LONG BEACH, Long Island/New York (Tuesday, September 6, 2011) – The opening day of the inaugural Quiksilver Pro New York saw the world's best surfers dig into building two-to-four foot (1 metre) waves, compliments of Hurricane Katia, today, completing Round 1 at Long Beach on Long Island, New York.
Stop No. 6 of 11 on the ASP World Title Series, the Quiksilver Pro New York is a historic event that not only represents the first ever elite contest on America's East Coast, but also boasts the richest prize-purse in surfing history of US$1,000,000.
Josh Kerr (AUS), 27, reveled in the New York ramps and garnered both of the round's highest single-wave scores of 9.50 and 9.07 (both out of 10) for monster no-grab air-reverses, scalping a commanding victory over Adriano de Souza (BRA), 24, and Kai Otton (AUS), 32.
“It was like an expression session out there,” Kerr said. “I started getting scores and was enjoying myself out there with those little rip bowl rights. We all had 15 waves and I think we all had fun out there. I went for a free surf and the wind came up and I knew I was going to hunt the rights. It was perfect and I found a couple of those ramps so I'm stoked.”
Kerr advances directly into Round 3 of competition.
C.J. Hobgood (USA), 32, current No. 36 on the ASP World Rankings, is in need of a result at the Quiksilver Pro New York to keep his ASP Dream Tour campaign alive. The former ASP World Champion (2001) earned a Round 1 victory with amazing last-second heroics over an in-form Bede Durbidge (AUS), 28, when he belted an 8.37 (out of 10) with commanding rail-work in the dying moments of the heat.
“I guess I've had one or two dramatic finishes in my career, but there's a lot on the line for me in this contest and I was feeling pretty frustrated out there for most of the heat,” Hobgood said. “It had been lefts all day, but there were a lot of rights in my heat and Bede (Durbidge) got some big scores off the bat. I needed a big score at the end and when that wave came through, I pretty much threw everything I had at it.”
Hobgood, a veteran campaigner among the world's best surfers, admitted that the ability to adjust to the ever-changing conditions expected through the event window will be crucial in earning a successful result at Long Beach.
“Local knowledge can be an advantage out here, but everyone on tour can surf in every condition,” Hobgood said. “With the storm moving through this week, the conditions are going to change day-to-day so the surfers who adapt the fastest will be the most successful.”
Alejo Muniz (BRA), 21, capitalized on today's building swell and displayed a series of powerful rail-gouges on his forehand and critical backhand turns to earn a hard-fought victory over Australian goofy-footer Adrian Buchan (AUS), 28, and Floridian standout Cory Lopez (USA), 34.
“It's pretty fun,” Muniz said. “It's not that big, but there are still a couple bigger waves and I have a good board for small waves. I just tried to have fun. I started a little slow and my strategy was to go left, but my best wave was on the right and I improved throughout the heat. I always try to do big turns even though it's small.”
Muniz was joined by fellow 2011 ASP Top 34 rookie Julian Wilson (AUS), 22, in posting big Round 1 wins today. Wilson surgically dismantled the playful afternoon peaks, posting an impressive 17.00 out of a possible 20, en route to a victory over Taylor Knox (USA), 40, and Kieren Perrow (AUS), 34.
“I tried not to watch Kersey (Josh Kerr) because I knew I'd try to over-surf,” Wilson said. “I started the heat how I wanted to, got a 5 and kind of built house on that. I made some silly mistakes, but I was pretty lucky to get some scores at the end. I knew if I got some sort of finner or reverse I'd get a good score. I was pretty jittery in the beginning of the heat, but as soon as I got the good one I felt confident.”
Kelly Slater (USA), 39, reigning 10-time ASP World Champion, opened his Quiksilver Pro New York campaign in lethal form with a solid Round 1 victory.
“New York has been good,” Slater said. “Everyone is super cool and I'm excited to be here. The waves are a little small, so it's tough, but it's the first round and no one loses and the swell should be building. My board felt good, it's an epoxy, but pretty much same thing I've been riding. Hopefully we'll find some peaky barrels and we'll see what happens. I know that Hurricane swell is out there, so we'll just see what happens.”
Slater, who regained the lead for the 2011 ASP World Title with his win at Teahupo'o last week, easily made the adjustment from the massive barrels of last week's competition to today's tricky beachbreak waves on offer in New York.
“After last week, it's a little different in these waves,” Slater said. “You've got to find the sweet spot out there. Last week, you're just trying to stay with it at spots like Teahupo'o, but on days like today there isn't much energy so you've got to find it.”
Tiago Pires (PRT), 31, current No. 33 on the ASP World Ranking, is also in need of a big result at the Quiksilver Pro New York in order to maintain his position among the elite ASP Top 34, and advanced directly through to Round 3 after heat-leader Matt Wilkinson (AUS), 23, suffered an interference on Damien Hobgood (USA), 32.
“I've just been feeling good and not thinking too much about points,” Pires said. “I just try to think about waves and just surf. I wasn't nervous until Wilko (Matt Wilkinson) got the interference and I got the lead. Wilko kind of gave the heat to me, it was unlucky for him.”
Dane Reynolds (USA), 25, who has yet to compete in an ASP World Title event this season, was scheduled to surf in the Quiksilver Pro New York but withdrew today due to an injury sustained last week to his ribs on a free-surf trip in Japan.
“I came to New York with every intention to surf, but I knew it would be a challenge with my rib injury,” Reynolds said. “I tried surfing yesterday and it was painful to even stand up. I've never dealt with bruised ribs before so hopefully some more rest will get me ready for the next contest.”
Reynolds has been replaced by Keanu Asing (HAW), 18, in Round 2 of competition. Asing will face Adrian Buchan (AUS), 28, in Round 2 when competition resumes.
Wednesday, 7 September 2011
Monday, 5 September 2011
Kelly Slater Takes Out Billabong Pro Tahiti, Leads ASP World Title Race
TEAHUPO’O, Taiarapu/French Polynesia (Monday, August 29, 2011) – Kelly Slater (USA), 39, reigning 10-time ASP World Champion, has claimed the Billabong Pro Tahiti presented by Air Tahiti Nui over Owen Wright (AUS), 21, in clean four-to-six foot (1.5 – 2 metre) waves at Teahupo’o.
Event No. 5 of 11 on the 2011 ASP World Title season, the Billabong Pro Tahiti culminated a historic incarnation of the event today, with the world’s best surfers pushing the performance envelope in incredible conditions.
Slater began to really pick up steam in today’s conditions, dispatching of an in-form Josh Kerr (AUS), 27, in the Semifinals before meeting lethal goofy-footer Wright in the Finals. The iconic American utilized his superior backhand tube-riding technique to post an 18.43 heat total out of a possible 20, which would prove too much for his younger opponent to overcome.
“I felt like I finally hit my stride in the Semifinals this morning,” Slater said. “In the Final, I fell on a couple of waves that were maybe better than what I ended up getting scored on. It put the pressure on me, and took the pressure off him (Wright). He got that really big one at the end that could have gotten pretty close to the score. These are the best conditions this event has ever run in. It’s been a phenomenal week.”
Coming into Tahiti rated No. 6 on the ASP World Title rankings, Slater’s win today rockets the Floridian to the No. 1 spot after a number of top seeds suffered early eliminations at the hands of an unmerciful Teahupo’o.
“It’s one of those weird events where you have to scramble through the early rounds,” Slater said. “Every year at this event, there are few of the top guys that lose in the early rounds and you have to scramble if you want a result here. You have to be in tune with the tides, swell direction and everything to make sure you get those waves that get you the score.”
Event No. 5 of 11 on the 2011 ASP World Title season, the Billabong Pro Tahiti culminated a historic incarnation of the event today, with the world’s best surfers pushing the performance envelope in incredible conditions.
Slater began to really pick up steam in today’s conditions, dispatching of an in-form Josh Kerr (AUS), 27, in the Semifinals before meeting lethal goofy-footer Wright in the Finals. The iconic American utilized his superior backhand tube-riding technique to post an 18.43 heat total out of a possible 20, which would prove too much for his younger opponent to overcome.
“I felt like I finally hit my stride in the Semifinals this morning,” Slater said. “In the Final, I fell on a couple of waves that were maybe better than what I ended up getting scored on. It put the pressure on me, and took the pressure off him (Wright). He got that really big one at the end that could have gotten pretty close to the score. These are the best conditions this event has ever run in. It’s been a phenomenal week.”
Coming into Tahiti rated No. 6 on the ASP World Title rankings, Slater’s win today rockets the Floridian to the No. 1 spot after a number of top seeds suffered early eliminations at the hands of an unmerciful Teahupo’o.
“It’s one of those weird events where you have to scramble through the early rounds,” Slater said. “Every year at this event, there are few of the top guys that lose in the early rounds and you have to scramble if you want a result here. You have to be in tune with the tides, swell direction and everything to make sure you get those waves that get you the score.”
Friday, 12 August 2011
High Performances in Round 1 of Relentless Boardmasters in assoc. with Vans
FISTRAL BEACH, Newquay/England (Tuesday, August 9, 2011) – Round 1 of the ASP 6-Star Relentless Boardmasters in assoc. with Vans was held in tricky 3ft shifting peaks at Fistral beach on a day which saw the strongest international field of athletes in many years at the Boardmasters put on an outstanding display of performance surfing in front of a highly appreciative public. Deteriorating conditions and sun glare forced a halt to proceeding late in the afternoon following heat nº20.
Mitch Crews (Currumbin Gold Coast, AUS) 21, nailed the highest single-wave score of the event, an 8.33 out of 10, with an electric series of backhand snaps on a bowling left-hander which opened up and allowed the promising Australian to show off his explosive surfing in the tricky conditions. Kiron Jabour (Haleiwa, HAW) 20, also lead the charge with Crews through to Round Two where they will take on the event’s top seeds.
“I couldn’t hear anything out there,” began Crews. “I thought I might have been in first because of the waves I had and what I had seen everyone else get. I knew I needed an excellent score to solidify my first place so I kept busy out there because you can’t pick them. You just have to go and hope it walls up and you get a score. I got that one and I went through the motions. The wave was an 8-point wave and I just did what it gave me so it was good fun.”
Jorge Spanner (Rio de Janeiro, BRA) 25, along with Crews and Jabour, enjoyed the benefit of the slightly better early morning conditions to tally the highest two-wave heat total of the day, 15.44 out of 20 in his 25-minute matchup.
“The conditions are a little bit difficult today but I tried to stay relaxed in the water. I went looking for a wave and move around a lot. It was then that I managed to find a good right which allowed me to do some good manoeuvres. After that I returned to the same peak and as soon as I arrived I got another great right with some good carves.”
