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WELSH ECO-SURF MOVIE PUSHES FOR CHANGE

On the Push – A Surfer’s Guide to Climate Change, is a new film mixing great music and sweet surf footage with some pressing questions – and answers – from some of the best-known environmentalists in the world of surfing.

The Eco-Surf movie is a new genre in surf films. Last year Surfers Against Sewage’s View from the Green Room looked at pollution issues while following a top surf crew to Scotland. On the Push goes further, as filmmaker, narrator and surf traveller Anne Gallagher takes us on a journey to find out how surfers can respond to the threat of climate change – and why they should respond at all.

Chris Hines, founder of SAS and recent MBE, talks about his pioneering eco-surfboards at the Eden project in Cornwall. Surfer’s Path writer Dr. Tony Butt expounds on the science of climate change – with the help of a Spanish tomato. And Will Henry of California-based Save the Waves warns not to destroy natural sea defences at a time of rising sea levels.

Chris Hines thinks that climate change is an issue that everyone should be engaging with. “Climate change is a huge challenge for us all, but we’re an incredibly resourceful species. We can solve it, we just need to get together and do it.”

Despite its serious intent, On the Push manages to remain light-hearted and uplifting. Look out for European Champion Pete “PJ” Jones as well as Welsh Ladies Champion Jo Dennison and Cornish and Open Champion Sarah Bentley.

Made by award-winning activist filmmakers Undercurrents, and funded by Artists Project Earth and The Wales Film Agency, On the Push will officially launch at Porthcawl Pavilion on September 21st as part of the SurfCult Festival (after a sneaky preview at Surfstock in St. Agnes). The film will then go on tour around the UK. For details of screenings, or to set up a screening of your own, visit www.onthepush.org.

Surf Cult Festival. http://www.surf-cult.co.uk/