London Surf Film Festival

London Surf Film Festival

London Surf / Film Festival has just dropped the line up for the 9th Annual LS/FF x VANS.

Hosted 9 – 12th October 2019 at the iconic Regent Street Cinema, London, the LS/FF team of ardent surfers, movie lovers and cultural commentators have assembled a handpicked line up of the very best films from across the globe that represent the pinnacle of contemporary surfing right now – hotly anticipated premieres, award winning features, and underground projects.

The carefully curated programme brings together documentaries to inspire, travelogues to stir the wanderlust, surfing that redefines the bounds of possibility plus a live A/V show to blow minds. Accompanied by Q+A’s and ‘Audiences with…’ some of the world’s most exciting and relevant surfers and creatives including icon Alex Knost, surfer / musician Lee-Ann Curren, big wave charger Dougal Patterson, award winning filmmakers including Spencer Frost, Chris McClean, Rick Wall, plus more special guests like Carve Magazine’s own Steve England it’s a celebration of the cream of surf culture.

“I’m super excited about the quality and diversity of this year’s line-up,” says LS/FF Director Demi Taylor. “From must-see documentaries that really get under the skin like the much anticipated Hobgood biopic And Two if by Sea, plus the stunning big wave tales like Satori and White Rhino these are stories about the people as much as the waves. Three years in the making, multi-award winning Jack Coleman has just dropped his new film Zone Frequency. Combining stunning cinematography and an epic soundtrack this is journey to the intersection of style, imagination and fun with some of the most radical and innovative surfers on the planet while Spencer Frost’s gorgeous A Corner of the Earth is a true tale of cold water adventures and frigid exploration. In an evening celebrating surf, sound and cinema we’re delighted to play host to the exclusive world premiere of Translate, the immersive audio / visual free surfing experiment from award-winning filmmaker Chris McClean and composer CJ Mirra. Performed live with musicians including Lee-Ann Curren, it captures the ephemeral nature of surfing, a moment that cannot be recreated.”

London Surf / Film Festival is bringing to the UK 2 World Premieres, 1 European Premiere and 6 UK Premieres. But it’s about more than that. LS/FF weaves together a true slice of surfing in the here and now, a showcase of the multi-layered world of waveriding. For many of the movies premiered, the festival will be the only chance to watch them as they were intended to be enjoyed – on the big screen, accompanied by a packed crowd of likeminded folk – the original “social media” experience. You’re not going to want to miss this!

For full details head to: londonsurffilmfestival.com

Full line up here
Buy tickets here
Patagonia closing every store worldwide to encourage employees and customers to join the climate strike

Patagonia closing every store worldwide to encourage employees and customers to join the climate strike

Patagonia, the outdoor clothing company with a long history of environmental activism, is going to shut all its stores across the globe to support the climate strikes on 20th and 27th September, so its staff can take part.

The strikes will take place across the world, demanding an end to the age of fossil fuels and calling for climate justice for everyone.

In the UK, the strike will be on Friday 20th September with many others around the world happening on that day. In some countries, such as Italy and the Netherlands, the strike takes place on Friday 27th September. 
Patagonia’s UK store is in Manchester at 51 King Street. The brand also has a store in Dublin, Ireland, at 24-26 Exchequer Street. Both stores, and every Patagonia store and office facility across Europe, will enable all employees to join their local strike.
Explaining the decision to close stores, Ryan Gellert, General Manager, EMEA, Patagonia, says: 
“The climate crisis is a human issue – affecting all of us. We are inspired by the youth activists who have led a global movement, and Patagonia is calling for urgent and decisive action for people and our home planet. As a global business, we will be closing our stores on 20th and 27th September, striking with the youth activists and calling for governments around the world to take action. We invite the business community and all those concerned about the fate of our planet and humankind to answer with action and join us”.
FIND A STRIKE NEAR YOU

Patagonia is encouraged and inspired by the young activists calling for climate action, and it is past time for governments around the world to make the necessary changes needed to address the overheating planet. To amplify its message, Patagonia is supporting its campaign with a significant ad buy that will show up along strike routes in select cities around the world, in all Patagonia retail stores, and across print, digital and social media platforms. In Europe, the outdoor campaign will focus on the progressive hubs of London and Berlin.

The campaign features photos with “facing extinction” emblazoned across the faces of youth activists who are facing the climate crisis head-on by striking from school, protesting and calling on elected officials to take action. A photo-realistic, hand-painted mural of one of the European activists has been created in the Mitte district of Berlin. The call to action in Europe is: Youth activists are striking for the future of our planet. Find a climate strike near you.

