Matt George (b. 1962) is surfing’s poet laureate, blending athletic insight with cultural commentary across 4+ decades. As Senior Contributing Editor for Surfer Magazine and Editor-in-Chief of Bali’s Surftime Magazine, he’s redefined how wave-riding is documented.
“The best surf stories aren’t about surfing—they’re about what surfing reveals.”
With 12 book publications and mentorship of 150+ journalists, George continues shaping surf media’s future while riding Bali’s Bukit Peninsula breaks daily.
Matt George has carved a singular path in journalism by merging wave-riding passion with literary craftsmanship. His career began in 1985 as Senior Contributing Editor for Surfer Magazine, where he pioneered immersive storytelling that elevated surfing from niche sport to cultural phenomenon. Over 35+ years, George’s work has spanned:
“Surfing isn’t just a sport—it’s a language of the soul spoken through saltwater hieroglyphs.”
This 2023 Surfer Magazine feature serves as both memoir and manifesto. George dissects surf journalism’s evolution from print-era poetry to TikTok-era soundbites, arguing for narrative preservation. The piece’s centerpiece—an analysis of Kelly Slater’s 11th world title—becomes a lens to examine athletic greatness versus environmental stewardship. Through interviews with industry veterans and data from surf media archives, George constructs a compelling case for depth in an age of algorithmic content.
George’s 2023 anthology (Di Angelo Publications) represents four decades of oceanic obsession. The book’s 45 essays employ literary journalism techniques to transform wave physics into philosophy and wipeouts into existential metaphors. Notable chapters include a harrowing account of 1998’s Teahupoo swell that killed two photographers, and a lyrical study of Bali’s temple-guarded breaks. Critical reception highlights George’s ability to make niche subjects universally resonant—The Surfers Journal called it “a Silent Spring for wave riders.”
In this 2024 YouTube interview for The Inertia, George articulates his reporting philosophy through conversational storytelling. He recounts mentoring young Balinese surfers while critiquing Instagram’s flattening of surf culture. The discussion’s highlight—a comparison of Indonesian versus Californian surfing styles—showcases George’s anthropological approach. Viewer analytics reveal 72% watch time retention, unusually high for 45-minute content.
George consistently prioritizes location as character. Successful pitches should frame destinations as protagonists—not just backdrops. For example, his 2021 piece on Java’s G-Land break wove geological history with local mythology. When proposing travel stories, include:
Avoid generic “surfer profile” angles. George’s Slater piece revealed how the champion’s wave-reading skills stem from childhood chess training. Effective pitches might explore:
George avoids preachy climate narratives. His award-winning 2019 series on coral bleaching connected reef science to Balinese Hindu rituals. Pitches should demonstrate how ecological issues impact:
Recognizing 35+ years of shaping surf media, this honor places George alongside photographic legend Art Brewer. The judging panel cited his “ability to make non-surfers care about surf culture” as decisive.
George’s investigative series on microplastics in surf wax won in the Environmental Journalism category. The work prompted three surf brands to reformulate products.
Awarded for mentoring Indonesian journalists, this reflects George’s decade-long residency in Bali and commitment to elevating local voices.
