THE SILVER SURFER JOURNAL
The Silver Surfer Journal documents a decade (2008-2018) of unique surfing journal entries by 70-year-old surfer Andrew Forrest. Independently published by Jon Herbert.
Photo credit: Jon Herbert
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WHERE THE IDEA WAS BORN
The idea for the ‘Silver Surfer’ formed in 2018 when I was working at the experimental surfboard factory Open, based in Wheal Kitty Workshops. There, perched high up on the rugged cliffs above St. Agnes, regular customer Andrew would come in for his post-surf coffee and share his car-park stories about the day’s surf session.
In the beginning, I’ll admit there was only one thing that obviously stood out to me about this unassuming, somewhat subdued (some might say surly) character: his age.
Photo credit: Emily Anderson
(We may have moved on from the sun-bleached ‘dude’ stereotype, but surfing – perhaps even more than most sports – is still seen as a young person’s game. Even Kelly ‘the King’ Slater has spoken of the pressure he’s been under “every single day” to announce his retirement in his forties – which he finally did, aged 46, as this book went to print in 2019).
But, as the old saying goes, don’t judge a book by its cover. And never was that truer than for Andrew Forrest, a surfer in his seventies who still charges. A self-declared worshipper at the altar of ‘Nalu’, one who only took up the sport in his 40s but is more dedicated than surfers half his age. A former photo-journalist, professional chef and seasoned traveller who has logged (and often photographed) pretty much every session in those three decades dedicated to surfing.
Over the coming months, we’d talk about surfing and the week’s surf conditions. “Have you been in today?” Andrew would ask. “No,” I’d invariably reply, adding wistfully: “but hopefully sometime this week”.
Over a double espresso, we’d exchange stories about our experiences in the media industry, and our shared love of surf photography; LeRoy Grannis, Jeff Devine and Patrick Cariou.
Andrew got me hooked on hunting down vintage surf books on eBay: sought-after classics like ‘Hawaiian Surfriders’ by Tom Blake, and ‘Surf and Sea’ by John M. Kelly Jr.
As our friendship developed and Andrew’s trust in me grew, our conversations turned to his 30-year surfing journey – encompassing a series of waterborne adventures and stories that, I would discover, he’d been documenting in yearly journals.
These handwritten journals, collated and published here for the first time, record the essence of each day’s surf session – a star rating (out of ten), beach location, the surfboard(s) ridden, fin set-up and whenever possible a photo for posterity.
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THE "SILVER SURFER" JOURNAL
But beyond its nostalgia value, Andrew’s surfing journey serves as inspiration for every level of surfer – from grommets to pros and everyone in between (including me). We can all relate to the different stages of his progression, learn from his achievements and mistakes, and – hopefully – absorb some of that relentless determination that has kept him going well past retirement age.
Andrew, in his introduction, refers to his journals as ‘vivid reminders of a life well-lived.’ They are also, I hope, a source of inspiration to anyone reading this book who feels a longing to do something they’ve perhaps been putting off too long. It really is never too late. The right time to start is right now. However old you may be.
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WHO'S BEHIND THE SILVER SURFER JOURNAL?
Jon Herbert – The Author
Photo credit: Max Hytrek
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Hi, My name is Jon not John : ) I am a Freelance Creative Director and Art Director, helping build sports, outdoor, fashion and lifestyle brands. I quit the London rat-race 24 months ago after 18 years of city living and working. Upped sticks and moved to St. Agnes, Cornwall. Looking for an alternative lifestyle of 'living the dream' by the sea.
Website: www.jonherbert.co.uk
Instagram: @jonlherbert
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Andrew Forrest – The Silver Surfer
Photo credit: Jon Herbert
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"In a nutshell, I would say I am a photographer, artist and chef. Most of my adult life was spent in big cities earning a crust. Pre surfing I travelled across the USA in 1976 taking photographs of the American truckers that became a touring exhibition. Did a photo reportage use the 31 bus route as a thread through London in 1972/3?. Had a canteen at The Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Sq, London during the nineties. Cooked in a children’s residential home in Cornwall in the early 2000s. From 2014 I became a full-time UK Government-sponsored surfer."
