Between the Moon and the Fire: Life in Surfing Moments

"A sun-drenched, blue-tinted collage of surfing snapshots" – Andy Martin, author of Walking on Water

Why do surfers ride waves? Surprisingly, it is not always just for the thrill or the excitement: at a deeper level, surfing can imprint itself on consciousness, feeding the wave rider with intense images and sensations – thereby generating moments in memory that last a lifetime, via the ocean's mirror.

In Between the Moon and the Fire Sebastian Kevany describes more than one hundred moments of wave-riding around and across the globe, from Ireland to Indonesia. He explores each episode to identify exactly what made it stand out and endure: what was the unique combination of circumstances and events that brought the surfer to that moment – often, just a few seconds long – in that time and place?

From parties to partners-in-crime, from health to habit and from espliegerie to esprit de corps, there is always a back story. In answering those questions, Between the Moon and the Fire also explores universal themes familiar to both wave-riders and non-surfers alike: curiosity and camaraderie; adventure and escape; progress and identity.

Sebastian Kevany has surfed for more than twenty years in California, Ireland, Hawaii, South Africa, Indonesia, Tanzania, Australia, Portugal and Sierra Leone. He has contributed to The Surfer’s Journal and Zig Zag surfing magazine, and has also published academic articles. He lives in Ireland and the USA.

Good Vibes for Between the Moon and the Fire by Sebastian Kevany

"Imagine you went to just about every beach in every country in the world and made a photograph album out of all the great waves you caught (and some you didn’t) — and of all the people you met out the back, or on the road. Then, you turned it all into words. But now you don’t have to — Sebastian Kevany has done it for you." – Andy Martin, author of Walking on Water and Surf, Sweat and Tears: The Epic Life and Mysterious Death of Edward George William Omar Deerhurst

"Filled with thoughtful insights from his experiences and adventures along the international surfer’s trail. Lots to dip into and enjoy for all thinking surfers who like to read." – Wayne Murphy, author of Kanga: The Trials and Triumphs of Ian Cairns

“Surfing is about more than riding waves. Sebastian Kevany clearly gets that. Read this book to find out why…” – Scott Laderman, author of Empire in Waves: A Political History of Surfing

“Captures the long-standing spirit of Irish surfing, and updates my own experiences of surfaris, adventure, and fun." – Kevin Cavey, the ‘Father of Irish Surfing’, former Ireland national team surfer and author of How Green Was Their Wave: The Dawn of Surfing in Ireland.

"Depicts many sublime moments of adventure, exploration and surfing … . It is a true joy to immerse oneself in the nuances of surf culture and the characters in local and far flung realms via the sage pen of such a vibrant author. With his unique charismatic style of writing, Kevany’s memoirs open up the joys and challenges of wave riding to the surfer and non-surfer alike. A true breath of fresh sea air in the ever-evolving culture of surf!" – Dr. Eoin McCarthy Deering, adventurer, filmmaker and former Ireland national team surfer

“Captures the thrill of surfing in the Wild West of Ireland — a good bloke, writing about good waves." – Mikee Hamilton, Tow Surf Ireland Pioneer

"Sebastian Kevany is that rare surfer who can put surfing into words with inspirational clarity and deep emotion, and explore the deeper meaning of it all. … a man who has spent Autumn nights explaining the fingertip’s feeling for texture of the ocean … and tasted salt spray in every ocean on earth." – Daniel Beatty author of Surfing in South Africa and former Springbok student surfer.