Adventures In Light

I've been on the road for the last 10 days, and as much as that's been epic, it is pretty damn nice to come home to a big courier pack. 

Australian master surf photographer Ted Grambeau's new book is stunningly beautiful. And that sentence right there is all you need to really know, but hey, this is the weekly CPL E-Bomb, so lets fill up some time :) 

The hardcover large format book comes in it's own box. It's 31cm square, with heavy stock art paper. It's big in every sense at 240 pages. The whole package also includes a signed Ted print. It is one slick production, underwritten by Rip Curl, this would be my only complaint which is not really a complaint. I just wasn't expecting it to be a Rip Curl book. Ted has worked closely with Rip Curl for most of his long career, so there shouldn't have been a surprise. And flicking through the book, there's no question Rip Curl have done an amazing job of facilitating Ted's adventures over the last 4 decades.   

Being under written by Rip Curl has probably also facilitated the incredibly inexpensive cover price. It's only $69.90 AUD plus shipping- trust me on this one- it's a $150.00 book.

You'll already know many of the images, but in this collection they are thoughtfully curated and placed carefully together to create a flowing edition.

The book Adventures In Light absolutely show cases one of surf photography's masters whom remains to this day at the peak of his powers.

Want to find out more? Here's the link to the book on Ted's site   

The O'Neill Aotearoa Surf Film Festival

Here's the remaining schedule for this season. You can book online HERE  

From The Book Store

Now here's some random facts, 503 people LIKE the South Seas Book website page and 1712 people follow its Facebook page. Bet you not all of them own it though. Does The South Seas book rival Adventures In Light? Yes, yes it does. Slighter higher production values with the fabric binding, gold embossing, and title debossing on the cover, use of variations of art stock text. An extensive intro chapter on the history of NZ surfing from our pioneers... hmmmm not better, but equally as worthy of your consideration perhaps? Books rule! Check out the South Seas book HERE

Keeping YOU busy

The O'Neill Aotearoa Surf Film Festival 

The ASFF is in it's 6th year of running. And full credit has to go to the founder and dynamo that keeps a steady wheel, Nick Stevenson. It has been his vision since day dot, and he's pretty much pulling it off. Nick is passionate about encouraging young Kiwi film makers, every year he has managed to increase the prize pool for young locals. How do I know all this- well Nick roped me in as a founding judge on the screening panel, and I've continued to be invited back each season. I tell ya, I have seen some shit, but in amongst it there are some soaring moments of creativity and inspiration. 

Gizzy showings this year at the Dome Bar and Theatre

Christchurch this week!

The Mount indoor screening

Nick takes the selection of short films and features on the road in a national tour. It's grassroots stuff, He loads up the Subby wagon and leaves his family for a month, touring NZ's coastal surf towns, there are glaring regional gaps, but every year another venue gets added.

Here's the remaining schedule for this season. You can book online HERE  

Further more and hither to all things grass roots, The Duke Festival is in full swing right now. It is New Zealand's largest surf festival, and I believe the surf comp this weekend attracts the largest field of competitors of any national contest. My main man Warren Hawke is one of the co-founding organisers of the week long festival. It includes a surf art exhibition [of which I couldn't get my act together to be involved] Film showings [yep the ASFF is tied in] concert, dinners, and board exhibition. If you're in glorious ChurChur this weekend, New Brighton is the place to be. 

The Duke Festival is firmly aimed at revitalising the coastal suburb, both after the earthquakes- the area was part of the worse affected- but also an on going push to see New Brighton lifted and recognised as a vibrant coastal suburb. It's something Warren is super passionate about... but you'd know that from reading his book NZ Surf Captured By A Surf Lens and his tales of growing up in the hood.  

But if you're stuck in the North...

Then Corona and Billabong NZ have you sorted with the annual Salt Circus  now in it's third year of running, this Saturday's event is firmly centred around casual fun and everything surfing. It's more a gathering than a hard out contest, with board meets, expression sessions and later a party at the legendary Astrolabe.  

Or if you'd rather just stay at home and have a good read, maybe hang some art then... 

Have we got a deal for you, you can take this offer up HERE

And the Winners Are...  

Last week's mailer was a short profile on surfing artist Greg Straight; wait you missed it? Well, the profile is preserved in perpetuity HERE 

In that mailer was a subscriber only competition for three of Greg's prints 

Entries were strong! Everyone was assigned a number and then drawn using Random.org's random number selector so everything was fair and random. The three winners are getting sent out their prints today, you already know who you are if you are. 

From The Galleries

Here is a fine fine example of a 1200mm wide canvas in situ, the image is in architect Carolyn Gundy's own self designed home, which is an absolutely stunning sun trap. You can check out her website HERE . The image is Piha Peak click HERE to view it larger

Hanging With Mr Straight

As you're about to read Greg and I have known each other for 25 years. More recently we bump into each other  all over the show, at galleries and the framers where we both get work done. Greg is prolific. He and his wife Hannah have done a great job to getting his art  into galleries around the country. 

I'm in awe of the retail network they have created. I'll walk into one of my key accounts for the books and bam there's another Greg Straight print. Turn on the telly; and there's a Greg Straight Macca's animated advert. He's getting it done. He's on trend with his bold coloured Kiwiana graphic style.

Last week at Piha, Mr Straight can still bang it!  

Let's go back to the start and tell us about your first foray  in creating something surf related. What was the idea with Octi and when did you start that? 

Octi was a clothing line I started in 1994 once I’d completed my BFA. It was a street wear label and at its peak sold in 12 stores nationwide. I was so green with the business side of things it was never going to be financial. After a couple of years I decided to pull the pin.

I wanted Octi to be 100% NZ made. I was to discover it is near impossible when you take into account how much things cost to make here in NZ. 

I did learn a lot from the whole Octi experience and it saved me from working for the man for a few years. I recall I surfed a lot back then.

I think this is how I first met you CP. If I remember rightly we had organised an Octi surf shoot at Piha on a Saturday morning with Jake ‘The Snake’ Hogan and Paul ‘PH’ Wynter.  The swell jumped up and the wind swung so it never happened. 

[I didn't remember that part of it at all! I recall us having a great evening of BBQ and beers . Then Team Octi crashing on my lounge floor for the night- fun times! - CP]

25 years later, we finally do the surfing shoot! 

How long were you in the UK, what were you doing there and is that where you met Hannah?

I lived in London for 6 years and worked as a graphic designer for mostly fashion brands. It was full time and then freelance. It was pretty cool working on accounts like Bench, Dr. Martens, Duffer and Fenchurch. 

When I arrived I got made redundant twice in the first 2 years. After the first time I took the redundancy pay and bought my first computer; an iMac. I used it every day and brushed up on my design skills, it was one of the best things I ever did, that was back in 2002.

Design wise I was creating a lot of tee shirt graphics and repeat prints for clothing. I have always loved tee shirts from 80's skateboarding tees to punk rock tees. Creating graphics for forward thinking and creative brands was a bit of a dream come true.

I also met my wife Hannah there in 2000 while she was working at a design company. She went onto having some pretty cool jobs working for a couple of West London’s top nightclubs.  And later an independent record label called Barely Breaking Even (BBE). 

