Surphang Magazine Issue 28
Proudly presents
Indo Undone
Reubyn's riding high!
Lovin' Lakeys!
The Pro Show Champ Chats Natxo Nails It!
The Wizard of Hoss
Go with the Flow!
Surphang Magazine
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'Summer is Icumen In!' It's official! Summer is with us once again. Those days of light winds and small surf are back but if you know where to look, then you can find some summer magic! It's all about timing though as some of the surfers in this issue have found out to their cost! Fear not though sun and surf seekers alike as we've got plenty of both so what are you waiting for, go on come in and take a look around!
Reubyn Ash reeling off a backhand lip bash in some fun summer surf! Photo: Vince Timson SM - 02
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Surphang Magazine
Magazine Editor: Stuart Gaston Contributing Photographers: Sergio Arretxea @ FotoSertx.com, Chris Burt, Jason Corroto, Dale Foster, Christiane Hartl, Mamat, Dan Sedgwick, Jared Sislin, Ian Stackhouse, Vince Timson, Joe Weghofer Staff Photographer: Stuart Gaston
Send any photographic submissions for future issues of the magazine to: surphangmagazine@ymail.com
Cover Shot: Harry Timson working his wizardry! Photo: Vince Timson
Through the looking glass-y conditions! Photo: Jason Corroto
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This Issue's Features
The Pro Show
Champ Chats Natxo Nails It!
Lovin' Lakeys!
Reubyn Ash has been riding high in Indo recently – so we asked Bude's Joe Weghofer to fill us in on the local legend.
As champions go, few are more impressive than Natxo Gonzalez, a big wave champion at just 18! So we caught up for a chat!
Lakey Peak has always been a favourite and it's no different for Dale Foster. So we asked him to share its magic with us!
Reubyn's riding high!
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ThisIssue
Indo Undone Trips don't always go to plan though as Jake Powell found out when he ventured to Indo. Here's how it all came undone!
Surphalosophy
Go with the Flow! The Wizard of Hoss
We've said it before and we'll say it again – Harry Timson is one of the UK's top surfers! Here's how he spins his magic in Hossegor!
In this issue we begin our look at man's attempt to recreate the natural magic of waves. First up it's the Flowrider!
Plus regular features,
Best of British and
The Goss...
THE GALLERY
Harry Timson making the most of fun summer surf! Photo: Vince Timson SM - 06
Welcome to
The Pro Show Reubyn's Riding High! Words: Joe Weghofer; Photos: Chris Burt, Stu Gaston & Vince Timson
07 - SM Reubyn Ash rides high over Lakey Peak! Photo: Vince Timson
The Pro Show
Reubyn Ash is one of Britain's best known surfers. Not because he's an ASP top ranked competitor but simply because his video edits are just unmissable. Just as well really because tracking down the man himself is not so straight forward. Fortunately, fellow Bude surfer and photographer Joe Weghofer has grown up watching Reubyn riding high over their local breaks so we asked him to give us a little insight into this local hero.
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Reubyn's Riding High!
09 - SM Reubyn airing over a fun lefthander at Lacanau! Photo: Stu Gaston
The Pro Show
Growing up in Bude, the name Ash is synonymous with surfing. People say that Pete Ash had his two boys, Joss and Reubyn on surfboards before they could walk. Having started surfing early on, the two brothers developed their own unique styles, and today are two of the best surfers in the U.K.
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Reubyn's Riding High!
11 - SM Reubyn finding some throaty tube time in Indo! Photo: Chris Burt
The Pro Show You need only look at the waves that Reubyn grew up surfing to understand from where his talents were sparked. His home break is a gnarly left hand point break that when it's on can produce long, grinding walls plus throaty barrel sections to challenge even the most confident surfers. I remember the first time I went there as a grom. It happened to be absolutely firing, and there must've been more than 50 guys out. The sheer volume of surfers couldn't stop Reubyn standing out however.
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Reubyn's Riding High!
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Reubyn rides all the way through a tidy air sequence! Photo: Stu Gaston
The Pro Show
Reubyn is a goofy-footer, as are most of the surfers from North Cornwall, which suits the area's many lefts perfectly. His forehand therefore is extremely strong and he surfs with undaunted progression on any left-hand point, reef or beach.
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Reubyn's Riding High!
15 - SM Bang on the mark on his backhand too, Reubyn goes right in Lacanau. Photo: Stu Gaston
The Pro Show
His backhand is no weakness though; he can punt large backhand airs, and throw his fins out on almost any section.
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Reubyn's Riding High!
17 - SM There's always plenty of time for the green room in Indo! Photo: Chris Burt
The Pro Show
I guess spending almost every winter in Indo can't hurt the consistency for your forehand and backhand too much. Pete Ash has taken the family out to the surfing Mecca annually since the boys were young. Pete actually is a talented water photographer and filmer, which has resulted in some sweet edits from the trips.
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Reubyn's Riding High!
