Autumn is just getting started, and for those of you thinking of going on a road trip in search of waves before the really chilly winter months kick in, what’s the best car to get you there? The best cars for surf trips are those that are a comfortable ride, able to deal with off road surf destinations whilst taking all the surf gear easily inside the car as well as on the roof. So lots of space and fuel efficiency are high on the list as well as roof racks, big boot, heated seats, seats which fold flat. The vehicles listed below represent the kind of cars we would love to head out on the open road from Lands End to John O’Groats.
Let’s take a look at 5 of the best vans and cars for surf trips.
4MOTION all-wheel drive – 4MOTION offers extra traction, meaning that even in the slippiest conditions you’ll be in control. A world of information and entertainment at your fingertips. The new Transporter is extremely well connected, with DAB radio, Bluetooth® and a 5″ touchscreen display as standard.
TOUGH ADAPTABILITY – Land Rover Defender combines superb capability, ruggedness and dependability in one. As assured in the city as it is out in the wilderness. IMMENSE STRENGTH – Defender’s legendary strength and durability are underpinned by a robust design including a tough and adaptable box-section ladder-frame chassis. AT HOME ON ANY TERRAIN – Permanent four-wheel drive, with the centre differential distributing torque evenly between front and rear axles, delivers optimum traction on all terrains. THE BESPOKE VEHICLE – Defender is available in no fewer than eight core body styles and three wheelbase lengths, while a range of extras and accessories allow further personalisation
Steve Fowler, Editor-in-Chief of Auto Express, said “We’ve been waiting a long time for the XC90, but it was well worth the wait – it’s a sensational SUV. It not only sets new standards for Volvo, but for the car market in general, leading in terms of technology, efficiency, style and safety. It’s also got an element of style – inside and out – that you might not have expected. If the XC90 points the way for the future of Volvo, the future looks very bright indeed.”
The Mercedes-Benz Vito Sport was made for being out on the open the road, delivering you to your next adventure wherever that may be. Watch the Vito Sport in action as it matches the pace of biking and surfing professionals alike, all the while thrilling and exhilarating in its own right.
The Transit Custom sets the benchmark for efficiency and loadspace, improves your productivity and will make a striking impression on your customers. The mid-sized model in our Transit range, the Transit Custom achieves outstanding fuel economy, thanks largely to fuel-saving ECOnetic technologies like optional Auto-Start-Stop and Smart Regenerative Charging. Its comfortable, durable interior will make your working day easier – especially the cab, which functions as a mobile office. Loadspace is exceptional, too. And whether you choose the Van, Double Cab-in-Van or Kombi, you can draw upon many advanced technologies, including the Ford SYNC voice control and MP3/iPod and phone connectivity system.
2 months through 9 magical islands of Indonesia with brothers Alex & Koa Smith #SPICEiSLAND
“This is about following a calling into the unknown,
to a place we thought only existed in our dreams.”
DIRECTED → Alex Smith
CO-DIRECTED → Koa Smith, Will Mayer, Dan Treanor
EDITED → Dan Treanor
FILMED → Dan Treanor, Damien Robertson, Will Mayer, Koa Smith, Nate Leal,
[metaslider id=31249]
More than 2,000 spectators turned out on Saturday 19th September to see the world’s first ever stadium-style surfing event, Red Bull Unleashed.
It was a surprisingly scorching afternoon in North Wales as the final eight riders went head-to-head at Surf Snowdonia’s artificial wave pool. In the end it was crowd favourite Albee Layer (HAW) who became the first ever Red Bull Unleashed champion, after a string of spectacular displays carried him to victory over the plucky Billy Stairmand (NZL).
The competition was able to bring the crowd closer to the action than has ever been seen before, paving the way for a new era in competitive surfing. The athletes and spectators revelled in the unique man-on-man duel concept, which saw pairs of surfers go head to head, wave for wave, in a best of five format.
As opposed to traditional half hour heats, there are no second chances at Red Bull Unleashed, every wave counts. Surfing heavyweight Jordy Smith (RSA) who was amongst the spectators said, “It’s cool, you both have an equal opportunity, and there’s no two ways about it, the best surfer always wins. You can’t afford to fall so you really have to walk the fine line between pushing it to the limit and pushing it too far.”
The unique stadium environment meant that the audience was less than ten feet away from the action. “The crowd’s right above you, as close as you can possibly get to someone on a wave,” said Smith, “some guys thrive off it, others don’t. It’s an arena for those who can feed off the energy of the crowd.”
Layer was consistently in charge of his competitors, picking up on the nuances of the tricky waves early on and mixing up his manoeuvres to keep the crowd and judges entertained. His musical selections were as sharp as his surfing, and it was clear from the early rounds that Layer was the man to beat.
Sprayed with champagne on the podium, Layer, who notoriously does not compete, couldn’t help but beam with pride. “I didn’t know what to expect coming here,” said the Maui local, “but it’s been incredible. Surfing so close to so many people, music
playing, heaps of energy in the air, to get the win is crazy. If more events were like this, I’d do them!”
Red Bull Unleashed Results
Final
Albee Layer (HAW) 3 def. Billy Stairmand (NZL) 1
Semi Finals
SF1. Billy Stairmand (NZL) 3 def. Jack Freestone (AUS) 0 SF2. Albee Layer (HAW) 3 def. Mitch Crews (AUS) 2
Quarter Finals
QF1. Billy Stairmand (NZL) 3 def. Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 1 QF2. Jack Freestone (AUS) 3 def. Kai Hing (AUS) 1
QF3. Albee Layer (HAW) 3 def. Jayce Robinson (GBR) 1 QF4. Mitch Crews (AUS) 3 def. Ian Crane (AUS) 1
Round One
H1. Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 3 def. Alan Stokes (GBR) 0
H2. Billy Stairmand (NZL) 3 def. Leo Fioravanti (ITA) 1 H3. Jack Freestone (AUS) 3 def. Evan Geiselman 0
H4. Kai Hing (AUS) 3 def. Kalani David (HAW) 0
H5. Jayce Robinson (GBR) 3 def. Hiroto Arai (JPN) 0 H6. Albee Layer (HAW) 3 def Ian Gouveia (BRA) 2
H7. Ian Crane (AUS) 3 def. Mikey Wright (AUS) 2
H8. Mitch Crews (AUS) 3 def. Reubyn Ash (GBR) 1
