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Vissla Upcycle Contest Cornwall finalists

Vissla partnered up with friends at the Surfrider Foundation to challenge designers and creators, and the wave conscious, to take something that might be considered waste and create something that can be used in the ocean.

Nine months of countless hours in the making for the Falmouth Design team above. Project by Dominic Langdon & Niall Jones.

"Our vision becomes reality. We have created 'The Day Time Robber' - a surf board made from six discarded, 'single' use body boards dumped by tourist's in our home County of Cornwall. All plastic hardware is made from 100% recycled, discarded fishing nets, once used for fishing locally. The materials used in making the board were sourced within a radius of 30 miles and once completed, surfed at our local beach; unfortunately the waves were not co-operating the only day we could film before the deadline, although it was still fun hanging out in the water with the local crowd, sharing the stories of our creation.

Our aim to demonstrate the power of waste to wealth and how we can help generate a circular economy within the surfing industry - something that is yet to make an appearance. We have proved that our board’s functionality has not been compromised by our choice of materials and in our opinion, gained a natural aesthetic beauty that could only be achieved by upcycling."

We would really appreciate your support - Voting will be open to the public from 11/10 - 15/10 (link below). Winners will be announced at the digital Upcycle Awards held on October 22, 2021. Set a reminder and join us for the premiere on 10/22 at 6 PM (PST).

@naturalselectionsurfco

@benthossurf

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TOBLOB

Over the covid break Liam O’Brien and Toby Mossop decided to team up and work on a film project together. Travel restrictions meant they had to shoot mainly around their home on the Gold Coast with a few Australia based strike missions in between. Luckily for the boys the waves in Aus the last 12 months didn’t disappoint.

More on the process of making the film below -

What was the motivation for the film and where was it shot –
LIAM: We started slowly gathering clips about a year ago. We didn’t film religiously or have a set plan. We’d just shoot when the waves were fun around home impromptu style. The vast majority of the clip is just on the Gold Coast. There’s also a little bit of stuff from some different parts of aus and I was lucky enough to film in Mexico and the USA while overseas for an event.
TOBY: LOB and I had been talking about doing a joint clip for a while now but it was always hard because we were both chasing different things at the time. But then obviously Covid happened and we were both on the gold coast without being able to travel very far so it made sense to start making the clip. It was a hard one to film though because we both had jobs so linking up for sessions was a tough one sometimes. So the majority of the film is shot on the Gold Coast. There’s a few other spots we raced to when our domestic borders opened up but that was always a gamble because we weren’t sure if we would be able to come back home.

Why a combined edit instead of a solo project?
LIAM: Since we were both stranded in Queensland due to lockdown we were surfing together every session. When we’d shoot it would be in the same conditions so it made sense to combine all of our clips into one video. One of my favourite surf films is ‘the dill and beeg project,’ too. Needless to say that was a source of inspiration.
TOBY: I mean lob is my favourite surfer so having the opportunity to make something with him is super special. His surfing blows me away and I’m sure it does for many others that get to witness him doing his thing. He’s also one of my best mates and super easy to travel and surf with.

What’s your favourite thing about the other persons surfing?
LIAM: Toby’s surfing is stylish and unique. I really like watching the way he approaches waves as he doesn’t seem to premeditate his rides. Instead he just seems to react to the wave. It makes his surfing look really natural.
TOBY: He’s fucken good at everything! His carves are tapped, backhand is lethal and can hog his way through a pit. The best thing is that he’s so humble about it. Its rare to see him frothing on his surfing haha. When he went to the states for the comps this year he snuck to Mexico for a few days and scored. When I asked him if he got any clips he was quick to tell me he hardly got anything. The bloke has a whole Mex session in the clip thats fucked up haha. I was tripping.

In waves like you got in the last section do you guys push each other in the water? Who gets more excited when it’s big?
LIAM: Toby is maniacal when the waves are solid. He’s always been willing to have a dig. Despite that he never seems phased or melodramatic. Just his casual relaxed self. He’s without a doubt always pushing me in big surf. I just try not to drown haha.
TOBY: The little trip we did for the last section was super last minute. I sent him a message about it but didn’t hear back because he was at work so I just booked it and hoped he could come haha. The next day we left and found ourself scoring. Was worth it. Yea we push each other for sure. Lob gets super pumped if he sees a good wave. He will put on his wetty and get out there immediately. I get scared and nervous when I’m at a new wave and it looks gnarly. But he just fires up so its really good to be with him. Always ends up getting me frothing. The last section was filmed in one day. It was a lot to take in haha.

Do you have plans to work on more film projects together?
LIAM: Tobes is probably sick of working with me but I’d like to do another haha. Maybe even with a few more people involved. Working with other people on videos seems more enjoyable.
TOBY: Yea I think we will try do something again when the world sorts itself out! But for now I’m really hoping Lob nails it in the QS events overseas so he can qualify for the tour. He has worked so hard for it and he definitely would be able to hold himself against the best in the world. I’ve been filming for a ACSOD movie as well so once that is done I might have to go caddy for Lob and try get the next clip rolling haha.

