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80
bodyboarding magazine
“The wave popped both my ear drums and drove me straight to the bottom” - josh garner
The heaviest
drop in history? See page 21.
Ballistic
Late Autumn Goes Nuts!
• Ultimate perfection in Ireland. • The Truth About Drop Knee: “If people are jealous that I get too many photos, then s ck me off!” - matt lackey • The Best shots of the swell that shook our October
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WE AN W Y U ILL K P BE RIC AT E*
S D R A O CK B 0 TO 1 0 NS 2 I E M OW O S N
* PROOF REQUIRED
TEAM RIDERS: LAURIE McCALL 1st place Auto Sleepers British Bodyboard Nationals Drop Knee Division
ALEX WAKE
STEVE HALL 1st place Auto SleepersBritish Bodyboard Nationals Under 16
ELDRED HAWKE 1st Place Greenaway Pro 2009
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contents
04.
where to find stuff in the mag.
features
ON THE COVER: Damian Prisk launches up and out of Uluwatu. THIS PAGE: The Riley's crew chill at sunset. Photo Mickey Smith.
22 Manning Up // Top underground DK’er Alex Manning gets a profile. 26 Trouble in Paradise // Owen Pye nearly meets his maker in the Philippines.
28 The Riley’s Sessions, Ringing the changes // Mickey and crew score a solid week of Irish perfection. 36 Octoberfest // The month pumped everywhere, and we’ve collected the best action from each coast. 42 The Jack Pack // A forum with the world’s best drop-knee aficionados. 48 Wetty Guide // The best rubber wear to beat the winter chill. 56 Wetsuit Retailers Guide // Where to buy your suit from this winter. 62 ThreeSixty’s Christmas Gift Guide // Essential stocking fillers.
us...
Published by Orca Publications Ltd, Berry Road Studios, Berry Road, Newquay, Cornwall TR7 1AT Tel 01637 878074 • Fax 01637 850226 • e-mail: info@orcasurf.co.uk • Website www.orcasurf.co.uk Managing Editor Mike Searle Publisher Louise Searle Editor Rob Barber Sub Editor Kat Dawes Advertising Manager Louise Searle Design David Alcock, Mike Searle Photography Mike Searle, Mickey Smith, Jacob Cockle, Andy Lawrence, Tim Jones, Matt Hawken, Tungsten, Phil Smith. Contributors Mickey Smith, Jacob Cockle, Andy Lawrence, Alex Allen, Brooke Mason, Jeff Hubbard, Pablo Pierto Serrano, Owen Pye, Alistair Daniels. Repro PH Media, St Austell, 01726 891111 Printed by Advent Print Group, Andover Hampshire, SP10 3LU Distributed by Seymour
regulars
09 Lowdown 16 Random 58 Regions 66 Data
Unsolicited contributions are welcome but must be accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope. While all care will be taken to ensure their safety, the publishers cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage caused to manuscripts, artwork and photographs, or for their return. All material in ThreeSixty is copyright and reproduction without asking is a big no-no! While every care is taken in compiling ThreeSixty the publishers assume no responsibility for any affect arising from any omissions or errors. The views of the authors are not necessarily those of the publishers. © Orca Publications Ltd 2009
PHOTO: MICKEY SMITH
UK/EIRE DISTRIBUTOR: ASD 07841 134425
intro
06. intro
britains’ best bodyboarding magazine
Paul Miller takes a hectic drop at T-Reef. 06 ThreeSixty
Mike Searle
Grow old gracefully …nah.
In a world of age-obsessed dudes, where Oil of Olay, tummy tucks and Botox is accepted as the norm, our secret society of boogers appears to be shunning the trend. Age in bodyboarding is clearly not an issue. I refer of course to Danny Catten (36) and his victory at the Auto Sleepers British National Championships this autumn. OMC (Old Man Catten), as he is affectionately known, shredded heat after heat to win not only the Masters but the Open to boot. On the world stage, Mike Stewart (46) and his epic victory at arguably the most mental venue of the IBA World Tour, the Arica Chilean Challenge, offers inspiration to silver foxes and receders everywhere. Not to be outdone, Guilherme Tamega (36) is still in with a shot at the world title and MS has an outside chance as well. Recently Britain sent its three best bodyboarders to compete in Brittany in the Anglo-French Challenge. The combined age of Prisk, Catten and Wall? 98. So what’s my point? Well, at last bodyboarding is coming of age. We’re gaining some heritage, a wealth of knowledge and in the same way that Slater and the boys have revolutionised surfing, we are proving that your riding can continue to improve into and beyond middle age. The sport is low impact, aerobic and unlike 99 percent of other sports, ‘training’ is actually the most fun part (most of us call it free-surfing). Cyclists’ times get slower, footballers get lazy or injured — bodyboarders improve their technique/wave knowledge/experience…and we are only just finding this out now. What a bonus. It appears that growing old gracefully is no longer an option. Enjoy the mag. Rob Barber, Editor.
ThreeSixty 07
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lowdown 09. lowdown
sacré bleu French prove too strong as first Anglo-French
bodyboard competition goes off in great style.
The British Team (left to right): Speller, Salmon, Barber, Wall, Prisk, Catten and Hall.
The first Anglo-French Challenge between the French Surfing Federation and the British Bodyboard Club went off in superb style in Quiberon this weekend. The French put out a very strong team including 2009 French tour winner Sylvain Langlet and Pierre-Louis Costes, currently sixth in the IBA World Tour and in contention for the world title. The British Team (sponsored by Brittany Ferries, Rob Barber’s Bodyboard School and NMD) consisted of Damian Prisk, Danny Catten and Danny Wall in the Open section with Dave Speller and Cian Salmon completing the junior section. The competition was held over two days in South Brittany at the Côte Sauvage break of Port Bara. Saturday afternoon saw a stormy onshore six foot swell, and a lack of familiarity with the break may have seen the downfall of
PLC was untouchable throughout. Fly-away air reverse against Catten.
Prisky boosted one of the sickest reverses of the event.
the British team. Their French counterparts showed better wave selection in the difficult conditions, and raced into an early five-nil lead in the man-on-man format. Though a number of heats were close, the French riders were the ones hitting the critical sections more cleanly to impress the judges. The second and third rounds saw a determined British squad hit the water, but not before some pre-kick off drama provided some distraction. Two young French surfers had ignored the warning signs and become caught in the rip at the left hand side of the bay. With no official lifeguard on duty, quick as a flash spectator Aiden Salmon was stripped down to his boxers and diving into the surf to perform the rescue. Damian Prisk was slightly more reluctant to get in the water (perhaps due to his white boxers potentially going translucent when wet, and it being a cold day and everything). However, after eventually wrestling a surfboard off a surfer’s grandmother to use as a rescue aid, Damian joined Aiden at the water’s edge in his trollies, just in time to see our hero dragging a bedraggled surfer from the water. The Brits then set about ‘pants-ing’ the exhausted Salmon in
recognition of his heroics. Commenting on the neardeath experience for the young French lads, co-organiser Yannick Allançon gave a Gallic shrug and said, “Oui, it ‘appens ‘ere all ze time…” Meanwhile back at the competition, surf conditions were cleaner and bigger than on Saturday. With some break experience under their belts combined with direction from team coach Rob Barber, the Brits were quickly back in contention. A convincing win from Salmon over the diminutive Max Castillo (look out for Castillo in the coming seasons though — the lad shows a maturity and style beyond his years) got the Brits on the scoreboard. Dan Catten was neck and neck with Langlet in the next heat when the man from Hossegor picked up the wave of the round, a long peeling left. The Frenchman ignored two makeable sections in favour of down the line speed and pulled off a huge invert as the wave closed out. Wall and Prisk both took wins in the second and third rounds respectively to advance the British tally. Prisk’s score in his final heat was the second highest score of the weekend and the French head judge Olivier Etchebers said: “His ARS was just perfect, and his re-entry reverse was massive.” However, the quality of the French riding was epitomised by Costes who remained unbeaten through the two days. His third round heat against Catten produced the ride of the day and saw him pull off a backflip and ARS on the same wave for the biggest score of the event. The French eventually took the competition 10 to three, but were magnanimous in victory, acknowledging how close many of the heats had been. The return leg will be held on British shores in 2010/2011. The BBC would like to thank Olivier Etchebers of the FFS and Yannick Allançon of the Quiberon Surf club for their hospitality along with Brittany Ferries, Rob Barber’s Bodyboarding School and NMD for their kind support.
ThreeSixty 09
lowdown
010. lowdown
IBA World Tour Update
The Confital event, a must-see for bodyboard fans.
The IBA (International Bodyboarding Association) World Tour has gone from strength to strength in 2009. As any square-eyed bodyboard fan will tell you, the webcasts and event highlights have shown the incredible standard of riding that is going down at the events. We caught up with IBA head honcho Terry McKenna to find out a little more about this year’s tour and the five-horse dash for the finish at the Confital event in Gran Canaria in December.
Where are you from? I
happy with the system. This is evidenced by the fact that we
is being negotiated and will be out early 2010. The dates for the
actually grew up in the
have five riders going for a world title in the men’s and the
first Grand Slam at Pipe are set for 13 and 23 February.
notorious suburb of Maroubra
riders in the women’s, with one event to go.
Beach in Sydney but moved
The tour is coming to a nail-biting finish at Confital in Gran Canaria; what can spectators expect from the event?
other events are worth 1,000 points. Then the other events can
A great story will unfold and it will be all broadcast live on
buy 50 extra points for every $5,000 over the minimum prize-
the internet. The guys at LP Surf (the webcast company) are
been running the tour? I
money. This has created a contest within these other events
working hard to make this one of the best webcasts of all time.
took over from Steve Kirkman
to attract riders and in turn they are all pushing each other to
The storyline could not have been written better by Hollywood.
in early 2007.
higher standards. We hope that the ones that rise to the top
All we need now if for the gods to smile upon us for waves
will eventually be Grand Slams of the future. Some fine tuning
and we are in for a hell of a show! Make sure you stay tuned to
background? I had a
will be necessary after each year with input from the IBA riders’
www.ibaworldtour.com/live for all the action.
background in marketing and
board and the promoters themselves, but we had to start
promotions. I used to be the
somewhere and we believe that we are on track.
to Newcastle when I was 17. How long have you
What’s your Terry – the man who runs the show.
In a nutshell, Grand Slams are worth 2,000 points and all
team manager for Kuta Lines
Which new riders on the world tour have grabbed your
To coincide with the last event of what has been the most exciting bodyboarding world tour race in history, Rob Barber’s
here in Australia and at one point we had one of the biggest
attention this year? Eder Luciano is redefining the art of small-
Bodyboarding School is offering the unique opportunity for
and best teams in the country. From there I got into events
wave riding. For a big guy his technique is flawless and should
bodyboarders to combine first class coaching with watching
management and started running Bodyboarding Australasia in
be studied biomechanically for anyone wishing to improve this
one of the greatest events the bodyboarding world has to offer
2005. During this time the domestic tour enjoyed rapid growth,
area of their surfing. Michael Novy has been creeping up slowly
from 30 November to 7 December. For the bargain price of
going from three events to 11 and into the best domestic circuit
in the ratings and is improving all the time. Also Eunate Aguirre
£325 each person will receive:
in the world. It was after three years as General Manager that
has taken her competitive skills to a whole new level. Outside
the IBA called me from an AGM and asked me if I would like to
of these guys the list goes on and on. Every event has had a
be involved, and I guess the rest is history.
local that has outshone big names so it’s great to see so much
• Video coaching.
talent coming through.
• Self-catering accommodation in Cala do Or
How has the IBA managed to run such a strong tour this year even with the economic downturn? History has
What do you say to those that disrespect the events
• Five days of coaching in the bodyboarders paradise that is Gran Canaria.
• A chance to watch the 2009 world champion be
shown that when the economy takes a dive then this sport
at the European beachbreaks? I say come and look before
experiences a boom. It’s the bang for your buck that this sport
you comment. The setups are insane and the events are very
offers promoters and sponsors combined with the affordability
professional. Remember that pro surfing had 20 years of big
return (boards not included). Places are limited so please call
for entry level riders wishing to get into the surf. This translates
events at mediocre beaches before they were able to support
01637 879571 now to reserve your place.
into a healthy sport from bottom to top.
the Dream Tour, and besides it’s a part of the sport that can’t be overlooked completely. I mean, kids surf this stuff every afternoon after school and it’s something that they can relate
best in awesome waves! Hardy winning Pipe, a long time in
to. If the we had events all all extreme venues then we would
the making! Also the amazing year that Mike Stewart has had.
lose this important link. With that said, I do realise that this is
To be mid-40s and sitting in the top four going into the last
what the media want and we will slowly edge towards more
event is testimony to his amazing ability and is an inspiration to
extreme venues year by year. For now it’s where the money is
anyone. The sport is often looked at as a kids’ sport, but with
and we are somewhat tied to this anyway.
Hubb, Mike and GT still at the top then this perception is fast fading and riders can look for more longevity in their careers. Do you think that the new grand slam system has
Looking forward, how is the tour schedule looking for 2010? Looking good. Some new events could be staged in Australia, Tahiti, Reunion Island, Cape Verdes Islands, Azores
worked out for the best and can you explain it to our
Islands and ever Aruba! Some events may slide off the E5’09
readers? Sure, it’s worked out perfectly and everyone is very
Euro leg but France and Ireland may replace them. All of this is
010 ThreeSixty
Currently there are flights available on Ryanair for just £56
jacob cockle
What have been the best heats and highlights of the tour for you? Dubb versus Hubb in Chile. Sibling rivalry at its
crowned.
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lowdown
012. lowdown
alex young
AutoSleepers British Bodyboard Nationals 2009 The 2009 BSA/BBC Auto-Sleepers British Bodyboard Nationals were
completed at the end of September, with impressive performances across all divisions and a new National Champion crowned.
Catten bags a grand.
Laurie on his way to the DK title.
the three- to four-foot peaks. Catten found his rhythm 10 minutes into the heat with a set wave that included a barrel roll, a cuttie reverse then a big invert air on the inside. The judges threw him a 10 and he spent the next 10 minutes waiting patiently for a back up wave. After another big outside roll and combo-packed inside connection the title and a cheque for £1,000 were his. The event was a great success with an excellent standard of riding. Conversations on the beach suggest that it was the best British National Championships ever. Roll on next year. The British Bodyboard Club would like to thank the Auto-Sleeper Group for their continuing support as main sponsor of the event alongside divisional sponsors Alder Wetsuits,
matt hahken
alex young
matt hawken
The Open final was stacked with three generations of top British bodyboarders — elder statesman Danny Catten, the grand master Damian Prisk and newer schoolers Remi Geffroy and Jack Johns. Prisk opened his account early with a move-filled wave that ended with a big ARS that he was unlucky not to land as the wave reformed. Jack Johns was surfing with a silky-smooth style but lacked any big moves above the lip line. Remi Geffroy looked tired after making the second major final of the event. Other than a wave with three rolls on it he seemed a little lost in
Danny bottom turns in to a juicy section while Damian flips an ARS in the background.
Assured Highway Solutions, The Beach Hotel Porthtowan, Collection House, CW Harwood, NMD, Rob Barber’s Bodyboard School and ThreeSixty. Sub-sponsors were The Beach Café, The Blue Bar, BZ, Corona Extra, A1 Surf. com, Kernow Bodyboarding and Prone. Results: 1, Danny Catten 2. Damien Prisk 3. Jack Johns 4. Remi Geffroy. Rob Barbers Bodyboard School/ ThreeSixty Drop Knee 1. Laurie McCall 2. Danny Wall 3. Aiden Salmon 4. Remi Geffroy. CW Harwood Women’s 1. Gemma Brittan. 2. Olivia Smedley 3. Tabby Fox 4. Christine Blackburn. The Beach Hotel Under 16s 1. Stephen Hall 2. Sam Newby 3. Olly Bayliss 4. James Moores. NMD Under 18 1. Cian Salmon 2. Stephen Hall 3. Luke Brabyn 4. Jarryd Wingfield. Alder Wetsuits Seniors 1. Mark Griffiths 2. Bjorn Storey 3. Danny Catten 4. Eldred Hawke. Assured Highway Solutions Masters 1. Danny Catten 2. Eldred Hawke 3. Simon Watkins 4. Colin Crowther.
The finalists of the womens division L to R: Olivia Smedley, Tabby Fox, Gemma Britton, Christine Blackburn.
...So where are we now?
