Surfline’s “Surfing A to Z” defines a waterman as;
“Boasting total mastery of all oceanic endeavours, the revered waterman can fish, dive, surf, windsurf, kayak, bodysurf, interpret complex weather data, save the odd drowning man, etc. Generally built like a tank and typically soft-spoken (choosing to let his actions do the talking), loner watermen fear neither tempest nor shark and rarely head for higher ground. If need be, he can survive entirely on self-harvested ocean bounty, spearing his food from the nearby reefs he’ll surf over when the swell is up. He’s an intense figure, idolized in the local community for his silent bravery and meteorological prowess.”
I suspect Mark Healey ticks many of those boxes…
And from Surfer Magazine’s How To blog; “How to Handle a worst-case scenario”;
“If there’s a man more capable of laughing off a brush with death than Mark Healey, we haven’t met him yet. Part big-wave hellman, part world-class free-diver, all survivor, Mark usually knows what course of action to take to keep you breathing when the sh*t hits the fan. Although no one should ever try to do what Healey does, here are his thoughts on getting out of sticky situations if you do”
Posted on December 1st, 2011 in inkydeep by inkydeep
In 2009 the surf artist Ben Cook created a print design called The Toxic Paradox; resembling a pressed flower, surfboards form the petals, with wetsuits the centre. On his website Ben provides the following for the design; “The issue of toxic plastic surfboards and petrochemical derived rubber wetsuits in the marine environment goes against surfing’s ‘green’ image. It is this ‘toxic paradox’ that inspired this piece of work – a flower head made from collaged surfboards and wetsuits.”
The surf film Manufacturing Stoke explores this paradox and the thorny issue of sustainability in surfing.
The trailer starts with a surfer reminding us that “Surfers are as blessed as any body on the planet, in terms of the things they get to see, the things they get to do”. We are then also reminded (and maybe for some informed) of the environmental impact of our sport; the materials used for much of what we wear to surf, use to surf and surf on are environmentally toxic.
We are happy to promote this surf movie because not only does it challenge us to think of our choices as surfers but also how we as inkydeep operate; how to be as ethically and environmentally sound as possible.
Released in May 2011 the film can be downloaded through thesurfnetwork.com.
We only recently came across this promotional video from Plastic Oceans. The images of animals caught in or consuming plastic are quite unsettling; the scale of the plastic problem is staggering but thankfully many organisations and individuals are acting on our behalf;
And also from National Geographic Magazine; Dolphin with plastic bag. The archipelago of Fernando de Noronha, Brazil, is considered an ecological sanctuary.
Posted on October 31st, 2010 in inkydeep by inkydeep
Today we took part in Keep Britain Tidy’s first beach clean at Fistral Beach. Thanks to Neil the Beachcare Co-ordinator and Andy the local organiser about 25 of us plucky volunteers collected about five black bags of rubbish.
Armed with grabbers and black bags we trooped up and down the beach – all amazed at what we found. I had always had the impression that Fistral Beach was one of the cleaner Cornish beaches but once I started actually looking closely the amount of plastic around was unbelievable.
Neil explained that the plastic comes from a variety of sources. Yes there is the stuff that senseless people leave behind, but a lot comes in from the sea either from sea vessels or rubbish that has lain on the sea bed from when the sewage outfalls were not so choosy. This is churned up in the winter storms and makes its way onto the beach.
The biggest surprise was the sheer volume of plastic nurdles, also known as ‘mermaid’s tears’, or their industry name ‘Pre-Production Plastic Pellets’. Measuring about 3mm in diameter the nurdles are very hard to pick out almost camouflaged against the sand. Needless to say fish and other sea life often consume the plastic as it breaks up and does a good impersonation of food.
Posted on September 25th, 2010 in inkydeep by inkydeep
The Heal the Bay environmental organisation have released a mockumentary video (The Majestic Plastic Bag) about the plastic bag pollution problem. The narration is by the actor Jeremy Irons.
Amongst the thousands of surfing related videos posted on line at sites such as YouTube and Vimeo there are some real gems to watch and marvel at. Surf videos that evoke the surf stoke or the excitement of surf travel, achieved through good quality photography, shooting from a different perspectives and use music that sets the mood surely stand out above all others?
Here are a few of our favourite online surf vids;
Dogs Run Free – A short clip from the super-8 film Dogs Run Free. The film was shot in the early 1970’s at Kirra, Burleigh Heads and Snapper Rocks.
Music – Cruising Downwind from the album Pictures of the Coast by Peter Howe and Tim Gaze.
Mavericks surf session. Bart Willems surfing 15ft waves at Mavericks on 10 January 2010. The three hour surf session was documented on a GoPro HD camera and the highlights are featured in this video. A fascinating glimpse at the Mavericks surf experience. Music – Jamie Shelly – Cherrybubblegumcity.
Matt Meola FINAL by ACL Productions. Music – David Guetta – Open Your Eyes.
Old Surf Movies: Bali and Hawaii (1978-1980). From DrAbalone — “Home surfing movies I made with my brother, Craig Tissot, during a trip to Bali in 1978 and Hawaii in 1979-80. Bali: Kuta Beach, Nusa Dua, Uluwatu. Hawaii: Honolua Bay, Haleiwa, Ala Moana. You had to hike to Ulu back in those days. Shot with Sony 8mm camera with Ikleite housing. All footage by Brian & Craig Tissot.”
Music – Tony Kaltenberg – High Tide at Ten Mile. From the album Spiral Waves.
JOB First Look. Jamie O’Brien at Pipe by Vincent Laforet. February 2009. Music – Beck – Heaven Hammer.
It is with some interest that I watch the development of California based Circulate Motion Pictures ‘Way Of The Ocean’ movie project. Described as a “documentary of epic proportions” that will be delivered as a five part movie series beginning with Way Of The Ocean – Australia.
Featured surfers include Kelly Slater, Dane Reynolds, Ry Craike, CJ Hobgood and Asher Pacey. The first instalment is scheduled for release in December 2010, with others following over the next two years.