London is definitely a crazy but very awesome place. I still miss those days.

Speed checking and racing 

Moving back to NZ, did you have a clear idea of what you wanted to do work-wise? Was there a concern you were moving from a big pool to a smaller market?

Towards the end of our time in England I started surfing more (doing regular trips down to Devon).  I had started really missing NZ and my family, so we decided to have a 2 year trial back in Aotearoa. If that didn’t work out we were planning on heading back.

I continued freelancing for some UK companies but as time went by the distance made it difficult. I did a bunch of tees for Huffer, RPM and the odd one for Federation.  But was soon to realise being a tee shirt guy was a limiting and underpaid.

We got married during that first year of being in NZ and discovered 5 days before the big day we were expecting our first. We had to buy a house and grow up real fast!

Then Hannah saw an ad for a full time position with a supplier for a graphics guy. The pay was a lot less than I was getting in the UK and the work was way less creative.  But with a mortgage and now family to support I took it and stayed there for 7 years.

The Papamoa daze; Greg with his first proper board, a Bob Davie shaped twin... and a rocking Piping Hot overlocked steamer! 

There's a lot of beach and surf references and orientation to your work. Are you always trying to sneak a cheeky reference in? 

I’ve always loved and been fascinated by the ocean. I started surfing when I was 11 and I was hooked. I became totally obsessed.

My aunty and uncle used to live at Papamoa, every school holiday we would go down there and I'd surf as much as I could. I have so many fond memories of this time and I try to tap into some of this nostalgia with my artwork. You know the weathered bach, beaten up longboard, the Kombie parked on the lawn.

But not all my prints feature the beach or have surf references. I recently created some South Island inspired prints just to mix up all the summer heavy imagery.

The Piha print was one of five artworks I created for retail store Texan Art Schools looking at different iconic Auckland locations. Piha had to have a couple of retro 80's surfboards in it and have the Bar breaking – how could it not! 

I remember one time we went out there when I was about 13, the road was gravel back then and my mum made us all chicken soup. We took my mate Jeremy with us and on one of the sharp corners he lost his shit and hurled chicken soup. It went all over dad’s station wagon splattering our legs with regurgitated Watties. Needless to say, we never asked him again.

Greg in the studio signing a print you could have won...ummm if you were a subscriber to the PhotoCPL E-Bomb that is.  

How's the surfing/work/family balance going?

It’s a real juggle bro! Life is super busy and weekends are full on with kids activities and general house chores.  I tend to surf during the week. 

About 4 years ago I used to work every night after my day job, to about midnight and worked a lot of weekends. That’s definitely not a good work/family/surf balance. It was the only way  to transition from a full time job that was soul destroying (creatively), to being self-employed and following my dream.

I'm now surfing more than I have in 17 years. Saying that it's only once or twice a week but I'm happy with that. I don't have a boss (except the wife). I spend more time with my kids, which I love.  I get to work on some pretty cool projects with generally awesome clients.

So the answer to your question is the balance right now is pretty damn good!

Check out Greg's website for more of his fine, fine work HERE 

From The Bookstore 

The fully Revised Edition of The South Seas just keeps on trucking. Over 80% new content and more pages added, it's basically a whole new edition, not just a revision. Want to sample a sneak peak and maybe even purchase? Well just click HERE

The Future Is Bright

The Future Is Very Bright 

Tom Norton pre start chill

I still love shooting surfing contests. Even after 25 years of standing behind the tripod getting marinated in the sun for hours on end, maybe it's a warped muscle memory, a familiarity, nostalgia - I dunno. But I love getting the call up to be the shooter. 

Tom and Caleb Cutmore...positioning for the peak

I was the shooter last weekend for final event of the 2018 Billabong Grom Series held here at Piha. It's a rad way to keep in touch with the who's coming through the ranks. In the front row observing every piece of body language with a critical eye, looking for good shots. 

Jared Gebert racking points

Back in the day it was a no-no to shoot water photos during a heat. While the ASP [now WSL] rule book stated two water photographers using a longer focal length lens than 80mm were allowed to be in the water. It wasn't cool to do it. I remember vividly a weekend surf photographer swimming out at Rocky Lefts during a heat in 1994, Nick Ngu Chun was competing, he went up for a good forehand reo and connected with the photographer's water housing. He knocked out a fin. Nick didn't have time to come in and get another board so he tried the surf the heat without the fin- he went from winning the heat to not making it through. For me this was a decisive event; I'd never be the photographer that impinged a surfer's scoring potential. I would not be THAT guy.

Caleb Cutmore on his way to U18 victory  

But things change, after 20 years of refusing to do it, I've got a set up that allows me to be in the water during a heat, but far enough away to keep out of the surfers' way. Even so I worry that some of the competitors get distracted by a dugong lookalike pointing a yellow water-housing at them from the shoulder. 

Luke Griffin; eyes on the prize- a seasoned competitor at 16

Griffo 

Nothing worse than seeing another competitor get a good turn in during your heat. Mica Black in exactly that predicament with Tom Norton sending spray

I'm happy to report I did not get in the way last weekend. And even happier to confirm the future NZ Surfing is looking pretty damn bright. There's a whole bunch of U18 and U16 competitors that are fighting to get through heats. The class of 2018 surf real well- and there's a lot of them.

Local Lad Shane Kraus giving Caleb a run for his money in the U18's  

Here are the results and press release for the Billabong Grom Series Final

And you can view more of the images I got from the event of Surfing NZ's Facebook Gallery HERE
 

But Yesterday Was Different ... 

Yesterday was all about free surfing with the fellas in fun waves, perfect sized west coast beachie peaks. 

Arty mate, it's fricken arty bro! 

Co creator of DZG magazine Skip James was in town to sample some westside curlers 

Skip high lining on his 4'10" twin

That mini twin goes pretty sweet backhand too

Piha local Mark Hansen and his son Moana caught all the bombs

hmmm KB... not such great board placement on this one

ahhh but he got his fair share of nuggets 

Artist Greg Straight slipping under the lip and clearly very worried about his trajectory with the up coming speed hump [that would be me!] 

From The Galleries

In 2013 this pano of Piha won an International Epson Pano Award. Seems just like last winter I was timing the fronts and sitting out rain squalls to get it. Love Piha's extremes! Click HERE to view the pano larger

Gita Comes To Visit

But Before Gita...

Sitting firmly in the category of 'A voice for Print' the TV equivalent of 'A face for Radio' I was interviewed for Monocle's The Stack podcast a couple of weeks ago. Here's the link . Monocle is a shinning light of magazine success in a multimedia world, with a circulation of over 80,000 per issue. Founded by the same creator of WallPaper Magazine, Monocle have created a media hub of print, web based radio [that's the bit I'm on] and a fast evolving website. The formula is one I'm convinced would transfer to surfing. 

Boring huh? Well for me no, I'm still passionate about surf media and would love to see something like this in surfing. The interview touches on this conviction. Thanks to Clair Urbahn for the opportunity, and cleaning up my dribble into some sort of cohesiveness. 

Gita Was Here 

As Cyclone Gita glanced down the west coast of New Zealand surfers gleefully wrung their hands in expectation of what treats she'd bring. To be fair it was a quick and brief affair, but for those on the spot there were moments for sure. 

Early morning peaks

A Gita treat 

The two usual suspects were on hand; Bevan Wiig [above] and James Mcalpine [below] 

Bevan's class act

James setting

Matty Ziegler's rush hour

Bevan on a Pipe-esk set up

Bevan tucked and tapering 

From The Bookstore

Billy Stairmand married his love Liana last Friday above Raglan. It was an awesome day of family, friends, love and laughs.

And that is probably THE most tenious segue to NZ Surf; The Collection Vol 1  which of course [as illustrated above by Billy] has a great feature of the multiple National Champ in it. Wanna know more about this book? Well click here for the preview. We've only got 200 left! 

Tree Hugger

Titirangi's Waima Valley Could Get Ploughed 

Waima is a forested valley just to the north of Titirangi. There is an existing Watercare treatment plant there that treats and pumps water from the Waitakere dams to Auckland households. The treatment plant has been in operation since 1928. It's old, it's not able to cope with the demands of a growing city. So fair enough, something has to change. 

Watercare's answer is to mothball the old plant, citing the industrial buildings are of historical significance [which, in my opinion, is absolutely ridiculous] and clear 10 acres of native bush next to the existing plant to build the new one. The 10 acres of bush, literally due for the chop, is designated as significant ecological area. It has numerous stands of big Kauri in it, as well as many other mature natives.

It pisses me off. I don't even accept that the plant needs to be bigger. At Piha we don't have town supplied water, we collect our own from our roofs and have water tanks. Why can't every new build in the city be on tank water, easing the pressure on both water needed and Auckland's noted stormwater issues. We waste water. It seems ludicrous to me that city houses literally drain away perfectly good drinking water and then pay to have treated water piped in to water lawns and wash cars. I know that high density housing in the CBD or industry can't run to this model, but surely every freestanding dwelling could? 

It's just an idea, but the point is it seems Watercare's solution is a very narrow way on looking at things. Just build bigger. 

The majority of Waima's 2400 residents are pissed off too. For some there'd be an element of Nimby-ism for sure [ie Not In My Backyard] but for those ones actually why not? Probably a reason they chose to make Waima their home is that it is a native bush clad sanctuary. But from what I understand the vast majority of opposition stems from the senseless decimation of 10 acres of beautiful regenerating native bush. 

You can find out more about Watercare's plans on the Protect Titirangi Website

Shot in Waima this week, and destined for the bulldozer?

And me? Am I just sitting on my arse, in front of a screen, decreeing what should be done? No. I'm part of a group of creatives participating in a exhibition highlighting the Waima situation. I'll be giving you the details once the artwork is finalised, but the plan is to put on a group show with all the proceeds going to the Watercare fight.  

hashtag ishootfilm hashtag shootfilmstaypoor shot this week in Waima on the 617 panoramic film camera with Extar film... bloody getting close to $20 every time you press the shutter now! 

From The Galleries

Canon New Zealand love it enough to use it as their homepage for the last month, it also got used as the opening image for their professionals emailer and yesterday it was featured [as above] in the consumer email. Cheers Canon! 

You want it too aye, when check it out in the gallery HERE

Here We Go Again

And So It Begins

Strap your paddling arms on, the West Coast of the North Island is in for yet another run of offshores. It looks like we are going to get a good week of it.

This spot, which will remain nameless due to it being highly localised and secretive, probably won't break again over the next week. The swell will be too small.

The bank isn't that good anyway. No one was making barrels last night. 

There were no defined take off points or sections

Kye Bedford, plainly no way he's gonna get to the face on this close out

Floyd Smith and no doubt a similar grim outcome as Kye's wave

Kye on a good double over header

Meanwhile out the back things are going to get hectic real soon

Local builder Al Sanders 

Clearly the rights were better 

Dune Kennings on a rare peeler 

Dave Wood getting tangled with a school of local predatory eels 

Kye in the box seat for the best show in town 

Dune on/in that section mentioned before, the one that's not really there 

Dave on a freak peeler, the rest all were straight handers 

West coast textures 

Dune and clearly, the end.

Good luck with your wave hunting over the next week. Go a little further, search a little harder, and thrive in the thrill of exploration. But always be respectful of the land, and the people that choose to call these places home.  Have fun. 

From The Book Store

What, you haven't got yours yet? Of the 1500 limited Editions printed there are 300 left... no now only 200 left!!! Yep 1300 went in 12 weeks!   - Just click in the image for a preview...and buying options.   

Mangawhai Has It Going On

The Logger Heads Mangawhai 2018

So here I go writing a post about how I started shooting Longboarding and then half way through it I realise these words are kind of familiar, oh hold on, F@ck! I already wrote this exact theme HERE  . Delete that intro, and let's start again... 

The Logger Heads was on last weekend and it was bloody awesome! As always around the log scene, incredibly inclusive vibes. Fun in the sun... holey shit that sun. Mum says never complain about the heat so I won't. Here's my visual log of the logs... 

Mates Tom Mason and Matt Newdick prepare to battle out the Open Logger 

Waves to the left of me

Waves to the right of me

Moon Bob and Sam Bradford, now veterans of the scene

Expectant dad and solicitor to the stars Sam on the cross

Westie, Moon Bob aka Paul Culpan

Matt Newdick on his way to Open victory

Jordan Griffo was the fella to beat in both the Open and Old mal, the open eluded him but he nailed a victory in the Old Mal with fives and tens like this. 

Tom Mason putting his log through angles it was never meant for 

Me ol mate Sos made the finals of the old boys, he'll be back next year. 

Micro grub Charlie Barclay getting a hand

hmmm arty pinhole photograph that probably doesn't really work??? I dunno I like it.  

Natt Fitt getting ready for victory 

The winner's grin! Matt Newdick and Rhys Fitt shake on it 

The man that makes the Logger Heads happen, Mr Tony Baker, aka Banksy, aka Buddha. 

Here is the offical Press Release below, penned by Mr Baker of course: 

The Logger Heads 5 - Traditional Longboard Surfing event went off in style at Waipu Cove over the Auckland Anniversary Weekend. Contest Director Tony Baker made a late call to shift from Mangawhai Heads to the iconic Northland surf beach after swell and wind conditions looked ideal for "The Pu". The event is into its 5th year and 2018 saw nearly 60 competitors across 5 divisions. 

  Surfers traveled from Mount Maunganui, Gisborne, Christchurch, Waihi, Auckland and closer to home Ruakaka, Orewa, Mangawhai and Waipu to compete. With the focus on style, and traditional surfing, the contest required surfers to ride boards 9ft plus in length, with no leash and only a single fin. The contest was run across two days, and surfers enjoyed clean 1.0m swell with light to moderate winds both days. 

The Open Logger Division was hotly contested with some exceptional surfing going down in the early rounds. Jordan Griffin (Mount Maunganui) lead the charge along with a bevvy of young talent including Tom Mason (Auckland), Matt Newdick (Auckland), Guy Thompson (Mount Maunganui) and Rhys Whittaker (Waipu) . Former Single Fin Mingle winner Nic Todd (Christchurch) also made a strong impression, along with local shredder Glen Johnson (Mangawhai) and Auckland style master Paul Culpan (Auckland).  In the Finals it was a close battle for the win, with all surfers getting some great nose rides and linking together some nice traditional turns. In the end it was young Matt Newdick (Auckland) taking the win. Newdick, who is the current NZ Under 18 Scholastic Longboard Champ, was a standout all weekend, and well deserving of the victory. 

