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.

Beyrick De Vries and Friends Tour Africa in “Higher Light”

Beyrick surfing close to home in South Africa. Image: Alan van Gysen

Its taken a while for Beyrick de Vries to premier

Beyrick de Vries comes across as a funny guy. Believe me, he is very, very funny. Just follow him on Instagram to find out for yourself. But, underneath the humour and laughs lies a very serious competitor and a perfectionist. Hence, it took a bit longer to get his signature film out than planned, because it had to be perfect.

Brendan Gibbens blasts away at a lip in Senegal. Image: Alan van Gysen

A serious cast of surfing talent

I was fortunate enough to be in the water at a few locations where the film was shot. Beyrick was a standout at every session.

Joining him in the varied African lineups was a tight crew of his friends, who all happen to be some serious rippers themselves. Brendon Gibbens is probably the most famous free surfer to ever come out of South Africa. Shane Sykes is one of the most talented of the younger generation, hailing from Salt Rock in Ballito. Then you have perennial charger, Dale Staples, in the mix.

All in all, a stacked lineup of South African surf talent.

Beyrick de Vries contemplating life as an African surfer in Senegal. Image: Alan van Gysen

Location, location, location – Beyrick de Vries chose well!

You cant have a good surf film without some dam good surf locations. Beyrick de Vries knows this, so for “Higher Light” he took the crew to some of Africa’s top wave destinations. The crystal clear waters of Mozambique, deadly tubes of Namibia and the fun, exotic destination of Senegal give the film a real African flavour. Then you add some thundering tubes on the East coast of South Africa and the frigid waters of the Cape and you have all the ingredients for an A grade film.

Watch the film, you will enjoy it!

The crew under the direction of, Steve Michelson and Monster Energy have put out an incredible film. So sit back and enjoy one of the best South African surf productions to date!

Brendon Gibbens drops edit of the Year – Homebody

Brendon Gibbens surfs like a bat out of hell.

Homebody is a proper Surf Video

In his own words, Brendon Gibbens, does not like the new shorter content drops, made profilic by social media. “It’s seems like everyone is craving instant content on social media, but that doesn’t really do it for me.” I like it, I like it alot! In this video he returns to the original surf film format of incredible surfing, in the best locations, with a pumped up soundtrack. It also is just long enough to watch before a surf, to get the amp up, while not being to long, or filled with arty crap.

The Surfing is Outrageous

I got to hang with Brendon earlier this year for a few days in a wild location at home, in South Africa. It was great to just chat to him and get to know him better. He is a very quiet and calm individual out of the water. Once he settles in with you though, you fast realise he has a wicked sense of humor, bordering on dark. This come through when he dons a wetusit and paddles out. His surfing has a wild abandon, bordering on dangerous sometimes. Personally I could watch him surf all day long.

Brendon Gibbens representing South Africa

Much of Homebody is filmed right here at home in SA. While he travels around the world to some of the best locations on planet earth, he admits to loving being home. The waves are great year round and the crowds are thin. Having seen the crowds in his second home of California, I find it hard to disagree. One thing is for sure, Gibbens is representing for us on the world stage and this video proves that he is at the top of the freesurfing world.

Enjoy watching Homebody

Just click on the link below and go watch on Vimeo (Deals with large mags mean it wont play here.)

Homebody from Brendon Gibbens on Vimeo.

The Return of John John Florence – Watch “Space”

John John Florence is back, sort of…

Surf fans around the planet had been languishing in the hopes that the prodigal son of surfing would return soon. The good news is that he has, if even just hy releasing some unseen footage. John John Florence is still injured, though rumors are rife we will see his return for Europe.

What makes him so good?

It was only when I started watching, Space, that I realised how much I had missed watching Mr Florence surf. He brings a certain wild freedom to the tour, a sense of abandon and noir that no other surf does. The video is dramatic, but it should be. John John’s surfing is dramatic, while at the same time incredibly relaxed. Simply put, the “Championship” tour has not quite been the same without him.

Watch “Space” Now

Watch John John Florence at his best right now, right here:

Space from John John Florence on Vimeo.

Made by Parallalel Sea – John John’s production company.

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

Strange Rumblings at Skullcandy Movie Night

One of the best and most awarded surf films ever, Strange Rumblings in Shangri-La will blow your mind. When combined with a batch of insane short extreme films instead of trailers, half price drinks and gourmet braai on demand, well Sunday just got a whole lot better!

Join me at the Village Idiot this Sunday for the Skullcandy Movie Night with Monster Energy! Event info here – https://www.facebook.com/events/236670303353262/

Directed by JOE G and featuring GLOBE surf team riders DION AGIUS, NATE TYLER, TAJ BURROW, YADIN NICOL, DAMIEN HOBGOOD, CREED MCTAGGART, CJ HOBGOOD, ALEX SMITH, NOA DEANE, BRENDON GIBBENS, and MORE – STRANGE RUMBLINGS IN SHANGRI LA is a modern surf film that documents an unforgettable worldwide journey from the frigid shores of ICELAND to the sultry coastline of MOZAMBIQUE. From well-known spots in EUROPE to exotic islands off the coast of BRAZIL and into DEEPEST INDONESIA, this is their greatest adventure yet.

STRANGE RUMBLINGS IN SHANGRI LA from GLOBE on Vimeo.

