The Bexon Bureau Issue 15

BEST EVENT IN DE WERLD

Simply put, the Twinkle Toes Log Riding Invitational is a social event masquerading as a surf competition. Launched off the back of the Long Surfboard Club, the Twinkle Toes is an excuse for those of us with a similar view of the pastime to get together to surf, dance, and tap into longboarding’s uniquely communal spirit. Hosted by Times Beach Warung in Canggu, it’s hard to imagine a more fun environment for a surf event - waves, food, culture, and bars aplenty. Everyone gets to surf empty Tugu three times before cumulative scores send the top twelve men and women into semis and finals. This year, our second running, the level of surfing was world class. It’s the bloody best event in de werld.

SHARING IS CARING

It’s fair to say that the invitational element of the Twinkle Toes acts as a bit of a sieve for assholes, and makes the whole no-rules approach of the event possible. You can burn your friends in the surf and sabotage their decision making skills in the lineup - you can steal one of the commentary teams mic and embarrass them in front of the whole world - you can even be nice and show them the love you think they deserve. But more than anything, the no-rules approach encourages accountability. In the end, no one was burned in earnest, and many great waves were shared.

MOST COVETED AWARD - THE MVP
Obvs there are winners at the Twinkle Toes but real respect is earned from your peers via how hard you hang.At this point you might be asking yourself “well shit, how hard do I hang?” Consider the following… are you the last at the pub? First on the beach? Loudest with the hoots? Most fun in the surf? Are you a vibe-warrior-1000, zero-ego participator? If so, you’ll be in with a chance next year. This year, however, was owned by a dynamic duo from Thailand, Mink and Ping, whose infectious energy made for endless good times. In addition to the prestige associated with the award, Mink took home a new 9’4” Wizl, and Ping got my personal board. Thomas Surfboards is stoked to be the Twinkle Toes MVP sponno - woohoo!

TEAM JAPAN

Heats in the Twinkle Toes are structured so that surfers surf with their friends, not against them. All of our surfers from Japan surfed together in their initial three rounds, just like they do at their local. As a spectator, it provided a snapshot of the thriving state of longboarding in Japan - Umi with the mohawk and punk surf style, understated Taka with a bit of JP class, Kazuto with the bang-bang vibes, Yu Lee with the grom status, and Tokyo hot-boi Seitaro, who was oh-so-close for MVP. Shout out to Team Japan - they brought the vibes. Other heats of note were the BK Boys and the Korean women contingent.

PIGGY BACKS FOR DAQS

Understanding that a tide change can kill even the best of conditions, a boring heat or two was guaranteed. That’s why we've made the Twinkle Toes a nimble little gal. Slow heat? Time for some extracurricular shenanigans. How about a piggy-back race for a jug of mango daiquiris? There’s nothing like a mango/white rum combo to get people in the mood. The Thomas team looked impossible to beat: Jake Henry and Nic Brewer, team Big Red, a team of strength and power. They took down the American/Uraguary team on the outbound run, and were on their way to a win before Henry got ankle tapped by the ghost of Ibu Tinny. I can’t remember who took the jug of daqs, but I know for sure it was the spectators who really won. Stay nimble folks.

iPHONE HACKS

Seeing as though it’s been all fancy shmancy photographer imagery up until now, I thought we better hack into some participator camera rolls to give you an idea of what was goin’ on BTS. Is it just me or does it look like everyone was having a good time?

TWO WINNERS, MANY GRINNERS

Alright, before we sign off, there were in fact two winners to go along with the many grinners at this year’s Twinkle Toes. Taking out the men’s, narrowly beating young Taybo from the Phillipines (keep an eye on that young man), was Kevin 07, Kev lord Skvarna, from the semi-United States of America. And winning the women’s for the second year in a row, was the effervescent Japanese surfer, Natsumi Taoka. Natsumi promised to bring a full women's heat worth of JP gals to next year's event. Be interesting to see whether they're any more tame than the blokes - I certainly hope not!

AND THAT'S NOT QUITE ALL, FOLKS

We premiered our new longboard vid, Animal Garden, on the beach at Times on opening night of the Twinkle Toes and received a ferry load of positive feedback. The surfing from Mason Schremmer and Luca Doble appears to have blown a few mindz. We're excited to share that we'll be showing the film here in Noosa at the Thomas Factory on Friday the 21st of November. All ages, BYO goodness, 6-9pm. Hope to see you there.