Behind the cover: Milla Coco brown by Ryan Miller Sometimes surfing is hit by a human thunderbolt, a rare force of nature who rattles the windows and wakes us up; reminds us that we are part of a subculture that prides itself on liberal self-expression. Milla Coco Brown has emerged as the of kind of individual who can send a current of excitement rippling through surfing. To win the inaugural ‘Natural Selection’ event, Milla rode deep at a menacing, ribbed out right; trumping former CT regular, Coco Ho, en route to victory. Brave in throaty barrels, confident beyond the lip and refreshingly bold in person, Milla is rapidly accruing fans across the board. “… I just try to be myself and I don’t care what anyone thinks,” she tells Tracks in her major profile piece for this issue. “But I do try and let my surfing do the talking.” We like Milla’s attitude on both counts and that’s why we gave her the cover. O’Neill – the hyperX jacket O’Neill’s HyperX Jacket delivers an impressive balance of performance and sustainability. Constructed entirely from recycled TechnoButter 3X, this suit combines eco-friendly innovation with high-level functionality. Remarkably lightweight and exceptionally comfortable, allowing surfers to move freely and push their boundaries in the water. It’s a standout example of how advanced design and environmental responsibility can work hand in hand to enhance the surfing experience.” au.oneill.com Patagonia – men’s wavefarer boardshorts Patagonia’s Wavefarer® Boardshorts are as tough as nails, quick to dry, and spun out of recycled fishing nets, which means every pair is doing a little ocean clean-up on your behalf. They feature a durable Water Repellent finish, minus the dodgy chemicals, and at 19” they sit just right – Not thigh-hugging budgie smugglers and not early 00s knee-draggers. They’re built to surf hard, last long, and still look good post surf. patagonia.com.au Capturing Kahanamoku – How a Surfing Legend and a Scientific Obsession Redefined Race and Culture – by Michael Rossi In the annals of surfing, Duke Kahanamoku is legend. Perhaps more than any individual, this Olympic swimming gold medallist put surfing on the map in the U.S. and introduced it to the wider world. In his heyday at the beginning of the twentieth century, Duke was an undisputed celebrity: the goodwill ambassador for both the sport and his native Hawaii. But he was also, unwittingly, a centrepiece in the controversial, … Read more