BBC committee member Alex Ledbrooke investigates where bodyboarding has got to after what many have said was “The best Nationals ever”, the vibe around the British bodyboarding scene has been understandably buoyant.
But what was different about this year’s Nationals that made it the success it was? Where are the next generation of spongers? How do the likes of Catten and Prisk keep winning? And what can the British Bodyboard Club do to keep driving things in the right direction? I enlisted the help of a few stalwarts of the scene to help answer these questions.
The Nationals 2009 For the British Bodyboard Club (BBC), the Nationals 2009 was a real turning point. For the first time in the Club’s history, the entire event ran independently of the British Surfing Association (BSA). The BBC hasn’t dropped its affiliation from the BSA, but it has demonstrated the Club has matured and is capable of flying solo. This will open the door for more events on the calendar and events at waves where bodyboarding can really show off.
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So what did contest runner-up and veteran of the British bodyboard scene Damian Prisk think? “I felt that the Nationals weekend was a real success, primarily because there were two high-performance events back to back (the Greenaway Comp ran at St Ives on the Friday and the Nationals at Porthtowan on Saturday and Sunday). I felt the guys who entered both events were definitely at an advantage, getting into a contest mindset after a year’s drought! The buzz caused by these events really highlights the poor state British bodyboarding is in. If we could build on these events and keep the buzz going, we could be on to a good thing.” Damian also told me about his ideal dream tour: “The concept I’ve had knocking around in my head for a while is to have four events, one in Cornwall, one in Wales, one in Scotland and finally an event in Ireland, all held in quality waves. The format would need to change to reflect these
events i.e. man on man heats using the priority rule. Each region would have to organise and sponsor their event, thus making it more practical for this thing to get off the ground. I believe as long as the riders can make their way to these events on a budget and have assistance with cheap accommodation they will enter, even if there isn’t much prize money.” Finally, I asked Damian, where are all the groms? “One thing that was more obvious than ever before at this year’s comp was the lack of numbers entering younger divisions. The Under 14s was cancelled because only one rider entered! Without groms we’re facing a slump in top riders in years to come.” I got on the case to find out where the groms are. While chatting to Rory Mason, stand-up hotshot and brother of underground prone ripper Brook Mason, the subject of sponger youth came up again. From
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Rory’s point of view, the whole scene has become very fragmented and inaccessible, a thought echoed by Jersey’s Colin Crowther. “I believe that there is too much secrecy and emphasis on extreme waves, that we’ve kind of closed ranks on ourselves. The balance just isn’t quite
time counting the stars on MagicSeaweed than actually surfing.” Damo says, “I believe the enthusiasm for the sport at all levels is still present, however, there is currently nothing for the groms to get their teeth into. When I was a grom there were heaps of contests all over the place. These contests enabled us to travel, surf new spots, meet other bodyboarders and form great friendships within the sport. Love them or hate them, contests are the only way to bring the community together and the only way to prove your ability.” Aaron Dinham concurred: “I see a lot of groms every time I surf and some of “Catten and Eldred are typical examples of who you don’t want in your heat as they have the them rip, but then you experience and also have too much energy for never see them at the shall I say, mature bodyboarders.” – Danny Wall contests. What they need to realise is that contests are super-fun and can help your surfing — you just want to be better than the other guy so you go out and give it everything you have.” Damo has some suggestions for improving things for the next generation: “You could run a couple of standalone grom contests where the top open riders will be on hand right. I’m not so sure the younger guys are anywhere near to give practical advice and supervision. This will give the as committed as when we were younger. I couldn’t imagine groms the tools to compete effectively and consistently any of the Jersey groms cycling down the beach in the while under pressure and give them the knowledge not rain on a stormy February morning to go surfing, but that’s avoid the mistakes their peers have made in the past.” what we did. I reckon the kids today probably spend more Something for the BBC to work on then… alex young
Wall and his trademark carve.
...Where next for British Bodyboarding?
...Danny Catten
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The success of the Nationals couldn’t happen without a
strong BBC committee, but there’s always room for more who are keen to help! Under the leadership of Rich Hall, the Club is in great shape and has some fantastic sponsorship deals. Getting support from outside the sport has shown just how attractive bodyboarding is and it really puts the surf brands alex young
While we seem to have a dip in fresh talent, the veterans of the sport are finding a new lease of life. This year’s British National champion is 36-year-old Danny Catten, and it was no fluke. I grabbed a few words with the man himself. Firstly Dan, congratulations on the win, I know you were a really popular winner. But how, 20 years after winning your first Nationals title, can you do it again? No-one was more surprised than me! It’s got be down to the continuing support from Alder and my family for allowing me to surf when the waves are good. Why now and not before, did you choose to change your surfing style and move away from the tried and tested spin roll combos to taking the risks and going big? I’d done the Greenaway Pro at St Ives the day before and was playing it safe, only to get knocked out. I knew that playing it safe wasn’t going to work and going big was the only way. I know Kelly Slater said when he returned to the tour after a break that the pressure was off and he could just enjoy surfing and his surfing just got better. Was it similar for you? Yes, in a way, because no-one expected me to be in the final, let alone win so I had no pressure apart from the obvious: Damian and Jack, who were surfing well and probably more favourite to win. The conditions were perfect for me and I was so excited about making it so far. You’ve been surfing a lot Catten finishes his ten point ride with a tweaked invert. with Eldred Hawke who is like a puppy on Relentless — has this partnership helped fuel the flames? Yes, definitely. Eldred is a really good mate, and being a bloody good bodyboarder makes a great sparring partner. How long can it continue? Can you see any real threats to the likes of you, Prisk, Wall and Storey from anyone else in the water? There’s a lot of fresh young blood out there and the standard is rising all the time so each year is tougher! You’ve got the Euro and the England versus French comps just around the corner. How do you feel going into that and taking on the likes of Pierre Louis-Costes? It’s going to be a privilege to surf against those guys, but as we all know, complacency is not an option! The pressure is on!
who are happy to take your dollars but put nothing back into the sport to shame. Despite bodyboarding wanting an underground image, it can’t be denied that this country’s at the forefront of the sport right now, with good organisation at the backbone. In an ideal world, a British tour would be run with more contests available to more riders. Perhaps there could be a date or two outside the southwest of England in the next 12 months, but the BBC is going to need some more support to achieve this. Organising an event is a massive task and a half-baked effort will only fail. If anyone wants to get involved with the BBC so we can expand, contact admin@britishbodyboardclub.co.uk. As for encouraging some new faces in the water, the BBC has had several pointers such as involving Sports Development Teams. When it comes to providing support, Rob Barber has got things going by getting a team sponsored, which helps them cover things like coaching sessions and contest entry fees. If only the big wetsuit brands would help, more of this could of work. Incidentally the sponsor for these young riders is a web company, nothing to do with sponging. Embarrassed, big corporate surf brands? You should be! So, the organisation is good, we’re starting to look in the right place for new talent with some fresh ideas, and for now the veterans of the sport are busting bigger than ever. These are exciting time for British bodyboarding!
UK distribUtor: tKC sales ltd 0870 8700150 sales@tKCsales.Co.UK
From Bournemouth to Bali Do you ever find yourself gazing through a rain-splattered window or pushing your foot down the freezing cold leg of a wet wetsuit and asking yourself, “Why do I live in this godforsaken country”? Well, two guys who had enough of the flat conditions, cold temperatures, driving rain and expensive lager were Bournemouthians Mark Jackman and Dave Burden. The boys relocated to the Island of the Gods to build a life of barrels and Bintangs. Four years on and after seeing stacks of shots of them getting pitted out of their skulls on Facebook, ThreeSixty caught up with them to Check if it’s as good as it seems from the outside looking in…
The green green grass of home. Mark left, Dave right.
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level of crowds in the water down on the Bukit during high season. It also sucks not being able to see family and friends as often as I’d like.
Where are you from? Christchurch. Just on the wrong side of Tuckton Bridge to be an official Southbourne local, but that’s just a technicality!
What do you do for work and how easy was it to get a job? I’m an EFL Teacher at an international language school. I teach all ages from playschool-aged kids to adults. It’s a pretty cool job with lots of variation. These days I’m moving away from teaching and going into my real passion, which is photography. Check out my website www.davidburdenphotography.com (shameless plug there)!
Where did you used to surf at home and who were your crew? Caught my first wave out front of the Bistro and never looked back. From there it was the ubiquitous (and usually fruitless) trips to the Purbeck reefs with Tommy Kirkland, Sam Hardcastle and Dan Spink. I’ve also had some pretty epic times over the years with the usual Southbourne suspects like Stopper, Hunter, Middlewick, Scouser Dan Blackwell and of course the silver fox himself (Jackman). Why did you move to Bali? My first visit here was on a round the world trip in 2000 and I instantly fell in love with the place. The lifestyle, the freedom and the fact that you can surf in a pair of shorts all got me scheming as to how I could somehow stay permanently. How long have you lived there now? Nearly four years now and it has gone amazingly quickly. What are the best and worst things about living there? Obvious answer is the waves. I now completely take it for granted that I can wake up, head down to the beach and be almost guaranteed some kind of surf any day of the year. Worst things would be the insane traffic, the unbearable humidity in the rainy season, and the ridiculous
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What about hassle with visas and things like that? Despite the Indonesian obsession with red tape, pointless official procedures and waiting in endless immigration queues, it was fantastically easy to get set up here. Luckily everything I need to live and work here legitimately was organised by the school. Where do you live and why? I managed to find a sweet pad in Kerobokan, which is about 10 minutes away from Canggu Beach. Like anywhere, the rent has slowly crept up over the years, but it’s still less than two grand a year! How has it changed since you’ve been there? Massively. This island has seen rampant over-development of all areas that a few years ago were a lot quieter. Most of Bali is controlled by small neighbourhood mini-councils called ‘Banjars’. You pay those guys enough, and you can stick your five-storey shopping mall anywhere you like. Do you venture to the other islands for surf? Lembongan is the getaway of choice these days. I work Monday to Friday, and I just don’t have time at the weekends
One of Indonesia’s million paddy fields.
Damian Prisk displays the main reason that he keeps on going back to Bali.
to do any sort of hardcore outer-island exploration. Many moons ago Jackman lived over there for a couple of years before drinking his own bar dry, so we’re pretty good friends with all the local lads over there. Makes it nice and easy to snag a good one at Lacerations if one of the local boys is calling you into it! I do get a set amount of holiday every year so I make an effort to get to Sumbawa or Lombok whenever I can. Talk me through your day? Indonesia is equatorial, so the sun shoots up at six and then drops out of the sky 12 hours later. No long summer nights here. My alarm goes off around 5.45, I chuck my gear in the wagon and head up to Canggu. If it’s on (and it usually is) I’m in the water by six. Low tide three-foot Canggu sandbar with a glassy morning offshore is probably the most fun wave in the world. I’ll surf until around nine and then hang out at Mandira’s warung. This old guy was one of the first to set up right on the beach when Canggu was still semi-secret, and to me it’s my second living room. After a spot of brekky I’ll head home and laze around the house for an hour or two before going to work. My schedule is perfect for surfing mornings, and most days I don’t have to be in until 2pm. Plan a few classes, get my daily nasi goreng [local fried rice dish—Ed] fix and then teach until 9pm. I’ve tried to ban going out on school nights so I’ll either have dinner with the guys from work or head home and fire up the Wii. How do you get on with the locals? I’d love to say that I’m fully down with the local crew, knowing nods and cool dude handshakes, but the reality is that apart from a few of the boys down at Canggu or over in Lembongan, I’m pasty white, 6’3” don’t go to any temples, and so am just another Bule {local term for holidaymaker] on holiday. However, I have a pretty even mix of Indonesian and western mates on the island. How do you get on with the language and how long did it take to learn? Bahasa Indonesia is surprisingly easy to learn. It was hastily cobbled together using mostly Malay dialect when Indonesia gained independence from the Dutch. Grammatically it’s very simple, and unlike English there is no past or future form, so instead of saying ‘I went shopping’, or ‘I’m going to drink Bintang’ you get ‘I go shopping yesterday’ or ‘I drink Bintang tomorrow’. Once you get the hang of the vocabulary it’s pretty easy to pick up. Bahasa Bali is another story altogether, as different as English to Welsh, and has all manner of intricate rules. However, bust out a cheery ‘Matur suksma’
(thank you very much) in Kuta and you’re guaranteed a smile and a better deal on your tourist tat. How often do you get involved in the Kuta nightlife? Maybe it’s just me getting older, but the novelty of running amok up and down Legian Street has definitely begun to wear off. The problem is, someone’s always leaving/arriving/getting a tattoo, and drunken attendance at all Manchester City games is mandatory (although chair-throwing is optional). However, Kuta’s still a great night out and I’m not really complaining! What’s the craziest Indo story that you know/have heard? It would have to be back in 2004 on a Lombok Sumbawa boat trip. Moored up near Scar Reef for the night, everyone on board was woken up by this German guy thrashing around and shouting. Initially it sounded like he was having a bad dream or something, but he wouldn’t snap out of it, and was frothing at the mouth, kicking and screaming. It was at this point that his mate Hans decided to tell us that he could be slipping into a diabetic coma. The nearest doctor was an hour or so down the coast. No-one really knew what to do, so after many unsuccessful attempts to force-feed him some fruit or soft drink with four people holding him down, his mate disappeared into the galley to prepare a squeezy aqua bottle filled up with sugar solution, only to return screaming, “If zis does not vork, ve must sqvirt zis up his anus”. As if subconsciously spurred on by this terrifying prospect the guy gulped down a mouthful of Sprite and snapped right out of it. I won’t forget that in a hurry.
Mark Jackman, 32 Where are you from exactly? Southbourne, Bournemouth. Where did you used to surf at home and who were your crew? Started out at Southbourne Shorey (The Complex) with Hunter and Leonard! Why did you move to Bali? Originally I went over for wave reasons, but over the years I have kept coming back and for a while ran a bar on Nusa Lembongan. I got
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Dave comes off the bottom in Lembongan.
Mark and Archie chilling at home, a long way from a terraced street in Southbourne.
married to Putu in that period (crazy Balinese style wedding!) and although we did go back to the UK for three years I eventually decided that I needed to move my business over here.
Do you venture to the other islands for surf? I like to head off to Lembongan on a big swell as Lacerations will be pumping. Definitely my favourite wave! I venture up the east coast quite a bit too and next year I’m planning a Mentawais trip.
How long have you lived there now? This time round two years; been coming on and off for the last 12.
Talk me through your day. Up, swim, shower, take Archie to school, go to work, try and get a surf in somewhere along the line, leave work, occasional beer, home. It pretty much changes by the day so it’s really difficult to give you a typical day, as the beauty of Bali is that you never know what’s going to happen next. Weekends I like to surf or play golf and go on family outings, go to the pub and so on.
What are the best and worst things about living there? Best things are waves, house prices, sunshine, interesting road rules, golf courses and Denpasar! Worst things are crowds, lack of good curry houses, ridiculous alcohol prices, interesting road rules and 1980s telephonic and internet services! What do you do for work and how easy was it to get a job? IT recruitment for banks in the Asia Pacific region. I moved the company out from London because I was focusing on Asia and getting up at stupid times in the morning to make my calls. I decided Bali would be ideal as it’s on the same time zone as Hong Kong, Tokyo and so on — a no-brainer really! What about hassle with visas and things like that? As my wife is from here it was dead easy, but anyone can come out here to work as long as they have a company sponsoring them. Otherwise a brown envelope under the table will do just fine! Where do you live and why? Near Balangan, just up the road from Padang and down the road to Jimbaran. Nice area and close to good waves and my office. How has it changed since you’ve been there? It’s changing all the time. In some ways it’s a shame because it is getting too Westernised, but I suppose nothing stays the same for ever and it is generating money and business opportunities for the local people. It’s also a lot easier now to find decent western food and generally things are safer and more organised.
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How do you get on with the locals? The locals are great. Some of my best mates out here are local guys, so I get to experience a lot of their culture and social life which I think is really important. I spend quite a lot of time at the cock-fights too, which is generally down some back alley somewhere and you would be lucky to see a tourist in those parts! How often do you get involved in the Kuta nightlife? Not as often as I used too! Getting too old for that sort of thing! I like to get out when Manchester City have a big game on though!
Fancy a Bodyboarding Trip to Indonesia? Rob Barber’s Bodyboarding School is heading to Bali and Nusa Lembongan for a 10-day surfari next spring. Dates: 24 April – 3 May. Ability: Bodyboarders of all ability are welcome. Our coaching team will take you to waves suited to your ability level, we guarantee that you get the most perfect conditions every day by using our local guides. Perfect for improvers, intermediates and advanced riders. Price: £649.
