Approaching Lines International Goes Off!

 

Approaching Lines International Festival of Surf // Newquay

Newquay shone for the Approaching Lines International Festival of Surf presented by Reef, turning on good waves, good weather and good times for the four day celebration of international surf culture and we were stoked to be part of it. For three nights the Lighthouse Cinema, Newquay was a beacon of stoke packed to the rafters. Surf communities gathered from across the UK in full force, journeying from Wales, Loughborough, Devon, Scotland and beyond to enjoy a programme of the best films from across the globe designed to inspire, enlighten and entertain including 3 world premieres, 4 UK premieres and 6 southwest premieres.

The lure of Cornwall’s surf capital attracted a wealth of international filmmakers to the festival. Award winning Australian filmmaker Kai Neville and South African surfer Brendan Gibbens hosted the UK Premiere of their new movie ‘Cluster’ showcasing the very pinnacle of modern, performance surfing.  New York filmmaker Isabel Freeman presented the southwest Premiere of the award winning ‘Stephanie in the Water’ and captivated the crowd with tales of working with the 6 x world surf champion Stephanie Gilmore.

Approaching Lines International Festival of Surf, Newquay // Kai Neville Cluster Premiere

Brendon Gibbens and Kai Neville – Cluster UK Premiere // Image: Mat Arney

“We have a wealth of talent here in the UK and were stoked to be able to showcase the work of some of the best homegrown filmmakers, including John Eldridge, Chris Case, Patrick Blades and Tim Davies alongside these international premieres,” says Festival Director Chris Nelson. “This year, supported by Newquay Bid, we also hosted a special “groms go free” screening on Saturday afternoon, to inspire the up and coming generation and were stoked to hear them hooting and cheering the house down!”

On the Sunday the celebrations moved to the shore line as 12 of the UK’s most stylish surfers assembled at the iconic Fistral Beach for the Reef Single Fin Classic Invitational, the role call reading like a who’s who of surfing: Ben Skinner, Alan Stokes, James Parry, Toby Donachie, Sam Lamiroy, Sarah Bentley, Gee Piper, Neil Holland, Sam Boex, Tom Anderson, Archie “Vintage Grom” Cross and John Eldridge.  The forecast had promised head high waves, off shore winds and blue skies, and Newquay did not disappoint. With style as the order of the day the invitees headed in for 40 minute heats with the best three waves counting – no priority, no WSL rules, just good vibes, good rides and good times.

Approaching Lines International Festival of Surf Newquay Ben Skinner Single Fin Classic Invitational

Ben Skinner – Single Fin Classic Invitational, Newquay // Image: Martin Jackson

No one envied the judges their task. It was Hendrix vs The Stones, Zeppelin vs Joplin, it was the White Stripes vs Royal. It was speed, power, flow mixed with stoke while balls out going for broke. And it was Alan Stokes who lifted the trophy and pocketed the prize purse, after a backside attack that blew spray high out of the top of the wave, linking turns all the way down the beach into Little Fistral.

Approaching Lines International Festival of Surf Newquay, Single Fin Classic Invitational

Reef Single Fin Classic Invitational, Newquay // Image: Mat Arney

After three packed nights, 15 eye widening films, hundreds of bottles of Sharp’s finest ales, votes cast, happy filmmakers, beds slept in at The Headland, Tolcarne Beach and The Carnmarth, a pumping forecast from Magicseaweed, goodies and prizes from our friends at Carve, Surfgirl and Reef and a day of super stylish wave riding, the results are in and the winners are:

AlanStokes_TimDavies

Alan Stokes + Tim Davies – Winner Best Yeeew! K Film

APPROACHING LINES INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF SURF x REEF

Best Film: Cluster Dir. Kai Neville

Viewers Choice: 70 Something Dir. Rafael Mellin

Froth Factor: Expencive Porno Movie Dir. Tin Ojeda

Best Yeeew! K Film: Seeking Ombak Dir. Tim Davies

16SamBoex_low

Sam Boex Single Fin Classic invitational – Most Stylish // Image: Martin Jackson

REEF SINGLE FIN CLASSIC INVITATIONAL

Winner: Alan Stokes

2nd Place: Sam Boex

3rd Place: Sam Lamiroy

4th Place: Toby Donachie

Best Manoeuvre: Sam Lamiroy

Best Wave: Alan Stokes

Images where not stated: Mat Arney