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FREEZE FRAME

SURFING NOVA SCOTIA – TRAVEL FEATURE – CHRIS NELSON

FREEZE FRAME:
SURFING NOVA SCOTIA

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Lance Moore has represented Canada three times at the World Surfing Games. ‘First time in 1992, we were like the Jamaican Bobsleigh Team. I learnt a lot,’ he says. ‘Now I can hold my own with anyone if the waves are good.’

THE IDEA

Chris Nelson was commissioned to write a a main travel feature exploring the surf potential of Nova Scotia, Canada.

THE RESULT

Chris Nelson wove together interviews and anecdotes to produce a cover feature for the Independent Travel supplement. Photography Richie Hopson.

Supported by Destination Canada

THE APPROACH

Chris was commissioned by The Independent to write an article exploring an ‘off the beaten track’ surf destination. Chris travelled to Nova Scotia accompanied by photographer Richie Hopson, to spend time with the local surf community, hearing tales of pioneers and adventurers, stories of exploration and adversity. Chris’s contacts and reputation allowed an unrivalled access the scene. Combining personal insights and interviews, the resulting piece ‘Freeze Frame’ was the cover feature for the weekend travel supplement. The trip was kindly supported by Destination Canada.

Surfing Nova Scotia, travel feature by Chris Nelson exploring the surf potential of Nova Scotia, Canada for The Independent

It is still dark as I struggle into my damp wetsuit. My toes are beginning to numb as I stamp my feet and breathe a warm, ghostly mist onto my pink fingers. The new block of malleable cold-water wax I’ve brought from Cornwall has protested at the drop in temperature by turning into something that resembles a lump of diamond-hard, coconut-scented flint.

Surfing Nova Scotia, travel feature by Chris Nelson exploring the surf potential of Nova Scotia, Canada for The Independent. Photography Richie Hopson
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FREEZE FRAME

As surfers, our quest is always for the perfect wave, but the fine print has always included a warm-water clause. Over the decades we’ve scoured the Equator looking for the ultimate ride; risked leaky ferries off Bali, malaria-riddled jungles in Java, shark-infested waters off Mozambique and civil wars from Nicaragua to Sri Lanka.

They have been surfing in this Canadian province since Saturday 7 July 1962. “The amazing thing about our surf history is that we can trace it back to the very first day a Nova Scotian paddled out on a surfboard,” says first-generation surfer Jim Leadbetter. “Rod Landymore and his brother had a father who was in charge of the Eastern Fleet. An American admiral came to visit and brought them two surfboards. They caught their first waves that very day.”

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AROUND THE GROUNDS

AROUND THE GROUNDS – BOOK – CHRIS NELSON

Around the Grounds - the essential guide to the 92 clubs and grounds of the top divisions of the English football league by Chris Nelson

Immaculately well researched, beautifully put together and with a unique approach, Around The Grounds is the ultimate tool for seasoned away fans.

The Scratching Shed, LUFC

THE IDEA

Chris Nelson conceived the idea to write the essential guide to the 92 clubs and grounds of the top divisions of the English football league told though insightful editorial, unrivalled essays, interviews and images.

THE RESULT

Around the Grounds was conceived and written by Chris Nelson. This groundbreaking 264pg critically acclaimed guide to clubs and grounds was published by Footprint Handbooks.

Picture edited by Demi Taylor featuring images from the cream of international photographers.

THE APPROACH

With a life long love of the beautiful game, Chris guided the project from ideation and conceptualisation through research, writing and commissioning. Broken down by club, he told the story of each hallowed ground, celebrating the victories and commiserating the losses both on and off the pitch. Bringing to life defining moments, legendary characters and little known facts and stats Chris delivers a unique insight into the life and personality of each team as well as those who support them.

No one knows a football club better than their most ardent supporters. As a result, Chris approached club members, fans, bloggers and fanzine editors for additional insights. They shared not only their experience, knowledge and passion for the clubs but also essential travel info and pre-match rituals including details on where to score the best pints and pies.

Chris commissioned additional stories, ‘Tales from the Terraces’, written by fans for fans and worked with picture editor Demi Taylor to scour archives. They sourced the very cream in football photography to help bring the book to life, making this a true fans guide to English football.

This book combines contemporary design, knowledgeable and passionate writing, classic images from past and present. The whole book is a highly entertaining read that really gives an insight into what makes other teams and their supporters tick. I must admit I struggle to put it down once I pick it up!

TrueColours

Amazing. Around The Grounds is full of brilliantly selected, wonderfully diverse and exquisite images that show something of extraordinary interest or capture a fragment of a club’s soul.

Amber Nectar
AROUND THE GROUND
FLICK THROUGH

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BODYSURFING & BEING

THE ART OF BODY SURFING – BRAND EDITORIAL – DEMI TAYLOR

LIGHTNESS OF BEING

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The wave crests, and I’m cast into shadow, a moment’s pause, an inhalation then, kick, kick, kick, reach, go. Holding my breath, just for a second I’m suspended in time and face, then unleashed, racing down the line, left arm outstretched, body taught as the wave chases me down.

THE IDEA

Demi Taylor was commissioned to explore the art of bodysurfing in a seasonal feature for outdoors brand Finisterre to support S/S swimwear line launch.

THE RESULT

Written by Demi Taylor the article features on the Finisterre website.

Supported by imagery sourced by Demi Taylor.

THE APPROACH

Demi was commissioned to write content copy for Finisterre to support S/S swimwear line launch. The resulting feature drew on Demi’s personal experience as a bodysurfer. Supported with interviews and anecdotes from both the world’s best bodysurfers as well as Finisterre brand ambassadors she tied the copy back to the brand.

