WAVELENGTH - August 2007 Issue 167

Documentary from filmmaker Mr B. Following the story of Irish surfer Alastair Mennie and Devon surfer Andrew Cotton over the last two years. From them first teaming up to start tow surfing to the present day when they are probably the most experienced tow team in Britain and Ireland. Slick, well edited, at a good pace and genuinely interesting. Critics will probably say that they aren't Laird Hamilton or some big name but this is a genuine story that's close to home. Filmed in Ireland it includes horrific wipeouts, big Aileens, Mullaghmore and much more.

SLIDE - Oct / Nov 2007 Issue 10

Quite difficult to fit in watching a documentary on Al & Cotty's big wave exploits when you're right on deadline and the printers screaming blue murder down the phone! But watch it we did and we didn't fast forward it at all. It's an honest and endearing story of two mates with a common passion hooking up and going surfing in large Irish waves. It's really well made and Mr B has found a really watchable style and two surfers that are natural on camera. Some of the beatings are hideous and as for the package it works really well. For more info....

CARVE - January 2008 Issue 94

Best Surfers - Driven focuses on Al Mennie and Andrew Cotton's quest to ride the biggest waves they can find in Ireland, and doesn't really feature other surfers.

Best Locations? - A previously unridden outer reef in Ireland which bends around as it's surfed. Awesome.

Exact time 'til something happens? - One minute until Tom Doidge-Harrison drops into a big one in the intro.

Quality Camerawork? - Ususally I get a bit bored of watching big wave DVD's but there are some awesome angles and the shots putting things into context help as well.

Sickest Manoeuvre? - Cotty's jetski wipeout to end all wipeouts. There's not much manoueuvring but the boys get some huge barrels in the final session.

Music? - It's mostly just commentary from the boys and others involved. A bit of 'rairbirds', all good.

How amped are you after watching this and what moves will you be trying? - Those guys are so calm and focused on what they're doing, but you still can't help think that they're totally mad. It makes you want to push yourself - maybe not into quite the same waves though.

Rating - 4 out of 5 stars.

Tonnta Surfing Magazine - Issue 1

Driven provides an accurate insight into the courage and dedication it takes for tow-surfing lunatics to tackle massive waves of serious consequence. Anybody thinking about having a crack at tow-surfing in Ireland should be made to watch Driven as a mandatory study. Even for those with no interest in tow-surfing it's still compelling viewing. From start to finish the film centres around Antrim's Al Mennie and Devon's Andrew Cotton as they hunt massive winter waves along Ireland's wild west coast.

The film tracks the dynamic duo from their early days as surfers to paddling in at Mavericks then getting hitched as a genuine tow-team. From there the lads take us through their early training sessions and preparations for bigger things to come.

The Mullaghmore sessions are truly riveting, especially the wipe-out sequence when Al Cotton loses control of the ski on a massive wave and is rescued by a helicopter. Of course there are the obligatory sessions at the Cliffs of Moher, all part and parcel of tow-in surfing in Ireland these days. There's also a couple of intriguing sessions at a secret Northwest bombora where everything comes together for the lads after all their trials and tribulations.

The music also goes really well the title and the mood of the film. Producer/Director Anthony Butler has made an excellent 50 minute surfing documentary. Rating 3/5