Circle One - News & Events from the World of Surfing and Watersports

Original Surfer Shapers Talk Board Designs of Tomorrow       

Earlier this month Jeff Townsley's trip to the Far East led to a surprise meeting of minds with fellow Surfer Shaper Originals Tak Kawahara from California (pictured above left) and Hawaiin Larry Birtleman (pictured right). All three were attending the Surfboard Manufacturing base where Jeff first began pioneering Epoxy Custom Boards seven years ago and provided a golden opportunity to share thoughts and ideas about board designs old and new. 

Junior Longboarder Pete Hill Joins Circle One as Team Rider   

Talented Junior Longboarder Pete Hill from Barnstaple, North Devon, is the latest signing to the Circle One Team Rider team. At eighteen years of age, Pete has masses of potential and impressed the Circle One crew with his fluid style and monster enthusiasm for the sport.

Asked why Pete won support above many other requests for sponsorship, Jeff Townsley, Circle One Owner and Director explained 'It was clear when we watched Pete that he has real flair on a longboard - he has that classic graceful style but adds his own contemporary twist to this. He's exactly the kind of young talent that we want to support and see develop on the junior surf scene.'

 2007 saw Pete regularly competing on the junior scene including the North Devon Inter-Schools contest where he was the highest placed longboarder in 5th place. Look out for him at this year's events later in the year - he has a packed competition schedule that includes the English Nationals and the Britsh Longboard Club Championships. Click here to read Pete's team rider profile.

Al Mennie Raises the Irish Big Wave Bar Again

Alistair Mennie, Circle One Team Rider and pioneering Irish Big Wave Rider has raised the bar again by successfully taking on waves of up to 55ft - the biggest ever ridden in the British and Irish Isles.

The epic session, which started at first light on Saturday 1st December off Mullaghmore Head, south Donegal, saw Al and Duncan Scott plus Gabe Davies and Richie Fitzgerald working in 2 jet-skitow teams to catch the best of the monstruous, storm-driven swell.

Al raved ‘It was one of those epic days where it was just bomb after bomb and they were all really big, not really stand outs that were abnormally big. I can seriously say I got the biggest rush of my life in that session.’

 This was truly pioneering surfing in Ireland that called for in-depth knowldge of the ocean, years of training and experience of tow-surfing. The session had been planned for weeks, the weather front being tracked by internet charts and when the big day hit, the conditions could not have been better. ‘You could wait for years for another opportunity like this. None of us have ever seen a more promising forecast to tow into some of the biggest waves of our lives’.

To see a trailer of Al and tow partner Andy Cotton's new dvd Driven, CLICK HERE

 

So What Gear Does a Hardcore Big Wave Rider Choose?

For his biggest Irish challenge to date, Al selected a Circle One Noir wetsuit for maximum warmth and flexibility. He took no chances on the buoyancy front and doubled up on impact vests that would also provide extra protection from rib injury in the huge swell. For an ultra warm base layer, Al wore a Circle One Thermal Vest.

But what board? Al worked together with Circle One founder Jeff Townsley to custom design and shape a unique tow board that suits seriously heavy conditions.

Stand Up Paddle Boarding -Try It!

Fancy a fun way to challenge your board skills? Stand Up Paddle Boarding means you can ride the smallest wave and travel a long, long way. A Circle One Stand Up Paddle Board is 12ft long, 4" thick with a single 10" fin and a fantastic strength to weight ratio. So why not join the growing fan base and give this exciting new sport a go?

Circle One Board Test Centres -Try Before You Buy

If you're looking for a new board and want to ride it before you buy it, check out your nearest Circle One Board Test Centre / Demo Centre, featured on our Stockist list. As well as a free Circle One board ride, you'll get top notch advice on which board best suits your style or will help you step up to the next level. (Phone ahead to check availability if it's a certain model you're chasing).