Contesting 2022 / February 16, 2022 by craig levers

Saturday morning Billabong Oceanbridge Grom Series 2022

40 years ago I went to my first NZ surf comp, it was at Manu Bay, it wasn't a fun time. I was a very self conscious 14 year old in general, and not at all confident in my surfing ability. I was very aware of my lack of talent and prowess.

Surf Photographers’ dream of days like this!

My good mate Ste'en Webster had seconded his work car. He worked at Marx Surfshop, our then local surf hang. It was a brand new Subaru Leone 4WD station wagon, it was the newest car I'd ever been in. It was emblazoned on both sides with the Marx Surf logo- it looked super cool. We were unwittingly involved in a bit of gorilla marketing. Mark Bud 'lent' the wagon to the shop grommet [Ste'en] to drop something at the contest site. In turn Ste'en had filled the car with his mates [I can't remember who else was in the car.]

so, so clear, 0% humidity and mist to shoot through

As was always the way, Ste'en had us hurtling down the southern motorway at 4 am. Ste'en's idea of a dawny was, and is, to be in the water before dawn. It was still dark when we got to Whale Bay, but through the dank cold Indy's was pumping, solid 6 foot. I thought it was a lot bigger. Ratso and Jeanie Shanks were out, and they were both ripping. That was a highlight of this mission, paddling over an Indy's shoulder and watching Rat drive off the bottom and then snap tight in the pocket, pelting me with spray. It was hands down the best surfing I'd witnessed and the first time I'd seen a dude from a surf mag. I was totally star struck.

Looks pretty good aye! Sunday morning with a mellow 30km/h offshore…things were about to get hectic

After the surf we loaded our boards back on the roof of the Subaru. Without a second thought, piled in to drop off this 'thing' Ste'en had at Manu Bay. The Bay carpark was full, the road was packed with the who's who of NZ Surfing. At that split second of us starting to drive through the crowd I had one of those moments of clarity. 'Oh fuck, we're in a brand new, stickered wagon, with boards piled high on the racks...we look like wannabe pros.' Sure enough the jeers started...'What have we here aye! Team Marx Surf Shop! Check these gremmies out.' I remember my face hot flushing, and begging Ste'en to drive faster. He couldn't, we were deep into the crowd now, the only way was snail pace forward to the judge's tent. Everyone was leering in the windows to see who was in the car...and it was only us, some try hards. To this day I could show the spot the car was at a stand still in the crowd.

As I write that, it doesn't read that gnarly. But for a shy teenager it felt like the height of faux-pars. I can remember the exit was equally as embarrassing. I don't think we stayed around to watch a single heat.

You'd think that would be enough to never ever want to visit a contest site ever again. On the flip side, not soon after I watched Richard Langdon beat Derek Hynd in a nail biting final on the Bar at Piha. It was an epic tussle of blow for blow exchanges.

I got involved in the contest machine. For 15 years I was tasked to attend and shoot every event on the Surfing NZ calendar. You can't go to EVERY one, but there where very few missed over those years with the magazine.

After that 15 years of being at the magazine you'd think I'd be done. I landed the photography contract of the Hyundai Longboard Tour that included the Nationals for 6 more years. On top of that I got the ISA World Juniors, then most of the comps at Piha.

This is Groms, Womens, Open, Regionals, Longboarding and some internationals in Aussie, Tonga and Hawaii over a now 30 year span. Some years I've counted 15 minimum, so let's average it out at 8 per annum. That's 240...let's swipe off 40 and go for 'at least 200 comps'. Been to a lot of comps aye.

Mellow, those chops and ribs aren’t too bad right?

Why do I still jump at the chance to be involved? Why would I drive away from perfect surf to stand in the rain and on-shore?

Friends.

Ben and Gina Kennings, the Ria family; Steve, Kris, Phagan and Gilli, Lee Ryan, Nudge, yes even you Gav, Ratso, Trev and Jennie Metcalfe, Jan and Col, George! GT, Filthy Phil, Keg, Bansky, Ritchie, Rusty, Roxy, Hawky, Jay PH and Gabi [aka the new Col and Jan] , Caleb, Dan Westie, Jama .... the point is, even although these soldiers in the trenches watch us photographers swan in late and leave early. Note our lack of doing any of the heavy lifting, it's an evolving team and family. If I've done 200, then BK and Steve Ria have done 400 each.

We've endured helicopter parents and Karens. We've watched competitors come and go, now we see their children compete... oh wait.. yep, grand children. It's an honour.

Over the weekend I got to be the shooter for the Billabong/Oceanbridge Grom Series Whangamata. Both Billabong and Oceanbridge have supported grom development in NZ for 17 years so far. I was at the first Billabong/Oceanbridge, as were BK and Steve. Last weekend Cyclone Dovi bore down on us, Saturday was onshore and raining, Sunday was 150km/h offshores.

Piha’s Bill Byers, 3rd generation surfer and last weekend’s U18 Boy’s Champion

I didn't love every minute of it. I didn't get masterful images. It was bread and butter, grind it out stuff. Get the shots, get diversity, get the delivery done. Give the media officer the stuff they need. I do love that. I do love that you witness the up and comers. You see friendships forming and rivalries developing. Catch ups with long time friends.

The next Billabong/ Oceanbridge Grom Comp, the finale in fact, is in two weeks time at Piha. I'll be there in an offical role. Frothing to still be a part of the machine.

SNZ's press release is HERE for Sunday's surfing

and HERE for Saturday's surfing

And the Facebook photo gallery of the weekend past are HERE

...AND Deeeeen....

Up featuring on Recreational Society right now are Emma, Dave and Molly. Check it out it's a really good feature about a couple LOVING exploring NZ..

From The Book Shop

Oh yes you good thing! Over 2/3 of the print run are sold. To be really honest that's about right for a book project; sell that 66% in the first 1/4 and then the remaining 33% will go over the next 12 months. So its a proven seller I guess right??? Anyway, wanna pick it up and not pay for P&P...well you can HERE

W>A>S / February 8, 2022 by craig levers

For Westies, summer really is our time. We endure the howling bite of winter's south westerlies for these days. Summer days of boardies, groomed banks and weeks of offshores. Summer days made all the more sweeter and special because of the wonderful contrast between seasons. It's amplified on the coast, the bad makes you appreciate the good, there is no complacency.

Last week was yet another W.A.S. [West Appreciation Situation]. Day after day of perfect weather, off shores, favourable tides and go to banks on the open coast. In a break with regular transmission, here's a new way of doing things; the PhotoCPL top 50 yes 5-0 images from the week that W.A.S.

A welcome visitor to our shores Taranaki’s Tyler Anderson treating the lefts like Rocky Lefts

And over on the bank that just keeps giving…hot off a U16 win at the Billabong Grom Comp Leia Millar

This guy is always in the water, love your amp bro!

Bourne Buirski, leggie knee high ‘cos of the sea ulcers- another sure sign of summer

Andy Mann, pretty much won the heat this session…from the unofficial judges sand side.

Leia… back to school now!

Dave Wood patented

Luke actually enjoying going right, a rare event

Yeah Mike! Mr Dunstan jamming that back brake on

Bevan Wigg returning to form after a hideous year of injuries- good to see ya brother

Stu Millar, from now on only ever known as Leia’s Dad, or U45 woman’s National Champ Carolyn’s hubby

go on then, one more of Luke going right and shovelling buckets

Another welcome returnee, shaper Brad Buckle is back after a decade of shaping and surfing in Indo

Ever regular in these waters, ever getting the bigger sets… Simon

good luck getting a set wave off this mob!