Winter Coaching Trips andy lawrence
2009 Gran Canaria 30th November – 7th December
Witness the most nail biting conclusion to the IBA Tour in history + receive 5 days coaching.
dale adams
2010 Morocco 3rd January – 10th January
Fancy a different culture and want to avoid the Euro? Morocco is the best option without going longhaul.
alex williams
Lanzarote 18th February – 25th February
We hit Lanza during carnival week so while the locals party we score empty waves!
mickey smith
Ireland 12th March – 15th March
The home of empty set ups, amazing scenery and Guinness. Time to see what all the fuss is about!
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Indonesia 24th April – 3rd May
The bodyboarders dream destination... A 10 day surfari to Bali and Nusa Lembongan
+ Bodyboard Coaching Weekends Newquay 2010
29th – 30th May • June 12th – 13th • July 3rd – 4th • More to be confirmed Daily lessons also available all year round, Check RobBarber.com for further info or call 01637 879571
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Random news, happenings, events and stuff from the bodyboarding world and beyond.
lip launched
In this age of fast moving multimedia, with most of the world blogging, texting or web surfing, it’s hard to keep an amazing image under wraps for very long. This shot has been on a couple of websites, it’s even been on the cover of Aussie mag Riptide, but none the less it had to be printed. One of the heaviest, craziest drops ever to grace our inbox. We caught up with the crazy youth who attempts the unthinkable. What’s your name? Josh Garner. Where are you from? Perth, WA. How old are you? 19. What do you do for a living? I’m studying art and design part time, landscaping for casual cash and most importantly trying to surf as much as possible. When was the sequence shot? About five weeks ago. Where was it? Somewhere in WA! How come that wave ledged up so much? The thing just kept forming and growing, I guess the nugget of swell hit the ledge perfectly. I hit a step at the very top just as the wave bottomed out so I was forced to freefall it top to bottom. I could have
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probably pulled off but that shit’s lame, plus I kinda thought there was a chance of riding it out. What happened after the impact? My stringer popped through the deck of my board on impact and I stopped dead in my tracks. The wave threw me back up and over, drilling me straight to the bottom, popping both my ear drums and perforating one of them. As I tried to swim to the surface another wave washed over and sent me spinning again. This disorientated me pretty badly so I couldn’t really tell which way was up. I think I may have been swimming in the wrong direction at one stage, it was taking that f--king long to get to the top. What injuries did you have? I came up so rattled, coughed up a bit of blood and later that day my ears started bleeding. My ribs were bruised for a couple weeks after as well. Beside that it was all good… Did you hit the bottom? Yeah, first one to hit bottom out there, such an achievement! Have you scored many chicks on the back of the Riptide cover? (Laughs) Chicks just think I have issues now, like I’m suicidal or something. Chicks always seem to get me in trouble…good fun, but I’m gonna try to steer clear for awhile. Focus on riding waves as opposed to riding…anything else.
Bodyboard Coaching Trips Winter 09/10
This winter sees Rob Barber’s Bodyboard Coachng Trips head to two new destinations; Gran Canaria for the IBA world tour conclusion in Decemer and Ireland to check out the winter waves around the Bundoran area in March. There are also trips to Morocco, Lanzarote and Indonesia. The trips are geared up for bodyboarders of all abilities. Check out RobBarber.com for complete info.
Air Forward Mini-Sequence Fest
Jack J boosts out of a nice Irish pit (above) while Bjorn Storey enjoys some late summer wedge (below). Sequence: Andrew Course
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The Locals’ Local. An après-surf pint when on a surf trip is one of life’s finer little treats. There is no better drinking establishment than an Irish bar, and the best of the best that we’ve come across is Madden’s Bridge Bar in Bundoran. ThreeSixty finds out more… How long has it been a bar? The oulde Bridge Bar has been a bar since 1905. It has been in the Madden family’s capable hands since 1990. How much is a pint of Guinness? A pint of Guinness will cost yer 4.10 Euros (and is so much tastier than its British cousin). Can you see the Peak? You can see the Peak from the bar all the way through the tide, or glance up at the live webcam on the TV in the bar, which can still be an effort on certain days! What’s the best thing on the food menu and how much is it? The menu changes daily but you gotta love the huge brekkie or the chicken breast wrapped in Parma ham with veggies, potatoes and gravy. You need your carbs surfing west Ireland. How often do you have lock-ins? Lock-ins occur more often than they don’t. It’s a kind of public vote. What’s the best act that you’ve had on there? The best acts in the Bridge tend to manifest themselves on the night – more
and more, musicians tend to jam together and find what suits the mood. There tend to be whistles and fiddles lending to the mood. What’s the wildest night ever in there? Wildest nights tend to be a regular occurrence – locals meeting well-travelled souls with stories being swapped with ever-increasing decibel levels and bullshit in equal quantities. Who are the regulars? Regulars from the surfing and bodyboarding community include Jimmy Meehan AKA Jim Spin, Francis McGloin AKA Handsome Frank, Mike and Nicole Morgan, the McCarter brothers and any one surfed-out, hungry and thirsty.
Post Codes Premiere
The long-awaited premiere of St Ives booger Martin Yelland’s Brit bodyboarding film Post Codes is at the Crow Rooms (downstairs of Isobar), St. Ives, 18 December at 8.30pm. Highlights of the production are the variety of locations, and the quality underground riders featured. After the showing Isobar will open upstairs with a resident DJ playing until the early hours of Saturday morning. It’s free entry for all so arrive early. The DVD will be available on the night and also online from Orcasurf.co.uk, for the bargain price of £12, or £15 with a 2010 calendar! Check 360mag.co.uk for updates on further premieres including one in Bournemouth.
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Manning up The Alex Manning Interview
Interview: Owen Pye Photos: Paul Castle
Chances are you won’t have heard of Alex Manning. For years now he’s been carving it up on the knee, far removed from lenses and magazine spreads. For those in the know, his style is uniquely his and instantly recognisable. On the back of receiving a whole new bunch of photos from Australia, we thought it high time to shed some light on this figure in the shadows. So step up, Mr Manning, and give us the low-down. Where are you from? I’m originally from a small coastal town called Lowestoft in Suffolk. It’s the most easterly town in the UK, and was once known for its thriving fishing industry, however unfortunately it’s a bit run-down these days…the recently-renovated McDonald’s is the nicest place in town. These days I guess I’m based in Plymouth, although now we are travelling I’m not too sure where to call home. Where are you now? Currently on the Gold Coast in Australia. We are in the middle of a 10-month round the world trip, already having spent a month in Bali, and three months here in Oz. Next we are going to meet my girlfriend’s family in NZ, which is great because I have always wanted to
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see the place and get some waves there. Afterwards we are hoping to head to the Cook Islands, California, Mexico, and to see my sister in Brooklyn, NY (funds permitting). Have you travelled much before? Yeah a fair bit: Samoa, Hawaii, previous Australia visits, Costa Rica, California, Barbados, New York and New Jersey, Spain, France and the Canaries. I feel fortunate to have been to these places, as the experiences and memories are invaluable, especially considering the recent tragedy in Samoa and in Indo. The biggest surprise of the list was New Jersey. We went there for just a few days on our trip to New York to visit my sister and her family, and happened to score a hurricane swell. We shared it with just a handful of other guys. My favourite spots would have to be Straddie and D’bah, and back home favourites would be
Alex, looking at home at D’bah.
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Arguably the UK’s most underground shredder; the boy rips.
Porthleven and a couple of well-known right-hand wedges. What is the most memorable story of your trip so far? That would have to be the boat ride over to Lembongan in a solid swell with the local kids spewing half-digested rice all over our feet and bags. But it was well worth it because the waves pumped for six days! Also memorable, but not such a great memory, was missing Roach on the Goldy. We headed down to Byron for a few days thinking there wasn’t much swell around and on my return I found out — off a rather smug Lackey — that Paul Roach had been on the coast destroying three-foot wedges over at Fingal. Absolutely gutting! How long have you been bodyboarding? 15 years! Why haven’t we heard of you sooner? I dunno really. I’ve only lived in Plymouth since 2003 and spent about two years of that time travelling. Also I wasn’t too fussed about surfing the exposed spots when I moved to the southwest. I was just happy to be surfing more often, as the surf is fickle on the east coast.
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Your style has been likened somewhat to that of Lackey’s; is that something you’ve had to work on, or does it just come naturally? I don’t try to surf like Lackey, but I’ll take that as a compliment. There are aspects of his riding that I love which may come out in my style, however it isn’t intentional. I just want my riding to look controlled and smooth. Explain for all of us stuck to prone why we should be bothered to get up on the knee… If it’s a bother then don’t do it! That’s like trying to convince a bodyboarder to stand up! I don’t think anyone should have to dropknee if they feel comfortable riding prone. If you like the way it looks and want to be part of it, give it a go…simple! What are your thoughts on the state of DK today? I think it’s come on a bit, but to be honest I don’t really care. It doesn’t affect how much fun I have out there. I’m pretty confident that most other DK’ers would say the same kind of thing. As long as I bodyboard I’ll always dropknee. I like being part of the minority. It’s crazy to think that DK will just fizzle out!
Mann AM, not shy to get critical.
With his back to the wall at Fingal wedge.
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“mate, you need to put a bit more weight on your front foot.” Alex explains the finer points of the Jack stance to Matt Lackey.
Where do you think bodyboarding is going as a sport? Same as above really. People always talk about the top guys going big in crazy waves, which as a bodyboarder is mind-blowing stuff, but ultimately that still won’t gain the likes of your average bodyboarder any more respect. Whether or not respect pushes a sport in the right direction is another matter. But often it seems like it comes down to the top guys riding bigger waves to move things forward.
what’s around the corner. I’m still travelling with my beautiful girlfriend and surfing good waves. My girl and I have good hopes for the future, and we’re stoked with that so we’ll just see what happens.
Nutshell the Alex Manning story thus far… Well pretty much 30 years worth of eat, sleep, work, surf and travel! I studied Graphic Design and Illustration after school, however I held off finishing the degree to save for travel instead. Since then I’ve spent most of my time working for Princess Yachts after moving to the southwest. This then enabled me to find work easily in Australia on my previous trip out here, where I met my girlfriend Joni, which in turn has led to our current travels.
Who are your villains? Anyone who’s really negative (Paul Castle!).
What are your goals and ambitions? Oh you know, just the usual…house, kids, dog — but I’m completely happy with my life how it is now. I’ve never been one to make plans or build anything up as you never know
Who are your heroes? That’ll be the Roach!
Tell us something about yourself even your girlfriend doesn’t know. Honesty is the best policy fellas, she knows the lot! And she ain’t done a runner yet!
Where would you like to be in five years? Still surfing and enjoying life, dull answer but it’s the truth. Also I do really enjoy photography as well and have stacked up so many travel pics over the years, it would be good to make a few quid off them someday.
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rouble in Owen Pye's dream trip to tropical perfection turns into a near-death experience after a minor cut goes septic.
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was lining up the dream trip. I’d been living in South Korea for six months and had decided to head back to Australia via the Philippines to treat myself to a month of Cloud 9 barrels. So it was all set: Siargao Island, best mate from home flying out for some waves, beach hut for $5 a night, it was on to be all-time. On the first morning I cut my shin in the water — no big deal, it wasn’t massive but it was deep, almost to the bone. Advised it was best to keep it open to the air, (despite my concerns for it being an open invitation to insects) I went on my way. Opening week we had a blast, surfed perfect Cloud 9 (although it wasn’t as big as I’d hoped), and other less crowded reefs all around the area, snagging some wicked dawnies at Tuason Point. That week was nuts. We snorkelled when the swell dropped, took boat trips out to lagoons, kayaked to distant little islands, went on motorbike trips exploring the island, releasing lizards back to their habitats and all kinds of shit. Then, the inevitable happened. While walking along the beach towards Cloud 9, I started to feel a good bit of pain in the leg. Soon I was starting to limp, and within an hour I couldn’t walk or put any weight on it, and I started to feel unnervingly weak. It was late arvo, the mozzies had seen I was only wearing boardies and came out in swarms, and I was a mile or so from where I was staying, in the jungle, on the verge of meltdown. My friend Alex ran off for help and came back with a makeshift ambulance. I woke up that evening in a fever, I was sweating, shaking and murmuring. Help came. For the next two days I was on
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antibiotic pills, raging through a vicious fever. On the third day the island’s only hospital beckoned. As I was practically being carried into the dilapidated building a stray dog ran out into the street. Had I been slightly more conscious I might have recognised that as a point of concern. I was wheelchaired to my room, and found it empty except for a few bare bed-frames and half a dozen balding cats. A couple of the beds had splintered plywood bases (no mattresses or bed linen) and alarmingly, no mosquito nets. I barked like a dog to get the cats to leave the room. I was laid down on the wood and while Alex Nightingale ran off to find some sort of bed linen I drifted in and out of consciousness, watching the lizards chase each other along the cracks of the walls. I was told I’d need to be put on IV (drugs not supplied though, oh no, that was something you had to sort out yourself). Soon enough Nightingale had returned from the streets of Dapa with my drugs, and the Filipino nurses set about getting it into my veins. Mozzie nets were thankfully erected around my bed at some point. I lay still, hoping my body would win the fight. The hospital had no running water, so washing was near impossible. As anyone who has been to the Philippines knows, the toilets aren’t porcelain chairs like the West, more like small porcelain troughs in the floor that you squat over, aim into, and hope for little to no brown splash-back up your inner legs. Nightingale held my IV bottle in the air as I battled with trying to curl one
out without letting my boardies touch the floor, which was at least one inch deep in other people’s brown splashback. To make matters worse the door to the cubicle kept opening, offering the entire waiting room a good view of the action. It was so ridiculous we started cracking up, and we were soon laughing so hard it hurt. I soon got used to peeing in a bottle at my bedside — it was cleaner and less
Man down. All of a sudden the NHS doesn’t seem so bad after all.
painful than hobbling to the hell-toilet again. One sweltering night a big toad sat on the floor of the room looking at us. I learned early on that if I didn’t finish my food the ants would. Thousands of them marched out of their invisible kingdoms and swarmed the plate, polishing off any crumbs. When it was clean they silently left, and the nurses took the empty plate as a sign of my getting better. I wasn’t. After three days the purple of my leg had swollen to my foot, and by the evening, to my toes. Worried, I called the doctor, who hadn’t been in all day. I informed him of the spreading of the infection. He was silent for a little while. “Mr Owen, you need to get to another hospital, in Surigao.” Surigao is actually a city, of sorts. I knew it had a private hospital anyway, but it was a four-and-a-half-hour ferry ride away. “Doc, be honest, just tell me what you think is happening here,” I said. More silence, then, “Well, I don’t know how to say this, but if you have sepsis…well, you could be dead in as little as 18
hours…er...” I went a little numb. “Amputation?” I stuttered. “No sir, it’s a blood poisoning, you can’t contain it in a limb. It’s stronger drugs and surgery, or, um, nothing. That’s all I can say, I’m sorry.” My heart-rate took off. It was now 8pm. Nurses were summoned to organise a ticket for me on the next ferry which departed at 5.30am. It arrived in Surigao at 10am. It was a one hour ambulance trip to the other hospital once we docked. Mental arithmetic: I was due to arrive at the other hospital 15 hours from now, meaning I had a three hour window. I was shitting myself. For the first time in my life, I was genuinely, 100 percent, scared. That night I stared wide awake at the crumbling ceiling and heard the wails of people down the corridor; I wasn’t sure if they too were dying or just in pain. I thought about my life, what I had achieved, and I made peace with where I was. It was a humbling experience. Nightingale was a legend, he did everything for me and sacrificed his whole trip to quite literally save my life.
He even omitted to tell me that the day I was admitted to the hospital it went double overhead at Cloud 9. He’s a good mate. Well, I made it. I was rushed into surgery at the other end, they injected anaesthetic directly into the oozing pit in my shin, cut the infected tissue away and opened it up to scrape the bone clean. Sepsis hadn’t set in yet. They upped
john callahan
Cloud Nine nearly cost Owen his life.
my antibiotics to emergency levels. 10 days later I was out of the hospital and off IV. I went back to the island for some R&R, and Nightingale nursing me like a hero, cleaning my wound, re-applying the dressing, sorting out my pills and so on... He never once complained, and even bought me a phone so I could call my parents and my girlfriend to tell them what had happened. I was back in Oz a week or so later, and within six weeks I had healed to the point I could get it wet again. My immune system was shot, but I was amping for some waves, and I think Nightingale was too. So we took off to Fiji for a month of epic waves and adventure, which also had its fair share of barrels, infection and surgery. But ladies and gentlemen, that’s a whole new story. I sincerely wish to thank Alex Wells for saving my life and being such a good mate. You were there when I needed you the most man, and for that I am eternally grateful. Oh, and to Norwich Union for refusing to pay out the four figures it cost in medical bills, you guys are just great.
