Andrew O'Hagan in Bora Bora for The Guardian Weekend

Michaela Boehm photographed at home in Santa Paula, CA, August 15 2019

The wedding of Roland and Michele, July 21, 2018, Rancho Mark West, Santa Rosa, CA.

The wedding of Roland and Michele, July 21, 2018, Rancho Mark West, Santa Rosa, CA.

general view of Le Meridien Resort, Bora Bora.

Andrew O'Hagan photographed at Le Meridien Resort, Bora Bora.

general view of Le Meridien Resort, Bora Bora.

general view of Le Meridien Resort, Bora Bora.

Aliso Beach, in South Laguna Beach, California, is the birthplace, proving ground and global hub of the international world of Skimboarding. If you want to make a name for yourself against legends, or if you want to learn from the father of modern-day skimboarding, Tex Haines….you come to Aliso.

Skimboarding originated here in the 1920’s, when Laguna lifeguards wanted to surf the local shorebreak that was too fast and shallow for surfboards. So they improvised with wooden discs to glide across the water's surface to meet the incoming breaking wave and ride it back to shore, putting in some surf moves along the way, like tube riding and aerials. Since then the sport has grown into a worldwide professional sport, and every summer, Victoria Skimboards sponsors a contest called The VIC, held here at Aliso, one of the biggest competitions in the world. But no matter how global Skimboarding becomes, Aliso will always be home; it’s Pipeline, it’s Wembley Stadium, it’s Center Court.

The wedding of Roland and Michele, July 21, 2018, Rancho Mark West, Santa Rosa, CA.