“The SolarCycle Diaries is what happens if you wake up one day and decide to cycle round the world  – then make things more complicated by going through the Sahara. I’m not going to lie to you, it was pretty epic: sandstorms, heatstroke and a lot of men with guns. It’s February – get transported somewhere 50 degrees hotter.”  Susie Wheeldon.

‘Quiksilver discovers Susie Wheeldon’ is part of the latest Quiksilver project to promote and support inspiring and creative artists, writers, musicians, campaigners, and adventurers achieve their dreams.

“If you’ve met Susie you’ll be familiar with her incredible amount of enthusiasm (about anything), loud contagious laughter, and very creative ideas for simple things such as buying a pint of milk to the more challenging and obscure such as solar cycling in the Sahara.  As a writer, adventurer, lead singer of a rock metal band, and solar energy advocate, she inspires people to achieve their dreams by believing that nothing is impossible and that everything is obtainable.  She is exactly what ‘Quiksilver discovers’ is about.’ Meena Rajput, Quiksilver Marketing Manager

Quiksilver is really pleased to be working alongside Susie Wheeldon and SolarAid by supporting the launch of The SolarCycle Diaries.  SolarAid exists to confront humanity’s greatest challenges – climate change and poverty – by harnessing humanity’s greatest resource, the extraordinary power of the sun.

All proceeds of The SolarCycle Diaries will go to SolarAid.  Go to  www.solar-aid.org / www.videos.solar-aid.org to learn more.

THE SOLARCYCLE DIARIES, by Susie Wheeldon

“So, um, tell me again why we’re pedalling through the Sahara in June…”
In 2010 Susie Wheeldon and Jamie Vining rolled back into London complete with stings, bites, leathery skin and thighs of steel. With their co-rider, Iain Henderson, they had set out nine months earlier on a 12,000 mile round the world bike ride, promoting solar power and being tracked using solar nanotechnology.

Only, as Google maps and your thumb are not the most precise tools with which to plan a global circumnavigation, they had instead ridden 13,500 miles across North Africa, past the Himalayas and through some of the Earth’s more pungent road kill. Braving blizzards, tackling thunderstorms and getting blown off the road, they had been chased by dogs, attacked by killer bees and rerouted by the bubonic plague.

Their quest to promote all things solar had seen them followed by the police, accosted by goat herders and giving a talk – from a dog kennel – somewhere in the Deep South of America.

From the painful to the bizarre, this in an account of their journey through France, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, China and the USA.

It was one hell of a ride.”

Go to www.quiksilver-women.com to learn more about our brand and our inspiring ambassadors.

Coffey shared her “favourite place on Earth” with the two-time Grammy winner who was in Polynesia to perform at the opening ceremony of one of the world’s most spectacular and revered sporting events, the Billabong Pro, Tahiti. Held each August, the Billabong Pro is set against Tahiti’s breathtaking natural backdrop and thousands of fans flock to watch the world’s best surfers try and tame the legendary break; Teahupo’o.

“It was a cool feeling to see how far music can travel. These people knew my music and were singing it back to me. It was really a nice feeling,” said Caillat.

Caillat and Coffey enjoyed ‘ringside’ seats at the tournament, positioned in boats just meters from the waves, and both ocean lovers jumped at the chance to confront another of their fears – swimming face-to-face with sharks in the waters off neighbouring island, Moorea.

The not-to-be-missed video diary can be seen on VEVO, the world’s leading all-premium music video and entertainment platform, and billabong.com from January 24.

Chart-topping SoCal singer/songwriter Caillat’s newest album ALL OF YOU has received rave reviews from Billboard, People Magazine, LA Times, and debuted at #1 on iTunes.  The first single “I Do” was a #1 track on iTunes and the current single “Brighter Than the Sun,” is #7 at Hot AC and is featured in the national ad campaigns for Pantene and for ‘The Help.  Caillat is currently on tour (check dates on www.colbiecaillat.com).