Welcome Elsewhere – Craig Anderson Short Film

Mr Casual returns with another Kai Neville creation. Craig Anderson has to be the most understated surfer, but when he gets in the water it is all style and flare. Watch this film and glory in the flashbacks to another era, mixed with the most modern of maneuvers.

Craig, “Driving across Australia. Hunting uncrowded waves. I like how hard the spots are to get too. I like being mysto in the desert. I like being in the jungle.”

Welcome Elsewhere from craig anderson on Vimeo.

View from a Blue Moon – The surf movie everyone wants to watch!

Probably the most anticipated surf film in history. View from a Blue Moon is the latest project from John Florence and Blake Kueny and the talk is that it will change the game as far as surf cinema is concerned. John os one of the most electrifying surfers on the planet and he also takes his film parts very seriously. Added bonus is that a lot of SA appears in the film with both the West Coast and East coast featuring, as well as John’s SA surf guide, Frank Solomon. I for one cannot wait to see the full film.

See the sport of surfing as it’s never been captured before in John Florence and Blake Vincent Kueny’s second signature release, in association with award-winning film studio, Brain Farm. The first surf film shot entirely in 4K, View From a Blue Moon (http://ViewFromABlueMoon.com) follows the world’s most dynamic surfer John Florence and his closest friends from his home on the North Shore of Oahu to his favorite surfing destinations around the globe. From the dreamy blue perfection of the South Pacific to the darkest uncharted waters of Africa (and everywhere in between), Florence faces a broad spectrum of emotions as he continues to seal his legacy as one of the most gifted surfers ever. And while the young Hawaiian is pulled in increasingly different directions, there is no form of pressure that will keep him from his ultimate goal — to redefine what is possible in the ocean.

View From A Blue Moon will be digitally released through iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, M-Go, Vimeo On Demand, and other digital platforms as well as DVD/Blu-ray on December 1 with worldwide premieres taking place on November 11 and 12. Pre-order is available now through Vimeo On Demand and DVD/Blu-ray on http://shop.brainfarmcinema.com.

A Film By John Florence & Blake Vincent Kueny
In Association With Brain Farm
With support from Hurley and Monster Energy
Coming December 1st
http://ViewFromABlueMoon.com
#viewfromabluemoon

The ballad of Ricky Basnett – No Regrets Trailer

Anyone who has spent time with surfer, Ricky Basnett, knows that first off he rips with reckless abandon, much like he lives life. Secondly you know that you will never be bored in his presence, especially when he is obsessing with Puns and word games like he often does. Thirdly, you know deep down that he was better, much better, than his results on the World Tour could ever reflect on his surfing. Many speculated, but Ricky chose to come out and let the world know his story, with the help of film maker, Jason Hearn, that he almost threw his life away on the booze and it was surfing that saved him. He is now sober, focused and wanting to show the world what they missed when he was on tour. With the release of the trailer for, No regrets, I thought it was a good time to have a chat with the enigmatic man about life, past and future…

Firstly, its great to see you so pumped on surfing again and charging dude.
Lets get it over with, booze, drugs nihilism – you had your slice, now you sober. What happened?
Ja I definitely had my fair share of fun over the years, but there comes a time when it stops being a jol, it just becomes repetetive bullshit. It’s a tough cycle to break out of, and it really messes with your head, I almost lost everything I had near the end.

How did all the above effect your life outside surfing?
My life was a mess, I was pretty much a functioning alcoholic, but it was a really good lesson for me, it got me where I am now and I’m loving it!

When you were a grom, you dominated, even Jordy Smith was scared of getting you in a heat. How did that effect your mind set going onto the tour?
My junior career went really well, and I was confident going into the CT, but I soon realised it wasn’t all that I though it was. I don’t really want to talk shit about the tour, but it just wasn’t for me.

Does it play on your mind that you finished dead last on the World Tour? The dreaded 33rd back then.
Doesn’t bother me at all, I’m a record holder hahahha!

If you could go back on tour, would you want to? Do you feel like you could be a World Champion?
I would never go back on tour, it just isn’t what surfing is about for me these days. I just want to explore Africa, find new waves and shred till I’m dead haha…

What are your goals moving forward?
My goal at the moment is to carpe the fuck out of every diem I get!

Tell us about your love of food and making it? Apparently you make a boss burger… In line with the new you, are you eating healthier too?
Ja cooking and food is another passion of mine for sure. I had a little gourmet burger pop up for a while, it was such a jol! I guess cooking is similar to surfing for me, it kinda keeps you in the moment, therapy for me! I like to eat pretty healthy shit, but I’m not going turn my nose up at a fat greasy take away if you put it in front of me either haha!

How did the film project, “No regrets” come about? Do you have a point to prove?
Jason called me up one day with the idea for the film, I was pretty fucking nervous before we started shooting, I hadn’t done anything for so long that I doubted heavily if I could still perform! But I think it turned out pretty cool, I owe Jason huge for believing in me and making this thing happen. Theres no point for me to prove to anyone, I’m just loving going surfing everyday, fuck yeah!

Surf trip anywhere with anyone – where and who is coming?
Road trip from Mozam to CT, pull in!

Thanks Dude. I for one cannot wait to see the finished project!

Check out the trailer for “No regrets” below.

No Regrets Trailer from Jason Hearn on Vimeo.