Australian teenage surfer Hughie Vaughan has become the undisputed king of aerial surfing, landing gravity-defying tricks in wave pools that have broken the internet. A year ago, Vaughan executed a never-before-attempted air at a wave pool in Texas, earning praise from former world champion Italo Ferreira and DJ Diplo. The performance was hailed as the best air ever landed in a pool.
The Stalefish Flipper
In a move later named the "stalefish flipper" by skate legend Tony Hawk, Vaughan launched into a backflip with one hand on his board and rode out smoothly. Surf legend Mick Fanning said he had to watch it 50 times to understand what happened. The clip has been viewed 2 million times, leading to breakfast TV interviews and major sponsors.
Vaughan, now 19, won Stab High, the world's foremost aerial surfing competition, in Japan last May. His brother Joel competes on the World Surf League (WSL), and the brothers' potential has long been known.
Wave Pools and Aerial Evolution
Aerial surfing began in the 1980s but faced hostility in regular competitions, leading to breakaway Airshows. By the 2000s, airs became common on the WSL, and wave pools have since allowed surfers to practice on reliable waves, making once-unimaginable tricks conventional.
At the latest Stab High in the US in May, Vaughan landed an upside-down stalefish on a left-hand wave, earning 49/50. On the right-hand wave, he nailed a similar move to his internet-breaking air, receiving the first perfect 50 in Stab High history. "It's probably the best air I've ever done," Vaughan said.
Composure and Future Plans
Vaughan's composure under pressure has been remarkable. "Everyone is human," he said. "You just have to keep yourself level-headed as much as you can." Despite his wave pool success, Vaughan is uncertain about joining the WSL. "When I was younger I always wanted to be on the world tour," he said. "But it's too much fun doing what I'm doing right now." He does not rule out a WSL stint, however.
Vaughan's father joked that his perfect 50 "doesn't count though, it's in the pool." Vaughan agrees: "The ocean is definitely number one." Pulling off his signature moves in the ocean adds difficulty, but his future remains bright regardless of wave type.
