Korduroy.tv welcomes to the team Erik Derman as head of video production. Educated at Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, he got in a lot of surf days at the flawless rights peeling around the campus. Since then Erik’s traveled and filmed with pro surfers to some of the world’s best waves and further honed his shooting and editing skills working with Oakley and the upstart website thewavejournal.com . Here’s a few waves of Erik on the other side of the lens on a Mirandon twin pin and thruster.

Ryan Lovelace is a young shaper out of Santa Barbara. He has been coming up with some pretty amazing boards, especially this new Stage III board he designed using kevlar, EVA foam inserts, a Paulownia skin, and a little help from the vacuum. The result was a speedster with insane amount of flex.

When did you shape your first board and what made decide to take on shaping as a career?

I shaped my first on my 19th birthday because i couldn’t afford a new board from the local guys (being a recent college-entrant at the time!).  I read a ton and found out the apartment i had just moved into was only a few blocks from Fiberglas Hawaii which happens to have tons of blanks and resin and all the good stuff.  i spent a lot of time reading how-to’s and looking at people’s build thread on swaylocks.com’s forum…so from there i was pretty much set!

I shaped part-time for a year or so and slowly transitioned into board stuff full-time, it wasn’t ever a conscious decision to start doing it as a ‘profession’…one thing just lead to another over a period of about 5 years and now i find myself totally immersed in it and being swallowed whole!

Why are you focusing on “Flex” patterns in boards when everyone else seems infatuated with fin configurations and concaves?

I like concaves and shape tweaking a lot, but for me that’s only part of building a surfboard…if i was just a normal shaper I’d just shape all day and not glass anything or experiment with that end of the spectrum [of surfboards].  But since i glassed my first board and never did it any other way really I’ve just kept at it and it has manifested into playing with any material that I’m curious about.

The shape can do A LOT of heavy lifting in the grand scheme of things, but when you can have a VARIABLE shape…rocker, template, bottom shape, and a built in motor when it spring back…now you’ve peaked my interest!

I guess I just started building weird things early on and now this far into it, i don’t think that stuff is weird anymore, so I think my thought process starts in a very different place from most peoples’ when I think about a new board…I didn’t come from under the wing of another shaper and never had anyone telling me what was right and wrong so it’s just been a really fun way to make my own path.

Have you experienced any “breakthroughs” in your shaping and riding of boards with flex?

I can remember probably 7 or 8 boards individually that made me stop and re-think what I previously had in my head…im always learning new stuff in the shop.

The board featured in the video (its yellow (kevlar) with black EVA foam inserts in the deck…named Stage III) is a big one for me, it’s not at all a stopping point, I don’t really believe in stopping when you get something right, I usually end up changing something in the next board anyways just to feel something else…That also gives me a good place to be able to decide what to do on customers’ boards because i’ve made so many small tweaks in my own boards the I can pretty well fine tune any shape that I usually do to be even more specific to the surfer.

What can we expect to see from Ryan in the future?

I have no idea.  I don’t expect anything from myself, so I can’t tell anyone what they should!

I’m already brainstorming on the next Stage III, and translating the design aspects and materials that I used into boards that I could feasibly build for other people. Some of my boards are coming up in a few surf movies in the near future, that would be something to expect i guess!

The best way to follow up on me/PC is through my blog at pcprogress.blogspot.com, i pretty much chronicle what i do every day in the shop there and go into some detail on certain boards and though processes if you’re interested!

http://www.PointConceptsurf.com/

http://www.PCProgress.blogspot.com

email: ryan@pointconceptsurf.com

tyler warren flex spooning:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9dakUie3maw/SveHDC-knsI/AAAAAAAACQw/4gXEW7rIPkY/s1600-h/TTWE_OctoberTape3-31.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9dakUie3maw/SmFZUb00jyI/AAAAAAAABr4/dTXJTjgsU5o/s1600-h/14.jpg

Tyler again, on she hull:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9dakUie3maw/SbaebB9NTEI/AAAAAAAABCE/b-0Doa4G8DY/s1600-h/5.jpg

This short film “Roots Time” came from an article produced for the August edition of Brazilian surf magazine Hardcore, where the shaper Felipe Siebert shows some stages of the process of rebuilding/recycling of a old 70’s surfboard, using minimal structure and basic equipment. Filmed in Florianopolis/SC/Brazil and Farol de Santa Marta (Laguna/SC/Brazil), days before the “South to South Santa Marta Pro” (first WQS event hosted in the region), the film also features some action scenes with professionals Jeronimo Vargas and Junior Faria testing the new board.

