Instagram story viewer> @fringesurfing> Posts

Steven Halpin ⚡️

@fringesurfing

6.7K

followers

5631

following

For all 'Fringe' surfers, Bodysurfing, Bellyboarding, Matsurfers, Kneelos, Paipos, Trays, Alaias...
Shop⚡️⚡️ @fringesurfshop

POSTS STORIES REELS

BIG NEWS..😲😲😲 PLEASE SHARE
The first (hopefully annual) 'Fringe surfing' movie night has been booked and paid for⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️
SATURDAY 4TH MAY (Star wars day)
It's at the @oceansidenewquay Hotel on Headland Road, right above Fistral Beach, Newquay, Cornwall.
It's for bellyboarders, matsurfers, bodysurfers, paipo riders, traysurfers, bodyboarders, kneelos, and anyone who digs alternative surfcraft.
The collection of film edits is between an hour and an hour and a half, and we plan to have a big prize charity raffle and other surprises 😀
I want the night to be a gathering of the clans, from all over the place, with all politics and bullshit left at the door, no ego allowed either, just a classic old school surf film night, with hoots and big smiles.
A chance for us to meet and see each other, and hopefully get inspired, stoked, and feel part of this rad community, no matter what, or how well you ride🤙🤙🤙🤙
I've made this first ad video to give you plenty of time to arrange your lives, as MAY 4TH is a Bank Holiday weekend.
Hopefully, we can also get a big community Sunday slide the next day, too, if the surf gods look favourably upon us🙏
We already have a couple of prizes donated from people that have heard whispers of this, like a winter suit from @simpelwetsuits and prizes from @duckdiveboards, @thrashintl so far.
If you are a maker or have a business that suits the night and want to donate, please get in touch👊
You will have your logos on all media, on the film, and lorded on the night to the whole Fringe community ⚡️⚡️
I'm not chasing people. Be part of it or don't.
I've put a ton of work and hours into this, so please support me, to support the community and come if you can, donate, spread the word, come up with fun ideas for the night.
TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE AS SOON AS I CAN SORT IT OUT. 100 PLACES AVAILABLE ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE BASIS.
Watch this space for details in the coming weeks.
May the 4th be with you⚡️⚡️
STEVO @fringesurfshop
#fringesurfing #bodysurfing #bellyboarding
#matsurfing #bodyboarding #uksurf #Newquay #Cornwall #community #prone #fun by @fringesurfing

APOLOGIES
Well, of kinds.
I get lot's of people messaging me over the summer months, asking "how come this account has gone quiet?"
And believe you me, I'm flattered that you should care🙏thankyou 🙏
Im very well thanks 😊
During the summer season months, I tend to go over to my alternative surf shop insta account @fringesurfshop as I don't want to spend all my time on the bloody phone, and need to make a living in the 7 months that I work a year in Newquay Cornwall.
I rather sadly, also got fed up with certain people in the community that just seem to look for drama, politics, 'he said, she said' mentality and I quite simply, just can't be arsed with all that bullshit 😂
I just wanna go shred, where I want, with who I want, and, on what I want, if that's ok🤔😁
I never thought petty differences would creep into the world of 'Fringe' surfing, but I guess humans will be humans, just leave me well out of it.
You don't support me or what I've done, fine, goodbye.
I ride my 'alternative' surfcraft mostly, mixing it up with my big singlefin whenever the mood takes me, and love it all equally, and I also appreciate the guys and gals who ride with me.
The surfers, matsurfers, kneelos, bellyboarders, bodysurfers and all the others I share epic and not so epic surfs with over the year.
I have a local chat group (yeah I know right) and we all know there's no politics, no competition, no hard feelings or jealousy, just a bunch of misfits all getting together to play like children, feel like kids again, party wave, hopefully get toobed but all with aloha and a shared appreciation for harvesting stoke, that's it, and long may it continue.
People come, people go, but some of us are always there, doing it for the love.
Ive just finished most of my work for the season only working 1 day a week now to surf as it gets colder, so ill be more active on this account again.
I hope you guys enjoy my rants, pics and vids that I'll hopefully put together.
Thanks for reading all, and remember..
Surfing is fun
Stevo ⚡️ by @fringesurfing

