The Surf Photographers, Alan Van Gysen & Ian Thurtell #theLockdown Ep7

The Podcast

The Surf Photographers are wise!

In this episode you will be subjected to some serious wisdom from the surf photographers! These two are clever, articulate and definitely know what they are talking about. We discuss this current crisis, why you should obey the law, rather funnel your energy into a good cause than get angry, where contest surfing should go now locally, what it takes to be a good surf photographer and even how to stay fit until we can surf again.

Meet the surf photographers

Alan van Gysen is a name synonymous with surf photography and has worked with the biggest surfers, publications and content creators on the planet. Based with his family in Kommetjie, Cape Town, he is a very spiritual man, loves surfing, writing and traveling to exotic locations with the world’s best surfers. We call him, the world’s nicest man.

Ian Thurtell, is one of the top, young photographers in South Africa. A solid contributor to the local and international scene and covers most of the major contests in South Africa. He builds custom housings for cameras, puts together media trips and works very closely with some of the best junior surfers in the country.

Support these surf initiatives

Once again we highlight the great work happening around the SA coastline by some great people. Please support these incredible programs:

You can support these great surf community initiatives we spoke about. 9 Miles ProjectThe OptimistThe Sentinel Ocean AllianceLets Feed Jbay and Surf Pop by donating today, either with money or your time. 

We also ask you to support our local Magazine – Zigzag

Huge thanks to Monster Energy for the Support.

Volcom presents “The Backyard”

The North Shore Dream

As long as I have surfed, the North Shore has been the dream destination for any surfer. At the pinnacle of that dream is the a frame reef at Pipeline and Backdoor. Straddling the sands of this two wave dream is the legendary, Volcom House.

The Volcom team spend each winter here, right on the beach in front of the proving ground. They also have some of most hardened locals at Pipe and Backdoor. So, when they decide to drop an edit from the North Shore season, you know its going to be good.

At Pipeline there is flora, fauna, ocean and stone. At this point, the Volcom house is practically part of the reef at Pipeline. Between the team, the house, the family, the legacy, the legends, the peanut gallery, the respect, the parties, the Pipe Pro and the barbecues, you’d be hard pressed not to acknowledge the presence the Volcom Stone has on the North Shore, particularly at Pipe. I mean, one of the houses was built by the one and only Gerry Lopez!

Watch the Volcom Video

So sit back, try to relax and watch the team charging some rather spectacular waves.

Brian Grubb and Matti Buys Wakeskate Durban’s Beachfront

Wakeskate show in Durban

This summer, local wakeskate athlete, Matti Buys invited one of the most influential pioneers of the sport, Brian Grubb (USA) to South Africa. To explore and session some of the most prominent spots around Durban. What transpired was an epic video short titled ‘Reflections’. Which not only showcases Durban’s flair but some of the most imaginative trick lines and obstacles.

 

Wakeskate legend Brian Grubb

“Since my last first trip to South Africa back in 2006, I have always wanted to come back and see more. Durban was a perfect location to wakeskate and put this project together with Matti,” says Grubb, who has been dominating in the sport since his first pro tour in 2003.

 

Red Bull Reflections

In Red Bull’s ‘Reflections’, you will see a myriad of cables and high-powered winches taking Grubb and Buys from the Indian Ocean shoreline, to Durban Point Waterfront Canals, right through uShaka Marine World and onto Durban’s iconic beachfront pools. The duo creatively make use of their natural surroundings, adding obstacles like ramps or kickers to perform a host of tricks.  One would normally expect to see these on a lake or public cable park, yet this time in a much trickier and unique setting. 

 

Growing South African wakeskate

In South Africa, wakeskating is still very much a growing sport with a lot of potential and young talent continually raising through. “It is important for us as athletes who have spent a number of years building up the sport to continue to find creative ways to share our stories and to also put the sport of wakeskating in front of new, larger audiences,” concludes Buys.

Watch the Video

Rolling Retro 2019 Official Video

A huge keg won Josh Brodie the wave of the day award.

Rolling Retro must be the best day of the year!

Every year I say it and this year is no different. Rolling Retro is simply the best day of the year. Where else can one come to the beach without any boards, ride pieces of SA surf history, hang out on the most beautiful beach, see some of the hottest humans alive and drink cold beer and party your socks off?

This year we were celebrating a decade of this amazing event and it really was an exceptional day!

The video will blow your mind

I have warned you! If you were not at the Rolling Retro this year, this may make you feel very, very sad! Perhaps even a little green.

