Iain Masson Remembered

Iain Masson Remembered

It is with heavy hearts that we share the sad news that Broch Surf Club member and local surfing legend Iain Masson passed away yesterday 03.02.22 at home in St. Combs after a long battle with illness.

Iain’s passing will be felt heavily amongst the local community here in Fraserburgh and across the globe where he touched so many people’s lives and gained many friendships through his many surfing travels.   

The unprecedented 7 x Scottish National Surfing Champion from Fraserburgh was a true surfing great, a real ambassador for the sport of Scottish surfing.

A Legend, a pioneer, an inspiration, a champ, a gentleman, a coach, a hero and to most within the surf club, a respected and loyal friend.

The most humble man of few words, when Iain spoke it was worth listening, his surf related knowledge was second to none, the surfing oracle.

Academically, Iain was an artist, a trait that was reflected on his surfing style and ability. His smooth, somewhat effortless nature on the wave face mirrored that of the lines drawn on an artist’s canvas, so rarely making mistakes.

Surfing was Iain’s life, the local surf shop Point North East and more recent employment at Score allowing “nightshift working for dayshift surfing” a testimony to his dedication and his love of the sport.     

Both Broch Surf Club and the Scottish Surfing Federation currently stand strong, built on the foundations and efforts supported by Iain over the decades. The European surf trips for the juniors,  “SSF Hardcore” editorials and publications, the Broch winter League events to name just a few of the personal background efforts undertaken by Iain.

The Broch Surf Club and surfing within the town of Fraserburgh continues to grow, Iain has set the standards, it’s up to us all to follow his ethos and continue his legacy.            

It is a sad time for all that knew and were close to Iain, but we can all take great comfort for the good times and memories we can all cherish and how he has made all our own lives better in some way or form.     

We have attached a short video clip of Iain surfing at an empty Thurso East somewhat 14 years ago, it’s a fitting tribute to Iain in his best place doing what he did best.

Please take the time to watch this short clip and take a moment to reflect on Iain’s life.

From your Broch Surf Club family,     

Show Reel – Tai Jennison

Show Reel – Tai Jennison

Featuring John Florence, Julian Wilson, Mitch Coleborn, Harry Bryant, Harrison Roach, Reef Heazlewood, Jack Robinson, Jai Glinderman, Alister Reginato and stacks more. A compilation of 2021's best surfing clips as seen through the lens of one of Australia’s best up and coming photographers Tai Jennison.

Reef

Reef

Glastonbury rockers REEF have released their new double A-side single ‘Wolfman’ / 'Right On', with both tracks taken from their eagerly anticipated new album Shoot Me Your Ace, which will be released on April 15th.

The two songs illustrate both sides of the acclaimed British band. ‘Wolfman’ is a huge groove laden track, as heavy as it is funky. Gary Stringer’s raw vocals lead the charge alongside screaming guitar lines and a rhythm section more solid than a slab of granite. It’s set to explode across live stages later this spring.

“When I see sweat dripping from a ceiling, speakers bouncing, crowds moving, that’s when I know that what we do is relevant no matter what else is going on around us,” says Gary. “Without that big heartbeat and that primal urge, the rest of it doesn’t mean anything. The one job a band has to do is excite people, and we know we excite people.”

Meanwhile ‘Right On’ is a beautiful and uplifting anthem, a burst of pure positivity written by Jack Bessant. “It’s about being the best person you can be, doing the right things, making the right decisions,” says the bassist. “You’ve got to be right on for yourself, for your friends, for the planet, for rock’n’roll.”

The double A-side single follows the release of the album’s debut single and title track ‘Shoot Me Your Ace’, which is a no-holds-barred, uptempo rock’n’rollacoaster that premiered on Chris Evans’ breakfast show on Virgin Radio. Watch the death defying-video shot inside a motorcycle wall of death above

The album was produced by former Duran Duran/ Power Station guitarist Andy Taylor whose playing on the record joins Gary Stringer on vocals, Jack Bessant on bass, Jesse Wood (son of Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood) on guitars, and Luke Bessant, (ex-Bryan Ferry / KT Tunstall / Joe Strummer) on drums. Collectively they are remarkable array of talents who together can justly lay claim to being a national rock’n’roll treasure.

