Latest news with #NowNow
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Safi: The World's Best Wave That Was Kept Secret For Decades
It is with great pleasure that we announce our partnership with Now Now Media, led by legends Alan van Gysen (AVG) and Will Bendix, on their latest film Le Jardin: The Secret Story of Morocco's Most Incredible Wave. The film is part of Now Now's 'Origin Series' where they examine the history of the world's greatest waves and document all the chapters that came along ever since the first known surfers made the discovery. With Safi, that story begins with one man. 'While Anchor Point became the pride of Moroccan surfing, Safi remained hidden in plain sight. An industrial harbor town that sits halfway between Casablanca and Agadir and was known for its Sardines, not waves. Then, in the early 1980's, a surfer from Casablanca, Louic Soutif, got a job working in the port. When he arrived at work one morning, he looked across the bay, and could hardly believe what he saw. He told his friends about the wave but they found it hard to believe…so he surfed it on his own for the next two years.' When it's on, all agree it is one of the best right-handers in the world, if not the best. The only thing is that it's fickle, very fickle. Over the past few years, the miraculous wave also known as Ras Lafaa (The Head of the Snake), has only come to life a handful of times. Its reputation for perfection, along with good surf forecasting, has meant that it draws quite the crowd. But we're getting ahead of ourselves… The name Le Jardin (The Garden) was bestowed upon the wave to help keep it secret by the lucky few friends of Louic that surfed it for years to themselves. They used to rent a cheap house on the hill overlooking the wave and when one of their girlfriends came, she said, 'the house is eh, ok, but look at the garden', as she signaled to the view in front of the house. With their secret name, they could talk about it openly and not give away the location but, slowly but surely, the word started to get out. Knowing that one day the whole world would know about the perfect wave at Safi, they felt the need to call in a 'master', someone who could come and really show what could be done. That master was none other than Australian hellman, Ross Clarke Jones, who redefined what was possible at Safi by surfing the wave farther up the point than anyone had even seen. As he recalls, 'We showed up in the dark and slept in a little tent right there on the cliff. In the morning I woke up and saw the best right-hander I've ever seen in my life. Better than Jbay, better than Kirra, better than everything.' Le Jardin joins the Now Now Origin Series, alongside these other incredible films: Place of Thorns, The Story of Puerto Escondido. Chasing The Unicorn, A Mozambican Surf Story. Mirage, The Ever-Changing Story of Skeleton Bay. We caught up with AVG to hear about how he and Bendix approach their films. 'Well, coming from our perspective with Now Now Media, we find it super important to always work with local DPs, local filmers, and local talent. It's crucial to the success of these collaborative projects where you're bringing so many different things together–different eras, different decades–you really need to dig deep and work with the locals. Because you could never really know the full extent of things and I can only get so much content on one or two trips. I also don't have that history with the place. So when you identify someone who is exceptionally talented and very connected like Edwin Morales in Puerto Escondido and Amine Nader in Morocco, they've been a part of the community for a long time, they have respect. They've paid their dues and the community loves to see them be recognized. When we do our local premieres, like in Puerto or Safi, the whole community comes out to support and they get to stand on the stage and know that the film was possible because of their efforts. They deserve to shine as directors of photography and co-producers of these stories." The surfing and storytelling make this a must watch film for all surfers, and even non surfers would appreciate the cinematography, soundtrack, and overall experience of Le Jardin. Do yourself a favor and go and subscribe to the Now Now Media page on Youtube and like, comment, and share their films to support these stories and the incredible effort that goes into them. PS- keep your eyes peeled for a very special US premiere that is the The World's Best Wave That Was Kept Secret For Decades first appeared on Surfer on May 28, 2025
Axios
09-05-2025
- Business
- Axios
This creative bookshop is hiding in a Des Moines design studio
Tucked away off Keo Way, there's a little bookshop inviting people to browse its creative and colorful curations. State of play: Now Now Bookshop is smaller than a traditional store, but owners John and Lucy Solarz say they want to create a shopping experience that's more than just browsing, but community building. How it started: The shop is inside Now Now, a design studio that works with local businesses like Tasty Tacos, Eden and Art Terrarium. John, who collects vinyl records and books, wanted to create a more accessible way for people to meet them in the design studio. Lucy, who has a background in fashion and retail, always wanted a shop component to the business. "Opening the bookshop was a really great way for us to connect with the everyday creative community that we knew exists," John says. "We just needed a space to allow that spark to happen. What you'll find: Lucy says she picked coffee table books that other creatives could find inspiration from, like " The Vignelli Canon" and " Work Better. Live Smarter. Be Happier." What they're saying: Young artists and college students have come into the studio both to browse books and get opinions on their designs and projects. " I think people are really nervous to talk to designers — sometimes they feel like, 'What's it gonna cost me to ask you questions about a brand that I want to do or a website I want to create?' And having those doors open has really allowed people to comfortably come in and access us," Lucy says.
