The Sixth Edition
The Team's All Together
Photo // Steve Wall
Cronulla Grom Sam Strachan Becomes The Final Member Of The Turbo V Team.
Sam Strachan's a name that has been getting thrown around a lot in bodyboarding circles of late.
His recent success in the Shark Island trials have spread wide interest about the young man, but more recently, so has his signing to the already stellar international Turbo V team. Riptide caught up with Sam to see what his thoughts were on his new board sponsor:
“It’s sick to be on the Turbo team and it’s definitely a big step up for me.
“It’s great to be with an Australian-owned company, especially one that has such a vast reach internationally as well.”
The Turbo crew devulge as to why Sam took out the competition and why he was the perfect candidate for the team.
“We were looking for a complete package when sorting through the candidates, and in the end it was impossible to choose the winner from the clips alone.
“We narrowed down the leading entries and then considered other factors such as competition results, personality out of the water, including image and also genuine potential to take the next step and be a world-class bodyboarder. Sam ticked all the boxes.
“His surfing speaks for itself, but Sam is also very committed to his bodyboarding and focuses equally hard on his free surfing as he does his competition surfing.
“He respects his elders in the sport and looks to learn from them, even to the point of undertaking specific bodyboarding training with Barney (President of NSW Bodyboarding).
“It is important to highlight that Sam has only just turned 16 and many very experienced judges (including Andrew Lester) believe Sam has the ability to make it to the very top of bodyboarding.
So what will Sam bring to the team?
“Sam brings youth to the Turbo V team. He is one of the most talented riders for his age that we have seen for a long time.
“While the average age of the Turbo V team is only in the early 20s’, the team lacked a genuine grom.
“The one common theme of the Turbo V team is that these guys are genuine all round riders with style in and out of the water, and Sam brings his own style and image to a very diverse team.”
After making it through the Shark Island trials to make the final event, there is no doubt Sam is proving his worth.
“It is such a good comp and for it to be at my local was great because I had all the support of my mates, which gave me that extra edge, especially in the final.
“It’s funny though because I still struggle to get waves out there when the older crew are out, so it was cool to have a lot of them cheering me on too, it definitely pushed me to do better.
“The Island is a bit of a proving ground and there’s a lot more encouragement to charge bigger, heavier waves than to be tech like on the Goldy (Gold Coast).”
Gregg from Turbo explains that Sam’s success within the Island trials definitely gave him a leg-up in taking out the Turbo V competition.
“Sam was a leading candidate prior to winning the Shark Island Trials, but in many ways it was the thing that got him over the line.
“Sam showed great maturity and determination to handle the pressure of that event against a very talented and experienced field.
“While a lot of riders have potential, many struggle to translate that into contest results. Considering Sam was only 15 years old at the time, it was a great reflection on his character.”
With that in mind, why are the boards best suited to Sam’s particular riding style?
“The important point of differentiation is that it is not made for just one rider in mind, and the Turbo 5 team all ride the exact same template.
“The Turbo 5 is a result of this unique research that Glenn Taylor has undertaken in over 12 years’ experience of shaping bodyboards, with the most recent global feedback and trends incorporated.
“For the above reasons we were confident that the Turbo 5 board would suit Sam, and this has been confirmed by Sam after recently returning from a trip to South Australia with his new board.
“The footage and photos from this trip will soon be available and you can see how quickly Sam adapted to his new board. Sam can also be seen on his winning Turbo 5 clip with his first-ever surf on the Turbo 5 (look out for red board with silver bottom on the clip). Judge for yourself....”
Sam's Winning Clip
The Turbo V Finalists
Kalani Lattanzi (Brazil)
Giuliano Lara (Brazil)
Michael Ostler (South Africa)
Damien Martin (Australia)
Nate Rubio (Hawaii)
For more information on the Turbo V sponsorship campaign click here and click on this link to head to the Turbo website.
A Sign(ing) Of Things To Come
FROM THIS...
BP's first Riptide cover from way back in Oct '97 (109 issues ago).
PHOTO // Morris
TO THIS...
Giant air forward in the Canaries, 2009/10. PHOTO // RUBEN GRIMON
Ben Player's Excellent Bodyboarding Career
By Paul Balfe
Bodyboarding's never really been understood or appreciated by the masses and it's for this reason (among others) that most riders of earlier generations have simply had to leave the professional bodyboarding arena to “get a real job”.
