Enter a world of magic and mystery, in my own head, where surfing and snowboarding are considered real jobs! Amazing feats of daring and skill are performed every day - and that's just getting the footage onto film!
Media anarchist, film guru, surf addict and web video blogger!
Welcome to the next limit in Big Wave Surfing. Red Bull, together with team rider, Ian Walsh, present the Jaws Paddle Contest. This contest will help to significantly push the boundaries in paddling giant waves. Thus far only a few invites have been released, among them our very own, Grant "Twig" Baker. A big uproar started brewing in South Africa as Chris Bertish has not, as yet, been invited, but he was the first person to paddle into waves at Jaws and is a winner at Mavericks. We cant speculate, but perhaps his invite is in the mail.
The event will run a waiting period over the whole Hawaiian Winter and will require clean 30-50ft Faces to run. They have also confirmed they will not run on the same day as the Eddie if this clash becomes reality. 21 Surfers will be invited.
Invited so far are host Ian Walsh, Twig, Greg Long, Dave Wassel, John John Florence (Yes please), Jeff Rowley and Kala Alexander. Most of these guys being proven chargers out in the Jaws Lineup. One thing is for sure, you dont want to miss this one. Follow the event at Red Bull USA.
After a week off in sympathy to our hangovers from Jordy Smith's "Bending Colors" premier, we came back strong! Warren Talbot from Vans joined me with skater, Wong, to chat about the premier of the awesome new skate doccy, Bones Brigade. After that it was Tyrone Rawlins, Craig Kolesky and Oliver Munnik, pro Mountain Biker and radio virgin, who came to tell us about their fund raising efforts for One Sight, as they prepare for the fright of their lives in the Cape Epic next year. We also chatted Hawaii anf the ASP World Tour as Craig is normally there for the Pipe Masters, but he just got depressed!
Bones Brigade will show in Jozi tomorrow night, Thursday in Durban and in Cape Town on Friday.
To win 2x Tickets for CT, JHB or Durban, just tweet me, @KapteinKai with the Hashtags #Vans #BonesBrigade #Rules (T&C's apply.)
The man has an ethereal talent for making the simple act of riding a bicycle look magical. He has made trial biking a highly watched internet sensation and continues to blow us away every video release. Danny Macaskill is definitely a legend!
The most eagerly anticipated doccy since "Dogtown and Z-Boys" is finally here. Made by Stacey Peralta, the same director, the movie spans a decade when a crew of young skaters changed the face of the sport. The movie is available on Itunes and if you are lucky like myself and a few others, you get to watch the SA premier at the Labia this Friday.
When six teenage boys came together as a skateboarding team in the
1980s, they reinvented not only their chosen sport but themselves too -
as they evolved from insecure outsiders to the most influential athletes
in the field.
Skate Skateboarding "Trailer (promotion)"
"Tony Hawk (Skateboarder)" " Stacy Peralta" DCoscarelli "Tony Alva"
"steve caballero" "tony hawk's pro skate" movieclips "movie clips"
movieclipstrailers "new trailers" "trailers HD" hd trailers
movieclipsDOTcom
"indie film" "indie film trailers" "sundance film festival" "cool movies" "rodney mullen"
Guys like Jokke are taking Proximity Flying to new levels of insanity! (Photo: Red Bull Content Pool)
Jokke Sommer's Wingsuit, original series teaser: Every new episode of
this coming original series will take you in a new amazing spot /
speed-flying over beautiful and incredible mountain landscapes around
the globe.
Jokke explains his feeling and thoughts while flying
with his Wingsuit. Jokke is a Norwegian athlete, specializing in Wingsuit flying, base-jumping and speed riding.
Its time for another Movie Night in Cape Town with DC Shoes this time around! Pull into Aces n Spades on Thursday, 29 November 2012 and join me for some fun short films and trailers.
The surfing short, Free for All, with surfers Craig Anderson, Mitch Coleborn Dillon Perillo and Ry Craike. This
short film was shot over a one week period in Indonesia during this
year's team trip.
The main feature is DC's all new Snowboarding Film, Must be Nice, with a stellar cast. Must Be Nice features footage of the guys from the past year shredding
around the world. A true team movie, this film is what snowboarding is
to DC.
Featuring: Devun Walsh, Torstein Horgmo, Iikka Backstrom, Lauri Heiskari, Aaron Biittner, Ryan Tiene and Anto Chamberland.
I always love Lego and Playmobil toys. They allowed your imagination to go crazy as a kid and much of that play time led to the crazy things we get up to these days as "Adults". So I particularly enjoyed this very creative little, stop motion video of some Playmobil FMX action...
There have been some crazy moments over the years at the Pipeline Challenge. Some of the biggest days ever surfed out there, South Africans charging and winning and of course some gruesome wipeouts. Next year sees the 30th edition of this iconic Bodyboard event and of course SA kingpin, Sacha Specker defending his DK title.
We all know the boys from the Nitro Circus play hard. But sometimes they pay the price so high, the rest of us mere mortals just have to cringe. Some of the worst wipes I have ever seen, many by Travis Pastrana, in this short video...
Take one of the world's best female surfers and drop her into the Arabian Desert. One would imagine that there would be no surf, but thanks to man's ingenuity, Sally gets to show just how far women's surfing has come...
In this emotive art film Sally Fitzgibbons tackles one of the most
unique waves on the planet. Shot in beautiful super slow motion in a
striking landscape, this film follows Sally through Dubai and the Al Ain
desert as she takes her surfing to the air.
Stay tuned for Episode 1 of Sally Stories Wednesday, November 21st at 10pm PST/Thursday, November 22nd at 5pm AEST! www.redbull.tv
What happens when the world's best athletes and stunt maniacs are sitting at Red Bull USA Head Office bored? Well, glad you asked, they make the best web video you have seen in months!
Derived from the German adjective Klug (meaning "clever"), Red Bull
Kluge combines complex machinery patched together with the energy and
prowess of world-class athletes, to see what happens when physics gets
physical.
We had an action packed show last night with the launch of Black Ops 2 today in South Africa. Glenn from 4 Elements Gaming brought in the experts, including Holden ZA the best online player in South Africa. Much fun and gaming facts ensued.
I was stoked having good mate and insane surfer, Royden Bryson, on the show again. He filled us in on his leg rehab, his plans for 2013 and onwards and of course his thoughts on the 2012 ASP World Title Race which will go down to the wire in Hawaii.
Buddy Chellan flies above the freaks at Halloween Jam 2012 (Photo: @IshotImagesZA)
I always enjoy the Halloween Jam. BMX and dirt are always koo and the boys have put some serious work into the Gum Trails setup over the years. With both Greg Illingworth and Wayne Reiche away on the overseas front, it allowed the younger guys to really gun for the title and the prizes. Considering I shot this on 1 camera and got 4 minutes of good footage, well, just know the riding was amazing...
Malcolm Peters was my stand out for the day! Whipping bikes all over the show! (Photo: @IshotImagesZA)
Boys were gunning hard on the Wall Ride. (Photo: @IShotImagesZA)
Malcolm again on the Wall Ride. (Photo: IShotImagesZA)
First of all lets be honest, Ryan Decenzo can skate! Second, this is a very cool concept, I mean just imagine having your very own Red Bull Skate House...
This week I had Pro Surfer and very cool lady, Tanika Hoffman in studio to promote her new surf school with Vudu Surf. Fresh out of the junior ranks, she is giving the qualifying tour a crack in 2013. I can think of very few girls I would rather be taught how to surf by.
Wayne Craig, the boss of Plett and the Wedge Classic (Seriously, he is up for DA leadership in the area) joined us to talk about Plett, food and of course his favorite pastime, the NSRI. Download or listen to the PODCAST HERE
Red Bull Skylines meant big lines for the BMX Crew in Paris (rutgerpauw.com/Red Bull Content Pool)
The world's top BMX riders came together at the Grand Palais in Paris, France, for what must be one of the most surreal BMX events on the planet. Everything from the venue, lighting, course and the tricks being pulled were on another level!
