December Issue 12 Volume 1

This cover was taken two days befor e th issue went live. We were going to run the body board cover. Of you look closely at the covers you will notice a different range of stories between the two covers. thanks to a mishap some of the original content was missing and some of the stories I wanted to run never turned up on my laptop.

Both images were worthy of this months cover but at the end of the day the body board image was old and was being rehashed for this issue. The shot of Gumby forward flipping of the Snojam structure has so much colour and life it just needed to be posted


We are also starting to experiment with movies now too so if you have been filming some surf action send your mini vids to editor@ridersanonymous.co.nz Lets see if we can make RA TV

'Dora lives' Miki 'Da Cat' Dora

Dora lives the authorized story of Miki Dora
C. R. Stecyk III and Drew Kampion
Hardcover 135 pages
For me a great book transports the reader to another time/place, and portrays the feel and atmosphere of the place the author is writing from, Stecyk and Kampion, two great surf writers achieve this goal easily despite the complex subject which covers many facets of ‘Da Cat’s’ life/travels and apparent crimes from a first hand view point without letting the cult of legend distorting reality.
The great thing about Dora is his depth and paradox way he lived life. This book fed my interest but I’m left still wanting more information on the mystery that is Dora. What I really love is I know I’ll never figure the man out.
Few characters in the history of surfing could be harder to define than the enigmatic ‘Mikilos Caplin Dora’ a true innovator in style and the undisputed king of cool during the adolescence of the California surf scene as one of the crew at the undiscovered Malibu point.

He lived a simple life surfing with fellow legends ‘tubesteak’ and Kathy Kohner spending their days sliding and gliding in relative solitude living surfing and when the sun went down and the stars came out the freakishly stylish Miki would crash Hollywood parties, to all it seemed life was good… That was until Kathy’s dad penned the book Gidget and the whole world wanted to party and shoot the curl at the ‘Bu'.
Ironically and shockingly Dora featured in the film Gidget effectively sealing the loss of his utopia.
Dora suffered greatly from the ‘outing’ of his beach and reacted accordingly to the scores of surfers encroaching on his turf by flicking his board at surfers who dared share his waves and it was the most likely his actions that hastened the development of surf etiquette.
‘The angry young man of surfing’ left the ‘Bu for a life globe trotting the world including a stint at Mahia peninsular as a Mormon, and later in life he enjoyed Jeffrey’s bay where he lived with his best friend ‘scooter boy’ a cocker spaniel.
What really came to me from this book is Dora was always himself he never ever deviated from his path a true being he didn’t sell-out and he didn’t compromise. A true character in a lifestyle becoming increasingly P C and homogenized as its industries sell out by marketing to the masses rather than listening to its market. Dora is the surfers Che. VIVA Dora
Dora lives

November Cover Volume 1 Issue 11

This issue contains stories surrounding the Vodafone Surf Sessions. I wanted to use one of the action shots to do a cover similar to those the magazines would put out. I thought I had the chosen cover with this shot below of Mick Fanning. My brother and I debated on which shot to use, but then I gave in and went with the Andy Irons Shot.


Originally it was going to look like this but it just seemed a bit grey for a cover image . I was also struggling to find a good font and and grab statement for the cover . I was playing with the hue when I had the thought of the blood cover come to mind.

Out came the red again but as we had used it before it was time for something new. I played with a duplicate image of Andy to bring him brighter and forward in the image and then darken the background. While doing this and playing with the hue again I found a colour filter switch. Playing with this, I found the Crayon yellow background which gave the cover the final terrifying look of a horror movie. Saturday at Piha was nuts, 6-8 foot and maxing out, yet all the surfers charged. There were some good wipeouts which lead me to 'surfers to the Slaughter.

Siestas & Olas

Join in on a Mexican endless summer, where time is well utilised, seeking and finding waves on the Baja peninsula and the mainland Mexican coast.
For Tom Wegener, Josh Farberow, Marc Kavanagh, and special visitor, Joel Tudor, a 90-day visa is used to full effect.
Director Dan Wozniak (Ten Toes Over) narrates in fine “Endless Summer” style.
This is a well paced film of long and short boarding, including a huge variety of waves, from Matachen Bay’s five minute rides, to a left handed copy of Malibu and a pumping 20 - 60 foot wave at Petacalco.
However, its Joel Tudors section at pumping Mexican pipe, that he described as “my best barrel session ever”, that really steps the film up a gear.
The interweaving of Mexicali and surf music kept this an enjoyable and watchable film. It made me want to save up the money and go get my share of warm and uncrowded waves.
Best to watch: On those days when you don’t know which board to take out, or when you’re just chilling
Running time: 90 minutes.
Rating: 7.5/10

Can't you get along with anyone? A writers memoir

Allan c.Weisbecker
531 pages

The perfect wave in an isolated paradise...
Every surfers dream ? hell yes !
So how did famous surfing author Allen Weisbecker end up arming himself with a gun to go for a surf in paradise?
In this the third book by the author of 'Cosmic bandito's' and 'In search of captain zero' we
are taken deep into the actual events and mind of allan as paradise gets messed up big time.

