The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) North America has crowned its 2008 regional champions in the men’s and women’s ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS), Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS), and Pro Junior divisions and now that the 2008 season is in the record books and the dust has settled, the nation boasts Patrick Gudauskas (San Clemente, CA), 23, and Courtney Conlogue (Santa Ana, CA), 17, atop the ASP WQS regional ratings, while Cory Arrambide (Ventura, CA), 19, and Christa Alves (Cocoa Beach, FL), 19, claimed this year’s ASP North America Pro Junior Series titles. In the ASP LQS, America saw Taylor Jensen (Oceanside, CA), 24, and Cori Schumacher (Carlsbad, CA), 31, claim this year’s regional longboard championships.
All of North America’s top competitors strive each year to attain a center stage position in their respective divisions. The ASP WQS acts as a gateway for the ASP World Tour and Women’s World Tour, while junior surfers tackle their regional events in an attempt to earn a spot at the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships. The ASP LQS acts similarly, as surfers work to gain a spot on the ASP World Longboard Tour (WLT). Each surfer is fighting to earn the right to advance to the next level of competition, giving them a chance to win an ASP World Championship in each of their respective divisions.
Gudauskas, who put together an amazing season throughout the year, finished 17th overall on the ASP WQS globally and claimed the title of ASP North America regional champion this year. The regional title is a goal that he had originally set out for himself at the beginning of the season.
“Winning the domestic ratings was a huge goal for me this year, along with qualification,” Gudauskas said. “I knew that with the good start in Florida this would be tangible.”
With so many talented surfers hailing from the United States, Gudauskas feels especially proud of his achievement of finishing atop the regional competition.
“To win the North American ratings race is a big deal to me because it asserts you as one of the top prospects coming from the talent rich continent of America,” Gudauskas said. “I think a lot people look to American surfers to see what’s the future of both style of surfing and approach. To be amongst the top of my competitors is an accomplishment in itself, and to win it was icing on the cake. I take a lot of pride in being from America, and to be on top of the American pro ratings, it’s a special thing.”
Arrambide, the America Pro Junior Series Champion, was equally satisfied with the accomplishment earned over the stiff competition throughout the year. The up-and-coming young talent is a part of several successful surfers hailing from the Ventura area and now Arrambide is hoping to claim his first ASP World Junior title in Australia this January.
“I’m stoked to have won the junior’s in 2008,” Arrambide said. “That was the goal that I had set out for myself at the beginning of last year and now I can’t wait to go to Australia. I’ve been training and surfing as much as I can to prepare for the event and am really looking forward to the contest.”
Christa Alves clinched this year’s ASP North America Pro Junior Series Women’s title with a win at the Billabong Sebastian Inlet Pro earlier in the year and will be accompanying fellow top surfers such as Arrambide to Australia to compete for an ASP World Junior Championship title due to her No. 1 finish regionally.
“Finishing first this year means that I finally get to represent our country,” Alves said. “I’ve worked hard, saved my money and am really excited to go.”
Cori Schumacher, a former competitive longboard standout, had taken a sabbatical from competition starting in 2005, but she came back in top shape this year when she claimed the regional ASP LQS title at the Roxy Jam Cardiff, an ASP LQS 6-Star event, over the world’s top female longboarders at her home break. Since Schumacher hadn’t competed in a few years, she had to begin in the opening rounds, but the Carlsbad local ended up winning every heat she entered, eventually taking out the win.
“I had competed in ’05, but 2001 was my last real contest and I felt really good going into the event at home,” Schumacher said. “I felt focused, strong and I was able to pull everything together from the first heat all the way through the Final.”
The 2009 season will play host to several increased ASP WQS events as well as many new ASP LQS contests and the opening event is just around the corner, with the O’Neill Sebastian Inlet Pro, an ASP WQS 4-Star, beginning on January 12, 2008. LIVE action can be found via www.oneillsipro.com
If you’d like to watch America’s top junior competitors in action at the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships, log on to www.billabongpro.com 
Top Australian junior surfer Lincoln Taylor has signed a multiple year sponsorship deal with Lizzard International. Originally from North Stradbroke Island but now based on the Gold Coast, Lincoln shot into the limelight this year after locking down big results on the Australia Pro Junior series as well as featuring in a number of surf videos and high profile magazine interviews.
Lizzard have committed to helping Lincoln achieve his goal of qualifying for the prestigious World Championship Tour by supporting him on the WQS from 2009. Raymond Gerardy, sales manager for Lizzard Australia said "We are stoked to have signed Lincoln for the next 3 years. He’s a hugely talented surfer and we look forward to seeing him blow up on tour".
Next year will be Lincoln’s first full go on the WQS, he will first compete in the World Junior Championships at Narrabeen in January after which he’ll surf a number of Pro Junior Series contests followed by the big Australia WQS events in Newcastle, Tasmania and Margaret River.
Commenting on the deal Lincoln said "I'm very excited and appreciative of the wonderful opportunity that Lizzard have presented me. I'm particularly impressed with the quality of people that I have met and dealt with in the company, and I look forward to a long and prosperous association with Lizzard".
Having entered the official waiting period for the Billabong Pipeline Masters, and with the girls hunkered down on Maui awaiting the commencement of the Billabong Pro Maui, it is timely to reflect on a phenomenal Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.
With Stephanie Gilmore wrapping up the ASP Women’s World Title by winning last week’s Roxy Pro Hawaii, and of course Kelly’s 9th crown safely tucked away in the vault, the focus now moves to contending for the coveted ASP World runner-up and winning the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.
Wow, as though it needs to be re-iterated, but the O’Neill World Cup once again highlighted the fact that Oahu’s North Shore is the world’s premier big wave location. Sunset Beach reminded everyone that it remains peerless as the ultimate proving ground, confronting the World Cup field with challenge after mighty challenge. It was very clear over the first four days of competition that the last man standing in the O’Neill would be undisputed champion for 2008.
Hats off to all four finalists: C.J. Hobgood, Tom Whitaker, Marcus Hickman and Jordy Smith battled through unrelenting power to advance to the championship decider and deserve hearty praise for their collective effort. Individually, they all took different paths to the same meeting point. O’Neill World Cup champion C.J. Hobgood kind of used stealth to reach the Final, surfing intelligently to survive the wild and woolly stuff then stand tall in the Final, his quest for greatness guided masterfully by coach, caddy and handler, former Dream Tour surfer and North Shore resident Chris Gallagher.
On the humongous day, when the Sunset arena was bombarded by set after set of 15’-25’ faces, Jordy Smith and Tom Whitaker took centre stage, Smith coming into his own, he definitely went out there with intentions to surf hard. After carving his way to certain victory Jordy then magnanimously offered former ASP World Champion Sunny Garcia the use of his thicker board. Sunny had impressed early with a 9-point ride but was struggling late under the weight of pounding sets. In the end, the great Hawaiian warrior failed to get the required wave and upon leaving the water, fully aware that his quest for re-qualification to the Dream Tour had fallen painfully short, Garcia lavished praise on the young guns who had risen to the challenge on this heaviest of days, then spoke of getting both knees operated on before committing his soon-to-be 39-year-old body on the ’09 ASP WQS.
That was impressive. So was Tom Whitaker’s tuberiding display on this giant day. At any size, Sunset hurts when the lip slaps you on trying to emerge from the bowels of the barrel. On this day, the place throttled anyone caught in the act of escape, but this did not deter the Bronte basher from committing deep. Sunset Beach’s Marcus Hickman, along with Jordy Smith, looked the man to beat on the epic final day. Caddied by none other then defending O’Neill World Cup champion Makuakai Rothman, who had bowed out of contention, Hickman laid down a command performance.
To reach the Final, Marcus Hickman had to overcome some pretty staunch competition. Amazingly, two of the most outrageous performers along the route were Hawaii’s junior sensations Dusty Payne and Torrey Meister. Wow, do these kids have some game. They both impressed greatly, surfing smart on the huge days, blasting massive snaps on heaving bowls, laying into perfectly executed roundhouse cutties on the more friendly sections, basically surfing well beyond their years. As a reward for his Vans Triple Crown pole position after Haleiwa and Sunset, Dusty Payne now finds himself in the Billabong Pipeline Masters.
Back to Marcus Hickman though, this local kid put in a giant-killing effort, coming up with required scores under immense late heat pressure time and time again. In the Final, he got away to a brilliant start, posting a keeper straight up, and he threatened to blow up at any moment, however events, including epic rides by Hobgood and Whittaker, conspired against Hickman for total victory. Paddling out for the finale, most money would have been on South African wunderkind Jordy Smith.
