SURF! beginners surf magazine by Bart Gatensby

SURF

beginners surf magazine

WINTER 2013/14

HOME AND AWAY For someone just learning to surf a major drawback just might be poor weather. SURF! talks to one surf school that knows the fun and enjoyment of a surf holiday abroad AND the beauty of the local English beach: the St Ives Surf School.

SURF Surﬁng in Britain has two main locations: the south-west and the north-east. Both offer surfers breaks that cater to all skill levels and abilities. This issue SURF! heads south to Cornwall to talk with one surf school that enjoys not only the sandy beaches near St Ives but also a few foreign destinations as well. The head of St Ives Surf School, Harris Rothschild talks all things surﬁng at the school.

How often do you take surf trips to foreign destinations and what can each skill levels expect on a trip? We try to take 2 trips a year with students to foreign destinations. We always take several coaches along with us so the trips are open to all levels of surfers. For beginners we will obviously stick to beach breaks are for the intermediate level we will look to introduce them to reefs and point breaks.

How does the surf in St Ives differ during the summer and winter seasons?

The surf varies hugely over the different seasons in St Ives. Typically winter will bring lots of swell but also quite often lots of wind which is not always a good thing. Sometimes you need to hunt for waves and being conveniently located just 20 minutes’ drive to the south coast there are very rarely days where we won’t find a decent wave. Summer brings warmer water, smaller waves, crowds and sometimes periods of total ﬂatness where the crew will turn to stand-up paddle surfing (SUP), spear fishing and swimming to maintain fitness levels and ocean fix.

First surf lessons at St Ives 2013. Photo St Ives Surf School

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Charles Symons. Secret Spot Canaries 2013. Photo Nick Pumphrey

Understandably, initially the biggest challenge in surfing is the pop-up. It requires a great deal of body strength, good timing and balance. Luckily this is something that can be taught very easily and we have various methods of ensuring people will get to their feet after just a few hours of coaching. For the improver surfers the biggest challenge is most definitely wave selection and ocean experience. Although these skills can be taught to a certain degree it really boils down to time in the water and building on their own experiences in the surf. Only after our students are confident with these aspects will we introduce skills such as turning, gaining speed etc...

What would be your top tips for a beginner who wants to get more involved with surfing?

After two or three initial lessons at a good surf school they should be at a level where they are confident and capable enough to surf in small waves on their own. From there it is all about getting

as much water time as possible and applying the skills they have picked up. After the initial ‘getting to your feet’ phase the steps are very small so be patient and don’t get frustrated!

When should a newbie think about buying his own equipment and what factors should he focus on before deciding what is right for him/her?

I think a wetsuit is a good investment for anyone at any stage of their surfing career. You can pick up a very good midrange wetsuit for around £100. Whatever you do don’t buy cheap it is important to be comfortable. Buying a board is much more difficult, the important thing to remember is that surfing is all about taking small steps. Start with a bigger board with lots of buoyancy and then as you improve you can slowly start to reduce the buoyancy and move onto smaller boards which will be more responsive and easier to turn. Surfboards can be expensive so make sure that you’re serious about the sport before making the commitment. Most good surf schools will have a good range of boards that you can try before

‘‘

For the improver

surfers the biggest challenge is most definitely wave

selection and ocean

experience. Although

‘‘

What aspects of surfing do beginners/improvers usually find the most challenging?

these skills can be taught to a certain degree it really

boils down to time in the water

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Harris, Jacob Down, Jayce Robinson (UK tour champion), Harry De Roth (U16 British champ) chillin at Porthmeor

splashing the cash. Also speak to the coaches before going to a surf shop so you know what you’re looking for...

What first drew you to surfing?

Like most surfers I know I started out body boarding with my friends and family. We would pretty much spend eight hours a day in the sea over the summer and eventually we joined the local Saturday surf club where we got introduced to ‘proper’ surfboards and then that was it.... It’s funny, We now run a non-profit surf club for the local kids 4age four - 16 and now have over 100 members. It’s so rewarding seeing the local kids out in the water enjoying their local beach!

Lessons from a master, St Ives 2013. Photo Surf School St Ives

How did you get involved with the St Ives Surf School? I took over the running of the school four years ago when the beach came under new management. The aim was to raise the standard of surf coaching in the area in a fun and safe environment. I’m happy to say that we have done that and now also offer SUP, Kayak and coasteering activities alongside our surf lessons!

Jayce Robinson. Fuerteventura 2012. Photo Nick Pumphrey

WINTER 2013/14

CHOPPY CHAMPIONS

The 2013 BUCS Surfing Championship took place on the October 18 - 20. Fistral Beach hosted surfers from a number of different universities around the UK, including Plymouth, Aberdeen, Falmouth and Exeter - to name a few. The weekend not only holds a surfing tournament, but puts on a variety of entertainment, where in the past, organising student tour operator, Outgoing supplying the young athletes with headline acts such as Nero and Eats Everything performing in the past. Located in the Devon seaside town, Newquay, the Championships began with the men’s heats - each surfer has 15-20 minutes for their heat and were judged on their speed, power and ﬂow through the water in a five minute paddle out time. Once up on the board, judges would look for innovative manoeuvres and gave addition points for combined manoeuvres. Once the heat had finished, the judges then took into account the level of difficulty that the individual surfer had gone to in order to pull off specific manoeuvres. With the weather churning up choppy waves, the competitors relished the opportunity to get out into the sea and catch those waves. The first heats began for the men on the Friday at 9am and the women’s began at 2pm. Both heats produced some stunning performances early on, showing the high standard of UK surfing.