19 - SM A quick flight back home! Photo: Joe Weghofer
The Pro Show There has been some ridiculous surf over this winter and, between trips abroad, Reubyn has definitely scored at home. One of the best sessions was late December, with a busy lineup, cranking surf, and photogs covering the rocks up and down the point. Spurred on by this camera wizardry, Reubyn charged a marathon session, linking up sections with fluid, critical turns, and then wafting the giant airs that he's become an expert in.
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Reubyn's Riding High!
21 - SM Reubyn Ash and his infamous aerial antics! Photo: Chris Burt
The Pro Show The airs he can do can rival almost anyone in Europe, and they're something special to see. To witness one of his “Reubio� flips is quite extraordinary. It's essentially a forehand rodeo flip, but I think the intricacies involved are lost on mere mortals like me.
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Reubyn's Riding High!
23 - SM Reubyn reeling off another one! Photo: Vince Timson
The Pro Show What I can appreciate however is the way he gambles on throwing alleyoops over sections that most sane men would just be trying not to mess up, knowing that they've got a couple hundred yards of wall afterwards.
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Reubyn's Riding High!
25 - SM Getting to the point at Lakey Peak! Photo: Vince Timson
The Pro Show But that's what being an innovator is. You've got to take those risks in order to push your surfing.
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Reubyn's Riding High!
27 - SM Reubyn grabs more air time at Lacanau! Photo: Stu Gaston
The Pro Show And the results of pushing his limits? Well I can safely say it's most definitely paid off.
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Reubyn's Riding High!
29 - SM Reubyn Ash doing what he does best – riding high! Photo: Vince Timson
The Pro Show You need only look at one of his video clips from Indo, California, France, Chile, Scotland, a wave pool in the middle of the desert, or anywhere he visits, and it is clear to see that Reubyn is no longer just one of the best in the U.K., but Europe as well, if not even the world!
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Champ Chats
Natxo Nails It! Words: Stu Gaston; Photos: Chris Hartl & Sergio Arretxea @FotoSertx.com
31 - SM Natxo Gonzalez nailing a nice turn on his backhand. Photo: Chris Hartl
Natxo Gonzalez is no normal surfer. He likes big waves, really big waves and he charges them with such vigour that he's already got himself onto the Big Wave World Tour. But it doesn't stop there – he only went and won his first event the Arnette Punta Galea Challenge last year. As well as that, he also took his maiden Pro Junior contest win at Lacanau last summer. With such titles to his name already, we needed to catch up with Natxo!
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Natxo Nails It!
Name: Natxo Gonzalez Age: 18 Nickname: Natxo Years surfing: 12 Where you live: Plentzia Sponsors: Quiksilver , Pukas, DC Local break/s: Sopelana Favorite surfer? Dane Reynolds, Nick Rozsa Favorite place to surf? Mundaka Favorite surf movie? Stranger than Fiction Favorite trick surf? Barrel Favorite board? MEGA Pukas shaped by Johnny Cabianca What got you into surfing? When I was a little kid, I went with my family to the beach Plentzia, and I got a body board from my cousin and I started to get my first waves. As I liked it so much and I'd started trying to stand up on the bodyboard, I bought a short board to start to get surfing properly. Who in surfing inspires you most? Aritz Aranburu, he's a great surfer. Even if the waves aren't great, he's the first in the water. He's always pursuing his goals until he gets there!
33 - SM Natxo Gonzalez kicks some spray off his backhand. Photo: Chris Hartl
CHAMP CHATS
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Natxo Nails It!
35 - SM Natxo tucks into the green room at Mundaka. Photo: Sergio Arretxea @ FotoSertx.com
CHAMP CHATS
When and where was your best surf session? I would say that the best session has been back in the first week of November in Mundaka. Pumping barrels on a perfect sandbar! And what about your worst wipeout? I remember in La Galea when the set caught me inside. I thought it would be three waves but unfortunately it was seven waves over five meters high and they just kept coming. I tried to crawl towards the rocks and almost lost consciousness it was that heavy!
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Natxo Nails It!
When and how did you become sponsored? When I was ten years old and after to practice surfing in my local beach of Sopelana, I started competing in competitions. The national team manager Quiksilver, Gorka Yarritu, which is also from Sopelana, he was following me a lot of time on my freesurfing and competition surfing. When I was just eleven, I won a championship in Somo, Cantabria, he asked me then if I wanted to be in the Quiksilver team. That was a good birthday! What do you prefer, free surfing or competitions and why? I think we all like to live free surfing, but this is like all things, to survive in this world you have to be very good and show your best and of course winning titles for sponsors helps them to believe in what you do.
37 - SM Natxo nails his top turn timing! Photo: Chris Hartl
CHAMP CHATS
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Natxo Nails It!
39 - SM Natxo having a memorable session at Mundaka. Photo: Sergio Arretxea @ FotoSertx.com
CHAMP CHATS
Now, two thousand and thirteen ended up being a good year for you after you won your first major competition, the Arnette Punta Galea Challenge. So first talk us through that contest and the highs and lows that lead to you earning your title. On the cliffs of La Galea we met with the organisers and fellow early risers to check the brutal swell caused by the mini-cyclone Jelle. The waves were not clean, the face of the waves were bad, no consistency in the sets, no lines of swell, waves breaking from each direction. With these types of conditions anyone could be caught inside and have a bad experience even the most experienced. Later that morning the wind dropped, the sun came out and warmed the place and the sea cleaned up well, you could see clear swell lines on the horizon of El Abra. At about 1:30pm the organization gave the go-ahead to the first semifinal with Asier Legarreta, Jon Garai, Xabi Gerrero, Andrew Cotton, Ander Mendiguren, Adur Letamendia, Pilou Ducalme and myself. Conditions were complicated and it was a super hard heat. All those riders have so much experience and most are locals so they know La Galea very well. After a slow start to the final, it started pumping and never stopped until the end of the competition.I got lucky and caught two big waves. On the last wave of the heat I was late but I had to turn around and that was it, I paddled, caught the rail and dropped to the bottom, that wave gave me the win.
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Natxo Nails It!
41 - SM Natxo annihilating a righthand lip. Photo: Chris Hartl
CHAMP CHATS
You surfed some gigantic waves at this event and had some serious competition, so how did it feel to win such a big event? It’s amazing and I want to thank the organizers. I’ve been involved with them since I was fourteen. I’ve learned a lot from Indar and Adur, I’ve also been catching waves at this spot with other surfers like David Bustamante, Asier Etxebarria and Jaime Fernandez. They taught me to position myself and escape some of the waves. I was prepared, but as I said earlier I was lucky to be on the point and take the last wave of the day, the winning wave.
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Natxo Nails It!
43 - SM Natxo Gonzalez getting in some bigger wave practice at Mundaka. Photo: Sergio Arretxea @ FotoSertx.com
CHAMP CHATS
Of course, you're still on the Pro Junior tour yet this event was part of the Big Wave World Tour, so how did you get involved in big wave riding? Well, I started to surf this wave with my coach when I was fourteen years old, he taught us how to work this wave out. Before that we had already surfed Meñaka, which is another good point that reaches four meters and when it’s good it gets hard because the wave is hollower. I’ve also trained in Mundaka since I was twelve, it’s a very strong wave, hard and very hollow. And what about training? Do you focus on specific aspects of your surfing for an event like this? It’s mostly surfing, all this helps me be in good physical condition, and when it’s flat I try to work on apnea at the pool or work out at the gym. So I feel I am ready to start doing more of this.
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Natxo Nails It!
You also did well on the Pro Junior Tour last year with a win in Lacanau. So what went into achieving that result? You know that this is not by chance. This is the work of many years. I started surfing with my father and sister, plus we recorded videos of the sessions. No one really knew the techniques, but we compared the manoeuvers with other surfers and corrected what was wrong. Luck is also important in surfing, being in the moment and the right place is not just a matter of strategy. Also another important factor that influences my results is the mental part, I must have a clear head and balanced mind to work and this is the how I feel right now.
45 - SM Natxo knows his surfing needs to be bang on! Photo: Chris Hartl
CHAMP CHATS
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Natxo Nails It!
47 - SM Natxo Gonzalez going all the way at Mundaka. Photo: Sergio Arretxea @ FotoSertx.com
CHAMP CHATS
So the Junior season will be starting again soon, what are your goals for this year then? I’ve trained a lot and I feel really fit. This year I have set a goal of reaching the top four in the European ranking and get the spot for the World Juniors. I think I’m in shape and every day I am improving my surfing, tubes both frontside and backside, aerials and verticality. The world junior tour is very important, it’s where you get noticed! Finally, where do you see yourself in five to ten years time? That's what I ask myself every day, what wil l be my future? I'll just wait and see!
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Lovin' Lakeys! Words: Dale Foster; Photos: Dale Foster, Mamat & Vince Timson
49 - SM Dale Foster grabs another great wave at Lakey Peak! Photo: Vince Timson
HotSpots
Indo has always been a big favourite with British surfers wanting to escape the wild and often windy winters back home and one of the most famous spots that every surfer loves is Lakey Peak in Sumbawa. Dale Foster, one of the upcoming UK crew of talented sufers shares this view and so reminisced with us on the time he spent there just over a year ago...
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Lovin' Lakeys!
51 - SM Dale driving over a Lakey Peak lip! Photo: Vince Timson
HotSpots
'We stayed at Balumba Resort, which was located right in front of Lakey Peak. The day we showed up, the waves were perfect.'
The set up at Lakey Peak. Photos: Dale Foster
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Lovin' Lakeys!
53 - SM Dale dodges the crowds to catch another one at the Peak! Photo: Vince Timson
HotSpots
'We dropped our luggage and headed straight to the peak. The only annoying thing was the walk across the rocks, then the paddle over the channel and then round to the peak where there were twenty other surfers hassling on this small peak.'
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Lovin' Lakeys!
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A backhand practice playground. Photo: Vince Timson
HotSpots
'I stayed in Sumbawa for around two months, surfng Lakeys every day. After a couple of surfs, I fnally got to grips with the full potential of the wave – every wave hit the reef the exact same way allowing me to practice my surfng, especially my backhand again and again.' SM - 56
Lovin' Lakeys!
57 - SM Dale gets to work on his backhand spray fans! Photo: Mamat
HotSpots
'Going to Sumbawa and surfng Lakey Peak helped my backhand so much, it was so good to be able to try the same move over and over again until I had perfected it.'
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Lovin' Lakeys!
59 - SM He also gets topping up on the tan! Photo: Mamat
HotSpots
'The sun was always shining which was good so I could work on both my surfng and my tan too when I wasn’t in the water. Although it was always quite busy, we were there for so long all the emits thought we were locals because we were so tanned. So it wasn’t a real problem to get waves.' SM - 60
Lovin' Lakeys!
61 - SM Dale digs airs on his forehand too! Photo: Vince Timson
HotSpots 'Being a regular footer, it was a bit of an hassle surfng a left every day. Sometimes I was just craving to surf a right and do some good airs.'
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Lovin' Lakeys!
63 - SM As well as the occasional carve to mix things up! Photo: Vince Timson
HotSpots
'So when a good swell came, I would jump up at frst dawn, skip breakfast and head straight off over to Periscopes. We were staying around a few minutes drive from there, so in the morning it was a nice way to wake up.'
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Lovin' Lakeys!
65 - SM Dale Foster grabs some air time! Photos: Vince Timson
HotSpots 'Once I arrived I would park up, hide the moped key under a rock then start walking across the beach. The sun would be coming up and pumping waves would be running through with no one on them. I would surf for hours and hours until my bones hurt.'
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Lovin' Lakeys!
67 - SM Dale Foster found Periscopes to be another perfect playground! Photo: Mamat
HotSpots 'Making the most of every wave, Periscopes is such a perfect spot, with opportunities for barrels, airs and massive carves on every righthander that reels through.'
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Lovin' Lakeys!
69 - SM Dale Foster getting his fins out! Photo: Vince Timson
HotSpots 'After being there for so long, it made me realise how nice it is sometimes to be cut off from the world and just focus on my surfng, with nothing else to do but be in the water for eight hours a day.'
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Lovin' Lakeys!
71 - SM Lakey Peak looking pretty perfect! Photos: Dale Foster
HotSpots
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Indo Undone Words: Jake Powell; Photos: Jason Corroto
73 - SM Jake Powell punting off his backhand! Photo: Jason Corroto
surphangaway A trip to Indo can be awesome... but it you time it wrong, it can be anything but! Last year, Jake Powell decided he'd use his hard earned wages to get him out of jersey and off to warmer climes. What he hadn't planned on though was arriving right in their wet season. Here's how his trip came undone...
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Indo Undone
75 - SM Jake Powell paddling out to find some fun waves! Photo: Jason Corroto
surphangaway Working the season as a lifeguard in Jersey is a sick job, but can be frustrating with the high pressure systems that flatten our seas at times. As the season drew to a close, there was only one thing on my mind, where to go to score some waves! After what was a pretty ‘tame’ summer in terms of waves, I couldn‘t think of anything better than heading off to Indonesia!
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Indo Undone
77 - SM Jake Powell power surfing! Photo: Jason Corroto
surphangaway Having been to Indo four times already, I seemed to think I had the place down, little did I know I had hit Indo on four separate occasions, always in the dry season! In the dry season the South East trade winds often blow every day, all day giving off perfect offshore waves. I’d always seemed to scored perfect off shore waves, blue skies and perfect reefs. Upon booking my flight out of Jersey, those were the thoughts bubbling in my brain.
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Indo Undone
79 - SM Jake Powell pointing in the right direction! Photo: Jason Corroto
surphangaway Arriving in Sumbawa, I was reminded of how dry and in need of water the whole island seems to be to me. Rice paddy’s looked starved of rain for months on end. I’d never seemed to see much rain in any of my previous visits here.
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Indo Undone
81 - SM Jake enjoying another epic session! Photo: Jason Corroto
surphangaway After a week of some epic sessions at Lakey Pipe with just me and a buddy out, I felt in my element! There had been sunny skies and perfect barrels, something I was not used to a week before xmas, with little to no crowds I was stoked! Little did I know that was about to change.. Talking to one local one morning he explained how the wet season had been arriving late in the last few years. All he kept saying to me was, “It’s coming.” Nodding my head and not really appreciating what he was saying, I thought he was a bit loopy.
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Indo Undone
83 - SM An average onshore day... Photo: Dale Foster
surphangaway Two days later and my mate had hit the road leaving me and the now onshore breeze alone. I thought this wind couldn’t last too long! However, gradually the light onshore breeze turned to howling onshore wind and Lakey Pipe started to resemble a rather average slab you would find at home. Rain began to trickle, then pour, then pelt it down!
Having scored some insane waves I was still optimistic a few days of DVD’s was a good, deserved opportunity to let my surfed out body recover. Then the power cut struck. Power cuts are pretty much a daily occurrence in Sumbawa so when my laptop battery finally died, I wasn’t bothered as it usually kicks back in after a few hours. With the power dying, the water supply also stopped. The sound of rain was so loud it felt like I was in a war zone; I’ve never felt rain like that before unlike the drizzle we get back home. The rain smashed down on the terracotta roof tiles on my beach bungalow relentlessly and sleeping through it was impossible. SM - 84
Indo Undone
85 - SM There's a storm a brewing... Photo: Dale Foster
surphangaway After a restless night with about 30 minutes sleep, it was December 23, two days before Christmas. I went outside and the storm was gaining further momentum! Thick black clouds were brewing on the horizon and were moving in at a rapid pace frequented by lightning and thunder that was so intense and deathening. The one minute walk to the local warung (shop) left you soaked to the bone and covered in mud. With no power, or water, I was going to sleep in the pitch black and soaking wet for a successive night.
Christmas day I didn’t wake up to find any Christmas cheer – Santa had bypassed Sumbawa. Instead my bungalow was up to the mattress in water. My clothes were playing life rafts floating about the room and the sound of rain was stronger than ever. I thought to myself where are all those blue skies and prefect reefs. Picking up my wet clothes and floating boards, I evacuated to higher ground. Looking around as I waded through waste deep water, I noticed motorbikes were fully submerged in the flood with only their handle bars visible. Locals huts had collapsed during the night, the stream that runs to the side of Lakey Pipe had turned into a river with a standing wave that the boys in Waimea bay would have been proud of! SM - 86
Indo Undone
Having seen strong winds predicted about a week ago when I last had internet I had absolutely no idea I was about to be engulfed in this horror story! After a more than wet Christmas day, I started helping where ever I could. My Lifeguard training in first aid allowed me to help the few stricken people. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that this training would be used in the far reaches of Indonesia.
I was humbled to learn of an organization called the ‘Harapan Sumbawa Project’ which is run by some amazing, selfless indivuals. The Harapan Project are an organization trying to help educate the children of the local village and give them a brighter future amongst many other things. One of the rooms with all their teaching equipment got completely flooded and they lost many supplies due to the floods, The Harapan Project relies mainly on funding and all the money goes to help creating a better infrastructure with in the local community. 87 - SM After the storm, the locals take stock... Photos: Courtesy of The Harapan Project
surphangaway
After another sleepless night drenched to the bone in my room, I packed my bags and headed for Bima, (the airport). The journey which usually takes a couple of hours at best, took a lot longer than it usually does due to trees, puddles and abandoned trucks on the road. With my fingers crossed as I walked into the terminal, I was stoked to hear the words “Yes sir, we can get you on that flight.�
Moral of the story then is do your homework or your epic surf trip can quickly come undone before your very eyes! A little bit of research on a destination can go a long way and help with what to expect!
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Surphalosophy
The Wizard of Hoss Words: stu gaston; Photos: Vince Timson & Stu Gaston
89 - SM Harry Timson takes his magic to the air! Photo: Vince Timson
surphalosophy Watching Harry Timson surf is exciting. Why? Because you know he's going to be doing more than just carves and turns, you know he's going to be pushing the aerial limits, you know he will be working his wizardry in the water! If ever British surfing is going to be placed on the global map, Harry Timson will be taking us there. Travelling all over the world, Harry is known from La Santa to Lakey Peak, from Thurso to Fistral and so this four times British Champion flies our flag high above all four corners of the globe. So on one of his fleeting visits home, we caught up with him to find out more about the young wise 'Wizard of Hoss'!
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The Wizard of Hoss
91 - SM Harry Timson grabbing as many airborne opportunities as he can! Photos: Vince Timson
surphalosophy
It's been a year since we last spoke to you then Harry and you've been as busy as ever! First of all then, tell us about your travels. You're just back from another winter in Indo, so how was that? What were the highlights? Indo was amazing, it just seems to get better and better! This year it was a lot more consistent, there were barrels almost everyday and it only dropped below head high once in three months! The highlights for me were when it got big and your heart gets racing and you get that feeling in your stomach and you know your going to get some serious barrels!!
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The Wizard of Hoss
93 - SM Hazza into the bazza! Photo: Vince Timson
surphalosophy And now you're a seasoned Indo traveller, where and when was your best session? My best session would have to be at Lakey Peak (of course ha ha) it was a bit of a stormy wobbly session but there was some serious waves coming through! I took off on one and got pushed so deep by the white water and was on the foam ball before it was barreling and almost didnt make it around the section and then last second the white water pushed me round and got the widest barrel!! Plus there was only about three of us out!!
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The Wizard of Hoss
95 - SM Harry Timson takes it tail high! Photo: Vince Timson
surphalosophy Now you seem to spend more time away than you do here in the UK, though you were back in Newquay for a couple of months at the end of last year. How was it surfing back home then at the start of the British winter? Well, I was only meant to be home for a short period however I got right back into my skating and then all of a sudden got injured so I was out for 8 weeks!! However just before I left for Indo we had some good swells over the New Year! Got some sick barrels in England!!! Best waves I've surfed at home for a long while!
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The Wizard of Hoss
97 - SM Harry having fun at Watergate! Photo: Stu Gaston
surphalosophy So where's your all time favourite spot back here that you hope will be cranking? I dont think I could narrow it down to just one spot! Theres so many that I love around home like South Fistral, Tolcarne and Watergate, however I would say Crantock has to be the best for me!
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The Wizard of Hoss
99 - SM What goes up will be 'coming down'! Photo: Vince Timson
surphalosophy And before that of course you'd spent your long six-month summer in your second home of Hossegor, where you're heading back again soon for this year's season. So what is it about the French surf that keeps drawing you back? Spend more time in France than I do in England haha! It's gotta be the waves, so many banks everywhere! If you dont like a wedgy left then drive 5 minutes and find a long reeling right! It's just so easy to score good waves down there and everyone is just frothing to surf!
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The Wizard of Hoss
101 - SM Harry grabs the goose and gets into the air! Photo: Vince Timson
surphalosophy Over there then, with miles and miles of beach to choose from, where for you is the best spot, the one that always delivers that solid surf? Definitely couldn't nail it down to just one place! Like I said, there are so many banks everywhere and they are just always changing! Last year, I had one session at Les Estagnots on this long left and then went back there two days later after a storm and it had changed into a barreling right!! So I think you have to just chase the goose until you score!!
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The Wizard of Hoss
103 - SM Harry Timson taking anything but a beating on this one! Photo: Vince Timson
surphalosophy Now everyone knows the French surf can be pretty heavy, you ever taken any hard wipeouts at say La Graviere or any other gnarly spots? I have actually! At the start of the summer last year, there was this one swell that everyone had waited for, for ages! And it delivered the goods. It was a solid 6ft top to bottom barrels right onto the beach, we were all frothing so I jumped in and one left just stood up in front of me and I thought It was going to be a bomb, so I paddled and as I took off, it just turned into a closeout and just swallowed me and flipped me completely over and I landed right on my tailbone on the sand and just got washed in like a seal. I couldnt even walk up the beach so got carried to the car and then was in bed for 2 days haha!! Merci La Graviere!!!
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The Wizard of Hoss
105 - SM Harry has his eyes on the prize! Photo: Vince Timson
surphalosophy So you're heading off to Hossegor again soon, with the ASP Europe Pro Juniors coming up, what are your goals for your time over there this year? Yeah the contest season is coming up real soon! My goal is to continually improve and up my game until I can be the best surfer I can possibly be, and also I want to work on a good video part in Europe so doing several road trips around and scoring good waves!
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The Wizard of Hoss
107 - SM Harry getting higher and higher! Photo: Vince Timson
surphalosophy Competitons aside, what about the freesurfing game? You've posted some impressive edits, full of your trademark airs, so have you plans for upping your online profile with fresh material this summer? Yeah like I said I want to get some good clips around Europe this year, with a lot of different things in. I worked hard in Indo to mix things up with different grabs and things like that. But a lot of the time, it's a last minute decision, for me anyway, whatever feels right as you're going for it, just go for it and hope it comes off!
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The Wizard of Hoss
109 - SM Hazza and his trademark aerial expertise! Photo: Vince Timson
surphalosophy And last summer you spent some time surfing with Reubyn Ash, who's well known for pushing the boundaries and creating his own new airs. So how long until you lay the Hazza stamp down and bust some massive new aerial manoeuvre? I have spent a lot of time with Reubyn over the past couple of months in Indo as well. Surfing with him makes you want to always go bigger and better! Some of the things he pulls off are just crazy! I have been trying a couple of new things but keep losing skin and fins haha so might have to give it a little re-think but I'm sure you will see something soon!
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The Wizard of Hoss
111 - SM Harry getting the Job Done! Photo: Vince Timson
surphalosophy What will you call it when you do? The J.D (like the whisky) because when I land it, it will be job done!!
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The Wizard of Hoss
113 - SM The Wizard of Hoss working his wonder! Photo: Vince Timson
surphalosophy Finally then what about the future? Is your goal to one day be on the Tour or are you going to carve out your own destiny and be known for those radical Timson trademark airs? Well I'll definitely give the WQS a crack, I think being on Tour is every surfer's dream whether they admit it or not, everyone would love to be on there! But you never know if I keep surfing La Graviere and falling off I could end up a bodyboarder! But really I don't know I'd just love to be able to make a living out of surfing and surf all my life!
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Go with the Flow! Words & Photos: Stu Gaston
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surphangaday
For centuries, Man has always tried to improve on Nature – sometimes successfully and sometimes not. For surfers all across the globe, the ultimate question is can Man create a machine that gives the same feeling as riding a natural wave? Well with wave pools and Wavegardens now a reality, it could be very soon that surfers everywhere can find out for themselves. Later this year, the UK could see the second Wavegarden in the world built inland near Bristol but for now any land-locked or wave-starved surfer has but one option – the Flowrider! We took our crew of upcoming surfers, Dale Foster, Henry Hudson and Tyler Littlejohns to give it a go and share their throughts.
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Go with the Flow!
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surphangaday
After a quick briefing on the basics, the lads let themselves off to a gentle start with some bodyboarding, getting use to the feel of a torrent of water surging towards you. It didn't take them long though to be having some fun!