Incredible job by Michael Veltman on the production, the track from the Dinosaurs is amazing and you are going to love the official 2019, Rolling Retro video.

DarkFEST 2019 Official Highlights Video

Daryl sending it over the big kicker! Photo: Eric Palmer

Dirt Jump Nirvana

Ok, so maybe its not Dirt Jump nirvana for us mere mortals, but for the crew of A List riders at DarkFEST it sure was. Many were calling it the biggest line ever built and for those who came to watch the open sessions, they witnessed history. Clemens, Nico and Sam really pulled out all the stops on the setup and I am pretty sure we are going to see even bigger things come 2020.

Loco Double Backflip Adolf Silva

The Fan favourite at any event he goes to for good reason. Adolf was hunting the double backflips. He made one on the giant kicker and he was oh so close to landing one on the 90ft gap. He rides so wild that even his fellow riders sometimes cant believe how he pulls off some saves. One of the leaders of free ride now and a huge part of Darkfest. Not to hard to see why Monster Energy put him straight on the team.

Watch the Highlights Video

If you did not make it down to Vuurberg for the open sessions, shame! But never fear, the highlights video is here and you too can marvel at the Dirt Jump mayhem that was, DarkFEST. The world’s best were in action, with the likes of Nico Vink, Tom van Steenbergen, Adolf Silva, Brendan Fairclough, Ethan Nell, Nicholi Rogatkin, Jordie Lunn, Graham Agassis, Matt Macduff, Tom Reynolds, Darryl Brown, Theo Erlangsen and Kurt Sorge.

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.

Darkfest Week 3 – The Build is Done

Work Hard, Play Hard

As the DarkFEST course nears completion, the boys have been smashing it all week with the diggers and with a few tiny sprinkles of rain and some spade work, have managed to compact most of the line. Mountain Bike heaven or hell depending on who you ask…

Mountain Bike Gods bless with more rain!

With a little more much needed rain on the forecast, the guys got everything ready for it and took advantage of getting some time behind the bars on the big line at Hellsend Dirt Compound with Brendog and a few locals.

The course is complete and now the line just needs to be tweaked for the arrival of the rest of the world’s best free ride Mountain Bikers next week.

Week 3 Video

Tune into the week 3 video of the DarkFEST prequel, as next week the mayhem begins! Remember I will be live, on site from next Thursday, so be sure to follow my Instagram channel – Captain Kais World

Join the Mayhem

Tickets are available online to come and witness the mayhem live, on Saturday 10 February, just outside Stellenbosch.

You can Purchase tickets – HERE

Space on the mountain is at a premium and believe me when I say, you do not want to miss this! The world’s craziest free ride specialists charging one of the biggest lines ever built, including a monster 80ft Gap Jump. (See Sam testing it in the picture above.)

Be sure to follow Monster Energy and photog boss, Eric Palmer

Rolling Retro 2017 – The Perfect Day

People will remember many things about the Rolling Retro this year. There was incredible weather, more hot girls in bikinis than the Playboy mansion, one hell of a party and of course there were insane waves! Stand out performances from the likes of Dale Staples, Josh Brodie, Robbie Schofield and Jacques Smit had the crowd on the beach screaming for makes and groaning for wipeouts. Enjoy the video and make sure that next year you dont miss this event…

Big thanks to the other sponsors: Red Bull, Billabong, Striped Horse, El Jimador, Hurricane Surf, Vudu Surf, Von Zipper

Music: The Runaway Nuns

Darkfest 2017 – Official Video of Insanity

Good Lord, I thought I would have gotten used to the insanity of Darfest after seeing it for myself, but one watch of this video and it all came crashing back down. Seriously, if you are not at this event next year, you are missing out on the most crazy thing you will ever see in South Africa. So sit back, down a tequila and prepare for Darkfest insanity…

The Fest Crew made their way down to South Africa to take on the infamous Pure Darkness jumps. Sam Reynolds, with the help of Nico Vink & Clemens Kaudela, revived the beasts and added a few more to the party and what a party it was! In true Fest fashion, these boys went faster, higher and bigger than ever! With features like a 60ft roll in, 55ft gaps and a 35ft lip that sends you 25ft into the air it is definitely not one to be missed!

Best Trick: Adolf Silva – Double Flip
Best Line: Andreu Lacondeguy
Best Whip: Kurt Sorge
Biggest Slam: Adolf Silva – Tripple Flip Attempt
Dark King: Clemens “C-Dawg” Kaudela – for killing the course build, riding and parties
Cam Zink, Graham Aggasiz