Tapped in the words of producer/surfer: @peterlaing
After making what my British peers considered a relatively controversial decision: moving to Indo during COVID (clearly, not all my mates in the UK are surfers), I stumbled across Evan Puma.
One day at a bar in Ulus, I heard this loud Bajan/English/Canadian accent say, ‘cool shorts, man, I was there too.’ As a typically stingy broke surfer, I was still wearing the free boardshorts that were handed out to competitors at the 2017 ISA junior world champs in Japan. A competition we both attended where Evan did pretty well, and I was humiliated (Scotland U18s were dismantled by the lethal combination of big sponsor stickers and supplement-fed super-groms). In short, without wanting to portray this as a tropical teen love affair, Evan and I met at sunset in a cute beachside bar.
Now that our romantic foundations are covered, we can talk about the project. The waves showcased in the film are all from the 2021 Indo dry season. Amongst the lockdowns and epic crowd-less days scored together, the first conversation about the edit happened when we were on a boat trip in the Ments. It was the afternoon after a freak session at Greenbush, where Evan took the first wave of a set and I took the second. With what was undoubtedly an overly exuberant claim, my stoke overflowed and Evan (relieved not to see me bottle the perfect wave) was there to share this priceless moment with me. During the high of that trip, we realised the potential of all the clips that he had accumulated. It was not until returning to Bali that Evan transferred all the footage he had gathered throughout the season. After first viewing the waves from countless perfect sessions, all together on one timeline, I understood that we could make something special here.
Just as I started to go out and film all the cinematic footage for the project, I came across Ohad Eshach, who had just moved into the same homestay as me. The highly talented Israeli sound designer and understatedly good surfer showed me the sound recordings he had taken throughout his travels across Indonesia. They were spectacular, and after discussing the ideas I had for the short film, he was equally excited to be part of the project. As things often are with surfers, this whole piece began spontaneously, and in the least spiritual nut job way, it genuinely felt like it was meant to be.
The film not only seeks to highlight the talent Evan has in the tube but also to show what Indonesia 2021 was like for us. Despite much of last year’s fearmongering and growing socio-political tensions, we hope that everyone who has the time to watch ‘Tapped’ is entertained and sees how pristine and stunning all Indonesia’s natural ecosystems are when left relatively untouched for a brief period.
I hope this offers good context to the film and a glimpse of the authentic moments and memories we are all so fortunate to have as surfers.
Twin brothers Arch and Van are different. One stocky and reserved natural footer (who hates a cuddle). One lanky and loud goofyfooter (loves a cuddle).
Both rip it up and both love getting barrelled. Follow the boys as they set out on their first overseas adventure, to gouge rail and get deeply pitted through South Sumatra. A trip that saw some epic waves, but also some head wounds, reef cuts, Indo belly and an emergency appendicitis taken out in an Sumatran hospital. They say what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger.
Kelly Slater on two sick waves at a firing north shore sandbar! The Goat didn’t take all the glory, check out Moana Jones Wong on an insane Pipeline bomb right after her heat ended at the Da Hui Backdoor Shootout!
Markie Lascelles takes over the legendary surfboard factory his dad, Chops, opened in the 90’s.
There has been surfboard factory behind the cliffs in St Agnes since around 1986 when Chops Lascelles first set up shop there. In the early 90s he moved he operation down the road to a new purpose built premises Wheal Kitty workshops. As with the old factory it was a centre of surf community, both local and international. A place that gave many local lads their breaks in industry, where the Lascelles groms were often better behaved than the adults! After the passing of Chops the factory continued to operate as Laminations, and then as Open. When Open founder, Mark Anderson sadly suddenly passed away late last year the factories future was somewhat serendipitously placed back into Chops son Markies hands. It was an opportunity and at the same time a challenge. But so many bricks had fallen into place, it felt to many who know the history and family well, to be time.
This week Markie opened the doors and there is a Lascelles shaping and making surfboards in Wheal Kitty again. The original graffiti on shaping and glassing room walls and doors is still there respectfully preserved by the factories care takers, there is an uncanny dense of deja vu looking through the shaping bay window, and somehow it all just feels right.
