London Surf Film Festival

I've given my old 'Surfboard Art Time-lapse' short film a little revamp to make it worthy of entering the prestigious London Surf Film Festival 2014. Now called, 'A board Without Art is Just "Eh", the short film has been longlisted and it needs your help to get through to the next round! 

Please vote at http://www.londonsurffilmfestival.com/a-board-without-art-is-just-eh/

As they say, 'the world without art is just "eh" and the same goes for surfboards...

"You cannot discover new oceans unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore." - Andre Gide

This is the mantra of a traveller. Attachment to the comfort of the familiar is something that must be forgotten for those of us who choose to live a nomadic lifestyle. We are the biggest gamblers of them all. Dropping everything for the hope that something bigger and better is on the other side of the sea. But the funny thing is, we always win the bet. No matter where we go, what we do or who we meet, it makes us richer. It enriches our life in ways that money cannot buy. Deepening our knowledge, opening our mind and expanding our horizons. So I urge you to look forward and set sail, with courage fuelled by curiosity and the knowledge that you can never fail.

My Surfgirl Magazine Article!

What a happy day it is when a new issue of Surfgirl magazine graces the shelves of WHSmith, I'm sure you'll all agree. However, it brings a whole new level of excitement when your own article sits amongst the inspiring words of female surf aficionados from around the world. Take a gander at my muse on surfing and creativity...

Bye Byron Bay...

My time in Byron has sadly come to an end.  Never in my life did I expect to find myself so at home amongst the fire twirlers, tie-dye and dreadlocks. This place has spun, tied and woven me into a new and better version of myself. Or perhaps it has just given me the setting to allow what was inside to finally come out and prosper. Being surrounded by such open-minded people gives you the space to readdress your views on the world and actually put your revelations into practice, not only without judgment, but with encouragement. I’ve made the difficult transition from being vegetarian to vegan. I’m actively exploring spirituality, reading Vedic literatures, meditating and doing yoga. I’ve given myself the freedom to be creative, experimenting with music, film, art, photography and writing.

Yes, Byron has been the catalyst for this development, but my underlying passion is the driving force behind all of this. When seeking a fulfilling life, I think the biggest tragedy is to deny yourself of who you truly are.  Travelling across the world to hippie-central is one way to prevent this, but it ‘s not the only way. Confidence is key. More specifically, having the confidence to be bad at something is so valuable and admirable. It is a barrier that must be demolished for any hope of progression or success. This is much easier said than done. It requires a lot more mental strength and conviction than many can muster, which only makes any morsel of success even more of an accomplishment. Whatever it is that you love, be it surfing or knitting, have the confidence to break the mould and make it a reality, no matter who you are or where you’re from. It will only inspire.

I will take this teaching into my next phase of life, ensuring any doubts I have in myself won’t hinder my chances of success in new avenues I wish to explore or in old avenues I wish to evolve from.  All signs in my life have been pointing to Bali, a world of perfect waves, rule-free roads, and temples galore. I am so sad to be saying goodbye to so many wonderful people in Byron, but if Byron has taught me one thing, it’s learning to let go. In such a transient tourist town, where people come and go like the tide, you learn to appreciate those around you for who they are in that moment, truly living in the present. Saying goodbye was something that once filled me with sorrow, but now I can see it as an opportunity to fill my life with new, fascinating people and experiences to enrich my life in ways I never imagined. This is something I so look forward to in Bali, as well as giving myself the opportunity to practice surfing, yoga, writing, and filmmaking in a new setting to consolidate these passions in my character.

Bali, here I come...

Here's a few last snaps of surfing in Byron with some awesome friends and family. Happy memories. 

Surfboard Reincarnation

This time last year, a monster wave ate my board at Tallows Beach, Byron Bay, and spat it out in two. A milestone passed, my first snapped board. Since then it has served many purposes, including foam fillers to friends' dings, last-minute Halloween costumes (don't worry, it's lipstick not real blood), and more recently, a hat stand. 

Surely this deteriorating wedge of foam and fibreglass must be reaching the end of its life by now, I hear you say. Well, forever the advocate of recycling and reusing, I've managed to breath another phase of life through my decaying hat stand with the help of some Posca pens and a bit of creativity. Here's my latest board art, paying respect to our toothy friends. 

The Setting Sun

I've surfed this sunset almost every day for the past year. With the passing of time I have become accustomed to the view, but it's beauty is so profound that it's ability to completely astound me has never diminished. It's my favourite scene, and every time I see it I am reminded of how lucky I am to not only be viewing such a spectacle, but to also be part of it. Living it. The Pass, Byron Bay. Take a look...