Harry Bryant on Ritualistic Tendencies, Shaping, and Solo Missions

From one of the great tens of all time at the Vans Pipe master Invitational, to his iconic feature film Motel Hell, a standout Hawaiian winter just gone, a mysto mindless river mouth in Asia surfed solo in “Roasted,” a killer section in Snaps 5, and a star turn in Ritual Vision’s new blockbuster, Ritualistic Tendencies, Harry Bryant is in the form of his career. We caught up with the rugged Aussie slab lord while recovering from a bunch of titanium that’s just been removed from his leg and talked Ritualistic Tendencies, connecting with old school shaping legends, surreal solo strike missions, and much more.

SURFER: We both got our first look at the Ritualistic tendencies film at the premiere in Sydney last week. What was your impression?

Harry Bryant: Wow, it was just amazing reliving those trips. It’s only been 12 months since the first trip for that video. And it was all a bit of a blur.And I was saying to a lot of the crew that night that when you’re actually on a surf trip and focusing so hard on surfing and the waves, a lot of stuff gets missed and looked past. And I think (filmmakers) Wade (Carroll) and Dion (Agius) did such a good job of capturing the vibe on the trips. And that to me was the most special thing, reliving how good of a time that we’re all having on those trips. every single trip that we did was super fun. We’ve all become extremely tight over the last 12 months traveling with each other. And I think they’ve just done a really good job of piecing that film together. And there’s a really nice, happy kind of energy that’s gone throughout that film. So I was stoked, really stoked on how it came out.

Wade Carroll is on an absolute tear and Dion is probably the most esteemed creative in modern surfing from this generation. What was it like working with those two guys?

Yeah, astonishing. I’ve definitely followed Dion’s career pretty closely as I was a teenager. Dion’s always been the guy that’s been in the limelight, but lots of different kind of limelights, and he’s rebranded himself constantly to stay relevant within the industry in some way. And I think just recently, he’s finally found his groove and Ritual is the creative outlet for him. He is just absolutely fucking on fire at the moment, man. Like I’ve never seen him click into such a gear that he’s in at the moment as I’ve been pretty tight with Dion for at least the last seven or eight years. We’ve had a lot to do with each other and I’ve seen him go thru a lot of different kinds of phases within his surfing career with the brands that he’s working with. He’s obviously hugely into his art and he’s just a full-blown creative little ball of energy. But I think this Ritual thing is his baby and he’s just absolutely sunk his teeth into it. And he’s absolutely bursting with creative energy at the moment. I feel extremely privileged to be tied into this movement and this next chapter of Dion’s little creative splurge. He’s absolutely firing on all cylinders.

The talent in the Ritual team is so crazy (Harry Bryant, Mikey Wright, Noa Deane, hughie Vaughan, Jai Glindeman, Milla Brown, Holly Wawn, Hughie Vaughan, Dion Agius, Lungi Slabb, Rolo Montes, Benny Howard). What were some of the standout moments for you in terms of pure surfing?

watching the blossom of Hughie Vaughan has probably been one of the standout things for me because he’s been on my radar for a few years. he’s a little punk and he’s a cheeky little kid and he’s got so much character, but he’s also like this full blown sponge that when we’ve been on surf trips, he’s asking heaps of questions and looking at like me and Mikey (Wright) and seeing what things we’re doing on surf trips, what we’re doing before surfs and that to me has been super cool as I

Harry Bryant on “Roasted,” Slowing Down, and Discovering a Secret River Mouth

For Harry Bryant, the last few years have been a whirlwind. From winning the Vans Duct Tape Invitational to charging massive swells, the Australian surfer has consistently pushed his limits and delivered captivating performances. But amidst the chaos, Bryant found himself craving a change of pace.

“It’s been pretty high impact, like pretty full-on surfs and hunting pretty gnarly waves,” Bryant reflects. “But it’s actually been a really nice time over the last few months, just sitting back and getting my body in good shape and trying to get healthy and slow things down.I just feel like I’m in a really nice part of my life at the moment. I’m super stoked.”

