Spring Dance
Winter is long and cold here around Biarritz. Dark and rainy, it’s hard to keep the stoke for surfing when the water gets cold and the onshore winds arrive. However, and luckily, this season is not forever, and spring arrives with warmer and longer days. We spent few days around Biarritz with Clovis and Eliza, just before Spring started. Conditions looked perfect for early morning surf and with the help of the talented Nil Puissant we were able to capture some magic sessions.
Even in cities (or big town as they like to call Biarritz), if you wake up early sometimes you can find yourself alone in the line up with just few of your friends.
They got advantage of the perfect conditions to try different fins and placements. The ability of both Clovis and Eliza to change fin templates and adapt to the rhythm and inertia of them is simply amazing.
Eliza’s words:
“I surfed the Clovis Dnd fin on my 8’6″! It was quite fun because it allowed me to surf my board a little more classic while being able to turn easily. Then we exchange the boards and tried the Cream in 9,75” on my longboard. It’s amazing how responsive it is for turns and how at the same time holds the nose while I’m doing hang fives 🙂“
Hope spring comes with clean swells and warm days, just before summer arrives and everything gets packed. This is how it works in most of the places. Oh, we already miss the lonely surf from winter days
Follow @elizasista and @clovisdonizetti on Instagram / Photos by: @nilpuissant
ELIZA & CLOVIS’ FAVORITE PICKS
Yael Peña tells us about his last video
. Good morning Yael! What a barrel party! Tell us when did you film the waves of the video and how you and Makoa experienced such epic sessions.
Hi, thank you very much for letting me stop by your blog ;). The truth is that the project came out quite naturally. We saw that a good swell was coming and in two weeks we got some material to get a DIY project like this. From my part it was amazing to spend two weeks of such good waves and share all that time with Makoa. Without a doubt, watching him surf and the rest of the local talent (Cristian Portelli, Conor Donegan, Dylan Donegan, Alejo Valido, Nahuel Garcia…) is very inspiring, they have an amazing technique for their early age, I can’t wait to see them on the following years!
. Since we still have the Pipe Masters fresh in our minds and its similarity with El Quemao is more than evident, what parallels would you establish in both waves and what is the key to be able to adapt to such difficult and dangerous conditions?
Yes, it’s true that from the outside they pretty similar waves. However, the reality is that inside the water they are very different. How the peak moves, how the wave advances… are characteristics that make both waves unique and perfect. When it comes to adapting, both are a puzzle that you have to solve little by little, in each surf you learn where to place a piece and you understand it better.
. A key factor for the evolution of any young surfer is the access to ‘world class’. Tell us what your day to day surfing looks like, what kind of waves you usually surf.
I think a pointbreak is going to develop your rail surfing the best. The lines you have to use in the waves are more obvious and therefore easier to learn. However, it takes a lot of time to become very good in this kind of waves. On beaches it is the opposite. You can surf the same wave in many different ways, they give more room for creativity.
. The Canary Islands have always given great surfers and with a representation like yours, it seems that the lineage continues! How does it make you feel to belong to such a special place?
The quality and range of waves in the Canary Islands has led to the emergence of so many good surfers. I thank them all for breaking down certain walls so that my generation and the following ones can fulfil their dreams. There are two surfers in particular that I want to thank for having broken and continue to break year after year the limits of what we thought possible not only here in the Canary Islands but also worldwide. They are Alexander Zirke and Manuel Lezcano, references both in and out of the water that motivate and support all of us who are coming.
. At this point, and after all this years, your relationship with Volcom is very close. In such difficult times, when traveling and competing is not as easy as it used to be, what does it mean for you to be able to count on the support of sponsors of such importance? Do you collaborate with any other brand? Tell us about your relationship with other sponsors!
The reality today is that there are many good surfers without support and that dream that invades us since we were kids to travel the world surfing and competing is increasingly difficult to fulfill. To be able to count on Volcom after so many years is incredible, they continue to trust me and support me by creating projects that motivate and inspire me. As for boards, I’m buying as many as I can. You guys at Deflow arrived a year ago, but I feel like I’ve been with them longer. You share my vision for creating audiovisual projects and I hope to get one done soon. HEY CBD helps me to feel 100% every day and to be able to give my best in every session. Thank you so much to all three of you.
. Abusing your confidence and experience, any extra tips to keep progressing in surfing and stay motivated?
The next wave you surf will disappear when it arrives to the shore, so take the best out of it, or just enjoy it 🙂
Thank you so much Yael for your words! See you soon 🙂
YAEL’S FAVORITE PICKS
Meet with Diogo Martins
. Hey Diogo, how’s it going! First of all, congratulations for your recent incorporation to Team Deflow, tell us about how has been your process of approaching the brand and what does it mean for you, as a surfer, to sign with Deflow!
Thank you! I’m glad to share my thoughts with you! I was introduced to Deflow a couple months ago in a (unusual) uncrowned coxos lineup. I was having fun with my twin fin and the vibe was great when I met Joseba, he was surfing an asymmetrical surfboard with his Deflow fins and just got really curious about fin placement and shape. He told me about the brand and right now, signing with a European brand creating their own products makes the whole learning process a lot more fun! And it’s all about that!
. In order for our audience to get to know you a little better, tell us where you’re from, what spots you frequent and how is the environment where you surf.
