Eric Schnitzler is a videographer who hails from the Big Island and now resides in Tahiti. We enjoyed his first flick The Drift but didn’t hear much from the quiet 31 year old for a while after. Now we know why. The Within trailer went viral a few months back, showcasing some of the most cutting edge riding to date in the contrasting extremes of the South Pacific and the North Atlantic, raising quite a stir. We were able to ask Eric a few questions about his latest production, his rather envious lifestyle, and the state of video today as the DVDs were in duplication.

We enjoyed your first movie, The Drift, for not only its waves but also its focus on the more underground riders with an emphasis on the local culture of the locations documented in the film. Does Within follow a similar flow or does it mirror the more conventional, big name driven video?

Thanks, I’m glad you liked The Drift. I think I just wanted to show bodyboarding in what I perceive to be its purest form. You know, traveling with your friends, chasing waves, and exploring the best of all that the world has to offer, with few expectations beyond a little adventure.

I think Within is sort of a natural progression from The Drift. While Within does feature much more pros than the previous film, it presents several underground guys whom I think will blow minds as well. Within focuses in on two locations with some of the most under-appreciated riders in the world: Tahiti, and the Canary Islands. It is not uncommon to see a 15 year-old kid in either place charging a 10-foot slab, or launching huge moves over dry reef, and I’m hoping to shed a little light on the incredible talent in both places.

Within includes a geographical ambiance component much like The Drift to allow viewers to kind of vicariously experience each location, but this time around I have separated the lifestyle from the riding into different skip-able segments. This way, if the viewer is just looking for an amping quick-fix of bodyboarding, he or she can skip over the dialogue and lifestyle.

Where did you travel to film Within and what was the single best session that went down during filming?

Within homes in on Tahiti and the Canary Islands. The focus is split 50/50 on each place. This way, if the viewer gets tired of clear blue water Pacific perfection, they can refresh themselves with some dark and ominous Atlantic slabs. The opposite extremes keep it interesting, I think.

The best session I had while filming Within, and probably in my life for that matter, was in July of 2009 at Teahupoo. It was by far the best I had ever seen it. The conditions were perfect; sunny, glassy, not even a breeze of wind, and the only people out were a Hawaiian bodyboarder, a California surfer, and a couple Tahitian kids not much older than 18. The swell direction was super west, and 12-15 ft bombs were violently exploding on the reef. It was pretty consequential, possible death was a looming factor for sure, but these guys were charging! That session will go down in history, and the best thing is…no one else was filming, so the footage I got is 100% exclusive.

Not only did the riding look insane in your trailor, but the quality of the video appeared top notch. What camera setup did you use for filming and how long have you been shooting for?

Thanks. Within was mostly shot on a Sony FX-7, but I also used a Sony HC-7 for all the fisheye and POV angles on a setup designed by Chad Stickney. I’d say most of the footage in Within was shot over the past two years. Coincidentally, many have said that these were the best seasons in over 10 years for both locations. It includes footage of Fronton paddled into bigger than ever, and also in Tahiti with guys pushing the limits, many of which are unsponsored locals doing it for the love.

We have heard that your home base is split between time in Tahiti and time in Hawaii. Not too shabby! What are the benefits of each and how do you stay motivated to continue to travel when you can call such exotic locations ‘home’?

Laughs. I can’t complain, I guess. I mean, Hawaii is cool, it’s where I’m from, where my family resides, and I love my home, but there’s something truly refreshing about Tahiti. The waves, culture, and the people are unmatched. Of course, there’s good and bad everywhere, but I like the general humility of the people down here. They don’t seem to be as caught up in status issues. They’re just very genuine, and really stoked on the simple things. It creates good vibes. I mean, where else on earth do you paddle out and see locals at their own spots paddle up and welcome visiting wave riders with a handshake? That’s the kind of vibe I want to be surrounded by. I think some other people around the globe could learn a few things from Tahitian hospitality.

In today’s world we can watch yesterday’s session from Australia spliced up in high def from our computers in California the following morning. With all the free internet videos that have flooded the net via vimeo and youtube, how do you stay amped to continue filming? Do you have a second job to support your travels?

