Offshore all week with Andrew Cotton and Sharp’s Brewery

Palm trees, stunning sunsets and an icy cold 'Offshore' brew straight out of the cooler; this was what awaited the Devonian Wayne Martin when he won a sought-after spot on Andrew Cotton's Surf Fit Retreat in Nazare, Portugal.
The prize, provided by Cornwall-based Sharp's Brewery to launch its refreshing 'Offshore' Pilsner, included an intensive week of yoga, strength and body conditioning plus ocean preparation and awareness – all essential skills for long-term development in the water.

40 year old Wayne has been surfing for more than 20 years and the Surf Fit Retreat could not have come at a better time for him. Currently working as an Outdoors Activities Instructor, Wayne is ready for new challenges as he's about to take on a new role as an Emergency Care Assistant with the South West Ambulance Trust, meaning his fitness needs to be at an optimum level.
Wayne said enthusiastically, "I actually almost missed the email saying I'd been given the opportunity to travel to Portugal – but I'm very glad I didn't!"
Wayne said, "The retreat was absolutely fantastic. We'd go from 7am to 7pm doing either pool training or intensive gym type work, as well as learning about things like 'hypoxic training' which is all about how you improve your body's performance with you adapting to low oxygen. At some point during the day we'd find time to go for a surf. This differed from a normal surf because of the time spent preparing and we would always stretch and do some deep yoga on the beach, and after we'd surfed, we'd follow up with a 2-minute beach clean."

The Surf Fit Retreat was hosted by two fellow North-Devonians, professional big-wave surfer Andrew 'Cotty' Cotton and fitness coach Andrew Blake, who together have developed a programme that caters to surfers at any level.
Collaborating with a team of global wellbeing, nutrition and training experts and scientists, Cotty has created his bespoke, personalised Surf Fit Retreats. Bringing unprecedented access to the world's most qualified surf fitness coaches and their deep pool of knowledge and methods, the week-long retreats deliver psychological and physical training techniques to dedicated surfers at all abilities, and all levels of confidence. You can check out the Surf Fit Instagram @surf_fit_life to see what goes on during the retreats themselves. Cotty recently topped the headlines when he broke his back in a death-defying fall surfing Nazare in November 2017. Footage of this led him to win the title 'Wipeout of The Year' in the recognised Big Wave-awards hosted by World Surf League in Los Angeles, just a couple of weeks ago. As a result, Cotty has a crystal clear focus on making a full, and swift, recovery and aims to be back surfing the big waves by the end of this year.

Cotty said, "Surf Fit is all about making you more comfortable in the ocean so that you can take your surfing to the next level, and to make the most of all surf conditions, especially when it goes offshore. No matter what level you are starting out at, our specialist Surf Fit team will provide our guests with targeted support to increase their personal confidence and performance. Whether they're aiming to paddle into 3 feet or 30 feet, what Wayne and the guys learned within this packed week will improve their general and surf specific fitness with long term results and benefits. And as I think Wayne agrees, those benefits will spill over into their everyday life in ways they couldn't have imagined."
Wayne said, "Having the opportunity to meet with Cotty and the personal trainers was just amazing. It had been a while since I'd been in the water and it was great to get all the focused and intensive training during the week. It was a packed schedule and there's so much to it in terms of detailed inner and outer body training, as well as mindfulness and attitude. To get this directly from these professional athletes and trainers is invaluable and I plan to use everything that the guys have taught me both in the surf, and in my new career." Wayne continues, "It was great to meet everyone who was on the course and go through all of this together. We all had a lovely meal at the end with the sun going down at the beach behind us, and of course we enjoyed a few of Sharp's Brewery's Offshores. It was so memorable and a great adventure in personal fitness."
Every surfer knows that there's nothing quite like it when those rare moments occur, when the wind turns offshore, creating perfectly clean waves. And to honour that feeling, and their passion for surfing, the team at Cornwall-based Sharp's Brewery has created 'Offshore', a refreshing, invigorating Pilsner, inspired by the coastal breaks around the Cornish coast.