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Coots scoops into the mad arena.
Over the last ten years I’ve put one helluva lot of work into certain remote spots around the world. They in turn have given me and my friends some of the memories of our lifetimes, shit to look back on when we’re old. This is a yarn about a special week spent riding what, for me, is the most special of all these waves. Words and photos: Mickey Smith Jack really stepped things up a notch with driving scoops into bombs like this.
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Big Aussie lad James Kaylee came to Ireland to trace his family’s Belfast roots. Turns out he’s from one of the biggest in the city. He combined the Aussie and the Irish in him to ride some incredible cold water tubes throughout his stay.
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Jack was redefining everyone’s perception of how to ride the joint with stylish contorted boosts like this. What you can’t tell from the photos is how shallow and heavy those sections he’s hitting are. Toes blasted through both fin holes are the most minor of possible consequences.
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months ago, peering over the last headland check of that particular day’s searching, I rubbed my eyes and stared into the sunset in disbelief. After years spent driving, hiking, paddling and swimming coastlines all over the world, I realised I’d finally stumbled across my dream set-up. I’d found what looked like a heavy, ridiculously hollow wave of consequence. The reef was flawless, it was functionally rideable at the hi-tech end of waveriding, and it was exposed to a lot of swell. The last few years have proven that much at least to be true. My passion and drive for this special place remains unchanged; it was and is my sanctuary. This wave shares the name of my nephew, Riley. My heart and instinct led me to that point, and now two years on I sit here reflecting and blown away by the incredible waveriding I’ve seen go down there over the last week. What has changed since we first started surfing there is that instead of still being our little quiet corner of the globe, it now plays host to hordes of onlookers almost every time the wave breaks. There are cameras on every point, dodgy amateur videos up on YouTube, and people talk about it in the pub as if it is and always has been part of the local surfing paintwork. Sometimes change is a hard thing to swallow. Through my hopes and dreams of experiencing, riding and documenting the most incredible heavy waves I could find with my friends, it would seem I may have unwittingly opened the gates to some kind of bizarre freak show. The only question left to ask now is, how to preserve the mystique and vibe of this incredible place and the sessions it offers up? For me, being a water photographer by trade is a double-edged sword. I love what I do, and I try and keep that the sole reason I do it. If something is affecting my love for it, then that something’s not right, and I try to remedy it immediately.
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Rohan Inglis turned up in ireland not knowing if he could still bottom turn and day by day got his confidence back to the point where he consistently picked off the best waves every session.
right: Tommy has firmly established himself as the man with the best scoop out at Riley’s since Danny Skaj smashed his knee up a few months ago. I’m sure Danny-boy will be back out there reclaiming his title soon enough, but he’ll have a solid challenge from ol’ Scarface Gillespie now for years to come.
I don’t do this for cheap coin or to get a name for myself, never have done, it’s not even remotely the motivation. I’ve always been amongst it all in order to push myself and bring the best out of my work behind the lens. I want to do justice to the incredible waveriding I see year in year out with the most incredible photos I can conjure out of each session. The double-edged sword came into play when, to be able to start paying for what I do, I had to start making it pay for itself — without letting that side of things taint the direction I was heading in. I had to start selling something I love, and it’s a blessing and curse I could suffer the consequences of for a long time to come. At times it makes me sick to the stomach, and at others it makes me feel good. One thing that’s a healthy source of pride, though, is the way the boys who’ve been there through it all with me now carry themselves out there. Everyone with any key position in the lineup has done their time, small and fun, freezing mediocre and miserable, giant and terrifying. You don’t sit deep and claim sets without everyone’s respect. The lineup has established itself and looks after its own.
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The Riley’s
All of a sudden, everyone started to tentatively hit sections after watching Jig attacking the lip for a few days — mega inspiration.
I’ve seen people get seriously injured attempting to surf here. I’ve seen folk come to blows. I’ve seen my best friends ride the waves of their lives. I’ve seen this wave attract attention from magazines and professional slab-hunters from all over the world. It’s such a spinner, I cannot even even begin to fathom how to explain how it feels or how I feel about it. I’ve been completely annihilated out there. I’ve towed people into good ones and I’ve also thrown them into the bowels of hell. I’ve shot some of the best photographs and footage of my career so far. I’ve been there for every critical moment in the wave’s ridden history, and documented each moment with my own bare hands, rain or snow. I feel so close to that corner of coast the dampness feels like it sits in my blood and bones permanently, and it probably always will do, whether I like it or not. For a week in October this year Riley’s broke as flawlessly as I’ve seen it so far. Seven days of perfect
Sessions:
heaving slabs. Personally, I struggled to deal with the amount of faces and lenses I saw down there, all after getting themselves a piece of what feels pretty sacred to me and the boys who’ve pioneered the joint, but at the end of each day I was usually left feeling so stoked. Stoked to watch Jack taking things to new levels, hitting scary sections over dry reef. Stoked watching Walshy and Fergal towing each other and all the boys into some of the deepest tubes ridden out there. Spun out by not having Lowey around keeping things orderly and chaotic all at once. Stoked to see Tom Gillespie coming into his own with a scoop perfectly suited to Riley’s. Stoked to see a lineup full of friends buzzing on sharing the waves of their lives with each other. The vibe was incredible, as it always has been, and if everyone continues to give the respect that is due to those riding and the location itself, hopefully it’ll always be that way. The future however, as always, remains unseen…
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Georgey-boy Franklin traded in his decadent ways in return for a mellower life in Ireland last summer. At first he said it was just a temporary move for ’tax reasons’, but after a few mad freefalls into bombs like this he soon changed his mind and is now a permanent fixture.
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The Riley’s Sessions: ringing the changes
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Richie Peters takes a grinch-assisted flight straight out of north Cornwall. // photo: Matt Hawken
Octoberfest
October has been the saviour of this autumn. It seems to have gone by in a frenzied blur of photo shoots, macking swells and reports of new slabs popping up all over the show. Enjoy‌
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Charlie ‘Chuggs’ Tomlinson hanging out in a green west Cornwall cavern. // photo: Jacob Cockle
Baggies serves up the goods. // photo: Will Bailey T-Reef looked more like a scene from Water World than a quiet semi-secret slab. Some sick pits were had by those who put the effort in. // photo: Mike Searle
Octoberfest
Editor Barber takes time out of the office for some T-Reef action. // photo: Mike Searle
The North East offered some milk chocolate tubes for those who knew where to look. // photo: Alex Young
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Ireland had an awesome autumn again. Tommy Gillespie had his finger on the pulse as usual. // photo: Paudie Scanlon
Although most of the good swell hit when there was a big tidal range (not ideal for Wales), if you knew where to go at what time there were some decent kegs to be had. Dean Page was in the spot more times than most. // photo: Alistair Jones
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Matt Hawken
Prisky blasts out of a Portreath bowl during one of the finer days of the fall. // photo: Kirstin Prisk
Dave Crampton drops in to a T-Reef boomer.
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With swell seemingly everywhere there were new slabs popping up right, left and centre. This little beauty was spotted a stone’s throw from Bude. // photo: Mike Searle
The one place that did turn on in September was Bagpipes in Scotland. Mark Baker was rewarded for the hellish drive with some quality tube time. // photo: Will Bailey
Octoberfest
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– forum part three – We’ve all slapped the front foot up at one time or another and most of us will agree that even just holding your rail edge is hard enough. For the amount of skill and practise that DK riding takes, the crew have had a tough time gaining the coverage that they deserve lately. Dave ‘Dub’ Hubbard organised some interviews with the leading names in the sport to find out where the Jack-stance pack is at. interviews: dave Hubbard
Who is the best DK’er of all time and why? Bud: I would probably say Kainoa, because he drop-kneed the heaviest waves at Pipe. That’s what I think is nuts, when guys just go big. But nowadays guys are stepping up airs and all kinds of other manoeuvres. Kainoa just wanted to charge and get the biggest barrels. That’s pretty much the best thing you can do, just get a big barrel on the knee. Dub: I’d have to say Roach. His influence on the sport, raw power approach to riding, and his versatility in various waves, sizes and conditions would be the reasons why. He embodies DK, and just the mention of DK would probably instantly bring an image of Roach to your
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mind. He brought DK a long way in the sport. There was a time when Roach was third on the Reader’s Poll, and bodyboarding magazines were filled with DK — he’s had more sections in videos than any other DK’er and most any other riders, and he still rips today! Lackey: Paul Roach, Aka Lyman and Dave Ballard, no-one has ever had so much natural talent on the knee. Mason: Of all time I can’t say, but on a personal note there are people who get me excited to surf because they inspire me by the way they ride. Their style and power, their personality and character. The heads I’m talking about are Aka Lyman, Gall, Kanioa McGee, Roach, Booth, Manny, Maligs, Wonton, McMullin, Leroy, Cass, Lackey,
Dub, Bud, Feasty, and many more. Thank you for being the people you are and giving me such inspiration to become who I am today! Who is the best DK’er today and why? Dub: Bud. Without a doubt, Bud is far advanced beyond any other DK’er today. Foremost, his aerial approach is unrivalled and revolutionary. He rides with power and style. At the present moment, he is the hope for taking DK to the next level. With the proper support, he could bring DK back into the limelight, and in the right conditions could take the whole sport to another level in the process. He has been landing DK air reverses on
danny black
paul castle
Dave ‘Dub’ Hubbard from Kauai.
Bud Miyamoto from Kauai. Bud is arguably the most underground top bodyboarder in the world. Most that have had the pleasure of seeing him surf credit him as being the best DK-er in the world. He has been busting DK air reverses for years, say no more.
Matt Lackey from Australia’s Gold Coast. With some of the strongest DK vid sections ever and an ability to raise his own and DK’s profile better than any other rider in the world, Lackey is the most recognisable face of modern drop-knee.
Mason Rose from Port Macquarie, Australia.
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danny black
Credited as the first rider to land a complete roll while in DK. Ever the innovator, he is also the most accomplished competitor with four drop-knee world titles.
A naturally talented rider who oozes style. One of the characters of the sport, who isn’t shy to call a spade a spade. Many class his upright stance as the best style for riding on the knee.
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Rod Owen
Mason clocks up some tunnel time.
ray collins
You couldn’t run a DK article and not include the forefather of the modern sport, Paul Trevor Roach.
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To me, the most important aspect of DK is control, and more specifically controlling power. I love power, and love seeing it displayed and DK is one of the best ways to demonstrate that. – Dub
What is the most important thing about good DK? Lackey: Style. Bud: Board control, and then after that, style. Dub: To me, the most important aspect of DK is control, and more specifically controlling power. I love power, and love seeing it displayed and DK is one of the best ways to demonstrate that. Even just a bottom turn totally on the rail will throw more spray than a snap without control. It’s all about controlling your weight, balance, and speed over the board in the DK stance, and travelling across the wave fluidly. Taking such a late drop that your board is barely in the wave face, and by the time you set that rail at the bottom you’re in the pit, then pumping with your whole body, and when it’s time to exit you sink your board into a hard turn off the bottom to come straight up at whatever of the wave is left, unleashing all your momentum with a massive hack that explodes water into the air. None of this is possible without control. And an even finer aspect of control is the illusion that you’re out of control, and then recovering. This is almost artistic, and very important in DK, seen best in the snap. Mason: The up and down, flow and control. Keith Sasaki is a legend in the game and he says the most important thing is to move with the wave, flow and control, and so I live and die by his sword. Keith keeps it real and I just add onto that wisdom. All I do is take it on board and do it up my way. Upright is also important for me — a stylish thing, being solid and looking strong in my stance. What are the future moves of DK? Bud: I dunno, more air variations I guess, like 720s [he’s done ’em!], maybe even DK forward airs. I’ve been thinking of trying to do an air, hitting it and forwarding midflight. Just trying to think of new stuff. Just bigger: bigger airs, hitting it on bigger waves.
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a regular basis for over five years now, and no-one has caught up to that. He’s still under the radar for most people, but his section in 9 will really open everyone’s eyes! Lackey: Hard to say, there are a lot of different styles out there right now. Bud: Probably Dub, ’cos he’s just so consistent; so good and smooth, charges f--king DK rollos! He’s just the best right now. Mason: I surf with myself a lot. I’d have to say Lackey or Dub, I dunno. Every time I see them it’s too short of time to say if they really rip, or not as much as they look like in the media. The media hypes up the wrong people sometimes, but I know these two guys are amazing, I’m sure of it. I’m just sad we are separated by the same old shit food chain. I like how Dub has flow — up and down with flow; where Lackey is such a straight line kinda cat. So I’d go with Dub, but then again Leroy, Feasty and Micah — oh man, it’s really hard to say! I think Roach, Aka and Kainoa have still got the fire to take us all out! F--k it — let’s all do a trip to find out once and for all! Five- to six-feet, Philippines, somewhere where I can Jordan-23 the shit! Lackey, a freak who is as comfortable riding on his backhand as he is on his forehand.
Dub: Bud’s starting to do them, they require big air. DK 720s, DK back-flips, DK inverts, DK rodeo flips. In this department we can get ideas from other extreme sports like skating, snowboarding, moto-cross, even surfing, and then try to adapt them into the ocean on the knee. They’re dangerous and injuries will probably pave the way, but progress requires sacrifice. Mason: Bigger and badder…the movements are never ending. There are so many ways to do a floater backside and frontside. There are so many ways to do a snap. If there’s no style then it doesn’t matter about what move you do, what trick you invent, it’s the journey to the destination that gets me inspired by the rider. Lackey: Anything functional with speed and style — that can be as simple as a snap.
Where is DK’s place in the future of bodyboarding? Bud: Hopefully on top. It’s one of the hardest things to do, and hopefully it will just blow up one of these days. Dub: DK could be a great spectacle at events. It’ll produce some of the most exciting rides of any contest with sick conditions. Either epic rides or wicked wipeouts. We need money to motivate the real talent to show up, and to inspire the next generation to compete. If there’s no place in competition for DK in the future, it will always have its place at good waves where good DK’ers will continue to push it. It’s hard to say, because it lies in the hands of the future generations and the way that DK is portrayed in the media and the respect it receives in various places that
could determine who jumps on board in Jack’s stance. Mason: Kainoa was right, DK is bodyboarding. You have to do it all to call yourself a bodyboarder. If you can’t DK then you’re a beginner; the real bodyboarder is one who is well-rounded. DK will never die, because it’s based on characters who want to be different; and in fact choosing to be a bodyboarder already means you’re an individual and that you don’t want to be the same as anyone else and that you want to have fun and be different! Riding a bodyboard says something about your character, it says that you’re a humble warrior! Lackey: Well, prone’s place right now is full of guys wearing chick’s jeans and combing their hair forward… Should DK be separate from prone in competition? Lackey: Yes. Bud: No. I don’t think so. Or there should be an allDK, but I don’t think it’s all prone in a prone heat, because it’s called open, not prone. And I don’t think it should get scored lower either, because it’s harder, and it’s doing different stuff. That’s why I like to see different things, and if you can mix it up proning and DK’ing that just says you’re more versatile. Mason: If you can’t do it all, then you’re not a bodyboarder. DK, prone, stand-up…it’s all one form, and separating the three styles on what we call bodyboarding will only weaken the sport and pin-point what we can’t do! I do it all and that’s the way we all should be. Dub: That’s a tough one. I guess to answer this you have to look at competition first, hypothetically or in reality.
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sequence: Fabrício Alabarce
Dub gets pitted out of his skull in Chile.