Yeah, internet’s killing the video star, for sure. I’d probably include Facebook in that mix as well; it has become such a race to get your footage out to viewers. There are positives to it, but it makes some decisions more difficult. I actually thought about just releasing Within online, but I decided I’d take a chance this time around in believing that internet viewing still doesn’t compare to sitting down and enjoying a bodyboard movie on a high definition big screen TV with your friends. I am also hoping that by creating the first bodyboarding film not only filmed in, but released in full high definition on Blu Ray disc, it will re-spark some interest in watching bodyboard films on real TV screens.

As for work, the last regular work schedule I had was 3 years ago, doing valet parking at a hotel in Hawaii. Currently, I live with my Tahitian girlfriend, Mel Itaia. She’s been super supportive, she’s pretty much the reason I’m still able to make these films. I mean, it’s no secret that making bodyboarding films do not provide the most lucrative income, there is definitely a lot of scratching by. Tahiti is super expensive too, it makes Hawaii look like Indonesia as far as prices go (“Yes, yes, transport?”), but I love making films, so I’m lucky that Mel is down with the cause.

Lastly, when should dvds hit the US? Any plans for a California premiere?

Within is being duplicated at the moment in an all in one BLU-RAY/DVD combo package and will be on the shelves by the end of this month. I’m not sure about premieres in California. I’ve already setup premieres in Tahiti and the Canary Islands in November. I will keep you guys posted though.

Any last words?

I just want to say to the kids, stay amped on bodyboarding! It will be what we make of it. Also, much love and appreciation to those who contribute to our sport and keep it alive by working together and helping one another. Aloha!

For more info on Within here are a few links: PLC site, SuperStoker, Riptide Mag, Evan Fa blog

By James Murdock
Holy smokes where do I begin??? I could write a whole novel with all the shit that went down in Mexico but I’ll do my best to keep it relatively short! I hadn’t been on a trip for a few years due to injuries and scrapper times so I was amping for a month long stay in Puerto Escondido.

Announcers booth, Contest crowd, Bikini Contest

Puerto was hosting a pretty big IBA contest with a $10000 USD purse, so that was some extra incentive to make a campaign. I tried my very best to round up the Pismo crew for the mission and got major support from Statom, even with his intense work schedule! I booked my ticket asap and was slaving at my restaurant for extra funds. I decided to head down a couple weeks before the comp to get a good feel for the spot again. I hadn’t been there for four years and I almost forgot how special that wave is! I went to California for a family reunion a few days prior to heading down to Mexico. Scrapper times forced me to fly into Acapulco and take a 10 hour bus ride to Puerto. I enjoy mobbing the bus, it’s a full little trip in itself. You get to see a lot of shit from the bus during the day, and if you’re sitting in the back you also get to smell a bunch of shit from the bano!! Before I knew it I was in Puerto!

Cesar Bauer cutback, float, and toob

I headed straight to hotel Aquario because that’s the place I’ve stayed almost every time that I’ve been to Puerto and it’s g-man! I hooked up a scrapper deal with Aunty at the front desk. I was solo, so I had to go for pretty much the most scrapper room in the entire place! Straight no AC with only a slow rotating fan and happened to be co-occupied by the main mosquito population of Puerto! Fuck man the heat along with the mosquito factor was a bit intense and forced me to consume booze to adjust to the harsh bungalow environment. I can’t forget to mention that Puerto is a full scene now!!! I was tripping ballzzzz on the development and tourist population since I had been there last. I had to take it all in with a few quick hypo-v’s before I could properly adapt! I headed to Beto’s shop Colorado to get some contest info and chat with him about Puerto blowing up. Beto’s all time, super good vibes! I ran into a few familiar faces one being Jose Ramirez who if anyone has put in time at Puerto they should know how guru Jose is!

