Coolangatta local Simon ‘Shagga’ Saffigna has come a long way from growing up and hanging around the beach at Duranbah and Snapper Rocks.

Ever since partnering up with his mate Matty Gye many years ago and getting into the surf video game. They have enjoyed major success, accepting awards several times for their incredible surf footage. And both are now rated amongst the top Surf videographers in the world.

‘Shags’ talks here to Gold Coast Surf about a project he’s been working on for quite a while.

So Shagga whats new in 2008?
Its already been an amazing start to the year, I was lucky enough to hook up with the guys from rage against the machine when they were here doing the big day out tour Zac (the lead singer) is a keen surfer and was stoked to hangout with the 2 Cooly world champions Steph and Mick and a bunch of the other boys. It was all time it is amazing how many musicians enjoy surfing.

So what projects do you have in the pipeline for 2008?
I am actually working with Dean dingo Morrison over the next 2 years on a profile film we have talked about it for a long time and finally it has come together so I am really excited about that.

Rumour has it you are also working with Jay Phillips too?
Yeah I am also working with Jay Phillips on a film as well; basically it is a documentary on his life I think it will blow a few people away he has an amazing story to tell…
There is one more thing I can’t say too much yet but Matt Gye and myself have partnered up with an American producer Josh Williams (www.metalstorm.com) and are in the middle of finalising a project that will be the biggest film that any of us have worked on. Besides that ………….just cruising……….. ha ha ha.

So what about travelling are you going anywhere exciting?
Everywhere we go is exciting but yeah we have been researching some crazy places it is out of control how many amazing waves are still out there that no one surfs. This year is going to be a year of exploration and documenting some of the best-unseen waves in the world
Sooooo frothing..

So tell me more about the project with Matty and Josh!
Basically we want to make the best surf film ever, by using the best surfers in the world going to the best locations and then use the best beats to make it sing. We already have some of the best surfers in the world locked in and ready to go so yeah it is game on!!!!
Wow that definitely sounds like the right ingredients for the best surf movie ever!
Yeah it is, and if anyone out there wants to be involved feel free to let me know we are definitely looking for sponsorship! (Starts cracking up laughing).

Any last words before you go back to the editing suite:
Stay tuned and for any more info on the upcoming projects or to check out the latest footage of the boys and win some cool prizes go to our new re-vamped vid website www.surfingoptions.com. Peace.

Thanks Shagga peace to you too!