We caught up with photographer Danny Zapalac aka Dr. Zapalac, who has gone from traveling the globe with some of the world’s best snowboarders to showing his work in fine art galleries and is currently working on “Tune in” a project that explores magical moments in our day to day life and the natural beauty that surrounds us.

How did you get into photography?

The craft fell on my lap.  I was working at Inflight in Seal Beach selling sticks to the Japanese when Snowboarding was making an impact. Graduated Long Beach State in business and knew I didn’t want a cubicle 9-5 er.

Whala..  she arrived in the form of my friends summer school project.

Did you have any formal education in it/how did you learn?

Yea, OCC in Costa Mesa was the base of the foundation.  I like a sturdy something below the feet.  Feel a bit more stable that way.

What formats do you shoot?

Depends on the scene.  The Mamiya range finder finds it’s way to the forefront on most of my personal work.

Have you adopted digital technology?

One must to adapt.  It’s a part of the tool shed.  A landscaper doesn’t only have one set of clippers on his belt.  He has a variety to handle all sorts of inquires.

What are the pros and cons of each?

Digi gets her done.  Film feels yummy for the long term.

What kind of equipment are you using?

Japanese quality products.  Mamiya, Canon, Toyo, Yashica

How did you get inspired to shoot snowboarding?

In the mid 90’s I was shredding snow, sliding waves and gliding concrete all in one day.  It made sense to get involved in one of these.  The snow side of things took me to foreign places so I guess I was ready to get out of So Cal and become enlightened.

How is your lifestyle photography different from your action material?

Life is life.  I find the unique attributes in it all.  I seem to see things happen before they do and line up to experience them.

What challenges do you face as an independent photographer?

Can’t complain.  Feel fortunate to be a part of the entrepreneurial dream.

How do you overcome them/what keeps you motivated?

Failure is not an option.  My father, who escaped communist Czechoslovakia, taught me drive and hard work can amount to something.  It’s my parents discipline that molded how I deal with my business and family life.

What advice do you have for the aspiring photographer?

Be honest, be humble, don’t follow, understand communication, listen, listen, listen, and learn.  The past can teach you something.

What are your favorite projects that you have worked on in the past?

“Tune In ” has been a fulfillment.  It’s about being in the moment.  Seeing what is around you ..  Not attempting to fabricate.  The natural beauty of life as it unfolds is glorious.  California has such an appeal to it… It’s about being aware of what is occurring around you and becoming a part of it.

What else keeps you occupied?

Health, tending to the Studio on Farm, landscaping, evolving, Lyndsey my love, my friends, Johnny the dodge, being inspired and inspiring others.

What can we expect to see from you in the near future?

Having a smile, being a father, creating with talented folks, and traveling with those Japanese quality products.

For more go to http://www.dannyzapalac.com and make sure to check “Today” a group show Danny is curating at 210AR4T in Laguna Beach, opening Sept. 2nd!

Relentless Energy presents Short Stories, a challenge to recognized core sports and music filmmakers…

The first Short Stories film, by renowned photographer and bodyboarder Mickey Smith, explores his world as a true waterman – both as an athlete and artist, and is called The Dark Side of The Lens.

“Originally I planned for the film to be more anonymous, rather than biographical, an all encompassing piece, to represent the photographers keeping the surfing machine afloat”, explains Smith.

Something that offers insight into what it takes to grind out a living as a water-based photographer in the surfing industry: a short experimental glimpse at a life lived in the shadow of obsessive photographic pursuits.”

“It also gave me the chance to ask myself a few questions, like, if you’re always observing and documenting what you see and experience, are you ever truly present? Questions like that where I could step back think and then see what the answers were”, Smith says.

Here are some photos from the Stoked and Broke premiere on Saturday night in Long Beach. The event began at Shelter Surf Shop with roller girls, knee-riders, and tons of groms having enjoying some evening blue tarp barrels.

The party then moved across the street to the Long Beach Art Theater for two shorts from our Virtual Film Festival, followed by the feature presenation, Stoked and Broke.

In case you missed the festivities, we’ll be coming to a town near you, so be on the lookout!

Derek Dunfee is a surfer from La Jolla, CA, who enjoys paddling into monstrous waves at places like Mavs and Todos Santos. The 27 year old just released a new film, Down with the Ship, which follows his exploits leading up to winning the 08/09 XXL Big Wave Challenge by paddling into the largest wave of the year at Mavericks. We caught up with Derek recently and asked him a few questions about his film, big waves, and the broken leg that he suffered a mere 5 1/2 months before winning the XXL award.