Woody…. and his shrewd **Woody’s Movement Workshop** logo placement

Yeah Matias, log racing in style

Greggy!

Laurie loving his new 7’0 twin from Go Hard

KB completing the trilogy in bottom turn studies

Bill Byers perfecting the Larry layback

Me ol’ young mate Harper McBride fins free

Surf Camping and... Surf Camp / January 26, 2022 by craig levers

Dave Wood in happy camper mode for sure!

A fortnight ago I promised the weekly E-Bomb would be more ...well, weekly. And then nothing. The excuse is the best and only real one that flies; surfing, camping and cyclone chasing [argueably avoiding].

Pretty good reason not to be keyboard tapping

At this juncture, I'm going to check myself. The easiest thing in the world would be to write a blow by blow account like the old Primo Roadys. I used to love writing them for the surf mag.

I'm going to claim it, I invented them. Back in the day Anchor [via their flavoured milk brand Primo] approached us at the magazine. It was the usual 'we want to be associated with the magazine, but we don't want to run adverts.' I proposed the Primo Roady concept, the idea being Anchor paid handsomely to have naming rights and branding on those pages.

A part from wanting their corporate dollar, there was another reason. The magazine was treading water, we'd lost sight of what Kiwi Surfers did and wanted to see. Kiwi Surfers go on road trips, more so than any other nation, geographically we kind of have to. The magazine needed to feature regular road trips, reflect what every Kiwi surfer did.

Toby Dobson-Smith a regular around these parts

Over the years I even managed to persuade them into buying us a Primo Panel Van to give away after a summer of use. A boat to shoot photos from [that did not work out so well, took a wave on at Whanga Bar and lost 7K of camera gear.]

It's doubtful Anchor/Primo ever knew the real value of what they got. But the association worked, the magazine retained Primo as an advertiser/sponsor for a decade. Over that time readers sent in their own photos of their 'Primo Roady's'. And NZ's top surfers clamoured to be on the next Primo Roady. We did some sick ones, we did some shockers.

Last week was definately Primo Roady worthy. All the elements where there; lots of driving, a swell that kept giving, camping [well Troopy glamping], road food, great mates and a shit ton of good waves.

Ha'atafu Gone!

Skeet Amess at Tonga's crown jewel; ET's

This is a nostalgic E-Bomb huh! I've enjoyed the Burling Whanau hospitality on 6 surf/photo trips to Tonga. It's close to home that the Surf Resort was LEVELLED by the Tongan Tsunami. Check the clip...every building and palm gone.

Steve, the patriarch of the Burlings, has stated that it's doubtful the Surf Camp [the longest running in the Pacific] will re-open. With continued volcanic activity only 40kms off the coast of the Resort. This means the Burling property will no longer be inhabited and the 20 staff will have to find new jobs.

Dean Amess 2005.... eeek... just 16 years ago. This image features as a double page spread in the book **PHOTO CPL**

Steve and his wife Sesika retired to Ahipara quite a few years ago now. But are still actively involved with their eldest daugther Moana and her husband Hola running the resort. Unlike many surf camps around the world, the culture at Ha'atafu is clearly family vibes. The staff are treated as family. You're invited in as extended family. Which is evidenced in how well the Go Fund Me page has gone. Steve and Sesika's son Alan Burling set it up 7 days ago with a lofty goal of 100K, it has already hit over 123K.

You can donate HERE

From The Gallery

The FFN wasn't quite in this vintage form...but it sure was worth being there for a week of primo waves. Would you like to loss endless hours staring at your lounge wall??? Well! Check out this water image of the FFN out bigger HERE

I'm Back! / January 13, 2022 by craig levers

The 285 Edition

Is that a good thing? I dunno, but there it is 285 web logs deep, that's a lot of photos and dribble. I'm not the most consistent web logger, at web log school the first lesson is be regular, be frequent...that's not happening here, over the last few months there's been too much real work and surf to be locked behind the keyboard. This year, and this is not a New Years Reso, the plan is to get back to consistent, interesting posts. So here's a wee catchup...

The last shoot for 2021 was for Dave Woods, aka Woody's Movement Workshop. The shoot was with two of his highest profile clients, Blood Diamond [left] and Israel Adesanya. Woody's training is focussed on breathing under stress, controlling your thoughts and body at the most critical times. I kept my cool (I think) didn't fan boy out too hard. And felt like the brief was nailed for Woody.

...And Deeeeen Holiday X

Whangamata was super fun the last few weeks, fun waves on the beach. A nice routine, get up for a dawny photo shoot; like these ones above and below. Then cruise, coupley casual paddles, give the nieces and nephews a surf lesson...just cruise.

It's Nationals Week!!!

Could've, should've gone, have FOMO now all the pix are feeding through. The Surfing Nationals is always sick for catch ups with old mates. This year...this week the Nationals are in Westport, the last time it was there was 25 years ago...a 1/4 century...and yep I was there. It was a mixed bag of the Nats actually, some tough calls on Lay Days and then some really challenging west coast at Tauranga Bay. Andrew 'Pando' Robinson won the Open, it was a shock victory, not that Pando wasn't capable of winning, it was more he finally strung a run the heats together. He became the people's champ, and his surfing over the next year soared with new found confidence. This year SISA are celebrating the 25th year return of the Nationals with this...

I have the dubious honour of being the the guy to supply the images along the bottom there in the film strip. It's a pretty damn cool piece, thoughtfully curated by Mainland legend Russ Ritchie. It's being auctioned on TradeMe right now. Proceeds go to SISA...ie South Island Surfing Association. You should bid! You can HERE

Booky Books

Kiwi author James Russell sent me his new book to review a month back. Mine is a fast paced novel about a Gold Coast surfer's dark journey through Indonesia after his mother passes and his girlfriend cheats on him. I mean what would you do if all that happened, bail on a surf mish to clear the noggin aye. Our protagonist Jimmy self destructs his way up the archipelago. To be really honest, I did not enjoy the violence in this book, I just wonder if so many conflicts were needed to string the events together. That said, I loved James's descriptions of surf and waves. He has you visualising every section, creditably, something very rare in surf literature. If you like a bit of biffo, murder and epic waves, then Mine is well worth a read. You can get Mine at all book stores nation wide...google it.

And Of Course

I made a book last year too. And yep they are going! You are now able to walk into a book store nationwide to get a copy of The Recreationalists. It's also in fine retail outlets like all the North Beach stores, The Garden Party, West Supply, Haus Blank , The Poi Room/s, NZ Shred, Exit Surf, Barkers, Shut The Front Door, Salt Air, Sadhana and Kanuka... I've missed tons, but the point is, it's around. If you don't want to get around though, check out The Recreationalists book HERE.

From The Galleries

Whanga wasn't quite doing this the last few weeks...but it sure wasn't bad either, and look out Cyclone Cody! Anyway, here's what is deemed a Whanga Bar classic...long swell lines pouring down the Bar and into the bay, sand in vintage form. Check it out bigger HERE

Swimmy Swimmy / December 8, 2021 by craig levers

I feel like the weekly web log is always starting with; sorry there hasn't been one in a while. There is no real excuse. Lack of discipline and an awareness of not clogging up your in box with filler are what I'm rolling with. The last 7 days have been rather eventful. Yet again, un-seasonably good waves, and lots of books being bought.

