for surfers MAY/JUN 2013
NO-
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CONTENTS
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EDITOR’S NOTE
Kick boredom in the nuts
SPREADING FILTH
Jake Donlen: the man behind Runamuk Visuals
37 55 75 THE DISCOVERY CHANNEL
New surfing terrain in Papua New Guinea
FALLING IN LOVE Kirra rekindles the flame
SINGLE LENS REFLUX Myles McGuinness’ portfolio
103 127 135 THE CT SO FAR
A visual recap of the World Championship Tour
CONNOR OLEARY Exposed!
young dude
Sheldon Simkus
145 147 148 Cover Mick Fanning signature speed dance at his local, Kirra. Photo: Blake Ormerod
MUSIC INK
Ben Howard review by Jake ‘Yaki’ Newell
CONTRIBUTORS Our team
FEEDBACK FORM
Your thoughts
e dit o r ’ s note
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kick boredom in the nuts I ain’t going to bore you with all the technical deets of how this issue came together. Editorial policy an intern crafted – simply wrote – kick boredom in the nuts. The intern may’ve been on crack, but anyway, he has a point. The point is, we sweat day and night to bring you stories, which stir your senses, through imagery, video, audio and words… banishing any emotional state of boredom. And from what we’re being told, we’re doin’ an okay job. We’ve been operating for three years now, so in attempt to shake things up we’ve modified and enriched our viewer – much like a print magazine updates its stock to keep you on ya toes, except we ain’t destroying forests and natural habitats. And that’s fucking cool. Here’s to issue number 16 and kicking boredom in the nuts. AM
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Video/Photography/Art
Jake Donlen Interview
Andy Morris
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We’ve had our bung eyes on 32-yer-old jake donlen, the brains behind runamuk visuals for some time now – about six months to be more precise. Put simply: the guy has
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talent – vast oceans of the stuff.
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Piles of the shit! Picked up by billabong for his filming, editing and creative flair, he produced a number of surf vids including passion pop, inside (the pro junior series), alive in tahiti (donavon frankenreiter), tropical punch and the teahupo’o diaries. And was the commander behind bong’s very successful creative destruction video series. These days he’s moved on from billabong and developed his baby, runamuk visuals into a neat media production house. Right now, the sunshine coast gent (australia) is knuckling down with corporate gigs to stockpile cash and ideas for projects he’s going to unleash later. He’s also erected a little screenprinting shack to continue spreading his filth on apparel. We found jake in between breaths… and asked him a coupla questions. This is what he said.
When did you start Runamuk? The very first video I made was in ‘99 and it was called ‘Runnin’a’muk’. I made it doing the old, pause, record, pause, record on my dad’s VCR. It was ratty analogue vision of us all just being kids, surfing, skating, partying and just being little ratbags. The name stuck, I threw the word, visuals on the end and RV was born. So yeah, essentially RV is a media production company now, but the heart and soul of it is just a pack of kids havin’ a hell time. I’ve bought a lot of my art and photography under the RV brand now as well. There is alot of grey area around what RV is, and it’s probably why the, ‘What the fuck is Runamuk Visuals?’ stickers get a lot of love. It’s a prick of a name, I still can’t pronounce it without a slight lisp… haha.
What was the idea behind it? It was a new creative outlet. There was very little going on in the creative world up here at the time, if there was I surely couldn’t find it. I loved the family vibe of our crew. We were, and still are a really close group of mates and I love that shit. I’m a sentimental bastard. They say you can’t choose ya family, but my mates are my family and I guess that’s got a lot to do with the beginnings of RV. And I didn’t wanna work for the man and be a miserable nine-to-fiver, I just wanted to be a kid and have fun. Where are you going to take? I had a lot of people growing up tell me that I was wasting my time. They would say, what are you gonna do? Make surf movies for a living? And I was like, yeah, why not? So those sort of memories keep me moving and working on fresh ideas. I’m gonna take RV whereever it leads me. I’ve recently been approached by a handful of athlete based brands to help build their awareness to the youth, and work on promoting their athletes, which is new to me but quite interesting. When words like demographics and target markets start getting dropped, shit gets kinda scary though. The art side is something I would love to do more of and work on getting better at, and we are now making small ranges of clothing again. That’s super fun and really rewarding when you see some ratbag in another town or country repping something you made. Or some kid emails you his order with a note saying, I started a car washing business around our town and the first thing I bought was a RV skully tee. That shit puts a smile on my face.
