Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson and Bruno Santos surf perfect Fijian waves in "Missing".

Surfing the artificial wave created by a passing passenger boat in the surf film "Gasoline".

Insane footage from "Teahupo'o Raw and Uncut".

An epic surfing compilation from the movie "The Essence of Surfing".

Amazing 16mm footage of Byron Bay and the Gold Coast in surf film "Under The Sun".

Heavy surf wipeout compilation featured in Taylor Steele's "Campaign 2".

Pro surfer Kalani Chapman details his near death wipeout at Chopes in "Raw The Movie".

Heavy wipeout compilation featured in Taylor Steele's "Campaign 1".

An awesome compilation of wipeouts from "Raw the Movie".

An interesting insight into recycling surboards in surf film "Picaresque".

The waves were big and so were the boulders as lifeguards ordered surfers away from St Clair Beach's access steps at the national surfing championships.

A gadget only a little more high-tech than your average waterproof watch will play a key role in a study assessing New Zealand's best surf breaks.

Kelly Slater has created the first never-ending wave that surfers are actually desperate to get a ride on.

Surfer's pursuit of a fourth world title ends in heartbreaking fashion, just a day after his brother dies.

Older brother Peter died just hours before surf champion competed in Hawaii.

Thick barrels and solid power surfing with Brett Burcher, from surf movie 'INNERSECTION BLACK.

Mikey DeTemple shows us longboarding in a new light, from the longboard movie "PICARESQUE".

Big wave surfer Mark Matthews taking his Groms to Shipsterns for the first time.

David Rastovich bodysurfs for days at home in Byron Bay. From the film "Gathering".

Harrison Roach and Joel Fitzgerald score perfect barrels in Indonesia. From the surf film "Se7en Signs".

Darren Rogers' living room is full of surfboards, but it is all he can do to get back in the water.

French resort of Biarritz is prescribing surfing lessons to ward off a range of ailments from depression to heart disease.

Incredible slow motion vision of famous big wave surfer Mark Mathews.

A video has gained popularity on Facebook of a surfer riding the waves of a 75-foot launcher near Waiheke Island over the Labour Weekend. Supplied/Jesse James Cassrels

Beachgoers are being urged to stay safe this summer, with lifeguards already gearing up this long weekend. A special pre-season rescue exercise was held yesterday at Muriwai Beach to show the work lifeguards do while on duty. Volunteers used inflatable boats, jet skis and other life-saving equipment in the choppy waters to demonstrate a rescue.

A special pre-season rescue exercise was held yesterday at Muriwai Beach to show the work lifeguards do while on duty.