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Liquid Thunder – Part 1

Teahupoo. The name alone sends a shiver through the surfing world. For two straight days, the world’s most infamous slab roared to life — a serious big-wave swell that demanded both paddle and tow mastery. On Day One, the lineup was a roll call of big wave surfing royalty: local prince Matahi Drollet, legends like Gibert Teave, Lorenzo Avveneti, Eimeo Czermak, and Olympic gold medalist Kauli Vaast.
And it wasn’t just Tahiti’s best answering the call. With the WSL Tour days away, heavy hitters like Jack Robinson, Leo Fioravanti, and Griffin Colapinto joined the charge — towing and paddling into some of the biggest, thickest walls Teahupoo has unleashed in years.

Raw power. Perfect monster barrels. The reef showing no mercy. Tim Bonython

Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang

Local knowledge prevailed today as Lakey Peak’s Westen Hirst and Kuta’s Jasmine Studer took out Indonesia’s most prestigious and longest running surfing event, The Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang in absolutely pumping conditions, both at just 16 years of age.

Perfectly groomed 6ft+ sets pulsed all day long providing opportunities for incredible performances from Indonesia’s best surfers and some of the world’s best free surfers.

The event only runs when the swell delivers, and today, it delivered. Hopping on flights from across the globe, competitors were given just mere days to find their way to Bali’s Bukit Peninsula after receiving the news that the event was on high alert to run on Sunday. The likes of Mason Ho, Ivan Florence, Tosh Tudor, Balaram Stack and more were all there as part of the prestigious invitee list, along with some of Indonesia’s true surfing legends.

Jasmine Studer absolutely dominated the women’s final, getting a perfect 10 and backing it up with an 8.17. Willow Hardy was charging to stay in striking distance, banking a 9 and back up 8.33 but couldn’t quite get the score to take home the trophy. Conditions were flawless all afternoon delivering barrel after barrel after barrel. It was some of the best female tuberiding the world has seen. Ziggy Mackenzie scored what could have been a 10 point ride a minute after the buzzer sounded signifying the end of the final, as Jasmine celebrated her way into the channel.

“I’m so happy, I’m speechless. It’s the most surreal moment of my life,” said Jasmine. “I loved surfing Padang with five girls out, it was amazing. I did not think I was coming out of that 10-point ride. The spit hit me, and I did not think I was coming out. It was just so surreal, it was so much fun.”

On the men’s side, 16-year old Westen Hirst opened the final with a double-barrel for a 9.9. Ivan Florence threaded some fun ones as both Tosh and Westen got clamped right at the end of 10s, and local Ketut Agus was starved of major opportunities. The final 10-minutes fired up as Ketut nailed some smooth, technical tubes to get back in contention, before Westen dropped a 7.33 to lock in the win. A teenage victory that brought back memories of young phenom Erin Brooks taking out the Rip Curl Cup a few years back.

Other highlights included some tube-riding wizardry from Ivan Florence, who during the day looked like he got clipped on a drainer only to come flying out into a foamy section and squeak out into the channel. Made ‘Bol’ Adi Putra nailed an epic stand-up tube. Ketut Agus got a throaty 9.8 on his way to the final. Wesen Hirst not only won the final but got the highest combined qualifying score of the day. A well-deserved winner.

“I’ve been surfing here [at Padang] for a long time now. Since I was 10 or maybe even younger. I got my first proper barrel here, and now finally I’m in The Rip Curl Cup and I won and it’s just… crazy,” said Weston.

Overall, it was a historic day filled with unforgettable moments that will be remembered for years to come. One thing is certain: the future of Indonesian surfing looks incredibly bright.

Men’s Final:
Westen Hirst (INA) 18.57
Tosh Tudor (USA) 14.97
Ketut Agus (INA) 13.70
Ivan Florence (HAW) 5.33

Women’s Final:
Jasmine Studer (INA) 18.17
Willow Hardy (AUS) 17.33
Kya Heuer (INA) 13.27
Ziggy McKenzie (AUS) 10.00
Kya Heuer (INA) 5.64

Sampoerna Now Playing

Set against the beauty of Indonesia’s remote coastlines, Sampoerna is a 17-minute journey through the country’s rich surf culture and breathtaking natural scenery. Following a small crew of UK surfers, the film captures the rawness of Indo.