And Shoot Me Your Ace showcases their power in one of the most thrilling rock albums of recent years. From the title track’s swaggering opening salvo all the way through to album closer ‘Strangelove’, Shoot Me Your Ace is a thrilling blast of unadulterated rock’n’roll joy.

Producer Andy Taylor says, “I’ve been looking to make a record like this for a long time. I can’t love it enough. The chances you get in life to do something as great as this album don't come along very often, so when they do you just grab them.”

“The universe has put all the pieces into place for us,” continues Bessant. “This line-up, these four guys, along with Andy’s extra guitar and production, is just one big ball of energy that we managed to bottle. It feels like the start of a new chapter for us - Reef Mk II.”

This cosmic alchemy has resulted in a record that doesn’t just match such classic Reef albums as 1995 breakout debut Replenish or 1997’s transcendent Glow but exceeds them.
After two years of uncertainty, despondency and gloom, it feels like an outpouring of positivity. As Gary Stringer puts it: “It’s the sound the world needs right now.”

Shoot Me Your Ace will be released on a variety of formats including CD, black vinyl, coloured vinyl, cassette and digital. Pre-order the album, along with brand new Shoot Me Your Ace merchandise here:

REEF – Shoot Me Your Ace Tour
April 2022
7th Newcastle University
8th Glasgow QMU
9th Manchester – O2 Ritz
14th Exeter – Phoenix
15th Cardiff – Tramshed
16th London – O2 Forum Kentish Town
21st Leeds – University Stylus
22nd Bristol – O2 Academy
23rd Birmingham – O2 Institute
28th Brighton – Chalk
29th – Southampton – Engine Rooms
30th – Norwich – UEA

To pre-order the album or to buy ticket for the band’s forthcoming tour go to reeftheband.com

Click Here to listen to both tracks
Billabong Pro Pipeline

Billabong Pro Pipeline

Event wildcard Moana Jones Wong (HAW) will face two-time WSL Champion Tyler Wright (AUS) at the Billabong Pro Pipeline Semifinals when competition resumes. Photo: © WSL / Bielmann

• Wright, Wong, Moore, and Peterson Through to Semifinals
• Five-time WSL Champion Moore Finds Near-Perfection at Backdoor
• Big Shake-Up on Women’s Rankings
• Next Call: Friday, February 4, at 7:50 a.m. HST
• More Available at WorldSurfLeague.com

The Billabong Pro Pipeline, the first stop on the World Surf League (WSL) 2022 Championship Tour (CT), completed the women’s Round of 16 and women’s Quarterfinals in six-to-twelve foot conditions at Pipeline on the North Shore of Oahu. Today’s competition saw big eliminations and is now down to the final four competitors: Tyler Wright (AUS), Moana Jones Wong (HAW), Carissa Moore (HAW), and Lakey Peterson (AUS)

The next call of the Billabong Pro Pipeline will be on Friday, February 4, at 7:50 a.m. HST. There will be no competition tomorrow, Thursday, February 3.

Five-time WSL Champion Carissa Moore Finds Near-Perfection at Billabong Pro Pipeline
As the only surfer to score excellent waves during today’s competition, five-time WSL Champion Carissa Moore (HAW) found success at Backdoor and locked her spot into the Semifinals. Moore started the day facing international surfing icon Bethany Hamilton (HAW), who got the last-minute call to replace Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) at the Billabong Pro Pipeline. Moore kicked off the heat with a mid-range score going on her backside at Pipeline. Then, she moved over to Backdoor where she scored a near-perfect 9.50 (out of a possible 10) with a deep barrel and locked her slot in the Quarterfinals.