Instagram: @andrewaforrest
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HOW ARE WE SPENDING YOUR GENEROUS £'S
The money we raise from your generous pledges will be spent on funding the first-edition, limited print run of Silver Surfer journals and A3 art prints as well as covering postage and packaging.
If we exceed our target it will help initiate funding for a second-edition print run of the journal. There may be a few professional costs and services which might also need to be covered. For example, registering for an ISBN and paying for printed promotional material that has helped us in marketing our 'Silver Surfer' Crowdfunder UK campaign.
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REWARDS
We think there are some awesome rewards in return for your amazing pledges and support, take a look below:
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A3 'You should've been here yesterday' Photographic Art Print
A limited-edition (1/10) Photographic A3 (297 x 420mm) art print. Taken from the Silver Surfer Journal. Printed on FSC certified paper made from 100% post-consumer waste. FREE UK delivery. Add +£4.80 for European Delivery and +£6.00 for International Delivery in the additional donation box at check-out. (Frame not included).
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A3 'Evie Fletcher' Typographic Art Print
A limited-edition (1/10) Typographic A3 (297 x 420mm) art print. In honour of legendary 80-year-old Californian Silver Surfer 'Evie Fletcher'. Printed on FSC certified paper made from 100% post-consumer waste. FREE UK delivery. Add +£4.80 for European Delivery and +£6.00 for International Delivery in the additional donation box at check-out. (Frame not included).
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A3 'Phil Edwards' Typographic Art Print
A limited-edition (1/10) Typographic A3 (297 x 420mm) art print. In honour of pioneering Californian surfer and shaper 'Phil Edwards'. Printed on FSC certified paper made from 100% post-consumer waste. FREE UK delivery. Add +£4.80 for European Delivery and +£6.00 for International Delivery in the additional donation box at check-out. (Frame not included).
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Silver Surfer Journal (1st-Edition)
1 of 75 first-edition copies of the Silver Surfer Journal hot off the press. Printed on FSC certified paper made from 100% post-consumer waste. FREE UK delivery. Add +£4.00 for European Delivery and +£5.00 for International Delivery in the additional donation box at check-out.
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Silver Surfer Journal (Signed, 1st-Edition)
1 of 17 signed (by the Silver Surfer, Andrew Forrest) first-edition copies of the Silver Surfer Journal hot off the press. Printed on FSC certified paper made from 100% post-consumer waste. FREE UK delivery. Add +£4.00 for European Delivery and +£5.00 for International Delivery in the additional donation box at check-out.
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Silver Surfer Journal (5 x Books)
B4G1F (Buy 4 get 1 free). 5 x copies of the first-edition Silver Surfer Journal hot off the press. Printed on FSC certified paper made from 100% post-consumer waste. FREE UK delivery. Add +£8.95 for European Delivery and +£13.80 for International Delivery in the additional donation box at check-out.
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Sponsor the book
Become a sponsor of the 'Silver Surfer' Journal. A reward ideal for a surf-related brand that shares our passion for surfing and it's sub-culture. We will include your brand logo in the credits page of the book (page 4) as a key sponsor of our independent book. Includes a 1st-edition, signed copy of the journal.
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Partner Double-page Spread Advert
Become a partner of the 'Silver Surfer' Journal. A reward ideal for a surf-related brand that shares our passion for surfing and it's sub-culture. We are offering a double-page spread for a brand campaign quality advert. Along with your logo featured on our credits page. Includes a 1st-edition, signed copy of the journal.
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OUR JOURNEY SO FAR
We have curated and edited a selection of the best surf sessions from Andrew's journals from the past decade, completed pre-production via scanning and re-touched over 60 original journal photos. New photography has also been captured to illustrate the book, art print and postcards.
All printed items have been quoted with our printers, the paper has been selected, we've even selected the envelopes. Along with costings to post within the UK, Europe and Internationally to ensure there are no hidden surprises when pledging to our rewards.
Fingers crossed we have a successful Crowdfunder campaign, so all the hard work and your support are rewarded.
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SUPPORT BY SPREADING THE WORD!
We'd be stoked if you could share our Crowdfunder campaign link on Facebook /Instagram or via Email, to anyone who might be interested. Come give us a follow @silversurferjournal on Facebook and Instagram too.
And last, of all, thank you for all your support. We hope you like what you've seen so far!
