SURF | FOIL | KITE | WING | PADDLE
Addicted to the spectacular cliffs and rugged landscape, the cold waters and the lonesome waves, Rhys is back in Scotland for an almost meditative session. Fully in tune with the capricious Scottish swells and aware of the limited daylight in the winter, he knows he must make the most of every spot he finds.
55° 57′ 11.7036” N 3° 11′ 17.7612” W
Athlete: Rhys Smith
Content by Katie Smith
Like many other surfers, Rhys Smith feels most at home in the water, surfing the blue waves of the world. Traveling the world to find a good spot, we find him on his doorstep seemingly everywhere.
In this second episode, Rhys travels to the Outer Hebrides, an island chain off the northwest coast of mainland Scotland. In water below 10°C, sometimes under the falling snow, these cold and salty surf sessions were ones to remember.
57°45’36.00″ N 7°01’12.00″ W
Athlete: Rhys Smith
Content by Katie Smith
Like many other surfers, Rhys Smith feels most at home in the water, surfing the blue waves of the world. Traveling the world to find a good spot, we find him on his doorstep seemingly everywhere. In this first episode, Rhys takes on the Canary Islands and some of its most iconic waves.
Follow Rhys along in the BLUE HOUSE episodes on MANERAWATERMEN and YOUTUBE
Source: Wavelength Mag
Remember the feeling the first time you walked into a surf shop?
The smell of wax and fresh neoprene. The glint off the boards that lined the racks. The otherworldly surfing beaming out of a screen overhead and the local luminary talking story in the corner.
Since time immemorial, the surf shop has been the terrestrial centerpiece of our local communities. A place to convene, trade tales, and glean insights on the best local banks and the chance of scoring them tomorrow. Somewhere to examine cutting-edge new gear close up, and get advice from the sage, but skeptical proprietor, who’s seen more wetsuit re-designs and leash innovations than you’ve had hot dinners.
Of course, the surf shop’s oeuvre has shifted a little in recent decades. Now, many specialist retailers have grown an online arm too. But, their role within the community remains much the same. In fact, as surfing booms and mushrooms into an ever more mainstream version of itself – where fast fashion juggernauts like Primark feel bold enough to throw their hats into the wetsuit-making ring – the existence of core surf shops, run by surfers and stocked with independent, surfer-owned brands is more vital than ever.
That’s just one of the reasons high-quality hardware specialists Manera have put them right at the heart of their business model. As an increasing number of watersports brands have sought to cut out shops entirely by selling to their customers direct, Manera have gone in the complete opposite direction – becoming the only big wetty brand to sell solely through selected specialist retailers. Why? It all comes down to their principles.
See, Manera is a family business – created initially as the accessories arm of the wildly popular wind-sport brand F-One, established by Raphaël and Sophie Salles back in 1994. In 2012, the couple’s son, Julien Salles, came on board as brand manager, leading Manera’s first forays into the world of surf-specific wetsuits. In the early days of the company, a small network of shops and salespeople were integral to its success, with the loyalty and trust developed in those years holding true ever since. “It’s why we’re here today,” says Julien, “so, we decided we should respect that and make sure a good shop never disappears.”
One of the examples that looms largest for him is Side Shore, a brick-and-mortar store located in northwest France. They’ve been selling F-One and Manera since the very beginning and for Julien, they represent all the ways in which a shop can be a pillar of the community. As well as sharing their unparalleled knowledge of the region, they organize events, run a repair service and nurture up-and-coming local talent through sponsorship.
While the brand’s approach is designed to look after industry partners like them, it also holds significant benefits for the customer. Beyond ensuring surf shops will still be there when you need them, it’s a great way to guarantee the quality of the product. Because, rather than hiding in the brand’s own warehouse waiting for an online sale, each of Manera’s products are handled and approved by dozens of watersports-loving shop owners around the world, who of course, are only going to stock the best for their customers. With each and every Manera wetsuit, as well as maximum flex, X10D fleece, and thermal protection, you’re buying into a commitment to keep core surf culture alive.
Jim Cocores, Nick’s father, started Thalia Street Surf Shop so Nick grew up working at the shop and learning the trade. When the time came in 2001, Nick took the reins and began Thalia Surf Shop a few doors down, but on the same street corner. An art gallery opened next door soon after, making opportunities to host for Laguna’s art walk and to bring the community together around the shop. In 2010, Thalia Surf teamed up with Vans and began one of the only few partnership stores that is still going today. The vision of the shop has always been to create a classic but modern surf experience.
The smaller niche brands are what we care about. These are the brands that focus on the quality of the product they are making, rather than the quantity and mass production. They are also usually working with unique artists that bring charisma to the shop when the product hits our shelves.
We have always had this mindset when creating new products for the Thalia Surf label as well: Bringing in local artists, a local screen printer and manufacturers to pass along a true California-made product with a story.