The Old Mal Division was equally as electric in nature, with some of the best surfing of the entire event taking place on Saturday afternoon. The boards, which are pre-1970s longboards, are heavy and challenging to surf at the best of times, but competitors made it look easy and timeless. With over 16 entries, the Old Mal a prestigious division in that most of the boards were nearly half a century in age. A stand out performance from start to finish by Mount Maunganui's Jordan Griffin saw him take the victory. Runner Up Paul Culpan (Auckland) also showed style and precision in the heats, along with Matt Newdick (Auckland) and Guy Edge (Gisborne). 

2018 saw an ever increasing number of entries in the Women's Division, with a bevvy of lady sliders taking to the waves to show off their style. Local surfers Deanne Cleary (Waipu Cove) and Robyn Cox (Ruakaka) showed some excellent style in round one, along with  Sabine "Beans" Baumgartner (Gisborne) .The events youngest competitor Charlie Barclay (Mangawhai) also enjoyed the fun waves on offer, along with the talented Louise Aitken (Auckland). In the final it was a close battle between "Beans" and 2017 winner Nicky Wellington (Auckland), and after a healthy exchange of waves it was Wellington who took her second Logger Heads title. 

Another hotly contested division was the Junior Logger. Local Mangawhai surfer Taj Robinson caught some great waves over the weekend along with Joey Cox (Auckland) and last years winner Bassie Waldron (Auckland). Billy Whelan (Mangawhai Heads) also showed some excellent skills throughout the event. In the final it was Natt Fitt (Red Beach) who stole the show. Fitt, who is only 13, has been a regular at the event and it was obvious he's been putting time into his craft, as he showed excellent wave selection and nose riding skills, taking a well deserved victory. 

This year saw the inclusion of a Master Division (Over 45 years) and didn't disappoint with the elder statesman of the sport putting on an excellent display of style and grace. Rhys Fitt (Red Beach) surfed well throughout the early rounds as did Stephen Sosich (Auckland) and Roger Hall (Ruakaka). A stand out performer was former South African Champ and Orewa local Mark Hoyle. In the finals Hoyle showed his full repertoire of switch foot surfing and speed turns. However, it was Orewa Longboard Club founder and Longboard Legend Paul Brown (Auckland) who claimed victory. Brown has been competing for over 3 decades and spends plenty of time based at Waipu Cove over the summer months. It was fitting that he should claim the maiden Logger Heads Masters win.  

OFFICIAL RESULTS - 2018 Logger Heads 5

Open Logger Division: 1st Matt Newdick (Auckland) 2nd Paul Culpan (Auckland) 3rd Ant McColl (Mount Maunganui) 4th Jordan Griffin (Mount Maunganui) 5th Glen Johnson (Mangawhai) 6th Rhys Fitt (Red Beach) 

Open Womens Logger: 1st Nicky Wellington (Auckland) 2nd Sabine Baumgartner (Gisborne) 3rd Deanne Cleary (Waipu Cove) 4th Robyn Cox (Ruakaka) 5th Charlie Barclay (Mangawhai)

Old Mal Division: 1st Jordan Griffin (Mount Maunganui) 2nd Paul Culpan (Auckland) 3rd Guy Edge (Gisborne) 4th Matt Newdick (Auckland) 5th Glen Johnson (Mangawhai Heads) 

Junior Logger Division: 1st Natt Fitt (red Beach) 2nd Bassie Waldron (Mangawhai Heads) 3rd Joey Cox (Auckland) 4th Taj Robinson (Mangawhai Heads) 

Masters Division: 1st Paul Browne (Orewa) 2nd Mark Hoyle (Auckland) 3rd Rhys Fitt (Red Beach) 4th Stephen Sosich (Auckland) 

The event was made possible by the amazing support of the following people and businesses:  Geoff Gwynne and the team at McLeods Brewery, Kyle and Ali from Threadbox Mangawhai, Kyle from Fin Shui, Steve Morris from Morris Surfboards NZ, Dave from Bammas and Roger Hall from Surfline Custom Surfboards. Also thanks Mark from Fresh Mangawhai. 

To find out more, check out The Logger Heads FB Page HERE

And then you though it was all over in Mangawhai... well! 

Last Year's Winner Bowman Hansen

The actual designer and maker of the Mangawhai Bowl, Mister Jason Parkes, no one knows the bowl's lines better. 

The Mangawhai Bowl Jam 'should' be on this weekend. The weather may play havoc though. For updates check out the Facebook Page HERE

From The Book Store

What, you haven't got yours yet? Of the 1500 limited Editions printed there are less than 300 left, yep over 1200 went in 12 weeks!   - Just click in the image for a preview...and buying options.   

It Just Keeps Coming

So straight up front, these are images are not my best work. And I'm not really sorry about that. The plan had been to take January off and get back into work with vigour in February. As it has turned out January was a GOOOOOD month to have a break and go surfing. If you missed the post I did [cos I couldn't help myself] with earlier pumping waves of Jan it's HERE 

Home just kept on delivering throughout January

My neighbour and fellow camper van nerd Dave Woods tucked under the cover

Another neighbour Riki Reinfeld... our street dominates the line up! 

See dominating... Riki gouging

And up the coast a bit further 

Luke Cederman during the filming of his latest edit on The Raglan Surf Report

Luke with his iPhone in a clip lock bag... you'll see what I mean if you watch his latest post. It's got a couple of pretty crazy selfies in it! 

Post selfie

On The Web

I think it's a pretty big deal. Or maybe it is a good deal. Either way, for the next month this CPL image is the feature shot on Canon New Zealand's homepage. It is a cool deal that is a stoke, the monthly image is normally chosen by Canon of one of their pro's, I guess I do qualify as that seeing how I've used Canon cameras for 25+ years!  This image of course, is also starring on the shop front of Backdoor's mega shop in Barry's Point Road.

It was a good swim that evening :)  You can view the image in more detail HERE

 

This Weekend!!! 

The Mangawhai Logger Heads is back on this year, bigger and better, growing every year. I'll be there shooting away. Come hang out. 

Last Year's line up

To find out more, check out The Logger Heads FB Page HERE

From The Book Store

What, you haven't got yours yet? Of the 1500 limited Editions printed there are 300 left, yep 1200 went in 12 weeks!   - Just click in the image for a preview...and buying options.   

West Coast Cranks For 2018

Already With 2018! 

There was no plan to start up the PhotoCPL E-Bombs so soon in 2018. You know, kind of chill give you all a break on your breaks. But the surf has been on the pump already this year, so what's a surf photog s'posed to do...after you've had your own fill of surfing of course. 

The open beaches have banks that have surprising held bigger swell. The 1st was really good, the 2nd a Raglan Day and then yesterday back to the beachies. 

Iain 'Ratso' Buchanan first on the peak and showing us young-uns how it is done as always.

