It’s been four years since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex decamped from the royal family to Montecito, and it looks like the California way of life is really starting to rub off on Prince Harry. On Wednesday, Tahitian surfer Raimana Van Bastolaer posted a video of the prince on Instagram, coaching him as he pops up on his surfboard with relative ease. The duo were apparently surfing in the Central Valley town of Lemoore at Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch, which boasts a man-made six-foot barreling wave. Van Bastolaer also shared a photo of the 40-year-old in the middle of a tube, or wave tunnel, writing, “Pretty deep brother Harry.”
“In tahiti, we still call you Prince harry but at surfranch, it’s my Brother,” Van Bastolaer wrote in his caption. “It was an honor to have you surf with me & @kellyslater”
Per People, Meghan Markle reportedly gave Harry surf lessons as a present for his 36th birthday, around the time they first relocated to the West Coast. Fast-forward a few years, and it seems those lessons are really paying off. Throughout the video, Van Bastolaer can be heard shouting words of encouragement between yips and cackles. “GET UP, MOVE UP, YEAHHHH, BROTHER!” he screams at Harry. “LOVE YOU, BROTHER! MOVE YOUR SHOULDER, YEAHHHH, NICE!”
Obviously, Harry’s polo-playing days are well documented, and I’m sure he has to be somewhat athletic to ride a horse. But I did not expect this level of grace from the duke and must say I’m pleasantly surprised. Surf’s up, brother Harry.