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).

Becky Finn Britton • North West Ireland

Conor Maguire a Bundoran grom, but not for long. Soon he’ll be setting off on the next chapter of his life with the end of school and the beginning of much more; a time when surfers tend to disappear off the surfing map.

It was filmed by Becky Finn Britton, one of THE Britton clan from North West Ireland

Beckey-Finn, from the North West coast of Ireland, is a filmmaker and longboarder. She hails from the Britton surfing family in Donegal where life evolves around the sea. Most of her film pieces evolve around the same thing.

She fell in love with filming when she was about 12 after her mom, NC, bought a video camera for video analysis for her sister, Easkey and herself. She hasn’t stopped shooting since. It started off with home movies of the family surfing and escalated from there. The end product of years of experimenting and learning on the go is Bexter Productions, her film making presence on the web.

She does everything and anything from video analysis work to short film pieces involving various issues in the surf world including the conditions surfers face, the transitions in different stages of a surfer’s life and perhaps most importantly the issues the ocean faces itself with pollution, fracking and human interference.

When it comes to surfing she aims to do it as well as her dad, Barry. Finding shortboards just too small for the crazy drop-ins and charges down the line. But, most importantly it’s all about the party waves when it’s time to cruise at her local break in Rossnowlagh with all the family.

Are you a Videographer/film your mates surfing/have dreams of being the next Oliver Stone? Email you details and link to your video to steve@orcasurf.co.uk

Sterling Spencer has made a film.

It answers important questions like: Can Taj Burrow surf in Crocs?

It’s unlike any surf film you will see.

It features Dane, Jordy, and well, do you need anymore encouragement?!

Watch it here or download it in HD from Spencers site pinchmysalt.tv before the controversial film gets sued out of existence.

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.

On December 7th, Surfer Magazine hosted their 41st Annual Surfer Poll awards at Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu. Quiksilver had a tremendous showing on the night with Kelly Slater taking Top Men’s Surfer #1, Dane Reynolds taking home Top Men’s Surfer #2 and our lovely Stephanie Gilmore taking home Top Women’s Surfer #3! Congratulations to Stephanie and all the other Athletes!

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Through a series of interviews, film maker Jo Tyrrell captures some of today’s pro surfers, candidly talking for the first time about their personal journeys, the sacrifices, and the addiction that has dominated their lives.

Made totally independently over 2 years, the film focuses on the surfing community in southern California and Oahu, Hawaii; uncovering stories of homelessness and truancy as well as laughable accounts of riding a wave for the first time. Be it tackling and wiping out on 60ft waves or being enveloped by water in a tube; we gain insight into the skill and fear that fuels the sport.

The film uncovers unseen footage from “The Eddie”, Quiksilver’s annual big wave memorial surfing contest as well as the paddle out in memory of the late Pro Surfer Andy Irons. Both events illustrate the kinship and respect awarded to the ocean and those who ride it.

The grainy, bleached out shots are reminiscent of a super 8 movie; stripping away the layers that commercial surfing usually emulates. “I decided early on, against trying to make it look like a HD, big budget film. It’s uncomplicated but sincere. The beauty comes from the people and what they have to say,” Says Jo.

Jo was born in Durban, South Africa before moving to England at the age of nine. After years of working as a model and then as a photographer, it became apparent that Jo’s interest lay in people and their stories, so in 2010 Jo created  Dairy Beach Productions. “To me, it’s not about being perfectly lit or hours of make up or re-touching. It is without doubt when people are just being themselves that they’re the most interesting.”

This much anticipated film, WATCHING WATER, went on sale this week and can be purchased or rented via Distrify.

Take a look at the trailer...

Get filing – Keep nails short and natural by using a good nail file and rounding off the ends giving a smooth finish.

Get buffing – A lot of nail files now come with a ‘buffer’ on one     end. This simply smoothes out and makes your nails nice and shiny before applying any polish.

Base coat – When applying nail polish it’s important to remember to apply a base coat first, as this will stop the polish from staining your nails and will give a smoother and neater coating.

Be colour smart – The colour is completely up to you. Match your outfit, eyes, hair colour or just be big and bold with a luminous pink!

Applying polish – First, wipe any excess polish from the brush onto the inner rim of the bottle. Now paint a stripe down the center of your nail, followed by one on either  side, and finish with a thin strip across the very tip.

Top coat – Applying a clear top coat to your nails will keep the polish on for longer, and give them a sleek shine.

What comes before part B? Part-A!!! You’re ready to hit the town Surfgirl style! Cheers! We’ll drink to that!

Check out this video for some more nail tips and tricks!

Have you always aspired to be a photographer and, like Matt Georges, are a lover of analog photography? Then get your films and cameras ready, because Billabong is offering you the chance to get your best shot on a limited edition tee.

Get inspired by Matt Georges and send us your best shot of what is home for you. Places, friends, families and home might have different meanings from one another but can all convey, there’s no place like it.

The most inspiring picture will be turned into a limited edition photoprint tee part of the winter 12 collection.

Prices
- 1st. One day with Matt Georges to meet him and share his passion for photography, your picture on a limited edition photoprint tee part of the winter 12 collection and a Billabong wardrobe
- 2nd & 3rd. a Billabong wardrobe

How to join the competition?
Log onto http://www.billabong.com/girls/eu/matt-george
and upload your picture on the website. Get fully involved in the creative process by choosing the shape of your shirt, the colour of it and the size of your picture.

The winners will be selected by a jury composed of Matt Georges, Anne Flore Marxer, ‘Le-Monde-est-a-nous’ blogger Marie-Laure Daillut and Billabong professionals.

Now grab your camera and win a chance to see your picture on the next Billabong collection!

About Matt Georges
Born and raised in the French Alps, Matt started taking pictures and printing black and white photos as a hobby at 17. Many skateboarding and snowboarding photos later, Matt has built a solid reputation within the industry.

This analog lover has a true passion for all aspects of photography and spends his time learning new (old) techniques and shooting with different cameras. Billabong is proud to collaborate with such a talented photographer and share his passion for snowboarding and creativity through original and exclusive products. Billabong has released a small collection of t-shirt, fleeces and some outerwear in collaboartion with Matthieu. The prints are all influenced by Matt’s work and include a selection of some snow/lifestyle photographs.

Watch the Billabong x Matt Georges collaboartion video

The competition is based on how may ‘Likes’ it gets on vimeo so get on it and ‘Like”