Watch: ‘Vacuum’ - A Surf Film Directed By Kai Neville - Stab Mag
1680 Views

Watch: ‘Vacuum’ – A Surf Film Directed By Kai Neville

Featuring the entire Epokhe team + unseen footage of Occy from the Green Iguana days. 

elsewhere // Dec 4, 2023
Words by Ethan Davis
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Watch Vacuum here. 

A mammoth month in surf cinema. 

November 2023 saw the release of Noa Deane’s ‘Mash’, Harry Bryant’s ‘Motel Hell’, Russell Bierke’s ‘Outer Edge of Leisure’, Torren Martyn’s ‘Calypte’ and Kai Neville’s ‘Vacuum’. 

The adage ‘when it rains it pours,’ comes to mind. ‘Coz lawd it’s wet out here.

The good news is ‘Vacuum’ is like watching clouds part. 

“I can’t remember seeing this many people at premieres since Strange Rumblings,” Noa Deane told Stab. “The energy around surf films lately has been insane. Russ and Harry’s prems were packed to the brim, and I know that Epokhe one was maxed out too.”

Noz isn’t wrong. It was absolutely chockers. I was stuck behind a pilon for most of it getting drinks spilled on me. I’ve never seen so many high-profile surfers/industry heads in one room. 

Cool.

Phrased an intrusive thought: if a bomb went off at the Northern on Friday the 18th Nov, about 20 of your favorite surfers (according to the Stab readers survey of 7000 people) would have turned to dust, Inglorious Basterds style.

Hopefully that drills the point home: surf films are back. And this one from Nevsy is unsurprisingly aspirational. 

Special shoutout to Lungi Slabb’s frontside tube laybacks — hang that shit in a museum. And Jaleesa Vincent for doing this.

If you’re wondering why the link isn’t embedded here, it’s by design.

Head over to their site to watch the full movie. And while you’re at it, maybe buy yourself a pair of sunnies that you’ll care about losing.

Watch Vacuum here. 

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

How Italo Ferreira Bought His Way Into Nike, The Reality Of Fatherhood, And Embracing Global Scrutiny

The Stab Interview with the most sleep-deprived man in surfing.

Feb 13, 2026

Will A GOAT Bite On Gnaraloo’s $17 Million Price Tag?

World Champs and Hollywood circle a red-dirt kingdom that can never truly be owned.

Feb 13, 2026

Dane Reynolds On His Favorite Surfer, Storytelling Through Surf Media, And Releasing Former’s New Film

Our first official episode of StabMic is live. 

Feb 12, 2026

Watch: Episode 03 of Stab In The Dark X Starring Kelly Slater

The untold story behind the GOAT’s split from CI + a three-layer wax cake theory.

Feb 11, 2026

Why You Should Stop Watching Surf Videos*

Instagram reels and the twisted fantasy of the parasocial surfing life.

Feb 9, 2026

Breaking: Rogue Boat Plows Through Steamer Lane, Capsizes With Family Of Six Onboard

Stab writer Holden Trnka saves a kid, gives a first hand report.

Feb 8, 2026

Watch: How $13M And 70,000 Tons Of Granite Changed An Australian Surf Town Forever

A documentary on Midds Reef — the world's best artificial wave — by Rhys Jones.

Feb 7, 2026

Pipeline Was Really, Really Good Today

CT qualifications, countless nine point rides, Australian domination, and the journey of a local hero.

Feb 6, 2026

Why Chapter 11’s Doors Are Shut + Why Former’s Output Is About To Spike

Former drops teaser for upcoming feature, ‘Defect’, starring the entire frozen pea army.

Feb 5, 2026

Joyride: What’s In An Asymmetrical Surfboard?

An asymmetrical study of Lovelace's Zambal and Satellite models.

Feb 5, 2026

What Happens When The Best Surfer On Earth Leaves The Tour?

The second order effect of John John's departure.

Feb 4, 2026

Velvet Pipeline And Nine Point Faceplants

A CT qualification update from the North Shore.

Feb 3, 2026

“It’s Louder Than An Atomic Bomb. If You Were Anywhere Near It, Your Head Would Explode.”

The Southern Ocean is now open for international pillaging.

Feb 2, 2026

“They Don’t Call It The Challenger Series For Nothing”

Local excellence and universal beatdowns on Day Two of the Pipe Challenger.

Feb 1, 2026

How Billy Kemper Convinced The WSL (And The Mayor) To Have Locals In The Pipe Challenger

And more musings from the ground here on the North Shore.

Jan 31, 2026

Exclusive Interview: Why John Florence Put The CT On Indefinite Pause

"The tour has a cap. I want to find a space where everything grows bigger."

Jan 29, 2026

Is Firing Pipeline Too Much To Ask For?

The inaugural Pipeline Challenger event starts in 24 hours. And we're en route.

Jan 28, 2026

Watch: Episode 02 of Stab In The Dark X Starring Kelly Slater

Are we all ordering five fin setups now?

Jan 28, 2026
Advertisement