California-based surf photographer John Seaton Callahan, widely recognized as the "world's sexiest surf photographer" and known for his distinctive Jesus-like appearance, is set to release a comprehensive new guidebook this October that promises to revolutionize how surfers discover perfect waves around the globe. The 304-page book, titled "surfEXPLORE: Discovering New Surfing Locations Worldwide," will be published by Schiffer Publications and documents decades of adventure travel across some of the world's most remote and challenging surfing destinations.

Callahan first gained international recognition in the 1990s while working for Surfer magazine, reaching his career peak in 1992 when he published the first photographs of a previously secret wave in the Philippines. He named this discovery "Cloud 9" after a local chocolate bar, and the spot has since become one of the world's most famous surf breaks. His unique ability to uncover hidden gems and document them with stunning photography has made him a legendary figure in the surfing community.

According to Warshaw's Encyclopedia of Surfing, Callahan's extensive travels between 2000 and 2016 took him to over 60 countries across multiple continents. His journeys included challenging destinations such as Laos, Burma, Angola, Algeria, China, Gabon, Haiti, India, South Korea, Mauritania, Madagascar, Oman, Sierra Leone, Tunisia, and Western Sahara. These expeditions were not merely photographic missions but comprehensive research ventures aimed at discovering and documenting previously unknown or seldom-surfed waves.

The upcoming book, written in an innovative third-person post-modernist style, spans 28 chapters covering international surfing adventures across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. The surfEXPLORE Group, led by Callahan, has consistently demonstrated their expertise in research methodology, location analysis, and condition forecasting to position themselves at the right place at the right time. Their success rate in finding quality waves has proven their systematic approach to surf exploration, from the distant islands of Pacific Indonesia to the desert waves of Mauritania.

The team's adventures have taken them through diverse and extreme conditions, including typhoon swells in South Korea and the Philippines, and autumn Mistral swell events in the Mediterranean. Each expedition required extensive preparation, cultural sensitivity, and often significant physical and logistical challenges. The book represents the culmination of this decades-long quest to push the boundaries of surf exploration and documentation.

Publishers describe "surfEXPLORE: Discovering New Surfing Locations Worldwide" as unprecedented in the surfing-themed adventure travel genre. The comprehensive 56,982-word volume combines stunning photography with detailed location guides, cultural insights, and practical travel information for adventurous surfers seeking to explore beyond traditional surf destinations. The book aims to serve both as an inspirational coffee table book and a practical guide for serious surf travelers.

To generate interest ahead of the October release, the publishers have launched a promotional campaign that includes chapter preview videos featuring expeditions to Algeria, Angola, China's Hainan province, and the Comoros Islands. These previews offer readers a glimpse into the extraordinary lengths the surfEXPLORE Group went to document waves in some of the world's most remote and politically challenging locations.

The release of this guidebook raises important questions about the ethics of surf exploration and the impact of publicizing remote surf spots. While some view such efforts as valuable contributions to surf culture and potential economic benefits for local communities, others worry about the exploitation of pristine locations and the potential negative impacts on local populations and environments when previously secret spots become public knowledge.