Torren Martyn

Torren Martyn on Growing Up in Byron Bay, Crocodiles, His Surf Idols, and Sketchy Situations at Sea

Born in 1990 in Bangalow, Australia, not far from Byron Bay, Torren Martyn is hailed as one of the great stylists of our time, riding all manner of surfcraft, and with a special penchant for twin-fins.

He’s also one of surfing’s great explorers. In 2016, he and his filmmaker pal Ishka Folkwell spent three months circumnavigating Australia in a Land Rover, riding A-grade waves and documenting their trip in the first installment of the film series "Lost Track." In 2018, the duo did a similar trip around New Zealand, this time on motorcycles. In 2019, they bought a Ford Transit and drove it from Europe down to the west coast of Africa on a surf hunt. In 2022, Martyn and his partner, Aiyana Powell, bought a sailboat in Thailand and spent an entire year exploring surf breaks in and around Indonesia, culminating in the film "Calypte."

In this episode of Soundings, Martyn and Jamie Brisick talk about surfing in the middle of nowhere, forging a free-surfer’s path, finding clarity and direction, cultivating a cartographic mindset, gaining confidence as a sailor, his quiver, and the logistics, preparation, and knowledge that went into planning for a year at sea.

Become a TSJ member at surfersjournal.com.

Produced by Jonathan Shifflett.
Music by PazKa (Aska Matsumiya & Paz Lenchantin).
Feature image by Ishka Folkwell.

Torren Martyn & Drew McPherson - Crystal Sand - needessentials

In this needessentials short film Torren Martyn and Surfrider Foundation Australia’s Drew McPherson enjoy a memorable day riding unconventional equipment at a remote beach break in the tropics. Torren’s preference was a square tail multi channeled Simon Jones Designs twin fin, while Drew pushed a Nav Fox Bonza single fin through the ever shifting sand bottom peaks. This film is a celebration of one of those rare moments when you and a friend share a perfect day of surfing.

Produced by needessentials https://needessentials.com/pages/about
Filmed and edited by Ishka Folkwell

Soundtrack: Crystal Sand written and performed by Ali.
Recorded by Yosaviano Santoso at Studio Masak Suara.
Mixing by Viki Vikranta. Mastering by Moko Aguswan. Courtesy of Opus Music.
Purchase track via https://aliradio.bandcamp.com/

Listen to full soundtracks from needessentials films at: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5oJIPH7enef1sDjbAzX6bZ

By producing films like Crystal Sand, rather than print advertising, swing tags, packaging and sale promotion materials needessentials is consciously investing in adventures, surfers, filmmaking and musicians to make films that contribute to culture and foster the arts rather than producing unnecessary landfill.

Torren Martyn - Surf section from Calypte - needessentials

This is a section from 'Calypte - a sailing and surfing voyage' - a 2023 needessentials produced feature film by Ishka Folkwell & Torren Martyn.

Torren Martyn describes this perfect day from the Calypte voyage when timing, ocean conditions, and a bit of luck all aligned.

'Before the trip I remember so clearly thinking how amazing it would be to just have one really memorable session with our little home bobbing away in the channel and how it would just be a dream come true. That was certainly the day, I couldn’t believe what was happening around me, the unridden perfect waves that were coming through and the fact we’d just landed ourselves in the right place at the right time, it was such a miracle.'

View the full Calypte feature film at needessentials films: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmEN57EJEm4

By producing films like Calypte, rather than print advertising, swing tags, packaging and sale promotion materials needessentials is consciously investing in adventures, surfers, filmmaking and musicians to make films that contribute to culture and foster the arts rather than producing unnecessary landfill.

Soundtrack: Downtown Strut written and performed by Ali. Recorded by Yosaviano Santoso at Studio Masak Suara Mixing by Viki Vikranta. Mastering by Moko Aguswan Courtesy of Opus Music.
Purchase track via https://aliradio.bandcamp.com/

Listen to full Calypte Soundtrack at needessentials films Spotify channel:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5oJIPH7enef1sDjbAzX6bZ?si=5dd48b846b5944bf&nd=1&dlsi=6d1203d1377645e5

Torren Martyn - REFLECTION - needessentials

'Reflection' featuring Torren Martyn is an eclectic mix of moments and highlights from a decade of travels around the world. Produced by needessentials, this short film by Ishka Folkwell, with an original soundtrack by Headland, celebrates some of the most memorable waves and adventures from feature films Calypte, Lost Track Atlantic and Lost Track New Zealand.

