wavedreamer » journals

a new Journal

richard — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 08:35:33 +0000

I have been looking for a connection to make sense of the new journal about to appear on wavedreamer. I have been really passionate about two activities in my life, one is obviously surfing, the other is growing food. You know what, the connection is SELF RELIANCE at a time when we are all so interdependent it is liberating to do things that sustain and nourish, physically and emotionally without the need for someone else to contribute. Whats really special for me is to be able to do both activities in locations within sight of each other!

Morte Point centenary picnic

richard — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:01:12 +0000

The local National Trust team put together this lovely afternoon with a speech from Steve Mulberry and Ray Easterbrook, an amazing story teller who immersed us in the history of the point and live music from Jim Jones, oh and not forgetting the sound track from David Kenards sheep.

the GoPro HD Surf HERO test unit has arrived!

richard — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:25:43 +0000

First impression…. is the size! its tiny! (H x W x D): 1.6” x 2.4” x 1.2” (42mm x 60mm x 30mm) and only weighs 6.3oz/179g incl. housing. And in this tiny unit is a camera that records three different formats of HD video, including full 1080p and at 720p it records true slow motion at 60 frames per second!

Its so good we are using this camera for our video projects. We will throw everything we can at it and create a technical advice sheet like no other! So you will be able to buy the GoPro HD Surf HERO and accessories from our emporium very soon, with all the support and advice you would expect from people that use and understand it. As a special offer to celebrate the launch of this great product, you can pre-order your camera from us now for delivery later this month along with a FREE SanDisc SD card designed for HD video. As if that wasn’t enough, as part of this limited period launch offer, we are shipping the GoPro HD Surf HERO and SanDisc card to you for FREE!* (*UK deliveries only)

And until we get the opportunity to upload our own footage from our demo cameras, take a look at this mind-blowing GoPro HD HERO preview footage from GoPro themselves. You’ll be back here pre-ordering your unit in no time!

wavedreamer now has a voice!

richard — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:22:10 +0000

Its not a video post, its not a gallery, its more than a Twitter its a… backchat! Welcome to our way of getting other news and stories out there. You can chat back by sending a comment.

Any entries into the ‘backchat’ journal will be available to read soon through our new RSS feed, which will be the subject of one of our posts very soon! Before that, we will be chatting about the imminent arrival and testing of the Go Pro HD Surf HERO.

ONEDAY in Woolacombe

richard — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 11:25:56 +0000

We worked from 5 in the morning to 10 at night, it was an intense day! thanks so much to all the surfers who took time out and days off of work to be there and to Mat, Jack, Rob, Stu, Gordon, Joel and Steve our camera men and production team who worked so hard on the day. Thanks also to Parkins estates and Woolacombe Parish Council for their support.”

Best described as a ‘scenic surf movie’ the film is a portrait of Woolacombe bay on that day, the surfing, beach life and surrounding scenery.

This promo soundtrack and the final score is the work of Peter Bruntnell who lives up the road. “One of England’s best kept musical secrets”. says Rolling Stone! How excited are we to be working with him and his friends! The music will be recorded in one day and we will be there to film it.

Post production is under way and the DVD will be available spring 2010

For a full credits and production stills visit: the ONEDAY micro site

Mr McTavish, Mr Lovett & Mr Walden

richard — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 08:11:23 +0000

Tiki in association with GSI brought over three of the worlds best surf board designers to North Devon UK. Where they met the locals and had a surf at Putsborough! Watch out for the full evening Q & A session filmed at Croyde Village Hall. It will be on youtube and itunes as a video pod cast. Thanks again to Richard Asquith and Henry Price for the track called Covert Beat. You can see what they are up to at www.friend-of-mine.co.uk

Lundy to Woolacombe swim – they did it!

richard — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 06:08:36 +0000

A celebration of the Lundy Swim Relay Challenge 2009 and call for more sponsorship www.justgiving.com/lundyswim

Thanks to Lawrence from Back to Base for the Music

Lundy Swim Relay Challenge 2009

richard — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:28:08 +0000

This weeks offering is a call for sponsorship! in aid of the Children’s Hospice South West. Weather permitting I will be documenting the event from in and out of the water. Watch this space to see how the lads get on and visit www.justgiving.com/lundyswim to make a donation. Thanks to Sy Wager for the music: synetic_sy@yahoo.co.uk

Billabong girls weekend

richard — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:44:40 +0000

Its that time allready, another splendid weekend for the girls and what fun they had. Pro surfer Keala Kennely was there to pass on her wisdom and play a set. Sound track thanks to local band Zamba who know how to party!