Smith was in devastating form throughout the event, but he kept his best for the final day, wailing through every round, toying with the west peak, carving huge slabs on the inside bowl, pulling into backdoor sections at will. Then disaster struck, Smith doing the involuntary splits on his opening ride. He spent 10 minutes swimming with a thought to be hip injury, then it was realized that in fact a major knee injury had been incurred. It was such a bummer of a way to conclude an outstanding campaign, but that’s Sunset.
Fantastic victory for C.J., the Floridian surging back into the ASP World Top 5 in the major league rankings, then clinching a major title at the storied Sunset Beach, converting a solid North Shore campaign into Triple Crown calculations. It was total vindication. I recall handing C.J. Hobgood the ASP World Champions trophy at Sunset Beach in 2001. There had been seven contenders going into the final event of a season shortened by the tragedy of 9/11. C.J. was the last man standing and he kind of sheepishly gave a victory speech. The other day at Sunset he was the last man standing after arguably the most challenging, the most magnificient World Cup in history
Now that’s true greatness, an awesome sporting achievement that ranks with the best sports stories of the year.
An exciting format awaits all in the 08 Billabong Pipeline Masters. three seeded rounds of competition pits the best of the best against each other in dual heat format. The opening exchanges see the creme of the local Pipe specialists going head to head with the back-end tour regulars, with a solid smattering of event and Triple Crown wildcards.
Shane Dorian returns to competition on Day 1, taking on South African goofy footer Royden Bryson, former Pipe Master Mark Occhilupo, in his testimonial Triple Crown series, comes up against Rocky point local Daniel Jones, followed by a host of ridiculously well matched clashes. There will be sentimental value in Danny Wills swansong event, the Byron Bay local meets the in-form Kamalei Alexander, while newly qualified Kauai pro Dustin Barca can expect a torrid exchange with Hawaii’s I an walsh in Ht 7.
Teen sensations Torrey meister and Dusty Payne meet Jay Thompson and Aritz Aranburu, while the allHawaiian clash between Makuakai Rothman and Ola Eleogram will generate plenty of interest. Another super exciting match-up pits new kid on the Dream Tour Kekoa Bacalso against the new king of Pipe Jamie O’Brien. There are so many great heats, the Billabong Pipeline Masters will be exciting from start to finish, and of course the big guns, Kelly, Andy, Bede, Joel, Taj, Parko and CJ are waiting in Rd 3. Mick Fanning will be contesting his final event before officially handing his crown over to World Champion elect Kelly Slater, and local stars Fred pattachia, Pancho Sullivan, Bruce Irons and Roy Powers are strategically concealed at ambush points within the draw.
SUNSET BEACH, Hawaii (Thursday, December 4, 2008) - Florida’s C.J. Hobgood, 29, won the ASP WQS 6-Star O’Neill World Cup of Surfing today in clean 20-to-30 foot wave face heights, making Hobgood the first goofy-footer in 11 years to win at Sunset Beach.
Australia’s Michael Romelese was the last goofy-footer to win at Sunset in 1997, he also won the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing title the same year.
On his backhand, Hobgood, who was the 2001 ASP World Champ, charged his way to victory, gnabbing the biggest wave of the 35-minute final. Hobgood was blown away by his first place finish and the massive waves.
"It’s perfect size and really clean. There was probably one or two sets a heat that were too big," Hobgood said. "Just some macking nuts waves out there.
"My usual experience out at Sunset is just getting worked pretty much. This ranks up there with my WT wins and everything else because I never totally pictured myself winning this contest so it ranks that much higher.
"That just shows you what Sunset can do. You just roll the dice, go out and sometimes Mother Nature is good to you and other times it just beats you down.
"There’s four guys out there, but you never really see your competitors the whole time. It’s Man versus Nature out there and that’s what makes Sunset so challenging and appealing."
Hobgood avoided Sunset’s wrath and negotiated the giant walls of water beautifully, scoring an 8.5 and 6.5 rides to win the 6-Star Qualifying Series Event.
Australia’s Tom Whitaker, 29, also surfed well in the O’Neill World Cup of Surfing and finished runner-up. Whitaker was in awe of the quality of surf Sunset Beach produced today.
"It’s pretty much as dreamy as Sunset gets it’s beautifully clean and really, really good sized," Whitaker said.
"It’s not too big and scary. It was just beautiful all day and I think I saw some of the best waves I’ve ever seen at Sunset. And, for the final day of the tournament to run in such good conditions it was really cool."
Sunset Beach local Marcus Hickman, 29, finished behind Whitaker in third place. He fell victim to poor wave ion, yet this was Hickman’s best Vans Triple Crown of Surfing performance to date.
South Africa’s Jordy Smith, 20, finished in fourth place and never got in rhythm, breaking his board and injuring his right leg in the final. Smith has never finished lower than the quarterfinals at Sunset and this was his second finals appearance at the O’Neill World Cup of Surfing.
Smith posted a 10-point ride earlier today in the round of 32 by getting a tube. He also posted the highest heat score of the contest a 18.50 out of a possible 20 in the same round.
The top Brazilian finishers today were Leandro Bastos and Rodrigo Dornelles. Both were eliminated in fourth place in their respective heats in the round of 32, placing equal 25th overall.
Europe’s highest finisher was Eric Rebiere (France), who placed third in his heat in the round of 32 to finish equal 17th overall.
After today, Dusty Payne (HAW) is ranked first for the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing overall title. This year’s O’Neill World Cup of Surfing Champion C.J. Hobgood(USA) is second and Joel Parkinson (AUS) is in third. All three surfers will be competing at the Billabong Pipeline Masters.
The Noseguard Rookie of the Year Award for the top performing rookie of the Vans Triple Crown series was awarded today to Australia’s Yadin Nicol, 23, who enjoyed an exceptional run here at Sunset Beach, finishing 9th place today.
Nicol narrowly missed qualifying for the 2009 World Tour at Sunset Beach today. The O’Neill World Cup of Surfing is the last event of the 2008 Qualifying Series (QS) season. The following QS surfers have all qualified for the 2009 World Tour (WT): Nathaniel Curran (USA), Chris Davidson (AUS), Michel Bourez (PYF), Gabe Kling (USA), Jihad Khodr (BRA), Josh Kerr (AUS), Nic Muscroft (AUS), David Weare (ZAF), Kekoa Bacalso (HAW), Tim Boal (FRA), Greg Emslie (ZAF), Dustin Barca (HAW), Tiago Pires (PRT), Phillip MacDonald (AUS), and Drew Courtney (AUS). Depending on Tiago Pires’ performance at the Billabong Pipeline Masters, Marlon Lipke (DEU) may qualify for the 2009 World Tour.
The third and final jewel of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing - the Billabong Pipeline Masters, begins its holding period on Monday, December 8. The women’s Vans Triple Crown will culminate on Maui with the Billabong Pro, also starting December 8.
Born: 27 April 1987
Age: 21 years old
Stance: Natural
Favourite Break: Queensbury Point
Sponsors: Roxy
Current Residence: East London
Years with Roxy: 13 years
Bio
Rosy Hodge from East London is the best female surfer in South Africa. She is currently competing on the World Tour at the young age of 21, and is the only female South African on that elite tour. While there might be many girls competing hard on the WQS, only Rosy is skilled and talented enough to be competing the premier World Tour. Rosy hails from the wave-rich city of East London, and it is the local right-hand points and reefs, combined her abundance of talent, which has groomed her to be a World Tour caliber surfer. Rosy personifies the spirit of an elite athlete and is a role model for all South African surfing girls. She is admired by surfers the world over and her career is only starting. With her rekindled competitive spirit, great things are in store for her.
Haleiwa, Oahu, HI - (Sat. Nov. 22, 2008) - Tahitian Michel Bourez, 22, scored a career-best win in Hawaii today, taking first place in the $135,000 Reef Hawaiian Pro and an early lead on the prestigious Vans Triple Crown of Surfing series ratings. Prior to today, Bourez's best result was a minor event win in the Canary Islands in 2005. Today's result takes him to the No.2 ranking on the ASP World Qualifying Series ratings, guaranteeing him a start on the elite ASP World Tour in 2009. Bourez earned $15,000 for his win today.
