What place is there for ethics in the modern business landscape? How many businessman would forego dollars and ignore the bottom line to do 'the right thing'?

Strange questions indeed. Even stranger when you consider I was sitting at a surfing press conference when I flashed upon them.

Russell Ord is a surf photgrapher from Cowaramup, Western Australia. He's a photographer that specialises in heavy water and his photos of heaving local reefs are seen around the world. Russ recently worked on Drift, the new film set in Margaret River during the early ‘70s that tells the story of two brothers at the genesis of the modern surf industry. 

Tom Innes is a Margaret River local, he's a past winner of the Margaret River Pro trials and even went on to finish fourth in the main event that year. Tom was recently chosen to be a surfing stunt double in Drift, the new film set in Margaret River during the early ‘70s that tells the story of two brothers at the genesis of the modern surf industry. 

Victoria's Surf Coast is uniquely positioned with a broad swell window to the southwest, however incoming swells are refracted as they round Cape Otway. This narrows the apparent swell direction at the coast, so when viewed from shore the majority of swells appear to arrive from the south. So how can you tell if there's a westerly swell or a southerly swell running through Bass Strait if they all appear to be arriving from a similar direction at the coast?

Billabong today anounced that it had begun exclusive talks with one of its takeover bidders, ex-head of its North American division, Paul Naude, and his backers, Sycamore Partners. The move is a sign that the Billabong saga is finally drawing to a close. The deal, if it holds, will see Naude acquire the beleaguered company for $0.60 a share valuing Billabong at just $287 million, a paltry sum for a once-mighty company worth $5 billion only five years ago.

This is an article about blame and responsibility. I was provoked into writing it after getting hit by a loose surfboard at Manly Beach on a midsummer Sunday. As all right-thinking surfers know, the chances of getting hit are greatly increased when surfing at such an hour. Therefore, if first principles are to be observed I'm at fault simply for being out there.

Early indications are very promising and there's even a good chance for a solid swell over the Easter break.

It was the defining moment of the Quiksilver Pro final: Joel Parkinson, standing tall in a clean Kirra barrel, sticking his middle finger up at Kelly Slater who was just about to drop in on him.

Of course the photo has a back story...

Recently Surfing Australia held its annual awards night. As it was their 50th anniversary Surfing Australia marked the milestone with a special presentation, 'Australia's Ten Most Influential Surfers.' Bob McTavish was deemed Australia's tenth most influential surfer, and, as they were announced in reverse order, he was the first to accept his award. Bob began his speech by opening up on an old topic: Is surfing a sport or an art? As the speech progressed it felt like we were heading toward an awkward faux pas, a black mark on a black tie night.