, including Soli realizing this dream of competing on the CT. Enjoy six minutes of one of the best clips you will have seen in a while.
Soli Bailey
Young Queenslander Marlon Harrison finds the event's only perfect 10 point ride when it mattered the most during the Final.
With the QS on hold in 2020, the time away from competition saw the 25-year-old hit the tools.
Robinson, Bailey and Moniz hunt for a repeat victory
WSL Big Wave Award entries coming in hot, 'Weird Waves' in Portugal, Chris Christenson mixes things up for team O'Neill, and more.
The prestigious Pipe event is now a Men's QS 5,000 - attracting some of the biggest names in surfing.
News
The now-Central Coast competitor Jack Van Wagoner is back in familiar waters, this time in Pismo Beach, looking for his second-career win.
The 2023 finalist Chloe Coleman is back after her rookie year among the world's best and looks for a second-career win heading into Pismo
Jahly Stokes and Keijiro Nishi Finish Runners Up as Jinzun Harbor Turns on Pumping Surf For Finals Day and Kerr Wins Second QS 5000 Event
Women's Top Seeds Dominate Round of 32 -- Stage Set For Potential Finals Day in Taiwan.