Runner-up was Brazil's Jihad Khodr, 24 ($7,500); third was Hawaii's Kekoa Bacalso (Mililani, $4,500), and fourth was Maui's Dusty Payne, the youngest of the finalists at 19 and the only surfer to come all the way through from the very first round, surfing eight times to earn $4,400.
In conditions that more closely resembled the hollow tubes of Tahiti or Hawaii's Off-The-Wall, Bourez hit his stride in the semi-finals in an unbelievable demonstration of deep tube-riding and critical power maneuvers, posting the highest wave and heat scores of the entire event: 18.96 points out of 20 for the heat, and 9.93 out of 10 for his top tube ride. In the final, he posted a total of 16.77 points with scores of 9.77 and 7.0.
"That semi was maybe the best heat of my life," said Bourez. "Everybody was getting barreled I was screaming my head off. It was so sick. I was having so much fun out there and that's what I call a good contest.
"It means a lot to just (qualify for) the World Tour. I've been dreaming about this my whole life since I started to surf. I've been watching all the best surfers, like Kelly (Slater) and (Rob) Machado, all those guys. And, right now I can surf with them. It's a good opportunity for me and all the Tahitian surfers. I'm stoked for Tahiti."
If Bourez can hold onto his lead of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing series ratings, he could win a $10,000 bonus and a $10,000 one-of-a-kind Nixon tide watch featuring over two-carats of diamonds.
Khodr also had the crowd going wild with a hugely successful mix of determination, tube-riding and never-say-die attack on every wave he rode. Khodr peaked on time in the final, coming so close but just short of the win. His final scoreline: 16.5 with individual wave scores of 8.5 and 8.0 for a couple of great tubes that were slightly shorter and not as deep as Bourez's. Khodr's result today moved him up to fifth on the WQS rankings and back onto the World Tour stage in 2009.
"It was real hard for me to get a good result this year," said Khodr. "When I got to Hawai'i I knew something was going to change and I got second place. I'm so stoked. (2009) is going to be my first year on the ASP World Tour."
The highest placed US Mainland surfers were Brett Simpson and Timmy Reyes, both from Huntington Beach. Simpson lost in semi-final with a score that would have seen him advance through the majority of heats this event - 14.07. He placed equal 7th overall. Reyes lost in the quarter finals, placing equal 13th overall.
The top placing Australians were Nic Muscroft (equal fifth, semi-final loss), and Joel Parkinson (equal fifth, semi-final loss). Defending Vans Triple Crown champion Bede Durbidge also lost in the semi-finals, placing equal 7th overall. Parkinson and Bede suffered a wave-starved heat that left them with nothing to ride and no chance at reaching the final again this year.
The final day of the Reef Hawaiian Pro started out just short of a washout. Pouring rain and howling onshore winds greeted competitors at dawn and the event came close to being called off. Then the wind began to clock and before long the rubble was transformed into airbrushed barrels. For those spectators who braved the conditions, the returns were huge.
Heading on to the next event, the following Qualifying Series surfers are considered "safe" for qualifying for the 2009 ASP World Tour: Nathaniel Curran (USA), Michel Bourez (Tahiti), Chris Davidson (Australia), Gabe Kling (US), Jihad Khodr (Brazil), Josh Kerr (Aus), Kekoa Bacalso (Hawaii), Nic Muscroft (Aust), Tim Boal (France), Tiago Pires (Portugal) and Dustin Barca (Hawaii).
The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing series now moves to Sunset Beach for the men's O'Neill World Cup of Surfing and the women's Roxy Pro. The holding period for these events begins Monday, November 24 and runs through to December 6.
HALEIWA, Hawaii (Thursday, November 20, 2008) - The 2008 Reef Hawaiian Pro was always going to be about the new guard of women's surfing from the opening heat of competition.
Today, Haleiwa crowned it's youngest-ever Vans Triple Crown of Surfing event champion in 16-year-old Carissa Moore (Honolulu). Moore won her way through every round of the competition from the preliminary trials heat that awarded one wildcard spot into the event. She now leads the 2008 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing series ratings.
Three teenagers and a 36-year-old, seven-times ASP Women's World Champion featured in the 30-minute final. Moore won, multiple world champ Layne Beachley (Manly, Australia) was second, 17-year-old Laura Enever (Narrabeen, Australia) was third, and North Shore local Coco Ho, 17, was fourth.
Haleiwa's Ali'i Beach Park offered up clean and highly contestable 4-5 foot surf for the women's final day of action, with left-handers the order of the day.
While Moore's rise to the win came with calm, sure-footedness, there was no shortage of drama around her to help pave the road to victory.
First came the fourth place elimination of reigning ASP Women's World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (Australia) in Quarterfinal 1.
Next came the Quarterfinal defeat of Alana Blanchard (Hawaii), who was hoping for a final finish today to guarantee her qualification onto the 2009 ASP Women's World Tour.
In the Final, 17-year-old Coco Ho was at the center of drama. A win here would have guaranteed Ho a start on the 2009 elite ASP Womens World Tour, but after finding herself in fourth for most of the heat, her focus shifted to securing the win for Moore. With less than a minute remaining, Beachley was in need of little more than six points to steal the win from Moore. Ho took off, ping in on Beachley, popping an air above her head and effectively shutting down Layne's scoring potential in a classic case of schoolgirl tactics.
While it will never be known if Layne would have earned the score she needed to win, it's disputable that Moore earned the victory on the merits of her surfing alone.
"It was my dream to one day win out here and I'm really happy," said Moore. "I was just praying that Layne wouldn't get one. I was really thankful that Coco ended up getting that one. I'm definitely thankful that she is one of my best friends. It was an honor to be in that heat with all those girls. It was so close [of a heat] with Layne. And then my really good friends Laura and Coco were surfing really well the entire event."
As with all the ups and downs of Layne's 19-year career, she took today's encounter in her stride.
"It was pretty good Hawaiian teamwork," said Beachley. "I'm sure if Coco kicked out of that wave I could have still hit the lip, but as I was bottom-turning I saw Coco go for an air. And, well, that just ruins any chance of doing anything. That's what happens here in Hawai'i. Also, getting off to a slow start put extra pressure on me."
For Enever, third place in her maiden Hawaii season was a solid result, and she is also on track to win the Vans Triple Crown Nose Guard Rookie of the Year award.
"It's a dream, I wasn't even expecting to be in this event then I found out just a few days before that I got in," said Enever. "I've just been making heats and having a go. It's been the birthday of my life to surf epic Haleiwa and now get in the final with my two friends. I'm stoked."
As the final ASP Women's World Qualifying Series (WQS) event of the year, all eyes will now shift to the next two stops on the Vans Triple Crown to determine the final lineup for the 2009 women's ASP World Tour: the Roxy Pro (Nov.24-Dec.6) and the Billabong Pro Maui (Dec. 8-20). The top 6 women on the WQS ratings qualify for the elite World Tour, but at this time, there are three ladies in the WQS top 6 who might still be able to qualify through their 2008 World Tour performances in the upcoming events, thus potentially freeing up spots for Paige Hareb (NZ), Blanchard and Ho to officially qualify. (Moore did not compete on the WQS this year.)
The men's Round of 64 ran through to heat 13 today, and there was no shortage of upsets there either, especially given the pressure of 4-man heats, qualification points on the line, and relatively small surf for Hawaii standards.
Hawaii's highest ranked pro on tour, Fred Patacchia, went down, though retiring Pancho Sullivan advanced through the same heat. 2007 ASP World Champion Mick Fanning also lost heavily in his opening heat of the event.
One full day of competition remains at the men's Reef Hawaiian Pro and organizers expect the final day to be either tomorrow, or Saturday.
CAPBRETON, France (Monday, November 17, 2008) – Europeans of the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) are currently competing on the other side of the planet in the warm waters of the Hawaiian archipelago and the second to last event of the year promises to be crucial for many of our top soldiers, some being on the verge of qualifying for next year’s revolutionary ASP World Tour, others aiming at finishing their 2008 campaign with a solid strike.
The last couple of weeks witnessed the best results of Europeans ever on the international stage all categories comprised with France's representatives taking top honours on the American continent, from Brazil to California.
Jeremy Flores (Capbreton/New Caledonia, FRA), 20, last year's ASP Rookie of the Year and current ratings' No. 10, hit once again with his unquestionable talent in the Hang Loose Pro to secure his best result to date with a runner-up finish in Brazil’s consistent beachbreaks. Flores, who suffered an ankle injury for a couple of months in the second half of the year, got back to his excellent level to fly the French and European flags and easily secure his spot for next year's Dream Tour. The Reunion Island born surfer will soon paddle out at Haleiwa in the ASP WQS 6-Star Prime Reef Hawaiian Pro for an intense encounter with potential ASP World tour qualifiers Dustin Barca (HAW) and Adam Melling (AUS). Flores, who reached the semifinals of the event in 2007, will have nothing to lose when his heat hits the water and will be looking to repeat his 2007 performance at least.
