It’s now February so we’re starting on the first SurfGirl of the year. It’s been a long winter but just we’re starting to think about warmer days and summer now that January’s over – wahoo!

So this is what we’re thinking, we had such a good response to last years DIY issue that this year we’re going to feature some of your work every issue. If you paint, photograph, make stuff – whatever it is you do we’d like to see it. Each issue we’ll run a couple of pages of your work and put it on the website and in the app too. Get involved, get your camera, pens, scissors out and surprise us with your creativity!

Below is a list of the things that we are featuring in each issue and the deadline date to get your work in by.

Issue 36 – Homemade crafts – anything beachy that looks cool and funky that you’ve made using fabric, paper, shells or whatever. Deadline 1st March.

Issue 37 – Surf art – inspired by the ocean. It can be art on surfboards too as well as canvas or paper. Deadline 1st April.

Issue 38 – Photos – that showcase at your local break. Deadline 25th April.

Issue 40 – Winter – send your pics and photos in of snow on the slopes or at the beach. Deadline 25th September.

How to send your work in.

This is the tricky bit! So email me and let me know what you’re sending louise@orcasurf.co.uk and then send your images by wetransfer only – sorry but this is the only way to send stuff to my computer! Also jpegs are the way to go. Say which issue your work is for and include your email address on the wetransfer notes bit. The images need to be hi res and 1MB otherwise they are too small for print. Make sure the photos are well lit and close up.

Good luck ladies and get creating!

Thanks to Gemma Louise Fryer for her piece of inspiration!

The Nixon Art Mosh will make its 2012 debut with a two-night installation located in the heart of Munich. In partnership with ISPO, Planet Sports, Factory Media and Pleasure Mag.

Beginning Sunday January 29, this invitation-only art exhibition will showcase the works of Brett Walker, George Morton-Clark, Orlando Campbell, Matt Small, Cheryl Dunn, David Bray, Greg Eason, Mc Bess, LG White, Best Ever, Crista Léonard, Adam Bricusse, Danny Burrows, Lee Colwill, Anders Gjennestad, Stohead, Anton Unai, Shorvon & Hunter, Mox, Kutmah, Alex Laurel, Mathias Fennetaux, SatOne, Thesigner and C100.
The Nixon Art Mosh supports emerging and established talent in the field of art and music with once again a strong contingent of influential artists all of which are renowned in Germany. Berlin urban artist and street art activist Stohead will be doing a solo live painting performance on the first night. On the second night illustrator and graffiti writer SatOne will be collaborating with Munich based artists C100 and Thesigner sponsored by Montana Cans Germany.

DJ Kutmah will be on-hand both evenings with a live performance and visual collaboration with moving image-maker and producer, Mox. Paris’ DJ Lod will round out the night with additional entertainment on the turntables.

First launched in 2007 in Nixon’s hometown of Encinitas, California, The Art Mosh began as a small, one-night only grassroots event showcasing the artwork of local Nixon team riders and friends of the brand. Since its inception, The Art Mosh has grown into a global pop up art gallery tour with stops in Singapore, New York, Dublin, Paris, London, Vancouver and beyond. The works shown at any of The Art Mosh stops feature film, paint, sculpture, photography and music from artists, employees, industry friends of the brand. First conceptualized as a “party with a purpose” the core ideals of The Art Mosh have remained intact since the original event took place over 5 years ago.

“The Nixon Art Mosh first began as a way to bring our local community of talented friends, team riders and employees together for one night of good art, good times and good company”, said Nixon co-founder and VP of Marketing, Chad DiNenna. “The original Art Mosh idea is still very much the same today as it was back when we created it 5+ years ago. We’re fortunate enough to have caught the attention of large group of talented individuals from around the world who want to take part in this event and continue sharing different perspectives at each new stop, city-to-city, year-after-year.”

Woolacombe is a great place to visit and surf and we’ve a reader discount at the Southover Beach Surf Apartments overlooking the break.

About Woolacombe
Woolacombe has a long beach with plenty of peaks and is not as busy as Croyde to the south. It’s a popular, west-facing beachbreak, works at all stages of the tide and is suitable for all surfing abilities. It needs a clean swell plus easterly winds to be really good. At high tide, surf right at the northern end. Coombesgate Beach, to the north, can offer good waves at low tide. Putsborough, the southern end of Woolacombe beach, offers good protection from southerly winds and bigger swells and it faces north-west so can be worth a look if Woolcombe is onshore.

Woolacombe has been voted one of Britain’s best beaches, with great surf, golden sand and stunning scenery and a visit here is a definite must for any surf holiday. It is a lively village with great pubs, shops, restaurants and places to stay. Visitors of all ages will find plenty to do away from the beach if the surf is flat or onshore.

Surf Information
• Break type: Sand
• Offshore wind direction: Easterly
• Swell direction: Westerly
• Wave direction: Lefts and rights
• Ability: All
• Water quality: Good – EU award for high water quality
• Lifeguard service: From 1st May to 30th Sept

Stay at
Southover Beach Luxury Surf Apartments Woolacombe Devon

Just a stone’s throw from the surf this WOW holiday development of self catering apartments is without a doubt a touch of class and well worth the extra cost, so why not indulge yourself?

