“I love that every new face is a new challenge, a new story to explore” THE RED BULLETIN 51
Elevated passions: Wicklow is her second Ireland stop, having painted a mother and child in Waterford
ambition increased, she brought in multiple colours, shading, and it became harder to work on illegal walls. And as her skills grew, so did the recognition. “Six years ago, I was able to leave my day job to become a full-time artist,” says Zabou, still smiling at this reality. “Wow, six years ago – that feels like another life. Suddenly I had all the time and energy to be like, ‘Great, this is what I do now.’ In 2020, I started to take my own photos to work from. This was the biggest shift for me to transform my art into what I’m doing now. Because I began to meet all these people, learn their stories, share their emotions. And so it started to become more about people than about the final artwork, almost.” When magnifying the subjects of her large-scale murals, Zabou takes hours, days, studying every facial contour and wrinkle to accurately capture that person’s uniqueness. This, she says, creates a special bond between her and those she paints. “I love that every new face is a new challenge, a new story to explore, to understand the history people wear on their face. You can learn something from every person. Passers-by always think I’m painting someone with some kind of fame or celebrity. But if you paint people from daily life – a person who’s anyone, everyone – it sends a message: no one deserves to have their portrait painted more than anyone else.” There’s the idea of democracy again. Zabou paints students, famous musicians, members of the local community where she’s working, athletes, nurses, friends… whatever a space or idea inspires her to create. Her early, less photorealistic work often contained a clear message – about disconnection, racism, politics – using text. Now her messages are less defined. “Sometimes the message is still obvious, sometimes not,” Zabou says. “I like that there’s a little bit of mystery sometimes. You don’t have all the answers. Anyone is able to interpret the artwork as they wish. But I’ve also painted the portrait of people who, for example, have experienced homelessness. And I think that [message] is so important. It’s like, ‘We exist, we’re here.’ It makes people who are often invisible in the city visible.” Zabou says reactions to her work range from those who casually thank her as if seeing their face enlarged on a wall is an everyday occurrence, to those who are more visibly moved. She recalls a mural she created in Islington, north London, in 2019, depicting Becca, a young woman from Liverpool who was made homeless after coming out as gay to her family in her teens. Becca found football through Centrepoint and managed to improve her situation. She’s now a spokesperson for the charity, which commissioned Zabou to paint her. “I didn’t know Becca before I painted her,” she says, “then we became friends. Zabou spark that wasn’t part of her pragmatic plan. “I remember going to Shoreditch all the time. I literally became obsessed with that culture of artwork and graffiti everywhere. This was over 10 years ago, so Shoreditch was less sanitised than it is now, more of an urban jungle, covered in paste-ups and tags. I thought, ‘I need to try this.’ I didn’t really think it would lead me anywhere. And I didn’t feel intimidated. I’m pretty proud of myself for being that [brave] kid at 20 years old. I started on legal walls in Stockwell and Waterloo, just testing it out.” Working with stencilled images that enabled a quick getaway, Zabou began to make her mark on the capital over the next few years – occasionally interrupted by the police – while holding down a day job as a graphic designer. But as her “Painting murals feels like a dance. You’re always in movement” Faces places: (clockwise from top left) Abbé Pierre, Saumur, France; Audrey Hepburn, east London; singer Eva Lazarus, and Théo (advocate for the deaf), both Saint-Quentin, France THE RED BULLETIN 53 PATRICK BOLGER
She’s someone who’s always talking, full of life. But when she came down to see the artwork, she couldn’t say a word. We had this moment of silence together. Then she said, ‘It’s like you’ve seen into my soul.’ It was a very powerful moment for me. My paintings matter to the person, but they also matter to the people who pass by. You can choose to ignore it completely, but you can also choose to learn a bit more about the mural and what’s behind it.” Although much of Zabou’s work is imbued with these sorts of positive messages, it can also be contentious. In 2020, she was offered a blank side wall of the Duke of Wellington pub in London’s Spitalfields to paint as she wished. She created a trompe l’oeil-style image of a man’s face emerging from the brickwork – a modern interpretation of Jack the Ripper, inspired by the history of the area. After around six months, a local resident partially whitewashed the painting and wrote the name of one of the Victorian killer’s victims in its place. “For me, it was another subject,” says Zabou. “I don’t mind having darker subjects, because I strongly believe that artists should be able to paint or talk or rap about anything they want. Like it or not, [Jack the Ripper] is a huge part of the history of that area – though I didn’t mention him by name. And I wasn’t making any money out of painting it. I completely understand how some people could be offended by it, but I don’t regret the painting. For me, street art is like the start of a discussion, a social dialogue. People have a right to express themselves, so for me it doesn’t really matter that it got painted over. I thought it was a really interesting development – it’s part of the life of the artwork. It continued the story.” Z abou has exhibited work in more formal settings – most recently, in March last year, a solo exhibition at London’s Saatchi Gallery. But the many and varied reactions she receives when working in the street haven’t tempted her to switch to more private spaces. “You get everyone and anyone in the street stopping by to discuss [my work], from someone who’s homeless to someone parking a Porsche,” she says. “Some people will hate it. Some people will love it, and they’ll tell me so. They give their opinion without fear, because I’m in public and this should be open to anyone. A lot of people who look at these artworks and talk to street artists wouldn’t ever step into a gallery; maybe they feel like they have no art education. But when you’re in the street, they feel they can express themselves without judgment and with no filter. I think that’s precious.” Zabou’s murals have made her an ever-present feature in her adopted community of Tottenham and Enfield, the areas of north London where she spends much of her time. Her skills are also increasingly taking her around the world: she’s about to head off to Ireland for two projects, followed by a stint in Cyprus. But one of her proudest moments to date came last year when she completed her third mural in Saumur, helping to kickstart her hometown’s street-art story. “I went to paint in my former school, and it was just the best,” she says. “It was just so meaningful to be there. I would have never thought as a kid that one day I could come back and do this.” That she can achieve more than she might think possible is something Zabou has learnt while high up on platforms above numerous cities. “To me, painting my murals feels like a dance,” she says. “You’re always in movement. You do two lines here, then move across, bend down to grab something… My eyes are constantly travelling from the sketch to the wall, for eight, nine hours at a time. I’m quite petite, too, so it’s exhausting. But I guess that’s the beauty of it: you can be tiny and still achieve big things.” Instagram: @zabouartist “For me, street art is like the start of a discussion, a social dialogue” Zabou Tight spot: Zabou’s ambitious piece The Box, painted in Bayreuth, Germany, shows two perspectives of a trapped man (photographer Benjamin Mallek) 54 THE RED BULLETIN
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Art of the action BRYAN NIVEN Semi-finalist, top 250, Creative category Camera skills and a keen eye are key in actionsports photography, but never underestimate good fortune. US lensman Niven was in the water off California’s Pismo Beach, lining up a shot, when “a flash of neoprene appeared from nowhere, and a surfboard leash flew past my face! I recall thinking, ‘Well, that shot’s ruined.’ [But] later the image flashed into my mind, so I searched through the footage. Then… I saw it”. bryanniven.com; Instagram: @bryanniven Words DAVYDD CHONG RED BULL ILLUME is a testament to the passion and commitment of action-sports athletes and those who capture their glories on camera. Held every two years, the contest showcases work by the world’s most gifted photographers. Here’s a taster of the class of 2023… 57 BRYAN NIVEN/RED BULL ILLUME
