When Torren Martyn and Aiyana Powell put out the message that they might need an experienced hand to guide the 35ft sailing boat ‘Calypte’ up the Malacca Strait and around to Sumatra, sailor and filmmaker Kelly Foote offered to help. While showing Torren and Aiyana the ropes, Kelly started filming and a story emerged.
Surfboard shaper Simon Jones and Torren had been developing a performance-focused twin fin that would work at challenging shallow reef passes and atolls. As the voyage progressed Torren and Simon devised a radically different-looking take on a tried and true shape.
‘The Ugly Duckling’, a Not by Chance Film by Kelly Foote, gives insight into how genuine surfboard design occurs when there’s a deep connection between surfer and shaper.
Rip Curl has announced the opening of its new flagship store in Bilbao, Spain.
Located in the heart of the city, this 150-square-meter space opened its doors at the end of March. Primarily focused on apparel, it offers a complete range of Rip Curl products—from cutting-edge technical innovations to premium surfwear.
Following Tarifa and Barcelona, this is Rip Curl’s third store in Spain, in addition to an outlet store in Viladecans, further strengthening the brand’s presence in a key surfing country in Europe.
In recent years, Bilbao has established itself as a major surf hub in the Basque Country, thanks to its proximity to iconic spots like Mundaka and Sopelana. Its cultural energy, combined with access to world-class waves, makes it a top destination for surfers and board sports enthusiasts.
To pay tribute to the Basque Country, a special edition wetsuit featuring the ikurriña (Basque flag) was designed for the occasion, showcasing the craftsmanship of the Hossegor workshop.
“With the opening of a store in Bilbao, Rip Curl takes a strategic step forward in the development of its retail network in Europe. This new location marks our arrival in the heart of the Spanish Basque Country, an iconic region for European surfing, right next to some of the continent’s best waves, like Mundaka, Sopelana or Zarautz.
This flagship embodies our commitment to strengthening ties with local surf communities, while offering a premium showcase of the Rip Curl universe. It’s also an opportunity for the brand to present, in an inspiring space, its full range of technical and lifestyle collections, designed to meet the needs of a wide community of passionate riders.
Bilbao was a natural choice: vibrant, ocean-connected, and rich in culture. This opening reflects our ambition to pursue sustainable, consistent growth in Spain and beyond, as close as possible to the waves,” said Mathieu Lefin, President of KMD Brands Europe.
Our view is , whilst it is shame not to have competitors around the world competing, surfing is way cooler than just being another ‘sport’ at the Olympics anyway. Much better the governing bodies put on their own events.
Anyway, ISA statement below.
The International Surfing Association (ISA) acknowledges with disappointment the decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) not to include Longboard Surfing in the LA28 Olympic Games.
The ISA appreciated the opportunity to present Longboard’s value for Olympic inclusion and are grateful for its consideration in the LA28 program. While our request for additional athletes for Shortboard Surfing was also declined, we will continue our push for greater participation at the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.
At the same time, the ISA understands and applauds the IOC’s continued push for gender equality as one of the key criteria behind its decisions today on the events and quotas for LA28.
The ISA firmly believes in the value of Longboard Surfing and the expanding global reach of our sport across its many events and disciplines. The proven success of Longboard at past Pan American Games is a testimony to its value, and we remain fully committed to the sport’s continued growth and development through our multiple World Championships.
ISA President Fernando Aguerre said:
“Obviously, we are disappointed to receive the news that Longboard Surfing will not feature at LA28 and that we will not receive more slots for our athletes, but I believe we are still only in the early stages of our long Olympic journey.
“We are proud of Surfing’s contribution to the success fo the Olympic Games, and will continue to push forward in our efforts to campaign for Longboard inclusion in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games and beyond. We look forward to working closely with the IOC and the Brisbane Organizing Committee to highlight our sport’s value on the Olympic stage.
“As surfers, we know that finding the perfect wave takes time. In our sport, we learn patience, passion and persistence. Those are traits that the ISA has always demonstrated across our nearly 30-year journey to see Shortboard Surfing’s debut in Tokyo. We will continue to put that same energy into our Olympic ambitions for the future.”
While not always in the mainstream spotlight, Rafael Wille lets his surfing do the talking in some of the most challenging surf spots on the planet, a true underground charger. Hit play to watch Rafael rolling into some sick double-ups.
“A man returns to the idyllic beach of his childhood to surf with his son, but is humiliated by a group of powerful locals and drawn into a conflict that rises with the punishing heat of the summer and pushes him right to his breaking point.”
Described as an entertaining, stylistic and psychologically unsettling piece of pulp cinema, THE SURFER, has been thrilling audiences since its premiere in the Midnight Screenings section at the 77th Cannes Film Festival. Starring the iconic actor Nicolas Cage, with a terrific ensemble including Julian McMahon, Nicholas Cassim, Miranda Tapsell, and Alexander Bertrand
It’s out in UK and Irish cinemas from 9th May.
All seems a bit 80’s TBH. These days in Cornwall, west Wales and on the east coast you’re more likely to nip to Aldi and return to find your coastal village taken over by second home owners!
No crowds, no snakes dropping in—just two brothers surfing perfect slabs when a massive mutant rolls in, flawlessly ridden by Ivan. Now, that’s pure glory! Hawaii can wait… this Slab Tour adventure is turning into the ultimate surfer’s dream. We doff our cap to Nate, Ivan and their support crew… hit play for pits.