AND 8x National Champion, Billy Stairmand's final comp for the year. The Challenger Series final at Hale'iwa, Hawaii. It was a mixed affair of conditions. Hale'iwa is a hard wave to suss, with a gnarly current drawing you into the impact zone. Bill looked confident, more so than his European outings. And this showed, as it was his best result of the year, a 1/4 final placing. Of course the goal was to make to World Championship Tour this year, but the result sets him up well for next year. He finishes the year sitting pretty at 40th on the Challenger Series; " Yeah it’s been an amazing year and felt I have learnt a lot more this year than the rest. And stoked to finish with the best result of the year. Can not wait to be home now and catch up with eeeeveryone. I haven’t even celebrated after the Olympics. So it’s gonna be an epic summer."

You may remember Billy had one day out of MIQ from Tokyo before the country was put in lockdown again.

ahhh seems like a bloody lifetime ago... Billy and Ella Williams at the Olympic press day

And training at the Millennium with Woody’s Movement Workshop

The Aotearoa Surf Film Festival 2022 is a go! This will in fact be the 10th year of the ASFF, wow, go Nick Stevenson, the creator and driving force behind the Festival. I have the honour of being one of the founding judges.... And I've signed up for my 10th. So, so many bad shorts endured! But also some moments of pure Kiwi gold. The whole concept of the ASFF is to foster and encourage surf film makers, to provide a goal. I really believe over the decade it has achieved that.

So filmers! Here's your chance. And yes, I will be watching and very Judgey.

Submissions opened Friday, November 26th. Close of submissions: Wednesday December 22nd.

Get a wiggle on. Enter HERE www.asff.co.nz/2022submissions

Swimmy Swimmy

Nat Fitt ventured west for a day. As it turned out it was hands down the best window of conditions. Nat's a second generation logger, his old boy Rhys styles it on a log too. Nat's a top competitor, he was in the finals of the Longboard Nationals, The Single Fin Mingle and Logger Heads.... you get the idea, the guy is very very good.

We had a big day of shooting, a super fun day. Nat made it fun. Here's a wee gallery of the day...

And bloody good to see Daz Gerbic the stomping grounds of his/our youth! Love ya bro!

Resident grub Will Hardie finding some shade

Oooshhhh... Rich Hodder putting on a masterclass of gouge

Leia Millar schooling the old boys, literally in her back yard. And sporting her new O'Neill sponsorship- yeah Taddy!

Narrel??? Yep I'm calling it, it's not a barrel, it nearly is, it's a Narrel, but bloody heck, could you imagine positioning your 9'6" single fin like this!

Brydee on the burn???? No. It would be easy to assume Local surfer Brydee Climo has sizzled the bloke behind. But a photo is only a millisecond. Brydee had sat out multiple sets, every time the surfer behind her got a wave, he and his mates would paddle back and snake Brydee. She'd see a peak, paddle, then pull back because she'd been snaked again. On this one, Coff Junior and I started yelling, GO Brydee!!! Go Go Go!!!, it was well past her turn. She went, the snake went... good on you Brydee. And guys; take off your blinkers, have a look around and recognise other surfers may just a bit more polite than you. Sharing is caring.

Booky Books

And yep they are going! You are now able to walk into a book store nationwide to get a copy of The Recreationalists. It's also in fine retail outlets like all the North Beach stores, The Garden Party, West Supply, Haus Blank , The Poi Room/s, NZ Shred, Exit Surf, Barkers, Shut The Front Door, Salt Air, Sadhana and Kanuka... I've missed tons, but the point is, it's around. If you don't want to get around though, NZ Post reckon the cut off for NZ delivery is only a week away.

Personally I would muck around though, if you want it, think it is the perfect gift, order now. Check out The Recreationalists book HERE.

Printing Prints and Booking Books / November 26, 2021 by craig levers

You see a wave, I see a Troopy in it's natural habitat!

Hey hey crew, hope you are all doing ok this week. Me? Thanks for asking, I'm ok. I'd say a bit tenderised from these 100 days of living with Level 4 and 3 restrictions.

I've tried to write and re write the next bit. It goes along the lines of not being able to go on roadies in the Troopy, of wanting to be chasing waves around the country. It reeked of first world problems and entitled, middle class privilege. Pretty much self absorbed meanderings, lets scrap it. The fact remains we are pretty lucky in NZ compared to other countries.

Moving on... Surf has been good! I have no photo proof, not sorry. It's been a week of things coming together here in CPL land, here's a couple of this year's bigger installs...

Te Wero Pano split into a big 3 metre triptych back printed on acrylic in an apartment complex foyer.

Piha Bar Barrel Ahh yes the new perennial...the view that can never get old! This one is in atNewton Form Cutting ...Thanks Mel!

If you are thinking about getting a print for someone for Christmas, it may be prudent to rattle your dags. NZ Post close off is startlingly close; 17 December. Adding on 5 working days for printing the safety cutoff for ordering is 10 December. Even if you're not getting a PhotoCPL print, be kind to your preferred photographer, order now.

Here's a smattering of my top sellers this year so far from the Waves Gallery. It's been a good year for print sales.

Dream Swell

Crystalline

Tairua Classic holy crap this thing is 30 years old now!!! Such an epic day.

Piha Bar Room Yes, the best room with the best view

Classic Whanga Bar

Mount Pitch

Super Tubes Dune

Emerald Dream

The Book!

Yep it's going well, The Recreationalists definitely experienced a weird unseasonal sales slump. Pre orders were massive, best book ever actually, but then retail crickets. This was lockdown's knock on effect. Over 30% of NZ retailers are in Auckland, they were shut. This was further compounded by Auckland's population not travelling, so other regions' retail was slow too. That seems to be changing with re-stocking orders coming through now. Thank goodness for Online.

Dunno what the hell I'm typing about? Check out The Recreationalists book HERE.

Back On The Tools! / November 11, 2021 by craig levers

Feels Like Summer....

Piha under it's shroud of sea mist last Sunday

It's been a great week out west. While the surf hasn't been epically pumping, it sure has been fun. I've been working, back on the tools, that is, the camera and big boy lens. And loving it. I could prattle on about the days, but you just wanna see surfing shots aye... well I do anyway. So here's a quick photo essay of shoreline action from the last few days.

Of course the star of the show, 14 year old Piha ruler Leia Millar, literally in her own backyard

Leia's old boy Stu displacing some Tasman nicely

The ever frothed grom Marty Cleland-Pottie

Bruce Johnson smashing it between zoom meetings

...and bones. Two very different approaches to shoreline apparel

Shouldn't you be in the shaper's bay? GHS shaper Steve Walker, a welcome return to Piha's waves after a few years up at Muriwai

Another of the older groms; Matty Zeigler between zoom meetings

Yess! The man, the legend Duncs Clarke and his son heading out for lunch break

James MacAlpine getting that weightless drop feeling... this makes me wanna go surfing...is that weird?

Other Going Ons...

