If you’re into artsy, soul surfing flicks, and have yet to make weekend plans, I’d highly recommend catching a showing of Thomas Campbell’s new surf flick, The Present. Premiering tonight at Encinitas’ La Palmona, the two showings (7pm & 9pm) are expected to draw sizable crowds. Following Campbell’s previous films, The Seedling and Sprout, his newest project is sure to incorporate his signature art-laced style, along with some tri-fin action and overall exploration of the beauty of surfing and surfing culture.

Featured surfers include Dave Rastovich, Dane Reynolds, Rob Machado, Alex Knost, Joel Tudor, Sofia Mulanovich, C,J. Nelson, Ry Craike, Devon Howard, Dan Malloy, Harrison Roach, Kassia Meador, Jacob Stuth, Chelsea Georgenson Hedges, Chris Del Moro, Michael Junad, Ian King, and Danny Hess.

Tonight’s show at the historic La Paloma Theater promises appearances by surfers Dan Malloy, Keith Malloy, Rob Machado, Devon Howard, Kassia Meador and Chris del Moro.

To watch a trailer click here
For more screening dates click here 

It’s what I’d imagine the room to feel like right before the ultimate cage fight between a bear and tiger. The definitive brodown showdown was exposed last night at the Encinitas premiere of the new Andy/Kelly rivalry film, A Fly in the Champagne. As you’d imagine, the scene was, to put it in one word, intense. Rolling up to La Paloma (which if you haven’t heard, is the best place to watch a surf movie, hands down) you could feel the tension as both the Billabong and Quiksilver buses kept inching closer, squeezing the helpless Transworld SUV parked in between, fighting for prime placement in front of the entrance. Although temporarily occupied with bag of chips and guac and brown-bagged beverages, the crowd quickly turned into a full mob scene when Billabong’s AI took the stage with Cote, Sal Masekela, armfuls of Billabong/Quiksilver surf swag, and Kelly and Andy boards that got kicked down to two golden ticket holders. Unfortunately Number 9, Quiksilver’s K to the Slate, was alleged to be illin’ at home and couldn’t attend. Though I’d like to imagine that world champs don’t suffer from mortal constraints, so lets say he was busy saving a kitten from a tree and leave it at that. After the surge of sandaled kiddies calmed down and returned to their seat, the lights lowered, the cracking of beverages whispered through the rows, and the long-awaited rivalry began. 

In true ESPN style, the film began with a 300-esque build up tune that set the tone for the commencement of the ultimate battle between Kelly and Andy. Crushing Backdoor, Pipe, and J-Bay contest footage intensified the rivalry between the two most ascendant surfers of the past decade. Heavy backside 20-footers, impossible drop-ins, close ups of icy eyes, champagne and barrel spraying dramatized the mortal enemies’ passionate battle for the world champion title. The film climaxed with the uniting of the two rivals, along with a crew of surfing’s legends, on a surf trip that led the film to a touching, inspirational ending. I’m not sure, but I think I saw a Unicorn jump over a rainbow. Or it could have just been another close-up of Kelly’s baby blues. 

Although contest footage isn’t what I would prefer to see in a surf flick, it was not only appropriate for the rivalry, but necessary to intensify the battle between the two world champions. The superhuman power of the film’s stars made it one that even the non-surfer can admire for it’s adrenaline-laced footage and in-depth look at the most public and ultimate surfing rivalry of today. If you have a chance to catch a showing in the next month, lucky you. If not, you’ve got until March 15th let the rivalry marinate in your mind before the film is released.

Did anyone else see it? What’d ya think? Were you as stoked on the free chips and guac as I was (bet not)?

Check out a trailer here

Slater/Iron’s Fly in the Champagne: A Documentary Rooted in Rivalry
Will Premiere in Selected Theaters February 19th Through March 7th

The much anticipated Andy/Kelly film, Fly in the Champagne will premiere this February/March in 11 locations up and down both coasts of the USA. A rare look into the intense and sometimes very public rivalry between the two most ascendant surfers of their era, the film will undoubtedly create even more interest in these two dominant personalities while providing fascinating insights and behind the scene looks at one of professional surfing’s most long-running competitive duels.

Sponsored by the unlikely duo of the culture’s most iconic brands, Quiksilver and Billabong’s joint support is testimony to the star power of these two surfers as well as the tribal nature of surfing’s cooperative spirit when times are tough.

A Fly in the Champagne will be released on video March 15th.

