Church of the Open Sky

  • Home
  • Church of the Open Sky

Church of the Open Sky Amazing outdoor adventures from around the world. Thanks for taking the time to take a look at Church of the Open Sky.

What we hope your visits to the Church will provide are eclectic, unusual and inspiring adventure travel features undertaken (on the whole) by ordinary dudes whose lives revolve around ‘the outdoor life’, be that surfing, skiing, hiking or just undertaking a funky road trip across some wild corner of the globe. Follow us on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/churchopensky
Follow us on Twitter: http:/

/www.twitter.com/churchopensky

View the magazine online: http://bit.ly/XFNVPU
Or download to your iPad: http://bit.ly/UqOIQ4


We’ll also be reviewing the best outdoor gear available so you’ve got some idea what’s worth shelling out on next time your favourite bit of kit finally gives up the ghost. First off, let’s get the title out of the way. We’ve taken it from a phrase used by pioneering Hawaiian surfer Tom Blake (1902 – 1994) to describe the outdoor playground that is a fundamental aspect of our lives and our sense of identity and well-being. Amongst his many achievements Tom invented the hollow surfboard, the surfboard fin and the sailboard and was also an accomplished contest
surfer and all-round waterman. His actual phrase was ‘The blessed church of the open sky’ but that would have been too long for a magazine title…

What we hope your visits to the Church will provide are eclectic, unusual and inspiring adventure travel features undertaken (on the whole) by ordinary dudes whose lives revolve around ‘the outdoor life’, be that surfing, skiing, hiking or just undertaking a funky road trip across some wild corner of the globe. We’ll also be reviewing the best outdoor gear available so you’ve got some idea what’s worth shelling out on next time your favourite bit of kit finally gives up the ghost. Oh, and if you were wondering who ‘we’ is, for now it’s the dudes below...

==================

Who we are

The editor of the Church of the Open Sky is Alf Alderson (www.alfalderson.co.uk) , an award winning outdoor writer who has contributed to a huge range of newspapers, magazines and websites around the world. He is also the author of and/or contributor to various surfing, skiing and travel guides including Surf UK, The Rough Guide to the Rocky Mountains and The Ski Atlas. The designer of ‘the Church’ is Pete Roberts of Globe Orange (www.globeorange.com), a highly respected and innovative website development company. As well as surfing the internet he also surfs real waves, rides real snow and cycles real roads so he’s as committed to the faith as the readers.

16/02/2014

LATEST ISSUE OF THE CHURCH NOW OUT, LOADS OF WINTRY STUFF FROM SKIING AND ICE CLIMBING TO INTERVIEW WITH OLYMPIC FREESTYLER JAMES WOODS

COOL NEWS FROM NEW ZEALAND...www.transitions1020.com - Nokia x Burton’s epic new Transitions website launched Frosty daw...
26/11/2013

COOL NEWS FROM NEW ZEALAND...

www.transitions1020.com - Nokia x Burton’s epic new Transitions website launched

Frosty dawn surf sessions. Epic powder days. Nights out with new friends. Every memorable sunset that reminds us why we chose the sideways life in the first place.

Nokia and Burton’s latest innovative collaboration, Transitions, is a celebration of the road and the journeys that define our lives as board riders.

The project saw six riders and friends head to New Zealand’s South Island to put the new Nokia Lumia 1020 smartphone through the ultimate product test.

The crew travelled from Christchurch to Wanaka, exploring the country’s surf, snow and skate scenes, and capturing every new experience and encounter – sound, image and film – with the Lumia 1020’s incredible 41 megapixel camera.

"Not only was this one of the most spectacular trips I have ever been on it was also one of the most enlightening” says BBC Ski Sunday presenter Ed Leigh, who took part in the trip. “From quake-damaged youth culture in Christchurch to the man who wrote the rulebook on snowboarding, this was a journey in every sense of the word."