Steve England caught up with Markie to find out how it was going.
So, you are … how are you feeling?
To be honest now I’m feeling pretty bloody good. I’ve got the keys to the factory, we are making boards, getting in rhythm and getting the place how I want it to be, putting my touch on it so to speak.
The last couple months have been a bit less fun though! From when I found out about Mark, (I was on a boat in Indo at the time) that was obviously very shocking, and I felt so bad for Emily too. As you know, I’d been there with the sudden death of dad, and it really fucking sucks. And I never had any intention to take the place on, I just wanted to help the guys out down there where I could really. And then as the months past and the family announced they were shutting down I guess I started to explore the idea in my own head, kinda imagining the possibilities if you like, which was exciting.
Then it was a bit of a downer again as it got more and more full on in the negotiations, more stress less fantasy ha, over thinking all the possibilities, all the negatives, lots of thinking about my old man ya know. I guess the situation with Mark brought a lot of that stuff back up for me. And it was just at the Christmas period. Having to tell Hugh and Nigel, who had been so helpful to me finishing my boards for the last 18 months I was going my own… But then yeah, as soon as I got the keys it was just like this massive thing lifted off me. I just went and wandered round the factory all night on my own, searched through drawers, shaped a board. It was a surreal and epic feeling.
The factory has some history hey…
I’m trying to work it all out and piece it all together, but I believe my brother Sean, Vasey and Rich played as ‘Real – Y – T’ in the roof space in 1998 at dads factory opening party. I was 8 years old but remember it pretty clearly ha! I think a young Skindog got signed by Quiksilver that night and from then on it was a hub wasn’t it. Everyone who’s anyone in surfing or shaping seems to have passed through those walls. And of course the Tea room out the front! I couldn’t get enough of hanging around down there! It was pretty state of the art at that time too. Pumping out boards!
Are dads scribbles and photos still on the walls in the shaping bay?
Yeah, all over it! I might start ringing the numbers to see who still has the same ones! Swilly, Rooster and Minzy first! All his and other crews old templates are still up stairs too, as well as boxes and boxes of old stuff.
And you have been on a hell of journey to get here? I know there were a things that seemed like few bumps in the road that actually lead you to be in the position to take over the factory?
Yeah, I mean 9 years ago right now I didn’t know what was going on. I was 23 years old, just inheirited a business that was up the swanny and had no fucking idea at all on how to run myself let alone a business.
I probably had 3 or 4 years of 7 day weeks and just going backwards – living at mums, working in the shop on weekends. And then it just slowly started coming together through lots of learning and lots and lots of mistakes, and shitloads of help from Sean Bubs and mum, and my mates as well. Plus a few well timed bits of luck and I kinda got it sussed last year. Back to seven day weeks now though!! But it’s good, I’m proud I was in a position to do it, now the hard work starts again but I’m well up for it. It’s quicker to get to the beach for low tide from Wheal Kitty anyway so I should have more time!
Mary and Markie
How’s mum feeling?
She’s happy, I’m happy. She wasn’t completely behind the idea at first having seen how bad it can be or can get, and how hard you have to work. But she just said if it’s my time to have a go it’s my time, and she’ll help all the way!
I think she’s pretty stoked about it now to be honest. I had to show her how it’s gunna be different a few times. Mums the glue that holds it all together, and definitely the calming influence, always has been whether it was for dad or now for me, and she really helps me make all these choices and guides me through when I need it. She stops in most mornings on her walk round the cliff!
When you see the reactions to your announcement I think everyone feels it just seems right that you are back in there. It just feels like it was meant to be.
They’re all legends
What are your plans for the place?
Make really nice surfboards first and foremost. I have a brand new state of the art shaping machine on route so that will be installed down there. I’m keeping the nice retail space, so it will be full of Cord Surfboards and we will have a fully operational demo center and design center when the new machine arrives. So people are welcome to stop in and talk about surfboards whenever they like! Then we have some collaborations in the pipeline, some movie nights, loads of fun! So get on the @cord_surfboards instagram and give us a follow for regular updates!