Spanner, ranked 271 on the ASP World rankings, suffered a broken leg while competing in 2009 and is on the long come-back road to competitive surfing where he has to build on his ranking to gain access to the major ASP Star events.
“I had a very serious injury and could not compete for a whole year so I lost all my points so I have had to start from zero all over again. It is difficult but I am very motivated to come back and compete in the Prime events too. I am feeling good this year and I am preparing to return again next year with renewed energy.”
Halley Batista (Pernambucu, BRA) 25, who is competing for the first time in Newquay, struggled early on to overtake a rampaging Beyrick De Vries (Umhlanga Rocks, ZAF) 18, to advance through to the second round. Tearing apart a short explosive right with a mix of power turns and modern aerial punts, Batista then backed up in quick succession with an equally impressive backhand attack to leap frog the rookie Brazilian into first place.
“The most difficult thing for me in the heat was finding the waves,” explained Batista. “The heat started and I didn’t find anything but at last I caught two good waves. On the first one I got in a pretty strong turn and an aerial. Then a left came through and I got in two backside turns to make it through to the next round.”
De Vries, who last year was forced out of the Relentless Boardmasters in assoc. with Vans due to an ankle injury halfway through the event, showed signs of the scintillating form he displayed twelve months ago. Despite a last minute lapse of concentration which shunted him into second place, the highly progressive natural footer still managed to secure his pass into the next round.
“I made a couple of stupid mistakes in that heat I think but I just managed to come back and find a couple of double up nugs so it is good. The waves are similar to where I am from in the summer time. It is on-shore and really peaky so I feel comfortable with the place and hopefully next heat I can win it.” (laughs)
De Vries, ranked 169 on the ASP World rankings, is at home in the waters of Newquay which remind him of his home breaks in South Africa. The shifting peaks which caused havoc with many surfers unable to adapt, proved no problem to the ever smiling De Vries.
“I really enjoy coming to this event and I can’t find a bad thing with the place. The waves are onshore so it is really good for airs and the sun is out and there are girls on the beach, everyone is having fun so it is an just the ultimate week.”
A first call will be made at 07h30 tomorrow for heat nº21 of Round One with officials monitoring swell predictions for the remainder of the week which look promising for the later stage of the waiting period.
Surfers competing in the Relentless Boardmasters in assoc. with Vans are out to gain valuable ranking points in their bid to climb the ASP World rankings and enter the elite Top 32 before the mid-year points cut off. European athletes are also building on their ASP European Men’s ranking as the main summer leg of events commences.
The ASP 3-Star Tuaca Longboard Pro and the ASP 6-Star Tuaca Ladies Longboard Pro were postponed for today as the action focused on the short board competitors. Semi finalists have been decided and the crowning of the longboard champions will take place later in the week.
The Relentless Boardmasters in assoc. with Vans is scheduled from August 9-14, 2011. For more information, and all upcoming results, photos, video highlights, press releases log-on to www.aspeurope.com
Relentless Boardmasters in assoc. with Vans Round 1 Results
Heat 1: Chris Friend (AUS) 10.33, Mark Harris (GBR) 9.77, Nick Riley (AUS) 9.47, Romain Laulhe (FRA) 8.83
Heat 2: Mitch Crews (AUS) 13.03, Joao Guedes (PRT) 10.60, Brad Ettinger (USA) 6.47, Alex Chacon (AUS) 6.44
Heat 3: Flavio Nakagima (BRA) 13.67, Marco Polo (BRA) 9.20, Yannick de Jager (NDL) 8.74, Tom Buttler (GBR) 7.40
Heat 4: Jorge Spanner (BRA) 15.44, Derrick Disney (USA) 11.10, Gordan Fontaine (FRA) 8.47, Robertson Goncalves (PRT) 6.60
Heat 5: Kiron Jabour (HAW) 14.77, Leandro Usuna (ARG) 9.80, Jonny Fryer (GBR) 8.16, Steve Ratzisberger (DEU) 3.37
Heat 6: Jack Freestone (AUS) 11.40, Luke Cheadle (AUS) 11.03, Alan Stokes (GBR) 10.37
Heat 7: Evan Geiselman (USA) 11.77, Micah Lester (GBR) 9.40, Thiago De Souza (BRA) 8.00, Sam Lamiroy (GBR) 5.90
Heat 8: Marlon Lipke (DEU) 9.46, Taylor Brothers (USA) 8.34, Jared Thorne (USA) 7.56, Christophe Allary (REU) 0.00
Heat 9: Eneko Acero (EUK) 11.33, Andre Teixeira (BRA) 9.07, Ruben Gonzalez (PRT) 8.70, Lars Musschoot (BEL) 7.86
Heat 10: Adrien Valero (FRA) 11.30, Alessandro Piu (ITA) 7.50, Dale Staples (ZAF) 7.10, Britton Galland (USA) 5.50
Heat 11: Justin Mujica (PRT) 12.10, Ian Crane (USA) 11.67, Chris Salisbury (AUS) 9.23, Hunter Lysaught (USA) 6.97
Heat 12: Gabriel Villaran (PER) 12.00, Mitch Coleborn (AUS) 10.17, Eduardo Fernandes (PRT) 10.04, Luke Dillon (GBR) 7.50
Heat 13: Adrien Toyon (REU) 13.34, Filipe Jervis (PRT) 9.77, Joshua Braddock (GBR) 4.94, Alexander El Naib (DEU) 1.90
Heat 14: Halley Batista (BRA) 13.60, Beyrick De Vries (ZAF) 12.27, David Vlug (AUS) 9.63, Tim Wrench (AUS) 5.67
Heat 15: Nic von Rupp (DEU) 9.25, Nathan Webster (AUS) 7.13, Norman Landa (EUK) 6.03, Cheyne Willis (HAW) 3.27
Heat 16: Ruda Carvalho (BRA) 12.37, Russel Winter (GBR) 9.43, Beto Mariano (BRA) 9.27, Sam Wrench (AUS) 9.13
Heat 17: Ty Watson (AUS) 12.77, Perth Standlick (AUS) 10.26, Mickey Picon (FRA) 9.40, Dale Staples (ZAF) 4.27
Heat 18: Brent Savage (AUS) 10.57, Edouard Delpero (FRA) 10.20, Killian Garland (USA) 8.07, Brendon Gibbens (ZAF) 7.80
Heat 19: Klee Strachan (ZAF) 13.10, James Woods (AUS) 8.57, Patrick Beven (FRA) 3.00, Reubin Pearce (GBR) 1.97
Heat 20: Granger Larsen (HAW) 11.00, Taylor Thorne (USA) 8.97, Rowan Aish (NZL) 6.93, Freddie Meadows (SWE) 6.42
Remaining Relentless Boardmasters in assoc. with Vans Round 1 Matchups:
Heat 21: Diego Rosa (BRA), Alan Donato (BRA), Dane Anderson (USA), Koa Smith (HAW)
Heat 22: Kevin Sullivan (HAW), Matt Pagan (USA), Nicholas Squires (AUS), Jaymes Triglone (AUS)
Heat 23: Renato Galvao (BRA), Luke Davis (USA), Dillon Perillo (USA), Garret Parkes (AUS)
Heat 24: Shaun Cansdell (AUS), Oli Adams (GBR), James Wood (AUS), George Picking (GBR)
Mitch Crews (Currumbin Gold Coast, AUS) 21, nailed the highest single-wave score of the event, an 8.33 out of 10, with an electric series of backhand snaps on a bowling left-hander which opened up and allowed the promising Australian to show off his explosive surfing in the tricky conditions. Kiron Jabour (Haleiwa, HAW) 20, also lead the charge with Crews through to Round Two where they will take on the event’s top seeds.
“I couldn’t hear anything out there,” began Crews. “I thought I might have been in first because of the waves I had and what I had seen everyone else get. I knew I needed an excellent score to solidify my first place so I kept busy out there because you can’t pick them. You just have to go and hope it walls up and you get a score. I got that one and I went through the motions. The wave was an 8-point wave and I just did what it gave me so it was good fun.”
Jorge Spanner (Rio de Janeiro, BRA) 25, along with Crews and Jabour, enjoyed the benefit of the slightly better early morning conditions to tally the highest two-wave heat total of the day, 15.44 out of 20 in his 25-minute matchup.
“The conditions are a little bit difficult today but I tried to stay relaxed in the water. I went looking for a wave and move around a lot. It was then that I managed to find a good right which allowed me to do some good manoeuvres. After that I returned to the same peak and as soon as I arrived I got another great right with some good carves.”
Spanner, ranked 271 on the ASP World rankings, suffered a broken leg while competing in 2009 and is on the long come-back road to competitive surfing where he has to build on his ranking to gain access to the major ASP Star events.
“I had a very serious injury and could not compete for a whole year so I lost all my points so I have had to start from zero all over again. It is difficult but I am very motivated to come back and compete in the Prime events too. I am feeling good this year and I am preparing to return again next year with renewed energy.”
Halley Batista (Pernambucu, BRA) 25, who is competing for the first time in Newquay, struggled early on to overtake a rampaging Beyrick De Vries (Umhlanga Rocks, ZAF) 18, to advance through to the second round. Tearing apart a short explosive right with a mix of power turns and modern aerial punts, Batista then backed up in quick succession with an equally impressive backhand attack to leap frog the rookie Brazilian into first place.
“The most difficult thing for me in the heat was finding the waves,” explained Batista. “The heat started and I didn’t find anything but at last I caught two good waves. On the first one I got in a pretty strong turn and an aerial. Then a left came through and I got in two backside turns to make it through to the next round.”
De Vries, who last year was forced out of the Relentless Boardmasters in assoc. with Vans due to an ankle injury halfway through the event, showed signs of the scintillating form he displayed twelve months ago. Despite a last minute lapse of concentration which shunted him into second place, the highly progressive natural footer still managed to secure his pass into the next round.
“I made a couple of stupid mistakes in that heat I think but I just managed to come back and find a couple of double up nugs so it is good. The waves are similar to where I am from in the summer time. It is on-shore and really peaky so I feel comfortable with the place and hopefully next heat I can win it.” (laughs)
De Vries, ranked 169 on the ASP World rankings, is at home in the waters of Newquay which remind him of his home breaks in South Africa. The shifting peaks which caused havoc with many surfers unable to adapt, proved no problem to the ever smiling De Vries.
“I really enjoy coming to this event and I can’t find a bad thing with the place. The waves are onshore so it is really good for airs and the sun is out and there are girls on the beach, everyone is having fun so it is an just the ultimate week.”
A first call will be made at 07h30 tomorrow for heat nº21 of Round One with officials monitoring swell predictions for the remainder of the week which look promising for the later stage of the waiting period.