This outstanding self catering redevelopment boasts of being the most up to date in comfort as well as providing the best apartment location in Woolacombe, North Devon for the beach and surf. The Southover Beach holiday apartments have 7 units (Apts 2-8) available for self catering including an open plan garden penthouse, a duplex with spiral staircase and very large decking balcony, 2/4 & 4/6 person en-suite units and our family garden apartment, which can sleep 6 to 8. Most with French windows leading to a balcony or patio overlooking Woolacombe Bay in Glorious North Devon.

Features include:
Open plan living, stylish leather sofas, LCD flat screen TV, Freesat, DVD, S/Sound – High spec. fully kitted kitchens, King size beds and luxury en-suite bath & shower rooms, a 6 person Steam Room, secure surf wet/dry store, BBQ’s, own balconies & patios plus a massive communal garden all with amazing full-length beach views. Digitally controlled central heating as open all year. Private Parking and security intercom entrance.

- Special 3 & 4 Night Breaks -

Friday to Monday or Monday to Friday

from £95 per person inclusive
Special price is based on full occupancy of a minimum 4 person apartment

Web: www.southoverapartments.co.uk

Please contact: 01271 870199 / 07967 125297 Tom Phillips, enquiries@southoverapartments.co.uk

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

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

Words by Caroline Nieuwenhuis. Photo courtesy Roxy.

It’s a sad fact that as you get older your recovery time from injury takes longer. Surfing is a sport that can exacerbate injuries; in particular it puts pressure on your joints, muscles and back. Longboarder Becky Stanhope, fed up with a recurring back injury, turned to Shiatsu massage to help her and found out that it has more benefits than she first realised. We caught up with her to find out more about magic of Shiatsu.

So, Becky, how did you come across Shiatsu massage?
Well, like most surfers, I find the thought of being kept out of the sea though injury almost unbearable. Knowing that the surf is pumping and you’re suffering is miserable. I generally used to sit out the injury for a day or two, otherwise try and ignore it, pile on some deep heat and ibuprofen gel and get out there anyway!
My back was getting worse and a friend suggested a Shiatsu massage to help me get back in the water sooner. I booked a therapy session with Graig Sims at Samkhya Shiatsu based in Portreath, Cornwall.

Tell us a bit about Shiatsu and how it works?
Shiatsu massage therapy uses techniques such as palming, rubbing, joint mobilization and stimulation of acupressure points. Areas are identified which need to be worked on and Shiatsu massage applies pressure to these points, improving the flow of energy and unblocking and relieving tension around the body.
Shiatsu massage can be extremely beneficial for the body and, as well as helping increase flexibility and range of motion in joints, can also relieve stress, anxiety and depression, and treat anything from aches and pains to muscle tightness and back problems.

How do you feel during the treatment?
The treatment is really relaxing, unlike most other massages the treatment is given lying on a mat on the floor, wearing loose comfortable clothing. During the treatment ‘problem’ areas will be found and worked on through a variety of techniques.

How do you feel after a Shiatsu massage?
Great! I feel more balanced and energized than ever. Tired muscles feel lighter and I feel ready to get back out in the sea! Shiatsu massage definitely has a lasting beneficial effect. After the first treatment I felt a little odd the next day as the toxins were moving around my body to find their way out, this was a great indicator of how effective the treatment is. Through regular treatment I find it’s like putting my batteries on charge!

How has it helped your surfing?
After initially having Shiatsu for an injury, I started to have sessions to help prevent injury and to make myself feel better. Through Shiatsu my flexibility and energy levels are improved, which in turn helps with my surfing. Last year I competed in the British Longboard Tour and finishing third overall. Regular Shiatsu massage combined with swimming training and Pilates definitely helped with those bursts of power required in competitive surfing.

Anyone who exercises regularly should look at having some sort of treatment to their body to ensure that they are not wearing themselves out or heading towards problems. What’s great about Graig is that he is also a Reiki Master, so he has a broad understanding of the body, and where needed he can also incorporate Reiki into the personalized treatment.
For more information on Shiatsu treatments, go to www.samkhya-shiatsu.co.uk or call Graig Sims on 07825501551. Graig runs taster sessions around Cornwall, these are posted on his site and Facebook group (Samkhya Shiatsu).They are free so you can meet Graig and get a taste of what Shiatsu can do for you.

Viva Lost Vegans!

As a special end to the trip the crew headed to Las Vegas to catch the Cirque du Soleil Beatles Love show, which was mindblowing.  However, it was equally devastasting to uncover that captive dolphins are held in The Mirage hotel in Sigfreid and Roy’s secret garden.

