Home of, The Regular Guy and Adventure
Matt Bromley has been traveling to score the biggest waves on the planet for his current movie project. While putting in ridiculous performances at some of the world’s biggest waves, his exploits have been filmed and featured. HE also got 3rd place in the Mavericks Big Wave Awards, rubbing shoulders with the biggest names in the sport. Check out the video above and follow Matt to see his mind blowing new film soon…
Back at it again! Monster Energy is proud to announce the worldwide premiere of the “MESA 2” mountain bike video starring team riders Ethan Nell and Tom Van Steenbergen. The new 3:22 minute video is live now on Monster Energy’s YouTube channel. As the sequel to 2019’s viral video sensation “MESA”, the high-energy edit captures innovative MTB riding on natural terrain with the Utah desert landscape as a dramatic backdrop.
The first installment of “MESA” already garnered more than 166,000 views – and counting. With “MESA 2”, Nell and Van Steenbergen revisit their formula of building hand-sculpted jumps in the virgin Utah desert landscape while cranking up the intensity a few notches: Get ready for steep drops, natural gaps, insane speed runs, and no room for error in this next-level freeride mountain bike edit.
As in the previous video, the two mountain bike trailblazers take on the Utah desert as a proving ground frequented by riders from all across the world. The natural terrain, lined by rock constellations and steep natural inclines, pushes riders beyond their comfort zone, making or breaking dreams.
On that note, the video shoot began under challenging conditions. Van Steenbergen returned to finish filming this edit after breaking his femur jumping a road gap in mid-2020. Nevertheless, the seasoned MTB pro, known for landing the first double-backflip ever executed in the competition, came in without missing a beat.
Van Steenbergen once again headlines the video alongside Nell, a native of the rocky mountainside in Utah. The young rookie was raised in this harsh desert environment on a steady diet of motocross, BMX, and mountain biking. And it shows: Prepare for technical airs and no-holds-barred drop-ins. All filmed out in the Utah desert where the rock surfaces are unforgiving, and the consequences can be dire.
The high-octane action and vast desert landscapes find their perfect counterpart in the ethereal soundtrack, featuring “Lay Me in the Ocean” performed by Blood Red Sun. Cinematography by Calvin Huth and Peter Jamison captures the freeride mountain biking in its massive scale via follow-up cams, panoramic vistas, and aerial shots for another worthy entry in the MESA video series.
When riders like Nell and Van Steenbergen join forces, the outcome is bound to be classic. For proof, look no further than the double lines featured in ‘MESA 2’, with both riders simultaneously attacking the same runs with heavy-hitting tricks.
Come with us and drive, ride, fight and surf; the athletes of the Monster Energy roster are nothing short of sensational. From conquering the highest jumps, fastest roads, and toughest opponents; it takes something very special to beast the sporting world at an elite level. What’s more few people ever get to witness the levels of focus and dedication needed to turn ambition into reality. That was until now…
Through an incredible six part series, Monster Energy’s Come With Us, charts the lives, careers and journeys of six very different athletes. Each striving to compete and win at the very top of their game, and within their chosen discipline.
Better still, it’s the raw behind the scenes access that fans love, and you have been waiting for; covering rallying, free skiing, motorcycle Grand Prix racing, big wave surfing, mixed martial arts, and freestyle mountain biking.
Strap in and hold on; because it is time for a wild ride into sporting greatness, that you definitely won’t want to miss…
The rise and rise of Oliver Solberg through the ranks has been as fast as the 19 year old on a twisting mountain rally stage. Son of 2003 World Rally Champion Petter Solberg, Oliver is so much more than just part of an off-road racing dynasty. His talent, focus, and results fly in the face of his relatively young years. Together with his co-driver Aaron Johnston, Solberg is determined and redline obsessed to become World Champion. With thousands of kilometres and corners laying ahead though; it’s going to be anything but easy. Delve into rallying and Solberg’s quest for victory like you’ve never seen before.
The pool of incredible talent in women’s Slopestyle skiing has been getting stronger every season and part of that new wave is Giulia Tanno. The 22-year-old Swiss skier has been competing on the world circuit since the age of 15 and has won some of the highest accolades in her field; including 4 XGames medals, Audi Nines wins and podiums at several FIS World Cups. While a lot of ladies show technical skill or stylish riding, Giulia is one of the rare few who are blending both, blazing a trail for a new type of women’s Slopestyle skier. With huge air comes huge risks and despite weathering multiple injuries and a concussion Giulia is as hardcore as they come. Take a fresh look at Free-skiing with her story.
Episode 3: Wake up in the morning. Charge some crazy slab waves. Welcome to Nic Von Rupp’s world. The 30-year-old surfing prodigy has already nailed a successful competitive career, and has now changed direction to focus his sights on becoming the best big wave rider in the world. For the uninitiated it is a sight to behold; waves that could dwarf apartment buildings; speeds in excess of 80km/h; the full force of the ocean harnessed in a single wave. Yet Rupp stares it all down with a relaxed stance and a sunbathed smile, and hours and hours of preparation. Don’t just take our word for it; Come With Us on a big wave ride like you’ve never seen before.
