bl!sss magazine | april 2014 | #80

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T H E B A L A N C E O F O P P O S I T E S

R V C A . C O M

F O R D A R C H B O L D B Y R E M I O , 2 0 1 4 . M I X E D M E D I A O N P A P E R . P O R T R A I T B Y K E N N E T H C A P P E L L O .

VANSSURF.COM 2014 Vans, Inc. photo: Todd Glaser

When Dylan Graves isnt traveling the world, getting tubed, blasting airs, or making time with the ladies, he likes to doodle! Dylan gave us some art he did on a brief stop to his home in Puerto Rico, inspired by Caribbean island vibes and his favoritecocktail fruit, Dylan wanted to create a little collection just for you.Whether you slip on the Thresher and head to the beach, or yougrab a pair of Michoacans and hit the town, youll be styling...

THE DYLAN GRAVES PACK

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D e r r i c k D i s n e y

C r e a t o r s & I n n o v a t o r s

V I S S L A . C O M

Z U L U B O A R D S H O R T | S T R Y N G E R C R E W

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WASSERMAN MEDIA GROUP | 760.602.6200 | Prepared by Julius Deguzman | www.wmgllc.com | All rights reserved 2014

Pub: Bleed: Trim:Live: Scale:

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VOL-COM 2

RANDOMS // 28PRODUCT REVIEW // 34PHIL ROBERTS // 36POSE: THE LISA PROJECT // 38BEN AIPA // 40123KLAN RESPECT & LOVE // 42PAUL ROUPHAIL // 44THE CRUEL SEA // 46INSTAGRAM // 48SUPER TASTE // 50DEADBEAT CLUB // 54GROOVE MOVE // 56JOHN HILL // 62ZAK NOYLE PHOTO PROFILE // 66THE ART OF CLEON PETERSON // 74FASHION // 82KAI LENNY // 88EASTBOUND & DOWN // 92VOLCOM: TRUE TO THIS // 98HURLEY: BORN FROM WATER ART SHOW // 100COLLECTIVE: ALL MY FRIENDS ARE PHOTOGRAPHERS // 102VANS OFF THE WALL SKATEPARK HUNTINGTON BEACH // 104TONY MOLINA // 106MUSIC REVIEWS // 108GROMS // 114

TOC

Photo: Jon Furlong

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Disclaimer: Although all best efforts are made to avoid the same, we reserve the right to publish unintentional mistakes and/or factual errors which may occur on a monthly basis. No responsibility is assumed by the publishers for unsolicited materials/articles/letters/advertising and all submissions will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright and/or appropriate licensing purposes subject to Blisss right to edit and comment editorially. The views and opinions expressedinthismagazinereecttheopinions of their respective authors and are not necessarily those of the publisher or the editorial team. Blisss Magazine reserves the right to accept or reject any advertising matter which mayreectnegativelyontheintegrityof the magazine. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form [print or electronic] without prior written consent from the publisher.

If your favorite shop isnt receiving BL!SSS Magazine please contact [email protected]

APRIL 2014

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFnick [email protected]

EDITORjoey [email protected]

CREATIVE DIRECTORmark paul deren : [email protected]

ASSISTANT EDITORspencer [email protected]

EDITOR AT LARGEliz rice [email protected]

SNOW EDITORjon [email protected]

MUSIC EDITORmax [email protected]

[email protected]

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERSJason Kenworthy, Dominic Petruzzi, Daniel Russo, Toby Ogden, Tom Carey, Brian Beilmann, Jack Coleman, Andrew Mapstone, Adam Moran, Dave Nelson, Pat Eichstaedt, Julien Lecorps, Ryan Boyes, Zach Hooper, Tim Peare, Michael Lallande, Bob Plumb, Peter Morning, Bryce Kanights, Arto Sarri, Anthony Acosta, Cameron Strand, Brian Fick, Deville Nunns, Gage Thompson, Derek Bahn, Tom Cozad, Robbie Crawford, Ryan Donahue, Joe Foster

CONTRIBUTORSWillie Marshall, Daniel Russo, Jason Arnold, Greg Escalante, Nathan Spoor, Tom

Carey, Travis Millard, David Choe, Kai Garcia, Mickey Neilsen, Peter Townend,

Hamilton Endo, Tawnya Schultz, Mike Murciano, Geoff Shively, Casey Holland,

Steve Stratton, Robbie Sell, Andrew Miller, Pat Towersey, Raul Montoya, Ian Dodge,

Richie Olivares, Eric Meyers, Kelly Shannon, JP Olson

BL!SSS Magazine

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R A E N . C OM

T h e C r y s t a l C o l l e c t i o n F e a t u r i n g T h e R e m m y

T h r o u g h T h e E y e s O f J e n a v i e v e B e l a i r

A m b a s s a d o r T h o m P r i n g l e

ARTIST: CLEON PETERSON

masthead

Monterey BaySanta Cruz

Ocean BeachGolden GateBodega Bay

Big River, MendocinoHumboldt Bay

SeasideNawiliwili, KauaiPine Trees, Kauai

San DiegoLa Jolla

EncinitasNewport Bay Entrance

Huntington BeachCabrillo BeachSan Clemente

Los Angeles Harbor Ent.Santa Monica

Venturanasquan Inlet

Sandy HookFire Island Breakwater

BridgeportBlock Island

Daytona BeachSanta Cruz

Ocean BeachGolden GateBodega Bay

Big River, MendocinoHumboldt Bay

Kailua Kona, HawaiiHilo, Hawaii

Kahului, MauiHana, Maui

Lahaina, MauiHaleiwa, OahuWaianae, Oahu

Honolulu, OahuKaneohe, Oahu

SeasidePacifi c CityOcean Side

GaribaldiNahcotta

Tofi no, BcKey West

Panama City BeachMiami Harbor

Fort LauderdaleSebastian Inlet

Marthas VineyardNantucket

BostonHampton Beach

Lawrencetown, Nova ScotiaFerry Reach, Bermuda

Eleuthera EastPort Morant, Jamaica

Santo Domingo, Dominican RepublicSan Juan

Charlotte AmalieSt Barthlemy

Soup Bowls, BarbadosCane Garden, Tortola

Baja MalibuEnsenada

San QuintinTodos Santos

Cabo San Lucas Pointe A Pitre, Guadeloupe

Fort De France, MartiniqueBelize CityGalveston

San CarlosMazatlan

Puerto VallartaAcapulco

Salina CruzPuerto Escondido

La TiclaPanama, Caribbean

Panama, Pacifi cJaco, Costa Rica

Nosara, Costa RicaTamarindo, Costa Rica

Pavones, Costa RicaCosta Rica- Carribean

San Juan Del Sur, NicaraguaCape Hatteras

Kitty HawkVirginia Beach

Cape MayAtlantic City

Little Egg HarborJacksonville

Savannah RiverFolly Beach

New LondonNewport

CorpusSnapper Rocks

Columbia, CaribbeanColumbia, Pacifi c

Manta, Equador

Josh Kerr

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Panama City BeachMiami Harbor

Fort LauderdaleSebastian Inlet

Marthas VineyardNantucket

BostonHampton Beach

Lawrencetown, Nova ScotiaFerry Reach, Bermuda

Eleuthera EastPort Morant, Jamaica

Santo Domingo, Dominican RepublicSan Juan

Charlotte AmalieSt Barthlemy

Soup Bowls, BarbadosCane Garden, Tortola

Baja MalibuEnsenada

San QuintinTodos Santos

Cabo San Lucas Pointe A Pitre, Guadeloupe

Cape MayAtlantic City

Little Egg HarborJacksonville

Savannah RiverFolly Beach

New LondonNewport

CorpusSnapper Rocks

Columbia, CaribbeanColumbia, Pacifi c

Manta, Equador

Pointe A Pitre, GuadeloupePointe A Pitre, GuadeloupeFort De France, Martinique

Belize CityGalveston

San CarlosMazatlan

Puerto VallartaAcapulco

Salina CruzPuerto Escondido

La TiclaPanama, Caribbean

Panama, Pacifi cJaco, Costa Rica



San Juan Del Sur, NicaraguaCape Hatteras

Kitty HawkVirginia Beach

Pointe A Pitre, GuadeloupeFort De France, Martinique

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Josh Kerr

SUPERTIDE_COLLECTION_RHP_BLISS.indd 1 8/30/13 4:05 PM

ThismonthwerepartneringupwithourlongtimefriendandtalentedlmmakerJack Coleman in premiering his new movie Groove Move at the Lido Theatre on April 10th.AnyonewhoseverwatchedoneofJacksicksknowsthattheyrelike nothing else out there. Groove Move features the likes of household names Rob Machado, Dave Rastovich, Derek Hynd, Alex Knost and underground sliders like Justin Adams, Ari Browne and Rangi Armond, all riding alternative crafts and blowing minds all over the world in the process. Groove Move already world premiered in San Francisco to a packed house, and it had the audience unanimously enthralled the whole way through. Were excited to be collaborating with Jack on his DVD release premiere, and well see you all on Thursday, April 10th at the Lido Theatre for what promises to be an epic night. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. so dont be late!

