Lost Shore, Scotland, Opens 11th November

Lost Shore, Scotland, Opens 11th November

Hotly anticipated surfing resort, home to one of the world’s most advanced surfing wave pools, opens to the public

Scotland’s leisure and tourism industry is making waves as Lost Shore Surf Resort, the nation’s first inland surf destination, officially opens its doors on the 11th November. Located in Ratho, near Edinburgh, this game-changing £60m attraction boasts Europe’s largest and most advanced wave pool, positioning Scotland as a new global hub for adventure tourism.

Set within extensive grounds, Lost Shore Surf Resort offers a range of amenities including luxury accommodation, a waterfront bar, café, restaurant, surf school, surf shop, The Surfskate Academy, Spear Sauna, and wellness treatments.

As the largest investment in Scottish sporting infrastructure since the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the resort is expected to welcome over 160,000 visitors annually, create more than 130 jobs, and contribute £11 million to the local economy each year.

Surf
At the heart of Lost Shore Surf Resort is the state-of-the-art wave pool powered by Wavegarden technology. This enormous pool, three times the size of Wembley Stadium’s pitch, can generate up to 1,000 customisable waves per hour. From complete beginners to seasoned pros, surfers of all abilities will have the chance to ride world-class waves designed to their skill level.

With a 250-metre beachfront and over 20 wave types, surfers can fine-tune their skills while receiving expert tuition. Each surf session or lesson includes the use of high-performance, plant-based wetsuits and surfboards, ensuring comfort and warmth in any weather.

The resort also offers surfskating, an exciting variation of skateboarding that simulates ocean surfing on dry land. The Surfskate Academy helps surfers enhance their technique, making it a great way to prepare for the waves or get introduced to the sport.

In keeping with its commitment to inclusivity, Lost Shore Surf Resort will host several charitable initiatives. Inclusive Surfing Scotland will offer adaptive surfing opportunities for individuals of all abilities, while The Wave Project will provide their Surf Therapy sessions for young people facing various challenges—leading to a positive effect on the mental health and wellbeing of young people in the area.

Eat
In addition to its world-class surfing facilities, Lost Shore Surf Resort features Canteen, a rotating selection of top Scottish eateries in its waterfront bar, café, and restaurant. Visitors can enjoy diverse, seasonally driven dishes from beloved culinary favourites such as Glasgow’s Five March, Rafa’s Diner, and the iconic Edinburgh pizzeria Civerinos.

Stay
For those looking to extend their stay, the resort offers luxurious accommodation with stunning views of the surf pool. Hilltop Lodges, with three or four bedrooms accommodating 6-8 guests, outdoor showers, and wetsuit storage, cater perfectly to families and groups and offer stunning views of the resort. The Waterfront Lodges provide a scenic stay just steps from the surf, accommodating up to four people.

For accessible accommodation, the bespoke Kurvs feature sliding doors, wide corridors, and wheelchair-friendly amenities, ensuring a comfortable stay for up to four guests.

Waterfront Pods, designed for singles or couples, offer floating super-king beds, underfloor heating, and ensuite bathrooms.

Enjoy
For the complete resort experience, Lost Shore Surf Resort offers indulgent wellness treatments by Michelle Denham, including facials and massages, delivered by a team of highly skilled therapists. The Spear Sauna, located by the water’s edge, provides a refreshing experience with waterfall buckets for an invigorating cool-down after a relaxing sauna session.

Events
There is a dedicated private event studio with space for up to 120 guests for corporate events, brand launches, meetings and private parties.

Throughout December, Lost Shore Surf Resort will be home to Christmas events such as The Lost Feast, a beautiful immersive indoor winter woodland for an incredible long table lunch or dinner provided by the critically acclaimed Five March. There will also be the Lost Cinema, where you can step through the Narnia wardrobe and enjoy festive film classics in a beautiful indoor winter woodland cinema.

Andy Hadden, founder of Lost Shore Surf Resort, said:
“This is a dream come true. Lost Shore Surf Resort is a hub of world-class adventure, hospitality, and wellness. After ten years of planning, it’s thrilling to open our doors and welcome visitors to experience this incredible resort. We believe Lost Shore will make surfing accessible to everyone, whilst also showcasing Scotland as a top destination for adventure tourism. I can’t wait to see more people realise the mental and physical benefits of surfing. Who knows—this could be the training ground for Scotland’s next Olympic surfing champion.”

2024 ISA World Para Surfing Championship

2024 ISA World Para Surfing Championship

Jose Martinez, Team USA Photo: Sean Evans

The 2024 ISA World Para Surfing Championship (WPSC) kicked off in beautiful conditions in Surf City USA. Clean, three-to-four foot peaks lined up the Southside of Huntington Beach Pier for a great day one of competition. Pure joy was present on the faces of the world’s best para surfers as they were greeted with an incredible Southern California day for their return to the global stage.

Round 1 was completed in five of the men’s divisions and three of the women’s. The round-robin format allows for each surfer to compete in two rounds, with the highest scores across each heat contributing to an overall score to determine who advances.

The competition was strong from the start in multiple divisions. 2023 Bronze Medalist Pierot Gagliano (FRA) posted a 15.00 heat total, that included an 8.67 single wave score, to defeat three-time World Champion Matt Formston (AUS) and challenge defending World Champion Aaron Paulk (HAW) in men’s Visual Impairment (VI) 2. Four-time Silver Medalist Eric Dargent (FRA) also found a 15.00 heat total to defeat 2020 World Champion Colin Cook (HAW) and top the men’s Stand 3 leaderboard. In men’s VI 1, two-time Silver Medalist Thomas da Silva (FRA) took the lead over two World Champions.