Miky Picon (Capbreton, FRA), 29, who is not attending the Reef Hawaiian Pro, is the other French and European man of the moment after his equal 3rd in Brazil at the beginning of the month, the best result of his career that has virtually requalified him for next year's Dream Tour. Picon, who was the second French competitor in history to enter the coveted ASP Top 45 in 2006, will wrap up 2008 at the Billabong Pipeline Masters in December hoping for another solid result to end up his best competitive year ever. Picon, who focused on the Dream Tour this year attending very few ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) events to keep all his strenght and energy for the most important contests, has achieved his goal and hopes for a bright finish at the world class testing wave of Banzai Pipeline.
If the ASP World Tour brought great success upon Europeans, 22-year-old longboarding French phenomenon Antoine Delpero (Anglet, FRA) became the best French and European longboarder ever while leaders Flores and Picon were celebrating their respective results in Brazil. Delpero finished No. 2 in the world after a second consecutive runner-up finish at the ASP World Longboard Tour Oxbow Pro, final stop of the 2008 race that saw veteran and former ASP World longboard Champion Bonga Perkins (HAW) claim his title back. Delpero, who defeated Perkins in the Quarterfinals of the first event in France last May, missed his maiden world title by 12 points only o the overall ratings but still brings home the best performance in European longboarding history, promissing for next year's championship.
Apart from the elite tours, ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) male and female European surfers are already facing different fates and some of them still in contention for a possible 2009 ASP World Tour inception will soon be fixed on their destiny.
With recently crowned ASP European champion and current ratings' No. 5 Tim Boal (Anglet, FRA) already guranteed to join fellow Europeans Flores, Picon and ASP World Tour rookie Pires who will requalify via his WQS No. 6 position whatever happens in the last Dream Tour event, two other men could increase the number of surfers from the Old Continent among next year’s surfing elite.
Marlon Lipke (Lagos, DEU), 23, currently No. 9 on the international ratings, will surf in both upcoming events at Haleiwa and Sunset but already has a good chance of climbing in next year's ASP World Tour and become the first German ever to compete among surfing's greatest nations in 2009. Lipke, who has had a fantastic year with several excellent results including an equal 3rd at the ASP WQS 6-Star Prime Rip Curl Pro Hossegor, is not seriously threatened at this stage and should soon be confirmed for next year's ASP Top 45 contingent.
The other man to still have a chance at qualifying for next year's Dream Tour is former ASP European champion and current No. 17 Michel Bourez (Tahiti, PYF). Bourez, renowned powerhouse charger who prooved his talent and skills against the world's best when he defeated both Joel Parkinson (AUS) and Bede Durbidge (AUS) at the Quiksilver Pro France in September, will need one last big result to join his ASP World Tour mates. Bourez, who once reached a final at Sunset two years ago, is probably the one with most chances of achieving a great result in Hawaii's testing conditions and all eyes will be on Tahiti's best surfer when he paddles out at the Reef Hawaiian Pro.
Regarding female surfing, both French favorites Pauline Ado (Hendaye, FRA) and Lee-Ann Curren (Anglet, FRA) lost in the Reef Hawaiian Pro last weekend and no European representative will surf on next year's ASP Women’s World Tour. Ado, 18, a former ISA World Junior Champion and mutliple ASP European Junior champion, managed to secure big results in 2008 including a runner-up finish at Durban in South Africa, and finishes her season ranked No. 18 despite attending six events only in 2008. Curren, 19, who was on her first year as a full-time WQS touring competitor, ends up her maiden year with a promissing rating, No. 20 so far, and should be one to count with in 2009. The last European woman who surfed among the ASP Top 17 is Caroline Sarran (Anglet, FRA) in 2007.
Puerto Escondido local Angelo Lozano, 21, claimed a victory yesterday at the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) 3-Star PXM International Vans Pro in pumping six- to eight-foot (2-metre) surf.
Lozano surfed impressively throughout the entire PXM International Vans Pro event, but saved the best for last, topping former Puerto Escondido event champion Rutherford, and Turner, who posted a perfect 10 and netted the event's highest heat total on Saturday.
"I'm very proud and I'm proud of all the local surfers," Lozano said. "We have a lot of good tube-riders here and if we can get some more events I think we can see a lot more Mexican surfers on the WQS."
Villaran's second-place finish at the PXM International Vans Pro marks his second ASP WQS final appearance, the other being the Monster Energy Pipeline Pro in 2006, proving that he excels in heavy barreling conditions.
"I got a fourth place in the Monster Energy Pipeline Pro in 2006," Villaran said. "The waves are similar, although my final at Pipe in Hawaii was much bigger and hollower. But you get some really long barrels here, because you know it's a sand bottom, so you keep going as far as possible before you have to jump off."
Turner and Rutherford both surfed amazingly throughout the entire event, but were unable to find the scores needed to pass the young local surfer and finished third and fourth respectively.
The PXM International Vans Pro marked the last ASP WQS event of the season in North America, but the series will be back again next year with several events increasing their ratings points and prize purses significantly.
Surfing Queensland
Gold Coast Queensland
15 - 16 November 2008
Sunshine Coast Surfer Naomi Stevic Up For Challenge At Lizzy Surf Series!
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 10 November, 2008 : - - Sunshine Coast surfer Naomi Stevic (Castaways Beach) is planning to repel Queensland’s top female surfers to win her first open women’s state crown this weekend. The talented teen packs the big moves to wrap up the third and final round of the Lizzy Surf Series, which will start on Saturday November 15 on the Gold Coast.
After a runner-up finish in the second round of the series on the Sunshine Coast in June, Stevic is preparing to pull out all stops to fend off some tough rivals in her quest for the title. “I want to end the year with a win,” said Stevic.
“I’ve had a lot of runner-up finishes this year across both the Lizzy Series and Queensland Junior Titles, so I’m hungry for victory. I’m feeling fit, my boards are going well so hopefully the waves will cooperate and give us some great waves for the last event.”
Apart from the prestige of winning a state title, the winner of the open women’s division will score the opportunity to tackle the world’s best surfers in the trials of the Roxy Pro, the season-opener on the ASP Women's World Tour at Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast in February, 2009.
"The prospect of taking on the world's best would be a dream come true," said Stevic. "I would love to surf Snapper with only three other surfers and mix it with the best.” The high-stakes, $2,000 tournament is stacked with a new breed of champions including Dimity Stoyle (Buderim), Brittani Nicholl (Cabarita), Ellie-Jean Coffey (Suffolk Park), Wini Paul (Tugun) and Amy Hubbard (Currumbin).
The talents of fellow Sunshine Coast ace Stoyle are not to be underestimated either. The reigning state junior champion has already earned a long awaited shot at the Gold Coast based world tour event after scoring a decisive victory in the Roxy Pro Trials for Trials on the Gold Coast in late September.
Stoyle, 17, heads the open women’s series ratings leading into this weekend’s event. There she sits on top with 1860 points, 250 clear of Coffey, with Stevic in third on 1590.
Other surfers in contention for Lizzy titles include Alex Headlands surfer Sharon Jackson in both the senior (over 28) and master’s divisions (over 35) along with Cabarita’s Brittani Nicholl in the U/20’s and Stoyle in the U/18’s. Currumbin’s Eden Putland and Moffat Beach’s Renee Heazlewood are in the box seat to claim the respective U/16 and U/14 girls’ division titles.
However, the all-female series is not all about fierce competition. The Lizzy Surf Series is designed to be a really social affair and is a perfect event for women and girls to have their first crack at competition surfing. Acting as a fantastic introductory series, the open women’s division will incorporate a repercharge division for surfers defeated in round one of competition and guarantees all surfers at least two surfs.
The series also features U/21, U/18, U/16, U/14, seniors (O/28) and masters (O/35) divisions with overall champions rated on their best two of three results. For all event updates please check out surfingqueensland or call the Surfing Queensland Office on (07) 5520 1165.
Duck diving
Once you can ride broken waves with confidence you’re ready to venture further out to the lineup. But to get there you’ll have to get through bigger lines of whitewater, as well as unbroken waves, and to do this you need to learn how to duck-dive.
