Double Vision – A Billabong Team Surf Film

Double Vision – A Billabong Team Surf Film

What’s better than a boat trip to the Mentawais, unlimited beers with a bunch of mates and pumping waves? Absolutely nothing!
 
Jump on board the Mangalui as the Bong team dig into a week of madness sharing bunks, haircuts, beach-fires and enjoying the wildness an honest boat trip brings!
 
Starring Joel Parkinson, Creed McTaggart, Eithan Osborne, Jai Glindeman, Tai Buddha and Bronson Meydi, shot in the Mentawai Islands and created by Thomas Crews and Tom Jennings. 
Torren Martyn

Torren Martyn

Torren Martyn describes this perfect day from the Calypte voyage when timing, ocean conditions, and a bit of luck all aligned.

‘Before the trip I remember so clearly thinking how amazing it would be to just have one really memorable session with our little home bobbing away in the channel and how it would just be a dream come true. That was certainly the day, I couldn’t believe what was happening around me, the unridden perfect waves that were coming through and the fact we’d just landed ourselves in the right place at the right time, it was such a miracle.’

What made that day stand out as the best surf of the Calypte voyage?
Before the trip, I remember so clearly thinking how amazing it would be to just have one really memorable session with our little home bobbing away in the channel and how it would just be a dream come true. That was certainly the day, I couldn’t believe what was happening around me, the unridden perfect waves that were coming through and the fact we’d just landed ourselves in the right place at the right time, it was such a miracle.

Tell us about just how perfect those waves were?
Yeah, no words really, it was mind boggling. I was pinching myself.

What did you do afterwards to celebrate or reflect on the experience?
We sailed a couple of hours back to a safe anchorage, dropped the anchor and cracked a beer or maybe it was beer then sail then anchor then beer. We ate, cheers’d and slept well that night.

Ishka did an incredible job filming the day in what looked like challenging conditions.
He really did! The morning started off very stormy and unruly. I hadn’t seen that wave before nor did I know the reefs around it, at the first couple of signs of surfable waves that steamed down the reef we had a look for a keyhole to drop Ishka to the beach and by the time we’d found a relatively safe little spot the ocean had cleaned itself up and I was in shambles to get out there and test the waters.

Did that day influence the rest of your voyage in any way or your approach to surfing in general?
I remember that day as one of the best days of my life. It really fuelled my curiosity of surfing and searching for waves, I’m not sure if it was a blessing or curse to be honest.

The soundtrack song to this section is really catchy – those guys are Indonesian musicians?
Yeah I love that track, it’s just so funky! The band Ali are from Jakarta, Indonesia and the track is called ‘Downtown Strut’. I’m grateful that needessentials invested in such an epic range of music for the Calypte film.

How is fatherhood and do you have any future adventures planned?
Fatherhood has been the greatest adventure yet, it’s a trip! As for future films and adventures, I don’t know if anything will compare to the whole Calypte experience but Ishka and I are planning a wild little sailing trip early next year, this time on a much smaller vessel(s).

Roller Coaster

Roller Coaster

Gearoid McDaid’s 2023/24 season has been a rollercoaster. After recovering from a major injury, he made a strong comeback with a second-place finish at the European Championships. However, the following months brought mixed results, testing his resilience. In 2024, Gman surfed some of his best waves of his life at Mullaghmore but suffered a setback with a serious shin injury. Despite this, he remains determined, using his recovery time to rebuild and return stronger for the next winter season.

Life is a roller coaster! An interview with G Man. Film by Clem McInerney.

What were your plans for the 23/24 season?
My main goals were to catch as many good waves as possible and try to qualify for the Olympics. I was fired up after a tough year with injuries, but although the winter wasn’t great, there were still some standout moments.

Do you set goals or take things as they come?
I definitely set goals—qualifying for the Olympics and pushing myself in bigger waves. Balancing competition prep and chasing slabs at the same time is tough, so I had to adjust based on the conditions.

How were you feeling going into the 23/24 season compared to the previous year?
I felt much better this time around. The year before, a hip tear slowed me down, but it also pushed me to focus on strength training. Unfortunately, I got injured again, but it was just bad luck.

What were your highlights?
Coming 2nd in the European Surfing Championships and those special sessions at Riley’s, just me and Conor Maguire. Towing each other into bombs with no one else around was unbeatable.

What were your low points?
Losing in the Olympic qualifier after starting strong. The forecast turned bad, and I struggled in sloppy waves. Now, my leg injury has been the biggest setback, but I’m hoping to be back for the winter swells.

How did you feel after the injury?

It hit me hard at first—I was worried I’d miss the whole winter. Luckily, it doesn’t seem as bad, and I’m hopeful to be back soon.

What’s next, and what have you learned from this?

I’m learning to take things as they come and enjoy life outside of surfing, like playing golf. It’s been a fun summer of golf and cruising, which has helped me slow down a bit.

Nathan Florence – Ireland

Nathan Florence – Ireland

It just goes to show, that local knowledge is everything, even Nate Florence has to pay to play every now and then. In his very own words “They call me nosedive Nate now.” Props and respect to all the local crew out there, surfers and boogie tribes showing how it’s done. 

In Your Bones

In Your Bones

Great surfing, spearfishing, camping and cooking. Still after all these years, one of the most untapped regions on the planet, Australia, wild west territory, enter at your own risk!

Ten days in the desert, five boys one car.
Featuring: Alex McGuffin, Tom Corrie, Jack Knibbs and Luke Turley
Filmed/Edited: by Ryo Ridley

Tales from 10/10 – South West

Tales from 10/10 – South West

More action from one of the best days of the year so far at the reef, pretty sure there was a fair few sick days called in. But oh my days was it worth it.

With a powerful long-range swell hitting the UK last week, lighting up this Cornish stretch of reef, this and many other spots were firing.

Footage: Sonny Timson / Eye In The Sky. @eye_in_the_sky___

Surfers: Lukas Skinner, Harry Timson, Luke Dillon & More!