Australian surfing sensation Hughie Vaughan, 18, has taken the extreme sports world by storm with a groundbreaking aerial maneuver at a Texas wave park. Dubbed the "stalefish flipper" by skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, Vaughan’s move at The Nines event has garnered millions of views and widespread acclaim from surfing and action sports icons, setting a new benchmark for aerial surfing.
A New Era of Aerial Surfing
Hughie Vaughan’s "stalefish flipper" involved launching into a backflip on a right break, holding his board with his right hand, and executing a smooth landing atop the wave. This innovative trick, performed at the Swatch Nines Surf event in Waco, Texas, has been hailed as potentially the "best air ever done" in a wave pool.
Widespread Acclaim and Viral Sensation
Surf photographer Rob Henson’s video of Vaughan’s feat quickly went viral, accumulating thousands of likes and shares. The clip caught the attention of Tony Hawk, who not only reposted it to his nearly 10 million followers but also coined the term "stalefish flipper." The move even prompted American DJ Diplo to question, "Is this AI?" due to its seemingly impossible nature.
Praise from Legends
The surfing community has been effusive in its praise for Vaughan’s groundbreaking maneuver:
- Ítalo Ferreira (Brazilian former world champion and Olympic gold medalist): Called it "insane."
- Mick Fanning (Australian surf legend): Stated, "Wowsers. Had to watch it 50 times just to figure out what happened. Amazing."
- Jesse Mendes (Championship tour surfer): Declared it "has to be the best air ever done."
- Julian Wilson (Pro surfer): Described it as "a new standard."
- Mason Ho (Pro surfer): Remarked, "It almost looked like snowboarding, it looked fake, but he wasn’t strapped in, and he was just surfing. I was like, ‘Whoa, I think this is what this is all about.’"
The Nines Event: Fostering Innovation
The Nines event, which combines surfing with skateboarding and BMX, is designed to encourage experimentation and push the boundaries of extreme sports. The event features unique elements like rails over water for grinds and illuminated rings for night-surfing aerials. While there are no scores or prize money, the underlying competitive spirit drives participants to attempt never-before-seen maneuvers. Matt Meola, another high-flying surfer, also landed a groundbreaking "stalefish alley oop rodeo 540," or "The Meola Flip," at the event, further highlighting the innovative atmosphere.
Key Takeaways
- Hughie Vaughan’s "stalefish flipper" is a significant advancement in aerial surfing.
- The move has received widespread acclaim from surfing and skateboarding legends.
- The Nines event provides a unique platform for extreme sports innovation.
- Vaughan’s feat has gone viral, captivating a global audience.
Sources
- ‘Is this AI?’: surfing world in awe after ‘best air ever’ pulled off by 18-year-old Australian, The Guardian.
- Insane Aerials and Boardslides Stun Swatch Nines Surf Event, SURFER Magazine.
- Hughie Vaughan Pulls Off ‘Best Air Done In a Wave Pool,’ Gets Nod From Tony Hawk, The Inertia.
- Australian teenager pulls off ‘best air ever’ in Texas surf wave park – video | Surfing, The Guardian.
