Rescue techniques for surfers

Rescue techniques for surfers

The surfing community often goes unrecognised as the first line of defence in the prevention of drowning. Most surfers just pull the victim out of the rip, get them to the beach and carry on surfing. It’s only if cameras are onshore that a small amount of incidents come to light. All in a day at the beach!

Incidents are on the increase though so as well as taking our hats off to all the heroes, I’d just like you to think about learning a few rescue techniques.

Inspired by the lockdown stories of surfers rescuing and basically saving hundreds of lives, Langland Surf Lifesaving Coach and Trainer and fanatical surfer Andy Parkinson has put together a series of videos you can use to save the lives of your mates, or randoms in trouble.

It’s well worth everyone knowing these techniques so you can do your best, because not knowing and feeling helpless is a pretty shit feeling. Even if it doesn’t all go to plan at least you have given it a go.

At the moment in most these cases the chances of you contracting Covid are 1,000s of times less than the casualty dying.

• Always call 999 before taking any action, unless you are the sea and don’t have your phone, in which case call for help.

• Get as many peoples attention as you can as you go over to aid the casualty.

• In the water get one designated person to go and call in for help and co ordinate.

• Let the most experienced person in your group take the lead.

• Stay calm and focus

• If you are inexperienced stay calm stay safe and wait for help. Don’t turn one casualty into two.

• Do your best, that all anyone can ask for.


Assisting a distressed/ tired paddler


Assisting a conscious swimmer


Assisting an unconscious surfer


Dealing with an unconscious casualty – Covid19 CPR

Sampoerna Now Playing

Sampoerna Now Playing

Set against the beauty of Indonesia’s remote coastlines, Sampoerna is a 17-minute journey through the country’s rich surf culture and breathtaking natural scenery. Following a small crew of UK surfers, the film captures the rawness of Indo.

Featuring: Jowan Pegg, Dylan Pegg, Jasper Mcluskie, Sol Hawkins, and Levi Lancefield.

This is what life is all about at this age (at least for me): exploring, scoring pumping waves, hanging out with family and friends, and having a good ol’ laugh while we're at it! Of course, all while documenting it as well. As I slowly step back from competitive surfing to chase the feeling this gives me, I’m really trying to pave a way to make this lifestyle sustainable—with the end goal of doing it for a living. 

The majority of the film was shot by those of us who feature in it. We didn’t bring our high-end gear, as it’s a pain to travel with across the globe. After countless camera rotations and some serious sunburn, we were stoked with what we managed to capture.

Hope you enjoy it.

Jowan Pegg

Euro QS & Pro Longboard Returns To Cornwall

Euro QS & Pro Longboard Returns To Cornwall

The World Surf League (WSL) Europe is excited to announce their return to the Boardmasters Festival in Cornwall for Stop No. 2 of the 2025/2026 European Qualifying Series (QS) season, and the season opener for the Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS). The Boardmasters Open 2025 QS 2,000, and Boardmasters Longboard Pro LQS 1,000 will run from August 6-10, 2025 at Fistral Beach, Newquay.

The UK’s premier surf and music festival continues to attract the region’s best surfers looking to build momentum in their quest to qualify for the Challenger Series, or gain valuable points for the regional rankings.

Cornwall is a special place in summer, with beautiful, long days and fun beachbreaks stretching for miles along the coast. Spectators get to watch the best of the British surfing scene, challenge themselves against the top European and international athletes that come down to experience the iconic event for themselves.

2024 was a historic year across the board and added two new names to the incredible list of winners. Lukas Skinner (GBR) became the first British surfer to win the Boardmasters title since 2002 in an all Great Britain-final against Patrick Langdon-Dark (WLS), and Tya Zebrowski (FRA) won her first-ever QS title. In the Longboard competition, Alice Lemoigne (FRA) and Edouard Delpero (FRA) both won their sixth Boardmasters titles, stamping their authority in Cornish waters.
This year, Boardmasters is partnering with some of the UK’s most influential surfers to be the official event ambassadors, including Ben and Lukas Skinner, Emily Currie and Alys Barton.
Ben and Lukas Skinner are more than just local heroes. Ben has had a remarkably consistent competitive career and is a 12-times European Longboard Champion.
Emily Currie is one of the UK’s most celebrated surfers. Based in Cornwall, she holds the titles of European Longboard Champion, Boardmasters Longboard Champion, Shortboard Champion and multiple British & English National Longboard Championship titles.
Alys Barton has grown up on the Welsh coast, and the ocean has always played an important role in her life. Over the years, she’s won multiple British titles and is one of the top contenders on the European QS scene.
For more on the Boardmasters festival, go to boardmasters.com and for more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com
Creatures Of Habit Surf Film

Creatures Of Habit Surf Film

Directed by Nate Laverty, Creatures of Habit is a film that explores the boundaries and embraces the uncertainty in surfing unpredictable and challenging locations. Shot in Canada and Iceland, the aim is to leave behind the comforts and certainties learned over time and embrace the cold and discomfort. Featuring Pete Devries, Reed Platenius, Cam Richards, Mathea Olin, Sanoa Olin, Andrew Jacobson, Ryan Huckabee and Dimitri Polous.

Directed By: Nate Laverty
Produced By: North Of The Border Creative
Cinematographers: Nate Laverty, Kyle Buthman, Marcus Paladino, Justin Taylor Smith
Editor: Nate Lavery
Sound/Colour: North Of The Border Creative
Art Direction: Alex Beebe
Partners: Red Bull, Arc'teryx, Manera, Surface 604, Atleo Air, Rip Curl, Billabong, Thule, Renogy Power
Still Photography: Marcus Paladino, Liam MacDonald

Awards:
Best Cinematography - Oceanside Intl. Film Festival, London Surf Film Festival, Noosa Intl. Film Festival
Viewers Choice - Florida Surf Film Festival

Highlights from the RipCurl Nations Trophy

Highlights from the RipCurl Nations Trophy

An energetic crowd right next to the 180-meter wave at O2 Surftown and surfing at the highest level. Team Spain wins the title at the first Rip Curl Nations Trophy presented by California, writing a new chapter in European surfing. In an exciting final heat, Team Spain prevailed over Italy – carried by team spirit, spectacular maneuvers, and the applause of over 3,000 spectators.

“It feels incredible to celebrate this historic moment with our team – we gave it our all, it was pure sportsmanship,” said Hugo Ortega, part of the winning team. A new era for European surfing Eight nations, four athletes per team, direct knockout mode, tactical lineups, and changing wave modes: the format developed by SURFTOWN showed today how much power and potential there is in team surfing.

“We wanted a format that was athletically compelling, generated excitement, and allowed people to experience surf culture in a new way – today proved that it works.” – Chris Boehm-Tettelbach, CEO and founder of O2 SURFTOWN MUC The whole day was an interplay of adrenaline on the waves and festival vibes on land: with live DJs, street food, an afterparty, and the premiere of a new Rip Curl surf film.

• Team Spain Champions (Hugo Ortega, Lucia Machado, Gony Zubizarreta, Carla Morera de la Vall)
• Italy (Diana Giorgi, Chiara Cuppone, Matteo Calatri, Leonardo Apreda)

 

 

Teahupo’o Time

Teahupo’o Time

A very special day at the end of the road. Matahi Drollet on quite possibly one of the most heavy and technical waves ever ridden anywhere ever... There were plenty more incredible waves tackled that morning so sit back and enjoy the ride... Kyron Rathbone

Surfers:
Tereva David
Eimeo Czermack
Mateia Hiquily
Gilbert Teave
Peio Ostolozaga
Manake'i Keikahiha
Matahi Drollet