Mele Saili in Australia
Story by: Mele Saili
Photos: @rare____visuals
Although California has a lot to offer I love searching for new places to get my feet wet.
When I started traveling years ago I noticed how my surfing improved. Some people ask me what my favorite wave is in the entire world and I always pause and think for a moment. Although it’s hard to choose an all-time favorite, I always think of my time spent in Australia.
Noosa, in particular, will always have a special place in my heart. That’s why I’d like to share my most recent trip and explain how my travels to Australia have actually played a huge part in the design concepts of my signature model ‘The Pocket Knife’ with Matt Calvani.
The way I like to surf is by navigating the wave with smooth, almost slowed down transitional movements while at the same time moving at a high speed across the face. It’s like going slow motion at a high speed if that makes any sense. That’s why I’m drawn to Noosa because it has the potential to provide that speed with a long open face.
In Australia, the waves break faster than California typically does. So you’ll notice how most longboards there have a more slender nose that allows them to fit in the pocket while keeping their speed on the nose. These concepts are what inspired The Pocket knife design. Personally I like maneuvering a more slender board anyway because rather than feeling my board is too wide and stiff, I prefer it to move with my body. I also think that wider boards are great for learning to walk the nose but if you come to a place in your surfing where you feel comfortable in your nose riding abilities, a wide nose may not be necessary.
This last visit to Oz, we found ourselves in the Sunshine Coast then eventually ended up down in the Gold Coast in search of waves. I was so thankful for such a versatile board this trip since we got all sorts of conditions. Whether it was smaller one day or a bit choppy I can count on my board to perform.
Huge thank you to Bing for providing such great equipment!
For more info about the Pocket Knife Model, click here.
Also in Bing Surfboards Blog
!!!TAKA!!!
The first Bing I bought was from Bing Surf Shop and it was the Continental model. I think it’s the best noserider in the world and works great for any long, lined up wave. I’ve been riding it for about two years. I also just bought a new Izzy Rider Type II it is amazing! It’s so fast and turns on a dime. This will be the board I ride in surf contests.
EL CAMPEON
At the beginning, it was just an idea, but at the same time, a challenge I had set for myself some time ago. Honestly, I saw it as complicated since it was my first time traveling alone to Europe, and I was curious and nervous because I was literally going to another country. The only thing that reassured me was being able to speak Spanish over there. But, of course, none of this would have been possible without the support of the entire BAPU beachware team who encouraged me and gave me the motivation not to doubt myself and make this a fulfilled goal, we organized various activities while presenting the short film "El Gordo" to raise funds for this trip.
CIELO
This winter was hard. Was it for you? Did you get good waves? Did you have big, life-shifting moments? Even if you were in Southern California it was really wintery. The weight of the cold months weighed on me like the snow itself. The deep, heavy puddles didn’t empty until just recently.