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SHIPS FOR BUCS 2013

The heats produced more fine surfing throughout the championships and eventually, on Sunday, the women’s finals were underway at 12pm and the men’s half-an hour later. Falmouth had two finalists for the women’s heats, both Gabi Rowe and Holly Donelly impressed over the course of the weekend, resulting in Falmouth University taking first place for the women’s team. Holly Donnelly took the women’s championship after a close encounter between the two Falmouth students. The men’s final saw University of Plymouth student, Sam Coad take on Iarom Madden of University of College London. Again, both surfers produced excellent manoeuvres in the final - showing why they were there, however towards the end of the heat, Iarom Madden took the men’s 2013 Championship with a few outstanding manoeuvres. Although Sam Coad didn’t win the final, he helped the Plymouth University men’s team to first place, earning seven points for his team, along with team mates Severin Clasen and James Taylor earning four points a piece. Cardiff Metropolitan University came in second place and Falmouth University in 3rd. The 2013 BUCS Championships were a huge success, with an enjoyable relaxing atmosphere around Fistral beach and a real competitive edge shown by all the surfers from each university.

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interView witH

SAm lAtHAm 88

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“ There is no adrenaline rush quite like it, riding big waves is a thrilling experience”

Profile

e sit down and talk to the youth champion of 2010 and 2011, one of the sport’s youngest and most aspiring talents. We discuss the processes of getting into the sport and the amount of hard work that must be devoted to it. Any beginner wishing to gain some knowledge or even semiprofessionals this will benefit you greatly.

Firstly, what made you choose a career in windsurfing and what aspects inspired you do to it?

Well I joined a family friend on a level 1 beginner Royal Yachting Association (RYA) course. After a year of participating in the sport of sailing, I became frustrated at it, as I didn’t feel motivated enough to enjoy it. One day I saw a windsurfer speed right past me, quicker than I had seen on any other board and from that moment on I knew it was time to give it a go. After that day I started on the level 1 intermediate course and have not stopped since. I’d recommend anyone that has not yet experienced seeing windsurfing to have a look and judge it for yourselves, it’s not as cold as it looks.

Could you inform any beginners reading this article what the Royal Yachting Association course is?

The RYA is the governing body of sailing and windsurfing course racing. The RYA pathway is a well structured organisation that aims to turn young windsurfers into potential windsurfing olympians, which I’d hope to be one day. This can be achieved through elite coaching and training that focuses on areas like fitness, health, technique and tactics. From my experience it was great fun and helps immensely with becoming a good sailor. Though for anyone wishing to become a professional it does only focus on course racing rather than wave, freestyle or slalom windsurfing which are essential to anyone progressing forward.

Becoming the youth champion of 2010-2011 has shown a lot of encouragement for the youth today, do you feel that this has lead you on to better things?

This definitely encouraged me and helped me realise my potential. For younger windsurfers I would just try and have fun, I wouldn’t worry too much on results as it is all experience and you learn from it. Concentrate on what you want from windsurfing and think about the future.

What are the difficulties of learning to windsurf, do you have any advice to younger windsurfers?

Let’s get one thing straight, windsurfing is hard to learn and can be tremendously difficult at times, though this should not deter younger people from starting. I was only ten years old when I began and I was to say the least, terrible. It has taken me over ten years now to get to where I am, it hasn’t been easy but excuse the pun, it has been a hell of a ride. There is no adrenaline rush quite like it, riding big waves is a thrilling experience .

Many windsurfers fear that they lack a certain physique to pursue the sport or have not acquired the upper body strength needed to participate; do they need to train constantly?

Exercise is an essential component to performing well in competitions, so yes, I would agree that keeping fit and healthy are both good things. When exercising I would not concentrate on one muscle area such as upper body but try to use an array of muscles, as this will help you find balance on the board correctly. Usually signing up to a gym is the best option for you as they offer great classes and provide the proper equipment for you to train. I’ve struggled slightly this year keeping up with my fitness due to university, as it takes up a lot of time.

Name: Sam Latham Age: 21 Height: 5’11” Weight: 70kg Birthday: 6th August 1992 University:The University of Bournemouth

From a financial viewpoint how much money has been spent and what sorts of sponsorship deals have been acquired to help you achieve your goals?

Well it would be difficult to put a round figure on the amount of money spent since I began windsurfing but I do need to say a big thank you to my parents for contributing so much money into my sport. All of this would not have been possible without them. From a young age I have been heavily supported by Boardwise which is the largest windsurfing shop in the UK. Nik Baker a three time vice wave champion has helped enormously with his support also. He is now the UK distributor of three major windsurfing brands that I am a team of which are North Sails, Fanatic Boards and ION Essentials. Without this man I would not be where I am today and owe him everything, along with many others.

After achieving the title of 4th UK Men’s PRO Slalom, what are your next targets and where do you see yourself in the next five years?

