Carve Magazine Issue 224

Carve Magazine Issue 224

Carve Surfing Magazine

Carve Magazine Issue 224

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Hello and welcome to issue 224!

Autumn just doesn’t seem to cut it compared to autumns past. No idea why. Scientists are baffled too. Despite warm water and all the indications of a booming hurricane season, the Atlantic switched off (at least at the time of going to print it had, but our fingers are still crossed). Anyway, to remind you of good times, September swells and crisp offshores, we rounded up some of the best autumn shots we could find of the UK and Ireland. You can find them on page 82. If we collectively manifest, maybe we can all get a few decent surfs before Christmas! Back in the 00’s I took a crew off to Ecuador to explore the coast. Our host and new friend Eddie Salazar took us on an adventure and we’ve remained friends ever since. In 2000 he moved to the Galapagos Islands to run surf charters but, like many of us, as he became more attached to the place he wanted to do more. It’s not just about the waves, it’s the ambience, the people and just some kind of serendipity and intuition that tells us it is where we are meant to be.

That place could be the likes of Brighton’s surf and skate spots that Grant Winter features on page 22, but for Eddie it was a small island in the middle of the Pacific. After making it his home, he went on a mission to remove non-indigenous plant species in order to protect the local fauna and flora, and bring the area it back to its natural glory. And he’s winning! Read his remarkable story on page 48 and if you’re inspired by it you are invited go and join him. Earlier this month we announced Gary McCall as the winner of the dryrobe® x Carve Photo of the Year competition, for his photo of Lucas Chumbo at Mullaghmore. It is outstanding! Despite our exposure to short clips and addiction to various apps on our phones, there is still something utterly mesmerising about a photo in print which captures the beauty and drama of surfing in a single moment. Gary’s shot did exactly that, so we catch up with him for a chat on page 56.

Speaking of amazing surf shots and their enduring nature, our cover shot had us absolutely spellbound. There is something unfathomable about the power and thickness of the wave, the colour, the depth and control of the ride by Keala Kennelly, and the positioning of the photographer – legend Tim McKenna. It is mind-blowing and we couldn’t stop looking at it. Still can’t. The fact it is from 2016 adds to the kudos deserved by both surfer and photographer. Simply put, it’s one of the best surf shots and rides of all time. And there’s more: Barnaby Cox leaves home to find waves and work in tropical paradise, we go on an adventure through Chile, and big wave surfing in Tasmania. As you thumb through these pages I would encourage you to take a moment to take in the detail of each shot – the colours, the wave form, the way water is flowing beneath boards, or the curl of the lip. Each wave, each ride, each moment is unique. It is a truly amazing thing. Then go out and create your own moments and hold them in your mind’s eye. They will last forever, through good and bad times, and lead you on paths you may never have dreamt of.

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Rip Curl GromSearch 2024

Rip Curl GromSearch 2024

The European final of the Rip Curl GromSearch 2024 took place last Saturday, September 14th. In this iconic event, the best young surfers under 16 from all over Europe competed on the waves of Anglet.

After excelling in national competitions held in Spain, Portugal, the UK, and France, the winners from each country gathered under the bright sun to battle for the title. Throughout the day, the 38 young athletes delivered outstanding performances, proving once again they represent the future of European surfing.

Competitors in the U16 category also vied for a spot in the prestigious World Final, set to take place in Bali, Indonesia, from November 12th to 17th, 2024.

Full results below:

Under 16 Men
1 Dylan Donegan Santos (ESP) – 12,40
2 Joshua Karbus (IRL) – 10,43
3 Lukas Skinner (GBR) – 8,60
4 Jaime Veselko (POR) – 4,10

Under 16 Women
1 Tya Zebrowski (FRA) – 10,50
2 Carla Morera de la Vall (ESP) – 6,67
3 Chiara Cuppone (ITA) – 6,00
4 Clémence Schorsch (FRA) – 5,40

Under 14 Men
1 Marley Benesene-Masse (FRA) – 13,64
2 Alvaro Casanova (ESP) – 11,96
3 Ethan Fernandez (FRA) – 10,20
4 Matthew Maurin-Lignières (FRA) – 7,97

Under 14 Women
1 Naia Monte (FRA) – 10,67
2 Mel Canhoto (POR) – 8,50
3 Suri Rodriguez (POR) – 6,86
4 Lila Skinner (GBR) – 5,77

Under 12 Men
1 Liam Sham-Koua (PYF) – 10,33
2 Rocco Rigliaco (ITA) – 9,40
3 Stefano Mandozzi (ESP) – 5,90
4 Harvey Waters (GBR) – 5,46

Under 12 Women
1 Nahia Calder (ESP) – 11,17
2 Sienna Rodrigues (POR) – 4,50
3 Caterina Congiu (ITA) – 3,90
4 Camille Trainaud (FRA) – 2,93

Oakley Grand Prize
Congratulations to Lukas Skinner, winner of the Oakley grand prize. This victory grants him the unique opportunity to travel to Peniche to attend the Meo Rip Curl Pro Portugal 2025. The prize includes a training session with Tom Whitaker, former professional surfer and current head coach at Oakley, as well as a meet-and-greet with a member of the Oakley team.