Biggest Paddle Day in quite sometime as Jaws goes off.
‘After the passing of big wave surfer Marcio ‘Mad Dog’ Freire (one of the first guys that started paddling Jaws early on ) a lot of the surfers out there were surfing with his spirit in their minds and everyone charged in honour of Marcio.’
Albee Layer, Billy Kemper, Torrey Meister, Tyler Larronde, Kai Paula, Paige Alms, Ian Walsh, Fransisco Porcella, Nathan Florence, Steve Roberson, Othmane Choufani and more take on massive waves.
The photograph that caught the eye of the judges in our 2022 Carve Photo comp was this shot titled “Shoot the Pier” of a surfer riding through the New Brighton Pier in NZ at sunrise, stood out from the crowd taken by Swanseas Sean Pritchard. Born and raised in Swansea, Wales, in the UK, Sean has travelled all over the world chasing his passion and even spent seven years as a resident in New Zealand.
“I am incredibly stoked to take out the 2022 competition with so many incredible photographers taking part,” said Sean. “New Brighton is an often-overlooked suburb of Christchurch, yet there is so much beauty there. Sunrise at the pier is always an incredible experience.”
“The standard of photography within surfing is high, and this is a true honour to be recognised in this way. Being from Wales and having lived in New Zealand for over seven years, I am especially proud to have showcased the incredible scenery and surf of both countries.”
Sean returned to Wales after the pandemic in summer 2022.
“Hiraeth is a Welsh word that has no direct English translation; however, it is likened to a homesickness and nostalgia for your homeland, tinged with grief and sadness over the lost or departed. You can take the boy out of Wales, but you can’t take Wales out of the boy. I haven’t explored much of Wales, so I’m genuinely excited to travel and seek out surf breaks in my homeland.”
He added: “I only started properly pursuing surf photography as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. This was actually the first year I have entered the competition.” “The most difficult thing for me was taking the initial step and putting myself out there. This is something I believe many creatives contend with. I struggled for years with notions like “Their photos are better than mine” or “They’ve been doing it for years”.
“It’s a sentiment we come across a lot and one we would like any budding surf photographers to overcome.’ said Carve editor Steve England The surf comp is favourite time of year and we have had some incredible photos sent in from Britain and Ireland’s best photographers and their photos. But the best part is seeing amazing shots from lesser known photographers. The thing is with photography is that you don’t have to be a pro, you don’t have to have the best gear, you just have to have an eye for the moment.”
If you would like to contribute to Carve see our guidelines here
Sean won a portfolio in the new issue out now (order here), plus over £700 of prizes outlined below.
The prize bundle:
Full interview with your portfolio in Carve issue 215 Rip Curl Anti series jacket RRP: £249.99 Rip Curl über warm and comfy socks RRP: £19.99 Rip Curl Beanie RRP: £19.99 Sunset Sessions Insulated Stainless Steel Bottle RRP: £28 Carve heavy-weight Sunset Sessions Organic Hoodie: £45 Carve Sunset Sessions Organic Tee RRP: £25 Amazing Waves book: £24.95 Wayward by Chris Burkhard RRP: £25 Breathtaking photographs and deeply personal stories from a leading surfing and nature photographer, conservation advocate Chris Burkhard. Carve subscription: £39 A case of Offshore 12x330ml can and an Offshore neon sign RRP: £25.99 dryrobe® Advance Long Sleeve: The original, weatherproof, outdoor change robe. Stay protected from the elements by a durable waterproof outer and super-warm, fast drying inner. Made with 100% recycled fabrics. RRP: £160 The dryrobe® Compression Travel Bag: Easily pack your dryrobe® Advance for any flight or trip where space is limited. Made using 100% recycled nylon fabric. RRP: £30
+ More to come
Above: Money Trees, making it rain. Grajagan, Indonesia Photo: Myles McGuinness
T+C’s Got to run these because law. – No cash alternatives to the prize. By entering you agree to allow Carve (Orca Publications) using your photo in the mag and online (You will be credited or tagged when we do). No one else will use your photo. We will contact those in the final selection directly. We can’t answer all messages or emails so bear with us.
