Would You Lend Someone Your Magic Board In Waves Like This?

The Basque Country is a small Atlantic haven of architecture and gastronomy, known previously in the international surf matrix for it’s three chief exports — Mundaka, Kepa Acero, and Aritz Aramburu.

In recent years, the culturally lush region has added a nearly-SITD-winning shaper, and a viable Challenger Series contender to that list. They can also halfway claim Vans Stab High invitee and Mentawai tube-heir Koldo Illumbe (Indonesia lays claim to the other half).  

Now, adorned in the ever-stylish Vans backzip, 20-year old Basque local Kepa Housset enters the fray.

URRIA was filmed entirely in his home zone, as an attempt to prove that plane flights and boat-trips aren’t necessary costs for an enjoyable surf edit.

The last — and probably best — wave of the clip features Kepa on a borrowed board, after snapping two of his.

“The last time we went to that spot, Kepa broke his board on the first wave,” says filmmaker Theo Preuilh. “This time, he broke his board on the third wave, and he sat on the beach with me while I filmed the boys. Our friend Thibaut knew it was our last day of filming for this clip, and after a few waves, he came in and offered his magic board to Kepa — who then got the wave of the day. Thib is a really good mate (laughs).”

Onya Thib.