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Into the Sea
Billie (Will) is a small kid bleached by the ocean. He surfs. Riley's bigger, bites his nails and pretends he does too. They roam their beachside suburb, nose drip over their first surf magazine and start to dream of far off places. Suddenly out of a heatwave, a fire erupts to take more than their bushland.
Later, in their mid twenties, the friends reconnect driving across the desert. There they live in the heat, dust and cold salt water, amongst a melting pot of passing travellers and violent incensed locals. Riley forgets a girl he thought he knew and Will's drug addiction gives way to blindness to life beyond the sea which may prove to be even more destructive.
Musings around the campfire become real as Will leaves everything and heads for the tropical islands of Indonesia. At first a phone call, then a postcard, then nothing. Eventually Riley, in a strong relationship with stable work, sets out to try to track him down and, heading deep into the islands, starts to learn things he never knew he should.
Through the early years of their friendship, Into the Sea touches on first freedoms, the seesawing transition from innocence to adolescence and the impact of sudden loss. In later parts, the novel powerfully evokes life on the road and the unpredictability of trusting to chance travelling in remote places. Along the way, it richly and sensitively describes the landscapes of Australia and Indonesia and their people and captures what it really is to ride waves, to be a surfer and, in a more subtle way, the trials, if not impossibilities, of loving one.
Later, in their mid twenties, the friends reconnect driving across the desert. There they live in the heat, dust and cold salt water, amongst a melting pot of passing travellers and violent incensed locals. Riley forgets a girl he thought he knew and Will's drug addiction gives way to blindness to life beyond the sea which may prove to be even more destructive.
Musings around the campfire become real as Will leaves everything and heads for the tropical islands of Indonesia. At first a phone call, then a postcard, then nothing. Eventually Riley, in a strong relationship with stable work, sets out to try to track him down and, heading deep into the islands, starts to learn things he never knew he should.
Through the early years of their friendship, Into the Sea touches on first freedoms, the seesawing transition from innocence to adolescence and the impact of sudden loss. In later parts, the novel powerfully evokes life on the road and the unpredictability of trusting to chance travelling in remote places. Along the way, it richly and sensitively describes the landscapes of Australia and Indonesia and their people and captures what it really is to ride waves, to be a surfer and, in a more subtle way, the trials, if not impossibilities, of loving one.
298 pages, Paperback
First published December 19, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 15, 2026
one of the most vivid and lasting books i’ve read in a long time. the imagery of growing up immersed in surf culture across coastal WA was relatable to a cellular level. a must-read aussie classic for sure!
August 8, 2025
Surfers especially will love visualising the waves and reefs described so clearly in this book.
Some of this book resounded so closely I had to read the passages three or four times.
Left a lot of unanswered questions re Will but it gives you the opportunity to make up your own mind about Riley’s outcome.
Some of this book resounded so closely I had to read the passages three or four times.
Left a lot of unanswered questions re Will but it gives you the opportunity to make up your own mind about Riley’s outcome.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2025
Really loved this book. Growing up in a southern WA coastal town in the 80’s/ 90’s, this really hit home for me. Surf culture is depicted so beautifully and accurately. I’ve recently also read Jay Laurie’s newest book ‘Always Running’ which cannot be found anywhere online yet but it is another oceanic travel adventure and worth a read if you’re a thalassophile like me.
April 15, 2018
Thanks for a great read Jay. Loved the atmosphere you created and as a non-surfer it was great to get into the mindset of someone who is willing to search so hard and long for their next wave.
August 7, 2019
For someone who has cashed waves this is a great read. Makes my feet itch too.
February 4, 2016
An interesting start to the book especially if you love surfing/the sea. A different middle section then a great finish.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews