More two days of “Pura Vida”
After finally arriving at Rancho Burica at night, really close to Pavones, we still managed to feel that we were close to paradise, and we also had a really great reception, with a fabulous meal. We woke up surrounded by the sound of waterfalls, beautiful flowers and a huge flora diversity.
Now we realized why the locals were considered the happiest people in the world.
It was time to start surfing Pavones, a really long left so fun to surf. We spent the days surfing, shooting, eating, exercising, and sleeping beneath the palm trees.
At night all the riders want to check the photos, the footage and the rest of time with some drinks and party to relax. 
Rory “The Dog” always surrounded by his worldwide friends
Also amazing is the fauna in here. We already saw parrots, iguanas, monkeys, crocodiles, and so many others.
The nearest village is Punta Banco, where you only have a school, a church and a mini-supermarket, but who needs more when you’re enjoying this natural born paradise and such fun waves.
The best photos are still to come, hided in Ricardo Bravo’s camera. 
Pekel, the portuguese team rider
The nature is the queen in Costa Rica. Even in shops you must be aware of that.
Surf is not everything. Another way of riding waves.
23 Jun 2010
Bolt surfing Costa Rica – More Action
9 Jun 2010
Lightning Bolt surfing in Costa Rica – the first pictures
The first session in Playa Hermosa
These are really out of the box pictures from Costa Rica, and only from the first two days of this Lightning Bolt Surftrip, that just started this week.
Some of our european team riders are now surfing the South Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, and they are staying right close to Pavones, one of the best surf spots of the country.
The big Bolt crew headed by the Pipeline Master Rory Russell is:
From Portugal: Nuande “Silva” Pekel, Miguel Ximenez and Joana Machado
From France: Gege Brasset, Justin Delanne and Léa Mengual
From Spain: The basque rider Txaber Trojaola
We are still waiting to receive the best photos, and as you can see, we believe there’s some swell to be ripped. 
One of the best hosting friends you can have – The Crocodile 
A classic of any surftrip – Txaber Trojaola hard working 
Miguel Ximenez, the portuguese team Rider facing the foam wall.
For now that’s all, but stay tunned as the best is still to come.
ALOHA
19 May 2010
We like Rémi Bertoche
He kindly sent us his first Lightning Bolt artwork
When he’s not surfing the ocean, he surfs on canvas and when he leaves the canvas, he still embodies surf in his “FreeSurfing” magazine.
This is true, but an understatement when trying to describe Rémi Bertoche!
And why? Rémi is a painter, graphic designer, professional surfer, golf player, fashion designer, book publisher and the owner and editor of two French magazines: the “FreeSurfing Mag” and the “FreeGolf Mag.”
This incredibly and multitalented young man, born in 1977 in the elegant seaside city of Biarritz, in the Basque Country, and began his career as a professional surfer when he toured with the world tour from 1998 to 2003. Around the same time, still in his twenties, Rémi set up his first business utilizing his artistic skills.
It continues to be his main occupation. His paintings are inspired by two main atmospheres, “Surf & Sea” and “Golf,” his favorite sports. His work has made him well-rounded and worldly, namely travelling to luxury resorts in Turtle Bay (Hawaii) or in Tokyo (Japan).
Rémi has already gathered enough material to publish three art books, translated into English, Spanish and Japanese. He’s currently preparing the fourth volume.
Rémi’s graphic design skills stand out and can be seen in brands like Rip Curl, Swatch, Hurley, Puma and Purple Haze who have worked with him on advertisement and fashion design. 
In 2005, Rémi decided to launch an artsy golf magazine, the “FreeGolf Mag,” which is now distributed in 800 clubs. Two years later, he created yet another great magazine, the “FreeSurfing Mag,” which has gained recognition for its innovative design and concept.
As such a multi-faceted individual, it would take us too long to make a full interview about his life and career, so we had to select only a few questions. It was tough…
With such a busy career, how do you make time for your wife?