Follow Sharp's Brewery's social media pages for more exciting competitions!

Padang Padang Rip Curl Cup Trials

Bali, Indonesia (Monday, 28 May 2018): In Bali, the best waves always go to the locals, even when the WSL is in town. On a day when the world’s best surfers made their highly-anticipated return to Bali for the WCT competition at Keramas, it was Indonesia’s local surfers who scored the best of the swell during an incredible day of tubes at the Rip Curl Cup Trials at Padang-Padang.
While the WSL’s elite battled through tricky conditions at Keramas on Sunday, eventually halting competition before the completion of Round 1 due to deteriorating wave quality as the onshore winds kicked up and the low tide bottomed out, it was a different story at Padang-Padang where 32 of Indonesia’s top surfers dueled it out in all-day barrels for the Rip Curl Cup Trials.

Eighteen-year-old Kuta Beach surfer Mega Artana put on a tuberiding clinic, topping a field of older and more experienced competitors to claim his first-ever trip to the Rip Curl Cup main event.
In the Final, it was Artana who stole the show and first place, threading a pair of deep barrels through the inside double up section before getting spat out into the channel, and earning a combined heat score of 17.33. Nipping at Artana’s heels and finishing runner-up in the Final was Bukit local Agus “Blacky” Setiawan, 30, from Uluwatu (15.37). Rounding out the four-man Final was Mustofa Jeksen, 30, from Kuta (14.00) in third place, and Alik Rudiarta, 30, from Uluwatu (8.27) in fourth.
All four finalists earned wildcard berths into the Rip Curl Cup main event. They will join former Rip Curl Cup Champions Bol Adi Putra, Lee Wilson, Garut Widiarta and Mega Semadhi to represent Indonesia and compete against the world's best tube riders at Padang-Padang on the best day of spitting barrels between July 1 – 31.

“I was nervous surfing in my first heat this morning, but I stayed focused and felt stronger after each round,” said an elated Artana on the winner’s podium. “Padang-Padang is the proving grounds for Balinese surfers and I can’t wait for my chance to show the world what I can do against the best surfers out there.”
Artana will be up against some stiff competition. Among the invitees to the 2018 Rip Curl Cup are WCT legends like Taj Burrow (AUS) and Damien Hobgood (USA), as well as primetime barrel slayers like Mason Ho (HAW) and Jack Robinson (AUS).
“Bring them on!” said Artana, when asked if he felt intimidated by the big dogs waiting for him in the main event.
The most dramatic moment of the day came in the second semifinal, when Agus “Blacky” Setiawan leapfrogged from third to first place with a literal buzzer-beating barrel. The Uluwatu local, who won the trials back in 2015 when it was held at his home break of Racetrack, was on the verge of elimination. Needing a wave score of 8.6 to advance, Setiawan managed to catch a miracle wave and get to his feet just a fraction of a second before the final horn sounded. He then powered his way through a deep spitting barrel for an 8.93, moving into first place ahead of Mustofa Jeksen and eliminating multiple-time Rip Curl Cup finalist Raditya Rondi, who was sitting on the only perfect 10 of the entire day.

“Thanks to God for sending me that wave,” said Setiawan. “When I saw it peak up, I knew I had a chance to catch it before time expired. I just paddled as hard as I could and once I stood up, I just went to work."

For the four finalists, the Final round was just the icing on the cake after a full day of draining barrels and securing their spots in the most prestigious surf contest in Indonesia.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been in the main event,” third place finisher Jeksen said. “The last time I surfed in the main event of Rip Curl Cup was four years ago. Padang-Padang was where I first was recognized for my surfing when I was just a kid. So it feels amazing to get back to having another shot at my dream – to get my name on that trophy alongside Bol, Lee and Garut.”
A powerful west swell was angleed perfectly toward the reef at Padang-Padang on Sunday and groomed 6-foot barrels came thundering over the reef all day. It was without a doubt the best day of surf at Padang-Padang so far this year and a welcome sight for the 32 local trialists, who missed out on their shot at the main event the past two years when no decent Padang-Padang swells arrived during the narrow trials holding period.

