Alan Stokes x Minor Figures: Forest to Ocean Film

“Climate change is happening whether we like it or not, but we can do something about it. To highlight the importance of sustainability and marine conservation, we’ve partnered with Bullfrog Studios, pro-surfer Alan Stokes, Otter Surfboards & FORM Surfboards to raise awareness for the environmental charity Surfers Against Sewage (SAS).” – Minor Figures

Alan visited us several times at the workshop to collaborate on the design of his board with us – a hollow wooden version of his favourite FORM 5’6” ADPT twin fin – and to watch how we make our surfboards. It’s the smallest surfboard that we’ve made to date, not only in terms of its length but also its overall volume and weight, and because it’s a high performance small wave board the compound curves at the nose gave us a nice challenge to think about. We were delighted with the results, and excited to see Alan surfing it.

His first go out on the board, in overhead waves at his local Fistral Beach, was in front of cameras – Jack Flynn and the team from Bullfrog Media and Alan’s long-time in-water videographer Anthony Butler. As expected, he adapted to the characteristics of the hollow wooden board immediately, tucking into barrel sections and throwing it into arcing grab-rail cut-backs.

“I like a board that has its own kind of life, its own agenda on a wave, that finds its own way. You’re just kind of letting this craft fits where it wants to on a wave, dictating where it wants to go and you fit around that and you enjoy that.” – Alan Stokes

Alongside Alan’s surfing, the film explores the importance of sustainability and local communities through the lens of the climate crisis, with Alan and James sharing their thoughts and their vision for the future of surfing and surfboard construction.

The plan is for the surfboard to be given away soon in an initiative to further benefit Surfers Against Sewage and support their fantastic work.  We’ll let you all know as soon as that happens!