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

London ad exec Tom Birmingham set off in November in search of adventure on the Southwest Indian coastline. Accompanied by guesthouse owners Ed and Sofie of Soul and Surf in Kerala, he soon found himself surfing uncharted waves to an audience of school children and fisherman. Words and Photos: Tom Birmingham

Four compadres take a New Zealand road-trip in search of lefts in a volcano's shadow… All aboard the good ship Peterson Threebeard with Dano, Purcho, Mud and Johnny.

Ireland's fierce and unpredictable breaks have been valued by its home-grown big wave riders for some years now, but competition has been a long time coming. All that changed with the inaugral Mullaghmore Tow Session 2011. Conn Osborne got in harm's way to steal a photo essay.

Big-wave riding is an awe-inspiring experience, but what happens when things go wrong? In an exclusive extract from his new book, Al Mennie explains what it's like to survive the mother of all wipeouts.

Sean Mattison has a reputation as a designer, a coach, and a businessman. His competitive experience, retail background and knowledge acquired from testing hundreds of surfboards made him one of the most versatile surfers in California. Words: Rui Ribeiro.


A French Barrel (Of Wine) @ An Irish Fish Fry (II)

November 09, 2009 | Words By: Niega

fryna2-1-openerSecond -and last- part of the interview with Alexander Lobstein, shaper of Barrel Surfboards and winner of the 2009 Irish Fish Fry. Go HERE to read the first part.

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A French Barrel (Of Wine) @ An Irish Fish Fry (I)

November 02, 2009 | Words By: Niega

main-1-smallMeet Alexandre Lobstein; architect, surfer and shaper. 39 years old, originally from Paris and now living in Bordeaux. Husband, father of two, winner of the 2009 Irish Fish Fry and… Monsieur Barrel Surfboards.

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