Hughie Vaughan is 18-year-old, professional surfer from the Central Coast of Australia. He recently shocked the surfing world by landing an incredible aerial maneuver at The Nines contest held in a Texas wave pool. Skateboarding legend Tony Hawk has since nicknamed Vaughan the “stalefish flipper.” His stand-out performance went viral taking in millions of views across social media, showcasing his incredible gifts and fresh approach.
At The Nines event, which hosted skateboarding competitions, Vaughan laced the trick in a right jam. With this, his body curled back into a backflip, and he held on to his board with his right hand. He rode the top of the wave to a perfect landing. Creative Production Director Nakita Gorton, lead organizer of The Nines, referred to this impressive move as a “stalefish backflip.” It’s the trademark name that Hawk bestowed upon his little brother that has caught fire with fans, surfers, and athletes alike.
That awe-inspiring moment was caught on camera by legendary surf photographer Rob Henson, whose Instagram post has racked up more than 7,000 likes. Hawk’s repost of the video went even more viral, growing its reach, which in part led to accolades from the wider action sports world. From surfers such as Jesse Mendes, Julian Wilson and Ítalo Ferreira, praise and admiration for Vaughan’s historic feat has been overwhelming. Mendes even proclaimed it “must be the best air ever created.”
Even Mick Fanning, a three-time world champion surfer, couldn’t believe what Vaughan had accomplished.
“Wowsers. Had to watch it 50 times just to figure out what happened. Amazing.” – Mick Fanning
When Vaughan perfectly performs the stalefish flipper, you see right there his extraordinary talent. This moment represents an incredible turning point in our surfing history. His trick represented an incredible combination of athleticism and creativity. As incredible as that performance was, it has started a debate about the future of aerial moves in the sport. His accomplishment is a perfect testament to the ever-changing dynamics of surfing. Athletes are breaking the limits of what was thought possible on the waves.