A compelling new documentary by the name of Heart Child has grabbed ourundividedattention.Inthislm,producer/director Ben Duffy chronicles the life of 29-year-old Crys Worley who was born with a rare form of congenital heart disease, has battled with this disease her whole life and, while going through treatment for congestive heart failure, learned her own son, Sasha, had been diagnosed with Autism. Instead of losing hope and throwing in the towel, Crys courageously tackled her disease and her sons simultaneously, making it her lifes mission to help alleviate Sasha of any of the pain he was enduring. In doing so, Crys introduced Sasha to skateboarding, which he immediately grabbed onto as a healthy outlet and positive source of expression. Shortly after, Crys founded A.Skate Foundation,anon-protdedicatedtotherapeutically teaching kids with Autism how to skate while instilling acceptance and educating them in the process. The story of Crys and Sasha is an amazing tale, one that anyone can relate to and wesuggestyouallcheckitout.Tondout more information about A.Skate Foundation and Heart Child, go to www.heartchildthemovie.com.

Were always down for supporting fresh looking collaborations, and weve got to hand it to Thrasher for the blacked-out spin they put on Arnettes Dropout frame. This shade is signature Thrasher style with an ominous yet crisp look, and it comes equipped with the high-quality lenses and comfortable frames were used to seeing from the folks at Arnette. Plus, the Arnette Dropout X Thrasher shade comes with interchangeable arms, allowing you to throw in a lighter shade of grey if your mood warrants something a little less on the dark side. This collectable sunglass comes with the Thrasher insignia on the upper left corner of the lens and a custom box. Look for this must-have shade at all neretailersoratarnette.com.

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The crew over at Captain Fin Co. just got done taking home SIMAs Breakthrough Brand of the Year award, and youd think theyd be allowing themselves a little time off to bask in victorious glory, right? Not so. Instead, theyvebeenbusyatworkcreatingnewnproductswiththeirteammembers,twoofwhicharerider-designedandontheshelvesthismonth.TherstistheAndy Davis quad set in black base color with pineapples decorating the sides of allfourns.Builtforhighspeed,whilemaintainingcontinuitythroughturnsanddirectionalchanges,thissetisthego-toforyournextboardthatoffersthefour-noption. On the thruster side of things, theyve got Dylan Graves highly anticipated trio of Disfrutans.Everythingfromthediverseandwittyartdisplayedonallthreetothefuturisticmid-nrakeonbothsidenshasusexcitedtotestthemout.Lookforbothoftheseintriguingsetsatyourlocalretaileroroncaptainn.comthis month.

DYLAN GRAVES FIN

ARNETTE X THRASHER

GROVE MOVE PREMIERE HEART CHILD

randoms

OLLOCLIP ADDITIONSThe boys and girls at Olloclip have hit another home run with their latest lens additions to their already stellar lens lineup. With the popularity of Instagram at an all-time high and people shooting photos on their iPhones more so than any camera out there, it just makes sense to pick up an easy-to-use lens accessory that gives you limitless photo options. Our latest care package included the new 3-in-1 Olloclip for the iPhone 5C, givingyoucolorfuladditionsforyourmacro,sh-eyeorwide-anglelens.Theyve also released their iPhone 5/5S Macro 3-in-1 lens, allowing for the crispest, sharpest shot youve ever seen from an iPhone. These lenses truly are amazing, if you havent grabbed yourself an Olloclip yet, you really dont know what youre missing out on.

Available at

For more information contact Beachworks South Coast Plaza 3333 Bristol Street Costa Mesa CA 92626 714-754-0221

Hermosa Beach is a happening little Southern California beach town on any given day of the year, so throw the 7th annual Spyder Surf Fest into the mix and youve got yourself an all-day affair that thrives on producing good times for people of all ages. This year the Spyder Surf Fest will be showcasingvebands,afashionshow,autographsignings,freegamesandgiveaways,aliveDJ,andforthersttime,theLA Surf Awards. Bring the family, your friends, a date or just yourself; its a great way to kick off the spring season. Spyder Surf Fest 7 is going down on Saturday April 5th from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. in downtown Hermosa Beach right in front of the Spyder Surf Pier Avenue store. For more information and a detailed schedule of the days events, head on over to spydersurf.com.

HailingfromacrossthePacicinAustralia, The Critical Slide Society has been making waves for quite some time now in the design world with catchy, creative clothing. Theyve just recently planted their feet on Americansoilandwevebeenabletogetarsthandlookatthe threads theyre weaving. In particular, their award-winning Sea, Sex & Sun boardshort has grabbed our attention. These 50/50, half elasticback,halfxedfrontboardiesareasenjoyabletolookatasthey are to wear. With spring basically here and summer hot on its heels, the Sea, Sex & Sun boardshorts are a wise purchase whether you plan on spending your time poolside, on the beach, in the ocean or cruising around town with cold brew in hand. Make sure to head on overtothecriticalslidesociety.comorallnelocalretailerstogetsomegear from The Critical Slide Society.

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There are plenty of action sports cameras available out there today, but few come with the quality and reliability that a Polaroid camera offers. Thats why were always keeping tabs on what the Polaroid camp is popping out, and the XS100i Extreme Edition HD is the perfect example of a great addition to action sports cameras. The all-new XS100i is as simple, lightweight and durable as any camera out there on the market, and its shockproof and waterproof, catering to the needs of anyone who likens themselves to extreme situations. The best part about the XS100i is that it comes with built-in WiFi, allowing you to adjust settings remotely, watch video in real-time and share footage instantly. And not to worry, a full mounting kit is included, so youll be out there documenting your adventures right away.

POLARIOD XS100I

SPYDER SURF FEST 7

SEA, SEX & SUN

In the wake of the world premieres of True to This, Volcom has come out with a three-disc box set to commemorate the lmthatsfullyloadedwitheverythingyoucouldwantwiththisiconiclm.Thethree-disc box set comes with two Blu-ray discs one being the original feature and the other being a documentary delving deep into the Veeco Film library and a 7 vinyl packaged inside a 48-page hardcover bound book featuring iconic photographs from the Volcom vault and behind-the-scenes images from the making of True To This. On the b-side of the 7 vinyl is a custom etching of the True To This mandala. Each True To This deluxe box set also includes a digitaldownloadofthelmaswellastheoriginallmthatstarteditall,Alive We Ride, as a bonus feature. Pretty much morethanenoughlm,photographyandentertainment packed into one box than we could ever wish for. Get your hands on this set now, online at volcom.com or at your local surf, skate or snow retailer.

TRUE TO THIS DELUXE BOX SET

randoms

SMITH CHROMAPOPHeres a pretty fascinating improvement to sunglass technology from the Smith Optics crew that we just recently got our hands on. Smiths all-new Chromapop lenses are the life-altering technological additions we speak of that are letting everyone see clearer, further and unveiling the most vivid of details,withundistortedandunmatchedquality.ThewayChromapopworksisbyblockingspeciccolor wave intersections as they pass through the lens, eliminating color confusion and bestowing you with a whole new way of viewing the world. We put our new Lowdowns with Chromapop technology tothetestinharshshingconditionsandtheyabsolutelyourished.Whetheryoureshingorfrequently participating in any other outdoor activities, Smiths Chromapop technology offers the best of the best in visual quality. Check them out at your local retailer or via smithoptics.com.

Over the years music has lost its true sound appeal, due in large part to technological convenience. We dont realize it, but the product were always putting into our ears via iPods, MP3s, CDs and the radio is not whats intended for us to be listening to by the artists themselves. But now, Neil Young is changing the way that we listen to music with his newfound company, Pono. Pono Music was built on the premise of providing people with the highest-grade quality of digital music around. Pono is once again instilling us with the simple pleasure of raw, unadulterated sound, and people are starting to hear the difference. Music stars all across the board like Sting, Eddie Vedder, Flea, Jack Johnson and Tom Petty are just a few of the experts whove given unanimously positive reviews about Pono. Its comparable to listening to a vinyl or being right there, present in the recording studio. Pono is a revival to the true heart of music, and we recommend everyone visit ponomusic.com today to learn more, join their Kickstarter campaign and become a part of this artist-driven movement.

Springtime, summertime and basically anytime is a good time to have a reliable cruiser to skate with at your disposal. The crew over at Goldcoast Skateboards is well versed at giving everyone premium skateboards, especially high-quality cruisers that you all can enjoy no matter what your skill level may be. Their newest cruiser, TheConictMod, is a 24-inch deck that rolls with style inspired from London in the 1960s. Not to be pegged as just a pretty piece of woodonfourwheels,theConictMod will get you to class, the liquor store or wherever your destination lies faster than any other skateboard out there. Make sure toaddtheGoldcoastConictModcruiser to your arsenal by visiting your local shops or by heading to skategoldcoast.com today.

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MANTIS UNITED

GOLDCOAST CONFLICT MOD

PONO MUSIC

randoms

Well, Coachella 2014 is basically here, calling us all to make a pilgrimage out to see and hear some of the best musical acts alive today. And in between melting your mind and body away in the sweltering heat under the arid desert sun, its nice knowing you can always seek refuge in the Vestal Village Oasis 24/7 Pool Party Extravaganza that takes place every year. The Vestal Village has gotten so legendary over the years that a lot of people go to Coachella for the sole purpose of attending this one-of-a-kind party. Now, were pretty sure the guest list is pretty tough to crack, but if you know someone who knows someone, then you never know, you might be able to get yourself in amidst the frenzy of fun. At any rate, its sure to be another raging year with plenty of stories and hilarious times to recount, so have fun and be safe, party people.