Surfers competing in the Relentless Boardmasters in assoc. with Vans are out to gain valuable ranking points in their bid to climb the ASP World rankings and enter the elite Top 32 before the mid-year points cut off. European athletes are also building on their ASP European Men’s ranking as the main summer leg of events commences.
The ASP 3-Star Tuaca Longboard Pro and the ASP 6-Star Tuaca Ladies Longboard Pro were postponed for today as the action focused on the short board competitors. Semi finalists have been decided and the crowning of the longboard champions will take place later in the week.
The Relentless Boardmasters in assoc. with Vans is scheduled from August 9-14, 2011. For more information, and all upcoming results, photos, video highlights, press releases log-on to www.aspeurope.com
Relentless Boardmasters in assoc. with Vans Round 1 Results
Heat 1: Chris Friend (AUS) 10.33, Mark Harris (GBR) 9.77, Nick Riley (AUS) 9.47, Romain Laulhe (FRA) 8.83
Heat 2: Mitch Crews (AUS) 13.03, Joao Guedes (PRT) 10.60, Brad Ettinger (USA) 6.47, Alex Chacon (AUS) 6.44
Heat 3: Flavio Nakagima (BRA) 13.67, Marco Polo (BRA) 9.20, Yannick de Jager (NDL) 8.74, Tom Buttler (GBR) 7.40
Heat 4: Jorge Spanner (BRA) 15.44, Derrick Disney (USA) 11.10, Gordan Fontaine (FRA) 8.47, Robertson Goncalves (PRT) 6.60
Heat 5: Kiron Jabour (HAW) 14.77, Leandro Usuna (ARG) 9.80, Jonny Fryer (GBR) 8.16, Steve Ratzisberger (DEU) 3.37
Heat 6: Jack Freestone (AUS) 11.40, Luke Cheadle (AUS) 11.03, Alan Stokes (GBR) 10.37
Heat 7: Evan Geiselman (USA) 11.77, Micah Lester (GBR) 9.40, Thiago De Souza (BRA) 8.00, Sam Lamiroy (GBR) 5.90
Heat 8: Marlon Lipke (DEU) 9.46, Taylor Brothers (USA) 8.34, Jared Thorne (USA) 7.56, Christophe Allary (REU) 0.00
Heat 9: Eneko Acero (EUK) 11.33, Andre Teixeira (BRA) 9.07, Ruben Gonzalez (PRT) 8.70, Lars Musschoot (BEL) 7.86
Heat 10: Adrien Valero (FRA) 11.30, Alessandro Piu (ITA) 7.50, Dale Staples (ZAF) 7.10, Britton Galland (USA) 5.50
Heat 11: Justin Mujica (PRT) 12.10, Ian Crane (USA) 11.67, Chris Salisbury (AUS) 9.23, Hunter Lysaught (USA) 6.97
Heat 12: Gabriel Villaran (PER) 12.00, Mitch Coleborn (AUS) 10.17, Eduardo Fernandes (PRT) 10.04, Luke Dillon (GBR) 7.50
Heat 13: Adrien Toyon (REU) 13.34, Filipe Jervis (PRT) 9.77, Joshua Braddock (GBR) 4.94, Alexander El Naib (DEU) 1.90
Heat 14: Halley Batista (BRA) 13.60, Beyrick De Vries (ZAF) 12.27, David Vlug (AUS) 9.63, Tim Wrench (AUS) 5.67
Heat 15: Nic von Rupp (DEU) 9.25, Nathan Webster (AUS) 7.13, Norman Landa (EUK) 6.03, Cheyne Willis (HAW) 3.27
Heat 16: Ruda Carvalho (BRA) 12.37, Russel Winter (GBR) 9.43, Beto Mariano (BRA) 9.27, Sam Wrench (AUS) 9.13
Heat 17: Ty Watson (AUS) 12.77, Perth Standlick (AUS) 10.26, Mickey Picon (FRA) 9.40, Dale Staples (ZAF) 4.27
Heat 18: Brent Savage (AUS) 10.57, Edouard Delpero (FRA) 10.20, Killian Garland (USA) 8.07, Brendon Gibbens (ZAF) 7.80
Heat 19: Klee Strachan (ZAF) 13.10, James Woods (AUS) 8.57, Patrick Beven (FRA) 3.00, Reubin Pearce (GBR) 1.97
Heat 20: Granger Larsen (HAW) 11.00, Taylor Thorne (USA) 8.97, Rowan Aish (NZL) 6.93, Freddie Meadows (SWE) 6.42
Remaining Relentless Boardmasters in assoc. with Vans Round 1 Matchups:
Heat 21: Diego Rosa (BRA), Alan Donato (BRA), Dane Anderson (USA), Koa Smith (HAW)
Heat 22: Kevin Sullivan (HAW), Matt Pagan (USA), Nicholas Squires (AUS), Jaymes Triglone (AUS)
Heat 23: Renato Galvao (BRA), Luke Davis (USA), Dillon Perillo (USA), Garret Parkes (AUS)
Heat 24: Shaun Cansdell (AUS), Oli Adams (GBR), James Wood (AUS), George Picking (GBR)
Wednesday, 10 August 2011
Padang Awakes from her Slumber
A day late, a few feet short, and a difficult tide made the contest directors not run the main event. It’s a hard call to make. Sure the photos here make it look like it was pretty damn good. But hey, all these photos are from a 2 hour session in the morning and a 2 hour session in the afternoon. The rest of the day there were just a few boogie boarders out.
Also there was talk of another super swell next week. “The 8th is gonna be huge,” I heard one person say, while looking at his phone in the morning. So the call was made. Contest off. All the boys then grabbed their boards and some sets started rolling in. That made contest organizers call a trials heat and expression session for the afternoon, once the tide dropped out. They all caught some waves. I’m not sure of the scores and what not, no one really cares who won the trials. We just want to know when the main event will be on. That swell on the 8th? Not sure if it’s gonna do it. And right now I don’t think anyone can predict anything. The last swell was a hoax. Will this next one be??? Stay tuned to asia.ripcurl.com for more details on the next call.
Also there was talk of another super swell next week. “The 8th is gonna be huge,” I heard one person say, while looking at his phone in the morning. So the call was made. Contest off. All the boys then grabbed their boards and some sets started rolling in. That made contest organizers call a trials heat and expression session for the afternoon, once the tide dropped out. They all caught some waves. I’m not sure of the scores and what not, no one really cares who won the trials. We just want to know when the main event will be on. That swell on the 8th? Not sure if it’s gonna do it. And right now I don’t think anyone can predict anything. The last swell was a hoax. Will this next one be??? Stay tuned to asia.ripcurl.com for more details on the next call.
Sunday, 3 July 2011
Mr Price Pro
The ASP PRIME Mr Price Pro Ballito is set for an epic start with a three-meter swell expected to greet 23 of the World’s top 34 surfers who will take on the finest up-and-coming campaigners at Ballito’s Surfers Beach from July 4 – 10, 2011.
The event, Stop No. 7 of 11 on the ASP Prime tour offers crucial points for surfers’ ASP World Ratings and a prize purse of R1.7 Million.
Speaking at the official press conference at Surfers Beach on Friday, ASP Africa Operations Manager Colin Fitch said, “This event is the single most important Prime event of the year as it determines who will be on the world tour for the next six months.”
Defending Champion Jordy Smith (Llandudno, Cape Town), 23, heads this year’s field as the event’s top seed and is looking forward to defending his crown against the world’s best.
“Winning the event last year was definitely a great feeling,” Smith said. “This event has so much history and being in my hometown it’s one I want to keep on winning.”
Although Smith grew up surfing the waves along the Durban beachfront, he was complimentary of the event’s new home in KwaDukuza.
“I really like this town, it has a great set up and the swell really comes in here,” Smith said. “It’s a heavy wave and has a lot of power. The first year the event moved here it had some of the best waves the Prime Tour has ever seen, so I think that says it all.”
ASP Wildcard Greg Emslie (East London), 34, is looking forward to returning to international competition. Enjoying nine years at elite level, Emslie retired at the end of 2009 and welcomes the opportunity to take on many of surfing’s top up-and-comers this week.
“The young guys will be tough to beat with their new tricks, but it keeps you young,” Emslie said. “You’ve just got to get the right waves and do your best surfing.”
Casey Grant (Scottburgh), 21, thoroughly impressed the judges in 2010. Finishing runner-up behind Smith, Grant is a firm favourite to take down some big names at this year’s event.
“I never thought I would make the final last year so to finish second to Jordy was a huge confidence boost,” Grant said. “I don’t have any specific strategy this year but I’ll be watching the conditions closely and taking that confidence into my heats.”
South Africa’s only World Champion Shaun Tomson (1977), 55, flew in from California this week to perform live commentary as well as present this year’s winner with the trophy. An avid supporter of South African surfing, Tomson is hoping to see a breakthrough’ performance from a South African surfer this year.
“Last year was a breakthrough year for Jordy because he won this event and went on to win in Jeffreys Bay so this is very much a springboard event for young surfers,” Tomson said. “It was definitely a breakthrough event for me when I won my first Gunston 500 (1973) and it would be great to see a young South African come through the woodwork and win here this year.”
Tomson will be in Ballito throughout the week where he will throw himself into professional surfing at every level at the Mr Price Pro Ballito.
“I love to see young guys reach their full potential,” Tomson said. “I’ve watched so many pro surfers make the same mistakes over and over again and so I’ve decided to hold a workshop for pro surfers. I’ll be giving going through simple steps on how to surf to your full potential and build on things like confidence and character.”
Tomson will present a free C.O.R.E Performance Workshop on the evening of July 5 at 18.30 at La Montagne hotel. On Thursday evening he will be screening his documentary film Bustin Down the Door at Willards Beach.
The Mr Price Pro Ballito will kick off on Monday at 8am. The Mr Price Pro Ballito will feature and exciting Beach Festival with loads of action sports, kids activities and more. The music concerts will take place at Salt Rock on July 8 and 9 from 16.30 pm.
Thursday, 23 June 2011
FCS JW-1 product of Julian's research and developement
23 June, 2011 : - - FCS Team rider Julian Wilson recently gave his new signature fin the FCS JW-1 the official tick of approval by winning the ASP Prime Quiksilver Pro Portugal. Julian was a clear standout during the event and put on a near perfect display in the final against Gabriel Medina.
"This would have to be the biggest win of my career to date, and it feels amazing. It's nice to have all the hard work pay off and everything come together”.
The release of the JW-1 comes after a long development period which saw Julian testing his fin at a variety of different locations around the world. Having only been on the market a short time, the FCS JW-1 is already being adopted by many top ASP professionals.
