About Us
The story of Low Pressure
The Stormrider Surf Guides
Low Pressure is and always has been a company focussed on surf and travel. Expanding horizons, experiencing new cultures and exploring the potential of our world of waves is the whole point of The Stormrider Surf Guides. We have developed the guides to help as many different types of surfer as possible and provide the important surf information that lets you make informed decisions on where and when to surf.
It’s difficult to get the balance right with a surf guide, so we have maintained an approach to publish the main surfing areas, while leaving out the locally sensitive, obscure and lesser-known spots. We do our best to give accurate descriptions of the surf in a region, without revealing it all, allowing for the inquisitive to look around a bit and still enjoy the thrill of discovering something new. In order to do this, all our information is contributed by and double-checked by local riders or else experienced travellers where a local surf scene doesn't exist. For every break in the Stormrider Guide, there are undoubtedly many more to find by looking around that headland or walking down that long beach between the published spots. Of course, if you feel we’ve included a break that shouldn't be surfed by fellow travellers, please contact us.
While presenting the surf information, we try to remove opinions and personalities to leave the hard and fast facts. The stars of The Stormrider Surf Guides are the waves themselves and all we do is try to present them in a clear and consistent fashion. One surfer’s 5-star wave is another surfer’s nightmare, so take the time to read all the info and apply that to your experience and preferences as a surfer. It is only a guide, so keep your eyes open, use your common sense and tread lightly on your travels.
Extensive World Travels
Ollie travels round the World learning to surf along the way. The seeds of a surf travel guide are sown.
THE WORK BEGINS
Work starts on the first Stormrider Guide Europe.
Low Pressure Publishing is formed
After established publishing houses offer extremely poor deals, Low Pressure Publishing is launched.
The Stormrider Guide Europe
1st edition is released and sells out almost immediately.
Low Pressure Surf Shop
London’s first and only real surf shop quickly becomes a haven for landlocked surfers from all over the world.
Portobello Surf Club
Based around the LP shop, membership soon reaches 500, making it the biggest surf club in the UK.
STORMRIDER GUIDE EUROPE
2nd edition is released in 3 languages and in full colour. Reaction is unanimous – the best guide so far for detail, design and ease of use.
Low Pressure Surf Shop
Evening Standard award as one of the top retail outlets in London.
The Snowboard Guide Europe
1st edition is released to more rave reviews.
The Snowboard Guide North America
1st edition is released. Low Pressure Films documents the research trips and airs a 12 part series of Snowboard Guide North America films on Eurosport and various satellite channels around the world.
The Stormrider Guide Europe
3rd edition is released. A monster of a book which becomes the benchmark by which all surf guides are judged.
The World Stormrider Guide
Volume 1 – After shelving this first idea in favour of a Europe guide…10 years later it’s finally become a reality. The World Stormrider Guide Volume 1 quickly becomes the best-selling surf guide in the world.
The Stormrider Guide North America
Co-written and edited by the legendary Drew Kampion.
SURFERS AGAINST SEWAGE
SAS take The Stormrider Guide Europe 3rd Edition to the European Parliament to help show the politicians that the waters around Europe are used and enjoyed by people all year-round and not just a few weeks in summer.
The World Stormrider Guide
Volume 2 – 80 more reasons to take a World Surfari off the beaten track.
Low Pressure Surf Shop
Tripling of rent on the LP shop means it’s no longer possible to be a small independent shop in one of the most expensive cities in the world. After 13 good years, the doors finally shut for the last time on what had become a London surfing landmark. Thanks to everyone who worked, shopped or passed through.
STORMRIDER EBOOKS
The Stormrider Surf Guides are now available online in downloadable e-books.
The Stormrider Surf Guide Europe
Due to the huge volume of surf, environment and cultural information, The Stormrider Surf Guide Europe 4th Edition is split into a two-book box set. The Continent is the first part to be released in June 2006 with The Atlantic Islands completing the Europe Box set in 2007. Due to popular demand, the box set is bound together into a massive 400-page book & released in late 2008.
Stormrider Surf Playing Cards
Stormrider Surf Playing Cards hit the table featuring 52 of the world's best waves.
The World Stormrider Guide
Volume 3 – Completing the trilogy. 80 remote and far-flung destinations for the more intrepid surf-traveller.
The Stormrider Surf Guide Indonesia and the Indian Ocean
A more detailed guide to everyone's favourite archipelago, plus the wonderous waves of the Indian Ocean.
The Stormrider Surf Guide Central America and the Caribbean
A slim, packable guide to America's warm water surfing playground.
The Stormrider Surf Guide France
Super-detailed breakdown of the many waves found at the heart of the European surf scene.
The Stormrider Surf Guide Tropical Islands
Here you can explore the warm water surf of all the islands that sit between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.
The Stormrider Surf Journal
An Atlas, Planner and Log to help you choose your next surfari and easily record your trip and sessions for future posterity.
Stormrider Surf Stories Indonesia
A collection of incredible tales from the magical islands of Indonesia. Perfect holiday reading on your next surfari.
The World Stormrider Surf Guide
Combining all the updated information from the 3 volume World Stormrider trilogy, plus brand new content into one huge hardback edition.
Stormrider.surf
After 5 years of design and build, the world's first non-user-generated surf guide goes live.
Our Commitment
We have always cared deeply about the state of the world we live in. If you travel, there is no escaping the fact that damage to the planet will occur, regardless of the method of transport. Surfers have long been on the front line of environmental activism and we strive to support the dedicated organisations out there, fighting for our rights to enjoy the ocean.
We have planted over a thousand trees to replace the chlorine-free paper we use and will continue to plant as many trees as possible in forthcoming years.
Stormrider E-books reduced our environmental impact but Stormrider.surf is even better – no logging, paper mills, inks and heavy transport…just a little electricity and the magic of the Web.
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