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

Arcco Large // Thruster fins

€95,00

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Iñigo Agote // Twin fins

€89,00

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Arin // Twin fins

€86,00

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2 Piece Burgundy // Traction Pad

€42,00

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Christmas... What an endearing time!

Christmas tergiversation with Erwin Bliss

 

Christmas… What an endearing time! Well, at least it usually is when you are a child and you stay on vacation, waiting to be buried under a mountain of gifts while you stuff yourself with nougat and sugared almonds. Then, suddenly, you get older and realize that these holidays have become for you synonymous with overspending, heavy digestions, crowds and gatherings even heavier than your digestions.

 

At Deflow, as we love that you keep the childish spirit, but we are also amused by those who are more cantankerous than the Grinch, we wanted to put on trial two of our riders with the worst karma and who will probably end up splitting their chewing so much coal.

 

Would you be able to define Christmas briefly?

Well Christmas is a beautiful fairy tale about a old man we call Santa,  living in Laponie, that brings you present once a year to celebrate Jesus’ birth.  Is it ? And also he is flying on a sled dragged by flying deers. 

 

What is the best/worst thing about Christmas for you?

Best thing about Christmas is that it’s a wonderful moment to share with family.

In the contrary the worst would be not having the family to share this moment with.

 

Tell us something you always do around Christmas time. Tradition or custom, you know?

 We always drink in Christmas.

 

Any movie – song that you are particularly fond of?

Mickey’s Christmas!

 

Do you buy lottery tickets? What would you do if you hit the jackpot?

I do not buy lottery tickets. I believe there is no winning tickets.

 

Do you decorate your house, wear reindeer headbands and shit? Send us a selfie!

 

What did you ask for this year from the Three Wise Men / Santa Claus?

This year l asked for resin so l can make me a surfboard.

 

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 ! ❤️‍🔥

Arcco Large

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6"6 mm Pro Tech Leash

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Erwin Front Pad

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Erwin Tail Pad

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Boardcover Perf 

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Waterproof Bag

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Carbón para todos!

Christmas tergiversation with Legi Alonso

 

Christmas… What an endearing time! Well, at least it usually is when you are a child and you stay on vacation, waiting to be buried under a mountain of gifts while you stuff yourself with nougat and sugared almonds. Then, suddenly, you get older and realize that these holidays have become for you synonymous with overspending, heavy digestions, crowds and gatherings even heavier than your digestions.

 

At Deflow, as we love that you keep the childish spirit, but we are also amused by those who are more cantankerous than the Grinch, we wanted to put on trial two of our riders with the worst karma and who will probably end up splitting their chewing so much coal (carbón para todos!).

 

Would you be able to define Christmas briefly?

A brief period in which to economically compensate for a whole year of indifference towards those closest to us; in which the sons of bitches become endearing and social coherence is questioned by continuing to bombard you with the idea of being sustainable and ‘ecofriendly’ in the middle of a city whose lighting could be seen from Mars. Meanwhile, TV oozes ‘tear-jerking’ commercials and zapping programs where showmen who have been out of work for decades have their moment of glory again.

…Stupidity strain with a high rate of contagion.

 

What is the best/worst thing about Christmas for you?

The only good thing is the nativity set up by my grandmother. 

Last year’s had two ‘jesus’ children of different scales holding a postcard of the ‘birth’, which means that at the very moment of your birth there are already photos of you printed in large format, highway billboard style.

 

Admit that you’ve ever surfed with a Santa hat on Christmas Eve!

If I could, I’d shoot them all a tranquilizer dart in the temple. 

 

Tell us something you always do around Christmas time. Tradition or custom, you know?

Lately I’ve been organizing a ‘Street Fighter’ world championship at home.

Although I only invite the most clumsy colleagues and try to cheat as much as possible, I am unable to win, so the thing usually ends in a fight and kicking them out of the house.

 

 

Any movie – song that you are particularly fond of?

The Exorcist.

 

Do you buy lottery tickets? What would you do if you hit the jackpot?

I would install a wave like WACO’s in the garden of my house. …But for that, I would first have to have a house with a garden.

I would need at least a couple of jackpots. That’s why I never play the lottery.

 

Do you decorate your house, wear reindeer headbands and shit? Send us a selfie!

I don’t decorate the house and I don’t wear festive crap. The only thing I do to bring joy to those who spend Christmas with me is to go to bed early.

*It’s not a selfie, but I hope the doggy decorations make up for it.

What did you ask for this year from the Three Wise Men / Santa Claus?

*It was clear that this was all a damn Deflow promo. unscrupulous motherf***s!

 

5. DUETTE

This year I’ve ridden a lot with twin and these have been, by far, the keels that have been the coolest. Very agile, they allow you to close the turns and maintain speed. Cool.

 

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4. PRO TECH LEASH

No tangles. It doesn’t weigh anything. The feel of the anklet is brutal, and I think it’s really cute!

 

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3. COFFEE COLLECTION

The coffee is amazing and that of establishing a capsule with its specific range of colors for different objects of hard material… Love it!

