Yes, I am back, and yes, I managed to visit a couple of beaches during this last 5 days in Italy and there were waves (and surfers). I saw a core scene, with good, dedicated and well travelled surfers and hardcore shops. Here are a few photos (click on them if they are too small):
Ostia, one of the closest beaches to Rome, on Wednesday. The swell was too small but they managed to hold a regional contest the next day. Apparently the quality of the waves is not great, but it’s where most of Rome surfs.
Forte di Marmi, in Tuscany, close to Viareggio and where surfing in Italy started more than 20 years ago. These days this wave off the pier is only surfed when it’s a bit bigger. With a small swell the guys surf another beach further North, that delivers better shaped waves.
And this is the view from the line up, with the beach ready to welcome the summer hordes (it was raining) and the beautiful mountains in the background.
Has the olo/alaia craze arrived to Italy too?
No, just a piece of wood with a surf board shape next to a surfshop. Although…
Thursday evening in Santa Marinella, near Civitavecchia, close to Rome and the home of one of the most famous surf spots in Italy: Banzai. One guy gets back to his car after an afternoon session.
It was a bit windy but there were some bits here and there. Taken from the car at full speed.
Some funny beach shacks on stilts in Santa Marinella.
This is, to me, what marks the difference between a core surf shop and a “I’m here for the money only” surf shop: Photos of local waves and guys on the walls. Banzai Surf Shop in Santa Marinella.
Briefly:
(1) I finished the last Surf Europe magazine. Some years ago it used to be good overall: good photos and fun to read. The level of the writing has been going down at full speed in the last couple of years, and lately the photos are less and less inspiring... unless you are close family of the 2 or 3 surfers that the magazine keeps focusing on ad nauseam, issue after issue.
(2) Many social events this coming weekend, and I am going to miss everything because of family commitments:
(a) This weekend the European Fish Fry takes place in Costa Caparica (Lisbone – Portugal).
(b) Also on Saturday, the cool guys of Kuntiqi are opening their shop near Somo (Santander) at 18h. I’d love to go and check their balsa boards.
(c) As I announced in my last entry, also on Saturday Ritxy Goya opens his photo exhibition at the Soul shop, as part of the Surfilm Festibal. There’ll be beers.
(d) And finally Nacho González will also be exhibiting his art at the Café Dam in Gijón.
Nacho with some of his art.
(3) Not only Joel Tudor, but turns out that Alex Knost will also be at the Salinas Longboard Festival on August 1, 2 and 3.
A couple of interesting updates in the Surfilm Festibal’s blog. Check them out.
On Monday I’ll let you know what were the waves like here in the Bay during my trip. And as i've been mostly writing about the Med in this entry, i can't resist adding this little video. It's filmed & edited by Lucas G., a cool guy (and good friend) from Barcelona, my hometown for many years, and it shows the thrilling local longboarding scene featuring, among others, Didac. Don't be fooled: the waves are not this good everyday!
A couple of interesting updates in the Surfilm Festibal’s blog. Check them out.
On Monday I’ll let you know what were the waves like here in the Bay during my trip. And as i've been mostly writing about the Med in this entry, i can't resist adding this little video. It's filmed & edited by Lucas G., a cool guy (and good friend) from Barcelona, my hometown for many years, and it shows the thrilling local longboarding scene featuring, among others, Didac. Don't be fooled: the waves are not this good everyday!
Over & out.
1 comment:
Love it Niega. The music is so cool and the waves!!! A lot of joy in that little vid.
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