Charlotte Bandfield, Team England Photo: Sean Evans

Team England went one and two in the combined women’s Stand 2 and 3 division. Defending women’s Stand 3 World Champion Charlotte Banfield (ENG) and 2023 women’s Stand 2 Silver Medalist Zoe Smith (ENG) pushed each other for the lead, with Smith taking the win.

“We just support each other, sort of emotionally be there for each other,” Smith said. “Then maybe as the competition goes we’ll start getting really…like playing chess.”

World Champions Martinez, Teixeira and Marimon battle to be the best

2021 World Champion Jose Martinez (USA) was one of three World Champions to open their campaigns with giant scores, along with Davi Teixeira (BRA) and Freddy Marimon (COL). Martinez found a long right that allowed him to drive through multiple turns for an 8.50. After winning the Silver Medal last year, the 36-year-old continues to be fired up to join the multi-time World Champion club.

“It’s just so much fun out there,” Martinez said. “The conditions are pretty perfect. We have some energy in it, and it’s giving us the perfect section so we get a chance to actually show the judges that we know what we’re doing, and gracefully, I showed off today. I just wanted to make sure that my competitors know that I’m here to stay as well, just as much as they showed me that they’re here to stay. So all the previous champions, two-time, three-time World Champions, I’m hoping that I get crowned the second time World Champion this time around.”

Team Wales Photo: Sean Evans

Teixeira and Marimon had a strong battle as they faced each other for the heat win. The Brazilian opened with an 8.87, the Colombian an 8.67, but an even stronger 9.00 delivered the win to Teixeira, the three-time and back-to-back defending World Champion.

“I’m feeling very great,” Teixeira said. “I really had fun inside of the water competing with Freddy. He’s a friend of mine and I saw that he evolved a lot and that’s great to surf in the heat, more competitive and it’s better. I really had fun surfing the waves, so clean, and yeah, it was such an amazing heat.”

Jocelyn Neumueller, Team Australia Photo: Sean Evans

Neumueller and Almagro set up race for second World Title

A huge end-section hit on a pier-bowl left delivered the highest single wave score of the day for the women, a 7.17, to Jocelyn Neumueller (AUS). The 2021 World Champion has won the Silver Medal for the past two years and is taking a measured approach to her campaign for a second World Title this week. Regardless, the Australian went straight to the top of the Prone 2 leaderboard ahead of defending World Champion Sarah Almagro (ESP).

“I think it’s good just to get out there, have a hit out and get acquainted back with the Huntington conditions,” Neumueller said. “I think the goal for this heat was really just to get one good score and hopefully try and build on a second score. But overall, great to get the win and great to see the level of surfing among all the competitors in the prone division growing and rising every competition.”

Almagro also had a solid start, opening with a 6.00 for a huge cutback, before strengthening her position with a 6.17 thanks to a big opening two-turn combo. The 24-year-old is intent on backing up her World Title, setting up a race with Neumueller to be the first to become a two-time World Champion.

“It’s a big responsibility to be here, it’s a pleasure,” Almagro said. “It’s a big effort that the federation did to bring us back here, so let’s see if I can bring back the gold medal.”

JP Veaudry, Team South Africa  Photo: Sean Evans

Dreaming of gold, Para Surfing veteran JP Veaudry opens strong

Appearing in eight of the nine WPSC events that have taken place, JP Veaudry (RSA) is officially a veteran of the sport. The South African has amassed a nice collection of medals, peaking with the Silver Medal in 2022 for his Stand 2 division, however the gold has so far eluded him. Veaudry had a great start to the event, earning an 8.00 after utilizing his strong backhand attack through a three-turn combo headed left on the pier bowl. Backing it up with a 7.67 on the right, Veaudry’s 15.67 heat total was the highest of the men’s Stand 2 division.

“The first heat jitters, they’re quite a thing,” Veaudry said. “Until I got that first decent ride, I was literally panicking. You have no idea (how much I want the Gold Medal). I mean, I lie awake at night thinking that gold is mine. Every year I say that, and every year something happens. It’s got to be this year. It has to be.”

Former medalists Philippe Naud (FRA) and Nachman Balulu (ISR) also earned heat wins. With no former World Champions competing in the division this year, the trio are each hoping that this will be their opportunity to finally claim gold.

The 2024 WPSC will continue tomorrow with men’s Kneel Round 1 at 7:00am, PST, at Southside Huntington Beach Pier.

Team England Photo: Sean Evans

Foamballed

Foamballed

A barrel riding experience starring Tosh Tudor, Joel Tudor, Ewe Wong, and Kobe Hughes. One a hell of a family affair In indo, hit play and pull in.
 
A foam balled surf film
Directed by Kalani Minihan
Nath Florence and his bro take on a northern slab

Nath Florence and his bro take on a northern slab

This remote super shallow north slab was first surfed over a decade ago now.

Funny how everyone on this side of the Atlantic used to dream of escaping to Hawaii and other warmer climates but with the rise of cold water slab surfing now the Hawaiians are coming to over here!

Sam Buckle RIP

Sam Buckle RIP

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.

We love you, Sam.

With love,

Joe & Family

Our thoughts are with friends and family.

Was Britains first surfer a witch?

Was Britains first surfer a witch?

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?”