Chris Bond

Blink and you’ll miss it. It was just a few weeks ago that we were in JBay with the goal of retaining the yellow jersey, qualifying for final 5 and shredding JBay walls, and now @picklummolly is the World Champion!!! The real story though, is the way that she did it. When we chatted in December she was clear on her goals and plans. Not focused on the world title or the comps, just get better at surfing and do the best surfing she can do, in and out of competition! If there’s a barrel, you go for it, if there’s a lip, you hit it, no matter how big the section is! She would rather lose a heat surfing Molly’s way, than win a heat surfing safe. She took women’s surfing to new heights, and was in a league of her own at many of the events. Congratulations Molly, and of course the team by your side @austinhendrey @fletchy_ what a year!

OLYMPICS 2024. No longer just a dream, team 🇿🇦 are finally here. Couldn’t have wished for a better team to share this with. Thanks everyone for all the support ❤️🇿🇦

There is a story behind this wave. Dreams to be made, goals to be achieved, hours of hard work, loads of beatings. And at the time least expected, final morning after 7 days of waves with an epic crew, a beer too many the night before, this wave popped up and offered itself. @jordy_maree took the opportunity and made the most of it. I managed to capture it, unfortunately in slo-mo (180fps sped up *3 here to normal speed) so no commentary. It got shared so much on social media that I didn’t even post it on my own timeline last year. But hey, here it is 🕺

What an incredible year! So much gratitude for the places I have been and the people I have met. From getting to work with the most special unique and diverse team at Surf Abu Dhabi that are like family, to getting to coach at the Olympics. I feel very fortunate. On my 8th birthday, 32 years ago today my parents got me a surfboard, but more than that without them and my family and friends I wouldn’t be where I am today 🙏❤️

Uncle Coach Chris is getting older, but luckily, we have the fountain of youth in our backyard🇿🇦 . . . . . #surfabudhabi #AbuDhabi #surf #surfing #coach #waterman #UAE #findyourwave

When you have only done 4 instagram posts in 2023 but it was one of the craziest most fulfilling and action-packed years it makes it pretty hard to sum it up in one post, I selected 20 photos I had to cut down to 10 for insta… The end of the year and start of a new year is always one of reflection and appreciation for me! Looking through photos seemed like the best way to sum it up. I travelled a lot this year, to countries I’ve never been before. Met incredible humans who will be friends for life, and forged new friendships with people I already knew. I got to live my dream of coaching on the ‘CT thanks to @mattmcgillivray and @liamobr_ and am so excited that three South Africans qualified for the surfing Olympics next year allowing me the privilege of going to coach in 2024. I also made the crazy but exciting move to Abu Dhabi just a few weeks ago for an amazing opportunity with an incredible team to head up the coaching at @surfabudhabi . It’s a wild ride but an exciting one. Too many special memories to mention, but thank you to all who have been a part of the journey, and especially my friends and family for the love and support ❤️ Looking forward to the year ahead and I wish the best for all of you! Happy new Year!

Seldom a J-Bay swell when these two aren’t there “trying out new boards” (or so they tell their wives)! Always a pleasure to watch! @mikeyfebruary laying rail and a special guest on the commentary! #visslastylematters

Throwaway clips for Matty @mattmcgillivray 😂 Fun times in El Salvador 🙌

What an amazing day for team 🇿🇦 here in El Salvador! Huge congratulations to @sarahbaum___ and @jordysmith88 for qualifying for the @olympics in “Paris 2024” (Tahiti). 📸 @isasurfing

Carpe Diem. If you don’t go you won’t know! I can remember the times I’ve done this myself 🤣

Back to back with @max_elkington @jordy_maree One of the things I love about surfing and have always promoted as a coach is the different styles that different surfers have. We each paint our own picture on that canvas and develop our own style. Beyond that there is the variety in each type of maneuver, Max and Jordy both dropping wallet, but in their own style and according to what the canvas offered them, not forcing a thing 👌🙌 Own your style and stay true to yourself 👊

Lakeys with an epic crew! Thanks to the master @wezlew @xwezzx for nailing the water shot 🙏