A hollow one at Boscombe Pier. Photo Luke Gartside

By Luke Gartside

10th March 2017

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The Weekly Wednesday Wavelength Q&A: Blair Conklin

Short questions and big answers from the key players in the surf world. Blair Conklin is the poster boy for the ocean multi-rider —from skim to boog, to standup boog, softboard, and shortboard, no athlete has better infiltrated and cross-pollinated,…

By Ben Mondy

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Beach Hopping to Wheels and Waves

Royal Enfield X Wavelength Louie Le Prevost feeds the five gears of the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650. Holding on to gears meant the custom-fitted 2-1 exhaust beefed a 1960s baritone through ancient, blurred pine trees of the Medoc Regional Natural…

By Ben Mondy

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Popping Up with Pixies and Pearl Jam in London

Volcom’s Ryan Immegart talks through a successful merch collab as fans old and new soak up the grunge resurgence. On a sweltering July evening, Ryan Immegart is surveying the queue snaking for a good six blocks through the Shoreditch lanes.…

By Ben Mondy

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Drop In Sessions Episode 5: Kassia Meador

Welcome to Episode 5 of The Drop In Sessions brought to you by Mermaid Gin. Kassia Meador truly moves to the beat of her own drum with the stylish grooves that come from sensei-esque levels of surf mastery, beautiful creative…

By Sophie Everard

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Christa Funks’ Steps To Being In The Perfect Place At Pipeline

How Christa Funk went from Colorado to the Coast Guard to be one of Pipeline’s best water photographers. Within five minutes of meeting Christa Funk, I throw a glass of water right in her face. The photographer had just arrived…

By Ben Mondy

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French Pro Surfer and Filmmaker Damien Castera Has Chronicled Artists in War-torn Ukraine

“The idea was to immerse ourselves in the daily life of these women and men who were using art as a means of escape and resistance.” Damien Castera raised a cold, frosted glass of continental lager at a Bourdaines beach…

By Ben Mondy

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Wavelength’s Top 5 Boardshorts for Summer

’cause summer’s too short for bad boardshorts It doesn’t matter if you are heading to the Mentawais or Magwan Porth. It shouldn’t make a difference if you are hanging ten in Hossegor, or lounging in the local lido. A great,…

By Ben Mondy

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Luke Dillon On Living It Large At The Spring Classic

UK’s best shortboarder takes a load off at Woolacombe “Just one of the great aspects of the Spring Classic Invitational was having the chance to surf and hang out with all the best British surfers from all the divisions,” said…

By Ben Mondy

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Drop In Sessions Episode 4: Lucy Campbell

Episode 4 of The Drop In Sessions brought to you by Wavelength Community Radio and Mermaid Gin has dropped! In this series, podcast host Sophie Everard wants to introduce you lovely listeners to different, rad women around the world who…

By Sophie Everard

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Swimming has Banned Trans Athletes… Will Surfing do the Same?

After surfing’s first trans athlete won a longboard title last month in Western Australia, Wavelength talked to Keala Kennelly about what the sport’s approach to the issue will be. “I’m pro trans, I’m pro women, and I’m pro women’s equality,…

By Ben Mondy

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Vissla Creators & Innovators: Paul Duvignau

Paul Duvignau is something of a renaissance man. The 25-year-old describes himself as a “shaper, surf coach, carpenter, multitask craftsman, cowboy, chippendale, whatever you want (laughs).” He’s also something of a throwback, a millennial with old school sensibilities. He rides…

By Paul Evans

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All Smiles at the Inaugural Spring Classic Surf Invitational

Mike Lay and Emily Currie take top awards at the UK’s newest and loosest surf competition. “This was easily one of the most fun contests I’ve had the pleasure to be a part of,” sung Emily Currie, after the inaugural…

By Ben Mondy

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The Yin & Yang of Gerry Lopez

This summer, Patagonia releases The Yin & Yang of Gerry Lopez- a film that lifts the veil on one of surfing’s most enigmatic heroes. While “Mr. Pipeline” is known for his calm demeanor in the tube, Gerry built his career…

By Wavelength

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Drop-in Sessions Episode 2: Rhonda Harper

On Episode 2 of The Drop In Sessions presented by Mermaid Gin, we chew the fat with Rhonda Harper, the enigmatic, vivacious, and unstoppable founder of Black Girls Surf, an international non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting black girls and women…

By Sophie Everard

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Royal Enfield and Wavelength Present the Beach Hopper

Wavelength HQ are stoked to announce that ahead of the Spring Classic Festival, we’re partnering with Royal Enfield to celebrate their 120 year anniversary along with our own 40th year around the sun by building the ultimate bike for surfers. Royal Enfield makes the…

By Wavelength

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Evie Johnstone’s Creative Career Path

Reef’s first female UK ambassador has carved out a unique career as a surfer, photographer, stylist, and all-round lover of life. Just back from a trip to Costa Rica, WL talked to her ahead of her appearance at the Spring…

By Ben Mondy

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Drop-in Sessions Episode 1: Keala Kennelly