Hypothetically, if we had our dream tour in epic waves, I think DK could be included in the Open division and the judges would have to, of course, be educated enough to see the difference in the degree of difficulty. Here the best of the best could go balls to wall, and the limits wouldn’t hold you back as much. If you get up on a bomb and get slotted just as much as the guy in your heat did laying down, the DK’er gets the higher score and then it’s legit and gives good DK’ers incentive to push their own limits by getting up. Now in reality, venues are pretty bad and so are most of the DK entrants. That’s a pretty bad combination for spectators and, perhaps, even worse for judges who have no clue how to score guys who look like they might fall off their board at any moment. In this case, if there’s any DK in the competition at all, it needs to be separated. Here’s what they had to say about each other: Dub on Mason: I like Mason’s riding a lot. He’s got his own style, even though you can tell his main influence is Aka. He’s fluid and he links up his moves, he can do airs and he’s innovative too. I’ve thought for many years now, that ever since Dave Ballard passed the torch, Mason has held it high as Australia’s best DK’er. Mason also has a lot of fun in the water, and that’s important. He’ll even switchstance sick, and when he does style is still on the tip of his tongue. He’s had some real sick sections in videos and he’s creative and funny in and out of the water. Bud on Mason: I was cruising with him in Oz and he was killing it. In the contest and free-surfing, doing big airs, mean snaps, he has mean style. Guaranteed he’s one of the best guys right now. Lackey on Mason: Style comes naturally, you either
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have it or you don’t. Mason has got it. Mason on Mason: Leave me open for the slander, haha, at least I’ll know who to want to battle the next time I’m out in the water. I actually hope someone says I’m a kook, I would like to know who wants to tell me I ride badly and I hope they mean it and can back it up by riding the same peak as me and making me look bad. It sounds cocky, but it’s just like man, I have put my all into the sport, the behind the scenes stuff, free-surfing with no cameras, the sponsors I turned down because I didn’t believe in what they were doing, sacrifices to try bring back the heritage of the sport. I’ve earned at least the name of a rider who does it the right way! I do what I feel, it was never about the dollars even if I feel I deserve some! That’s the thing, a lot of people say shit, but if it came down to me and whoever, and without seeming up myself, if we paddled out and free-surfed for one hour and with Keith on the beach, Aka, Kainoa, Booth, Manny, and Roach making the call or even an average everyday DK rider. That would be the only way you could say I’m a kook, and if you took me out like that, then respect. I won’t even surf for a whole year, practice for one week, prone, DK, stand-up. That’s my idea of a great competition…underdog! Dub on Bud: I would love to see the sport and DK itself be able to support Bud and bring him out of the dark. I don’t know if it’s ready to do this, or if Bud is ready for the sport to do this. Bud will certainly never stop DK’ing and will continue to push the limits of our sport as a whole for many years to come, whether people see it or not. As I mentioned previously, Bud is the best DK’er today and continues to prove it. As time goes on, I hope there is more opportunity for him to prove it to everyone else and to push DK around the world. The response from his first Boogie Nation section has already altered how many
people view DK, and there’s no doubt his next section will further that response even more. He has been proving it by winning at Pipe several times now, and is the current champion which is a very legitimate validation. Mason on Bud: Almost everyone I know loves his riding, he’s one of the illest! He’s landed almost everything, he has his own style which is great…it’s not my fave, but it’s dope. He is a contest killer. He’s not underrated, he’s under-exposed. But that’s not his fault, it’s the magazines’, it’s the photographers’ — it comes down to the media to seal any one person’s fate in this game. Riders like Bud are the real shit! They’re their own people, doing what they love and they don’t give a shit. You need money to travel, remember that! On his island, I’m guessing, it’s hard to get the $$$$ to travel, but he has done it and I hope his sponsors allow him to do it again — he deserves the love! One love fam aloha! Lackey on Bud: He needs to f--king shoot more photos and video, the c--t rips…but if the mags don’t have shots, how can they run them. Bud on being underground: I dunno, I guess it’s cool, but you don’t get the exposure like you want sometimes. I like it, ’cuz when you blow up, guys trip, ’cuz they don’t know. Bud on Lackey: Yeah, Lackey’s mean, I like the way he rides. He kills it, big barrels he charges too, and he does some big snaps and stuff. Dub on Lackey: Lackey is responsible, in part, for keeping DK in the public eye. His prerogative is to get the shot, that’s his job; he lives off of his work with photographers. And it is work, and he does work hard. As for his DK, he does seem to still be continually improving, though I doubt he’ll ever reach the level that he’s been assumed to be at. Lackey is a talented DK’er, and is
rod owen
An aerial view of Mason’s approach to the lip.
currently the most photographed DK’er, thus moulding the state of DK today. Mason on Lackey: Lackey has no job; he bodyboards for a living and rides for Billabong, that’s why he’s a photo-hound and it’s cool — you gotta get paid! I would be too, but I have other shit on the fly (haha, jokes). Turbo helps me and I believe in their vision, respect. Matt, he is one of the illest riders and especially lately, because he makes the most of his moves now. I envy his riding! I better get some love in your movie, iceblock! Lackey on Lackey: Are you f--king kidding me? You think when I’m surfing places like the Box with a bunch of prone guys at eight foot I’m worrying if I’m lining up with a f--king photog? F--k me, that’s the last thing I’m thinking of; I’m there to push myself and the sport of DK. If people are jealous that I get to many photos, then suck me off, I couldn’t give a f--k. Put it this way — if a company said to you, we will pay you thousands a year, but you have travel the world surfing and shooting photos on a continues basis, would you would say no? It’s a job for me, and I f-king love it! So I’ll continue getting paid to surf and shoot, and if people think that’s a bad thing, once again, suck me off. Plus, shots and video push the sport; I want all the other DK riders to get competitive, I want to get a photo in the thickest slab out the box so Mason, Hubb and Bud see it and think f--k, we got to go out and get something heavier. It’s healthy for the sport and it pushes us. I’m working on my own video right now, spending my own money funding a DK video, featuring all the DK guys. In saying all this, a lot of the major mags have their heads up their asses when it comes to DK…sad but true. Bud on Dub: Dub is just…I just said before, he’s pretty much the best guy right now. He’s so consistent and just mixes it up all the time doing all kinds of shit.
It’s a job for me, and I f--king love it! So I’ll continue getting paid to surf and shoot, and if people think that’s a bad thing, once again, suck me off. – Lackey
Mason on Dub: Dub has it worked out. He has an appeal for all humans on the planet. A very intelligent human being, very humble and cocky at the same time. He is what they call ’a brother from another mother’. I envy his passion for the sport, I envy his riding, his character. It’s just great to have him in the sport. The sad thing is I think he’s among the most underrated in all styles. People just see his stuff as funny, but it’s not funny, it’s evolved to the point you don’t know what to think. You’re like, “Dude did some weird-ass thing and fluked the landing”, but yo, I bet in his seven-dimensional mind he is thinking of future shit. Future style and incorporating it with the old skool flavour. I am blessed to have Dub as a brother and to have the respect of the Hawaiian bodyboarders. Lackey on Dub: He landed a f--king DK roll…he’s accomplished enough already Dub on Dub: Sometimes I feel like I’m letting DK down. Not doing enough to get the DK tour rolling, not DK’ing enough in heats, not DK’ing enough freesurfing. But like for any rider, I do what I feel. I’m known as a drop-kneer, that’s where I found my real riding, but I do it all. I love to stand-up and prone and fool around and do whatever is fun. DK needs something, and when the time comes to take a stand, I’ll stand tall in Jack’s stance. DK is the true essence of the sport. It’s that mix of all types of wave-riding, wrapped up together in the most difficult
technique. Yeah, DK is bodyboarding, and I love DK more than anything. This insight from the current riders could only be confirmed by the older generation, but to leave us pondering, consider these different views on the notion that DK is underground: Mason: Underground? No, it’s not underground, it’s harder! It is what it is: it’s balance, style and originality, something a lot of people don’t have these days, period. Dub: “It’s totally legitimate, but at the same time totally underground. Right now, it’s in various pockets of the planet. You’ll find the older legend who pays little attention to the current status of the sport who will also be one of the best DK guys in the area. He’s still pushing it, even though he’s got a job and only goes out when it’s sick. The old school was versatile, they mixed it up. Now the focus is on prone in the media, and if sales and talent reflect that then maybe it doesn’t deserve the same attention right now. That’s a pity, but maybe the previous generation was way better at DK. Was there more sick stuff happening and that’s why it was so hot back then? If we’ve lost some ground, we need to work on gaining it back again. Regardless of what’s mainstream or not, DK will never die.”
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it’s cold and dark... threesixty winter wetsuit guide
O
kay, so autumn’s in full flow and now is the time to buy a winter wetty. You can read all about the best suits on the market here, but what does that spec really mean, and how do you get the suit you want? We spoke to some of the best wetty salesman in the market and got some insider tips about how to get the right suit for you. We also spoke to some top Brit bodyboarders about how they deal with the cold season. night rock jumping photos by jacob cockle
tip#1
“It’s the duck-dives that I can’t handle, so I only really ride reefs or waves that are close to the shore. I get on pretty well with 3mm socks and go up a fin size to avoid cramp. I’m down with the youth of today and wear a hood!” – Bjorn Storey, Plymouth
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Assassin 5/4/3
Psycho 2
PsychoFreak
Liquid Seam System, a flexible specialised liquid compound that guarantees seam security. Contour Control Seams – body mapping technology ensures the most ergonomically shaped suit. Super-composite skin neck seal for no rub and no rash, just a great seal. Animal Thermacore, a tri-ply core technology, cellular foam core that has significant warmth advantages. ToasteX Lining, hollow fibre Hot Source lining providing the most effective heat loss barrier. A-Flex Pro, the highest performance dynamic stretch neoprene jersey available. Watergate Zip Barrier System to reduce the risk of water ingression to practically zero. Over Head Front Zip system gives complete flexibility in the back panel. Power Paddle Zones – ergonomic seams and stretch fabric designed to limit resistance and maximise paddle performance. RRP: £269.99 (front zip) £249.99 (back zip)
Known for flexibility and superior fit, the Psycho 2 continues to evolve. The new X-type firewall, combined with double fluid seam weld, keeps you warm and loose. Krypto Knee Padz, updated fit in the wrist cuffs, patented ZEN Zip closure system with pullover, double super-seal neck and drainhole, Plasma wrist and ankle seals. Super minimal seam design, Contortionist seamless shoulder and seamless lumbar. RRP: £260 (5/3), £250 (4/3), £280 (6/5/4 hooded)
O’Neill’s new XDS-Air Firewall is more insulating and water-wicking than ever. The state-of-the-art insulation is in the chest, back and in the lower core panels. UltraFlex XDS arms, shoulders, and lower leg add flex and durability to the right places. Double fluid seam weld (stitchless), Patented ZEN Zip closure system with pullover, double super-seal neck and drain-hole, Plasma wrist and ankle seals. Contortionist seamless shoulder, strategic seamless paddle zones and seamless lumbar. RRP: £320 (4.5/3.5)
Call: 01642 498543 • Web: www.animal.co.uk • Email: sales@animalwetsuits.com
Call: 01730 811460 • Web: www.oneill.com • Email: wetsuits.eu@oneillwetsuits.com
NOIR
Icon Men 5/3
TK90 HEATED
PRODIGY HEATED
A unique, revolutionary, truly zipper-less suit which uses stiction seals for water-tight closure combined with a large transverse opening for easy entry. Features 100% Ultra-Stretch neoprene for amazing flexibility, glued and blindstitched construction with liquid sealed seams, double barrier system sealed entry, adjustable collar, velcro zipper-less stiction seal closure, glideskin ankle seals and poly-plush thermal lining. RRP: £220 (5/3), £240 (6/4/3)
An anatomical design with strategic use of superstretch neoprene maximises flexibility and comfort. Features 75% Super-Stretch Superlight Neoprene, sealed zip with impenetrable barrier system, glued and blindstitched and spot-seal reinforced seams, Kevlar reinforced knee pads, Glideskin wrist and ankle seals and anti-chafe Lycra-bound adjustable neck. RRP: £170
For winter 2009 we’ve taken our most high performance wetsuit and added our removable heating system and a 6mm option, to make a pretty formidable combo. Features water repellent coating, Espan Extend Neoprene, slick seals, glued and blindstitched construction, Hollow Fibre and Duratech knees. RRP: £249 (6/5/4) £229 (5/4/3)
Still the most affordable heated suit on the market. Removable heat pads at the base of the spine make this 6mm hooded suit the choice wetsuit for surfers in cold water. Features a highly refined chest zip design, Espan Extend Neoprene, slick seals, Duramesh hood, glued and blindstitched construction, Hollow Fibre and Duratech knees. RRP: £259 (6/5/4) £219 (5/4/3)
Call: 01363 773005 • Web: www.circle-one.co.uk • Email: sales@circle-one.co.uk 050 ThreeSixty
Call: 01271 812442 • Web: www.tikisurf.co.uk • Email: tiki@tikisurf.co.uk
Freeride 5/4/3
Evo 5/4/3
Plasma Fire 5/43
100% X-stretch neoprene for free flexible surfing, liquid seal inside around the crotch and back to keep your bits warm, bat flap and collar made from 1mm neoprene, raw cuffs with liquid seal strips inside, pre-bent knee and arm construction. RRP: £140
100% X-stretch neoprene for free flexible surfing, 90% liquid seal on seams ensure a long life free of leaks. Aerocore thermal lining inside the front and back panels to maintain core body temperature, metal slider YKK closed-end short chest zip for a free full-stretch back, unique seal on the chest opening helps stop water entry, raw cuffs with liquid seal strips inside, pre-bent knee and arm construction. RRP: £220
100% X-stretch neoprene for free flexible surfing, 100% liquid seal on seams ensure a long life free of leaks, tri-ply neoprene on torso panels, Aerocore thermal lining inside chest and lumbar panel, bat flap and collar made from 1mm neoprene, raw cuffs with liquid seal strips inside, pre-bent knee and arm construction. RRP: £200
Call: 01566 783444 • Web: www.aldersportswear.com • Email: info@aldersportswear.com
tip#2
Quiksilver Syncro
Quiksilver Cypher
Quiksilver Cypher
Economical, flexible and warm 5/4/3 steamer. 70 percent Freemax and 30 percent Hyperstrech II neoprene with stratamesh. RRP: £130
Chest zip, superior fit, warmer, lighter 5/4/3 steamer with chest zip. 100 percent Hyperstrech II and hollow fibre technology (mid-body). RRP: £230
Chest zip hooded, superior fit, warmer, lighter 5/4/3 steamer, hooded with Hollow Fibre Technology (mid-body) and 100 percent Hyperstrech II. RRP: £255
“Make sure you have a good wetsuit that fits. Suitable clothing if you have to make a trek to and from the surf: wellies, waterproofs, layers. Down three litres of water prior to your surf, especially if you’re borrowing a mate’s suit. Hit the gym on the way home for a gentle swim and stretch in the sauna. A good feed and an early night and you’ll be ready for the early morning surf.” – Dan Skajarowski, Penzance/Ireland
Web: www.quiksilver.com ThreeSixty 051
X-flex 5/4
Infiniti 5.4 hooded
Drylock 5/4
A new addition to the range, affordable without compromising on function. This suit comes with XCEL’s original front zip design and neck entry system, super-stretch arms and shoulders, double glued, blindstitched and taped in stress areas. Front or offset back zipper. RRP: £170
This suit is tried and tested and never disappoints. With similar changes to the Drylock, the Infiniti series also comes with the double scallop neck entry and bamboo lining. The neoprene and glue is limestone-based and any heat given off by the limestone conversion process is used for aqua farming. RRP: £260 (5/4), £290 (5/4 hooded), £300 (6/5/4 hooded)
The lining of the Drylock is constructed from bamboo through a very complicated but less harmful process than before. Airprene in the chest and back panels utilises the concept of air being the best insulator. Finally, a new double scallop neck entry system making getting in and out a lot easier. All of this, combined with the original dry-zipper, drylock wrist seal, engineered fit and fusion tape means you will not be as warm or comfortable in any other suit. RRP: £310 (4/3), £320 (4/3 hooded), £330 (5/4), £340 (5/4 hooded)
Web: www.xcelwetsuits.com • Call: 01752 601410 • Email: info@danielsurf.com
Drylock glove The warmest glove on the market, wind-resistant outer and water repellent bamboo inner lining, Drylock wrist seal and full gripper palm. RRP: £35 (3mm)
Drylock 5mm Split Toe Boot A moulded sole for shape and support, perforated for grip. Drylock seal and bamboo lining for warmth and comfort. RRP: £50
Polypro hooded vest Retain your core warmth with a water-repellent polypro vest attached to a 2mm titanium glideskin wind-resistant hood. Elasticated adjustable face seal and neck flaps to prevent any flushing. RRP: £38
