WL Rating
Simply put, this book just tries too hard. The concept behind A Wave Away sounds good: A line-up of surfing’s most amazing locations. But the reality of the book is altogether different. The Australian author, Matt Griggs, is a former professional surfer, editor at Tracks Magazine, and self-proclaimed “Pit Boss” for Rip Curl’s international surf team...so, there’s no lack of credibility. Griggs penned his book in a sort of journal form, unloading his thoughts and observations as he skips around the globe with various surfers, many of them Rip Curl stars. The descriptions of surfers are a bit forced reading more like an advertorial than an objective or even personal account. Most of the time Griggs is fawning over his surfers’ and describing tropical surf spots in bright purple prose. Some of the descriptions approach being interesting, but Griggs’ self-conscious writing had the sad habit of abruptly yanking you back from any mental oasis you might have created as you read. When compared to a better written and more interesting book like Sweetness and Blood, it’s hard to recommend A Wave Away. (December 2010)