5600 spectators saw 25 of the Worlds top pro BMX riders compete in Red Bull Skylines at the Grand Palais in Paris, France. In front of a
roaring crowd Ryan Nyquist (USA) came up with the title. Second place
went to San Diego local Dennis Enarson and Daniel Dhers (Ven) turned it
on and finished third in Paris. The set up impressed everyone who
stepped inside the Grand Palais building and the event turned out to be
one of the biggest BMX events France has ever seen.
Jordy Smith surfs at Keremas, Bali, Indonesia (Ryan Miller/Red Bull Content Pool)
The long awaited film by the man beast has finally arrived! Tomorrow evening in Santa Cruz, Jordy Smith premiers his signature film, Bending Colours. While most of us wont be able to attend what I am sure will be a melting pot of surf culture and free booze antics by the world's best surfers, Red Bull have kindly allowed us mere mortals to watch the premier live via Red Bull TV. So watch the webisodes below and start frothing, because though Jordy has not had the best year on tour, this movie is going to change surfing! (5pm in South Africa.)
The Monday madness continues with a pretty radical edit of a shoot, Ben Watts shot for Treats Magazine. Hot models, great Beasty Boys track and smooth editing make for a video guaranteed to brighten your Monday! Models are, Ciara Christensen, Kristina Holbrook, Heather D, Angie Torres and Cambria.
The World's highest and possibly most mental Downhill MTB race is back, the Red Bull Descenso del Condor. What an appropriately grand sounding name for such an event, haha. Riders charge down the side of a mountain, that just happens to have a town on it. Climatize yourself with the first video and then open your adrenal floodgates by riding along in Video 2.
Filip Polc wins the Red Bull Descenso
del Cóndor, the highest urban downhill race in the world in the Bolivian
city of La Paz. An itinerary that started at a height of 4,050 meters
above sea level and ended 1.6 kilometers below at 3,600 meters.
Jordy Smith needs a win and a change of fortune. He has won at Steamer lane before, could this be his moment? (Photo:Miller)
The penultimate event of the World Tour and we welcome back that cold water haven, Santa Cruz. Steamer Lane has produced some legends over the years, specifically in the new school air movement and one of its leaders, Ratboy Collins has a wild card. The other wildcard was won by Nat Young on his backhand and this is a good time to mention that this is one right hand point where the Goofy Footers often trump the naturals!
The last 3 contests were won by two Goofy Footers, Miguel Pupo and Matt Wilko as well as our very own power house, Jordy Smith. The wave has a big shoulder and runs through a couple of Bowl Sections that suit surfers on their backhand. While the natural footers really have to force their turns and keep super tight to the pocket, the Goofys can drive off of the bottom and go vertical into the narrow window for snaps. This is really going to suit surfers like Pupo, Wilko and Travis Logie. Hell, if the surf stays below 5ft, Travis could just cane this contest, the wave is built for his backhand. Gabriel Medina , on his current form, is going to open a can of whoop ass on the wave at Steamer Lane!
In the World title hunt Joel Parkinson needs to win. If Mick, Kelly and John John don't make semis and Joel wins, the title is done. John John, like Jordy, knows the wave well after coming here for years as an O'Neill team rider. Mick and Joel should have few problems at the Lane, but Kelly, it should be noted, has only ever surfed one event here and got knocked out in the first round. Makes for interesting choices on Fantasy Surfer...
SANTA CRUZ, California/USA (Wednesday, October 31, 2012) – The world’s best surfers have arrived in Santa Cruz, California for the penultimate event of the 2012 ASP World Championship Tour (WCT) season, the O’Neill Coldwater Classic at the iconic Steamer Lane.
A staple of the ASP’s qualifying circuit, the O’Neill Coldwater Classic has been sanctioned at the elite level of competition this season, celebrating the brand’s 60th anniversary of operations. The event will play a crucial role in both the 2012 ASP World Title Race and the requalification campaigns of the world’s best surfers and could commence as early as tomorrow.