Bruce Johnson finding form in the foam.

As always, AK weather, all 4 seasons in an arvo.

Rain...much! Dan Caley enjoying the shower, rinse combo. 

Dan post squall

Dan creating his own rain shower

And after the rain what happens??? 

Wave... tick. Lion...tick. Double rainbow...tick. 

Johnny Stokes and his new profile photo! 

In Print

The Surfers Journal Spread

Big congratulations to one of the star contributors to The South Seas Book  Chris Garden. Gary just landed this double page spread in the latest Surfer's Journal... does this image look familiar? Well it should! It's the same one we swapped out and used in the South Seas Revised Edition. Nice to see our photo editing was on point.  When Gardy sent this through it was a no brainer that it was going to be a feature spread in the Revised Edition.

The South Seas Revised Edition Spread

And Not So Coincidentally

The Mangawhai Logger Heads is back on this year, bigger and better, growing every year. I'll be there shooting away. Come hang out! 

Last Year's line up

To find out more, check out The Logger Heads FB Page HERE

From The Book Store

What? You haven't got yours yet!!!  - Just click in the image.  

The PhotoCPL Top 20 of 2017

 

Christmas carnage is all around, the roads are chocka, the malls are packed and stupid people are doing extra stupid things on your clear and correct efficient trajectory. But soon enough the chaos will be done and you'll be able to chill. And that's time we all reflect on the year that was. 

I'm getting in early. Here's a visual ...and most probably very lateral... photo essay of the year that was with what are my favourite images from 2017. In a roughly chronological order. 

#1

And here the rules of engagement are broken straight away. These images were actually shot in December 2016. But the Corona Campaign ran early 2017 so no one saw the photos 'til '17. It was a hard week's work but super rewarding because the client was stoked on the shots and that we [there most certainly was a team] actually pulled off a tough somewhat remote location. I ended up taking on the roles of location scout, production co-ordinator and photographer. First on the island, a week before the talent arrived, last off the island, properties, keys and props returned. 

#2

Sean Boucher's biggest air at the 6th Annual Mangawhai Bowl Jam. Love being the shooter for the Bowl Jam! It's stinking hot, the concrete reflects the sun, there's no breeze at all because it's so packed, you're hustling for position, and then Sean goes and does this... are you f_ckening kidding me!!! So sick Sean, he didn't win the Jam, he came second to his close mate Bowman Hansen, but he did beat Bowman in the Biggest Air... and that would be this one right here. The Bowl Jam is on again this February. I'm be there, there's no place I'd rather be than coping-side. 

#3 

We had a shit summer for waves, there's no sugar coating it. It was crap. But there were moments... and yes 3 through to 6 are all from the same bank. But these were heavy swims and the waves were solid. These are stand outs for me because it was a real challenge to even get out the back and hold any type of position. This is Braedyn Louie, the shot went on to be used in Damaged Goods Zine. 

#4

This one of AJ Matthews also made the DGZ cut. If this wasn't chronological it'd probably be sitting a lot higher than 4 for me.

The lads in DGZ

#5

Bevan 'Napes' Wiig and I have a cursed shooting relationship. We're very good mates and we do surf a lot together. But man, for knowing and seeing how good Napes is for the last 20 years of friendship, the photo archive sure doesn't reflect that. We'll paddle out together, he'll snap his board, I'll get sucked down the beach in a rip, it'll go sea breezy... honestly, every fricken time. So this one's gold.... and yep he snapped the board two waves later...AGAIN! But this shot made the cut for NZ Surf The Collection Vol 1  in the feature I wrote about The Piha Village. 

#6

Toby Dobson-Smith was paddling back out next to me. The set of the day came through, no one was out the back to catch any of them.  And in the set of the day there was Wave of the day, hell, wave of the year! The most perfectly formed 6 foot plus, grinding, spitting beast. It almost seemed un rideable; but it could have been. Toby and I were gobsmacked. There was nothing that could be said anyway. This is it. Straight to the Photo CPL Waves Gallery HERE it made the cut for The South Seas Revised Edition  and last month was made into a Primal Fish for the Legasea Auction, it was bought for $3,800.00. All proceeds to Legasea of course. 

#7

We went camping. This year there has not been enough missions in the Chevy, and there's a good reason for that. Someone, who shall remain nameless, reversed at full speed in a wood truck into the parked Chevy. Because the parts came from the States the Cambulance as out of commission for four long, long gruelling months. Needless to say, we don't get wood deliveries from that chap anymore! But this was shot on an epic weekend at Waikawau Bay, my bro Kent and his missus Lucinda set up with their inflatable tent... just pure camp site porn right there... how good is that set up! 

#8

The Campvibes take 2, and the most epic stag do ever! Me old mate Luke Darby managed to finally snag himself a goody [aye Jane!] and so we were forced to have a Stag Weekend. The call was made, The Far North. We scored sick waves on both coasts for four days. We were all in bed by 10pm every night! 

The last trip before the aforementioned catastrophe

#9

Getting skunked at Shippies isn't all bad. I love the Picker Huts and have wanted to spend some time re-shooting them. Well, the swell we were chasing this next mission just never came so Picker Huts exploration it was. 2017 has been a different year shooting wise, off the back of getting The Big Little Beach Book out, which is landscape photography and switching to The South Seas and NZ Surf The Collection projects, it has all about surf and action shots. This was a super satisfying image to make.

#10 

Hashtag ishootfilm Hashtag realblackandwhite Hashtag Tmax100 Hashtag shootfilmstaypoor Hashtag 6x9

I do love shooting on film and 2017 has been a quiet year film wise, for all the reasons above. 2018 resolution; shoot more film. Shoot more grit... watch this space. 

#11

The random wins! This was not an epic day, but it was fun as. I snapped off this shot of visiting Seppo Chris Lantz, hmmm I like it, ok I'll post it on Insty .... holy fricken shit! My most liked and shared shot on Insty ever. I don't think it's the best shot ever, but the caption was pretty good. It was about how Chris was ripping, but super respectful in the line up; if he got a bomb one set, he'd intentionally sit out the next set. He got his karma too, he got the best ...probably only barrel that day.  Respect to you Mr Lantz. 

#12

The gorgeous Ange and I escaped to Samoa for my birthday, a number which does not need to be mentioned. The goal was to surf the birthday woes away. And I scored this wee nuggy of the reef pass almost every day for a week. One of the sessions was, for me, as good, fun and perfect as it gets . So this image represents a week of surfing fast, zippy barrels and desperately trying to clutch at the notion that I've still got it. [Never had it!] Love Samoa!  

#13

click HERE to see bigger

And then this happened. A really good heavy bank on the Bar and a waterhousing configuration change [and a bit of practise to adapt for the change] This is the closest I've got to an image I've wanted for 25 years. I'm claiming it, it's the one I've been after. Here's the stinker though, a lot of locals still like this one better ... 

click HERE to see bigger

Tough audience huh! 

Last week the newbie got installed above the entrance of Backdoor Surf Barry's Point Road, Takapuna, 16 square metres of hugeness. So yeah defo in the top 20 huh! 

