Masterson Media News and Current Projects May 2010

Surfline.com Premier US surfing website Surfline.com recently ran my story on the contingent of South African big wave surfers who underwent free diving training in South Africa and then spent the northern hemisphere winter surfing the most formidable spots in California and Hawaii. Surfers such as 2010 Mavericks Winner Chris Bertish, Twiggy Baker, Andrew Marr and James Taylor all feature in what amounts to the real arrival of South African Big Wave surfing on the international scene. http://bit.ly/aCcwfk

Complete Yoga - Yoga for Sportsmen My second feature in South African Yoga specialist magazine Complete Yoga covers the application of yoga in the general sports world. Through the expert knowledge of local personal sports trainer Ian Waddell, former Olympic runner and yoga instructor Leora Leibowitz and climber/yoga instructor Zoe Duby, I examine how doing yoga can benefit those who perform all kinds of sports, both physically and mentally. www.completeyoga.co.za

The Bomb Surf- Every Dog Has His Day My second feature in this free subscription based quarterly South African surf magazine is a tongue-in-cheek look at the recent summer of pumping surf in Cape Town through the perspective of a canine, my best friend Apollo to be exact, a.k.a. ‘Mad Mutt’. It really enjoyed the raw creative freedom of writing through a dog’s eyes and by all accounts many of the mag’s readers did too. Check out the mag at www.thebombsurf.com

Crusoe Craft - Press Release An interesting project I have taken on recently is to do some of the press material for Guy Joubert of Crusoe Craft, which launched in March. Guy has developed a slick, highly portable and eco friendly trimaran for use by surfers, kiteboarders, fishermen, divers, photographers and all kinds of inshore recreational water users. He has worked hard on every aspect of his new business venture and judging by the response he is already getting, his great craft are going to be a huge success. www.crusoecraft.com

SALT - Matthew Moir Interview Talking about fresh surf media, Durban longboarder Brad Weare has started a cool website called SALT. I was stoked to interview Cape Town longboarding legend Matthew Moir for them. It’s an interesting insight into the mind of the former world champion, who is one of South African surfing and indeed sports’ most unheralded athletes and who despite recovering from a stroke reveals he is still hungry for another world title. www.saltsurfmag.com

Masterson Media News and Current Projects Feb 2010

The Surfers Journal My second feature in the prestigious US surfing publication The Surfers Journal is a major profile on Brazilian big wave rider Carlos Burle. Carlos has been at the top of the big wave riding game for more than two decades and has survived many setbacks to achieve his dream of riding big waves for a living. For more info check out www.thesurfersjournal.com/current_issue

Huck South African female freediver extraordinaire Hanli Prinsloo is currently conducting courses aimed at assisting South African big wave surfers to deal with being held under monster waves. I did her course and wrote about it for the latest issue of Huck. I’ve also been blogging for their website, so please check out www.huckmagazine.com and for more info on Hanli surf on down to www.iamwater.co.za

Nubyan.com European-based African travel and info portal Nubyan.com has been publishing some of my travel-related musings on visiting South Africa for the Fifa 2010 World Cup. Check them out at www.nubyan.com

Zigzag.co.za During the recent summer I posted a number of blogs on the Zigzag surfing magazine website about matters relating to South African surfing, most of which received a high hit rate and elicited many passionate reader comments. Check them out at www.zigzag.co.za/wp

