Uprising

Our story happens in France. It involves a trailer loaded with stand-ups, surfboards, foils and all kinds of gear to make the most of the conditions, five young riders and a photographer. A real watersports gathering where there is only one rule: to be in the water regardless of the conditions.

- Raf Filippi

Driving young riders of different origins around various spots has been a project of mine for many years and November is the best time to discover France’s spots with the maximum of chance of scoring good conditions. I hatched a plan to take five teenagers aged between 12 and 17 on an improvised surf trip, following the forecast. Our goal: to surf, to discover new things and to make new friends. Aspiring windsurfers, freeskiing or downhill mountain biking champions, all of them are wave enthusiasts and can stand-up paddle. They received a text a few days before with the simple task to get ready for days of adventure. All they needed to bring was a sleeping bag and a wetsuit. The Crew: Edgar Cheylus Edgar, 17 years old, is the alpha of the team. He lives in Annecy and is one of the most promising young skiers of La Clusaz. He won his first title of French ski freeride champion last winter before spending his summer to train to be on top for his next season on the Free Ride World Tour. As comfortable on the snow as in the water, he spends a lot of time in Hossegor where his grandparents have a house. He has a really good level in surfing, skateboarding, wakeboarding and also kitesurfing. SUP is for him a physical exercise that is practiced on flat water to refine his cardio. We had to show him that surfing with a paddle was also a pleasure!

Tom Guillo