#14

Hanging with Roger Hall is always a fun day. This day was a work day, shoot Roger in the Surfline Factory, in his habitat, maybe get some action and then interview him for NZ Surf Collection Vol 1 . The feature in the book came up really well, it's kind of a gnarly interview, pretty blunt and looking at a few old wounds. Josh, our graphic designer and Warren Hawke choose the last shot in the sequence to be included . I love the middle shot; love cross steps and the plank dance. 

#15 

Again not actually taken this year. But if you walk into your local Post Shop chances are this will be on the ad screens of sitting on the peg boards. This was a massive project with NZ Post, and I'm not going to lie, a bloody good payer. The First Day covers were released mid year. And it's the first time NZ Post have done NZ Surf Break Stamps. The $1 stamp was particularly good :) 

#16

Home this Spring and one of the most north angled swells I can recall. It wasn't the biggest but it pumped for three days which is not usual. So this image is an emotional choice, 'cos north swells are such a treat. 

#17

Dune Kennings on a northern treat. This shot is all about the angle and luck. Water photography is as much about the physical technique as it is photographic. So this one's me putting the camera in a different place. This one's a stoke maker to want to be in different places and give different angles. 

#18 

I thought this one was out of focus for a couple of days after, it was gutting, but then I checked it out properly at actual pixel depth. Corky is pin sharp in there. I shared it and Magic Seaweed picked it up as Shot Of The Day- chuffed. But this one's more of a stoker 'cos Corky charges whenever it's sizey and it's super cool that it's his Shot Of The Day.

#19 

Last week... oh boy...last week was pretty epic. Another tough swim because when this place gets sizey so do its rips. Again this shot's an emotional choice, I haven't shot with Bobby Hansen for nearly a decade. 

#20

And finally 20... that was harder than you'd think, and if you're still reading thank you for staying tuned. This did get posted in last week's E-bomb also. Straight off the bat there were a couple of requests for prints of it, so it's now the latest addition to the Waves Gallery HERE  so in a way, I haven't chosen #20, you guys did. Thank you for your patronage. 

That's probably the last E-bomb for 2017 fellas. It's been a full on year but a bloody good one for the PhotoCPL brand. Two big books smashed out and a lot of shooting in between. Next year... honestly...who knows, more roadies in the Chevy! More film shot and more swims with the waterhousing. 

Stay safe in the festive season!  

 

From The Book Store

What? You haven't got yours yet!!!  - Just click in the image.  

Going Eastside

These are the days that get remembered. Sometimes for all the wrong reasons. We got super lucky, a dodgey battery failed on the jetski before we were parked up. Others weren't, 4 vessels were swamped and rolled, 2 sunk as the tide hit low and the swell really kicked. The swell got just a bit too big for paddling. But man, it's exciting to be a part of a swell like that, to put yourself in harm's way.

Last week's post  was bemoaning the long walk up the big sand dune. This week it is an equally demanding slog with the gear. It's part of the Copious Clothing  champaign, the brief is to shoot the clothing in a real environment, not a simulation of a surf mission, the real deal. So Cale organised team riders, Lee Ririnui, Harper McBride and Shaun Boucher for the shoot/s. 

The idea is the old school [and safer as it turned out!] approach. get dropped off at the corner and walk the beach to the peak. On the way capture the talent in a few garment swap outs, going through the real life experience of what a day like that entails. Course you gotta have swell right! 

Safe to say WE GOT SWELL!!! 

An iconic Kiwi surfing experience

Acid drops
Bobby Hansen and Leon Santorik split a peak .... 

Bobby and Johnny Hicks left Gizzy at 3.30 am to get the tide right. Mission accomplished. 

The swell picked up all day, it got too big for the first venue, wash throughs become consistent and this is when the boats got rolled. 2 skis and maybe 3 boats tumbled, 2 of those boats actually sunk, but were later retrieved. The owners got lucky, but at the same time, probably should not have moored where they did, it was clear the swell was on the rise and when low tide was. 

In the meantime other coasts were pumping too... 

Cale Tolley, my boss and art director for the day 

Cale in his very happy place

Matty Bennett holding down the lefts

Lee Ririnui; rail game 

One of NZ's best skaters Shaun Boucher, doing a Bertelman  

Griffo Junior doing man hacks 

Hods aka @inthedrink finishing the day on a high note before the mission back to the big smoke 

From The Galleries

You might see this image on display next time you walk into a NZ Post Shop. It's the cover shot of the NZ Post NZ Line Ups Stamp set. And that's Cale in the foreground.  

  Wanna see this image better or even order it for your home? - Just click in the image.  

Good Things

This is my favourite image of 2017..so far...I think. It'll probably change tomorrow. We used it in The South Seas Revised Edition, we included it in the exhibition at Sustainable Coastlines, it's on a few people's walls now. It glows when it's printed. It was such an incredible wave, one of the most perfect waves I've ever witnessed...anywhere.  

Primal Surfboards put my name forward to Simon Yates from LegaSea to be involved in a collaboration; to make a board to be auctioned, last week, at The Big Work Up LegaSea Gala Dinner. Turns out the Gala is quite a big deal. It was sold out a month beforehand. This is the board... 

It was auctioned and reached $3200.00. The winner got a free South Seas book too :) I s'pose this is the bit where I could be all cool and be like 'yeah, 'cos that's what my art is worth'  but c'mon who would that be kidding. There's some bloody good bastard out there who found their way to donate 3 grand to LegaSea. Chuffed to be a part of it, and chuffed at what an amazing job Primal did of applying the image to the board. 


LUKE UPDATE!!! 

Old, very very old, mate Luke Darby is now in California representing NZ at the ISA Adaptive Surf Champs at La Jolla Shores. The bigger picture being that it will open the door for other Adaptive Kiwi surfers to follow suit in the Paralympics. Luke needed to raise 4G for flights and accomodation so in conjunction with Surfing New Zealand a Give A Little page was set up to get Luke to Cali. And you good buggers got him there!

You can follow his exploits on Zepher.co.nz  he's going vlog updates daily, check it out. 


This Saturday 

Wondering what to do on Saturday, worried you'll be tooling around the house with nothing to do? Well come join us at the Surfline Summer Is In Session arvo.

We are decking out the factory with images that will be for sale on the day, it's a cool challenge to use the factory as an exhibition space. The emphasis is most certainly on CASUAL. It'll be fun, come along. 

Coming Up

... and then... Piha gets hammered. But in a good way. Saturday 9 December sees Jack Johnson once again descending on our fairest and wildest of shores. The good bugger is helping out with the Sustainable Coastlines Clean Up day. Check it out HERE

And the very same day Disabled Surfers Association are putting on a Have A Go Day... in the same carpark ....hmmmm somebody needs to be talking to somebody else huh! It'll all work out. Anyway, if you want to volunteer and be a helper ... which quite frankly is verging on a life changing/affirming thing check it out HERE

From The Galleries

Ahhh The Mount! Just got a order this image last night at 900mm wide. It's a familiar theme but it's such a stoke when a client orders the larger print options, primarily because at 900mm+ it is when the detail starts to really shine. Wanna see this image better or even order it for your home? - Just click in the image.  

