Despite the global convergence of taste, no two places are identical. Each has its own original aesthetic, food, music, local culture and unexpected surprises. One of the best ways to get to know a place, aside from spending time there, is to read what the locals do — and not just the newspaper. On a recent trip to Australia we allocated some quiet time to sip coffee and read. These magazines, covering surf culture, fashion, music and more, were our favorites. Whether you’re heading down under or just like a good magazine on the coffee table, these have our stamp of approval.
Tracks Magazine
A true surfer’s magazine that lives up to its slogan — “The Surfers’ Bible” — Tracks covers it all: girls, swells, sharks and (obviously) surfers from around the globe. But, having been around for a while (decades), this magazine has a little more soul to it. Each issue features National Geographic-worthy shots, intimate travel guides, short stories and editorials by those who always have one eye on the sea. tracksmag.com
Foam Symmetry
Focusing more on the art, inspiration and beauty of surfing, this magazine consists mostly of photographs. Its weighted, tactile pages entice readers to patiently flip through it, and in the process get a behind-the-scenes look at the sport. foamsymmetry.com
Paper Sea Quarterly
A sort of alternative Vanity Fair, Paper Sea Quarterly is a good way to spend a whole afternoon. Their features and photo essays highlight surfing, but they also put an emphasis on the artists, vagabond lifestyle and unique fashion that accompany the sport’s creative culture. As its name implies, PSQ publishes just four times a year, but each issue, filled with candid essays and poignant (albeit abstract) photography, is a worthy afternoon-killer. papersea.com.au
