Album surf presents, “HUES” Featuring Victor Bernardo, McKenzie Bowden, Brenden Margieson, Jack Freestone, and Clay Marzo. One sentence review ‘so freaking good.’ Hit the link for the full blaze and glory.
A Short Film By @ian.grose
Additional Footage By Andy Woodward and Christian Habberstad
Music By Abracadabra, Parquet Courts, Mick Turner, Captain Coconut, Dråpe and MangoDog
Learn more about Album Surf here.
Leading UK surf therapy charity teams up with SUEZ for unique retail solution
The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme has enabled The Wave Project and waste-management company SUEZ to launch a pioneering scheme to recycle Cornwall’s mountain of discarded wetsuits.
The innovative project aims to tackle the estimated 380 tonnes of non-recyclable neoprene generated each year. With over 50% of this waste originating in Cornwall, the county has become a wetsuit graveyard.
The Wetsuit Reuse Scheme has received £116,000 from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme, a £137m local investment fund managed by Cornwall Council and funded by the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Support for local organisations is a key plank of the investment programme which encourages green and socially responsible enterprise.
Under the scheme, dedicated wetsuit recycling bins are placed at Cornwall Council household waste recycling centres, managed by SUEZ. The discarded suits are collected and transported to a brand-new repair workshop in Newquay. Here, a team will clean, and if necessary, mend the wetsuits for resale at the charity’s high street store. Prices range from £20 – £60 – a fraction of the average £420 cost for a new wetsuit. Any wetsuits beyond repair will be upcycled into new products like bags, pillows and mats.
The pre-loved wetsuit scheme follows increasing urgency around solving the environmental crisis caused by fast fashion and throwaway culture. With clothing and textiles estimated to account for up to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, initiatives like this offer a blueprint for a more circular economy for specialist gear like wetsuits. If successful, The Wave Project and SUEZ hope to roll out similar programmes nationwide, preventing tonnes of non-recyclable waste from ending up in landfill or polluting the oceans.
All profits will fund the charity’s programmes. Surf therapy especially has become an established and evidence-based form of therapeutic support for both mental and physical health.
Ramon Van de Velde, Chief Executive Officer at The Wave Project, said: “The Wave Project improves the health and wellbeing of children throughout the UK with surf therapy and the healing powers of the ocean. This pre-loved wetsuit scheme not only raises vital funds to enable the charity to help more children. It also makes the sea more accessible to people who can’t otherwise afford wetsuits, and of course importantly takes neoprene out of the waste-cycle. This really is a win-win-win. We are really grateful to the government’s Good Growth Fund and SUEZ for providing the funding to kick-start this project. If the Cornwall pilot proves successful, we hope to roll it out nationwide.”
Craig Mouatt, Processing Contract Manager for SUEZ recycling and recovery UK in Cornwall said: “We’re delighted to be continuing our partnership with The Wave Project to support young people in Cornwall. As a triple bottom line business we are always looking for innovative ways to protect the planet whilst supporting the communities we serve, and through this initiative we can help raise funds to support the important work The Wave Project does whilst enhancing and protecting the environment. We look forward to continuing our relationship with The Wave Project to transform lives through surf therapy.”
The pilot project has been made possible thanks to £116,000 from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme, £22,500 from SUEZ and £7,500 from The Wave Project.
The competition window for Surfing will be July 27 – August 5, 2024, with four days within that period required to complete the event. Prior to the opening of the window, six training days will be available for the athletes to have exclusive use of the location (July 21 – 26, 2024).
The format for Olympic surfing will give every surfer a chance to surf twice. The winners of Round 1 advance to Round 3 with the 2nd and 3rd place surfers going to an elimination Round 2. From Round 3 onward, heats are one-on-one with winners advancing and 2nd place eliminated through the Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and into the Bronze and Gold Medal matches.
The Seeding in Round 1 is primarily based on the individual result of the surfer at the ISA World Surfing Games 2024.
Round 2 and 3 are reseeded based on the surfers’ results in their previous round combined with their original seed.
Beginning in the Quarterfinals, the rounds are no longer reseeded, and athletes will advance within their bracket to the next round. In the Semifinals 2nd place will advance to the Bronze Medal match, and 1st place will advance to the Gold Medal match.