How did you get interested in big wave surfing?
I grew up surfing a few reefs and Blacks in La Jolla ca, so I really think that fueled my desire to find bigger and heavier waves. When I was young, I didn’t know anyone in my hometown who chased big swells and surfed big waves. That meant I had to network a lot to find out everything from the right people to travel with, to learning about the weather and the surf forecasting tools. I was going to Hawaii and Puerto Escondido for a few years when I was younger and that forced me to want to surf something bigger.

Todos Santos party wave

Around 2004, both big wave surfers Zach Wormhoudt and Evan Slater took me out in some big surf. I met Zach while I was working as a boatman in Tavarua in June 2004 and he took me out to surf Mavericks for my first time the next winter. Evan also took me out to Todos Santos for one of my first big wave session’s. Those two guys were a big influence on me at the time. Since then, I’ve been training a lot and focusing solely on paddling in.

Tell us about your injury. How did change you?
When I broke my leg (fibula and tibia), I had to get 8 screws and a titanium plate installed in my leg. That surgery was a huge wakeup call to start living a healthier lifestyle. For a few years I felt like I was going crazy trying to chase every swell everywhere. Mentally, I think I needed a break from surfing. When I broke my leg I had a few months off, so I think it helped me alot mentally. When I was injured, I wanted to do more and take advantage of all my incredible opportunities. Ive been writing a lot and shooting photos for a few years so I wanted to push my creative side and put away with any mental boundaries.

What inspired you to make a surf film about your experiences?
After I won the Billabong XXL paddle in award, I wanted to share my story in hopes of inspiring other people to follow they’re dreams. 5 or 10 years ago I would have never imagined that I would win that XXL award because that award seemed like this impossible goal of mine. I accomplished my biggest life dream by catching that wave and winning that award. But it didn’t come easy. I wanted to show the kids that if you work really hard in a healthy and honest way that you can do anything you put your mind to. That was the attitude that I had going into making this film. Why not? Why shouldn’t I be able to make a film? Luckily, I have a big group of talented friends that worked with me for pretty much no money.

XXL wave from land

Also, I have a big group of friends that are incredible tube riders and big wave surfers, so I was stoked to showcase they’re talent as well. A few of them aren’t sponsored and have no outlet for video footage. There is enough room for everyone to be successful, so im was stoked to include a bunch of my friends in my film. A lot of films that have big waves and big tubes are focused on towing-in and step offs. In my film, there are no tow-ins and no step offs.

What were the challenges of making a film starring yourself?
Haha, good question!! I didn’t want my story to come off as egotistical or bragging, so it was real hard for me to make sure I was coming across as honest and sincere. I put myself in scary big wave situations alot so I’m always grounded and humbled by the ocean and big waves.

Another challenge was deciding whether or not to put an interview of myself in the film. I spoke with my friend and filmmaker Ryan Thomas because I hate seeing myself on film. Ryan explained the reasons why I should put an interview in, and he helped me understand different parts of filmmaking that made it easier for me to make my film flow better.

Where do want to take your surfing and your filmmaking in the near future?
I would love to push both my surfing and my filmmaking. I’m at a point where I feel like I can do anything, and I want to do everything. Its really exciting. I know I have a lot to learn about filmmaking, so I would love to learn more about the technical aspects of it.

For my surfing, I love to get tubed almost more than surf tall waves. I have a big list of new places I want to go to. This next year I have a lot of stuff I want to do. I want to write more and make a few webisodes, and I have a few film/photography projects that im eager to get started on.

For those of you who missed this year’s Korduroy “Get Stoked Film Fest” @ Sacred Craft San Diego, here’s a little recap and preview of the films that will be playing online this Saturday Aug. 21st- Tuesday Aug. 24th only on Korduroy.tv…

“Portrait: Chris Dorsey”

a short by Ryan Thomas

“The Possiblities of Surfing on Snow”

Production Company: Blank Paper Studio
Crew: Boris Benedek(Camera/Edit), Scott Sullivan(Camera/Music), Eric Brandt(Camera), Wolle Nyvelt (Rider)
Locations: Japan, Austria, Usa.