VESTAL VILLAGE

Cordell Surfboards just added an exciting young goofy footer to their team by the name of GrifnFoy.Grifn,whosaveterannowat13yearsof age, has been ripping all over lately, turning plenty of heads in the process, and its about time someone scooped him up and started making him some magic sleds. Cordell Surfboards and Marko FoamwillbeteaminguptobuildGrifnswhole quiver, giving him the most responsive and ne-tunedEPS surfboards any surfer could ever want.BesuretokeepaneyeoutforGrifntoberipping all over on his new Cordells, and dont be surprised if you see this kid on the tour in a few years, as we predict hell be a shining star in the surf realm for years to come.

CORDELL X MARKO X GRIFFIN

Is the old adage of getting better with age really true? Not in every aspect of life, but if were talking about Nixons newly released Sentry Chrono LTD then, yes. This revamped, limited-edition timepiece is as strong of a reason to start sporting a watch on your wrist as any. The Sentry Chrono LTD comes in a deep blue color with baby blue indices. And heres where that old saying comes into play, as the more you wear this watch the darker the tonal blue becomes, giving you a wise and experienced look. Each watch is engraved with your own custom number on the case back, giving each Sentry Chrono LTD owner an added personal touch. With only 500 watches available worldwidethesenelycrafted,exclusive watches are sure to sell like brownies at a pot convention, so make sure to get over to your local Nixon retailer or log onto nixon.com today before they sell out.

SENTRY CHRONO LTD

Theres a new brand thats breaking out amongst the clutter of normalcy and turning heads and it goes by the name of Mantis United. Mantis is a company based on the true passion for making what they want for the lifestyles they enjoy. Theyre not catering to a certain demographic, instead, theyre sticking with what they know so well their roots that run deep in the surf, skate, snow and other sectors of the action sports worlds. Mantis specializes in American made beanies, shirts and hats as well as high quality sunglasses made in Italy. Check them out at mantisunited.com today.

L I R A 2 0 1 4 S U M M E R C O L L E C T I O NW W W . L I R A C L O T H I N G . C O M

1. RVCA, Caravan Weekender, rvca.com // 2. Ezekiel, White Sands Photographic 6-Panel Snapback, ezekielusa.com // 3. Nixon, The Apollo, nixon.com // 4. Captain Fin Co., Captain Grill Towel,captainn.com//5.Burton, Wheelie Travel Cargo Bag, burton.com // 6. Hurley, Phantom Sandal, hurley.com // 7. Alpinestars, Dry Pack, alpinestars.com // 8. iNi Cooperative, Camp Jackete, inicooperative.com // 9. Vestal, The Guide, vestalwatch.com // 10. Roark, La Pirata Flask, roark.com // 11. Vans, Palm Bifold Wallet, vans.com // 12. Lira, Dead Head Sweat Shorts, liraclothing.com // 13. Spy, Balboa, spyoptics.com // 14. ArtLife, Floripa Tank, artlifeisgood.com // 15. Volcom, Quip Poly Backpack, volcom.com

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Words: Paul Holmes

Drop in at Phil Roberts Newport Beachstudioandyoumightndhim at work on any number of diverse projects, calling for his talent as a painter, illustrator, sculptor or caricaturist. He might be knocking out 90 comps of a new Hollywood movies advertising campaign, modeling in clay what will become a bronze trophy for asurngchampionship,oreven touching up an artists rendition for a developer creating a new tropical vacation resort anchored by a wave pool. In brief, surfer and artist Phil Roberts is in demand for an enormously eclectic array of projects.

The development of Phils career has been of great interest to me personally, as I had a small hand in its taking off. I became Editor of Surfer Magazine in 1981 and I was constantly on the lookout for ways to make the magazines covers stand out from the clutter at the newsstand. A few months into my tenure, the magazine received advertising art from East Coast-based surf-trunk maker, Sundek. Advertisers, too, were seeking to stand out from the competition within the pages of the magazine, and Sundeks boss Bill Yerkes had come up with a novel idea, brilliantly executed: an almost photo-

real caricature of surf action and a shoreline scene featuring top Sundek team members of the day, Matt Kechele and Lewis Graves, along with photographer Reggie Hodgson, Hawaiian team rider Ken Bradshaw, team coach Bruce Walker and Balsa Bill Yerkes himself. I was, to say the least, impressed. Who is this guy Phil Roberts from Cocoa Beach, Florida? And how can we get him to do a Surfer cover along similar lines?

It didnt take long to come up with an answer. In early 1982, prosurngwasincrisismode.At Surfer we were planning a major cover story with the headline Professionalism: Breaking Through or Falling Apart? I called Phil with the concept and a commission. He was very, very stoked, of course. For an almost unknown artist it was a major coup. The result was a gatefold (two-page) cover featuring top surf stars Mark Richards and Cheyne Horan shredding the same wave at Burleigh Heads during the Stubbies event held there each year. With its water-shot perspective, the background of the headland was teeming with a crowd that included all of the key protagonists in the story:prosurngofcialsandjudges, contest promoters, surf journalists and photographers,

top surfers, even the contests popular announcer, Lord Tally Ho Blears. It was topical, fun, excitingly fresh and a huge hit. Surfers newsstand sales went through the roof.

Phils caricatures were so good and his depiction of the place and its wave so lifelike it was a piece of artwork much more revealing than any photo that was worth a thousand words. I realized I had to have more and more diversity from this talented artist and illustrator. The following winter we took Phil Roberts, along with our unusual entourage of writers and photographers, to document the annual North Shore surf scene in Hawaii. It wasPhilsrstvisittosurngsmecca and he made the most of the opportunity, sketching the iconic surf spots, doing portraits of the key players, once again capturing the experience in a way that was different yet complementary to the photography that was the magazines stock-in-trade. Phil even lampooned his Surfer colleagues during the mission, sketching a cartoon of the whole lot of us in our small Log Cabins house with a caption The Surfer Rat Pack. We all had slightly rodent-like faces, and I was wearing a crown and a tee shirt saying, King Rat. The subsequent

coverage greatly added to Phils credibility, showing he was not just a caricaturist, but a painter and illustrator of the highest caliber. When Surfer and Bank Wright collaborated on The Book of Waves (by Drew Kampion), Phil was hired to illustrate it and Hollywood soon came calling.

For years now, Phil has been commissioned to create posters for Billabongs WCT surf contests, design trophies and paint the Gerry Lopez-shaped surfboards that are given to the winner of the Pipeline Masters. Kelly Slater owns two of the seven boards made so far, the mostrecentamagnicentlypainted and gold-leafed creation that dazzles in the tropical sunshine. Slater has said he wishes he had more of them in his quiver of collectibles and in fact he nearly did, having also been Pipe runner-up three times in the seven years since the trophy board concept was introduced and became an institution.

Well be seeing more from Phil Roberts, no doubt. Rumor has it that ASPs ZoSea management is hiring him to create a promotional campaign for events on its new Samsung-sponsored world tour. For more on Phil and his work, visit his site at philroberts.com.

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Interview: Liz Rice McCray

This month we caught up with POSE and asked him a couple questions about a quickie wall he did in NYC. Make sure to keep an eye out for more of his works on and off the streets.

If you were to name this mural, what would its name be? Ive been calling it Nite cap.

Will you tell us where this piece is located?Its at Lafayette and Broome in Little Italy/Soho area of New York.

How did this mural come about? Who asked you to paint it?It was a communal effort between myself, the L.I.S.A. Project and Jonathan Levine Gallery.

How long did it take to create this mural? Will you tell us a little about whats going on

in this piece?It took a day, but I had help and we started the night before. But it was around 10 degrees when we started so I kept it short and sweet. Paint doesnt like temperatures that low, so you gotta really baby the cans sweet-talk them into acting right, etcetera. Its based on my current love for and obsession with painting, the stress of it being how I make a living and the intoxicating energy that is produced by this mixture. Basically, running out of bed to get into the studio, painting all day and night, then sitting in bed obsessing about the work then getting up and doing it all over again. The empty sardine can is a reference to stressing, if I am and able to provide enough for my family, etcetera. I lovingly refer to it as my Polish alarm clock. All in all, its meant to be a very fun, lighthearted observation/therapy. The associations are left open-ended

enough that hopefully people can create their own narrative and dialogue with the work, as to create their own connection with the work and hopefully feel a sense of ownership. The work is meant to have a loud, playful and celebratory expression of the human condition.

A lot was going on while you were working on it. Did the mural have a connection with Armory, Jonathan Levine Gallery and the Volta show?Since painting on the street is the world I come from and where my gallery work comes from, it made sense to paint a wall a couple blocks away from VOLTA and hopefully give people a better understanding of my work.

