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
In photos: Black Texas life since emancipation
Kinship & Community — A new photobook and exhibition showcases the rich culture, history and community of African American folks in the Lone Star State, whose existence in the region predates colonial Britain.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Youthful joy & end-of-era poignancy at a London school prom
Leavers — For several years, Lewis Khan documented young people as they celebrated the last of their school days and the completion of their exams. The series is now collated in a new self-published photobook and short film.
Written by: Zoe Whitfield
Harry Gruyaert’s vintage, kaleidoscopic scenes of New York
A Sense of Place — For 50 years, the Belgian photographer and Magnum Photos member has been capturing NYC’s colourful chaos. A new photobook and exhibition showcase his unique, technicolour view of the city.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Inside Lower Duck Pond, the nicest town on the internet
/r/HaveWeMet — With a population of 2,500 and no fixed location, the subreddit is a space for roleplaying citizens to solve mysteries, host fictional events and ultimately connect. In an internet that’s often divided and toxic, Vicky Jessop hangs out in one of its most wholesome corners.
Written by: Vicky Jessop
A major Nan Goldin exhibition is coming to London
You Never Did Anything Wrong — Opening at the Hayward Gallery in November, the show will debut a new film from the artist and activist, alongside a slate of recent work.
Written by: Jack Dennison-Thompson
Sepia splashed memories of Britain’s ’90s squatting and free party scene
Bygones — Moving into a Hackney squat at the age of 19, Tom Hunter spent years living on London’s edges, while documenting the vibrant, creative community and culture that it enabled. Huck’s art director Sam White chats to him about the freedom that existed, the collectivism and what’s been lost over the decades since.
Written by: Samuel White