“New Hampshire”

Director : Michael Sander

“The Parting”

Directed by: Jeremy Asher Lynch and Nicolo Gullo
Edited by: Jeremy Asher Lynch
Starring: Andrew Doheny, Angela Doheny, Strider

“Plain Old Planing Hull”

Filmed and Edited by Richard Kenvin

“Kristian Spencer”

by Mick Waters from the film “Little Black Wheels”

“Lino”

Made by French artist Karim Rejeb
An Anti Cyclone Production

“Tarp Pits- Full Length Version”

by Cyrus Sutton

“Monster Boards”

Directed by: Matthew McGregor-Mento
Edited by R. Cardone
Animated by Garrett Koeppicus

Be sure to tune in on the Saturday August 21st! Click Here for more details

photo from TransworldSurf

Maurice Cole is an Australian shaper who has been making boards for over 30 years. He has developed his own unique take on surfboards, design, and the innovation of the sport. Shaping boards for many of the top pros throughout the years, from Curren, Occy, Wayne Lynch and more. With the development and testing of the single concave, Maurice has help lead the way to modern shortboards and performance surfing as well as taking tow boards to another level of speed and maneuverability. And according to Nick Carrol, Maurice has a knack for making those “magic” boards. Check out this clip to see one of those magic boards in action…with none other than Slater as the pilot.

Sacred Craft was another fun-filled weekend of  surfboards, shaping, and excitement. We’d like to thank everyone who came out and checked out the Korduroy Film Lounge last weekend. The event was amazing, as always and we had a blast. The short films were pumping all day, the blue tarp was almost as packed as Swami’s and the popcorn and treats were flowing.

Keep an eye out for our Virtual Film Festival, coming up this weekend, where we will be showcasing the audience favorites from our Sacred Craft film festival, right here on KorduroyTV. Until then, here’s some photos and clips from the event.

photo: Glenn Sakamoto http://www.liquidsaltmag.com

Here are a couple of clips from the event by our friend Tate MacDowell:

Located in the middle of Long Beach’s quaint 4th Street Business District lies Shelter Surf Shop. This mom and pop shop was started by Graham Day in 2007. With a large surfing population in Long Beach, Graham has found a way around the commercial surf scene and created a shop that reminds people of “how it used to be.” With it’s focus on surfing and art, Shelter is a unique shop that is not to be missed.

photo from: http://www.liquidsaltmag.com

Here is an interview with owner Graham Day:

What’s the history of Shelter Surf Shop?
My wife and I opened up Shelter Surf Shop in early 2007.. We were originally up on top of the Hill (Signal Hill) and we moved down to 4th St, here in Long Beach, in January of 2008. We’ve kept it small and close to the heart since day one. Its a labor of love, supported by our friends and we aim to keep it that way…

How did you get started?
I picked a spot and jumped in (hands and feet first) with eyes closed, mind and heart open. Called some friends and got it rollin’.

What inspired you to open your own surf shop?
I really wanted to re-create the experience that I had grown up with in the South Bay.. Even though I am all for the progression of surfing, I didn’t feel that there was any shops out there that really celebrated the soul of surfing, community or spotlight on individualism within the surf community. On a basic level, it is also the love of surfing, the bond wave riders share and the things riding waves inspires people to create.

What does your shop focus on or strive towards?
Top priorities are definitely to offer a small but well curated selection of surfboards and clothes.. We work to support our friends creative efforts and support the surf community through events that showcase the outcome of the inspiration gained by riding waves

What makes Shelter different?
I think its our motivation and approach to what we offer and why we offer it or even why we are here.. We invite folks to come down and experience it for themselves.

Anything else interesting we should know?
The Ocean is our Shelter..

Come down to Shelter Surf Shop and check out the FIRST stop on the Get Stoked Tour

Saturday, August 21, 2010 at 6pm

Shelter Surf Shop
2148 E. 4th Street
Long Beach, CA
http://www.sheltersurf.com/

The event will include:

* The world premiere of Cyrus Sutton and KorduroyTV’s new film, Stoked and Broke, a staycation surfari epic on zero dollars.

* Tarp Surfing Demos and Contest

* Live Music

* and more

The festivities begin at 6pm at Shelter Surf Shop and the film will begin at 9pm across the street at the historic Art Theater Long Beach, which is the oldest operating single screen house in Long Beach.

Alex Grey, Dusty Payne, and Ezekiel Lau getting some sandy drainers in Mainland Mex.

Clip provided by www.surfboardline.com

Our buddy, Ryan Heywood sent this clip he made for Quiksilver Australia. Groms are pure stoke. How are those waves peeling off?

In recognition of these Wettie Warriors, Quiksilver are giving away two wetsuits, the universal armour for winter. To win simply let Quiksilver know, “What’s the BEST thing about being an All Day Wettie Wearer?”

The BEST answer wins a Quiksilver Wettie and one for his old man as well.

Send entries to: alldaywettiewearers@gmail.com

Include your Name, Postal Address and the wettie you want with sizes.
Entries close midnight August 31st 2010.
Winner will be notified by September 15th via email.