Do you have any upcoming projects you can share with us, or are there more walls to keep our eyes open for?Yes, show-wise, me and Revok

have a show in Dubai at the end of April. Then I will be back in NY in August for a group show at Jonathan Levine Gallery, curated by Roger Gastman (and will be painting another wall with L.I.S.A. project; this one will be much bigger). I have a solo show at Library Street Collective in November. Wall-wise I will be painting another collaborative mural with Revok this spring in Aspen as well as a collaborative mural with Dabs & Myla in Detroit and at a couple very large-scale murals in Chicago.

Where can people check out more of your art?Duetomybackgroundingraftiand general hermit/recluse-like nature, I have tried to stay off all social media and Internet for all these years. But last year my buddy Richard Coleman made me an Instagram, so hell froze over, and my intern made me a website that I will make live in a month or so. Insta is @tenderj and website is posemsk.com.

CHAOS MEETS CULTURE

MINOR PANIC

DBLANC.COM

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Words:MattWarshawsEncyclopediaofSurng

Innovative surfer-boardmaker-coach from Honolulu, Hawaii; a top competitor in the 1960s and early 70s, and creator of the swallowtail and sting(er) surfboard designs. Aipa was born (1942) in Honolulu, the son of a sugar plantation worker, and didnt begin riding waves until his early 20s, after an ankle injury ended his semipro football career. He trainedforsurngwiththe single-mindedness hed developed as a linebacker, not missing a day in the water for all of 1965, and the following yearhewasanalistinthe Duke Kahanamoku Classic at Sunset Beach. Aipaalsonishedfourthin both the 1967 Makaha International and the 1975 Lightning Bolt Pro, and competed in the World Championships in 1968 and 1970.

It was expected that Aipa, at 250 pounds, would put more power into his turns than virtually any of his surngcontemporaries,but he augmented strength with agility, balance,andnesse.He was also one of the erasercest-lookingsurfers, helping him to

get virtually any wave he wanted, even in the most crowded Hawaiian lineups. Theres a silently powerful presence about him, Surfer magazine said of Aipa in 1972, understating the case. Pipeline virtuoso Gerry Lopez put it better: When you see Ben coming, dont think, just get out of the way.

Aipa began shaping almost as soon as he begansurng,andin1968 he made the board that fellow Hawaiian Fred Hemmings used to win the World Championships. Aipa Surfboards was founded in 1970, and Aipa soon came into his greatestinuenceasadesigner,rstinventingthe double-ended swallowtail in 1972, followed two years later by the split-rail stinger; both designs were ridden to electrifying effect by a group of Aipa-led Hawaiian test pilots including Larry Bertlemann, Michael Ho, Buttons Kaluhiokalani, and Mark Liddell. Aipa served as an informal trainer/coach for these surfers, all of whom competed during the early years of the pro world tour, and he

Photo: Divine

Photo: Duke Aipa

continued to coach in the decades to come, working with pro standouts Sunny Garcia, Brad Gerlach, Kalani Robb, Bethany Hamilton and the Irons brothers, Andy and Bruce. Aipa himself continued to enter contests, winning the grandmasters division of the 1989 UnitedStatesSurngChampionships and the legends division of the 2000 U.S. Championships.

In the early 80s, Aipa began producing a slightly smaller

updated version of the longboards he and the rest of the sport had left behind 15 years earlier. I was targeting the guys who were getting married and had less time to surf and werent in the best of shape, Aipa told Longboard magazine in 1999. They needed a board that could catch waves. Aipa himself was riding a 7 6 hybrid in 1998 when Surfer called him the hottest 56-year-old surfer in the world.

Ben Aipa was nominated to the International

SurngHallofFamein1991.In2004,Surngmagazine named him one of the Top Ten Shapers of All Time.

Akila Aipa, Bens oldest son, was runner-up in the 1989 U.S. Championships, and has himself become a popular surfboard shaper. Bens other children are Lokelani Aipa-Sarazen, who has been known to help with the artwork on Bens boards, and Duke Aipa, also an avid shaper and surfer.

TheFrenchgrafticrew123Klan,basedinMontral,Canada(andalsoknownashusband-and-wifeduoScienandKlor),have spent the past two decades creating. From murals, graphic design, toys, and street wear, they have made a name forthemselvesasincredibleartistsandhavebuiltquitetheportfolio.Forthersttime,123Klanhasreleasedanartbookthat goes 304 pages deep into their career. From hand-drawn characters to logos to full-page spreads of colorful murals andgraphicdesign,thisbookisaperfectsnapshotofthelastveyearsof123Klansfavoriteproductions.Thehardcoverbook is a must-have for anyone remotely interested in any and everything that has to do with street art culture. Each book also comes with a double die cut stickers spread, signed by Scien and Klor. It is available now via the bandit-1sm.coms online shop, along with other 123Klan gear, including toys, stickers, silk-screen posters and much more.

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Recently we stumbled upon Paul Rouphail while browsing the wild, wild web. To be honest, it was a photograph of Paul Rouphails studiothatrstintroducedus to his art. Below is a brief explanation and insights of his current works. Make sure to check out more of Paul Rouphails work on his website www.paulrouphail.com.

In my four years at Carnegie Mellon University School of Art (BFA, 2010), and subsequent three years living in Pittsburgh and Lima, Per, I have evolved an approach to representational painting, especially in articulating new insights about cities and spaces that speak to my experience and theoretical concerns. After a year abroad painting in Lima, I returned to Pittsburgh in 2012, where I have since attempted to interpret my various experiences through images: cataloguing contemporary urban America(s) as a complex ecology of architectural history. My work exhibits the tension between nature and culture: billboards, blimps, popular and commercial references punctuate Limas neon neighborhoods and Pittsburghs pre-war grit. However, congruent with or dissonant to their urban and natural surroundings, these elements illuminate the paradox of the aforementioned tensity as a purposeful and uniquely American gesture, one that is complicit with commercial possibility and selective historical narrative.

I am interested in the incongruities of modern regionalism within the framework of American realism. I am not invested in vernacular painting, or in reviving methods of the American naturalists or precisionists. Rather, I am challenged by the complexities Americana continue to propose, as Rem Koolhaas suggests of the city grid: the unoccupied, the phantom, the indiscernible. The American city, Koolhaas suggests, presents a radical break with the conventions of symbolism: [it] does not represent an abstract ideal, an institution of exceptional importance, a three-dimensional, readable articulation of social hierarchy, a memorial. The city devolves into an empty symbol available for meaning as a billboard is for advertisement.

Concurrently, my work is an attempt to contextualize regionalism within the larger framework of American realism. It is my intent to display my experiences of both Pittsburgh and South America as scenically unique yet analogous to the larger American pictorial tableau. Topographically, these regions carry little of the visual familiarity one would associate with the American east-coast vernacular (ThomasCole,FareldPorter),or of the distinct panoramas of the American west and South America, respectively (Albert

Bierstadt, Frederick Edwin Church). The urban complexities presented in Pittsburgh and Limatoutsideofthetwoaforementioned categories, where associations made by a broader audience about the scenic and graphic qualities of these places allude not merely to a region but to the pan-continental American landscape experience as a whole.

I remain sensitive to perspective as a technical point of departure.

My reaction has been to approach the pictures with tactile methodical intention, allowing them to reverberate slowly with interminable zoomability. I also develop my images as meditationsoncolor,specicallythe collision of variable color (atmosphere) and controlled color (advertisement) as a method of magnifying the tension of my subjects, thus revealing the conspicuousness of their respective spaces.

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Interview & Photo: MM

This month we caught up with Matt Marble and Andrew Atkinson of The Cruel Sea, a new surfboard bag company out of Costa Mesa. Both Matt and Andrew are design staples in the industry. Together they have launched this new venture in hopes that their bags will be the next big must-have in a land of must-haves. Keep an eye out this summer, as youre bound to see one of these bags along your travels up and down the coast. We were able to pin down these two renegades to get the inside scoop.

Why board bags, and whats the history of the company? Around 2012, I (Matt) went looking for a well-made, vintage-inspired, striped canvas boardbagformytwin-nsh.There were a couple available on the market at the time, but they werent exactly what I had in my head. The solution became to make my own. Once people started getting hip to my board bag, they started asking for one. My ex-girlfriend and I began making them in our house and eventually we had to get an industrial

sewing machine in order to help satisfy the demand. We hand-numbered each one, and I think we made about 80 something bags by hand. Now, with partner Andrew Atkinson, we are running full, professional production using super heavy-grade, wax-coated canvas. We are still hand painting all of the stripes too in order to ensure an organic feel. We kind of stumbled upon making our totes too when we saw the amount of extra fabric we would potentially waste. So the totes are made from the scraps of the board bags. They are really cool beach bags or shopping bags or whatever you want to use them for! We feel there is a void in the board bag market. The Cruel Sea began with the simple notion of solving that need with a bag that will last a lifetime with a simple design and a classic aesthetic.

What sets your bags apart from the others board bag companies?Our company was founded with the intent to create a highly functional board bag with

modern attributes, while looking at the early 1960s. We use the highest quality of materials, the best level of craftsmanship, and designed them with a rock n roll aesthetic, inspired by punk rock. All board bags are all hand painted, made with heavy-grade canvas, sewn using vintage Singer sewing machines,andnishedusinga Union Special over-lock machine. The Cruel Sea takes a step backward, to a simpler time a time of surf legends and heroes, of style and class, and of individuality.