Shark Attacks Surfer

Surfers at a beach in Sonoma county, California, used a surfboard strap as a tourniquet to save a man whose right leg was bitten by a great white shark.

Eric Steinley was attacked as he surfed about 50 yards from shore at Salmon Creek beach last Sunday, but managed to alert others in the water.

The 38-year-old said he managed to punch the shark in the face to force it to release him, then was helped ashore by a stranger who used his board strap to tie the tourniquet.

Other surfers added a second tourniquet before using a longboard as a stretcher and taking Steinley to a helicopter pick-up point. He was flown to Santa Rosa Memorial hospital, where doctors performed two surgeries to save his leg.

Well done to all involved, shark attacks are rare, and sharks are not the enemy, let's respect them from a distance.

Red Bull Big Wave Awards

Surf League (WSL) released the official list of nominees for the 2021 Red Bull Big Wave Awards. $350,000 in prize money will be awarded across four categories for men’s and women’s divisions: Ride of the Year, Biggest Paddle, Biggest Tow, and Performer of the Year. Winning photographers and videographers will also take home prize money.
This year’s nominees spanned the globe with surfers representing countries like Brazil, Germany, Ireland, South Africa, the United States, and France. The majority of the nominated rides come from the infamous big wave breaks of Nazaré in Portugal and Pe’ahi (a.k.a. “Jaws”) in Hawaii, USA, but this year’s shortlist also sees rides from Mavericks in Half Moon Bay, California, USA, Todos Santos in Mexico, and Mullaghmore Head in Ireland.

The winners will be announced during the 2021 Red Bull Big Wave Awards Show on October 29, 2021. The show will be streamed at WorldSurfLeague.com/redbullbigwaveawards and audiences will discover who will be taking home the prestigious awards from some of the wildest rides this year.

Ride of the Year
The Ride of the Year is awarded to the male and female surfers who demonstrate the most advanced and committed level of big wave surfing during a successful ride, as judged by available video footage. While raw size is taken into consideration, it is ultimately the level of performance that is rewarded.

Female Nominees
• Paige Alms at Todos Santos, Mexico on January 11, 2021.
• Michelle des Bouillons at Nazaré, Portugal on February 22, 2021.
• Justine Dupont at Nazaré, Portugal on January 16, 2021.
• Maya Gabeira at Nazaré, Portugal on February 5, 2021.
• Izzi Gomez at Jaws, Hawaii on January 16, 2021.
• Keala Kennelly at Himalayas, Hawaii on December 2, 2020.

Male Nominees
• Conor Maguire at Mullaghmore Head, Ireland on October 28, 2020.
• Grant Baker at Mavericks, California on December 11, 2020.
• Kai Lenny at Jaws, Hawaii on December 2, 2020.
• Kai Lenny at Jaws, Hawaii on December 2, 2020.
• Kai Lenny at Jaws, Hawaii on December 2, 2020.
• Kai Lenny at Jaws, Hawaii on January 16, 2021.
• Peter Mel at Mavericks, California on January 8, 2021.
• Billy Kemper at Jaws, Hawaii on December 2, 2020.
• Eli Olson at Jaws, Hawaii on January 16, 2021.
• Vinicius dos Santos at Nazaré, Portugal on February 22, 2021.
• Kalani Chapman at Outer Reef Log Cabins, Hawaii on January 16, 2021.
• Wilem Banks at Mavericks, California on December 8, 2020.

Biggest Paddle
The Biggest Paddle Award goes to the male and female surfers who paddle into, and successfully ride, the biggest wave of the year.

Female Nominees
• Bianca Valenti at Mavericks, California on January 12, 2021.
• Justine Dupont at Jaws, Hawaii on January 17, 2021.
• Keala Kennelly at Himalayas, Hawaii on December 2, 2020.
• Justine Dupont at Mavericks, California on December 8, 2020.
• Paige Alms at Todos Santos, Mexico on January 11, 2021.
• Raquel Heckert at Jaws, Hawaii on January 17, 2021.

Male Nominees
• Kai Lenny at Jaws, Hawaii on December 2, 2020.
• Kai Lenny at Jaws, Hawaii on December 2, 2020.
• Kai Lenny at Jaws, Hawaii on December 2, 2020.
• Kai Lenny at Mavericks, California on December 8, 2020.
• Peter Mel at Mavericks, California on December 8, 2020.
• Peter Mel at Mavericks, California on January 8, 2021.
• Grant Baker at Mavericks, California on December 11, 2020.
• Billy Kemper at Jaws, Hawaii on December 2, 2020.
• Nathan Florence at Jaws, Hawaii on December 2, 2020.
• Vinicius dos Santos at Nazaré, Portugal on February 22, 2021.
• Ian Walsh at Jaws, Hawaii on December 2, 2020.
• Wilem Banks at Mavericks, California on January 10, 2021.