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How did you become involved in film/ photography/art? Essentially it came from my oldies: I was raised by beach loving hippies. Both Mum and Dad led me down creative paths. I had no real interest in filmmaking at school, I just drew pictures on everything. It wasn’t until I had a few hiccups with arthritis hindering my surfing, that I picked up my first camera. At the time, the Sunshine Coast was considered, ‘too far north’ for most of the surf media world. Now, some of the world’s best come from here. Wade Goodall, Mitch Coleborn, Dean Brady, Julian Wilson, Lee Wilson and a mile of young kids following their footsteps. These were the crew I hung and shot with. I made a few local films and eventually was picked up by Billabong as their in-house filmmaker and yeah, that’s where my apprenticeship started.
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What do you prefer - planned or unplanned shoots? Depends who has control of the project. If it’s ours to do whatever, much like Creative Destruction was I prefer lesser planned shoots. With CD, we just booked flights and did it. But if it’s a project for a specific client, planning is needed. Once the camera is rolling, I like to feel it out as it happens, sometimes your subject is rad and you can just let them go. When does your best work happen? When I’m well rested and not confined to budgets and deadlines... which is rare.
What are you actually doing at the moment work wise, and why are you so busy? Right at this moment I’m in the centre of a corporate video bender (which is why it took me so long to do this interview). I’m a Dad now so it’s all about putting food on the table. By doing corporate gigs and helping businesses promote their brand through media production and concepts, is just another part of what RV can do. It’s often really rewarding to fulfil a brief and deliver a job the client is stoked on. It also gives us time to save up our ideas and funds for another ‘fun’ project.
What things in life at the moment influence your work? My son. Watching my little man grow and learn, and become himself is amazing. I can be having a nightmare day and then I’ll hear my little man calling, ‘daddy’ as he comes down to the studio and that can change the whole day. Other than that, it’s just the creative kids coming up. I’m all about credit where credit’s due and I never understood some of the attitude I got off older filmmakers and camera guys, when I was a kid trying to make a go of it. If I can help someone who wants to do something creative or different with their life, I’m all for it. Music also, music makes everything flow again. What camera gear do you use? I’ve finally found the coin to get on the RED train, but I haven’t ordered the thing yet. At the moment my kit is: Sony ex1, Canon 7d, 2 canon super 8’s, a 16mm Beaulieu and an old Bronica I’m about to load up and start rolling with.
What are your top five surf flicks of all time – not necessarily yours, just anyones? Searching for Tom Curren Doped Youth Focus The Moment Dear Suburbia
What’s good about the surf industry at the moment? I think it’s had to reassess itself – it’s got too big. When I was a kid I didn’t like big shit, I liked cool shit. I used to cherish my old star boardies as a kid, but I think those days are gone. Surf clothing isn’t what it once was to the kids today. I can’t speak for all brands, but from working with the crew at Billabong over the years, I have to say, the clothing itself is at its best. I reckon the crew designing and making the clothes are killing it, I just don’t think the kids care at the moment. What do you think could change? I think they need to stop looking around at what everyone else is doing. When Occy, Margo and Louie were the kings, surf brands were rebellious ratbags… they didn’t care. Now it’s all about tech stretch, shareholders, numbers and bullshit. Loosen up! Surf companies buying other surf companies, and the shops sell their rival’s gear doesn’t make any sense to me? If they want to inspire youth, they need to employ youth and then listen to them. Where will it be in 10 years? It’s all a vicious circle. When the people who were in the industry to make money and make surfing mainstream drop off, it will be back to its heart. I just hope some of the credible and creative crew who are still there now, make it through the down time, and are there shaking shit up when it bounces back.
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Your video edits are raw and always seem to pump me for a wave. Why? How!? I try to make shit I’d like to watch or look at. Whether it be film, stills or art. I do take note of what’s happening around me, but I try to just appreciate it, and not let it swerve my direction too much. It’s surprising how ‘fresh’ the surf industry considers some things, as in most cases it’s been done to death just around the corner somewhere. And yeah, sure, it is 2013, what hasn’t been done? But still, some of the ‘ground breaking’ calls I hear and read are a bit of a wank. Excuse the rant... but yeah, I like the raw feel of video and using it to tell a story and let the viewer become familiar with the subject. Then you just need good surfing and good tunes. A point of difference from the rest never hurts.
