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.
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.