There’s this, and there’s that. This ain’t that. This is our day to day. It’s get in the car. On the road. Upside down, inside out. This is mediocrity of the utmost. Celebrating real times with real people. This is done proper. For the joy. Chippa Wilson and Robbie Rickard on their a-game.
A woman on a Blue Shark spotting snorkel trip has been bitten by a shark in a very rare incident.
Blue sharks are amazing, non aggressive, visitors to the Cornish coast. Photo bluesharksnorkel.co.uk
A woman suffered a leg injury off the Cornish coast, near Penzance after an encounter with a blue shark on a snorkel trip.
HM Coastguard sent a rescue team to Penzance harbour to see the boat and transfer the casualty to an ambulance for check up after the alarm was raised at around 12.30pm on 28 July.
‘The coastguard team met the casualty at Penzance harbour to assist with passing them into the care of the ambulance service,’ the service added.
A spokesperson from Blue Shark Snorkel Trips, a very reputable local company, posted
“We want to make everyone aware that we have had an incident.
“These occurrences are extremely rare and can be easily misunderstood so we want this to be dealt with as sensibly as possible.
“As we know, these things can happen when we choose to interact with wild animals in their own environment. The last thing we want is to let speculation drive the media into a world of bad press for the sharks, under no fault of their own.
“We immediately enacted our emergency response plan, with first aid being carried out on the person involved.
“Following advice and assessment from the coastguard, the person walked off the boat and received further treatment ashore.
Statement from the person involved.”
“I just wanted to say that despite how the trip ended, it was amazing to see such majestic creatures in the wild and I don’t for a second want this freak event to tarnish the reputation of an already persecuted species.
“Wanted to thank everyone for their amazing actions. What was a very scary incident was made so much easier by the kindness and calmness of the people around me.
“Thank you to the trip team for getting me back to shore quickly and carefully and making me feel as safe as I possibly could.
“We all take these risks when we enter the habitat of a predator and we can never completely predict the reactions of a wild animal. “
Blue Shark Snorkel Trips said “We’ve tried to understand why it happened and are in continued talks with shark experts.”
Blue sharks are inquisitive but not aggressive.
Blue Shark Snorkels website states “We normally head 10-20 miles off shore. The chum is dropped in the water by the side of the boat and then we wait.
The sharks may appear after 30 minutes or 3 hours. It can sometimes be a little rocky whilst we are stationary waiting in the boat, but once they appear they normally stay with us for a couple of hours.”
Blue sharks, porbeagle sharks and basking sharks all visit the waters off Cornwall every year. None are considered dangerous.
The last recorded shark bite was at Felixstowe when a windsurfer’s board was bitten by a shark in 2016.
If you want an amazing experience check out bluesharksnorkel.co.uk
SurfGirl caught up with 80’s surfer Pauline Menczer who’s featured in the film, for an insight into her experience and to find out what she’s up to now.
Pauline, you’ve suffered from rheumatoid arthritis throughout your life and despite this you became world surfing champion in 1993. That was an incredible achievement, especially as you’re not from a surfing family?
My family have two sets of twins, one of my older brothers snapped his softboard in half. So I started surfing on half a surfboard. My brother’s weren’t really that into surfing. We all grew up at the beach though. Every day after school we would catch the bus to the beach and meet mum there. The year I won the world title my arthritis was the worst it ever was I couldn’t straighten my arms bend my wrists turn my neck and walked very crooked. I didn’t get any surf training in the lead up to the win. I also was getting as much medical and health advice/help to get me ready for the title. It was adrenaline that helped get me through to win the world title.
Jodie Cooper and Pauline Menczer (right)
How did it feel to win the World Championship? It’s pretty unbelievable that you didn’t receive any prize money for it at the time!
To win the world title felt so amazing after months of my body being under attack of RA. It was a double win the title and my body hurdles. Just very sad there was no price for winning the title.
Where you a tight knit crew of surfers back then? And do you keep in contact with some of the others?
Yes some of us had amazing friendships and still see each other time to time. We all met up for my 50th birthday at the wave pool that was an amazing day to see so many old buddies all surfing together again.
Lisa Anderson Photo: Joli
While you were on Tour your girlfriend had to travel with you as your ‘coach’ – do you feel that things are more open on the World Tour nowadays?
The world is a much better place with acceptance and inclusion. It still needs to keep heading in this direction.
How important is it that the Girls Can’t Surf film is telling your story?
