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At first glance it’s an image of simple, aesthetic beauty with universal appeal. Even those who have never dipped a toe in the brine can appreciate a chiselled, blonde figure bending supple limps on a sun-licked, blue wave. Meanwhile, the surfer can look a little closer and under-stand the various forces which conspire to create this sublime moment. To begin with, this North Shore wave can’t barrel or stretch too far, instead its well-defined, wrapping corner has to invite just one hefty gaffe from the gifted rider. Still, the board has to have a sharp rail that will knife into the clean wall like the blade of a good fish butcher going through a flank of premium blue-fin. Not discounting the timing, there is also the biomechanics of Ethan Ewing to consider. The head turned at just the right angle, the balletic shoulder swing and hands placed just so, the powerful body torque, and apparent notion that upper and lower body are talking to one another and not moving with separate agendas. The geyser of displaced water is just the liquid confetti drawing attention to the spectacle. The end result – the kind of turn every surfer dreams of replicating.