Mick Fanning (AUS), 31, current No. 3 on the ASP WCT rankings, has two victories under his belt this season, but suffered two relatively early exits over his European campaign. After recharging his batteries at home following the last event Portugal, the polished natural-footer is out to rebound his ASP World Title hopes at the O’Neill Coldwater Classic.
“I like to sneak under the radar, but the last couple of events haven’t been the greatest for me,” Fanning said. “It was great to go home and readjust and refocus. I have a new quiver of boards and I’m excited to be here.”
Fanning’s appearance at this year’s event marks his first return to Santa Cruz in over a decade and the two-time ASP World Champion (2007, 2009) is excited to take on the challenges brought on by Steamer Lane’s ever-changing conditions.
“I think it’s great having this event on the schedule this year,” Fanning said. “The past few years, we’ve had The Search event and you go to new places and it’s great to have a new wave every time and learn the spot as you go through the rounds. This event has been around for a long time, but personally, I haven’t been here since 2000. It’s great to be back and every surfer will be learning, so it’s going to be exciting.”
Fanning will face Kieren Perrow (AUS), 35, and Dusty Payne (HAW), 23, in Round 1 of competition.
John John Florence (HAW), 20, current ASP WCT No. 4, has extensive experience in the Steamer Lane lineup despite being one of the youngest competitors in the event. Despite his history with the venue, Florence made it a point to arrive early and reacquaint himself with the break.
“To prepare for this contest I arrive a few days early to get used to the cold water,” Florence said. “I’ve been coming here since I was pretty little to surf in the event and Santa Cruz is a cool place. Every year that I come here is a new learning curve for me and that’s why I came here a few days early to get used to it again. To be able to come here and watch everyone adapt to the colder water, and the Lane, it’s not an easy wave to surf, so it’s fun to watch everyone surf it.”
Florence has drawn Heitor Alves (BRA), 30, and Patrick Gudauskas (USA), 26, in the opening round of competition.
Miguel Pupo (BRA), 20, winner of last year’s ASP Prime rated O’Neill Coldwater Classic, returns to Steamer Lane as a Sophomore among the world’s best surfers and is ready to defend his title against his fellow ASP WCT competitors.
“It’s just great to be back,” Pupo said. “I love this place. Last year was a pretty challenging contest because we had a couple of days at Steamer Lane and a couple of days at Waddell Creek. I’m happy to be back in the water with my booties on.”
Pupo admitted that the younger surfers may have more recent experience at Steamer Lane via the ASP Prime rated event of the past, but the top level of competition on the ASP WCT will level the playing field.
“I think it’s good because I’ve been coming here the last four years and the young guys have as well because of the Prime,” Pupo said. “We kind of have that advantage, but the veterans have surfed here in the past too. Steamer Lane is a tricky wave and they probably know what to expect. Realistically, it’s the top 34 guys in the world, they surf every wave well, so I think it’s even.”
Pupo will face Owen Wright (AUS), 22, and Yadin Nicol (AUS), 26, in Round 1 of competition.
Nat Young (USA), 21, was electric in today’s local trials, stringing together a series of impeccable backhand performances to earn his berth in the main event, marking his first appearance in an ASP WCT.
“I knew it was going to be tough in the local trials,” Young said. “We have so many good surfers up here and everyone is capable of doing well and getting big scores. It was a long day and I’m really stoked. I’m against Kelly (Slater), so to be able to surf against my hero at my home break in my first WCT, it’s pretty special.”
Young joins Jason Collins (USA), 38, as the two wildcards into the O’Neill Coldwater Classic.
Event organizers will convene tomorrow at 7:15am to assess conditions for a possible 7:45am start.
Surfline, official forecasters for the O’Neill Coldwater Classic, have called for:
Fun size WNW swell is on track for the first day of the waiting period, Thursday the 1st, although morning wind conditions look problematic before improving over the afternoon. A slightly larger WNW swell is lining up for the afternoon of the 4th through the 6th along with favorable conditions, if the storm behaves as forecast in the next few days.
When competition commences, up first will be Julian Wilson (AUS), 23, Alejo Muniz (BRA), 22, and Taylor Knox (USA), 41, in the opening heat of Round 1.
