This new feature brings you the lowdown on Europe’s up and coming talent. This week we bring you Tom Lowe of Relentless Powers of Three fame. To watch the full-length film click POWERS OF THREE

words: Mickey Smith
photo: Relentless

Age: 24
Home: St Ives, Cornwall
Sponsors: Rip Curl, Relentless Energy
Drinks, Vans, Resin8, Teknet Corps

Lowey’s relentless high speed attack in heavy gear this year from Ireland to Hawaii, West Oz to Tahiti, has earned him the kind of rapport amongst peers that could normally have taken a lifetime to cement. He grew up in the Cornish village of St Ives flanked by beaches and waves of all shapes and sizes. The town nurtures a long line of eclectic lovers of heavy water who showed him the oceanic ropes back in the day. Since then, to say Lowey’s natural comfort amongst the elements has flourished in waves of consequence would be an understatement.

Cameras had initially clocked the kid’s aerial flair and powerful approach a few years ago. Instead of forcing contest tricks like other lads however, his natural addiction to flow amongst heavy water fast became Tom’s main focus. Fed, honed and furthered through various international missions it was Lowey’s committed seasons guarding lives on the beaches at home that paid his passage. Years of flying low key through those winter months sharpening his attack paid off dividends when he mysteriously surfaced in Ireland last season, attacking life threatening waves like they were lapping tourists’ toes at his local beach.

With his partner in crime Fergal Smith pushing him pound for pound, Lowey’s assault is headed into some of the craziest big wave action British surfing has ever seen. With the lads teamed up they’ve methodically taken on slabs and reef around the world in ways nobody from these parts had previously dared.

In the space of six months, Lowey and his band of brothers have raised the bar for anyone riding world class heavy water from the British Isles. In the process, they’re also opening eyes to what’s possible in this part of the world.

There’s not a chance the lads are slowing it up for a second either, hell – they’ve only just begun. One thing’s for certain, they’re set to be redefining the British frontier one step ahead of the pack, for many years to come.

Mickey Smith