Solite invent custom fit surf boots.

Solite invent custom fit surf boots.

Surf boots have not changed much in the last 30 years. But two men, Jamie Meiselman and Tyler Callaway, have come up with a unique concept using a Thermo-Form sole to create custom fit boots.

Jamie and Tyler grew up surfing in freezing winters in the northeastern United States so they knew that booties were the key to cold water performance surfing. Fit, weight, durability and warmth all being critical factors. They wondered if they could find a material and a construction that would do everything better?

"Boots are literally the link between your board and your body. Any movement you make must go straight through your boots. If we could optimise this connection, we could change the game performance in cold water."

The pair decided to redesign the slipper from the sole. Instead of sticking rubber layers and straps on a neoprene sock, they started with an injection moulded seamless sole. This sole is made from an exclusive thermoforming material that weighs nearly half of the weight and is twice as durable as neoprene. All you do is heat up the material using warm water, and put your foot in. Then just like custom ski / snowboard boots the Solite slippers mould to your feet giving a precise fit that moves with your foot.

The Thermo-Form sole is also completely hydrophobic on the outside and antibacterial on the inside. So, your boots remain light, warm and do not smell bad after a few sessions. The material does not degrade like neoprene and the surface is abrasion / cut resistant and the seamless sole means that leaking boots are a thing of the past.

For more info hit up soliteboots.eu or in Europe email: [email protected]

Now And Then

Now And Then

 From the ‘Then & Now’ series, this bad boy features everyones favourite laid back Gold Coast ripper, Joel Parkinson.

‘Ultimate Surfer’ Announced

‘Ultimate Surfer’ Announced

Is this a really good idea, or a really bad idea, decide for yourselves after reading the following below. Reality TV surfing competition, hmmmmmm, how much soul is involved in that, apart from maybe selling it.

ABC announced the network pickup of new competition series "Ultimate Surfer." The eight-episode series will gather some of the world's greatest up-and-coming surfers to train and live together as they battle it out at the World Surf League's (WSL) state-of-the-art Surf Ranch in Lemoore, California, powered by Kelly Slater's man-made wave technology, in the hope of competing amongst the best athletes in the world's fastest-growing sport. Production will begin in 2020 and an airdate will be announced later this season. Slater will serve as on-air talent and special correspondent for the show.

Alliances and rivalries will be front and centre in "Ultimate Surfer" as men and women compete in individual and team challenges focused on specific surfing disciplines. Weekly eliminations will leave two men and two women as finalists who will vie for the male and female titles of the Ultimate Surfer and the opportunity to compete on the WSL World Tour, the pinnacle of professional surfing. Slater's remarkable, one-of-a-kind, man-made wave - the most even playing field for measuring surf mastery - is at the heart of the series.

"In addition to being a globally recognised sport, surfing is also a lifestyle; and ‘Ultimate Surfer' will give viewers a uniquely personal look at what goes into becoming a world-class champion. We're ecstatic about the opportunity to utilise Kelly's world-class surf facility and his expertise in showcasing these incredibly talented on-the-rise athletes," said Rob Mills, senior vice president, Alternative Series, Specials and Late Night, ABC Entertainment.

"This is an unprecedented opportunity for two surfers (one man, one woman) to win an opportunity to compete against the best surfers in the world on the WSL Tour,"said Slater, who will be the lead consultant for the series. "This will put some of the best up-and-comers against each other in a more direct way to see who stands above the rest, and Surf Ranch is obviously a great venue to use for ‘Ultimate Surfer.' I'm excited to watch how they step up to the challenge."

The series comes out of the multi-platform co-development partnership between Pilgrim Media Group and WSL Studios, announced earlier this year.

"Ultimate Surfer" is produced by Lionsgate's Pilgrim Media Group and WSL Studios. Pilgrim CEO and President Craig Piligian, WSL Studios President of Content and Media Erik Logan, and UFC President Dana White serve as executive producers. Surfers interested in being a contestant on the show must be 21 or older and can apply at UltimateSurferCasting.com, where more details are available..

