Scotland

Scotland has seen a pretty epic October. Not epic all time but epicly fun. Every week has seen a pulse of swell meaning at least a few days of surf every week. I've spent a few swells shooting pictures from the water when the sun's come out, usually at the best stage of tide for the spot. Got mixed results so far but some super good ones. Hopefully do something with them at some point.

Back in the Burgh

Homeski

Back in Scottish territorial waters for a while in order to carry out certain deeds and perhaps enjoy some empty waves again after a year of Spanish attitude.

So far it's been ok, some typically random swells have appeared and disappeared, and now the even more typical flat spell has kicked in. Still, it's autumn so in theory there should be waves coming. At some point.

A few bodyboard events in October and hopefully stretching my swimming muscles again and going for a swim with the camera means I can shoot some Scottish action in the coming months. But in the meantime I'm just going to enjoy the random beauty of Scotland. Fkin right mon.

Castles in the Sky

Castles in the Sky is Taylor Steele's latest release and follows on from his previous offering, the highly acclaimed Sipping Jetstreams from 2007.

Jetstreams blended superbly crafted cinematography with original locations, cutting edge surfing and a subtly brilliant soundtrack with songs by the likes of Ugly Casanova and The Album Leaf. Jetstreams created a niche market within surfing; catering for those with more refined tastes rather than scream, smash and grab of the typical surfing movie. Although it featured huge surf stars like Kelly Slater it was the locations that were given the starring role of the film.

Such success is hard to follow with a sequel as it gives rise to that most fateful of surfing feelings: high expectations. However, using similar ingredients to the first, Steele and his crew have achieved impressive results with Castles. It is a movie that inspires, makes you want to travel and makes you want to surf. Just like all surfing movies should.

The genre created by the likes of Sipping and Castles treads the fine line between documentary and surfing action movie. But it skilfully avoids lengthy dialogues which, as we all know, can become tiring after 2 or 3 viewings. In this way Castles retains its watchability without losing its authenticity.

The locations are well thought out and original. Iceland, Vietnam and Africa are featured with some of the world's best surfers doing what they do. But, like Sipping, the locations are the real stars. Clever editing allows the viewer to get a feel for each location; images of snow capped mountains, frozen roads and rubber clad surfers evoke well the frigidness of Iceland. While views of the Ganges and personalities of India convey the country's claustrophobia and ritualistic culture.

While the soundtrack in Sipping was more sombre Castles seems more upbeat; in this way the mood of the film is slightly different. A more optimistic, stoked movie is the result, whether intentional or not is unclear.

Scottish sPONGIN Open

Scottish Bodyboard Open 2010 is set to take place over the weekend of 5/6 June at somewhere slabby. Precise call on location will be made Wednesday prior to comp. Not the best time of year for big swells but can be super fun at some little slabs and even more so if there's some sunshine..

The Christopherson Bros have dominated the comp's history, with Josh claiming almost every title since who knows when. Brother Tim is always a close second with style for miles and a solid trick repertoire. Josh has a wicked Tamega style, a mixture of balls out bravado and tight technical skills honed on some very good hollow waves. Plus he is a determined competition machine making him a difficult yin to beat! Tim is always snapping at his heels so perhaps this will be the year Josh gets knocked off his pedestal..

Western Exposure

Windy 2, originally uploaded by rupertABZ.

Looked at a photo of this wave for so long but put off going there for an equally long time, knowing the chances of scoring it how it looked in the picture was remote. But set off anyway and eventually found it, quite lierally over the hills and beyond the sea...Wasn't quite so good, most waves were not hitting it, wind was strong sideshore and was quite small. But excellent potential and figured out at least some of the variables. Plus a beach round the corner was going for 3 days staright :)

Fit Like

This is one of the best slabbers in the area but, due to unusual swell patterns, hasn't broken as consistently as previous years. Luckily the unusual swell patterns have led to many other spots being worth it yet this still remains as the premier slab in the area..have managed to get in here about 4 times since last year and each time has been super fun with blue skies, seals and curiously friendly OAPs...Next time will swim out with camera :)