The world of bodyboarding has been changing, with the older generation determined to cement their place within the industry, both professionally and commercially. Leading the pack is Ben Player, a man who has seen the world of bodyboarding grow to new heights during his career and has played a key role in its progression. With Mike Stewart setting the benchmark for riders aspiring to keep competing, BP shows no sign of slowing down any time soon as he has just re-signed with NMD for the next four years, ensuring his place in the bodyboarding world for nearly half a decade more.
We caught up with BP to reflect on his career, from its beginnings and looking to the future.
“I was 14 years old when I signed my first contract. I worked six weeks on my resume, which consisted of no more than the Manly Bodyboard Club newsletter with my name highlighted, a few random newspaper clippings and a letter that Mandy Zieran's mum helped write for me. I got sponsored by Morey bodyboards and I was contracted to two wholesale-priced boards for the year.
“When I was that age I looked up to Tully Beevor and Mike Stewart. At that point in my life those guys were the bee’s knees. I used to see Tully around Avalon and would follow him around and watch for any secrets in anything he did. I remember I followed him home one day to see where he lived and he saw me following him, which was pretty awkward."
From humble beginnings to being one of the most revered riders the sport has seen, BP proclaims there are no signs of him slowing down soon and most of his peers are taking the same approach.
“Having riders from my generation still riding is definitely beneficial to the sport. It adds so much more depth having riders from all generations still ripping.
“It's pretty weird. Riders of my generation just keep going, when the riders of the generation above just kind of stopped when they were 20's which really is sad as they still ripped and could have still been getting paid to rip.
“I think the difference is that we (Ryan, Mitch, Kingy, etc.) are all still really competitive with each other and kind of prop each other up when we're down and pull each other down when we're up so we just keep going. I think our generation will always be a part of bodyboarding. Whether it is professionally or commercially we will always be there to support and make it grow. Motivation breeds motivation. Hype breeds hype.
“I would say motivation, optimism and perfectionism are key traits of mine that keep me going."
In the past a lot of emphasis was placed on the brand, but now it seems that it is up to the rider’s profile to push product in the market. This being said, there must be a lot pressure thrust upon riders to get media exposure these days to help push board sales.
“I would say that it's the relationship between NMD and I that moves boards, it's a team effort.
“I'm a brand, I lend myself to their product and as a result we make a better brand.”
As many of today’s top riders are still at the forefront of bodyboarding, still pushing both technical and rideable (or unrideable) wave boundaries, is there any notion of slowing down, or will we see their faces gracing in our beloved magazines until we are old and decrepit and have long-since retired our boogs to our grandchildren?
“As I said, I will always be a part of bodyboarding, whether it is professionally or commercially.
“I don't see why I wouldn't be hunting another deal after this one. I mean, if I'm still motivated and progressing why wouldn't I sign another contract?
“I can't tell you now if I will or won't, I guess that's up to fate to decide.”
Recently BP released his new website, benplayer.com, and to welcome the site into the world Beeps and Todd Barnes (Thrash'd creator) produced a new profile movie titled TWOZEROZERONINE.
Here's the trailer:
Watch the full movie at benplayer.com.
This Kid Called Cramsie
Mr Cramsie and a whole lotta' sponsor buff; something that's bound to bring a grin to every groms face.
Livin' Every Groms Dream
Lachlan Cramsie is a name that has been getting thrown around a lot lately, mainly due to the fact he was relatively unknown before taking out the National Title last year.
“My National Title win was awesome and I guess things just escalated after that. Inverted have been great, they really pushed me and got my name out everywhere. It is really nice to be recognised at such a high level.
“It’s weird, we probably have the worst waves on the whole east coast, yet the Sunny Coast seems to produce some technical, smooth riders. To be honest, I think it’s because if you can stand out here all you need is to get comfortable in some bigger stuff and hopefully you’re set.
PHOTO // Charles Beak
“There was a lot of interest from companies after the national title last year, so I was stoked when Joel Taylor expressed interest.
Sixteen-year-old Cramsie has since been inundated with sponsorship proposals, with his most recent and exciting signing to Unite Clothing.
“I am really excited to be on such a high-class and high-profile team. Hopefully I can learn a lot from them and be able to grow and further my career with Unite.
“If anything, growing with this established company will only further my career quicker and higher than I could have imagined, helping my future plans of a career in bodyboarding.”