Where do you get your design inspiration? The design inspiration comes from a mixture of Andrews and my own interests. He brings the military styling and I bring this retro, early 60s thing to it. We meet together in mutual love of punk rock. I think the result is a really cool organic combination.

What do you hope to accomplish with the company?I hope that we can build this

into a solid business that stays true to our initial concept. Our biggest goal is to produce something that looks really cool, and at the same time, really, an exceptionally built product.

If you could give one person a board bag, who would it be for?Matt: Personally, Id like to see Matt Archbold using our board bags. He was always the guy thatIlookeduptoinsurng.Good taste in music, cars and amazingsurngstyle. Andrew: Most likely Miki Dora if he was still alive.

Do you make bags for all board sizes?Right now we are offering board bagstotshortboardsupto62,shesupto56,andfunboard shapes up to 56. We will be extending our size scale and introducing longboards very soon!

Where can people check out your bags?TheCruelSea.US and on Instagram at TheCruelSeaUSA.

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the lowdown

smithoptics.com/chromapop

Jake Marshall

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Devin Briggs

What sparked your desire to start your own photography press?When I was younger I put out a bunch of records and Ive always been involved in a little DIY punk thing. Ive always put out zines on my own. When I was doing that, I needed a platform to have a way to sell it, really, because it wasnt always just about handing them out to bros and whatnot. I needed a little thing to sell the stuff with. And then, when I moved here [LA], I felt a lacking of the punk stuff, the punk side of my world, so this is my new way of putting out seven-inches and being involved in that scene that is very self-driven. Whatever you want to do, its available to you. You know what I mean? I was really excited about that.

So I was making my own stuff, and then Ed (Templeton) broke his leg, and I was like, Hey, youre going to go crazy if you dont have a project to work on while youre couch-ridden for months, so lets make a project for you. So him and I did a split zine. And while doing thatThatwasthersttimeIputoutazine for somebody else. And I was like, Well, this is fun. Lets keep doing this. And then it was downhill from there. Ray from Hamburger Eyes and I were going to share a table at the LA Art Book Fair. Ray has hundreds of releases, and I had, like, three or four. So I was just going to have a little corner on his table, I was really encouraging him to do the book fair. And he was like, Yeah, I dont know. But then Printed Matter offered us each a table. And he was like, Yeah, lets do it. And I was screwed because I had so little. So I have to put out more books now[laughter].Sotollthetable,Ijuststarted banging out zines, and it just worked out really well. It made a lot of

sense, and I just kept going.

Whats been your favorite part of putting your own art and other peoples art into the world? Whats been your greatest reward back? Thats a little bit of a weird question, but what do you feel like, once youve put it out there? Whats come back thats been surprising to you?Im surprised that people are as excited as they are, as quickly as it happened. Like, weve had a little bit of success rather quickly, and I was kind of surprised about that. Its been really gratifying that people want more. And Im really excited about being able to put books

out, the money that we make off of certain books, I can put that money back into other stuff for people that are lesser known and help blow them up a little bit. Because now, we already have a little bit of this reputation and people are paying attention. Im really stoked theres people that will buy whatever we put out because theyre stoked about what were doing.

Have you noticed a shift in peoples appreciation of self-published things? Maybe before, for someone to take you serious as a photographer, people thought theyd have to have a book, but now self-publishing a

zine gets your work to people more immediately. Do you think thats something thats more accepted now?I think its really interesting. I think smallpressesaredenitelywaymoreexcitable for people. Personally for me, I love a beautiful Steidl book. Its a fucking beautiful piece of work. But then, at the same time, I really love a well-done Pau Wau production. Theres so much love that goes into the smaller press stuff that just really excites me. You can really tell how much care is going into it. Not that Steidl and Nazraeli and all those guys, not that theyre not putting their love into it, but its way more connecting with people. Its way more intimate. Do I want to do a book? Yeah. Do I want a Clint Woodside book out? Yeah. But I also really enjoy having this very personal discourse with whoever is looking at my book.

Canyoudene,roughly-Imean,

not to put yourself in a box or anything - but tell me, or explain a little bit about what your vision going forward. Are you trying to only do peoplethatshootlm?

Yeah.Well,wehaveafewrules.Itslmonly, for sure. I try not to go over editions of 400, but I want to make sure its something that is obtainable. I dont want it to be a weird elitist thing.

How many releases do you have so far?Were at 20 right now. Its only been a year and half, and were at 20!

Any plans to move toward proper books, or are you happy with the zine format?I really want to make books. Were making a little bit of money off this zine stuff, so Im hoping that Im kind of

Interview: Rich Jacobs

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Clint Woodside

Spot Surf Disturbance Ed & Deanna Templeton

GrantHateld Mike Spears Nolan Hall

Jerry Hsu Andrea Sonnenberg Michael McCraw

tryingtollthebankaccountwithwhat were doing so far, so I can step up into books. But I havent quiteguredhowyet.

Its a big leap, right?Its a huge leap, and I want it to be something special. I dont want it to just be books; I want it to be covetable. I want it to be something that you can really be excited about, and I want it to be a beautiful object. If I do that, I

want to make sure that were doing it right, and thats hard. Its really expensive [laughter]. And I dont have any backing or anything like a lot of other people do. I dont have a distro deal, so its just me trying togureouthowtodothis.Itsexciting, but its not a walk in the park.

You guys, most of the people that youve released zines for, so far, you kind of seem like its sort of a little club or like a hangout crew.Well, this is true [laughter]. Were all photo nerds, were excited about books,weallshootlmandwealljust really stoke each other out so much that we get each other so excited about stuff, and push each other. Everybody is invited to it. So its not like

Youre not trying to excludeIts just us. Its not like theres a secret handshake. We just really get excited on each others stuff. So we understand what we all want to do.

Any big surprises? Any new members or people that, you know?Im working I mean, no new members, full-on hard-core members,butwedenitelydostuffthat are outside Ive put out zines for people that arent part of the core crew, but theyre still really special.

Yeah, like this new Spot thing that you just did is kind of a cool, different direction.Thatwasdenitelyashocker.Theguys at Boo-Hooray just hit me and Ed up and asked Ed to write a foreword theres a book coming out with more of Spot stuff. While that was happening, Johan, who runs Boo-Hooray, was like, I really want to do a zine about this stuff to help excite people about Spots

work. And Ed was like, Well, I know a guy, and it just kind of fell in my lap. All his stuff is amazing; its got stuff that Ive listened to since I was a kid. Its got subjects that Ive always been involved in the middle of. Its really amazing.

Its a nice surprise. I was trying to explain it to somebody today. This guy recorded some of the most interesting and important hard-core records, in a way, and people know that he was a recording engineer, but who knew the guy took photos like that?He took such great photos, its crazy! There are some amazing photos in that thing.

What are some photography galleries that you think are doing interesting things right now?Thats tough.

In New York, theres quite a lot. Theres a good support system over there for that kind of stuff. L.A., its different.New York is the most beautifully photographed city in the world, so theres a lot of photographers there and theres a lot of backup, you know what I mean? Here, theres a lot of cameramen. But there arent a lot of photographers. I think theres a lot of good photo shows that happen. & Pens Hamburger Eyes show fucking blew my mind. That was solid, but those guys are always making me feel like I have so much more to do. M+B just did an amazing Alex Prager show. Nolan Hall is in a group show alongside Joe Szabo, Joseph Sterling and Scott Pommier at Paul Loya Gallery in Culver City coming up April 5th. And were doing a show at Jai Tanjus Seeing Things Gallery in San Jose on April 19th Deadbeat Club: Fieldtrip

For more info on the Deadbeat Club, visit deadbeatclubpress.com.

Its just us. Its not like theres a secret handshake. We just really get excited on each others stuff.

Justin Adams : Salt Creek, CA

Ozzie Wright : NZ

Alex Knost : OTW, HI

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Ari Browne : Lennox Head, AUS

Ozzie Wright : NZ

NZ

Rasta : Byron BayJustin Adams : Upper Trestles, CA

NZ

Santa Cruz Bonzer

Alex Knost : Backdoor, HI

Ryan Burch : Encinitas, CA Robin Kegal : Noosa, AUS

Byron Bay to SydneyI was on my way Tasmania. I had never met Jack but decided on good word from a friend to be his tour guide between Byron and Sydney. I picked him up from a friends factory in Byron Bay and we made trails. However old you think Jack is, hes actually older than that. I like meeting older crew who dont care if they havent got all the cars and suits and wives and crap yet. Who cares? Jack doesnt, and I respect that. I havent got many friends with dreads. Jacks way groovythewholedeal,heslivingit.Thelmshemakesarejustanextensionofhischaracteravoredwithdifferentlmstocks,musicandDIYtechniques.Helikedmymusicsothatmadethingseasyontheroad.Wegotalongne,Ishowed him some of my favorite spots and we camped in the back of the truck and ate pasta without sauce. We went swimming and walked a deserted beach under full moon light. It was a good time. We barely got any swell the whole trip but I still surfed and Jack still shot, and thats pretty much how it happened until we ended up in Sydney. From there Jack was invited to go with Ozzie and his crew to my homeland to keep the dream alive. We parted ways, both on our own trips until we meet again somewhere. Keep on tripping, Jack!-Rangi Ormond

