FEATURED: Memorial Day Seshbr>
(May 26th '08) Hot out of the gate, kickin off the summer with a waveless ocean sesh on 33rd in front of Island Surf & Sail... all the boys were out - Brian, Doug, Digger, Tod, Buoy, Spade, myself and so on. Sun and solid side-shore wind held out all day for some good video and stills. Everybody's lookin good for the start of the season with a few highlights: Doug threw a fierce kite loop (his first ever) witch looked insane all the way to the scene of the explosion, Brian was shredding the ankle high surf, Tod nearly was cut in half and I had about 50 missed handle passes... My new Liquid Force gear is feeling sick, the Havoc is quick on the loops and relaunches easier than any kite I've ever flown; the Reciol Comp is super light and screams up wind. This summer's gonna be one for the books. Bushko on the vid cam. Carolina, Jack and myself on the still cam. check out the full gallery - Billy Mehl

FEATURED: SEA paddle NYC
(Aug 13th '07) a 28-mile stand-up paddle around Manhattan to benefit SEA (surfers environmental alliance) and autism awareness... the weekend kicked off with a "white attire" party at an estate in Monmouth Beach, open bar dude! Followed by a 3 hour aimless walk home because I was left at the party and had no clue where we were staying... Thanks Ed (apology accepted). The paddle kicked off around 9 by the 17th St. Pier with choppers buzzin' overhead, fire boats with water canons blazin' and a lead police boat playing the "Hawaii 5-O" tune over the loudspeaker. About fifty of us made our way around the island with the legendary likes of Gerry Lopez and Derrick Doerner to wrap things up at battery park. Just shy of 6 hours, Iwas the third in behind Joel Tudor (pic below - Tudor left, Billy Mehl right - more photos on the still page)... My effort was dedicated to my little cousin Billy Waldron and a huge thanks goes out to all of my family and friends who contributed!
Mike Theriault (ISS kiter) let Terry Deakyne (Island Surf & Sail), Olaus Mcloed (UK waterman), Ed Danson (film maker) and I crash at his house for the event with hilarity to ensue... Ed was documenting the paddle for Stoked TV (video on the right) and decided to blindside us with interviews throughout the weekend. Thankfully my interview during the white party was not used... Can't wait for this year's paddle. Ed & Olaus get ready boys, I'm coming to visit... -Billy Mehl
 

 

"Adventures With Olaus: The 1st Annual S.E.A. Paddle Around NYC"
Purple Door Films - Filmed, Directed & Edited by Ed Danson
In association with Stoked TV & Surfers Environmental Alliance
- Olaus McLeod - Billy Mehl - Terry Deakyne - Mike Theriault