Last year Twig and I were chasing a swell to J-bay and ended up staying overnight at the backpackers in Buffels bay only to find it was the Ross Taylor memorial weekend- such a party and good vibes from the local community of surfers= Twig even paddled on a SUP for the contest, anyway- it’s back on soon so check it out- and pull in if you in the area!

ROSS TAYLOR SURF CONTEST 6/7 August 3011 BUFFALO BAY
CONTACT: Brian Salter Cel 082 569 6278 salter@telkomsa.net
Fax 044-533 0359

The BEAUTY ABOUT STARTING OFF AT ROCK BOTTOM IS THAT YOU HAVE A REALLY SOLID FOUNDATION. As I sit behind my computer with a solid curtain of rain falling, it dawned on me that it is almost as though the Almighty is filling up the sea in preparation for the “Ross”. The weather and swell reports show a spike in wave height this coming weekend, so those surf maniacs who are heading up the West Coast will have time to prepare for a truly epic Saturday night party. Wendy Oldfield and her band are so amped that they are behaving people who are very excited. I don’t know if she realises this will probably be the most important show she has ever put on, and “This Boy” will be there, albeit not in my army clothes unlike the first time I heard her, in my military uniform and school boy figure.

Apart from having a lady of her vocal calibre joining us this weekend, (Note there will be a bottle of Captain Morgan for the person who can claim to have persuaded her to paddle out into a heat). Other Celebrities joining us will be Sean Holmes ( who will give a extremely quick report on his performance in J-Bay last week. Andy Marr who will be coming home to taste some of his Mom’s home cooked. A home coming microchip has been implanted into Twiggy and Roosta’s brain, with Gps co-ordinates straight to the River Deck on Saturday night. The auction will not be the same without the personalised R10 notes being auctioned off. I have also been twisting Deon Bing’s arm to come and do a real surf report, in front of an actual ocean, in real time. A special request has been sent to Julius Malema, and his friend Baas Ted, to join us, as a well know sports wear factory is hoping he will paddle out in their new range of MONG, (that is Man Thong to the uninitiated). He has shown particular interest in the Fire Dancers that will be Toyi Toying at the party. And a another special entry in the Rockstar karaoke division will be
American, Rob Munro from the well know Munro-Gerrie trio.

So you as you see there will be something for everyone, Adin Jeenes (The Cuddler) has had the winners trophy physically removed from his being. I believe there were some tears at the parting. He claims it will be a temporary separation but word is out on the streets that there are some keen contenders again this year. A special request must be made to Wendy to sing a sterling rendition of “Happy Birthday” to celebrate Adin’s birthday.

At this stage the longboarders are leading the entry numbers, with the Sup crew coming in a close second. The beggars division looks like it is going to have a 50% increase in numbers if not in stature.

SPACE IS LIMITED SO GET YOUR CONFIRMATION BACK TO ME (salter@telkomsa.net) with any queries,ASAP

Predicted Surf contions: The weather is likely to be very sultry, like a coy surfer chick, with light off shore conditions and 16 second wave period with great braaing weather in the evening and a sympathetic hangover into the morning light. Water conditions 20 degrees. So whilst I am not an officially qualified and trained meteorologists, and to a writer, the truth is no big deal.

Predicted Party Conditions: There will be wall to wall joviality. With fire dancers and drumming, Wendy strutting her stuff, DJ Star Wors, play a healthy dose of rock and reggae, ( our apologies to all trance and club enthusiasts- along with bodyboarder and paddle skiers- these are the only banned activities on the weekend)

Judging Criteria: Tanny and his crew of high bribe-able judging panellists.Will be sitting in row like Simon at a USA Idols audition, looking for the WOW factor. Length of ride is not beeg, Barrels, radical air moves, cutbacks and the “One Legged Flying Pelicans” are beeg. The Judges descisions will be more or less final, and that’s official.
With the traditional bottle of Captain morgan going to the best redition of this traditional one legged manouvre. One surfer was heard to comment that ever since he has started utilising this move on the competition circuit “ He has never looked back——because every time he does he falls over.

