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!
Mick Fanning may have won in 2012, but it was "that air" by Kelly Slater in the final we all remember. (Photo:ASP)
52 Years of iconic contest surfing starts up again tomorrow with the start of the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach. Stop 2 of the World Tour gets underway in small conditions with the forecasters calling epic conditions for the Easter Weekend, just in time for droves of fans to line the point at Bells.
That man Kelly Slater is in the number 1 slot once again, with Joel Parkinson breathing down his neck. Mick Fanning as defending champion will also be a major threat and after watching his turns at Snapper, you best believe that if Bells is big, Jordy Smith will be taking names! Dust Payne has just come off a win at Margaret River and that confidence may well see his best result on tour happening at Bells. Julian Wilson was also in that final and will be feeling good. Dark horses in my opinion will be Kohole Andino and Philipe Toledo.
Anything can happen at Bells though, so look forward to an exiting event!
Empty Perfection amongst the madness! (Photo: Dunbar)
Its a dredging sandbank in the heart of the chaos that is the Gold Coast. It's bred multiple world champions and countless super stars. The day after the Quiksilver Pro it turned on for the many that had been waiting and what a show it was...
Joel Parkinson showing his feelings for the Priority System in the Final. Kelly just smiles! (Photo: ASP)
I, like many out there, thought this was the year it was going to happen. The year that the old guard finally stepped aside as the wealth of new pumped up youngsters took control of their destinies and the World Tour. The old boys pretty much just bitch slapped that idea though. Kelly Slater glides to the final where he showed he sill has the surfing and the mental game to win, taking out crowd favorite and current World Champion, Joel Parkinson. The photo above shows the defining moment with Joel deep in a Kirra pit, but Kelly had priority and he used it. Sly old bastard!
These two were joined by Mick Fanning in the semi finals along with semi youngster Bourez. But where were Jordy Smith, John John, Medina and company? After a banging start Jordy lost to good mate and constantly overlooked Saffa, Travis Logie - will Jordy pick himself up and cane Bells? You tell me. John John cracked his ankle skating on a layday. Medina fumbles and the only guy of the new class to get anywhere was Julian Wilson, with a little support from Matti Wilko.
Bottom line - the old goats are not going anywhere! See ya at bells.
Dylan Lightfoot soars to victory in both the /18 and /20 Finals.
What a great event and weekend in Durban with Wok and the Groms! Warm water, super fun little waves and some incredible surfing from the SA juniors. Big ups to Bos for supporting SA surfing. I got to spend some quality time with the Billabong team and all I can say is that the future for South African surfing is bright!
Billabong
Junior Series (Event #1 of 4)
New
Pier, Durban
Results
U20
Boys
1. Dylan Lightfoot (Jeffreys Bay) R10 000
2. Michael February (Kommetjie)
3. Mickey Venter (Durban)
4. Dane Staples (St Francis Bay)
U20
Girls
1. Heidi Palmboom (Bluff)R10 000
2. Emma Smith (Jeffreys Bay)
3. Nicole Pallet (Durban)
4. Chanelle Botha (Warner Beach)
U18
Boys
1. Dylan Lightfoot (Jeffreys Bay)R5 000
2. Max Armstrong (Scarborough)R900
3. Ethan Pentz (Kalk Bay)R600
4. Justin Sykes (Salt Rock)R500
U18
Girls
1. Chanelle Botha (Warner Beach)R5 000
2. Nicole Pallet (Durban)R900
3. Tahra Uren (Jeffreys Bay)R600
4. Caryn McNicol (Scottburgh)R500
U16
Boys
1. Jordan Maree (Kalk Bay)R5 000
2. Tim Baard (Jeffreys Bay)R900
3. Jerry van Wyk (Jeffreys Bay)R600
4. Donovan Wichmann (Marina da Gama)R500
U14
Boys
1. Koby Oberholzer (Durban)R2 500
2. Adin Masencamp (Strand)R450
3. Ethan Fletcher (Kommetjie)R300
4. Rewaldo Abersalie (Jeffreys Bay)R250
U14
Girls
1. Kai Woolf (Jeffreys Bay)R2 500
2. Olivia Izzard (Durban)R450
3. Sophie Bell (Durban)R300
4. Kirsty McGillivray (Jeffreys Bay)R250
U12
Boys
1. Max Elkington (Hout Bay)R2 500
2. Saxton Randall (Durban)R450
3. Tide Lee Ireland (Durban)R300
4. Angelo Faulkner (Jeffreys Bay)R250
VonZipper Flair Up Award– Best Aerial manoeuvre
Diran
Zakarian (Melkbosstrand)R10 000
DaKine Youthful Movement
Award –
Most progressive surfing
Shane
Sykes (Salt Rock)R10 000
Nixon Winner Takes
All (WTA) – Highest heat total
Kai Woolf (Jeffreys Bay) – 19.40 (10.0 + 9.40)
out of 20 – Custom engraved Nixon Watch
The old dinosaurs of surfing have to realize one thing and fast, women's surfing is no longer the small often looked down to little sister any longer! With market share fast shifting over to the Brands supporting women's surfing, the numbers of women in the water growing every day and most importantly the level of girl's surfing exploding both on tour and in the free surfs, we may find ourselves as the second string one day...