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“ i try to make shit i’d like to watch or look at . whether it be film , stills or art . i do take me
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x family
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“ watching my little man grow and learn, and become himself is amazing . i can be having a nightmare day and then i ’ ll hear my little man calling ,‘ daddy ’ as he comes down to the studio and that can change the whole day .
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www.runamukvisuals.bigcartel.com
“ the art side is something i would love to do more of and work on getting better at and we are now making small ranges of clothing again . that is super fun and really rewarding when you see some ratbag in another town or country repping something you made or some kid emails you his order with a note saying i started a car washing business around our town and the first thing i bought was a rv skully tee . that shit puts a smile on my face .
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“The first piece of footage I ever had in a movie was called Passion Pop – a Billabong movie produced by Jake. He called to tell me… I was so stoked, even though it was only two-seconds
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of Mitch Parkinson with the credits rolling through it. V
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“When I started out [filming] I think, over a few months, I probably called him every second day for a brain pick (at this stage I think I still hadn’t met him in person). I might add he was always extremely helpful and for that I will be ever grateful. “Jake and I went on a road trip to Coffs Harbour for Billabong a few years ago and to this day, is one of the funnest jobs I’ve ever done (what happens in Coffs, stays in Coffs!). “He is one of the most talented, creative hellmen I know and it’s a pleasure to call him a mate!” Craig Halstead, Gold Coast entertainer/surf filmer
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“i
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“ i’m all about ‘credit where credit’s due’ and i never understood some of the attitude i got off older filmmakers and camera guys , when i was a kid trying to make a go of it . if i can help someone who wants to do something creative or different with their life , i ’ m all for it .
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“ i’ve finally found the coin to get on the red train , but i haven ’ t ordered the thing yet . at the moment my kit is : sony ex 1, canon canon super
8’ s , a 16 mm
7d, 2
beaulieu and an old
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Photography
Steve Arklay www.a-frame.com.au Interview
Andy Morris
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THE DISCOVERY CHANNEL
Exploring new surfing terrain in Papua New Guinea
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It’s the year 2013. Friday 15 March. Photographer Steve Arklay is departing Melbourne Airport for a small dot in the Bismarck Sea. He’s en-route to a haven called Manus Island, which he’s been researching for its surf potential over the past year. These days new discoveries where you can lay claim to the name of a surf break are one in a million. But for Arklay and his team, things are about to change. Covered in rugged jungles, Manus receives swells from the North Pacific Ocean, which frequent the north facing coastline of the atoll. 24-days aboard the PNG Explorer with captain Andrew Rigby and surf guide, slash tube-pig, Andrew ‘Darty’ Dart, they finD something new or depending how you look at it, something old, which has been unknown. Each day allows for many paths to be taken. These men just chose the path less travelled. This is their story.
Why this part of papua new guinea Andrew Rigby (Captain of PNG Explorer from pngsurfaris.com) and Andrew ‘Darty’ Dart (surf guide) went to Manus Island three years ago, but the wind was howling 40 knots onshore. Even with the wind they found some great reef setups. They’ve been determined to head back there at some stage for an exploratory trip, to re-visit some of the breaks and find new ones. Time spent investigating the area Research for the exploratory trip has been a one-year exercise. Many late nights spent on Google Earth looking for shapes of headlands conducive to peeling waves and looking at buoy data for swell heights. We’ve even be chatting to a pilot who flies a commercial airliner over the region who regularly takes photos of setups… dropping the plane down to 1000 foot for a bird’s-eye view.
New waves From all the records we’ve surfed ten breaks never ridden before (after chatting to the local tribes ). Two of these new waves would be in the world-class category on their day.
Political/local obstacles Majority of the locals are really welcoming, friendly and trade fresh produce for rice and noodles. A lot of them want to grow tourism in PNG, but it’s just not that easy.
Mission from australia Getting to Kavieng (North East PNG) from Melbourne is a pain in the arse. Four flights including a killer stop-over in Port Moresby with locals everywhere spitting Betel Nut (a mild stimulant, causing a warming sensation in the body and slightly heightened alertness – like a cup of coffee). Then a full day of travel, but worth every minute.