The resulting Transitions website is epic in scale, features interviews with top pro riders such as Xavier de le Rue and Mikkel Bang, and is a beautiful and immersive mixed media record of the journey.

www.transitions1020.com

Action sports are about journeys. The people we meet, places we visit and the tricks we learn are all part of it. In September 2013, six riders took a trip around New Zealand's South Island, documenting it with the Nokia Lumia 1020. This is what they found.

Check this new digital mag from Arc'teryx. We think the Church and the Canadian gearmeisters are perhaps singing from th...
01/11/2013

Check this new digital mag from Arc'teryx. We think the Church and the Canadian gearmeisters are perhaps singing from the same hymn sheet, as t'were...
http://lithographica.arcteryx.com/

LITHOGRAPHICA is a quarterly journal of stories published by Arc’teryx that seeks out ideas, shares knowledge and keeps itself open to possibility

We are just back from interviewing Sheffield star skier James Woodsy Woods, who will be going for gold at the Sochi Olym...
01/11/2013

We are just back from interviewing Sheffield star skier James Woodsy Woods, who will be going for gold at the Sochi Olympics this winter. Look out for words plus pics from ace photographer Daniel Wildey www.danielwildeyphotography.com in the December issue of the Church
http://youtu.be/Oh_a4l4d1PE

TAKE A LOOK AT THIS NEW WEBSITE FOR SWAP AND SURF85% of surfers dream of realising their perfect surf trip. So this webs...
28/10/2013

TAKE A LOOK AT THIS NEW WEBSITE FOR SWAP AND SURF

85% of surfers dream of realising their perfect surf trip. So this website’s founders, who originate from Biarritz in France, decided to help link all these dreamers together.

Members can use swapandsurf.com to either host, exchange or rent out their living space, regardless of whether they own or rent the property, with the newly designed version allowing for even more flexibility than before.

http://www.swapandsurf.com

Winter is almost here - we know cos we're off to the Daily Telegraph Ski & Snowboard Show in London next week where alon...
21/10/2013

Winter is almost here - we know cos we're off to the Daily Telegraph Ski & Snowboard Show in London next week where along with drooling over all this season's new kit we'll also be conducting an interview with James 'Woodsy' Woods, perhaps Britain's best ever Winter Olympic gold medal prospect in a ski discipline. Read what the Sheffield star has to say in our December issue!

'Surf UK', the UK's best established surf guide is now available as an e book at these sites:Kindle (e-mobi): http://amz...
21/10/2013

'Surf UK', the UK's best established surf guide is now available as an e book at these sites:

Kindle (e-mobi): http://amzn.to/1gyEj4Z
ePub: http://bit.ly/1cOSuhc

The guide is also available on i-tunes.

With info on some 400 breaks around the UK coastline 'Surf UK' guarantees that you'll score the best waves...

The fact that it was written by the editor of the Church is neither here nor there...

This is your ultimate guide to Britain’s surf beaches. It’s packed with the local knowledge you need to discover exciting waves in unexpected places.Each chapter deals with a particular section of the coastline and each ‘break’ is discussed together with details about ...

We at the Church of the Open Sky are keen to let all and sundry know that within less than a year of launching the mag w...
14/10/2013

We at the Church of the Open Sky are keen to let all and sundry know that within less than a year of launching the mag we have just won the prestigious Outdoor Writers' and Photographers' Guild Digital Media Award 2013!

This is in large part due to the generous help and fantastic creative support of all our contributors, without whom etc., etc.

The judges said the Church is 'Modern, stylish, visually engaging and backed up by interesting content that you want to read'.

We were unable to be present at the awards which is perhaps just as well as we may have burst into tears...seriously though, the Church has been very much a team effort and those of you who have supported us from the start know who you are and we salute you.
http://www.owpg.org.uk/

The Outdoor Writers' and Photographers' Guild: writers and photographers active in any outdoor setting. OWPG serves book and magazine editors, publishers, public relations companies and picture researchers.

