ANDY GOLD: Wave Loch Video Edition

As the sport of flowriding gains acceptance and is legitimized globally, it is only natural that video and film (i.e. digital) begin to play a major role in its development. If you go to You Tube and type in “FlowRider” you will get about 9,800 videos. Type in “FlowRider tricks” and you will have access to almost 400 videos on how to do tricks on the FlowRider. Key in “FlowBarrel“… well you get the idea. We have inertia being created within our social space, and we are happy to have it.

There are four (and many more) young guys out there that have lifted their video A-game with respect to flowriding. We thought it was necessary to give them some props, as they have helped, in no particular order, the riders, the venues, the sponsors and Wave Loch. For that, we are truly grateful and wish Jason Johnson, Andy Gold, Dan Brown and Nick Nguyen the best in what could be blossoming careers shooting action sports photography. Stay with it guys, the SPORT needs you!

For the next four weeks, we will be highlighting one of these videographers in this newsletter and on our website.

This week, Andy Gold rules the world, or at least our video edition series. Andy is one of those lively spirits whose contagious energy and ambition rubs off the minute you talk to him. From traveling and shooting all around the world to just finishing filming and producing Chlorine Dreams, Andy still manages to find time to surf and hang out with his buddies. This guy has a lot of experience under his belt, especially in the flowriding industry. He’s also got some inspiring words for us. Enough of this intro, let’s see what Andy has to say.

ANDY GOLD

“Don’t take things so seriously. We’re here for a good time, not a long time.”

Age: 29
Hometown: Newport Beach, CA
Currently live in: I split my time between Newport Beach and Pacific Beach, San Diego. Two terrible cities.

Recent works: 

http://shorescrew.com/2011/09/chlorine-dream-trailer/ Chlorine Dream Trailer

How did you get started filming? 
Basically just fooling around with friends in high school. We’d trade off filming ourselves surfing then we’d film our typical after hours high school antics.

Self taught or had some schooling? 
Does the Boy Scout’s film merit badge count as schooling? My friend Lugo makes a living filming and editing surfing. I’ve learned a lot by looking over his shoulder.

What’s it like being the guy behind the camera capturing all the action? Give us a feel for what you go through:
It’s a little bittersweet. I love flowriding but I realized I wasn’t going to make it to the top of our niche activity. There’s very little money to be made in the sport right now. Hopefully down the line that will change. When Wave House San Diego first opened up, my roommate and I would set his camera up on a tripod and film our sessions. As soon as we got home we’d critique ourselves to help us improve. Once I plateaued, I started filming the other good riders to analyze their techniques. After realizing that I didn’t have the confidence to flip and do inverted tricks and knowing that I’d never move up in the sport without these tricks, I got behind the camera a lot more. The goal then was to make a flowriding movie to broaden the sports appeal.

What’s it like filming flowriding? 
It’s easy because you know where the wave and rider will be. I started out filming surfing and that’s probably the most difficult since everything is moving. The wave is never in the same spot. The surfers are never in the same spot. You can’t lose focus or you’ll miss something. The hard thing about filming flowriding is to make each shot look a little different. Even though every trick may be different, if it’s shot from the same angle the general public will think it’s very monotonous.

What locations have you shot at and how does it differ from shooting other sports?
I’ve shot at all four Wave Houses on my own time and dime.

Do you have any other hobbies besides filming? 
Traveling is an expensive but very rewarding hobby I’ve picked up from my grandparents. Fortunately I’ve been able to meet people all over the world so the priciest thing is the plane ticket. I love reading books that are fresh out of someone’s hands and they say “you’ve got to read this.”

Fill in the blank: When I’m not filming or editing you will most likely find me… 
Relocating vehicles at Newport Beach’s only 5 Diamond Hotel.

What’s next on your radar? Any upcoming projects you are looking forward to?
I just finished filming and producing Chlorine Dream. It’s a 30 minute flowriding video featuring the top flowboarders at all four Wave Houses. As far as I know it’s the first of its kind and I’m very proud of the movie. It only took me about 5 years to get it done but it’s been worth it. You should be able to pick one up at your local flowrider venue very soon. If not, you can order one from ShoresCrew.com very soon.

Where do you get your inspiration from?
Just seeing other people stoked. Whether it’s giving people directions when they’re lost or giving someone a genuine compliment. It sounds corny but smiles are inspiring to me.

Any advice for those young guns out there who want to get their foot in the door but don’t know where to start? 
Stay focused when you’re filming. Don’t let your mind wander. You’ll see the camera get shaky or out of focus or you’ll cut someone’s head off because you were thinking about last night or what you want for lunch. Treat it like a job because eventually you want it to be a job, right?

Do you consider filming just a hobby or something you want/are making a career out of? 
Ha. That links well with the previous question. For me right now it’s a hobby. I made Chlorine Dream without any fantasies about making money. I had to buy my own camera, pay for the movie to get reproduced, and had to poke my friend Lugo to edit the thing for free for 5 years. If I can make my money back and still have a best friend afterwards then I’m coming out ahead. At the same time I would love to make a career out of it. I mean who doesn’t want to do what they enjoy while getting paid?

Editing can be long and brutal….what gets you through those tedious hours behind the screen?
Regular surf checks and surfing if there are waves has been the best remedy. Also playing video games while stuff is exporting will clear my brain.

Any cool new techy gear you’ve been eyeing? 
I would just like to get a water housing for my camera so I can get different shots. A fisheye lens to fit the housing would be nice too.

Fill in the blank: What people might not know about me is that…
I lived in Guam for 5 months to shoot a documentary.

What’s next on your travel itinerary? Do you prefer global hopping or staying grounded right where you are?
As I write this on September 29th I’m lying awake at 5am in Durban, South Africa. After traveling for 26 hours I still can’t sleep. The sun is just starting to shine on Gateway Mall where the FLOW championships will be held next week (or already have had happened as you read this). I predict Greg Lazarus will be the world champ this year. He’s super well rounded in everything (flowrider, strapless, and strapped) and also rips on his backhand. The previous IFCs haven’t been held on a double flowbarrel. People are going to be humbled riding the D-Rex right.

Of course we have to ask…stranded on a desert island. You can have 3 things (Keep it PG) GO!! 

1. A solar powered webcam computer with internet. That’ll kill lots of birds with one stone (Google would be my Wilson).
2. A genie in a bottle that would grant at least 3 wishes.
3. My border terrier puppy DeeOhGee.

Desert Island Playlist: 
Pink Floyd The Wall, Beatles The White Album, Bob Marley Legend, Subhumans The Day the Country Died and Black Sabbath

Last parting words:
Don’t take things so seriously. We’re here for a good time, not a long time. And tip generously when someone truly gives you great service.

Contact Info: 

Email: Gold@ShoresCrew.com
Website: www.ShoresCrew.com