According to Rip Curl SEA Marketing Manager James Hendy, this year Rip Curl made certain all the best local surfers would get their shot at Padang-Padang by extending the trials holding period to an impressive eight weeks – the longest in Rip Curl Cup history, and four weeks longer than the holding period for the main event.
“Last year we never got the waves to hold the trials, so this year we gave ourselves a two-month window to make sure the locals had their day at Padang-Padang,” Hendy said. “The proof is in the pudding. Everyone was rewarded today with the best Padang-Padang of the year so far. We’re looking forward to another day of incredible barrels when the world’s best tuberiders are gathered here for the main event in July.”
The holding period for the 2018 Rip Curl Cup runs from July 1 - 31, a full month during the peak of Indonesia’s prime swell season, providing the event with the best odds of scoring the cavernous jade barrels the Balinese Pipeline is world-famous for.
The complete 2018 Rip Curl Cup surfer lineup will be released to the world on June 15.
The 2018 Rip Curl Cup Padang-Padang will be webcast live to the world at ripcurl.asia. Fans can also visit the site to check real-time contest status, and video updates from Bali.

Rip Curl Cup Trials 2018 Final Results:

1st - Mega Artana (Kuta, Bali) 17.33
2nd - Agus “Blacky” Setiawan (Uluwatu, Bali) 15.37

3rd - Mustofa Jeksen (Kuta, Bali) 14.00
4th - Alik Rudiarta (Uluwatu, Bali) 8.27
* All four finalists earn entries into the Rip Curl Cup Main Event

RIP CURL CUP PADANG PADANG 2018 EVENT SCHEDULE:
Event Waiting Period
July 1 – 31st

Rip Curl Planet Beach Cleanup
Friday, June 29 at 8 AM, Padang Padang Beach, Bali

Opening Ceremony
Sunday, July 1 at 3 PM, Padang Padang Beach, Bali
1. Meet the surfers
2. Press conference
3. Traditional Balinese Kecak Dance

Official Rip Curl Cup Party

Friday, July 27th
Live performance by special guest at Ulu Cliff House

CORONA BALI PROTECTED WRAPS UP MEN’S ROUND 2

Keramas, Bali/Indonesia (Tuesday, May 29, 2018) - The Corona Bali Protected presented by Hurley, Stop No. 5 on the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), resumed at Keramas today, completing men’s Round 2 in onshore but high-performance conditions.

Currently sitting at World No. 6 on the Jeep Rankings, Ezekiel Lau (HAW) is having a breakout start to his 2018 season. The Hawaiian powerhouse continued his solid form with a dominant win over Californian Patrick Gudauskas (USA) in Heat 10 of Round 2. Lau’s rail-game was perfectly in sync with the big, open walls of Keramas and saw him post a heat total of 15.57 (out of a possible 20), the highest of the event so far. Gudauskas was left in a combination situation (needing two new scores) from early in the heat and, unable to hunt it down, was eliminated from the Corona Bali Protected.
“My coach told me before that heat that I’m sixth in the world so I just need to surf like I’m sixth in the world,” Lau said. “That definitely gave me confidence and inspired me to put on a solid performance, especially after my first round heat where I didn’t get many opportunities. I was really nervous even with that lead as there was so much time left on the clock and Pat (Gudauskas) is so talented, anything could have happened.”

