London Surf Film Festival

London Surf / Film Festival presented by Reef kicked off this over the weekend, bringing to the UK a celebration of the cream of international surf culture and the best of British, showcasing the hottest surf films from around the globe  – a line up to inspire, enlighten and entertain. 

Hosted across two iconic cinematic venues, the film festival continues this weekend at Regents St. Cinema and includes Q&A’s and talks with waveriding’s most inspiring heroes and icons such as XXL Winning female surfer Paige Alms and renowned surf explorer Kepa Acero, workshops, a gallery show, music, art, artisans and more! This saline hit of inspiration is an essential cultural happening.

See the full line up and links to trailers below.

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LONDON SURF / FILM FESTIVAL //16-24 OCTOBER 2015
23-24 OCTOBER Regent Street Cinema, W1.

Image: @Chrisburkard // Faroes European Premiere LS/FF  Friday 16 October 

There are also a limited number of night passes available for Friday at £22 to give you more film for your buck as well as some exclusive goodies.
All tickets are available via the Regent Street Cinema box office HERE 

Friday 23rd October – REGENT STREET CINEMA, W1

7pm European Premiere: THE WAVE I RIDE Dir. Devyn Bisson
Female big wave charger Paige Alms takes on the biggest and most terrifying waves on the planet. This intimate film follows her journey back from a horrific injury, will she be able to charge the giant waves of her home break Jaws again.
Presented in person by Paige Alms and Director Devyn Bisson
Watch the trailer here:

9pm UK Premiere: THE SEARCH FOR FREEDOM Dir. Jon Long
This visual spectacular celebrates the sheer joy of the ride and the pure stoke of going big. Featuring pioneers from across the world of surfing, Kelly Slater, Kelia Moniz, Bruce Brown, Chris Burkard, plus skateboard and snowboard legends including Jeremy Jones, Danny Way and Yvon Chouinard, this breath taking big screen feast in not to be missed.

Watch the trailer here:

Saturday 24th October – REGENT STREET CINEMA, W1                                     

5pm European Premiere FISH: THE DOCUMENTARY Dir. Joseph Ryan
At a time when logs ruled the line-up, San Diego surfer Steve Lis came up with a design so radical it remained an underground sensation for years. With insightful contributions from the likes of Dave Rastovich, Derek Hynd, Mark Richards, Tom Curren and Rob Machado, plus awesome archive and action footage this beautifully crafted ode to revolutionary board design is a must see.

Watch the trailer here:

7pm UK Premiere: UNCHARTERED WATERS Dir. Craig Griffin
Groundbreaking and illuminating documentary tells the story of one of surfing’s most influential and enigmatic figures characters, Australian surf legend Wayne Lynch. Set against the backdrop of disaffected youth, the Vietnam war and the increasing commodification of surfing, this film lifts the curtain on Lynch’s character and motivation, while showing the massive effect he brought to the lifestyle and the influence he has had, and continues to have on our most groundbreaking surfers. Not to be missed.

KEPA ACERO Q&A and SPECIAL SCREENING.
Accompanied by KEPA ACERO: Film and Talk
Renowned surf explorer Kepa arrives hot off the plane from his latest adventure to share some exclusive new films with us and talk about his solo adventure chasing the monster swell that hit Indonesia and surfing the longest waves in the world in South America.

Watch the trailer here:

9.15pm London Premiere NIX NIC NOOLEY Dir. Toby Creegan
The year is 2879 and everyone from the world as we know it in 2015 is dead. Dead. The ocean has dried up and the only way to go surfing is by time travel. Creed McTaggart and Duncan McNicol head back in time to score waves with Ellis Ericson, Thom Pringle, Noa Deane, Jay Davies and Dion Agius. Dials the radness to 11.

Accompanied by UK Premiere THREE STONES FROM THE SUN Dir. Seb Zanella Beautifully crafted documentary allows us to hangout and share waves with the amazing Dave Rastovich, in and around his Byron Bay home.

Watch the trailer here:

Surf Snowdonia Closes Early For Season Due To Fault

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This just in from Surf Snowdonia. Closed for the rest of 2015…

The directors of Surf Snowdonia have announced today that they have been regrettably forced to close early for the winter season. The closure is effective immediately, and brings forward the facility’s planned winter closure by eight weeks.

The world’s first inland surfing facility, which generates the longest man-made waves on the planet using pioneering Wavegarden technology, opened to great acclaim on the 1st August this year. The facility has since been affected by a number of mechanical faults and has had to temporarily close on three separate occasions.

The most recent breakdown is due to a serious failure of the main drive mechanism of the wave generating machinery. Engineers from Wavegarden estimate that it will take a minimum of three months to repair.

All Surf Snowdonia’s seasonal staff have had their contacts brought to an end early, and some permanent members of the team have been made redundant.

Martin Ainscough, chairman of the Ainscough Group which owns Surf Snowdonia said:

“This is a very disappointing day for us all at Surf Snowdonia, and we know it’s especially difficult for our excellent staff and for all of the people who have booked to come surfing with us. 

“We are in the process of notifying all customers who have booked sessions and we will refund all payments. 

“During the winter closure period we will be making further investment in order to improve the surf lagoon and broaden our offer. By spring of 2016 we hope to open for our first full season with an improved offer. We also hope to re-employ many of the excellent people who have worked with us this season. 

“Surf Snowdonia was always intended as a long term investment in our group and our extra investment over the winter will prove our absolute commitment to make Surf Snowdonia a success.”

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Dingo

“When I was a kid I’d surf 18 times a week…” “I lost my sponsors, my dog died, and my missus left me…”

A WALK ON WATER

Just how awesome is surfing? Watch this…

A WALK ON WATER is a family of watermen sharing the therapeutic powers of the ocean with those in need. AWOW’s primary goal is providing relief to families of children with special needs through surf therapy. Surf therapy through guided surf instruction for special needs children. Water therapy provides relief for autism, apraxia, down’s syndrome, pdd-nos, duchenne, and more.

Want to know more, or donate?
www.awalkonwater.org

Deeper EP 2

Just how much training do you need to take a 60 footer on the head… Watch this…

Rhys Barfield – Surf Snowdonia

A slight faux pas by RedBull last month put Rhys Barfield centre stage in negotiations to get a Welsh surfer represented at the Unleashed event. While some screamed and shouted on social media, or wrote misinformed rants, a few emails and phone calls between the WSF and RB got the reigning U18 and Open Welsh champion a slot in the event. This, as they say, is his story….