I will not be happy with myself until I am at least on the podium, so a top three position. For the future I’m looking to move to Hawaii after I graduate from university and see where the industry is striving currently and gain some experience before maintaining a job that can pay for travelling and provide a ﬂexible lifestyle.

WINTER 2013/14

Surfers Against Sewage 10

urfers Against Sewage (SAS), one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading environmental surf charities based in the UK, has launched its final part of the Protect Our Waves (POW) Campaign. Surfers Against Sewage believes that waves and surf spots deserve to be seen as part of UK heritage and should be afforded greater recognition and protection through debate and legislation. SAS campaigners have been joined by surfer and musician Ben Howard to deliver the Protect Our Waves petition to No 10 Downing Street, representing the call of 55,000 surfers, for better protection of UK waves, oceans and beaches. The POW petition was created in an effort to raise awareness and inspire community action. It calls for amendments to legislation to better control sewage pollution, marine litter and damaging coastal developments and industry. The cause has received amazing support over the past year, with more than 55,000 people giving their signatures, including Jack Johnson, Kelly Slater, and Gabrielle Aplin. They are continuing to give their support, when and where they can do so.

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To support the SAS initiative, photographer Scott Rhea has produced a powerful series of images highlighting some of the environmental issues that threaten the UK’s coastal communities. Rhea, who is known for his underwater installations explained, “The ocean is one of man’s greatest natural resources and the delicate balance between preservation and destruction lies in the decisions that are being made now and the legislation that will protect the future. I have had firsthand experience living in areas where the raw sewage was being dumped and people had to choose between their health or enjoying the ocean. This is a decision that

age-groups, are well-educated, politically engaged and thus inﬂuential members of coastal communities. To highlight this problem, the SAS and the Environment Agency are teaming up to launch the new Fats Oils and Grease (FOGS) Campaign which means to protect your beaches, stop pouring fats, oils and greases, this Christmas to remind the public that simple actions in our kitchens can help protect the beach environment and coastline. There are many ways in which to help the devastating impact that sewage has caused on so many people’s lives and how by making a few changes to your daily routine you can effectively change this.

nobody should ever have to make.” SAS have also released a new economic survey highlighting the £1.8 bn value of UK surfing to call for increased action to protect our waves. The study was delivered at an event in the House of Commons sponsored by Stephen Gilbert MP, to reinforce to policy makers and MPs the need to safeguard valuable and vulnerable surfing environments and communities around the UK. This groundbreaking study was produced in partnership with economist Dr Mills and will ensure policy makers and MPs are better informed of the value of the UK’s precious and vulnerable surfing resource before they make policy decisions that could negatively impact on coastal communities, both economically and socially. The calculated £1.8 billion value of UK surfing is comparable to the economic value of sailing for the UK or tourism for Cornwall. It was found that the average UK surfer spends £3,624 annually on surfing, this breaks down as follows; £495.21 on surfboards, wetsuits and other surfing equipment, £708.45 in local cafes and bars and £587.30 in local convenience stores, £966.27 on petrol, £222.86 on parking and £169 is spent on accommodation in the UK and £474 is spent on foreign travel. The study also dispels the stereotypical view of a surfer, showing that surfers are well represented in all

The UK Water industry estimates there are 150,000 sewer blockages caused by FOGs being poured down the sink. These blockages can result in sewage discharges from combined sewer overﬂows (CSOs) at many popular beaches across Cornwall. The new FOGs campaign, was launched to business communities in Seaton and East Looe in Cornwall, which are both failing basic European water quality standards in part due to fats, oils and greases in the system. In early December SAS distributed FOGs posters, leaﬂets and stickers packed full of handy hints and top tips to help businesses manage their kitchen, protect local beaches and improve water quality at over 150 local businesses. By following these tips it could lead to a better place for all and protect what is disappearing right in front of us. SAS is now inviting the public to help play their part. For a free Protect Your Beaches, Stop Poring Fats, Oils and Greases resource pack simply email info@sas.org.uk or call 01872 553 001. Seaton and East Looe are now best placed to adopt simple actions in household and commercial kitchens to help protect local beaches and improve water quality.

WINTER 2013/14

Surﬁng Stars !

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Bethany Hamilton

Bethany Hamilton (pictured above) is an American pro surfer, similar to childhood friend Alana Blanchard, but with a lot more media coverage because of the loss of her arm. From winning many surfing Championships in a career from 1998 to 2009, Bethany has gone on to the celebrity side of things, where she has appeared on many television shows and has been heavily focused upon by the media. The media attention that surrounded her, soon led to her becoming an iconic image to the surfing world. As mentioned earlier, her novel Soul Surfer was made into a feature film and she is now currently helping produce a film called ‘Dolphin Tale 2’ where she will play herself, a surfing champion. Both Alana and Bethany have had very successful surfing careers and have gone on to have even more success in other professions. From surfing childhood friends, they have risen to the top of the surfing world and now both lead very interesting lives, while still doing the one thing they love.