A two song EP with previously unreleased soundtrack is available via
https://headland.bandcamp.com/album/reflection

Headland musicians are Gus Agars: Drums, Dave Khan: Bass/Percussion/Mandolin/Viola/Melotron, Dan Luscombe: Guitar/Synth, Murray Paterson: Guitars/Bass and Michael White: Organ.

Recorded by Steve Law at Viscount Mobile / Mixed by Christian Pyle at Prawn & Spanner

For more films heads to https://needessentials.com/pages/films

Torren Martyn - 'Calypte - a sailing and surfing voyage' TRAILER - needessentials

Subscribe at https://needessentials.com/ to be notified when the full 89 minute feature film ‘Calypte – a sailing and surfing journey’ exclusively premieres online via the films section of the needessentials website.

The dream had been bobbing around in Torren Martyn and Aiyana Powell’s heads for a year or two. It seemed pretty simple: learn how to sail, then acquire a boat and head off on an adventure exploring waves in exotic locations.

But things don’t always go to plan. Only a few days after beginning the process of learning, an opportunity popped up. A boat in the South China Sea that needed to be delivered to eastern Indonesia - 'the job’s yours if you want it.' With thousands of remote islands and endless perfect surf between origin and destination, the decision seemed simple. 'Why wouldn’t we? Only one small problem - we don’t know how to sail yet…'

When Torren and Aiyana borrowed the 35ft sailing boat 'Calypte' and departed from the east coast of Thailand in early 2022, they had a combined sailing experience of only a few days. The one requirement of their charter was to eventually deliver the boat to Eastern Indonesia. They could learn as they went, get a few friends with sailing experience to help through the tricky bits and pick up as much as possible from them along the way. With this plan, the pair embarked onto the South China Sea, headed up through the Strait of Malacca and around the tip of Sumatra; out into the Indian Ocean on a year-long expedition in search of waves. What seemed like an idyllic journey didn't come easy. It was difficult to anticipate the challenges of the sleepless nights, the endless rolling and tossing of the boat, the breakdowns, the relentless maintenance and confined space. But adventures always seem sweeter if it really feels like you had to work to get there.

‘Calypte – a sailing and surfing journey’ is a story of taking risks and embarking on new challenges. It’s about learning to become a sailor and being shaped by the sea. The sort of experiences that can only be gained by throwing yourself in the deep end and having a crack.

Trailer music: Headland - 'Calypte theme'

Torren Martyn in conversation with surfboard shaper, Simon Jones - needessentials

Torren Martyn in conversation with surfboard shaper, Simon Jones

At a small and clean sand bottom point break, Torren Martyn experiences the joys of feeling out three new surfboards. Catching up with friend and master surfboard craftsman Simon Jones by phone, Torren shares his first impressions of each shape and celebrates a perfect Californian Autumn day on the beach.

Surfboards - Simon Jones - https://www.morningoftheearthsurfboards.com/

7’6" x 20” 3/8 x 2” 3/4 Fiji
6’9" x 19" 3/4 x 2" 11/16 Fiji
6’6" x 19" 7/8 x 2" 3/4 OG Fiji

Filmer by Perry Gershkow and Edited by Ishka Folkwell

Torren Martyn - Distant Shore - needessentials

On a distant shore that faces the full brunt of Arctic winter storms, surfer Torren Martyn and filmmaker Ishka Folkwell find mesmerising surf in the cold dark days of winter.

Every year we head off to remote corners of the world in search of good waves in freezing cold climates to put the latest wetsuit developments to the test in the most extreme elements we can find.

This short film produced by needessentials this takes you a journey to the frigid waters of the North Atlantic. Set to a evocative original score by HEADLAND this film portrays how bleak February in the North Atlantic can be, but if all the elements line up, in-between gale force winds, blizzards and snow, the magic sometimes happens.

