Irish cold-water surfing, by the people who do it best
- Text by HUCK HQ
- Photography by Finisterre
In the new Finisterre film, Common Ground, ambassadors Easkey Britton, Noah Lane, Matt Smith, Sandy Kerr and Fergal Smith met for the first time to score some waves and talk about their backgrounds, goals for the future and their shared love of the ocean.
Finisterre’s mission remains the same as it ever was: Working to better cater for cold water adventurers and surfers. And that mission is reflected in their ambassadors and the challenges they overcome.
Surf cinematographer Luke Pilbeam shot the Finisterre surfers navigating the dramatic Irish ocean, in beautiful black-and-white footage, and each rider reflected on a storied 2016.
For people like Fergal Smith, it was a year spent running for public office in Ireland and reconnecting with his land at Moy Hill Community Farm.
For others like, Easkey Britton, it was a year spent completing her doctorate and founding Waves of Freedom, an organisation that wants to channel surfing for positive surfing change.
Each ambassador is different, but they all connect around the ocean and the social values that follow from that world perspective.
Find out more about Common Ground here.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
You might like
Nick Haymes’s intimate portrait of his family’s life
Chronograph — Over 25 years, the photographer documented his son’s lives as they grew into adults. The resulting photobook is an exploration of the passage of time, as well as the optimism of youth.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Kristina Rozhkova’s scatty, confronting portrait of captivity
Gut Feeling — The Russian artist’s 2024 arrest and subsequent detention opened her eye towards the omnipresent dynamics of power and control. Her new photobook is a stark exploration of being trapped.
Written by: Isaac Muk
UK’s first ever Latino film festival is coming to London
LoLaFF — Taking place between October 2-6, it will feature 55 filmmakers from Latin America, with an opening night at the Barbican.
Written by: Isaac Muk
Shawn Walker’s layered, psychedelic vision of Harlem’s streets
From BeBop to Illusion — Using glass as a means to illuminate the city’s different layers, the longtime photographer and filmmaker is publishing his first monograph at the age of 86.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Washing strangers’ feet at Houghton Festival
Pedilavium — As part of artist Henry Krokatsis’s performance piece at the weekender, we sat down with over 30 others to clean the dusty digits of passersby, while reflecting on the power of collective ritual and human connection.
Written by: Isaac Muk
Inside Yoshiwara, Japan’s oldest red light district
Asasuka soaplands — Despite numerous fires and harshening sex work laws, the centuries old area continues to persevere in East Tokyo. Manami Okazaki traces its history and meets people who shape its present.
Written by: Manami Okazaki