Leading the charge for female surfing is Carrissa Moore and if you don't believe me just watch the video and accept!
Meet young up and coming Pro Surfer, Quincy Davis. This girl has got some pretty mental style both in and out of the water. Spending lots of her time in Puerto Rico, she has the Island Vibe down and knows how to put a board on a rail! This is one girl to keep an eye on!
To say Coco comes from Hawaiian royalty, is not an overstatement! Daughter to Michael Ho, and niece to Derek, this tiny bombshell has grown up in the North Shore sunlight and holds her own on the golden mile! One of the most down to earth and affable surf stars you will ever meet, follow her on Twitter to find out, she is fast making a big name for herself on the ASP World Tour.
Dale Staples representing for the North Shore Saffas and making 9th!
Pipeline was not at its utmost best, but there were waves and the focus shifted from the lefts to the Backdoor Rights. The lone Saffa, Dale Staples charged hard and ended up making the Semi Finals and a well deserved 9th place. Josh Kerr and Chris Ward were on a hard charge and pushing the limits with super late drops and "backdoor" tubes. But after all was said and done, it was defending champion and North Shore royalty, John John Florence who managed to defend his Pipe Pro title and take the glorious Spartan War Helm Trophy home, which happens to be right there...
While the swell poured into the North Shore, the contest directors at the Volcom Pipe Pro decided not to run the contest, as conditions were to wild and wooly. This did not stop the waiting Pipeline chargers from attacking it all day long. Amongst the horror and carnage there were some bombs, some spit as thick as a Sea Monster's spout and of course some hero making drops!
The contest season on the ASP World Tour starts with a bang at Pipeline for the 2013 Volcom Pipe Pro. The 5 Star event always brings drama and great action to the start of the year and you can bet that 2012 winner John John Florence will be looking to defend his title! The usual suspects of North Shore chargers and World Tour stars will battle it out for honors, though I am most excited to see how the Saffa boys go. (Well, that's hoping some of them get in...)
Maya is drop dead gorgeous and deadly in the big waves!
Meet the hard charging big wave hell lady, who also happens to be a tiny and gorgeous women. Maya Gabeira comes from Brazil and learnt to charge big waves on the North Shore of Hawaii. This lady is not scared, even when asked to surf naked for ESPN...
2012 ASP Long Boarding World Champion with a serious Hawaiian Pedigree!
Kelia Moniz, daughter to 80's pro surfer, Tony Moniz, has been fighting her brothers in the lineup for years and it shows in her accomplished results and gorgeous style. She literally dances across the water! Winning the 2012 ASP Longboard Title is just the beginning for this seriously talented surfer...
Meet the very hot and talented Monyca Byrne Wickey. The home grown Island girl is definately a Bikini and warm water surfer with one of the best carves in the business. Keep an eye out for her, you will see more. For more of this amazing shoot head over to Tracks Mag....
It's Monday, well actually Tuesday, but it was a public holiday in South Africa yesterday which meant a day at the beach. Today I introduce you to Pro Surfer, Sage Erickson, who has quietly been making waves in the world of Pro Surfing. Hailing from California, she spends a lot of her time on the North Shore of Hawaii between trips for main sponsor, O'Neill. Remember to check in every Monday to meet another gorgeous lady from the world of Surfing.
