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.
Starring Issam Auptel.
Filmed & edited by Yentl Touboul.
Produced by Wasted Talent.
Supported by Volcom.
Additional footage by Simon Levalois-Bazer, Greg Menager, Julien Turpaud, Etienne Bellan-Huchery.
What does Manuel Lezcano ride?
Unless you live on Mars, you did probably watch the last surf video featuring Manuel Lezcano riding some of the best and heaviest barrels at El Quemao. If not, you should really click the play button above.
Manuel always gets perfect lines combining deep barrels with power surfing. And this is an honor for us that he has chosen Deflow for his surf fins and accessories.
Get a sneak peak at Manuel’s favorites below and make sure you are also equipped with the best surf gear for you next surf trip or for the coming winter season.
Los Alisios.
Los Vientos Alisios – The Trade winds
Seven days on the rock with Erwin Bliss and Hector Menendez.
The trade winds blew us into Fuerteventura from Dakar, via a stopover in Barcelona. PCR tests and airport hotels. Something about a journey. Enter the Canaries; African in location and European in culture. Where Spain ends and the Sahara begins, separated by a mere 80 miles of sea. The rocks, the wind, the desert and the dust. And the sea, always the sea. We would hear rumours of better winds in Lanzarote and go there. We would later the find out the wind would be the same. Always north. Always on, or cross shore. South winds are only something that happens in memory and never in real life. We would get stopped by Guardia Civil and Erwin would have his wrist slapped. Hector would guide us on our journey around the islands and surfed oversized twin fins with incredible flair. We explored every possible nook around the parameters of the rock we called home for seven days, letting the Alisios guide us. Trying to escape el viento but in the end, embracing it.
Surf, Beer and Fiesta... with Iker Treviño
Our friend and ambassador Iker Treviño was selected for the Mexi log fest. He grabbed his log and headed down to Punta de Mita for one of the coolest event of Longboarding.
Issam Auptel - Welcome to Deflow family
With only 19 years of age (yep he was born in 2001), the young talent from Guadalupe Islands moved to Hossegor two years ago. From pumping La Graviere to the worst onshore sessions, you will find him around the line up doing his thing.
This selfless devotion to surfing and finding his own style represents our way of being.
Welcome on board Issam
Wondering which is his favourite Deflow equipment?
Pavones avec William Aliotti
Willi Aliotti, a twin fin and the long, drawn walls of Costa Rica. Vid by Manuel Claudeville Morell.
Welcome to Deflow Family - Laura Coviella
We are pleased to introduce Laura Coviella to the Deflow family.
If we had to choose one person who has stood out for her effort and growth in big wave surfing in the last year, it would be Laura Coviella.
Born in the Canary Islands, Laura discovered surfing at the age of 11. In addition to competing at the European level, Laura always stood out in powerful waves. Her perseverance and motivation have proven to be limitless, and we can’t wait to see what next winter has in store for her.
Video by Twin Films (@twinfilms_)
Additional footage: Martxel Txintxurreta
Song: Renge – Hola Hola
Special thanks to Javi and Jose Postigo, and Lorenzo “Seis” Suárez.
Supported by deflowsurf.com
One session with William Aliotti
A few minutes of those Classic French conditions, during the last day it was on with William Aliotti
ONE DAY – EP 01
Presented by Jack’s Burger
Production: Ripitup
Music: Sofi Tukker I Drinkee
Video/Edit: Lucas Chazel
Additional footage : Léon Bachan – Oscar Valencia
Noah Hecht by Jose María Cabrera
Noah Hecht Suarez has been training with Jose Maria Cabrera at JMC Surftraining since he was 9 years old. Noah is a 16 year old young man from Asturias with a very powerful surfing and a very polished technique.
In this video Jose Maria talks about his beginnings at JMC, what he has become and where he is going.
Welcome to Deflow Family - Yael Peña
We are excited to introduce you Yael Peña, the new blood of European surfing.
Born in the island of Tenerife, Yael mixes the powerful surfing of the volcanic islands with a fresh air game. Travelling all around the globe from an early age has brought Yael cultural richness and a special taste on photography.
Video by Twin Films (link)
Song: Gary Numan – M.E. (1979)
Special thanks to Javi and Jose Postigo, and to Lorenzo “Seis” Súarez.
Supported by Deflow
Filmed and edited by Oscar Valencia
Lettering by Soom Studio
Song: Mute – Sonic Youth