Before you can drop anchor anywhere you need to get permission from the local landowners or custodians for the area. Then before you go and surf a particular reef, you must also get permission to do so. Two reefs might be across the channel from
When we took off from Kavieng we stopped at a regular region the Explorer visits and then it’s a 20-hour steam across the Bismarck Sea. We were very lucky scoring some smooth conditions, fishing along the way, movies, drinking and for me photo editing. Once we find an anchorage then the search starts by loading up the tenders with boards, eskies, rods and camera gear to find new waves. When we found something, we’d hang there for a while depending on the conditions, then pull anchor and off to the next spot. Then the discussion starts on what to call the new wave and nailing down what conditions it needs to pump, for the next mission back to the area.
each other and owned by different families. From time-to-time this can cause tension. For example, some locals might claim they own a reef and they don’t. But they’ll demand money before you surf it, or they’ll say yes initially, and then someone might get in their ear, and they’ll change their mind and demand money again. The situations escalate dramatically when alcohol is involved and can even involve violence and bush knives. We had one incident, but luckily no one was hurt and our paddling arms are still intact.
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WAVES NAMED (OVER COUNTLESS BEERS)
Wave description Bowling left reef with double and triple-ups. SMOKING JOES Origin of name A local guy named Joe lives right on the beach, which is a couple of k’s away from the rest of the village. He loved the place for the fishing as the reef and waves are very close the beach. Wave description A right hand reef breaking very close to shore. 50 metre punchy rides. A hollow end section which breaks under the jungle canopy.
PRISCILLAS Origin of name Named after a local family nanny back in Kavieng who has a great rack. The wave is also at one end of Two Boob Bay. (Ed note: Two Boob Bay was named by 18seconds after hours of Google Earth-ing the area and spotting a surf potential bay, shaped like a great set of tits bursting with mouthwatering cleavage). Wave description Bending, twisting right hand reef break offering a steep face for progressive stuff. Ends with a hollow section on very shallow rocks. Experienced surfers may enjoy. FIVE-O-ONES Origin of name The local reef custodian’s name is Levi. If this wave was within two-hours drive of any developed city, it would be as popular as Levi Jeans 501. Wave description Amazing right hand reef. Very Long rides for 150 metres with hollow sections and long walls. On its day it’s one of the top three waves in PNG.
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GSM’S (GORGEOUS SEXY MAN) Origin of name One of the guests who surfed this place more than most, dropped a love letter from his missus, which the boys discovered. It was addressed to GSM.
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“From all the records, we’ve surfed ten breaks never ridden before (after chatting to the local tribes ). Two of these new waves would be in the worldclass category on their day.”
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“Research for the exploratory trip has been a one-year exercise. Many late nights spent on Google Earth looking for shapes of headlands conducive to peeling waves and looking at buoy data for swell heights.”
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“Once we would find something we’d hang there for a while depending on the conditions, then pull up the pick and off to the next spot. “Then the discussion starts on what to call the new wave and nailing down what conditions it needs to pump for the next mission back to the area.”
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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Before you can drop anchor anywhere you need to get permission from the local landowners or custodians for the area. Then before you go and surf a particular reef, you must also get permission to do so.â&#x20AC;?
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Photo: 18SECONDS
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FALLING IN LOVE all over again KIRRA REKINDLES THE FLAME.
photography
Credited
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FALLING IN LOVE all over again KIRRA REKINDLES THE FLAME.
Let’s get one thing straight. We’re not saying Kirra is back. No siree. We’d love to, but we’re not, because the wave as we know it pre sand-dredging days, is not back. Ask anyone who surfed Kirra before the sandbypassing project and they’d all prefer the old-school shape. Some key differences from now: it wasn’t as fast, it didn’t section, it generally broke below sea level leaving your testies in ya mouth, broke when it was only three foot in the same place as when it was six foot, and was still top-to-bottom. There are many other things, but we’ll leave it there. Even groms who weren’t born then say they prefer it, and they’ve never even surfed it!
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At 18seconds we believe Kirra is an endangered species, where the quality of the surfing experience is under threat, even though it’s recently experienced the best days in over 15 years… rekindling the love many thought was buried under cubic metres of sand. In 2013, for the final of the Quiksilver Pro and more specifically the days following the event and mid April, Kirra opened her doors to what can be described as, a horny bunch of surfers chasing glorious tunnels… or Kirra showing signs of her former glory.
