Life Around the Sea
Life Around the Sea is more than a book—it’s a tribute, a meditation, and a love letter to the ocean and the people who live in harmony with its eternal rhythm.
This beautifully crafted volume offers a soul-stirring journey into the heart of Australia’s surfing culture, and stands as an essential read for anyone who feels a deep connection to the sea, or seeks to understand those who do.
Written by surf journalist Alex Workman and brought vividly to life through the lens of celebrated photographer Russell Ord, Life Around the Sea profiles an extraordinary cast of characters, big wave riders, board shapers, coastal artists, and everyday ocean lovers—whose lives have been forever shaped by the sea. These are not just surfers; they are storytellers, philosophers, athletes, and artists who have surrendered to the ocean’s magnetic pull.
Ord’s breathtaking full-color and black-and-white photography captures both the fierce energy and quiet majesty of Australia’s remote beaches, rugged cliffs, and iconic surf breaks. Paired with Workman’s deeply personal storytelling, the result is an immersive exploration of surf culture that feels intimate, raw, and poetic. From Western Australia’s solitary shaping bays to the vibrant communities of Byron Bay, each page transports the reader through the coastline’s emotional and geographical terrain.
What sets this book apart is its structure—stories and images grouped by region—making the reading experience feel like a visual pilgrimage across the vast and varied Australian seaboard. You’ll meet legendary names like Tom Carroll and Shane Gould alongside lesser-known individuals whose passion for surfing is no less profound. Their voices echo a common truth: the sea is not just a place, but a way of being.
Whether you are a lifelong surfer, an admirer of powerful visual storytelling, or simply someone who finds peace near water, Life Around the Sea will speak to your soul. It’s a reminder of the beauty that lies in devotion—to a place, a pursuit, a wave—and the stories that emerge when we listen to the ocean, and to each other.
Credit: Images Publishing