I’m from Lisbon, I grew up surfing most of the time in Carcavelos, it’s my local powerful beachbreak but since I got my driving license I’d rather drive a few kilometres away form the crowds and find a wave to enjoy with my friends. I spend a lot of time in ericeira nowadays!
. In addition to Deflow, you also surf for Volcom, something that is not available to many. What are your plans for the future and what projects or goals do you have as a surfer? Any goal you would like to achieve in particular?
I got into surfing pretty late and I never had time to create expectations, and everything that I reached is overwhelming! I’m surprised every day and everything is new to me! All I want is to spend time with inspiring humans that bring me into new sensations, I think that’s where evolution starts. There’s so much to grow every minute!
. We have seen a video of you surfing with Gony, how cool! How is your relationship with him and the people at Volcom? …We guess that the support of sponsors on a more personal level must be very important for a surfer as young as you.
Gony is one of my role models and for me being given the possibility to learn from him is the best I could ask. When I first knew I was joining Volcom team, I was really looking forward to actually meet the team, not just the surfers. As I said in the previous question, we learn a lot from others’ experiences and we have a lot to learn from artists, team managers, art directors, etc. It’s a great support to be in touch with everyone!
. Back to your 100% surfing side… How is your day to day life and how do you manage to integrate surfing or training in your daily routine? Do you have a favourite spot or type of wave?
I’m not studying at the moment and I have a lot of available time. A good performer foundation is balanced and I make sure I train both in the water with my coach (Rodrigo Sousa) and in the Gym with my coach (Mário Reis). I manage to have time as well to film and find good waves most of the time in Ericeira and Peniche with my good friend Guilherme Martins which is one of my favourite things to do! As a goofy footer I can’t help but always look for a left. My favourite wave would be a left where I can draw big turns.
. Besides surfing, we know that you like music and exploring more creative facets. Tell us about that other side of Diogo Martins that goes beyond surfing!
Two years ago I found myself obsessed with surfing and all I thought at the time was surfing. Hopefully I found a special interest in music which led me to books and films and since then I never stopped looking for new artists. It’s all about interpretation and feeling about our everyday experience, that’s what I was fortunate to learn and bring into surfing!
. Regarding the projection of a professional surfer, nowadays you either manage to compete at the highest level or you have to develop creative projects in collaboration with the most important media, in addition to managing your own Social Networks. In this sense, which facet motivates you the most and how do you plan to face your competitive profile?
It’s a world that humans crawl for attention, I mean everyone is getting better everyday and in order to succeed we need to stand out one way or another, I thinks the best is to grow from both worlds. Although my passion is to create and explore the artistic side of surfing, competition plays a big role when it comes to improving surfing skills, and athlete mindset that I find super interesting for life itself!
. Going back to your signing with Deflow… The fact of having the support of a technical brand that has fins, inventions, grips… It is an incredible advantage when it comes to being able to test new material and optimize your performance with what best suits you. What do you think of the brand’s products and which are your favorites?
I’ve been testing products the last couple months, it’s a great opportunity to try new products, and most of all to talk directly with the brand about what can be better for my surfing and my own feedback on the products. I love to ride different boards, I have single fins, twin fins and it feels incredible to try different products for all conditions! I ride the Arcco large in my thruster most of the time, and the Two piece Burgundy traction pad! For my twin fins, I choose the Arin and the Iñigo Agote!
. On the occasion of the signing, you gave life to a small welcome video as a new rider profile. How was the recording and editing process? Tell us about those sessions and your feelings once you’ve seen the final video!
Filmmaking and Editing is a big part of my daily routine and working close with my friend Guilherme taught me a lot by building my influences and my defining my taste, it’s where all of my interests come together and working everyday with a friend makes it more challenging, we are both on the computer in front of the footage for as long as it takes to be ready and the result fulfils both of us! Lou Reed’s This Magic Moment fits perfectly with the slow motion turns in Praia Grande, all recorded in sunny Portugal!
. By the way, you remind us a little bit of Yago Dora, hahahaha, have you ever been told that before? We guess that must be the biggest compliment for you! Hehehehehe. How would you define your surfing and what aspects are you most interested in enhancing and improving?
It is a fantastic compliment indeed, Yago is on of my favourites surfers, his style and incredible technique combined with power and the fact that he’s a goofy footer as well…his airs are absolutely flawless! He’s great in the dream tour and he still manages to release good surf films from his free time! – I’ve always loved big turns and a frontside carve is probably my favourite turn and on of the most difficult turns to do properly. Carves and high airs are what I’m working the most! – Besides regular shortboard surfing I’m focused in improving my surfing with any surfboard, I want to make the most out of any kind of surfboard I get to surf and to make it look easy and fluid!
. Well Diogo, it’s been a real pleasure to talk to you for a while, thank you very much for your time and good luck in your surfing career! See you soon.
Had a great time answering your questions, it’s good to search and ask ourselves and understand where we come from and where are we going! – See you soon!
DIOGO’S FAVORITE PICKS
Christmas... What an endearing time!
Christmas tergiversation with Erwin Bliss
As we know we are here to sell products (hehe), which 5 Deflow products you recommend to your friends?
I would recommend a pair of Arcco fins, a set of front and tail grips (you can see my collab here), a leash and a surfboard sock ! ❤️🔥
What does Laura Coviella ride?
See below her own selection of Deflow finest surf gear and get inspired for your coming fall sessions.