” The vision of the shop has always been to create a classic but modern surf experience. “
There are so many great local shapers that have passed through our shop. Thankfully, they are aware of the history of surfboard building, where it began, and where it can go. We have many vintage boards hanging from the ceiling of the shop from Jim Cocores’ collection to keep us inspired. All the new boards that come in each month reflect the shaper who made them, and the history lessons they have learned along the way.
The surfboards we carry are models shaped and tested by the shapers who make them before we order versions of their crafts. We dig the shapes of the 60s, 70s, 80s and lean towards single fin or twin fin boards whenever we can. The driving factors in how we choose what shapes to carry has to do with whatever trip each shaper is on at the time, and the shapes they are making for the specific waves in each season.
It always made sense to do it ourselves, the DIY spirit. Sean at FSP and Nick have been close friends since the beginning, and that was the next step in the growing process as a company. Expanding production to FSP helped Nick and the crew at the shop focus on other aspects of the company, in order to further tell the story of a local surf shop in Laguna Beach.
” The smaller niche brands are what we care about. These are the brands that focus on the quality of the product they are making, rather than the quantity and mass production. “
The friendly and inspiring community, the everchanging interesting and totally cool staff, just being a block from the beach, and getting to chat about surfing all day.
Just before spring and just after summer. That’s when the crowds thin out, things calm down, and the weather is still heaven. If there is any swell, a medium tide is best for behind the shop out on Thalia Street Beach.
We were looking for a quality wetsuit to sell year-round. We read about the 3-D pattern making of the suits and just had to check it out!
The Seafarer 3.2mm is ideal for California water and can essentially be worn year-round here, whether it’s a cold morning in the summer, or a nice warm day in the winter. It’s a very useful wetsuit. I also heard the hoods and gloves are rad too!
THALIA SURF SHOP
915 S. Coast Hwy,
92651 Laguna Beach, CA
(949) 497-3292
orders@thaliasurf.com
https://thaliasurf.com/
DIRECTIONS
With 3 boardshorts models each with unique cuts and materials, we’ve got something for every surfer, whether you wear them in or out of the water.
Our most technical boardshort of the range is now built in coconut fibers!
Coconut is widely used in the food and cosmetic industries, and once the inner portion has been used, the shell is just thrown away.
We turned these coconut fibers into activated carbon, which happens to be a fantastic boardshort material.
We use a PFOA/PFOS-free durable water repellent, as these chemicals are very persistent and harmful to the environment once released into the ocean.
– MID LEG 20″ –
Its 4-way stretch is worth just as much as any modern technical material out there. The Squareflex will meet your every move.
Recycling waste prevents the use for new raw material. Furthermore, coconut fibers are blended with recycled polyester to create a performing and eco-friendlier boardshort.
Activated carbon doesn’t hold water; thus, the Squareflex dries fast and stays light and comfortable. The wet fabric doesn’t stick to your legs, which avoids rashes in unpleasant locations.
One of activated carbon’s main properties is to prevent bad smells. Yes, even when stuffed for days in the back of your car. It puts an end to smelly boardshorts that you’ve been forgetting to dry for a “little while.”
Our boardshorts are not made to spend the day by the swimming pool, and this one is no exception. The coconut fibers blended with recycled polyester create a very strong material that will follow you for many trips under the sun.
The HAAPITI’s got style but doesn’t sacrifice on technique. It uses a performing 4-way stretch fabric and the material repels water like a charm. They work great when worn both in and out of the water. For our new collection, the HAAPITI is back with a slightly shorter cut and a bit narrower fit.
– MID LEG 18″ –
All of our boardshorts receive the same ultra-performing hydrophobic treatment. They stay light while riding and dry fast while on land for ultimate comfort.
Think of a stylish boardshort with the characteristics of a technical one. The 4-way stretch brings style without scarifying stretch, so you will enjoy your boardshort both in and out of the water.
Our boardshorts are not made to spend the day by the swimming pool. The thick polyester yarn of the Haapiti will follow you everywhere all year-round.
The Gambas is built in a fine ripstop material that is stretchy, light and stays dry. Its design is timeless. It is cut a bit shorter to fit just above the knee and has been tried and proven on the water and for post-session beers.
– MID LEG 18″ –
The Gambas is made in a fast-drying fabric; thus, it doesn’t stay wet and heavy once on land.
Our boardshorts are not made to spend the day by the swimming pool. The thick polyester yarn of the Gambas will follow you everywhere all year-round.
Think of a stylish boardshort with the characteristics of a technical one. The 4-way stretch brings style without scarifying stretch, so you will enjoy your boardshort both in and out of the water.
Why not try something completely different this time?” With a slightly unconventional approach, the project “Fun First” was thus born as two childhood friends set out on a mission to find the most uninviting, atypical, and overlooked waves all over the region. They aimed to prove that fun is possible anywhere, even if the spot doesn’t look ideal at first sight or if the weather is dreadful.
“When it’s winter in Brittany and the forecast is pretty crappy for the whole week, well, you tell yourself that adventure awaits.” Ian Fontaine goes searching for abandoned waves. Follow him along for the second episode of FUN FIRST.