Having Soggy Toes and Getting Deals

Soggy Toes 

It could be the best name for a surf zine ever. Seriously, when you think about it; it's symptomatic of the surfing condition and not deadly serious and earnest. It is clever. The Bay of Plenty's Guy Thompson is the creative behind Soggy Toes Zine. Issue 4 is out, only 200 are made of each issue thus far. Each of the four issues are 44 pages of visual stimulation.

Thanks Guy! 

Sickest log shot I've seen in a long time! 

Noddy!

Very accurate

I like Soggy Toes, I like that Guy is getting his work out there. I love Zines and the DIY ethos. They are the spawning ground.  If you want to get a copy of issue 4, you can order it HERE

LUKE UPDATE!!! 

Last week's post was about my old, very very old, mate Luke being selected to represent NZ at the ISA Adaptive Surf Champs in California. He's the first Kiwi to ever do so. The bigger picture being that it will open the door for other Adaptive Kiwi surfers to follow suit in the LA Paralympics. 

Luke needs to raise 4G for flights and accomodation so in conjunction with Surfing New Zealand a Give A Little page was set up to get Luke to Cali. WELL, the funding page has gone unreal! The total is just $600 shy of the target.  I've given, can you? Here's the link to the Give A Little page

https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/adaptivesurfingchamps2017 
 

In Other News 

NZ Surf; The Collection Vol 1   continues its rise and it looks like there won't be too many left by the other side of Christmas at this rate aye! Last week it featured on the cover of Christchurch's Bay Harbour News, backing that up, this week it featured in The Pegasus Post. 

Deal Time 

Yep, until the end of November this is the deal. Order your copy of The South Seas Revised Edition via PhotoCPL and you'll get a set of 10 NZ Wave Prints worth $29.95 FREE. No conditions... like while stocks last... just buy your South Seas book before month's end. All deals off in December! 

From The Galleries

The key image from this sequence features in The South Seas. It's also fast becoming one of the most popular ones in the Galleries on PhotoCPL. I've got a good story to share with you about it next week. But in the meantime if you want to view the key image instead of an annoying animation, check it out HERE

Giving Is Good

Luke is one of my best mates. We've known each other since 1993, when the 20 year blagged his way into the position as NZ Surfing's new graphic designer. To be honest he aced the interview process. It was exciting times, printing magazines was not the digital ease it is now. Pages were typeset, bromides were made, film was stripped in, cut and paste was actually cutting and pasting with wax rollers.

Luke made and makes my website. Luke made 09 Magazine with me. He's my go to guy. He's more than that, we've shared life's significant events; family deaths, births of children, relationship dissolutions, marriages.  

Luke was born with an underdeveloped left hand. To be really honest, I always forget about his dodgey left, he doesn't let it stop him from doing anything.

Ok scene set, why am I extolling Luke?

Well he's just been selected to represent NZ at the ISA Adaptive Surf Champs in California. That's kind of a big deal, he'll be the first Kiwi to ever do so. The bigger picture being that it will open the door for other Adaptive Kiwi surfers to follow suit in the LA Paralympics. 

Luke's not a high roller, dear old Luke is a cruiser, he doesn't have the coin to get to California, at the moment he doesn't even have a good steamer or short board. Well O'Neill NZ [thanks Jason!] and Steve Morris SM Surfboards [thanks Steve!] have generously, no second thought, sorted that. But Luke needs to raise 4G for flights and accomodation, thanks to his Give A Little champaign he's already 25% there.

I've given, can you? Here's the link to the Give A Little page

https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/adaptivesurfingchamps2017 
 

In Other News 

NZ Surf; The Collection Vol 1   is going super, super well. The limited edition book has sold through 2/3's of the print run already. Looks like there won't be too many left by the other side of Christmas at this rate aye! This week it featured on the cover of Christchurch's Bay Harbour News... right next to the Freedom Campers ignoring fines.  

Last week's final shindig at The New Brighton Club went off too, again, thank you all for coming along, Waz and I were stoked to fill that big room. [and bloody stoked on how many books were bought!] 

From The Galleries

Big is best! This week a couple of 1200mm wide prints got commissioned, above is Piha Storm and below is Piha Bar Pano. Of course it's nice 'cos it's more money, but that's not the primary reason. The whole way I shoot is so the images can go at least this big and it being just were the fine detail only starts to pop. I froth out every time is see these printed big and am reminded of how sharp and detailed they are - photo nerding out.   

lick on the images if you wanna know more about them...or even how to get your very own. 

WOW... or... Waves Out West

Waves Out West

We're having a pretty good run of it, 5 days of offshore winds and groomed swells moving in. It's the sort of week where West coast residents feel like surfers again. You're trying to fit your work around the tides. It feels good. To be honest not much work was done and the camera hasn't been getting punished much either. Mental health days.

Options starting to show as the banks get groomed up. 

Happy times for one paddler, not so much for the fella far right

Move fast

and then set for the speed run

Post surf sun observations 

Mainland Bound

We're celebrating NZ SURF- the collection Vol 1 next week. If you're in Christchurch come along! All welcome, get to see the book in reality and even chat with the makers. We'll even shout you a sausie roll and a couple of cheese'n'pineapple sticks. Because of Licensing laws we need your name to put on the door. So email me back with a YES, even if you only think you might attend, so we can at least add your name to the VIP list. Love to see you there.

But Wait There's More! 

Wanna hear Wazza's dulcet tones on the airwaves? Well tune in tonight to Radio Live at 9.30, Warren will be chatting with Mitch Harris about NZ Surf- the collection Vol 1 

And we want to say thanks to Hydro Surf for giving the books fair and fine reviews on their site HERE

From The Bookstore

Don't Forget about the South Seas though! It's in most surf and book stores now. You can check out the preview just by clicking on the image... and of course buy direct and avoid the hassle of going to the shops. 

Cross fit? Nah Bro... Cross Step!

Walking The Plank

Aussie logger Kai Ellis-Flint at the Logger Heads comp Waitangi Weekend... the Logger Heads is back on for 2018 too!

I love shooting long-boarding. It's harder than you think. It's harder than short-boarding to capture. With short-boarding it's all about big manoeuvres, you can anticipate the big move coming. Not so much logging. It's all about the subtle foot work and quick reactions on the board. 

When I landed the gig as the Hyundai Longboard Tour shooter in 2009, I didn't know what the hell I was doing. Sure I had the gear and knew how to punch out the timely afternoon deliverables for media. And sure I'd been shooting surfing professionally for nearly 20 years at that stage, but I hadn't shot much long-boarding; I knew I didn't get the nuances. I had a trick up my sleeve, I got my good mate Daryn McBryde to spot me and tutor me. Daryn, if you don't know, is a multiple long boarding champ and dominated the scene for years. I couldn't have scammed a better teacher.  Hyundai would never find out their new contracter had no idea what he was doing! 

It must of worked, I ended up being the Hyundai Long Board Tour shooter until it's sad demise in 2014. I absolutely loved those 6 seasons of traveling the country in a brand new Hyundai documenting the tour. It was such a contrast to the short boarding comps, I love shooting those too, but the long boarding comps had such a good vibe around them.  

