Wallpaper 10

PHOTOGRAPHY: NORMAN WILCOX-GEISSEN

Stavanger in Norway, Reykjavik in Iceland,

and Canada’s Vancouver Island.

Our first foray into cold-water surfing

was inspired by the cross-Atlantic

collaboration between Maine surfboard

designer Grain and Glenmorangie. For

three years, the stalwart of Highland

whisky has given new and unexpected

life to its old Scotch casks, in an annual

project, entitled Beyond the Casks, that

pairs recycling with craftsmanship. After

repurposing its old kegs into sunglasses

(2016), and a bike (2017), it turned this

year to surfboards, working with Grain’s

ten-strong ‘crew’ (as its sea-savvy

co-founder Mike LaVecchia calls them).

The board – which forms the central

pillar of our cold-water surf kit – has

been made in a limited run. An elegant

jigsaw of Maine-grown northern white

cedar, and reclaimed western red

cedar from the casks, was meticulously

bookmatched to showcase symmetrical

knot patterns, then hand-finished using

traditional boat-building techniques.

Each board is a product of patience,

much like Glenmorangie’s Original single

malt, which is matured for ten years

in former bourbon casks that can only

be used twice. When wet, the board

emits a whisky-infused aroma; a sensory

memory of its former life in the heady

Highland distillery – and a warming scent

for the shivering surfer.

Hitting the gusty coastline of the

Scottish Highlands and braving the

orca-heavy North Sea with our whisky-

infused board, we gathered inspiration

for a cold-water surf kit for those

who, like us, wouldn’t mind some indoor

comforts in the great out-there.

Patagonia’s high-performance, neoprene-

free wetsuit, which is designed for

waters at 9-13°C, was first on the list,

and a Mr Zogs Sex Wax cold-water

board butter that stays soft even when

it’s freezing. G-Shock’s Sea collection

of watches will keep you abreast of tides

and storm threats, while Victorinox’s

Skipper Pro multitool is handy for

dealing with the unexpected, and

Finisterre’s nifty towel cape is essential

for wetsuit removal. If you can barely

make it over the ankle–breakers (and

surf–and–turf is more your thing), sit this

one out, frying up a warming feast on

the Primus camp stove, washed down

with a wee dram of whisky, on the rocks.

Forget Maglev, forget Hyperloop,

forget driverless trains. When

Europe opens up its tracks to private

competition in 2019, we’re banking

on the revival of an age-old Wallpaper*

dream: overnight rail service for

business travellers. Instead of faster,

we petition for slower. Instead

of cheaper, we appeal for chicer,

an upscale sleepover service with

NoMad amenities, Noma cuisine

and an Orient Express-inspired piano

bar for casual networking. The ticket

price would more than offset a stay

in an urban hotel. With demand for

capsule hotels on the rise and luxury

hotels branching out into yachts,

planes and aircraft lounges, the time

has never been better for disrupting

Europe’s intercity rails. We’ll join

the board of the first company that

makes our dream a reality.

SLEEPER SELL

INCOMING | JOHN WEICH

Newspaper

∑ 103

SURF BOOTS

These contoured, moulded

boots are made of quick-dry

fibres and feature ankle

seals that lock water out.

Drylock split-toe boots,

£80, by Xcel

WATERPROOF RUCKSACK

A fully waterproof rucksack

with a 35-litre capacity

and padded, ergonomically

shaped shoulder straps.

VivoBarefoot rucksack,

£110, by Finisterre

PORTABLE STOVE

A compact stove with

a carrying strap and an

oak board that doubles

as a chopping board.

Onja two-burner stove,

£130, by Primus

THE ESSENTIAL ITEMS IN OUR

COLD-WATER SURFING KIT INCLUDE...

FACE SAVER

A nourishing and protective

balm made from natural

ingredients including laurel,

black cumin and safflower.

OW Men lip & beard

salve, €40, by OWay

EARPLUGS

Prevent surfer’s ear

with these customisable

plugs, which keep

sound in and water out.

2.0 earplugs, £45, by Surf

Ears, from Ann’s Cottage