A sign on the 130-year-old pier at Saltburn-by-the-Sea warns people not to jump off it. On a big surf day surfers make their way to the end of the sturdy 206 metre structure and jump like lemmings into the cold, murky North Sea. Words: Simon Palmer Photos: Ian Forsyth

Rob Lion of Royal Surfboards and Paul Smith of Glide Surfboards in Cork, Ireland meet with Zephaniah Carrigg, purveyor of functional and beautiful surf craft, on a recent visit to the island. Photos: Danny O'Callaghan

When legendary longboard designer Bob McTavish came to Devon recently as part of TIKI's international shaper tour, Chris Preston couldn't resist the opportunity to quiz him about the technicalities of board design... Photos: Jamie Bott

From cliff-top vantage points to harbour hop-offs, beach-side hammocks to unglamorous car parks, Mat Arney raids his photo archive to document a different perspective in surfing

Quietly considered and eloquent, you might know of Nathan Oldfield through his films 'Lines From A Poem' and 'Seaworthy'. Surf Screen's Christiaan Bailey popped him a few duly thoughtful questions about creative motivations and the surf film industry. Photos: Nathan Oldfield

Chris Brunt chats to west Penwith's prodigal son and professional journeyman Sam Bleakley about his thirst for adventure and love of longboarding. [All photos by Chris Brunt.]


Surfing portraits

July 20, 2009 | Words By: Chris S

spray-by-chris-stevensTo say that the beach and surf culture have influenced my photography would be a massive understatement.

The majority of my university work focused on the world within surfing and I’m constantly striving to capture the essence of the culture that we’re involved in – whether you’re a local, weekend warrior or simply a surf ‘widow’ (as my girlfriend calls it) the world of surfing is unique, and there’s something about it that keeps us all coming back for more.

My surf photography has taken me to some extraordinary places and I’ve met some wonderful people along the way.

Drift have invited me to blog my trips, general surfing banter, thoughts and pictures – so hopefully I can bring you some tasty treats to keep you all going while you’res tuck in the office and show you that the internet has more to offer than Facebook…

I’m working on a body of surfing portraits at the moment to highlight the broad range of people in the line-up, so if you get approached in the car park post-surf make sure you smile – unless its glassy and firing then I’ll see you out there (look out for the curly haired longboarder on the balsa single fin).

www.cstevensphotography.com

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I took this shot back when I was in college, bunking lectures, throwing the tent in the boot and heading to the coast with my friends at the slightest wiff of swell. Stood on the dunes post-surf and with a glorious sunset silhouetting my half-cut friend I think this epitomises that point in my life. A little touch of photoshop adds a bit more flavour!


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