Enter a world of magic and mystery, in my own head, where surfing and snowboarding are considered real jobs! Amazing feats of daring and skill are performed every day - and that's just getting the footage onto film!
Media anarchist, film guru, surf addict and web video blogger!
Although Ken did not get the result he wanted in the Rally of Argentina, as he had to withdraw due to technical problems, he did receive a huge welcome by the fans. He was so blown away by the local fans, that he decided to make this video to thank them...
Ken, bring the WRC to South Africa and I am sure we can do better - just saying...
New Zealand BMXer Jed Mildon has created action-sports history today by landing the world's first Triple Backflip at the Unit T3 Mindtricks BMX Jam in Taupo, New Zealand.
Mildon, 24, stomped the three rotations perfectly during the free-to-the-public BMX show in his home-town.
A representative of the Guinness Book Of World Records was on hand to witness and approve the ground-breaking trick that is sure to send shockwaves through the two-wheeled action-sports industry. "This is the perfect result to three intensive months of practising and training for this moment," said a thrilled Mildon. "The impact and implications hasn't sunken in yet, but I'm so pumped to have aimed for something once deemed impossible and made my dream a reality." "Landing with both wheels on the downramp was the most amazing feeling in the world!"
The Unit T3 Mindtricks BMX Jam in Taupo was held at a public recreational park, with Mildon carving an 20m (66ft) high super-ramp into a hillside that flowed through a 3.6m (11ft) high super-kicker to Jed's purpose-built Mega-Megabox landing.
Unit founder Paul Everest congratulated Mildon on his amazing feat.
"Jed has proven himself to be one of the world's best BMX riders and we salute him for having both the drive and ability to change the face of action-sports.
"He has shown the world what is possible if you take your dream and single-mindedly chase your goals without being distracted or listen to the critics and naysayers."
The Unit T3 Mindtricks BMX Jam was made possible with the help of Unit, Bikefest and Taupo District Council, MB Century, McDonald's Taupo, theairbag.co.nz, foampit.co.nz and Pilgrim Bike Co.
This just absolutely blew me away. If you ever wondered how well the skiers memorized their lines through the giant halfpipes they ride, then this video will prove it to you. Simon Dumont canes this cubed halfpipe and the footage is shot so well. Great way to start your Monday!
What began as a 22-foot tall, 550-foot long halfpipe turned into a meticulously cut, one-of-a-kind cubed pipe with a series of take-off and landing areas.
With nothing in between, the pipe begs Dumont's world famous big airs and tricks to rise to a new level. http://RedBullUSA.com
Danny MacAskill came to shoot in and around Cape town for a Leica shoot. The man is the most talented Trials Bike rider the world has ever seen and when you add the incredible terrain that the city of Cape Town has to offer, well, just watch the video and be prepared top be blown away...
Josh Kerr is about to change surf movies and how they get distributed for ever. In his new movie, Kerrazy Kronicles, which is free to download from Rusty, he produces a classic style surf film with insane surfing, great beats and best of all its free to download. The surfing is as good as anything we have seen in the latest and best films, including Modern Collective and Who is JOB. He travels to some pretty amazing destinations, surfs massive tubes and of course the Arial display is mind blowing. My favorite section is some mysto, crazy right hand barrel somewhere in the tropics.
If you want the free download you can go here - Rusty.com
So the peeps in South Africa are getting pretty amped on the upcoming Red Bull Manny Mania tour in June. So much so, that I thought it would be a good idea to give you guys some info on the man who started the whole thing. So ladies and gents, meet...
How did you hook up with Red Bull?
This story again? I sent out a Sponsor Me Tape. No, that’s not real. It was on the Red Bull Seek & Destroy, my team won, we went partying and they offered to have me ride for Red Bull and I did. I took the opportunity.
How did you come up with the concept for Manny Mania?
I was a rail dude and I just wanted to change my direction. My legs were getting sore form jumping down the Carlsbad Gap and I saw Daewon Song skate and said, “I want to do that.” No, that’s not right. It was me and Jeff Regis talking. Regis knew I skated a certain way so we just came up with the concept of doing a contest for tech skating. Is that what I do? Tech skating?