The opening heat of the day got off to a slow start as Frederico Morais (PRT) and Ian Gouveia (BRA) paddled each other off the peak, battling for priority. Eventually, Morais took control with his trademark power-wraps. Although Gouveia did his best to stay in contention, it was Morais who ended the heat in the progressing spot, leaving Gouveia to end his campaign in Equal 25th place.
“It’s always important to get the first wave of a heat,” Morais said. “I had to settle the nerves and not think about priority, but it can mean you end up off the peak like that. Even though the waves weren’t big and hollow like the last few days, there was still a lot of opportunity for solid, on-the-face surfing, which was good. I’m really happy to make it through Round 2, it is always a tough situation to be in.”
After success World Title campaigns in recent years, Matt Wilkinson (AUS) has found himself uncharacteristically low on the rankings in 2018. But, after today's heat, the Australian looks fired up to make amends at the Corona Bali Pro. Wilkinson executed his trademark hooks and tail-whips to amass two 7-point-rides to easily advance to Round 3 over Joan Duru (FRA).
“It’s about time I get a good result this year, so hopefully I can get on a roll here,” Wilkinson said. “I’m mad about not being in the Uluwatu CT, so I wanted to go out and perform and make a few heats here at the Corona Bali Protected. It hasn’t been a great start to the year for me, but I feel like I have been surfing good and my preparation has been good, but in my heats, I get one wave and then I don’t see another one. Hopefully, that heat turns everything around and I can get on a roll.”

Two exciting Brasilian rookies matched up in Heat 11, Michael Rodrigues (BRA) versus Yago Dora (BRA). Both are known for their high-flying aerial antics and both went for broke in the onshore conditions that were perfect for big airs. Unfortunately, nerves got the best of them as they uncharacteristically fell time-after-time in the matchup. As the heat wound down, they both managed to launch and land some impressive airs, but it was Rodrigues who took the win by a mere 0.13 points.
“It’s so hard to compete against other Brasilians because we are like a family,” Rodrigues said. “I am not very happy with my performance. I felt like I was surfing good this morning, but in the heat it took me eight waves to get a score. Maybe I was nervous because Yago (Dora) is such a great surfer. We both scored a couple waves in the end, it was close so I am happy to win that one and move on to Round 3.”
Other heat winners on Day 3 included 2018 CT Rookie Jesse Mendes (BRA), who looked sharp on his backhand to take down Japanese competitor Kanoa Igarashi (JPN). 2017 Rookie of the Year Connor O’Leary (AUS) fell short in his heat against 2018 CT Rookie Tomas Hermes (BRA) and was eliminated in the last heat of the day.
The WSL Commissioners will reconvene tomorrow morning at 6:00 a.m. local time to reassess the conditions and make the next call for a potential 6:30 a.m. start at Keramas.
The Corona Bali Protected presented by Hurley will be broadcast LIVE on the WSL's Facebook page, WorldSurfLeague.com, and the WSL app. Also, check local listings for coverage from the WSL's broadcast partners.

Surfline, WSL forecast partner, are calling for:

Easing SSW swell on Tuesday but still plenty of overhead waves in the tank, especially early. Then a fresh series of overlapping SSW-SW swells move in through the middle to end of the week with a long run of chest-head high to slightly overhead sets. More fun size SSW swell lines up for 5th-7th. Overall, expect surf to be best through first half of each morning with the more favorable tide/wind scenario.

Corona Bali Protected Remaining Men’s Round 2 Results:

Heat 7: Frederico Morais (PRT) 12.07 def. Ian Gouveia (BRA) 8.43

Heat 8: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 14.94 def. Joan Duru (FRA) 7.00
Heat 9: Jesse Mendes (BRA) 12.33 def. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 10.56
Heat 10: Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 15.57 def. Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 8.67
Heat 11: Michael Rodrigues (BRA) 11.40 def. Yago Dora (BRA) 11.27
Heat 12: Tomas Hermes (BRA) 12.66 def. Connor O'Leary (AUS) 11.34

Corona Bali Protected Men’s Round 3 Matchups:

Heat 1: John John Florence (HAW) vs. Jesse Mendes (BRA)
Heat 2: Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. Ezekiel Lau (HAW)
Heat 3: Owen Wright (AUS) vs. Willian Cardoso (BRA)
Heat 4: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Michael Rodrigues (BRA)
Heat 5: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) vs. Griffin Colapinto (USA)
Heat 6: Julian Wilson (AUS) vs. Mikey Wright (AUS)
Heat 7: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Michael February (ZAF)
Heat 8: Frederico Morais (PRT) vs. Jeremy Flores (FRA)
Heat 9: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Conner Coffin (USA)
Heat 10: Italo Ferreira (BRA) vs. Tomas Hermes (BRA)
Heat 11: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Joel Parkinson (AUS)