Demi Taylor content copy for Finisterre to support S/S swimwear line launch.The art of bodysurfing.

The Lightness of Being (an excerpt)

I first met Mark Cunningham in Ireland in 2001. Bundoran was playing host to the World Masters Surfing Contest and a who’s who of icons were in town to compete. There were the two Tom’s – Carroll and Curren – Rabbit, Kanga, Kong, The Sultan of Speed and The Wounded Seagull, and Simon Anderson riding his game-changing Thruster. And then there was Mark – lifeguard from Ehukai Beach Park, running water safety. We spent a lay day in the infamous Bridge Bar, trading tales and talking surfing.

With broad shoulders and a broader smile, he talked in yet broader brush stokes about 25 years spent guarding on the North Shore – nonchalant, sincere, humble. It was only after Mark left that one of the assembled legends leant over and explained to me, with a certain reverence, that I’d just been in the company of the godfather of modern bodysurfing. Mark was a man who dominated at Pipeline for some 20 years scooping every title going, setting the template in the style stakes. Quietly committed. And that was my first lesson in bodysurfing – that there’s no room and no need for ego. It’s a lesson that’s doled out whenever I swim out: body surfers are not at the top of the pecking order, and that’s OK.

LIGHTNESS OF BEING
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ICE BREAKERS

COLD WATER SURFERS – EDITORIAL FEATURE – CHRIS NELSON

ICE BREAKERS

> COLD WATER SURFING <

“That degree of cold carries with it an inherent threat, a quiet, ever-present menace. It waits for that one mistake when responses are slowed, when coordination and judgment are slipping, when the cloak of hypothermia clouds the senses. Just one broken zip during a mid-winter duck dive or a heavy wipeout can trigger a fight for survival.”

Ice Breakers, Chris Nelson

THE IDEA

Chris Nelson was commissioned to bring to life the untold story of cold water surf pioneers for a main editorial feature for The Telegraph Magazine.

THE RESULT

Written by Chris Nelson the 6 page feature brings together interviews and anecdotes in a compelling read. Published by The Telegraph Magazine.

Accompanied by photography sourced by Demi Taylor.

THE APPROACH

Chris was commissioned by Telegraph Magazine to write an in-depth yet accessible feature about those surfers who shun warmer climes to ride waves. The 1700 word article drew on the stories of pioneering surfers from Alaska, Nova Scotia and Scotland, bringing to life their adventures and the spirit that drove them to break trail in these frigid waters. The article ran as one of two main feature pieces in the weekend Telegraph Magazine, with images sourced by Demi Taylor from leading photographers.

Ice Breakers: The untold story of cold water surf pioneers by Chris Nelson for The Telegraph Magazine.

Ice Breakers, The Cold Water Surfers (an excerpt)

Charlie Skultka frantically scanned the frozen shoreline, the dark fringes where the raging Pacific collides with the forest-shrouded Mount Edgcombe volcano. Waves pounded the razor-sharp lava reefs, offering no safe haven for him to scramble ashore. He’d been drifting in the icy waters for about six miles and was beginning to run out of island.

For most people ‘do or die’ is a slogan, a mantra to stoke the fire or push them out of their comfort zone. Here in Alaska it is a very real possibility. Having wiped out and lost his surfboard, Skultka was locked in a fight for his life. Without the extra buoyancy afforded by his board, he was like a leaf in a river, helpless against the torrent.

ICE BREAKERS
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JENNY JONES

STEP BY STEP – INTERVIEW FEATURE – DEMI TAYLOR

STEP BY STEP

> INTERVIEW FEATURE <

The sun’s rays have cast a golden shimmer across the ocean. I’m sitting in the line up with Jenny Jones – Olympic medalist, 3 times X Games winner and multiple British Snowboard Champion, her eyes fixed firmly on the horizon. We rise and fall with the passing swell and our chatter drifts back to snowboarding. “There was a time before the Olympics when I felt ready to begin winding down my competitive career, then I got the call…”

Step by Step, The Jenny Jones Story by Demi Taylor

THE IDEA

Demi Taylor was the Editorial Manager for the 2019 Watergate Hotel Magazine, involved in the production of the publication from content planning through to commissioning, flat planning, as well as editorial contributions including a feature on Olympian Jenny Jones during her stay at Watergate Bay Hotel.

THE RESULT

The interview feature with Jenny Jones written by Demi ran to 4 pages in the Watergate Hotel Magazine.

THE APPROACH

Demi was the Editorial Manager for the 2019 Watergate Hotel Magazine, involved in the production of the publication from content planning through to commissioning and briefing writers, illustrators and photographers as well as copy editing, flat planning and talent management.

Olympic snowboarder Jenny Jones took time out with Demi Taylor during her stay at Watergate Bay Hotel to contemplate her journey from dry slope to become the UK’s most successful snows sports athlete while soaking up the best of what Watergate has to offer. The four page feature accompanied by original illustrations by Victoria Jones brings the journey and experience to life.

Olympic snowboarder Jenny Jones takes time out with Demi Taylor to contemplate her journey from dry slope to Olympic hope and soak up the best of what Watergate has to offer.

The stars are clear and bright in the night sky, so what does tomorrow hold for Jenny Jones? “I’ve spent so much time away in the mountains, it’s now about catching up on the coast. I love being back in Cornwall – the waves, the beaches, the outdoor living, it’s wild. Depending on the surf, I might go for a ride. I’m into road cycling…We’ll see,” she says laughing, before taking a last longing look towards the horizon.  

STEP BY STEP
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