Shane Herring’s premature death at age 53 sent a ripple of despair across the surfing world. The countless responses to his passing reflected how deeply he resonated with fans and peers. In one sense Shane was a surfing genius who at times operated in an untouchable realm. Meanwhile, the diminutive, bespeckled redhead with a larrikin spirit and endearing smile had total, everyman appeal. If 90s Kelly was Captain America, Shane was Ginger Megs.

A Facebook post from an old school buddy pointed to an intelligence that reached beyond the waves. “He was a bright, bright guy… if he wasn’t one of the best surfers in the world, he’d have been many, many things.” The same friend remembered watching surfing become the all-consuming passion for Shane. “His laser focus for surfing during and just after finishing school was so adult, so ahead, so strict.” 

That focus manifested as an act where full-rail precision, coalesced with radical direction changes and progressive flair, to create a style that was at once sublimely fluent and refreshingly unpredictable.

Competitively, Shane is best remembered for defeating Kelly Slater in the 1992 Coke Classic at Narrabeen. It was the first ASP final either surfer had ever competed in and although the waves were junky, there was a sense that something special was transpiring. In a tribute post to Shane, Kelly wrote. “He best blended the old school power and pure lines with the new school mentality and speed in the 90s… He made a bigger mark than he might be known for these days.”  

Any footage of Herring in his early 90s prime is still rapturous, while the surfing remains totally relevant nearly three decades on. One can imagine modern pros binge watching it, hopeful that repeated viewing will encourage some of Shane’s indefinable magic to rub ...