History is so important and people need to know what happened to improve past mistakes. Now at 52 I’m starting to get offers and sponsors because of people seeing what i achieved. I also now tick all the boxes that in the past sponsors didn’t want me. Like being small dark hair, arthritis and being gay. Now it’s all ok.
Pam Burridge and Pauline Menczer
What has the response to the film been like? Were people aware of the situation back then?
The response has been incredible, so many people didn’t know. Even fellow male competitors have called me saying they had no idea it was that tough for us. They also have regrets of how they treated us. Especially now they have daughters that surf. Lol.
What are you doing these days? Are you involved with the local surf community?
Yes as a matter of fact I’m in a women’s teams event tomorrow. I do positive motivational talks. Go to kids sport events as a special guest. Loads of interviews since the documentary too. I have been volunteering helping with the clean up after the floods. I also do care for a guy that has MS. Always wanting to inspire people by telling my story.
We heard there’s a new campaign ‘Pauline in Bronze’ to raise support for a statue to be erected of you in Bondi for your contribution to surfing. That’s amazing – how proud does that make you feel?
I grew up in Bondi and it feels amazing. It’s a positive project to show the next generation that you can achieve so much even with hardship or disabilities. this campaign has been led by the director and producer of Girls Can’t Surf. Funds need to be raise to pay for it and they want all the community to be a part of making this happen so have created a Go Fund Me, ‘Pauline in Bronze’ . I think a statue of me surfing as a child would be a great way to inspire the next generation of women and kids.
What motto means a lot to you?
There is always a positive in every negative.
It’s the ’80s Photo: Sarge
About Girls Can’t Surf UK
Studio Soho are thrilled to present GIRLS CAN’T SURF, an inspiring true story of a group of female renegade surfers who took on the male-dominated professional surfing world in a fight for equality, coming to UK cinemas August 19th.
Directed by: Christopher Nelius
Featuring: Jodie Cooper, Frieda Zamba, Pauline Menczer, Lisa Andersen, Pam Burridge, Wendy Botha, Layne Beachley
GIRLS CAN’T SURF is a feature documentary which tells the untold story of how a band of renegade surfer girls in the 1980s fought to create their own professional sport, changing surf culture forever.
It’s the 1980s and the world of professional surfing is a circus of fluoro colours, peroxide hair and radical male egos. GIRLS CAN’T SURF follows the journey of a band of female surfers who took on the male-dominated professional surfing world to achieve equality and change the sport forever. Featuring surfing greats Jodie Cooper, Frieda Zamba, Pauline Menczer, Lisa Andersen, Pam Burridge, Wendy Botha, Layne Beachley and more, GIRLS CAN’T SURF is a wild ride of clashing personalities, sexism, adventure and heartbreak, with each woman fighting against the odds to make their dreams of competing professionally – and on equal terms - a reality.
GIRLS CAN’T SURF WILL BE RELEASING IN CINEMAS ONLY FROM AUGUST 19TH
Last years winning shot by Lee Griffin
Our favourite time year when we celebrate Britains and Irelands best photographers and their photos. You don’t have to be pro, you don’t have to have the best gear, you just have to have an eye for the moment. Every one is in with a chance and we will be running a full a gallery of the top contenders next issue. Lineups, action, portraits, show us what you got! Ever wanted your shots in print? Send them in! Know someone has super talented but a bit shy? Send their shots in!
The closing date for entry is August 25, 2022. The Carve editorial team will select top 10-15 photos and a final winner. To Enter: Send a maximum of 5 low res photos to [email protected]
The finalists will have their shots printed in Carve 214 and we will be picking the best photos to be printed in a full feature.
Have your cameras/shots at the ready, we can’t wait to see your creative work.
Team Carve.
The closing date for entry is August 25, 2022.
The Carve editorial team will select top 10-15 photos and a final winner.
Full interview with your portfolio in Carve issue 215
Rip Curl Anti series jacket RRP: £249.99
Rip Curl über warm and comfy socks RRP: £19.99
Rip Curl Beanie RRP: £19.99
Sunset Sessions Insulated Stainless Steel Bottle RRP: £28
Carve heavy-weight Sunset Sessions Organic Hoodie: £45
Carve Sunset Sessions Organic Tee RRP: £25
Amazing Waves book: £24.95
Wayward by Chris Burkhard RRP: £25
Breathtaking photographs and deeply personal stories from a leading surfing and nature photographer, conservation advocate Chris Burkhard.