Duck-diving involves sinking your board underneath the oncoming wave, then popping up the far side. The zone of turbulence of a wave is usually only a couple of feet deep, so if you can get underneath it you won’t get dragged back the whole time. Here’s how you do it:
Paddle hard towards the wave, so you’ve got loads of forward momentum.
Just before the wave reaches you, grab the rails of the board under your chest, lift your bum in the air, and lean downwards on the board’s nose, straightening your arms as you do so. This will sink the nose of the board. Now bring one of your knees up under your body, position it in the middle of the board, and shove the board downwards and forwards underwater. Take a deep breath as you do this.
If you’ve duck-dived deep enough, you’ll sense the wave going past above you. Once it’s passed, your board’s buoyancy will lift you back to the surface.
Most intermediate surfers find duck-diving the hardest part of learning to surf, as it requires a lot of effort. If you find yourself struggling, try to build up your upper-body strength between surf trips by doing regular exercises (especially push-ups and stomach curls).
Intermediate surfer’s boards are hard to duck-dive because of their large volumes (thinner custom boards are much easier). Unfortunately you’re in a Catch-22 position because you need that volume to catch the waves.
Once you’ve mastered duck-diving using one knee, try bringing one leg up under your body and using your foot to push the tail of the board down. This method allows deeper penetration.
Sam Bleakley on the nose in California
Cornish hopes of victory in the final World Longboard Tour event of the season in California have been dashed. Newquay's Ben Skinner and Sennen's Sam Bleakley had been poised for a place in the last 16 but were eventually knocked out.
Newquay's Ben Skinner and Sennen's Sam Bleakley had been poised for a place in the last sixteen in San Clemente but were eventually outpointed in their respective round three heats.
Skinner, a former World Surfing Games silver medallist and British champion, was the closest of the Cornish duo to booking a round four slot.
Skinner surf strongly in the contestable 2 to 3 foot waves at San Onofre racking up a 12.9 point two wave tally from the judges.
But his opponent, Alex Salazar, from Brazil, called on all his technical surfing know-how to clinch the encounter by just under two points.
Bleakley, meanwhile, an England international, was outpointed by top South African Matthew Moir.
Bleakley, who has been a prolific winner in both UK and European contests, started well with a series of rail to rail and progressive moves on the clean waves faces.
The Cornishman was rewarded with a 10.4 point total for his best two waves.
Moir was undeterred though choosing some of the bigger set waves to set out his stall with a repertoire of both modern and classic longboarding skills.
The Oxbow World Longboard Tour is the last of two events on the ASP WLT with the top finisher of the series taking the title of ASP World Longboard Champion.
Australian Harley Ingleby, 25, won the first event at Les Cavaliers in Anglet, France and ahead of the American leg of the tour was eager to stay in the hunt for the overall title.
But it was Hawaiian Bonga Perkins who walked away with the world title after winning the final against Frenchman Antoine Delpero.
It's the second time Perkins has lifted the crown - his last was in 1996.
Perkins proved to be unstoppable throughout the Californian event defeated Delpero 16.95 to 13.90 in the crucial finale.
"I've been bridesmaids and 3rds and 4ths so many times now and I was hoping that my 2nd title would come soon before I bow out," Perkins said. "I'm blown away right now."
Perkins, who entered the San Onfre contest in third place, issued powerful rail-to-rail surfing throughout the contest, consistently compiling some of the highest heat totals. The Hawaiian did the same in the Final, netting two eight-point rides in the opening minutes of his heat.
"I've been doing it almost every heat, trying to sneak a couple in and get a couple under my belt, and they ended up being my stronger waves every heat," Perkins said.
"That 30 minute heat felt like a long time. I felt like I was holding my breath."
Despite his amazing performance throughout the contest, Delpero was unable to put a stop to the polished Hawaiian veteran. Delpero's second place finish at San Onofre State Beach also puts him at No. 2 in the world behind Perkins.
"I just could not find a wave in that heat," Delpero said. "I would have liked to win, but that's life, that’s competition."
UK Pro Surf Tour (UK PST)
Stop No 8 of 9 on 2008 UK PST
1st 2nd November 2008
Whiterocks Beach Portrush
Glenn Hall, who surfs for the Irish National team, took home the Portrush Open Title in clean 2-foot surf at White Rocks Beach in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Glenn who learned to surf in Australia but has recently returned to his Irish roots, took control of the event from the first round. The small surf suited his sharp, effortless style and the gathered crowd of spectators were soon predicting his victory. Glenn not only won the final but also the King of Watersports.com ‘King Of The Waves’ prize for the individual best wave score and ‘The Relentless Money Move’ for the most powerful manoeuvre to complete a clean sweep of the prizes. Glenn, who is ranked in the top 50 on the world professional circuit (WQS) was delighted with the win, which could not have come at a better time as he is getting married next month in Hawaii. Young Jayce Robinson from Cornwall put up a good fight in the final to finish second within a single point of Glenn. Last year’s UK Pro Tour winner and current ratings leader Sam Lamiroy took third and Martin Black placed fourth after an impressive semi final performance. The final was enjoyed by the biggest crowd of the Quiksilver and Roxy3 Degrees series so far who were also greeted with sunshine and light winds.
In the Roxy Portush Open Women’s event, local Irish surfer Easkey Britton took control from the opening seconds of the final in a strong display of surfing. Easkey, who is studying in Northern Ireland, often trains at the contest venues of White Rocks and the East Strand whenever she is away from her home beach of Rossnowlagh. She also won the ‘Queen Of The Waves’ sponsored by King of Watersports.com for the highest wave score. Shauna Ward from Bundoran finished second in small conditions at low tide that made wave selection all important. Sarah Bentley from Cornwall placed third and Raine Jackson from Australia finished fourth.
The Portrush event had extra points and prize money for the best surfers in Britain and beyond who had travelled to surf in the previous events in Tynemouth NE England and Thurso in Scotland as part of the Quiksilver and Roxy 3 Degrees series. Spencer Hargraves representing the event sponsor said, “Quiksilver is proud to support the grass roots of surfing in Britain and Ireland. We have surfed the last three events in all possible conditions. We have had to contend with snow, gale force winds, and waves that have varied from 2ft to 8ft perfection. The 3 Degrees series has shown the high standard of British surfers and the great locations we have around our coastlines.”
Coleraine Borough Council laid on their excellent facilities to the travelling surfers. Coleraine Borough Councillor Norman Hillis said, “I am pleased to welcome surfers from all around the world who had travelled a long way from much warmer places to be here at our great beaches on the North Coast. I’m sorry we haven’t been able to provide big waves here today. It’s the one thing we can’t guarantee, but as a boy I remember huge waves out here at our beaches, so I hope that you will all be back here again for an even better and bigger event next year.”
As the Quiksilver and Roxy 3 Degrees series draws to a close with a very successful finale, the surfers now continue on to Newquay for the final event on the UK Pro Surf Tour where the overall winner will be decided.
PISCINA, Peru (Tuesday, November 4, 2008) – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 20, reigning ASP Women’s World Champion and defending event champion, collected her second consecutive win in Peru today, defeating Silvana Lima (BRA), 24, to claim the Movistar Classic Mancora Peru presented by Rip Curl as well as the ratings lead on the ASP Women’s World Tour.
Event No. 6 of 8 on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Movistar Classic Mancora Peru pres. by Rip Curl relocated from the primary venue in Mancora this morning to Piscina, an hour and a half south, where swell was running in the three-to-four foot (1.5 metre) range.
After building momentum throughout the day, Gilmore peaked in the Final, posting the highest heat total of the event, a 16.10 out of a possible 20, with brilliant flair and power on her backhand, to claim her second consecutive event title in Peru.
“I am so stoked right now,” Gilmore said. “I love coming to Peru. The waves are always really fun and the people are so passionate about their surfing. I came here confident that I could get a result and to come out on top is just fantastic.”
After stumbling with an equal 9th at the last ASP Women’s World Tour event in Sydney, Gilmore’s win today sees the young natural-footer back on top of the ASP Women’s World Tour ratings and on course to defend her ASP Women’s World Title.
“I think Sydney was good for me in that it motivated me to refocus on my primary goal which is to win another ASP Women’s World Tour,” Gilmore said. “Now that I’m ahead, I feel great, but I know there are still two more events and a lot can happen. I excited for Hawaii and am looking forward to a great end of the year.”