Masterson Media News and Current Projects January 2010
	Sports Illustrated - Urban Madness My first ink in this particular publication, the December issue of Sports Illustrated features a cool eight-page story on the urban extreme sports pushing boundaries of common sense and survival in SA these days. The article zones in mainly on the urban longboard skate sliding scene in Cape Town and features some great photos taken by their staff photographer Gary Perkin of local skater Kent Lingeveldt shredding up the tarmac in the City Bowl. But I also cover luging, urban snowboarding, wakeboarding and parkour, and a tongue-in-cheek look at extreme sports lingo, so go grab a copy, dude! www.simag.co.za
	Salut 3 - Ryan Sandes The third edition of Resolution Health’s funky Salut magazine contains a feature on long distance runner extraordinaire Ryan Sandes. Hailing from my local nieghbourhood of Hout Bay, Ryan has won a couple of 250 km long trail running races, including in the Gobi Desert and most recently in the Amazon and is a truly amazing athlete and humble guy. It was very interesting to talk to him and find out what makes him do what he does and the sacrifices he’s made to get to the top of this truly arduous sport. Check out the new Salut or go check out his website for more on the man himself www.ryansandes.com
	The Bomb Summer Issue - Surfing and Music This is also my first feature for this Durban-based quarterly surf mag, now I think in its fifth issue this summer. For most surfers, their sport and music have always been tightly intertwined. But more so than most for Farryl Purkiss, Robin Auld and Dom from Goldfish, all internationally acclaimed musicians and also surfers, who have varying and fascinating opinions on what inspires them to make music and how it influences their surfing. The article also takes a look at other aspects of how music affects surf culture and vice versa. For more info on how to get a copy of the mag check out www.thebombsurf.com
	Complete Yoga - Surfing and Yoga Staying with surfing, a physical pursuit that has become very much a part of the surfing lifestyle recently is yoga. Seems like whereas a few years back it was a pastime for “hippies” now the benefits of doing yoga have been embraced by almost everyone in the sport. In this feature in the great local yoga mag Complete Yoga (another debut article for me as a writer), I take an in-depth look at how yoga helps surfers overcome their peculiar injuries and prepares us for the rigours of our sport as well as big wave hold downs and the mental aspects of surfing. A variety of famous surfers such as Greg Long and Rochelle Ballard add some flavour to the article. Check out www.completeyoga.co.za for more info on the mag.

Masterson Media News and Current Projects December 2009
	Zigzag Magazine November/December Issue - The Fork in the Road The latest issue of Zigzag magazine contains an article of mine called ‘The Fork in the Road.’ Basically the story is about those incredibly talented South African professional surfers who for whatever reason didn’t fulfil the “next big thing” potential bestowed on them at one point but took an alternative route in life. Sure drug and alcohol abuse, the downfall of many a surfer and human, are a big part of it, but it also covers other aspects of fate’s little nudges that causes people to make big choices that affect their future, the former pro surfers selected for this feature being no different. A big thanks to all of them that were willing to participate. Check out www.zigzag.co.za for a sneak preview or better yet go buy the new mag, it rocks.
	Zigzag.co.za - Substitute Waves Series Staying with the Zag, I’ve also hooked up a gig as a regular contributor to their website. I’m working with online editor Brandon on some video projects but also submitting exclusive online articles, the first of which is a series on Substitute Waves, complete with cool YouTube links for some digital flavour. The first instalment covered river bores such as the Pororoca in the Amazon and the famous Severn Bore in Wales. Part 2 takes a look at Standing River waves such as the Eisbach wave in Munich in Germany as well as the quirky quasi-surf scenes that have sprung up around the world at these “surf spots”. Part 3 takes a look at Wave Pools, which love ‘em or hate ‘em are part of the surfing matrix too. Again, surf on down to www.zigzag.co.za and click on the Features link to check my articles out.
	Salut Issue 2 - Passion to Wealth & Bluffers Guide to Yoga The second edition of Resolution Health’s quarterly customer magazine Salut has just been published by TPP (The Publishing Partnership). I’ve got two features in it, the first covering the concept of turning your ‘Passion to Wealth’, featuring action sports photographer Grant Myrdal, True Blue Travel’s Greg Bertish and management consultant turned Pilates instructor Anita Vos, all of whom have pursued doing what they love into to create a fulfilling career. The other feature is a tongue-in-cheek look at yoga through the eyes (and body) of the ‘Salut sitting duck’ (me). In true Gonzo style (HSThompson RIP) I attended a yoga class at a snooty gym and documented my experience as I bluffed my way through a very strenuous but enlightening hour of my sorry, unsupple life. Check out www.salutmag.co.za for more info on the mag.
	Go! Magazine November Issue - Basejump Photo Whilst photography is not my primary focus right now, I was stoked to get a photo of my mate Joe Wolfaardt base jumping off the Sentinel mountain in Hout Bay published in the November issue of local travel/adventure mag Go! Not just because the image made ink, but also because I had to climb the mountain to get it and nearly fell off it on the way back down. Joe and I had been talking about getting the shot all summer and after a few failed attempts thanks to wind, weeks before he was due to bail overseas (not to mention winter fast approaching), we connected for this cool pic. Go, er, grab a copy of Go! or check out their website www.gomag.co.za.

