Russell Bierke is made from a different stock than most. The 18-year-old routinely puts himself on some of the world’s heaviest waves and is showing no signs of stopping. So how did he become one of the best big wave surfers in the world at such a young age? Well, it takes a village, as they say. Between his father, the influence of Kelly Slater, and numerous other inspirational figures in his life, Russell found his passion early and never strayed–and it’s that passion and commitment that puts him firmly at the head of the next generation of big wave surfers.