Not only has Kauai's Alana Blanchard made it back onto the World Tour for 2013, but she has her own web series. This is Episode 3, where she takes us on a tour of the remote Na Pali coastline, which is one of the most beautiful, remote places on the
island. Alana and good friend Leila Hurst explore the wild coast by
boat, finding hidden waterfalls, crystal blue lagoons, and towing in the
boat's wake alongside dolphins in the open ocean.
Adriano is always dangerous and will be up in Heat 1 of Round 1. (Photo: ASP)
After the crazy mutant tubes in France, we need to prepare for more of the same in Portugal for the Rip Curl Pro. Supertubos is a wave that can deliver insane tubes and great punt opportunities on the smaller days. Just check the videos to see the wide variety of wave on offer at one beachbreak.
With 2 wins on the trot, Kelly Slater is definitely back in the Title hunt and he will be pretty confident going to Supertubos. Joel Parkinson is the number 1 surfer on the ratings, but he knows Kelly is breathing down his neck and after losing in the semis to Kelly in France, he may fold. Mick Fanning has done well at this event in the past and needs a solid result to put his campaign back together after a horrid result in France. Mick was looking so good all year, but wave choice let him down at the last event.
John John and Julian Wilson are my dark horses along with the Frenchman, Jeremy Flores. Jordy Smith has been ripping, but sometimes the luck is not with you. That's been his year in 2012! It will only take one win to change everything, so here is hoping both the judges and that fickle bitch, luck, go his way in Portugal.
I don't think you could ask for a better final day in professional surfing. Kelly versus Joel Parkinson and Jon Jon Florence versus Dane Reynolds, followed by a Dane and Kelly final. Some big names were also beaten early, meaning the world title race is now wide open! Joel has moved to number 1 with his 3rd place finish in France and Kelly slots in at number 2. This means poor Mick fanning has slipped to 3rd, followed by John John and Taj Burrows.it is super tight between the top 3 and you can believe that Portugal is going to be a huge fight for points.
Hats off to Dane Reynolds making the final as a wildcard. The guy ripped France and Kelly was the only guy ever looking like beating him. Kelly is a machine! With his 51st win on tour, he puts himself right back in the hunt for world title number 12 and solidifying his place as the greatest athlete of all time.
QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE FINAL RESULTS:
1 – Kelly Slater (USA) 17.26
2 – Dane Reynolds (USA) 14.00
QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE SEMIFINALS RESULTS:
SF 1: Dane Reynolds (USA) 15.70 def. John John Florence (HAW) 15.60
SF 3: Kelly Slater (USA) 12.27 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 10.93
CURRENT ASP WCT TOP 5 (After Quiksilver Pro France):
1. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 46,200 pts
2. Kelly Slater (USA) 45,450 pts
3. Mick Fanning (AUS) 43,000
4. John John Florence (HAW) 39,150 pts
5. Taj Burrow (AUS) 31,900 pts
Here is hoping Jordy Smith canes it in France after being ripped at Trestles! (Photo: QuikPro/ASP)
The Quiksilver Pro starts today with the trials in some pretty heavy looking French beachbreak. After a manic week at Trestles, Kelly Slater has shaken the title race up and while Mick Fanning is still in the lead, he will be feeling Kelly breathing down his neck. Joel Parkinson and John John Florence are in the top 4 and both of these guys can cane the beachies in France. They were in the Brazil final with John John winning and if the swell stays small to medium, they could quite easily be in this final. Keep a beady eye on the Brazza, Adriano da Souza, sitting in 5th on the rankings and looking solid at Trestles.
My dark horses are Dane Reynolds, who has been awarded a wild card, and would probably love to win the contest doing the most outrageous surfing possible. But, my big call has to be Jordy Smith. he was totally ripped off in California and he knows it. I am hoping to see a hungry and merciless giant in the water in France. Jordy needs to take his surfing to the line and cane every wave he surfs. The French beachbreaks are very similar to the waves he grew up on and the man is just to good not to start winning more contests. I think France could be it.