Why is it not called the Joey Brezinski Manny Mania?
It was originally going to be called Joey Brezinski’s Manny Mania and that was the only thing I was opposed to. I didn’t want my name on it because I didn’t want to jinx it. I don’t think it would’ve worked if it had my name on it. I definitely would’ve lost every time.
Is there a jinx associated with self-endorsed skate contests?
Yeah, I don’t think anyone has ever won one that they self-endorsed. If you self-endorse a contest, you’re definitely going to lose. Ask Eric Koston about his Game Of Skate or Reese Forbes about his High Ollie Contest.
Tell me, when did you invent the manual?
I didn’t invent it. I think it was invented in the 70s. Who was the dude that used to do the crazy G-turns? Wasn’t there footage of Stacey Peralta doing it with a ponytail, hanging ten, doing long mannies back then?
Joey Brezinski at training: Nollie heelflipping out of nose manual up the bank, then landing back to manual down the other side (c)Shad/Red Bull Content Pool
Maybe he is your father?
He should be. But who did invent the manual? That is the real question.
I’m going to say Rodney Mullen, since he invented everything.
No, he didn’t do it. I thought that ballerina guy from the old Powell videos did.
Oh. Dan Gesmer. No. I’ll say Brandon Biebel.
Yeah, he invented the switch manual.
I’m sure you’re asked this a lot but what is a manual?
The definition of a manual? It is a skateboard maneuver, skating on two wheels, balancing without hitting your nose or tail. Do you want me to use it in a sentence?
Please.
That guy right there just did a nose manual and lost control and fell on his face and knocked his two front teeth out.
Now spell it.
T-e-a-t-h. No, that’s not how you spell teeth is it. T-e-e-t-h. Man, I spelled teeth wrong.
That’s your other area of expertise, how could you spell it wrong?
My teeth were in the way when I was spelling it.
2010 is the fourth year of the Manny Mania contest. What’s going to be different this year?
Four years strong. Hoverboards this year; there’s no wheels. Michael J. Fox is going to show up. No, I guess harder maneuvers are going to go down, I hope. I’m definitely trying to learn some hard ones.
What tricks are you working on? Can you say?
The Viagra Manual; that’s getting harder.
Do you plan on doing better in 2010 Manny Mania than you did in 2009?
Yes, definitely.
Is it possible to do worse?
I definitely hope not.
Are you nervous now that Brandon Beibel rides for Red Bull that— They’re going to call it Brandon Beibel’s Manny Mania this year?
Yes. No, he’s a homie.
Could you beat him in an arm wrestling match?
If we go left arms.
How do you feel about a second day of Am Manny Mania being added this year?
I think it’s rad because there’s no Back To The Banks; they needed to do something on one of the days. Might as well watch the ams kill it.
There are 25 countries involved in the Am contest. Do you think any of them matter other than America?
Maybe Haiti. Is there one in Haiti? Haiti Mania?
But the cream of the crop of skateboarding is based in America...
Wow, this is turning into the Olympics. As long as U.S. ams don’t choke they can bring home the gold for America but there’s good kids all over the world.
Who are some guys you like from your native country? That are good at manuals?
Ray Maldonado. Steven Webb, Justin Shulte and Marty Murowski. How about that Flip dude? He’s good at manuals. Oh, he’s not from America—nevermind.
There are 25 countries involved in this year’s am contest. And you have to visit all of them.
I’m looking forward to Iceland. Wait! Greenland is covered in ice, right?
I think they all are except South Africa.
Perfect. I don’t really have to go to all 25 countries, do I?
No, but if you could, which country would you like to go to?
I want to go to China, I haven’t been there yet. Or Taiwan. I’d like to see how things are made. Everything is usually made in Taiwan,
Who are some of the pros in this year’s contest that people should be afraid of?
Stevie Williams probably. Brandon Biebel.
Two years ago Stevie destroyed the early rounds—
And then he fucked up. I don’t know what happened. I thought he had it. I was like, “Stevie is on point.” That’s the thing, if you rush it and do really well in the beginning you’re going to tire yourself out for the finals. I’ve noticed the people that kill the first heat, the second heat they slow down and by the third heat they’re just dead.
