One of the brightest lights in the surfing firmament hung up his contest rashie for good. The Bells event was his last CT event and a fitting place to bow out of his stellar competitive career. Mick, of course, isn’t retiring totally, there is an awful lot of planet left for him to explore as Sharpy found out.
Photos Redbull content pool
What’s the worst part about being a brewery owner?
The recycling bin at home is always full. Umm … other than that there really isn’t any downside.
Have there been any more sessions at the Snake to your knowledge?
Not that I know of. I still frequently get asked where it is. I’ll never tell.
You’re more well travelled than most surfers on the planet, are there any spots still on your hit list?
There are still heaps, nowhere in particular though. There are world class waves I want to check out but also some countries and destinations that have novelty waves I’d love to experience.
Who are your favourite people to travel with? Both surfer and photog/filmer wise.
Travelling for me is more about the people I meet along the way. In saying that I’ve been on the road with my photog mate Corey Wilson and he always makes things pretty damn funny. Mason Ho is also a classic to explore with. One of my favourite things to do is take friends from home on trips to places I’ve been before. I get to show them around and it makes the adventure feel fresh for me too.
Shooting that Northern Lights session in Norway how cold was it surfing at night in the Arctic Circle?
Pretty damn cold. Shrivel factor was extreme. In saying that you’re going to the Arctic so you’re mentally prepared and you got all the gear for it. Nothing a good old soak in a hot tub didn’t fix.
Insane as the wave pools are getting won’t the lack of paddle battles and wave choice remove the drama?
I don’t think so. There will still be drama when competitors are chasing scores and they only have one opportunity to nail it. It’s one event in the schedule that will have a really unique feel and we don’t really know what format they’ll run with or if the criteria will be any different. I think it’s gonna be fun.
Following up pool comps will become more like half pipe comps, all about nailing a routine, are the judges ready for that?
We’ll see. I’m not sure they’ve locked down the criteria for it just yet. The WSL has had plenty of time to run through the event plan and I’m sure they’re exploring the best formula for the Surf Ranch event.
Does the muscle you tore off your arse still give you gip when it’s cold?
It’s actually not too bad. I’m always stretching it and doing Pilates so it doesn’t tighten up.
Did you ever expect a sandal with a bottle opener in the sole to be such a winner?
Not as much as it has. It felt like it could be something that surfers might find useful but I’ve been to some landlocked parts of the world and seen people rocking the sandal and that kind of blows my mind. I’m sure they have no idea who I am but the idea of a bottle opener in your sandals gets them over the line.
How much does it pain you to miss a cyclone swell at home?
It stings for sure, nothing better than getting shacked at home. I’ve been lucky enough to catch so many good waves around the world while my mates back home are getting nothing so I don’t complain about a missed swell here and there though.
You have been an emotional roller coaster over the last 18 months or so. What is the most valuable lesson you have learned? There is a huge crisis in men’s mental health at the moment. Issues about anxiety, depression, isolation, high rates of suicide and the conflict between ‘being a man’ and being able to talk problems through. Any advice for people reading this who are suffering.
First up there’s nothing wrong with telling friends and family that you aren’t doing so great but you have to be open to accepting their help. I leaned on my mates through the hard times and they were there for me in a big way.
Post Bells are you going to get stuck in to making some of the sickest Search films ever? And if so can we come?
I’m definitely looking forward to going on The Search with Rip Curl and some of the team. It’s going to be fun to explore some different locations that aren’t tour stops. Can you come? That depends. Can you keep a secret?
Andy Irons was a hero and role model to surfers all over the world. But his untimely death in 2010, aged just 32, opened up a darker side of his life previously unseen by the public.
Eight years later, the story of his struggle with mental illness and addiction is being told by the people who knew him best in a new biopic, Andy Irons: Kissed By God.
While not on general release in the UK, a group of North Devon surfers have organised a screening at the Landmark in Ilfracombe where 100% of the profits raised will go to good causes: @Worryingcyclist, who is raising money for Mental Health by cycling around the world; and Jojo, a young girl with a rare genetic condition called Prader-Willi Syndrome, which necessitates specialist physiotherapy.
Ian Blake, owner of Bay Spas Hot Tubs and an organiser of the event, comments: “By putting on this event, we’re hoping to turn Andy Irons’ story of struggle into something positive for our community.”
Big Wave Surfer Andrew Cotton, who will host the event, said: “Andy Irons’ was a legend and inspired so many of us to follow what we love doing. I’ve got no doubt he’d be stoked to see his story being used as a force for good. I also can’t wait to see it.”
The screening will be on July 26th 2018 at the Landmark Theatre.