Wavelength’s all new female-focussed podcast sponsored by cocktail connoisseurs Mermaid Gin has landed! Led by Wavelength women’s editor Sophie Everard, the series will celebrate inspirational women of the waves as female surfing reaches its most dynamic and diverse era yet.…

By Sophie Everard

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Skim and Softboard Wizard Blair Conklin Gets Top Billing at Spring Classic Invitational

Skimboard legend Blair Conklin talks to Wavelength ahead of his first visit to the UK for the Spring Classic Surf Invitational presented by Reef. Blain Conklin is from Laguna Beach, California. A three-time United Skim Tour Champion and Berkeley-educated environmental…

By Ben Mondy

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Jalaan Slabb: Chasing Rainbows

We meet 17 year old Jalaan Slabb, the New South Wales surfer and shaper born-and-bred in Fingal Head, who is making waves in the industry for her far-out designs and unique approach to shaping. I’m speaking to 17 year old…

By Sophie Everard

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Dave Rastovich & Lauren Hill On Activism, Localisation, Parenthood & Surfing On The Inspired Surfers Podcast, Presented By Jimmy’s Iced Coffee

For the latest episode of The Inspired Surfers Podcast, Jim, founder of Jimmy’s Iced Coffee, is joined down the line by one of surf culture’s most enlightened duos; iconic free surfer and environmental campaigner Dave Rastovich and his partner, pro-longboarder…

By Wavelength

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Vans Circle Vee: Every Little Bit Helps

Testing Vans Surf’s latest eco-conscious shoe with ocean protector Tom Flambeaux With the need to take care of our green n’ blue planet getting ever more pressing, Vans are stepping up to try and build better shoes. The new Circle…

By Paul Evans

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Deep Cuts From The Wavelength Archive – Part IV– Defining A Generation

Twenty-twenty-one is Wavelength’s 40th year in print. To mark the occasion, we’re diving deep into our archive to bring you a series of short stories featuring key cultural moments, entertaining asides and colourful characters from around the British surf scene and…

By Luke Gartside

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WATCH: Seeking Sheltered Cornish Corners On A Hike With Izzy Henshall

“I really want to surf there again this winter,” says 18-year-old Izzy Henshall of a super sheltered spot that most only think of when the rest of the coastline is maxing out. However, after a few missions over there, Izzy…

By Luke Gartside

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A Tale Of Smuggling, Bad Grace & The Best Wave Of Lord Ted’s Life

The following is an excerpt from Surf, Sweat & Tears, a biography chronicling the epic life and mysterious death of British surfing legend Viscount Edward William Deerhurst, otherwise known Lord Ted. In this chapter, author Andy Martin recounts a trip…

By Wavelength

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Deep Cuts From The Wavelength Archive – Part III – The Trailblazers

Twenty-twenty-one marks Wavelength’s 40th year in print. To celebrate the occasion, we’re diving deep into the Wavelength archive to bring you a series of short stories featuring key cultural moments, entertaining asides and colourful characters from around the British surf scene…

By Luke Gartside

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It’s Just A Ride – The John Eldridge Profile

John Eldridge flicks up his visor and looks south. In the distance, where a carpet of rolling green fields fall away into the Atlantic, he can just about make out the small cluster of houses where he grew up. Looking…

By Luke Gartside

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Introducing Volume 261, Our Brand New Winter Edition

[This is an introduction to our new summer print edition, available with a subscription, or to buy as a single issue.] Ask anyone who was there and they’ll tell you how back in the day, if you passed another car…

By Wavelength

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Deep Cuts From The Wavelength Archive – Part II – Money Troubles

By Luke Gartside

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Pete Devries in Born Pacific

Vancouver Island’s Pete Devries and filmmaker Nate Laverty clocked up the hours on Canada’s beautiful Pacific coast making the stunning Manera short film, Born Pacific. Physically and climatically a fair hop from surfing’s tropic origins in Polynesia, nevertheless the British…

By Paul Evans

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The Wavelength Surf Film Festival Is Coming To Bristol On The 13th of October!

Following the success of the inaugural Wavelength Surf Film Festival on the clifftops of Watergate Bay, we’ve decided to take the show on the road! On Wednesday the 13th October, we’ll be bringing some of our favourites films from the…

By Luke Gartside

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Surf & Motorcycles; A Potted History Of An Unholy Union

[We’re excited to announce our friends at Harley-Davidson will be joining us all summer at the Wavelength Drive-In Cinema, offering attendees the opportunity to check out their range of classic and contemporary bikes up close and to win the chance…

By Luke Gartside

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Deep Cuts From The Wavelength Archive – Part I – The Early Years

Twenty-twenty-one marks Wavelength’s 40th year in print. So far to celebrate, we’ve created a special anniversary edition filled with stories considering shifting realities and re-released some of our original loungewear from the era in the form of the Wavelength Heritage…

By Luke Gartside

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Greg Noll in Riding Giants: ‘Winter ’69 Was The Peak Of My Life’

