Maybe We Take The Detour
Santa Cruz. The pinnacle of West-Coast surfing culture, the birthplace of O’Neill, and home to beautiful waves, people, and nature. Can you really ask for much more? Come along on a journey close to home as Team O’Neill explores its backyard with Ian Crane, Noah Wegrich, and Robbie McCormick.
Filmed & Edited by Jacob Vanderwork
Still Photography by Grant Ellis
Carve Magazine Issue 224
Carve Magazine Issue 224
The new issue is out. You can get it delivered to door for by hitting this link here.
Hello and welcome to issue 224!
Autumn just doesn’t seem to cut it compared to autumns past. No idea why. Scientists are baffled too. Despite warm water and all the indications of a booming hurricane season, the Atlantic switched off (at least at the time of going to print it had, but our fingers are still crossed). Anyway, to remind you of good times, September swells and crisp offshores, we rounded up some of the best autumn shots we could find of the UK and Ireland. You can find them on page 82. If we collectively manifest, maybe we can all get a few decent surfs before Christmas! Back in the 00’s I took a crew off to Ecuador to explore the coast. Our host and new friend Eddie Salazar took us on an adventure and we’ve remained friends ever since. In 2000 he moved to the Galapagos Islands to run surf charters but, like many of us, as he became more attached to the place he wanted to do more. It’s not just about the waves, it’s the ambience, the people and just some kind of serendipity and intuition that tells us it is where we are meant to be.
That place could be the likes of Brighton’s surf and skate spots that Grant Winter features on page 22, but for Eddie it was a small island in the middle of the Pacific. After making it his home, he went on a mission to remove non-indigenous plant species in order to protect the local fauna and flora, and bring the area it back to its natural glory. And he’s winning! Read his remarkable story on page 48 and if you’re inspired by it you are invited go and join him. Earlier this month we announced Gary McCall as the winner of the dryrobe® x Carve Photo of the Year competition, for his photo of Lucas Chumbo at Mullaghmore. It is outstanding! Despite our exposure to short clips and addiction to various apps on our phones, there is still something utterly mesmerising about a photo in print which captures the beauty and drama of surfing in a single moment. Gary’s shot did exactly that, so we catch up with him for a chat on page 56.
Speaking of amazing surf shots and their enduring nature, our cover shot had us absolutely spellbound. There is something unfathomable about the power and thickness of the wave, the colour, the depth and control of the ride by Keala Kennelly, and the positioning of the photographer – legend Tim McKenna. It is mind-blowing and we couldn’t stop looking at it. Still can’t. The fact it is from 2016 adds to the kudos deserved by both surfer and photographer. Simply put, it’s one of the best surf shots and rides of all time. And there’s more: Barnaby Cox leaves home to find waves and work in tropical paradise, we go on an adventure through Chile, and big wave surfing in Tasmania. As you thumb through these pages I would encourage you to take a moment to take in the detail of each shot – the colours, the wave form, the way water is flowing beneath boards, or the curl of the lip. Each wave, each ride, each moment is unique. It is a truly amazing thing. Then go out and create your own moments and hold them in your mind’s eye. They will last forever, through good and bad times, and lead you on paths you may never have dreamt of.
Tya Zebrowski / Lukas Skinner Take The Win
Tya Zebrowski (FRA) and Lukas Skinner (GBR) from Team Rip Curl won the World Surf League (WSL) Specialty Event, the Caraïbos Surf de Nuit Anglet presented by Rip Curl on Friday evening in fun, wedgy two-foot peaks. Thousands of spectators were treated to exciting surfing and a spectacular fireworks display, celebrating the 30th year of this iconic event.
Featuring some of Europe’s best surfers, six teams competed in support of a charity of their choice. The 2024 winners, Zebrowski and Skinner from Team Rip Curl donated their prize money to Handi Surf, an adaptive surfing organization launched in 2012.
Young phenom Tya Zebrowski (FRA) scored the best wave in the women’s heat with a 7.00 (out of a possible 10), while Lukas Skinner (GBR) came out on top in the men’s heat with an excellent 9.40 for a huge air. This secured Team Rip Curl’s spot in the Final and they were joined by Team Caraïbos and Team Billabong.
The Final was a bit slower, as surfers struggled to find their position in the lineup. Zebrowski pushed Team Rip Curl into the lead with two strong turns to earn a 6.00. As time ran out, Skinner landed a technical and clean frontside air to give Team Rip Curl a solid lead.
