EDITIONS

North American | European

Highs and lows in Morocco. Photos and words by Dan Crockett.

Al Knost is one of the best sliders around and has a close connection with a scene far removed from the modern marketplace hustle. Ryan Tatar tracked him down with his project partner Tyler Manson and gave us an insight into their freshest work. Words: Ryan Tatar Photos: Jamie Bott & Tyler Manson

Drift tracked down Mark Jeremias and Jason Baffa, directors of ‘Singlefin: Yellow’, to talk about their new project, ‘One California Day’, and find out their thoughts on surf culture and tradition from Crescent City to Imperial Beach. Words: Jamie Bott

Using locally sourced timber and having designed a manufacturing process that minimises waste, Mike LaVecchia of Grain Surfboards has cornered the market in beautiful, sustainable wooden boards. And the best bit? They ride like a dream. Photos: Nick LaVecchia

Devastated by more than a decade of civil war, the Republic of Liberia is still in a serious state of flux. Could surfing bring a new hope and more peaceful future to this West African nation? Words & photos: Nicholai Lidow & Kate Thomas. Additional photos: Ted Grambeau & Jamie Bott

Rebel wave riders on a mission to enlighten the Western world to the true culture of the Middle East, blakkbox redefine the notion of surfers as beach bums who only care about the next wave. Photos: Cole Estrada & Anthony Allen

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Goods Features

Coffee cups & surfboards

 Mark Sankey discusses the merits and faults of EPS with two of Britain's finest craftsmen, Mark Dickinson and Rob Lion, both of whom have been shaping the stuff with style for a good few years now... [photos by Ollie Banks]

A quiver approach

 Self-confessed board hoarder Chris Preston expounds the delights to be found within his tardis-like garden shed, and explains how he came to favour the quiver approach to surfing. Photos by Jamie Bott [except no.3].

Learning curve

 “I'm not interested in formulae when it comes to surfing and art.” Ryan Lovelace talks to Chris Preston about trusting your eyes, hands, and feet, and adding another leaf to the weird-hull-alternative-vibe-tree. Photos: Morgan Maasen, Brandon DiPierri & Ryan Lovelace

Three's the magic number

 Championed by surfers in the know for over 30 years, but largely ignored by mainstream riders; has the time finally come for the Bonzer to shine? Words: Steve Croft & Mark Sankey Photos: Alexa Poppe

A greener wave

 Following the demise of Clark Foam, 'eco' boards and alternatives to petro-chemical products have been the focus of developments in surfboard technology. Words: Mark Sankey Photos: Alexa Poppe

Analogic thinking...

 ...in the age of the programmable hand. San Diego's Josh Hall explains why he has chosen to tread the well-worn path of hand-shaping, in conversation with Andy Smith. Photos: Garrett Highhouse, T. Colla, Ryan Tatar

Finless

 Looking to the future with an eye firmly on the past, Tom Wegener has reintroduced the transport of kings to surfing's elite. His boards are works of art, but it's his veg patch that really floating Tom's boat right now... Words: Tommy Leitch Photos: Jamie Bott

The joys of forward trim

 One of the great things about surfing in this current era is the wide acceptance of different board designs. Over the last 10 years, it has become acceptable to pretty much ride anything from surfmat to singlefin, fish to longboard. Words: Chris Preston Photo (2): Dan Crockett

Computer future

 When his career as a pro surfer was ended by cancer, Richie Lovett forged a new career in the manufacturing industry. Now he's singing the praises of machine-shaping technology. Words: Chris Preston Photos: Jamie Bott

Working the magic

 Chris Preston chats to longboard maestro Steve Walden about his disappointment with the lack of recognition for the longboarding scene, what makes the Magic model magic, and working with GSI. Photos: Jamie Bott

Design for life

 When legendary longboard designer Bob McTavish came to Devon recently as part of TIKI's international shaper tour, Chris Preston couldn't resist the opportunity to quiz him about the technicalities of board design... Photos: Jamie Bott

Something old, something new

 Mark Sankey caught up with Steve ‘2Fins’ Croft of St Agnes-based shapers Laminations for a chat about asymmetric shapes, the future of sustainable surfboards, and living in the shadow of Chops Lascelles... Photos: Ollie Banks & Kyle Harman

Bing’s the thing

 Bing Copeland was a pioneer of the modern surf industry. In his excellent new retrospective, ‘Bing Surfboards – Fifty Years of Craftsmanship and Innovation’, Paul Holmes discovered what makes Bing tick. Words: Bing Copeland & Paul Holmes Photos: Courtesy of Bing Copeland

Heart of the country

 North Shore shapers Jeff Bushman and Kyle Bernhardt explain why they were inspired to create Hawaii’s first environmentally responsible surfboards. Words: Catharine Lo Photos: Courtesy of Country Feeling Surfboards & Christen Vidanovic

Walk the plank

 Using locally sourced timber and having designed a manufacturing process that minimises waste, Mike LaVecchia of Grain Surfboards has cornered the market in beautiful, sustainable wooden boards. And the best bit? They ride like a dream. Photos: Nick LaVecchia

Fish out of water

 The annual Fish Fry on Australia's Gold Coast gives shapers a non-commercial, non-competitive opportunity to come together and share ideas in a shameless celebration of the fabulous fish. Words: Tommy Leitch Photos: Jamie Bott

Soul & substance

 In this era of mass-production, where surfboards have become as common a commodity as disposible razors, it’s reassuring to find a counter-culture of shapers turning out innovative, hand-crafted boards. Based near Bundoran in County Donegal, Cedar Surfboards are one such company

The reluctant ambassador

 A shaper with a real passion for his craft, Tyler Hatzikian has consistently refused to compromise the quality or the integrity of his work in order to make a quick buck. He talked to Drift about nose-riding, refining longboard design and his reluctance to take the limelight. Words & photos: Jamie Bott

Offshore thinking

 Tom Kay set up surf-inspired clothing brand Finisterre six years ago from his laptop in an attic office. The brand has a zealous ethical and environmental ethos; its founder tells Drift why it's cool to be warm. Words: Kezia Clark Photos: Al McKinnon

Art of the matter

 Veteran surf photographer Art Brewer has worked with some of the best names in the sport, and his pictures have graced the pages of magazines like ’Rolling Stone’, ’Sports Illustrated’ and ’Playboy’. Now he talks to Drift about his latest project: a book about the legendary Bunker Spreckels. Words: Ryan Tatar Photos: Art Brewer

Lead an examined life

 Drift paid a visit to Patagonia’s Cardiff-by-the-Sea surf shop, where we talked to store manager Jon Peck about the fusion of nature, retail and sustainability. Does Patagonia really mean business being green? Words & photos: Jamie Bott

Looking back

 Tom Wegener heralds a surfing renaissance as he explores his experiences building and riding the Alaia board. Photos: Dane Peterson, Keith Heinrich, Dan Wozniak

2+1=3?

 Designing and creating a surfboard is a highly specialised and individual practice, and the resulting board is also an individual: it reflects the shaper’s method of creation, and the intricacies of his expression. Dan Crockett charts Adrian Phillips’ construction of a semi-gun. Words & photos: Dan Crockett

Together we're stronger

 In this age of mass production and mass consumption, an international cooperative of master craftsmen is kicking against the trend, advancing the ideals of sustainable surfing with ground-breaking construction techniques and custom-built boards. Photos: Doug Irwin