“I have to admit I was really nervous this morning,” said Moore. “I had a good cry where I got all my nerves and anxiety out. It was nice, the water settled and the sun came out, so I was happy because it felt like a really nice day for us. There’s so much energy you feel out on the reef, and on top of that, there’s so much history out there. So being a surfer, this is where you want to surf, and where you want to improve yourself.”

Later in the day, Moore battled for a place in the Semifinals with Brisa Hennessy (CRI, above), who secured her place in the Quarterfinals after winning her Round of 16 heat against rookie threat Gabriela Bryan (HAW). Moore managed to ride another excellent Backdoor wave in the slowing conditions, earning an 8.33 with just six minutes remaining to seal her victory over Hennessy.

“We have quite a bit of a waiting period left and I’m excited to see what the rest of the waiting period brings. Hopefully, it’s not too big,” added Moore.

Big Shake Up in the Women’s Rankings at Billabong Pro Pipeline

World No. 2 Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) and World No. 3 Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS, above) were eliminated in their Round of 16 heats by local favorites. Fitzgibbons could not overcome Malia Manuel (HAW) and Weston-Webb was stopped by Moana Jones Wong (HAW). Manuel and Wong focused on hunting Backdoor barrels, and both advanced with ease into the Quarterfinals.

“Sally is a fantastic barrel rider so I was really looking forward to this heat,” said Manuel. “To compete here is so different from when you're surfing out there with one hundred people, you really get to focus on yourself and set yourself in the right spot. I'm already thinking of what I can improve on for the next heat just learning from those couple of waves I caught in the first heat.”

But, the Quarterfinals marked the end of Manuel’s surge through the event after facing elimination from two-time WSL Champion Tyler Wright (AUS, above). Wright walked through the Round of 16 to the Quarterfinals as rookie India Robinson (AUS) pulled out of competition due to a pre-existing injury. With WSL's commitment to give the women access to Pipeline for the first time, Wright still had the opportunity of surfing the 40-minute heat by herself, using the time in the water to figure out the conditions, and scored a great Backdoor barrel for a 5.50.

“I’m just stoked to have the opportunity of being out there and catch waves,” said Wright. “The more I’m out there, the more I’m taking in, putting myself in a good and safe position, noticing wave directions and swell lines. Every time I’m out there it’s just so much information for my brain, it’s amazing!"

Wildcard Wong went on to battle CT sophomore Isabella Nichols (AUS) and began the Quarterfinal duel with a 5.67 (out of a possible 10). Wong then added a backup 5.67 to her scoreline after finding another hollow exit and left Nichols needing a near-perfect score. But, the Australian’s last effort on a heavy Backdoor wave earned her a 7.67 and couldn’t find one more opportunity as time expired, sending Wong into the Semifinals.

“I wasn’t planning on doing that at all,” said Wong. “I thought I was only going to go right. Then I got out there and Pipeline just gave me waves and thought ‘Oh, this is nice.’ I haven’t done a contest in years and I know Isabella can definitely pack barrels and get sick ones so I was nervous going up against her.”

World No. 4 Johanne Defay (FRA, above) looked comfortable and confident in the conditions during Heat 6 of Round of 16, taking the win against rookie Molly Picklum (AUS). Moving into the Quarterfinals, Defay faced World No. 7 Lakey Peterson (USA). Defay was able to keep the lead on the scoreboard until the final seconds when Peterson got a buzzer-beater, Backdoor gift to take the win and advance to the Semifinals, where she will face Moore.

“God was looking out for me there today,” said Peterson. “I was looking at my watch and I had twenty seconds so I knew I had to make her go on the first one so I had a clear area so I could take off for the next one. It worked out and I was in the perfect spot, and it came. It felt meant to be.”