We celebrated our 10th anniversary together last year - we have 4 amazing children and I am very passionate about our family. They are integrated into all my projects and every major decision requires a family meeting. Everything requires a lot of planning, especially the art tour because I am on the road for 40 or 50 dates for live painting shows. It is true that I'm always over-booked, but never afraid of work and of new projects. Life is too short and nothing is more painful than regret...
We must confess it’s hard to figure it out exactly what your daily routine is. Can you tell us about it?
Wow! The most important thing is to understand that there is no plan or daily strategy. Sometimes, I dream and think of something and I wake up to take my paintbrush or paper to start something... It may sound weird, but it is like that.
For example, last night I woke up to paint oil canvas at 4 a.m. (in front of me: my TV to watch the ride of my French friend at Olympic Games). At 7 a.m., I checked my email and messages on Facebook. It was already 8 a.m. when I had an hour surf session. I was working on the magazines’ layout by 10 a.m. and had a lunch meeting with partners and investors from noon to 1 p.m. In the afternoon, I attended more meetings for the European surf shop tour planning. From 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., I played golf with my wife’s children and then checked emails and worked on some issues for my 4th book. Then at 9:30 p. m., dinner with my wife…
But not all days are alike; sometimes I wake up at 3 p. m. (laughs).The most important thing to me is to find some little windows for surf or golf and always keep a positive attitude. 
Kelly Slater is also a good golf player. But don't you think golf and surf are probably on opposite sides regarding action, risk and even personal attitude towards lifestyle? What links you to these two sports?
That's probably why these two sports are complementary. The mental attitude for golf is very important; when you miss a shot you need to redirect your attention to the next one and forget the bad swing. It’s exactly the same in a surf heat, when you fall down on your best waves...
Also, it’s always nice to think and play the golf strategy game and walk on the beautiful fairways in nice natural places... I also like the feeling of the swing shot. It’s nice to see the little white ball flying over 250 metres in the middle of the fairway. Golf is one sport where you cannot hold something against somebody, it’s only you. If you do a bad shot, that’s your fault. Sometimes it’s hard to admit it, it’s always better to find an excuse... This is why golf is so interesting; it helps you controlling your spirit.
What happens when you have a perfect off shore day to go surfing and you get invited to play golf with your best friend?
I always have a solution... I don't need a 5 hour-session to be happy, neither an 18-hole nor a 5-hour golf course for satisfaction. Sometimes, I just play 3 holes and I shot 6 balls on each start. But first I am a surfer so my first choice is naturally a good surf session. And I like all the sessions even if it’s on shore; I like it when it’s stormy and big on the beach break, for example… I prefer to have a 1-hour session at 100%, than a 3-hour session at 50%...
Anyway, I think I’d tell my best friend, who’s also a good surfer (laughs), let’s go surf. I’m sure he’d be ok with this choice... Next day, we’d go play golf. We’re lucky as the golf course is on the beach; we park our car at the same place for practising both sports.
Some of your surf and waves’ paintings privilege hollow waves and others pass on turbulence. Is this related to your surf style?
I enjoy painting what I like in the surf scene and what people like to buy!!... In the surf shop tour, I really need to understand what clients like and ask.
When I’m alone in my art studio, I like to explore different styles and abstract experiences... You know, my art universe is always on a constant need for search and I need to learn a lot. The art oil painting is very technical and I need to explore again 80% of this world... Above all I need to work all day on my art, this is the only strategy I have…
Which painters do you get your inspiration from?
The best of the best is Salvador DALI, because he had it all: technical skills, vision and charisma. For the surf scene, I like Severson for his life and his entire art project.
I admire Wyland for the big mural idea and also Lassen for his universe and fine art. I really like Lundy and Rietveld, who’s a friend. Also the biography of Griffin... Anyway, I admire all the painters who have a real art universe and singular technique or talent. For me and my vision about art, a black drawing with two eyes quickly done on a classic round face is not an art work... it’s a drawing made by classic people. To become an artist, it takes more than a spiritual conception. You are not an artist if you take a black pen and draw something in five minutes like I see in all the magazines who want to be fashionable and new generation trend spotters. They wish to be different, but that’s easy to do and everybody can do it, there is no originality in working like that. What really catches my attention is when I see a magazine that it’s different in its layout and on the choice of real artists or art projects.