Dubb vert, flip, and jam

Shit lets talk waves. First day was three to four kind of weird wedgy wind swell with nobody out except me and two boogies from Southern California. After that it was game on as Caldwell says!! A big time southwest swell fired up Zicatela! The Quicksilver Pro was going down so I was kind of stressing because I thought they would be running the comp all day during the swell. I woke up early the morning that the swell peaked and was walking out to the beach and all I could see was waves barreling top to bottom – solid 10-12 feet. I was like fuck those are some massive waves and there’s no one out.

Empty, Standup, Espuma

I checked it for a bit and actually saw a few lone warriors down at Far Bar. They were getting some mean lefthanders that were sick but kind of sketchy. Every other peak was closing out but still firing for a Central California beachy. I was fucking on it! Threw down a quick little stretch and water pound. I sat on the beach and stretched some more checking out the paddle out situation. I waited til this massive set came through and started the paddle out during a nice lull and handled a few minor duckdives. It took me almost a half hour to get to Far Bar because the current was pushing north freakshow status. I surfed for three hours and caught five waves, which besides one were all closeouts. It was worth it to get one makeable one when Puerto is that big, even if the ratio isn’t too good.

Gregory Wouters revo, vert, Lenn Hernandez drop

The next day was just a hair smaller but so much peakier! They only ran the comp for three hours in the morning and it was still sheet glass style out there afterwards. I watched the comp and I think I saw ten surfboards break this day. As soon as the last heat ended I was out there. I was tripping ballz due to the fact that it was 8-10 ft and there were only four guys out. I caught a couple big waves this day including one righthander that was one of the better barrels that I have scored in my life!!! I almost went in after that wave but was amping so hard and I knew I could get one more nug.

Dubb backside, lipper, snap

I paddled back out and scrapped a big right that didn’t really barrel well and I had to punch out the back. I instantly put the head down and started paddling back out to make it under the other set waves. I weaseled under the next two waves and was scrambling big time. These waves were solid ten foot and sucking up so hard that it kept pulling me back every time I ducked them even though I was making it under. I came up from that second one and saw the next scud coming in like 15 yards further out than the last one. I knew I wasn’t going to make it so I just stopped, froze and for a couple seconds was like holy fuck will I be able to take this thing and make it! That wave is the most distinctive memory I have during the entire trip. That wave had so much power I must of done eight or ten flips under water! My ears didn’t pop because I always clear them before I surf big waves but the pressure made it sure feel like my eardrums were going to burst! The first one is never the end; I had to deal with a couple other scuds full hypo-v status. Enough said, it was a humbling experience that ended my session. Puerto has intense power especially when it gets over six feet!

Jorge Hernandez bowl, vert, Ardiel Jimenez invert

The swell kept declining but stuck around for a good week. I was surfing during mid day at high tide on one of the smaller days, like 4-6 ft but still pumping. The winds turned more south, opening up the right tubes with a few left ramp sections. I was having a really good session, boosting and pulling in to some deep ones until I hit this big roll accompanied with some massive high tide backwash! I landed in the flats straight into a 2-foot backwash whitewater wave. My right shoulder dislocated instantly upon impact! I gimped it to the beach and saw D-Hubb running over to investigate the severity of the gimpyness! I scored a ride to the tower with los salvavidas! They couldn’t pop it back in and I ended up getting juked into an ambulance because they said there would be someone on the ambulance who could pop it back in. I ended up having to go to the Puerto hospital and having a doctor do the job. D-Hubb had mad support and accompanied me to the hospital, guy is all time! So… gimpy shoulder and contest in six days? I had no idea if I as going to be able to handle.

Murdock revo, toob, vert

I went into super chill mode: no booze and mass stretching/water consuming! Statom rolled up four days before the waiting period and I was able to make my departure from the mosquito layer. We moved into this nice upstairs two-bed room with a high quality fan at Acuario. Life just got a lot better when College Kid arrived. I had Pismo support and not just any Pismo support but College Kid!! Statom was fucking stoked to be in Mexico and let the brain hibernate for a while.

