Art Form

Art Form

“The surfboard is a constant blending of curves and how they interact with the water. Making those curves feel comfortable, like an extension of your feet and your mind, is so interesting…There shouldn’t be any rules about what a surfboard looks like.” – Matt Parker

Album Surf presents, “Art Form”, a surf film directed by Matt Kleiner. Starring Asher Pacey, Josh Kerr, and Matt Parker. All original music by Ryan Kleiner. Additional filming by Dan Scott, Dave Fox, Lachlan Mckinnon, Simon Saffinga, and Jacob Wooden.

Pioneers of Pipeline

Pioneers of Pipeline

Out of the entire ocean, there’s one small stretch of reef that’s become the most significant place in the world of surfing: The Banzai Pipeline. Through the eyes of North Shore lifeguard and bodysurfing legend Mark Cunningham, this is the story of the most dangerous, challenging wave in history and the men and women who helped shape how it was ridden.

Phil Edwards takes the first giant leap over the ledge, forever changing the world of surfing.

Before Gerry, there was Butch. The first to peek behind the curtain, paint on the cave walls and make it out alive.

Gerry Lopez by no means invented style, but he was undoubtedly its master.

A brigade of Australians and South Africans descend on the North Shore with a one-track mind-set: be the best guys at Pipe and Backdoor, by any means necessary.

The Banzai Pipeline is considered one of the most demanding and dangerous waves in the world today. This weekend the Billabong Pro Pipeline kicks off and history will be made as 18 women paddle out in the first ever WCT event at this iconic break. This is the story of the women who have paved the way for this moment. The brave and inspiring female surfers who have dared to push themselves over the edge, wave by wave, one generation at a time. Introducing Pioneers of Pipeline with Coco Ho.

Beth Hamilton / Rip Curl

Beth Hamilton / Rip Curl

Hawaiian surfer Bethany Hamilton has been riding with Rip Curl since 1999. After being scouted at a Hawaiian junior surfing event, she signed on with the brand at just nine years old. Today, 23 years later, Bethany and Rip Curl have just inked a new five-year deal that will see their partnership grow into an exciting new phase.

“I have just been kind of in awe that we have been together this long,” says Bethany. “It feels amazing to have been with Rip Curl for this long, and it really feels like we align on so many different levels. I love how the brand is approaching the environment of young women in surfing and really supporting females in the water – that’s something we are really focusing on together.”

Over the next five years Rip Curl and Bethany Hamilton will collaborate across video projects, surf trips, surfwear collections and more. Soon Bethany will launch a Masterclass for the next generation, where women can learn from her experiences both in and out of the water – this is due to launch on the Rip Curl YouTube channel in late February.

“I am really energised with what we are hoping to achieve together over the next few years,” continues Bethany. “In the water I haven’t really set any huge goals at this point, but I’m always ready to charge. Outside of my surfing goals, I love finding ways to empower young women to live their best lives, to overcome challenges and to learn how to have fun in the process.

“I’ve been thinking a lot about my future and what I hope to do with my career, and I feel like with this new deal, I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.”

Rip Curl echoes this sentiment, and is looking forward to what can be achieved in the next five years of this long partnership. “Bethany is all about pushing boundaries,” says Ryan Fletcher, Rip Curl International Team and Events Manager. “And not just for herself, but for women’s surfing in general. That’s something we want to support at Rip Curl.

“She has obviously had fantastic success in WSL Championship Tour events in the past, including a historic semifinals finish at the 2016 Fiji Pro, but her ability to surf the way she does, train as hard as she does, and be a wonderful mum and wife – it’s all a part of the inspiration that is Bethany.”

Stay tuned to Rip Curl and Bethany’s channels over the coming months for exciting new content designed to inspire women in surfing, both in the water and out.

Stay up to date with Bethany and Rip Curl:

Instagram: @BethanyHamilton / @RipCurl_Women

Photo: @chachfiles

Kolohe Andino

Kolohe Andino

O’Neill are excited to announce the latest addition to Team O’Neill, Kolohe Andino. Born and raised in San Clemente California, Kolohe started out as a successful amateur surfer and holds the record for most NSSA titles won with nine overall. Further developing as a top-tier professional, Kolohe first qualified for the CT in 2012 at just 18 and has enjoyed a successful career both as a competitive and free surfer. From being the first American to qualify for the 2020 summer Olympics in surfing to directing, producing, and starring in his latest film, Reckless Isolation, Kolohe continues to thrive as one of the world’s best and most exciting surfers.

When asked about joining Team O’Neill, Kolohe said,
“The thing that gets me the most excited about the brand is being aligned with a company that has its roots planted in surf. To me, O’Neill feels like one of the most core brands in the world. In my life, everything revolves around surfing and being in the ocean and those two priorities bleed through the O’Neill brand.”

Sitting alongside Jordy Smith, his good friend Ian Crane, and the rest of Team O’Neill, we couldn’t be happier to welcome Kolohe Andino to the team and can’t wait to see what the future holds.

Derek Hynd Styling Fins Free

Derek Hynd Styling Fins Free

Featuring liquid legend Derek Hynd, originator of surfing finless boards, filmed a few years ago at J- Bay, South Africa. This edit of Kelly and Derek riding the same wave became a hot topic on style and performance between the two and their chosen sleds. Some timeless surfing by the pair, well worth a revisit. Hit play and slide away with two of the finest.

Da Cat!

Da Cat!

I’ve a cat, well one lives with me and my daughter, it’s a pain in the ass, with fleeting moments of joy. Don’t get me wrong, I’m an animal lover but cats do what cats want to do. The closest it gets to surfing is when it pees on my wetsuit in one of its many territorial pissings. The idea of taking it to the beach, or in the freaking sea, gives me the heebie-jeebies, like trying to give a bath to a wild bear and it taking your head off with one quick swipe.

Make of this edit what you will, I’m fairly sure the cat would go full Wolverine on his human servants if it wasn’t down with this kinda malarky. The dude seems to not only be down with swimming, but also keen on londboarding, Da Cat lives, the world if mad and the internet loves cats.