F Bomb 5/3
E Bomb 5/3
G Bomb 5/3
Dawn Patrol 5/3
The warmest wetsuit ever made by Rip Curl, featuring the very best technology and materials. Constructed from 50% Fireskin for added warmth and 50% E3 neoprene for ultimate flexibility. 100% double liquid taping, batwing, hydroloc collar and S-flex knees. RRP: £260
The most flexible wetsuit ever made by Rip Curl featuring the very best technology and materials. Constructed from 100% E3 neoprene for ultimate flexibility. Other features include hydroloc collar and S-flex knees. The 5/3 also features three-quarters single liquid taping. RRP: £210 Featured wetsuit is E Bomb Pro 4/3 RRP: £200
The ultimate wetsuit for girls featuring the very best technology and materials. This wetsuit was designed with the help of our girls team including reigning two-times world champion Steph Gilmore. Constructed from 75% E3 neoprene and 25% Fireskin on the chest panel for added warmth. Three-quarters single liquid taping, batwing, hydroloc collar and S-flex knees. RRP: £220
The new Dawn Patrol brings new levels of performance to the surfer who wants a quality wetsuit from the leading brand at an economical price. Constructed from E3 and Ultralite neoprene for ultimate flexibility and durability. Fireskin chest panel, hydroloc collar and S-flex knees. RRP: £130
Web: www.ripcurl.com 052 ThreeSixty
Top tips for buying your new suit 1. Market info The last season of wetsuit sales has been up regardless of the economic downturn. Surfers can do without a new t-shirt or boardies, but they have to have a new wetty. People also seem to be buying into the fact that if you spend a bit more money and then look after the suit, you are going to get some good value out of it. In summary, we’ve never had it so good. Many of the salesmen interviewed hadn’t had a single duff wetsuit brought back this season, so it’s a great time to get a newie. 2. Fit is everything If somebody wants a wetsuit and they’re not brand specific, they’re told that the fit is the most important thing, and that the quality is comparable within the same price range. In essence, you need to go for a wetsuit that fits you the best. A good salesperson should nail the perfect size for you within two wetsuits, if they have a good knowledge of the suits and ranges 3. Focus on your options As we all know, prancing around in hot changing rooms is a right laugh. The earlier the fit can be found, the less the customer is sweating, the more energy they have left and the more subjective they remain about their purchase. After the third suit it becomes hard work, and even the most hardened shopper will be over it. 4. Use your salesman’s knowledge A customer’s body shape and a good wetsuit range shouldn’t be too hard to connect up to get a good fit quite quickly. The customer will usually be given one suit that the salesman is trying to sell them and one as an option to compare it to. You should make the decision yourself using the salesman’s guidance. 5. Do your homework Don’t go for brand only. Do your homework on the suit you will need for the conditions you will surf in (5mm, 4mm, hooded and so on), and the budget you’ve got available. Then go and try a selection of suits in that same price and specification bracket and use comfort as the most important factor in your decision. Physically compare neoprene thickness. In some winter suits, 4mm of neoprene is actually thinner than the 4mm in another suit (even though they are supposedly the same thickness). Flex is good in the right areas, but not if it’s at the expense of warmth. Again, reflect on where you will be using the suit — whether you prefer amazing flex and a shorter time in the water or you like marathon surfs in a suit that is geared towards extending your water-time to the max. 6. Check the add-ons A lot of suits have high-tech linings and neoprenes. Check where these are and how far they reach when comparing suits in the same price range. Obviously the top-end suits have all the bells and whistles, but you will pay more for them. If you haven’t got that kind of budget then go for a suit with less add-ons, but a solid neoprene core. 7. Wetsuit Performance Ask how the company will look after you if the suit falls to pieces. At the moment the wetsuits out there are top class and we haven’t heard of any production problems or excessive returns due to faults. But sometimes it does happen, as in all industries. 8. The Holy Grail The holy grail for all suits is one that is warm and fits well, doesn’t rub and keeps you in the water all the way down to six degrees
tip#3
“So there’s gonna be a day when the swell’s pumping and you want to make the most of it, but then it’s freezing cold and wet, and so is your wetty…don’t think about it, just think of the rewards, man up and enjoy those two unbearable minutes. You’ll feel good about yourself once it’s done! Or work loads of extra hours on the pizza deliveries and buy two winter wetsuits! “Brain freeze: don’t wait until a set comes in to get your hair wet…jump in and get your head underwater for a few seconds; the first brain freeze in a session is the worst, get it over with before a bomb lands on you!” – David Speller, Jersey
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tip#4
“Speed changing: mastering the art of getting changed quickly! And long-johns are sick, get ’em for £4 from Q&S, bargain!” – Cheech Fleck, St Agnes
tip#5
VIPER 5/3
VORTEX 5/3
New in 2009 with front-zip entry and 100% superstretch neoprene. Horizontal chest zip entry with internal shoulder seams, external liquid seams for 100% water seal, flexibility and warmth, X-flex super-stretch main body panels, Thermospan core body panels, blindstitched seams, gasket wrist seals. RRP: £220
100% super-stretch neoprene and back-up system, horizontal chest zip entry with internal shoulder seams to reduce flush, unique back-up system to eliminate flush, external liquid seams for 100% water seal, flexibility and warmth, X-flex super-stretch main body panels, Thermospan core body panels for ultimate insulation and warmth, blindstitched seams to reduce water entry, Gasket wrist seals to reduce flush. RRP: £220
Call: 01208 262400 • Web: www.gul.com • Email: gul@gul.com
VORTEX 6/5/4mm HOODED The Hooded vortex is the ultimate winter wetsuit, designed with Gul team surfers and tested in the harshest conditions of Thurso and around the Lofoten islands in Norway. Blindstitched external liquid seams for 100% water seal, flexibility and warmth, X-flex super-stretch main body panels, unique back-up system, Thermospan core body panels, gasket wrist seals to reduce flush, removable hood, Dyra Skin on chest to reduce wind-chill. RRP: £240
“On the way to the plage mid-winter I always have a packet of nuts or something similar with high fat for energy and to stoke my inner furnace, washed down with a hot chocolate or tea. I have the heat blazing in the car. I’ve got a van to get changed in which is bloody ’ansome — get the tunes blaring as well. “I find a good run down the beach helps a treat, just to loosen up the muscles to prevent cramp and to warm you up a bit. As soon as you get on your board, if you can release some of those fluids you have been drinking that helps you for the freezing paddle out! “Try to move around a bit in between sets, and I would recommend a beater vest with a gimp hood any day of the week as you have your arms free to paddle and your head is nice and snug too! Most important is to have a couple of hot pasties when you are changed after your winter sesh.” – Alain Hatfield, Plymouth
tip#6
“Getting into a wet wetsuit isn’t always the worst thing because your body gets to adjust to the cold more gradually, and by the time you hit the cold water it’s not a major shock to the system! “Obviously, snaking the hell out of everyone and catching every wave that moves is a good way to keep warm, but this could also result in you getting your marching orders! “The central heating system is by far the best method – drink about a litre of water pre-surf, let your body’s metabolism do a bit of work and every 20 minutes or so let the warm stuff flow and boom, there’s hot water filling your suit!” – Andy Kilfeather, Ireland
Session 5/4/3
Wired Series 2 5/4/3
Wired Airloc 5/4/3
The Session is the top of the range back zip wetsuit from C-Skins, for those who want the ease of wearing a back zip wetsuit but don’t want any compromise on the flexibility. Incorporating our new Fire Core poly-pro lining, 100% external liquid sealed seams and as the tried and tested warmth and durability of our Simulated Mesh Skin chest and back panels. RRP: £229.95
100% externally sealed watertight seams, 100% ultra-stretch C-flex neoprene, glued and blindstitched. Simulated Mesh Skin chest and back panels, Airloc chest panel for increased warmth and less weight, Fire Core Thermal interior chest and back panel draws water away from body. Optiwick light-weight water-wicking poly-pro lining on front of legs. Ankle seals, lock down wrist seal with internal silicone seal, diagonal front zip with adjustable bungee attachment, front zip seal and internal barrier, super-seal glideskin single seam collar. RRP: £254.95
An all new tricked-up version of the Wired Series 2 Steamer. Airloc neoprene throughout the whole body and legs means a warmer lighter wetsuit all round. Liquid taped seams inside and outside. Glued and blindstitched construction, Simulated Mesh Skin chest and back panels. Fire Core thermal interior chest and back panel, Optiwick light-weight waterwicking poly-pro lining on front of legs. Ankle cuff seals, Lock Down wrist seal with internal silicone seal, diagonal front zip and internal barrier with adjustable bungee attachment. RRP: £309.95
Call: 01208 78845 • Web: www.c-skins.com • Email: info@c-skins.com 054 ThreeSixty
tip#7
“I have my missus on stand-by in the car. This involves me hoping she spots me on the way back to the car, starts the engine and gets the blowers on! I then stamp my way out of my suit, rip my thermal rash vest off, get the towel round me and dive in the car. Then I take my thermal shorts off. To finish off I ask my kind lady, with my best puppy-dog eyes, to go put all my wet stuff in the boot while I thaw out!” – Alex Clark, Wales
Foil
REVOLUTION 5/4/3
SG5
The Foil now utilises our new neoprene, G3 Superflex, and the panels’ placement has been redesigned for improved paddle movement. 50% Airlite Superflex, silk touch jersey, ergonomic performance panelling, glide-skin collar, thermal lining, glued and blindstitched, internal barrier. RRP: £125 (4/3) £145 (5/4/3 hooded)
Patented hybrid zip system, combining the best of the zipperless and back zip system. 80% Airlite Superflex silk touch jersey, critically welded internal seams, glued and blindstitched. RRP: £170
The all new SG5 utilises Billabong’s new zero gravity superflex neoprene – increased cell size in the foam core makes this warmer, lighter and more flexible than ever before. Solar Mesh 5 acts in the same way as solar panels by absorbing the sun’s heat and trapping it within the cell structure of the mesh. It is 30% warmer than any nylon-covered neoprene. Welded external and internal glued and blindstitched seams, glide-skin collar, overhead barrier, back or chest zip. RRP: £230 (4/3) £250 (5/4/3 hooded) £270
Web: www.billabongwetsuits.com • Call: 023 92465555 • Email: officeuk@billabong.tm.fr
Nitro 5/4
Lotus 5/4
Lotus 6/5
100% limestone based neoprene, 100% fluid seams, 50% Superlite S-neo, 50% Ultraspan. Batwing suit seal, triple glued and blindstitched seams, seamless shoulder and underarm panels, thermal mesh glideskin, pre-bent arm and leg panels, taped stress areas. RRP: £160
100% West Ultraspan limestone-based neoprene, 100% fluid seams, Pyro-fibre (fleece lining) chest and back panels, back zip entry with batwing neck seal, triple glued and blindstitched seams, seamless shoulder and under arm panels, thermal mesh glideskin, wrist/ankle waterlock embossing, pre-bent arm and leg panels, taped stress areas, embossed action panels (behind knees). RRP: £230
100% West Ultraspan limestone-based neoprene, 100% fluid seams, integral Ultraspan hood, Pyrofibre (fleece lining) hood and chest panel, triple glued and blindstitched seams, seamless shoulder and underarm panels, thermal mesh glideskin, wrist/ankle waterlock embossing, pre-bent and contoured arm and leg panels, taped stress areas, embossed action panels (behind knees). RRP: £260
Call: 01179 555 770 • Web: www.westsurfing.com • Email: europe@westsurfing.com ThreeSixty 055
wetsuit accessories
protect yourself from the cold with some serious neoprene.
billabong Wetsuit Accessories
Stay in the water longer with Billabong’s Solution range of winter wetsuit accessories. The Solution boot features Furnace Thermal Lining, welded seams, adjustable arch strap and closed split toe. RRP: £31 The Solution Hood. 100 percent Zero Gravity Superflex neoprene with EVA peak. RRP: £20 Solution Glove 5mm glued and blindstitched made of Superflex G3 flex neoprene. RRP: £25 Web: www.billabong.com
xcel
Ultrastretch Bamboo 2mm Wetsuit Hood
Xcel have managed to tick every box – not only does the Ultrastretch keep your head warm it also uses recycled materials to do it. It’s glued and blindstitched with pressure bonded taped seams. RRP: £24.99 Web: www.xcelwetsuits.com
O’Neill Wetsuit Accessories
rip curl
H-Bomb Wetsuit
O’Neill has your mitts covered for all seasons and all conditions with the SLX Glove. Features: 100% UltraFlex Neoprene, wind resistant smooth skin back hand, formula polygrip pattern, glued and blind stitched seam construction. SRP: £20.00
The Heat Sock reflects the expertly designed features and attention to detail you have come to expect from O’Neill. Features: Glued and blind stitched seam construction, lightweight fluid foam, durable exterior. SRP: £13.00 Web: www.oneill.com Tel: 01730 811460 Email: wetsuits.eu@oneillwetsuits.com
quiksilver
tiki
Stay warm with the Heater II Short Sleeve 8 Oz Polypropylene UV tech Lycra. RRP: £32
This is our Performance range of accessories - using the best stretch materials, features and road tested neoprene thicknesses, we have a range that keeps your extremities toasty warm without hindering your surf performance. We believe these are the best there is. Web: www.tikisurf. co.uk Tel: 01271 812442 Email: info@ tikisurf.co.uk
Wetsuit Accessories
This Quiksilver wetsuit bag is the perfect gift for Christmas. RRP: £35 Web: www.quiksilver.com
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The world's first power heated wetsuit the Rip Curl H-Bomb is now a reality. It has conquered the extremes from the Arctic circle, backed by Rip Curl’s elite surf team and performance tested by Mick Fanning. The H-Bomb uses two 7.4 volt batteries – each of them weighing 120g. The heating elements warm up your core and help to pump warm blood to your extremities and use carbon fibre technology to conduct the heat. The batteries are carried in internal pockets on the lower back, positioned so there’s minimal impact on flexibility. The H-Bomb is made 100% out of E3, the lightest, warmest and most flexible neoprene known to man. It also features double aquaban liquid taping on all seams to create a water tight and durable sealed seam. The Rip Curl HBOMB will be exclusively available in select surf shops from October 15th 2008. RRP: £750 Web: www.ripcurl.com
Performance Range
wetsuit guide Visit 360mag.co.uk for info on the best winter wetsuits on the market.
wetsuit retailers guide Cornwall
Fax: 01271 817202 Web: www.tikisurf.co.uk Email: info@tikisurf.co.uk Opening Hours All year round Monday - Saturday 9:00am - 5:00pm Sunday 10:00am - 4:00pm Wetsuit brands: TIKI, Animal, O'Neill, Rip Curl.
Anns Cottage Wetsuits @ Polzeath Beach, St Columb and Kingsley Village. (in order of priority) Tel: 01208 869333. Email: info@annscottagesurf.co.uk Web: www.annscottagesurf.co.uk Wetsuit brands: Most major brands stocked. Bodyboard HQ 4 The Square, Portreath, Cornwall Tel: 01209 844806 Email: dave@bodyboardhq.co.uk Web: www.bodyboardhq.co.uk Wetsuit brands: Alder, West, Tiki.
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Wetsuit Centre 42 Sea Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset BH5 1BQ Tel: 01202 302943 Email: info@wetsuitcentre.co.uk Web: www.wetsuitcentre.co.uk Wetsuit Brands: O’Neill, Rip Curl, Billabong, Xcel, C-Skins, Gul, Animal
Constantine Bay Surf Store Constantine Bay, Padstow, Cornwall PL28 8JJ Tel: 01841 520250 Email: des@constantinesurf.com Web: www.constantinesurf.com Wetsuit Brands: O’Neill, Xcel, FCS and Alder wetsuits and accessories. Down the Line surf shop Market Square Arcade, Copperhouse, Hayle, Cornwall Tel: 01736 757025 Email: downthelifesurf@btconnect.com Web: www.downthelinesurf.co.uk Wetsuit Brands: Rip Curl, Xcel, O’Neill
Bournemouth Surfing Centre 127 Belle Vue Rd, Bournemouth Tel: 01202 433544 Email: sales@bournemouth-surfing.co.uk Web: www.bournemouthsurfing.com Wetsuit brands: Alder, O’Neill, Rip Curl, Xcel
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Freeriders Surf Shop The Moor, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 3PN Tel: 01326 313456 Email: team@freeriderssurfshop.com Web: www.freeriderssurfshop.com Wetsuit Brands: Bodyglove, C-Skins, West, Xcel Westcountry Watersports 63, Fairmantle Street, Truro, Cornwall TR1 2EG (Parking to rear of shop) Tel: 01872 275342 Email: wcws@wcws.biz Web: www.surfsale.co.uk Wetsuit Brands: O’Neill
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devon Tiki Surf Shop Caen St, Braunton North Devon EX33 1AA Tel: 01271 816070
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yorkshire BAY SURF SCARBOROUGH 34 St Nicholas cliff, Scarborough, North Yorkshire YO11 2ES Tel: 01723 503762 Web: www.vibesurfshop.co.uk Email: info@vibesurfshop.co.uk Wetsuit brands: Billabong, West, Circle One
The Pit Surf Shop St Merryn, Cornwall Tel: 01841 520204 Email: info@surf-the-pit.co.uk Web: www.surf-the-pit.co.uk Wetsuit Brands: Rip Curl, Alder, Gul, C-Skins Piran Surf 38 St Pirans Road, Perranporth, Cornwall TR6 0BJ Tel: 01872 573242 Web: www.piransurf.com, www. hotrocketsurf.com Email: thorax@piransurf.com Wetsuit brands: O’Neill, Billabong, Gul, Animal
360mag.co.uk
dorset
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Secret Spot 4 Pavilion Terrace, Scarborough, North Yorkshire YO11 2JU Tel: 01723 500467 International Telephone: +44 1723 500467 Email: admin@secretspot.co.uk Wetsuit brands: Rip Curl, O’Neill, Xcel, Alder
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ireland The Board Room Unit 8A, Watson & Johnson Center, Church Road, Greystones, County Wicklow, Ireland. Tel: 00353 1 2010708 Web: www.theboardroom.ie Email: info@theboardroom.ie Wetsuit brands: O’Neill and Xcel.
