Craig Anderson: Samudra Spirit Glitters and a quiet, timeless return
Craig Anderson hasn’t chased headlines for a long time, but his new full-length film Samudra Spirit Glitters quietly reminds the surf world why his approach still matters. Shot in Indonesia and released on Craig’s channel, the edit is less about personality and more about the fundamentals: barrels, wave reading, and the kind of pacing that lets a session breathe.
The film: what to watch for
Samudra Spirit Glitters runs like a classic Craig edit: long takes in barrels, smart positioning, and a low-key celebration of feel over flash. The footage leans heavily on Indo reef barrels — the places where Craig’s timing and calm in the pocket show up best. For anyone chasing technique, study the entries to the pocket and the way he manages speed without over-committing.
Watch the full film (official upload):
Who’s behind the camera
The edit credits Dave Fox, a director known within surf film circles for work like Motel Hell with Harry Bryant. Fox’s style here favors clean, atmospheric coverage that complements Craig’s understated surfing rather than trying to upstage it. The result feels cohesive — surf footage that breathes.
Context — Craig’s place in the scene
Craig Anderson, born in 1987 and originally from Newcastle, Australia, has built a career on timing and subtlety rather than constant headline-making moves. He left Quiksilver in 2016 and cofounded the brand Former with Dane Reynolds, Austyn Gillette and the late Dylan Rieder a move that reflected a desire for creative control and a different aesthetic in surf lifestyle.
At the same time, Craig has kept productive brand relationships, notably with Haydenshapes, and continues to surface in well-made independent films and brand projects rather than nonstop media churn.
Gear and style notes
The film underscores why Craig remains a reference for tube riding: board choice and wave reading. While the edit doesn’t turn into a gear breakdown, you can pick up recurring silhouettes and paddling/entry patterns that suit critical Indo reef waves, useful watching for surfers who want to translate that pocket awareness to their own local reefs.
Final take
Samudra Spirit Glitters is not a firework show, it’s a measured, expert reminder that great freesurfing often speaks in whispers: precise timing, patience in the shoulder, and an eye for the barrel when it opens. For surfers and film fans who follow Craig’s quieter arc since Former and his ongoing collaborations, the film is a welcome, authentic piece of surf storytelling.
