Tributes to professional cameraman and British surf filmer Sam Buckle are flooding the internet after he passed away at the weekend.
Sam was huge part of the Bodyboarding scene producing films like ‘I Try Stupid Things’ and Lid magazine.
Joe Buckle posted this announcement yesterday
“It is with absolute devastation that we share the passing of Sam. This news has been a profound shock, and we know it will be for so many people across the communities he touched—from London to Cornwall, the North Shore of Hawaii to Portugal, Newquay to Scotland, and in Oxford, where his life adventure most recently saw him anchor on his boat, authentically dedicated to his unique way of life and dedication to outdoor living.
Sam brought a truly passionate and special presence to every place he went and every person he met. Whether in surf, wakeboarding, wildlife, film, rivers, gastronomy, or Land Rover communities, Sam brought immense enthusiasm and was one of a kind. We will miss him deeply. We hope we can all remember him together, carrying forward his spirit in the areas he so passionately loved.
In the coming days, we’ll be sharing more about Sam. For now, we’re reflecting on his imagery, recalling his voice, and cherishing the good times we shared.
About 380 years ago a women was shot dead after apparently surfing in Newbury small town in middle England with a river running through it..
The ‘surfing’ “Witch of Newbury” – A Most Certain, Strange, and True Discovery of a VVitch 1643” makes an interesting story. Was she riding standing waves? Was she sup’ing on the river? Why was she shot?
The descriptions from soldiers and their commanders are pretty obviously of a woman surfing, even doing tricks on her board. Interesting…Until they shot her…
“…this womans kind to stand upon the board, turning and winding it which way she pleased, making it pastime to her, as little thinking who perceived her tricks, or that she did imagine that they were the last she ever should show, as we have heard the swan sing before her death, so did this divellish woman, as after plainly it appeared make sport before her death”
“ one of them by chance in clambering up a tree… espied on the river being there adjacent, a tall, lean, slender woman, as he supposed, to his amazement, and great terreur treading of the water with her feet, with as much ease and firmnesses as if one could walk or trample on the earth, wherewith his softly calls, and beckened to his fellows to behold it.. this could be no little amazement unto them you may think to see a woman dance upon the water, nor could all their sights be deluded, though perhaps one might but coming nearer to the shore, they could perceive there was a plank or deale overshadowed with a little shallow water that she stood upon, the which did beare her up, anon rode by some of the Commanders who were eye witnesses, as well as they, and were as much astonished as they could be, still too and fro she fleeted on the water, the boord standing firm bout upright, indeed I have both heard and read of many that in tempests and on rivers by casualty have been shipwracked, or cast over board, where catching empty barrels, rudders, boards, or planks have made good shift by the assisting providence of God to get on shore, but not in this womans kind to stand upon the board, turning and winding it which way she pleased, making it pastime to her, as little thinking who perceived her tricks, or that she did imagine that they were the last she ever should show, as we have heard the swan sing before her death, so did this divellish woman, as after plainly it appeared make sport before her death,”
And..
“…one soldier climbed a tree and noticed what appeared to be a woman walking on water. The soldier called to the other soldiers, and together they went to get a better look at the woman. Upon closer inspection, they realized that the woman was in fact on a piece of wood, but she was standing on it and maneuvering it in such a way to warrant suspicion, so once she reached the shore the commanders ordered for her to be obtained.
When they asked her what she was and she gave no answer, the commanders decided to have their two best marksmen shoot the woman. Bam! But she had not died. She had caught the bullets with her hands, put them in her mouth and chewed them, laughing loudly all the while. Enraged by this, one soldier stuck the muzzle of his gun right against her breast and fired, only for the bullet to bounce off of the witch and almost strike him dead. Realizing that guns were not working, a soldier with a sword tried to stab her, only to fail in killing her for a third time, resulting in more laughter from the witch and more rage from the soldiers. Finally, one calm and rational soldier exclaimed that “drawing blood from forth the veines that crosse the temples of the head” would “quell the force of Witchcraft.” Upon merely hearing this, the woman realized that she had lost her power and began to cry, roar, moan, and tear her hair out before finally speaking: “and is it come to passe, that I must dye?”