SUMMER BUMMER ☀️
Bring on Autumn 🍂
I have a much needed day off work today.
Tourist season in seaside tourist town can be exhausting, but it's how we survive here at Fringe HQ running a surf shop and a juice bar through the summer.
Since my last post, it's been the hottest summer I can remember, but also the flattest!
Cloudless skies and wall to wall sunshine is no good to a surfer in these parts as the Atlantic has sat motionless with the odd wind swell onshore days now and then.
Bellyboards have been the saviour lately. Really missing a good bodysurf. I've had a couple of matsurfs when it's suitable, but over here in Cornwall, we are really looking forward to Autumnal activity, the growers need rain, and the surfer's need their waves and lives back😂🙏
It's been fun turning surfer's on to alternative surfcraft over the summer though at my shop @fringesurfshop and meeting lot's of super stoked wave riders with an open mind despite the waves, and I'm super grateful to everyone who has made visiting me and my tucked away little shop part of their holidays over the summer.
I'm trying to remain optimistic 🤔 that perhaps we will have the best September into October in years to make up for the summer, get fit, get toobed, and get a good flogging again in powerful waves🙏🙏🙏
Plus...there's always people worse off, the waves will come back won't they?🙏😂👀
Anyways, just checking in and saying hi..
I use my other account more these days at the surfshop, so give me a follow over there if you are into it.
Stay rad
Pray for waves
Stevo⚡️⚡️⚡️
@fringesurfshop lead photo by @mjfotoscornwall after a desperate but fun bellyboard sesh recently by @fringesurfing

MY LITTLE WORLD ON THE FRINGE
Well, over here in Cornwall UK, it's been a real mixed bag when it comes to this summer so far.
We've had 'orrible cold N onshore winds, then we've had some of the hottest weather I can remember with beautiful offshores for a week after that, and pumpin' surf to go with it, then it went back to being cold again😂 that's the reality of living in the UK, but I quite like the changing weather and seasons.
I've been bang into my bodysurfing of late. Well, using a handplane I mean.
I rarely go 'pure' here as we don't generally have the power of overseas breaks,and the handplanes really give me more to power into waves and drive.
I also quite like swapping up my handplanes, but found at the moment, I'm really diggin' my @skippersurfcraft plane from Australia.
Talking of Skipper and Australia. Will, the man behind the scenes making them, kindly done me the t-shirt design for my little surfshop (pic17)stoked with it, thankyou Will🙏
Also, I'm trying to figure out a way to come do a tour of south to east coast Australia this coming winter in a van with Helene.
The bloody prices over there are crazy, even compared with California for hiring campers, but I got a taste for another roadtrip, anything from 6 weeks to 4 months if the shop's busy enough this summer and we save hard enough.
I haven't used this account so much lately as my time and brain is into my other account @fringesurfshop during the work/tourist season, and running two accounts is too much Internet time, I need my down time to go find tasty waves.
I am, though, absolutely buzzin' on surfing lately. Trays, planes, mats, and occasional 'footboard' sessions have been super fun, and my local core 'fringe' crew are a pleasure to share waves with, always.
No politics, no he said she said bullshit, just pure joy, party waves, hoots, and stoke faces. It's mostly the same dedicated guys that turn up, but the off part timer shows up now and again, and it's always rad to take over a peak.
There's a Fringe fest on this weekend up in Devon (not my event) and a bodysurf film night next month in Porthtowan too.
Anyway, just checking in and saying hi..
Stay rad
Stevo⚡️⚡️⚡️ by @fringesurfing

The carbon edge bottom flex spoon was made by @chameleon_neal_cameron from a mould he made from an original George Greenough mould. It’s true to the original edge bottom flex spoon that George rode in the 60s.
The fibreglass one is hand shaped by myself. It’s 5’2 x 21”3/4. Glassed on Greenough fin.

