Blake Neka's Playlist
The Deflow ambassador playlist serie is on ! This time we sat with our Australian favorite surfer Blake Neka to ask about his music taste and to make an exclusive playlist for us. Play it now below!
Follow Blake Neka on Instagram.
- Hey there Blake ! How are you doing?
All is good over my ways dude! Hope same goes for you.
- We wanted to know the different music taste from our family members. How would you describe yours?
Haha I feel like not everyone can back my music taste but most days I listening to Drill, Aussie drill/rap, Grime, R&B and some classic Micheal Jackson. I got influenced by this type of music from the area & boys I grew up with/in and I ain’t complaining !
- What do you listen to before surfing?
Most days I like amping myself up w/ some aussie/UK drill lol, I can imagine people reading this and thinking “tosser” haha. It all kinda depends what type of surf I’m wanting to have really, if I were wanting to cruise down some lines instead of trying to hack myself at an end section the music selection pre surf would definitely be a bit illchay.
- Do you play an instrument?
I definitely go in & out of phases where I wanna learn a instrument but then come to realise I can’t be bothered learning. At first it was a saxophone in school lol, then guitar that’s been sitting in my room collecting dust for about 4/5 years. Massive fan of the piano tho.
- Name your favorite artist no one knows about.
Huskii.
- What song do you have on repeat?
I’m always choppin’ and changing through songs but it would definitely have to be something from Skepta or Huskii.
- If you had to choose to listen one album forever, which one would it be?
Thriller by Micheal Jackson or Skepta Konnichiwa.
- About the playlist you have prepared, how would you describe it?
Mix of emotions throughout the playlist. Could be listening to some pretty violent stuff then switch into to some MJ or chill R&B haha. Not really a surfers playlist but hey I don’t care haha…
BRAIDEN’S FAVORITES
Oscar Valencia Q & As
Oscar Valencia is a self made photographer & filmmaker with a unique background. He enjoys capturing the waves from the sand but doesn’t doubt on entering into the break in a good surf session. Black and white pictures and barrels are his weaknesses and probably the majority of his pictures.
As we have just introduced a new creative collaboration with Oscar, we took the opportunity to ask him a few questions about his roots and inspirations.
Follow Oscar Valencia on Instagram.
- Hello Oscar! First of all, how are you doing? We are so excited to finally launch the collab together?
Hello, how are you? I am feeling very well, I am living a very nice time, especially now with the launch of our collaboration. I am very happy!
- Could you explain us a bit more where you come from and which has being your path?
I come from Irun, a city next to the French border, where I started surfing on the beach of Hendaye. It was a time when we didn’t know what waves there were, but where we got hooked on surfing. Then I changed the sea for the mountains where I spent a long time, enjoying and competing but I wanted to continue my life linked to the sea.
- Snowboarding and surfing from early age, how has this inspired your career?
Yes, I got into surfing when I was 13 but until I was 18 I could hardly go because I was playing football, until I decided that what I wanted to do was surfing. Then when I was 21 I did my first winter season and that’s where I got hooked and decided to enjoy the mountains for a few good years. Until I decided that that time was over and I wanted to feel the surfboard on my feet again!
- If you could travel to any place in the world to film, where would it be?
I haven’t travelled for a long time, but I would love to go to Hawaii or Mentawais. Ireland is also a destination I’m really looking forward to.
- We assume you must have incredible stories while filming with surfer. Could you tell us one of the best moments you remember?
Yes there are always good moments but also some not so good…ahahaha an incredible memory was in Teahupoo, while the biggest wave of the day was coming in, the ball of my leg went up, and I could hardly swim, there were tense moments but seeing the biggest and most beautiful wave I’ve ever seen in my life and being able to take a picture of it in front of my face, was a special moment.
- Do you have some new projects coming soon? Talk us about them!
I have some good projects to come, but right now I’m finishing a very special project about the erosion and textures of the mountain where I live. All shot in 16mm. I think it’s going to be the most beautiful thing I’ve ever done…but we’re also starting a nice project with Deflow and Clovis, where I’m sure we’ll do something very special.
