Rapid VR Creates Virtual Reality Surf Adventure With World Surf League & Jeep

Rapid VR Creates Virtual Reality Surf Adventure With World Surf League & Jeep
Larissa Meikle
By Larissa Meikle
SHARE
THIS



The World Surf League (WSL) and automotive brand Jeep have announced the release of their virtual reality (VR) experience, ‘Jeep Sessions: A Surfing Journey in 360°’.

The VR experience follows WSL Championship Tour surfers Jordy Smith and Malia Manuel as each embarks on a Jeep adventure to find the best waves.

The project can be viewed in both a 360-degree video and an interactive VR experience. The VR application enables users to select their journey through “gaze-based interactions,” where the user’s eyes become the controller within the 360-degree visuals.

WSL teamed up with the Jeep brand and production company Rapid VR to pioneer new frontiers in digital storytelling.

Utilising Rapid VR’s knowledge of surf in the 360-degree video realm, directors Taylor Steele and Dave Klaiber wanted to push the limits with this film.

They developed customised rigs to place the 360-degree video camera into locations never before seen. After the huge success of ‘Get Barrelled in Tahiti’ with CJ Hobgood, Steele and Klaiber wanted to take this experience to the next level.

“Our project goal was to push the boundaries of VR technology to show what a surf trip feels like from the first-person perspective,” Steele said.

“I’m excited to share this. It’s pretty incredible knowing my mom can now experience riding a 20-foot wave.”

An app has also been created for Jeep Sessions: Surfing in 360°, which can be downloaded via iTunes, Google Play, Daydream, or Oculus Gear VR.

Within the app experience, viewers also have several points of choice presented by Hawaiian surfing royalty Sunny Garcia, which affect the narrative and result in different endings, including an option where all the featured surfers share waves together.

Surf fans all over the world can experience Jeep Sessions: Surfing in 360° at WSL events throughout the year, including Oi Rio Pro, Corona Bali Pro, Corona Open J-bay, Surf Ranch Open, Vans US Open of Surfing, Quiksilver Pro France, MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal, Billabong Pipe Masters, and the HawaiiWomen’s Pro.

CREDITS

Production and post-production: Rapid VR

Directors: Taylor Steele and Dave Klaiber

Executive producer: Susannah Phillips

Head of business development: Matt Klaiber

Director of production, technical director and editor: Dan White

Client: WSL

Chief partnerships officer: Beth Greve

Vice president of partnerships: Monica Koyama

Chief community officer: Tim Greenberg

Vice president of marketing: Chris Culbertson

Vice president of music: Allison Thiel

Director of integrated content: Peter Williams

 

Please login with linkedin to comment

Jeep Jeep Sessions: A Surfing Journey in 360° rapid vr World Surf League WSL

Latest News

WPP Q3 Revenues Fall 7.6% YOY
  • Advertising
  • Marketing
  • Media

WPP Q3 Revenues Fall 7.6% YOY

Work at WPP? Down to the last notch on your belt? Well, expect a little more tightening judging by these numbers.

Recommended

by B&T Magazine

B&T Magazine
Inner Health’s Iconic Blue Bugs Are Back In New Brand Platform Via VMLY&R
  • Media

Inner Health’s Iconic Blue Bugs Are Back In New Brand Platform Via VMLY&R

Inner Health has revolutionised its famous blue bugs as part of a new brand platform launching this week.  Developed by VMLY&R, the new platform ‘Listen to your Gut’ re-introduces the bugs in a whole new environment.  VMLY&R Client Service Director Jo Millington said the new platform aimed to reposition Inner Health as an overall health […]

MINT Expands Technology Portfolio With The Addition Of Audio Brand Bang & Olufsen
  • Media

MINT Expands Technology Portfolio With The Addition Of Audio Brand Bang & Olufsen

Insight-led communications consultancy, The Mint Partners has expanded its technology portfolio with the addition of luxury audio lifestyle brand Bang & Olufsen. Founded in 1925 in Struer, Denmark, Bang & Olufsen has pushed the boundaries of audio technology for almost a century. The company continues to be at the forefront of acoustic innovation with its […]

RAC Insurance Tells WA Locals “We See What You See” In New Spot Via Wunderman Thompson
  • Campaigns

RAC Insurance Tells WA Locals “We See What You See” In New Spot Via Wunderman Thompson

WA car and home insurer, RAC has launched a new campaign to show locals that they understand the priceless relationship members have with their belongings. Created by Wunderman Thompson Perth, the campaign titled ‘We See What You See’ uses computer generated imagery (CGI) to depict the unique relationship a family has with their insured items – […]

TPG Telecom Appoints Paper Moose As Creative Agency For New Brand Felix
  • Campaigns

TPG Telecom Appoints Paper Moose As Creative Agency For New Brand Felix

Paper Moose has created a campaign for the recently announced carbon-neutral telco brand, felix, due to go to market towards the end of the year. This is the first work from Paper Moose since winning a competitive pitch for the new TPG Telecom brand. The teaser campaign raises awareness of the nearly 1 million tonnes […]