Place of Thorns tells the story of one of the world’s most incredible waves, Puerto Escondido, from its discovery by early surfers when it was just a small coffee port in Mexico, to the bustling tourist Mecca it has become today. After five decades, Puerto continues to draw surfers from across the globe to the town’s main beach, Playa Zicatela, as they pit themselves against some of the biggest, most deadly beach break waves on the planet.
Join us as we explore the dynamics of this unique wave while celebrating some of the best swells and rides ever documented on its shores. Along the way we discover why the Mexican Pipeline is amongst the most challenging surf spots in the world, and what it takes to ride it. But it’s not only the town that has changed. The iconic wave is under dire threat, galvanizing the local community as they take a united stand to save the wave and their home.
A film by Now Now Media presented by Monster Energy
In Association with Saves The Waves and Ocean & Earth
Produced by Alan van Gysen and Edwin Morales
Executive Producers Ryan Franklin and Kazmira Krawchuk
Directed and edited by Will Bendix
Featuring: Coco Nogales, Shane Dorian, Bianca Valenti, Greg Long, Matt Bromley, Nathan Florence, Quetzal Estrada, Jeff Divine, Craig Peterson and others.
“In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the first running of the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, Rip Curl is excited to announce its partnership with the iconic big-wave event. Honoring the life and legacy of the great Hawaiian waterman, the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational stands as the pinnacle of competitive big-wave surfing in the modern era.
Held at Waimea Bay, surrounded by the timeless Waimea Valley, the area holds tremendous cultural and historic significance for the Hawaiian people. And when it comes to the giant, winter surf and the running of the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, as they say, “The Bay calls the day.”
“We are very proud to partner with a brand like Rip Curl. Everyone knows the brand and I know my brother, Eddie, would also be proud,” says Clyde Aikau, brother of Eddie Aikau.
“It is an incredible honour for Rip Curl to be a partner of the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational,” said Brooke Farris, CEO Rip Curl. “This event is legendary, as are the big wave surfers who take on the giant waves of Waimea Bay. With our 55-year history of championing surfing events around the world, it is with great respect that we place our name alongside of Eddie Aikau, celebrating an incredible legacy and, supporting an event that means so much to the surfing community.”
“The Eddie Aikau Foundation Board of Directors are honored to welcome Rip Curl as a new sponsor for the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational events. We believe that the Rip Curl staff and executives understand the importance of our mission to perpetuate the legacy of Eddie Aikau and Hawaiian culture,” adds Linda Ipsen, President of the Eddie Aikau Foundation.
Established in memory of the late Aikau, a Hawaiian surfer and lifeguard, first run in 1984, the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational requires a full day of consistent 25-foot surf to be called on. Because of its commitment to running in only the heaviest Hawaiian conditions, the event has only been run ten times in 40 years. The unique format features an exclusive invite list of 40 surfers who are decided upon by the Aikau family at the start of every winter season in Hawaii. There are an additional 23 alternate surfers also invited.
The last running of the event in 2023 saw North Shore lifeguard Luke Shepardson take the win in legendary fashion. In a full-circle moment, Shepardson had been scheduled to work the lifeguard tower at Waimea the day of the Eddie and took breaks during his shift to go surf his heats.
Eventually he went on to win the contest in front of nearly 50,000 fired up fans on the beach, as well as an online audience of an estimated 3.5 million. Luke had to go back to work after surfing in his final heat. When the awards were announced, Luke was called down from the lifeguard tower to the winners stage and receive his first place.
Other previous winners of the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational include 11-time World Champion Kelly Slater, two-time World Champion John John Florence, as well as big-wave icons Greg Long and Bruce Irons and the first ever winner of the Eddie, Clyde Aikau.
Born in Kahului, Maui, in 1946, by the time Aikau was a teenager he was working at the Dole cannery on Oahu and quickly asserting himself amongst the North Shore’s iconic lineups. In 1969, he was hired by the City & County of Honolulu as the first lifeguard on the North Shore. No motorized watercraft were used for rescues, only a surfboard and fins. Hundreds of people were rescued while Eddie was a lifeguard and no lives were lost.
