Cambridge Film Fest will be showing the multi award winning The Cigarette Surfboard – a feature documentary using ciggy butts and surfing to build ocean mindfulness and stewardship 30/21 October.
The film explores the surfer’s responsibility to protect marine life, and also showcases what one can do to counter pollution in an age of greenwashing and shoulder shrugging on behalf of those responsible for pollution.
Director Ben Judkins will be there for a Q&A after the screening on 30th October, as well as an introduction before the screening on Thursday 31st October.
The film features a chat with two of Surfers Against Sewage founding directors Chris Hines and Steve England on the early days of the campaign and legends like Hugo Tagholm, Jack Johns, Easkey Britton, Rob Machado, Feargal Smith and many more.
“The Ciggy Board represents taking a problem and finding out how you can be part of the solution, but enjoying that process” – Jack Johnson
Great surfing, spearfishing, camping and cooking. Still after all these years, one of the most untapped regions on the planet, Australia, wild west territory, enter at your own risk!
Ten days in the desert, five boys one car. Featuring: Alex McGuffin, Tom Corrie, Jack Knibbs and Luke Turley Filmed/Edited: by Ryo Ridley
More action from one of the best days of the year so far at the reef, pretty sure there was a fair few sick days called in. But oh my days was it worth it.
With a powerful long-range swell hitting the UK last week, lighting up this Cornish stretch of reef, this and many other spots were firing.
10/10/24 a swell that had everything – size, period, reach and longevity. It made a lot people either very happy, “sick’ or question their jobs worth!
Will Bailey packed up his groms and his camera to intercept the swell down this local in south Wales.
Opening my shop early each morning is a familiar ritual, but today there was something special in the air. The sky had light shades of indigo, the trees deep with reds and oranges and the air was still with a sharp crisp smell of fallen leaves.
The espresso machine screeches to life and soon the quiet tranquil morning turns into the usual rat race of the morning rush. One of my first customers was a good friend of mine. He was on his way to work and had stopped off for a coffee. Over the usual chit chat, quietly and through gritted teeth, he mumbled ‘It’s pumping!’
PLD laying one down.
He was correct, and in fact it wasn’t just our local, the entire southwest coastline of the UK was alive, receiving the first solid swell of the autumn. With the water still warm enough for two or three surfs in a 3/2, a big period, small tides, sun shining and no wind, it was going to be a good day.
I was planning on surfing but as I left the house I caught sight of a camera, so I wrapped it in a towel and threw it in my bag. I knew Carve would like the coverage from up here, and I’ve recently brushed the dust off it.
Guff enjoying one of the best days ever down his local.
As I reached the beach, the regular local crew were already there. Some already on the point trading lefts and rights, and a few huddled around a small fire on the rocks, sipping coffee and cheering on each wave. Here tucked away in our little corner of Wales, it doesn’t happen often but when the stars align this wave is world class. The surfing standard at this spot is always really high, the local crew have it wired and they all rip. The usual familiar faces were all present, all getting their fair share of waves, and among them Eli Perrins Davies and Patrick Langdon Dark.
Elliot Beynon testing one of his hand shapes.
I’d watched Eli and Pat in the Boardmasters this past summer. I was there with my two boys, I wanted to show them some world class surfing and with Eli and Pat they also had some local talent to cheer on. They both put on an incredible display, and it was amazing to see them pushing Welsh surfing to the front of British and European competitions. Pat made the final, coming a close second to Lukas Skinner, in what is the first ever all UK final, and Pat being the first Welsh surfer in a QS final I think since Carwyn Williams. Truly showing how the level in UK has risen onto the world stage.
Eli Perrins Davies goes the right
As I turned my camera on a set loomed on the horizon, and before I had a chance to position myself, Eli took off on a perfect right-hander. My first thoughts were “ Fu** me! How does this camera work?” I used to be able to work it with my eyes closed. So I had to just watch his first wave. His style was smooth and effortless, a product of years of honing his craft at this very spot. He set a high line, flew down into a text book bottom turn and smashed the lip, landed it, and straight into another bottom turn top turn combo. I let out a little cheer and then got myself reacquainted with my camera.
Pat had been ill with the lurg, but he couldn’t miss out on the day’s conditions. He’d casually cruised out, chatted for a bit, let all the boys have a wave before him while waiting his turn. His first turn was outrageous! I’m not sure if it was the angle I was looking from, but he should not have rode away! They both looked a league above and in another gear.
Having been away from the surf scene for so long it struck me how strange it was that neither Pat nor Eli had a sticker on the front of their boards. I know times are hard in the surf industry (apparently) but here are two athletes who represent the core of the sport, are at the top of British and European surfing, who live and breath the lifestyle, and are excellent role models for our youth. Pat and Eli represent everything that surf companies value, authentic, grassroots surfers who spend every spare moment in the water, pushing themselves and their craft. Pat is the highest rated British surfer on the Euro QS, ranking in at no10 in Europe.
Jamie Bateman working from home.
Since watching the Boardmasters, my two boys, who are 12 and 9 have been idolising Pat, Eli and Lukas. In the past, kids would normally be worshiping the unreachable Kelly’s, Andy’s and Italo’s. But today’s youth really do have home grown surfers to aspire to, and it’s amazing to see. Yet, despite their undeniable talent, results and influence on our youth, they have no sticker on the front of their boards, and have full time jobs, it’s baffling!