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wales Hot Dog Surf shop 26 Pennard Road, Kittle, Gower, Swansea SA3 3JS Tel: 01792 234073 Web: www.hotdogsurf.com Email: sales@hotdogsurf.com Wetsuit brands: O’Neill, Billabong, C-Skins
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TheSurfDirectory e a t
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Check out these surf shops, the surf breaks near them and more on The Surf Directory. Plus all the surf trip info you need at the click of a mouse. www.thesurfdirectory.co.uk matt clark
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Suffolk Odyssey SurfSnowStyle 12 St John’s Street, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1SQ Tel: 01284 753322 Email: info@surfsnowstyle.com Web: www.surfsnowstyle.com wetsuit brands stocked: Rip Curl, Alder, Tiki
ThreeSixty 057
regions
058. regions
A quick trawl through the gossip, happenings and rumours from each sponging shore.
dale delarey
Andy ‘Macca’ Blanchard had a sick trip to Indo.
Bournemouth Joel Whitmore
What can I say? Not an awful lot has been happening to be honest. It’s been like glass throughout the bay for what seem like months on end with the occasional wind-blown Boscombe and (our new secret spot) 33 sessions being the only saving grace to keep us south coasters keen! The reef has been working with slabby, shallow little mutants, but we have yet to see its full potential. As I’m writing, the charts are showing our first signs of an autumn swell which should fire the engines into life out on the million pound sandbar. Should have some snaps and a full report on who’s been ripping and who’s been tripping for the next issue. Here’s hoping for those swells to keep on rolling through!
Brighton Mark Hayes
mark hayes
Most of the Brighton sponge crew around today grew up surfing Brighton Wedge in the ’90s; back then it used to be quite good every summer. This last decade or so it has been pretty poor, but this summer we were treated to the type of surf we used to get in the old days. And though over the years we have travelled more and have slightly higher expectations from waves, it was nice to have Wedge breaking properly again. Throughout July and August we had so many fun surfs there I’ve lost count. September and October unfortunately have been pretty poor, but those summer surfs redeemed Brighton Wedge and even dragged some of the old faces out of the woodwork.
Brighton turned on in autumn.
My wife Marie and I welcomed our son Ethan into the world on 25 September. Hopefully the next decade will pump like the ’90s, as I’m sure Ethan is keen to get out in the water and get barrelled with his dad. Being half Cornish hopefully he’ll be a bit better than me! Here’s hoping the surf gets good this winter, but if it doesn’t we have a few trips in the pipeline with Portugal in November planned. Finally I have heard from Martin Yelland who is interested in showing his new bodyboarding flick Post Codes in Brighton so watch this space.
Scotland
Rupert Williams Some good swells have come and gone in the past month up here in Scotland. I returned
058 ThreeSixty
from a three month trip to Chile in mid-September, an absolutely epic trip with the best people and waves you can find. I thoroughly recommend a trip there, pretty cheap place to be too despite it being one of South America’s most expensive countries. Luckily there have been a few good swells to ease myself back into Scottish life. Autumn has so far been good to us Scots and there has been little need to travel much as the east coast has seen some good swells. Tim and Josh have been cleaning up down their way as certain slabs suck up the swell El Gringo style and I have heard many a tale of big pits and bigger hits from down that way. I have also lucked into one of my favourite slabs breaking well under clear blue skies, and just some friendly bull seals to share it with. This weekend the Scottish Bodyboard Open is set to take place at a premier slab on the east coast, due to the current flatness of the north shore. Forecasts are changeable but hopes are high the winds will switch and we can run the contest in waves conducive for the sponge. Could be a higher turnout this year so it will be fun to meet some new faces. Hope everyone enjoys autumn!
Plymouth Lee rymel
Late summer and early autumn saw fewer swells than we would have been liked, so a few trips have been going down. Myself and Paul ‘Rabbit’ Motley made the trip to Sri Lanka for the first time, where we enjoyed some suicidal runs in the local ‘safe’ transportation of choice, the tuk-tuk. A few chest-high surfs in France-like conditions and a head-high right pointbreak were the best sessions had. One day saw a visit to the aptly named Paradise Beach end in tears for my companion — as he waded through the shallows a sea urchin spine got lodged between his big toe nail and toe. Macca has also been away for a few months but went for the safer and more consistent option of Indo and got it very good, with solid size surfs at Ulu’s, Padang, Canngu, Lembongan and Sumatra to name a few. However, he didn’t have it all his own way as this year was the busiest it has ever been with greater numbers of Brazilians and Americans in attendance to add to the already high concentration of Australians and Europeans. Back in the UK the south coast hasn’t been up to much with only one swell which lasted all of four hours. This was still time enough for one comedy moment, with the meeting of Ollie Howe’s metal water housing and Ollie Medland’s head, which completed a ginger basin hair cut for the DK specialist as the blood ran down his forehead. The north coast has been a lot more consistent with some good solid four foot swells and offshore wind, which has resulted in a few trips to the Badlands and a righthand Cornish wedge.
Wales
Dean Page It’s been a pretty good summer with plenty of swell all around, starting off with myself, Mike Norman and Alistair Jones getting some good waves around my local, hitting a few slabs with a few fun waves. We also did a bit of missioning around Wales and scored some decent fun little wedgey waves with Richard Livock and Paul Fenrich a few good ones. The Gower boys missioned out to Indo for a few weeks and scored some sick waves according to Craig
TheSurfDirectory e a t
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Planning a bodyboarding trip?
We have the best surf accommodation, surf schools, shops and all the info you need available at the click of a mouse. Stay in surfer-friendly accommodation near the breaks you see in the pages of ThreeSixty. This is the resource we use when we plan our photo trips, so if you’re looking for somewhere to sleep, eat, shop or party then check out The Surf Directory. Plus there’s all the latest news, surf forecasting, and an extensive database of information on over 100 top surf breaks and destinations with a comprehensive event and gig guide.
Get your finger on the pulse!
www.thesurfdirectory.co.uk We’ve been surfing in Britain for 50 years. Now it’s time to meet the guys who started it all.
the surfing tribe A history of surfing in Britain
“Encyclopedic, lovingly illustrated and peculiarly British.” – Andy Martin, The Daily Telegraph “…ably illustrates the richness of Britain’s surfing history.” – Alex Wade, The Times by Roger Mansfield published by Orca Publications £24.99 Signed copies available from www.orcashop.co.uk Orca Shop hotline: 01637 878074
regions
060. regions
A quick trawl through the gossip, happenings and rumours from each sponging shore. mike searle
Davies and Tom Shortman. There have been good waves around Llantwit area; some super-fun bowls with Pete Northrop tearing them up on the knee as usual, and Napoleon and Reece getting a few for the groms! Looking forward to winter swell now, but not the fear of the cold; hopefully some lesser-known spots will start to show some action.
Jersey
Colin Crowther The surf has been pretty consistent in Jersey since the unfortunate frustration of a week of small conditions for the Eurosurf. Dave Speller has been charging some big heavy waves at the Splash, busting his usual trademark backflips and inverts. Colin Crowther and Steve Ball also report some good sessions at the Splash, although crowds have been heavy, as everyone appeared to be trying to make the most of the last few weeks before the clocks changed. Super-keen Jean Quemener and Ben Sanderman have Paul Miller shacked at T-Reef been seen getting a few super-shallow high tide waves at Petit Port. while Aidan Salmon waves with The last week before the clocks did eventually change saw glee on the shoulder. a week of good swell coinciding with big tides, providing good waves at La Saline, which has great shallow banks at the moment. Now that autumn is starting to turn to winter and the clocks have changed, fingers Spells, brothers Dom and Mike Alfano, Colin C, Peter Bolam and Gary ‘Hellman’ Le Neveu crossed South Devon can look forward to some of the well-deserved wind-slop that we all all got their fair share of barrels. Word on the grapevine is that the Hellman has even been know and love! In keeping with the random theme of this report, the only other thing I have attempting rollos! Having already nailed his forwards, he is a shining example that it is never to report is that Co-Op Teignmouth are selling five jam or custard doughnuts for 65p, making to late to learn new manoeuvres and keep pushing your riding skills. the perfect gluttonous post-surf treat! Happy sponging! Clint Loake, Terry Oliviera and Colin Laurent have all just returned form a few weeks in Indo, where they scored some epic sessions. Pictures have been appearing on Facebook of all three getting clean barrels at Padang Padang and G-land. Clint is planning to head back Toby Edwards for another Indo trip to celebrate his 30th in the New Year. Finally September arrived and the north coast was greeted with the first post-tropical storm Phil Le Neveu has moved to Plymouth for university. Phil has already made a few trips to swell to dust away the summer slackness. Since then it’s been regular sessions and happy the north and south coast and has been feeding back reports of some good sessions. Finally, faces all round. A few more sessions at DaSlab have been sampled and Ray Bleakley, fresh Pascal Quemener has been out and about armed with his new water housing. Pascal says he back from a five-month stint in Indo, has been back on the case too. There was a cracker of can’t wait get out there when we get some real winter waves. a session at the Wedge with the near full Causeway Coast sponger contingent on the case (all six of us), dark peaty chasms opened up for some chuns and eye injuries. Speaking of which, I’ve been out of the water for a week after getting a shard of Ikea dinner plate hurtle martin yelland into my eye at light speed when doing the washing up. How stupid is that?! Surf’s been lame down here this autumn, although there have been some half-decent days further up the north coast. A few of us are off to Scotland ollie howe for a trip, and the Post Codes With the big swell that hit in October came a stack of hype and some crazy tales from around premiere has been set for the coast. The swell hit on time but after checking the usual high tide haunts and finding Friday 18 December at the sizeable but fat waves, I persuaded Medland to come down to a spot I’ve been keeping Crow Rooms, St. Ives, 9pm, an eye on. After dragging him and his shiny white Nike Airs, XXL tracksuit and puffer jacket free entry. Darren Stevens’ through fields of cowshit in the driving rain, we found a bay with some banks that were wedding was the highlight of making the most of the quickly dying swell. our autumn — Tim ’Albino’ I did my best to capture something despite monsoon-like wind and rain. With the swell Brown ended up getting so drunk he was eating flowers, and actually rejected a A sick south Cornwall empty. bridesmaid for a pasty!
Northern Ireland
martin yelland
St Ives
south devon
ollie howe
South East Devon Henry Irvine
The days getting shorter and easterlies on the chart can only mean one thing — winter’s coming! The mainly dormant state of the local spots around here soon changed in early September with the arrival of a string of small yet very welcome swells that saw quite a few fun sessions taking place from Dawlish Warren to Dartmouth. Myself and Andy ‘Roy’ Faulkner made the most of some good banks at a local shorey and enjoyed a dry barrel or two in rare sunshine. During the same swell, Rob Smith, Ant Haytread, and Ben Waite were also spotted making the most of a local slab which hasn’t worked in months, hopefully now it won’t be months until it works again. Thankfully, the wind that arrived with the ‘Big Wednesday’ swell which engulfed the UK on 21 October managed to blow us some swell around Start Point, making for some fun Teignmouth conditions and a nearby shoredump. Rob and Ben have made the pilgrimage to Ireland again and will hopefully score big. With reports already of perfect conditions, it doesn’t look set to disappoint. 060 ThreeSixty
Ollie’s blood nut.
On the knee a second before impact.
dropping fast I was encouraging Ol to pull in tight to anything he could find. Three rainblurred shots later and Ollie snuck under the lip of a perfect little one – hoping for the best I held the housing out in the top third of the barrel. As Medland sped past I got sucked over on top of him housing first. He came up holding his redder-than-usual head, blood pouring down his face. I apologised and explained to him there was a hole in his head, but unperturbed he carried on pulling into everything that came through, only getting out quickly to refuel on his fifth can of Monster Energy drink, worried he might be leaking the stuff he seems to run on…
Buzzard Bodyboards handmade in Cornwall from the highest quality materials using heat laminating technology. Custom boards with Dow and Zfoam PE or Propafoam PP cores, PP or Surlyn slicks, Sealed Air decks. New! FRP stringers. Sizes up to 47”, thickness up to 3” – you design, we make. The UK’s only cUsTom bodyboard manUfacTUrer. Visit our website: www.buzzardbodyboards.co.uk for full details, photos, and custom order forms. Custom boards up to 43.5” from £125 Big Bro custom boards 44” – 47” from £145 Fatboy custom extra buoyancy boards from £165 Now on the Buzzard website: Trevose head area daily surf reports and tide times for bodyboarders. Also the improved 4 day animated weather charts from the Met Office to plan your next surfing trip. Buzzard Bodyboards, Unit C1, The Airfield, St Merryn, Padstow, Cornwall, PL28 8PU. Tel: 01841 520028 Mobile: 07790 520028 Email: info@buzzardbodyboards.co.uk ThreeSixTy 015
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christmas gift guide 2009 Quiksilver
Deep X Pack Slut
Men’s Boxers
What better way to show your affection this Christmas than to treat your loved one to a pair of original designer boxers, from legendary Cornish fashion and debauchery outfit SLUT. £18 a pair, £30 for a giftset. Buy online at slut.co.uk includes free P&P.