Dolphins

richard — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 12:25:50 +0000

And talking of the joy of flowing movement, just had to share this footage from the north end of Lundy. Thanks to Steve for organizing his own boys own best ever Stag weekend adventure and to Rudi the inspired skipper of Frolica. Some of the boys were quick enough to don wet suits and jump over the side, to be greeted by more dolphins than we could count! This memory will stay with all of us for ever. You can see more pics on Steves blog and James’s video. Thanks to Richard Asquith and Henry Price for the track Called ‘Horizon Possible’.

flaming June

richard — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 09:49:30 +0000

Just one evening from a week of stunning sunsets!

The joy of flowing movement

richard — Fri, 22 May 2009 14:51:25 +0000

Skateboarding has to be one of the most undervalued activities in the world and I can feel the hairs going up on the back of my neck just remembering the speed those guys were whipping round that beautiful beautiful bowl. Crikey almighty, what an amazing event the formal opening opening of Barnstaple’s Rock skate park was. Hats off to all involved in its conception design and build. I was well out of my comfort zone with the camera but you will see a more crafted video of Barnstaple bowl some time soon!

spring has sprung

richard — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:49:34 +0000

A small collection of memorable moments from March and April

A special place

richard — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:27:56 +0000

Andrew Cotton is working with us to capture the inner world of low tide Croyde. And what a start we have made! This isn’t a progo-thingy this is an Sony HDVA1E with a century optics 180deg super fish eye in an ewa marine dive bag adapted with Velcro, aluminum, closed cell foam and an Ikelite domed port, its set on SDV as the HD compression cant handle the detailed movement of white water. Andrew has the leash end in his mouth as the impact pulled the end off his board. Watch this space as we are going to have some fun and games in the next few months. Thanks to Clive Reeves for yet another track from the Bowl Rider.

Loose Fit promo

mat — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:47:45 +0000

It seems along while ago now when Jon opened his first shop in Barnstaple. We produced this little promo for him. The first surf shop with an environmental policy, Loose-fit continues innovate and push the idea of what a surf shop is!

Spring has sprung

richard — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 13:23:23 +0000

This video journal heralds the final phase of development for wavedreamer. We are ready to shout about it now! Hope you enjoy the changes. Thanks so much to Mat from goto11 who has gone to 12 and put his OCD to such good use! The children of the sun are out in force (thanks Rachel and Nathan) so are the adders (early this year) and the fields are full of Mr Kenard’s Lambs. Neil Clifton is competing in local club comps and the waves keep coming. Watch out for the next journal entry which could see on-board barrels at Croyde courtesy of Andrew Cotton who has been working with me to fit our HD 180o fish eye gear to one of his short boards…this could be good!

The track is another we recorded for the journal, you can hear more of Doug’s music on his website and buy his albums!.

Billabong Girls Days 2008

richard — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 07:01:13 +0000

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Lunch at Porthleven Dinner in Devon

richard — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:10:28 +0000

To keep the journal going while we are busy with the next development stage of wavedreamer, I’m adding some of the older promos we worked on. Lunch at Porthleven Dinner in Devon is a concept promo for an eccentric idea yet to go into production, we are still looking for a suitable caravan, thermos flask and china tea set. Thanks to the Porthleven surfers (get in touch!) and to Captain Skelton, the first Test Pilot on the camera board. This clip is also one of the many bonus movies on our NOTCALIFORNIA DVD. Thanks to Clive for another track from the Bowl Rider’s jam sessions at Decoy

Helifest

richard — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 00:49:13 +0000

Another visit into the wavedreamer archives before we re-launch the site next week. Thanks to Dig and the Bay Surf Shop Woolacombe for the flight. Dig keeps his Pilots licence fresh with jaunts over North Devon. This was my first Helicopter ride and the shaky nature of the footage has more to do with my excitement than engine vibration! Thanks to Clive Reeves for yet another track from the Bowl Rider sessions at Decoy

rockpools

mat — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:14:46 +0000

I’ve always wanted to learn more about the life you can find in the tidal areas around our coast, so documenting what I find in the rock pools will be my excuse. Come back soon to see what I’ve found.

Woolacombe scenes in Summer

mat — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:58:45 +0000

The sun did shine sometimes on some days this August & the unsettled weather provided a spectacular show of cloud formations.

I’m going to use these cloud studies as an excuse to learn more about cloud formations, their names and what they mean in terms of weather prediction.

Pop back soon when I may have had a chance to add some text to these photos.