SPEARFISH is a surf film that documents Mikey February testing and fine-tuning a new signature model he designed with Channel Islands Surfboards, dubbed the Feb’s Fish. Watch him draw fast, beautiful, precise lines and gauging turns on this twin fin fish in Mexico, Morocco, California, Maldives, and Indonesia.
Spearfish was created by Mikey’s new video platform “Spearhead Unlimited,” with primary filming captured by Ian Thurtell, editing by Sam Smith and an original musical score by the Albert Bof trio.
A team of 4 surfers from Bournemouth and the Isle of Wight will embark on a gruelling 52-mile prone paddle journey, navigating the treacherous Jurassic coastline largely under the cover of night on New Years’ Eve.
The mission is to raise maximum awareness and funds for Diabetes UK to contribute to the work they do providing care, support and advice to millions of people, helping them to manage their diabetes well. Criag’s young son and one of Chris’ friends have type 1 diabetes, as well as others in the local surf community so it is a cause close to their hearts.
They will paddle through freezing choppy seas, against tide and waves, with only the faint glow of distant lights and the moon to guide them until dawn sees them round the headland at Peveril Point. The daylight will see them safely navigate the South Purbeck coastline around St Albans head before reversing course at Kimmeridge and racing the daylight back to safer waters.
Bournemouth pier to Kimmeridge Bay and back in 24 hours – if you know the lads you know they’ll get it done. Two years ago they took down a 26 mile paddle from Kimmeridge to Bournemouth in support of front line medical support to disaster areas (specifically the humanitarian crisis at the Ukraine border) – this time its there and back.
This attempt is a tribute to the friends and loved ones whose lives are affected by diabetes. The bravery to face the uncertainties and challenges that those living with the condition overcome, and the hope for a brighter, healthier future.
The charity campaigns for change so people get the best treatment and standards of care and funds groundbreaking research to help some of the greatest transformations in diabetes care, and help save lives.
We’d all like to say a huge thanks for any support the surf community can give – hopefully together as a community we can make a little difference and keep the research and support going. To donate click here.
We would like to say a massive thanks to:
Studland Watersports: Water safety
Ollie Harris: Chiropractor support
Performance Recovery: Physio Support
Team Members:
Chris Howard
Craig Sharp
Louie Findlater
Chris Mannion
Event Date: 31 Dec 24 – reattempt in the new year if we face into a storm!
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
8x World Champ Steph Gilmore has just completed her first trip on The Search since gracefully moonwalking away from the Championship Tour.
Along with style icon Tom Curren and tube maestro Mason Ho, join Steph as she explores a new pace for her surfing. Lazer Breathing Dragons is the result of that trip – a barrel full of laughs and a barrel full of barrels.
“All my life I’ve surfed with primarily one major purpose. To go fast with fierceness and style. That was my purpose,” says Steph about her approach to her career.
“I don’t know what is next for me. I don’t know what is next for my surfing. But I’m very excited about it. That is my Search.”
Lazer Breathing Dragons takes cues from the wild fun of the 1980s – a decade when both Steph and Mason were born, and when Curren won his first two world titles. Rather than exploring brand new places, it’s about exploring a different mindset to competition and always pushing the limits of performance. There’s laybacks, cut downs, hair flicks, and streetside soup selling. There’s rodeos and monkeys. Take 15 minutes out of your day to escape to a different headspace.
Welcome back to The Search, Steph. This is Lazer Breathing Dragons…
Starring: Steph Gilmore, Tom Curren & Mason Ho Made By: Vaughan Deadly and Nick Pollet Produced By: Johnny Hawken and Lachey McNish Executive Producers: Ash Reader and James Taylor
Special thanks to Brian Singer, Doug ‘Claw’ Warbrick, and Francois Payot