Rip Curl would like to thank all the competitors, the audience, the WSL, and its partners, Oakley and FCS, for their support during this memorable edition of the GromSearch.

Witness Surfing History: Free Entry To The UAE’s First Pro Surfing Event At Surf Abu Dhabi

Witness Surfing History: Free Entry To The UAE’s First Pro Surfing Event At Surf Abu Dhabi

Surf Abu Dhabi is set to host the world’s top longboard surfers from 27th – 29th September for the first edition of the Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic and you can visit and watch for free!

Witness world-class surfing and entertainment at the world’s largest man-made surf facility on the stunning Hudayriyat Island.

In the area? Stopping over? Want to watch an amazing event?

Head to SurfAbuDhabi.com to claim your tickets and be part of this historic event in Abu Dhabi!

You can be a part of history later this month when the world’s top longboarders compete in the first-ever professional surfing event to be held in the UAE. The Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic, the third stop on the World Surf League’s 2024 Longboard Season, takes place at the brand-new Surf Abu Dhabi, with free entry for all spectators!

Surf Abu Dhabi is the world’s largest man-made surf facility, located on Hudayriyat Island, and will open to the public in October. The Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic takes place from 27th to 29th September, with 48 male and female elite surfers battling for crucial points in the race for the world title.

Surf Abu Dhabi joins iconic surf destinations such as Bells Beach in Australia and Huntington Beach in California as the third World Surf League Longboard Tour stop. The Longboard Tour culminates in the Longboard Championship final in El Salvador, where the World Champions will be crowned in October.

Set to open in October 2024, Surf Abu Dhabi, located on Hudayriyat Island, is developed by Modon in collaboration with the Kelly Slater Wave Company. The facility is set to offer an unparalleled surfing experience for all levels when the venue opens to the public next month. Surf Abu Dhabi features the world’s longest ride and largest barrel wave and is tailored for all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned surfers, promising an exclusive and inspiring surfing experience to all.

Fans can enjoy over 8 hours of world-class surfing action each day at the Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic. Beyond the waves, the dedicated fan area offers activations, food trucks, and a rooftop bar where you can watch world-class surfing against the iconic Abu Dhabi city skyline. T-shirts, caps, and other memorabilia are available at the exclusive merchandise store to wear, gift, or get signed by the world’s best longboarders for a unique keepsake from Abu Dhabi’s historic first pro surfing event.

Bill O’Regan, Group CEO of Modon Holding, said, “We are proud to host and sponsor the UAE’s first-ever professional surfing event — the Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic presented by Modon.” He continued, “There is no better way to showcase all that Surf Abu Dhabi has to offer than to welcome the world’s top surfers and introduce the first ever Global surf event to surf enthusiasts in the region.”

Ryan Watkins, General Manager of Surf Abu Dhabi, shared his excitement about the upcoming Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic. He said, “Whether you’re passionate about surfing, love world-class sports, or just want a fun day out, this event is truly unique – it’s the first pro surfing event to be staged in the UAE. The Longboard Classic will showcase the pure elegance and style of surfing, offering something for everyone to enjoy watching. We’re very excited to host such a historic event at our Surf Abu Dhabi as we gear up for our opening in October.”

Enjoy front-row seats to watch the world’s best surfers in action at Surf Abu Dhabi on the iconic Hudayriyat Island. Entry is free, but tickets are limited. Visit SurfAbuDhabi.com for more information and to register for your free ticket, or watch it live at www.worldsurfleague.com and witness this history-making surf event.

Team England Para Athletes Selected

Team England Para Athletes Selected

In less than 2 months, Team England Para will land in California for the 2024 ISA World Para Surfing Championships. This contest sees the best para surfers in the world surf in fierce competition for podium places.

The contest will take place at Surf City USA, the iconic Huntington Beach. The event runs 3rd – 9th November.

The Team is currently fundraising and looking for more support. A prize draw is now live with fantastic items up for grabs from dryrobe, The Wave, Tregenna Castle, Decathlon UK and many more. Check out the fundraiser HERE

We are also on the search for companies to come onboard and support the Team. If interested, please do get in touch!

