William Aliotti Twin Fin Invitational

The inaugural William Aliotti Twin Fin Invitational was held in pumping four to six-foot waves in Seignosse, France, on 23 and 24 October. The speciality event featured 28 of the best free surfers from around the world riding an eclectic collection of twin-fins and fishes. After two days of epic barrels, high-line carves and fin slides, Victor Bernardo (Brazil) and Ainara Aymat (Basque Country) were voted the overall winners by their peers.

“It was super different to any other event I’ve done in my life. I’m so stoked to win this,” said an emotional Bernardo after the winners were announced. “It was amazing to see so many talented surfers just having fun. Congratulations to everyone, especially to William for putting this event on.”

Unlike traditional contest formats, each surfer got to surf three heats a day in a mixed heat format featuring men and women, after which surfers and videographers voted for an overall winner based on a video recap of the day. There were no points, and competitors were encouraged to swap boards and try out different shapes. The only rules were that surfboards had to have a tail measuring 19.5 inches or wider to be eligible, and only twin-fins were allowed. The judging criteria was simple: riders were judged based on flow, style, and innovative moves – of which there were plenty.

Chippa Wilson and William Aliotti wowed the crowd with searing power carves and funky airs, while surfers like Jaleesa Vincent and Tosh Tudor put on a tube-riding clinic in the bowling lefts and rights. Local surfer Vincent Duvignac was the dark horse of the event, while Ozzie Wright and Asher Pacey cemented their icon status as OG twin-fin surfers with hallmark performances.

In the end it was Bernardo’s effortless steez combined with deep power carves and radical approach that saw him win the men’s division, while Ayinara Aymat styled her way to first place in the women’s. Both winners received an equal €5 000 prize purse.

The event was capped off with a screening of all the best rides, which turned into a frenzy of competitors hooting and cheering for each other as the winners were decided.

“We’re like a family and I wanted to create something special with these surfers, because we all love the same thing,” said Aliotti. “No crazy hype -  just good vibes, great waves, and the best free surfers in the world doing what they love.”


Invited surfers:
William Aliotti, Brendon Gibbens, Ozzy Wright, Sam Piter, Asher Pacey, Eric Geiselman, Mckenzie Bowden, Noah Collins, Chippa Wilson, Kobe Hughes, Tosh Tudor, Jaleesa Vincent, Luke Cederman, Miguel Blanco, Maud le Car, Andre Mendiguren, Kepa Acero, Victoria Vergara, Ainara Aymat, Vincent Duvignac, Brittany Penaroza, Adrien Toyon, Gony Zubizarreta, Tom Morat, Nathan Sadoun, Brinkley Davies, Juliette Lacome, Victor Bernardo
Photos: @the_twinfin_invitational

The legendary Halloween Masked Ball is on!

This year 9th November 2024 will mark the 10th and last ever Halloween Masked Ball

What started as a started as a small party on the cliffs of Porthleven in 2006 quickly turned into an iconic event in the south of Cornwall with a special mix of community, hedonism and top acts that have earned the events a loyal following and legendary status.

Based at Los Flambardos – a sprawling theme park, just outside of Helston – the Halloween Masked Ball has now grown to become one of the largest Halloween parties in Europe with the dedication to costume and outlandish dress equalling only the tenacity to party.

We caught up with organiser and ‘Leven surfer Kev to find out his favourite memories over the years.

“I can’t believe we’ve actually made it to our tenth Halloween, ten years of love, wild costumes, camels, dancing and some truly amazing chaos- it’s been an unreal ride. Thanks for being there with us on it. here are my favourite moments from the balls gone by”

1) 5am till 6 am – Just love the shinigans going on at that time, the antics get wilder, people get extra silly, and you can make some of the best memories and new friends at this time.

2) The costumes, we get to see some of the most inventive and elaborate outfits, from classic horror themes to wild and imaginative get-ups. We love the commitment people make.

3 ) The ballers, never known a crowd like it. They’re always up for it, and it’s what really makes the ball what it is.

4) The music, we can safely say we have had pretty much every genre play at the Ball. If you look hard enough you will find it. from Andy C to Ben Howard to Becky Hill. It’s truly amazing.

5) The team, getting to be able to work with so many friends and like-minded people over the years is truly special. Not many can say they’re still working with their childhood friends, and that’s a rare and rewarding experience.

6) The money we’ve managed to give out over the years and projects we’ve helped – super stoked we’ve been able to help with stuff , from Xmas lights to helping build a school kitchen.

If you want an amazing night out on Halloween there is literally no better place to be!

Buy your tickets here

 

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Cut The Crap – SAS Project film on UK Parliament

SAS project their Cut The Crap message onto the UK parliament building to highlight the March For Clean Water on November 3rd

London Surf / Film Festival 2024 announce lineup

LS/FF has just dropped the line up for the 13th Annual London Surf / Film Festival x Finisterre hosted 7-9 November 2024 at Riverside Studios, and it’s an epic celebration of the very best of international and home grown surf culture.

Bringing to the UK the very best surf movie premieres from across the globe – seeking out big waves and big adventures in the furthest frigid fringes, overcoming the odds and exploring the notion of self, challenging an industry to change and challenging the bounds of surfing of possibility – it’s about serving up fresh perspectives and new line-ups and the pinnacle of contemporary surfing in the here and now.

Accompanied by Q+A’s and ‘Audiences with…’ some of the world’s most relevant and exciting surf creatives like hard chargers Noah Lane & William Aliotti, activist Chris Hines MBE plus a raft of game changing filmmakers including multi award winning Stephanie Johanes, plus Yentl Toubol, Guillem Cruells, Alice Ward, Luke Pilbeam as well as a special session with Lewis Arnold & Chris Nelson hosted by cultural commentator Looking Sideways’ Matt Barr, workshops, good times and more… you’re not going to want to miss this!

The lineup includes:

EUROPEAN PREMIERE: Creatures of Habit
Exploring the frigid fringes of Canada and Iceland, filmmaker Nate Laverty serves up a call to action, to break from the norm and embrace the adventure of uncertainty, seeking out unpredictable, challenging waves and inaccessible locations. Leaving behind the comforts and absolutes learned over time and featuring a hard charging crew including Pete Devries, Cam Richards, Sanoa Olin, and more this cinematic showcase is an ode to the rewards of embracing the cold unknown.

EUROPEAN PREMIERE: The Life & Death of Westerly Windina

The untold tale of one surfing’s most enigmatic figures, Peter Drouyn was a rockstar character, driven competition surfer and innovative thinker. Combining intimate interviews and rare archival footage, the film highlights Drouyn’s seminal contributions while exploring the isolation and struggles he faced behind that swaggering public persona, and his eventual transition into Westerly Windina. From acclaimed director Alan White and renowned writer Jamie Brisick, this is an essential exploration of identity and unflinching query into selfhood. “Astonishing…groundbreaking and important…” Tracks Magazine

UK PREMIERE: North Stars
Depicting the perennially stylish Adrien Toyen through the eyes of some of his closest friends and shapers who’ve inspired his dive into alternative designs and journeying from Reunion Island to Australia, Indonesia, Biarritz and the cliffs of Western Ireland, this beautiful portrait from Yentl Toubol is an education in the art of being free. Featuring: Mikey February, Kobe Hughes, Andrew Kidman, Lee-Ann Curren, Hanna Scott, and more.

Amongst many other films….

Tickets are live priced from £12.50. Evening passes: £20 include entry to a whole night of films plus a free beer from the good folk at Sharp’s… and some exclusive goodies.
Evening passes are limited, always sell out and when they’re gone, they’re gone!

For the full line up and tickets head here.