The Aikau Family lineage is traced from the 1800’s to the Hawaiian Priest, Kahunanui Hewahewa, who was the manager & caretaker of the entire Waimea Valley and its beautiful beach and surf.
“Before Eddie Aikau was the king of Waimea, he was the king of Sunset,” describes Rip Curl’s Mason Ho, who’s father Michael Ho grew up in the water alongside Aikau.
A lifelong advocate for Hawaii’s culture and people, on March 16,1978, Aikau set out on the Hōkūle‘a, a 60ft traditional Hawaiian voyaging canoe, with a crew of fellow Hawaiian sailors. The vessel set sail from Oahu on a 30-day, 2,500-mile voyage that was intended to travel to Tahiti and illustrate how Polynesians were able to traverse the wide, expansive openness of the Pacific Ocean.
As the Hōkūle‘a passed by the island of Molokaʻi, one of the hulls began to leak and the boat capsized. Aikau famously set off on his surfboard to paddle for help. The crew was eventually rescued, but tragi- cally, Aikau was never seen again. Among his exploits in the surf, it’s this selflessness and dedication to his crew Hawaiian members that has helped foster the Aikau legend.
“The Eddie honors the remarkable character and values displayed by Eddie Aikau during his career as a heroic lifeguard, Big Wave surfer and crew member of the Hawaiian voyaging canoe, Hokule’a. Our partnership with Rip Curl, an international organization, will give us the opportunity to share the Aloha Spirit that Eddie Aikau exemplified, with a worldwide audience,” continues Ipsen.
Stay tuned for more details about the upcoming Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational as Rip Curl and the Aikau family are excited to usher this iconic event into a new era.
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Europe’s largest wave pool coming to Edinburgh begins recruitment for ‘dream’ roles
Scotland’s first inland surf resort which will open in Edinburgh in September has begun building their team ahead of its launch.
Lost Shore Surf Resort is hiring for a number of unique roles in surfing operations, including surfing instructors and lifeguards who can earn up to £12.74 per hour working at the state-of-the-art wave pool.
The resort will be the home of Europe’s largest wave pool with luxury lodges and premium pods, wellness treatment studio, waterside restaurants and shopping, all making it one of the most hotly anticipated tourism openings anywhere in the world this year.
It is looking to fill over 100 roles, including therapists, food and beverage team members, with other roles in maintenance and landscaping, marketing, security and visitor experience.
Lost Shore Surf Resort will be a Living Wage Employer and although the resort does not open until September, many roles will start well before then for staff training and familiarisation.
Based just ten minutes from Edinburgh Airport, less than half an hour by car to the centre of Edinburgh, and around 45 minutes to Glasgow, Lost Shore is well connected and within easy commute of many.
In total, around 100 roles are currently on offer with a range of work schedules and hours available. People interested in working at Lost Shore Surf Resort can visit https://www.lostshore.com/careers for more information.
Andy Roger, new Chief Executive of Lost Shore Surf Resort, said: “Lost Shore Surf Resort is going to make a huge splash when we open in September. Being a Living Wage Employer we are committed to building a fantastic team to help us deliver our vision for Lost Shore Surf Resort. The opening of any new business is an exciting moment. The build up to the first day is part of that journey with the new team learning about the resort and becoming well placed to deliver for our visitors from the day we open.
“We have a number of dream roles for those who love surfing, but you don’t have to surf to work for us. We have lots of different roles available and we are looking for passionate and motivated individuals who will be excited to be part of one of the most unique openings anywhere in the world this year and thrive in a diverse and inclusive work environment. If you think that is you then please get in touch.”
Full list of roles available:
Head Coach
Head Lifeguard
Surf Instructor
Lifeguard
Surf Desk Team Member
Visitor Experience Team Leader
Visitor Experience Team Member (front & back of house)
F&B Team Leader
F&B Team Member
Kitchen Porter
F&B Team Member (events)
Duty Manager
Night Security Team Member
Retail Team Leader
Retail Team Member
Maintenance Technician
Landscaping Team Member
Housekeeping Team Leader
Housekeeping Team Member
Senior Therapist
Therapist
Marketing Executive