And they found it. The sand has shuffled tighter into the big groyne than in past years and the bank runs along a ruler edge, going square as it fires off down the line. Admittedly, some sets hit the bank wide and there is a second section halfway down the line, but this adds variety to the lineup and allows more waves to be ridden. During the past 15 years it occasionally was epic under solid swells, but even then it was generally considered a closeout and only fit for pros with jetski assist. More recently it’s been fast, but with some speed under your feet, totally makeable. The tubes are top-to-bottom. The lip, chandelier-ing like your imagination wants it to.
“Kirra opened her doors to what can be described as, a horny bunch of surfers chasing glorious tunnels… or Kirra showing signs of her former glory. “
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MICK FANNING. Photo: OLIVER JONES
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FALLING IN LOVE all over again KIRRA REKINDLES THE FLAME.
KELLY SLATER. Photo: GUS WINDSOR
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FALLING IN LOVE all over again KIRRA REKINDLES THE FLAME.
UNIDENTIFIED. Photo: 18SECONDS
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FALLING IN LOVE all over again KIRRA REKINDLES THE FLAME.
GREENMOUNT LOOKING FROM KIRRA BIG GROYNE. Photo: 18SECONDS
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FALLING IN LOVE all over again KIRRA REKINDLES THE FLAME.
MICK FANNING. Photo: OLIVER JONES
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Admittedly, some sets hit the bank wide and there is a second section halfway down the line, but this adds variety to the lineup and allows more waves to be ridden.
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UNIDENTIFIED. Photo: 18SECONDS
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The sand has shuffled tighter into the big groyne than in past years and the bank runs along a ruler edge, going square as it fires off down the line.
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Photo: GUS WINDSOR
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More recently itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been fast, but with some speed under your feet, totally makeable. The tubes are top-to-bottom. The lip, chandelier-ing like your imagination wants it to.
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MICK FANNING. Photo: 18SECONDS
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Single Lens Reflux Bringing up the lives of legendary lensmen Myles McGuinness
text Andy Morris
9 mph o t o . c o m
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A photographer whose work covers countless publications around the globe and a finalist for the Follow the Light Foundation Grant (surf photog award in honour of late, Larry ‘Flame’ Moore) can only be testament to the skill and dedication of the man. The man in this case is Myles McGuinness from Oceanside, California. Raised by keen photographers (parents) and a filmmaker (stepdad) his life included travelling to oceans and mountains – over the years developing a natural itch for exploration, unique light, patterns and textures. These days Myles’ work involves regular editorial and commercial shoots to all parts of the globe – most recently visiting Nicaragua with a bunch of surfers and bikini models. This particular trip, understandably, sidetracked him from the requirements of his submission to 18seconds. On his return, he wondered if he could supply text for his photo captions rather than voice recordings, because he’d lost his voice.
Single Lens Reflux
“It’s been a long week of waking up at sunrise and shooting hot girls in bikinis and guys surfing ‘til sunset.” Myles writes. “I sound shit, but feeling pretty solid after working hard and playing even harder made me lose my voice... too much fun. Would it be okay to send the photo captions as text instead of voiceovers?” Umm.. the answer was no. We didn’t feel sorry for him… time to turn the page – be sure to hit the play button on each photo.
EARLY DAYS Both my parents were really into photography and my stepdad was a filmmaker. My first camera was an old Kodak Instamatic, which was in my hands probably around age four or five. I still have some prints from it. The next leap was in college, learning about the technical side of photography – the darkroom, lighting and different processes.
FORMAL TRAINING – UNIVERSITY OR THE LI K ES Savannah College of Art and Design, double major in graphic design and photography, 1996.
PLANNED OR UN - PLANNED SHOOTS I like both. But gotta say, spontaneous are the best. For a lot of my work, it depends on the client, but a mood or vibe board helps me get a better idea of what they want to capture. Sometimes I put together a set of inspirational images, this helps get everyone on the same page with locations and styling.
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If I had to pick one place it would have to be of my favourite local spot to shoot, Blacks Beach in La Jolla, California: amazing light, sandstone cliffs and emerald green water, but you do have to watch out for the nude sunbathers! Sunrises in the winter are the best, with stiff Santa Ana (offshore) winds.
PROUDEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN PHOTOGRAPHY ? Yet to happen. Always looking forward. Never back.
POST PHOTO MANIPULATION All for it, but you have to use some restraint and not go nuclear with the processing. The HDR (high dynamic range) stuff can get pretty bad at times. In the end, the process shouldn’t get in the way of the image, but be in harmony with it.