Julian further commented on his equipment, and how it played a role in the victory. "My boards felt great for the entire week and my new signature FCS fin performed really well in all the different conditions, it did the job perfectly!”.
The FCS JW-1 is a medium size fin geared towards fast, aggressive surfing. The side fin template lends elements of Kelly Slater’s K2.1 and the FCS G-5, delivering fast pivotal surfing in critical sections. A slightly smaller centre fin template also triggers quick tail release.
"This would have to be the biggest win of my career to date, and it feels amazing. It's nice to have all the hard work pay off and everything come together”.
The release of the JW-1 comes after a long development period which saw Julian testing his fin at a variety of different locations around the world. Having only been on the market a short time, the FCS JW-1 is already being adopted by many top ASP professionals.
Julian further commented on his equipment, and how it played a role in the victory. "My boards felt great for the entire week and my new signature FCS fin performed really well in all the different conditions, it did the job perfectly!”.
The FCS JW-1 is a medium size fin geared towards fast, aggressive surfing. The side fin template lends elements of Kelly Slater’s K2.1 and the FCS G-5, delivering fast pivotal surfing in critical sections. A slightly smaller centre fin template also triggers quick tail release.
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
Jordy Smith Set to Defend Crown at Mr. Price Pro Ballito
BALLITO, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa (Tuesday, June 14, 2011) – International surfing sensation Jordy Smith (Durban) returns to Ballito this July to defend his Mr Price Pro Ballito crown in front of a supporting home crowd.
Last year saw the Durban-born surfer become the fourth South African ever to capture the prestigious title, an honor he shares with 1969 Gunston 500 winner Gavin Rudolph (PE), six times Gunston 500 winner Shaun Thomson (Dbn) 1973 – 1978 and 2006 Mr Price Pro Champion Ricky Basnett (Bluff, Dbn).
“The Mr Price Pro was an event I’d always wanted to win ever since I was a little kid and it was great to do so in front of my friends and family,” Smith said. “It had been several years since I’d last surfed a contest in Ballito, the waves are very different from those in Durban and there is a lot of history with the event as well, so it was very special.”
Smith’s victory in Ballito was significant in that it marked the start to a winning streak that saw him secure a historic victory at the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, putting him in contention for the 2010 ASP World Title.
Winning 34 of his 47 heats, totaling a 72% heat win average, Jordy made every quarterfinal on the ASP World Title Tour but one, finishing second to none other than professional surfing icon 10X ASP World Champion Kelly Slater, at the end of the year.
This year sees Smith face a new challenge in defending his 2010 Mr Price Pro Ballito crown. Twenty-four of the world’s top 35 ASP World Title Tour surfers have entered to compete for a slice of the R1.7 Million prize purse and 6500 ASP ratings points offered by the event’s new Prime status.
Currently rated World No. 5 on the ASP Elite World Title rankings, Smith is the highest ranked surfer in the event but with former winners such as Tanner Guduaskas (USA) 2009, Chris Davidson (AUS) 2008 and Jihad Khodr (BRA) 2007 in the draw, not to mention World No. 12’s Jadson Andre (BRA) and Josh Kerr (AUS), No. 17’s Adrian Buchan (AUS) and 2001 ASP World Champion CJ Hobgood (USA), there are guaranteed to be no easy heats.
“I can’t wait to compete in Ballito again,” Smith said. “All the top guys will be giving it their best shot and it’s not going to be easy against the local guys either. There have been some really good waves in Ballito since the event was moved there and I am looking forward to it.”
With two back-to-back events on home soil – the Mr Price Pro Ballito followed by the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay – Smith’s local knowledge at both breaks will give him added advantage against the worlds best as he looks to gain ground in the 2011 ASP World Title race.
“It’s a big bonus to have these contests at home,” Smiith said. “The Mr Price Pro Ballito is always a great event to take part in before J-Bay to try build some momentum, so I’ll be looking to make the most of it. Both are massive contests, so winning either would be incredibly special.”
With just over one month’s break in competition since the Billabong Pro Rio, Smith has invested all of his time and energy into preparing for this all-important African leg.
“The preparation has been great so far, I’ve been in the gym and surfing, and I’m going to go on a surf trip towards the end of the month before getting straight back into action with the Mr Price Pro Ballito. It’s been a good break, but I’m excited about the upcoming events.
With the support of South Africa behind him on Smith is set to emulate his 2010 success on home soil.
The Mr Price Pro Ballito 2011 will include an action packed Beach Festival running in conjunction with the main event. Beach entertainment, extreme sports, dedicated children’s programmes and a lifestyle and retail area, provide plenty of daytime fun. The ever-popular Mr Price Pro Music concerts will take place on the evening of 8 and 9 July at no cost to festivalgoers.
For additional information on the ASP PRIME Mr Price Pro Ballito log on to
Last year saw the Durban-born surfer become the fourth South African ever to capture the prestigious title, an honor he shares with 1969 Gunston 500 winner Gavin Rudolph (PE), six times Gunston 500 winner Shaun Thomson (Dbn) 1973 – 1978 and 2006 Mr Price Pro Champion Ricky Basnett (Bluff, Dbn).
“The Mr Price Pro was an event I’d always wanted to win ever since I was a little kid and it was great to do so in front of my friends and family,” Smith said. “It had been several years since I’d last surfed a contest in Ballito, the waves are very different from those in Durban and there is a lot of history with the event as well, so it was very special.”
Smith’s victory in Ballito was significant in that it marked the start to a winning streak that saw him secure a historic victory at the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, putting him in contention for the 2010 ASP World Title.
Winning 34 of his 47 heats, totaling a 72% heat win average, Jordy made every quarterfinal on the ASP World Title Tour but one, finishing second to none other than professional surfing icon 10X ASP World Champion Kelly Slater, at the end of the year.
This year sees Smith face a new challenge in defending his 2010 Mr Price Pro Ballito crown. Twenty-four of the world’s top 35 ASP World Title Tour surfers have entered to compete for a slice of the R1.7 Million prize purse and 6500 ASP ratings points offered by the event’s new Prime status.
Currently rated World No. 5 on the ASP Elite World Title rankings, Smith is the highest ranked surfer in the event but with former winners such as Tanner Guduaskas (USA) 2009, Chris Davidson (AUS) 2008 and Jihad Khodr (BRA) 2007 in the draw, not to mention World No. 12’s Jadson Andre (BRA) and Josh Kerr (AUS), No. 17’s Adrian Buchan (AUS) and 2001 ASP World Champion CJ Hobgood (USA), there are guaranteed to be no easy heats.
“I can’t wait to compete in Ballito again,” Smith said. “All the top guys will be giving it their best shot and it’s not going to be easy against the local guys either. There have been some really good waves in Ballito since the event was moved there and I am looking forward to it.”
With two back-to-back events on home soil – the Mr Price Pro Ballito followed by the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay – Smith’s local knowledge at both breaks will give him added advantage against the worlds best as he looks to gain ground in the 2011 ASP World Title race.
“It’s a big bonus to have these contests at home,” Smiith said. “The Mr Price Pro Ballito is always a great event to take part in before J-Bay to try build some momentum, so I’ll be looking to make the most of it. Both are massive contests, so winning either would be incredibly special.”
With just over one month’s break in competition since the Billabong Pro Rio, Smith has invested all of his time and energy into preparing for this all-important African leg.
“The preparation has been great so far, I’ve been in the gym and surfing, and I’m going to go on a surf trip towards the end of the month before getting straight back into action with the Mr Price Pro Ballito. It’s been a good break, but I’m excited about the upcoming events.
With the support of South Africa behind him on Smith is set to emulate his 2010 success on home soil.
The Mr Price Pro Ballito 2011 will include an action packed Beach Festival running in conjunction with the main event. Beach entertainment, extreme sports, dedicated children’s programmes and a lifestyle and retail area, provide plenty of daytime fun. The ever-popular Mr Price Pro Music concerts will take place on the evening of 8 and 9 July at no cost to festivalgoers.
For additional information on the ASP PRIME Mr Price Pro Ballito log on to
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
Kelloggs in South Africa !
Kellogg's® is one of South Africa's top ten most trusted consumer brands1, and is the country's number one cereal manufacturer in terms of value share.
Kellogg's® Corn Flakes® and All-Bran® arrived on South African shores in 1923, followed by Rice Krispies® in 1929. Back then, Gunn & Co. were the sales representatives distributing Kellogg's® cereals, with full marketing support from W. K. Kellogg. Products were imported from Battle Creek, the UK and Canada until 1948, when Mr Kellogg built his sixth manufacturing plant in the industrial area of Springs, east of Johannesburg
Kellogg Company will sell 55 million boxes of cereal in South Africa. Corn Flakes® is still the biggest seller – testimony to this country's faith in our vintage favourite. Of course, this hasn't stopped Kellogg from introducing a range of creative new products and flavours to supermarket shelves. An extruder installed in the early eighties brought fun cereals like Coco Pops® Crunchers onto South African breakfast tables, and more recently, in 2000, cereal bars hit the aisles: Coco Pops® Cereal and Milk bars, followed by Special K® and All-Bran® bars. There are now various delicious Special K® bar options – proof that Kellogg's® never stops innovating.
Kellogg's® Corn Flakes® and All-Bran® arrived on South African shores in 1923, followed by Rice Krispies® in 1929. Back then, Gunn & Co. were the sales representatives distributing Kellogg's® cereals, with full marketing support from W. K. Kellogg. Products were imported from Battle Creek, the UK and Canada until 1948, when Mr Kellogg built his sixth manufacturing plant in the industrial area of Springs, east of Johannesburg
Kellogg Company will sell 55 million boxes of cereal in South Africa. Corn Flakes® is still the biggest seller – testimony to this country's faith in our vintage favourite. Of course, this hasn't stopped Kellogg from introducing a range of creative new products and flavours to supermarket shelves. An extruder installed in the early eighties brought fun cereals like Coco Pops® Crunchers onto South African breakfast tables, and more recently, in 2000, cereal bars hit the aisles: Coco Pops® Cereal and Milk bars, followed by Special K® and All-Bran® bars. There are now various delicious Special K® bar options – proof that Kellogg's® never stops innovating.
Sunday, 5 June 2011
2011 ASP World Tour Rookie Julian Wilson has signed with Nike 6.0. The prodigious natural-footer from Australia’s Sunshine Coast is already an international heavy-hitter with several successful forays into the ASP World Tour as a wildcard, a profile biopic Scratching The Surface and his last-minute Hawaiian heroics to claim a spot onto the 2011 ASP World Tour.
