If Surfing Has Ever Pissed You Off, This Video Is For You
Blowtails and brushstrokes from an angsty man in the north of France.
For most people, springtime in California means wildflowers, green rolling hills, and warmer weather. A lovely time of change.
For surfers who reside on the Central Coast, April and May fucking suck. The heavy northwest seabreeze comes up early every day and the water is as cold as it gets. The last bits of energy dribble down from the Aleutian Islands and the south swells take their time to get started. Most of my recent surfs have been spent doing halfway floaters on windy end sections. You can understand why the last few weeks have been…well…a bit frustrating. (If you want to know how to turn a shocker around, click here.)
After a pretty awful surf this morning, Titouan “Tits” Boyer’s aptly titled clip showed up in my inbox. It pleasantly surprised me. Sporting a cheeky grin and a girthy mohawk, Titouan begins by dropping some truth-bombs. In fact, throughout the whole biopic, the French-Caribbean youngster dishes out a healthy dose of philosophy. Rather than focusing only on Titouan’s best waves, filmmaker Quentin Chaumy allows us a window into the authentic musings and processes of a unique underground character.
Created in stark opposition to the narrative of sunshine-filled positivity that pervades our digital culture, “Frustrations” is a rather honest film. Waves are blown, complaints are made, and the whole piece has a very contemplative feeling.
Don’t get me wrong, Titouan rips, but his comfort in questioning his place in the world, as an artist and surfer, was what really stood out. “When you have lousy sensations, it feels like shit.” The 23-year old explains between accordion bursts. “And, I often feel like I’m doing lousy, which is lame.”
I hear you Tits, loud and clear.
There is a reason we do it though. Right? The bogged rails and sinus infections. The early mornings and sunburnt eyelids. Though the frustrations that come with surfing fill so many hours, the miniscule moments of freedom in between might just make it all worth it. I mean, I haven’t quit surfing, and I’m guessing you haven’t either.
Titouan finishes the video in acknowledgment of this idea.
“I feel lucky already. I’ll try my best. We’ll see.”
Soft piano, helter-skelter brushstrokes, and French beach breaks. Click above to immerse yourself in the world of surfing’s Basquiat.
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