Corona Bali Protected Women’s Pro Round 1 Matchups:

Heat 1: Tyler Wright (AUS), Johanne Defay (FRA), Coco Ho (HAW)
Heat 2: Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW), Caroline Marks (USA), Bronte Macaulay (AUS)
Heat 3: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Sage Erickson (USA), Carol Henrique (PRT)
Heat 4: Lakey Peterson (USA), Keely Andrew (AUS), Paige Hareb (NZL)

Heat 5: Carissa Moore (HAW), Silvana Lima (BRA), Courtney Conlogue (USA)
Heat 6: Nikki Van Dijk (AUS), Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Malia Manuel (HAW)

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

Photos: WSL/Cestari

Boardmasters announce stage split

Boardmasters 2018 is just months away and to celebrate the biggest five days in the festival calendar drawing ever closer, the stage splits for Watergate Bay have today been revealed. Get ready for an epic line-up packed full of world-class acts bringing sunshine vibes and beachside beats. Boardmasters takes place between Wednesday 8th – Sunday 12th August 2018, tickets are on sale NOW via the Boardmasters website. So grab your flip-flops, we’ll see you at the beach!

Stage splits have been announced for the following stages: The Main Stage, which is set to showcase the biggest names in music and unmissable, iconic performances, the Unleashed stage bringing the best in up-tempo acts and the biggest rave in the South West, and The Land of Saints Stage which has something for everyone. Elsewhere, The Point presented by Relentless is the ultimate beach party with the hottest world-class DJs, and of course The View, the heart and soul of Boardmasters, presents new and exciting artists in an unparalleled setting. Please see the stage splits below and the website for full stage breakdowns. Also, make sure to keep an eye out over the coming months for even more incredible stages and acts still to be announced, including the epic Land of Saints Stage headliner. Boardmasters is also stoked to announce the Thursday headliner for this year’s Beach Sessions will be legendary Fun Lovin’ Criminals frontman and BBC Radio DJ Huey Morgan, who will be bringing his NYC Block Party to the Cornish shores on 9th August. The beautiful Beach Sessions are intimate evening gigs held in the Beach Bar at Fistral Beach. Previously announced as Wednesday’s Beach Sessions headliner is the chart-topping Jeremy Loops with support from the captivating Keir and many more special guests still to be announced. Tickets for the Beach Sessions are sold separately and are on sale NOW via the Boardmasters website.

MAIN STAGE

FRIDAY
Catfish & The Bottlemen
Kano
Miles Kane
Fun Lovin’ Criminals
Raye
Hak Baker
Samm Henshaw
Wille & The Bandits

SATURDAY
The Chemical Brothers
Years & Years
Editors
MNEK
The Sherlocks
Isaac Gracie
Kele Okereke
Wildwood Kin
Newquay Male Voice Choir

SUNDAY
George Ezra
Rag‘N’Bone Man
Fat Freddy’s Drop
Declan McKenna
Becky Hill
Tom Walker
King Tuff
Mahalia
Stereo Honey
The Velvet Hands

UNLEASHED

FRIDAY
MK
Stefflon Don
Fred V & Grafix Live
Audio Bullys
Will Clarke
Light Layers
DJ Zinc b2b MJ Cole

SATURDAY
Annie Mac
Shy FX presents: CULT.URE
Riton & Kah-Lo
Kideko
Kelli-Leigh
Shapes
Cakeboy
Monki

SUNDAY
Craig David TS5
Danny Howard
Disciples Live
Nadia Rose
Holy Goof
Bobbii Lewis
DJ Proof

LAND OF SAINTS

FRIDAY
Everything Everything
ASH
The Amazons
Rae Morris
Kitty, Daisy & Lewis
Phil Taggart
Hockey Dad
Black Futures
West Thebarton