Alana Blanchard American professional surfer Alana Blanchard is well known for both her surfing career and her beautiful bikini modeling. Alana was born on March 5th, 1990 in Kauai, Hawaii, where she began her surfing career. Since then, she has surfed on the ASP World Tour and has started to get involved in designing Rip Curl bikinis. 2006 and 2007 saw Alana take ten first place finishes in a number of different events over the two-year span, including the Women’s Pipeline Championships and the Billabong Pro, Pre Trials. Alana takes a natural stance on her board and her favourite manoeuvres are airs. Sticking to her routes, her favourite surfing spot is Hanalei Bay in Hawaii. It consists of nearly two miles of beach, with the winter periods being a very popular surf destination because of the large waves that crash in on this beautiful mountain surrounded bay. Standing at 5ft 8in and weighing just 54kg, this petite Hawaiian stunner has begun a very successful modeling career that goes hand in hand with her surfing. As well as being known for her impressive surfing career and modeling, Alana was surfing with best friend Bethany Hamilton the morning that she unfortunately lost her arm in a shark attack whilst surfing back in 2003, at the age of 13. The tiger shark that attacked Bethany was recorded at 15-foot-long, after a family of fishermen killed the shark close to the location of the attack. This horrific event was later turned into a film production, called Soul Surfer in 2011. The biopic drama was directed by Sean McNamara and was a film adaptation of the 2004 autobiography ‘Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family and Fighting to Get Back on the Board’ by Bethany Hamilton. This traumatic event really shows the courage and passion that both Alana and Bethany have towards surfing, where they both still compete and love to surf with one another, despite such a devastating experience when they were so young. Both girls have remained close friends all their lives through surfing together and now compete in the same tournaments.

WINTER 2013/14

WAVES

SHOOTING Have you ever tried holding a camera in a 30ft wave? Surfing photographer Alex Callister does it for a living. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s his take on the perfect shot and getting started.

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‘‘

Most surfers are up for a good time when they get

‘‘

in the water and I’ve

been part of some funny goings-ons in the past.

Alex Callister-PORTHTOWAN, CORNWALL

WINTER 2013/14

‘‘

Out-of-control surfboards are always going be an

issue, but I always feel

‘‘

more confident shooting with surfers that are

used to having a camera pointed at them.

urfing photography can be the best way to remember your time on the board. But it’s not as easy as grabbing a camera and taking the plunge, you need to invest in waterproof housing for your camera and have a good knowledge of the waves. Alex Callister is an experinced surfing photographer and has tried to shed some light on the topic.

How did you get into surfing photography?

I’m in my mid 30s now and have been surfing since around the age of 17. I’ve been into photography since my late twenties but only took the plunge on a water housing in 2011. The equipment doesn’t come cheap

and is relatively difficult to source second hand so it’s a big decision to take the plunge. I might have started a few years earlier if the housings had been cheaper! I think the key to achieving good results where surf photography, particularly water based stuff goes, is to have a good understanding of surfing itself first. That means a good knowledge of general oceanography and the waves that most surfers are aiming to pick off. Also anticipating what the surfers are going to do and where they want and don’t want you to be. If you have good surfing experience then it helps a lot. You don’t need to surf like Kelly Slater, but you need to feel comfortable in the water. That can take some time, but if you’re patient you’ll get there.

Where is your favourite place to surf and photograph?

In the UK I really like shooting and surfing at spots such as Porthleven on the South coast, a reef that on its day produces one of the punchiest, hollowest waves in the Southwest. On the North coast my local is Porthtowan, which often turns out some hollow waves, and the local guys are always a good bunch to ﬂoat around with. There are a dozen or so reef and beach breaks that I also like to get in at when I can, but they should remain nameless to avoid overcrowding! Often I am looking for new and exiting places to shoot than I am to surf. For example water shoots often deliver better results when it’s pretty crowded and the

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good surfers are claiming the best waves. When it comes to surfing, like many others I prefer to seek out the quieter spots where the waves aren’t hogged and I can have the place to myself.

Has anything ever not gone to plan when you’ve been shooting?

Oh yes all the time! In terms of equipment issues I’ve fortunately yet to ﬂood or lose a housing (and I sincerely hope that I never will), but I have suffered minor, undiagnosed leaks in the past. I’ve had other issues, mainly down to being over enthusiastic to get in the water. Unformatted memory cards, half charged batteries, incorrect camera set up and forgetting to remove UV filters. Water photography inherently presents

a few more dangers than most types of photography, so the trick is to think like you’re surfing at all time. Water photos generally find themselves taking more waves on the head and often getting pretty close to sharp reefs. Out of control surfboards are always going be a problem when trying to get the best shots, so make sure you’re always aware of what’s going on around you. I always feel more confident shooting with surfers that are used to having a camera pointed at them - they get very close, but are generally always in control! Rips, heavy waves, weaver fish and other associated nasties are an issue that affects everybody in the water.

What’s the funniest thing you’ve experienced whilst behind the lens?

There are very few sessions that go down without something vaguely amusing occurring. At some spots it often starts and ends with actually getting in and out! As a photographer you often get to observe a little more than you would from a surfer’s perspective. Amusing wipe outs and even a little fisticuffs are not uncommon. Most surfers are up for a good time when they get in the water and I’ve been part of some funny goingson in the past. That said, the bigger and more critical the surf gets, the more the moods change in the water. Larger, heavier waves demand a greater level of concentration (from everybody in

WINTER 2013/14

the water), and there’s a great deal of camaraderie in those situations. I recall a particularly dicy session at El Quemao in Lanzarote (a seriously heavy wave breaking over shallow reef), where a local guy took off on a monster far too deep. He popped up virtually unconscious and covered in blood. There was a big rally around him to get him to safety and he was whisked away by ambulance as soon as he made it safely back to the shore. Of course that’s not a funny story as such, but demonstrates how the dynamics change according to the surf.