Well. This could get interesting if Grav hits ten feet…
Of course that is precisely what you want from the Quik Pro France – big Grav barrels, not air sections – and it delivers in spades every year. BUT 2018 has long been rumoured to be the last big French leg of the WSL tour, and the end of the Quik Pro as we know it. Allegedly due to the tour elite wanting to go on a Mentawaii boat trip to sort out who wins the world title rather than it go down to Pipe…
Personally I think Quik Pro France has been one of if not the best comp ever on the CT/WSL with its track record, atmosphere and huge crowds and it’s a travesty to even think about dropping it. Rumour is they will move it to spring. If you have been to France in spring you’ll know what a lottery that is. The prospect of leaving guaranteed autumn Atlantic swells for piddly left overs and freezing horizontal rain ain’t great.
But c’est la vie and bon voyage.
Interestingly some local heads had reacted to the news the Quik Pro was moving by threatening to hold their own non WSL speciality event in Hoss in Autumn. So this actually could be the WSL heading them off at the pass and laying down the future format for a comp in France in October… Or another delusionary attempt to take surf comps “mainstream” in time for the Olympics… Bon chance..
Anyway here is the news… Try and ignore the depressing ‘many say the future of surfing is in the air” quote.
“A special aerial display is on order this fall during the Quiksilver Pro France Championship Tour stop, as WSL announces the Air Invitational with Josh Kerr as the event director. Celebrating innovation, technicality and creativity, the event will honor the skate-influenced style that changed surfing forever.
The Air Invitational will be a combination of the 18 best aerial free surfers, CT surfers and social fan votes. The line-up already includes top air experts from the likes of Chippa Wilson, Filipe Toledo, Mikey Wright, and Albee Layer.
“Crowds love the athleticism and creativity of aerial surfing, and so do the surfers,” said Sophie Goldschmidt, WSL CEO. “Many say the future of surfing is in the air, and WSL is thrilled to be working with Josh to return a fan and surfer favorite into the competitive mix.”
“My early career and surf inspirations were all about these air events, and the guys pushing the progression of surfing,” said Kerr, former Surfing Airshow Series (SAS) Champion, long-time CT competitor and BWT event winner. “Now to be a part of bringing the air events back at highest level of our sport, it’s very special to me. I’m a huge fan of the talent right now, so I can’t wait to see the guys send it in France!”
Surf Ranch Pro Air Exhibition Pros Announced
In attempt to spice up what was a lack lustre Surf Ranch comp the WSL have also announced a new ‘Air exhibition”. Woo. Obviously lots of Ranch surf gnomes were out tinkering after ‘the Waco flip’ blew the bloody doors off and with the help of special advisers came up with a ramp section.
Most the worlds surf reporters refused to comment the WSL Facebook live debacle in fear of being left off the Ranch invite list, so this better be worth their silence.
“Fans will see an early preview during the Surf Ranch Pro at WSL Surf Ranch on September 6 in Lemoore, Calif. A sunset Air Exhibition is scheduled after Saturday’s CT competition, with air extraordinaires Chippa Wilson and Albee Layer headlining. The duo will be joined by two CT surfers yet to be announced in this celebration of creativity and innovation.
“I’m super hyped to be involved in the Air Invitational and Surf Ranch Pro. When I was a grom it was my goal to be able to surf in the air shows,” said Wilson. “They never seemed like a competition; it was loose, and all the lads looked like they were having a blast. I can’t wait for the boys to mix it up with the best air guys on the Championship Tour!”
C-Skins are stoked to announce today that Maui native Matt Meola has joined their Slaves International team.
Matt is an aerial freak and has been making a name for himself for the past ten years. Growing up in Maui and having the world’s best waves on his doorstep almost made it impossible for Matt not to take the leap into professional surfing. His aerial surfing and experimentation with rotations led to Matt being one of only two surfers to ever land a frontside 540 and then just to make sure it wasn’t a fluke, he went on to do it again.
Matt’s a true waterman – he loves anything to do with getting in or on the water which include fishing, spearfishing and diving. With this in mind he will be a great asset and test pilot for the C-Skins range.
“Spending so much time in the water I’m stoked to have C-Skins supporting me with their wetsuits” says the 29 year pro.” I’ve just got home from the Mentawais where I put the C-Skins vest range through their paces – they worked great!”
“We are stoked to have Matt riding for C-Skins,” explains Mark Brown, Technical Director at C-Skins “Matt loves pushing boundaries and experimenting, which is a great fit for C-Skins. Having Matt feedback to our design team will only help to improve our products further, we are so happy to have him on board.”