What kind of atmosphere would you paint on the classic Lightning Bolt surfboards used by Gerry Lopez and Rory Russell in Pipeline during the seventies?
I love this part of the surfing history, the colours of the classic Lightning Bolt are very warm, like the Hawaiian place they come from, but it could be interesting to try more pink and green lagoon, associations with some resin pin line and special pro logo model.
And what about the release of three books, was it your own idea or were you pushed by friends or family?
At the beginning, it was a simple idea because the taxes and status for work in France are really not easy. So when you declare yourself as an artist, you need to say how many paintings you make, the colours you need for one canvas, how many paintings you sold with the picture, size and title... So, now I say it for fun, it is better to make a book to declare everything... and I worked on this idea and liked it, as I was a young artist, nobody at that time wanted to publish me. I checked the possibility and researched some sponsors who believed in this project and just managed to publish myself the books... Though the books are not very interesting for profit, as I’m actually losing money with them, they are important to establish a real visual credibility.
Regarding the professional surfing, are you already out? What made you took that decision?
You know, it’s hard to follow the tour when you are not always on the top. I left my family home when I was 17 to live in Australia and at 18 I slept at the surf club in the beach during 4 months... so the pro tour was my dream but the budget to follow was not there... That’s why now I go to some competitions again, but mainly for fun. This year I finished 295 on the WQS and I surf on each event with a 5'2’’ purple haze 5-fin diamond tail just for fun!
And the FreeSurfing Mag, tell us a bit why you felt motivated to do it?
That's an exciting project. I have the vision of a surfer to make a magazine for surfers, not for the public who just likes surf.
It makes a real difference for the surf wear brands, as their main message has not the same spirit of mine, because they always think of the target who buys the production. The FreeSurfing Magazine it’s just an art surf magazine for surfers made by surfers.
What’s on your mind for the future?
I am focused on my art studios architecture, on the 4th volume of my book, on the magazines, on the European art surf shop tour 2010, on the next barrels, on the next birdies, on the next travel. There are sooo many things on my mind... and little time to slow down!
And where can we find your work soon?
Coming next is the European Surf Shop Tour 2010. You have more information, photos and news about the last tour on Facebook: Remi Bertoche.
Websites:
http://www.bertoche-international.com
http://www.bertoche.com
http://www.freegolfmag.com
http://www.freesurfingmag.com
Burritos del Mar – Dans le tube Mexicain
Après 1 mois de voyage en solo, 10 jours à Hawaii et 3 semaines en Californie, nous nous retrouvons a L.A. Tim arrive de Tahiti et Makina du Pays Basque.
Nous voila partis direction Mexico.
Premier stop, le nord du pays, entre le cocotier 28 et le cactus 432. Viennent alors les retrouvailles avec l’équipe : Tonio, Geoff, Adri, Bastien, Romain, Anne-Cécile, Coline et en guest Parpain et Greg.
Notre plus gros rassemblement de Français de ces 3 derniers mois.
Au programme: quelques jeux entre potes, surf et "barrels" le matin, torta de pollo à midi, jeu de carte «No me fodech», rigolade et "cagoama familiar" pour finir la journée.
Résumé: les potes, des barrels et du fun, la vie au jour le jour sans stress!!!
Après 3 semaines posées là, Tim, Makina et moi prenons le bus pour le sud. 4h de route le long de la côte pacifique à traverser des kilomètres de plage et beachbreaks quasi vierges pour arriver au village de la Ticla.
Rencontre improbable et inattendue de Hans et Isabelle de retour dans ce pays. Une belle retrouvaille pleine de vérité et de simplicité pour nous trois.