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Tyler Littlejohns Age: 17 Nickname: Westwood Years bodyboarding: 5 I think, maybe 6 Where you live: Gorran, South Coast Sponsors: The Pit Surf Shop, Dunes Wetsuits and ARS Bodyboarding, thanks heaps to them all Local breaks: Haha, secret spots! Favourite booger? Sam Bennett Favourite place to surf? Porthleven Favourite bodyboard movie? Test Pilots 2 filmed by Levi, watched it too many times haha Favourite bodyboard trick? Reverse off the lip Favourite board? NMD Jase Finlay What first got you into bodyboarding? My step dad had been doing it for years and when I started secondary school, I just started going in with him loads. I guess living pretty close to the beach has alot to do with it aswell – was always keen to get in no matter what!
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HotShots
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Henry Hudson Age: 17 Nickname: Hudson Years surfing: About 7 Where you live: Perranporth Sponsors: Aviant Wetsuits, BOS Surfboards, Coastal Surf Surf Shop and Hurricane Surf Gear Local break/s: Perranporth, Penhale and St Agnes Favourite surfer? Noa Deane or Dion Agius Favourite place to surf? Sri Lanka or France Favourite surf movie? Lost Atlas or Loaded Favourite surf trick? Backhand or forehand reverse Favourite board? 5.4 Trawler model (like a neck beard) What first got you into surfing? My dad and mum and just living near the sea
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HotShots
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Go with the Flow!
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It wasn't long though before all three were keen to get to their feet, Dale and Henry trying some drop knee while Tyler took it further...
surphangaday
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Go with the Flow!
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surphangaday
Dale though was the first to get onto the Flowrider board itself and start to get the feel for standing on water flowing at 240 horse power – that makes even Pipe sound pitiful!
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Go with the Flow!
Tyler also took flowriding in his stride whereas Henry seemd to find it harder to tame the beast beneath his feet...
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surphangaday
So have you been on the Flowrider before Henry? Only when I was like 10 or 11 How was it returning for another session? Any easier second time round? No not really! I found it hard but it's super fun and worth a go What's the trickiest part to master about flowriding then? Probably keeping balance And how does it compare to other board sports, bodyboarding, surfing or skateboarding? I guess it's kinda like snowboarding more than anything but doesn't really feel like you're surfing!
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Go with the Flow!
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surphangaday
Now there's talk of the UK getting its own barreling Flowrider. Would that be worth a go? Yes absolutely but it would probably ruin people! And how do you reckon it would compare to the reality of scoring some solid tube time? It probably would be a lot of fun to go and watch your mates get nailed on trying to get barrelled but not as fun as actually scoring with mates! So in your opinion, with Wavegardens in the UK on the horizon and talk of Kelly Slater even opening his own wavepark, is there a future in riding artificial waves? I don't actually know, I guess it's good for training on because every wave is the same and it would be much like a skatepark but nothing beats checking the surf report the night before, getting frothed and waking up to sick surf but at the same time the artificial waves are always consistent where as the surf isn't so it's a tough one for sure!
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Go with the Flow!
So with Dale and Tyler really getting the hang of it, our instructor gave them a quick demo of what to aim for! Meanwhile Henry took on the role of chief Go Pro operator, getting up close and personal with his fans – spray fans that is!
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surphangaday
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Go with the Flow!
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surphangaday
With their confidence growing on every turn, the lads started to mix it up a bit, Tyler showing his adept ability to switch between his more comfortable bodyboarding position and his skater trick stance...
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Go with the Flow!
So have you been on the Flowrider before then Tyler? Yeah a few years ago, was good to get back on it! How was it returning for another session? Any easier second time round? Yeah was sick to come back again, heaps of fun! What's the trickiest part to master about flowriding then? Not sure really maybe getting used to how flowy and fast it is haha And how does it compare to other board sports, bodyboarding, surfing or skateboarding? Pretty different I'd say, doesn't really feel much at all like surfing or bodyboarding but such a good thing to have when there's no waves around for sure
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surphangaday
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Go with the Flow! Now there's talk of the UK getting its own barreling Flowrider. Would that be worth a go? Yeah definitely would be so fun.
And how do you reckon it would compare to the reality of scoring some solid tube time? Dunno really would be cool to sit there an get kegged for ages though haha So in your opinion, with Wavegardens in the UK on the horizon and talk of Kelly Slater opening his own wavepark, is there a future in riding artificial waves? Yeah for sure, even though it's quite a lot different, I still think there's a pretty big future ahead for it. Especially here in the UK when we don't get good waves all the time!
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surphangaday
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Go with the Flow!
Nearing the end of the session, Tyler was ready to start pushing the possibilities of flowriding, bringing in his skate experience which resulted in this sweet little grab rail sequence any skater or surfer would be proud to claim as their own!
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surphangaday
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Go with the Flow!