The Water Dancer, features a series of short videos exploring the similarities between surfing and dancing, involving Quiksilver brand ambassador and 4X ASP World Champion Stephanie Gilmore and three professional New York dancers.

Stephanie went to New York for the project, where she met with the dancers skilled in ballet, hip-hop and commercial dance. The women discussed the creativity, elegance and audacity of surfing as it relates to the splendor, power and beauty of dance. Stephanie sought to capture the dancers’ unique culture, breathtaking talent and exciting stories, while demonstrating the relationship between the art of dance and the sport of surfing.

“Quiksilver and I created this concept to shed light on the way surfing is described, in a way that truly shows how beautiful female surfing is,” said Gilmore. “I once read that surfing a wave can be described as a dance performance: ‘The wave is your stage and the sun is a spotlight.’ I like to think surfing and dance have similar qualities like power, grace, improvisation, rhythm and most of all, performance. When I’m competing, the majority of my drive comes from the performance. When I’m surfing I want to be powerful, but perform with style and grace, similar to that of a dancer.” Thus where the idea came to light.

Famed choreographer Noemie LaFrance is one of the three dancers profiled in the video series. Hersensitivity to environment, muscle memory and improvisation were just a few of the many things that deemed Noemiea fascinating interview subject. She related her dancing to the way Stephanie rides a wave: both women understand the languages of the body and how far one can push their body. “It’s a constant adaptation,” Noemie said. “…a lot of times what is ‘improv’ is what is most natural and beautiful.” Each goes into their ‘dance’ with extreme structure and planning, but the two women connected on the need to let go and let the music or the wave take over.

Tiler Peck, the second dancer to take part in the series, is a determined and graceful New York City ballet principal. Very young for her level of success, the two women connected instantly on their early achievements and their being ‘thrown into’ a world of early stardom. Both Stephanie and Tiler acknowledge how their competitive drive enables them to put on a good show. “Every step is important, even the in between ones are even more,” Tiler says.

The final woman partaking in The Water Dancer is Brooklyn breakdancer and musician Casandra ‘Defy’ Rivera.  Defy sheds light on the female presence in a male-dominated culture. On breakdance culture, she remarks, “It is male-dominated and it takes a lot of strength. Girls are intimidated by it.” Similarly, men dominate surfing, and both Stephanie and Casandraagree on the importance of being aggressive while keeping femininity in their movements.

Speaking to dancers from varying backgrounds, cultures andgenres of performance, Stephanie has achieved a unity between surfing and all forms of dance and movement. Both surfing and dance require determination, strength and creativity. The true essence of The Water Dancer is toteach women the importance of constantly seeking inspiration in all that you do.

For more information, please visit: www.facebook.com/quiksilverwomen or www.quiksilver.com/women

Maldives: a video diary from Billabong Girls on Vimeo.

Here’s an interview we did earlier this year with singer, model and SurfGirl cover girl Catherine Clark.

Catherine, surfer or singer – which road are you travelling?
Singer! Surfing is amazing, but playing music is my passion.

Describe your songs to us?
Right now, my completed songs are kind of sweet little folk tunes. But I have big ideas for the songs I haven’t finished yet.

Does song writing come easily to you?
Yes, sometimes it’s more like I’m channelling someone else’s words than my own. It’s more through me, than of me. I never really think too much, it just comes out.

What makes you happy?
Playing music with friends, being in nature, writing poetry and going to music festivals!

Do you think there’s enough happiness in the world?
I think there is enough happiness in those that have chosen to be happy. I think once we realize that being happy is a choice, then there will be enough happiness in the world. I choose to be happy, even though some days it’s harder than others. It’s all about being gracious for the things you have, as opposed to being bitter for the things you don’t. Unhappiness is always rooted in one being uncomfortable with a certain situation, and their wanting it to be “better” or different. I find that once I take that certain moment for being what it is, and not try to fight it, it becomes much easier to deal with.