‘‘

When it looks

Recently, I’ve decided on a camera more often than not. I always have a great time shooting and I love it when I get magazine quality shots to tout. In all honesty, when Porthleven is breaking big, I feel a bit more useful behind the camera these days. I guess I’m a bit out of practice!

If you could live one place for the rest of your life where would it be?

If it was purely on the basis of surf, I’d probably say the Mentawai Islands or somewhere around Indonesia. But, for a good balance between life and sufing, Cornwall suits me fine!

‘‘

perfect, I always

find myself in a bind choosing between a

board or a camera.

What equipment do you need for shooting?

For water shoots I use a Canon 7d and a few lenses - 35mm, 40mm, 50mm and a fish eye for close up barrel shots. Also a decent capacity memory card is essential if I’m intending on staying out for a few hours. I usually pack a 32GB to be on the safe side. It’s all wrapped up in an Aquatech water housing which is tethered to my arm. The housing has a pistol grip so that I can keep shooting whilst I’m submerged, and has a backplate that allows access to most of the controls. You’ll need a wetsuit of course and for photography I nearly always wear a thicker suit than I would normally for surfing. You spend less time moving, and more time under the water. A good set of [bodyboarding] fins are also essential kit. If I was shooting in crystal clear water and hoping for some below-surface shots, then I’d probably opt for a face mask and possibly dive ﬂippers. For beach based shoots my equipment is limited, but I’ll use either a Canon 7d or 5d Mk III and a Canon 400mm f5.6. A good tripod is usually required for shore based shooting.

Do you prefer being behind the lens or on the board?

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Alex Callister-EL QUEMAO, LANZAROTE

Alex Callister-PORTHTOWAN, CORNWALL

WINTER 2013/14

LONDON SURF/FILM FESTIVAL AND THE SENTATIONAL SURFING CULTURE

rty, quirky individuals gathered to see a variety of interesting and easy on the eye surfing tributes at the London Surf / Film Festival. Films, artwork and photography were put on display over the 4-day event, to show the lifestyle of the surfing world and the beauty of the sea. Surfing fanatics gathered from all over the world to attend the event, making it a hugely popular lowkey festival. As well as the surfing galleries, live music was on offer, which gave an upbeat, joyous atmosphere. In the past, the festival has attracted huge performances from the likes of Led Zeppelin and The Beatles, which speaks a lot of praise for the event and shows just how popular surfing in the UK really is.

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ondon’s premier arts centre, Riverside Studios holds screenings of these majestic films and is located on London’s banks of the Thames. Britain’s largest surf culture festival has a 200-seater cinema, along with galleries galore of surfing artwork and a large river terrace that leads out from the modern bar where people can relax and talk about the artwork that they have seen throughout the day. The past two years of ‘Shorties’ winners - or short films of the year award nominations are available to view on the official website, with two very different looks and focus points on the surfing world. As surfing isn’t a main sport within the UK, the artwork and passion towards this sport is a joy to behold. This year saw a British film take both the Best British Film and the Best Cinematography awards through Mark Waters ‘The Salt Trail’ which is encouraging for English surf productions.

ou don’t need to travel halfway across the world to find luxurious golden sandy beaches that warm the bottom of your feet as you walk down to the tropical ocean with your board clenched under your arm, although that does sound like utopia, but merely a pebble beach with seagulls ﬂying over head as you dive into the Atlantic. The London Surf / Film festival is a way of highlighting just how good surfing can be in the UK, with the short film awards in particular showing the UK’s beautiful seaside scenery. With a lot of support, the London Surf / Film Festival can help raise the level of interest in surfing around the UK and give it the credit that this beautiful sport deserves.

The awards for the 2013 London Film Festivals were decided after four nights of packed out screenings, 16 premieres and a whole load of talks and Q&A’s. Eventually, the panel presented the following awards: Best film: This Time Tomorrow - Taylor Steele Best Documentary: Learning to Breathe Rocky Romano Best Cinematography: The Salt Trail Mark Waters Viewers Choice Awards, presented by Oakley: Bella Vita - Jason Baffa Best British Film: The Salt Trail Mark Waters

Best International Short: Step’N’Soul Toma Jablon The Yeeeew Factor Award: The Fortune Wild - Ben Gulliver The Spirit of the Festival Award: #Vanlife - Crayfish Films Shorties Emerging Talent: Ornella Hawthorn Gardez The Shorties Short Film Contest, presented by Reef: Sea Fever - Tim Davies Honorable Mention: Hangs Upon Nothing Jeremy Rumas

WINTER 2013/14

SPONSORED RIDER

ANIMAL

I NSTI NCT

paid for all my training sessions every weekend. He is my hero’. Like all those that try to surf Simon has gone through the difficulties that come with learning a new sport. His toughest challenge in learning to surf was figuring out how to turn. For Simon it took time accompanied with detailed coaching and practice. Lots of practice. But he figured it out. He continued to train every weekend. And it has paid off. He began to compete at surf events and soon he was doing the best he had ever done in competitions. He met the Animal Team in 2010 at the UK Pro Surf Tour where they awarded him the Most Committed Surfer of the series and that was it. Until 2011, and an email out of the blue offered him a chance to join the Animal team. This recognition galvanized Simon’s belief in his ability and that has pushed him to improve his surfing as he feels the need to represent Animal to the best of

