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"5.0 out of 5 stars. Awesome book to put by the bed and read a chapter each night. Best surfing book I've ever read hands down." RC, Boston, MA, Amazon customer review.

High Surf is a collection of profiles of the world's most inspiring surfers, as well as little nuggets of surfing wisdom collected through my own personal experiences in the ocean,from 20 years of surf writing and surf riding. The common theme is the lessons all these surfers have learnt from the ocean and how that may have influenced their life's journey. High Surf won the Australian Surfing Hall of Fame Culture Award in 2008.

High Surf is also available through Harper Collins publishers from most good book stores in Australia, or from the Harper Collins website.

What do novelist Tim Winton, classical violinist Richard Tognetti, celebrity chef Steven Snow, world-renowned ethicist Peter Singer, motivational speaker Dr John Demartini and Greens politician Ian Cohen have in common? In a word — surfing. Leading surf journalist Tim Baker has profiled the surfing world's most intriguing characters, encountered over twenty years of surf writing, to highlight the life lessons and boundless inspiration to be gained from a lifestyle built around waveriding.

Together with salty old surf legends and big-name modern pro-surf stars, the common theme in all these surfers' lives is how their personal journeys have been shaped and informed by their experiences in the ocean.

What emerges from this lively and thought-provoking collection of profiles, quotes and anecdotes is that waveriding is far more than mere sport or recreation. Baker's subjects, through their remarkable life stories, reveal a holistic philosophy of surfing — an attitude and approach to living which promotes spontaneity, risk taking, a connection to nature and a readiness to seize the moment.

'I feel very comfortable in the ocean, in big surf and stuff. I've learnt from fifty years of surfing that it's only water. As long as you flow with it, you're pretty safe,' says legendary surfboard shaper Bob McTavish. 'Life is just like water too. If you hang on you'll come through. No matter how hard a situation is at the time, you'll come through. Just flow with it and you'll come out the other side.'

Eight-time world champion Kelly Slater speaks of the uncanny communion with the ocean behind his incredible competitive success: 'I really thought the ocean sent all of us signals like smoke signals from the Indians and that it was communicating with me in some way. I had to communicate back with it. It sounds very out there and fruity but as a kid it was reality. And my parents weren't even hippies. No one gave me that idea.'

Classical violinist and director of the Australian Chamber Orchestra Richard Tognetti explains how surfing has inspired and informed his musical career: 'The whole genesis of surfing was it was somewhere between a performing art and a sport. Surfing's always had that for me.'

World-renowned ethicist Peter Singer explains how surfing moves him to contemplate the great unfathomable mysteries of existence. 'It does remind me of the majesty and timelessness of nature, as compared to the brevity of our own existence. Those waves have been pounding the beaches for millions of years before I existed, and will be pounding them for millions of years after I have gone.'

Eminent scientist Vezen Wu believes the negative ions generated by breaking waves could provide a natural form of anti-depressant. 'The treatment of depression could truly become as easy as a day at the beach,' he claims.

Proud patriarch of a surfing dynasty and medical doctor Dorian 'Doc' Paskowitz, 85, concurs: 'I keep surfing because surfing keeps me,' he says simply.

Cancer survivor Jeri Edwards believes surfing helps sustain her in her battle with cancer: 'I believe surfing heals me and makes me strong ... Many days after chemo, I go surfing weak and with a terrible headache, but I come in clear-headed, refreshed, and stronger. I don't know why it works, but I know it works. Every day I go out surfing is a day I have beaten cancer — I have already won.'

And four-time world champion Mark Richards speaks of the overwhelming sensual pleasure that keeps drawing surfers back to the ocean: 'Just the feeling of the water on you, diving and paddling, duck-diving your first wave, seeing a set come, turning around and stroking into it, that initial rush as you drop down the face, the jolts of acceleration as you go through the manoeuvres. There's nothing like it. The only thing that actually comes close to riding waves is sex.'

Through these human stories, Baker convincingly puts the case that surfing offers powerful life lessons the rest of society could well heed, indeed that this may be the point of surfing's sudden rise to respectability and mainstream popularity.

'These stories, I hope, help illustrate how life moves on like a series of waves,' writes Baker. 'Or rather, life is the vast ocean, the medium, through which these waves move. And we can learn to ride these peaks and troughs of our daily lives, bringing greater joy, ease and grace to our everyday existence.'

Praise for High Surf:

“It took me the whole of 72 hours to read. I couldn't put the book down. I just wanted to say that i never thought a book could make me feel so happy, sad, relieved, comfortable, inspired, jealous and wanting more all at the same time. The stories are unbelievable. The truth of surfing has most certainly been captured in the words of many greats, but you have perfectly structured and created this text.” Mick Sullivan

“I just wanted to write a short note of gushing praise for your new book. I have found it a truly inspirational read. It will be filling the christmas stockings of many a friend. “ Toby Eggleston

“Just want to thank you for including me in such a high order 'spiritual' surfing publication. I keep picking it up when i am supposed to be working. Pics like the little girl with the prosthetic leg and surf stoke, Jesse K and Tim Winton's rave are really moving.” Ian Cohen

“I just wanted to let you know how wonderful i thought your book 'high surf' was. I wandered into the book store two days ago and came across your book unexpectedly and have been totally absorbed by it over the past 48 hours (stopping only for grand finals and BBQ's!!) It is truly a beautiful book, full of wonderful messages. It takes a lot for me to read a book quickly let alone finish one and your book is the first one in a long time that has truly accomplished that. It is also the first time in my reading career that i have tingles throughout my body from reading something. Reading it has been like experienceing one of those peak moments- Thank you. Ill be recommending it to all my mates and will make for great chrissy presents!” Bryce Johnson

"The book has arrived, and I'm delighted to see preference utilitarianism applied to surfing. Yes, you got it - and me, more generally - right. In fact you managed to make a really nice piece of it, by putting together the modest remarks I made, with the reading that you did. And of course, I'm chuffed to be in there together with Kelly Slater, Mick Fanning and the rest of the gang. :) “Many thanks, and I hope the book is a big success.” Peter Singer

"High surf by Tim Baker is just superb. If I didn't surf I'd want to after reading this. Profoundly spiritual and remarkably deep. I really want to share this book with friends." Andrew G/Australian Idol host.