Does your environment help you create?
Always. And every environment helps you create something different. A beautiful natural place might make for a soothing song, but an uncomfortable place could make for something with a lot more emotion. But when it comes down to it, it’s your mindset more than anything that sets the mood of a song.

What do you think we should be doing to help our planet right now?
We should be putting bans on the production of plastic, and really hone in on recycling. Our government should be taking all of our taxes and putting it toward green technology, and school programs that teach you how to actually plant and maintain a garden. There is a certain spirit when one is immersed in nature, and it is completely disregarded by the western mindset. We need to find a way to not only coexist with nature, but once again be a part of it.

Does surfing inspire your songs?
No. Surfing is something I do to make my mind go blank, like meditation. Music is on a whole other level of thought. I immerse myself in emotion when playing music, actually quite the opposite of surfing.

What music are you into at the moment?
Adele, Mumford and Sons, and Florence and the Machine. I’m also really digging this local band called The Shoemaker Brothers. I’m also singing on Timmy Curran’s new album “Options”, which was a real honour because I love his music as well.

If you could be in any band which one would it be?
Probably Mumford and Sons. Their sound is so unbelievably powerful and emotional. I absolutely love it.

Which song would you like to have written?
Cosmic Love by Florence and the Machine. It is such a magically produced song, everything blends together perfectly.

Describe your perfect day
My perfect day would be hanging out at the Ranch and surfing all day. Just relaxing in the sun and getting waves. When it got dark I would be with all my friends playing music. I have had a few perfect days, I’m thankful for that.

Holt came out all guns blazing and stunned the smaller Hareb a minute in, but the she re-grouped and had turned tables by the end of round two, The pair were still swinging toe to toe at the final bell and Holt emerged with a unanimous points victory as rugby league took a 2-1 lead in the codes contest.

“I’m retiring from boxing as of today,” she said. “I was scared – she got me some good ones in the face. I’m relieved it’s over and now I’ll be a lot chirpier around the office.”

Surfer Paige Hareb had reeled from the early right hook, “I was surprised how hard she could punch – I actually felt quite dizzy in the first round,” Hareb recalled. “But that pretty much fired me up… I guess we were both brutal, just going at it. It was a bit different to the guys. They’re a little bit more patient.” The two women proved to be the “superstars” of the night, as Hareb and Holt received a standing ovation after each bruising round.Still, Hareb seemed hungry for more, saying she would keep up the boxing training after losing in a unanimous decision.

“We’ve had a month of training, compared to Hayley training for three months.”

Hareb’s boxing coach, Jacob Rapira, said the plan had been for the lighter Hareb to be as small a target as she could be until Holt dropped her hands. But the fight became a fierce trading of blows as soon as it began.

Click the video to see more.

Here’s Paige doing her day job…

Read more on the 3News website.

So Wilma, when did you start painting?
I’ve painted since I was a little girl – I was inspired by my uncle who was an artist. He was very eccentric and charismatic and made his own clothes out of sheepskin and carved tables out of tree trunks. He used to let me watch him paint in his studio or on the beach. It seemed like a really amazing to be able to do, so I started painting to create my own fantasy world when I was bored.

Do you now earn a living from painting?
It’s not easy when you’re a single mother with three kids and a neoprene habit! It’s a bit of a gamble – you work your guts out for a show and you never know until the opening night if you’re going to sell everything or nothing at all. I was on a bit of a losing streak, so I decided to write the book, which has been great.
What’s really funny is that I sometimes felt a bit guilty leaving the studio to go surfing – but in the end it was a good career move because since the book came out, the prices of my paintings have gone up!

As a naturist what’s the most outrageous thing you’ve done?
Hmm, where to begin? Sometimes I look back and wonder how I did it! It could be appearing in nothing but body paint at the Royal Opera House, or a week long live-in performance in a London art gallery where people used to come and watch us cooking breakfast naked, or maybe flashing in the British museum!

