The weather in Europe late summer and well into autumn is amazing. It’s pretty much perfect with the water temperatures rising to allow you to surf in a short leg wetsuits or even a bikini on the hot days. With such a wonderful climate it means you can spend your days under the sun, surfing, cycling and exploring. However, with all this hot weather can come to some pretty crazy thunderstorms and downpours which are awesome to watch but don’t get caught out!
2. FOOD & DRINK
We love food and when we say food we mean good food! Europe is full of delicious culinary delights to feast on. Fresh produce, organic fruit and vegetables and homemade delicacies full the local supermarkets and stores. Nothing beats a fish baguette in the morning followed by an espresso.
3. BEACHES
With what feels like endless stretches of golden, white sandy beaches, hidden coves and dramatic cliff tops, the European coastline has some of some of the most beautiful in the world. If you’re willing to walk a little or drive a few extra miles along the coast you can find a hidden gem, away from the crowds.
Europe has great waves to suit all abilities, from beginners to those ready to charge some beach barrels, there’s something for everyone. It’s also really consistent and long stretches of beach serving up perfect peaks as far as the eye can see. Again, if you’re prepared to drive a little you’ll be able to get away from the crowds.
5. CULTURE
It’s not just good food and waves, Europe is steeped in culture and history. Just head off for a wander, go inland or down the back streets and you’re bound to find exquisite architecture, galleries and museums – enough to satisfy most culture vultures.
Forget having to book a fancy hotel or B&B, Europe is fully equipped for camping adventures with amazing facilities. Whether you want to go for the simple life or all out glamping there’s something or every budget. The facilities at these campsites will blow you away and put our UK ones to shame. Perfect for solo travellers, groups and families, save your pennies and opt for a campsite.
7. FACILITIES
With showers and toilet facilities on most beaches which are open 24/7, you can enjoy a fresh shower after a days surfing. It’s the simple things that go along way and getting to wash the salt and sand off before you head back to your van or tent is such a novelty.
8. OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE
We don’t know whether it’s the amazing climate or just the culture itself but everyone seems to spend their days outside enjoying Mother Nature. Alfresco dining is a huge thing in Europe with coffee shops, restaurants and bakeries on every street with outdoor seating. The outdoor lifestyle is fully embraced in Europe and we love it!
9. MARKETS
From food markets, flea markets, craft stalls and handmade markets in most local towns over the weekends, what better way to spend a few hours than buying wonderful gifts and eating delicious cheese and sipping on wine. Embrace the European lifestyle to the fullest.
10. VAN LIFE
Europe is very accommodating when it comes it vans, campers and motorhomes. With sites up and down the coast with specific areas, you can park up and sleep it’s easy to find perfect places to pitch up for a few days. The beauty of travelling in a van is, you can go where the waves are. You can explore and adventure with ease and take you home with you where ever you go.
A father and his 14 year old son and a friend were shot at while surfing at Albatross Pt off the Taharoa Coast, in New Zealand last week. The spot was relatively unheard of across most of the globe until yesterday when it hit the headlines. NZ Herald even printed a handy map
The group went out on a jet ski to surf the break only accessible over private land or by boat. When there they heard three shots. They thought the first shot was a hunter, then realised the second and third shots were directed towards them.
“The second one sounded a lot closer and the third one landed in the water adjacent to where they were,” said Sergeant Andy Connors from the Ōtorohanga police.
Sergeant Andy Connors of Otorohanga police said the surfers fled the area and returned to the Kawhia boat ramp uninjured, but shaken.
Kawhia’s only police officer, who patrols Taharoa, happened to be at the boat ramp and took their statements.
“He [the constable] just happened to bump into them at the boat ramp… (He) got the details from them straight away. They were freezing cold and decidedly nervous, as you would be.”
Apparently fishermen and divers have also been targeted.
One man said he was sitting in his boat looking out for a friend who was free diving when someone started firing at them.
“They [locals] think they own the sea and no one else is allowed there,” the fisherman said.
“There’s been heaps of boats shot at out there. It’s been going on for 10 years… I know guys that have actually gone and stopped on the beach there, or fished off the beach or even gone to land a boat there to go and look for some paua and they will actually get run off the beach.”
A 60-year-old local said surfing the break was “invite only”. He described it as “extreme localism”.
“I think there’s a hardcore of locals that surf there. They’ve got access via land – they can get on to the Maori land or the private land.
“I was out at Raglan in March and I was talking to a couple of guys there and they said they had an invite, but basically if I tried to paddle out there and I wasn’t welcome they would just heavy you basically.
“They would punch you out – absolutely.
“If you tried to get your vehicle in there and then left your vehicle to go surfing, it wouldn’t be in a very good state when you get back.”
The police said
“The shot for this young boy has ended up only metres away from him and there’s a massive risk for this kind of offending. It’s just intolerable. We are not in a war zone.”
“The ocean is there for everyone to use and fish and enjoy and for people to go to this extreme to try and keep people away from their fishing spot – it’s an ocean for heaven’s sake, it should be enjoyed by everyone.”