ELIAS GISELBRECHT Semi-finalist, top 250, Emerging with Canon A teenage dream realised. Berlin’s striking parliament building, Marie-Elisabeth-Lüders-Haus, had been top of Giselbrecht’s ‘must-shoot locations’ list since he was a 15-year-old freerunning and taking photos in his native Vienna. Eight years later, this March, while on a trip to the German capital with parkour athlete Daniel Heinzl (pictured), he nailed it. Instagram: @brichti_revo (opposite) HANNES BERGER Finalist, top 50, Energy “We were on a location check in India, near Alsisar,” says Austrian photographer Berger of this striking shot, “and our guide mentioned a neighbouring desert. Fabio [Wibmer, MTB ace, pictured] and I exchanged a meaningful look, because the idea of shooting in the desert had been haunting us for some time. The next day, we strapped his bike onto a jeep and set off.” hannesberger.com
Red Bull Illume THE RED BULLETIN 59 ELIAS GISELBRECHT/RED BULL ILLUME, HANNES BERGER/RED BULL ILLUME
Folk hero: “I’m not making folk music that everyone’s heard,” Jackson says. “I always embrace my uniqueness. Not everyone will get it all the time” GUY FATTAL Semi-finalist, top 250, Masterpiece by Sölden From his childhood in Israel’s Jerusalem Hills to his current home in Whistler, Canada, nature and action sports have been Fattal’s lifelong passions. Which is why, just weeks after tearing his ACL, he was in the snow shooting freeskier Tom Peiffer near Canada’s Tricouni Peak. It was worth any discomfort: “Tom’s playful line [lent] a dynamic contrast to the serene backdrop, bringing this beautiful scene to life.” guyfattal.com; Instagram: @guyfattalphoto Red Bull Illume 60
GUY FATTAL/RED BULL ILLUME
JB LIAUTARD Finalist, top 50, Playground by Radiant Photo Sometimes a location looks too good to be true. Take this sand dune in Nazca, Peru, where Liautard shot enduro/freeride MTB star Kilian Bron. “I flew my drone up there and the view was absolutely breathtaking,” says the French photographer. “The wind just shaped that huge dune with a perfect pattern… It was so perfect, it almost looked fake.” jbliautard.com; Instagram: @jbliautard (top) IAN COLLINS Semi-finalist, top 250, Playground by Radiant Photo “In late 2021, Brandon [Semenuk, MTB doyen] and I went out to the [Utah] desert on a shoot that was one part personal project, one part Troy Lee [Designs] apparel shoot,” recalls the American. “We found this rock smack-dab in the middle of a wellknown zone and scratched in a line deep in the night. The next morning, we came back and shot it in flat light.” Job done. iancollinsphotography.com; Instagram: @iancollinsphotography 62 THE RED BULLETIN IAN COLLINS/RED BULL ILLUME, JB LIAUTARD/RED BULL ILLUME, JUAN GARCIA PRIETO/RED BULL ILLUME
JUAN GARCIA PRIETO Finalist, top 50, Innovation by MPB For us, it’s a stunning image of Colombian BMXer Jorge Arias, aka Kazique, backflipping over a fountain in Santiago, Chile. But for its creator there’s a deeper meaning. “This shot is a testament to the power of friendship and the pursuit of personal growth,” says the Chilean. “In Jorge, I found… a reminder that with the right mindset we can defy gravity, both in our passions and in life itself.” Instagram: @juanonas Red Bull Illume
KEVIN KIELTY Semi-finalist, top 250, Photos of Instagram Kielty was a latecomer to surf photography, taking his first picture at the age of 51. He shot this image at The Wedge – a surf break known for its fierce waves – in California’s Newport Beach in September 2022. “I’d been shooting [bodyboarders] at 500mm when I noticed a nice set [of waves] coming in for the surfers,” says the American. “I dropped to 200mm just in time to catch this guy dropping in on a foamy ten-footer before it swallowed him whole.” Instagram: @kksurfphotography 64
Red Bull Illume KEVIN KIELTY/RED BULL ILLUME
KEVIN MOLANO Finalist, top 50, Lifestyle by COOPH “In the world of skateboarding, where tricks are challenging and falls are common,” says the Colombian photographer, “‘Skate or Die’ represents a total commitment to the sport.” His shot of local skater Nataly Lucano after a hard fall in Bogotá perfectly illustrates this. kevinmolanoph.com; Instagram: @kevinmolanoph TOM McNALLY Semi-finalist, top 250, Lifestyle by COOPH Climbers gotta climb. When the crags near his Lake District home are too wet and misty, Will Birkett trains in his shed, as captured here. “I like photographs that take time to absorb, and I think this definitely falls into that category,” says fellow Cumbrian McNally. “For me, there’s two things which really make the picture: the sign on the door, and the back of Will’s head.” tommcnally.co.uk; Instagram: @tommcnallyphotography 66 THE RED BULLETIN
DENIS KLERO Semi-finalist, top 250, RAW Klero’s career highlight is a BASE-jump project on Everest with the late Valery Rozov in 2013. Here, he returned to ground level. “I’d seen a portrait shot with similar staging, and I liked the aesthetic, so I developed it, adding an athlete [skater Liliya Sukhankova] in a dynamic pose.” klero.ru; Instagram: @denisklero Red Bull Illume The awards ceremony is on Nov 30; redbullillume. com; @redbullillume Scan the QR code to buy the Red Bull Illume 2023 Photobook THE RED BULLETIN 67 KEVIN MOLANO/RED BULL ILLUME, TOM MCNALLY/RED BULL ILLUME, DENIS KLERO/RED BULL ILLUME
Valley girls Infectious punk tracks on subjects such as meal deals and jiu-jitsu have already won anarchic Welsh band PANIC SHACK a varied and growing fanbase. What’s next? We joined them at a remote log cabin to find out The start of The Red Bulletin’s interview with Welsh punk band Panic Shack backs up their reputation for chaos. On a Friday afternoon in late September, we log into a Zoom call and are greeted by the close-up faces of lead singer Sarah Harvey and bassist Emily Smith, who appear to be in the living room of a log cabin. They playfully gesture and mime that their microphone isn’t working as they laugh and frantically tap on their laptop keyboard. It feels as Words LOU BOYD Photography REN FAULKNER though we’ve accidentally dialled into a hyperactive slumber party. Guitarist Megan Fretwell rushes to their aid and takes control of the laptop as, in the background, bandmate Romi Lawrence – Panic Shack’s other guitarist – enters through the front door, managing to look both bemused and unsurprised by the scene she’s just walked in on. Fretwell finally presses the right button, unleashing the foursome’s chatter and easy 68 THE RED BULLETIN
Real deal: Panic Shack (from left: Sarah Harvey, Megan Fretwell, Romi Lawrence, Emily Smith)
Panic Shack “We’re just having a laugh and playing music” laughter through the speakers, and our interview begins… Panic Shack have become notorious for their infectious brand of highenergy mayhem. Hailing from Cardiff, South Wales, the band burst onto the music scene in 2021, quickly grabbing attention with their brash, witty punk songs, which delve into the nuances of everyday existence. Onstage antics – both stage-diving and synchronised girl-band dance routines – have become a staple of their sets. “We’re all just having a laugh and playing music,” says Fretwell on the band’s ethos as the four women gather around the laptop to chat, cautiously bringing over an overflowing cafetière of black coffee and four cups, and passing a pink vape between each other. “We all love going to gigs and festivals, then one day we looked around and realised that we could probably do it just as well than the guys on stage. It’s all just bravado.” Panic Shack came together through school and work – Lawrence and Smith were old friends from school, and Smith met Fretwell and Harvey while working in eco-friendly cosmetics store Lush in Cardiff city centre. “We used to stand around in Lush and talk about the kind of band we’d be, just sort of joking to make the shifts go quicker,” Smith says. “It wasn’t until we all went to the Green Man Festival in 2018 and camped together that we really decided to do it. That’s when the band really started.” Returning from the festival, the four women got started on creating their band. First in the order of business was learning to play instruments. “We knew exactly what we wanted to be, we knew how we wanted to dress, the gigs we wanted to have, and the kind of stuff we wanted to write songs about,” explains Fretwell, “but apart from Emily [Smith, bassist], none of us played an instrument.” Bob Vylan “We’re gearing up for our tour with [London duo] Bob Vylan. It’s across the UK and there are only a few tickets left. We can’t wait, because the Bobbies are so much fun.” Undeterred by this fairly substantial hurdle, they began digging out dusty acoustic guitars from their parents’ attics and buying cheap secondhand electric ones from shops in town. Then they set about creating their sound. “I still don’t play an instrument,” admits Harvey. “Me and Meg used to go get drinks and do karaoke every week after our shifts together. I think maybe that’s how I got the gig as the singer.” “You do play the harmonica!” Smith interrupts, making the band fall about laughing. Then they scream as they – inevitably – knock over the cafetière, spilling black coffee everywhere. F ast forward to 2023 and the sound the band have created is unique, sharp and anarchic. Now with a touring band member – drummer Nick Doherty – on board, their beats and rhythms evoke the spirit of bands such as ’70s punk pioneers The Slits and riot-grrrl touchstones Bikini Kill, with lyrics and a sense of mayhem more akin to rap mavericks the Beastie Boys and Aussie punks The Chats. Their debut EP, affectionately titled Baby Shack, released in April last year, contains songs about anger, disgust and even just hunger, all projected through the band’s raucous sense of humour. The very first track written for the EP, Jiu Jits You, details an annoyed conversation with a man in a bar: “Um, excuse me/My friend was sitting there/Yeah, but she’s coming back in a second/Fine, sit there, whatever/No, I’ve got a drink, thanks/ Yeah, and my eyes are up here, mate.” “We wrote that song all the way back in 2018,” says Fretwell. “Me and Saz [Harvey] went to a Lush conference together in Manchester. They gave us £15 expenses each and we spent it all on cocktail bowls and pizza. We were sat in this cocktail bar, trying to write a song, and these men just kept coming up to us and being like, ‘I want to buy you a drink, I want to buy you a drink.’ They would not leave us alone, and we just could not be arsed with them. That, along with the fact that we’d recently gone to a jiu-jitsu class, inspired the song’s chorus: ‘‘’Cos I do jiu-jitsu/I’m gonna jiu-jits you, bitch.’” Other songs on Baby Shack tackle slightly more trivial themes with no less passion. Meal Deal is about being skint, hungry and desperate for a Panic Shack’s guide to today’s DIY punk scene Getdown Services “If you’ve never heard of them, listen as soon as you can. These guys [a duo from Bristol] are so mad in the best way. We’re hoping to be able to play some gigs together very soon” Saloon Dion “Our mates! We recently made friends with [Bristol five-piece] Saloon Dion and we’re all close now. They’re a lush band.” The Family Battenburg “We played with [Cardiff four-piece] The Family Battenburg for the first time last year and they blew us away. We were gobsmacked at how good they already are.” 70 THE RED BULLETIN JOSHUA JARMAN, JAMIE MACMILLAN, ROBIN LAANANEN
“Being women and workingclass, we literally have to put our all into this”
money to buy tickets for sold-out gigs,” says Fretwell. “But when we played at festivals this summer, we started seeing loads of people, young and old, turning up and knowing our songs. That’s when we really felt like people were getting it and liked what we were making. Teenagers were joining their first mosh pit – not really knowing how to do it yet – at our gigs.” The crowds at Panic Shack’s gigs may have surprised them at the start of 2023, but they only got bigger as the year went on, climaxing with an “Teenagers have joined their frst mosh pit at our gigs” sandwich, snack and drink combo from the supermarket, while Who’s Got My Lighter? voices the annoyance of losing your best Zippo on a night out. “Baccie comes and goes,” sings Harvey. “Who’s got my lighter? I’m gonna fight ya.” When they took these songs on the road in February this year on their first headline tour, Panic Shack found their music appealed to a much wider audience than they could ever have expected. “We noticed a lot of the people at the headline tour were older guys, maybe because they have more Best buds: the band are friends from school and work – three of them met at cosmetics store Lush; touring drummer Nick Doherty (not pictured) joined later 72 THE RED BULLETIN
Panic Shack “We had to play straight after the soundcheck, though, so it was all a bit much. I probably could have done with a few minutes to collect my thoughts before doing a gig like that!” U nfortunately, not all reactions to Panic Shack have been so positive. After the BBC filmed them playing their song The Ick at the Reading & Leeds Festival in August last year, the band posted a clip on TikTok, and among the posts of praise was an outpouring of criticism from – almost entirely male – users roasting their punk sound, attacking them for their look and clothing, and making unfounded assumptions about their upbringing. “It was mad,” recalls Harvey. “They were saying that we’re posh schoolgirls cosplaying as working-class, and they called us a Tory band, which is obviously not true. They were saying all this stuff about how they’d found evidence our dads were investment bankers and things like that. But hey, trolls gonna troll, I guess.” The comments helped Panic Shack gain support from other bands, including Wet Leg, who reached out to show solidarity. But it hurt them more than they showed at the time. “It was really tough,” says Fretwell, “I actually gave away the dress I wore in that video – I just couldn’t look at it any more.” Harvey looks over to her bandmate and shows her agreement. “I’ve not worn my top again, either,” she says. “It’s literally so tainted. But Emily [Smith] stood strong for all of us.” The bassist, who posted replies to the worst and most misogynistic of these online comments, smirks. “Yeah, I wasn’t going to just let them get away with it,” she says. Negative comments on Panic Shack’s appearance and music weren’t pleasant, but it was the accusations of a leg-up in their career that annoyed them the most, especially as they’re all working full-time jobs to support themselves. incredible set at Glastonbury Festival in June, when the band were invited to play on the Truth Stage in the famous Shangri-La area. With so many huge acts simultaneously playing the festival, Panic Shack didn’t know whether to expect 10 people or a hundred, but as the band stepped on stage the crowd was in its thousands and, to avoid a potential crush, security had been forced to barrier off the whole area and prevent more people joining. “That was a surprise,” says Smith. “It was awesome,” agrees Fretwell. “We understand that people are wary of bands being fake and hiding privilege, because that’s the way it’s been with some other bands for years,” says Smith, “but don’t tear us down for something we’re not. It’s fine, whatever, but sometimes it’s feels like we are at a disadvantage and we’re having to work twice as hard.” Fretwell agrees: “Being women and being working-class, we literally have to put our all into this. It’s just a bit insulting.” T his week, Panic Shack have managed to book time off from their day jobs to run away to a wooden cabin and write new music. “We’ve played more than 80 gigs already this year, and it’ll be more than 100 by the time the year is over, so we’ve not had any time at all to write anything new – we’ve been running around with the same six songs for two years now,” laughs Fretwell. “Yeah, when we’re not gigging we’re in work, so this is our chance to lock ourselves away and do something new,” says Smith. “We did three days last week and we’ll do the same this week.” With three days of writing already down, can they tell us anything about the new tracks? “We’ve already written some bangers,” says Harvey. “It’s a bit different and we’ve got a bit more of a structure now, but it’s still classic Panic Shack.” They all laugh. “Yeah, don’t worry, we’re not going to start writing about love or anything,” adds Smith. The music is getting more polished, so does that mean the band are, too? Can we expect a more decorous, musicindustry-friendly Panic Shack some time soon? Not likely. A few hours after our Zoom call, a post pops up on Instagram. It’s a video of the band standing on the patio, smoking rollups, drinking beers and cracking each other up. For Panic Shack, this party is only just getting started. Instagram: @panicshack “We used to stand around in Lush and talk about the kind of band we’d be” THE RED BULLETIN 73
VENTURE Enhance, equip, and experience your best life MAIDEN VOYAGE Ski-rafting in the Arctic Circle, Norway 75 AARON ROLPH, MAURI MARASSI AARON ROLPH
VENTURE Travel I wade into the biting Arctic waters, doing my best to avoid snagging the bottom of my inflatable pack raft on the sharp rocks protruding out of the seabed before jumping in. The 2m-long boat is made of tough stuff, but on this craggy beach with the powerful swells crashing into the shore I’m all too aware of the risk of being capsized, spilling myself and my skis overboard into the below-zero water. Between each and every wave, I fight to get out of the frothing whitewater. After a bout of frantic paddling, I’m stable and my skis – which are strapped to the hull of my boat – are just about seaworthy. It’s late April in northern Norway and the days are getting long; the months of the midnight sun are only around the corner. It’s easy to lose track of time, but my aching muscles haven’t forgotten being on the move for more than 17 hours already. I try to put the pain to the back of my mind and set about catching my expedition partners – fellow Chamonixbased adventurers Jess Clark and Mauri Marassi – who have made good headway into the distance in their double raft. “We’re given a stark reminder of our exposed position in the midst of these mighty seas – a humbling experience that tests the limits of our resolve” Aaron Rolph, adventure athlete After a few single-day expeditions in the Alps, Finnmark – Norway’s largest and most northerly county – seemed like the logical location to test out a whole new winter discipline: ski-rafting. We’ve planned a self-supported land and sea mission in this area, which is home to countless fjords and islets. It will see us traverse the length of four islands and explore some of the wildest parts of Scandinavia using skis and pack rafts to access untouched spots, crossing the bodies of water that divide the mountains. Having set off from the settlement of Årviksand almost 24 hours earlier, we endured sideways snow blizzards and unrelenting gale-force winds well in excess of 50kph. Despite these, we successfully crossed the remote mountainous islands of Arnøya and Laukøya, covering 40km and more than 2,000m of vertical elevation on our skis in between trips across exposed stretches of sea. Although the terrain was similar to the Alps, the brutal weather, humid air and extreme remoteness made it a very different experience. When I catch up with Clark and Marassi, the three of us battle to prevent our boats Floating points: Rolph rides rough waters on a moody day in the Lyngen Alps; (opening page) he and Clark paddle home after an epic sunset ski on Vengsøya 76 THE RED BULLETIN