3 Moon Cycles It was March 9, 2013, and Alex Knost and I were on our way to Noosa, Queensland, Australia for the Duct Tape Invitational. Not about the jersey, the free-surfswerewhatIwaslookingforwardtolming.Iwasfullyawarethatmy favorite longboarders would all be there, in particular: Robin Kegel, Joel Tudor, Jared Mell and Alex Knost. This trip was to be only a nine-day affair, but I had other ideas. Ultimately, I knew to really get a feel for another culture and its waves, you have to stay for about a month to really get your feet wet. So I knew I was going to embed myself and stay for three moon cycles (equivalent to three months) in Australia, parting ways with Alex after our nine days were up. Ultimately,IwastheretoshootanewlmusingAustraliaasthebackdrop,withno real idea of how I was going to do it.-Jack Coleman

Rasta : Lennox Head, AUS Derek Hynd : Byron Bay, AUS Joel Tudor : Noosa, AUS

Rangi Ormond : Boomerangs, AUS

Ryan Burch : Encinitas, CA

The Rabbits Foot

Derek Hynd Hynds Kingswood

The Fish God

Creed McTaggart : Brunswick Head, AUS

Harry Henderson

Jared Mel : Baja, MX

Knost & Kegel : Noosa

The RookieWhile in Noosa, Alexs old friend from years past showed up to shoot and surf. His name was Ryan Heywood. After hanging with Ryan, who drove from Byron Bay to Noosa (about a four-hour drive), we got to each otherstasteinsurngandsurnginits present state. Ryan was curious to my likings, and showed me a short Vimeo web clip named Rookie Biatchhhhh. It was of a 21-year-old kid named Ari Browne who surfed anlessrabbits-footshapeinandaround the Byron Bay zone. Upon seeing this video short, I was amazed to see this kid doing laybacks on the way up the face of the wave while spinning sideways across it at the same time! This was the most innovativesurngIveseensincethe Derek Hynd footage at J-Bay. That web clip of Hynd had literally changedmyperspectiveonsurnga few months earlier. So when I saw this video short I think I found one of the reasons I had come to Australia. It was clear to me now that I needed tondandlmsomeunknowntalentlike this kid, the Rookie. It all came to be in the end. I stayed with Ryan Heywood in Byron Bay for about two andahalfmonthsandlmedwiththe Rookie during that time period when he was not in school. We scored about three swells at Lennox point, which you will see meshes well with Aris approach on the rabbits foot.-Jack Coleman

Our Meeting IrstmetColemanaroundacampreinaquaintcoastalvillage.We enjoyed carrots and hummus. Meanwhile, Greenough was preparing a platter of cucumber sandwiches in the Coupe. Jack and I got word of the sandwiches and couldnt resist. Lunch was served out past the breakers. I enjoyed a sandwich, jumped off the side of the coupe, and joined Laird Hamilton in the lineup, closely followed by George and Jack. It was here, in such strong camaraderie, thatIrstglimpsedthetrueJackColeman.-Ari Browne

Rasta DaysOnedaywhilelmingwithAriBrowne at Lennox, David Rastovich was out in the lineup. This was the Holy Grail for me; Rasta on a right-hand point break would probably be my preference to viewing anything surf. He is, to me, the most pure and talented surfer in the world. He wasnowinmycameraviewnderandlmwasbeingburned.Afterheexited the water a person approached me, a longhaired guy with slight dreadlocks forming on the back of his head. He asked me my name, I told him, and he then introduced himself as Chris Del Moro. I know of Chris andhissurngandwetalkedforabit, exchanged Australian numbers, and we parted ways. Chris stays with Rasta every year in Oz and turns out theyre best friends; this is how Rasta

and I were introduced at a later date. Chris Del Moro turns out as being another important piece to the puzzle of Groove Move.-Jack Coleman

HyndDerekHyndisasurngicon,tome, the most innovative surfer in surngshistory,alivinglegend,ahero.Formetogetachancetolmhimsurng,Igured,wasaboutthesame likelihood of getting struck by lightning. As my luck would have it,dayveofthetriphewasinmycamera trimming across the long walls of Noosa. About day 10 of the trip after driving to Byron from Noosa, Derek Hynd walks into the place that we were staying, this space turns out being next door to where he is shaping his boards. This presence was another unexpected twist of fate that changed the landscapeformyunbornlm.Afterintroductions, someone told him I wasalmmaker,helookedatme,staring through me, and asked, So Jack, how do you make your lms?Aretheyforhipsters?Orreal surfers? From that point on, I thought about everything I was shooting.-Jack Coleman

Shot Before You Know ItThe old adage mutton dressed up as lamb should apply to Groove Move the way it applies to just about everythinginsurngtoday,butit

Joel Tudor : Noosa, AUS

The Rabbits Foot

Creed McTaggart : Brunswick Head, AUS

Harry Henderson

Jared Mel : Baja, MX

Justin Adams : Baja, MX

Invisible Light Finless

Ozzie Wright : Raglan, NZ

Dave Rastovich : Lennox Head, AUS

Alex Knost : Byron Bay, AUS

Knost & Kegel : Noosa

Rob Machado

escapes the tag for a few reasons. The subject matter hasnt been done to death, mostly dealing with non-generics. The title has a hook about it, even though its asking to be a hipster magnet. The sound tracking is quaint and full of reprises but withoutdrenching.Theeditingmatchesthegradeoflm,kindof avant-garde amidst high-def norms elsewhere. A couple of momentsarekeepers.IthinkitsKnostdoingtheStrauchvedrives,veryfresh.Asforthelmmaker,hesararebirdforskillanddexteritybutalittleinvasive.IendedupinalmIdidntknow anything about, but I guess thats Jack Coleman. Shot before you know it. Grassy knoll.-Derek Hynd

HawaiiThe island paradise with perfect climates and beautiful bluewaterwasonmyto-dolistforthissurflmfromthebeginning. It has been three years that Alex Knost had been coming to Hawaii in the winter, and I knew this was the year I wasnallygoingtogothereandlmwithhim.Ihavealwayshad this vision in my head of Alex charging big waves in Hawaii, a far cry from most of what people think when you see Alex surf. I wanted to crush that thought, you know, Alex is a longboarder that only rides small waves. Alex and I spent 10daysontheNorthShorekeepingalowprolewhiletryingto snag some waves without crowds and angry locals. We accomplished that, as best we could, with early spot checks and full assessments of winds and tides. Of course, with a little luck we got some great waves. Off The Wall turns out being Alexs spot of choice to surf, and my camera was there for the whole party. Big Al is all grown up now, and charging some serious wavesinthelm.-Jack Coleman

Justin AdamsTo me, Justin is the most underground surfer on the planet. In hislatetwentiesIknewofhissurngfromurbanmythsandbyseeinghimwithmyowneyes.WhileinAustralialmingunknowns like Ari Browne and Rangi Ormond, I thought Justin wouldbeagoodtforthelm.IenvisionedaSouthernCaliforniasectionthathighlightedhisuniquesurngandlaid-back approach to life. Justin has never been sponsored or appearedasamaincharacterinasurflm.Hehasbeencalledtherealdrifterorshgodbythoseofwhomlivednearhim while growing up in the Dana Point area. His compressed approachissurngfolkloreandistrulybeautifultowatchinthelm.-Jack Coleman

Nollie Feeble

JohnHillinoneword:Efcient.Hesnotoneofthoseguys that just goes out to chill with the homies and gets a clip here and there that eventually leads to a part. His clips are all calculated and deliberate. When we go out he always has a plan with a list of spots and tricks in mind. Few skateboarders understand what makes for a photogenic trick and respect the process like John. When we go out, we get shit done. Every time.

You moved to Long Beach from South Carolina about a month ago. Hows that Cali life treating you?Amazingly, Ive heard good and bad about Cali so I had lower expectations. So far, its everything Ive hoped for and more.

Who are you riding for right now? Are you still technically on Bluetile Skateshop even though you live thousands of miles away?Im getting Birdhouse, Lakai, Split, Subliminal Wheels, and yeah, Bluetile is family.

Youlmeveryday,right?Areyouworkingon

anythingspecic,orjuststacking?

I try to yeah, sometimes after a few intense days I physically cant the next day. Right now Im building up footage for a Ride Channel One Am part, and Im hoping other projects are introduced in the process.

What do you enjoy more: The homie videos that come out with unknown riders and no budget, or the videos major companies put out with the biggest names and deep pockets for production?I should say the homie videos but to be honest, major productions. I love both. As long as I can tell the people in the video put their best effort forward, itll get me hyped.

Knock on wood, as long as Ive known you Ive never seen you get seriously injured a hot pocket here and there, but never anything thats put you seriously out of commission. Whats your secret?I just take care of myself when Im not skating. Stretch before and after sessions. Lots of luck, haha.

Photos & Interview: Luke McKaye

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Front Crook

I saw a clip Bo Mitchell from East Bound and Down posted of you skating The Berrics. Whats it like to be rolling with A-listers like that?I imagine its how anyone in Snoop Doggs entourage feels, always. Bo is seriously the man though.