Featuring: Jowan Pegg, Dylan Pegg, Jasper Mcluskie, Sol Hawkins, and Levi Lancefield.

This is what life is all about at this age (at least for me): exploring, scoring pumping waves, hanging out with family and friends, and having a good ol’ laugh while we're at it! Of course, all while documenting it as well. As I slowly step back from competitive surfing to chase the feeling this gives me, I’m really trying to pave a way to make this lifestyle sustainable—with the end goal of doing it for a living.

The majority of the film was shot by those of us who feature in it. We didn’t bring our high-end gear, as it’s a pain to travel with across the globe. After countless camera rotations and some serious sunburn, we were stoked with what we managed to capture.

Hope you enjoy it.

Jowan Pegg

Euro QS & Pro Longboard Returns To Cornwall

The World Surf League (WSL) Europe is excited to announce their return to the Boardmasters Festival in Cornwall for Stop No. 2 of the 2025/2026 European Qualifying Series (QS) season, and the season opener for the Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS). The Boardmasters Open 2025 QS 2,000, and Boardmasters Longboard Pro LQS 1,000 will run from August 6-10, 2025 at Fistral Beach, Newquay.

The UK’s premier surf and music festival continues to attract the region’s best surfers looking to build momentum in their quest to qualify for the Challenger Series, or gain valuable points for the regional rankings.

Cornwall is a special place in summer, with beautiful, long days and fun beachbreaks stretching for miles along the coast. Spectators get to watch the best of the British surfing scene, challenge themselves against the top European and international athletes that come down to experience the iconic event for themselves.

2024 was a historic year across the board and added two new names to the incredible list of winners. Lukas Skinner (GBR) became the first British surfer to win the Boardmasters title since 2002 in an all Great Britain-final against Patrick Langdon-Dark (WLS), and Tya Zebrowski (FRA) won her first-ever QS title. In the Longboard competition, Alice Lemoigne (FRA) and Edouard Delpero (FRA) both won their sixth Boardmasters titles, stamping their authority in Cornish waters.

This year, Boardmasters is partnering with some of the UK’s most influential surfers to be the official event ambassadors, including Ben and Lukas Skinner, Emily Currie and Alys Barton.

Ben and Lukas Skinner are more than just local heroes. Ben has had a remarkably consistent competitive career and is a 12-times European Longboard Champion.

Emily Currie is one of the UK’s most celebrated surfers. Based in Cornwall, she holds the titles of European Longboard Champion, Boardmasters Longboard Champion, Shortboard Champion and multiple British & English National Longboard Championship titles.

Alys Barton has grown up on the Welsh coast, and the ocean has always played an important role in her life. Over the years, she’s won multiple British titles and is one of the top contenders on the European QS scene.

For more on the Boardmasters festival, go to boardmasters.com and for more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com

Creatures Of Habit Surf Film

Directed by Nate Laverty, Creatures of Habit is a film that explores the boundaries and embraces the uncertainty in surfing unpredictable and challenging locations. Shot in Canada and Iceland, the aim is to leave behind the comforts and certainties learned over time and embrace the cold and discomfort. Featuring Pete Devries, Reed Platenius, Cam Richards, Mathea Olin, Sanoa Olin, Andrew Jacobson, Ryan Huckabee and Dimitri Polous.

Directed By: Nate Laverty
Produced By: North Of The Border Creative
Cinematographers: Nate Laverty, Kyle Buthman, Marcus Paladino, Justin Taylor Smith
Editor: Nate Lavery
Sound/Colour: North Of The Border Creative
Art Direction: Alex Beebe
Partners: Red Bull, Arc'teryx, Manera, Surface 604, Atleo Air, Rip Curl, Billabong, Thule, Renogy Power
Still Photography: Marcus Paladino, Liam MacDonald

Awards:
Best Cinematography - Oceanside Intl. Film Festival, London Surf Film Festival, Noosa Intl. Film Festival
Viewers Choice - Florida Surf Film Festival