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

Billabong Pro Pipeline Women’s Round of 16 Results:
HEAT 1: Malia Manuel (HAW) 8.73 DEF. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 7.06
HEAT 2: Tyler Wright (AUS) 8.27 DEF. India Robinson (AUS)
HEAT 3: Moana Jones Wong (HAW) 10.77 DEF. Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 9.44
HEAT 4: Isabella Nichols (AUS) 11.06 DEF. Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 7.03
HEAT 5: Carissa Moore (HAW) 14.67 DEF. Bethany Hamilton (HAW) 2.23
HEAT 6: Brisa Hennessy (CRI) 9.16 DEF. Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 5.03
HEAT 7: Johanne Defay (FRA) 12.94 DEF. Molly Picklum (AUS) 11.17
HEAT 8: Lakey Peterson (USA) 13.83 DEF. Luana Silva (HAW) 2.20

Billabong Pro Pipeline Women’s Quarterfinals Results:
HEAT 1: Tyler Wright (AUS) 5.77 DEF. Malia Manuel (HAW) 4.97
HEAT 2: Moana Jones Wong (HAW) 11.34 DEF. Isabella Nichols (AUS) 10.44
HEAT 3: Carissa Moore (HAW) 13.33 DEF. Brisa Hennessy (CRI) 4.37
HEAT 4: Lakey Peterson (USA) 8.70 DEF. Johanne Defay (FRA) 6.90

Billabong Pro Pipeline Women’s Semifinals Matchups:
HEAT 1: Tyler Wright (AUS) vs. Moana Jones Wong (HAW)
HEAT 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Lakey Peterson (USA)

Billabong Pro Pipeline Men’s Quarterfinals Matchups:
HEAT 1: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN)
HEAT 2: Miguel Pupo (BRA) vs. Lucca Mesinas (PER)
HEAT 3: Seth Moniz (HAW) vs. John John Florence (HAW)
HEAT 4: Caio Ibelli (BRA) vs. Samuel Pupo (BRA)

Sandbank Sessions

Sandbank Sessions

“It’d be nice to have perfect waves every day, but that’s not always going to happen.” Dave Rastovich knows that in summer, you make your own fun.

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“I love the challenge of days like these, the lack of structure and the bending of rules. Surfing those waves is what I’d imagine playing jazz would be like. The waves were chaotic and wobbly, if they had a time signature it’d be all odd numbers. It wouldn’t be four to the floor; it’d be threes and fives and sevens. It made for an interesting challenge, but occasionally it all came together and hit a note perfectly.”

He laughs, recalling time spent on a sandbank close to home putting the Hydrolock boardshort through its paces.

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"I thought I was Howard Moon, the jazz cat from The Mighty Boosh.”⁠
Video : Liam O'Brien

Boardmasters Second Wave

Boardmasters Second Wave

The second wave of acts for Boardmasters 2022 is announced today, as Day Tickets for this summer’s festival go on sale this week. The Lathums, Bombay Bicycle Club, The Wombats, Self Esteem, Mimi Webb and 60+ more join the line-up for Cornwall’s own surf and music festival which will be headlined this year by George Ezra, Disclosure and Kings of Leon. Taking place from 10-14 August 2022 across two stunning sites on the Cornish coast, Boardmasters’ sought after Day Tickets go on pre-sale on Thursday 4 February, and general on sale Friday 5 February (Wednesday and Thursday Entry Camping, VIP Camping, and 3 Day No Camping tickets have all sold out in record time). Fans can sign up for the Boardmasters Day Tickets pre-sale at boardmasters.com - we’ll see you at the beach.

Bombay Bicycle Club are set to make a welcome return to Cornish shores. The London indie-rock four-piece released their acclaimed fifth studio album ‘Everything Else Has Gone Wrong’ in 2020, with the first single released from the album, Eat, Sleep, Wake (Nothing But You), hailed as a triumphant return to form for the band, marking the return of the band after a three-year hiatus. One of Britain’s very best live bands, Bombay Bicycle Club are sure to deliver an unmissable set at Boardmasters this summer.

The Wombats will be bringing all of the festival feels to Boardmasters 2022. The Liverpool trio have an arsenal of bangers from a career spanning 15 years, including Let’s Dance To Joy Division, If You Ever Leave I’m Coming With You, Greek Tragedy and Moving To New York. Scoring their first number 1 album just last month with ‘Fix Yourself, Not The World’, 2022 is looking like a huge year for The Wombats.

