Chris Ahrens began surfing in 1962. It would be another decade before he had his first story published in Surfer Magazine. Since then, Ahrens has contributed to every major surfing publication in the world. His short surf story collections: Good Things Love Water, Joyrides, Kelea’s Gift, and Behold What Is Greater Than Thyself are considered surf classics. He continues surfing on a regular basis and lives in Oceanside, CA with his wife, Tracy, three Skip Frye Surfboards, and two cats.

WINDANSEA : LIFE. DEATH. RESURRECTION

Windansea: Life. Death. Resurrection features the legendary surf spot Windansea. Beginning in 1937 with Windansea’s first known surfer, Woody Brown, it concludes with the death of California’s best surfer, Chris O’Rourke. Other Windansea surfers to find international fame include the first Mister Pipeline, Butch Van Artsdalen, who died at the age of 38 in 1979 from cirrhosis of the liver, and the recently deceased Endless Summer co-star, Mike Hynson.

            While the surf tells one story, the beach holds equal fascination. East Coast celebrities, pop artist Andy Warhol and famed author Tom Wolfe, traversed the country to record Windansea’s action. The results were a poorly made film about surfing by Warhol and a highly inaccurate portrayal of surfing in Wolfe’s The Pumphouse Gang. While Warhol got a pass from local surfers, Wolfe’s plantation boss suit was unappreciated by the locals. Evidence of this was written in disparaging graffiti by some disgruntled Windansea surfers on the pumphouse Wolfe made famous.

            This 150-page hard-cover book contains 50 full-sized archival photos from some of surfing’s most famous surf photographers, and first-hand accounts of those who witnessed the action. It is both a fun and fact-filled historical account.

Good Things Love Water is the story of surfing told by a sea of different voices. The first waves ever ridden at Waimea Bay by Greg Noll, Mike Stange, Mickey Muñoz; Phil Edwards’ first trip to Hawaii at age 15, the wild world of Aussie, Bob McTavish, a beloved car owned by a couple of unknown surfers, and 21 other short stories are woven together in a sometimes dramatic, sometimes hilarious, sometimes tragic account of surfing’s rich history.

 “Each story will stoke you, your sons, and your son’s sons. Read it and be stoked!”

—Big-wave pioneer, Greg Noll

 “Good Things Love Water is filled with the types of stories we don’t see often enough.”

—Surf sage, Nick Carroll

 “Gremmie Warning! This book contains stories you have to read, and no rad action photos. It’s about time!”

—Surfer’s Journal publisher, Steve Pezman

 Good Things Love Water was first published in 1994. After being out of print for a decade or so, I have decided to republish it as a hard cover, coffee table volume. Books should be available by early 2026.

 Thanks for waiting,

Chris Ahrens

CONTACT: US @ Perelandrapub@gmail.com 760 231-1425