Lima, current No. 4 on the ASP Women’s World Tour, was in brilliant form all day, even netting an 7.70 out of a possible 10 in the Final, but it wasn’t enough to stop a rampaging Gilmore.
“I am very happy with my performance today,” Lima said. “I felt like I was surfing well and that my equipment was working really good. It is a shame that I couldn’t win in the Final, but I am happy with my result.”
Today’s runner-up finish marks Lima’s second in two events (she finished runner-up at the last event in Sydney), and the progressive natural-footer rockets up to 4th on the ASP Women’s World Tour.
“I really want to win an event one of these days, but Steph (Gilmore) was ripping,” Lima said. “I am still very happy with my result and my place in the ratings. I don’t know what Hawaii will hold for me, but I am looking forward to the events.”
Rebecca Woods (AUS), 24, current No. 7 on the ASP Women’s World Tour, scored the upset of the day, defeating former ratings leader and event favorite Sofia Mulanovich (PER), 25, in the Quarterfinals.
“Sofia (Mulanovich) is an incredible surfer and we were surfing at Lobitos this morning and she was surfing amazing, even with an injured foot,” Woods said. “Fortunately I got a couple of good ones off the bat and was able to maintain the lead. It’s a great win for me and my first Semifinals of the year so I’m stoked.”
Layne Beachley (AUS), 36, former seven-time ASP Women’s World Champion and current No. 3 on the ASP Women’s World Tour, opened up her Semifinal heat with a blistering 9.00 out of a possible 10, but was unable to halt the assault of eventual winner Gilmore.
“It’s frustrating when you open up the heat with a good wave and can’t back it up,” Beachley said. “I guess I am frustrated a bit more because I lost to Steph (Gilmore) and I had her and let her get away from me. It’s really frustrating.”
While it appears that Gilmore and Mulanovich are running away with the race for the ASP Women’s World Title, Beachley is still motivated to perform in Hawaii.
“I excited to get to Hawaii and I hope we get Sunset at 20 feet and Honolua at 15 feet,” Beachley said. “Hawaii is my old stomping ground and it’s where I feel like I’ve cemented a place for myself and I’m motivated by the desire to win and I’m looking forward to the winter.”
The sixth South Coast Surf Carnival took place this weekend, with the weather delivering the goods for all divisions, longboarding, SUPing, and even us kitesurfers!
The crowd at Scottburgh’s main beach witnessed some radical wave riding in the longest running kitesurfing event in the country, thanks in part to the strong south-westerly wind that blew all Sunday.
Conditions were tricky with a huge dead patch on the inside section (thanks to the Scottburgh bay), rocks, and over 20 knots on the outside combining to be a true test of skill.
Essentially a waveriding contest, the men's division was a true clash of the titans with all the top names in KZN kitesurfing vying for top position. Craig Chrystal and Lyle Botcher took first and second place, both displaying extreme prowess in the challenging, gusty conditions.
The ladies event was less well attended, with Nicole Annells and Kathryn Clarke-Mcleod the only ladies there. The pair pushed their limits in the growing swell to take first and second place respectively.
Bryce Rawlins proved himself a grom with serious guts as the youngest kiter out there, and earned himself the junior title once again!
In the longboarding event, a ladies division, as well as a grandmasters (age 35+) and over 50 division were contested. Competition was strong due to the large field, and it was Zanie Cawood (Durban) who clinched victory in the ladies event. Brandon Ribbink (Morningside) came out firing in the final of the grandmasters division, and managed to outscore Craig Daniel (Bluff) in a closely fought heat. In the over 50 division, Mike Patterson (Umdloti) showed that age is no obstacle as he powered his way to the title.
In the race to capture the first ever stand up paddleboard (SUP) title in South Africa, Dylan McCleod (Eastern Cape) was clearly the most consistent performer and rightly claimed the prestigious title and the main prize of a BILT SUP valued at R12 500.
Over and above the contest action surfing lessons were provided by uShaka Surf and Adventures; several experts in the various wave riding disciplines were also on hand to offer advice to aspiring enthusiasts.
The South Coast Surf Carnival was sponsored by Tourism South Coast, Jeep Apparel and Independent on Saturday. Contributing sponsors to the event were Pick’ n Pay Scottburgh, Bilt Surfboards, Thermo Plastic Concepts & Equipment (TCE), Maisch Fins, Pro Class Wetsuits, Nestle Pure Life Water, Komunity Project, Natural Curve surfboards, Bokomo, Cyclone kiteboarding, Ocean 2 Air kiteboarding, uShaka Surf and Adventures and African Surf Rider Magazine.
Caroline Peret (France) won the Roxy North East Women’s Open, held at Longsands Beach, Tynemouth over the weekend.
In tricky conditions, Caroline managed to catch the best waves and surf them well to dominate the final defeating her fellow competitors. She took an early lead scoring a 6.9 out of a possible 10 points forcing the other finalists to play catch up. Jenny Horbas (Bournemouth) came closest and eventually placed second. Third went to Australian Raine Jackson and fourth Lauren Davies (Newcastle).
Caroline commented “this is a great event, good to see so many spectators watching the finals”
Caroline also claimed King of Watersports.com King of the Wave, highest scoring wave to win a Sector 8 SkateboardEarlier Jayce Robinson (St Ives) defeated all-comers to win the Relentless Money Move, when he preformed an aerial in the contest.
Due to the inconsistent surf, the Quiksilver North East Open has been relocated to Skirza, on the tip of North East Scotland. It will be held tomorrow morning, the surf is forecast to be big, but the weather cold.
This event is part of a new Extreme Sports Festival XPerience 08, which included: Skateboarding, Snowboarding, Live Music plus many other activities.
It was the first stop on the Quiksilver 3 Degrees Series. The next two stops are in Thurso Scotland 28th 29th October, followed by Portrush N Ireland 1st 2nd November. It is also the sixth stop on the UK Pro Surf Tour which encompasses England, Wales, Scotland and N Ireland.
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Scottburg Main Beach South Africa
1 - 2 November 2008
Entries Still Open for South Coast Surf Carnival
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 17 October, 2008 : - - Kiteboarders, longboarders and stand up paddleboarders still have time to enter the lucrative South Coast Surf Carnival presented by Jeep Apparel and the Independent on Saturday. The wave-riding festival takes place on the weekend of November 1 and 2 at Scottburgh main beach on the KZN south coast.
“Nerve Events is really proud to be staging the sixth edition of the South Coast Surf Carnival which has already attracted a host of the country’s top watermen and women to take part. We are encouraging others to enter before all of the slots are filled to avoid disappointment and also to book accommodation soon as it is a very busy weekend for the mid-south coast,” commented Paul Godwin, Event Organizer from Nerve Events.
South Coast Surf Carnival entry forms are available from the Durban Surf Coffee Shop, Larmont Surf Shop and on salsa.co.za or contact mw.nerve@mweb.co.za For accommodation listings please contact Paul Godwin on 031 201 2169 or 083 560 1185.
The carnival, backed by Tourism South Coast, boasts the biggest longboarding event in South Africa with R11 500 cash and fantastic product prizes as well as accommodation prizes for contestants entering next years SA Longboard Champs in Jeffrey’s Bay. Divisions to be contested include Open Men, Ladies, Over 35 Men ad Over 50 Men.
The nationally rated SALSA longboarding event is open to all surfers and since 2005 no KZN longboarder has won the premier open men’s event. Komunity project has donated a prize for the most progressive longboarder with Natural Curve having sponsored a longboard as well. The South African Wavemasters Kitesurfing event also has fantastic prizes on offer and the stand up paddleboard “SUP” main prize is a BILT SUP valued at R12 500.
Festival organizers have ensured that there will be something for the whole family to enjoy from the spectacular, bright kites to traditional forms of wave riding and clinics held for newcomers to water sports. Scottburgh has first class facilities with a variety of restaurants offering fantastic sea views as well as a waterslide and the opportunity to buy some local curios from the sellers in the vicinity.
The South Coast Surf Carnival is sponsored by Tourism South Coast, Jeep Apparel and Independent on Saturday. Contributing sponsors to the event are Pick’ n Pay Scottburgh, Bilt Surfboards, Thermo Plastic Concepts & Equipment (TCE), Maisch Fins, Pro Class Wetsuits, Nestle Pure Life Water, Komunity Project, Natural Curve surfboards, Bokomo, Cyclone kiteboarding, Ocean 2 Air kiteboarding, uShaka Surf and Adventures and African Surf Rider Magazine.