Dubb win, Karla Costa win, Macho Man Comp

It was Monday when Nick arrived and he surfed his brains out duel session style! Monday night just so happens to be one of the best nights to hit the scene along the Zicatela strip! There was a massive local gathering outside our hotel with heavy pre-buzz going down. Cabo Blanco was the spot that rocked on Mondays! They say that’s where legends are born!! Statom and myself broke down; we knew we had to go big. It started with a few beers then turned into an onslaught of Bacardi rum due to the Arubian thugs we were rolling with! Four of us took down a 750ml of Bacardi in ten minutes just as a top-off – straight gangster shit! We hit the club with no desire for more buzz. Shit was cracking, I let loose on the dancefloor and changed a few lives with my moves. I burned out and had to abort back to the hotel not before stopping at my late night hamburger stand and stuffing the face hard. I lost contact with Statom and figured he was on his only little trip good to go style. I passed out maybe around 4am and come 6:30 college kid comes rolling in with sand all over his face and head. Guess he passed out on the beach and was awakened by the federales who bogarted him for every last peso he had! I was fucking losing it when he rolled in first night in Mexico and he goes massive man!!! Shit amped me out so hard! Man when u work your brain like Statom u need to let loose every now and then. Amazing first night for Statom!

Cesar Bauer roll, DK setup, barrel

That was the last big night until the comp was underway. It’s quite a task to avoid the nightlife in Puerto because something is cracking every night. Statom and myself hit the water and Danskin mat hard for competition prepping! The check in for the contest was at 6:30am so early pass outs were critical! The first few days of competition were underway, with the first few rounds of women’s and dk running. Statom and I would be scrapping in the first round of the men’s open due to not having any real IBA points. The waves for our first heat were pretty scrapper. Statom went down early because no wave came to the peak he was sitting on. I barely made it through my heat with a pretty scrapper performance. My next heat went a little better and I was able to win the heat. The next heat I was in was with D-Hubb who is a guru competitor. I got second to Dave in that heat but advanced through in second place. Next heat was man-on-man and I was surfing against this little local ripper Cesar Petroni, who was only like sixteen but the kid is sick. I won that heat with some solid Puerto righthand tubes.

Grodzen revo, air, Jose Ramirez closeout

Next heat was quarterfinals and I had to surf against D-Hubb in a man-on-man which meant there was no scrapping second place this time around. D-Hubb opened up the heat with some good scores and I couldn’t really find any waves. I got a good right barrel and needed like a high seven but it didn’t happen. It was a good campaign and I was bummed to lose but as a consolation it was to Dub who ended up taking the whole event – prone and dk. It also meant I could relax and drink a cold one!! I also scrapped some USD prizemoney which was clutch.

Kim Feast barrel, lipper, Hermano Castro bowl

The afterparty for the comp was sick!! Everyone was pretty tanked and having amazing times. There was a couple other big nights before and after the comp but it would take massive amounts of text to tell it all!! A couple of nights after the comp we did score one of the best chicken bbq’s I have ever attended. It was Andres Petroni’s 40th b-day and he cooked up like 20 full chickens open flame style. He used some guru seasoning that he brought back from Venezuela! Massive mahalos for his feasting support and the four bottles of Bacardi that got drank!!

Eunate is a hottie, Magno Oliveira bowl, Hermano Pereira toob

I met some super good people on the trip and saw some familiar faces as well. The comp was insane and Puerto must become an IBA stop!! The quality and consistency of the wave with the top 32 busting it apart would be a sight to see and be huge for the sport. The lodging and nightlife is amazing as well, no need for a car or bike or anything except your feet! Much support to Beto for making it happen as well as all the sponsors! A few last shout outs (and if you actually read all this up to hear that’s amazing and I give you mucho support!!!): Ardiel Jimenez. Jorge, Babby and all the Puerto Ricans. Gregory, Len, Jeremy – mass Aruba representation. D-Hubb good times and sick domination. And all the other people who I had good times with!!! Shoots!!

