Surfing’s visual identity depends on a symbiotic partnership. The surfer creates the act, but it’s the photographer who immortalises it. Across decades, this creative exchange has shaped how the world sees surfing. From Occy and Jack McCoy to Kelly Slater and Todd Glaser, the surfing world has seen a number of iconic surfer and photographer duos. One pairing you may not be familiar with is that of James Thompson (Jimmy) and Charlie Cullen.
Jimmy’s the resident surf guide at Aura Surf Resort on the island of Simeulue, Indonesia, while Charlie, a photographer, has been doing regular stints there since 2015. Having spent time at Aura myself in 2019, I quickly learnt that Jimmy has the place dialled. There’s one particular stretch of reef which he makes his own. A quick glance at his social media shows you that his ability to stuff himself deep inside a shallow spitting funnel, alongside Charlie’s knack for being in the right spot, is second to none. Their social media feeds are full blown A1 tube porn.
The spot is no joke either. It’s a hollow and heavy slab that closes out onto dry reef. According to Jimmy, no one thought it was ‘doable’ until Clay Marzo rocked up in 2016 and started packing six foot backhand pits like it was a beachie.
However, the wave is not for the faint hearted. Big wave charger and slab connoisseur Dylan Longbottom recently described it as ‘one of the most intimidating waves’ he’s ever seen.
“It’s pretty much bone dry and there’s hardly any time to kick out. If you don’t make it, you’re on the reef. Me and Summa took a look but it was too dangerous. Jimmy, the guide at Aura, has the place dialled though, it’s incredible to watch,” he told Tracks after a trip to the island earlier this year.
If a legend like Dylan is saying no to a wave and giving you kudos for having it dialled, then you must have some serious ability. We decided to hit up Jimmy to get the low down on his friendship with Charlie, the pair’s relationship to this wave and find out the secret to having an insta feed that gives you a case for being the most barrelled man on the planet.
Tell us a bit about yourself Jimmy?
I was born and raised in Sayulita, Mexico. When I was 14, my family moved to Texas, and later I went to Kauai, Hawaii, where I finished high school and studied business. My dad had me and my brother surfing from a young age — we’d spend hours watching Bruce and Andy in old Indo films. So when the chance came to work in Indonesia, I jumped at it.
How long have you had the gig at Aura?
I first came out in 2016 to captain the Aura speedboat and instantly fell in love with the place. I planned to stay two months but ended up doing six that first season, then eight the next. Eventually, I just stayed. I met my wife Tri here and we’ve got two beautiful daughters now. Life is simple — family and community are everything.
Tell us a bit about your relationship with Charlie?
Charlie’s the man, my best mate out here, he is like my brother. Uncle to my kids and a top human. You’d have a hard time finding anyone who’d have anything bad to say about the guy. I don’t know many surf photographers as switched on as him. He understands waves and forecasting better than anyone I know, and his work speaks for itself.
We’ll often paddle out while the guests are having lunch, get one wave, snag a clip or a shot and paddle back in. One and done. His positioning is what sets him apart. He keeps shit light too, always joking, never too serious. I think he’s a massive part of why Aura has been so successful.
Charlie: I’ve known Jimmy since he first showed up at the resort and we instantly became mates. You could tell that he was a very good surfer. I’d say he has a strong case for the most barrelled man. He’s getting tubed almost every day of the week if the waves are good.
Tell us a bit about the waves on the island, you seem to have it dialled more than anyone?
The waves here are tricky. Other parts of Indo are more perfect and easier to score, but that’s what I love about it. It’s not as simple as watching a swell chart and showing up — this place makes you work for it. Most spots look flat or unsurfable 95% of the time, but on their day, they’re as good as anywhere in Indo. That challenge makes it more rewarding when it all comes together.
And that wave which has been the catalyst for your endless stash of tube porn, tell us about that.
It’s a perfect Indonesian barrelling point when it’s on, but it can be fickle. I doubt anyone has spent more time on it than Charlie and I. What keeps me hooked is the unpredictability — a wave that looks like a closeout can end up being the best of your life. You just have to trust your line and go. So many people leave those stretched out ones, but I’ll always give them a chance, on the right board and with the right speed they are makeable.
Tell us about the specific patch of reef on that wave which is so dangerous.
It’s just a slab close out on dry reef, we didn’t even know it was doable until Clay Marzo showed us during my first season. He’s a freak, on his backhand just packing 6 footers. He made it look so easy. That was the first time I ever surfed it, after watching him get some crazy ones. I got a few that session, but didn’t really surf it much after that day. It’s scary, it wasn’t until the last few years with the main break getting busier that I’ve started to surf it more. There are many days now that I only surf in there. I prefer it.
What makes that wave so scary?
It’s a guaranteed keg, if you make the drop. But you need a good exit strategy or it’s easy to get into really gnarly situations. The exit isn’t guaranteed. I’d say one in ten are perfect kick outs. The rest are scary close outs with a dry shelf of sharp reef right in front of you. I’ve had my fair share of pin drops on a bad one, but the good ones are worth the risk.
Charlie, what are you looking for when shooting out there?
Charlie: It’s heavy, for sure – super shallow with big fingers. It’s really mechanical which helps you line up, but the more creative the angle you chase, the riskier the position gets.
Have there been any standout performers out there?
Over the years, heaps of surfers have tackled the wave like it’s nothing - Clay Marzo, Pierce Flynn, Creed McTaggart, Eithan Osborne, Charlie Rowntree, Ethan Ewing, Josh Taylor, Joao Chianca, Sammy Pupo, Sheldon Simkus, Mia McCarthy, and recently Isabella Nichols. You’ve got to want a wave like that. The pros make it look easy, but no one’s ever made it look as effortless as Clay.
Have you had any scary moments out there?
We have had some close calls, nothing life threatening, but too close for comfort. I have taken two people to the emergency room for head stitches, including the resort owner. More recently, Sheldon Simkus got slammed hard and was dry docked for a week. I’m surprised it hasn’t been worse. That wave doesn’t get surfed often for a reason.
What keeps you coming back for more?
Surfing’s a funny addiction. I’ve had some amazing waves living here, but the itch never fades. The clips are great, but coming home to my kids happy and healthy is even better. My oldest has started surfing — that’s my new obsession. I’d rather share a one-footer with her than make an eight-foot keg… but for now, why not both?