TOOLS My SPL waterhousing, fisheye port, 17-35mm port, 70-200mm port, pistol grip and a few tools.
EDITORIAL / PU B LICATIONS : Alma Surf (Brazil) Australian Longboarding Magazine Beach Girls (Japan) Coastwatch.com Cooler (U.K.) Communication Arts Photo Annual Eastern Surf Magazine ESPN LiquidSalt.com Nalu (Japan) National Geographic On the Board (Japan) Pacific Longboarder (Australia) Pacific San Diego Magazine Surfing Life (Australia) Slide (US New Zealand) Smithsonian Magazine SUP magazine Surfshot Surfer Magazine Surfer’s Path (U.K.) Surfer’s Journal Surfeuses Magazine (France) Surfing Magazine Surfing World ( Australia) Swell.com Surfline.com Tracks (Australia) Transworld Surf Water Magazine zenfolio.com
COMMERCIAL : Arbor Skateboards Billabong-Design-for-Humanity Brixton Body Glove California Board of Tourism Cash Surfboards Cobian Sandals Digitaria Eagle Creek Eidon Factory Labs Firwire Surfboards Freshform Kelly Slater Wave Co. Hines- La Jolla Commons Islands Restaurants Libre Design L.A. Baykeeper Mering Carson Mollusk Surfshop Ojai Valley Inn and Spa Visit Oceanside Revo Sunglasses Saltrock (Europe) San Diego Coastkeeper San Diego Board of Tourism SGS Sports Save the Bay Saatchi & Saatchi Starmack Group
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Single Lens Reflux
bonus LOOK OUT FOR SOUND on this spread
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KELLY SLATER PHOTO: JEREMY FARRINGTON SNAPPER ROCKS
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the CT so far Photography
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A visual recap of the World Championship Tour and freesurfing surrounding it. Simple really.
PHOTO: gus windsor SNAPPER ROCKS
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PHOTO: GUS WINDSOR kirra
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“I sat on the point [Kirra] for an hour before dark and watched every wave break. I basically took mental notes. I made lineups in my head. I knew exactly where the good waves were and I don’t think anybody did that. I had a really clear game plan and I wasn’t doubting it. I sat right where I wanted even though I was 100 metres wider than them [Mick and Parko] that was where the best waves were when they came.” Kelly Slater
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DANE & COURTNEY PHOTO: ALICIA SMITH
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thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something about a
Snapper sunrise
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PHOTO: andy morris
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bede durbidge PHOTO: gus windsor SNAPPER ROCKS
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matt wilkinson PHOTO: andy morris SNAPPER ROCKS
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CRAIG ANDERSON PHOTO: ANDY MORRIS SNAPPER ROCKS
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Famous righthand pointbreak is battered by storm swell, and turns into a fun
jordy smith PHOTO: ed sloane bells beach
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MICK FANNING PHOTO: harrison dancaster bells beach
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looking east from winkipop PHOTO: harrison dancaster
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taj burrow PHOTO: harrison dancaster bells beach
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>> CONNOR OLEARY KID WITH SKILLS, FLYING UNDER THE RADAR. NOW EXPOSED!
Photography
Nick Hollman Video
Darcy Ward
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>>NAME Connor Oleary
>>AGE 19-years-old Cronulla, New South Wales, Australia
SPONSERS Quiksilver, Channel Islands surfboards, Ocean & Earth Accessories, Vestal Watches, Triple Bull Surfshop. YEARS SURFING Been surfing on and off since I was about seven. So twelve years. FAVOURITE WAVE A reef at home called Voodoo and other little reefs around home. I really love surfing Bingin because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a goofy footers dream and Rocky Point. Pipe is also a really fun wave, when you get the chance to snag one. BEST CONTENT RESULTS IN THE LAST YEAR The three Star WQS event in Korea I entered in the middle of last year, just to get some QS points up. I ended up winning. Haha.
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>>LIVE
DESCRIBE YOUR SURFING When I first started surfing, my Dad always put me on longboards so I could teach myself to slow down and surf smoothly, and “go long,” as he would say [as in, take his time on the wave and not rush everything].