URBNSURF show off the Southern Hemi’s first Wavegarden

URBNSURF show off the Southern Hemi’s first Wavegarden

The setup. Photo Stu Gibson

Just as the opening season froth on Bristol is settling and the daily crew of punters slide into west country waves the next Wavegarden Cove to open is showing its colours in Melbourne. A bunch of heavy hitters have been testing the wave with decent pits and air sections on offer.

PRESS RELEASE: The First Wavegarden® Cove in the Southern Hemisphere Soon to Open in Melbourne, Australia

Perfect waves have been ridden by a select group of Victorian and Australian pro surfers for the first time at URBNSURF Melbourne, just minutes from Melbourne Airport’s terminals.

Mitch Crews at Urbn Surf. Photo Ted Grambeau

Melbourne’s newest surf destination, scheduled to open in January 2020, rivals some of the best breaks on the planet and is set to progress the sport of surfing at an unprecedented rate by providing a perfect training facility for elite athletes and easy access to newcomers.

The centerpiece of this innovative surfing facility is the two-and-a half-hectare Wavegarden Cove surfing lagoon, capable of producing a great variety of ocean-like waves from gentle, knee-high waves for beginners, through to steep, barreling waves designed for advanced and elite surfers.

Xavier Huxtable. Photo Adam Gibson.

Wavegarden’s team of innovators is currently preparing and fine-tuning the full “wave menu” at URBNSURF Melbourne. Given Australia’s renowned surf culture, with more than 2.5 million active participants, they are particularly focused on broadening the spectrum of waves that will be on offer, including those designed for experts.

Kai Otton. Photo Ted Grambeau.

The fiercest type on the wave menu, coined ‘The Beast’, was tested earlier this week by former world champion Joel Parkinson who exited the water, saying “It’s a challenging barrel and you need to be on your game to make it out”.

Luke Hynd. Photo Stu Gibson.

The waist to head high ‘Turn Waves’ unfurl in perfect order on both sides of the central pier in the lagoon, allowing surfers to trim and carve along the face, while those more experienced are able to perform up to six aggressive top to bottom maneuvers.

Nikki Van Dijk. Photo Adam Gibson.

New to the diverse wave menu is the aerial waves, dubbed “The Ramp”, which boasts a steep face to generate speed followed by a critical ramp section to assist progressive surfers to project into the air. Recognized as one of the world’s leading air specialists, test pilot Dion Agius has been helping Wavegarden technicians to design the perfect air section at URBNSURF Melbourne. “It has the potential to be amazing, we just need to refine a couple of details”, said Dion, after several hours in the water.

Nikki Van Dijk. Photo Adam Gibson.

Josema Odriozola, Wavegarden’s founder and CEO, is very happy with the overall facility stating, “Working hand-in-hand with URBNBSURF over the past few years has been very productive and together we have been able to create almost the perfect surf beach environment with a vast range of consistent and quality waves for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy.”

Photo Adam Gibson.

With two facilities in operation, URBNSURF Melbourne set to open in January 2020, and three other surf parks under construction, Wavegarden is the world’s leading wave-making system boasting the highest user capacities, an authentic surf experience in crystal clear water and a very energy efficient and noise-free machinery.

Xavier Huxtable. Photo Adam Gibson.

Mitch Crews. Photo Adam Gibson.

Surfing officially better than scoring a FA Cup goal. Best MOTD interview ever.

Surfing officially better than scoring a FA Cup goal. Best MOTD interview ever.

Hats off to Chichester City and former Newport striker Scott Jones for the best BBC Match of the Day interview ever admitting that surfing beats scoring in the FA Cup everyday…As we all knew already…

‘Pro surfer, adventurer. river expeditioner and environmentalist’, Scott formerly from the Isle of Wight, was interviewed while celebrating a FA Cup second round draw away at either National League 1’s Tranmere or Wycombe Wanderers.

Scott even threw in a “Whapah’ for good measure.