If you follow the World Tour, you’re probably already aware that the ASP is about to start drug testing. Predictably this has had mixed reactions, from the top 44, right through to the average UK surfer, every has an opinion.

This week The Guardian asked a few local Newquay surfers what the thought, check out the article, it’s a good read.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/jan/04/surfing-drug-test-credibility?INTCMP=SRCH

There’s also a photo gallery and some quotes here;

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/gallery/2012/jan/04/newquay-surfers-drug-testing?INTCMP=SRCH

Due to the massive success of Lucia Griggi’s photography workshop, which was held at Errant’s Surf Holidays headquarters in Newquay at the beginning of June, Lucia has announced that she will be holding a 1-day course on July 16th, which will give people the opportunity to learn from her expertise before she jets off to the USA at the end of the month.

Over the past five years half English and half Italian, Cornwall resident, Lucia Griggi has lived the epitome adventure, shooting surfing, portraits and commercial work for advertising companies, magazines and books.  Her energetic and unique style of work appears internationally in magazines and has a large bank of advertising industry clients.  Lucia has also contributed to various surf-related book publications; her most significant book contribution came in the vivid and beautiful 2010 look-book, Shooting the Curl, which showcases the work of 15 top international photographers and tells the inside story on the surfers and the waves that inspire them.

This workshop is perfect if you are an aspiring photographer with a passion for documenting surf, travel and action sports.  This special 1-day course will focus on surf photography both in and out of the water, how to edit, image enhance, manage files and present work to your clients.  Lucia will also cover the use of specialized equipment and advice on what products you should buy and how to develop your portfolio, story ideas and interview techniques.

Ornella Hawthorn-Gardez, who did the course in June, said “I honestly fell in love with this course, I found it fun, enjoyable, educational, inspiring and exciting. I learnt so many tips and skills that I believe it has made me a better surf photographer. I’ve been on a few courses and I’ve never enjoyed any of them as much as this!”

Overall, these courses are designed for beginner and intermediate students that can expect to learn what they need to really take their photography to the next level.
Requirements Students must bring their own DSLR camera, a laptop with photo software installed (Photoshop or Photoshop Element), storage media and other equipment (cord, thumb drive, card reader, etc.) for transferring images from camera to computer.
For more information about the program and instructions on how to apply, call (+44) 07815572153 or email lucia@luciadaniellagriggi.co.uk. closing date is July 14th. See more of Lucia’s work here: www.luciagriggi.com

Course:
Saturday 16th July — Cost: £169 (Includes tuition, transport throughout the day and Fox goody bag )

* Students not required to have their own water-housing.

There’s a few lucky people out there who get the call themselves a professional surf photographer. It’s a hard game to get into, but once you’re there, getting paid to bounce around the globe experiencing the best surf the planet has to offer, has got to be up there with some of the best jobs a surfer could imagine.

So if you’re looking for a shove in the right direction, pro snapper Lucia Griggi is offering a window into the life of a surf photog with one, two and three day photography courses, right here in Cornwall. The hands on workshops are being held at the Errant Surf headquarters overlooking the beach on Newquay Bay, where budding photographers can learn everything from the basics of land based shooting, to tips on working in the surf industry, and getting your shots published.

Have a read through the full info pack below for dates and prices!

Course

Friday 10th — Introduction to land based surf photography and hands-on instruction.
Saturday 11th — Intermediate surf photography and in-water instruction*.
Sunday 12th — Digital reviews, file management, digital processing, client management, working the industry, portfolio guidance.

Cost: £149 per day

Special 3-day rate: £395 (Includes tuition, transport throughout the day, Fox goody bag and a light lunch.) (Accommodation not included.)

Note: Each day has a varied schedule and itinerary and will cover slightly different angles of the industry. A 3-day course will be the most complete option.

* Students not required to have their own water-housing.

Professional Surf Photographer Lucia Griggi and Fox Europe will be holding – one, two and three-day Surf and Travel Photography Workshops at award winning Errant Surf Holidays, headquarters in Newquay, Cornwall, which will run over 10th, 11th & 12th June 2011.