The dates and locations for this year’s qualifying events in South Africa are:
·June 4: Son Skate Park (Stellenbosch)
·June 11: Element Skate Park (Jeffreys Bay)
·June 18: Wave House Skate Park, Gateway Theatre of Shopping, Umhlanga (Durban)
·June 25: Revolution Skate Park, Festival Mall, Kempton Park (Johannesburg)
·June 26: Finals – Revolution Skate Park, Festival Mall, Kempton Park (Johannesburg)
Each participating country will hold qualifying events, selecting athletes to participate in a national final; the winner of which will represent their homeland at the Red Bull Manny Mania World Final for amateurs in New York City on August 20, 2011. The winner of this event will get a chance to step into the big leagues by competing in the invite-only Red Bull Manny Mania Pro Event, on Sunday, August 21 in New York City.
Ring girls are an important part of fighting, they have been for years and they will be for many years to come. So who does have the hottest ring girls in fighting? In this the first of a series, where I introduce you to some of the most beautiful woman who grace the ring skirts of the world, you get to meet one from UFC and one from Strike Force, the biggest names in the US MMA scene.
First up is Kelli Hutcherson of Strike Force...
Next up we have Arianny Celeste from UFC...
So who was your favorite?
Look out for more of the World's Hottest Ring Girls soon.
The Rio event is done and we find ourselves with a new man atop the ASP ratings. Adriano De Souza won the Bong Pro Rio and in the process moved to the top of the ratings. One wonders how well that success sits with him though after a week of woeful judging and huge repercussions for the title fight. Kelly Slater bowed out in in Round 3 heat, though I feel he was simply beaten for once. Bobby surfed well to beat him, but some might say he was over scored. Others will point to the fact that this normally happens for Kelly. Next up in the title chase was Jordy Smith up against Josh Kerr. The judging had been rewarding 3 turns or more and even good tube rides and excellent airs had been getting lower scores, till this heat. Suddenly Kerr beats Jordy with a single air score. Mick Fanning was up later in the third round and he exited to a Brazilian with very close scores. Take a look at the 3 heats and make up your own mind.
Ok, so the Title Race is now wide open and we entered the Quarter Finals. Step up Da Souza versus Owen Wright. Adriano started the heat well with a massive floater and I do mean massive. Where I disagree, is that he scored a 8.3 for this. In a contest where multiple maneuver waves had been scoring way higher on average. The heat progresses and Owen fights back. Towards the end of the heat, Owen needs a 7.6 for the win. He paddles into a great looking wave, smacks a big first turn, does a second good turn and then finishes off with a highly difficult and pretty big Slob Air. We wait for the scores and he gets a 6.6. In another heat it could have been an 8. Take a look, then see the excuses from the ASP below.
The Asp responded:
Now, Adriano’s final wave was a lot bigger than what was shown online as the camera missed the bottom half of the wave – this makes any subsequent analysis of the heat nearly impossible when utilizing only the Heats on Demand version. When De Souza lands you can see the size of the whitewash behind him and the amount of distance that he covered during the floater, how critical the section was and how difficult it would have been to land would not have been entirely visible on the webcast, and is not representation in the Heats on Demand.
The part of the sandbar that De Souza executed the maneuver was waist-deep, hence the critical section. The waves on the final day were two-to-three-maneuver waves. The surfers could take the smaller ones that would run a bit further, but were a lot softer and easier waves to ride, or they could take the set waves which were a lot shorter but also a lot harder to ride
(I will get back to the size of the waves in a moment, when we get to the final.)
Owen’s rides in the Quarterfinal heat were on the smaller waves that offered more room but less punch. During the final day, many single-turn waves received scores that would not normally be that high, but as the waves only allowed for two-to-three turns, we had adjusted the scale. It’s important to note that there is nothing in the criteria that says surfers must complete multiple turns. We’re in the business of surfers going big and that’s what we’ve been seeing in the last 18 months.
The vision also fails to truly reflect the speed of the waves. The set waves flew down the bank while the smaller ones ran off a lot slower. The camera angle often failed to truly reflect the surfing being done at the time, as well as the depth of the wave, where the surfer took the wave in relation to the bank and how critical the sections are.