Saturday, 4 June 2011
Earlier today, Australian prodigy Julian Wilson pulled away from the warm, nurturing embrace of Quiksilver for a brief stay on the homepage of Nike 6.0. The homepage featured a Q & A with Wilson, and an image of him surfing with a 6.0 logo on his board. However, a mere 45 minutes after the ASP reported on the story, Nike 6.0 removed Wilson from its website altogether. What does this mean? Although it seemed like someone jumped the gun on adding Julian to the Nike 6.0 homepage, subsequent announcements and press releases confirm that Wilson is walking away from Quik in a new pair of Nikes.
Thursday, 2 June 2011
Wednesday, 1 June 2011
WCT BILLABONG PRO _ J BAY
On this planet there are certain waves that define what kind of surfer you are. Some guys go by “Pipe specialist,” while an even more select few are referred to as “good at J-Bay.” For over four decades now, the best right-hand pointbreak in the world, Jeffreys Bay, South Africa, has been one of surfing’s most defining proving grounds. Once again, it will be a momentous affair. Often sited as the turning point of the ASP World Tour season, the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, has the capacity to make or break a world title run.
“Kelly’s obviously the man to beat out there,” says Taj Burrow. “At J-Bay last year he had four wins already, but things are a little bit different this year, and that makes things really interesting as we head down the back stretch of the tour.
With its wide-open, racetrack walls, and cavernous tube sections, J-Bay is an elite surfer’s dream line-up. Think of the names that have carved themselves a place on the historic walls: Shaun Tomson, Mark Occhilupo, Tom Curren, Kelly Slater, Andy Irons, Joel Parkinson, and Taj Burrow, some of the best surfers to step on a board in the last 30 years.
During Easter week in 1964 a group of six Cape Town surfers pulled up to the dunes and rocky point of Jeffreys Bay and rode “Supertubes,” for the first time. They knew they’d found something good, but probably never imagined how good. 45 years later there’s over $340,000 in prize money at stake, but more importantly, there’s a chance to have your name etched among legends and be known as “good at J-Bay.”
World’s best surfers head for Jeffreys Bay in July as Billabong Pro goes green
The world’s top 45 ranked professional surfers will be heading for the renowned waves of Jeffreys Bay in July for the 24th edition of the Billabong Pro, Stop No.5 of 10 on the 2010 Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Tour and the first South African surfing event to make a concerted effort to reduce its impact on climate change.
Supertubes, the 300 meter stretch of coastline universally acknowledged as one of the planet’s top 10 high performance surf breaks, will again be the venue for what has become Africa’s most prestigious and lucrative surfing tournament.
Scheduled for 15-25 July, the 11-day window period allows organizers to select the best possible conditions to guarantee spectacular action during the three days of competition required to determine the champion.
Billabong is taking another step on its environmental sustainability journey by utilizing the immense interest in the event to heighten awareness of local and global surf communities to the challenge of climate change, and how we all need to become part of the solution
"At the 2011 Billabong Pro it’s not just the waves at Supers that will be green, we will be making sure our event is too,” says Peter Nicholson, Marketing Manager for Billabong South Africa. “Together with our partners Cleaner Climate we’ve calculated our carbon footprint and have identified and implemented numerous green initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of the event.”
These initiatives include using renewable energy, biodegradable food and beverage containers and paper not plastic bags along with waste and wetsuit recycling. The remaining emissions will be offset using Kyoto compliant carbon credits to ensure that the 2011 Billabong Pro is a low carbon, climate friendly event.
“I always look forward to J-Bay,” Parkinson said recently. “There is such a good vibe surrounding the contest and on our lay days we can enjoy so many different activities. You never get bored in South Africa and when Supers is on, there is no other place I would rather be in July!”
All the action will be covered via web casts featuring live scoring, video footage with multiple camera angles, slow-motion replays, video on demand highlights of previous heats and interviews accompanied by a choice of expert commentary in English, Spanish. Portuguese and French.
The eyes of the surfing world will be firmly fixed on Jeffreys Bay from 15-25 July as hundreds of thousands of surf fans worldwide log millions of page impressions while following the fortunes of their favorite surfers on www.billabongpro.com around the clock.
For those attending the Billabong Pro there is also the legendary party atmosphere in J-Bay throughout the event. The details of the live music shows and other entertainment functions are currently being compiled. Watch this space.
“Kelly’s obviously the man to beat out there,” says Taj Burrow. “At J-Bay last year he had four wins already, but things are a little bit different this year, and that makes things really interesting as we head down the back stretch of the tour.
With its wide-open, racetrack walls, and cavernous tube sections, J-Bay is an elite surfer’s dream line-up. Think of the names that have carved themselves a place on the historic walls: Shaun Tomson, Mark Occhilupo, Tom Curren, Kelly Slater, Andy Irons, Joel Parkinson, and Taj Burrow, some of the best surfers to step on a board in the last 30 years.
During Easter week in 1964 a group of six Cape Town surfers pulled up to the dunes and rocky point of Jeffreys Bay and rode “Supertubes,” for the first time. They knew they’d found something good, but probably never imagined how good. 45 years later there’s over $340,000 in prize money at stake, but more importantly, there’s a chance to have your name etched among legends and be known as “good at J-Bay.”
World’s best surfers head for Jeffreys Bay in July as Billabong Pro goes green
The world’s top 45 ranked professional surfers will be heading for the renowned waves of Jeffreys Bay in July for the 24th edition of the Billabong Pro, Stop No.5 of 10 on the 2010 Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Tour and the first South African surfing event to make a concerted effort to reduce its impact on climate change.
Supertubes, the 300 meter stretch of coastline universally acknowledged as one of the planet’s top 10 high performance surf breaks, will again be the venue for what has become Africa’s most prestigious and lucrative surfing tournament.
Scheduled for 15-25 July, the 11-day window period allows organizers to select the best possible conditions to guarantee spectacular action during the three days of competition required to determine the champion.
Billabong is taking another step on its environmental sustainability journey by utilizing the immense interest in the event to heighten awareness of local and global surf communities to the challenge of climate change, and how we all need to become part of the solution
"At the 2011 Billabong Pro it’s not just the waves at Supers that will be green, we will be making sure our event is too,” says Peter Nicholson, Marketing Manager for Billabong South Africa. “Together with our partners Cleaner Climate we’ve calculated our carbon footprint and have identified and implemented numerous green initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of the event.”
These initiatives include using renewable energy, biodegradable food and beverage containers and paper not plastic bags along with waste and wetsuit recycling. The remaining emissions will be offset using Kyoto compliant carbon credits to ensure that the 2011 Billabong Pro is a low carbon, climate friendly event.
“I always look forward to J-Bay,” Parkinson said recently. “There is such a good vibe surrounding the contest and on our lay days we can enjoy so many different activities. You never get bored in South Africa and when Supers is on, there is no other place I would rather be in July!”
All the action will be covered via web casts featuring live scoring, video footage with multiple camera angles, slow-motion replays, video on demand highlights of previous heats and interviews accompanied by a choice of expert commentary in English, Spanish. Portuguese and French.
The eyes of the surfing world will be firmly fixed on Jeffreys Bay from 15-25 July as hundreds of thousands of surf fans worldwide log millions of page impressions while following the fortunes of their favorite surfers on www.billabongpro.com around the clock.
For those attending the Billabong Pro there is also the legendary party atmosphere in J-Bay throughout the event. The details of the live music shows and other entertainment functions are currently being compiled. Watch this space.
Sunday, 29 May 2011
It’s no secret that the quickest method to improve surfing performance is to increase your wave count. More waves equal more time on a wave increasing your muscle memory as you execute standard maneuvers time and time again.
Muscle memory is the interaction between the brain and the nervous system. When we apply this theory to sports it is called “proprioception”, which is the process our brain uses to know where our body parts are in time and space. Someone typing quickly without looking at the keyboard is an example of muscle memory, or proprioception at work. The more you execute a motion, the more muscle memory patterns you set and the more unaware you become of movements and mechanics. You can free your mind to focus on the objective at hand. Muscle memory is established through repetition of motor skills until it becomes automatic.
Sounds easy enough, but how do you get more wave time to improve your muscle memory and improve your surfing performance? You can't surf when its flat and you should surf after it rains, so for these times, SurfScience has three suggestions for you to get better:
Small surf got you down? Pick up a carving skateboard and shred the blacktop! Skateboarding was truly born of surfing and for good reason. You can improve your surfing if you practice generating speed, carving on open wave faces, and nailing reentries. Watching “Dogtown and the Z Boys” will inspire you to hit the streets. The kids in that documentary treated everything like waves; they carved up pools, ruled playground slopes, shredded hills, and cruised parking lots. They skated it all, improving the muscle memory needed for the next swell.
Traditional skateboards are a great way to increase your comfort level on a board but if you want to go a step further, the Carveboard can take you there. The movements made while Carveboarding replicate the motions needed to execute the cutbacks and rail turns of modern high performance surfing. By finding a cement slope or driveway, you will be able to practice hitting the lip and coming back around just like you would while doing a figure 8 on a wave face.
Muscle memory is the interaction between the brain and the nervous system. When we apply this theory to sports it is called “proprioception”, which is the process our brain uses to know where our body parts are in time and space. Someone typing quickly without looking at the keyboard is an example of muscle memory, or proprioception at work. The more you execute a motion, the more muscle memory patterns you set and the more unaware you become of movements and mechanics. You can free your mind to focus on the objective at hand. Muscle memory is established through repetition of motor skills until it becomes automatic.
Sounds easy enough, but how do you get more wave time to improve your muscle memory and improve your surfing performance? You can't surf when its flat and you should surf after it rains, so for these times, SurfScience has three suggestions for you to get better:
Small surf got you down? Pick up a carving skateboard and shred the blacktop! Skateboarding was truly born of surfing and for good reason. You can improve your surfing if you practice generating speed, carving on open wave faces, and nailing reentries. Watching “Dogtown and the Z Boys” will inspire you to hit the streets. The kids in that documentary treated everything like waves; they carved up pools, ruled playground slopes, shredded hills, and cruised parking lots. They skated it all, improving the muscle memory needed for the next swell.
Traditional skateboards are a great way to increase your comfort level on a board but if you want to go a step further, the Carveboard can take you there. The movements made while Carveboarding replicate the motions needed to execute the cutbacks and rail turns of modern high performance surfing. By finding a cement slope or driveway, you will be able to practice hitting the lip and coming back around just like you would while doing a figure 8 on a wave face.
Balance: The Most Important Aspect of Surfing
Problem - How can we improve our balance for surfing?
The first thing we need to do is look at the cause of the problem – What makes balance such a challenge whilst surfing?
Once we’ve worked out the cause we can try to find a solution – How and what can be changed? Which variables can we manipulate?
