“Danger”

It’s the place that captured Tommy Kay’s imagination years ago, whilst sat on the tube, putting the Finisterre plan together. Over ten years later, it’s still capturing the hearts of many.

Rocky and the boys over at The Go Big Project, have sent through another short film, which highlights the athletes, sport, culture and realities of Big Wave Surfing in Half Moon Bay, California at the legendary “Mavericks.”

Hats off to the chargers.

Maverick Moments “Danger” from The Go Big Project on Vimeo.

tan lines…

on the back of the neck are right around the corner. All those things that coincide with Spring and Surf – lighter evenings, 3/2 out of hibernation, tan lines on the back of the neck and a dab of sun protection on the tip of the nose.

Call these things nostalgic, the very thought of them gets the workshop humming, toss this video in by a guy named Cody Caldwell and workshop doors get blown off.

It’s friday, start thinking about your next southwest surf trip, swell is looking good for the weekend, only takes a quick pack and 3-5hr drive (if you’re in London)…

Enjoy the video, super stoked Cody.

Afternoon Delight from Cody Caldwell on Vimeo.

Most leave, whilst a few stay

Gary McCall is in the Finisterre Product Tester stable. Northern Ireland and its reefs are where he’s most comfortable, and with a handful of locals, they’re stamping their abilities within the global big wave surf arena.

A bit about a recent shot and what happened, only two days ago:

Gary: That was dawn surf check at Mullaghmore when the swell was peaking. Was down there with Al and Cotty. We set out onto the water early and after nearly deciding to return to harbour Cotty went straight and nailed one around 50ft which must have been the biggest of the day!

Ernie: where’s the shot?

Gary (humbly replies): oh yeah, it’s here here‘

If you’d like to see more on Gary and what he does – check his site.

What’s happened?

Definition of Spoil: to impair, damage, or harm the character or nature of (someone) by unwise treatment, excessive indulgence, etc.: to spoil a child by pampering him.

What’s happened to the athlete who does things only for the love? What’s happened to the athlete who keeps his big wins and moments under his hat? What’s happened to the athlete who inspires people with their walking and very little talking?

We look for athletes and people every day, who are the complete antithesis of spoiled. Jamie Hancock, you are unspoiled, we dug the video.

Who says you can’t rock fleece

We’ve got quite a history of working with and wearing fleece. It’s funny how certain fabrics can acquire certain stigmas, cashmere (beautiful and soft), fleece (middle aged, synthetic). We’re not big on stigmas, we’re just big on what works and how you rock it.

Take Rich for example, he’s a professional in waste management, his ideals are that of wearing clothes till they’re falling off and being outdoors as much as possible. He can surf over five different vehicles better than you can surf one and he loves to rock fleece, with suspenders (braces) by the way side.

I’m rocking a Coriolis whilst I type this, cafe to one side. How do you rock your fleece?

P.S. Hey Rich, if you’re reading this, I kind of have a crush.

More on Rich – The who wastes not

1500 frames per second

“There’s no other spot in the world like Maverick’s, you can jump off a plane 20 minutes away and drive down to the beach”, says Ken Collins.

Rocky Romano is a guy who lives his life in between big swells. He’s sat on ski’s in some of the oceans biggest swells and captured almost every big wave surfer on the planet, doing what they do.

We caught a glimpse of one of his most recent projects and had to take our hats off, he in many ways, has captured footage of Maverick’s, that has never really been captured before. Healey comes out the back of Maverick’s left, Mr. Collins takes off one of the biggest bombs and all played back, at super slow motion (1500 frames per second). Carlos Burle couldn’t make it, but managed to make some swells earlier in the year and we’re looking forward to seeing some footage soon.

We’re opening things up with Rocky and hopefully in the not too distant future, you may even see a bit of footage of Rocky wearing an Anabatic, off the back of a ski. Keep an eye out – 7 minutes and 23 seconds in, Ken goes big – enjoy.

Maverick Moments: Episode 1 from The Go Big Project on Vimeo.

All it takes

The workshop has taken a few knocks over the last 12 months and you know what, we’re still here and we couldn’t be more proud of everyone in it and they’re ability to find the opportunities. Rebecca, Gregor, Davo, TK, Jackson, Debs, Sara, TP and all those in the wings showing their support – you guys rock and we’ve got probably one of our most exciting times ahead. When we’re unsure, let’s remember to take those little steps forward, that’s all it takes. Our mates over at Betty Wants In, in Melbourne have shown us what’s on the other side of those little steps – enjoy the video.

Experience Freedom from Betty Wants In on Vimeo.

We’ve got a shop…

for only one day.

This Saturday, we’re going to be running our first ever shop and for one day only. Why? Because we’ve got products that have accumulated over the years, not much, but enough to open up a shop and have product shifting from prices as low as 5 pounds (this is nuts)!

The product ranges anywhere from our beautiful insulation, through to merino and t-shirts, people are getting excited, the whole team will be there and we’re hoping people can make it, even travel from a far.

Where? Polzeath, North Cornwall, inTHE TUBE STATION

When? Saturday, 11 of February, from: 10AM – 5PM

Bring mates, bring dogs, bring the family. There will be food, drink and Finisterre product at ridiculous prices – show up and grab yourself a bargain.

Spinning

Doesn’t matter where you live, what you do, we reckon this’ll get the wheels spinning. Beautiful work Project Yosemite, music: M83, track: outro – we loved it, the workshop is spinning, the fleeces are fresh in, flying out and getting people outside – stoked!

Yosemite HD from Project Yosemite on Vimeo.

copping out?

Often shot from the water, tow teams on the shoulder and the boys waiting in between sets, Shipsterns has opened the eyes of many. A solid North Coast winter swell can spike the emotions of most, you get anxious, you stare at it, you see a few guy take some sets on the head and for a second, you think about copping out and then your mate has you recall the video below and the rest just seems like child’s play and suits go on.

Hats off to the chargers, to the guys who keep you in the water.

shipsterns from Dave otto on Vimeo.