[The Wavelength Drive-In Cinema is back for 2021, bringing you a range of surf cinema, cult classics and family favourites from the clifftops of Cornwall, including Riding Giants 26th August. Browse the full lineup and get your ticket here. Or, subscribe to Wavelength now to…

By Paul Evans

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Surfing & Cannabis: A Potted History

Powered by Goodrays Virginal, unridden surf romped across our planet’s fresh-cut shorelines way back in deep time immemorial. Long before plants, or indeed life itself, were there to witness the violence, oceans first swirled and surged into being under a…

By Paul Evans

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Introducing Volume 260, Celebrating 40 Years Of Wavelength

[This is an introduction to our new summer print edition, available with a subscription, or to buy as a single issue.] Welcome to Volume 260, celebrating 40 years of Wavelength in print. Since our first issue landed in the summer…

By Wavelength

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Introducing The Wavelength Heritage Range Presented By Oakley

In the spring of 1981, Simon Evans and Geoff Tydeman sat down to consider the pressing issues of the day. The Cold War, the coming launch of the space shuttle Columbia and Michael Jackson’s Thriller almost certainly came up. Other…

By Wavelength

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Fact-Checking Seaspiracy With Director Ali Tabrizi

Seaspiracy had invoked a variety of responses among a broad range of people, none of which seems to be apathy, or silence. The Netflix documentary, having gone straight to no.1 on the streaming service in the UK and in to…

By Paul Evans

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Pave Paradise: Concrete vs. Madeira

Madeira, 2003: The fate of Jardim do Mar, one of the most beautiful big wave spots on the planet

By Paul Evans

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Pearls Of Wisdom From The Making Of Brilliant Corners With Sam Bleakley

Sam Bleakley is an acclaimed longboarder and author from Cornwall’s far westerly tip. For the last few years, he’s been travelling the globe exploring emerging surf cultures for a documentary series entitled Brilliant Corners, the first six parts of which…

By Luke Gartside

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World’s Greatest Surf Photographer Chris Burkard: ‘I Found A Joy In Loneliness’

Perhaps more than any other surf photographer in the last decade, Chris Burkard has not only redefined the occupation, but the medium itself. 3.6 million Instagram followers live vicariously through his high latitude adventures, where the sense of raw freedom…

By Paul Evans

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Litmus: Ireland Unveiled & The Birth of Ride Everything

How a melancholic 90’s indy surf film championing middle aged outliers revealed Hawaiian style surf in the Emerald Isle, and changed what everyday surfers have ridden ever since. Andrew Kidman and Jon Frank’s 1996 surf film Litmus was nothing if…

By Paul Evans

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Style Influences: Ivah Wilmot

Ivah Wilmot made a welcome change from your average pro surfer interview, right off the bat: “I like talking, I like interviews,” he says from his base in Kingston, Jamaica. “You get to get your story out.” Part of the…

By Paul Evans

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On Reefs: Joel Stevenson And The Norwegian Slab

[Welcome to ‘On Reefs’ a series of stories exploring the hidden quirks and perils of reefs around the world through the personal experiences of those who know them in intimately.] After Joel Stevenson arrived in south-east Norway in 2009, it…

By Luke Gartside

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The Stories Of Martin Daly’s Most Exciting Surf Discoveries

In current times, it’s hard to resist feeling a nostalgia for the heady days of global surf travel. So, we’re encouraging you to indulge it enthusiastically with our brand new series of discovery stories from some of the world’s most…

By Luke Gartside

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7 Hard-Charging Young Women Taking The Surfing World By Storm

Across every surfing discipline, from aerial specialists to light-footed loggers a new contingent of young women is emerging to challenge the old guard. Of course, this is always true to some extent, such is the evolutionary arc of professional sport,…

By Luke Gartside

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On Reefs: Ben Skinner & The Bagpipe’s Sinkhole

[Welcome to ‘On Reefs’ a new series of stories exploring the hidden quirks and perils of reefs around the world through the personal experiences of those who know them in intimately.] Bagpipe, originally named for its likeness to the Banzai,…

By Luke Gartside

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Stories & Shots From The Monumental Epsilon Swell

First spotted as a spinning wind somewhere off the coast of Newfoundland, the level of hype ahead of last week’s swell looked, to a miserable pessimist, like a recipe for disappointment. However, after Hurricane Epsilon merged with another Atlantic depression…

By Luke Gartside

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The Real Stories Behind The Internet’s Most Viral Surf Shots

Once released into the digital wilds, photos have a habit of taking on a life of their own. Like the biological agent after which they’re named, viral shots live in a constant spin cycle of copying, editing, resizing and resharing,…

By Luke Gartside

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Brighton Bangers: 10 Shots from the UK’s most Popular Seaside Resort

London-by-the-sea certainly isn’t backwards in coming forwards, stag and hen parties prowl the 400 plus pubs, the city is wonderfully the gay capital of the UK and the locals, including Fatboy Slim, Adele and Chris Eubank are blessed with the worst performing…

By Wavelength