‘‘

‘My short term goal is to get into the top 3 in the pro junior and

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he sponsored profile this issue is Simon Trebilcock fromthe west coast of Cornwall. Simon began riding for Animal in 2011 and represented Great Britain in the same year at the World Junior Surf Championships. At 12 he was a relative latecomer to the sport compared to his competitors but Simon has found surfing to be a lifestyle he excels at. Simon took his first waves at Perran Sands in August 2007 and was instantly hooked. From these first lessons Simon has now spent countless hours in the water constantly learning his craft from advanced coaches. However it is not these coaches to whom Simon feels the most gratitude towards. He states: ‘Without my granddad I wouldn’t be where I am now. He has been the biggest part of my surfing above anything else. He has provided me all equipment before I got sponsored, took me to all the competitions and also

long term it’s to surf bigger waves and

train hard’.

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Name

Simon Trebilcock

Sponsor

Animal Nationality

British Home

St Ives

2011 Second British Nationals U16

2010 Animal Most Committed British Surfer Award 27th UK Pro Surf Tour U16 First Penwith School U16

2008, 2010, 2011 Qualified for the European Championships

his abilities at events and competitions around the globe. Simon is currently 6th in the U18 pro surf rankings but never one to rest he says: ‘My short term goal is to get into the top 3 in the pro junior and long term it’s to surf bigger waves and train hard’. However, he views these goals as byproducts of the sport he loves: ‘The thing that makes me strive to do better isn’t the competition against other surfers, it’s just I have fun surfing and by having fun I’m constantly improving’. A qualified level one and two surf instructor based out of St Ives, he coaches surfers of all levels from beginner to advanced. His word of advice to those learning to surf comes from surf legend Andy Irons who said “You can try it 1000 times and the one time you pull that manoeuvre off it makes it all worthwhile’.

Simon in

WINTER 2013/14

Solid CORE

Surfing is an extreme sport which requires a good level of core muscle strength. Here are our top six ab and core workouts to help you improve your pop, balance and overall ability to ride a wave.

to the

Swiss Ab Twist This exercise is great and will help improve your balance and abdominals. - Hold a dumbbell with both hands whilst balancing your back on the Swiss ball. - Rotate your torso as far as you can to the right, ensuring you maintain control. - Then rotate as far as you can to the left and return to the starting position. That is one rep.

Wood Chopper The key for this exercise is to maintain the same posture throughout the motion. - Hold a dumbell in the position show, with your hand placed behind your back. - Lift your arm across your body and hold the dubbell directly above your shoulder. - Return dumbbell to the starting position with the same motion. That is one rep. - Be sure to alternate arms on each set.

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Dumbbell Raises

Plank

This exercise will develop your balance and core strength. - Assume the position shown with the dumbbell in hand, ensuring your ancles are in-line with your shoulders. - Keeping your arm straight, lift the dumbbell above your body and return to the starting position. That is one rep. - Alternate arms after each set.

This is the simplest exercise, but one of the most effective. - Simply hold the plank position for a set period of time. - Try to increase the amount of time by 15 seconds each time you perform this routine of exercises.

Dumbbell Push-Up

The dumb bell push-up improves the strength in your triceps and pectorials as well as working the core. - Get two dumb bells and get into the press-up position. - Perform a press up and return to the starting position. - Pull one arm into your body and return to starting position. That is one rep. - Alternate arms on each rep.

The dumbbell lunge will help you improve your leg strength which proves beneficial after a long day of riding. - Lift dumbbells over your head, keeping them shoulder width apart. - Lunge forward with one leg ensuring your hips are kept parallel to the ground. - Return to start position whilst tensing abdominals. That is one rep. - Alternate legs on each rep.

Dumbbell Lunge

WINTER 2013/14

Bored of southsea. south coast clothing

Portsmouth based Bored of Southsea is a retail shop, located in the seaside resort of Southsea. The south coast shop specialises in skater/surf-based clothing, from Nike and Adidas trainers, to new and quirky brands such as the Quiet Life and Stussy. Bored of Southsea aim to promote and sell brands that haven’t yet made the breakthrough in mainstream retail shops, making their clothing products very unique. A lot of the clothes seen in store or on the website are quite pricey, due to the high profile brands that they stock, however the quality of the products is well worth the money. Stocking for all seasons, Bored of Southsea range from vests and shorts to thick coats and hoodies; providing for all seasons of surf.

CARHARTT ANCHORAGE PARKA - NAVY / BROKEN WHITE

£175.00

Bored of Southsea stock a variety of warm, cozy winter coats - perfect for those wet choppy mornings on the seafront, preparing your days activities. This Parka coat by Carhartt has padded lining for extra warmth, along with four front pockets with poppers, giving it plenty of storage space. The waist also has a draw cord for the windy days, keeping the jacket from blowing around when trying to sort out the day’s equipment.

