Surfers raise hell in Anglet for the third-ever SVRF PVNK fest
- Text by Shelley Jones
If surfing has picked up something of a cookie-cutter image this past decade – selling healthy living, Zen thinking and preppy dressing off its watery back – the twisted minds behind the Basque Country’s SVRF PVNK Invitational are taking the culture back to its Miki Dora roots.
You won’t find any coconut water sponsorship in this off the wall fest, now in its third year, which brings surfing together with music and tattooing for a thrashy celebration in the spirit of old Southern California.
“The Svrf Pvnk Invitational is a pure celebration of laughing and shredding,” said co-founder Juan Lagarrigue when we interviewed him last year. “We were just bored about everything in surfing and all the surfing clichés. We wanted to create an event that was like us; an event that makes people smile and is just good times between people who share a good spirit. Surfing between guys who love sliding together.”
This year’s installment takes place in Anglet instead of Seignosse, the location of last year’s event and the recent World Tour comp the Quiksilver Pro, won by John John Florence – a move that further distances these hot-rod reprobates from the jock side of the surf industry.
As well as celebrating surfing in a fun way, the fest will feature six French bands – showcasing the best of the country’s domestic garage rock – DJs, tattoo artists and a whole lot of partying.
The SVRF PVNK Invitational 2014 runs Friday October 10 – October 12, surf permitting.
You might like
Moshpits & kickflips at the Volcom Garden Experience 2026
Family affair — Last weekend, the skate, surf and snow culture brand hosted a free mini festival in its European backyard of Biarritz. We went along and chatted to legendary artist and surfer Ozzie Wright.
Written by: Isaac Muk
As the Cornwall & Devon coastline gentrifies, what’s left at UK surfing’s spiritual home?
Priced out — Once belonging to anyone willing to be cold and thrown around underwater, the sport is becoming increasingly inaccessible, as second homes and commodification reshape England’s southwestern shores.
Written by: Noah Petersons
How one of the world’s best big wave photographers & filmmakers gets the perfect shot
Staring down the barrel — Sachi Cunningham has built an immersive body of work documenting huge barrels by getting closer to the action than most. Josh Jones speaks to her about her process, finding order within chaos, and the importance of feeling awe.
Written by: Josh Jones
Jack Johnson’s third act
SURFILMUSIC — Three decades on from his trajectory-altering crash at Pipeline and subsequent music career, the singer-songwriter looks back at his life and work in a new, expansive film.
Written by: D’Arcy Doran
New film champions women surfers tackling the huge waves of Nazaré
Undercurrents — Filmmaker Maddie Meddings’ latest documentary focuses on big-wave superstar Laura Crane as she helps prepare 16-year-old Imari Hearn to take up big wave surfing.
Written by: Sydney Lobe
Capturing the spirit of the ’90s surf scene with Volcom
Nineteen 90 Nowhere — The brand’s latest Featured Artist Series collection sees them tap three surfers and artists in Gony Zubizarretta, Seth Conboy and Issam Auptel, whose neo-grunge work blends the rawness of the decade with the present.
Written by: Isaac Muk
