Big Drop: Classic Big Wave Surfing Stories

by Sam George, John Long, John Long, et al.

Book Overview

32 classic big wave surfing stories from the sport's pioneers

John Long's classic collection of big wave surfing stories heralded a new era in surfing literature. Focusing on those elite athletes who live to challenge the ocean's fury, The Big Drop is more than just another surfing book. It is both an extraordinary collection of thirty-two true tales and a treasure-trove of insight into the evolution of big-wave surfing-with...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1560449179
• ISBN13: 9781560449171
• Release Date: July 1999
• Publisher: Falcon Press Publishing
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.4" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

Props for the original extreme sport

Provides great insight on the pioneers of the sport, but doesn't come across like a history lesson. It makes you understand the ballz it takes to paddle into a wave the size of an apartment building, along with the consequences those guys have faced.Thoroughly enjoyable for non-surfers too. My dad has never been on a board and he couldn't put the book down.

Firsthand accounts...

...of Big Wave surfing - many of the stories are haunting and memorable. It was hard putting the book down once I started reading. I actually found it more interesting and insightful than watching film of surfers going over the edge - you actually get into their excitement, awe, and fear of what they've gotten themselves into - not only when they've caught the waves, but gut-wrenching accounts of what they were thinking and feeling when driven under (or saw their friends driven under) by these monsters.This is as close as you're going to get, short of paddling out yourself! BTW, I just finished reading "Caught Inside" before "The Big Drop" and reading these stories made reading CI seem like a waste of time.You won't regret reading this one - highly recommended!!!

This book Rips

I am a grom, at the age of 17 right now, and I rarely read a book cover to cover.I've always been interested in big wave surfing, but never the old timer stuff. This book has revealed the truth about riding big waves in and interesting perspective to the new generation such as myself, and I will never forget some of the stories in here. I reccomend that if you're a surfer, and are even remotely interested in attempting to tackle large surf, that you pick up this book. It will give you second thoughts about venturing out at places like Mavericks, Waimaii Bay, and Todos Santos.

A must read.....

A must read for any and all surfers. This is a history book as well as a collection of surf adventures. Ever wonder what a monster wave feels like? These stories will send an occasional chill through your body with it's descriptions.

As close as you can get without dropping in yourself

The stories that comprise this book cover a variety of eras, locations, and players in the arena of big wave surfing. For anyone who wants to know more about the obession of those who commit themselves down the face of monsterous, capably murderous waves, and go beyond that virtually feeling the air and water rushing around you in the midst of ocean mayhem, this book will deliver. An awesome read.