Of course now everyone knows about the joint worldwide. And NZ Herald even printed a handy map. (above)
Entries to the LS/FF Shorties are open until 31st August so there are just a few more days to submit you 5 minute surf masterpiece. While the main London Surf / Film Festival is open to all comers, The Shorties is purely for homegrown creatives, open exclusively to filmmakers from or based in Britain and Ireland.
Films of up to 5 minutes in length celebrating any aspect or angle of surfing and surf culture, in any genre – documentary, action, stop motion or anything in between – are invited for entry. Past winners include the likes of the multi award winning Chris McClean, the hilarious team at Two Eyes Film (whose latest film The Outrider has been taking the surfing world by storm), Tim Davies, Luke Pilbeam, Irish filmmaker Kev L Smith and Chris Case of Fishfarm TV whose short short Shaka Status stole the jury’s heart last year with a good times showcase of bodysurfing and fins freestyling. It’s not about whether your waves are big or small, how your choose to shoot them or don’t, after all, there’s more than one surf story, and plenty of ways to tell them.
Longlisted films will be showcased on the big screen of the iconic Regent St Cinema at the London Surf / Film Festival 10 -13 October 2018, alongside premieres of the very best surf films from across the globe, and only one will walk away with the coveted title of Shortie of the Year. Accompanied by Q+A’s and talks with heroes of the surf and screen, gallery shows, live music, workshops, good times and more, this international celebration of surf culture is a must attend for surf aficionados across the UK. www.londonsurffilmfestival.com
Slightly out of the blue, the home nations were informed that the 2018 ISA World Games to be held September 15-22 in Japan required a British team rather than the individual home nations. So BSURF took the results from key competitions (ISA, Euros, WQS) from the last two years combined with data from UK Sport to select a British Team. Next year, the British Championships and British Cup will be the key selection event.
In 2016 and with the exciting news of Surfing being in the Olympics, the Home Federations (England, Wales, Scotland, CI) came together and recognised the need to organise and support a British team when needed. BSURF was a legal collaboration agreement which outlined the terms of engagement between the feds.
Since then, two members of each federation meet regularly to share best practice between nations and strategise on the delivery of a British team.
From this process the British Team and a Coach and Manager were named as:
Jay Quinn (Wales)
Luke Dillon (Eng)
Reubyn Ash (Eng)
All the organisations have been pushing really hard for core sport funding but without evidence of true medal hopes in the eyes of the Sports admin, the team need to raise the funds through good will. They are aiming to raise £20,000 for travel expenses tho a Gofundme page below.
Gabriel Medina took his first win of the season today, claiming victory in three-to-five-foot surf at the Tahiti Pro Teahupo’o. It was a wave-for-wave Final against Owen Wright, and Gabriel took the lead in the dying minutes; as the clock wound down, victory was his. This is Gabriel’s second win in Tahiti, the first of which was in 2014 – the same year he became the first Brazilian World Champion.
“I’m just so happy to win here again and, first, I just want to thank God,” Gabriel said, his hair still dripping from the Final heat. “I came here and trained a lot, and I was just waiting for the victory. I love Tahiti and I’ve had some great Finals here. I’ve won here before; two second-place finishes, and another win now. I have a great family here, which is incredible. Now I can kind of start thinking about winning a World Title. I think anything is possible. There’s a couple of events to go and I just want to keep giving it my best.”
Gabriel’s victory gave him a jump on the Jeep Leaderboard from 3rd to 2nd, and tightened the points gap between him and the current number one, Filipe Toledo. With this win the 2018 World Title race is ON for Gabriel.
“I was just praying, ‘God just give me one more, one more,’ and Owen (Wright) had to go on the first one, but if he didn’t I was going to go on that one,” Gabriel added. “I’m really happy right now, but I know Owen’s got the same feeling I had last year, which was horrible for me, but it’s competition and that’s why we love competing. I feel blessed to have been in the right spots at this event and now I’m going to enjoy this moment, then I’m focusing on the next event.”
Owen Wright’s runner-up finish today marks not only his best result ever in Tahiti, but also his best result of the 2018 season. To get to the Final against Gabriel he had to take on Filipe Toledo in the Semifinals, as well as Wade Carmichael in the Quarterfinals. It was no easy road, but the hard work paid off. Before Tahiti Owen sat at 11th on the Jeep Leaderboard – the result today now boosts him up to 6th.
“Losing to Gabby a sting, but it’s just nice to be back in the Final,” Owen said. “Right now, it’s a hard loss to take a second, but it’s been an incredible week. It all came down to those last few minutes. I made a wrong decision and I’m already feeling that deep burn and drive. I’m stoked for Gabby, well-deserved win for him after it got taken off him by Julian (Wilson) just last year. Congratulations to Gabby.”
Congratulations to the 2018 Tahiti Pro Teahupo’o winner Gabriel Medina, and congratulations to runner-up Owen Wright. The Title race is on… and it’s going to be one to remember!