Niveau surf, le manque de houle sur ce spot imposa un "search" sur la côte.
Tim et Makina connaissent un «secret spot» plus exposé à la houle. Ainsi, nous voila dans la benne du taxi avec planches, couvertures, coussins et provisions pour 4 jours de camping à la belle étoile. Secret spot on ne peut divulguer le nom de cette vague "powerful".
La vague est puissante et rapide, nous avons installé un campement de hamac avec notre stock d’avocats, de tostadas, de sauce pimentée et la pleine lune pour nous bercer autour du feu…qu’un mot à dire: MAGIQUE!!!!
Après ces moments hors du temps, nous décidons d’entamer un road trip jusqu’à Puerto Escondido. Par chance, nous rencontrons Matt, un californien passant l’hiver au Mexique dans son 4x4 aménagé, qui lui aussi, descendait à Puerto. il nous embarquait alors pour l’aventure. Comme je persiste à croire que le hasard n’existe pas et qu’il n’y as que des coïncidences, cette rencontre en était la preuve et le voyage fabuleux.
Les planches sur le toit, Makina dans la cabine arrière, un hollandais recueillit avec nous, le chien sur la banquette, nous voila en route pour Nexpa. Une semaine au top avec un crew soudé et déterminé…Panoramix, Asterix, Obelix, makina et moi le koala, nous sommes prêts à vivre tout ce qui viendra à nous. Jah Knows!!!Jah Knows!!! Comme le son dans la voiture, réglé au maximum et à répétition dans le truck. Nous faisons étape à Zihuatanejo et Acapulco avant d’atteindre notre destination finale: Puerto Escondido dans une ambiance festive et survoltée.
Tous curieux et impatients de surfer le Pipe mexicain, l’excitation est palpable chez chacun d’entre nous, mais c’est une autre réalité que nous découvrons…
Un spot surpeuplé, des vagues qui ferment énormément, une surf city au Mexique décalé du reste du pays. Une ambiance très différente de ce que nous avons vécu ces dernières semaines…
Le choix est fait, nous partons à "Barra de la Cruz" pour nos derniers jours de voyage et retrouvons cette authenticité mexicaine, "cabanas" à 50 pesos, "tortas de camaron" délicieuses, et gens accueillants; même si le spot est très prisé depuis le WCT Rip Curl, une ambiance plus tranquille est palpable.
Nous terminons ainsi notre voyage de 2mois au Mexique avec la satisfaction d’avoir vécu des moments formidables, intenses, et d’avoir bien "cruiser" dans ce pays merveilleux.
27 Apr 2010
Hawaii, surf highlights
There is an isolated island in the middle of nowhere, far from everything else, but always glowing in every surfer’s imaginary. This island has even a more special meaning for Lightning Bolt, since it was here that our story began, under the Pipeline Masters’ guidance, almost 40 years ago. 
Lightning Bolt’s affirmation today is still inseparable from this island and that was why, last January, our renewed BOLT TEAM set its horizons to the place where it all started, but also to one of the most blessed places for the surf practise – Hawaii. 
And Hawaii played the game and welcomed us with first-class waves, during one of the best winter seasons of the last years. 
David Raimundo on a very accented bottom turn in Pipeline.
It was a surf trip full of memories and emotions, definitely the most special one for those who love Lightning Bolt like we do.
More photos on our Flickr photo gallery. Just click here
Israel Rocha, new team rider
photo: Giovanna Marcondes
As we are now preparing our reentry in Brazil, we are stoked to announce new brazilian team rider, Israel Rocha.
Israel Rocha is 26 anos, started surfing 14 years ago and he lives in the south of Brazil, Florianópolis, really close to one of the best surf spots in the area, Praia do Santinho. That’s the spot where they have most of the local contest and even WQS and Pro Junior events.
His surf style is classic and he likes manoeuvres like tail slides, snaps, off the lips and smooth cut backs. He’s not a new school fan. “I like to enjoy all the wave line and do it till the end”
He defines himself as a very peaceful guy, as he loves nature and also he’s a fan of yoga, running and football.
