APPROACHING LINES

we tell good stories well

surfing

FREEZE FRAME

SURFING NOVA SCOTIA – TRAVEL FEATURE – CHRIS NELSON

FREEZE FRAME:
SURFING NOVA SCOTIA

> READ <

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
READ
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.”

More like this >

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
READ

More like this >

ROB MACHADO

ROB MACHADO – INTERVIEW FEATURE – CHRIS NELSON

Rob Machado interview feature with iconic surfer by Chris Nelson

If I won the heat and if I won the World Title, what would be my path? What would I have done? What would have been? It’s so interesting. I think that really solidified the true me. That’s who I am, and I’m totally ok with it.

Rob Machado – surf icon

THE IDEA

Chris Nelson was invited to interview surfing icon Rob Machado for an in-depth feature to coincide with the release of the award winning Momentum Generation movie.

THE RESULT

Written by Chris Nelson the main interview feature ran to six pages in Japan’s premiere surf culture magazine Surfin’ Life.

THE APPROACH

Chris sat down with Rob at the Huck Magazine offices, the day after the premiere of Momentum Generation in London. They spent an hour chatting about Rob’s life as a pro surfer, drawing on many of the pivotal moments in a career that has influenced the course of modern day professional surfing. The feature weaves together key events that Rob was involved in, drawing on his first hand recollections and honest insight, to assess not just the personal effects but also the impact he and his band of contemporaries – Kelly Slater, Shane Dorian, Ross Williams, Benji Weatherly, Taylor Knox, Pat O’Connel and filmmaker Taylor Steele had on wider surf culture.

Rob Machado interview feature Surfin' Life Magazine by Chris Nelson

Surfing in the 80’s was dominated by a legion of strutting alpha males; stocky, pigeon chested, sun-crisped, each confident that they were the best surfer on the planet. They went by monikers such as ‘Kong’, ‘Occy’ and ‘Pottz’. These were power surfers with power egos, charging huge waves on the North Shore’s gladiatorial arena. Punching boards, sometimes each other. Then as the 1990s dawned, a group of fresh faced teens drifted together in a small house overlooking Pipeline.


More like this >

SURFING THE WORLD

SURFING THE WORLD – BOOK – CHRIS NELSON & DEMI TAYLOR

Surfing The World - A dream tour around the planet's best 80 waves as told though essays, interviews and images by Chris Nelson and Demi Taylor

So well researched, written and photo edited, it’s gotta be close to the best surf guide book I’ve ever seen.

Australian Surfing Life Magazine

THE IDEA

A dream tour around the planet’s best 80 waves as told though essays, interviews and images.

THE RESULT

Surfing The World conceived and written by Chris Nelson and Demi Taylor. This ground breaking 320pg best selling and critically acclaimed dreamers guide to the planet’s very best surf spots was published by Footprint Handbooks.

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

Best selling 320 pg full colour book on sale world-wide

Translation rights sold.

THE APPROACH

A dream tour around the planet’s best 80 waves… Yeah, you got us. We know the idea of ‘the best’ anything is a subjective one and while there can never be one definitive list of the best waves, we tried to get as close as possible by condensing the perspective of the wider surf community.

Through our contacts, we spoke to everyone from emerging talents to surf legends as well as fellow surf writers, editors, photographers and industry bigwigs from around the globe to get their take on the best waves out there and what makes them so good.

Some are waves that defined an era or a year, a few are forgotten treasures, while others are destined to become future classics. Draw up a list of your own top 10 waves and then get out there and ride them. This is the golden age of the surf trip. Your dream wave is a lot closer than you think.

In 320 pages, ‘Surfing the World‘ combines in-depth, accurate surf information, analysis of the waves and how they work, where they fit in terms of geography, history and culture, unearthing those personalities who have taken on and pioneered the breaks, telling tales of exploration and adventure accompanied by beautiful photography from surfing’s leading lensmen.

From ideation though development of the concept, research, writing, commissioning photography to guiding advertising and securing brand partnerships, we were involved in the whole process through to delivery.

320 pages that will have you packing your bags and out of the door before you even get halfway through it… buy it, and then get out there yourself. 

ZigZag Magazine

THE REVIEWS – SURFING THE WORLD

“So well researched, written and photo edited, that it’s gotta be close to the best surf guide book I’ve ever seen.” ASL

” 320 pages that will have you packing your bags and out of the door before you even get halfway through it… buy it, and then get out there yourself.” Zigzag Surfing Magazine 

“Beautiful publication combines lush photography with information and anecdotes… a must for both the daring and the dreamers amongst you.” Stranger Magazine

“Good in the travel bag or just as useful on the coffee table. ” **** Tracks Magazine

SURFING THE WORLD
FLICK THROUGH

More like this >

SURFING EUROPE

SURFING EUROPE – BOOK – CHRIS NELSON & DEMI TAYLOR

Surfing Europe - the ultimate guide to surfing and travelling in Europe by Chris Nelson and Demi Taylor.

An invaluable resource – a one-stop guide to surfing across the continent.

Surfer Magazine

THE IDEA

To produce the ultimate guide and total resource to surfing and travelling in Europe. Original concept by Chris Nelson and Demi Taylor.

THE RESULT

Surfing Europe conceived and written by Chris Nelson and Demi Taylor. This groundbreaking 400pg full colour, best selling surf and travel guide, covers the Atlantic coastline of Europe and Morocco, combining practical information, anecdotes, tales and stunning photography. Published by Footprint Handbooks.

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

Critically acclaimed, 400 pg full colour book.

2 Editions published

THE APPROACH

This is the one that set the hook, the one we left the 9-5 of desk jobs for. Starting September 2001, we embarked on a year long road trip; surfing, charting, researching and exploring the coastline of Europe – finding out all the information a travelling surfer really wants including: the best places to surf, sleep, eat and drink, where to get your board fixed and what to do on the inevitable flat days.

Simply put, we wanted to create a innovative book that was all about maximising water time – helping surfers spend more time surfing and less time searching, whether they’re looking for where to score the best waves on the day or the best places to kick back and relax – and that book became ‘Surfing Europe’.

Taking in England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France, Spain and the Canary Islands, Portugal, Morocco and Italy, ‘Surfing Europe‘ combines in-depth, accurate surf information and mapping, surf travel essentials and Surfers Tales – horses mouth stories of adventure bringing the coastline to life. From ideation to delivery, we conceived this durable, heavyweight to go the distance, so the book fits into any glove box making it the essential companion for anyone serious about surfing in Europe. The revolutionary format we created for publishers Footprint Handbooks spawned an entire series of activity guides.

An indispensable guide to any Euro jaunt.

Carve Magazine

THE REVIEWS – SURFING EUROPE

“Hailed as the new surfer’s bible.” Extreme Sports Channel

“The best surf guide to Europe ever published: concise, very informative, beautifully designed and illustrated and easy to consult.” Surf Portugal Magazine

“The most up to date guide to surf in Europe.” Trip Surf Magazine

“An indispensable guide to any Euro jaunt.” Carve Magazine

“A one-stop guide to surfing across the continent.” Surfer Magazine

“Will have you packing your bags and planning your next trip” ZigZag

SURFING EUROPE
FLICK THORUGH

More like this >