Ryan Gellert, General Manager, EMEA, Patagonia, says:

“The climate crisis is a human issue – affecting all of us. We are inspired by the youth activists who have led a global movement, and Patagonia is calling for urgent and decisive action for people and our home planet. As a global business, we will be closing our stores on 20th and 27th September, striking with the youth activists and calling for governments around the world to take action. We invite the business community and all those concerned about the fate of our planet and humankind to answer with action and join us”.

You can find out more about Patagonia, its history of activism and mission here. 

Should surfers boycott the 2020 Olympics in Japan over Taiji and whale hunting?

Should surfers boycott the 2020 Olympics in Japan over Taiji and whale hunting?

Surfings inclusion in the 2020 Olympics has caused much excitement in some areas, but there is a huge white elephant in the room and that is the Japans abhorrent treatment of whales and dolphins.

It was very disconcerting to see my timelines filled with teams arriving at the ISA World Games coinciding alongside posts of dolphin slaughter signifying the launch of the Taijia massacre. I was stoked for the teams but it was pretty uncomfortable seeing images of dolphins being herded up and being brutally killed just up the coast. The dolphins die long, brutal and painful deaths.

While some are prepared to brush over the event a lot of surfers, including Japanese, have very strong opinions to the contrary. In a Facebook poll on Carvemag in December we asked if the ISA and WSL should boycott the 2020 Japan Games in protest at their whaling policy. Out of 3,500 votes 90% said “Yes!”

One of our followers, Jackson Steel, pointed out the following.

“As a grom growing up in Byron in the 60s and 70s, I grew up thinking surfers were the ultimate custodians and guardians of the ocean. Surfing was more than a sport, it was a spiritual connection. I am deeply disappointed that surfing is being introduced into the Olympics in Japan of all places. So consider this, next year when all these surfers are competing for medals, down the coast at Taiji, they’ll be slaughtering intelligent, sensitive dolphins in the most abhorrent, brutal way. And further out off their coast, they’ll be harpooning whales, explosive heads obliterating the whales’ insides. I for one won’t be watching their Olympics and I urge all lovers of the oceans and their inhabitants to do the same.”

The Taiji hunting season lasts from September to February with hunting in Taiji being allowed as long as the fishermen have permits. Across Japan, the national Fisheries Agency has authorised the killing or capture of around 16,000 cetaceans per year and this includes dolphins, minke whales, and short-finned pilot whales. Japan has also resumed commercial whaling. (Norway, and Iceland also hunt whales)

The marine animals are reportedly driven into the Cove by a ‘wall of sound’, designed to confuse the dolphins, before the entrance is closed off with nets. They are then captured or pretty brutally dispatched.

Are surfers still custodians and guardians of the ocean? Should we be using this as an opportunity to stand our ground and defend the oceans and the amazing creatures we are so lucky to share it with?

A lot of associations and surfers all over the world are eying up $$$s brought in by Olympic association and sporting grants, and some good will come of that development cash, but I can’t help feeling that in the long run ‘surfings’ image and culture would be enhanced way beyond if the surfers took a stand.

We have asked both the ISA and WSL Pure for a comment and clarification on policy, but have not had a response.

While some say ‘sport and politics shouldn’t mix” we tend to think sportsman and women make excellent role models so should have a voice.

What do you think? Surfing with dolphins has to be one the best things in the world right?

We haven’t used the more upsetting and graphic videos.

Our post comments are on. Intelligent comments only please.

*To add some balance we must also point out that the British and European fishing industry is not entirely blameless in the deaths of dolphins.

This winter enormous numbers of dolphins were washed up dead on the French shores. 90 percent of the fatalities resulted from the dolphins being accidentally captured in industrial fishing nets. The reason behind the spike, which began three years ago, has ‘coincided’ with ‘aggressive hake fishing” which was also given the green light three years ago after a long ban.

1,100 mutilated dolphins washed up on French shores since January. ‘Fishing industry to blame.’ Numbers are highest on record beating 2018 in just three months.

Record number of dolphin deaths in the bay of biscay
Help get Peg to Nelscott big wave comp

Help get Peg to Nelscott big wave comp


Photo Ben Howard

Support Peg here

Perranporths Pegleg Bennett has been invited to the worlds first adaptive big wave comp to be held at Nelscott Reef, Oregon, USA. The comp only runs when the surf is over 30 feet but could be up to 60 feet.

Peg has slightly stunned organisers telling them he is going to paddle, while most other competitors will tow in due to their challenges.. although I think I managed to persuade him to take a rope if needed…And do some breathing exercises… Just so we see him back in Cornwall!

Obviously he needs a proper gun which is now being shaped up, and air fare. The trouble is there is no funding for this from surfing, sport or adaptive governing bodies.

On top of this Peg has also been picked to go to a comp in Japan. So it is going to be an expensive winter.

Peg has now set ups GoFund me page so you lot can get behind him and help him rep Cornwall, GB surfing and charge huge waves… Or if you are his mates throw a tenner in the hope of seeing him go over the falls live on TV… Joking!

