Between the Lines – a cinematic portrait of an oceanic love affair

Sacha Specker contemplating his domain.

This is one incredible short film

First off you need to know that, yes, I am friends with both parties here. I have known the cinematographer, Jason Hearn, for more long than either of us care to mention, as it gives our ages away. I have also known Sacha for an incredibly long time. That does not change how I feel about this film, In between the lines, which even if I did not know them, I would be raving about. Its simply glorious.

Sacha Specker is a waterman and a genius

What most of the world knows about Sacha Specker “Spex” is that he is a 2 time bodyboard world champion. So yes, he absolutely kills it on a bodyboard. What most don’t know, is that he pretty much kills it on any surf craft. In fact he probably could have been a professional surfer if he chose so. Its not unheard of to see him out charging on his bodyboard, ruling the lineup, then switching to a tiny fish surfboard and still ruling the lineup. On top of that, he is probably the most proficient when he picks up his camera gear and heads into the ocean. His images are simply mind blowing effigies to a love of the salty brine.

Jason Hearn has captured the sole of Spex

In this film, Between the Lines, Jason Hearn has managed to capture the sole of his subject. It encapsulates and portrays Sacha’s love for the ocean and his drive to capture all its moods. His drive is to capture waves in their most divine and random form, that which makes them waves. The film captures this, nay it celebrates it and this is why you should watch it right now! I guarantee it will make an impact on you.

Watch Between the Lines

Between the Lines from Jason Hearn on Vimeo.

A story of bravery and inspiration! Adaptive Surfing SA

SA Team member, Caleb Swanepoel, supporting his team mates.

Adaptive Surfing Champs changed my life

I really did not realise what I was in for when I signed up to go to the Adaptive Surfing World Champs in California last year. I had helped at a couple of Adaptive surfing clinics, I was aware of how inspiring these were, but I was not prepared to witness the level of inspirational bravery and camaraderie that I witnessed at this event.

The Project

After chatting with the team and Surfing South Africa, we all decided that Adaptive Surfing in Sa needed some exposure. They needed their story to be told. I put up my hand to follow the team’s journey and to film it for a documentary. For that purpose I filmed a few clinics, training sessions and went to the ISA Adaptive World Champs in La Jolla, Sand Diego.

The Adaptive Surfers

Watching the process these surfers go through, each time they want to surf, blew my mind. Watching the hardships, the difficulties and even just getting to the water. Never did I see an unhappy face, hear a complaint or even remotely feel any negative emotions. Everyone one there, from the competitors, helpers and even people who just happened along on the beach, had huge smiles on their faces and they left feeling better about themselves and life in general. These peole, these surfers, embodied what surfing is all about.

It Changed my Life

I was severely obese – though most would not have said it – unable to surf a shortboard properly and very unhappy inside. I arrived at this event in turmoil emotionally. I left with a new lease on life, a determination to change my situation and a new feeling of hope. Watching and experiencing the Adaptive World Champs literally inspired me to change my life. No more excuses, no more, I am not surfing as the waves are terrible, no more self pity. These brave and inspiring individuals forced me to look at myself and not only realise how lucky I actually was, but that I had no excuses!

The Movie

I hope you enjoy this film I have made and that it gives you a small taste of what I experienced with these incredible people. Please support them and Adaptive Surfing! You will not regret it for an instant.

Support Adaptive Surfing South Africa – HERE

Watch the 2018 World Champs – HERE

Enjoy the Movie and please share, like and comment! This film needs to be seen by all.

Amazing Wakeskating with Matti Buys and Istudiomo

Wakeskating - Istudiomo

Welcome to Wakeskating

My first article of the new year and I must say I am stoked that it is about wakeskating and this movie.

Firstly, because I have always enjoyed watching wakeskating and secondly, because it features one of my favorite South African athletes, Matti Buys.

If you have not had a look at wake skating before, you may feel it is a hybrid child of wake boarding, skateboard and a wet t-shirt competition, which is not far off. It became popular once the urban kids starting riding cable parks and left the bindings off to be able to start doing skate tricks on the rails and jumps.

Since then it has grown at a rapid rate and now, especially with the aid of winch cables, has moved out into the great outdoors and urban water areas of the world. We also have a a pretty big crew in South Africa with a couple of wake parks you can go ride in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Ballito.

Istudiomo takes you into the heart of the wakeskating movement, featuring some of the world’s top riders and both crazy urban environments, as well as majestic and wild locations.

The gents have made the film free to view in order to help raise awareness of the sport and to attract new blood to the scene, something I can really respect. If you do enjoy the movie go and show some love on their website and you can make a donation – Istudiomo

The film features riding from Nick Taylor, Andrew Pastura, Cole Kraiss, Yan Lecomte, Matti Buys, David Roehm, Ollie Moore, Bret Little, Braden Ioi, Andrew Fortenberry, Nick Robinson, Travis Belsito and Collin Gee.