We made it our mission to stage a protest, and the sadness that hit me when leaving the strange city in the desert was nothing compared to what the dolphins must feel on a daily basis, day in day out, going round and round their tiny tank.  As surfers we can feel out of sorts if we don’t get wet for a while, but imagine being a dolphin and never experiencing the ocean, these marine mammals may well be born in captivity but they belong in the wild.

Captivity issues are something Women for Whales will be focussing on once our campaign for the South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary finishes in July 2012.  Thankfully the UK banned dolphinariums in 1993 but almost 300 whales and dolphins are held captive in European dolphinarims and zoos still to this day.  And worldwide there are nearly 200 establishments, of which the US, Mexico and Japan are the biggest culprits with the largest number of captive facilities.  Take a look at the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society for more information.

Wendy and I reunited in the jungle

Out of Vegas I took a one way ticket to Central America, where I would be spending the next 6 months in preparation for the International Whale Celebration #2.  Sincerely grateful to glimpse the ocean again, I was looking for warm water, challenging breaks and environmental projects and knew Costa Rica would be the place to start.  On arrival I was completely spoilt by my friend Nancy of Rica Surf, who took me surfing with her extensive local knowledge, introduced me to the local cuisine (gallo-pinto) and led me to some amazing waterfalls.  From there I headed onto Santa Teresa to be reunited with Wendy, who I used to team up with to run Roxy Girls Weeks in Morocco.  I settled into life here in Mal Pais, and have been teaching yoga, surfing my new Bing board, enjoying the nature overflowing all around and moving forward with the Women for Whales initiative (painting murals, visiting schools and holding events).

Tropico Latino's beautiful yoga shala

Wendy and I are excited to announce that we will be teaching retreats together at Tropico Latino featuring yoga, surfing and adventures in this magical place.  We can’t wait to share the amazing lifestyle, waves, surroundings and food the Nicoya Penninsular has to offer, we believe this to be the perfect setting for healing, relaxing and rejuvenating.  Whether its taking your yoga practice to the next level, giving some time back to your self or taking a leap of faith into something new – this retreat is suitable for both beginners and practicing yogis alike!  The dates are:

• April 8-14 & April 14-20 2012
• May 6-12 & May 12-17 2012

Picture perfect beach on your doorstep

The retreats will focus primarily on Quantum Yoga™ where students will learn about their own individual mind-body type (dosha) according to the ancient Indian healing system of Ayurveda, accompanied by yoga sequences to balance their dosha.

This will be teamed with restorative sunset yoga, incredible organic food, surfing lessons and sessions, and all situated one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

If you have any inquiries, you can drop me an email at natalievfox@hotmail.com or for more info go to Wendys Yoga.  We hope to see lots of SurfGirls there!

Until then I’m packing my bag and heading off into the jungle for a meditation course, then following my heart to where the whales are in the Osa penninsular!  Stay warm ladies, and if you can’t face the surf then check out the flights to Costa Rica where it’s always HOT!  Pura Vida xx

Learn to shred with Quiksilver and Roxy top team riders in Chamonix this winter.

This time it’s for the keen skiers and snowboarders, Quiksilver and Roxy offer a unique experience with ‘The Boardriders Winter Week’. Your opportunity to shred Chamonix with quality coaching from some of the top team riders whilst staying in a luxurious guesthouse ‘The Club House’. One week of shredding in an exclusive environment; guests will hang on and off the slopes with Quiksilver and Roxy team riders such as Markku Koski and James Stentiford, plus have the use of instructors from Evolution2, experts of the mountains. It will be an unforgettable week of coaching, backcountry riding and freeride sessions in one of the best mountainous resorts in the world- in the heart of legendary Chamonix.

OUTSTANDING COACHING
6 days to perfect your technique with the Quiksilver and Roxy riders on hand to help. From Brevent to Courmayeur, the students will have access to an amazing playground of 6 areas. As well as confirmed team riders, the Charlet brothers, Chamonix locals and freestyle/freeride legends will be around to shred for the week too. Not only your company on the slope, the riders will be staying at the chalet so your chance to hang with them in the evenings as they share their experience and passion on and off the slopes.

EXTRAORDINARY SESSIONS
Two one-week courses (February 12th-19th, February 19th-26th) are open to skiers and snowboarders (male or female) over 14 years of age who are at an intermediate level. The program includes freeride, freestyle, backcountry aspects as well as educational training on security, avalanche training, crevasse rescue and glacier evaluation.

If snow conditions permit, students will be filmed and photographed by the coaches so that an evening debrief can assess progress and correct faults.

Each coaching week has 16 spaces and guests will stay in ‘The Club House’ chalet with a full package of meals, specialist instructors and tuition from the pro athletes. All for a fixed price of €1540 for under 18’s and €1830 for adults (prices exclude transport).

Week 12th-19th Feb
Hosted by Markku Kosti and James Stentiford from Quiksilver. Lena Stoffel and Basa Stevulova from Roxy.
Week 19th-26th Feb
Hosted by Markku Kosti and James Stentiford from Quiksilver. Andrea Binning and Margot Rozies from Roxy.

Reservation and information at www.boardriders-week.com