When professional surfers reach a certain caliber, they become like broken horses being led by the reins. Trips booked by sponsors to get clips here, obligations to show up for contests there. It’s a charmed life, sure, but one with very little room for spontaneity.
Two years ago when Taj Burrow retired from the Championship Tour, he withdrew to a life of fatherhood and a clear calendar. And recently, when he saw incoming swell about to light up Indonesia, he suddenly realized he had the freedom to book himself a ticket and shoot over to the Mentawais on a whim. Totally solo. This little clip is the result of a retired pro’s return to chasing swell for its own sake. No agenda, no obligations.