What is balance?
Balance basically involves two main variables – the centre of mass and the base of support. The centre of mass is the term given for the middle point or centre of a body. Eg. The centre of the cube in figure 1 (red dot). This is the point at which forces (such as gravity) act on the body (blue line). The base of support is the area of contact underneath an object. Eg. The base of the cube (yellow area). If the centre of mass is over the base of support, then the object is stable or balanced. If the centre of mass is not over the base of support, and the line of force acting on the centre of mass (gravity in figures 1and 2) is landing outside the base of support, then the object will fall over. Think about when you’re standing still and you slowly lean forward. The point at which you lose balance and have to step forward is the point at which your centre of mass is no longer over your base of support (the area between your feet). The bigger the base of support, the easier it is to balance (eg standing on one leg or two legs) The closer the centre of mass is to the base of support, the easier it is to balance. (eg laying down on the board compared to standing).
The first thing we need to do is look at the cause of the problem – What makes balance such a challenge whilst surfing?
Once we’ve worked out the cause we can try to find a solution – How and what can be changed? Which variables can we manipulate?
What is balance?
Balance basically involves two main variables – the centre of mass and the base of support. The centre of mass is the term given for the middle point or centre of a body. Eg. The centre of the cube in figure 1 (red dot). This is the point at which forces (such as gravity) act on the body (blue line). The base of support is the area of contact underneath an object. Eg. The base of the cube (yellow area). If the centre of mass is over the base of support, then the object is stable or balanced. If the centre of mass is not over the base of support, and the line of force acting on the centre of mass (gravity in figures 1and 2) is landing outside the base of support, then the object will fall over. Think about when you’re standing still and you slowly lean forward. The point at which you lose balance and have to step forward is the point at which your centre of mass is no longer over your base of support (the area between your feet). The bigger the base of support, the easier it is to balance (eg standing on one leg or two legs) The closer the centre of mass is to the base of support, the easier it is to balance. (eg laying down on the board compared to standing).
Monday, 16 May 2011
Thursday, 12 May 2011
San Clemente, 7 May, 2011: Miguel Pupo (BRA), 19, has won the ASP PRIME Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro over local standout Tanner Gudauskas (San Clemente, CA), 22, at Lower Trestles at San Clemente’s San Onofre State Beach in a close final of 13.63 to 13.57. Also clinching a victory today was Hawaiian Keanu Asing (Ewa Beach, HI), 17, who won the ASP 5-Star Oakley Pro Junior.
Pupo will gain the valuable 6500 points towards his ASP World Ranking while Gudauskas’ runner-up finish earns him 5200 points, each helping their campaigns towards qualification for the elite ASP World Tour. The Oakley Pro Junior’s ASP 5-Star status offered the most points on offer towards surfers’ campaigns towards qualification for the prestigious ASP World Junior Tour.
Pupo, who was trailing Gudauskas throughout the first half of the Final, got the best of a crucial exchange by taking the heat’s highest single-wave score of an 8.33 for a steep left that offered several turns which the progressive Brazilian completed with an air-reverse on the inside. Pupo found a back up score of a 5.30 on his last wave to secure the Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro victory.
“I’m just so happy to win this event and I’m sorry that I took out the town’s local guy,” Pupo said. “I knew there was going to be a Brazilian in the Final. I was just trying to be that Brazilian and I can’t believe I won. I’m just so happy. I brought my father here and it’s the first time he’s gone to a contest with me and things just went my way.”
The talented Brazilian, who was sitting in 42 on the men’s ASP World Ranking, will catapult up the standings with the win and substantially increase his chances of achieving his dream of qualifying for the elite ASP World Tour.
“I was thinking just about the points when I first got here, and this is great to win this event going into the next PRIME in Brazil,” Pupo said. “It’s my dream to make the World Tour and these points will help.”
Gudauskas, who was in need of a 6.50 to overtake Pupo for the victory, caught a last-minute wave in the Final on a lefthander and earned a 6.07 to nearly overtake Pupo for the win in front of his hometown crowd. “Miguel ripped and it makes it exciting when it’s a close Final,” Gudauskas said. “Congratulations to him, it’s been a fun week.”
Gudauskas, who had just returned to the water after six weeks due to an ankle injury, entered the event with no expectations and surprised by the result. “This week has just been classic,” Gudauskas said. “It has been a blur. I am just coming off of an ankle injury and wasn’t expecting anything and I just started making heats and then I was in the fi
Keanu Asing struggled to find a rhythm in the action packed Oakley Pro Junior Final against defending ASP World Junior Champion Jack Freestone (AUS), 19, current ASP North America Pro Junior Series leader Kolohe Andino (San Clemente, CA), 17, and 2009 ASP North America Pro Junior Series Champion Nat Young (Santa Cruz, CA), 19, but locked into a left just before the buzzer, linking a series of critical backside turns for an 8-point ride which proved enough to take out the Oakley Pro Junior victory.
“I don’t really know, I was so down in that Final and was just trying to put on a good performance because there are a lot of people on the beach,” Asing said. “I got that one set and got an 8. I needed a 4 and was hoping I would get a wave and as I was paddling I asked Nat (Young) which wave he was going to go and he said he wasn’t going. I’m just glad I got that little wave at a clutch time in the heat, Mother Nature and God gave that one to me.”
Asing, who now sits at No. 2 on the ASP North America Pro Junior Series rankings, was quick to admit that the prestigious Oakley Pro Junior marked a pinnacle moment in his budding career.
“This is huge, to win this big event, it’s a 5-Star, it’s one of the biggest wins of my career for sure,” Asing said. “I’m at a loss for words right now, I’m just so excited and so happy.”
Pupo Wins LowersPRO
Back To Community News
8 May 2011
San Clemente, 7 May, 2011: Miguel Pupo (BRA), 19, has won the ASP PRIME Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro over local standout Tanner Gudauskas (San Clemente, CA), 22, at Lower Trestles at San Clemente’s San Onofre State Beach in a close final of 13.63 to 13.57. Also clinching a victory today was Hawaiian Keanu Asing (Ewa Beach, HI), 17, who won the ASP 5-Star Oakley Pro Junior.
Pupo will gain the valuable 6500 points towards his ASP World Ranking while Gudauskas’ runner-up finish earns him 5200 points, each helping their campaigns towards qualification for the elite ASP World Tour. The Oakley Pro Junior’s ASP 5-Star status offered the most points on offer towards surfers’ campaigns towards qualification for the prestigious ASP World Junior Tour.
Pupo, who was trailing Gudauskas throughout the first half of the Final, got the best of a crucial exchange by taking the heat’s highest single-wave score of an 8.33 for a steep left that offered several turns which the progressive Brazilian completed with an air-reverse on the inside. Pupo found a back up score of a 5.30 on his last wave to secure the Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro victory.
“I’m just so happy to win this event and I’m sorry that I took out the town’s local guy,” Pupo said. “I knew there was going to be a Brazilian in the Final. I was just trying to be that Brazilian and I can’t believe I won. I’m just so happy. I brought my father here and it’s the first time he’s gone to a contest with me and things just went my way.”
Miguel Pupo (ASP/Hilleman)
The talented Brazilian, who was sitting in 42 on the men’s ASP World Ranking, will catapult up the standings with the win and substantially increase his chances of achieving his dream of qualifying for the elite ASP World Tour.
“I was thinking just about the points when I first got here, and this is great to win this event going into the next PRIME in Brazil,” Pupo said. “It’s my dream to make the World Tour and these points will help.”
Gudauskas, who was in need of a 6.50 to overtake Pupo for the victory, caught a last-minute wave in the Final on a lefthander and earned a 6.07 to nearly overtake Pupo for the win in front of his hometown crowd. “Miguel ripped and it makes it exciting when it’s a close Final,” Gudauskas said. “Congratulations to him, it’s been a fun week.”
Gudauskas, who had just returned to the water after six weeks due to an ankle injury, entered the event with no expectations and surprised by the result. “This week has just been classic,” Gudauskas said. “It has been a blur. I am just coming off of an ankle injury and wasn’t expecting anything and I just started making heats and then I was in the final.”
Tanner Gudauskas © Hilleman
Keanu Asing struggled to find a rhythm in the action packed Oakley Pro Junior Final against defending ASP World Junior Champion Jack Freestone (AUS), 19, current ASP North America Pro Junior Series leader Kolohe Andino (San Clemente, CA), 17, and 2009 ASP North America Pro Junior Series Champion Nat Young (Santa Cruz, CA), 19, but locked into a left just before the buzzer, linking a series of critical backside turns for an 8-point ride which proved enough to take out the Oakley Pro Junior victory.
“I don’t really know, I was so down in that Final and was just trying to put on a good performance because there are a lot of people on the beach,” Asing said. “I got that one set and got an 8. I needed a 4 and was hoping I would get a wave and as I was paddling I asked Nat (Young) which wave he was going to go and he said he wasn’t going. I’m just glad I got that little wave at a clutch time in the heat, Mother Nature and God gave that one to me.”
Asing, who now sits at No. 2 on the ASP North America Pro Junior Series rankings, was quick to admit that the prestigious Oakley Pro Junior marked a pinnacle moment in his budding career.
“This is huge, to win this big event, it’s a 5-Star, it’s one of the biggest wins of my career for sure,” Asing said. “I’m at a loss for words right now, I’m just so excited and so happy.”
Keanu Asing © Hilleman
Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro Final Results:
1 – Miguel Pupo (BRA) 13.63
2 – Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 13.57
Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro Semifinals Results:
Heat 1: Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 12.03 def. Jesse Mendes (BRA) 11.33
Heat 2: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 16.70 def. Thiago Camarao (BRA) 12.67
Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro Quarterfinals Results:
Heat 1: Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 16.37 def. Heitor Alves (BRA) 11.76
Heat 2: Jesse Mendes (BRA) 11.60 def. Kolohe Andino (USA) 8.33
Heat 3: Thiago Camarao (BRA) 14.50 def. Junior Faria (BRA) 11.47
Heat 4: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 15.24 def. Jadson Andre (BRA) 14.93
Oakley Pro Junior Final Results:
1 – Keanu Asing (HAW) 13.70
2 – Jack Freestone (AUS) 13.43
3 – Kolohe Andino (USA) 13.30
4 – Nat Young (USA) 11.53
Oakley Pro Junior Semifinals Results:
Heat 1: Kolohe Andino (USA) 12.00, Jack Freestone (USA) 9.73, Dylan Goodale (HAW) 9.37
Heat 2: Nat Young (USA) 14.77, Keanu Asing (HAW) 11.47, Conner Coffin (USA) 10.73, Andrew Doheny (USA) 9.14
Pupo will gain the valuable 6500 points towards his ASP World Ranking while Gudauskas’ runner-up finish earns him 5200 points, each helping their campaigns towards qualification for the elite ASP World Tour. The Oakley Pro Junior’s ASP 5-Star status offered the most points on offer towards surfers’ campaigns towards qualification for the prestigious ASP World Junior Tour.
