Say it with us, “SWELL Livin’.”
Welcome SWELL’s newest guest blogger, Rebekah Steen! Through her personal blog, Goldfish Kiss, Rebekah proves to be the inspo-authority on outdoor fitness and all things beach living and bikinis. Check out the blog here. But beware, the heavily sanded posts will leave you with some serious island-envy.
So get ready for some outdoor inspo in the form of weekly #SWELLivin photo posts from our new guest blogger…starting next week! Expect more than bikini bod inspo or fit tips…prepare yourself a weekly kick in the butt to get outside and get to SWELL.I.V.I.N.
Stay tuned for her first post, coming next week!
Until then, check out some of our favorite photos from Rebekah – rocking goodies you can scoop up at SWELL.
San Clemente, CA: The surfing world’s most prestigious photographic award is open for entries!
Follow The Light Foundation has made a call for submissions from the world’s top young surf image-makers, who will have a chance to put themselves in the running for the top Foundation Grant of $5000.
FTLF has announced four further runner-up grants of $1000 each.
The Grant and associated awards, including the popular People’s Choice Award, will be presented in July around the US Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach, CA (date and location to be announced).
Presented in honor of pioneering surf photography legend Larry “Flame” Moore, the Foundation’s award and associated Grant is in its eighth year.
It continues Larry’s lifelong commitment to encouraging the art and skill of surf photography. As a lensman himself, Larry pioneered numerous surf-image techniques both in and out of the water. As Surfing Magazine’s photo editor, for over 30 years he nurtured the best and brightest in the game, while always having a word of advice for the hopeful kid whose first submission crossed his desk.
Recipients of the FTLF Grant have included young champions of the surf photo world such as inaugural winner Chris Burkard and subsequent winners Matt Clark,Todd Glasser, Morgan Maassen, Ray Collins, Duncan Macfarlane and 2012’s award winner, Shawn Parkin.
2012 Winning Slideshow: Shawn Parkin
Check out SWELL’s “Follow The Light Foundation” Catalog Feature Here
FTLF judge and masterful photographer Aaron Chang says it isn’t getting any easier to pick the winners. “Over the years the judging has been increasingly more challenging, because the photographers are beginning to understand that in addition to great photography, the judges are looking for the feeling created by the overall presentation.”
Aaron thinks that along with the extraordinary exposure to key surf industry people involved in an FTLF entry, young photographers gain an extra benefit: community. “Just being able to sit and watch what your peers are presenting provides aspiring photographers with a fresh set of goals and inspiration that is very difficult to access otherwise.”
Photographers who wish to submit in pursuit of the Grant should first spend time familiarizing themselves with the rules and process of entry, which can be viewed here.
When The Neighbourhood released their first hit “Female Robbery” no traces of them could be found online, no photos, no biographical info or backstory of this mysterious and amazing band. They only had vocals and a twisted music video as proof.
With tattoos, leather jackets and white tees, these five guys are bringing back a greaser meets British punk look we know we’ve missed. Front man, Jesse Rutherford, wears funky shades, can be found with a toothpick in the corner of his mouth, and just so happens to be a former underground hip-hop artist. But Fo Real?!
Fan Style Tagged #TheNeighbourhood
Despite the British spelling of the band’s name, all five guys hail from super suburbia Newbury Park (about 30 minutes north of LA) and have a special bond that growing up together will create. They’ve only been around since early 2012 but have more than a talent scouts favorite word; “promise.” See them live at the Empire Polo Field at Coachella 2013. Or if you aren’t one of the lucky thousands that are going to Coachella, check them out at the infamous El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles on April 16th. You’ll be entranced by their sound that has a mix atmospheric indie rock, electronica, hip-hop beats and pop-like/R&B-ish vocals.
Every once in a while a new band comes along and you’re pleasantly surprised by their ability to be unique and enthralling in a world where it’s so easy to sound like that other guy. I personally know I’m hooked when I find myself looking for a date of when I can be submerged into their live sound and all before they become too mainstream. I then continue to look through their website, prowl their twitter and instagram and all while I’m listening/watching every video on their YouTube channel. I’m hooked like a teenage girl with a high school crush and clearly borderline a stalker.
The Neighbourhood just happens to be my newest victim.
Mowgli Surf Team riders Christian Franzen, Noah Foskett, and Shea Porter hit up the Santa Ana Riverbed in Fountain Valley. They swear there’s no better place to work on your street surfing then those high concrete banks. Photographer Jessica Stopnik was there to capture some shots.
Here’s some tips the Mowgli groms provided for you aspiring river-rats.
1. Tricks to practice: wall-rides, tail-slides, gap jumping 2. Wear gloves to throw super stylish laybacks w/o shredding your palms 3. When bombing a bank make sure you are ready to commit. There’s nothing worse then breaking your arm because you bailed. 4. Wash roadrash thoroughly, You’re pretty much shredding in a toilet 5. Concrete banks are like big waves. Style counts! 6. Do not go riverbeds when its raining unless you want to die.
Become an enemy of average and join the Mowgli army here