SATURDAY
Special Guest
Feeder
Grandmaster Flash
Nadine Shah
Gengahr
Flyte

SUNDAY
Friendly Fires
The Horrors
Songhoy Blues
Sam Fender
Confidence Man

THE POINT PRESENTED BY RELENTLESS

FRIDAY
Claptone
Idris Elba
Booka Shade
Butch
Shadow Child
Two Tribes

SATURDAY
Steve Lawler
Skream
Monki
Trance Wax
Or:la
Bronx Cheer

SUNDAY
Bicep – DJ Set
Tiga
Denis Sulta
Dusky
Gene Farris b2b Doorly
Krystal Klear
HAAi
Ryan Platts

THE VIEW

FRIDAY
The Beautiful Girl
Kioko
Bobby Alu
Annabel Allum
Lion
Me & The Devil

SATURDAY
Gentlemen’s Dub Club
Joseph J Jones
Sons of The East
Holiday Oscar
Elisa & Sigrala
Low Island
Alex Lleo
Sam Sweeney

SUNDAY
Get Cape Wear Capy Fly
Jade Bird
Paradisia
Adam French
Lily Moore
Charlotte Carpenter
Josh McGovern

Inspired by the freedom, adventure and creativity of surfing and music, Boardmasters was born in 1981. Expect parties that run late into the night and a beautiful beach to recuperate on during the day. The 5-day event is situated across two stunning locations in Cornwall - the surfing mecca of the UK, Fistral Beach, where world class International Surf Competitions take place, and arguably the most stunning location in the country to watch live music, Watergate Bay. Last year the surf and music festival welcomed over 150,000 festival goers to sunny Cornwall. Book your tickets now!

Click the link for tickets and info for 2018’s Boardmasters festival of music and surfing in Cornwall

learn to surf with the Boardmasters ambassadors

Above: Luke Dillon in the latest issue, Carve 187, go grab a copy.

UK Professional surfer and Boardmasters Ambassador Luke Dillion is sharing his pro tips, so whether you’re new to surfing and struggling to progress, hopefully, these tips will get you to where you want to be. Featured in the latest issue of Carve, showing us why he’s one of the top UK surfers at the moment, here’s what Luke Dillion has to say:

Above: Luke Dillon driving off the bottom, last light Porthleven Photo: Sharpy

Tips for learning to surf

1: Surf as much as you can and get in the sea as much as possible because that will help you learn.

2: Watch videos of your favourite professional surfer or YouTube channel, and try to pick certain things from them, favourite styles or parts of their surfing that you like to watch!

3: Make sure you pick the right board for you! Make sure it’s the right dimensions for you so you're able to surf with it and catch lots of waves because that’ll help you improve!

4: Try to surf with people that enjoy it because then you can always increase the chance of your ability and also enjoying surfing for what it is.

5: Keep surfing, because that in itself will let you improve. Get in the sea as much as you can, the more you put in, the more you will get out.

For learning to surf better

1: I would defiantly say the most important part starts with paddling and what I recommend is trying to get into the wave as early as possible. Paddle as hard as you can to get into the wave early and give yourself the best possible chance to have a good wave.

2: Once you get to your feet, try to visualise in advance what you plan to do... For example when you’re on your feet focus on when and where you want to start your bottom turn or when you start heading down the line. Make your decisions early.

3: Allow yourself time, rush nothing. If you rush your surfing it won’t work.

4: Pick the best manoeuvres from your favourite surfer; whether that is going down the line or during a turn or air and try to replicate their body positions and timing. You probably can't do airs like John John, or carves like Fanning, but it will help you get closer to what they’re doing, believe it or not.

5: Have fun! Whenever you are struggling or feeling like you’re falling out of love with surfing just remember why you started and why you do it. Surfing is what you make of it, whether it's competitions and trying to progress to the next round, trying get your photo in a local magazine, or just cruising down the line fun is the key to everything.