This week saw surfers, activists, adventurers and sustainable business leaders gather in the heart of Bristol for the inaugural Blue Earth Summit. Over two days of talks, workshops and outdoor activities the event set out to explore how we can all work together to tackle the issues facing our planet and the communities that inhabit it. And, from where we were sitting, it was a resounding success, leaving a wave of inspiration and invigorating optimism in its wake.
Photos: @maddiemeddings
As an official media partner of the Summit, we opted to round out day one with a hand-picked selection of surf films, lifted from the bill of this year’s Wavelength Surf Film Festival, plus a live on-stage conversation with two of British surfing’s most storied protagonists, Breiting ambassador Andrew Cotton and Gabe Davies. Once the audience took their seats in the sold-out auditorium, we kicked off the evening with the pair sharing stories and insights from their pioneering exploits at Mullaghmore and Nazaré, recounting some of their most amusing and memorable experiences from several years frequenting the breaks. Then, the lights dipped and the crowd settled in for an excellent evening of surf cinema, featuring the latest and greatest high-octane bangers and inspiring documentaries.
Photos: @lugarts
On Thursday, the event rolled up to The Wave Bristol, where several hundred attendees got stuck into an action-packed day of swimming, running, cycling and surfing. While Maverick Race led a series of groups on a 7k trail run, Trek took a group of bikers to explore a route chosen by Trash Free Trails to pick litter and blow the cobwebs away. Back at base, there were more inspirational talks from Breitling ambassador Andrew Cotton and Wave founder Nick Hounsfield.
Photos: @lugarts
For the final flourish, we teamed up with Breitling for a showcase of the country’s top surfing talent on a powered-up, pro-only setting at The Wave. The attendant crew, which featured multiple British champions Stan Norman, Lucy Campbell, Alan Stokes and many more, didn’t disappoint, with an hour of explosive manoeuvres, powerful carves and fun little pits, cast a brilliant blue by the blazing autumn sunshine.
Photos: @lugarts
For more information on the event visit blueearthsummit.com and follow @blueearthsummit on Instagram.
Ticket are now available for The Blue Earth Summit, 2022, taking place on the 12-13th October. Early birds can get 30% off until the end of October ‘21. Find out more and get yours here.