In a groundbreaking moment for surfing, 18-year-old Australian Hughie Vaughan executed a never-before-seen aerial maneuver, dubbed the "stalefish flipper," at a Texas wave park competition. The move, which involved a backflip while holding his board, has captivated the surfing world and garnered praise from legends like Tony Hawk and Mick Fanning, signaling a new era in aerial surfing.
A New Standard Set in Aerial Surfing
Australian teenager Hughie Vaughan has redefined aerial surfing with his innovative "stalefish flipper" at The Nines event in Waco, Texas. The 18-year-old from Bateau Bay launched into a backflip on a right break, expertly holding his board with one hand before landing smoothly on the wave’s crest. This audacious move, captured by surf photographer Rob Henson, quickly went viral, astonishing both fans and professionals alike.
- Key Takeaways:
- Hughie Vaughan, 18, performed a "stalefish flipper" at a wave park in Texas.
- The move involved a one-handed backflip, landing smoothly on the wave.
- It has been widely praised as potentially the "best air ever done" in a wave pool.
Praise From Legends and Pros
The surfing community has erupted in awe over Vaughan’s feat. Skateboarding icon Tony Hawk reposted the video, coining the term "stalefish flipper" and sharing it with his millions of followers. Even American DJ Diplo questioned, "Is this AI?" due to the move’s seemingly impossible nature.
Ocean water legends and World Surf League pros were equally impressed:
- Ítalo Ferreira (Brazilian former world champion and Olympic gold medallist): "Insane."
- Mick Fanning (Australian surf legend): "Wowsers. Had to watch it 50 times just to figure out what happened. Amazing."
- Jesse Mendes (Championship tour surfer): "Has to be the best air ever done."
- Julian Wilson (Fellow pro surfer): "A new standard."
The Nines: A Crucible of Innovation
The Nines event, which combines surfing, skateboarding, and BMX, is designed to foster experimentation and push the boundaries of extreme sports. The competition’s unique format, which removes traditional constraints like heats and scores, encourages athletes to attempt groundbreaking maneuvers.
Highlights from the event include:
- Surfers aerialing through illuminated rings hoisted by a 200-ton crane.
- Boardslides on floating rails, including straight, kink, and arched wallriding features.
- Winch-whipped full rotations and technical airs.
This environment has proven fertile ground for innovation, as evidenced by Vaughan’s historic air and other impressive displays, such as Robbie "Rasta Rob" McCormick’s backside 540 and Jacob Szekely’s lofty tail-high 360. The event continues to challenge athletes, prompting them to bring their most creative and daring ideas to life.
Sources
- ‘Is this AI?’: surfing world in awe after ‘best air ever’ pulled off by 18-year-old Australian, The Guardian.
- Is This the Best Wave Pool Air of All Time?, SURFER Magazine.
- Surfer Dubbed “The Magician” Pulls Off Never Been Done Trick (Video), SURFER Magazine.
