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
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.