VENTURE Travel being turned side-to-side, before reaching the all-important halfway point just as night descends. Looking back at how far we’ve come, and ahead to our destination, Skjervøya, still far in the distance, we’re given a stark reminder of our exposed position in the midst of these mighty seas – a humbling experience that tests the limits of our resolve as the waves continually crash overboard. After an intense few hours on the water, we near landfall. The natural protection of the bay finally yields more tranquil waters and a sense of calm after the storm. We’re expecting to meet our friend, filmmaker Luke Jarmey, at the shoreside cabin. To my delight, I can make out the unmistakable whiff of a log fire, its soft golden hues reflected in the dull blues of darkness. Bundling inside, we’re buzzing with excitement to get out of our wet kit and into our sleeping bags for some well-deserved rest. The following morning, we wake to a perfect bluebird day. The mountains of the neighbouring island, Kågen, are glistening with fresh snow. Despite our Water feature: Marassi skis all the way to sea level – one of the special experiences that Norway offers weary bodies, we’re excited to get going Rising to the challenge: Rolph and Clark climb the ever-steepening Godmother – as in ‘the mother of them all’ – couloir THE RED BULLETIN 77 AARON ROLPH, MAURI MARASSI AARON ROLPH
VENTURE Travel with today’s adventure, which promises some of the most exciting skiing of the whole trip. Our paddle over is worlds apart from the night before, and it takes no time to reach the mountains that appear to tower right out of the sea. After packing up our boats for the final time, we ski-tour towards Kågen’s interior, following a valley that snakes its way up to the high alpine. Mesmerising sea views fill the horizon as far as the Before we’ve even finished the conversation, the sound of an explosive cracking, then a deep rumble, bounces between the peaks. A huge avalanche has set off on the face opposite, roughly the same gradient and aspect as the one we’ve just decided not to ski. From the precipice just above the valley we’ve finished touring up, we’re in a safe position to watch this natural wonder, which is as beautiful as it is menacing. We carefully descend the mellow slopes, leapfrogging as a trio down the valley to sea level. We’ve had a close call, but crucially we learnt to trust our gut, making it down safely to the end of the fourth and final island of our trip. Although we’ve endured the full force of nature, with weather and sea conditions that have commanded our full attention to ensure survival, the discipline of ski-rafting has been a success. And I’ve never felt more alive. Aaron Rolph is a British adventure athlete and photographer based in the Alps. He’s also the founder of the British Adventure Collective, a collaboration of athletes and photographers who aim to showcase the UK’s wildest spots, an approach he has now taken worldwide. Homing in: Jarmey and Clark head from shore to overnight cabin on Arnøya britishadventurecollective.com eye can see. Reaching our high point of around 1,000m, we discuss our options and whether we’d feel comfortable on a steeper slope than we’d mapped. It looks like it could be an incredible ski, but we’ve heard reports through friends of persistent weak layers in the snow and therefore a high risk of avalanche. I have a bad feeling about it and, after sharing this with the group, we opt for a lower-risk descent. Go full circle At 70° North, Finnmark is the most northerly region of mainland Norway, situated well inside the Arctic Circle. Although remote, it’s only a three-hour drive from the city of Tromsø – a great starting point for any Norwegian adventure and also the location of an international airport. visitnorway.com Glowing above and beyond: the team grab a chance to dry out in front of the fire in this unique hut, which looks out to Laukøya 78 THE RED BULLETIN AARON ROLPH, MAURI MARASSI AARON ROLPH
SCOTT-SPORTS.COM © SCOT-Sports 1 2023.24 1 Photo: Moritz Ablinger o�CCTT
VENTURE Equipment DIVE Marine five Made from bioceramic and recycled fishing nets, this remake of a classic watch dives deep into the past, but with an eye on the future The must-have watch of 2022 wasn’t a Rolex or Richard Mille but a Swatch – a £207 ‘plastic’ facsimile of the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch (famously worn during the Moon landings). For months, queues snaked out of Swatch stores; Daniel Craig and Ed Sheeran wore the watch, and the brand enjoyed a popularity not felt since its ’80s heyday. How could it top this? By diving deep. The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, launched 70 years ago and worn by ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau, is considered the first true diver’s watch. The Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms is an audacious replica, water-resistant to 91m (50 fathoms). Available in five colours (one for each ocean), it uses bioceramic not plastic, its strap woven from reclaimed fishing nets. Good for fish, better for the fashion scene. swatch.com The caseback reveals a self-winding rotor printed with an ocean animal. On the Pacific edition, it’s a sea slug (Chromodoris Kuiteri) 80 THE RED BULLETIN SWATCH TOM GUISE
VENTURE Equipment In 1948, the world’s first instant camera – named the Land Camera, or Model 95 – was launched by the Polaroid Corporation. By 2001, the company was declared bankrupt and its name and assets sold off. Production of its instant cameras ended in 2007, and its iconic film two years later. But where one story ends, another begins. In 2008, a group of enthusiasts started The Impossible Project and acquired the last remaining Polaroid plant, in Enschede, Netherlands. Its unique machinery safe, for the next decade the factory continued to make the only film for existing Polaroid cameras. Then, in 2017, Impossible bought the brand and its intellectual property. Changing its name to Polaroid Originals, and later just Polaroid, it began producing the cameras again. But the company also imagined what the camera could have evolved into during its hiatus, and over the next four years it went ahead and built it. The Polaroid I-2 looks like the classic camera, but it doesn’t shoot like one. Instant photos usually exude a soft, almost dream-like quality, but thanks to three-lens autofocus and a LiDAR (light detection and range) sensor, the I-2 shoots sharp images with incredible depth of field. Manual adjustment of aperture, brightness and shutter speed capture clarity even in low light. All using the same film produced at that factory in Enschede. The Polaroid I-2 isn’t just the return of something almost lost for ever; it’s the realisation of a future that may never have been. The best things, even instant photos it seems, come to those who wait. polaroid.com CAPTURE Instant gratification The new Polaroid camera produces the greatest instant photos. It’s a vision that’s taken a long time to develop The Polaroid I-2 features external manual controls, but it can also be calibrated on the fly via a companion app THE RED BULLETIN 81 POLAROID TOM GUISE
VENTURE Fitness “You experience a euphoria after a cold-water swim” Alice Goodridge, SwimWild founder When mornings require you to pull on your winter coat and de-ice the car, it’s no wonder staying in a warm bed looks more inviting than going out into the cold to exercise. But, says swimming coach Alice Goodridge, you might want to reconsider hitting snooze. Goodridge – the founder of SwimWild, a company based in the Scottish Highlands that offers wild-swimming retreats and workshops – takes to the water all year round, regularly breaking loch ice (pictured) to do it. “You experience an amazing feeling afterwards, almost a euphoria,” she says of exercising in the cold. “Physically, you feel like you could conquer the world.” Norwegian ultrarunner Abelone Lyng agrees, adding that the mental benefits of cold-weather exercise can make you more resilient: “If you have braved the cold and run outside on the coldest days, it will take a lot more to CHILL Cool runnings The health benefits of cold-weather exercise are numerous. Here’s how to do it comfortably when the temperature dips below zero… be knocked off your game if the weather forecast is bad on the day of an important race.” There’s science behind the benefits of chilly cardiovascular activities as well: in 2021, the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health reported studies indicating that repeated cold exposure results in a lower heart rate and more constricted blood vessels, which leads to positive effects on sporting performance as well as boosting metabolism. Also, a 2014 study in the research journal PLoS ONE indicated that outdoor winter workouts could even help you avoid seasonal sniffles. A cold, crisp