What with couriers overwhelmed with our collective online shopping binges, the physical copy of new magazine SUBMACHINE only showed up this week. I'm biased of course, but it's looking like a a great mag in general. Not just the 6 pages with my stuff on them, the whole first issue is tight and filled with high interest features for the sophisticated motor head. Check it out HERE

The Recreationalists: Intrepid Kiwis And Their Campers

Book sales are better than steady, phewww... it's kind of the period; all the new release sales are out, now people are thinking this is a great Christmas gift. Which it is, you can check out The Recreationalists more HERE

From The Galleries

There was a freak out this week [not unusual of course] when an order for this one, Piha Bar Pano, came through the client said ‘ yeah you know the one from 2010’ ..what 2010!!! It's 11 years old. You can check it out bigger HERE

If you're thinking about buying a print for Christmas, now is the time to get those thoughts actioned, even if it's not a Photo CPL one. Printers and couriers are going to be stressed the next 6 weeks.

Busy Busy / November 4, 2021 by craig levers

If you are in the Auckland Region;

How are you? Like really. I'm not going to pretend I'm a box of fluffies, tomorrow is day 80 of Auckland's Covid home detention. Not a day goes by that I'm not grateful to be living out on the coast, I can't imagine how hard living in the CBD would be. At least we've all been able to surf for the last few weeks. And the next few days look fun as... I heard Maori Bay and Muriwai has great banks :)

Here's a quick clip I made of a hoon around the hood the other evening when the swell was pretty large, not huge, but defo NOT a surfing day around here.

And In Christchurch;

This is one of NZ's best woman skaters, Krysta Ashwell. She competes at all the national events, like here at Mangawhai Bowl Jam 2020. She's rad, super supportive of all skaters especially the sisters. Yesterday Cheapskates Christchurch unveiled their new billboards...

She's stoked, Cheapskates are stoked, and I'm bloody over the moon. I don't know the CPL logo was going to be that large in the artwork- so good!

Surfing Shots????

ummm that would be a firm, yeah...nah...sort of.

Piha resident and fellow photog Matias Rebolledo. Check him out on Insty @wetcameras

Haven't shot much, keep going surfing instead... this will change, but right now, sorry, not sorry :)

The Recreationalists: Intrepid Kiwis And Their Campers

In very exciting news, the North Beach Surf Shops are now fully stocked with the book, thanks North Beach!!!

....And Over On The Other Website...

There's a very cool new feature from Sarah and Rob Stirling about their bus conversion and in fact living full time in said bus. Check it out HERE

You've endured the bleat about the week that has been, thank you for getting this far! Hopefully it's piqued your interest in the Recreationalists book too, you can check it out HERE

From The Galleries

This image is from the 2015 Mega Swell event. So hanging to get the Troopy up there!!! You can check it out bigger HERE

Exposure / October 12, 2021 by craig levers

And last week a case of not capitalising on such. I behaved over Level 4, and they'll be some of you that scoff, 'what a Wally, lives out the beach, the surf was cranking, and didn't go surfing?'. There were a lot of Piha's resident surfers that did, and I actually think good on them, fair enough, they are literally walking down their driveway to the sand. I just choose to following the rules, even though I don't agree with the mandate.

BUT last week was my week. I made up for lost time and made a greedy little pig of myself in the briny. So no web log last week. I was working on mental fitness. It was good work! I have to say there was a certain amount of covid anxiety around it, the surf was crowded, I choose to surf the secondary banks away from the 40 head count packs. I had a lot of fun, just being back on board, in the Tasman.

Screen Shot 2021-10-12 at 10.10.02 AM.png

I was also interviewed by my old work mate Derek Morrison for his burgeoning website NZ Surf Journal. The interview was about the new book The Recreationalists: Intrepid Kiwis And Their Campers... well it was supposed to be, but Derek nicely balanced the questions between my personal experience of campers, then from that how the book came into being and what its about.

You can read the interview HERE

Pete Morse

How's the way the term 'In case you've been living in a bubble' is now a redundant phrase! So, in case you didn't hear last week, we lost one of the mighty Kaumātua of our surfing tribe.

Many of you will remember Pete from his retail years in Barry Point Road at Wind, Surf and Ski then Vertical Addictions, his launching of the 0900 Wavetrack number [and his authoritative voice delivering you the goods] Then his evolution of that into The NZ Surf Guide Book, which literally 10's if not 100's of thousands of you own. The book lead to the creation of Surf 2 Surf... and I know you know that. I've known Pete for over 30 years, I remember him when I was a grom going into his shop- ever affable.

Then later we'd rub shoulders in the surf industry, we'd talk shop for sure, but these conversations always drifted into more connected chats- where have you been surfing? Who you been surfing with? Pete was a gentleman, a surfing scholar connected deeply to the aloha of our surfing tribe. He was also a scally -wag with a wry sense of observation. More recently Pete would come visit me EVERYTIME I was on the beach shooting at the Mount. He'd bring the much needed water, we'd laugh about the latest surf gossip, he'd make me miss shots- I didn't care, catching up with Morsey was far more fun.

We've lost one of the good ones... one of the best ones. He truly lived a surfing life. Gonna miss our random shore chats Pete.

The Recreationalists: Intrepid Kiwis And Their Campers

You've endured the bleat about the week that has been, thank you for getting this far! Hopefully it's piqued your interest in the book, you can check it out HERE

From The Galleries

This image is from the 2015 Mega Swell event. So hanging to get the Troopy up there!!! You can check it out bigger HERE

Locked In Retro And Book Making / September 30, 2021 by craig levers

She's Been Carnage Around Here, I Tell Ya...

First of many, load in, load out, repack, load in, drop off...repeat.

The business model of Photo CPL Media is pretty simple. Make good books, but only make as many as you hope could sell, don't oversaturate the book stores with what will become landfill. And that really is a thing, some bigger publishers flood the marketplace with product aiming to sell 70%, then dumping the remainder in landfill. Photo CPL Media's goal is to not sell as many, but sell them all. 10th book title now, it seems to be working. This creates a lot of knock on effects; it's really hard to grow the business. You are inherently stifling profits and market share, the book isn't as visible either...there are less of them. Sounds obvious but again that's a thing, another tactic in play is, by over printing books some publishers are dominating the shelves, literally pushing other titles off the shelves. Photo CPL Media isn't playing that game though. This is a longwinded way to illustrating why a book title arriving is a hands-on affair, to make the project work, I work. Photographer, writer, production manager, publisher, marketing manager, sales, distribution inwards goods, packing tape gun welder, outwards goods..love my tape gun :)

And this has been the job for the last week, moving 1/2 a ton of books from B to A and then to C and D. It is super satisfying work, seeing your little babies going off to their new homes. All the pre-ordered copies are out or at least in transit. It marks the end of the start.

But wait: This is s'posed to be a surfing Web Log- Right?

Ummm yep! The surf is crap, there's been actual paying working to do, a little thing called Covid...excuses, excuses. But I was tasked with finding some unique images from the archives the other day. This is always a fatal loss of time; especially at this time of being locked down/in for over a month. Looking through folders of past roadies, beyond the Auckland borders kind of gets the nostalgia flowing.

Back to 2013! Just a blink of an eye, 8 years hence. This was a good day, a fun swim with the water-housing. I was a little bit over the water-housing I had, not that there was anything wrong with it, I just wanted to progress the use of the type of lenses being used. I do remember wanting to stay out late and try some arty slow shutter speeds. In this case is was a bit of a disaster, because the swell pulsed with the tide dropping out and the lads started to find the hollow ones.

Me ol' flatmate Paul Greenland on his Jason Ward shaped Lobster

crispy evening lefts at a beach so far away at the moment

Fellow westie Bevan Wiig running the Christian Fletcher ‘If you made it out, you weren’t deep enough’. Hope the knee is healing up brother!