Team Billabong’s Sam Piter (FRA) scored the best wave in the Final with a 6.67 for a big frontside air in the last 30 seconds, and teammate Aelan Vaast (FRA) also threw down a big turn, but judges deemed it incomplete and they had to settle for second place. French veterans Joan Duru (FRA) and Maud le Car (FRA) representing Team Caraïbos finished in third.
“It’s my first time at this event, and my first time ever surfing at night,” Skinner reacted. “It was a really cool experience with all the lights and it was so fun to surf with all these incredible people and teaming up with Tya, thanks to everyone who made this happen.”
The Caraïbos Surf de Nuit Anglet presented by Rip Curl has a competition window from Friday, September 13, 2024 to Saturday, September 14, 2024 weather permitting.
Catch all the highlights and more from the Caraïbos Surf de Nuit Anglet presented by Rip Curl on WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL YouTube or free WSL app, as well as the WSL QS Facebook page.
The Caraïbos Surf de Nuit Anglet presented by Rip Curl is supported by Caraïbos, Ville d’Anglet, Rip Curl, Action Glow, Turtledove, Volt, BAB2, Suez, Europe 2, Atlantal, Nexity and Torq.
Gary McCall wins dryrobe® x Carve 2024 photo competition
We are stoked to announce Gary McCall’s photo of Lucas Chumbo at Mullaghmore was voted our dryrobe x Carve Photo of the Year!
We just loved how Gary framed the wave, the clouds, how far the lip was throwing, the ribs drawing up the face and in the lip, and how on edge Lucas was – full tilt, leaning forward, hand in the wave for stability. It is a hell of a ride, and a hell of a photo, and one that justly deserves the title.
How does it feel to win the dryrobe® x Carve Surf Photo of the Year competition?
Delighted and surprised, thank you soo much!
Can you tell us the story behind the moment you captured in this photo? What do you remember of the day?One of the first really solid swells from last winter and luckily bathed in soft morning light. There was occasional decent size tow sets marching through by 9am and this was one that Lucas Chumbo swung through on. This wave hit the inside ledge hard and opened up into a this monster cavern.
A full interview with Gary is in this months Carve out next week. Get your copy here.
Gary wins this epic prize bundle.
An ultimate ‘All Seasons dryrobe® Bundle for Photographers’. Plus: Thanks to Red Bull, the winning photographer will get the chance to travel and capture a Red Bull UK surf athlete in action!
The bundle will include;
dryrobe® Advance Long Sleeve £165, dryrobe® Mid-Layer Jacket £110, dryrobe® Waterproof Poncho £120, dryrobe® Water-repellent Car Seat Covers £50, dryrobe® Thermal Boots £80, dryrobe® Thermal Gloves £40, dryrobe® Compression Backpack £95.
Read Gideon’s story here. The inspiring story of local surfer done good, dryrobe® founder.
An AQUATECH EDGE Base Kit worth £1399.95
The EDGE Base Water Housing is a culmination of the design principles AQUATECH have been perfecting for over 20 years. The EDGE is our most compact, advanced, and ergonomic water housing design to date. From the world’s greatest surf and ocean photographers, to enthusiast fashion photographers and everyone in between.
• Available to fit: Canon R5/R6, Sony (all alpha series models), Nikon Z7 / Z6 / Z7II / Z6II / Z5, Fuji X-T5
• Controls: Dual Shutter Buttons, Zoom Dial (requires compatible Zoom Gear).
• Weight: 1.4kg (3lb)
• Depth Rating: 10m/33ft
• Construction: Polycarbonate body, stainless steel controls as well as hard anodised aluminium controls
• Compatible Accessories: M3 Pistol Grip, LUX Flash Housing, SYNC Transmitter Housing, Pro Mount V4, Water Housing Body Cap, Side Handle Mount
Thanks to Red Bull, the winning photographer will get the chance to travel and capture a Red Bull UK surf athlete in action this autumn!
Huge thanks to all the contributors and sponsors for this years photo competition, the response has been epic. You’re a talented bunch, keep shooting.
Morocco / Mikey February
Hell yes, who doesn’t love watching Mikey February surf? A passionate advocate for ocean conservation and diversity in surfing, working to broaden the representation of African surfers on the global stage.
His stylish approach has earned him recognition not only as a talented surfer but as an artist on the water.
Sit back and watch him slide his way through North Africa accompanied by a rich and smooth soundtrack, nice.
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