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I try to incorporate smooth rail-to-rail work with innovative aerials and open face turns. I really enjoy doing airs, trying different grabs and spins, but I really love surfing solid waves with big, open faces to draw out my surfing. I also love getting barrelled. It’s my all time favourite manoeuvre! YOU’VE BEEN FLYING UNDER THE RADAR A BIT IN THE LAST YEAR OR SO Haha. I’ve always been under the radar, but I don’t mind because it takes the pressure off me and surprises people. Over the past few years I’ve been more concentrating on contest results. But now to become a successful surfer, you need good contest results, but also solid clips and photos to promote yourself as the whole package. And that’s what the sponsors want. So this year I’m trying to do that, but still concentrating on going well in the WQS events. HOW DO YOU TACKLE THE WHOLE, GETTING EXPOSURE THING I think by getting exposure you need to get to know many different photographers and filmers. Lately, I’ve been working closely with Darcy Ward (Gold Coast filmer) trying to get clips and hanging out with him to get as much footage as we can, so we have something to work with for future edits. Also, by having local filmer/photog. Nick Hollman there to shoot with me when I’m at home, helps add footage to the bank!
>>
“I REALLY ENJOY DOING AIRS, TRYING DIFFERENT GRABS AND SPINS.”
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“I’VE ALWAYS BEEN UNDER THE RADAR, BUT I DON’T MIND BECAUSE IT TAKES THE PRESSURE OFF ME AND SURPRISES PEOPLE.”
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young dudes Groms havinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; way too much fun Sheldon Simkus photography
Credited
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Photo: SHELDON’S MUMZEE
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young dudes Groms havin’ way too much fun Sheldon Simkus
15-year-old Sheldon Simkus from Tweed Heads, New South Wales recently did a couple of days in front of our lenses. And boy did the grom impress. Not only with his flair in the water, but his pleasant nature and maturity. The kid started surfing 11-years ago and it shows: he’s confident in the larger stuff and has a tidy rail, and aerial game. On the last day of the shoot he left us with a backpack while he surfed. Standard bag: black with the day’s gear stashed in it. The waves were good: classic autumn morning, sunshine, light winds. He came in from the surf late for school. At least two hours. Unfazed he slipped out of his wetsuit into his clothes for the day. We were expecting a call from his Mum or even the principle. But he knew everything was under control: his first class for the day was the surf excellence program at PBC (Palm Beach Currumbin State High), which ran till midmorning. He was in class – just at a different location! So you like school we ask? “Yeah, I guess school’s alright. It’s not bad when you have surfing as a subject four times a week,” he replies with a toothy grin. And describe ya surfing for everyone… “smooth like Parkos!” This grom’s havin’ way too much fun…
/FIRST TIME
/INSPIRATION
When I was about three or four years old my sister, Jasmine started pushing me into waves on her surfboard at Rainbow Bay.
John John, for his airs and skating. Joel for reaching his goal of becoming World Champion and for being a legend at the boardriders club. I try to surf like a combination of Mick, Joel, John John and Julian squeezed into one style.
/LIKE ABOUT SURFING Everything. I like getting up when it’s still dark and surfing with mates all day long. Surfing till you can’t even move your arms. Then skating to get a feed, then off to surf till dark. /HATE ABOUT SURFING Definitely the crowds out at Snapper Rocks and weekend warriors dropping in on you. /GROWING UP AROUND COOLANGATTA It’s Awesome: there is always somewhere you can surf. If it’s fun behind the rock Snapper, big Kirra or small, uncrowded D’bah. There’s always someone good surfing out there such as Joel, Mick, Steph, Occy, Rabbit and Mitch Crews just to name a few. /VARIETY OF WAVES There are a good variety of waves all the time. If you get sick off reeling pointbreaks you can head to South Straddie or down the Tweed Coast, which has awesome waves too.
/JUGGLING SURFING AND SCHOOL COMMITMENTS I’m in a surfing sports excellence program at Palm Beach Currumbin State High School. It’s always fun going to school to practise heat drills and technique. There are a good variety of waves around the school, from the Alley, Currumbin beachfront and the banks at Palm Beach. I think the encouragement from my surfing teachers helps with goals and I feel good after a training session, which gets me focused for other subjects. /BOARDS Lately, I’ve been riding DHD Surfboards. Project 15 for smaller waves. DX1 for pumping waves and Puzzle Piece for all types of conditions. They’re ranging from 5’2 – 5’5.
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young dudes Groms havinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; way too much fun Sheldon Simkus
/ I’m in a surfing sports excellence program at Palm Beach Currumbin State High School. It’s always fun going to school to practise heat drills and technique.