Adolf Silva: Ripping on a bike is what 23 year old Silva lives for. He risks his life for it; because it’s what moves him, what makes him feel alive. Knowing that every day he can improve and grow with his sport motivates him immensely. A true lifestyle action sport athlete, Silva’s career has already encompassed dizzying highs and total lows – not least when at age 17 he spent 10 days in a coma due to a crash, only to bounce back from injury to land the first ever triple backflip on a Slopestyle bike. If it’s got wheels he’ll ride it, and if there’s a ramp he’ll likely jump it. Come With Us and witness it all.
Fabio Quartararo: They don’t call him El Diablo for nothing. If ever there was a rider on the very cusp of greatness then surely it is Fabio Quartararo. The son of a former French 125cc motorcycle champion, Fabio cut his teeth in motocross at a very young age before moving to Spain with his family aged seven. From there he quickly progressed through the Pre-GP Mediterranean ranks, counting off the championships with nonchalant ease. In only his first year of premier class racing, in 2019, Fabio scored an impressive seven podiums from 19 starts with the Petronas Yamaha SRT team. What’s more this season, the French ace replaces none other than Valentino Rossi at the factory Yamaha racing team. Come With Us to witness Fabio’s rise and blistering pace, now at the bars of factory machinery.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk: You don’t get to be a six time Muay Thai world champion, and a leading mixed martial arts fighter in the UFC without being truly and undeniably hardcore. Joanna Jedrzejczyk – or JJ to her fans – knows this, and the string of opponents she’s knocked out don’t need telling again either. There’s an incredible flip side to the 33 year old from northern Poland though, who pushes herself to the limit outside of the ring too. JJ recently said: “My biggest opponent is time because there are only 24 hours in the day and I have so many things going on. I’m just trying to live my best life. In or out of the cage, with or without the belt, I carry myself as a champ and work on my legacy, every single day.”
Since it was unveiled in 2008, Skelton Bay has become part of our everyday lexicon, a synonym for never-ending sand bottomed tubes. But unlike Pipeline, G-Land, or [insert your preferred iconic world class wave here], the two-kilometer-long left on the edge of the Namib Desert is in a constant state of flux. If satellite imagery is anything to go by, the wave we know today didn’t even exist 30 years ago.
Mirage is a 15-minute doccie that traces the genesis of the Namibian sandspit and how it became one of the most sought after waves on the planet, as told by pioneering locals and some of the best tube riders in the world.
But before you put it on the top of your post-pandemic bucket list, perhaps take heed of Koa Smith’s veiled advice from the film: “People think oh, easy, Skeleton Bay aka Donkey Bay. I’m going to go get the barrel of my life. But then they show up here and realize it’s more like Teahupoo on sand.”
Produced by: @nownowmedia
Written and Directed by @alanvangysen and @will.bendix
Filmed and edited by @calvinthompson_films
What do you do when you’re locked down on the sickest farm in South Africa? Grab a shovel and get digging! When World Cup slayer, Theo Erlangsen, was lucky enough to get quarantined with young gun, Ike Klassen, on his farm in Stellenbosch, the boys stayed busy riding bikes and spraying dirt!
Locked in at Hellsend Dirt Compound is a 3-part series following The Trails Crew getting up to all kinds of good, bad and wild. Watch the boys riding dirt jumps, shredding some downhill laps and staying “almost too busy doing cool things the whole time!” These boys have all the toys and a whole heap of ideas, so jump on board as they race pit bikes, trash rally buggies and shred anything with wheels on.
“We’re basically quarantining in heaven! I mean, it would be nice to be racing in Europe, but this is a close second!” Theo Erlangsen
In the first episode, we meet the infamous builders, Justin Novella and Duran Van Eeden, who can wrestle a digger like nobody else, and were luckily quarantined on the same farm. First state of business was carving out the Corona track, an insane downhill course through the forest from top to bottom. The boys hit the building work hard and then set to work stacking clips and roosting turns.
Getting the pit bike track built was a dream come true for Ike, who started his career on bikes with Moto X and was a junior national champ. For some light relief, they jumped into one of the race buggies on the farm and tried, but failed to keep all the wheels on…
“Tim shreds the BMX so hard, he’s also such a silent assassin, he comes in super quiet and then does WAY bigger and better stunts than any of us” Theo Erlangsen
In episode two, Tim Bentley joins the crew and shows the boys how to ride the perfectly manicured dirt jumps. Justin gives you an insight to the Trailscrew daily life, meet India the trail dog and watch the riders push themselves in a trick jump sessionwhilst quarantined in South Africa.