My How To Surf Book Sales Tip 1000! My debut book, How To Surf in South Africa (Penguin) has been on sale since April and provisional six months sales figures released in September indicate that it has sold more than one 1000 copies in that time (hopefully more by now). I’m really pleased with this. I’ve had nothing but good feedback from people who have bought it, so a big thanks to everyone who has, as well as Stephen Bibb who did the cool illustrations and the folk at Penguin. And if you haven’t bought a copy, remember Christmas is coming up and it would make a great gift...

Otherwise, please don’t just take it from me that the book rocks:

“Miles Masterson is the real deal... [his] practical, quick-to-read advice will go a long way to smoothing [the learning] process.” - Craig McKune, Cape Argus.

“Miles Masterson writes with authority. His guide is an easy read and if you’re at all interested in the sport, this book is a good investment.” - Leon-Ben Lamprecht, Go! Magazine.

“[How to Surf] should be treated more as a bible than a manual.’ - Jazz Kuschke, Mens Health.

“For anyone wanting to take up the sport of surfing or simply improve their style with some classic tips, this book [has] the information to give you the edge.” - Raymond Kilfoil, www.Sport24.co.za.

“Essential reading for any novice to intermediate, and a classic little keeper even if you fall under the ‘expert’ category.” - Zigzag Magazine.

“[How to Surf] is a cool rendition of the surfing experience in this country.” - African Surfrider Magazine.

Please visit your local bookstore or stationers and grab a copy. It is also available on Kalahari.net for a bit cheaper I think.

Please contact me on mastersonmedia@vodamail.co.za if you can’t get your hands on a copy, or for any more info.

Aloha, Miles Masterson,
November 2009

Masterson Media News and Current Projects September 2009
	African Surfrider Sept 09 - John Whitmore ‘Legend’ Article The September issue of the great local surfing magazine African Surfrider (ASR) contains a major ‘Legends’ feature of mine on John “Oom” Whitmore. John was the first person to ride waves on the Atlantic side of Cape Town in the early 1950s, and was the first to start making surfboards here and also appeared on both of Bruce Brown’s ‘Endless Summer’ movies. He is essentially the Godfather of SA surfing (and Hobie Catting, as it goes) and a world surfing icon. I spent months researching this piece and interviewed a span of old-timers and people who knew or worked with John. A big thanks to all involved, especially John’s daughters Sian, Chele and Peta and grandson Caleb Bjergfelt. I hope you enjoy the story, it’s an essential slice of SA surfing history that has never really been documented so extensively (and I hope as accurately) before. ASR Vol 3 No. 4 is on sale now.
	Play Magazine 3 - Sep Issue Feat. Dave Matthews, Quentin Tarantino The next edition of Play, the quarterly music, gaming and entertainment magazine I have been editing, is out. Available exclusively in Musica stores nationwide for R14.95, this edition contains an exclusive interview with world-famous former South African Dave Matthews (which I was privileged to conduct myself). There’s also a profile of the Black Eyed Peas, an article on Quentin Tarantino and his new movie ‘Inglourious Basterds’ and a look at the infamous Area 51, inspiration for a plethora of alien conspiracies, as well as a hysterical look at where a bunch of forgotten ‘80s stars are now. Apart from that there’s reviews of the latest CDs, DVDs and games, and loads of other riveting entertainment content and insane giveaways. Email me on mastersonmedia@vodamail.co.za or check out www.tppsa.co.za for more info.
	Huck Magazine 16 - Unlocking The Killer! Shark Myth Another project that took months of research and writing, in the latest issue of groovy UK surf/skate/snow/culture magazine Huck, is a major feature by me on sharks. I take a look how sharks have been demonised culturally all over the world for centuries and how this has ultimately contributed to the precarious situation of the species today. I spoke to a number of local and international shark experts, including Alison Kock of the Save Our Seas in Cape Town, George Burgess of the Shark Attack File in the US, and UK shark guru Richard Peirce, among others. Check out www.huckmagazine.com for a sneak preview and what they are all about (and subscribe while you are at it!) and please also check out www.saveourseas.com to find out more about their crucial work and what you can do to help.
	VW Mag Winter 2009 - Dakar 2009 Winner Giniel de Viillers I’m always stoked when I can break out of the usual genres I work in and cover something new like motor sport. Case in point, Giniel de Villiers, winner of the 2009 Dakar rally, which was held in South America earlier this year. Almost cancelled due to unrest in Africa (surprise, surprise) the gruelling-as-ever race ended up transversing the Andes twice, with Stellenbosch boy Giniel coming out tops in his VW racing Touareg. Giniel was a very gracious interview subject and it was fascinating to listen to him recount his life in motor racing and his win. Check it out on my Current page or at www.vw.co.za