Violate Clothing
To say that the Deep X pack is an ‘impressive watch package’ is a bit like saying ‘Slater surfs quite well’. The Deep X comes with: digital compass, heat timer, digital thermometer, tide, sunset/sunrise and moon phase information and is water resistant to 100m. The pack also contains a USB Stick and a DVD with uploadable tide information for 2000 beaches and some Quiksilver movie clips. Plus it has wireless data transmission... Err, Miss Moneypenny... RRP: £280 Tel: 01392 877641 Email: liam-estacade@ quiksilver-tech.com
Surfers Against Sewage
Vandela T shirt and Christmas Promo Code! Solid new
label Violate Clothing’s stylin’ new collection of garments features the genre defining ‘Vandela’, with a slim fit, bespoke cut and full colour skull print with watercolour detailing: it’s a legendary tee… www. violateclothing.com Promo Code: threesixtybaby = 30% off Vandela. Don’t say we never do anything for you…
Recycled mug
Made from recycled plastic, these mugs feature the SAS watersports warriors. Great for the beach, and perfect for that “post February-dawnie” hot chocolate! RRP: £5 www.sas-org.co.uk
Men’s hemp beanies
Made from hardwearing and sustainable hemp, and available in a wide range of plain and stripey colours. Go on, do your bit. RRP: £15
Fistral Spa
‘Quiksilver Surfer’s Massage’
This is the ultimate pampering package! Ease the aches and pains of your session with a Quiksilver massage at Fistral Spa, Newquay. A deeply relaxing treatment to ‘rescue the whole body from the ravages of the sea’ (or to see off that post New Year’s Eve hangover) – a perfect Christmas gift! (55mins, £50). Give them a call on 01637 852 221. www.newquayhotels.co.uk/fistralSpa/for-men.html
Bilbo Surf Shop
Bilbo has an awesome range of surf and snow gear and is a veritable surfer’s grotto this Christmas. How about Farking Deckgrip (keep your feet firmly on your stick), Ding All Board repair kits, or the full range of Lib-Tech Snowboards with the latest ‘banana’ technology. Fill ya stockings. www.bilbosurfshop.com Tel: 01637879033 Email: sales@bilbosurfshop.com 062 ThreeSixty
Icon
Accessories
Get yourself styled up this winter with some cool accessories from Aussie brand Icon. Perfect gifts for Christmas include this stylin’ Fedora, and their digital wallet. RRP: £15.99 www.orcashop.co.uk Tel: 01637 878074.
vans
Raglan Shoe
Keep your toes warm this winter with a pair of Vans fleecy shoes. These lightweight shoes have moisturewicking bamboo lining which is perfect for slipping on after a winter surf. The Raglan fleece shoe is £65. www.vans.com
Zuma Jay Surf Shop
Animal Twister
The Animal Twister with a RIP (Rider Induced Power) system, marine grade stainless steel casing, screw down crown and scratch resistant antireflective glass; not only a high performance timekeeping device: but looks pretty fly too. Available at ZumaJay. www. zumajay.co.uk Tel: 01288 354956
Skullcandy
The Agent Headphone
Hear me now! This year Skullcandy are introducing their most progressive line of audio delights for you to feast your ears on. Style, colour and technical innovation abound; reflecting Skullcandy’s commitment to envelope pushing of the highest order…The Agent headphone features hi-fidelity sound and a contour so sleek it’s virtually undetectable by enemy radar. Whether dictated by expedience or personal preference, sometimes you’ve got to keep a low profile and tread lightly. RRP: £49.99 www.inthe-shade.com Tel: 01792484905
Animal
Zephyr Watch
The launch of their 2009 range marked Animal’s 15th year in the ‘freesports’ watch industry. Pretty mental hey. And to celebrate they’re producing their largest watch range ever. This Christmas the Zephyr is probably the one that you want, it has all the features that you’d expect from such an experienced brand, and you can mix it up with different strap colours: from black to bright fluros – viva the ’80s! RRP: £59.99 www.animal.co.uk
rob barber's bodyboarding school
Gift Vouchers
Every bodyboarder would like to improve, the best way is to take a lesson. The lessons are geared towards novice, intermediate and advanced bodyboarders. They can be redeemed for bodyboarding weekends, video coaching or towards a winter trip abroad. Or give coasteering a go, it's the ultimate flat-day fun. Presentation vouchers in gift cards from £30. Check www.Robbarber.com for further details or call 01637 879571 ThreeSixty 063
christmas gift guide-2009 Etnies
RVL (Rap Vulc Low)
Drawing inspiration from Etnies skate heritage, the RVL features the classic Etnies Rap styling; with a slimmed down low-top silhouette on a vulcanized outsole. The RVL features STI System G2 gel in the heel of the outsole to absorb shock and prevent heel bruises, and it has the classic Etnies Rap logo stamped on the heel. Nice. RRP: £55 www.etnies.com Tel: 08707 503 100
freestyle watches
Shark Classic
Rock out with your clock out, Freestyle’s shark classic offers a functional retro watch available in a variety of colours. RRP: £45. Email: info@ actionsportsdist.co.uk
Zuma Jay Surf Shop
C-Skins Wired 5/3 Wetsuit
Brand New 09/10 C-Skins Winter Model, an upgrade to the original ‘Wired Series’. This suit includes double liquid seams, 100% ultra-stretch neoprene, glued and blindstitched simulated mesh skin chest and back, airlock body, chest and leg panels for increased warmth and less weight, fire core thermal interior chest and back panel, optiwick interior light weight water wicking poly pro lining on front of legs, lock down wrist seal with internal silicone seal and resin impregnated stealth dura tex knee pad. All this combined creates the ultimate super stretchy super warm winter suit. Available at www.zumajay.co.uk
Fat Face
Vert Watch
This awesome watch from Fat Face comes with a leather strap, digital stopwatch and stainless steel case. It is also water resistant to 100m, is practical, pretty cool and means that you’ll have no excuse for missing those sucky low tide barrels again. Put it straight on the list! RRP: £115 www.fatface.com
064 ThreeSixty
Peeler Beanies
Winter’s arrived and what better way to keep the heat in than with a beanie from Peeler's re-knit range. Their beanies are 100% recycled and made by transforming pre-loved jumpers and cardi's into super comfy, cosy hats. Ahhh...! And you probably won’t see David Beckham in one for a while... The beanies come in two styles - regular £14.99, or oversized £16.99. Available from peelersurf.co.uk
Etnies
Andora Collection
The stylish etnies Andora collection focuses on cozy winter pieces with workwear inspired detailing in warm autumnal colours. Featured here is their Okemo fleece with 100% cotton flannel and thermal jersey lining. RRP: £65 www.etnies.com Tel: 08707 503100
the online surfshop
orca Surf
the online surfshop
new look • new features free shipping on fins
orca shop
www.orcashop.co.uk mail order hotline:
01637 878074
the online surfshop
orca surf
the online surfshop
DATA
066. data
BoogTique.com
MS Vipers Review
online shop: BoogTique. We snared him for five minutes in between missions to Ireland and unpacking
incredible knowledge of the sport combined with his engineering
Fed up with the lack of booger clothing available in the UK and Europe, Jack Johns has launched a new
The new design Viper fins have arrived in the UK, and Mike Stewart’s
clothing boxes.
background have produced another sick product. The new design
What is the aim of your new website?
short sharp burst of speed and good control when riding. The foot pocket
has a much shorter blade to their traditional counterpart which supply a
Bodyboarders want the sport to grow, but without supporting the brands that are putting everything back into it, this simply won’t happen. The sport is thriving in Australia, so our main aim is bringing the best bodyboard brands from Oz and the US into Europe at a price bodyboarders can afford, thus building the industry and pushing the sport in the right direction.
is spacious enough for those with wide feet but tapers off well to offer a comfortable fit. The fins float and have a good triple drainage hole designed to flush out sand and shale. The bevelled rails and grip sole show the attention to detail that you would expect from Stewart. The fins come up a little smaller than usual so most people will
What was the inspiration for it?
need to go up a size. I usually fit snugly in a
You go to Oz and every grom wears the newest Unite tee or one of the rad Plastic People hoodies, all
size eight shoe but found that the 8-10
because it is accessible to them. I was fed up seeing the kids around here wearing surfing brands and not
was the best fit. I rarely like new fins
supporting bodyboarding. Bodyboarding is carving its own unique style and as bodyboarders, we need to
after only one use, but these felt
embrace that.
fine straight away. I would
What brands will you be stocking?
definitely use them again.
To start with we will be stocking the core brands, the brands that I feel are putting everything back into
RRP: £39.99 available
the sport and are making the most stylish clothing: Iamnone, Unite, Grand Flavour and Plastic People are
from www.
BoogTique’s main brands.
orcashop.
When will it be launched?
co.uk with
We plan to launch on 1 December, so make sure you save some space on that Christmas list.
free shipping.
Anything to ad? Log on to BoogTique.com and sign up to the mailing list so we can keep you updated with the launch of the site, plus all good booging news. Stay tuned!
Eurosurf 2009 Portugal’s Manuel Centeno and Catarina Sousa won the Open and Ladies bodyboard divisions at Eurosurf 2009, which was held in Jersey and hosted by Europe’s oldest surf club, the Jersey Surfboard Club, as part of the their 50th anniversary celebrations. The bodyboarders faced some tough conditions for much of the week long event, with most of the rounds taking place in one-foot surf, with the exception of the quarter final round, which went off in four-foot strong onshores. The girls, Ashleigh Smith and Gemma Harris, were the star performers out of the British and Irish
Irish Crew and Clare McGowan Storm Peniche IBA Event A crew of Irish bodyboarders headed down to the IBA World Tour
bodyboarders, both surfing excellently to make the Ladies final. The final itself, held in clean one- to two-foot
Event in Peniche this autumn. Due to thunder, winds and stormy weather
surf, was dominated by Sousa, who worked her waves well with tidy spins and some solid rolls. Second spot
the event was moved south from Peniche. Shane Mehan surfed all the way
went to Spain’s Deva Solar, ahead of Smith in third and Harris fourth.
to round five, beating the likes of Amaury Lavernhe on his way — quite
The men’s division included many European Tour of Bodyboard riders, and their experienced showed, as despite the at times marginal conditions they still managed to boost some big moves. The last of the Brits and Irish, Ireland’s Shane Meehan and Seamus McGoldrick, England’s Danny Catten and Wales’ Splinter Griffiths bowed out at the quarter final stage, which was held in solid four-foot surf crashing up the seawall at the Watersplash.
an achievement considering the standard of the field. Paul McCarter unfortunately went down in the first heat but Martin Kelly progressed to round two and Darragh McCarter a couple of steps further to round four. Ashleigh Smith and Aussie Kate Mulony (who is now living in Strandhill) represented in the girls’ division for what was a strong outing for Irish bodyboarding. The Irish contingent will now be heading to Confital to
The men’s final saw a good battle between Centeno
take part in the final IBA Tour event at the beginning of December. It was
and French bodyboarder Martin Mouradian, who both
England’s Clare McGowan who scored the best result, she shredding all the
found a little more boost in their manoeuvres than the
way through the event to place an incredible third place. Well done all!
other finalists. Centeno just had the edge, cramming in fast forwards, reverses and powerful rolls on every wave. Third spot went to Spain’s Guillermo Cobo, with 2008 Pipeline Pro finalist Hugo Pinheiro from Portugal in fourth.
colin crowther
Results Men’s 1. Manuel Centeno (Portugal) 2. Martin Mouradian (France) 3. Guillermo Cobo (Spain)
first annual competition in memory of bodyboarder and lifeguard
4. Hugo Pinheiro (Portugal) =9. Shane Meehan (Ireland)
Tom Greenaway.
=9. Seamus Mc Goldrick (Ireland) =9. Danny Catten
Damian Prisk looked set to win throughout but missed by a narrow
(England) =13. David Speller (Channel Islands) =13. Scott
margin. Eldred Hawke walked away the winner after boosting a sick
Harben (Channel Islands) =13. Mark Griffiths (Wales) =17.
backflip in the last minute of the final, which won him the £500 prize purse.
James Blackwell(England) =19. Simon Bevan (Wales).
Jack Johns took third place and Aidan Salmon fourth. Young gun Steve Hall
Ladies 1. Catarina Sousa (Portugal) 2. Deva Solar (Spain)
ripped to get all the way to the semi-final.
3. Ashleigh Smith (Ireland) 4. Gemma Harris (Wales) =7.
066 ThreeSixty
greenaway pro The Greenaway Pro, held on the 4-5 September was the
The Saturday night party was one of the best of the summer with
Delia Baker (Channel Islands) =7. Clemy Hardy (England).
Mickey Smith’s band and others rocking out at the town hall. The comp
Team Result 1. France 10580 points 2. Spain 9395 3.
is due to be annual now and is a fitting tribute to St Ives legend Tom G.
Portugal 8700 4. England 7580 5. Channel Islands 7460
Thanks to sponsors Finisterre and Action Sports Distribution.
6. Morocco 7000 7. Wales 6505 8. Ireland 6180.
Results: 1. Eldred Hawke 2. Damian Prisk 3. Jack Johns 4. Aidan Salmon.
clemi@orcasurf.co.uk.
industry blah
Clemi Hardie – Balangan, Indonesia
Buzzard are going for the no-waste manufacturing prize! Bodyboards are
girl jam
Welcome to the first edition of the Girl Jam column, giving you the lowdown on what’s going on in the world of female bodyboarding here on home shores and beyond. ThreeSixty’s roving reporter Clemi Hardie is the UK voice for girls’ bodyboarding. If you have any news or photos for her, please email
Buzzard’s Green Approach
produced from whole sheets; the large offcuts are used to make BodyGuns, then the scraps are laminated together and cut to make keyrings. Lastly all the foam, deck and slick pieces that are left go to Cornwall’s schools and colleges for arts, crafts and model making through the Scrap Store at Nanpean. Good effort guys!
Morey, BZ and Churchill - New Ranges We’ve had a sneak peak at the new kit that TKC are bringing in for 2010 and it looks absolutely sick. There are new Churchill fins designed by Hubb, a new Dave Hubbard Morey board that looks sick and a stack of other kit. For dealer enquiries contact Dom on 0870 8700150.
Sponsorship Clemi Hardie is now riding for Chilled Turtle.
60 seconds with Lilly Pollard
Lilly is one of the world’s greatest female bodyboarders, as well as being a true ambassador for the sport. When she takes a break from charging places like Pipeline and Chopes she is involved in running the Women’s Bodyboarding Association, shooting photos with pal Emma Roby, writing her own column ‘Sisters’ for Riptide and has even found time to set up her own company, Milkshakes. Where’s your favourite spot? I love where I live right now (south coast New South Wales), there are so many good waves! Although, I think my favourite spot is still Gnaraloo in the desert of West Oz. Sick barrels there! We’ve all seen the photos of you and Emma Roby charging Chopes – any more trips in the pipeline for you guys and your new camera equipment? We did a fun road trip recently along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria. Awesome. Just six days away, but we managed to score good waves (including a couple of crazy reefs!), and had a killer time at the Pink concert in Melbourne down there! Yew!
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Free DVD with NMD The boards in the new NMD range for 2010 will have a sick free new DVD with it. Action Sports Distributions Rob Muscutt checked them out and had this to say, “I watched it three times back to back. It has sections from Joe Clarke, BP, Hardy, Rawlins, Winny, 12-year-old Goldy grom Thorpe Waleiau and Charlie Holt (who was born in west Sussex!), and rounding off with PLC. The DVD has been produced by the Waldron brothers, all shot in Indo and is called…The Indo Sessions. Rob would like to thank all the guys and girls out there who have supported NMD and VS by buying the boards over the last couple of years. ThreeSixty got to check out the new range, they look epic.
You also have recently started your own women’s bodyboard brand, Milkshakes – what is unique about the boards and accessories you produce? Milkshakes is going great! I’m so proud of it! This is a brand by girls, for girls, so all the boards are designed totally with females in mind – thinner, lighter boards, which come in yummy girly colours. There’s clothing and accessories in the pipeline too! Check out the Milkshakes website: www.milkshakesdesigns.com – the boards should be hitting the UK in a few months.
World Tour As the world tour draws to a close, the race is on with the fight for the title being closely contested between Eunate Aguirre from Spain and Brazilians Neymara Carvalho and Jessica Becker. UK charger Clare McGowan did her country proud at the Peniche Pro, coming in third, an unprecedented result for a girl from our shores. Ireland’s Ashleigh Smith also competed, in her first international appearance.
European Tour The final ETB event will be held in Morocco at Mohammedia Beach on 20-22 November. Martha Fernandes from Portugal has dominated this year’s tour, winning every event so far. Clemi Hardie will be finishing her first European Tour and said: “I’m excited and ready for this event – it’s been a great experience to be part of
Surfers Against Sewage 2009 It’s an exciting time for the UK’s leading clean water campaigners
this year’s tour and meet so many other girl spongers. Lets all get involved next year!”
Surfers Against Sewage. Now approaching their 20th anniversary, their
UK News
the launch of their Protect Our Waves campaign. POW aims to protect
In the 2009 Auto Sleepers British Bodyboard Nationals, Gemma Britton once again retained her title from last year with Olivia Smedley in second, Tabby Fox third and Christine Blackburn fourth. Congratulations to everyone and it was great to see some new faces at the comp this year. Olivia Smedley, Christine Blackburn, Tabby Fox and Kirsty Mann will also be hitting Morocco in November – check back next issue for more news on their trip.
Stop Press: The £3 million sandbar is working! Just before going to print we received images of Bournemouth reef serving up some slabbing pits that look incredible for bodyboarding. Check 360mag.co.uk for the full story and images, video and riders’ verdicts about the new beast.
unstoppable campaign success has reached a new level this year with surf spots from environmental damage, negative impacts on wave quality and to safeguard waveriders’ rights of access. Thanks to POW, slabs like Broadbench are up for protection and they are already establishing projects to protect some of the sickest low tide reefs the country has to offer. On top of that, SAS have just taken on a network of 20 regional reps who will be supporting the work of SAS around the country, organising events and actions for you to get involved with and acting as point of contact in your area. If you didn’t realise it already, SAS are there for bodyboarders, not just surfers, so if you’re not familiar with them already then check them out and get on board! SAS are on Facebook or see www. sas.org.uk for all these campaign details and more.
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TEAM RIDER DAMIAN PRISK. PHOTO: IAN LEAN INFO@DANIELSURF.COM www.MIKESTEwART.COM
www.MSvIPER.COM