Now to introduce 2024 Team England Para Surfers:

Women:

· Charlotte Banfield – PS Stand 3
· Hannah Dines – PS Prone 2
· Laurie Foti – PS Prone 1
· Suzanne Edwards – PS Prone 1
· Zoe Smith – PS Stand 2

Men:

· David Lewis – PS Visually Impaired 2
· Harlum Lewis – PS Prone 1
· James Price – PS Prone 2
· Mark Hagger – PS Prone 2
· Pegleg Bennett – PS Stand 2
· Spike Kane – PS Surf Sit

On the ground in Cali, we will also have a full team of coaches and support to assist the team. The team will be led by Phil Williams (Team Manager) and Andy Banks (Head Coach), with other coaches Jack Patching, Cyril Cox, Deano Griffiths, Matt Jones, and Hannah Brand in assistant manager role. A huge thank you to this crew!

A big thank you to Tregenna Castle, Boardmasters, and Moulded Earplugs who have already made pledges to support the Team. We look forward to other brands joining the movement and being a part of our success story. If you would like to support please do not hesitate to reach out contacting Phil on the address below.

For more information, please reach out to our Team Manager, Phil on [email protected]

Shinko, Japan with Dylan Graves

Shinko, Japan with Dylan Graves

Welcome to Shinko, a unique and unexpected surf scene in Japan. A wave with unusual contrast- on one side, the raw, powerful energy of the ocean, and on the other, the industrial hum of machinery, both coexisting in this unexpected surf haven.

I’m always excited to explore different surf spots and immerse myself in the unique surf cultures during my travels. Surfing Japan is not all about navigating through rocks like a kamikaze pilot (like my last video at God’s Crack), here is a look at a more traditional Japanese surf scene… a sci-fi looking one at that!

Hope you enjoy this journey of a very special scene in Japan. Thank you to Keito Matusuoka for showing us around and plugging us into your world! Without your help and guidance this video would not be possible.

I would also like to thank Shohei Echigo for letting us stay at Hotel Shohei. And Shohei’s dad for being the first to surf Shinko, congratulations on discovering an entire surf scene. Massive thanks to rest of the surf community for having us 🙂

Thanks to Coby Perkovich, Shouta Sawada and Misaki Haberl. For assistance on translations.

Filmed by: Wade Carroll

Additional footage: Shohei Echigo, Dylan Graves, Keito Matsuoka

Music by: Dylan Graves

Tya Zebrowski / Lukas Skinner Take The Win

Tya Zebrowski / Lukas Skinner Take The Win

Tya Zebrowski (FRA) and Lukas Skinner (GBR) from Team Rip Curl won the World Surf League (WSL) Specialty Event, the Caraïbos Surf de Nuit Anglet presented by Rip Curl on Friday evening in fun, wedgy two-foot peaks. Thousands of spectators were treated to exciting surfing and a spectacular fireworks display, celebrating the 30th year of this iconic event.

Featuring some of Europe’s best surfers, six teams competed in support of a charity of their choice. The 2024 winners, Zebrowski and Skinner from Team Rip Curl donated their prize money to Handi Surf, an adaptive surfing organization launched in 2012.

Young phenom Tya Zebrowski (FRA) scored the best wave in the women’s heat with a 7.00 (out of a possible 10), while Lukas Skinner (GBR) came out on top in the men’s heat with an excellent 9.40 for a huge air. This secured Team Rip Curl’s spot in the Final and they were joined by Team Caraïbos and Team Billabong.

The Final was a bit slower, as surfers struggled to find their position in the lineup. Zebrowski pushed Team Rip Curl into the lead with two strong turns to earn a 6.00. As time ran out, Skinner landed a technical and clean frontside air to give Team Rip Curl a solid lead.

Team Billabong’s Sam Piter (FRA) scored the best wave in the Final with a 6.67 for a big frontside air in the last 30 seconds, and teammate Aelan Vaast (FRA) also threw down a big turn, but judges deemed it incomplete and they had to settle for second place. French veterans Joan Duru (FRA) and Maud le Car (FRA) representing Team Caraïbos finished in third.

“It’s my first time at this event, and my first time ever surfing at night,” Skinner reacted. “It was a really cool experience with all the lights and it was so fun to surf with all these incredible people and teaming up with Tya, thanks to everyone who made this happen.”

The Caraïbos Surf de Nuit Anglet presented by Rip Curl has a competition window from Friday, September 13, 2024 to Saturday, September 14, 2024 weather permitting.

Catch all the highlights and more from the Caraïbos Surf de Nuit Anglet presented by Rip Curl on WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL YouTube or free WSL app, as well as the WSL QS Facebook page.

The Caraïbos Surf de Nuit Anglet presented by Rip Curl is supported by Caraïbos, Ville d’Anglet, Rip Curl, Action Glow, Turtledove, Volt, BAB2, Suez, Europe 2, Atlantal, Nexity and Torq.