NIKE SB ERIC KOSTON X HERITAGE BLACK / ATOMIC GREEN TRAINERS

£60.00

(from £75)

These Nike SB trainers are perfect for wet and cold conditions, with a comfy sole to walk on those rocky beaches and a fine look to them. Bored of Southsea have cut the price of these badboys to just £60, making them a real bargain for any surfer wanting comfy kicks to slip on and off when arriving and leaving the beach of their choice.

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THE QUIET LIFE BlacK ZiP hoodie

£75.00

This lightweight hoodie would be perfect underneath a light raincoat or to throw on after coming in from the waves and staying warm and cozy driving home. Not only does it look stylish and is unique, the Quiet Life have designed a contrasting black and white classic hoodie, that looks the part as well as offers a soft and comfortable inside layer.

HUF PLANTLIFE logo snaPBacK

£35.00

One to go with the Quiet Life hoodie - a stylish snapback to cover up that crazy wet barnet after a day out at sea. This snapback has an adjustable strap at the back to make sure it fits nicely and won’t blow off in the wind. It also comes in red and green to match different outfits.

STUSSY long BlacK socKs

£12.00

Everybody knows that forgetting to pack an extra pair of socks can be fatal. Nobody wants to come in to get changed and find that they have to put on wet socks from earlier and drive home with squelching feet every time you push the accelerator.

WINTER 2013/14

Classic Surfer Films Movies about surfing have been around for decades, for the most part they have been documentaries exploring the world of surfing and detailing the experiences of those that have been enthused by it. The other parts are the films that show just how beautiful the sport can be by allowing the viewer to gain insight into this lifestyle. From Point Break to Dogtown & Z-Boys this is a thorough account of which films helped define a generation of surfing and may just inspire you.

Point Break (1991)

Details Director: Kathryn Bigelow Genre: Action Cast: Keanu Reeves Patrick Swayze Running Time: 123 minutes

Undercover FBI agent Keanu Reeves strives for action and gets into some serious male bonding when he infiltrates the Californian surfing fraternity in search of a gang of bank robbers who call themselves the Ex-Presidents. During the course of the investigation, however, Reeves is seduced by a spiritual surfer Swayze’s, the cosmic talk about being one with the sea, and becomes addicted to the adrenalin rush of life on the edge. Despite this theme of Faustian redemption, the distinction between good and evil is far from black and white, Swayze’s reckless craving for danger filling an elemental void in Reeves’ hollow soul. There are times when the dialogue is a shade comic, others when the brilliantly staged action set pieces become almost abstract. Plausibility, though, has never been director Bigelow’s strong suit, and there’s precious little to be found here. Even so, there’s enough high-octane, heart-racing excitement for a dozen movies.

Soul Surfer (2011)

Details Director: Sean McNamara Genre: Biopic Drama Cast: AnnaSophia Robb Helen Hunt Running Time: 106 minutes

Soul Surfer is based on the true story of Bethany Hamilton, a champion surfer who in her early teens was attacked by a shark and lost almost all of her left arm. One month later, she was back on a surfboard, has since won several championships and is at age 21 a professional surfer. All of those are remarkable facts. When we first meet Bethany she’s a wholesome Hawaiian water baby with a curious habit of beaming out at the ocean with an intense, imbecilic delight, as though she’s just spotted a clown swimming in it. Director Sean McNamara and crew created some special effects magic worth noting. To capture Bethany’s story the way he and his director of photography wanted, the team shot hundreds of scenes multiple times, using a green sleeve for the actress. The film is thin and frothy; though watch out for that final sentimental upsurge. It could drag and lift you against your will.

Dogtown and Z-Boys (2001)

Details Director: Stacey Peralta Genre: Documentary Running Time: 123 minutes

Dogtown and the Z-Boys is a documentary that walks viewers through the history and lives of the legendary Zephyr surf and skateboarding team. The film, directed by the famous Z-Boy Stacey Peralta and narrated by Sean Penn, is full of vintage surf and skate video footage, photos, and interviews with the Zephyr team, Jeff Ho, Skip Engblom, Craig Stecyk, and plenty of other people involved in the story of Dogtown. Dogtowns and the Z-boys walks through the history of Dogtown, talking about the surfers in the area and how rough the locals were there.

The documentary explains how in 1972 a surf shop was opened in Dogtown called Jeff Ho and Zephyr Surfboards. It would be the surf team from this shop that would transition its aggressive surfing style to skateboarding, and change things forever. For more details on the history of Dogtown and the Zephyr team, read The True History of Dogtown and the Zephyr Team. An inspirational film even though it examines skateboarding it was the professional surf boarders that they were implementing.

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A HiStory of Surfing ViDeo gAmeS What better way of practising surfing than in the comfort of your own home, on those days that you just can’t be bothered to get out of bed? Surfing games have been extinct for the past 12 years since the release of Kelly Slater’s Pro Surfer and with our new next generation consoles, there is hope that a new game will be released. This article will guide you through the positives and negatives of past games while hoping to encourage you to pick up a controller and play these games.

