Michael Claisse is an independent content creator making animated videos about surfing and the oceans. The story of Claisse is similar to other people who are drawn to the waves and adrenaline-generating water sports. He hails from Isle of Palms, a slender barrier island located near Charleston, in South Carolina.
Having recently stumbled across a handful of videos of people riding waves with ease with nothing more than something strapped to their hand, we figured a handplane could be a potential addition to our quivers. You know, for those days where it isn’t pumping. However, what started as a backup to surfing, handplaning soon became […]
Dane Reynolds and surf contests don’t always mix. Back in the days when he was competing full-time on the ASP world tour, you could expect one-word mumbling answers at press conferences, late nights out before early morning match-ups, self-deprecating post-heat interviews with early round flame outs….
It’s hard to figure that 13 years ago, when Billabong’s Cosmic Creek Challenge first started, that it would be what it is today, or that it would still be even running. Conceived by the maestro of crappy equipment, Donavon Frankenreiter and his longtime friend and co-conspirator Eric Diamond, the initial…
Editor’s note: Keith Malloy recently produced, directed and starred in his first film production, a movie about bodysurfing called “Come Hell Or High Water.” If you haven’t had a chance to see it you should. Shooting ‘Come Hell Or High Water’ Check out Chris Burkard’s amazing photos from filming…
San Clemente’s Perry Faanes is a master ding repair man. He’ll fix your busted up board like no other, but he’s also an artist with a unique talent. ESPN Surfing spent a little time with the man to get a feel for not only his daily grind, but to find out what inspires him and […]
Remember in winter of 2011 when Zoltan Torkos claimed to have landed the first kickflip on a surfboard as part of the Volcom KickFlip-Off? Chaos and controversy ensued. Was it above the lip? Was it a legitimate air? Would it be the future of surfing? Should it be the future of surfing? Should this guy…
Remember that whole cut-off the ASP implemented in 2010? Yeah, that didn’t really take. The only surfers that seem to like cut-offs are the ones who wear Ray Bans and boat shoes. And that’s an entirely different kind of cut-offs. But while we still have to look at the occasional upper thigh of a guy…
Half the appeal of a surf video is the music. In honor of International Surfing Day last week, Reef released a free download of the new Xavier Rudd track “Follow the Sun,” from the album Spirit Bird. They also got together with California charmer/filmer, Ryan Mosss to create the soulful video for the…
Once again, hurricane season 2012 is proving to defy the odds — and the odds makers for that matter. Forecasted to be a kitten of a season, it’s turning out to be a wild black panther. This week, we have Tropical Storm Debby churning up the Gulf of Mexico like butter for cornbread. She became […]