Pupo, who was trailing Gudauskas throughout the first half of the Final, got the best of a crucial exchange by taking the heat’s highest single-wave score of an 8.33 for a steep left that offered several turns which the progressive Brazilian completed with an air-reverse on the inside. Pupo found a back up score of a 5.30 on his last wave to secure the Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro victory.
“I’m just so happy to win this event and I’m sorry that I took out the town’s local guy,” Pupo said. “I knew there was going to be a Brazilian in the Final. I was just trying to be that Brazilian and I can’t believe I won. I’m just so happy. I brought my father here and it’s the first time he’s gone to a contest with me and things just went my way.”
The talented Brazilian, who was sitting in 42 on the men’s ASP World Ranking, will catapult up the standings with the win and substantially increase his chances of achieving his dream of qualifying for the elite ASP World Tour.
“I was thinking just about the points when I first got here, and this is great to win this event going into the next PRIME in Brazil,” Pupo said. “It’s my dream to make the World Tour and these points will help.”
Gudauskas, who was in need of a 6.50 to overtake Pupo for the victory, caught a last-minute wave in the Final on a lefthander and earned a 6.07 to nearly overtake Pupo for the win in front of his hometown crowd. “Miguel ripped and it makes it exciting when it’s a close Final,” Gudauskas said. “Congratulations to him, it’s been a fun week.”
Gudauskas, who had just returned to the water after six weeks due to an ankle injury, entered the event with no expectations and surprised by the result. “This week has just been classic,” Gudauskas said. “It has been a blur. I am just coming off of an ankle injury and wasn’t expecting anything and I just started making heats and then I was in the fi
Keanu Asing struggled to find a rhythm in the action packed Oakley Pro Junior Final against defending ASP World Junior Champion Jack Freestone (AUS), 19, current ASP North America Pro Junior Series leader Kolohe Andino (San Clemente, CA), 17, and 2009 ASP North America Pro Junior Series Champion Nat Young (Santa Cruz, CA), 19, but locked into a left just before the buzzer, linking a series of critical backside turns for an 8-point ride which proved enough to take out the Oakley Pro Junior victory.
“I don’t really know, I was so down in that Final and was just trying to put on a good performance because there are a lot of people on the beach,” Asing said. “I got that one set and got an 8. I needed a 4 and was hoping I would get a wave and as I was paddling I asked Nat (Young) which wave he was going to go and he said he wasn’t going. I’m just glad I got that little wave at a clutch time in the heat, Mother Nature and God gave that one to me.”
Asing, who now sits at No. 2 on the ASP North America Pro Junior Series rankings, was quick to admit that the prestigious Oakley Pro Junior marked a pinnacle moment in his budding career.
“This is huge, to win this big event, it’s a 5-Star, it’s one of the biggest wins of my career for sure,” Asing said. “I’m at a loss for words right now, I’m just so excited and so happy.”
Pupo Wins LowersPRO
Back To Community News
8 May 2011
San Clemente, 7 May, 2011: Miguel Pupo (BRA), 19, has won the ASP PRIME Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro over local standout Tanner Gudauskas (San Clemente, CA), 22, at Lower Trestles at San Clemente’s San Onofre State Beach in a close final of 13.63 to 13.57. Also clinching a victory today was Hawaiian Keanu Asing (Ewa Beach, HI), 17, who won the ASP 5-Star Oakley Pro Junior.
Pupo will gain the valuable 6500 points towards his ASP World Ranking while Gudauskas’ runner-up finish earns him 5200 points, each helping their campaigns towards qualification for the elite ASP World Tour. The Oakley Pro Junior’s ASP 5-Star status offered the most points on offer towards surfers’ campaigns towards qualification for the prestigious ASP World Junior Tour.
Pupo, who was trailing Gudauskas throughout the first half of the Final, got the best of a crucial exchange by taking the heat’s highest single-wave score of an 8.33 for a steep left that offered several turns which the progressive Brazilian completed with an air-reverse on the inside. Pupo found a back up score of a 5.30 on his last wave to secure the Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro victory.
“I’m just so happy to win this event and I’m sorry that I took out the town’s local guy,” Pupo said. “I knew there was going to be a Brazilian in the Final. I was just trying to be that Brazilian and I can’t believe I won. I’m just so happy. I brought my father here and it’s the first time he’s gone to a contest with me and things just went my way.”
Miguel Pupo (ASP/Hilleman)
The talented Brazilian, who was sitting in 42 on the men’s ASP World Ranking, will catapult up the standings with the win and substantially increase his chances of achieving his dream of qualifying for the elite ASP World Tour.
“I was thinking just about the points when I first got here, and this is great to win this event going into the next PRIME in Brazil,” Pupo said. “It’s my dream to make the World Tour and these points will help.”
Gudauskas, who was in need of a 6.50 to overtake Pupo for the victory, caught a last-minute wave in the Final on a lefthander and earned a 6.07 to nearly overtake Pupo for the win in front of his hometown crowd. “Miguel ripped and it makes it exciting when it’s a close Final,” Gudauskas said. “Congratulations to him, it’s been a fun week.”
Gudauskas, who had just returned to the water after six weeks due to an ankle injury, entered the event with no expectations and surprised by the result. “This week has just been classic,” Gudauskas said. “It has been a blur. I am just coming off of an ankle injury and wasn’t expecting anything and I just started making heats and then I was in the final.”
Tanner Gudauskas © Hilleman
Keanu Asing struggled to find a rhythm in the action packed Oakley Pro Junior Final against defending ASP World Junior Champion Jack Freestone (AUS), 19, current ASP North America Pro Junior Series leader Kolohe Andino (San Clemente, CA), 17, and 2009 ASP North America Pro Junior Series Champion Nat Young (Santa Cruz, CA), 19, but locked into a left just before the buzzer, linking a series of critical backside turns for an 8-point ride which proved enough to take out the Oakley Pro Junior victory.
“I don’t really know, I was so down in that Final and was just trying to put on a good performance because there are a lot of people on the beach,” Asing said. “I got that one set and got an 8. I needed a 4 and was hoping I would get a wave and as I was paddling I asked Nat (Young) which wave he was going to go and he said he wasn’t going. I’m just glad I got that little wave at a clutch time in the heat, Mother Nature and God gave that one to me.”
Asing, who now sits at No. 2 on the ASP North America Pro Junior Series rankings, was quick to admit that the prestigious Oakley Pro Junior marked a pinnacle moment in his budding career.
“This is huge, to win this big event, it’s a 5-Star, it’s one of the biggest wins of my career for sure,” Asing said. “I’m at a loss for words right now, I’m just so excited and so happy.”
Keanu Asing © Hilleman
Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro Final Results:
1 – Miguel Pupo (BRA) 13.63
2 – Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 13.57
Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro Semifinals Results:
Heat 1: Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 12.03 def. Jesse Mendes (BRA) 11.33
Heat 2: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 16.70 def. Thiago Camarao (BRA) 12.67
Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro Quarterfinals Results:
Heat 1: Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 16.37 def. Heitor Alves (BRA) 11.76
Heat 2: Jesse Mendes (BRA) 11.60 def. Kolohe Andino (USA) 8.33
Heat 3: Thiago Camarao (BRA) 14.50 def. Junior Faria (BRA) 11.47
Heat 4: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 15.24 def. Jadson Andre (BRA) 14.93
Oakley Pro Junior Final Results:
1 – Keanu Asing (HAW) 13.70
2 – Jack Freestone (AUS) 13.43
3 – Kolohe Andino (USA) 13.30
4 – Nat Young (USA) 11.53
Oakley Pro Junior Semifinals Results:
Heat 1: Kolohe Andino (USA) 12.00, Jack Freestone (USA) 9.73, Dylan Goodale (HAW) 9.37
Heat 2: Nat Young (USA) 14.77, Keanu Asing (HAW) 11.47, Conner Coffin (USA) 10.73, Andrew Doheny (USA) 9.14
Billabong Pro Rio - Brazil (WCT)
Start: 11/05/2011 07:30
End: 22/05/2011
After hosting the world’s best surfers for the past eight years, 2011 will see the ASP World Tour transition from Santa Catarina to Rio de Janeiro for what is rapidly developing into one of the biggest surfing events in history.
In addition to the relocation to the exciting and enthusiastic sporting city of Rio de Janeiro, the Billabong Rio Pro is making surfing history with the unprecedented prize purse of US$500,000 for the men as well as adding a women’s event with a record-breaking US$120,000 prize purse.
End: 22/05/2011
After hosting the world’s best surfers for the past eight years, 2011 will see the ASP World Tour transition from Santa Catarina to Rio de Janeiro for what is rapidly developing into one of the biggest surfing events in history.
In addition to the relocation to the exciting and enthusiastic sporting city of Rio de Janeiro, the Billabong Rio Pro is making surfing history with the unprecedented prize purse of US$500,000 for the men as well as adding a women’s event with a record-breaking US$120,000 prize purse.
Sunday, 8 May 2011
Brent Dorrington Crowned Lord of Scotland at the Cold Water Classic
Thurso East - Scotland (Sunday, April 17, 2011) -Brent Dorrington (Gold Coast AUS) 24, won the O'Neill Coldwater Classic Scotland, his maiden Asp Star Tour victory, defeating Jay Quinn (NZL) 27, in a low scoring final in inconsistent 2-3ft (1m) waves at Thurso East reef. Competition was placed on hold during the low tide mark and resumed late in the afternoon where a dominating Dorrington claimed his title as Lord of Scotland, the lead in the O'Neill Coldwater Classic Series overall rankings and raised the most sort after trophy on the Asp Men's Star Tour, the O'Neill Coldwater Classic Scotland Sword.
Dorrington surfed brilliantly on the final day of competition with a stunning semi-final performance defeating equal third placed Richard Christie (NZL) with a combined two-wave total of 18.50 out of 20, the highest of the entire event. Dorrington then went on to control the tactical final heat in the remaining pulses of an epic swell that has been hitting Thurso East for the past 3 days.
Dorrington surfed brilliantly on the final day of competition with a stunning semi-final performance defeating equal third placed Richard Christie (NZL) with a combined two-wave total of 18.50 out of 20, the highest of the entire event. Dorrington then went on to control the tactical final heat in the remaining pulses of an epic swell that has been hitting Thurso East for the past 3 days.