A taster of Warren Miller's latest offering, which features our Scando pals at the mighty Arctic Heliskiing on Iceland's...
10/10/2013

A taster of Warren Miller's latest offering, which features our Scando pals at the mighty Arctic Heliskiing on Iceland's Troll Peninsula.
http://youtu.be/x1XjV8icshA

This is the official trailer for Warren Miller's 64th feature film, Ticket To Ride. Ticket to Ride highlights an exhilarating worldwide tour of exotic locati...

So, just as the snow arrives in the Alps here's where our editor is going mountain biking this weekend - above the Cote ...
09/10/2013

So, just as the snow arrives in the Alps here's where our editor is going mountain biking this weekend - above the Cote d'Azur with Trans Provence legend Ash Smith.
http://youtu.be/AwhlI7eeCc8

A cross-country ride in Sospel, Maritime Alps, France.

Our friends at Jottnar today launched their website and their new collection of superbly designed and built technical cl...
02/10/2013

Our friends at Jottnar today launched their website and their new collection of superbly designed and built technical clothing for mountaineering, winter climbing and all-mountain skiing. Conceived in the Arctic and inspired by the brutality of the Norwegian mountains in winter, Jottnar gear is built for total protection and uncompromised performance.

We'll be reviewing some of their rather nice kit in the next edition of the mag - in the meantime check it out for yourself at www.jottnar.com

In Norse myth the God Thor protected mankind from the cold savagery of the brutal Giants, his hammer providing power and protection. The epic continues: man against the mountain - the formidable Frost Giant.

This is definitely one of the wildest surf areas on the planet - see our feature on skiing in Kamchatka in edition 1 of ...
29/09/2013

This is definitely one of the wildest surf areas on the planet - see our feature on skiing in Kamchatka in edition 1 of da Church

http://store.arcticsurfblog.com/product/russia-short-film-zine

Russia, The Outpost Vol. 1 photo Zine + DVD by Chris Burkard and Ben Weiland follows Keith Malloy, Dane Gudauskas, Cyrus Sutton, Trevor Gordon, and...

Check out Rob Machado doing a little 'wave sliding' in Cornwall last summer with belly board guru Sally Parkin.http://vi...
30/08/2013

Check out Rob Machado doing a little 'wave sliding' in Cornwall last summer with belly board guru Sally Parkin.

http://vimeo.com/47875000

Wave sliding with English surf history buff Sally Parkin at a beautiful little beach at Porthcothan Bay, Cornwall. Sally has re-created the old wave sliding boards…

Nice footage from our editor's favourite Canadian bolt hole of Red Mountain - look out for our feature on this iconic sk...
27/08/2013

Nice footage from our editor's favourite Canadian bolt hole of Red Mountain - look out for our feature on this iconic ski town in the next issue of Da Church

http://youtu.be/huvtQ6XHdRU

The TGR crew arrives in Rossland, BC to check out Red Mountain. After exploring the resort they find some good spots to build jumps through the trees. Unfort...

A breezy day in Ireland for a spot of sailing! :/http://youtu.be/JcBNfJiFLkU
23/08/2013

A breezy day in Ireland for a spot of sailing! :/

http://youtu.be/JcBNfJiFLkU

Ten of the world's best windsurfers from eight countries completed a demanding competition in Kerry, Ireland during the first mission of the Red Bull Storm C...

Check out Arc’athletes Eirik Finseth and Eric Hjorleifson in this amazing trailer for Supervention, a modern ski ...
21/08/2013

Check out Arc’athletes Eirik Finseth and Eric Hjorleifson in this amazing trailer for Supervention, a modern ski ...

Check out Arc’athletes Eirik Finseth and Eric Hjorleifson in this amazing trailer for Supervention, a modern skiing & snowboarding documentary.