Right now Israel is on a surftrip in South Africa till 7-June, and his main anchors will be Plettenberg Bay, on the first month, and then the famous Jeffreys Bay till the end of the trip.
His first impressions about the trip are mainly about the fauna “Although almost everybody talks about the huge fauna diversity in South Africa, I am really surprised with the harmony that I found between the nature and people”, says him.
Yesterday, when he was surfing perfect waves in “Loockout Point”, Plettenberg Bay, he saw about 40 or 50 dolphins.
But right after he got really scared, as he saw a giant black shadow below him in the water. He thought it was a white shark, very common there, but then he saw there were two big ray fish. When he got back home, he met lots of monkeys.
Soon we will publish more photos and stories about his surftrip.
20 Apr 2010
Free surf in Coxos, Ericeira
So simple as four surfers joining together to enjoy a relaxed and fun surf session in Ericeira, Portugal.
Jord Fortmann, our dutch team rider is on a surftrip in Portugal and he met Miguel Ruivo, Alexandre Ferreira and Teresa Abraços to surf for the first time in Coxos.
Photos: André Carvalho
Please click here to see all the surf session photos at our Flickr gallery
19 Apr 2010
BOLT MAG – NEW SPRING SUMMER ISSUE ONLINE
We are stoked to launch the fourth issue of our biannual magazine.
In this Spring Summer edition you will read what we were doing on the last six months.
Among all, we highlight:
The Trip: Hawaii 2010 – Return to the Source
Collection: Spring | Summer 10
A Pure Source: Graham Smith – It’s a Shaper’s Life
Highlightning: Radio Cuba
We Like: Rémi Bertoche
Profile: Txaber Trojaola
Worldwide Bolt: The Bolt Riders cruising Mexico, Indonesia and The Philippines
Bolt Lab: New Surfboards Collection
Stuff: Short News
Bolt4Free: Do you want to win Great Prizes? In each issue we challenge you to be one of the best 3 participants!
The printed issue will be available soon for free in all retailers that sell Lightning Bolt around Europe and USA.
26 Mar 2010
Surftrip in Hawaii – the official video – Part I
The Bolt europe team adventure surfing the North Shore
Team Riders: Alexandre "Xaninho" Ferreira, David Raimundo,Jeremy Brasset, Jord Fortmann, Nicolas Pinot, Pedro Soares, Txaber Trojaola.
Where: Pipeline, Haleiwa, Puena Point.
Also some making of moments of our Spring Summer 10 lookbook, featuring our gorgeous models Dominique Fletcher and Brooke.
Alexandre “Xaninho” Ferreira made some big barrels in Pipeline, but it was his first time there. We asked him about his experience:
You were especially anxious about surfing the mythic Pipeline wave. How did you feel when you got there?
I was very happy to be able to fulfil another dream. As a surfer, this meant a lot to me. Pipeline is an amazing wave… even the bravest shiver when looking at it. In fact, I studied the wave during three days, because it was so big that I knew I could not afford making any mistakes.
Not many surf Pipeline for the first time when it’s 4mts high. What was on your mind when you went in? Were you afraid?
Yes, I knew once I went in there was no coming back without surfing, but the waves were so beautiful… The forecast was 10 to 12’, the tubes were perfect, there was no wind and there were about 20 surfers in the water. I had to go in! So I was focussed on two things: riding a tube and praying not to die.
A couple of minutes after going in, you came out scoring one of the biggest waves of the day. How was it?
After listening to many piece of advice and to the incredible stories of our local mentors, Rory Russell and Jonathan Paskowitz, I knew I had to be “away from the pack”, and that meant being to be as far-off as I could on the outside or on the waves’ edges. And the leftovers were not for me, so I positioned myself as close to the peak as possible and, as a true gift, my first wave was a dream.