I rally enjoyed watching the film and highly recommend it. So make some popcorn, sit back and enjoy Istudiomo.

Enjoy the full film:

ISTUDIOMO from Andrew Roehm on Vimeo.

Lets be Frank – A surf Movie with a twist…

I have known Frank Solomon a long time. He is a good gent, the ladies love him and he is really, not scared at all, of massive, scary waves! So I am stoked that his new feature, with the team at Red Bull Media House, is launching this month and I am even more stoked I get to go watch the premier. This guy hangs out with the likes of John John Florence, Jamie O”Brien and Ben harper, so you can be sure of some serious surf action, great music and even comedy and laughs thanks to guys like Cokey Falkow and all Frank’s mates. Check out the trailer and remember you can win tickets to the Cape Town premier, see below!

Let’s Be Frank is a visceral journey through the unseen and unknown world of big wave surf adventurer Frank James Solomon, an intercontinental clandestine investigation blurring the lines between myth, legend and reality – leading to the question… Just who is Frank?

Let’s Be Frank Premiere’s early September. Check out our tour dates below to see if we stop in your town!

LA – The Port Theater – 1st September
Cape Town – Labia Theatre – 9th September
Durban – The Barnyard Theatre – 11th September
London – Curzon Soho – 15th September

Remember you can win tickets to the Cape Town premier with Red Bull South Africa! Find Frank Solomon in Cape Town, take a picture with him and tag #WHOISFRANK.

You can catch the global premiere of Let’s Be Frank on September 19th online at Red Bull TV : http://win.gs/WatchRBTV

#WHOISFRANK

Backdraft – Bobby Martinez

Love him or hate him, or just be plain confused by him, one thing we can all agree on is that Bobby Martinez is one hell of a surfer. One of my all time favorite backhand surfers, I was pretty sad to see him quit the tour. Luck for us, Monster Energy saw his potential and now sponsor him to be free and do what he loves.

Bobby Martinez fires off on, well… everything. Check http://backdraft.surfline.com for the fullscreen photo feature + bonus interview.

Leah Dawson gives an alternative commentary on Woman’s surfing

“My biggest compliment is not that I surf like a man, but that I surf like a woman,” says Leah. “If someone watches me ride a wave, I want them at the end of it to know that I’m in love with the ocean.”

And those feelings shine through in this short video from the Inertia. Watching it made me wanna go grab my single and go style.

Enjoy it…

Nyjah Huston’s “OMFG” Part with Thrasher Magazine

Some hate him, others worship him, but what none of us can deny is that Nyjah Huston changed the game. He is most definitely not your old school punk rock skater, but he skates pretty dam punk rock!

What happens when you ask Nyjah if he has any footage laying around? You get 4 minutes you won’t soon forget.
Keep up with Thrasher Magazine here:
http://www.thrashermagazine.com

Wingmen Trailer – The most dangerous movie ever made…

Three men left on this journey, only two came home…

Three of the world’s most renowned BASE jumpers, Jokke Sommer, Espen Fadnes and Ludovic Woerth embark on an adventure around the world seeking out unique and challenging places to wingsuit proximity flying and BASE jumping. This exceptional journey takes Jokke, Espen and Ludo to Rio De Janeiro, Chamonix, Reunion Island, the Tianmen Mountains in China, Bangkok, before their planned final jump in Dubai.
All three athletes speak candidly about the moralities of the sport they risk their lives for and the emotions and rewards that push them to pioneer this sport.

FMF War Machines – A film for Dirt Bike lovers…

If you like to go Braap Braap on a dirt bike, the you will want to watch this film by Vurb Moto.

The motocrosser’s motocross film. From greats like Ricky Carmichael and Jeffrey Herlings to moto’s sickest underground crews, War Machines takes viewers to the edge of the earth in search of the best riding and most incredible motocross scenery the world has to offer. Strap in for 40 minutes of pure moto excellence, and have the bike ready because you’ll be wanting to click some gears after this one.

RVCA Rolling Retro 2015 Video with Vans

I always appreciate a great video of the RVCA Rolling Retro day, as most times I am so busy on the day behind the scenes, on the mic and sneaking in my heat, that I miss a bunch of highlights. I am sure Robby, from Vudu Surf, feels the same way. It’s tough sometimes running the event. So when a video drops on my timeline like this, I get real stoked! The crew from We-are-Awesome, with Vans, captured our day perfectly. So sit back and watch a magical event on film and maybe like me you will get goosebumps thinking back on the best day of the year…

Vans x RVCA Rolling Retro 2015 from we-are-awesome on Vimeo.