CAliforniA gAmeS – 1987

Released on the Commodore 64 Computer and developed by Epyx the game involved an array of sports such as surfing, skating and BMX. What made the game unique was the difficulty at which it was to control the surfer; this at times would infuriate the player. Though after a quick session on the BMX they were quick to pick the controller up again and try again. Later to be released was California Games 2 in 1993. It did not share the same success but introduced body surfing and snowboarding, which all in all was partially enjoyable.

trAnSworlD Surf – 2001 Surfing games were starting to be taken more seriously and to a new level. The surfing publication ‘Transworld Surf’ with the help of developers Angel Studios and Atari would create their own game, bringing the inspirations of many surfers. Released on Xbox it later came out across on most consoles including GameCube and PlayStation 2 as it had gained such success. The most poignant part of the game was that you had the ability to control your favourite professional surfers such as Rochelle Ballard; this created a relationship between the player and the game that had not been produced in others. The graphics had vastly improved from older games and with challenges and photos now combined, the surfing video games were going swimmingly.

Surf riDerS – 2000 This was the first surfing video game released on a console and had been developed by Ubisoft. With the newly introduced franchise of Tony Hawks Pro Skater it was to no surprise that other sports games would try to emulate what Neversoft had achieved. Sadly, the game did not attain this greatness, it lacked for a better sense of the word, control. Only one direction was available to the player and with the graphics being so dreadful, it was even more difficult to see the one direction in which you could go. Soon to be improved and it was.

KELLY SLATERʼS PRO Surfer – 2002 The last instalment of a surfing game to date and was developed by Activision, having been released on all consoles and Pc/Mac. As the title suggests you play as world champion Kelly Slater in 30 levels which feature popular surf spots from around the world. The controls have finally been modified so much so that you feel in control, which cannot be a bad thing. With the ability to unlock new boards and characters you may find yourself addicted to gaining access to all areas of the game, especially with the chance to be the special character unlock of Tony Hawk’s. Many gamers are hoping for a sequel for this game as it proved that surfing games deserved their place in history.

WINTER 2013/14

urfSSENTIALS What you need to get you started on brandishing your very own deck and kit. The essential five of winter surf gear.

the board

£399.99 bilbosurfshop.co.uk

Far and away the most important, and expensive, bit of kit for the new surfer is the board itself. For the beginner surfer it is far more important to choose your board based on weight age and what you plan to do on the board. Do not check out what Kelly Slater is rocking and trawl the shops for his board. There are three basic options of boards out there for the beginner. The shortboard or thruster is the one for ripping waves. They roll in at around 173cm to 208cm. Used for quick turns and precision surf manoeuvres. They fit in your house, on top of your car and is the most common board found on the waves in the UK. The longboard or Malibu is for cruising waves and old school tricks of the hangten variety. Longer than the shortboard as the name implies, the longboard is built to around 219cm to over 275cm. A board for the laid back surfer, riding a vintage wood longboard in the UK is just shouting hipster surf cool. This board will remind you of the foam board from the lessons. The fish is the shortest board out there coming in around 170cm to 183cm. Designed with the width and depth of the longboard and the length of the shortboard, they give you a taste of both worlds and are great for catching weak surf breaks that a shortboard can’t. Once you’ve decided the style of surfing you want to enjoy the boards come in more shapes and sizes than you can shake a stick at. The basics are as follows: the longer the board the easier paddling will be and 30-60cm over your head is a good rule of thumb for a first board. The thicker the board the more buoyancy you gain. The wider the board the more stable it is, but, the less its turn radius. Check your local shop and ask about the rails, rocker, fins and tail shape to fine tune the board for you and the surf you ride.

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wax wetsuit

£2.10 amazon.co.uk

You can’t surf if you can’t stand up and your new board is going to be slicker than greased duck. Options abound to help get you the traction you need and all options work. For the purist surfer the only option available is wax, the application of which gives you time to contemplate just how you plan to ride the swells that the day has on offer. Other options include traction pads and grip tape that do the same job but decrease the amount of prep time needed to get on the waves. The choice is personal preference and yours.

The warmest time of year for UK surfing is the autumn, and you still need a wetsuit. Winter is going to be cold and you need to stay warm in the water. Wetsuits come in a variety of shapes and thicknesses but for winter get a steamer and do not pick the one with the prettiest designs. Aim for a thickness around 6/4 or 5/3mm to keep you warm enough to enjoy your day without that pesky hypothermia. Snug but not tight. Blind stitched unless you like a cool trickle of ice water through the zipper every time you hit the water.

leash £19.95 lunasurf.co.uk

You are going to fall off your board. Repeatedly. Since this is an absolute truth in surfing you need to maintain the board within your grasp once you come up for air. Enter the board leash, used to anchor you to your board in case of any wipe-out the leash will be your best friend and you won’t even realize it. The length and thickness of the leash varies on what exactly you are riding and with what but generally the leash should be at least the same length as your board.

£148.99 snowboardclub.co.uk

boots Boots are needed to maintain the attachment of your feet to your legs throughout a day of winter surfing in the UK. Definitely an extra worth investing in for the winter waters. Optional extras are the gloves and the hoodie. Both will keep you warmer but their necessity is up to you. A good rule of thumb is to touch your smallest finger and thumb of the same hand together, once it becomes difficult in the water it is time to consider a set gloves and a hoodie.

£29.95 oceanleaisure.co.uk

CONTRIBUTORS MICHAEL McFADYEN JONATHAN TOWNSEND JOE PIETRASIK BART GATENSBY