Both these boards are heading to @fringesurfshop soon. Be sure to pop in and check them out. 🤙🏼 by @fringesurfing

THE BEST THINGS...
Over here in the UK it's been a wet, wintery winter.
I was lucky to escape most of it, but there's nothing like getting home and going for a slide with a few crew.
On Friday, the sun was back and it felt like a real shift in the seasons, everyone was buzzin, and a few of us headed down to Fistral for a slide on the bellyboards, ne on the new coffin kids we made with Mark at Duckdive bellyboards.
We've all been bodysurfing mostly for the last month since returning home as the swell has been jumping and quite powerful, with a bit of traysurf, footboarding, and Matsurfing in between.
I haven't been on a bellyboard for about 5 months!
I really had a hankering for it, and the swell was perfect for it. Small, long period swell with strong offshores.
Honestly, you just can't beat that feeling of meeting up with the Fringe crew, the sun out, water crystal clear, and nothing but party waves and big smiles.
I took the old gopro out. I find it so hard to get decent footage but thought sod it.
Anyhow, just chucked a few clips and pics together quick on a lazy Sunday arvo after work of some of the amazing open minded surfers that have come to my little surfshop in Newquay over the last few weeks
Stevo
@fringesurfshop ⚡️⚡️⚡️ by @fringesurfing

FRINGE SURF SHOP
(My little tucked away shop)
I don't really talk so much on here about my surf shop as I have another page for that @fringesurfshop
However, I just thought I'd let you guys in the surfyverse know that if you are ever in the UK and visiting our part of the country (which has the most surf) I may be able to help you with surfcraft to borrow whilst you are here for free.
I have available a 5'10ft kneeboard, handplanes, surfmats, paipos, bellyboards, Ahi boards,Trays, and limited sizes of swim fins available to go shred.
Might be an idea to message in advance, and I'll do my best to help you.
You can also rent wetsuits in town at a small charge, (you're gonna need em)
Just a little give back to the alternative surf craft folk, for all the support over the years you've given me and to do something nice.
My shop is stuck in the past.
It's a nod to the old days of surfing.
There's hardly anything corporate, and I'm not out to get rich, I know thst ain't gonna happen, I just wanna go surfing and have a good life, meet rad people and celebrate the sub culture and alternative side to surfing.
My shop isn't for lots of people, and I guess it's kinda niche in alot of ways, but it is what is and I ain't gonna change it, I love my shop and I try my hardest to always do the right thing by people, give a warm welcome and try and inspire people to try surfing something a little different.
Anyways, enough of this shit talking, the surfs pumping.
If you visit Cornwall UK
I'm on Bank Street in the middle of town, but I'm ticked away behind an orange pasty shop opposite Millets, up some creak stairs in a chilled courtyard.
If any of you have been, it would be real cool if you could give my shop a Google review, it does help🙏
It's called 'THE TEMPLE OF FRINGE'
Stay rad
Stevo
@fringesurfshop by @fringesurfing

From Wednesday. Never underestimate a tray. @bnigrelli

#bodysurfing #surf #hawaii #oahu #surfing by @fringesurfing

CHICAMA FULL VID
(Other post won't let me put it all on)
Surfing a minimat 2026
@fringesurfshop
FINS @yuccafins
MAT @surfmatbuilder_g @rftsurfmats
WETSUIT @simpelwetsuits by @fringesurfing

CHICAMA PERU 2026
We've been here 3 months now. It's not the 1st time we've been here, but we saw it as a good cheaper option after our California trip.
Mostly riding my singlefin on the local points, mixing it up with the surfmat and the odd bodysurf and tray session.
We only have a week left and have been waiting for Chicama, claiming to be the longest left in the world, to work on this trip and the surf gods sent us a big south swell to light it up just in time 💪🙏
If you haven't been here, it's a leg burner of a wave. That's why there's so many boats tearing up and down the point, ferrying surfers and foilers back to the beginning.
Me, being old school, don't agree with it all and always paddle out and walk back until my arms and legs can't take anymore.
The current is very strong, constantly paddling to maintain position (until a boat of 8 people get dropped off inside you) but it's a generally easy wave to get into and reels down the point for a km or 2, but like I said, it doesn't work all that often, especially in European winter.
The 1st couple of big days, we both surfed our boards. Rides of 1min, 2 mins at times if you got lucky. The swell wasn't perfect, I've seen it line up a lot better, and it's about 40% foilers in the lineup.
We filmed each other only one day when the swell dropped, and I decided to take the mini surfmat.
I got a mellow ride of 1min 20secs at one point🤙
Those minimats are perfect for travelling. It's a firm favourite in my quiver of surfcraft.
I'm amazed how much hold they have on a high line.
Just thought I'd stick a few vids and pics on here about it.
If anyone wants one, I sell em at my shop @fringesurfshop or contact @surfmatbuilder_g to see if they have any to go, you won't regret it, hand-made in UK⚡️⚡️
Love from me anyways🙏
I'm slowly making my way back to Cornwall UK this week. I can't wait to catch up with the crew, go Bodysurfing again and have a pasty💪
Stevo by @fringesurfing