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Photo: 18SECONDS
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young dudes Groms havinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; way too much fun Sheldon Simkus
/ I like getting up when it’s still dark and surfing with mates all day long. Surfing till you can’t even move your arms. Then skating to get a feed, then off to surf till dark.
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Photo: 18SECONDS
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young dudes Groms havinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; way too much fun Sheldon Simkus
/ Lately, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been riding DHD Surfboards. Project 15 for smaller waves. DX1 for pumping waves and Puzzle Piece for all types of conditions.
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Photo: 18SECONDS
MUSIC INK
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reviews by jake 'Yaki' newell
01 Only Love
02 The Fear
03 Keep Your Head Up
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Only Love is the song your girlfriend listens to after an argument while googling pictures of Ryan Gosling (or perhaps, Ben Howard). That’ll cut even deeper once you realise how good her taste is. The Fear is the album’s foot-stomper and runs perfectly into the momentous and life affirming warmth of Keep Your Head Up. The sobering darkness of Black Flies is strangely uplifting with its Though he was born in London, the 25-year-old grew up infectious, slow, powerful pulse and runs deliciously into in England’s south-west (their ‘Gold Coast’ if you will) and the out of breath and out of faith Gracious. Every Kingdom lives, breathes and loves the coastal surfing lifestyle. For leaves us with Promise – a rain dampened hymn of heartthose who keep a finger on the indie-folk pulse – especially breaking hope. that pulse emitted from the UK – Ben Howard won’t be an unfamiliar name. By 2010 he’d released three EP’s, each of Every Kingdom was nominated for last year’s coveted which featured a track now contained on this release. Since Mercury Music Prize – which, if you do the research is a pretty decent indication of lesser-knowns destined it dropped back in late 2011, Every Kingdom, like Howard to make it big – it’s an album of glorious closeness: of himself, has been a slow building low pressure system, taking the world by storm, one show, festival or Youtube hit intenseness and subtleties: it hammers and hums, plucks at a time. On ‘The Tube’, you’ll find him supporting ‘Surfers and picks, and is certainly deserving of its critical acclaim. Against Sewerage’, sound-tracking the trailer to Kelly Slater’s ‘Cloud Nine’ video, hangin’ out with Rob Machado in California and doing a remarkably rousing cover of that ‘Call Me Maybe’ song for Radio 1. Yeah, Ben Howard’s pretty damn cool, and so is this album. Old Pine is sunshine-through-the-leaves, looking-back loveliness. It’s initial guitar intricacies and layered vocals build and blend until becoming a driving groove that sets
Howard performed at last year’s Splendour In The Grass festival, and has just left our shores after playing Blues Fest in Byron and a bunch of solo shows around the country. Get on the Ben Howard train now, ‘cause you can bet he’ll be back pretty soon, and the crowds and ticket prices are only going to get bigger. We’ve got a bunch of his discs to give away. Check our Instagram page for details real soon.
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a feel and formula that remain loyal throughout the record. Second track Diamonds is the first indication of the dark undertones that, whether subtly or not so, seem everpresent in Howard’s lyrics. That mountain bike madman, Danny MacAskill, introduced us to the haunting The Wolves through his ‘Industrial Revolutions’ clip a while back (if you haven’t seen it, check it out – he’s insane) and it makes even more of an impact enveloped by these tunes. Everything is Howard lonely, raw, stripped back and flaunting some feathery finger-picking. From here, Every Kingdom feels like a down hill billy-cart ride through the most breathtaking countryside.
A gang involved in crimes such as running guns down to the beach when it's ten- foot- plus and illegal carry- on luggage weights:
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founder & editor
Alicia Smith
Art Director & interactive mag design
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andy@18seconds.com.au alicia@18seconds.com.au
Contributors Ted Grambeau Brad masters CHRIS BURKARD Duncan MacFarlane Simon Muirhead Sean Davey Billy Morris Shane Dawson jason corroto matt dunbar ANGELA LICCIARDI – GRAPHIC DESIGNER jake 'yaki' newell – music INK reyner horat – threadlesS Dwayne Fetch – Video Darcy Ward – video james driscoll - grammar police 18seconds is self-published six times a year in Currumbin, Australia: PO Box 86, Tugun, QLD 4224. Views expressed by authors aren’t necessarily those of the publisher and editor. Copyright is reserved, so please don’t reproduce our pages for anything. Email addresses are published for professional communication and love letters only.
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