 

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2. LEGI ALONSO FIN

Even if you didn’t like him because of this shitty interview, you should know that these keels are made with a lot of love and go great on beach waves. People are very happy with them…And I’m glad they are ☺.

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1. TURRÓN DE CHOCOLATE SUCHARD

The other good thing (along with my grandmother’s birth). Besides, you’ll have to dip something in the COFFEE COLLECTION, I say… 😉

 


Hope Springs Eternal

The new video from our friends of Wasted Talent is out and it deserves your attention.

Hope Springs Eternal, 10 wet days on the Emerald Isle with Adrien Toyon, Ethan Egiguren and Titouan Boyer. Three underground European surfers with a nose for emerald tainted waves and a great thirst for Guinness.

Now a quintessential part of any time spent in Ireland is the Rain.  In fact, it’s annoying when it’s sunny, as you know it will rain. At least, at the peak of the deluge you know it will clear. Eventually we learn just to embrace it. As after hour 3 of a ten day trip, everything is wet. By this stage the Land Rover doesn’t just smell let like dog, but a wet abattoir of wet dogs. Mixed with IPA. Oh, and the Guinness split over the back seats. The Rain, the wind. The wind and the rain.

Yet, hope springs eternal.


Longboarding with Dan Pascacio

YouTube video

Young, talented, and probably the nicest kid you will meet at the beach, Dan Pascacio is one of a kind.

After his trip to Europe to know the culture and hang ten over Portugal, France & Spain, Dan is back at home.

Home sweet home, and more if you live in front of a wave like Saladita.

Video by the amazing Elise Lainé (@Elise.laine)

Products approved by Dan:

Cream 9,75"

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Rouge 9,5"

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Dnd 8,75"

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2 Piece Burgundy

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What does Laura Coviella ride?

YouTube video

We are so stocked to have Laura Coviella part of the Deflow family.

 

Laura is constantly proving us how performant she is in both small and big waves. Engaging and technical surfing means taking the right decision with surf gear.

 

That’s why we are really proud to provide Laura the best surf fins and accessories that respond perfectly to the way she surfs and adapted to wave conditions at home in the Canary Islands or when she travels around the world.

 

See below her own selection of Deflow finest surf gear and get inspired for your coming fall sessions.

Supra Medium Thruster Fins

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Accro Medium Thruster Fins

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2 Piece Burgundy

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3 Piece Black

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6"7 Cream Leash

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6"6 mm Pro Tech Leash

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See Saw

See Saw

The expression “see-saw” describes a rapid and repeated change of a condition, situation or position from place to the other over and over again: looking for waves, improving hand planes or even editing a surf video.
We thought this was a perfect catch of the echoing of the sea conditions and everything that evolves around it. Back and forth.


Portugal Strike Mission with a Twin Fin

YouTube video

Portugal, Willi Aliotti and a Rippy Twin Fin

There’s a couple of people on the planet who are doing twin fins justice right now. Willi Aliotti is probably top of that list. Hands down. Here, we catch up with the Guadeloupe born, Hossegor sculpted rippah, dashing across a Portuguese back drop during a formidable few weeks of swell. Yeah, the same swell that hit Nazare, Ireland, UK et al and even before that too. This is a strong case for ditching the middle fin.

Starring William Aliotti
Guest appearance Miguel Blanco
Water Angle Joao Tudela


Lava Space - William Aliotti

YouTube video

William Aliotti has spent a long time in Canary Islands on the past winters. This volcanic slabs got his attention on his first trip and since then, when the winter swells hit, William doens’t miss the opportunity of getting heavy barrels and perfect air sections.

His latest edit Lava Space, is the compilation from last winter seasson. As Stab’s Jack Mutschler has said, this video is pure surf porn.

Products approved by William:

Mid Blue

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Legi Alonso 

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Leash 6" 7mm Burgundy

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2 Piece Burgundy

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Wisteria with Issam Auptel

Originally from the French Caribbean, Issam Auptel is a 20-year-young regular footer living in Hossegor, South-West France. A good friend of Erwin Bliss and Mr. Eithan Osborne and attested bon-vivant, it didn’t take long for his enthusiasm to gain our hearts.

When you’ve grown up surfing head-high turquoise water wedges in boardies your whole life, the move to mainland Europe can be a daunting feat—although Issam has crossed that bridge just fine. After months taking his fair share of floggings, Issam now handles both the unfriendly drops and crowd of heavy Gravière days like a total lord. Still taking routine beatings, but also finding diamonds in the rough, he’s earned himself another type of diamond in the form of a Volcom sponsorship.

Despite the lad’s rugged nature, there’s only a certain amount of time any islander can spend in Euro winter. With Covid restrictions limiting the fun potential a step further, Issam and our own Yentl Touboul decided it was time to pull the plug and regroup to their tropical bosom. They came back with exposed negatives, full memory cards, and after a few weeks in the edit bay, a new short film named Wisteria started to take form.

Products approved by Issam:

3 Piece Traction

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Arcco Large Evo

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Pro-Tech 6" 7mm Leash

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Waterproof Bag

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