Produced by needessentials
Directed by Ishka Folkwell
Surfer - Torren Martyn
Surfboards - Simon Jones, Morning of the earth surfboards
Wetsuits / Gear - needessentials

Torren Martyn - needessentials presents Lost Track Atlantic Episode 4 - Final Surf Section

The song that Lennox-based musical collective Headland composed to round out their original soundscape for the Lost Track Atlantic series is appropriately titled "The Weight of Water". It plays behind this final surf section where Torren Martyn takes on a renowned heavy wave at the base of the Australian continent.

Lost Track Atlantic is a needessentials four-part series that takes you on the journey of a lifetime, from the far north Atlantic to the tropical, equatorial coast of West Africa. Follow best friends, surfer Torren Martyn and filmmaker Ishka Folkwell in a search for waves and life long memories, as they journey down the Atlantic coastline passing through some of the most culturally diverse regions on the planet.

In Episode 1, Torren and Ishka start their journey in Northern Europe, fitting out their van then hitting the road, exploring Ireland and Scotland, scoring some incredible waves. In Episode 2, the boys make a huge call to leave Scotland, skip the European coast and drive around 3,000 miles through the continent to cross the Strait of Gibraltar and meet a swell that'd been forecasted to hit the North African coast. In Episode 3, Torren and Ishka savour every minute of life in northwest Africa, exploring some of the best right-hand points they have ever experienced and forming new friendships through a universal love of the ocean. As they venture further south into the depths of a disputed territory, sand storms, relentless winds and endless desert give time for reflection on the journey so far. In episode 4, Torren and Ishka push on deep into the African tropics and stumble across a playful long sand bottom point. Experiencing the warmth of local village life, the boys realise shared waves, a good meal and conversation is about as good as it gets. As international borders begin to close Torren and Ishka return to Australia to be with family and reflect on their journey.

These four feature length episodes remind us that although life has its highs and lows, we can always find contentment in a deep connection with nature, community and the ocean.

Produced and presented by needessentials.

Torren Martyn - Lost Track Atlantic - Episode 4 Trailer

"Lost Track Atlantic" is a four-part series that takes you on the journey of a lifetime, from the far north Atlantic to the tropical, equatorial coast of West Africa.

Follow best friends, surfer Torren Martyn and filmmaker Ishka Folkwell in a search for waves and lifelong memories, as they travel down the Atlantic coastline in a customised old van, passing through one of the most culturally diverse regions on the planet.

In episode 4, Torren and Ishka push on deep into the African tropics and stumble across a playful long sand bottom point. Experiencing the warmth of local village life, the boys realise shared waves, a good meal and conversation is about as good as it gets.

Produced and presented by needessentials

Original Soundtrack by Headland
Song: Viaje

Sound design by Brennan Mercer

Torren Martyn - Lost Track Atlantic Episode 3 - Final Surf Section

Torren Martyn sequence from the needessentials feature film "LOST TRACK Atlantic"

"Lost Track Atlantic" is a four-part series that takes you on the journey of a lifetime, from the far north Atlantic to the tropical, equatorial coast of West Africa.

Follow best friends, surfer Torren Martyn and filmmaker Ishka Folkwell in a search for waves and life long memories, as they journey down the Atlantic coastline passing through one of the most culturally diverse regions on the planet. After customising an old van to become their travelling home, Torren and Ishka explore their way through an array of countries and cultures, all on a quest to escape into nature and ride perfect waves.

Filmed in late 2019 before travel restrictions, this four-part feature, produced by needessentials, filmmaker Ishka Folkwell captures Torren’s timeless surfing against a backdrop of beautifully contrasting landscapes and countries. The films celebrate the diverse cultures and amazing people that call these places home.

Set to an outstanding original soundtrack composed by Headland and an incredible mix of local musicians, Lost Track Atlantic invites you to come along on an epic adventure. These films remind us that although life has its highs and lows, we can always find contentment in a deep connection with nature, community and the ocean.

Produced and presented by needessentials.