Our job as the judging panel is to score the surfers that are pushing the criteria to the limit. Both of Owen’s airs were good maneuvers (they are also the bread and butter for nearly every surfer on tour these), but executed on the easy sections of the waves. Where as Adriano’s floater was done on such a critical part of the wave. I would probably add that if Owen’s first turns on both scoring waves were bigger or more critical, then both waves would have been scored higher.
I pose the question, would you, as a fan of top-level surfing, prefer the surfers to do a good turn on a small easy wave or a good turn on a wave that is going flat-out with a heaving, unforgiving closeout section?
It was absolutely a close heat, but we have close heats every day as we are dealing with the best surfers in the world.
Thank you ASP Judging Panel. Then why in the final did Taj Burrows not only catch bigger waves, do bigger turns,only to come in second? Check the heat out.
My bottom line is that the judging has to be consistent. In this contest is was not. It is going to have a major influence on the WCT Title Race and if I were one or two of the surfers, I would be pissed! It has become a scene that the ASP have had to answer to, because of how important this may turn out to be. They have even tried to back their response with a lame attempt at discrediting the Video of the Owen/Adrianno heat by saying - Full disclosure: the ASP International Media Department is looking into improving the current Heats on Demand (HOD) product that the events currently provide. The current Heats on Demand product consistently mis-tags waves with incorrect scores, fails to show completed rides and to provide an accurate representation of what is actually occurring during the event. We appreciate the feedback from our fans and are looking into remedying the issue as soon as possible. Lets hope the ASP Judges sort out their criteria and consistency before Jbay, or we might have a farce on our hands! What are your thoughts? Leave a comment and let me know.
Ok, admit it, we all want to experience the rock star, Hollywood style day at the races. Hot women, celebrities, and the guys who ride the insane machines, hanging with champagne and needing ear plugs because you are so close to the track. Well, thanks to Monster Energy, you can have a taste.
Monster always roll with a pack of Monster Girls!
The Monster Energy Grand Prix of France 2011 saw some of the most intense racing we've seen this season and one hell of a party as Monster brought the biggest public hospitality ever to MotoGP. Over the weekend pretty much 100,000 people soaked up the atmosphere which included FMX demos, signing sessions with fans, intense music sets and of course, the Monster Girls chilling in our hot tubs.
On the track Casey Stoner made the Honda dominance count but it was Valentino Rossi's first podium on his Ducati that made the headlines. Check out the racing and all the action from an epic weekend.
Dan, Ricky and Wok, the Tripod - did her breath stink?
A while ago I introduced you to Wok, who besides not giving a fuck about anything, told us he was part of a conglomerate of surf, party and mayhem, called the Tripod. So it was only a matter of time before I came around and introduced you to the other two parts of the pod. So, here we go with the official interview with Ricky Basnett and Dan Redman. Both of these gentleman were pro surfers - technically they still are, though both are off touring - they have very large opinions and love their woman and beer. None of these guys are scared of speaking their minds, often to their own detriment, but always ensuring that if you are around them, you are guaranteed to laugh your ass off. Until they turn their beady, beer infused gaze upon you that is... (Did I mention they rip?)
Dan gets a lot of air for a biggish guy!
Ricky bombed on tour, but got voted best free surfer in SA.
Kai - First off, both of you were pro surfers on tour, what happened and
what are you doing now? Dan - I was not good enough. Got tired of all the traveling and no reward. Was a reward in the beginning going to all the places for the first time and stuff but after a good 7 years or so my time was up. Now I just get to do the photo trips I want and been studying a bit. The latter is a ball ache.
Ricky - I decided that the tour wasn't good enough for me, I was just winning way too many heats. Nowadays I roam around just being really ridiculously good looking.
Kai - What is the Tri-Pod? Besides whats between your legs of course... Dan - Three mates. Two are weak excuses for mates but the one is a genuinely good bloke.
Ricky - The tripod could be your worst nightmare, if you happen to bump into them at a jol,they could irritate the hell out of you with the amount of bullshit they speak.
Kai - The third member is Wok, who I did a candid interview with a while ago, do you guys really like him? Dan - Wok who?