What about the crowd here? Is it the nightmare we read everywhere?
Yes, there’s a lot of crowd since it’s a global destination and it’s on the itinerary of every surfer, for being one of the best. Nevertheless, January was a good time of the year to be there, after the season’s competitive stress.
Which surfboards did you take with you? Did you make the right choice?
I think I made the most reasonable decision by taking 2 small surfboards with me and buying the others there, which are quite different.
Now that you know what it takes to be a Pipeline Master, which are necessary ingredients to be one?
To be a Pipeline master you have to be physically very well prepared and you have to respect the sea. The rest is up to the wave. Pipe takes care of you.
You realise that the idea of respecting the ocean carries a greater dimension here. Were you more careful about sea conditions than usual?
Absolutely! It was very important for me to spend a couple of days evaluating the sea conditions. Without that kind of knowledge, I would have been in real trouble.
When are you thinking of going back to the North Shore?
I hope to be there by the time that Pipeline Masters begins in December and for the WQS events in the beginning of January.
22 Mar 2010
Surftrip to Bali – Hadrien and Léa Mengual
On February it was time for Hadrien Ballion and Léa Mengual, our youngest french team riders, to spend one month exploring Bali. The surfers from Bordeaux just loved the trip. 
Léa Mengual, our new french team rider adapted really fast to indonesian waves 
Hadrien was very focused making the best fans 
“This surftrip was incredible. 1 month in the sun, warm water and all time good waves. Never less than 3 feet. We were 5 friends, there were good vibes. We didn’t stay at one place. We visited all the island (the waterfalls, the inner land, rice fields etc). But we stayed a lot of time in Uluwatu for this perfect left. The people from Bali are really friendly and peaceful. The nightlife in Kuta was great too. A really nice experience and I want to be there again” by Hadrien Ballion 
12 Feb 2010
Bolt Team 2010
Top Bottom, left to right: Jord “Flying Dutchman” Fortmann, Txaber Trojaola, Miguel Ximenez, Pedro Soares, David Raimundo, Gege Brasset, Teresa Abraços, Léa Mengual, Alexandre “Madxano” Ferreira, Justin Delanne, Maria Abecasis, João Kopke, Nuande “Pekel” Silva, Hadrien Ballion, Ratus Fari, Pumas, Bruno Rodrigues, Joel “Papu” Pereira.
We are very stoked to present the official Bolt Team for 2010 in Europe.
The main novelties are the first ever team riders in France, Spain and Holland, as the brand is now expanding its business in several European countries.
In France, we welcome Jeremy Brasset, Justin Delanne, Hadrien Ballion and Léa Mengual.
In Spain, from the Basque Country, pro-surfer and WQS athlete Txaber Trojaola is our first ever Spanish surfer.
In Holland, Jord “Flying Dutchman” Fortmann, the surf, longboard and snowboard instructor, but also a great free surfer, will hold the Bolt in the cold Dutch waters.
In Portugal, we highlight Teresa Abraços, national champion in 1996, and now a very respected and admired free surfer. She surfs since 1981 and, nowadays, her main objective is to use surf as a strong environmental keeper, but also to spread the sport in the poor coutries.
27 Jan 2010
Hawaii – More Surf
Pedro Soares presenting his board in Hawaii – Vertical mode. The best thing of surfing in Hawaii, is that you always find a great spot even if the wind is bad on most spots. That day we had to go to Puena Point, where they film Lost series and one of the few spots with good conditions.
Gege Brasset, our french team rider always with beautiful carves. 
David Raimundo, the portuguese team rider was one of the most enthusiastic, when the “surf” was about to begin. 
Jord Fortmann directly from the Orange country (Holland) on a very deep bottom turn. 
Again Jeremy “Gege” Brasset very concentrated at work 
Pedro Soares, the portuguese team rider, showed his best surf in his first trip to Hawaii
Jord Fortmann (left) and Nicolas Pinot (right) on the rocks to start again
Gege Brasset explaining live how to draw the line