Shew, we there already. 2010 has been a crazy year and flew by before I even had a chance to put my hand on the handbreak and take a good look around. Frenetic is the word I should really use. I started the year making my first TV show and that was 4 months of mayhem, backstabbing, tears and reality - shit loads of reality! After all it was a reality show - but to see the final product up there on screen and people enjoying watching it made it all worth while. Way of the Warrior was a great success, but I still want to see it grow into something more.
I was really unsure what I was going to do after the show, but luckily the fates conspired to give me another first opportunity and I landed my first acting role. Once again there was no middle ground here and I found myself on a proper hollywood set, for Universal Pictures no less, with zero acting experience. Nervous, I was at first, but it took just one day and I got into the swing of things. It was definately the highlite of my career so far and I learnt so much about the procedures and methods of film making. The people we met and worked with on the film were also amazing and I feel this was a major turning point in my own personal development. Look out for Blue crush 2 in 2011 - it still makes me chuckle that I have to wait that long to see how I did.
So now I was sitting with these 2 firsts under the belt and not quite sure what to do next. Luckily my good friend and work colleague Andrew Black, finally put a taper to the fire built directly under my ass and I got serious about theGoodLife - a project I have been working on for almost 6 years. With his help we made our first DVD, Tv show (26 minutes for Supersport) and held a launch event. While the event was not greatly attended - I got pretty depro about it that night - I realised that the great people who did come, had an awesome time, meaning they will come to the next one and tell their mates to come to. I have this weird feeling inside that the project is just going to take off in 2011.
Part of this new found lease in confidence and forward thinking was quite simply down to you, the people who read my Blog. After years of writing but never really publishing, it was a huge boost to my confidence this September when I decided to finally blog full time, and people started reading it and enjoying it. It will be really interesting to see where this goes in 2011 and if I can actually make a living out of the blog.
New Years resolutions? Only one - ME! No more pandering to people and giving of all my time and energy. No more bending over backwards to make other people happy. In 2011 I plan to make myself happy, by doing what I want to do, by fullfilling my own dreams and creating my own success. This may sound self centered and a little ego driven - but its not. I finally realised that we so often give so much of ourselves for others, that we forget about our own happiness and fullfilment. If I can make others happy and successful, in the process of achieving my own goals, thats great, but no longer will I risk my own life's destiny for a pat on the back or a smile on a face.
I hope you can find your path for 2011 and that it is a succesful one. You are only as good as you allow yourself to be. Dont rely on others, make your own path and achieve your dreams!
Thanks for reading,
Captain Kai
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!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Frothy Guiness Pits - with Roosta
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| Roosta loves Ireland!(Photo: Craig Ritchie) |
Here is a little bit of Irish cheer for all of you, just to keep you going between Xmas and New Years. The Saffers recently headed over to the Emerald Isle and scored the biggest swell of the winter (Jem Johnson scoring an XXL nomination on first wave in Ireland.), good times, more good times, Roosta jamming with Dom from Goldfish and some bloody good waves. Check out the video of Roosta's trip -
If you enjoyed that, check out some of Richard Johnson's slide shows on the Zag site:
Slide Show 1
Slide Show 2
Slide Show 3
I think I am gonna have to do this mission next year! I do like a Guinness after all!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Cab parks it in the Mall?
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| Chris Cab, or Dirty Sanchez as some hot girls call him... |
Ok, so let me introduce theGoodLife rider, Chris Cab. As he says, he left social security for the rock and roll lifestyle. It fits him well, he charges on a skateboard and snowboard, rides a Harley and has Homer Simpson on his wrist, as well as his dog. That's in Ink, in case you were wondering. From good old South African stock, this guy has been representing in Austria since his youth.
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| Cabs always likes the moolah! |
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| Steezing for the clueless! |
A few quik questions with Cab -
K: Who are you really?
C: I would say the Devil, but greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing man he did not exist!
K: Why Rock and Roll?
C: Why not... hahaha Some people call it Electro I call it bullshit!
K: Whats your inspiration?
C: Life - and the depths of hell (I am picking up a metal trend here...)
K: Who supports you?
C: Anyone who has a couch for me (That's me then.) Monster Energy, Vans, Electric, Altamont, XDouble,Vestal, Grounded Europe and the guys who invented Cream Soda, Black Label and Chutney Chips.
K: Whats next?
C: A shitload of snow and two road trips through Europe and the USA (God help those poor seppos.)
K: Message for the Saffers?
C:Keep it real, stay grounded, love life, live theGoodLife! Oh and eat biltong!
We got some skate footage, the snow footage, Cab surfing - me thinks you will see a sweet section in the next theGoodLife DVD. So take some inspiration from the Cab - life is short, have a good time!
Monday, December 20, 2010
Canal Walk Snowboard Jam - World Snowboarding Day 2010
On a balmy and very hot day in Cape Town, spectators at Canal Walk Shopping center were surprised to find a Snowboarding competition in full swing, this Sunday the 19th December.
To celebrate World Snowboarding Day, