Category Archives: surfing

2022, Croyde, surfing

North Devon is officially a World Surfing Reserve

A North Devon stretch of coastline, including Croyde, has officially been declared as a World Surfing Reserve, making it one of only 12 spots on the planet to be awarded that title.

The reserve stretches for about 19 miles, starting at the longboarders’ heaven of Saunton, around Down End point and into Croyde, then onwards to Putsborough, Woolacombe and Lynmouth. This is the first time in the UK that any stretch of coast has been named a World Surfing Reserve and also the first cold water surfing reserve, making this award even more prestigious.

Gaining this recognition wasn’t a formality, and required a lot of hard work behind the scenes from local surfers and other supporters.

You can read more about it, and how it came about, here.

2017, surfing, surfing videos

Surfing in Bali

With its tropical climate, and warm waters, Bali is on every surfer’s list of places to visit at some point in their life. If you haven’t been lucky enough to get there yet (myself included) check out this short video by Andy Troy showing Rick Vlek shredding some nice Bali waves. The video has great drone footage, and is shot in 4k UHD. You can download the original raw 4k version to enjoy offline for the best quality!

2016, Croyde, surfing

Andrew “Cotty” Cotton in “Beneath the Surface”

Local big wave surfing legend (and occasional plumber) Andrew “Cotty” Cotton is back in a new documentary called “Beneath the Surface”.  The film is an amazing insight into what drives big wave surfers to chase the unknown. This time Cotty’s adventure started in 2013 off the West coast of Ireland, after he caught a glimpse of another potential giant wave which he could attempt to ride. Despite the fact that it sits in one of the stormiest seas on the planet, Cotty was not deterred, and the film follows him exploring the possibility that he might have just discovered the wave of his dreams (and everyone else’s nightmares).

Watch the trailer below, and to watch the full film for free head over to Red Bull TV.

2015, competitions, surfing, WSL

Adriano de Sousa WSL Champion 2015

Congratulations to Adriano de Sousa, who after 10 years competing on the world tour, was crowned World Surfing League 2015 CT champion on the last day of the Billabong Pipe Masters. There was great excitement going in to the tournament, with four contenders still in the running to win the championship. Adriano de Sousa made the best of some sub-optimal surf conditions to battle his way through to the semi-final, at which point he had enough points to  be crowned the champion. Just to top it off he went on to win the final against his Brazilian compatriot, and departing world tour champion, Gabriel Medina. So after Brazil having their first world champion in 2014 they now have two in a row,  and de Sousa also become the first-ever Brazilian winner of the Pipe Masters. Gabriel Medina didn’t go home empty-handed however, as in another first for Brazil Medina won the 2015 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, which is awarded to the surfer with the biggest points score for its three events.

Gabriel Medina and Adriano de Sousa
Gabriel Medina and Adriano de Sousa. Image copyright: WSL / Kirstin

 

 

2015, competitions, Croyde, surfing, Surfing Great Britain

British National Surf Championships 2015

Surfing GB put on the largest British Nationals event in recent years over the weekend of October 24th and 25th at Croyde Bay, Devon. Originally planned for September but postponed due to lack of surf, the rescheduled event enjoyed great surfing conditions and some Autumnal sunshine.

A full report can be found here:

 http://magicseaweed.com/news/2015-british-national-surf-championships-wrap-up/8244/

Video highlights:

2015, Croyde, surfing

Premiere of “Behind The Lines: Deeper”

Andrew Cotton, the legendary Croyde big wave surfer, had the premiere of his new  film “Behind The Lines: Deeper” at the Landmark Theatre in Ilfracombe last week. As well as being attended by people from the surfing community, another legendary athlete joined the screening in the form of Victoria Pendleton,  the Olympic gold medal winning track cyclist.

The film documents Andrew (aka “Cotty”) and his quest to catch some waves at the famous big wave spot at Nazaré in Portugal, it’s a must see for all serious surf fans.

2015, surfing

Point Break 2015 Trailer Released

It’s been a long time in the making, but the official trailer for the 2015 remake of the classic 1991 film Point Break has been released!

In case you somehow haven’t heard of the original film, it’s an action crime film directed by Kathryn Bigelow, starring Patrick Swayze, Keanu Reeves, Lori Petty and Gary Busey. Reeves stars as the improbably named Johnny Utah, a rookie FBI agent, who is investigating a string of bank robberies suspected to be committed by surfers. The gang of surfers is led by the charismatic Bodhi (Swayze), Johnny goes undercover to infiltrate them and develops a complex friendship with the group.

The 2015 remake stars Edgar Ramirez, Luke Bracey, Teresa Palmer and Ray Winstone, and is scheduled to be released on December 25, 2015, let’s hope it does justice to the original!