Yep, this would not be the best time to decide to set the camera up for arty speed blurs, maybe, or maybe it makes it something better... Greenie and the wave of the eve

Matt Groube, stoking about a day well spent.

And Over On Recreational Society...

If you don't know about The Recreational Society, it's a NZ website made to provide a portal of information and inspiration for anyone thinking about or right into exploring NZ... which in this current world is EVERYONE aye!

The website is going so well we made a book of it, you may have just read about it above.

The Recreationalists: Intrepid Kiwis And Their Campers

You've endured the bleat about the week that has been, thank you for getting this far! Hopefully it's piqued your interest in the book, you can check it out HERE

From The Galleries

This place may or may not have been pumping last week. This image is from the 2015 Mega Swell event. You can check it out bigger HERE

Bro Town / September 16, 2021 by craig levers

Another week of Lockdown nearing it's end! Here's hoping our 5 weeks of Home Detention is drawing to a close....and you got all the home projects done that you wanted.

It was a good week for us virtual surfers; The WSL Finals at Trestles were held with the new weird format. Clearly, from the spicing in that sentence I didn't think the format was that great. BUT we had hours of surfing to entertain us on Tuesday...and the new world champs Carissa Moore and Gabriel Medina were the dominant surfers of the year.

Sorry not sorry Gabriel... 11 years ago at Piha when a very young Gabby won the ISA World Juniors. It was evident then his was going to be a force to reckon with.

And then on the local Front..

2020 National Champ and Piha local Elliot Paerata-Reid has just dropped a great clip. It features fellow Piha locals, Ware Wano and Dune Kennings as well as Kehu Butler. Its really good, I'm not going to bleat on, just watch it.

...And Then There's Billy

8x National Champ, Olympic Surfer and at present the only Kiwi on the Challenger Series; Billy Stairmand. Billy flies out today to compete on the Challenger Series. It's full on, he flies to California today for the Huntington Pro starting 20 September, Then to Europe for the Portugal and France events early October. Then on to Hawai for November. He'll be away the entire period, with no MIQ booked for his return. It'll work out aye! This is Billy's opportunity to qualify for the Championship Tour, definitely watch this space.

And Over On Recreational Society...

If you don't know about The Recreational Society, it's a NZ website made to provide a portal of information and inspiration for anyone thinking about or right into exploring NZ... which in this current world is EVERYONE aye!

This week's Feature, Ash Longhurst and his Blue Whale is HERE

The website is going so well we made a book of it!

The Recreationalists: Intrepid Kiwis And Their Campers

4 pallets of the book have arrived on schedule!!!! They are safely in a warehouse in Northcote ... and with Level 4 restrictions, no access the premises or any distribution. BUT Pre-Sales are open, and have been trucking along real nice- thanks fellas!!! As a bit of an enticement, Postage and Packaging is free. If you want to see the whole book, find out a bit more about it AND maybe just maybe take up the Pre Sale offer check it out HERE

From The Galleries

This place may or may not have been pumping last week. This image is from the 2015 Mega Swell event. You can check it out bigger HERE

You Bewties / September 9, 2021 by craig levers

A week ago, it felt like Billy Stairmand's funding drive was hard work. The Give A Little champaign was doing OK, but it had a long, long way to go to reach its 10K goal. Last week's post was a bit earnest and dire, painting a grim picture of how hard it is for our surfing athletes in NZ. It was pretty timely too as a day later Paige Hareb confirmed, while she's not retiring, the costs of traveling and the uncertainty of getting an MIQ slot just made the rest of this year too difficult to continue. Then in mainstream media a multitude of Kiwi athletes came out stating how difficult and uncertain Covid is making their careers.

Paige power; hopefully we get to see her in more NZ comps. These are from the 2021 Nats in January.

But you guys! In amongst all that gloom and doom, Billy's Give A Little page sky rocketed. I'm certainly not saying it was solely because of last week's post. Bill was going for 10K, as of now it sits at 12.6K. That is fricken amazing and a huge help. It was mentioned it felt like Billy was low balling asking for 10K, I spoke to him after the post dropped. 'Yeah it isn't the full amount I need, it just really covers the airfares and MIQ. I didn't include accomodation, food and transport. But I just wanted to make sure it was obtainable and I didn't want to seem greedy.' Of course this speaks to Billy's humility. And the point is, you good bloody things, good on you for backing a Kiwi surfer that wants to take on the world.

Billy with his head in the shed earlier this year

Bill, a few days before winning his 7th Open National Title January 2021

The Givealittle page is HERE. And still open until 12 September... just saying.

Of course while Billy and every other surfer out of the Auckland region have been making little piggys of themselves now they are in Level 2 [The Delta Version] I'm not! I've been making busy on The Recreational Society website. And me ol' mate Warren Hawke just set through this classic clipping from a 1968 NZ Mag;

How good is the turn of phrase! How good is that Dormoble Landy!!!

If you don't know about The Recreational Society, it's a NZ website made to provide a portal of information and inspiration for anyone thinking about or right into exploring NZ... which in this current world is EVEryone aye!

This week's Feature, The O'Brien surfing family is HERE

The website is going so well we made a book of it!

The Recreationalists: Intrepid Kiwis And Their Campers

4 pallets of the book have arrived on schedule!!!! That's kind of a thing aye. With Auckland in Lockdown for a few more weeks I don't know how that effects getting my mitts on them. BUT Pre-Sales are now open, and I have to say trucking along real nice- thanks fellas!!! As a bit of an enticement, Postage and Packaging is free. If you want to see the whole book, find out a bit more about it AND maybe just maybe take up the Pre Sale offer check it out HERE

From The Galleries

Piha Peak...ohhhh if only we could go play, soon my friend, soon. You can check it out bigger HERE

Give A Little...Give A Lot? / September 2, 2021 by craig levers

This whole surfing athlete thing is a doubled edged sword. On one hand we admire their talent and part of that is respect for the hours they must have put in to get to where they are. The dogged determination.

On the other hand there's a bit of envy. Envious of their ability in the line up to make impossible sections. To somehow always sniff out wave of the day and make it look incredible. And the life they seem to live on social media [and in magazines back in the day] a seemingly perfect surfing lifestyle and chasing and scoring perfection.

Bill in the pool with Dave from Woody's Movement Workshop

Most of it is lies. Not big, hoodwinking, con artist lies; but a collection of insidious fibs. Hashtag livingmybestlife. Posting the happy ra ra stuff that the sponsors want the athlete to portray. Them in an idyllic setting, leaning against their vehicle. The fact the remains the vehicle is only on loan.

What you don't see behind the scenes is the graft. Our NZ top surfers couldn't do what they are trying to do without the support of family and friends. Exceptional support, supporting your kid well into their 20's or 30's. Partners holding down a job and paying the rent. The constant cap in hand drive to get funds to compete at the top level. Ending every year financially, where, if you are lucky, you started. Of course from an accounting point of view, that's going backwards. A year older and a year further away from your peers who have jobs and mortgages.

Billy and Ella at the press day getting their Olympic kit

Our 8x National Champion and first Olympic surfer Billy Stairmand is the prime example. He doesn't complain about it though, he just gets on with it. Ever affable, ever grateful to everyone that helps him compete. On the other hand, I am incredulous. I can't believe a proven athlete ...as in 8 National Open Championships and an Olympian has to graft.

