Conor Maguire, Ollie O’Flaherty, Barry Mottershead, Peter Conroy, Enda Curran, John Monahan Will Skudin, Tom Lowe, Nic Von Rupp, and Rafael Tapia take on one of the swells of the winter.
For the full tale of what it takes to keep these guys safe pick up the latest mag and read our interview with Pete Conroy.
UK Parliament has declared a climate and environmental emergency becoming the first parliament in the world to acknowledge urgent work needs to be done to halt irreversible and damaging change to the world. The United Nations and scientists say we could have just 12 years left to limit a climate change catastrophe.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who tabled the motion, said it was “a huge step forward”.
“This can set off a wave of action from parliaments and governments around the globe. We pledge to work as closely as possible with countries that are serious about ending the climate catastrophe and make clear to US President Donald Trump that he cannot ignore international agreements and action on the climate crisis.
He called on UK MPs to recognise the “devastating impact” that volatile and extreme weather will have on all walks of life.
“We have no time to waste. We are living in a climate crisis that will spiral dangerously out of control unless we take rapid and dramatic action now. This is no longer about a distant future. We are talking about nothing less than the irreversible destruction of the environment within our lifetimes.”
Conservative Environment Secretary Michael Gove acknowledged there was a climate “emergency”
“The situation we face is an emergency. It is a threat that all of us have to unite to meet. Five of the warmest years that this planet has endured have happened since 2010. The consequences for all of us are visible.
“While statistics can sometimes be abstract and the impact can seem distant, we can all know that as individual citizens and as parents that the next generation will face the consequences if we do no take action now to deal with climate change.”
Gove added that legislation will be introduced by the government “shortly” to ensure “highest standards of environmental protection” to “change in how this country tackles the twin challenges of climate change and broader ecological degradation”.
The motion called for the UK to achieve net-zero emissions before 2050 and implement legislation to restore the UK’s natural environment and deliver a “zero waste economy” within the next six months.
With re-greening/re-wilding programmes and amazing technological advances ever increasing, the major hurdle to tackling climate change is still human motivation and priorities. Hopefully the declaration will focus minds and everyone will get on with the job in hand.
From the periphery, a surfing competition can seem insignificant. But when they are done so well, with a spirit so full of passion, love and enthusiasm, it is it clear they can make a positive impact in the world - The Single Fin Mingle is doing just that.
In March of 2019, The Single Fin Mingle celebrated half a decade of success. Living up to its status as the ‘best weekend of the year’ for hundreds of individuals from around the world who travel from far and wide to the small seaside village located in the South Island of New Zealand – Sumner, Christchurch.
Filmed and edited by Jonathan Smit @jonathansmitnz
"Every year new and unique ocean dwelling creatures are being discovered in the depths of the marine world. Meanwhile, humankind is treating our sea as a ‘single-use ocean’ - filling it with plastic, changing it’s chemistry through carbon emissions and stripping it of all natural abundance. We’ve built ‘Creature’ to represent the sea life that people are destroying without even being aware of it. People will only thrive if our ocean thrives."
- Ben Hewitt, Director of Campaigns and Projects - SAS
"As a surfer, I wanted to do what I could to help. Park Pictures share a tendency towards political and environmental engagement, so the desire was there to do some work. The idea for Creature came when I was out in the water. I wondered what could be out there in the deep. And what might be suffering before we’ve even had a chance to meet. Over the years I’d watched Surfers Against Sewage tirelessly fight the plastic polluting industry, and just as tirelessly unite human beings who care. This sense of community is ultimately what the film is about; what I wanted to capture. There’s a love there and it’s what SAS is all about - I was very proud to be a part of their world for the days we were down there.”
- Tom Tagholm, Director, Park Pictures
Mike Doyle has passed way in his sleep aged 78. Doyle was a waterman and inventor being one of the best surfers in the world during the 50’s and 60’s winning a Duke Kahanamoku title and the West Coast Surfboard Championship. He was also a boardmaker, wax and a mono ski believed to be the forerunner of the snowboard. He was a member of the Surfers’ Hall of Fame and Surfing Walk of Fame in Huntington Beach, inducted to both in 2003.
Doyle worked as an apprentice to Velzy and Noll building balsa boards in 1959. Apparently he sold Kathy Kohner, aka “Gidget,” her first surfboard in 1956 and then worked as a stunt double in “Gidget” in 1959.
Doyle used the boogie board material used by his from Tom Morey for the first soft-top board ever made the Morey Doyle in 1970, the same boards that countless beginners use in waves today.
“Probably no man alive has gone on more surf adventures than I have, yet I still haven’t had enough. If the conditions are right, I’ll walk away from anything to spend a day in the water with my friends.”
Doyle surfboards said
“It’s with a heavy heart that we have to tell everyone the Legendary Waterman, Mike Doyle has passed away. Mike slipped away peacefully in his sleep early this morning at his home on Gringo Hill, with his loving wife, Annie right by his side.
It is a beautiful day here in San Jose, the waves are perfect and we know Mike is in Heaven with a smile on his face, surfing an endless wave. Please know Mike was at peace when he passed and he knew his mom and dad would be there to greet him at heavens gate.”
Psychedelic vibes and stylin' rides with So-Cal style-master Dane Gudauskas. Enjoy the rail to rail masterclass from one of Californias finest watermen. Schweeeeet.