workout needn’t be uncomfortable, either. In fact, providing you have the correct kit and know-how, it can be more invigorating than a summer session. Goodridge, Lyng and ultra-distance cyclist Leah Gruhn reveal how… Swerve the shock Goodridge’s advice for taking the plunge starts from the moment you dip a toe. “When entering cold water, the body produces a gasp reflex and you breathe in,” she says. “Instead, focus on exhaling. Be focused on that moment – exhaling will help you get past any mental barriers. Otherwise you can go into something called coldwater shock, which is where you hyperventilate because of the low temperature.” Watch your step In low temperatures, your extremities get coldest quickest, and once they show early symptoms of frostnip – tingling and numbness – it becomes hard to use them. A range of different gloves is available for hands, but feet can often be an afterthought. “Even at temperatures above freezing, irreversible damage can be done if your feet stay cold or damp for a long time,” says Gruhn, winner of the 2023 Iditarod Trail Invitational, where she cycled 1,600km across Alaska in freezing conditions for 21 days. She recommends pairing cycling shoes with neoprene covers, or 45NRTH Ragnarök boots with thick socks. On longer rides or in freezing conditions, she’ll wear a plastic bag under her socks – this stops them absorbing sweat, preventing feet from sitting in damp, cold clothing. Hold in the heat When in icy conditions for extended periods, you’ll feel the cold even when togged up. Lyng, winner of the 2019 Beyond the Ultimate Ice Ultra – a 230km self-sufficient foot race across the Arctic Circle – has a trick: “I put a heat pack in one of my mittens and switch it when that hand becomes warm. I only use one at a time as you don’t want to start sweating and get the mittens wet inside. Wear it on the inside of your wrist for the best effect.” Rethink rehydration At -20°C, water in a bottle “just turns into a lump of ice”, says Lyng. But hydrating with hot drinks can help warm you from the inside out. “At the Ice Ultra, we received hot water every 10km. I had packets of berry drink and cocoa with me, which I drank while standing in the aid stations.” If you don’t have the benefit of regular refill points during a training session, an insulated or thermal water bottle will do the job. Instagram: @swimwild_uk; @abelonely; @leahgruhn 82 THE RED BULLETIN JANE BARLOW/PA/PICTUREDESK.COM HOWARD CALVERT
PROMOTION T he story of snowboarding’s rise from an outlawed pursuit to its current status as a huge Winter Olympic sport is well known. And, along the way, the equipment has evolved just as rapidly. Snowboards themselves have become lighter and more refined, while today’s boots benefit from better lacing systems, high-tech cushioning and space-age materials. But while bindings have also been improved – most notably with the addition of the highback in the 1980s – their basic design has remained almost unchanged… until now. Following four years of development, and drawing on four decades of experience in snowboard R&D, the Supermatic from Nidecker has ripped up the rule book. With the Supermatic, you only need to adjust the straps once, straight out of the box. Then simply step into the binding through the reclining highback and the clever automatic closure system does the rest, strapping you in hands-free. Say goodbye to sitting down with the Supermatic, Nidecker’s revolutionary new snowboard binding THE GAME CHANGER Exiting the binding is just as easy: simply pull the release lever and the whole thing opens up. Oh, and if you’re dropping in on steep, offcamber slopes or waist-deep pow, you can use the Supermatic just like a regular binding by cranking the ratchets instead. The Nidecker Supermatic even feels like a classic two-strap binding to ride. And because it’s compatible with every make and model of snowboard boot on the market, there’s no need to compromise on fit – or to fork out on a whole new boot/binding ‘step-in system’ from the same brand. Automatic. Universal. Dual-entry. The Supermatic is the game changer you’ve been waiting for. Scan the QR code below to see the Nidecker Supermatic in action NIDECKER
VENTURE Equipment UPGRADE The white stuff Looking for new kit, but feeling snowed under? From boards to backpacks, these are the essentials for hitting the slopes this season Whether you’re a full-blown seasonaire or limited to a long weekend on the slopes every winter, investing in your own snow-sports set-up liberates you from the limitations of the resort’s rental shop and saves you valuable time adapting to unfamiliar kit. Splashing out on gear can seem daunting, though – especially if all you have to go on is marketing jargon and not personal recommendations from someone who has put a product through its paces. Fortunately we’ve done the hard work for you, speaking to athletes and experienced experts, and highlighting the snow-sports tech they’ll be using this winter… 1. Bataleon Goliath “The Goliath is a quiver killer – the one board to do it all. It’s reliable for any kind of riding: half-pipe; rails; events like the Kings and Queens of Corbet’s in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and the Pyramid Gap – a legendary 110ft [33m] jump in Utah. It looks really cool under your feet, and the performance absolutely lives up to that.” Grant Giller, @ggillz 3. Nidecker Supermatic “Anyone of any level can use them and really benefit – they’re so easy and fast to click in and go. They’re particularly helpful bindings for beginners, because a tough thing when starting out is sitting down, strapping in and then having to get up.” Izzy Wallace, @izzyywallace 2. Dragon R1 OTG “Along with boots, goggles are probably one of the most important things to ensure you have a good day on the mountain. Everyone’s face is different, so it’s important to make sure the fit is right – you don’t want gaps around the nose or the sides of the face. Also, a lot of the time you’re in conditions where maybe the light isn’t amazing, so having the right lens can be a game changer.” James Stentiford, @stentifordsnow 1234 84 THE RED BULLETIN
VENTURE Equipment 5. POC Fornix MIPS “The POC Fornix is the perfect all-round helmet. It has good ventilation, fits perfectly on the head, and you don’t feel it, so it doesn‘t distract you from anything. Plus, it’s a no-brainer to wear one. I had a situation early last season where there was some fresh snow and I couldn’t see some little rocks. I hit one, fell and hit my head on another, and the helmet basically saved me.” Jan Dieteren, @jandieteren 6. Burton Felix Step On “If your feet hurt, you just can’t catch right. Also, even if you’re not riding a lot, it’s important to have good durability. I trust the Felix Step On because it has a strap above the foot and offers better support. Also, I can tighten it up the way I feel, depending on the quality of the snow and how hard I want to ride.” Victoria Edel, @vicdohria 4. Shred Sleds Resort Raider “A snowskate is a fun product, and you can still get around the mountain without necessarily fully kitting up. The first thing I look at is the ski underneath, to make sure it’s wide enough to initiate a good turn. The width of the ski on the bottom of the Resort Raider makes it perfect for carving.” Neil Campbell, @neilparkshaper 6 5 THE RED BULLETIN 85 BRANDON HUTTENLOCHER CHARLIE ALLENBY
DECIDE Clean break Never know when to call something quits? Former poker pro turned decisionmaking expert Annie Duke has some tips “People think that quitting means failure” Annie Duke, decision maker VENTURE How To Whether it’s leaving your job, giving up smoking or kicking that Deliveroo habit, the new year is a common time to make important life decisions. But perhaps quitting shouldn’t be reserved for January alone. In 1992, having completed her PhD in cognitive psychology, Annie Duke was starting to look for positions as a professor when she became ill and had to take time off. To make money, she began playing poker. She was good at it, too; in time, she moved to Las Vegas and turned pro. “I would have never explored that opportunity if I hadn’t been forced to quit,” says Duke, who eventually retired from poker, too, in 2012 but still ranks fifth in the women’s all-time money list, with a prize pot of more than $4 million. Now a professional author and expert in decision-making, she says that quitting taught her to be more “willing to try new stuff” because she knew she could abandon it if it didn’t work out. “The option to quit is super-valuable,” says Duke. “We should cherish it. We don’t do it enough.” The thought we can quit something that’s not working should feel liberating, so why don’t we do it sooner? “People think quitting means failure,” Duke says. “So we don’t want to quit until there’s no other choice.” This means that when we do finally pull the trigger, we wish we’d done it earlier. Ready to take the plunge? Duke tells us how to say sayonara once and for all… Know your limitations The first rule of quitting? “Accept that you won’t pay attention to the signals [telling you to quit],” says Duke. In fact, when we get signals that our situation isn’t good, we’ll often “escalate our commitment”. This is because the more you’ve committed to something, the harder it is to let go. Instead, you need to “align how you’d act if it were a