June 2009

Recently I did my first press for my book, How To Surf in South Africa, in the form of an interview on Radio Helderberg and for an online surf magazine. It’s been an odd experience, being a published like that and being asked about it. Some people, many of them authors themselves, are truly supportive and at the same time amazed, not that I wrote it, but that we got it out there. I guess they know what it takes to actually get a book published. Family, friends, acquaintances and even complete strangers, some of them at least, gush verbatim about it. I try to accept the compliments in the good nature they are awarded. But at the same time it’s no really big deal, it’s not War and Peace, just a book about surfing. It really did take a mountain of work to climb to complete it and to be honest the rope nearly snapped a few times. And as any author will tell you, the remuneration is far disproportionate to the effort we put in, but there you have it. Plus to wear out a tired cliché, it was a labour of love, and at the risk of sounding flubbery, if a few people are made as half as happy out in the water as I have in my life of surfing, I will have achieved my aims. Thanks for the support so far from those who have given it.

News and Current Projects June 2009
	Salut Magazine This month we launch Salut Magazine, which I am editing. Although this publication falls into the genre of “health and fitness” mags, it is our aim to break the tired old mould of these with Salut. Instead of lots of boring editorials about crunching abs and vitamin supplements, the mag is full of real-life experiences, stories to get you inspired to go out and do stuff in the great outdoors, as well as some insane giveaways like trips to the Seychelles and Mozambique and even a Jeep. Our journos are all pretty Gonzo (Google Hunter S. Thompson if you don’t know what that means) and the mag full of info, humour and insane photography. It’s seriously different if I don’t say so myself. It’s designed by Juan Geel and published by The Publishing Partnership and the first issue will be distributed free to Resolution policyholders and for sale in Jeep stores countrywide from June to August. Get off the couch! Email me on mmasterson@tppsa.co.za or check out www.tppsa.co.za for more info.
	Surfing Book My first book, How To Surf in South Africa, published by Penguin, is in bookshops and stationers. The book, which has been well-received by all so far, includes a bit of surf history, info on how geography and weather patterns enable us to surf, and everything you need to know about learning how to surf with a South African flavour, and more. Apart from step by step advice, from choosing the right board, to learning how to stand up, through to the more complex and technical surfing manoeuvres, the text is accompanied by masterful drawings and sequences by celebrated Jeffreys Bay surf artist Stephen Bibb, who did a brilliant job. Please go buy one! Email me on mastersonmedia@vodamail.co.za or check out www.penguinbooks.co.za for more info.
	Play Entertainment Magazine Play Magazine, which I am currently editing, is a quarterly music, gaming and entertainment magazine distributed exclusively through Musica stores nationwide. Also designed by the talented Art Director Juan Geel and published by The Publishing Partnership, the mag is full of humour, news, previews and reviews of the latest CD, DVD and game releases, as well as in-depth profiles and great photos of local and international entertainment personalities. The killer second issue is on sale now and we are currently compiling the next one. It’s only R15 bucks and there are some cool giveaways inside, so please go get one, join our Facebook group and spread the word that Play rocks! Email me on mmasterson@tppsa.co.za or check out www.tppsa.co.za for more info.
	The Surfers Journal I’m stoked I have managed to get my first feature article published in the esteemed US surfing publication The Surfers Journal, another long-term goal of mine fulfilled. The story is a first hand, bug-eyed Gonzo account of my experience surfing alongside three Mavericks champs, Anthony Tashnick, Greg Long and Twiggy Baker, at a heavy Western Cape reef break, in pretty huge surf (for me, anyway) late last year. Alan Van Gysen (the madman who swam out there), Craig Kolesky and Caleb Bjergfelt took some great photos to go with it. I’ve also got some other tentative projects on the go with TSJ so hopefully this won’t be my only work to make ink in their great mag this year. Go check out www.surfersjournal.com for more (and subscribe while you are at it).