Day 2 of ASP PRIME Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro
The second day of the ASP PRIME Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro saw Jadson Andre, young local talent Tanner Gudauskas, and up-and-comer Gabriel Medina, push performance barriers in Round 2 by reveling in the clean one-to-three foot waves at Lower Trestles.
Thursday, 5 May 2011
Wednesday, 4 May 2011
So you Want to be a Pro Surfer???
Why not, what a great job. Being paid to travel the world and surf great waves. The fame the fortune and fun.
OK, how do I get to be a pro surfer??
You have a lot of work to do, there is not a pro surfer on the tour that just 'cruised' into it. Everyone of them has put in HUGE effort. Here are a few tips...
SURF ALL THE TIME
No matter what the conditions go surfing. You should be surfing 3 to 4 hours per day no matter what. Surf at your local beach and travel to other beaches too, experience in all kinds of waves is essential.
COACHING
Get a surf professional surf coach who you can work with at least once per week. If the coach is good they will progress your surfing quickly.
BE FIT
Just surfing is not enough to keep you fit. Do other forms of exercise. Run or play another sport. Do yoga for flexibility and eat good food. It all helps to give you an edge over your compeditors.
SURF WITH GOOD SURFERS
Nothing improves your surfing more than being pushed by other good surfers. Keep surfing with guys who are better than you. It will help you to improve. Watch them closely and learn.
GET A JOB
Yikes, why would I do that?? Simple, to be a pro surfer costs money. Travel, food, contest fees and everyday living cost money. So does the coaching you should be getting. Be prepared to invest in your future by working now. It could be the difference between reaching your dream or just being a good local surfer for the rest of your life. Save some money each week to go towards doing pro contests later on. Remember it costs $25 000 to do the WQS tour for a year. Sponsors rarely pay for this, especially when you are starting out.
GET A SPONSOR AND KEEP THEM
Get on www.surfspono.com and you should find you are being offered basic sponsorships before to long. Take them! This is an opprtunity to prove to your new sponsor that you are a good investment. If you do well for them they will reward you. Kelly Slater only had a few free t-shirts from Quiksilver when he first started.....
So there are a few pointers for those with a pro surfing dream.. For a limited time www.surfspono.com is offering a FREE "Inside Sponsorship Guide" to any surfer that joins up. This guide tells you everything you need to know about being noticed by sponsors and landing a good sponsorship deal.
Get involved otherwise your compeditors will have the advantage..
OK, how do I get to be a pro surfer??
You have a lot of work to do, there is not a pro surfer on the tour that just 'cruised' into it. Everyone of them has put in HUGE effort. Here are a few tips...
SURF ALL THE TIME
No matter what the conditions go surfing. You should be surfing 3 to 4 hours per day no matter what. Surf at your local beach and travel to other beaches too, experience in all kinds of waves is essential.
COACHING
Get a surf professional surf coach who you can work with at least once per week. If the coach is good they will progress your surfing quickly.
BE FIT
Just surfing is not enough to keep you fit. Do other forms of exercise. Run or play another sport. Do yoga for flexibility and eat good food. It all helps to give you an edge over your compeditors.
SURF WITH GOOD SURFERS
Nothing improves your surfing more than being pushed by other good surfers. Keep surfing with guys who are better than you. It will help you to improve. Watch them closely and learn.
GET A JOB
Yikes, why would I do that?? Simple, to be a pro surfer costs money. Travel, food, contest fees and everyday living cost money. So does the coaching you should be getting. Be prepared to invest in your future by working now. It could be the difference between reaching your dream or just being a good local surfer for the rest of your life. Save some money each week to go towards doing pro contests later on. Remember it costs $25 000 to do the WQS tour for a year. Sponsors rarely pay for this, especially when you are starting out.
GET A SPONSOR AND KEEP THEM
Get on www.surfspono.com and you should find you are being offered basic sponsorships before to long. Take them! This is an opprtunity to prove to your new sponsor that you are a good investment. If you do well for them they will reward you. Kelly Slater only had a few free t-shirts from Quiksilver when he first started.....
So there are a few pointers for those with a pro surfing dream.. For a limited time www.surfspono.com is offering a FREE "Inside Sponsorship Guide" to any surfer that joins up. This guide tells you everything you need to know about being noticed by sponsors and landing a good sponsorship deal.
Get involved otherwise your compeditors will have the advantage..
New Faces Qualify for 2011 ASP World Tour
With the narrowing of the 48-man draw down to 24, the qualification campaigns of the world’s best surfers for the 2011 ASP World Tour are being solidified. ASP World Ranking campaigners Raoni Monteiro, Josh Kerr, Alejo Muniz and Julian Wilson, have cemented their spots on the 2011 ASP World Tour. Gabe Kling (USA), 30, remains the target at present with 17,163 ASP World Rankings points. Dusty Payne (HAW), 21, is the only surfer able to overtake him.
Wednesday, 27 April 2011
San Clemente, CA, ON A MISSIONS, OAM, Proudly announces the signing of South African, Ranking #2 ASP stand out, and one of the best surfers on the planet, JORDY SMITH!
Raz Hodgman speaks highly of Jordy joining the team, “Jordy is a great human, a phenomenal surfer, and in a league of his own. He is a world class athlete and will continue to be at the top of the tour rankings, blowing our minds now and in the years to come. We are stoked to have him aboard!
Jordy Smith comments on his new relationship with On A Mission, “I am really happy to be a part of the team. I always looked up to the On A Mission riders growing up and now I am stoked to be one of them!”
About ON A MISSION
On A Mission is the leader in surf accessory innovation and design. The company was founded 1992 by professional surfers for surfers. Icons such as the Malloy brothers, Benji Weatherly, Shane Dorian, Taylor Knox, Ross Williams, and Taylor Steele together with a new breed of OAM Athletes that are all crucial in the design and process to ensure optimal rider performance product.
ON A MISSION TEAM
Jordy Smith, Mitch Coleborn, Bede Durbidge, Taylor Knox, Michel Bourez, Jay Davies, Brent Dorrington, Sterling Spencer, Alex Gray, Benji Weatherley, Nate Yeomans, Joel Centeio, Damien Farehnfort, Torrey Meister, Jesse Hines s, And more…
Wednesday, 13 April 2011
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
Wednesday, 6 April 2011
Saturday, 2 April 2011
CHECK http://www.thebombsurf.com/
THIS WEBSITE SHOWS WHAT OUR LOCAL SURFING COMMUNITY IS UPTO AND GIVES YOU A BRIEF ON HOW JORDY AND THEM ARE DOING.
CHECK IT OUT!
THIS WEBSITE SHOWS WHAT OUR LOCAL SURFING COMMUNITY IS UPTO AND GIVES YOU A BRIEF ON HOW JORDY AND THEM ARE DOING.
CHECK IT OUT!
Thursday, 31 March 2011
How To Triple Your Wave Count With Surf Specific Fitness Training
Are you tired of watching those surfers who just cruise by continuously, catching wave after wave, getting barrel after barrel… and basically making you look bad?
And are you sick of having arms like jelly after only a few minutes of paddling and then struggling to stand up because you don’t have enough strength left in your arms to push yourself up?
Or maybe you are just fed up with not being as good a surfer as you want to be, but you don’t know what to do next to improve?
If any of this describes you, then don’t stress… you aren’t the only one.
I am going to reveal a 5 step blueprint which will show you how you can triple your wave count in 30 days or less, improve your surfing style, get more barrels and get in the best shape of your life.
Step 1 – Increase your paddle fitness through energy system development :
Surfing
Surfing uses a combination of both your aerobic energy system (with oxygen) and your anaerobic energy system (without oxygen). In order to improve your cardiovascular fitness for surfing, you need to improve both of these energy systems simultaneously.
Doing hours of running along the beach is just not going to cut it. What you need to be doing is interval training using surf specific interval periods, and certain types of exercises which will boost both your paddle fitness and improve your overall surf conditioning.uses a combination of both your aerobic energy system (with oxygen) and your anaerobic energy system (without oxygen). In order to improve your cardiovascular fitness for surfing, you need to improve both of these energy systems simultaneously.
Doing hours of running along the beach is just not going to cut it. What you need to be doing is interval training using surf specific interval periods, and certain types of exercises which will boost both your paddle fitness and improve your overall surf conditioning.
Step 2 – Improve your core stability, strength and rotary power
If you think that cranking out 100 crunches every morning is going to give you the core strength you need for optimum surfing, you couldn’t be further from the truth.
First of all you need to be working on your core stability, which is using your core muscles to stabilise your torso when there are other forces acting against you. The basics of this are bridge or plank type exercises, but there are many more advanced exercises you need to master before you have excellent core stability.
You will also need to develop your core strength and rotary power. Rotary power can betrained using very specific functional exercises and is an important factor in mastering powerful turns.
Step 3 – Increase your upper body endurance, strength and power
If you are not doing functional training to improve all of the above (endurance, strength and power), you are missing part of the
equation.
You need muscle endurance in your arms, back and shoulders so you can keep up the paddling intensity throughout your entire surf session.
You need strength and power in your chest and arms so that you can pop-up fast (even when you are getting tired).
In addition you need to have the strength and power in your shoulders and back for the short bursts of paddle power you need to paddle into each wave.
Step 4 – Improve your mobility and flexibility
Most surfers are aware of the need for good flexibility, but what most don’t understand is the missing piece of the equation – mobility.
Flexibility refers to the passive range of motion as achieved through static stretching. This is important for overly active muscles, but it does not mean the surrounding joints are stable and prepared for dynamic movements.
Often an increase in passive flexibility is an injury waiting to happen. What surfers need more than passive flexibility, is mobility. Mobility refers to the ability to move your joints into flexible positions, but also have the joint stable whilst in those positions. Mobility can be increased through specific mobility drills which are generally incorporated into your dynamic warm-up.
Step 5 – Improve your balance and lower body strength & power
Balance is obviously important for surfers to help stop you from wiping out. Most surfers however, do not do any balance training. It is actually very easy to improve your balance using some simple training methods that use very little equipment.
Surfing also requires a lot of lower body strength and power.
Strong and healthy legs will mean that you can perform powerful manoeuvres and not have an increased risk of injury. This doesn’t mean hitting the gym to do more leg curls and leg extensions. What you need to be doing is lower body functional training exercises – both hip and knee dominant, both single leg and double leg, and both stable and unstable exercises.
Conclusion
In order to increase your wave count fast, and become a better surfer, you need to have a well rounded, surf specific, functional training program. You cannot rely on traditional body building workout routines and long boring cardio to improve your surfing.
What you need is a surf fitness program that has been proven to work with hundreds of surfers from all over the globe.
Tuesday, 29 March 2011
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