Lewis shows world surfers’ paradise

Nov 22 2008 by Dan Warburton, The Journal

A NEW film showcases the region as a global surfing hotspot. Shot independently by The Journal photographer Lewis Arnold, the DVD, entitled Rise, highlights the North Sea breakers as some of the best on the planet.

The coastlines of north Northumberland, Whitley Bay and Teesside are all hotbeds of surfing action. And in the DVD they are filmed alongside world surfing sites including Mexico, Hawaii and Portugal.

It is the first independent movie of its kind to be shot in the North East and features professional surfers such as former World Champion Mick Fanning.

Lewis, 37, who lives in Tynemouth, North Tyneside, with his wife Rachel, 35, and three children, Abel, four, Seth, two, and one-month-old Isaac, has been filming the sport since his career began.

He said: “Surfing has become really popular in the area. There are hundreds of DVDs out there, but this is the first one that shows off the area and it was also made here.

“The sport was how I got into photography. I’ve surfed around here for 20 years and me and Jesse Davies, who runs Tynemouth Rise Surf Club, got our heads together to make the production.

“The video shows the best surfing spots in Europe and basically the North East, while it’s not as consistent as other places, when the surf is good it’s as good as anywhere.”

The film documents an independent group of core surfers in search of big, perfect waves, way off the beaten track in Europe and beyond.

A cast of top professionals escape the crowds and competitions of commercial surfing to discover hidden gems.

Shot primarily by Lewis, the film was partially funded with a grant from Northern Film and Media.

And since its release at the beginning of the month, the movie has been winning rave reviews in the surfing world. Dan Haylock, of Low Pressure Productions, said: “Watching the DVD made me want to pack up the van and hit the road in search of my own sunrises and coastal beauty.

“It just goes to show that with a little searching there are still plenty of waves going unridden in Europe, despite the huge crowds at almost every well-known surfspot.

“All you need is a decent wetsuit, some spare time and the right attitude.”

To buy the video, visit www.x-tremevideo.com and click on Films.