Overview: Through this all, we will be celebrating the life of Ross, fellow friend and surf obsessive, with a heart the size of the waves he rode. All money raised goes to HOSPICE.

Safety: We have a Red Cross tent on the beach and NSRI is on call.

Accomodation: Peter Grace can be contacted for house and flat rentals
Tel 044-383 0038 Cel 082 361 8208 buffelsbaai@kingsleymail.co.za.
Buffalo Bay Caravan Park 044-383 0045
Note: Mention that you are part of the Ross Taylor Contest, to get the special deals we have organised

BEEG PARTY on Saturday night with food drink and live music. Entry R20.00

Sweet – Brian

CHECK OUT FACE BOOK : Ross Taylor Benefit Surf Contest

RVCA artist, Daniel Ting Chong, just finished his new website. Check it out HERE.

RVCA artist, Greg Darroll, recently created this Labbit and print for an exhibition at Toitoy, a designer toy store in Cape Town, South Africa.

The toy and print will be on display at Toytoi (49 kloof street CT) from 2nd August and will be for sale on their website on Saturday 6th August 2011 at 10H00.

RVCA artist, Jean de Wet, was recently part of a picture book launch at Warren Editions in Cape Town. The picture books (each an edition of 150) were done by Cape Town artists Jean de Wet, Michael Taylor and Jordan Metcalf. These are some images from Jean’s book. Go to Warren Editions to find out more.

RVCA artist, Paul Senyol, has two new artworks for sale:

6511 / Cecilia Granvik
600mm x 500mm
mixed media on fabriano paper
unframed
price available on request

6511 / Jaco and Erica Erasmus
600mm x 500mm
mixed media on fabriano paper
unframed
price available on request

It seems the fantastic Mr. Fox has nailed it again with a couple mad spreads in the latest Bombsurf mag- Good Job Tony- nice one team! stay tuned though for the real madness is yet to come…

oh ya- and Twig’s story was pretty cool as well- find it at thebombsurf.com or get a subscription already you goebats!

Check out these sweet new tattoos that Cape Town tattoo artist, David Chaston, has been working on.

The second Wide Open Walls project took place from 3-17 June 2011, in Gambia, West Africa. It featured some of the best artists from around the world including RVCA artist, Freddy Sam. South African photographers accompanied the artists as they ventured through Senegal and into the heart of The Gambia.

Photos by Jonx Pillemer, except where stated.

Remed

Best Ever

Freddy Sam

Know Hope

ROA

Wide Open Walls 2011 Press Release:

Wide Open Walls was founded by Lawrence Williams, one of the owners of Makasutu, a conservation project home to a set of magnificent river lodges at Mandina in The Gambia, West Africa. Lawrence, a keen artist, has been working with local artists on a project called Bushdwellers for a number of years and has always wanted to expand the project into something more, something lasting that could both function as a valid art installation in itself and at the same time promote The Gambia as a tourist destination. The basic idea was to turn villages in the area (falling under the Ballabu Conservation Project) into a living art project. This year saw the first time collaboration between Wide Open Walls and Write On Africa, a South African based organisation founded by Ricky Lee Gordon (a.k.a Freddy Sam). “Write On Africa” is a community art project based in Cape Town, South Africa. Its main focus is to encourage inspiration and urban rejuvenation through special events, initiatives and art in public space to “inspire ourselves to inspire others to inspire change”.

Best Ever

ROA

TIKA

WOW 2011 street artists were selected not only for their suitable styles but also for their approach and attitude towards making and sharing art. The line-up included Bushdwellers (The Gambia), ROA (Belgium), Know Hope (Israel), Remed (Madrid), TIKA (Switzerland), Freddy Sam (SA), Selah (SA), and Best Ever (UK). The immediate goals of the project were to create connections between the street artists and the communities through mural painting, art workshops and extended interventions. Art supplies were provided for children of various villages, and a dilapidated classroom was refurbished by Freddy Sam and community members, creating a colourful space for children to use as a crèche and a classroom. South African photographer, Jonx Pillemer and film-maker Rowan Pybus were there to capture the two week long project, spending ample time with community members and the street artists reflecting on the interactions and friendships formed during the collaborative creative processes. The 10-minute documentary will be released online in August. Rowan will then continue to document the project year by year with the intention of releasing a full length, in depth documentary.