This book is a memoir and i find it impossible to belive anything has been left out ,
in fact i'd find it hard to belive there would not be a huge group of people lining up to sue
allan into next century.
And i must forewarn you this book is a trip into the dark side of an authors mind as,
what can go wrong does go wrong ... big time.
I found this book quite difficult to read due to the total exposure by the author
and while it may not be my favorite book by the author i also couldn't put it down
and there is enough action to make your head spin,
It's all explained ;
what hollywood star he physically treatened ,
why a Hit was put out on him,
why his agent and editor ditched him
and how paradise was lost forever...

so over all this book created the full raft of human emotions in me
it wasn't what i expected or sought but it sure left a mark on my mind
and that to me signals a great author.

Rating ; 4/5 i wanted 'cosmic bandito's 2'.. but got so much more

October Cover Volume 1 Issue 10

Hey kiddies, here it is at last. The latest October issue of Riders Anonymous 10 days late. My computer was playing games with my pshycy so I sent it into the shop for repair.

In this issue I managed to get a couple of awesome days down south with Jordy from Ohakune and Nana Nathan from Oratia. We scored an epic bluebird day at Olympus but the snow never released for us to fully enjoy the expansive terrain on offer there. We ended up sessioning some kickers outside the top lodge.

The cover image was taken by myself and features Jordy just releasing the tail mid flight.

These last three images I have posted where taken on the first Monday of the school holidays. They feature Kyle (USA) Ketchup (Japanese girl with very long name and Nathan (Feet). Each of them showing there own personal style. These were my favourite pictures in this issue. I stood in the park on a glorious day for 2 hours and shot everyone who hit the big tables or the rails. There were over two hundred photos by the time I had finished.

The far shore

The Far Shore awaits you …
This film is about the celebration of being a surfer.
The year is 1972, and we join south California locals, Kevin Naughton (a surfer magazine photographer) and Craig Peterson, as they head out beyond the, then known, realm of surfing, committing themselves to the deep exploration of Central America, West Africa and Morocco in an amazing six-year journey.
Not content with the amazing waves they have discovered and named already, the boys continue over to Ireland to witness the early years of surfing on the emerald isle, before crossing over to join the cultured french for a gorging on Frances’ many beach and reef breaks. Finally, after a decade of scouring the planet for waves, the explorers enjoy the best Fiji has to offer.
This film is stylishly composed (bit of a ‘dogtown’ feel to it) and has such a reality edge to it that you’ll think you’ve been along on their travels.
The film is composed of interviews with people met and influenced; classic photos and footage of the waves, shores explored, and features a beautiful soundtrack.
Best watched when: You have to go to work tomorrow, but you wish you could hit the road tonight.
Running time: 60 min
Rating: 7/10

September Cover Volume1 Issue 9

This cover is an accident that almost didn't come about. After shooting of the Patiki Rocks at Piha I almost deleted this image. The sun was directly in my sight when I shot this, and I couldn't filter it in Photoshop. I then was playing around with the image and hit the wrong button which turned the image into a blood red, dark feel. I loved the image and played with the thought of it being a cover. I posted it as a signature on the forum and then I got the comments I was looking for. Within a week I had pulled the image as comments came flooding in to use it for a cover.

This is issue is by far the most complete issue thus far, making it the best. Inside this issue are articles from people all over the world and images from both the mountain and the ocean. The article headed 'How Big is it?' is my best and most fun piece of writing. I loved putting a sartircal twist upon such an important topic in surfing around the world. The picture below was posted but was too small to read what it said so feel free to answer this question in the comments box below.
Just a final note: This is me, attacking a cornice out in the Glacier at Turoa. I dropped higher up and bottom turned before unleashing this big hack into the lip. I love this shot it reminds me of the retro images from the early ninties. NZ Surfing Magazine had the exact opposite of this shot on their cover. The guy was surfing in boardshorts and was a goofy footer on his frontside. The captured pose of the surfer is exactly the same, facial expressions and all.

August Cover Volume 1 Issue 8

August rolled around quickly and yeilded some new suprises. One of which was a guy called Steve who emailed me with a couple of shots that his girlfriend had taken of him while in Bali and Telluride. Steve had no idea who I was but as son as I saw the photos I recognised him as a mate from the past. I emailed him back and he gave me permissin to use any photo I wanted so I immediatley picked this coffin box as the next Cover.