Whats you plan? You moved to LA with some homies, signed a yearlong lease, youre skating every day and stackingclips,sodoyouhavespecicgoalsorareyou

justcrossingyourngersandhopingforthebest?

Both.Iplantojustlmandgetphotosforthecompaniesthatsupportme,nishtheOneAmpart,shootforamagminute,and a video checkout. I have so many things I wanna do as fast as possible, and I want projects to add up, and I want things to worktowardsasoftenaspossible,butIamcrossingmyngersthe whole way through.

Nollie B.S Flip

Interview: Spencer Pirdy

Odds are, unless youre a professional hockey player your job doesnt involve you frequenting a penalty box on a regular basis. And by penalty box I dont mean the kind where you sit idly, surrounded by glass. Im talking about a penalty box involving 20-foot plus walls of water breaking right on your dome, with 9-foot boards sailing toward you like tomahawks right before youre pummeled into a deadly, jagged reef. Oh, and if you can still gasp for air afterward, once the turbulence has subsided a little, youve got to swim another thousand yards up current to put yourself right back in the same perilous position.

For Zak Noyle, this is just another standard dayworkingathisPipelineofce,snappinggold that captivates everyone from diehard surf fans to little old ladies in Nebraska. Zak is now recognized as one of the most elite water photographers in the world, but his journey to greatness hasnt been a cakewalk. Would you believe he failed photography in high school? Life works in mysterious ways, and were happy to have Zaks A+ images on display. Enjoy.

Whatareyourstmemoriesofbeinginand

around the ocean?IstartedsurnginWaikiki.Oneofthebiggesttraditions weve had in my family and with my extended family was to go to the beach every weekend. That meant going to the beach and surng,bodyboarding,bodysurngandjustplaying all day in the water. Being comfortable with the ocean was something my parents made sure was instilled in me very early on. Being a very good swimmer and playing water polo really has contributed to my comfort level in the ocean. A lot of guys come from a bodyboard background to shoot. I did bodyboard, I did surf, but I never was pro or anything; I just did it for fun. Having that comfort level in the ocean has given me an extra edge to stay out longer because I dont get as tired. Its molded me differently in my own way.

Whats a typical day like for you when youre home?Well, Im actually living in town now on Oahu. I only live on the North Shore during the winter. This morning, for instance, I woke up at 5:30 and went to Sandy Beach to shoot. I grew up in town and just bought an apartment there, but Im living on the North Shore every winter, to be here for when the waves are up. I like to be right there amidst the action. Ill sit there all day for when theres the right window of waves. Pipeline will be so weird. There wont be good waves all day, but then therell be a one-hour window when it turns on. Its pretty weird, but thats how it goes and thats my job. Im committed to sit there all day and wait for that window of opportunity to open up.

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Danny Fuller

Randall Paulson

Dede Suryana

Strider Wasilewski

Weve been seeing you all over the map lately. Whats your schedule been like as far as trips and projects?I just was in Australia doing a little project with one of my sponsors, DaFin. Now, Im back home but Ill be heading to Cali soon to do a job with RVCA. Then, Ill be home for four days and Ill head off to Atlanta for the Red Bull Illume, a worldwide action sports photo contest. They have all of these amazing images on huge light boxes. So, Ill be there doing promo work with them. Then, Ill be home for a few days before heading off to Puerto Rico. Thats just a normal travel schedule, especiallywiththewinterswellsabouttonishuphereinHawaii.

That sounds like a very full schedule.Yeah, it is. One of the biggest things Im doing though is planning a big workshop. I recently got a sponsorship with Canon and got the idea of doing this workshop for the kids. There are so many kids that shoot with GoPros, I mean, it has just exploded. The GoPro created a whole new world of shooting, its insane. Its to a point where I wanted to create a workshop where people can come and try the new Canon cameras and housings and have that put into their hands, let them be able to shoot with it, work with it and try it before making that investment. Its a big undertaking and thatll be in May. Thats my biggest project that I have coming up here. Its a free event and its for the community in Hawaii. Its through Canon USA and theyll be sending in 30 of their newest cameras, so every participant can have one in their hands. Everyone will leave the beach that day with a print that they shot, RVCAs going to do a shirt for the day and just cool stuff like that.

So, this project is a form of giving back to your community and enriching the youth?Exactly. Im not going to be able to shoot forever, but to be able to do something that inspires a kid is huge. I used to go to shoot at Sandys andIdbetheonlyoneinthewater.Iwasnttherstonethatshotthere, no way, but youd go there in the morning and people would betherejustbodysurngorwhatever.ThismorningwhenIwasthere10 guys were out shooting. Its just a change of the times with digital access and everything, its crazy. Id like to leave a legacy to help share my passion with others for being in the ocean. Yeah, you can get the GoPro for $300 for Christmas, but getting a $2,000 camera and a $2,000 housing to go with it, thats an investment. A lot of kids want to do it, but to give them a chance to try a product from Canon, SPL and myself is a really cool and rewarding experience.

You started shooting before GoPros. What are your thoughts on this new movement now that its taken over?I think being able to put a camera in somebodys hands for $300 with a GoPro is incredible. I like to shoot with my iPhone a lot. My dad always told me that the best camera you have is the camera you have with you. It doesnt matter that I have a $10,000 camera, if I dont bring it what good is it to me? So, I think its a great thing. Im not going to be able to swim out and shoot Pipeline 10 or so years from now. Its going to be these younger 20-year-old kids that are going to come take my spot, no doubt about that.

Tyler Larronde

Dylan GravesJesse Merle Jones

Talk about your dad Ric, whos a longtime commercial photographer. Did heinuenceyouinyourphotography?

Yeah, he did, but he never pushed me. I actually failed photography in high school, but he never got upset, never was mad. I was never pushed into it. He shoots hotels, food and fashion. I was always invited to go on his shoots with him, but I never was interested, I just wanted to go to the beach. Itwassomethingthatheletmendonmyown, and once I found it he helped me in any and every way possible. He was there but never pushed me. That was the sickest thing. When I failed that class he was more bummed that I failed a class in general, rather than the fact it was photography. He stillinuencesmetothisdayandIstillaskhim for advice. I show him my work, and

hes a part of it in that sense.

At what stage of life did you realize photography was your calling?This was probably around the start of digital. I had access to a refrigerator full of lm,anditwasatimewhenphotographywasnt really looked at in the fun, cool way its viewed today. You didnt have a social media platform of any sort. It was the love for being in the ocean, for being able to take a picture, come home, show my mom andshewasbafedthatyoucouldgetthatimage. I like to shoot for people that could or would never go in the ocean and be able to show them something that they will never see in those ways. It just came from bodysurngandseeingbarrelsandgoing,Let me try to shoot this, and borrowing my

dads cameras. Thats where it all started from and then it just took off.

Whats it like jockeying for position at a spot like Pipe while trying not to get sucked over the falls and attempting to link up perfectly with someone?Ive been shooting for many years at Pipeline,andwhenIrstwentoutthereby no means did I go straight to the front of the line. I spent my time behind guys like Scott Aichner and Jeff Flindt and did not get a shot. Maybe a single, wide one would swing my way and that was about it. I wanted to show my respect, and little by little I learned from them. Then, as I started to produce work over the years and progress in my shooting I was able to move up. I always showed that respect of

swimming behind them, and little by little they started respecting me by seeing me put in my time and seeing my imagery. It seems like its a little off these days. I waited for years to get to that front position at Pipeline, and now you have foreign guys just swimming straight out there. It was always known that if you put in your time and were from here, youd get respect. I think one of the biggest reasons people get mad at Off The Wall and Pipe is that you cant be just waving your GoPro or camera all over the place and ruining someone elses shot just so you can throw up a post on Instagram. Thats when it becomes a problem. You need to have proven yourself. Its the respect of knowing what youre doing; no one will have a problem with that. If its the day of the year at Pipe and

Jamie O Brien

Dane Gudauskas

its going to make my whole year and someones screwing around, thats when youre going to hear people speak up and say stuff.

Do you see the pecking order in photography at a spot like Pipe to be paralleled with that of the pack of surfers out there? Yes I do. When youre from here it doesnt mean that you moved here two years ago and youre a local because you put in time, no way. Its a list of things, not just because youre from here or that youre out there a lot.

You wear a helmet when you shoot. Is that something youve always implemented?Its something that Ive just always done.WhenIrststartedshooting,aguy by the name of John Mozo took me under his wing. John Mozo was a great photographer and he ended up passing away at Backdoor due to hitting his head, it was presumed. And who knows if that could have saved him or not, but it gives my family and I some peace of

mind. When youre out there you have boards being ditched everywhere and can sometimes have a 9-foot, really thickboardyingtowardsyou.Itjustgives you peace of mind from the reef, a stray board or your own housing hitting you. I dont think its really a big deal; its a wonderful thing to have at Pipeline especially.