Ricky - Fuck Wok. He is very close to being kicked out the tripod... think he really needs to pull up his socks. Actually I hate him. I'm pretty sure Dan feels the same way as well.
Kai - What would you say your short term goals are for the next year or so? Dan - I would love to get asked a few questions for www.captainkaisworld.com. Then I am MTV made! (Kai - Dreams do come true Dan!)
Ricky - I'm just concentrating on growing my hair at the moment. it's looking pretty amazing!
Yes, these 3 are our Springbok surfing representatives.
Kai - Contests or free surfing? Dan - I enjoyed the “beating people” part of contests but that doesn't happen to often. Free surfing just makes me feel free for who I want to be. And stuff.
Ricky - Free contests! (Kai - I hear ya.)
Kai - How do you pay the bills? Dan - I’m lucky enough not to be able to afford bills.
Ricky - During the day I work behind the counter at Checkers (Grocery Store for the Yanks), night time is reserved for selling my body on the streets. (Kai - Ricky lives in the Bluff, that'pretty core!)
Dan airs on the cover. mmmh then...
Ricky Airs the cover. Similar?
Kai - Where is the future of surfing going to be? Dan - In Dane Reynold’s pants. What ever he says, goes. And what ever futuristic kid comes after him. And what ever Jordy says as well. Ricky - It's gonna go retro. Guys are going to focus way more on the basics, a good bottom turn or cutback is what guys will be looking for.
Kai - What are your thoughts on the massive surge and growth in female surfing? Dan - I personally would pull out of a comp if they started entering the mens division.
Ricky - Its the best thing ever, I wish it was only girls that surfed, guys should stick to bodyboarding or longboarding!
Kai - Durban looks pretty crowded with loads of burns and drop ins, you two are from either side of the bay, how do you find surfing the Piers these days? Dan - There are so many tools in that ocean these days. The problem is the dicks in the council have made the south harbour pier just wide enough and long enough to block any swell that would keep those muppets out the water. So the only swell new pier gets is maxing 5ft playful stuff. Its pretty frustrating surfing with a bunch of clueless pricks. The problem is I’m friends with over half of them.
Ricky - I enjoy surfing when it's really crowded,it just means that theres more people out there too see how good I surf. (Kai - Always looking on the bright side hey.)
Kai - Where can people follow you? Dan - www.thetripod.tv , twitter.com/THETRIPOD_TV, twitter.com/danredman84. If that’s not enough there is also one of those facebook fan page things that you “like”. If you feel its a likable page. If you need more than that I live in Umdloti and don’t leave very often. Its a touch north of Durban. You can come find me here and follow me around if you want. I normally just wonder up and down the Umdloti strip thinking such things to myself.
Ricky - Go check out www.thetripod.tv, PS: A few answers above might not actually be factual. Thanks
I highly recommend following these guys, even if it is just to watch them destroy each other in a booze fueled orgy of destruction!
With Japan still reeling from their close encounter with earthquakes and tsunamis, it is good to know that it was pretty much business as usual up in the mountains. Often rated as the premier destination for fresh powder hunting, this video from the crew at True Color Films will have you frothing to head to Japan, even with the current problems.
Ok, I admit it, as with most men who have surfed many a year, I never really got into woman's surfing, whether watching it live or on film. But, lets be honest, for many years this has been for good reason. Woman's surfing sucked, at least to watch. The last few years there has been massive momentum and growth in the female sector of surfing and this has had one major result - their are a new breed of really, really talented woman surfers - I say woman, but most are still girls. These girls are shredding the pants off of most males, charging heavier waves and all while wearing string bikinis and looking hotter than most models. Now they have a movie to show the world the new order of things. Hold onto your underpants boys, the new breed of woman' surfing are here and they aint gonna take our shit!
Carissa Moore is not scared of busting the fins.
About the Movie:
This generation of girls commands much more than simple recognition. These six unique surfers are changing the sport. They turn heads and make jaws drop. they love life, and it shows. Together they embody all that women's surfing has become. Leave a Message is a true testament of just how much this generation of surfers has changed their sport. This is a performance surf film, with an emphasis on performance. But beyond the groundbreaking aerials and long barrels is a message that transcends well beyond the lineup: they enjoy what they do and do it to the fullest. Unintentionally, they wrote a new script for women's surfing. Deliberately, they've left their message.
Carissa Moore leads the new school in Woman's Surfing
If you wanna watch the live premier online, our good friends at Surfer Magazine are broadcasting it - Surfer Magazine - Watch the world premiere of Leave a Message, featuring Malia Manuel, Lakey Peterson, Monyca Byrne-Wickey, Carissa Moore, Coco Ho, and Laura Enever LIVE on Surfermag.com Thursday night at 8:30 p.m. PST
So its a public holiday in South Africa tomorrow and though normally I would not get political on my blog, it is a vote day tomorrow and I really hope people are finally gonna stop voting for the ANC. The bottom line is that no matter what color, creed or financial situation you are in, it is impossible to deny that the ANC government has not delivered on their promises to their supporters, corruption is rife and crime is off the charts. So will you let them continue to ruin our beautiful country or vote for the party that actually has made a change? The DA have delivered on their promises, the Western Cape passed all its financial audits and actually showed growth. Its time to move past the "Struggle" and look towards the future of our country for everyone. Ok, that's my rant, now enjoy some satire...
If you dont know who Julius Malema is, do some googling, he is the muppet that most makes me pray that the ANC will never again have the majority. These videos are from Zapiro's ZAnews.
Its about time this happened to be honest. South African skaters deserve some international exposure and now Red Bull are going to supply a vehicle for this through the Red Bull Manny Mania tour of South Africa. I cannot wait, its such a unique skate event! For the second year running Manny Mania comes to our southern shores and I will be keeping you in touch, informed and entertained for the duration.
The origin of Red Bull Manny Mania lies with master skate pro and Red Bull rider Joey Brezinski. The concept for the contest is based on one simple trick: the Manual. The basics of a skateboard manual are essentially balancing on either the front or back two wheels. From that simple exercise in control spring limitless variations, each more difficult and complex than the previous. A manual trick can involve rotations, flips, grinds and riding switch. Only the best can do all of these consistently, and Manny Mania is about showing mastery: it’s no place for one trick wonders.
Joey was inspired to create Manny Mania by the lack of contest focus on this style of skating. "At the time there wasn't any technical trick contest going on and that's the way a lot of skaters and I skate, so I thought it would be a good idea."
Big Manuals are the order of the day!((c)Alejandro Mercado/Red Bull Content Pool)
Manny Mania has grown in leaps and bounds and is entering it’s 4th year. Back in 2007, located at Venice Beach, California, the first annual Red Bull Manny Mania was a relatively small event. Some of the pros taking part were Kenny Anderson, Danny Montoya, Daniel Castilo and Chris Roberts, plus of course Joey Brezinski. The format was an instant hit and shortly after New York City hosted their own Red Bull Manny Mania in the city of Manhattan. The response was even bigger than its West Coast inspiration.
In full force, 2008's Red Bull Manny Mania was again in Manhattan, New York City and the turnout defied even the most optimistic of expectations. Crowds flooded to the venue in the thousands to watch heavy hitters such as Brandon Biebel, Jason Dill, Eric Koston and Stevie Williams, names synonymous with amazing technical approaches to skating.
In 2009 Manny Mania took its first tentative steps into the international arena with an event in the UK. As expected, skaters beyond America’s shores enthusiastically embraced the contest and 2010 saw a rapid expansion into several other countries, including a qualifier held right here in South Africa at Wave House Durban, won by Simon Stipich. Simon flew to NYC to compete against fellow qualifiers from around the world for a single coveted spot in the pro invitational.
Simon Stipich will be charging for SA ((c)Tyrone Bradley/Red Bull Content Pool)
2011 has followed precedent and is even bigger with 34 countries taking part in regional qualifiers. South Africa will be hosting qualifying events and a grand qualifier featuring the best tech skaters from around the country. It’s a chance for one of our talented locals to show their skill on skating’s biggest stage.
I will be along for the ride and keeping you up to date with the events. Also look out for profiles on top riders you can expect to see at the Manny Mania events.