What attracted you to surfing?
I think it was that Old Spice ad with Carmina Burana playing in the background! I never thought I’d actually do it, it seemed like something that happened in California or Hawaii. Then I married a surfer, but he completely put me off by taking me out in a blizzard in a huge swell in South Wales. (I think he might have done it on purpose so I’d be the one staying back on the beach with the kids!) Then I ended up living in Guethary so close to the ocean that I could see this beautiful wave from my bed… I thought if I don’t do it now, I never will.

Was becoming a surfer one of your biggest challenges?
Yes definitely, I’d never done much sport and was 44 and totally unfit when I started. I’m not sure how I kept going actually, it took me months to stand up, and I used to come out of the water black and blue.

What’s it like living in France?
Guethary is just outside Biarritz and it’s really the Basque country, so it’s nothing like you might imagine a little French village – a million miles from A Year in Provence. It’s also right on the border with Spain – I went down to San Sebastian for breakfast this morning because I was a bit bored!

What’s the biggest surf you’ve been in?
I used to be terrified when it got over about a foot, but I’ve surfed a few overhead waves now which is pretty exciting. Guethary gets enormous, but my limit is about a metre and a half – although I sometimes go out when it’s bigger just to watch and keep my adrenalin levels up. It breaks a long way out, so it’s easy to underestimate the size and arrive out there feeling like you’ve been dropped into a gnarly surf movie by helicopter.

What’s the best thing that’s happened to you since you took up surfing?
Getting to my feet was a big moment, because it took me months, but I was still in the white water with the Mamas surf club. So I think when I got good enough to paddle out to Guethary alone and take a wave without anyone holding my hand. It still feels faintly miraculous every time I do it.

Any regrets?
Living on an empty point break in Ireland for ten years and never getting in the water!

Wilma’s book Surf Mama is available from Amazon.

Seriously this was just a party week for me.. we were staying in a beautiful hotel right on the beach with private swimming pool in our room! We went surfing every afternoon, and I tried longboarding for the first time there. Then we would go into the market where we found as intriguing and disgusting parts of animals and fish .. Chinese people spitting, burping, running into you and farting everywhere in public.. and weird toys and accessories just like gas masks etc..

We also all took off to a temple, where we took a chairlift up the hill. They had used a normal old chairlift and added a sun protections on them! The temple was nice and cool as everywhere else was hot and sticky with huge round rocks and big budhas everywhere. Then we took a gondola to watch monkeys bike on mini BMX, or on goats.. as well as steeling your bags and scaring the shit out of you!!

The waves were not super huge, nor steep or fast but just good enough to have some fun on the side of the competition site with all the girls and watching the comp from the water. At the end Chelsea Williams won the Swatch Girls Pro China and Lindsay Steinriede was crowned world champ. The best thing of that comp day was the bus ride that go all the girls back to the hotel, we were all singing and laughing the whole way, making the Hola for the winners, and for the Kassia Gozilaa (an gigangtic advert for the comp, a picture of Kassia twice the size of a building on the side of the highway) and what not!

The thing I liked the best was the fun we all had together just being silly and enjoying the moment! I’d like to thank the whole longboard girls crew who made it a blast!!
I hope to see you soon again!

anne-flore

Thanks to Swatch for bringing me there and thanks to Dom for all these pics Also thanks to Marc, Julie and Brodie fo such a fun event!

You can find video updates about my trip in China on:

Pull-In Da Tai squirrel undies from www.blackleaf.com
Spirit Hood from www.Surfdome.com
Supreme Being bear jumper from www.Surfdome.com
Kipling animal bag from www.Surfdome.com
Pull-In animal print leggings from www.blackleaf.com

Compiled by Amie Trewin a fashion PR intern at Coffin On Cake – a PR agency which represents action sports and lifestyle brands such as Rip Curl, Pull-In, Surfdome.com, Alpinestars, Fallen and Converse Bags and Accessories.