After a 4 month work/vacation stint in France and Bali we are back in Oz and its full steam ahead.We started off the trip with a short stop over in Bali.I hadnt been there for over 10 years and was expecting a big change, and that change hit me accross the face.The main thing that blew me away was the traffic,I dont even know where to start on this one ,its just off tap,and what Kuta has transformed into is quiet scary.The Island still has her charm and so captivated me again, as it did in the early 80's on my first visit, I spend the most part of the decades that followed chasing the waves and experiences through the archipelago off this first buzz ,as many did, and got to know her moods fairly well .The waves,culture and food are all still the same,and to taste all again was a treat,allso introducing this culture that I love to my partner and my kids was a very satisfying experience.We were lucky enough to be hosted by Shane and Annette Swadling who have a great Villa at Cunggu and enjoyed some fun waves there,thanks guys for putting up with the rug rats.We also stayed with a good friend of mine Mick,who owes Micks place at Bingin,he and his lovely partner Sascha buffed us out in the honeymoon bungalow and we had some quality time there relaxing,surfing and reaquainting myself with a place I spent a lot of time at in the past.I hooked up with one of my team riders while in Bali aswell,the style master himself Dedi Gun,who had just taken out Surftimes most stylish surfer on land and in the water at the awards held in Bali. We enjoyed some fun sessions in the water and visited some of Dedi's favourite Padang food haunts,it was so good to hook into this tucker again,I missed it for a long time.
France,what can I say but amazing.Food ,wine,waves on tap,this year was a special one as an Indian summer went into full swing through September/ October with swell and offshores to match it.To start the trip we landed straight into the Fete De Bayonne which is a 5 day festival/party.Some friends and family were there at the airport in Biaritzz dressed in red and white and dragged us straight into the maddness.....4 days later we came out of it,everything intact...just.
I got straight into the shape room after that and started to forfill the orders.A big thank you to Oliver at Fatlines Glassing who done a great job in getting the boards out over the next 3 months, with such good quality,putting up with me coming in the the factory after getting barreled all morning and hasseling him for a board to be ready for a team rider or Pro or someone,I know what I would have said to me, but Oliver motored on singing his song,smoke 10 joints in the morning,smoke 10 joints at night..........classic.
Team rider Jayke Sharp was in Europe for the Pro events and came out with a bang in Newquay posting 8's and 9's only to be let down in the next round by mother nature,this routine continued for Sharpy throughout Europe,in one event he was throwing away 9's. Allthough he was ripping the bag out it and was talked of highly by peirs and punters he just couldnt link the heats to get him through.But the lad had a ball,he and Heath Joske and good friend Geary blazed the bars and beach's where ever they went.We scored some fun waves while they were there and many good times,a big thank you to Tavis for putting the boys up in his amazing pad in Bidart,and to the locals at Marbella for leting the boys hook into their turf.Young Tahitian ripper Mateia Hiquily was also in town getting shacked and boosting all over the place on his fav FG-2 model,I cant beleve this board is still in one piece after the punishment this grom has handed out to it.
The experiences over the months we were in in France were as allways,superb,and it was great to see family and friends again,too many good times and good people here to mention, ill just say "viva le pays basque"...merci a tout.
Au revoir France and its was back to Bali for nasi cumpur,star beer,fresh juice,barrels and a semi detox after France.I hooked up with my grom team rider from Maui and his mum Jennifer and we had a great time.Dylan is absolutly ripping and has a great future in the sport,I havent seen to many 13 year olds surfing like him.His reef surfing at this age is amazing,he was blowing everybody away with his maturity in some heavy situations,the kid has what it takes.I bought a couple of fresh sticks from France for the grom and he took to them straight away,I also managed to shape some for him in Bali so the grom went back to Hawaii for the start of the season loaded up with the sic quiver,the grom was frothing to hit the Quik Pipe house and hook into the Nth shore season.
A lot was acheived over the past 4 months in the development of current models and the addition of several new ones that Im realy excited about.We will also be releasing new logos model graffics and a new website/blog, all which will be launched early in the new year with the help of the very talented guys at Tazman multi media.
A big thank you to Mick Curley,Pete Mathews and Basti,these lads have their game down pat on the Island of the Gods. Allso to Mick & Sascha at Micks Place,the staff , Annie and the Bingin asli,it was "great" to get back,and to all our old and new clients....thanks for your support and patience guys.....JF.
Photo credits
-WE PHOTO AGENCY
-Glen Hardwick
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