The Daily Wave from wavedreamer

mat — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 15:39:25 +0000

Woolacombe Beach in Winter

mat — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 15:40:17 +0000

Some of my photos on a crisp winter afternoon. There was frost on the dunes that morning and some of the north facing slopes remained white and sparkly until the following day.

The girls bike and the gold fish

richard — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 09:25:27 +0000

Talking of big wave riders I must mention Devon’s own Andrew Cotton (seen in this clip from my promo work of three years ago) who, as I write this, is riding big waves in Hawaii. I was inspired to mention Cotty by Steve England’s ‘Take off’ article in the current Carve magazine.

Cotty’s journey into the world of big wave riding was documented by Mr B in his film DRIVEN. You can purchase this from our emporium. According to someone who knows, the reason why Cotty can ride big waves is because he never ever panics. I can’t wait to talk to him about Hawaii!

The music on this clip is from the ONEDAY sound track and was written specialy for Cotty by Clive Reeve

Summer feelings

richard — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 19:31:10 +0000

It only takes a bit of sun, no wind, clear water and a chest high wave to transport me to summers past. This weeks offering is from the wavedreamer archives, all the things I ache for at this time of year. Thanks to Skelly, Sandra, Steve Altram and of course Steve PP who is a master of beach and Landscape painting parties!

Thanks again to Doug for the lovely summery ‘yet to be titled’ track.

Laird Hamilton

richard — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 04:34:30 +0000

Nearly two years ago Woolacombe was treated to a visit from the waterman himself. Courtesy of Oxbow He came to Dave’s kayak shop and stayed at the Town Farm House Mortehoe. Laird made good use of a messy day at Woolcambe and allowed us to film. This was a cold dark day in May, everyone had wet suits on, Laird had a rolled down shortie! A big wave super hero, Laird’s gritty self belief and determination has inspired many people. How he met his Dad is my favorite Laird story, Bill Hamilton tells this on the ‘Laird’ DVD, prepared to be moved. Thanks for the visit Laird!

Thanks once again thanks to Richard Asquith and Henry Price for the track

SURFING WAVES

richard — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 22:42:31 +0000

A simple offering of light, color and waves this week. This clip is part of a project we are releasing this year called: SURFING WAVES an inspirational DVD for visualization and meditation. Thanks to Ellie, www.elliegregory.co.uk for the track called ‘momentary’

If you’re a regular visitor you will have noticed we’ve been busy with the next stage of wavedreamer’s development. Let us know what you think by contributing to the journal. If you haven’t already registered you can do that here.

The new colour ways were inspired by an evenings filming in Cornwall with spear fisherman Rich Emerson we were working off a rib and as the sun went down this was the colour of deep water.

Huge thanks to Mat for all his hard work on this stage of wavedreamers development.

Paul O’Grady

richard — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 22:01:10 +0000

Last Friday wasn’t what was predicted but a dramatic morning all the same. Nick Thorn is the surfer and Paul O’Grady the scarecrow. Catching up with old mates in the coffee shop was good. Today I had a fantastic recording session with my wonderful friend Doug and this track is one of many we recorded for use on the Journal. You can hear more of Doug’s music on his website and buy his albums!.

Yeehaa!

richard — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 07:34:59 +0000

As promised, cream teas in the dunes (thanks to Saunton Sands Hotel ) with wildlife expert Johnny Kingdom and Jonathan Marshall, one of the UK’s top professional falconers. All on Saunton Beach with kind permission of Christie Devon Estates Trust. Jonathan is riding his horse a pure Egyptian Arab called Sultan. He works along side his Dog who is a Hungarian Vizsla called Amber. The horse was wearing a traditional arabian saddle and Jonathan was wearing a Elizabethan falconers costume. You can find out who Helen and Joel are and what they are doing to promote Devon by following this link . It was fellow Essex man Steve riding the wave. Thanks very much to Bill and Mark (aka M’Larkey) also Bob Barron on the Bodhron, playing at the Saturday open mic night in the Grampus Inn at Lee.

Stranger things have happened

richard — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:49:50 +0000

What an amazing start to the new year! Long period swell, off shore winds, sunny, bellow zero. A fibre glass cow called Daisy that can talk and was having cream tea (thanks to Saunton Sands Hotel ) with wildlife expert Johnny Kingdom and Jonathan Marshall, one of the UK’s top professional falconers. All on Saunton Beach with kind permission of Christie Devon Estates Trust. Given only an hour to edit this and get it on line there will be more to come, but for now you can follow this link to find out what else Helen and Joel are up to! Thanks to Richard Asquith and Henry Price for the track You can see what they are up to at http://www.friend-of-mine.co.uk/

Happy new year everyone!