The 2018 Rip Curl Cup is officially on “High Alert” to be held on Sunday, July 15th at Padang Padang, Bali, Indonesia. With an impressive South West swell currently tracking towards Bali, event directors have changed the official event status from Red (Standby) to Yellow (High Alert), and surfers are now on call for a potential Sunday, 7AM local Bali start time to run the one-day World Surf League specialty event.
Event Director and Rip Curl SEA Marketing Manager, James Hendy, has high hopes for the swell to bring a Green Light on Sunday. “As surfers in Indonesia, this is what we wait all year for,” he said. “Our goal is to see eight of the world’s best tube riders and eight of the best local Padang specialists testing their limits on the best day of the year at Padang. Anything less and we don’t run. This swell is looking very promising, and with some help from the Bali gods, hopefully the surfing world will be in for another amazing Rip Curl Cup on Sunday.”
Official event surf forecaster Surfline is calling for a powerful, long-period SW swell to build in this weekend and peak through the afternoon on Sunday, July 15th. Coming from an ideal westerly angle (219°) to catch the reef at Padang Padang, this swell appears to be quite similar to the Rip Curl Cup Trials swell that produced all-day fireworks at Padang on May 27th.
According to Surfline, “The storm has tracked further north than the average Indian Ocean storm, which means it’s closer to Bali. This should help with both size and consistency. Face size should be in the 8-10 foot range during the higher tide hours, with more size over the afternoon as the tide drops and the largest sets push up to 12’+ faces.”
Local winds at Padang on Sunday should be good to excellent with moderate to breezy SE/ESE trades expected.
Defending Rip Curl Cup Champion and Padang local Mega Semadhi is excited to be coming back for another year of competition, and is gearing up to battle it out for the win. “Padang is one of the best waves in Indonesia,” he said. “It’s the perfect spot to share with some of the best tube riders in the world. When you get that combination of wave quality and talent for one special day, everyone is always going to leave stoked no matter where they end up finishing. But of course, I’m going to do everything I can to win The Cup for the third time. Hopefully Dewa Baruna, the ocean god, is on our side and blesses us with good swell for Padang.”
The majority of the 16 invited surfers – eight of Indonesia’s best and eight of the world’s top tube riders – are currently standing by on Bali’s Bukit Peninsula, preparing to catch this swell. The remaining invitees are already on their way to Bali or preparing to board flights. Event directors will be ready to run early Sunday morning if the barrels at Padang reach the world-class caliber required to hold the Rip Curl Cup.
The 2018 Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang will be webcast live to the world at ripcurl.asia and worldsurfleague.com. Fans can also visit the site to check the latest Padang Padang swell forecast from official event forecaster Surfline, including real-time contest status and video updates from Bali.
Following is the official heat draw for the first two rounds of competition at Padang Padang:
ROUND 1
Heat 1
Garut Widiarta (IND)
Mason Ho (HAW)-TBC
Agus “Blacky” Setiawan
(IND)Jay Davies (AUS)
Heat 2
Lee Wilson (IND)
Josh Kerr (AUS)
Mustofa Jeksen (IND)
Bruno Santos (BRA)
Heat 3
Mega Semadhi(IND)
Jack Robinson (AUS)
Alik Rudiarta (IND)
Gearoid McDaid (IRL)
Heat 4
Bol Adi Putra(IND)
Nic Von Rupp (PRT)
Mega Artana (IND)
Jacob Willcox (AUS)
ROUND 2
Heat 1
Garut Widiarta (IND)
Bruno Santos (BRA)
Mustofa Jeksen (IND)
Jacob Willcox (AUS)
Heat 2
Lee Wilson (IND)
Jack Robinson (AUS)
Agus “Blacky” Setiawan (IND)
Gearoid McDaid (IRL)
Heat 3
Mega Semadhi(IND)
Josh Kerr(AUS)
Mega Artana (IND)
Nic Von Rupp (PRT)
Heat 4
Made Adi Putra (IND)
Mason Ho (HAW)TBC
Alik Rudiarta (IND)
Jay Davies (AUS)
Today, Newquay is the leading surfing resort in Britain, with international competitions and festivals like Boardmasters.
But this is no new phenomenon, as this poster by Alfred Lambart (1902-70) shows with ‘surf bathers’ riding paipo inspired belly boards.
Dating to 1937, Newquay on the Cornish Coast was designed as a promotional travel poster for the Great Western Railway, one of a number of train companies for which Lambart designed such posters.
It will feature in the Vintage Posters auction at Swann Auction Galleries in New York on August 1 alongside a number of other rare vintage travel and tourism posters from all over the world, including Britain.