All Photos by Ryan Heywood

“Without Thought,” a twelve-minute documentary exploring the flow state and peak experience while touching on the true beauty of the surfing experience and why we do it. Narrated by Dr. Richard Moss, featuring the surfing of Mark Dickinson. A collaboration with Dan Crockett & John Eldridge. Without Thought was filmed and edited by Ollie Banks.

For those who’ve never heard of the “Without Thought” please explain the film’s premise.

Without Thought explores our relationship with surfing and nature, particularly the flow state and peak experience. We chose to focus on surfing, but the idea runs through everything from sport to sex to conversation. Chances are you’ve felt the flow state in a meaningful session, peak experience in your personal best waves/performance. Both are mystical, so we chose an interview subject who could articulate what the flow state and peak experience mean. This interview is illustrated by a pioneer surfer called Mark Dickinson, from the North-East of England.

photo by: Ollie Banks

What was inspiration for the film?

One of my university tutors, Nick Ford, used to show us pictures of Nias in lectures and talk about Thurso in Scotland. He got me interested in the flow state and peak experience and this led to a dissertation. It’s fitting that the final minutes of the film go down in beautiful Thurso tubes. John Eldridge hooked up and captured the Moss interview. Ollie Banks filmed the surfing and edited it together, really making the film. It was a decade between idea and realization!

Did you learn anything about surfing or filmmaking during the production?

I learned that when something is meant to happen it does, even if it takes ten years. Watching Mark surf I always find an education.

Why do you think its important for surfers to explore their relationship to surfing?

Feeling connected to nature is the best thing about surfing, this film searches that connection.

What’s next for you?

Another KooK for Winter, submissions call soon. I just finished 26 Nothings (an alphabet of short stories) and I’m wondering which novel to focus on. I’m spending more time in cities at the moment, enjoying the workings of non surf culture, drinking up other inspirations. It feels good to walk away from surfing for a bit…

For more of Daniel work look at:  http://thisrichtapestry.blogspot.com/
To Order “Without Thought”, visit:  http://olliebanks.blogspot.com/

In the 1970’s you could tour a new surf movie around Australia for a couple of years and draw a constantly large audience, even though you had no advertising budget. Wind the clock forward 30 odd years and you’d be lucky to tour it around Australia at all.

How can this be happening?

Have a look around.

Right now on the Internet you can watch the latest hero footage with hero surfers and hero music shot in premium locations for free. Have a look at some of these video’s and some of them have only been watched by a couple hundred people, no more. One that springs to mind is David Rastovich and Derek Hynd surfing finless fun on merseabeaucoup.com , unbelievable free content and a cracker soundtrack to boot.

You can tune into a number of sites and see the latest interview with legends like Mickey Munoz and Gerry Lopez, it’s free to view and it’s something ten years ago we would have paid to look at. This whole free internet stuff is NEW to us as a species. In our long and winding past, when someone provides a good or service, they get paid. We should be paying now, but the Internet is delivering surfers so much amazing FREE content that it makes you wonder, how can everyone be giving it away?

Where does that lead us with surfing content?

But today they have to give it away in order to compete with all the free shit out there. If there was a plumber out there giving away his services to fix your toilet, then the other plumbers would also have to be free. This scenario would lead us to a future with a generation not interested in being plumbers. Does this mean that the days of highly shot professional surfing films are going to die? Not at all. Well, maybe not yet.  The independent film makers may well fade away though because they cannot get their money back that they put into it. For now this is not happening. There are plenty of young talented surfers and artists out there prepared to put their life and soul into making something beautiful for no financial reward.  I do not understand how people have the time to be able to run a website/blog and provide/create interesting content in their own time and let people look at it, for free.

Who is funding the fantasy? Are people out there working their tits off to make a living and then in their spare time thinking, I will make something on surfing and hope people come and watch it for free? How long will it go on?

Maybe the independent art house surf films will die…maybe be will be left with big budget corporate cheese and amateur home video’s shot on crappy digital as the only two options.

It is the ‘facebook era’ and people are happy to create something in the hope they will get people to click ‘thumbs up’ or maybe, just maybe they will spend one minute of their precious time to write a ‘comment.’

In conclusion, even the very words you are reading now are for free on a website we all know gives away hero shit for free. I wrote this because I know the guys at Korduroy and I wonder what the hell are they up to? Are they really planning to go on like this? Something tells me they won’t, they’re too smart for that… Time will tell. I’ll be watching…

-WALLACE MCDOWELL