In the same month I morphed a picture of B-rad Buckle surfing n the Piha Bar. He saw the sequence and contacted me. We met up with a coffee and chatted about things surfers talk about and then swapped photos. This was one of the best issues we had put together for photos and had a god 50/50 split of surf and snow images.

yoga for surfers 3

Yoga is about being centered in chaos, and that sounds like surfing to me.
Yoga (stretching) is an easy way to stretch and strengthen in one movement, and is an essential tool for any surfer.
This DVD is impeccably presented by Peggy Hall, and features Tom Carroll, Garrett McNamara and Brian Conley. Filmed on the beach against incoming waves, each exercise is directly related to surfing manoeuvres.
According to experts, from the age of 14-15, we start losing our flexibility. I am a balding 37 year old, and sadly, not too flexible or fitness minded at all outside of surfing.
For me, this DVD is changing all that in challenging 20 minute increments. I do one section a day, working thru the DVD twice per week before, or even better, after surfing.
It contains 3 main sections;
The first section is my favorite. It deals with developing core strength of abs and back to aid in balance and breath control.
The second focuses on lower body strength and flexibility.
The third concentrates on upper body for developing flexible power.
To begin with, some poses are damn hard, but it’s great to watch how fast they become ‘doable’. I am also experiencing the same progression with my surfing, which is why I rate “Yoga For Surfers” a must have.
Yoga For Surfers 1 and 2 are more suitable for beginners/ intermediate, but if you’re already flexible, starting with this edition is a go.
Best watched when: You want to amaze your mates with super flexy

Single fin yellow

This surf DVD is one hell of an original concept!
Now, I’m a bit of a surf DVD connoisseur.
I don’t sell them, but I sure as hell watch them. My current favorite is “Yellow”.
Take one Malibu "old school" with 1 big skeg, and pop it in the mail to various surfers.
These include the shaper of the board, Tyler Hatzikian, Beau Young, Daize Shayne, Devon Howard, David Kinoshita and Jimmy Gamboa. Each person puts the same board through its paces in various locations like California, Oz, Japan and Mexico.
Add to all this the most mind blowing section of Bonga, Perkins trying to drop in to a good size pipeline, and what do you know?
I can't stop watching it!
After 50 odd surf movies,
I can't stop watching it!
Best to watch: When it’s 2 foot and peeling.
Rating: 9.5/ 10
Warning: Addictive

Cosmic Banditos

Allen.C. Weisbecker
192 pages

I first encountered Hunter. s .Thompson back in my teenage years ,
i was struggling through reading 'Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance'
and a friend gave me Hunter's 'Fear and loathing in las Vegas' to help lighten the mood of 'Zen'
I made a complete fool of myself for the next three days as i laughed my ass off in the smoko room.
but what a book (yeah the movies okay -- 1/10th of the book) what a one of a kind author.
Until Banditos arrived in the mail that is...

This is a Hilariously funny adventure story,
featuring Mr Quark a 'down and out' pot smuggler and his dog 'high pockets' and a snake called 'Legs'
just weeks before they were rolling in millions of dollars but now they're hunted terrorists...
Meanwhile jose a 'bandito beyond belief' mug's an American family ,
among the spoils are physics books ,which lead Mr quark and jose
into their own world of 'theories on relativity', the 'nature of the universe' and
The meaning of life??
all of this is mixed with bandito morals, tequila, explosives and drugs..
Rating ; 10 out of 5
In the authors own description of the book the best he can do description wise is ;
" i suspect this tale is simply another example of something"

July Cover Volume1 Issue 7

Winter had arrived and it was time too step up to the plate with more snow in our background than ever before for this time of the year. Tommo Troy sent me this pic and a few more of him that Riki Reinfield had taken end of the season before. I had seen them on another mates computer and had been asking to use them for some time. Riki agreed and I had the next cover. Using other published magazines for inspiration I used matching coulours for the text which is now standard at Riders Anonymous.

Editors Words- If you haven't done so yet please take time to read this quick story, I thought it was quite funny and it managed to offend most people who frequent each mountain. I am a Maori and can still see the funny side of a racist joke (because it is a joke) but people are so patriotic to their own mountains.

June Cover Volume 1 Issue 6

Nathan May had come to me at work with this idea he had to travel around the North Island in search of skate bowls to ride witha bunch of mates packed intoa small car. It sounded like a great idea and I was stoked when he said he wanted to put an article together for me. I have mates tell me every week they have an idea for a article but I never get anything. So when I saw Nathan next and he said the trip was good and the photos came out sick, I thought I would be making some bullocks up about a trip I wasn't on. But no, Nana came through with the goods andhis photography stepped up to a new level. I rewarded his effort by using one of his images for the cover. Cheers Nathan keep up the good work.

