Mark Sankey and Alexa Poppe uncover the isolation and challenges of the Mentawai Islands, and consider the challenge of balancing tourism and sustainability, in an environmentally sensitive surfing destination.

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

Using locally sourced timber and having designed a manufacturing process that minimises waste, Mike LaVecchia of Grain Surfboards has cornered the market in beautiful, sustainable wooden boards. And the best bit? They ride like a dream. Photos: Nick LaVecchia

Drift checks in with Andrew Crockett following the release of the much-anticipated 'Switch-Foot II', a tribute to surfing's counter-culture.

"I'm not interested in formulae when it comes to surfing and art." Ryan Lovelace talks to Chris Preston about trusting your eyes, hands, and feet, and adding another leaf to the weird-hull-alternative-vibe-tree. Photos: Morgan Maasen, Brandon DiPierri & Ryan Lovelace

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


Mentawais tsunami – donate here

October 28, 2010 | Words By: Howard

SurfAid’s Tom Plummer and other assessment teams spent yesterday surveying the damage in villages along the tsunami affected areas of North Pagai and South Pagai. Photo: Luke Gerson

FULL STORY »

Ulu

July 14, 2010 | Words By: Howard

Ulu by Photogerson.com Our friends at Photogerson.com have just sent us a warming and fascinating set of photos of the Mentawai people. Luke and Kate have been in Indonesia for some time, you may remember last year we published their photo essay of the Mentawais.

FULL STORY »

Recognising the situation

March 24, 2010 | Words By: SWAP

arrival-at-siloinak-islandSurfing and surf-related travel provide a natural interaction with the environment. But being aware of the environment when surfing doesn’t necessarily come naturally.

Today, journeying to remote areas is comparably easy. Our travel decisions – how we travel, where we stay, and which businesses we support – shape the local environment and community and can ultimately determine whether we leave with more of a realistic view of the area or something further from the truth.

FULL STORY »

Padang Earthquake Appeal

October 02, 2009 | Words By: Jamie

mentawaisRegular readers will know that I travelled to the Mentawais back in April of this year. So when news of the tsunami struck, I was more than usually worried about the fate of the folk out there.

FULL STORY »

Meet Mr B

August 06, 2009 | Words By: Christiaan

mikey-platforms2

Mr B, whose fourth film, ’21 Days Later’, is out this month on DVD, chats to Christiaan Bailey about his work, trying to extract money from the surf industry, and the British surf film scene…

FULL STORY »

Mentawais 2009|slideshow

July 14, 2009 | Words By: Jamie

mentawaisBack in April I made a trip to the Mentawai Islands, which are situated several hours West of Sumatra in Indonesia. Usually with these sort of  trips I’m hellbent on getting the best possible shots I can for whichever magazine I’m shooting for and don’t get to surf much.

FULL STORY »