- Could you explain us your filming and editing style?
Well, I consider myself to have a slightly different style of filming and editing, I come from the world of snowboarding, where every video transmits something to you, something that sometimes doesn’t happen with surfing, I try to go a bit further…. It’s very important to know what you want to film in order to know how you want to edit. I think that editing is where you can really make magic…
- Thank you so much Oscar for been part of Deflow Family! If you want to add something more…
I would like to thank you for counting on me and it is a pleasure to be part of this family.
Oscar Valendcia x Deflow // Signature Model
A twin fin model has been designed for easier and more vertical turns than on the classic keel twin.
Braiden Maither's Playist & New Video
Here’s some news from our favorite Hawaiian surfer and Deflow family member, Braiden Maither. After a bad injury, our mate is back ! He dropped a few weeks ago a solid part after spending winter in Hawaii and two weeks in Indonesia. Deep barrels, powerful turns and high aerials, here’s what Brandon is skilled at and this edit is so good to watch.
We also took the opportunity to ask Braiden about his favorites tunes. Get his vibes with his Spotify playlist & take some time to watch his amazing edit. You’ll definitively get some strong motivation to go surfing!
Follow Braiden Maither on Instagram.
- Hey there Braiden ! How are you doing?
Good! Just waking up getting ready for the day!
- We wanted to know the different music taste from our family members. How would you describe yours?
I love hip hop music. Massive fan study everything about the genre. So that’s the majority of music I listen to. There’s a huge underground movement of great artists in the last 5 years and I am highly invested in it. But don’t get me wrong I love some good house music, reggae, and punk on its day too.
- What do you listen to before surfing?
I’m going either hip hop or reggae if I’m on a roots mellow surf!
- Do you play an instrument?
I mess round with making beats and flipping samples. Pretty mediocre at it but I have a lot of fun.
- Name your favorite artist no one knows about.
Mach-mommy or Mike probably, although Idk if no one knows about them haha…
- What song do you have on repeat?
Wiley From Atlanta (Pink Skies Demo)
- If you had to choose to listen one album forever, which one would it be?
Either Isaiah Rashad-Cilvia Demo or Damian Marley-Mr. Marley.
- About the playlist you have prepared, how would you describe it?
Mostly upbeat fun music to listen to or some low key jams. A lot of pockets to go about your day with.
BRAIDEN’S FAVORITES
Welcome Ambre-Victoire
This feels very special. Ambre is a really special person, a free & creative mind that has a beautiful singularity on both surfing and in her daily life. There’s not doubt about it, she is probably one of the most talented surfer of the new log generation and her victory at the The 2022 Vans Joel Tudor Duct Tape Invitational in South Africa has confirmed it.
Soulful, elegant and powerful. Ambre mixes surfing with ballet, dancing in the water and expressing herself while surfing, as she is saying it herself:
“Ballet fully relates to longboarding. It’s dancing on the water. It’s more of an expression than a sport. It’s just like dancing.”
Thanks for joining the family and welcome Ambre ! More to come soon.
Follow Ambre-Victoire on Instagram.
Filmed and edited by our amigo Oscar Valencia.
AMBRE’S FAVORITES
C’est la vie with Eurico Romaguera
We couldn’t stop repeating this french phrase. We had a call from Eurico, he was in France for few days and he was down to film with our friend Oscar Valencia. But hey, it’s summer, it’s packed everywhere and this is as much as we could get. Endless crowds everywhere we went. Unwelcoming leashless surfing spots. Traffic jams every morning and afternoon. “C’est la vie”, let’s take it easy.
Starring Eurico Romaguera // Filmed and edited by Oscar Valencia
EURICO’S FAVORITES
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 ! ❤️🔥
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.
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!
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!
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 ☺.
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.
A Wasted Talent short film, supported by Vans Europe.
Starring Adrien Toyon, Ethan Egiguren and Titouan Boyer.
Filmed & edited by Yentl Touboul.
Additional filming & water cinematography by Clem McInerney.
Still photography by Carles Medina.
Design by George Hatton.
Longboarding with Dan Pascacio
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)
What does Laura Coviella ride?
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.