Shaped by Freedom, Creativity and the Unexpected
Clean Canvas is a surf film following Roxy athlete Sage Goldsbury through a week of van life, creativity, and surfing in Raglan, New Zealand. Blending surfing and art, the film captures Sage’s journey through one of the world’s most iconic left-hand breaks.
Wanting to express her own individuality and creative identity, Sage took the freedom of having full creative control straight into her own hands. At first, the concept leaned tropical, somewhere warm, predictable. But that didn’t feel right. Sage wanted something with a bit more edge, something unexpected. That’s how a Camplify campervan surf trip to Raglan entered the chat. A great left-hander, consistent, and not as freezing as you’d think. It felt like the right balance - raw, beautiful, and something a bit more unique.
From Sketchbook to Screen
The concept of including her personal art in the film started long before the trip. She's always loved creating whether it be water colouring, little sketches or fun crayon drawings - anything with the mindset of creating with freedom. It pulled from how she used to create when she was younger, tapping back into that instinct to just make things for the fun of it. Pre-production, post-production - it didn’t really matter, the creativity flowed through every stage. The goal was simple: make something she’d genuinely want to watch. Something that felt exciting, a little imperfect, and completely real.
Cold Conditions, Warm Wetsuits
New Zealand delivers a chill, but nothing unmanageable. A 3/2mm steamer wetsuit most of the time, stepping up to a 4/3mm chest zip wetsuit for those colder mornings. Growing up surfing in Phillip Island, Sage is no stranger to the cold. Raglan's conditions made it feel pretty standard, if anything, the gear made it easier than expected.
Out of the water, Sage kept warm in a fleece crew and trackie pant, finished with the matching beanie for the ultimate red-on-red moment. While exploring Raglan, her snow jacket and puffer jacket were always on rotation for those chilly conditions.
Life on the Road
While she’s no stranger to van life (she’s got one of her own), this trip reminded Sage why she loves it. Everything you need, always with you. No forgetting essentials, no overthinking, just the freedom to go where you want.
Days followed a simple rhythm…pre-sunrise wake-ups, checking the surf, out in the water as the sun came up and staying out there until around nine. Back to the Camplify campervan for breakfast (gooey eggs, if she could keep them from scrambling), keeping warm in a denim set layered over a long sleeve top. A bit of rest, then straight back out again - Manu Bay, Indicators, wherever was working. Surf, eat, surf again. By the end of the day, she’d fall asleep beside her surfboards completely exhausted, ready to do it all over again.
The name came somewhere on the road, brainstorming with her boyfriend. When it was said, it stuck immediately.
Surfers often describe a wave as a “clean canvas”, something untouched, ready to do whatever you want with it. It felt fitting in more ways than one, this is her first film, a chance to create something entirely her own.
Raglan Recommendations
To Stay
- Solscape. Has everything you need - a café with healthy hearty food, an amazing view overlooking the bay and even a sauna. It was the perfect place for Sage and Clementine to base themselves while staying in their Camplify campervans.
To Eat
- Harbour View Hotel. Raglan's local pub where Sage and Clem found themselves most nights. Easy, laid-back and always super satisfying after a day in the water. Sage stuck to her two go-to orders, either the beef burger or classic fish ‘n’ chips that never disappointed.
- Ulos Kitchen. A Japanese restaurant with personality. Think vintage treasures at every turn: groovy golden books doubling as drink menus, eclectic lamps, and layered décor that feels playful and curated all at once - everything Sage would want for herself. Not to forget, the food was amazing too.