HAPPY NEW YEAR, FRINGE SURFERS
2025 was a bloody fun year for me.
I fell deeper in love with alternative surf craft and the people I met through the year, whether that was at home in Cornwall UK, at my surfshop, on my surftrip adventures around the world 🌎 or online even.
I still, after years of surfing mats, boards, bellyboards, paipos, trays, handplanes and all the other lower powered craft can't believe just how satisfying they all are, in all the different types of waves that are thrown at me over the course in a year of my life.

I was fortunate to have surfed 235 times in 2025!
I'm very happy with that, and super grateful that my body and mind still allow me to, and stll feel like a 15 yr old grom, the butterflies in my stomach still fluttering at the sight, the thought, and the doing of surfing🙏
I had one of my favourite trips of my life to California last month. Produced a 'Fringe' surf craft magazine that went all over the world, managed to make a living and go surf as much as I can, and have turned a few people on to riding different craft and change their lives for the better.
I hope this year has been kind to you guys, too🙏
I'll be away in S.America until mid-March, searching for long walled up waves, womping shorebreaks, and looking to tap into the 'feeling'⚡️⚡️⚡️
I just wanted to say a huge thanks to all the people on here and in my life in the 'real' world that continue to be cool with me⚡️ bought the mag, come to the shop, or share waves, thoughts, messages, and lifestyle with me, I salute you going into 2026...
I'm off for a matsurf right now at a point just down the road, the smell of sun lotion in my nostrils, and the feeling of anticipation in my gut. Wish me luck, my 1st surf of 2026...love you guys
Stevo by @fringesurfing

OUR CALIFORNIA TRIP PT1
For our own memories
From San Francisco to Santa Barbara

Picked up our campervan in San Fran.
Really smooth pick up, £300 a week for 3 weeks. Unlimited mileage, 2 drivers included.
Helene is driving at first as she's used to driving on the right being Canadian.
Easy drive outta SF and a quick stop at Mavericks, just to check it out, 1st touch of Pacific Ocean, beautiful sunshine. Cold eve and morning, hot in the daytime.
On to Santa Cruz, staying at sunset beach state park to camp, have fire, feels good to have made it here.
Had a wander next day around S Cruz. Cool beach town, no surf as such. Went Steamer lane/pleasure point. Easy coastal driving. Beautiful clean streets and houses.
MONTEREY AND BIG SUR
You can't go all the way down the big sur as it's blocked by landslide, but after a couple hours of wandering around Monterey, we drove as far as you can before reaching our camp at Pfeiffer big sur state park, one of the most stunning campsites next to a river, hiking and looking for giant redwoods. Didn't surf, looked cold and sharky.
Driving the big sur, however, did not disappoint.
Still cold at night, warming up by the campfire. Wood is expensive to buy.
Moved on to Pismo Beach to try Clam Chowder and wander the surfshops. We liked the vibe here.
Next was Santa Barbara, home of Rincon Point. It was a Saturday, and we went in for our 1st surf.
We still hadn't found boards, so I traysurfed and matsurfed it whilst Helene bodysurfed. Surprised how friendly the lineup were and not that crowded with 3ft sets rolling thru. Proper stoked to have been able to get in.
Visited Mollusk, Surf n Wear, and Channel Islands shops in town. Gawked at the beautiful houses, boats, and people.
Stared at 'Sandspit' willing it to work, but no.
Drove on to Malibu creek state park for the next section of Cali.
So far, 10/10 stoked with California, way more beautiful, friendly, and rad than I could've hoped for, and the van drives beautifully, it's also comfortable to sleep in. Most state parks around $45 a night. All of them nice places with firepits and showers.
Shocked at how clean the streets are everywhere and so much free parking by @fringesurfing