Earlier this year chasing Coromandel gold

2021 is a massive year for Bill. He became an Olympian, went to Tokyo, but he also made the cut for the WSL Challenger Series. In a way it's a bit of a hospital pass. Straight off the bat from Tokyo he has to scramble to find the funds to get back to to America, Portugal, France and Hawaii.

Added to the work is Covid. Bill got back from Tokyo and the strict restrictions that were in place there, straight into MIQ for a fortnight. 24 hours of freedom before we were all plunged into Level 4 lockdown for another fortnight. When he returns from Hawaii he'll have to pay for another 2 weeks in MIQ.

Out of a month of no surfing, bet you he's doing this right now.

Now you could be all hard arsed and go 'That's his job.' And fair enough if he had any sort of salary, he doesn't. Long gone is that era for NZ's top surfers.

Anyway, I could bleat on about this for pages, bore you to death and the point be lost. The point is Billy scrambling to get the funds together to get on the World stage. Because of our current Delta situation, he has had to set up a Givealittle page. I think he's low balled himself only asking for 10K.

Bill, a few days before winning his 8th Open National Title January 2021

The Givealittle page is HERE.

I've done it, could you please help out our Champ too.

The Recreationalists: Intrepid Kiwis And Their Campers

YES, 4 pallets of the book have arrived on schedule!!!! That's kind of a thing aye. With Auckland in Lockdown for a few more weeks I don't know how that effects getting my mitts on them. BUT Pre-Sales are now open, and I have to say trucking along real nice- thanks fellas!!! As a bit of an enticement, Postage and Packaging is free. If you want to see the whole book, find out a bit more about it AND maybe just maybe take up the Pre Sale offer check it out HERE

From The Galleries

Piha Peak...ohhhh if only we could go play, soon my friend, soon. You can check it out bigger HERE

Week II Of Locked In Not Down / August 26, 2021 by craig levers

Week 2 Of Lockdown:

How are you going, like seriously, hope you're dealing ok with home time.

It was a tough week out here on the west coast. The surf has been pumping. This happened in our first lockdown March 2020, the west coast pumped. I stayed dry docked this last week, it sucked! The waves look so fun, and I feel like I've been in a minority of resident surfers that have stuck to the rules. I'm probably not, but there sure were a lot that flaunted Aunty Cindy's no surfing rule. For that matter quite a few rock fisherman too. Auckland's west coast wasn't exclusive in its rule breakers; Ahipara locals busted a fair few too https://tehiku.nz/te-hiku-radio/taumatahanga/20601/no-time-for-waves

It's a tough debate to be on the right side of. The surf was hardly code black Teahupo'o, it's been a very user friendly 2-3 foot and smaller. There's no doubt everyone that did go surfing felt better after surfing, one could argue that post surf they would've been better bubble partners. Their mental health curated. On the other hand, there were definitely non residents surfing i.e. They had driven a decent distance, over the Waitaks to get to the west coast. That's taking the piss, when not only is surfing s'posed to be off the table, driving for non essential activities from one suburb to another area. You, my friend, are a self absorbed dickhead.

And the Irony...

Instead of risking life and limb surfing, I've been cutting bits of big wood into smaller bits. Which is infinitely more hazardous, playing with an array of very sharp blades moving at 3000 rpm +. You probably don't know this, but I'm a DIY junky. Love me tools. Last year I refitted out the Troopy. Look at that continuous grain running across the cabinet doors! A thing of bewty.

Love learning, solving problems and developing new skills. It's a whole another world...so many YouTube tutorials!

I've had my head firmly in the shed during lockdown. Project 1; build a little router table for doing trim detail. Project 2; need more bench space- smash a table out of scrap wood for the sander to sit on and the shop vac to sit under- done. Project 3; Make a cross cut sled to do safer cuts on the table saw- done. Project 4; make something with the new tools/toys... the humble i-phone stand...cos like, that's something we all need right?

There's Been Work Too

New magazine SubMachine has gone to print and I got a lead feature! The opening spread is Paul Morretti as seen here. The 1000 word piece is about how surfing, once edgy and vilified by mainstream, is now absorbed into the mainstream.

As Seen On TV

Well to be fair you're going to have to have eagle eyes to spot them. But on the new BNZ advert for mobile banking there's the 10 NZ Wave Printset scattered about. Hmmm that would be the aforementioned assimilation of our culture wouldn't it?

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

Holy heckers, that went well! Over 100 peeps entered last week's draw to win this A3 print, haven't you got anything else to do :) Every entrant was assigned a number then using Random.org's number generator the number was chosen. Jarrah Cooke took it out. Thanks to everyone that gave it a go, and there'll be another one next week.

The Recreationalists: Intrepid Kiwis And Their Campers

Pre-Sales are now open, and I have to say trucking along real nice- thanks fellas!!! And it's still on schedule. As a bit of an enticement, Postage and Packaging is free. If you want to see the whole book, find out a bit more about it AND maybe just maybe take up the Pre Sale offer check it out HERE

From The Galleries

...and one of the images featuring in the NZ Waves Print set is this one, Piha Peak. You can check it out bigger HERE — ...and one of the images featuring in the NZ Waves Print set is this one, Piha Peak. You can check it out bigger **HERE**

Locked In But Not Down / August 19, 2021 by craig levers

Well, here we are again, locked and bound to the property. Level 4 means no surfing, which considering there's a run of offshores a coming, is going to suck. I doubt very much us in the Greater Auckland Area will be down a level anytime soon. Pace yourself. In the interim here's another print giveaway...

This is an A3 glicee print of a film pano. It's quite cropped on the sides. This is the original:

The board is a Daryn Mcbride crafted Lis Fish, which went f&cken sick...bloody should've kept it.. Anyway! This is one of those images where I think the cropped version is far better than the original composition. AND that's one of the cool things about shooting on a Large Format film camera, even cropped the image is bigger than medium format, which is still huge compared to digital.

Back on point; You can win the A3 print and have it. All you have to do is SUBSCRIBE HERE [current subscribers already have an email about entering] . It will be drawn Thursday 26 August, 9am.

The Recreationalists: Intrepid Kiwis And Their Campers

From The Galleries

Te Henga Watchman: And seeing how this is all about 617 panos, this is another 617 pano, using the same in camera tilt technique to throw out the background. You can check it out bigger HERE

I made a book [again] / August 12, 2021 by craig levers

No web log last week and this is why /\ /\ /\

The advance copy of the next PhotoCPL Media book arrived. It's a big milestone in a book's life. For starters it's a huge sigh of relief, phew it looks better than hoped. It means stepping up a gear or three, getting content ready, making new web pages, visiting buyers and generally just getting it out there. Contacting so many people. I fricken love all this stuff.

The Recreationalists is my 10th title. And quite a different book than the surf and beach based books. But not out of the comfort/knowledge zone, because for the last 18 months this has been happening;

Recreational Society

The gist of it is... made a website about campers, the How To and inspirational Kiwis that are out there doing it. The idea was that the How To section would provide everyone with a valuable source of ideas and a reference point. BUT as the website evolved it became clear that what people really wanted to find out about was other Recreationalists and how they refitted or converted their vehicle. In other words first person examples and solutions. So far over 50 couples, families and individuals have featured on Recreational Society. That's a lot of interviews to do.

The new book is a 'Best Of' those features. A curated balance of types of vehicles, of modes of doing it. The common theme is every participant's desire to get out and stay out adventuring around Aotearoa.