Carve subscription: £39
A case of Offshore 12x330ml can and an Offshore neon sign RRP: £25.99
dryrobe® Advance Long Sleeve: The original, weatherproof, outdoor change robe. Stay protected from the elements by a durable waterproof outer and super-warm, fast drying inner. Made with 100% recycled fabrics. RRP: £160
The dryrobe® Compression Travel Bag: Easily pack your dryrobe® Advance for any flight or trip where space is limited. Made using 100% recycled nylon fabric. RRP: £30
+ More to come
Above: Money Trees, making it rain. Grajagan, Indonesia Photo: Myles McGuinness
T+C’s
Got to run these because law. – No cash alternatives to the prize. By entering you agree to allow Carve (Orca Publications) using your photo in the mag and online (You will be credited or tagged when we do). No one else will use your photo. We will contact those in the final selection directly. We can’t answer all messages or emails so bear with us.
Pumping swell has arrived at the Vans US Open of Surfing, Stop No. 4 of the World Surf League (WSL) Challenger Series (CS), with four-to-six foot, building toward eight foot sets pulsing into the southside of the Huntington Beach Pier. Women’s contingent overpowered the conditions with big performances while dealing with raging current and massive closeouts throughout the Round of 64 Heats 9 – 16 and Round of 32 in its entirety.
Former Championship Tour (CT) threat Bronte Macaulay (AUS above) started her Vans US Open of Surfing campaign with a flurry to post an excellent 8.17 (out of a possible 10), making for a heat total of 14.17 (out of a possible 20). The Western Australia competitor powered through her second heat of the day in even heavier conditions and overpowered the walls of water once again to accrue a 7.33 with Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) notching an all-important advancing position.
“That was probably the most exhausting heat of my life (laughs),” said Macaulay. “It felt more like a triathlon or something. Just run, paddle, and hopefully you get a set out there. But, I guess when you have days like that it makes it easier for the rest of the event you hope.”
Proven qualification threat Sophie McCulloch (AUS) earned massive, back-to-back heat wins alongside the likes of Macy Callaghan (AUS), who continued her winning form with another decisive victory to join her fellow compatriots into the Round of 16.
Marks unleashed her ferocious forehand once more to earn an excellent 8.50 and 14.33 heat total with Picklum advancing on to take a big upset over Peterson in the pumping afternoon conditions on a massive one-turn wonder to earn a 7.90.
“It was actually fun coming up against those girls,” said Picklum. “Caroline (Marks) and I were chatting on the walk down, and it’s always good to compete with them. They’re really good and they push my surfing to that next level. I’m just stoked to make it through such a tough heat in waves like that.”
Bella Kenworthy Showcases Her Event-Threat Potential
The Southern California contingent continued to shine with the likes of San Clemente’s own Sawyer Lindblad and Vans wildcard Bella Kenworthy taking down their respective heats. Kenworthy made her presence known with a near-excellent 7.67 to take control of a formidable affair against 2022 CT rookie Luana Silva (HAW), former CT elite Keely Andrew (AUS), and Costa Rica’s top qualification threat Leilani McGonagle (CRI), also advancing.
“I was definitely nervous, but luckily I’ve had a lot of heats in Huntington Beach and know this lineup,” said Kenworthy. “It’s nerve-racking to be in an event this big with everything going on. I’m super thankful to Vans for this opportunity and to get the experience at this level.”
Also, reigning Vans US Open of Surfing victor Caitlin Simmers (USA) surged into the Round of 16 alongside two-time event winner Sage Erickson (USA, below) to round out California’s remaining contenders.
The next call will be made tomorrow, August 2 at 7:05 a.m. PDT for a possible 7:35 a.m. PDT start for men’s Round of 64 Heat 1.
Watch LIVE
The Vans US Open of Surfing begins July 30 – August 7 at Huntington Beach, California. The broadcast will begin on Monday, August 1 at 7:30 a.m. PDT, and fans can watch LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com, WSL’s YouTube channel, and the free WSL app. Check local listings for coverage from the WSL’s broadcast partners.
The Vans US Open of Surfing is proudly sponsored by Vans, Visit Huntington Beach, Red Bull, Flying Embers, Hydro Flask, Shiseido, 805, Pacifico, Sambazon, StillHouse, Youtheory, BF Goodrich, Fu Wax, Boxed Water, Just Egg.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
What would you give to be trading waves with a friend in the middle of nowhere? I know, it’s as insane as it sounds…
We Scream Alone is a surf short film by Igor Bellido. The adventure of two friends sharing tubes in the middle of the African desert. Is there anything better after that?
Surfers: Kepa Acero @kepaacero and Natxo González @natxogonzalez1