fresh decision versus how you are when you’ve already committed”. Duke gives the example of taking a job with a wonderful boss who is then replaced by someone toxic. If it had been the toxic boss who did the original interview, you would never have accepted the position. So even though you’re already in it, your decision should be the same. Plan ahead We might not respond to a situation rationally when in it, but if we identify the warning signs in advance and commit to quitting, we’re more likely to do it. “It’s a combination of something called ‘kill criteria’ – the things that would tell you to stop – and a ‘pre-commitment device’, which is committing in advance to some kind of action,” says Duke. This can be applied to everything from investing in stocks to quitting a job. For example, if you invest in a stock at 50, you can impose a ‘stop-loss order’ (a pre-commitment device) so that if it drops to 40 it’s automatically sold (the kill criteria). If the stock hits 40 without this device in place, you’re less likely to sell because you’ll want to hold out and make up your losses, which risks a further drop. Set a deadline Work out how long you’re OK with the situation you’re in and set a deadline. If it’s a job you hate, that might be three months; a marriage could be a year. “Implied in the kill criteria is how you would like the world to look. Think about what you need to do in order to make it that way. You set the deadline because you’re not 100-percent sure it’s the right choice. If you are that sure, you’ve left it too late.” Call for back-up “People on the outside looking in can see your situation more clearly,” Duke explains. “This is what I call a quitting coach. In general, we’re better at giving advice to others than thinking through our own situations.” Whether they’re a therapist, a mentor, a friend or a relative, a quitting coach can also hold you to your pre-commitment device and kill criteria. Think positive “We focus on what we’re going to lose, but we need to reframe that,” says Duke. Instead, we need to assess the ‘opportunity cost’ – what we’re missing out on by being stuck in a situation. What else could we do with that time? “If you already know the thing you’re doing isn’t working out, shouldn’t you do something else with a higher chance?” Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away by Annie Duke is out now, published by Ebury; annieduke.com 86 THE RED BULLETIN SHUTTERSTOCK ISABELLE ARON
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VENTURE Gaming “At the end of the game, it’s better to be in jail” Nicolò Falcone, Monopoly champ How do you become Monopoly world champion? For Nicolò Falcone, it was – fittingly – a matter of chance. As a child growing up in Venice, Italy, he would play the board game with his dad and brother every Sunday to pass the time during the city’s cold winters, then, while on a family trip to New York at the age of 13, he bought the video game, which quickly became a favourite. But it would take an internet pop-up, 17 years later, to set the now-qualified lawyer on the path to gaming glory. “I was wasting my time on Facebook when a banner popped up, saying, ‘Are you good at Monopoly? Do you want to win a trip to China?’” recalls Falcone. That click of the mouse led to him entering his first regional competition, in the northeast Italian town of Spilimbergo. He finished third, qualifying for the national championship the following year, which he ROLL Advance to Go Monopoly world champion Nicolò Falcone shares his tips on how to beat bankruptcy and own it all won, securing a place in the 2015 World Championship. Making the experience even more surreal, it was hosted by The Venetian in Macao, China – a hotel with replicas of Falcone’s home city, right down to the canals and the bell tower in St Mark’s Square. “I can see the real bell tower from my parent’s home,” he says. “It was strange to see such a familiar building there, against the incredible skyline.” Falcone was victorious, winning the cash prize of $20,580 – the accumulated value of all the bank notes in the game. He used his newfound profile to launch a career in stand-up comedy, writing a show about his experience. So how did he win? There’s an element of luck, he says, because the game is played with dice. “If we played, there’s a chance you would win,” he admits, “even if it’s only your second time playing and you’re up against the world champion.” Falcone does, however, have some insider tips and tricks, too… Rule the roost The first rule of Monopoly is: know the rules of Monopoly. An often-forgotten rule, says Falcone, is that you can build houses and hotels any time before a player rolls the dice, even outside your turn. The best time to buy property is when it looks like an opponent might land on that square – you can reap instant benefits. “Roll two dice and you’ll most likely get a seven,” he explains, because there are six different combinations that all add up to seven. So if you see an opponent seven spaces away from one of your properties, it’s time to get building. Be open to visitors Monopoly’s most landed-on square is the game’s first corner: ‘In Jail’/‘Just Visiting’. “You can land on that square for many reasons,” explains Falcone. “Either you rolled doubles three times, you landed on ‘Go to Jail’, or you were sent by a Chance card.” Armed with this intel and your knowledge of dice probability, you can identify the board’s best investment opportunities. “If you count 6, 7, 8 [from jail], you’ll find two of the three properties before ‘Free Parking’ – the strongest set.” Build, build, build If you have all the cards of a particular colour, you can start building houses on them. “You should buy three houses on every property,” Falcone says. “That will put you in a good position.” Why? Because, he explains, not only does maxing out on hotels increase your chances of running out of cash, but the biggest jump in rent occurs when you go from two to three properties, with only an incremental rise from a fourth house or hotel. (Don’t) get out of jail Going to jail might sound like a bad thing, but it can work in your favour. At the start of the game, you want to avoid it so you can build up your property empire. “But at the end,” says Falcone, “it’s better to be in jail and let the other players land on your properties. You’ll still collect money, but with no risk of landing on their properties. So, if the game is wrapping up and you go to jail, sit back, relax and let the cash roll in.” Monopoly is available to download from the App Store and Google Play 88 THE RED BULLETIN GETTY IMAGES ISABELLE ARON
PROMOTION Say hello to your new winter wardrobe as H&M Move launches its latest Snow Collection WINTER KIT HAS A MAJOR NEW PLAYER inspiring more people to hit the mountains in a safe and stylish way. Its fashion-focused designs and contemporary colourways also mean it won’t look out of place away from the mountain – making it something you can wear through the whole season and not just during your week of winter sports and après-ski. H&M Move’s new Snow Collection will be available at hm.com/move from November 9 and December 28 T here are three main issues with traditional snow-sports clothing: it’s expensive, especially if you’re only using it one week per season; it features either pro-level tech that wouldn’t look out of place on an Everest expedition, or a cheaper performance material that fails on the first run; and its styling usually falls into two camps – functional at all costs or ’80s music-video extra. H&M understands this and has come up with a solution that isn’t either/or. After its H&M Move brand brought together fashion, function and affordability with the summer launch of its outdoor collection, it’s now turning its attention to snow sports. The H&M Move Snow Collection is built around three main principles: style, affordability, and tech credentials that drive serious winter performance. While already renowned for the first two, it’s the latter where H&M Move proves it is a real alternative to kit made by established snow-sports companies. It has created three new innovative materials – StormMove™, ThermoMove™ and DryMove™ – which, working together, keep wearers warm, dry, comfortable and protected on the mountain. “By introducing performance wear that balances function with highly fashionable snow gear, we want to inspire everyone to hit the mountains,” says Mfon Boman, H&M Move’s outdoor product manager. “Given the level of detailing and high-quality materials, this collection is taking our snow-sports segment to the next level.” Split across men’s and women’s lines, the collection is a complete layering system featuring oversized jackets, baggy snow pants and modern one-pieces, with accessories including mittens and goggles. H&M Move hopes the collection will help democratise how people enjoy the outdoors, with its affordability and accessibility The H&M Move Snow Collection provides style, affordability and tech credentials H&M MOVE