It is a massive achievement and everyone is really proud of this lad so support if you can…

Peg says “I have had the privilege of being invited to compete in the WORLD’S FIRST EVER ADAPTIVE (Disabled) BIG WAVE competition, the green light to start the event is when waves are at a minimum of 30ft but could be anywhere up to 60ft .

“It’s going to be held at the Nelscott Reef in Oregon. I am honoured and truly humbled to have received this invitation as one of only 8 invitees world wide and would love to attend and represent Cornwall and the UK.

“As I am already signed up for and commited to an adaptive competition in Japan funds are low and I am needing help to attend the Nelscott Reef Pro. This is something I have been dreaming of all my surfing life and don’t want to have it slip through my fingers.

“Any and all help will be gratefully accepted and received.”

Peg would go!

27th Jesus surf classic

27th Jesus surf classic

Saturday 14th of September saw a busy action-packed day with over 60 under 16’s surfers involved in the very popular 27th Jesus Surf Classic (Part 1) taking place at its traditional home of Croyde beach North Devon. Unfortunately, with the swell forecast not looking good for Sunday organisers took the early decision to only run three of the eight divisions on this weekend in order to try to make the best of the waves on offer. This turned out to be the right call with great surf for the groms on Saturday, and as predicted flat conditions on Sunday.

Organisers Christian Surfers UK created a great little contest tented venue, and at 8 am on Saturday morning the car park was full of many of the U.K.’s top under 16 surfers.
The sun shone throughout and with light offshore winds and 2 to 3-foot surf on offer for most of the day the surfing performances were top class, although there was still a really great vibe throughout.
With regards to the results themselves, it was a great weekend for Perranporths Lucas Skinner, winning two categories. He took the U12’s title (For the 2nd year running) in a hotly contested final ahead of Fynn Gillespie and brother Heath, with Nikita Petrov in fourth.

In the under 14’s division Lucas again triumphed in a tight heat , ahead of Fynn Gillespie, who surfed really strongly throughout the event . Newquay’s Gabe Llewellyn took third ahead of Welsh surfer Eli Perrin-Davies (Ogmore)
In a hotly contested under 16’s final Brauntons Alex Townsend pipped Jerseys Max Bennett (2nd) and Bertie Norman (3rd), with Jed Wood also surfing well getting into the final. With both of the girls events being postponed until the next date, it was great to have some of the young ladies mixing it up with the boys and performing very well.

The presentation took place in bright sunshine at around 4:30 PM where the champions were crowned, and thanks given out, as well as Christian Surfers member Josh Cole sharing a little about his faith and the importance of it in his life.
The presentation platform was also shared with BBC presenter Geeta Pendse, who along with her team had been capturing the event for an upcoming edition of BBC Sunday live. Contest director Phil Williams turned the tables on Geeta by asking her a few questions, presenting commemorative T-shirts to the BBC team and thanked them for their hard work during the day. Phil Williams (Head of Christian Surfers UK) also thanked all those involved in making this event such a great community day, competitors, spectators, families and friends, the 50+ volunteers from Christian Surfers throughout the UK, and God for providing waves which enabled the competition on Saturday to be completed.

Please make a note of next year’s dates September 19 and 20th 2020.

In addition to all those mentioned above the Jesus Surf Classic team would like to thank amongst others Parkdean holidays for the use of the beach and car park, the local RNLI team for water safety, the local churches as well as Nailsea churches for the BBQ, and cakes etc. Big thanks also to media team Andy Holter (Photography) and Si Cotter video(Ruwac Productions)

In addition to all those mentioned above the Jesus Surf Classic team would like to thank amongst others Parkdean holidays for the use of the beach and car park, the local RNLI team for water safety, the local churches as well as Nailsea churches for the BBQ, and cakes etc. Big thanks also to media team Andy Holter (Photography) and Si Cotter video(Ruwac Productions)

A fantastic Saturday had by all, and as soon as a new date has been confirmed for the remaining five categories this will be communicated widely to those that have previously entered, and through social media platforms.
The next in the Jesus Surf Series will be the 12th Jesus Longboard Classic, which will be held at Polzeath (North Cornwall) over the weekend of 12th-13th October with great hospitality from the Tubestation.

The registration portal is now open here.

For any further information on the work of Christian Surfers UK log onto christiansurfers.co.uk or contact [email protected]

Photos: Andy Holter

Mason Ho surfing The Wedge.

Mason Ho surfing The Wedge.

Mason Ho shot over to California last weekend (September 13-14 2019) for Brand Day with Rip Curl and scored some fun waves at the world famous Wedge. Lots of wipeouts, and sea shells became flying razors. Thanks to the locals for filming.