This shift in outlook is subtly woven into his latest edit, “Roasted,” a project that showcases not only his skill but also a newfound gratitude for the journey. And central to that journey was the discovery of a new wave – an ultra-hollow,roping right point,river mouth hidden somewhere in Asia.

The wave’s discovery is credited to Dav Fox, who spent years researching the potential break. “the exploration side of surfing and going somewhere off the beaten track…that to me is just the ultimate, the absolute ultimate,” Bryant explains.

The trip itself was a spontaneous detour on Bryant’s way to the Stab E.A.S.T festival in Palm Springs. Fox called with a hunch: a typhoon brewing off the coast of a tropical island near China might awaken a wave that hadn’t broken in seven years.

“That was all filmed in one surf,and it was just a full-blown sunup till sundown session,” Bryant recalls. “And it was probably one of the most glorious days of surfing I’ve ever had.”

He describes a perfect session on his favorite board, a glistening right-hand wall offering both turns and tubes, warm water, and complete solitude. “I was just in this place in the world that I’ve never been. And it was just a really surreal kind of moment where I was like,man,this is just so epic right now. I’m so relaxed and so stoked.”

the experience was so immersive that Bryant almost forgot he was filming. “I wasn’t even thinking about the footage. I kind of forgot that I was even there to document any of it.I was just kind of at peace with the wave and having such a mental time out in the water.”

The journey to the wave itself was an adventure, involving a pre-dawn trek through a traditional fishing village untouched by tourism. “We got in there at like four o’clock in the morning and we were dragging boards and camera gear through this tiny little fishing village…I imagine seeing a bloke like me walking through cobblestone streets, through little fish markets…it was a really traditional little village.”

2025/12/30 10:08:20

Harry Bryant Gears Up for a Festive South Coast Christmas and Highly Anticipated Backdoor Shootout

Australian surfer Harry Bryant is preparing for a busy end to the year and start to the next,with plans for a Christmas celebration on the South Coast of Australia followed by participation in the prestigious Backdoor Shootout in Hawaii. Bryant expressed his excitement for the contest, calling it a “lifetime goal” and indicating he’s focused on peak physical condition for the event.

Christmas on the South Coast

Bryant will spend the Christmas period enjoying the waves and atmosphere of Australia’s South Coast. This downtime allows him to recharge before the demanding competition season begins. The South coast is known for its diverse surf breaks and festive atmosphere, providing a relaxing surroundings for preparation.

Backdoor Shootout: A Lifelong Ambition

The Backdoor Shootout, held at Pipeline in Hawaii, is renowned as one of the most challenging and respected surf contests in the world. It’s known for its powerful waves and demanding conditions, attracting top surfers willing to take on the risk. The contest typically runs during the winter swell season in Hawaii, offering a true test of skill and courage. World Surf League provides details on the event.

Preparing for Pipeline

Bryant emphasized his dedication to physical preparation, stating he’s been “jamming some pretty good gear into it” to ensure his body is ready for the intense demands of Pipeline. This preparation likely includes a combination of surf training, strength and conditioning, and recovery protocols. Pipeline requires surfers to be in peak physical condition to handle the powerful waves and potential for heavy wipeouts.

The Significance of Backdoor

Backdoor, located just beside Pipeline, is a notoriously dangerous wave. It breaks quickly and powerfully, demanding precise timing and commitment from surfers. Successfully navigating Backdoor requires a high level of skill, experience, and wave knowledge. The Backdoor Shootout specifically focuses on this challenging break, making it a unique and highly respected event within the surfing community.

Looking Ahead to 2025

Bryant is optimistic about the upcoming year, aiming to “attack the year and start all over again” with renewed energy and focus. His participation in the Backdoor Shootout represents a meaningful opportunity to showcase his talent on a global stage and build momentum for the rest of the 2025 season. He is clearly motivated and prepared to make a strong impact in the competitive surfing world.

Related: Harry Bryant Escapes Pubs, Scores Irish Slabs With Barely legal Rental Car