Coming Soon! Island Spell - The Sapphire Express
Premiere Dates and Location
Saturday April 6th From Sunset - at Drifter Surf Shop, Uluwatu.
Sunday April 7th From Sunset - at Black Sand Brewery, Canggu.
Two pro longboarders, an underground twin fin shredder and an expert shaper/surfer traveled across the Eastern coastline of Sri Lanka last year to share an experience of surfing, culture and values. A true surfing experiment at its core, this journey encompassed one quiver of boards shared by all in a variety of conditions.
One dream, one crew, one quiver and an endless variety of point breaks to explore. Photo by Mohomed Saajid
Not just a movie, but a philosophy also
In the surfing world today the notion of sharing rarely enters the mind of the modern day surfer. With the popularity of surfing skyrocketing around the globe, more than ever we are consumed by an insatiable appetite to catch more and more waves. Is it the increase of crowds triggering our greed and frustration? Or Is it just human nature to care more about oneself than a collective of fellow human beings? Have we forgotten that surfing is so much more than simply catching waves? Surfing is an expression of creativity. It’s art. It’s a way of life. It’s a way of connecting with our natural world. It’s a channel that opens portals to different cultures and life changing experiences.
What if there was a shift in collective consciousness that enlivened the true essence of what it means to be a surfer; a shift in thinking that started with a group of like minded surfers who put thought into action and created a film that had the potential to influence the surf culture. This would have to be a film with genuine surfers looking to break free of their own ego’s and share in the experience of life itself. Such a film would necessitate each individual to follow the greatest of all universal laws: to receive, one must give.
To recieve, one must give. Jyoti Walker soaking up this philosophy. Frame-grab from Milo Inglis.
The Journey
On 15th August 2023, five friends embarked on a surf adventure from Bali to the point break rich coastline of Sri Lanka. Ross had been busy working on a range of new board models before the trip, with the intention to test them out for the very first time in the postcard perfect points of East Sri Lanka. Only Ross new what boards were included in this range, with all the team riders oblivious to what they would be riding. They also didn’t know that no single surfer had his own board, and once everyone was toes in sand in Sri Lanka, the boards were revealed and the one quiver sharing experiment commenced.
The quiver that greeted the boys in Sri Lanka. Frame-grab from Milo Inglis.
Over the period of three weeks, our tight knit crew spent the days exploring untouched beauty and bountiful waves. Over many laughs, conversations and reflections, a blend of longboarding, midlength and twin fin surfing took place. Each day was different as everyone swapped boards around, something which felt challenging at times, as over the weeks each of us grew fonder and fonder of certain boards.
![surfari in sri lanka with Ross Williams](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/655437b71fbd6855afc359ec/1709628037583-0I66120UWOEP85AFZWIQ/Screenshot+2024-03-05+at+16.09.59.png)
![Speed blur surfing photo in Sri Lanka](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/655437b71fbd6855afc359ec/1709628010710-6ULRE37SUNUDGIG7GRUD/Screenshot+2024-03-05+at+16.09.10.png)
![Elephant surf landscape photo](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/655437b71fbd6855afc359ec/1709628058492-MDH20TJHLYHWFM55573K/Screenshot+2024-03-05+at+16.08.47.png)
![Sri lanka culture](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/655437b71fbd6855afc359ec/1709628114405-NT84H6VYLHUZW0AQVE0O/Screenshot+2024-03-05+at+16.08.34.png)
![Sri Lanka longboard photo](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/655437b71fbd6855afc359ec/1709628143523-F9SEH17HFM9DHQ7DROYN/Screenshot+2024-03-05+at+16.07.10.png)
![Buddha statue in Sri Lanka](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/655437b71fbd6855afc359ec/1709628120139-PJN0B71FSNG6MCUPVNCP/Screenshot+2024-03-05+at+16.07.56.png)
The Surfers
Thanks to all of our dear friends in Sri Lanka
Ross has been traveling to Sri Lanka now for over a decade. During this time he has made life long connections and friendships with the local surf community, and in particular the crew at Salty Swamis. A huge thanks to these dear friends for the time sharing their knowledge and showing us incredible surf spots, and of course for all the laughs and waves shared along the way.
Yanik Tissera from Salty Swamis.
Yhevin Tissera from Salty Swamis.