Throughout the session, the waves kept coming, and the usual local crew got their fair share, but there was no denying that Pat and Eli were the standouts of the day. Their surfing wasn’t just good for Welsh or British standards, it’s world class!
Before getting a proper job Will was one of the UKs top surf photographers. He’s now decided to pick up up camera and dust off the fins and get back n there, You can follow him here @willbailey
If you have tales or shots from sessions around our coast let’s see them! Email [email protected]
Yesterday saw a whole heap of southerly Atlantic facing UK breaks going off. This is ‘Lev, probably one of the best days for decades regarding size, kegs and vibes and we have seen more than we care to mention! Even the sun was out!
Surfers luke Dillon, Lukas Skinner, Markie Lascelles and a host of others, share the line up on this special day in Cornwall. Filmed by Luke Hart.
Today, the World Surf League (WSL) released the 2025 Championship Tour (CT) schedule. The combined men’s and women’s calendar will feature 11 regular-season events, including the addition of Abu Dhabi and the return of Snapper Rocks, Lower Trestles, and Jeffreys Bay. A new venue for the 2025 WSL Finals will see next year’s World Titles contested at Cloudbreak, Fiji.
2025 WSL Championship Tour Schedule
Stop No. 1 - Banzai Pipeline, Hawaii, USA: January 27 - February 8 Stop No. 2 - Surf Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE: February 14 - 16 Stop No. 3 - Peniche, Portugal: March 15 - 25 Stop No. 4 - Punta Roca, El Salvador: April 2 - 12 Stop No. 5 - Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia: April 18 - 28 Stop No. 6 - Snapper Rocks, Queensland, Australia: May 3 - 13 Stop No. 7 - Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia: May 17 - 27* Stop No. 8 - Lower Trestles, San Clemente, Calif., USA: June 9 - 17 Stop No. 9 - Saquarema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: June 21 - 29 Stop No. 10 - Jeffreys Bay, South Africa: July 11 - 20 Stop No. 11 - Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia: August 7 - 16** Stop No. 12 - WSL Finals - Cloudbreak, Fiji: August 27 - September 4
*Mid-season Cut reduces fields after Stop No. 7. **WSL Final 5s determined to battle for the men’s and women’s World Titles.
After beginning on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, at surfing’s spiritual home of Pipeline, the 2025 CT visits locations old and new, taking in nine countries across 11 regular-season events and the WSL Finals. The schedule continues to place the Mid-season Cut after Western Australia. A full seven events will run before the reduced field competes for a spot in the Final 5 during the remaining four events.
“We've built this schedule to include more events and feature a variety of breaks," said Ryan Crosby, WSL CEO. "We've brought back some of the Tour’s most desirable locations, while aligning dates with favorable swell windows, to open up more opportunity for quality surf. We'll see a great mix of locations from heavy-water barrels, to high-performance waves, and pristine point breaks. It'll be an exciting showcase of the world's best surfing featuring the incredible CT talent. We can't wait to kick off in January 2025. See you at Pipe."
Ryan Crosby
CEO,WSL
2025 WSL Finals to be Contested at Cloudbreak, Fiji
For the first time, Fiji’s legendary Cloudbreak will host the WSL Finals to determine the 2025 World Champions. The one-day, winner-take-all format will see the men’s and women’s Top 5 surfers face off in the Pacific Ocean paradise. The reef pass features a long left, known as much for its deep, heavy barrels as it is for its attackable critical sections. It is the first time the WSL Finals has moved locations since its debut in 2021.
Iconic Locations Return to Championship Tour
The famed sandbank of Snapper Rocks returns after a five-year hiatus, offering its endlessly long right-hand point break to the CT once more. It has hosted the opening event of the Challenger Series for the past three seasons and the wave, situated on Australia’s Gold Coast, has continued to showcase dynamic top-to-bottom surfing and mind-blowing barrels on the international stage. Now, it will once again feature as part of a three-stop Australia leg that includes the historic Bells Beach event and the rugged coast of Margaret River, Western Australia.
Widely considered to be one of the best high-performance waves in the world, Southern California’s Lower Trestles has decided the World Champions since 2021. Lowers last featured as a regular-season event in 2017 and reappears on the calendar as Stop No. 8. The many historic performances to come from the cobblestone-clad peak are highlighted by the World Title-winning moments delivered by Caitlin Simmers (USA) and John John Florence (HAW) in 2024.
Jeffreys Bay also makes a triumphant return to the height of competitive surfing in 2025. South Africa’s crown jewel consistently delivers point-break perfection along the aptly named Supertubes. Taking a season off to allow space for the Olympic Games, the iconic walls of J-Bay will be a welcomed return, as will the Paris 2024 venue of Teahupo’o, Tahiti, which follows as the last regular-season event.
Filling out the schedule are Portugal’s Supertubos, El Salvador’s Punta Roca, and Saquarema, Brazil. A shift in the calendar to earlier in the year opens the El Salvador event to a more consistent swell window, increasing the chances of seeing Central America’s world-class wave light up with the freight-train barrels the right point-break is known for, in addition to its reputation as one of the most rippable waves on Tour.
Abu Dhabi To Make Its Tour Debut Next Season
The United Arab Emirates will appear on the CT calendar for the first time ever in 2025 when the CT heads to Abu Dhabi. Featuring the groundbreaking technology from the Kelly Slater Wave Company, Surf Abu Dhabi is home to the world’s largest and longest human-made wave, as well as its most hollow barrel. Located on Hudayriat Island, where the desert, the ocean, and the city meet. It is also the only saltwater wave system in the world.