Richard

Seasonal greetings

richard — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 15:36:21 +0000

With leaden sky’s the light is flat today, thankfully the sea isn’t! Thanks to Andrew From Pickwell Barton who kindly allowed me to film his family and friends bringing in and processing the last of the brussel sprouts for Christmas. The farm has been in the Cook family for nearly 100 years and overlooks Putsborough and Woolacombe Sands, you can find out about staying on the farm here.

The featured style master was local lad Neil Clifton (the surf doctor). If you need to improve your surfing check out his website.

Thanks to Kevin MacLeod for his beautiful arrangement of Silent Night.

Have a wonderful holiday everyone

Having indulged my work ethic I’m going surfing tomorrow, Yeehaa!!!

Woolacombe Surf Life Saving Club

richard — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 22:33:43 +0000

With work keeping me away from the surf I’ve taken another dive into last summers footage and offer up a glimpse into the work of the Woolacombe Surf Life Saving Club, which was formed in 1962. They have kindly allowed me to document their activities for my Devon based summer film. You can find out more about the great achievements of this club on their website.

Save the wave at Brighton Marina

richard — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 20:39:28 +0000

I woke up in Brighton the day after the night before, which was the NOTCALIFORNIA launch party. Thanks to everyone who came along, well over a 100 people! It was great to see the old crew and new friendly faces. Thanks also to David from A1 and his team for all their hard work. The DVD is now available for 12.99 from the emporium! The clip is of Brighton marina yesterday, thanks to Cliff and Mat. Also Vince who is the young bloke running up the cliff path. It was great to catch up with him and hear how much he loves his free bus pass now he is 60 and has used it to tour round Cornwall!

I must mention that the Marina is under real threat from a planned building development over the chalk reef! Join the campaign to save this wave.

NOTCALIFORNIA

richard — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 18:31:04 +0000

A1Surf is holding its first surf movie and party night on Wednesday 3 December at Walkabout in Brighton in association with WAVEDREAMER to launch the NOTCALIFORNIA DVD which you will be able to buy on the night!

It’s fair to say its been some time coming, so thanks to everyone who has kept the faith and encouraged me along the way. Surfing in Brighton is unique and well worth celebrating. I’m looking forward to meeting all the new surfers and the old crew! You can find more details here.

POLLINATION

richard — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:17:15 +0000

It was 3 years ago that Jon Finch opened Loose-Fit surf shop with help from a group of surfers, they also went to Ireland as guests of Lahinch surf club and I was invited to film them. It has been a tease waiting for time to work on the project, but we now have a title and a schedule! We will continue to share clips with you as we work over the winter. This first short promo is from the signature section of POLLINATION and features Alex Knost in Devon, a huge thanks to Ellie Gregory for the music. Future clips will feature Tyler Hatzikian, Devon Howard, Dane Peterson, Belinda Baggs, Angela King and friends.

one man in the water

richard — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 23:29:17 +0000

I decided not to surf, it was bitterly cold in the wind and I had left my gloves behind, so took these photos of Saunton instead. I Met my mate Rob on the beach, who at 64 is one of the most enthusiastic surfers I know. He reminded me that I have yet to edit the footage of Laird Hamilton’s surf at Woolacombe, when he was visiting Dave’s Kayak shop. So I promised Rob I would do the edit before Christmas and put it up on the journal, now he knows I will!

Light and clarity

richard — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 10:43:10 +0000

I just had to find some footage that had something to do with light and clarity, which are the only words I can find to express the impact of Barack Obama’s victory speech. Enough said, watch it here if you haven’t already. The clip, is from Morte Point on a very clear day in August last year, the sound track is from the ONEDAY project.

The ginger Hawaiian

richard — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 17:34:53 +0000

This weeks clip is another from the wavedreamer archives and features my friend Steve PP riding one of the first stand up paddle boards, over two years ago. Steve is a painter and musician, he creates surf art and more recently has been painting wonderful coastal landscapes, you might spot him with his easel painting outside or selling his work from his van in Woolacombe. The soundtrack is Steve jamming on his ukulele. He has a website where you can see and buy his work.

Retro Board Challenge

richard — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 22:00:45 +0000

I wish all surf competitions had the same vibe as this event, you might then see me at more! What a brilliant day this was at the Witterings on the south coast. Organized by A1Surf in conjunction with Wittering Surf Shop in aid of the RNLI Lifeboats. Thanks to David and Elvis who made me very welcome. Raw Percussion were performing on the day, providing the sound track to these rough cut clips.