Research was conducted utilizing ethnographic methods compiled by anthropology student, film-maker/photographer, Sydelle Willow Smith. She conducted a variety of interviews with community members, organisers and street artists. This research will aid the preliminary stages of the next Wide Open Walls project, serving archival purposes, as well as ensuring that direct collaboration between the community and the project is ensured throughout the process. We hope this information will then inspire more like-minded projects around the world.

Know Hope

Know Hope

Selah

Best Ever

Know Hope & Bushdwellers

ROA

Long term this project also seeks to raise funds for the village through the publication of a book. We will also aim to create an exhibition/fundraiser and sell photographs of the artwork to raise funds which will be distributed through the local NGO (the Ballabu Conservation Project) that has been set up by James English of Makasutu Cultural Forest in conjunction with all 14 chiefs of Ballabu. The project also aims to sustain an ethos of responsible tourism and it has been suggested that tourists, who want to visit the murals, will have to make a donation to the trust and will be expected to immerse themselves in the villages they visit through forms of cross cultural exchange to ensure that a sense of a “drive-by human zoo” is not created.

With the input of several key members from villages we have now begun the initial stage of designing a more in-depth cultural exchange program that will include local artists and allow for a greater dialogue. We are also investigating residency opportunities to allow for artists, writers, musicians, poets and researchers to stay within the villages and contribute their time and work in the form of teaching and skill sharing, working alongside their local Gambian counterparts, ensuring that as WOW grows so does the structure that keeps it in place.

ROA

Freddy Sam collaboration with Selah, Know Hope and the children of Galloya village. Photo by Rowan Pybus.

Remed. Photo by Sydelle Willow Smith

Bushdwellers

Selah

In conclusion we are very aware of the sensitive nature of this project and how our imprint and intervention can affect the village. As one of the chiefs said, “they will come to see the art and will find our ethos and way of life and want to learn from us”. This exchange of knowledge and practice is something that WOW plans to continually engage with, learning and growing along the way. A popular saying we heard in the villages of The Gambia sums it all up quite succinctly, simply put that it is “nice to be nice.”

ROA

TIKA

Remed

Best Ever and Selah

Freddy Sam

ROA. Photo by Sydelle Willow Smith

For artists travel blogs please visit http://www.wideopenwalls.co.za/ and for more information or images contact Ricky Lee Gordon (curator) directly at rickylee@writeonafrica.com

Please also visit and support the Wide Open Walls Facebook page where you will find updated news and images. The 2011 documentary film by Rowan Pybus is scheduled for online release in August.

The next date for Wide Open Walls has not been set allowing for sufficient time to rebuild a strong foundation and sustainable program together with the input of the villages.

Back North with Twig and Josh Redman it feels great to have ‘Schalk Fanning’ in the mix the 23 year old charges! taking it to ‘the little old guy’ Josh came with the pearler chirp of trip so far after another session where The General Twig got all the waves he sprouts: ” the little old guy just keeps taking the session!” I think what is clearly evident is the fact that Twig is finding his form after a 6 month recovery from a torn ACL the going has been relatively easy but now that Twig’s finding form- and Josh is in the mix charging as hartd as he can i think i might be finding myself safely on the shoulder more often then not it’s pretty perilous rolling with these Ninjas they dont know how to do things in half measures! The last four daze have produced some of the maddest waves and footage of the trip so far! we had a go on the tow at The Devil’s Horn and all surf-vived a couple bombs each- first session we’ve had out there where no-one got seriously hurt and the pictures? you’ll just have to wait and see…

Chillin’ villainous for now we await another swell laying low, keeping it feral- Josh is back at Base camp learning what feral means while we shop and indulge in a bit of civilization- stay tuned for some mad clips and pics…

Check out this awesome mural that RVCA artist, EL Mac, did in Viet Nam…

El Mac – Sai Gon, Viet Nam “Kosoom by the Mekong” from Viet Nam The World Tour on Vimeo.