Scottburg Main Beach South Africa
1 - 2 November 2008
Entries Still Open for South Coast Surf Carnival
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 17 October, 2008 : - - Kiteboarders, longboarders and stand up paddleboarders still have time to enter the lucrative South Coast Surf Carnival presented by Jeep Apparel and the Independent on Saturday. The wave-riding festival takes place on the weekend of November 1 and 2 at Scottburgh main beach on the KZN south coast.
“Nerve Events is really proud to be staging the sixth edition of the South Coast Surf Carnival which has already attracted a host of the country’s top watermen and women to take part. We are encouraging others to enter before all of the slots are filled to avoid disappointment and also to book accommodation soon as it is a very busy weekend for the mid-south coast,” commented Paul Godwin, Event Organizer from Nerve Events.
South Coast Surf Carnival entry forms are available from the Durban Surf Coffee Shop, Larmont Surf Shop and on salsa.co.za or contact mw.nerve@mweb.co.za For accommodation listings please contact Paul Godwin on 031 201 2169 or 083 560 1185.
The carnival, backed by Tourism South Coast, boasts the biggest longboarding event in South Africa with R11 500 cash and fantastic product prizes as well as accommodation prizes for contestants entering next years SA Longboard Champs in Jeffrey’s Bay. Divisions to be contested include Open Men, Ladies, Over 35 Men ad Over 50 Men.
The nationally rated SALSA longboarding event is open to all surfers and since 2005 no KZN longboarder has won the premier open men’s event. Komunity project has donated a prize for the most progressive longboarder with Natural Curve having sponsored a longboard as well. The South African Wavemasters Kitesurfing event also has fantastic prizes on offer and the stand up paddleboard “SUP” main prize is a BILT SUP valued at R12 500.
Festival organizers have ensured that there will be something for the whole family to enjoy from the spectacular, bright kites to traditional forms of wave riding and clinics held for newcomers to water sports. Scottburgh has first class facilities with a variety of restaurants offering fantastic sea views as well as a waterslide and the opportunity to buy some local curios from the sellers in the vicinity.
The South Coast Surf Carnival is sponsored by Tourism South Coast, Jeep Apparel and Independent on Saturday. Contributing sponsors to the event are Pick’ n Pay Scottburgh, Bilt Surfboards, Thermo Plastic Concepts & Equipment (TCE), Maisch Fins, Pro Class Wetsuits, Nestle Pure Life Water, Komunity Project, Natural Curve surfboards, Bokomo, Cyclone kiteboarding, Ocean 2 Air kiteboarding, uShaka Surf and Adventures and African Surf Rider Magazine.
SA World Surfing Games
Costa de Caparica, Portugal
October 11-19, 2008
Moir takes second gold medal; Lee and Tag Team get copper at ISA World Surfing Games
Matthew Moir was the toast of Team South Africa when he successfully defended his ISA World Longboard title on the final day of the 2008 ISA World Surfing Games at Costa de Caparica in Portugal on Sunday.
The Capetonian was joined on the podium by fellow South African Dave Lee (Uvongo) who earned the copper medal for fourth place in the Men’s Bodyboarding and the SA tag team who also captured the copper medal in the Aloha Cup.
Australia emerged as the champion nation at the 22nd edition of the “Olympics of Surfing”, earning the accolade for the third consecutive time. CJ Hobgood (USA) took the men’s surfing title, Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) triumphed in the women’s surfing, Marcus Lima (BRA) in the men’s bodyboarding, Natasha Sagardia (PRI) earned a first gold medal for Puerto Rico in women’s bodyboarding and France won the Aloha Cup tag team event.
Moir won each of the five heats he contested en route to his second gold medal, as he did in California in 2006, and is now keen to match the three consecutive longboard titles recorded by Marcelo Freitas (BRA).
"I'm so, so stoked. I never thought I would have the chance to win two events in a row,” Moir said from the victory dais. “Marcelo Freitas won it three times in a row and I’ve done it twice, so I'm pretty happy for that. I had great support from my teammates on the beach. That was amazing, I just can't believe it."
Moir fought out a high scoring duel with Australian champion Harley Ingleby in the final, mastering the tricky half to one metre waves to rack up five rides over 7.5 points. His best two rides of 9.22 and 8.90 gave the champion a heat total of 18.12 that left US Open champion Taylor Jensen (USA) and reigning ASP World Champion Phil Rajzman (BRA) needing a combination of two scores in third and fourth places respectively.
Only Ingleby, with the heat high score of 9.74 on his final ride, was within one score of overtaking Moir when the siren sounded to end the heat.
Lee dropped into the grueling man’s bodyboard repecharge rounds when he placed third behind teammate Sacha Specker (Camps Bay) and 2006 champ Manuel Centeno (POR) in Round 4 of the winner’s stream. He then battled his way through three more rounds to reach the Grand Final where Lima emerged victorious after Lee, Centeno and 2006 runner-up Hugo Pinheiro (POR) were all penalised with interference calls in the hotly contested encounter.
Specker finished 5th overall after a great run in the event where he advanced straight to the winner’s stream final before being relegated to the repecharge final. There he placed third behind Lee and Lima to just miss out on a place in the Grand Final and a medal.
The South Africa tag team finished second behind France and ahead of Australia and the UK to qualify for the final of the Aloha Cup event, a form of relay surfing contested by the teams finishing in the top eight at the previous ISA World Surfing Games. However, the South Africans struggled in the final and finished well of the pace in fourth place behind France, who recorded the narrowest of victories over host nation Portugal, with surprise package Costa Rica in third.
Overall Team South Africa slipped to seventh place amongst the 29 national teams attending the event. Australia, who had three team members in the Grand Final of the men’s surfing, the highest counting division, finished nearly 3 000 points ahead of second placed USA.
Brazil took third place and France recorded their best ever result by snatching the copper medal for fourth just one point in front of Costa Rica with Portugal in sixth.
World Champion Nation
Gold: Australia - 17.238 pts.
Silver: USA - 14.284 pts.
Bronze: Brazil - 12.610 pts.
Copper: France - 11.819 pts.
South Africa – 7th – 11.237 pts.
Open Men
Gold: CJ Hobgood (USA)
Silver: Heath Joske (AUS)
Bronze: Dayyan Neve (AUS)
Copper: Kai Otton (AUS)
South Africans:
Klee Strachan – 13th
Matthew Kruger – 21st
Ryan Payne – 29th
Devyn Mattheys – 61st
Open Women
Gold: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
Silver: Marie Dejean (FRA)
Bronze: Camila Cassia (BRA)
Copper: Lauren Sweeney (USA)
South Africans:
Tarryn Chudleigh – 8th
Chantelle Rautenbach – 16th
Bodyboard Men
Gold: Marcus Lima (BRA)
Silver: Manuel Centeno (POR)
Bronze: Hugo Pinheiro (POR)
Copper: David Lee (ZAF)
South Africa:
Sacha Specker – 5th
Bodyboard Women
Gold: Natasha Sagardia (PRI)
Silver: Heloise Bourroux (FRA)
Bronze: Rita Pires (POR)
Copper: Lilly Pollard (AUS)
South Africa:
Pamela Bowren – 11th
Longboard
Gold: Matthew Moir (ZAF)
Silver: Harley Ingleby (AUS)
Bronze: Taylor Jensen (USA)
Copper: Phil Rajzman (BRA)
Aloha Cup
Gold: France
Silver: Portugal
Bronze: Costa Rica
Copper: South Africa
The South African team's attendance at the ISA World Surfing Games is supported by funding from the National Lottery Board.
Click Here to View Roxy North EastWomen's Open
Hawaii is the most geographically isolated landmass on the planet, and for some that means only one thing: groundswell. Everywhere, in every direction, the currents of the Pacific are churning up the winds, storms, and fetch that ultimately source these islands with their world class waves. Below is a list of the best places to get wet if you have never been to Hawaii.
To be sure, there are far better waves than those listed below, but they are unlistable for various reasons. Take Kauai, for instance; there is nothing more to hide - the world already knows what waves exist, just look at a map, but why then is any photo of Kauai’s best wave still flipped, and never named, when it’s printed in any surf mag? Because respect is a crucial element of the Hawaiian surfing experience; and with reason - the island juice is no myth; ocean conditions here are worlds away from your local beach break.
But still, come surf, it’s Hawaii, the Duke would have wanted you to. For the full rundown of breaks, grab “Frank’s Map” at any surf shop. In no particular order….
SYDNEY, Australia: Seven-time women's world surfing champion Layne Beachley said Friday she will retire at the end of the 2008 season.