This week I was supposed to be shooting some of New Zealand's best exponents of the log for Barkers Menswear. The east coast swell bump we eyed up just didn't do what we hoped, we are in a holding pattern. 

Simultaneously I've been asked to be a part of a photo exhibition in December. So the prep begins, what to use? Well,I have a fascination with cross steps and the foot work involved in good logging. It's really hard to do. This is what I'm working on... 

So what do you think? [Again not a rhetorical question- I really want to know] Do these stoke you too, could you see them sitting as a huge print on your wall?  Hit me back with your critique.    

In Other News...

Plans are a foot [hahah get it.. foot] for The Collection Vol 1 book launch nights. Warren Hawke and I are going to host three evenings in the Mainland. The big one will be Wednesday Novemebr 8 at The New Brighton's Mens Working Club. Last time we did something there it got huge, so if you can, come along!

What!? You know nothing of what this 'Collection' is? Well I've made you a video... 

From The Bookstore

Don't Forget about the South Seas though! It's in most surf and book stores now. You can check out the preview just by clicking on the image... and of course buy direct and avoid the hassle of going to the shops. 

The Collection Is Here, now

And So It Starts All Over 

Yesterday NZ Surf- The Collection Vol.1 arrived. Three really big, laden pallets of beautifully inked and bound paper; it is a beautiful thing. It's also a little daunting; there's only one fella that's going to bag and tag the pre orders and the surf store orders. And sell the book, get the book into those surf stores. There's a lot to do.

Our National Champ Ella earlier this week, and she's super stoked on her feature.

Billy stoking on his feature this morning too! 

The Pre Orders have gone unreal, and because of that we're going to keep the offer of free Postage and Packaging going until after Labour Weekend. You can order your book HERE

The Collection is a hardcover, A4 landscape book. It is 194 pages with over 500 images and a hefty word count of 60,000+. This is one information packed volume. Warren Hawke has curated the content, and he's done an amazing task. To be really honest I think he's worked too hard, when you pick up the book and start flicking through it from cover to cover it just keeps going and going... and going. There's so much content.

All aspects of our NZ Surf community are covered, guys, gals, shred dogging to log cruising, groms to godfathers, North to South. But that's what Warren set out to do; produce a mass of content that reflects the deep diversity of our Kiwi surfing culture.   


Inversely and ludicrously, all of Warren's work is not reflected in the cover price. It is only $59.95. This is very intentional, we want the book to be on your coffee table. We want the limited edition of 1500 to sell through.   

This is part of the fore-word Warren has written that sums up what the book is about....

 "For ‘The Collection’ I wanted a variety of shots that would help add to the stories being told and other shots which might create some ideas of their own in the minds of the reader. I also wanted to get as many different surfers in the book as possible. This decision played havoc with Josh’s design philosophy at times and made his work much more difficult than it should have been.

‘The Collection’ is about the variety of riches linked into our Kiwi surfing culture it therefore includes stories about surfers, surfing, festivals, the arts and the ocean. There’s purposely an absence of hype, advertorial and corporate bullshit. I see ‘The Collection’ as something fresh and new which hopefully in some ways brings out and also gets to the soul of Kiwi surfing."

From The Bookstore

Don't Forget about the South Seas though! It's in most surf and book stores now. You can check out the preview just by clicking on the image... and of course buy direct and avoid the hassle of going to the shops. 

Finally Waves!

North swells are the best swells for us Westies. They generally strike at such an oblique angle that all the beaches from the far North to Whanganui turn into right hand point breaks. Well maybe not point breaks, but series of hollow running rights. These swells are few are far between. They are absolute treats. At the start of this week we had one of the best north swells in years, not the biggest, but it pulsed for three days. Lots of surfers got lots of barrels, boards were snapped and the stoke banks were filled to the brim. 

Not a swim for the timid, especially at feeding times

The early 

The goal

Nat Barron paddling into a freight train

Former National Junior Champ, builder, husband and father of two, Nat, in the happy place

Dune Kennings settling into the fold

The lefts off the back of the right running peaks are good too, and Kye Bedford in a very unenviable position

Dune eyeing up the next section

James McAlpine in the bowels of a beast 

From The Bookstore

Pre Orders for The Collection have gone nuts-thanks fellas!!! There are books going all around the world.  All Pre Sales get free postage and packaging and will be sent out in that first week of landing. The full shipment is on its way with an ETA of October 18. So after the 18th they won't be Pre Orders and standard P&P will apply.  You can check out more detail, LIKE it- SHARE it and of course Pre Order by clicking through on the image to it's web page. 

The South Seas Revised Edition  is going pretty sweet too, last week it got called the Rolls Royce of NZ Surf books! Most surf stores and books stores have stock now, but if you can't find it in a shop, you can always buy it direct right here right now just by clicking through on the image. We've decided to keep free P&P worldwide going until the end of October. 

On The Road. Your Chance To Win... and clearly it's still onshore

On The Road 

Ngaruguru Estuary last night 

Hundertwasser/Chuppa chups inspired installation?  

Don't get views like this by sitting at home. 

I'm on the road selling books, I won't lie, it is my happy place. I definitely over romanticise the whole process; away in the Chevy Camper, loaded up with stock, cameras and surfboards. I love visiting the surf stores and the owners. The catchups, the gossip and the thrill of the sale. The job is not necessarily to get as many units as possible into each store, it's to get the distribution spread far and wide. To make the books be available. It would probably make more financial sense to sit on the blower and sell, but there's no fun in that. Plus I think when the store owners actually hold the books, feel the weight and see the quality they get it better. It's fun to watch the conversation tail off as their attention is taken by the pages, you know you've hooked them. No hard sell, just let the books speak for themselves. 

We're Doing A Giveaway

 

To celebrate the South Seas being available now we're going to share the love. The South Seas Revised Edition has 228 pages of images from every corner of New Zealand. Post your best lineup from your local region to the South Seas Facebook page HERE and be in to win a signed copy... and please, no spot naming, keep us and them guessing :) 

Last Week

Jackson! 

Glams 

My best side

The prints

Thank you all for coming along last Thursday, you packed out the Sustainable Coastlines Flagship. What we didn't tell you was that The South Seas Launch was the very first time the Flagship had been used for an event like this. Nerves of no shows were very quickly shut down. The highlight... let's be honest, selling a shit ton of books! But in ever so close second, over $2500.00 was raised for Sustainable Coastlines via the print auction. Thank you fellas, that's bloody awesome. In the end we decided instead of just profit, 100% of the print sales went to SC. 

Again Corona NZ have to be thanked for supporting the event, as do the staff at SC, Andrew Howson, Jodi Pretscherer and Camden Howlet who stayed and helped out on the night. 

You missed out on the book launch? You don't want post a line-up on stalk book to win one? You just want to get it done and have the book show up on your doorstep with free P&P? Well, you can do that HERE

From The Bookstore

Pre Orders for The Collection have gone nuts-thanks fellas!!! There are books going all around the world.  All Pre Sales get free postage and packaging and will be sent out in that first week of landing. The full shipment is on its way with an ETA of October 18. So after the 18th they won't be Pre Orders and standard P&P will apply.  You can check out more detail, LIKE it- SHARE it and of course Pre Order by clicking through on the image to it's web page.