Cramsie got his grom froth on when he received his massive package from Unite.
“I really wasn’t expecting the amount of gear I got, but it’s awesome and I will be representing this gear everywhere. Make sure you get in-store and grab yours (laughs).”
Unite founder and owner, Joel Taylor seemed to be equally excited, saying he was stoked to officially hook Cramsie up after seeing his recent profile clip and Inverted team trip that was shot over in Samoa earlier this year.
“The clip is pretty sick, huh? So psyched, really looking forward to seeing how he progresses over the next few years.”
Inverted’s Samoa team trip was Cramsie’s first trip overseas and his hard work has definitely made him stand out.
“It was awesome to experience a different culture and surf some world-class waves.
“I'd love to travel more whenever I get the chance, especially with photographers and in a team environment.”
So what's the young man planning from here on in?
“Finish school, chase waves, get exposure for my sponsors and to further my career in bodyboarding.
“Yew!”
The Cramsie Profile Clip
Inverted's Team Trip To Samoa
New Outlet To Get Your Ride
New Outlet To Get Your Next Ride
The Gold Coast is already Australia’s sixth largest city, and things just seem to be getting bigger and better.
With about 14,000 more people taking up residency on the Coast per year, it was only a matter of time until another bodyboard core store opened up on the coast.
What....? Another core store on the coast?
That’s right, Bodyboard Factory will be joining Bodyboard Surf Co., Inverted and Burliegh Bodyboard Shop as the coast’s leading core stores.
Bodyboard Factory isn’t just your standard shop front though, as the name states, it’s an actual factory! We caught up with the guys to give us run down on the store.
“It’s a factory outlet, direct to the public which is a first for bodyboarding.
“It will provide suppliers and manufacturers with an outlet to move their excess and last season stock enabling them to provide more variety to retail bodyboard stores and in turn keeping the market fresh and exciting.
“It is also a way for us to stock a huge range of products with everyday super deals.”
“We are here only to provide bodyboarders with access to a great range of products at bargain prices making it more accessible for all bodyboarders to get the products they need to get out in the water.”
So what was the motivation to open up on the Gold Coast and not other location with less competition?
“There are already an abundance of retail outlets on the Coast, but with the great surf breaks and great weather attracting tourists it was the perfect choice.
“All bodyboard retailers need to support each other to help our sport grow.
“Tension does not help anybody, we are all about positive growth for bodyboarding, that’s it!”
Next time you're on the GC be sure to have a look at its newest attraction, and one far better than Tweed's Twin Towns, the Bodyboard Factory.
Do You Know VU-doo?
VU's original founder, Harry Dixon taking care of a Canarian roll bowl in Riptide #145.
The New VU Story
It seems like the season to be revamping old favourites, with Funkshen coming back, and now this spring, Toby Simm is releasing a long-awaited VU range.
Being a passionate bodyboarder until an unfortunate accident where he broke his neck, Toby Simm has kept his hand in the pie by recently acquiring VU off its founder, Harry Dixon, who is now pursuing a career as a flight attendant.
“I’ve always wanted to own my own clothing brand and I was a big fan of VU’s previous ranges, so it was just a perfect fit.
“I’ve been a graphic designer for around eight years now and I have a crew of young designers helping me too, so there will never be any shortage of ideas for the brand.”
As well as having a lot of young minds working hard on the brand, Toby has also taken the unconventional approach of opening up the designs and ideas for discussion on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
“It’s pretty obvious that a lot of kids are amped on the idea of VU coming back and it’s only fair that they get their say.
“It will help us out as well because we are being contacted directly by our audience, and it means we can cater to their needs more efficiently.
“We have recently posted up a bunch of designs on our Facebook page to get feedback before our launch in September.
“We’ve also got a small site set up at vuclothing.com where you can register your email for updates.”
Toby is looking to reward all your hard work analysing the new designs with prizes, so get in there to register and get critiquing.
“I’ll be giving away T-shirts from our first range this spring to a lucky few who register, become a fan on Facebook, and/or follow us on Twitter.”
Riptide Magazine is a bi-monthly publication based in Australia that has been bringing bodyboarding to the world for the past 21 years. If you’re a bodyboarder, chances are Riptide is just like you; motivated by the ocean, inspired by creative arts like photography, design and music, and living always for travel and fresh experiences. Come ride with us - Subscribe HERE.
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