Dubb invert, super che, air

We’re finally back from Mex, where the Zicatela Pro went down in primo contest conditions. More than 100 competitors made the trek down to the Mexican state of Oaxaca to partake in either the Women’s, Dropknee, or Men’s division. Seven days of competition culminated in an action packed finale at the infamous Mexican Pipeline. Our very own James Murdock ended a valiant campaign in the semis to take an equal 5th placing amongst a heavy international talent pool. All this despite dislocating his shoulder a second time only a couple days prior to competition while attempting a massive roll at Zicatela. Congrats to Dave Hubbard who took out both the DK and Open Men’s divisions and Karla Costa who won the Women’s. More results are copied below with full heat breakdowns available on the Zicatela Pro website.

Men’s
1st – Dave Hubbard
2nd – Hermano Pereira
=3rd – Magno Oliviera
=3rd – Cesar Bauer
=5th – James Murdock
=5th – Gregory Wouters
=5th – Edwin Morales
=5th – Jesus Silva

Dropknee
1st – Dave Hubbard
2nd – Cesar Bauer
=3rd – Kim Feast
=3rd – Micah McMullin

Women’s
1st – Karla Costa
2nd – Eunate Aguirre
=3rd – Ruth Parra
=3rd – Maira Viana

We were able to scrap a decent amount of photos and video from the event and behind the scenes as well. Our first installment below shows the bulk of our photos from our two week stint in Mex. Check back for more framegrabs and a full writeup by Murdock. Click pics for full size.

Hotel Acuario, Bodyboarding chicks, Latin heavy hitters

Sopes in Centro, Centro puppies, Midday Centro mission

Homemade tortillas, CheDubb, Super Che shopping

More sopes, Manny on the mic, Nissan Hardbody

Macho Murder, Grom support, Pantalones de Agua

Bikini contest, The Champs, Gatorade ad

Late night fix, $2 taco plate, Centro assemblage

Backseat Petroni Specials, Brothers, Instant DVD Guy

Parking lot toast, Pancho y Dubb, Anthony Pilgrim Feasty

Ladies night, Crowd surfing, Sprayed Che

Sol party leftovers, Aruba taxi, Chicken BBQ

Motor y Murdock, Warren Anderson y Giovanni Greco, Dubb victory

Ardiel/Murdock/Grodzen, Shots of Petroni, SOL

Links of the Week: Surge Online Mag coming soon. Look for a Cale Moore interview in issue #1. Secondly, if you’re in the Orange County area then go support fellow sponger Matt Hamilton tonight at Hennesseys in Dana Point.

If you haven’t noticed, we’ve been lagging with updates of late and a little spring cleaning is definitely in order with summer now officially upon us. First off some random news from the Pizzy. BGA has returned from Espana, reeking of sour tapas and waiving a stupid little Spanish flag from his summer job somewhere atop an Avila Beach lifeguard tower. Delmore also arrived home on familiar soil after an extended trip to Australia that somehow gave rise to even purpler hands, purpler teeth, and a scragglier beard. That didn’t prevent the posh crew at Native Lounge from booking him for a show tonight in DTSLO. Louie is still in recovery mode after undergoing back surgery but should be back in the water by summers end. In the meantime, he has been shooting up a digital storm which will be unveiled in a forthcoming etcetera. Murdock is on his way back to Cali next week from the North Shore. He’ll be cruising the 805 for a week before heading down to Mexico for a month for the Zicatela Pro. Chaney popped the cork and successfully asked for the hand in marriage of longtime girlfriend Sara. Alex is squeezing out all last minute surfs up in the bay with fatherhood looming at the end of August. Lastly, Ralphy has been riding horses.

Babby’s premiere of Flowing Like Water went down without a hitch back in April. Willie set up the venue at Hoagies in Avila Beach, where a nice little crew of area spongers gathered for the viewing. You can check Manny Vargas’ photos from the event here. Red Dog was luckily on hand with the digi for the afterparty as well. Ralph took over the reigns at that point and showed the visitors a good time out and about in San Luis:

Roldy also sent in a few randoms frames a while back: a new, promising righthander sprinkled between some random lifestyle shots while checking waves up north.

Recently Manager Schloonis took a break from his vigorous schedule of booking shows and online poker to get some time behind the lens as well with some quality results below:

Link of the Week: We’re splitting it with the two Australian megastars: TheLackeyProject.com and MitchRawlins.com. Good shit.