The 36-year-old Australian holds the record for most number of women's tour victories with 29.
"This is a bittersweet decision for me as I feel like I feel like I'm surfing the best I have in my whole career," Beachley said. "But the time is right. I'm motivated to find new and challenging ways to achieve different things in my life."
American Kelly Slater, a nine-time world men's champion, praised Beachley.
"Layne is the greatest female surfer of all time," Slater said in a statement. "She has continued to ... shatter records with her surfing style, technical ability and focus. She will be missed in the surfing world."
Beachley made her debut on the world tour at 16 and was ranked No. 6 within four years. She won the first of six consecutive world titles in 1998, and her seventh in 2006.
With 3,036 points, Beachley is third in the 2008 tour standings behind Australia's defending world champion Stephanie Gilmore (3,516) and Peru's Sofia Mulanovich (3,504).
180 / 360
The spin of a surfers board during a manouever in degrees. eg 360 degree turn.
A-Frame
Perfect barreling surf. A cross-section of the wave reveales an 'a' shape where it is breaking soooo nicely.
Aggro
Aggressive attitude in the water. Having a bad attitude.
Amped
Getting excited while surfing or really looking forward to a surf.
Ankle Busters / Snappers
Small waves
ASP
ASP stands for Association of Professional Surfing. These guys look after the professional side of surfing
The magnificent Sunset Wave.
Sunset Beach does not often 'work' for the surfers and many a day it is hard to believe that this is one of the very few Really Big wave sites in the world. When Sunset is firing, usually in summer when the South- East blows, it produces unbelievable waves. Riding these on a BIG day is only for the skilled and the brave!
Cape Town Surfing.
Although Sunset Reef is the most famous for its size the jagered Cape Peninsula coastline from Kommetjie to Cape Point and then along False Bay to Muizenburg always have an excellent wave to offer for surfers and bodyboarders. The shape of the Peninsula means that regardless of wind direction there is always a beach with an on-shore. Long Beach Kommetjie, Outer Kom, Misty Cliffs, Washing Machine, Dunes and The Hoek is all close by. Diaz Beach, Kalk Bay and Llandudno fill in the days that Kommetjie itself is not working.
Surfing Conditions at the Cape Beach House.
The water color and clarity makes up for its temperature. It is only the brave and committed that surf the Cape without a full suit and then only in summer. To those who love to ride the waves, surfers and bodyboarders the Western Cape Peninsula has a very rich bounty to offer. Equipment and expert tuition is available up the road from the Beach House at Gary's Surfing Tours Cape Town. Continue to the tour to visit some of the local surfing beaches.
Sofia Mulanovich takes home her sixth SURFER Poll award, as Surfer Magazine readers again vote her into the top spot among female surfers. In its 36th year, the SURFER Poll and Video Awards presented by Suzuki is recognized as the most powerful voice in the wave-riding world - a voice given power by the people. The Peruvian won her first #1 SURFER Poll award in 2005 after winning the 2004 ASP World Title. She's taken home the same honor every year since.
"I am so stoked to have won the SURFER poll," says Mulanovich. "SURFER poll is special because it is an award decided by the votes of surfers from around the world, which is the group that matters most in the end. To win the top honor four years in a row is so amazing, I can't thank everyone who voted for me enough."
Mulanovich, who is currently ranked second in the world trailing by a meager 218 points, is competing at the Billabong Girls Pro Rio in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Although she was unable to accept this honor in person, she addressed the crowd of surfing's most influential personalities by video.
On the dawn of her #1 award, the 25-year-old dominated her opening heat at the fourth stop of the women's World Championship Tour (WCT). Strong starts have been a pattern for Mulanovich this season. She won the opening WCT event of the 2008 season, the Roxy Pro Gold Coast and hit the podium at the second.
In 2006, Mulanovich claimed two awards in addition to her #1 SURFER poll honor. "Sofia - A
Documentary" won the SURFER Poll Award in two categories - Best Documentary and Best Female Performance (Sofia) in a Surf Film. Follow Mulanovich's hunt for another World Title as she surfs in Brazil this week at aspworldtour.com.
1.CHOOSING YOUR FIRST SURFBOARD: Buy a 2nd hand surfboard. Surfboards that are suitable for beginners are always in demand, They will hold their price if kept in reasonable condition. Generally you'll want it for about 6-8 months before you are reday to upgrade to something a bit more suited to your surfing ability.The point is keep the budget in check. Don't be too concerned over condition at this point. It's not a fashion accessory it's a tool.
2. LENGTH: Choosing you first surfboards length can be determined sometimes by what's available in a budget price. Try and go for something in the range of 16- 20 inches longer than yourself. It's a strange thing but the more length of board you have in the water, within reason, the easier it is to paddle. This is because their is more foam underneath you but also you are more balanced on the board making for less dead weight. When starting your on your surfing lessons you don't want to be hindered by a lack of flotation , you want to be catching as many waves as you can, and until your your arms develop their paddling strength, you need all the flotation you can get, and help to keep you motivated.
3. THICKNESS: Like the length and width thickness means flotation. By now i think you'll be getting the picture that when buying your first surfboard, choose a board that will be easy to paddle, maximising your chances of catching waves. For thickness this means a surfboard with about 2 and a half inches of foam. Its thickest point should be near the halfway point of your surfboard.
4. WIDTH: Most modern surfboard widths these days are around the 18 to 19 inches. Choose something more towards 19 inches. It'll give more stability and will be a lot easier to sit on while waiting for a wave, and like the extra length it too will aid in the paddling department. The waves you'll be practicing in will be fairly small most likely in the one to three foot range, and as a beginner you'll stand heavy on your board, so a bit of width will give you a more feeling under foot. and the chance of 'bogging down' will be reduced.
5. OUTLINE: The widest point of a surfboard is usually found just forward of the centre point and then running back towards the tail for about 3 inches. By increasing the width of the nose of a surfboard you will aid it in paddling. Shapers use this trick to hide a little extra foam in a surfboard. This has the effect of drawing the plan shape or outline out, so the widest point will be a little longer. Measure back from the tip of the nose 12 inches or 300 mm and if the measurement is around eleven and a half inces to twelve inches then this is quite a good width nose and should paddle easy.For the beginner surfer a board whose nose seems a little wide is better. Now measure 12 inches back up from the tail along the stringer. Measure across the surfboard at right angles. If it reads something around 14 inches that'll be good. At this stage i wouldn't be too worried about the actual shape of the tail but a rounded square or round tail is probably the most suitable.
Surfboards are made to float on the water. They have a natural center of gravity. If you were to lay any surfboard in a swimming pool, it would come to rest the same way every time.
What you want to do when you lay on a surf board is to have the board remain in the same relation to the water as it was without your weight on it, just a bit lower in the water.
Mark The Balance Point
A good tip is to find this balance point is to lay on your board then make a mark right at your chin. This spot is best made with a bit of wax or a magic marker. It is a reference point that enables you to put your chin on the same spot every time, so the board will react to your weight the same way every time.
Pearling
If the board's nose digs into the water it is called pearling and you must move the location of "your chin" back. To adjust, just slide back an inch from the mark and make a mental note.
Corking
Too much weigh in the back and the board will cork. This is a common mistake amongst beginners. You cannot catch a wave if you are corking your board. Move up an inch at a time till the board lies in the water naturally. This will provide you with the maximum hull speed and minimum drag from the water displacement that you are causing with your weight.
Paddle With The Crawl Stroke
Do not paddle with both arms simultaneously because this will cause the board to speed up and slow down in the water and you will not be able to maintain constant hull speed through the water. Always paddle with the crawl stroke...one arm and then the other alternatively. This will provide you with a constant speed so you can catch that wave.
Sitting On The Board
Ok, so now we know how to lie on the board and paddle the board. Now it's time to learn how to sit on the board. The first time try this you may be quite wobbly. The key to doing this well is being calm, or trying to be still. The less movement that you make, the easier you will find it is to do this. All the other skills of surfing will improve as you learn to be "calm" while surfing.
Standing On The Board
Now it's time to learn how to stand up. This is something you have been doing all your life. Lie on your chest, your head up, looking ahead. Put your hands on the board beside your shoulders, palms down like you were going to do a push up. Push your upper body up and at the same time sweep your feet under you. Make sure your feet are laying on the stringer, the line down the middle of the board. This move keeps your weight centered along the stringer.
When you come up, remember to keep low. If you stand erect you will fall. Ass