May Cover Volume 1 Issue 5

Another cover donated by James crow, funny it's a shot of him pressing the June battleship. This Cover set the standard for all the covers that followed. We changed the font of the title to Brie Light, which gave the whole magazine a cleaner easier look. Opening the issue you were greated with the new set format of the magazine. The new look was met with hesitation at first but then happy acceptance with a much easier faster way to navigate through the issue. This move took Riders Anonymous to a whole new level of professional imagery. This issue also contained more editorials that delivered info and facts about products and industry talk. Another step closer to being a magazine for the readers.

April Cover Volume 1 Issue 4

The X-Files issue was an exciting issue to put together. I asked Nic Reeves the artist behind Phoam Arts if she would contribute to Riders Anonymous by designing a cover for the April issue, she jumped at the chance to give it a shot. I worked hard with my brother Kori and Web Master James to try and put together a whole new concept. Ideas were flowing left, right and centre.

When you give different people the same breif, it's funny how much of a difference each persons interpretations are. Infact that is what made this issue so special. All of us had our own image of X File, so the final product was an awsome colaberation of 5 imaginitive people. The cover really topped of the issue and when I recieved it I was blown away. Good Job Nic you did Riders Anonymous Proud

March Cover Volume 1 Issue 3

The March issue was full of firsts. It was the first time we had decided to try themeing each issue starting with this 'the dirt issue'. It was also the the first cover not chosen by myself the editor and put in the hands of James Crow the nutty web master. Being James, I knew he would do something quite fresh and new for Riders Anonymous. What he came up with was perfect to the brief I gave him. It would probably never be used ina sports edition magazine but it could make a mag like Vice. The issue also saw the First bike story making us a truly rider orientated magazine. This issue also saw the first contributions from Surfscab and he has now become a regular contributor and we look forward to this summer when I am sure he will voice his opion about surf law.

February Cover Volume 1 Issue 2

Two photos blended into one cover. I was sent the photo of Nick Recordon hitting the Snowpark Battleship one morning and could see it as the cover straight away. Dave Recordon was the photographer and captured not only the action but also a great moody background. While I was in Raglan picking my nephew up for christmas I managed to grab a couple of photos at Manu bay. Morehu paddled out and then I snapped this shot which seem to blend perfectly in with nicks image. Both pictures were going to be used for covers and then only a week before the 2nd issue went live I merged the two photos and as a result the final cover looked sick!

January Cover Volume 1 Issue 1

The first cover of Riders Anonymous featured this photo of Matariki's taken from a look out above Daniels Reef. Matariki took about 15 photos this day and then went for a surf. The waves were a solid size on the sets and the rights had a great drop. It's amazing to think how this wave is known as a right to so many people and left to so many others. This is one of the best A-frame reefs around Auckland and on its day one of the best reefs in the North Island, shame about the crowds in summer though.

This photo was probably the best cover to start a new magazine with, it has everything a surfers wants; size, holowness, and clean blue glassy water.

In search of Captain zero

A surfer’s trip beyond the end of the road
Allan C. Weisbecker
Novel 328 pages

Good surf novels are far and few between as we surfers tend to be doers not describers so it is with eager anticipation I let you in on this book as I feel this is a truly worthy surf novel just how much is fiction I don’t know but how much is humorous and exciting and a little disturbing I do know and its most of it!
Allan manages to disturb the readers mind by subtly pointing to the lonely and self-centred existence of a exploring surfer seeking the holy grail of our culture; uncrowded waves of a perfection hidden away in some picture perfect paradise setting, fortunately Allan isn’t stereotypical in his descriptions or character creations as he slides you into his world and takes you for a ride.
This is not a dark noir style story as in Kem Nunn’s great surf novels, the atmosphere stays bright and swift moving like the Central American landscape it travels through.
I loved this book and am eager to get my hands on his out of print first book ‘Cosmic Banditos’ and I have gone as far as to pre-ordered his next book ‘ Can't You Get Along With Anyone? A Writer's Memoir’
Meanwhile I’m re reading this one.
Rating:4.5/5 .5 off for leaving me wanting more. ;)

The dogs of winter

The Dogs of Winter a novel
Kem Nunn
362 pages


I was put onto this book by a mate; Thanks Curly
Good surf writers are hard to come by.
Read Nat or MR’s books if you doubt me. “Yawn”.
Ken really is a great author building a balanced atmosphere and set of characters,
and maintaining them throughout the story.
He also weaves the language of the average man, surfer and lowlife beautifully!
I was also impressed at how wonderfully he built the character of the driven big wave explorer.
The plot of this story draws in surfers,
dead end photographers and native Americans,
and ominously ‘the man in the grey suit’
into a, sometimes, dark and violent tome that leaves one feeling there’s a bad storm approaching.
It really runs the whole gambit of emotions and I’m stoked to say Kem never sells out.
Over all a great read for the weekend or surf trip.
Rating 8/10