Carve Magazine Issue 223

Carve Magazine Issue 223

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1/1000th of a second.

That’s all it takes. Focussed on the right subject at the right time, a gentle squeeze of the trigger can capture an image that might set your world alight. In just a split second. It could be a line-up. It could be a non-surfing shot with an enticing wave in the background. Whether it’s an image on Google Earth or a shot in a mag, 1/1000th of a second has changed peoples’ lives. Sent them off searching, created careers and fulfilled ambitions. In this issue we celebrate the best work by British and Irish surf photographers. They’re a hardy bunch, capturing our unique, sometimes less-than-perfect waves. What is a perfect wave, anyway? In some places, it might just be one that actually turns up (hello summer 2024). We’re proud to display some of the best surf photos in this issue, one of which will be rewarded handsomely with gear and a trip.

Al Mackinnon is one of, if not the best, UK surf travel journalist. What he knows could fill a book, but he won’t divulge all in public as he’s sworn to secrecy. Imagine empty perfect waves, some warm, some cold, some far away, some very close to home. It’s hard to achieve a balance in chasing stories and reflecting our cultural wanderlust without giving the game away. But Al does it really well, and the resulting products of his life and travels are well worth an interview and portfolio. We also interview Lara Waves from Leeds who inspired by photographers like Al, gave up everything to live in a van and try and make her living from surf photography.

We’re stoked to say she is winning and you can read her story in Shoot First. Lukas Skinner’s shot on the cover epitomises a moment in time with the young gun who is flying high right now; a two times under 16 World Champion with numerous other accolades already to his name. We tasked Mark Vaughan, lover of stats, live heats and servant of Welsh surfing to (try) and catch up with Lukas about everything that’s going on as he chases a dream. Surfers have dreamt of big barrels at HT’s since the early rumours and photos first began to surface when it was called Lance’s Right in the 1990s. But the shots underplay how heavy and fickle the wave actually is at size. In June a motley crew of Cornish surfers and an Irishman saw a perfect chart and headed off on a last-minute swell chase. What they arrived to was one of the best, and heaviest, swells witnessed there.

There’s more, lots more inside, but you get the gist! Hopefully one of the gems in these pages will resonate with you and send you off on adventures to chase your own dreams. Or maybe it will just inspire you to take a moment to sit back, pause, and ponder how lucky you are to have found surfing. Enjoy!

Steve

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Surfer Attacked By Shark

Kai McKenzie, 23, from Bonny Hills, was in the surf at North Shore Beach in Port Macquarie when he was attacked about 11am on Tuesday. He saw the shark approach and was able to fight it off but suffered a severed right leg.

Clinging to life, he was able to catch a wave back to the beach. A retired police officer used his dog’s lead as a tourniquet to stem the bleeding before the victim could be airlifted to hospital.

Kai is currently in John Hunter Hospital where he has had surgery and is in a stable condition. As you can imagine, the upcoming medical expenses for his recovery and rehabilitation is something no one would ever be prepared for. The funds raised will go in assisting Kai in every aspect of his recovery.

Please dig deep for this family to assist with Kai’s recovery and rehabilitation. I am a neighbour of The McKenzie’s. They are a local family with hearts of gold that would never expect or ask anything of anybody, so let’s give back and show them that they have the communities support in this. – Lauren Mac

Lauren Mac, friend and neighbour of Kai McKenzie, has launched a GoFundMe to support the surfer, hit the link below to help if you can. Our thoughts go out to kai, his friends and family and all those affected during this difficult time.

CLICK HERE TO HELP KAI

Photo: NSW Police

ATLAS | A surf movie by Bear Surfboards

Surfing has improved the lives of many people in Morocco but unfortunately there are also some negative implications hidden in the shadow of world famous waves.

Surf tourism can be good or bad, depending on how it is handled. Atlas collects testimonies of people sharing very diverse views on the matter. All opinions will help to increase the awareness of those like us, surfers and travellers, who fell in love with Morocco.

Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang

It’s no secret that the Rip Curl Cup at Padang Padang is one of the greatest surfing events on the planet. It’s one month waiting period that guarantees the heaviest conditions, it’s mad, barreling waves, it’s spectacular setting in Bali, it’s unique format, it’s cultural values and it’s wild list of invitees makes sure of that.