VENTURE Bars 4. cHIP sHOP Rap is king at this restaurant/bar – cHIP sHOP, get it? Expect live sets by OG hip-hop legends and DJs. The food: a chippy tea, plus other staples. Follow it with a Redman cocktail. Come for: the Wu Tang Clan chicken wings; hard bars in the bar. 378 Coldharbour Lane, SW9 8LF; chipshopbxtn.com 1. Prince of Wales “The [two-tiered] terrace is arguably the best of any club in London,” declared city listings website Time Out in March this year. DJ sets aren’t all this Brixton institution has to offer, though – add live music, comedy, pub quizzes, a finger-food menu and drag bingo to the list. Or you could just relax with a cocktail as you watch the sun go down. Come for: the views; the rooftop parties; ‘happy hour’ (5-8pm). 467-469 Brixton Road, SW9 8HH; pow-london.com 2. Canova Hall A sign standing outside this classy venue highlights some of its many attractions: tap room, bitters bar, brick oven, hot desk. On tap are a wide selection of craft beers as well as wines; Canova Hall also distils its own gin and hosts tastings and mixing masterclasses. The bitters bar is available for private hire, and food includes modern Italian classics and wood-oven pizza. Can’t drag yourself away? Grab a hot-desk work space. Come for: the Art Deco stylings; the Canova gin cocktail with blueberries. 250 Ferndale Rd, SW9 8BQ; canovahall.com 5. Electric A Brixton institution for the past 13 years, this 1,700-capacity venue has hosted live acts including Liam Gallagher and the Vaccines, as well as DJ sets from the likes of Fred Again and Boiler Room. Come for: the big-name DJs and music acts; the sound system. Town Hall Parade, Brixton Hill, SW2 1RJ; electricbrixton.uk.com 3. The Ton of Brix From the team behind Brixton Jamm and Percolate comes this intimate bar/nightclub. One of the few London venues with a 24-hour licence, The Ton of Brix is a magnet for party people thanks to its wallto-wall DJ sets and craft beers. Come for: the vibe; the music. 414 Coldharbour Lane, SW9 8LF; thetonofbrix.co.uk 6. Pop Brixton This community initiative is home to 55 local businesses, from barbers to artists. Food options include burgers, Greek, Asian and more, but for a night out with friends, head to the cocktails-and-rum den ABV Brixton. Come for: the house cocktails; the rum-tasting masterclasses. 49 Brixton Station Road, SW9 8PQ; popbrixton.org SIX OF THE BEST Brixton Nowhere rocks quite like Brixton. This south London community has been a nightlife hub for decades, with newer venues still joining the party. Here are some of our top haunts... 6 2 5 1 3 FERNDALE ROAD COLDHARBOUR LANE ATLANTIC ROAD BRIXTON POPE‘S ROAD BRIXTON ROAD BRIXTON HILL EFFRA ROAD ROAD 4 BRIXTON BRIXTON 90 THE RED BULLETIN @WEARE_MUTUALFRIENDS, ROBERT STAINFORTH, SOPHIE HARBINSON DAVYDD CHONG
14 November to 14 January RE/SISTERS Mother Nature: a seemingly harmless term for our environment, but is there a deeper meaning? One that reinforces the idea of the feminine as a productive resource, and interlinks the degradation of our planet with the oppression of women? This exhibition brings together 50 international female and gender non-conforming artists to examine the relationship between gender and ecology. It dives into unequal power structures, patriarchal organisations exploiting natural resources, and the parallels between care and activism, but also looks towards a brighter future where people and planet are treated fairly. Barbican, London; barbican.org.uk 15 17 November onwards STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW Dungeons & Dragons, Kate Bush, The NeverEnding Story, 1980s fashion… hell, the ’80s full stop – just a few of the things the Duffer Brothers’ hit Netflix show Stranger Things has revived since debuting in 2016. And now you can add theatre and the ’50s to that list. This play, written by Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) and directed by Stephen Daldry (The Crown) , with visual effects by the guys behind the Back to the Future stage show, reveals spooky goings-on in the US town of Hawkins almost 30 years before the events we saw on our screens. Like the Duffer Brothers say, “See you in London, nerds!” Phoenix Theatre, London; strangerthingsonstage.com November onwards LAYERS “It’s amazing that a piece of wood can become the key for people to come together.” So says Brian Paupaw, co-founder of the Hoods to Woods Foundation, which helps inner-city kids discover the outdoors through snowboarding. He’s one of many voices in this film – subtitled The Unintentional Culture of Snowboarding – which examines the diverse global community drawn together through a love of carving powder. As amateur snowboarder Brantley Mullins puts it, “It doesn’t matter your gender, race, or who you are. It’s for everyone. It’s kind of the whole point.” Watch it on Red Bull TV. redbull.com VENTURE Calendar 92 THE RED BULLETIN
14 November to 2 June SKATEBOARD With skateboarding returning to the Olympics for a second time next year, it’s worth remembering how far the sport has come since the 1950s, when its pioneers fixed roller skates to planks and went ‘sidewalk surfing’. This exhibition celebrates that illustrious journey with a display of around 90 rare boards, many of them shipped from the Skateboarding Hall of Fame and Museum in California, the world’s most extensive collection of decks; this is the largest-ever loan of its exhibits to the UK. Maybe skateboards can now be considered not only sports equipment but high art. The Design Museum, London; designmuseum.org to 26 November HYROX LONDON Hyrox is a relatively new athletic competition, invented in 2017 by German endurancesports entrepreneur Christian Toetzke. His premise was simple: many of the exercises done in gyms can’t be applied to any competitive sport. His solution: a fitness race comprising a series of 1km runs alternated with eight different workouts, from farmer’s carries and rowing to sandbag lunges and sled pushes. It took off faster than a burpee broad jump (another of Hyrox’s workouts). This year’s competition has been expanded to two days in order to accommodate the 11,000-plus athletes taking part in its 11 events. One of the competitors, Jake Dearden, is planning to do the lot back to back. Greedy. ExCel, London; hyrox.com 14 November to 6 January NUTCRACKER When Tchaikovsky wrote his ballet The Nutcracker Suite in 1892, the composer will have imagined it being performed on stage (it premièred that December). But he would never have foreseen his score being given a new arrangement by Mercury Prize nominee Cassie Kinoshi and danced to the sounds of a jazz band at the Southbank Centre’s Winter Festival. Tuff Nutt Jazz Club, Royal Festival Hall, London; underbelly.co.uk 25 VENTURE Calendar THE RED BULLETIN 93 MARKUS ROHRBACHER, PAMELA SINGH, JIM GOODRICH, HYROX, MARK SENIOR
WINTER, THE AUSTRIAN WAY SkiWelt Wilder KaiserBrixental Sustainability is top of the agenda at the SkiWelt ski area. The resort, which comprises nine idyllic alpine villages, installed the world’s first solar lift in 2008, and now all 82 ski lifts are run on renewable energy. The 270km of pistes boast views of more than 70 3,000m mountains, including the serrated Wilder Kaiser range, plus long, winding, wide-open downhills and perfectly groomed ski slopes for powder days. And the authentic hut culture and focus on regional specials means the käsespätzle and schnitzel taste extra good. Lifts: 82 Pistes: 270km Nearest airports: Innsbruck (77km to Söll), Salzburg (84km), Munich (133km) Elevation: 620m–1,957m Highest lift: Fleiding, 1,892m Zillertal The Zillertal Superskipass grants skiers access to a frankly gargantuan ski area. Families will enjoy the wide slopes in Spieljoch, while freeriding hotspots await in HochzillertalHochfügen, allowing you to truly escape into a mountainous, snow-blanketed wilderness. Mayrhofen is home to the 78-per-cent steeps of the Harakiri run, and you’ll find 365 days of snow fun on the Hintertux Glacier. The Zillertal Arena alone has 147km of pistes. And afterwards? Explore glacial ice caves, ice skate in Zillertal, or wander the silent backcountry, one snowshoe step at a time. Lifts: 180 Pistes: 544km Nearest airports: Innsbruck (50km), Salzburg (150km), Munich (170km) Elevation: 630m–3,250m Highest mountain: Hochfeiler, 3,510m A skier speeds down a glimmering glacier run, stopping only to stare out at the sea of snow-blanketed mountains layering and lapping into the distance beyond. A snowboarder on the chairlift takes a deep breath and smiles as they gaze around at the wide, perfectly groomed slopes around them, illuminated by the morning sunlight. A maze of freeriding powder sits still, waiting for the first visitors of the day while, in the tranquil forests below, a family snowshoes through the trees, immersed in the scent of spruce as they follow a river to a frozen waterfall. Back in town, a horse and carriage guides a couple through traditional Tirolean architecture to a cosy hut to indulge in fluffy Kaiserschmarrn pancakes and embrace gemütlichkeit – the cosiness, friendliness and joy that lives in these mountains. This is winter… the Austrian Way. Riding high: skiing in Zillertal is a magnet for freeskiers ZILLERTAL TOURISMUS/MAX DRAEGER, SKI JUWEL ALPBACHTAL WILDSCHOENAU/SHOOT & STYLE, SKIWELT WILDERKAISER-BRIXENTAL/DIETMAR DENGER