Yadin Nicol finally found his form and destroyed the fun waves at Trestles. (Photo: ASP)
The waves were fun, the light onshore allowing massive air attempts, and the surfers were pumped for Day 1 at the Hurley Pro. Surprise of the day was Yadin Nicol absolutely blowing up in his Round 1 heat with 2 of the biggest airs of the event so far. World number 1, Mick Fanning, showed why he is controlling the top spot this year with a clinical display. Kelly Slater and Jordy Smith were also in impressive form. Surprises aplenty as John John, Julian Wilson, Miguel Pupo and Kohole Andino were knocked into Round 2, after most would have thought these guys would dominate at Trestles. We now see a stacked Round 2, with many big players. Travis Logie was on fire, but unfortunately, he was unable to meet the power turns of a rampant Jordy.
HURLEY PRO AT TRESTLES ROUND 1 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 14.30, Jadson Andre (BRA) 11.10, Brett Simpson (USA) 7.94
Heat 2: Taj Burrow (AUS) 16.00, Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 12.57, Alejo Muniz (BRA) 7.37
Heat 3: Kelly Slater (USA) 15.66, Tiago Pires (PRT) 10.90, Taylor Knox (USA) 8.10
Heat 4: Dusty Payne (USA) 12.47, Kai Otton (AUS) 12.00, John John Florence (HAW) 9.00
Heat 5: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 14.16, Joel Parkinson (AUS) 12.87, Evan Geiselman (USA) 12.50
Heat 6: Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.60, Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 14.60, Conner Coffin (USA) 12.16
Heat 7: Yadin Nicol (AUS) 17.57, Owen Wright (AUS) 17.17, Miguel Pupo (BRA) 11.67
Heat 8: Josh Kerr (AUS) 13.20, Damien Hobgood (USA) 10.63, Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 8.00
Heat 9: Michel Bourez (PYF) 16.20, Kolohe Andino (AUS) 13.30, Jeremy Flores (PYF) 12.70
Heat 10: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 16.50, Adam Melling (AUS) 13.57, Julian Wilson (AUS) 9.66
Heat 11: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 16.30, Travis Logie (ZAF) 15.87, Heitor Alves (BRA) 13.83
Heat 12: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 16.90, C.J. Hobgood (USA) 16.17, Kieren Perrow (AUS) 8.20
UPCOMING HURLEY PRO AT TRESTLES ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Conner Coffin (USA)
Heat
2: John John Florence (HAW) vs. Evan Geiselman (USA)
Heat 3: Owen Wright (AUS) vs. Taylor Knox (USA)
Heat 4: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Patrick Gudauskas (USA)
Heat 5: Julian Wilson (AUS) vs. Jadson Andre (BRA)
Heat 6: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
Heat 7: Heitor Alves (BRA) vs. Kolohe Andino (USA)
Heat 8: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Adam Melling (AUS)
Heat 9: Miguel Pupo (BRA) vs. Travis Logie (ZAF)
Heat 10: Brett Simpson (USA) vs. Kieren Perrow (AUS)
Heat 11: Alejo Muniz (BRA) vs. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW)
Heat 12: Tiago Pires (PRT) vs. Kai Otton (AUS)
Jordy Smith is looking his old self. Check this video of his build up to the event training at Trestles.
First things first, I arrived in Jbay on the back of a 41 hour trip from LA. To say I am broken would have been an understatement. Never the less, I woke to perfect waves at the best point in the world and a contest site frothing for what was going to be one of the best 6 Star events of all time. The biggest storm of all time was on the horizon and contest director, Luke Egan, wanted the event done before it arrived. Enter 3 days of 24 heats per day and a crew of workers and surfers who went full tilt to the finals, where the most full tilt surfer of them all was awarded victory in the form of Brazilian, Adriano da Souza. While this was all going on I found myself in the holy grail of seats for a person dedicated to talking about surfing, the Billabong Pro webcast booth, along with my main man Wok. We were given an opportunity and we both grasped it with open arms. My feeling is that we brought something fresh to the webcast and hopefully that will be rewarded with more time in the booth at big contests. We snuck the event under the storm radar and then got thoroughly bolted by what must be the most insane storm I have ever seen at Jbay. It was ok though, we were happy to chill indoors with a glass of Red wine after the best contest in a very long time!
Here is my radio show with fellow commentator, Greg Long, contest director, Luke Egan, Billabong SA main skiet, Chad da Arcy and Billabong Events manager, The Heff! Have a listen and understand fully what went down at this momentous event!
