About

Reading the Waves

Reading the Waves is a compilation of Neil Stebbins’ most notable surf fictions and essays from his prolific writing career. His characteristic wit and precision style cover a range of surf-related themes, from ripping commentaries on the commercialization of surfing to whimsical flights down the line of his imagination.

The twenty-eight pieces in Reading the Waves are meant to be read in no particular order. Choose away as you see fit. They amount to Neil’s gift, to a lifetime of surfing with friends. His way of paying it forward in the best way he knew how — with his remarkable writing skills.

Excerpts from READING THE WAVES

Sample spreads from Neil’s first book of his short stories ‘Reading The Waves’

The Rainbow Story

One of Neil’s most popular stories in SURFER Magazine. People thought it was so real they asked Neil if they could buy some of the special ‘eye drops’ featured in the story. 

Table of Contents

Surfing Stories — Fact or Fiction is the subhead for this collection of 28 surf stories. Neil had a deep and abiding appreciation of the ocean and the nuances of a surfing life. His stories are distinctly Neil, always with a twist.

Satan Rides Alone

Sitting in the line-up, waiting for a wave to come your way, your imagination can run wild. If God or the Devil were surfers, would they be cool to let you have a couple of waves? If they did, would you ‘owe’ them something? In Neil’s telling, you might wonder exactly who else is in the line-up with you.

From READING THE WAVES

“In less than a second, you will know if you have “chosen wisely” – if you got what you came for and can justify everything it took to get you there: The flight. The drive. The long hike in. The heat. The cold. The wind and tide. Rocks. Sharp coral. Sharks. Spiny damn urchins, and the number of boards on the beach and in the water. And not least by a long-shot – what version of yourself you bring to the dance.” – Split Second


From READING THE WAVES

“To be honest, if surfing teaches you anything it’s an unquenchable greed for waves tempered by the patience it takes to get them.” – Romance of the Board

From READING THE WAVES

“In surfing, the mountain doesn’t even exist until the last possible moment. A big wave is a living, changing manifestation of pure energy which the rider must both discover and adjust to simultaneously. He cannot plan anything. He cannot back out.” – Impact Zone


The Editorial Team

The ghost of Neil would like to thank his travel partner-in-having-a-criminally-good-time in life, Bruce Benedict. Both Bob Barbour and Craig Peterson deserve a nod from the afterlife for the untold hours in helping put this book together and for the sublime photos. Kevin Naughton penned his thoughts and friendship with Neil into clever prose. And a special thanks to Tina Cole for making this book happen. It was one of Neil’s last wishes, and now she has made it come true.

Tina Cole

Bob Barbour

Craig Peterson

Kevin Naughton