This year's nominees include big names like 2018 Big Wave World ChampionKeala Kennelly (HAW) and world-renowned Big Wave charger Justine Dupont (FRA).

Men's nominees include three-time Big Wave World Surfing Champion Grant ‘Twiggy’ Baker from South Africa and four-time Pe’ahi Challenge Champion Billy Kemper leading the charge with rides at Mavericks and Jaws, respectively.
Biggest Tow

The Biggest Tow Award goes to the male and female surfers who, by any means available, catch and ride the biggest wave of the year.

Female Nominees
• Maya Gabeira at Nazaré, Portugal on October 29, 2020.
• Maya Gabeira at Nazaré, Portugal on February 5, 2021.
• Justine Dupont at Mavericks, California on January 1, 2021.
• Justine Dupont at Jaws, Hawaii on January 16, 2021.
• Justine Dupont at Nazaré, Portugal on October 29, 2020.
• Michelle des Bouillons at Nazaré, Portugal on February 22, 2021.

Male Nominees
• Conor Maguire at Mullaghmore Head, Ireland on October 28, 2020.
• Kalani Chapman at Outer Reef Log Cabins, Hawaii on January 1, 2021.
• Kai Lenny at Jaws, Hawaii on January 16, 2021.
• Kai Lenny at Jaws, Hawaii on January 16, 2021.
• Kai Lenny at Jaws, Hawaii on January 16, 2021.
• Ian Walsh at Jaws, Hawaii on January 16, 2021.
• Sebastian Steudtner at Nazaré, Portugal on October 29, 2020.
• Sebastian Steudtner at Nazaré, Portugal on October 29, 2020.
• Lucas “Chumbo” Chianca at Nazaré, Portugal on October 29, 2020.
• Makua Rothman at Jaws, Hawaii on January 16, 2021.
• Nathan Florence at Jaws, Hawaii on January 16, 2021.
• Francisco Porcella at Jaws, Hawaii on January 16, 2021.

The Biggest Tow Award will be a battle between Justine Dupont (FRA), Maya Gabeira (BRA), and Michelle des Bouillons (FRA). Last year Dupont and Gabeira went head-to-head for a new World Record with the biggest wave ever ridden by a woman, with Gabeira edging out Dupont with a stellar ride at Nazaré. This year, Dupont’s nominations span three locations for the category, including Mavericks, Jaws, and Nazaré.
The men’s nominees include Conor Maguire’s (IRL) submission at Mullaghmore Head in Ireland, Kai Lenny (HAW), Sebastian Steudtner (GER),Lucas “Chumbo" Chianca (BRA), and Francisco Porcella (ITA) with rides Nazaré and Jaws.

Performer of the Year
The Performer of the Year Award acknowledges the top-performing male and female surfers over the course of the last 12 months based on every ride captured on video or still images.

Female Nominees
• Justine Dupont
• Keala Kennelly
• Maya Gabeira
• Paige Alms
• Michelle des Bouillons
• Raquel Heckert

Male Nominees
• Kai Lenny
• Peter Mel
• Conor Maguire
• Grant Baker
• Sebastian Steudtner
• Ian Walsh
• Nathan Florence
• Eli Olson
• Billy Kemper
• Lucas “Chumbo” Chianca
• Makua Rothman
• Vinicius dos Santos

Hosed Down Portugal

Mason Ho makes his way North East across the globe to Europe. Ericeira Portugal to be exact. A small cool surf town with incredible seafood and waves.

Portugal is perfect to Search for waves because it’s so big! This day was special because it had fog early and not many people looking for waves. Mason came across this fun reef wave he never surfed before so he made his way out and caught some waves alone before the word got out.

Step Off – Shipstern Bluff

A large chunk of this year's Red Bull Cape Fear roster headed to Shipstern Bluff for a thumping winter warmup swell. Aussie lensman Tim Bonython was there to showcase the best of the action in this SESSIONS edit.

As the big wave world waited for the fourth edition of Red Bull Cape Fear to come alive, the event's home, Shipstern Bluff, had been starting to look impressive in its warm-up runs. Tasmania woke for the winter in April, just as the competition window opened up. Although conditions weren't sufficient for the contest to be called on, they were definitely close enough for a considerable fraternity of the field to fly to the Apple Isle and join the local team on one of their first serious sessions.

With Australian domestic borders at the time of the swell wide open and a crew of newly recruited interstate competitors chomping at the bit to sharpen their Shipstern chops, everyone from 2012 world champ Joel Parkinson to future first-time female Red Bull Cape Fear competitor Summa Longbottom jetted into Hobart with slabs and steps on their minds.