40 Years. 12 Books.
Thousands of Stories.
Chris Ahrens is the definitive voice in surf writing and culture — author, journalist, filmmaker, and Editor in Chief.
Chris Ahrens
For more than forty years, Chris Ahrens has been telling the stories that define surf culture — from his first $50 article written in Australia in 1972 to twelve published books, thousands of bylines in every major surf publication, and seven years as Editor in Chief of Risen Magazine. He is the author behind the landmark surf history Windansea: Life. Death. Resurrection., and the writer and director of the award-winning documentary D.O.P.E.
His work spans surf history, literary fiction, celebrity journalism, and documentary film — all grounded in a lifetime spent in and around the ocean. He lives and surfs in Oceanside, California.
The Full StoryEvery book comes signed by the author
All books purchased through this website include a personal signature from Chris Ahrens.
All orders ship within 3 days from Oceanside, California via USPS.
From the Catalog
- Risen Magazine
- The Surfers Journal
- The San Diego Union-Tribune
- Surfer Magazine
- Surfing Magazine
- Ocean Magazine
"[Chris] lays bare the hearts of our heroes and surfers we have not encountered until now"
Steve Pezman, Founder: The Surfes Journal"Chris Ahrens is the best writer in surf history."
Dr. Robert Greaves, Writer: Liquid Stage"Chris Ahrens is one of my favorite storytellers."
Jon Foreman, Switchfoot frontman
Beyond the Page.
Chris's work doesn't stop at the printed word. As writer and director of D.O.P.E. (2015), he helped bring one of skateboarding culture's most compelling stories to the screen — a film that went on to win festival recognition.
His film and video work spans documentary, surf journalism, and narrative production, extending the same storytelling instincts that drive his books and articles into a different medium entirely.
See the Film Work