Wigan’s very own indie 4-piece, The Lathums join the Boardmasters line up for 2022. This follows a huge 2021 for the boys, whose debut album ‘How Beautiful Can Life Be’, released last November, immediately hit the top spot in the UK charts. They’re heading out on tour this year, including a stop off at Watergate Bay for Boardmasters.

Also joining the line-up for Boardmasters 2022, I Do This All The Time hitmaker, one of the most exciting experimental popstars of the moment, and BBC Introducing Artist of the Year 2021 - Self Esteem, along with neo-soul songstress Greentea Peng, the emerging London rapper behind Peng Black Girls - Enny, and 21-year-old popstar and nothing short of TikTok sensation Mimi Webb. Plus also for Boardmasters, there’s West London’s Kurupt FM - stars of People Just Do Nothing and Kurupt FM: Big In Japan, as well as Holy Goof who’ll be taking to the decks with hits including Down For You, and alt-rockersPalace whose new album ‘Shoals’ is due for release this year. JC Stewart will be heading to Boardmasters, too, along with singer-songwriter and So My Darling hitmaker Rachel Chinouriri. A man needing no introduction - Jax Jones - who comes armed with a catalogue of festival floor fillers joins the Boardmasters line up alongside, Franky Wah, 220 Kid, Mall Grab and Flava D presents 3 Flavas. Find the full line-up here.

With more acts set to be announced, Boardmasters 2022 will be an incredible 5 day celebration of music and surfing with the backdrop of the stunning Cornwall coastline. And this week, fans can purchase Day Tickets for this year’s Boardmasters, with pre-sale from 10am, Thursday 4 February, and remaining tickets on sale from 10am, Friday 5 February. Boardmasters encourages fans not to miss out, and to sign up for the pre-sale now at www.boardmasters.com. With demand at an all-time high, Wednesday and Thursday Entry Camping, VIP Camping and 3 Day No Camping tickets have all sold out in record time.

WSL (World Surf League) returns this year for the Boardmasters OPEN surf competition, taking place over five days at the stunning Fistral Beach. The biggest names in international, pro surfing will take to the waves to battle it out for the coveted Boardmasters top spots. Competitions include the Boardmasters OPEN (QS1000) mens and womens division and Boardmasters Longboard Pro (LQS1000) mens and womens division. In addition to the WSL QS and LQS events, the Boardmasters Junior OPEN boys and girls division will also take place at Fistral Beach.

Beyond the music, festival goers can sign up for Surf and Adventure packages to make the most of their time soaking up the best of what Cornwall has to offer. Surf packages cater for all abilities, with lessons available from Thursday - Sunday. Boardmasters works alongside established local surf schools and expert instructors including Fistral Beach Surf School, Escape Surf School, Westcountry Surf School and Blue Surf School to provide these lessons and get attendees in the water. Surf packages are priced at £35 pp for 2 hours.

Plus, adventure packages are available to book too, including coasteering, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and snorkel SUP safari, perfect for anyone who loves the great outdoors. Leading local activity providers Newquay Activity Centre and Bare Feet Coasteer partner with Boardmasters to put these packages on. Priced at £50 pp, activities range from 2-3 hours total.

Following Boardmasters 2021, NME wrote that Boardmasters 2021 “oozes togetherness and inspires a genuine camaraderie amongst the legions of music fans who walk in as strangers, but leave as friends”. Earmilk described it as “ the UK's blissful beach haven for music”, and Vocal Girls Club enjoyed “arguably the best weekend of 2021”. Cornwall Live added it was “the perfect salvation” following a tough few years for young people. Check out the Boardmasters 2021 photo gallery here.

Day Tickets for Boardmasters 2022 go on sale via pre-sale at 10am, Thursday 4 February and remaining Day Tickets go on sale from 10am, Friday 5 February. Visit boardmasters.com for more information, and to sign up for the pre-sale.