It is not an RV/Motorhome book. It's squarely aimed at the more adventure based people, the surfers, the mountain bikers, the overlanders that want to stay where their passion is.

We went big; 25 Recreationalists are featured and a condensed How To section. Hard Cover ['cos it's a magazine if it has a soft cover, right] and 200 pages of content.

At the end of the month 3 pallets of bound lil beauties arrive, it looks like they might even be on time. And that really is a thing in this new Covid world.

The arrival of the advance copies also means Pre-sales could be opened up. As a bit of an enticement, Postage and Packaging is free. If you want to see the whole book, find out a bit more about it AND maybe just maybe take up the Pre Sale offer check it out HERE

From The Galleries

While book mode is most firmly in place, still hanging for a surf and some watery photo sessions!!! Here's a solid one from two winters ago. You can view it better HERE

The Gentleman's Vert Club / July 22, 2021 by craig levers

I've talked about a deep admiration and fascination with skate photography lots of times. You just have to look at o ld posts like this one to read me banging on about how it's my starting place in photography. If you do bother to go deeper, please please check out the work of Glenn E Friedman and Grant Britan. You'll see just how much of a copy cat I actually am... but you'll also be viewing some of the most influential images of boarding culture.

Pretty sure it's been written before, I wanted to apply what they did in skating and portraiture around that culture to my surfing images. And in fact the same lens and settings that works for skate so well is what you'd use in a water housing shooting surfing. Like this...

Luke Harwood on the NSW Central Coast 2003 as featured in the book PhotoCPL

Nick Clegg 2021...the same but different

Tuesday this week was the only day that looked any good for skating, no rain, no wind... wind is a vert skater's bane. Cale Tolley organised it, he rallied the vert gentleman's club, the seniors of the trade. Andrew Morrison and Nick Clegg joined. They are regulars at Onehunga.

We're all of a similar vintage. The conversations used to be about what you did last weekend, what parties you went to. Now they are about what hurts the most, what parts won't move anymore. Morri is the best at this, he'll explain a recent slam and his real belief he won't be able project above the coping ever again. Then proceed to out tech everyone.

Nick doesn't have a 'can't do' button, his idea of warming up is going straight into full flight. Soon enough things start sticking. Cale gets angry, angry his body won't move the way he wants it to, he bullies himself into the heights.

The gentlemen put on an impromptu show for the groms. Then proceed to tutor and push the groms... grab earlier, don't try to project so much... go again, now again.

James Charlesworth, getting pushed by the gentlemen

It highlights skating's inclusivness. Something that's ever so slowly creeping into surfing.

Don't Forget... Olympic Surf Board Riding

how's old mate in the green ring! Coach Matt Scorringe, Billy, Team Manager Michelle Rellis and Ella at the Olympic Village

Ella and Billy have safely landed in Tokyo for their run at Olympic Gold. The surfing will be broadcast starting this weekend... but you are gonna have to subscribe to Sky to view it, there is an Olympic Games Pass which is $24.00 ...which I really wanna write a riot act about but won't.

From The Galleries

Hanging for a surf and some watery photo sessions!!! Here's a solid one from two winters ago. You can view it better HERE

Layers Of An Image / July 16, 2021 by craig levers

Making big images is an absolute passion. It is a twofold thing, to see your images used large by a client is such a stoke. But the behind the scenes, making the images at the highest possible resolution is paramount.

I'm obsessed with megapixels. The camera geeks could have a field-day with that statement. What is meant is that over the last decade, moving from an editorial photographer to a freelance and landscape photographer the requirements changed. Instead of shooting for A4 or A3 magazine pages the images [or files] had to be bigger, more robust. A new mantra applied. If you put out an image on social platforms or to the galleries on PhotoCPL.co.nz, the high resolution version has to be good enough to handle any useage. In fact better.

This dictate sent me on a radical learning curve. Re-learning the craft, quite a humbling and actually embarrassing process. I learnt, after 15 years of being one of NZ's most published surf photographers, I knew nothing. I went from digital back to film to get the fine resolution wanted.

The process was awesome, learning how to use large format film cameras. From yielding a correctly exposed sheet of film and being stoked on just that, to crafting an image that sings.

The methodical approach of Large Format was then applied to digital cameras. Simply; slow down, concentrate on getting it right in the camera. If that's right, post processing will look after itself.

This image; Piha Layers is a good example. The location was scouted and revisited many times. Then the right afternoon came, that feeling, it is on today. Get there early, set up in the rehearsed position. Tripod set, camera and lens set. Wait, wait for the light to do its thing to the hills and foliage. Then go through the method.

When it is right, you know. There's a gut feeling something good just happened. Somehow that feeling is shared with the client. I'm not sure how that happens.

The printers chuckle at my files 'Craig you don't have to send such big files, it's only going 2 metres wide.' I love this. The client doesn't need to know how robust the file is, they have bought into the feeling the image conveys.

Piha Layers has been good to me. In 2019 Auckland District Hospitial used it as a 8.0 metre x 3.0 metre mural in the new EP lab. It was a feature image in The Big Little Beach Book. It has been used as kitchen splash backs. This week Waitakere Osteopathic Centre hung it in their reception on canvas at 1600mm x 550mm.

Auckland Myths and Winners / July 9, 2021 by craig levers

Let's be honest, Auckland sucks...for a lot of reasons... but it really sucks for its resident surfers.

The first batch; Devonpoint, Bridge Lefts and Te Atatubes

A while ago I had great fun making up some mythical waves around the AK, people loved them, they liked the accompanying fantastic tales of the 'new' break's origin. Over the last week a few more have been made up. These aren't photoshopped masterpieces, a lot more time could be spent making them seamless. But it's not really the point of them, it's just a bit of flat day, mid winter fun.

The highly fictitious and rare Westhaven Breakwater Rights. In the post Covid/ climate change Auckland, the world has settled on it's new West/East axis and the old Poles have melted. Both Great and Little Barrier have been mined to the sea floor for their copper and guano as part of the Chinese economic bail out. And thank God, Auckland City Council realised the North Shore was no longer viable with it’s bursting population of Karens. In a somewhat PC move only Bayswater to Devonport were levelled and shipped to the PRC for scoria gardens. This of course was a win, win, with a another massive cash injection and stopped all the whinging about there being a need for another harbour crossing.

Auckland's surfers wrung their hands with glee. The new Barrier Trench created the swell window they had dreamed of for generations. All the inner harbour reefs that had only previously showed in the wake of the Kestral now fire up on every south swell [which is the new east]

Ahhh in our dreams.

Westhaven Breakwater, angled perfectly diagonal to the new swell window produces some of the best rights in Auckland, many surfers comparing it to a reverse Manu Bay. As the Harbour was ruined for racing wind bludgers, all the Yacht Clubs lining the breakwater defaulted on their leases. The Boardriders clubs swooped in on the empty buildings. Good luck getting a wave to yourself on any given weekend. But as the America’s Cup was always now held in Barbados anyway, the WiSL was invited by the AK City Council to run the Grand Finale of the Tour in the shadow of the bridge…hence the new generation of part Brazilian grommets on the rise surfing the inside at Point Erin.