#VaiMedina
Tahiti Pro Final Results:
1 – Gabriel Medina (BRA) 13.50
2 – Owen Wright (AUS) 12.07
Tahiti Pro Semifinal Results:
SF 1: Owen Wright (AUS) 12.60 def. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 10.03
SF 2: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 15.17 def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 6.10
Tahiti Pro Quarterfinal Results:
QF 1: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 11.43 def. Michael February (ZAF) 8.60
QF 2: Owen Wright (AUS) 16.00 def. Wade Carmichael (AUS) 9.57
QF 3: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 13.57. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 7.57
QF 4: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 13.34 def. Kolohe Andino (USA) 5.74
At this year's conferenceheld in Newquay the focus will be on ocean pollution, the Tokyo Olympics and sustainable surfing;
Surfing Medicine International is a passionate, global network of surfing health professionals. They envision that every surfer is an ambassador for global health and the ocean environment. As they are at the core of medical and scientific communities, the aim is to share their knowledge and educate coastal and surfing communities in preventing injuries, saving others and living healthy.
An annual conference is run every year with speakers and participants from all around the globe. This September the Surfing Medical International Conference will be hosted in Newquay. At this year's conference the focus will be on ocean pollution, the Tokyo Olympics and sustainable surfing; with speakers such as Emily Currie, Hugo Tagholm from SAS, The Wave and members of the Japanese Surfing Team. We asked secretary Simon Morris more about the event.
What are the main challenges facing the health of our surfers and planet? Surfing is becoming increasingly popular, with current estimates numbering 37 million surfers worldwide. Surfers may encounter several different types of health issues whilst riding both their local breaks and abroad: trauma to the head or extremities, drowning and hypothermia, UV damage to the skin and eyes, exostosis (surfer’s ear) from prolonged cold-water exposure, tropical infectious disease from travelling, or stings and bites from marine species to name but a few. We have also seen the recent rise in awareness regarding the impact of plastic waste on our oceans.
By sharing knowledge, expertise and clinical experience from our membership, representing all medical specialties and surf associated professionals, we aim to provide the surfer with information on how to stay healthy and safe in the water.
Simon, how did Surfing Medicine International come about? Surfing Medicine International (SMI) was founded in 2011 as a non-profit, volunteer-based organisation in order to "Keep the Surfer Healthy and Safe" by connecting surfers, health professionals, lifeguards, sport and environmental scientists, surf coaches and athletes.
Since 2011, the SMI has run five conferences in Ireland, Portugal and France. It has also developed it’s own, unique and accredited qualification: the Advanced Surf Life-Support course (ASLS), which takes place annually in Portugal. The SMI has also developed a number of tools to help achieve its aim, such as the Surf First Aid app.
Ultimately, we want to ensure that there are defined, evidence-based standards within the specialty and the sport at large.
How will this be represented at the conference? Over the course of the four days, the World Conference in Surfing Medicine (WCSM) will feature lectures and practical workshops from leaders in their field. The three main areas of focus for this year’s conference are:
The Surfer & Their Extreme Environment
The Wave to the Tokyo Olympics 2020
Professionalizing Safety in Surfers
Speakers include: Dr Terry Farrell (Doctor on the WSL Big Wave Tour), Professor Mike Tipton (world expert in extreme medicine and hypothermia), Dr Anne Leonard (leader of the ‘Beach Bums’ study), Hugo Tagholm (founder of Surfers Against Sewage), Emily Currie (British Longboarding Olympic hopeful), Dr Takeshi Kojima (spinal surgeon and doctor to Japanese youth surfing team), Nick Houndsfield (behind The Wave Bristol) and many more. We will also have representation from some amazing surfing organisations from Newquay and beyond: Surfing England, The Wave Project, Surfers Against Sewage, Northcore, Dry Robe, SWOX and Valeu-Shock.
The next conference is in Newquay, what can people expect on the day and what is the aim? After 7 years of success in France, Portugal and Ireland, the SMI want to bring the WCSM to the heart if British Surfing - Newquay. We want to ensure that our message is heard by every surfer worldwide and feel that Newquay can be the perfect platform to promote our ethos.
On each day of the conference, we have created a programme filled with workshops from experts in their field; whether discussing medical principles, environmental factors or performance surfing. We want everyone to learn and become aware of the issues that surfers face on a daily basis… and most importantly what we can do about them!
We also host daily beach sessions where our experienced team teach surf rescue, basic first aid and resuscitation principles, as well as practical workshops such as management of surfing injuries.
By the end of the conference, we want every attendee to feel comfortable managing basic problems affecting surfers and feel that they can make a difference to their own health and the health of those around them.
Is it just for those in the medical profession or can anyone come along? The conference, lectures and workshops are designed for every surfer. Every year we have a wide variety of attendees: professional to amateur surfers, surf coaches, lifeguards, doctors, nurses, paramedics, physiotherapists, osteopaths, students, environmental scientists, industry stakeholders… Every surfer gets affected by the same problems and we believe that all surfers have a duty to look after one another in the line-up.
We have created a number of ticket options so that the conference is accessible to all of those who wish to join us!