Shimmering Devon

richard — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:40:32 +0000

What a weekend that was! I have to hold my hands up and admit to losing my focus. Broken van, cloudy sunrise, too much wind, missed phone calls, I could blame many things but the truth is I was distracted by my need to surf and surf I did! Which means this weeks video is of a similar swell from the wavedreamer archives. The footage is of Nick Thorn at home. Apologies to Ben and Neil, next time heh! Thanks to Clive for letting me use this track that I recorded during one of Bowl Rider’s Studio sessions at Decoy, it sums up my weekend.

The Bees are sharing

richard — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:22:49 +0000

Once the sun came out in September the bees seamed to be making up for lost time. This post is a slide show of stills from my wild flower filming in Braunton Burrows, a Biosphere Reserve, designated by UNESCO. It’s a magical place, the two people who have helped me explore and understand it, are Mary and John Breeds. Mary has written a book about the wild flowers that you can pick up in Braunton Countryside Centre. You will be able to see the footage of the flowers and dunes in one of my surf movie projects, I will let you know when its released. The music is from the ONEDAY project sound track and was written by Clive Reeve.

Good Morning Cornwall!!

mat — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 23:53:16 +0000

I popped down the coast to catch up with my friends Russ and Jill. We spent a couple of glorious mornings on the beach, you can see Russ’s great still photos at www.russpierrephotography.blogspot.com/.Thanks to James Parry, Sam Bleakly, Elliot Dudley, his partner and the men in the harbour for letting me film them.

I was also there to see Andy Cummins from SAS surfing a very special board (the quad half way through the clip). The blank comes from Home Blown and is made from about 34% plant based materials and the resin is from 98% plant based materials – producing a board that has more than 50% sustainable materials. They are priced about the same as their petrochemical cousins and under strength tests are proving to be stronger and lighter than polyurethane blanks. Andy was also testing out the camera board for a project we are working on for a bigger darker day.

Thanks so much to Richard Asquith and Henry Price for the beautiful track called Haven. You can see what they are up to at www.friend-of-mine.co.uk

ONEDAY practice day

richard — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 13:28:23 +0000

It was a long time coming but at last, sunshine and a clean swell! Missed the moon setting but up early enough for the sunrise. Spent the time working through ideas for the ONEDAY schedule. The rough cut is from that morning, with an evening section from a previous day (it clouded over by lunch) Thanks to Sandra, Steve, Graham, Mark’s son and Chris and the other lads out. The music is the beginning of dawn section of the ONEDAY soundtrack.

6th World Belly Board Championships

richard — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 20:11:47 +0000

The clouds parted last Sunday! And I was at Chapel Porth, Cornwall, for the 6^th World Belly Board Championships. It was even more splendid than the last time I came in 2005. Its amazing how much difference the sun makes. This clip is just a taster of things to come, I will edit a much longer piece in the next couple of months that will include interviews and some history of the bellyboard and the event. The music is an old Cornish tune called the Boscastle breakdown and was kindly played by Mr skelton on his English Concertina. He won the World Championship in 2004.

Ashley on a ten footer

richard — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:24:33 +0000

And talking of dancing… this is a clip of Ashley Braunton demonstrating some rather fine footwork on the ten footer I had made for the ONEDAY project. Ashley is probably best known for surfing progressive boards, it’s a treat to watch him on a traditional longboard.

Ilfracombe Red Petticoats

richard — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 16:28:48 +0000

Thanks to Nobby and the rest of Ilfracombe Red Petticoats who perform a variety of traditional Morris dances to music. The Band consists of melodeons, an accordion, trombone, tin whistle and drum with accompaniment from tambourines and bells. I took this clip of them during their part in the Ilfracombe Victorian week and have now got the shots I was after for my ONEDAY project.

Exmoor ponies

richard — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:16:53 +0000

Last winter saw the arrival of five Exmoor ponies on Woolacombe down (the high ground south of Potters Hill) Brought in by the National trust to help manage the diverse habitat there are now six of them. During our Saturday walks to check on their water and health, Zoe and I witnessed lots of different behaviour. Here is a clip of two of them in late spring this year. If you do make the climb to see them, Johnathon the NT Warden asks for you to keep your distance, not to feed them (they become aggressive to walkers if they think they can get food) and of course remember to shut all the gates. All through the year there are different displays of flowers and wild life up there, its always worth the steep climb.