Surfing Life 283 hits shelves just as the World Tour kicks off at Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast. The pro surfing machine is about to rumble to life again for another year. We’re excited. You should be too.

In 2012 surfing has come a long way, but it’s come to a plateau. We all know how great our sport is but why is it being left behind in a flooded market? Is it the ASP, the brands or surfing itself? What does the future hold? Nick Carroll investigates.

Summer has reached its crescendo and what a season of sizzle it’s been. From coast to coast there’s been fun galore and Parko, Wilko, Fish and friends have all been getting their summer share.

Before the turkey had even had a chance to settle Dean Brady and Asher Pacey headed north in pursuit of swell. Surfing Life’s been to this reef outcrop before, but on Boxing Day we just couldn’t help ourselves. Remember Dean Brady's cover on Surfing Life 282? Well, check out the photos from the full session and you’ll see why we can’t get enough of the place.

Elsewhere in the issue you’ll meet the happiest man in surfing and an ASP World Champ you’ve never heard of, we judge the judges, and there is reader goodness galore. If that ain’t enough relive the pumping surf of Portugal and Kelly’s march to eleven in San Francisco with the bonus Rip Curl DVD that comes slapped on the front of the mag.

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