What are some of the worst situations or wipeouts youve endured?Ive been caught in some pretty bad currents that have ripped out, but thats the thing, youve just got to remain calm. Youve got to assess the situation. Panicking wont help anyone. Every time ImoutshootingPipelinewithmysheyeI know Im going to get caught by a set. I just call it the penalty box. You just have to take a moment to assess the situation and then swim down and all the way back around and out because its pushed you all the way in. Its what happens, its the penalty box; youve just got to do a hotlap.Ivedoneituptovetimesina two-hour period. That sucks, because

its usually a big wave thats hitting you, maybe 8 to 10 feet Hawaiian size, and theres not much you can do. You just curl up like a ball, get pushed straight in over the reef and hope you dont hit. I call it the bait; I think Aichner used to call it that. Youll shoot one if like John John or someone is going and youll go in to get the shot, but odds are youre going to get the next one on the head. So, you want to make sure its a worthwhile one.

Whats one memorable session that really sticks out in your mind?This was a recent one around the 20th or 21st of December of this past year. It was really bad at Pipe and I sat there from about 6:30 in the morning at the Volcom house watching it. Then, it came to be around noon and we were going to go grab some lunch or do some kind of activity. Instead, we jumped in the water, my housing was loaded and it was absolutely terrible 12-foot and all over the place. I got in and was shooting for 45 minutes thinking that we should go in. Then, one good one came in, and then another one, and it kept getting better

and better. It turned out to be the best day of the year. If Id left earlier that day I wouldve blown it. It was the best day ever.

Where do you see the future of water photography headed?I think Scott Aichner kind of covered a lot of whats possible, but I see a lot happening with the quality of cameras, equipment and everything. Everybody wants everything instantaneously, Instagram feeds and all of that. I was doing a lot of things with Surfer Magazine that were live feeds from contests. I think that if you can break news and get stuff out in real time, whether its a free-surf or a contest, I think thats the future.

Id have to agree. Any shout outs you want to give at the end here?Id like to thank Pat Tenore and Brophy from RVCA, and Jeff Wall at A-Frame Media.

Awesome Zak, thank you so much for the time.Thank you and take care.

Billy Kemper

Zak Noyle Self Portrait

ParkerCofn

Ive known Cleon Peterson a little over 10 years, and I have always thought he is one of the best designers I know. I worked closely with him designing chunks of SWINDLE Magazine and he nailed it every time. His design work is perfect, his knowledge of fonts is ridiculous, and he can create amazing things in many different styles. Sometime around 2007, I knew Cleon had started working on a lot of his own art. Honestly, I didnt think much of it at the time, and I really dont even remember seeing anything, so I had no idea what he was working on. For all I knew, it was type-based, design-inuencedartwork.Soonafter,IthinkIwasinhisofceworkingonSWINDLE, I saw some of his paintings sitting on his desk. What I said is anyones guess, because I dont recall the exact words of the conversation, but I know I was taken aback. Cleons paintings were beyond anything I ever could have dreamed he was making. Theyre for sure a painting my mom would not be happy about if she came to visit, but that was not the only reason I felt for them. Later down the road, it was my 30th birthday party and Cleon brought me the best gift a painting. Its rude and crazy and has a scary guy in a military hat in the foreground dragging away a girl who I can assume was very naughty. Its hanging in my kitchen.

You have quite a storied past. I

know the information is out there, but give me a few highlights of the rst30yearsyourupbringing,

living situations, addiction, all that fun stuff. The CliffsNotes.I was born in 1973. I grew up in Seattle with my parents, grandparents and a brother, and moved to New York in 1991, got deep into drugs, then spent the next eight years moving between San Diego, Los Angeles, Seattle and a little on the East Coast, when things got too hot to handle. In between runs, I vacationed in rehabs, probably stayed in close to 20. Spent some time in jail and in psych wards too. In 1998, I got off drugs and decided to go back to college and to graduate school. During those years, I lived in Los Angeles and Detroit. Today, Im settled in Los Angeles. Give us one story from those eight years you mention above that show through in your work today.In the early 90s our Brooklyn neighborhood was crazy. There werealwayspeopleghtinginthestreets and heroin and cocaine were everywhere. Within the four-block radius of my apartment there were at least six places to score that I knew of. I used to cop in a brownstone next to a White Castle. Once I went to the spot and noticed a guy sitting in a car out front when I went in. When I came out the guy had been shot in the face

and was dead in the car. There was also a lady at that spot that lived under the stairs and acted as look out. She was always there in the dark, all dirty rolled up in her blanket with infected tracks all over her. I remember little kids, seven or eight years old, pointing at me and calling me a junkie. People were always looking to come up and beat you out of your money. That just paints a general picture, but I have a million stories of suicide and robbing and really sad stuff. A lot of my friends from those days are locked up and some are dead.

Surviving addiction can really bring outnewdemons.Howdidyourst

see them emerge in your artwork?Interesting question. Do you mean like survivor quilt, PTSD, or the psychological dissidence that comes from joining a sober cult and then realizingyoudonttin?Iguessallthe problems in life are mild after youve experienced the desperation and humiliation of addiction. I think coming out the other side of that gave mecondenceandtheabilitytonotbeafraid of failing or being judged in life. If youve been to jail, been deemed mentally ill, and lost everything over and over again, after all that ends, you have nothing left to be scared of aside from remembering your past and staying close to what makes you you.

How did you develop the style of your paintings? When I was a kid, my brother and I did a lot of skateboarding. We hung out at a store called Fallout Records and Skateboards. Fallout also sold underground comics. Being there we were exposed to a lot of cool, very graphic culture. Mark McKee, Sean Cliver, Jim Phillips, Raymond Pettibon, Winston Smith, Charles Burns, Dan Clowes, Gary Panter, Robert Crumb, etc. At the same time, I was painting at art school. There I saw artists like Warhol, Leon Golub, Basquiat, Haring, Jacob Lawrence, Robert Longo and on and on. I was attracted to the dark and absurd. I was also attracted to the subculture. Aesthetically, I was always allergic to oil-based paint so I had to paintinacrylic.Acrylictendstobeatand graphic.

Allergic to oil-based paint?Yeah, Ive always had bad asthma so whatever is in those things, the solvents and oils, Im totally allergic to. Ill also die if Im around cats. Thats why I always seem crazy when people invite me over to their houses - the rstthingIaskisiftheyhavecats.

Your paintings have stayed consistent for years and at the same time continued to grow. What do we see in them now that we didntveyearsago?

Interview: Roger Gastman

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The paintings are a lot larger and more direct. There are big battle scenes. Every aspect of society is at war. Oppressors occupying cities. People isolated in their own worlds doing whatever it takes for them to get by. Groups of people acting out groupthink. People exercising power over the weak. Shame, hopelessness, violence, and desperation.

Do you feel people have exercised power over you through the years? Absolutely. Once you get wrapped up with the law you realize how easy it is to get vacuumed into that system. And if you have addiction youre pretty much a mark to that industry. I also think the psych thing is a racket. Once they call you crazy its hard to convince them youre not. When you ask to be taken off psych meds, they just think that thats proof that youre insane. I actually went to see a psychiatrist once to tell them I wanted to come off andwoundupleavingtheofcewithmoreprescriptions. Methadone is another one. If youre in that world, you begin to realize

just how powerless you are. Especially once you start visiting county institutions.

Do the different color pallets mean different things? When I was younger I used tons of color in my work and the result was a pretty picture with lots of color. That color effectively neutralized itself and became grey. The content developed and I began noticing how much the color played in creating emotional response. I want to be direct with the message and with the effect, so I use the most aggressive combinations I can, the stark black and white and the red, black and white.

Do you plan to explore other color palettes?I have been thinking it over for a little while. Maybe in the next show.

Since 98 you have gotten your shit together and are a productive member of society. Is making these paintings your outlet?

I think it is. It actually relaxes me more than anything else. But I think its the craft of painting that Im addicted to. If youre able to get into it, it becomes like meditating and a whole day can go by in what seems like 30 minutes. Ive always enjoyed that. The characters in the paintings push the limits and life to excessive points.

What is too much? Nothing in the work is too much. Its intendedtobedifcultandchallengingtothe viewer. Its intended to make people confront our world. The one thing in life I hate is self-editing, not doing things because were worried about how our peers or society is going to respond. Not sharing our ideas because we lack the internalcondencetoputthemoutthere.People respect honesty and transparency.

How do you know when to stop? What is too much for the viewer? To be honest, I just try and stay out of that. Art holds a special power. I feel

like the people who are offended are the people that think arts role is to beautify or decorate the world.

What do you reference for your paintings? Past lives? Adult graphic novels?Slasherlms?

I reference my past and histories that I feel kinship towards.

Do the characters that appear in the paintings have names and re-appear more than once? Is there an on-going story being told?Theguresarenameless.Thereisanarrative, but its generalized and non-specic.

Do you feel the content of your paintings limits the collector base? Like, can people with kids hang this stuff? Ive noticed that only smart people with good taste like my work. I actually dont care about making my work friendly or kid safe. Art is not for everyone, and if it

is, its probably shit. The art thats for everyone is the sculpture in front of the bank or the painting in the motel room, and were all bored with that stuff.

To be confronted by the violence in your paintings can be shocking for a particular viewer. Have people misunderstood the message and confronted you for being offensive? If so, how did you react?The arts intended to make people feel something. Im open to having dialogue about the work and always excited to see how people read the paintings.

In the past year or so

bl!sss magazine | april 2014 | #80

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