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Dale however was keen to put his surfing skills into practice and get some side to side full wave riding simulation and even some carving going...
surphangaday
So Dale have you been on the Flowrider before then? Yes when I did the Flowrider contest soon after its opening – it was fun but I got knocked out first round. How was it returning for another session? Any easier second time round? It was a long time since I’d been so I struggled to find my feet at first but I soon got back into it. What's the trickiest part to master about flowriding then? I think it’s engaging your heels and toes and getting to grips with the board and then actually making it look good, carving and everything.
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Go with the Flow!
And how does it compare to other board sports, bodyboarding, surfing or skateboarding? It’s nothing like surfing to be honest, a lot slidier and so much more intense than skating down a street or surfing a wave. Now there's talk of the UK getting its own barreling Flowrider. Would that be worth a go? Yes that would be so fun. Be good to actually see if I can get barrelled! And how do you reckon it would compare to the reality of scoring some solid tube time? I don’t think it would compare to it at all – nothing feels like scoring a sikk one! So in your opinion, with Wavegardens in the UK on the horizon and talk of Kelly Slater opening his own wavepark, is there a future in riding artificial waves? I think there is a future in it for sure but it’s a totally different sport and shouldn’t be seen as a replacement – nothing can beat going out at your local break and surfing.
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surphangaday
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Go with the Flow!
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All in all, the three lads had an awesome time despite the differences between flowriding and their own board riding preferences and so a massive thanks to the guys at Retallack for letting us have fun on their Flowrider!
surphangaday
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Coming Soon!
With plans to add the next flowider dimension to the current experience in the UK early next year, thanks to Josh Benjoya, Brandon Sheldon and Jared Sislin, we can give you an insight into some barreling flowrider fun from The Flowhouse in San Diego, California. Not to be missed!
147 - SM Josh Benjoya's been having fun at the Flowhouse! Photo: Jared Sislin
Plus Henry and Tyler will be taking us through some handy product reviews in our all new 'Hot Wotnots'!
HotWotnots
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Best of British Words: Stu Gaston; Photos: Ian Stackhouse & Dan Sedgwick
149 - SM Taz Knight nails a tidy air reverse! Photo: Ian Stackhouse
TheGoss
Britain may be a comparitively small island nation nestling in the north of Europe and constantly battered by Atlantic storms, but it's also the breeding ground for some hot talent which no doubt in the years to come will make a significant mark in the world of surfing.
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Best of British
151 - SM Taz Knight knocks round his tail in some fun small surf! Photo: Dan Sedgwick
TheGoss
Taz Knight recently lead the British Junior Team to a respectable fifteenth place finish at the ISA World Junior Surfing Games in Ecuador. On his return, he picked up a big new sponsor for his efforts, watersports product giant, ION. With a philosophy all about challenging yourself, experiencing nature and feeling its force, Taz will be right at home with the ION team of watersports chargers!
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Best of British
153 - SM Isaac Marshall makes the most of the small surf with a fins out! Photo: Dan Sedgwick
TheGoss
Meanwhile, Isaac Marshall, a surfing talent from the furthest extremes of the Cornish peninsula around Penzance, has picked up some recognition from the kings of wetsuits, O'Neill following his successful performance at the English Nationals last year which earnt him the Under 16 Champion title. He was back again just last week at Watergate where he made another respectable finish reaching the finals of the Under 18 division. We will be seeing much more of Isaac!
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Best of British
155 - SM Dale Foster's surfing is pointing in the right direction! Photo: Dan Sedgwick
TheGoss
Another successful Under 18 English Nationals finals surfer was Dale Foster whose surfing talent has been recognised and supported by O'Neill for the past five years now. With this being his last year in the Junior division, he'll be looking to post some similar or even better finals finishes over the coming months.
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Best of British
157 - SM Dale Foster has fun punting off a small righthander! Photo: Dan Sedgwick
TheGoss
Dale's certainly been training hard this winter with a recent month's trip to Lanzarote showing its effects on his surfing here with some seriously confident technique on display as another Canary Islands surfer, Noah Biersack, looks on. Noah, who's lived in Tenerife for the past few years, is now back in the UK and also with an O'Neill sticker on the nose of his board, will be sure to make his mark and join the 'Best of British' ranks this year!
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T H E G A L L E R Y
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Dale Foster finds some shade at Lakey Peak! Photo: Mamat
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T H E G A L L E R Y
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Harry Timson takes it tail high off his backhand! Photo: Vince Timson
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T H E G A L L E R Y
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Natxo Gonzalez in the green room at Mundaka! Photo: Sergio Arretxea @ FotoSertx.com
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T H E G A L L E R Y
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Dale Foster finding his feet in Indo! Photo: Vince Timson
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T H E G A L L E R Y
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Harry Timson takes it tail high as ever! Photo: Vince Timson
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Surphang Magazine
169 - SM Ethan Carlston comes back with a confident slob grab! Photo: Stu Gaston
NextIssue We're jetting off to California for our twenty-ninth issue where the upcoming breed of surfer is pushing the boundaries of surfing higher than ever! So buckle up and get ready for one helluva ride!!
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Thanks for reading the Twenty Eighth issue of
Surphang Magazine
It's not hard to see why anyone would love Lakey Peak! Photo: Vince Timson