PROMOTION Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau From the tree-lined slopes to the charming villages of the Alpbachtal and Wildschönau valleys, Ski Juwel is one of the most picturesque resorts in Austria. Tucked between the Zillertal and Kitzbühel Alps, this is a family-friendly resort, with 113km of wide, sunny slopes catering for a variety of skill levels – from beginner slopes (including kid fun zones and learning slopes at Juppi Do and Schatzberg Zwergenland) to powder-puff off-piste. Alpbach is a quintessentially Austrian ski town, famed for its beauty, while Niederau in the Wildschönau Valley bustles with skiers of all levels and is backdropped by the 1,500m Markbachjoch. The skiing is spread across four mountains in the two eponymous valleys. Forest hikes and traditional architecture await, as do rustic huts serving local delights. Lifts: 45 Pistes: 113km Nearest airports: Innsbruck (65km to Alpbach), Salzburg (144km), Munich (161km) Elevation: 830m–2,025m Highest mountains: Schatzberg, 1,903m, and Wiedersberger Horn, 2,128m For more information, go to: austria.info/en/winter Perfectly groomed slopes and panoramic skiing in every direction – this is what the SkiWelt area stands for
The Red Bulletin is published in six countries. This is the cover of our French edition for December, featuring esports players Ninou, Matriix, Nelo, LiriLia and Mel, members of France’s Karmine Corp Game Changers team. For more stories beyond the ordinary, go to: redbulletin.com Editor Andreas Kornhofer Editor-in-Chief Andreas Rottenschlager Editor-in-Chief DACH David Mayer Creative Directors Erik Turek (manager), Kasimir Reimann Copy Chief David Pesendorfer Art Directors Marion Bernert-Thomann, Miles English, Tara Thompson Designers Martina de Carvalho-Hutter, Kevin Faustmann-Goll, Carita Najewitz Photo Editors Eva Kerschbaum (manager), Marion Batty (deputy), Susie Forman, Tahira Mirza, Rudi Übelhör Global Content Tom Guise (manager), Lou Boyd Head of Audio Florian Obkircher Managing Editors Ulrich Corazza, Marion Lukas-Wildmann Publishing Management Sara Car-Varming (manager), Ivona Glibusic, Melissa Stutz (Innovator) Head of Media Sales & Partnerships Lukas Scharmbacher Executive Creative Director Markus Kietreiber Senior Manager Creative Elisabeth Kopanz Art Direction Commercial Peter Knehtl (manager), Lisa Jeschko, Araksya Manukjan, Julia Schinzel, Florian Solly Head of Publishing Operations Sigurd Abele Direct to Consumer Business Peter Schiffer (manager), Marija Althajm, Victoria Schwärzler, Yoldaş Yarar Retail & Special Projects Manager Klaus Pleninger Advertising Manuela Brandstätter, Monika Spitaler Production Veronika Felder (manager), Martin Brandhofer, Walter O. Sádaba, Sabine Wessig Repro Clemens Ragotzky (manager), Claudia Heis, Nenad Isailović, Sandra Maiko Krutz, Josef Mühlbacher Finance Mariia Gerutska (manager), Nora Kovacs-Horvacs Assistant to General Management Sandra Stolzer CEO Red Bull Media House Publishing Stefan Ebner Editorial office Am Grünen Prater 3, A-1020 Vienna Phone +43 1 90221-0 Web redbulletin.com Published by Red Bull Media House GmbH, Oberst-Lepperdinger-Straße 11–15, A-5071 Wals bei Salzburg, FN 297115i, Landesgericht Salzburg, ATU63611700 Executive Directors Dietmar Otti, Christopher Reindl, Marcus Weber THE RED BULLETIN United Kingdom, ISSN 2308-5894 Editor Ruth McLeod Chief Sub-Editor Davydd Chong Country Project Management Ollie Stretton Advertising Sales Mark Bishop, [email protected] Printed by Quad/Graphics Europe Sp. z o.o., Pułtuska 120, 07-200 Wyszków, Poland UK Office Seven Dials Warehouse, 42-56 Earlham Street, London WC2H 9LA Tel: +44 (0) 20 3117 2000 Subscribe getredbulletin.com Enquiries or orders to: [email protected]. Back issues available to purchase at: getredbulletin.com. Basic subscription rate is £20.00 per year. International rates are available. The Red Bulletin is published 10 times a year. Please allow a maximum of four weeks for delivery of the first issue Customer Service +44 (0)1227 277248, [email protected] THE RED BULLETIN Austria, ISSN 1995-8838 Editors Nina Kaltenböck (manager), Lisa Hechenberger Proofreaders Hans Fleißner (manager), Petra Hannert, Monika Hasleder, Billy Kirnbauer-Walek Country Project Management Julian Vater Media Sales & Partnerships Thomas Hutterer (manager), Michael Baidinger, Franz Fellner, Ines Gruber, Moritz Philipp Haaf, Wolfgang Kröll, Gabriele MatijevicBeisteiner, Yvonne Mensik, Alfred Minassian, Nicole Okasek-Lang, Britta Pucher, Nicole Umsait, Johannes Wahrmann-Schär, Ellen Wittmann-Sochor, Ute Wolker, Christian Wörndle, Sabine Zölß THE RED BULLETIN France, ISSN 2225-4722 Editors Pierre-Henri Camy (manager), Marie-Maxime Dricot, Christine Vitel Country Project Management Marin Heitzler Media Sales & Partnerships Yoann Aubry, [email protected] THE RED BULLETIN Germany, ISSN 2079-4258 Editor David Mayer Proofreaders Hans Fleißner (manager), Petra Hannert, Monika Hasleder, Billy Kirnbauer-Walek Country Project Management Natascha Djodat Media Sales & Partnerships Thomas Hutterer (manager), Michael Baidinger, Franz Fellner, Ines Gruber, Moritz Philipp Haaf, Wolfgang Kröll, Gabriele MatijevicBeisteiner, Yvonne Mensik, Alfred Minassian, Nicole Okasek-Lang, Britta Pucher, Nicole Umsait, Johannes Wahrmann-Schär, Ellen Wittmann-Sochor, Ute Wolker, Christian Wörndle, Sabine Zölß THE RED BULLETIN Switzerland, ISSN 2308-5886 Editor Anna Mayumi Kerber Proofreaders Hans Fleißner (manager), Petra Hannert, Monika Hasleder, Billy Kirnbauer-Walek Country Project Management Meike Koch Media Sales & Brand Partnerships Christian Bürgi (team leader), [email protected] Marcel Bannwart, [email protected] Michael Wipraechtiger, [email protected] Goldbach Publishing Marco Nicoli, [email protected] THE RED BULLETIN USA, ISSN 2308-586X Editors Peter Flax (manager), Melissa Gordon, Nora O’Donnell Copy Chief David Caplan Country Project Management Branden Peters Advertising Sales Marissa Bobkowski, [email protected] Tanya Foster, [email protected] Todd Peters, [email protected] Dave Szych, [email protected] The Red Bulletin UK. ABC certified distribution 139,678 (Jan-Dec 2022) The Red Bulletin worldwide GLOBAL TEAM 96 THE RED BULLETIN
PROMOTION T he origins of paddleboarding stretch back thousands of years, while the modern iteration was invented in Hawaii in the 1940s. But if you want to pinpoint the spark that set off the sport’s current explosion in popularity, it was the launch of the first inflatable models in the late 2000s, which added an easier way of transporting and storing the water-based way of travelling. One company at the forefront of this wave was Red Paddle Co. Founded on the South Devon coast in 2008 to get more people onto the water, its innovative approach to design and the environment has helped secure its spot as the world’s most pioneering paddleboard producer. Red Paddle Co’s focus on making paddleboarding accessible hasn’t been limited to the shores and riverbanks of England’s southwest, either, as Colorado-based photographer Jordan Curet’s latest urban adventure proves. “The concept was a castle-to-castle paddle, following the Mosel river in Germany,” she explains. “We used the train to get to the top of the river section in Trier, inflated our boards, packed all our luggage into dry bags and set off downstream.” Curet and her expedition partner Clay Abney spent five days paddling down the river, drinking in the amazing Looking to explore in an environmentally friendly way? A Red Paddle Co inflatable paddleboard is the answer to travelling and touring while making memories that last a lifetime RETHINKING URBAN ADVENTURE views throughout a region where hundred-year-old vineyards growing Riesling grapes stretch as far as the eye can see. “It was an incredibly unique way to experience the area, paddling by slowly enough to watch work being done on the vineyards, and to soak in the surroundings,” she says. It wasn’t a race to the end, either, with the packable nature of their paddleboards allowing them to also spend time ashore, exploring the historic villages and towns that dot the Mosel’s banks. “Each afternoon, we paddled into a village or town,” says Curet, “and most of them have a castle perched on the hillside above. The towns are like a step back in time, with cobblestone streets, traditional timber houses, Gothic churches, and even ruins from the ancient Romans who first started growing wine in the region.” Reaching Cochem, the pair were able to deflate and stow the paddleboards in their bags and take the ferry along the remainder of the river. “Using nothing but human power and public transportation,” Curet says, “we were able to experience this urban adventure.” Find out how you can upgrade your adventure at red.equipment A paddle through the past: Jordan Curet and Clay Abney toured the picturesque Mosel river in Germany JORDAN CURET
The next issue of THE RED BULLETIN is out on December 12 Semi-Rad Adventure philosophy from BRENDAN LEONARD “I was asked to model a pair of trousers in a fashion show at my university, so I learnt the basics of how to walk down a runway – a skill that has served me exactly zero times since that day approximately 150 years ago. But as I remember it: look straight ahead with a fixed gaze, don’t make eye contact with anyone, keep your back straight, and confidently walk forward, feet tracing one after the other on an invisible balance beam on the floor. If you’ve ever seen professional models do it, they manage to make anything they’re wearing look sexy and functional as they stride forward, strike a couple poses at the end of the runway, then turn back. You know what would be great at Fashion Week? Some runway models walking in ski boots. Old-school ones, before they had walk mode.” 98 THE RED BULLETIN