The Rip Curl Cup is an event that is steeped in the all the tradition, anticipation and excitement that makes surfing the sport that it deserves to be. To participate is an ultimate challenge. To watch is an envious thrill. To present it is our honor. And here’s why. It is a frenzied, unpredictable, one day barrel fest in the finest wave Bali has to offer. And it will be brought to you live from the water, in the channel, enabling you to have a surfer’s eye view into the barrel as the surfers charge their way across the famed reef of Padang Padang.

The event also features a unique format that gives each surfer every chance to shine, while showing ultimate respect for the local culture by splitting the field of invitees between eight international surfers and eight locals. And with new blood like Noa Deane, Harry Bryant and Soli Bailey up against local hotshots like Dylan Wilcoxen, Manik Rudita and two time champion Mega Semadhi, this year is going to be more entertaining then ever. Especially when you consider that two other former champions and one veteran Pipeline Master have also thrown their hat in the ring. (These to be announced later).

It is also with great pride that we announce our inaugural Women’s division. A separate event all their own. Because female surfers around the world have proven that they belong in the heavy barrels of Padang Padang. Let us not forget that in the last event, fifteen year old wildcard Erin Brooks, competing against the men, made it to the final and held the first place position for the first half of the heat. In the end, her fourth place finish became a historic benchmark for professional female surfers globally. This year, Erin Brooks will lead the women’s field. And with competition like Sierra Kerr, big wave phenom Laura Enever and locals Kailani Johnson and Jasmine Studer, Erin is going to have her work cut out for her. (It is rumored that there will also be a certain eight-time World Champion in the mix, making this year a world class challenge not to miss).

The Rip Curl Cup also features a new, unique format for both divisions that works like this: Each surfer will surf in two non-elimination, four person, 40 minute heats. The surfer’s best two scores from either heat will be totaled. And the top four surfers with the highest scores will make up the final. This format ensures that the surfers will have the time and the waves to do their best without the restraints of the conventional man-on-man format.

And it all gets underway on July 27th at 4pm on the sands of Padang Padang with The Rip Curl Cup’s unrivaled opening ceremony. Designed to show respect for the local culture and the sacred venue itself, this opening ceremony has become an eagerly anticipated event year upon year. The gathering of the invitees, the revealing of the secret surfers, the announcing of the heat line-ups, the interactive press party and the packed house makes it one of the biggest beach parties of the year. Including the sounding of a giant gong that officially starts the month long waiting period of August 1st to the 31st, while at the same time, introducing the traditional Balinese Kecak Dance. A spectacle of fire, untamed movement and dynamic costume that tells a classic Balinese tale of good and evil. A performance that is considered a privileged blessing for the event and a positive portent of great things to come.

And that is just one of the traditional honours that is bestowed upon this event and one that makes this event so incomparable in the global surfing contest arena. Please join us for the Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang 2024 and be part of this celebration of the best surfing has to offer and the cultural recognition that defines it all.

The 2024 Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang will be webcast LIVE to the world at ripcurl.com. Fans can also visit the Rip Curl website to check the official event swell forecast, real-time contest status, and video updates from Bali.

Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang 2024 Event Schedule:

Trials Holding Period
June 15th – July 31st

Main Event Holding Period
August 1st – 31st

Opening Ceremony
Sunday, July 27th at 4 PM, Padang Padang Beach, Bali
Meet the invited athletes
Press conference
Traditional Balinese Kecak Dance performance

Official Rip Curl Cup Party
Friday, August 30th 5PM – Midnight.
Live performance by SKEGSS at The Bench

The Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang 2024 is presented by SAMUDERA INDONESIA
Sponsored by: Island Brewing, Dragon, Oakberry, BGS, and Biznet
Supported by: Kementerian Pariwisata dan Ekonomi Kreatif.

Top 4: Solo Surf Stays

Bombs We Love – Teahupo’o

My third trip this year to Tahiti this season for what was the biggest swell of the year. And it did not disappoint, wait till you see the Kauli Vaast’s bomb. With Teahupo’o set to stage the Olympics, this big Thursday swell lived to up to all the hype and expectations. Both the tow and paddle a line-up was full of big names and energy.

Enjoy! – Tim Bonython