Over the past five years half English and half Italian, Cornwall resident, Lucia Griggi has lived the epitome life of adventure, shooting surfing, portraits and commercial work for advertising, editorial and books. Her energetic and unique style of work appears internationally in magazines and has a large bank of advertising industry clients. Lucia has also contributed to various surf-related book publications, Her most significant book contribution came in the vivid and beautiful 2010 look-book, Shooting the Curl, which showcases the work of 15 top international photographers and tells the inside story on the surfers and the waves that inspire them.

This workshop is perfect if you are an aspiring photographer with a passion for documenting surf, travel and action sports. The course will focus on surf photography both in and out of the water, how to edit, image enhance, manage files and present work to your clients. Lucia will also cover the use of specialized equipment and advice on what products you should buy and how to develop your portfolio, story ideas and interview techniques.

“When you are shooting in the ocean, your open water knowledge is as essential as your photographic skills,” says Lucia. “Running these courses with Fox, at Errant’s idyllic office in Newquay, is my opportunity to pass on this experience and show my students how to be safe in the water, to understand how a wave breaks in different environments both above and below the water, and of course how to be in the right place at the right time for that perfect shot!”

Overall, these courses are designed for students that can expect to learn what they need to really take their photography to the next level. They are for beginner and intermediate levels.

Requirements Students must bring their own DSLR camera, a laptop with photo software installed (Photoshop or Photoshop Element), storage media and other equipment (cord, thumb drive, card reader, etc.) for transferring images from camera to computer.

For more information about the program and instructions on how to apply, call (+44) 07815572153 or email lucia@luciadaniellagriggi.co.uk. closing date is June 1st. See more of Lucia’s work here: www.luciagriggi.com

Last weekend saw surfers from about the country pack boards into vans, and head (mostly North) to Saltburn, home of the first event on the UK Pro Surf Tour (UKPST).

Amongst the shivering southerners was Tiger24′s own manslave, minimum wage employee and sponsored rider, Leon Mansfield. Entering both the Open as well as the Pro Juniors (he’s only 18), Mansfield clocked up a pair of impressive results.

The first day of the weekend event was put on hold, with less than perfect conditions forcing the organisers to run the whole shebang on the Sunday. After an early start, and with some better looking surf, the competition was run at full speed, with Russ Winter (metaphorically) taking gold in the Open, followed French superstar Gordon Fontaine in second and Newquay local Mark Harris taking third.

The Pro Juniors was run along side the Open, Lewis Clinton grabbed first, Benjamin Sowter took away second, and our very own Leon Mansfield trotted home with a big third place smile on his face. Nice one Leon.

Unfortunately the press release only included a couple of shots of Russ, nice  novelty cheque though, and with none of the snappers at the event coughing up any Mansfield shots, I’ve had to make do with an accurate artists impression.

Find out more about Leon on his own website, check up in the UKSPT at theirs, and keep an eye on Tiger24 for more coverage of the closer upcoming 2011 Pro Surf Tour.

Here’s  a copy ‘n’ paste of the results.

Men’s Open-

1-Russell Winter – Newquay
2-Gordon Fontaine – France
3-Mark Harris – Newquay
4-Reubin Pearce – S Africa

Women’s Open

1-Holly Donnelly – Newquay
2-Andrea Lawrence – Croyde
3-Hannah Harding – Totnes
4-Cerri Edwards – Porthtowan

Pro Junior

1-Lewis Clinton – Newquay
2-Benjamin Sowter – Truro
3-Leon Mansfield – Liskeard Newquay
4-Dale Foster – Newquay

Boys Under 16

1-Taz Knight – Croyde
2-Dale Foster – Newquay
3-Ed Smith – Liskeard
4-Max Pechonis – Bude

Chow.

The Errant Surf boy have sacked off Newquay for a couple of months in a effort to sniff out some never before ridden waves. Hiding out in some far off corner of the UK, Igor, Tom, Josh, Mitch and Tim are keeping a video blog of their exploits. Read the full story on the Errant blog.

Errant Exploration Team – Tr7 Blogduction – Chapter 1 – ‘Project Barry’ from Errant Surf on Vimeo.