(Cough.) Hello. Errr … HELLO. Sorry, bit loud. (Cough.) That’s better. Hi. Hi, there. (Perfect.) My name is Jed Smith and I am a journalist and radio presenter. I have been chosen as your captain—that is, editor—for the foreseeable future, so let me start by first saying that it is an honour and a privilege to have your attention, and to be handed the reigns of this here proud and storied publication, Australia’s Surfing Life.

Why they’ve trusted it to a punch-drunk pikey from one of the most maligned beaches in the world, Bondi, will no doubt be as confounding to you as it to me. But, let me assure you, you will not be disappointed, there is a silver lining, especially where the reader is concerned. If there is one thing I learned in the gruelling arena of inner city beach breaks and rip bowls I grew up in, and later as I travelled the globe covering the world tour, it’s that I know very little about top flight surfing. In its place I developed a coping mechanism, one commonly employed by journalists: I let surfers speak for themselves. And when I can’t do that, I let other people who know a lot more than me fill up our column space. That will be the methodology moving forward, beginning right now with our Boards issue….

Grab a copy now and keep reading.

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