[VIDEO] www.supervention.no

WANTED – ADVERTISING SALES GENIUSThe Church of the Open Sky is, in the words of the Black Keys, looking for a ‘go-getter...
20/08/2013

WANTED – ADVERTISING SALES GENIUS
The Church of the Open Sky is, in the words of the Black Keys, looking for a ‘go-getter’ – someone to sell advertising space in the mag and make us all rich beyond our wildest dreams. Kind of…

http://www.churchopensky.com/wanted/

If Hollywood could produce something half as good as this cinemas would be full for ever more. Just stick it out for the...
12/08/2013

If Hollywood could produce something half as good as this cinemas would be full for ever more. Just stick it out for the first minute for the real action.

http://vimeo.com/54348266 #

From the makers of All.I.Can comes the new feature film: INTO THE MIND www.intothemindmovie.com facebook.com/sherpascinema Blur the lines between dream state…

The hot and steamy summer issue of Church of the Open Sky is now live - cool yourself down by reading about sea kayaking...
07/08/2013

The hot and steamy summer issue of Church of the Open Sky is now live - cool yourself down by reading about sea kayaking in Greenland and Mexico, climbing via ferrata in Italy (actually that's a bit sweaty), surfing big waves with Gabe Davies (that's a bit scary) and much more...

http://issuu.com/churchoftheopensky/docs/church_open_sky_aug

The hot and steamy summer issue of Church of the Open Sky is now live - cool yourself down by reading about sea kayaking in Greenland and Mexico, climbing via ferrata in Italy (actually that's a bit sweaty), surfing big waves with Gabe Davies (that's a bit scary) and much more...

01/08/2013

The next issue of the Church is almost ready for your delight and delectation. When the editor gets his ass off the mountain and the designer can be dragged away from the waves 'twill be there before your very eyes...

Our editor Alf and his trusted friend Finn go for a wander in the mountains...http://www.churchopensky.com/an-idiot-abro...
04/07/2013

Our editor Alf and his trusted friend Finn go for a wander in the mountains...
http://www.churchopensky.com/an-idiot-abroad/

Yesterday was so pleasantly warm and sunny here in the Tarentaise that I decided a little hike in the mountains with Finn the Hound from Outer Space was in order.

04/07/2013

Are you this physically fit for your sport? :/

Looking forward to seeing Red Bull Cliff Diving back in Pembrokeshire again this year!
28/06/2013

Looking forward to seeing Red Bull Cliff Diving back in Pembrokeshire again this year!

194.10 is the score for Jonathan Paredes of Mexico after the first two rounds! The rookie is the closest follower of today's leader Orlando Duque. Can he claim the first podium in his third World Series competition?
© Romina Amato/Red Bull Cliff Diving

Koa Rothman describes the Teahupoo ride that earned him one of our Big Issue covers.http://bit.ly/122W539
27/06/2013

Koa Rothman describes the Teahupoo ride that earned him one of our Big Issue covers.
http://bit.ly/122W539

Koa Rothman describes the Teahupoo ride that earned him one of our Big Issue covers.

High above Chamonix, on the Aiguille du Midi 3777m, the second Alpine Arc’ademy took place.http://vimeo.com/69129483
26/06/2013

High above Chamonix, on the Aiguille du Midi 3777m, the second Alpine Arc’ademy took place.

http://vimeo.com/69129483

High above Chamonix, on the Aiguille du Midi 3777m, the second Alpine Arc’ademy (http://www.alpinearcademy.com) took place from June 14th to 16th 2013: a weekend…

This is so cool! A must watch :)http://imaginate.redbull.com/
18/06/2013

This is so cool! A must watch :)

http://imaginate.redbull.com/

Danny MacAskill's brand new riding film Imaginate. Enter Danny's mind and enjoy.

Great photo from our friend Daniel
18/06/2013

Great photo from our friend Daniel

Haystacks yesterday - anyone hiked it? I think it's my new favourite walk, that Wainwright fella knew what he was on about!

Address

1 High Street

SA626SA

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Church of the Open Sky posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Church of the Open Sky:

Shortcuts

  • Address
  • Alerts
  • Contact The Business
  • Claim ownership or report listing

  • Want your business to be the top-listed Travel Agency?

Share