• June 4: Son Skate Park (Stellenbosch)
• June 11: Element Skate Park (Jeffreys Bay)
• June 18: Wave House Skate Park, Gateway Theatre of Shopping, Umhlanga (Durban)
• June 25: Revolution Skate Park, Festival Mall, Kempton Park (Johannesburg)
• June 26: Finals – Revolution Skate Park, Festival Mall,Kempton Park (Johannesburg)
From the no-handed landing of Mad Mike Jones in 2001 to landing a double back flip by Cameron Sinclair in a freestyle motocross run in 2009, check out the history of Red Bull X-fighters like never before.
2011 is destined to be a historic year as the tour heats up in a truly global competition.
A little spring time wingsuit fun in ze alps with Mike Steen and Mattt Gerdes.These guys are mental! The proximity flying over the trees absolutely blew me away!
Kelly Slater decided to have a warm up surf yesterday, as competition at the Billabong Pro Rio, was postponed. After watching this video I reckon the guys in his Round 1 heat must be shitting themselves. He launches and lands what is possibly the biggest Alley Oop air of all time!
Looks like Quiksilver are building the total skate park somewhere in the USA. Indoors, everything from street, bowl and vert. Check out some of their top skaters charging the half built park. Now if only we could get a park like this in Cape Town!
With 2 events behind us on the 2011 WCT, the tour now heads to the vibrant city of Rio, Brazil. The contest moves here from its previous location of Florinoppolis and I for one think this will have a major impact on the competition. The level of support the local Brazillian boys will have from the beach, could see some major upsets on the cards. If you play Fantasy Surfer, you will want to make sure you have some Brazilian representation.
Rio is a city famous for its beauty and geography, for its exotic landscapes that mix sea and mountain and of course, for its beaches. It’s not by chance that during the last 50 years surfing has grown here and has become very popular among the Brazilian youth, at first in Rio South Zone, afterwards in all of Brazil. Today surfing is one of the most practiced sports on the Brazilian coast.
Peterson Crisanto, the young wildcard. He loos dangerous in the water. (Photo: ASP)
The locals to look out for start with Jadson Andre, the defending champion and a man who gets better by the event on the WCT. Fun, punchy beach break is going to suit this guy and nobody will want him in their heats. Also be wary of the wildcard, Peterson Crisanto, the latest representative of Brazil's new generation, was announced as the wildcard for the Billabong Rio Pro 2011. Petersinho, as he is know in his home country, is an aerial specialist and definitely has a full bag of tricks to prove himself in the big stage against the top surfers in the world.
The surfer got his year started with a bang, winning one of the biggest prizes in the PRO JR category at Burleigh Heads, Australia, last January.
Then we have the front runners in the title race right now. King Kelly Slater still sits on top of the rankings, but he is by no means out far ahead. Joel Parkinson lifted himself to 2nd place on the rankings with a well earned 1st at Bells and Jordy Smith has finished 3rd in both early events to secure himself in 3rd on the rankings and within easy reach of the number 1 spot. All three of these guys can deliver in punchy beach break, but I think Smith has the advantage if it is smaller and weaker. His experience in the Durban bowls will see him a lethal threat. Don't think for a minute that he is to big to surf small waves, he will prove you wrong.
My danger men - Taj Burrows, a man who has won multiple titles in Brazil and loves these nuggety little beach break conditions. Likewise, Josh Kerr, has not had the best start to the year, but with his arsenal of arials, new school turns and tube riding small waves, he will be a very dangerous adversary in these conditions.
This an oldy but a goldy! I watched it for the first time in a couple of months and just had to share it with you.
That's pretty crazy right there!
Ken Block and the DC snowboard team combine a rally car with snowboarding at New Zealand's Snow Park NZ resort in September 2007 for DC's snowboard video Mtn.Lab 1.5. A photo from this shoot was featured on the cover of Snowboarder Magazine, and the story was featured in an article in 0-60 Magazine.
SAN CLEMENTE, California/USA (Saturday, May 7, 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 final.”
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.”
For Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro highlights log on to http://www.nike6lowerspro.com/
For Oakley Pro Junior highlights log on to www.oakleyprojunior.com
For additional ASP information log on to www.aspworldtour.com or www.aspnorthamerica.org 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