Look out for Episode 3 coming soon…
One of the first things we chat about on the podcast, is just how much experience Jack has already on the CT, before he even starts his career there. With numerous wildcards since his teens and surfing against most of the top guys in QS heats, he feels he has all the experience he needs to spend 20 plus years on the tour.
With the delayed start to 2020 due to the Corona Lockdown, he stays positive at home in West Oz, where he can surf. In fact most of the waves on his doorstep make up the venues for the 3rd CT stop. He also tells me that the break, his first since he was 14, allows for some training, rest and quality time with his lady and family.
Jack has a great sense of humor and we have a couple of really good laughs over the interview. At one point, girlfriend, Julia Muniz walks from a shower, thinking its a telephone call… needless to say huge laughs around.
One thing is for sure, no surfer’s debut on the the Championship Tour has ever been this anticipated. Jack rips in all conditions. He charges the big heavy waves that would normally intimated the new comers. Hell, he has one the Volcom Pipeline Pro and is always a stand out at Teahupoo. I for one cannot wait to see him on tour.
Follow Jack and get live video from the Box and other West Oz heavy waves on his Instagram and his amazing gal Julia Muniz on her Instagram.
Huge thanks to Monster Energy for the support.
I chat to WSL Championship Tour, rookie, Matthew McGillivray from the Gold Coast. What has it been like starting your CT career only to have it stalled by the lockdown? What has lockdown been like in Australia? What are his thoughts on the new WSL formats for the tours, announced this week? Why does he love BASE jumping? These are just some of the subjects we cover in the 30 minute interview.
We also chat surfboards and Matt’s relationship with Graham and Jordy Smith with the new brand, SMTH Shapes.
We also chat about his home town and the incredible movement right now to feed the poor community of Jbay!
Support the initiative here – Lets Feed Jbay
Image: J-Bay’s Matt McGillivray in action at Sunset Beach, Oahu, Hawaii on Sunday Image- WSL/Heff
Big call you may say, but if you have watched top Bmx competition for the last few years, you will agree with me. Known as much for his huge, tweaked out tricks, as for that infectious smile always plastered on his dial. For the podcast we took a look at why he has such a happy outlook on life and why Bmx makes him so happy. A big reason he is on the Monster Energy, Mongoose and Vans A teams.
Going from riding Bmx every day, which he still does, albeit in the parking garage, whether park or street – the lockdown has seriously impacted on Kevin‘s life. While surfers can still go ride the waves in California, all skate and bmx parks are closed. Good time to be Pat Casey with the most epic backyard setup, but KP in lockdown at his apartment.
Well he does, he was about to board a plane to SA for Ultimate X, then the lockdown was initiated and he still has the tickets. His first few trips were to Cape Town and the last 2 have been to Sun City. (KP makes a very good Game Drive guide btw) Check out the seal diving trip we chat about below. He reckons as soon as travel allowed, he is coming back to SA!
One of South Africa’s top surf exports and freesurfer extraordinaire, now residing in California and on the Gold Coast, Brendon Gibbens rips! He is one of the few surfers who have cracked that seemingly unattainable code to become a well paid, traveling surfer, who does not have to compete in order to earn as an athlete.
The Lockdown for the Corona Virus has affected his life, but they are allowed to surf in California – something that has been denied us in SA. No travel until further notice though, which is effectively a pause on his career.
With all the magical places Brendon Gibbens has travelled for surf, he still reckons home is the best. South Africa has a huge coastline, with hundreds if not thousands of good waves. We also don’t get the crowds like his two new home areas – believe me nowhere near the crowds. So we are blessed, even with all the big sharks! haha
Check out the First Episode of #TheLockdown HERE
Help Feed Jbay HERE
Thanks to Monster Energy
Fans of the Captain Kai’s World show on, 2 Oceans Vibe Radio, have been badgering me to start up the show again. With the current Corona Lockdown, I thought it was the perfect time to start chatting with some of the world’s best action sports athletes again. So, welcome to #TheLockdown with Captain Kai. The first guest, Steven Sawyer.
I could not think of a better person for my first Episode than good friend and World Longboarding Champion, Steven Sawyer. One of the most talented surfers I know, he equally rips on a shortboard or longboard. Growing up in Jbay with a famous shaper as a Dad, he has been blessed with crazy talent both on the board and when making them, plus he is an exceptional musical talent. Hope you enjoy the first Episode.
Help Steezy and the Jbay Pro Surfers raise money to feed the local community. Unfortunately, the current 35 day lockdown in South Africa has forced all non-essential businesses into closure and left thousands of wage earning employees in Jbay without any income.Please help us raise money that can go towards purchasing food and distributing it to those most in need.
Lets Feed Jbay – https://gogetfunding.com/Letsfeedjbay
Coming up next week I chat with Bmx superstar, Kevin Peraza, from the States. This guy is at the forefront of Bmx and rides for Monster Energy, Vans and Mangoose Bmx. He would have been in South Africa last month for Ultimate X, if not for the Lockdown.
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