Westie Loggers heaven Cornwallis Wharf. It only breaks in a rare east westerly swell, but when it does all of Titirangi’s glitterati drop their soy double decafes and get amongst the 100 m peelers. Heavily localised by ex Steiner passive aggressive hippie offspring it’s highly likely you’ll see good waves but somehow always be snaked by a moustached beaver tail wearing, single fin rider. The only way to beat em is to attend multiple exhibition openings at Lopdel House. Infiltrate to confuse.

Continuing the random series of mythical Auckland Breaks; North Head and Cheltnam beach from the air. In the previous post it was mentioned that Bayswater to Devonport were deleted. The volcanic scoria being mined for gardens in the PRC. And the suburbs laden with WASPS and Karens being relocated to the former Red Zones of Christchurch, a total win, win. Prior to the mining the east coast of the peninsula lit up with breaks. The Left Slab at Narrow Neck was called Yours, 'cos that's pretty much all anyone said in the line up. Cheltnam's muddy flats created a soft left that the resident SUPers loved. It was heavily localised, anyone daring to actually surf it would be beaten by the paddles of middle aged buoyancy vest wearing hefty's.

North Head was the gem though; the combination of a strong channel current, especially on an out going tide, would see the swell stand up and grind around the Head like a hooker on payday. While it was missed, the whole Auckland surf community agreed West Haven and Meola Reef were far superior breaks anyway. And sometimes you have to take a hit for the greater good.

Winner Winner...

Last week's post had a give-away involved. And only 50 people entered.... is it right to point out the low pick up? Who knows! Anyway the odds were pretty darn good for those that bothered to email back two simple words. A number was chosen using Random.org's number generator and Spud Brown won...actually that is their email handle...how good!

From The Galleries

I do shoot legitimate waves too! Here's a solid one from two winters ago. You can view it better HERE

Olympians, Polar Blasts and Giveaways / July 3, 2021 by craig levers

Mid winter dips, media hustles, weather bombs and long lefts. It has been a crazy week. The cameras have had a work out.

A better writer would distill the week that was with a succinct thread. The reader would follow a clever theme. The obvious one here would be an insight into a lead up week for our two Olympian surfers, Ella Williams and Billy Stairmand. The week did go like that, but it's not the full story.

Here's what happened. Part-time flatmate Billy Stairmand advised that he, his wife Leana and the fur babies would be residing at their Piha room for a few nights. He was training with Dave from Woody's Movement Workshop and had meetings in Auckland. Later that day Ella texts 'I'm coming up to Piha for the Olympic Announcement, I'd love it if you came along and be a part of it.'

That evening Woody rang; 'Ceepage, I'm training Ella and Bill tomorrow, could you come along and get some pool photos? Oh and I've told Billy whatever he does, don't tell you what we are up to, so you should text him and wind him up.'

Naturally a text is fired off to poor Billy. 'I know what you're doing, how come you're barring me'.

First day, it is bleak. Winter is here. Squalls and rain rage on the ridge. Woody holds court with our two Olympic surfers, explaining how cadence breathing works. Then it's off to the pool to put theory into practice. Woody has asked neighbours Johnny and Anna and they kindly offered their pool. It's cold, colder than the Tasman. Ella and Billy comply with all Woody's instruction. It's very clear the two are eager and open to anything that will assist with Tokyo in a few weeks.

Day two, Billy is up and out. He's got temperature coaching at the Millennium. Tokyo, well more correctly Chiba, reaches temperatures north of 40 degrees. He's back in time for the Olympic Announcement at Piha Surf Club. The Nation's media are gathered, Radio NZ, Media Works, TVNZ and a whole bunch more. Barbara Kendal officially announce that Ella and Billy are representing New Zealand as our first ever surfers to do so.

It's kind of a big deal. The two are politely pulled left, right and centre for each and every media entity to get a piece. They both do so with aplomb.

There's a moment as we leave. Here are two surfers I've known since they were 9 and here we are, they are Olympians. At times I've bought into the anti surfing Olympic thing. I understand it. It's a vacuumous argument, sensationalists' click bait. If you sat down with Ella and Billy for a beer and really talked about the honour and pride they share for representing their country. Understood the dedication and commitment it has taken. Well, you'd have to be a pretty twisted unit not to buy in to the stoke.

Later that day the observed weather pattern is indeed panning out. It's agreed, move the party to Raglan.

Day Three; leaving, travelling, arriving. The swell on the Points is raw and icy. The hopes of an evening Ledge session are dashed. That's ok, actually that's more than ok, the idea of swimming out mid winter during a Polar Blast isn't too appealing.

Ava Henderson dealing adeptly with the polar blast

Larry Fisher on a borrowed 6'10 finding the gems in the rough

Day Four; predawn, 0.0 degrees in Raglan Town. The Points are warmer, 3 degrees. Ok, ok, I know you Mainlanders will be going harden up, there's snow on the sand here! It's all comparative, imagine what Chiba's surfers would be thinking, they surf in 40 degrees.

This is the tide for the Ledge, this is why we are here, camera and waterhousing at the ready. Nerves are high. It's still solid, 6 foot plus, ok, yep, I'll swim that. Wait, what, where's the Ledge? The rawness of the swell pushes sets wide of the Ledge. It's not happening. The carpark is full of loaded guns. Locked and loaded and no where to go. Hours are wiled away, car park catch ups, waiting, hoping somehow the tide will do its magic on the swell. It doesn't.

Quite possibly the most wrongest situation ever... there is nothing good in this photo

The sun is out, the gears shift from expecting a barrel fest to enjoying what's in front. Billy paddles out. Lets get some work done. Shoot, lunch, resume.

Between surfs Bill's time is spent fielding calls from sponsors. Organising more training sessions, training, chiropractors, boxing, saunas, organising Olympic drug and covid tests. Next week he and Ella go into their very own Olympic lockdown before flying out. The quote; Covid adds yet another layer of organisational challenges applies.

Billy looks on as an absolute warrior buries rail on a creased beat up weapon

running out of things to say about Bill at this point

An early dinner with Billy's best mates at Ulo's. As we leave Billy asks another patron to take a group shot. One of the lads pipes up, 'he's off the to Olympics'. The patron replies 'Oh Ok then' pleasantly but clearly doubting the claim.... they will never know.

Day Five, keep to the routine, up before the sun, caffeinate, surf check. The arse has completely dropped out of the swell, the Points aren't the go at all. The beach comes alive with tasty peaks. Wait for the tide. The identified bank is really good, Luke Cederman and Billy convince me to shoot from the land...but I don't wanna fullas! They are right though. The left hander has a rip on it, and multiple sections, it'd be super hard to line up with the water housing.

Tom Billington joined for the super fun beach session

Text book positioning from our 8x National Champ

Luke! The big fella flings his rig through the air of the session

We get more good stuff. Billy bails to do some admin, Luke spies another bank up the beach. We say our farewells, never good bye; see you later bro. As I trudge up the beach ramp the whole beach is firing. I chuckle, I know I should pack the camera away and go for a surf.

I'm done. I know I'm making a mistake turning my back on pumping waves. The lure of home and expectation that the home breaks will be good anyway is all too tempting. Back up the Waikato Expressway, sneak into the AK before 3pm gridlock. Home by dark.

Give Away Time

Both these 250mm x 380mm glicee archival prints are up for grabs FREEEE!!! As in one winner gets both! To enter the draw you must have a New Zealand postal address, sorry O/S peeps. All you have to do is SUBSCRIBE HERE And you are in the draw. The Give Away will be open to new subscribers too, the draw will be done Wednesday 7th July 9am NZT.