With only a limited theatrical run from February 19 through March 7th, the expected interest will no doubt be at an all time high. Check the times dates and venues below:

JANUARY 21, 2009 PRESS RELEASE FROM QUIKSILVERFOUNDATION.ORG

Quiksilver is pleased to announce “Clay Marzo: Just Add Water” took home the award for Best Biography at the X-DANCE Action Sports Film Festival, Tuesday night in Salt Lake City. Screenings for X-DANCE took place between Friday, January 15 and Monday, January 19. Over 40 films were selected for showings, out of hundreds of film submissions. A big congratulation goes out to the film’s director, Jamie Tierney, executive producer Strider Wasilewski, and star Clay Marzo. A huge thanks goes out to Adam Klevin, Chris Bryan, Shaun Peterson, Kemp Curley, Natas Kaupas, Bob McKnight and Jill Marzo for helping to make the film a great success.

“Just Add Water” is an action-packed surf film that tells Clay Marzo’s inspirational story about the gifts and challenges of living with Asperger’s syndrome. Like other kids growing up on the island of Maui, Clay Marzo lived in the waves. His pure love of the ocean along with his natural talent allowed him to excel to new heights, pushing the limits again and again. A member of Quiksilver’s elite Young Guns crew, his spontaneous, unpredictable and creative style has earned him three NSSA National surfing titles. His role in “Just Add Water” won him Best Male Performance at the 2008 SURFER Magazine Poll and Video Awards.

The DVD costs $29.95 and includes fresh tracks from Cornelius, Pinback, Chromeo, The Beastie Boys, Sea Wolf, MGMT &The Vines, among others. A portion of proceeds goes to benefit Surfer’s Healing, a Foundation for Autism.

With tri-fins and 360’s to spare, Lost 5’5” x 19 ¼ Redux proves that it’s not the motion of the ocean, or the size of the board, it’s the pure shredability of the stick. The remake (redux) of the early 90’s surf film, dedicated to thick barrels and short fish, features heavy beach breaks shallow enough to bring the manliest of shaper to tears, some 90’s punk tunes, and butt loads of neon. Held at the classic La Paloma theater in Encinitas, the throwback surf video loads up on heavy rippers, including Chris Ward, Shane Beschen and Dane Reynolds, putting sub 5’6” boards to their limits. Ending with Cory Lopez and Ian Walsh surfing some epic, endless tubes, numero dos of 5’5” x 19 ¼” doesn’t disappoint. And after Kelly Slater’s recent Pipemasters Victory with “Deep Six”, a 5’11” shred stick, the film reaffirms bigger doesn’t always mean better.

Featured look: Lucy Love Maxi Stella Dress

When a girl has to compete with impeccably Italian-tailored Tom Ford suits for the spotlight, her style has to be right on cue. Throughout the classy, martini-soused years of  James Bond movies, the leading ladies have been challenged with finding fashions that can take some of the light from the man every woman wants and every man wants to be—while still appearing strong, elegant, and capable of wielding a hand gun while driving the getaway car. Think Honey Rider’s (Ursula Andress) iconic swimsuit, or Pussy Galore’s (Honor Blackman) curve-hugging sweater dresses adorned with powerful menswear accents. Such a look was once again seamlessly executed in the recent James Bond: Quantum of Solace. The spicy new leading lady, Olga Kurylenko, manages to dress in pieces that match the savvy nature of a Bond girl. With flowy, curvaceous gowns and youthful but rich separates, the new Bond girl is a perfect compliment to Daniel Craig’s (the latest actor to play Bond) high class suits. With poise, power, and undeniable sex appeal, women throughout the Bond legacy have at one time thought “I want to be her”. To get a taste of that Bond girl look, we’ve chosen some of the (more…)

We set our interns loose at the US Open in Huntington Beach, and wouldn’t you know it, some actually came back with footage of the surf. Wow! Not only are they good looking, but they’re smart and professional too. As it turns out, the conditions were actually decent–a total rarity for the event. Taking a break from her all week partying at the Volcom house, Intern Charlotte managed to capture one of the best heats from day 6.

Interns are so much fun. Everyone should have one –or six in our case. In this clip, Intern Andrew shows us that decorating your work space shouldn’t be left to amateurs. (By the way, Andrew is 18 and single. He currently attends Brown and hopes to open Providence’s first ever Wahoo’s. He’s originally from San Clemente, but just don’t ask him if he knows Ryan Sheckler.)

Oh what a tangled web she weaves. Meet Charlotte, one of our many stellar summer interns. Fresh, funny and always well-put-together, Char is by far the most ambitious character in the office. Currently a double-major undergrad at Fullerton, she hopes to one day end world hunger through generous donations of Jamba Juice. Having been blessed with a great attitude and killer style, she brightens our office with her megawatt smile and an always sunny disposition. Here, she tells us how Swell couldn’t survive without her.

Our summer internship program launched a few weeks ago, and so far this season’s crop has blown us away. After pouring over countless submissions, we found Nicki’s to be one of the most creative and compelling. Fresh from an amazing merchandise and apparel grad school program in Italy, Nicki has turned out to be way more fashionable than Whitney and a whole lot smarter than LC. As our resident know-it-all for surf industry gossip and anything not hot, here Nic fills us in on why working at Swell is so freaking awesome.