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.
