Ben Weiland is an extraordinarily nice man. Years ago, I spent a summer working as an intern at Surfer Magazine. It was four months of living in my truck at a rest stop, doing vaguely internish things, pretending I liked burritos, and wandering around mostly by myself. In the course of that summer, I met Ben.
At the time, I think he was mostly working for his dad–something to do with doors, I think, although that might not be right. He was also working on Arctic Surf, a blog that he started that basically finds waves in far flung, freezing places. He is one of the most artistic people I’ve ever met; film, photography, art, you name it, Ben’s good at it. I, of course, was very embarrassed that I was living in my truck in a rest stop, and didn’t tell anyone about it for a long time. Ben, along with a few of his friends (who all also became my friends) eventually found out. I think they were horrified, although I can’t say for sure. They spent the summer doing nice things for me–Sunday breakfasts, finding me extra work, taking me surfing, and generally playing tour guides for a lost Canadian who felt very much overwhelmed with the strangeness of it all.
This is Ben, creator of some of the most beautiful things in surfing. Photo: Benweiland.com
Since then, Ben has carved a very deep trench in the surf world. He’s made some of the best films in the industry. He’s written incredible stories. His design and illustration work is in a league of its own. He’s traveled to places and documented the journeys that everyone wants to see, but will probably never take. From Alaska to Russia, to the Faroe Islands to Norway, Ben’s spent a lot of time on the road. And if I know Ben, he’s done it all with that characteristic, unassuming laugh always about to bubble up. Here’s Ben’s reel for Red Bull. Every single frame is beautiful.
See more of Ben’s work on his website and follow him on Instagram.
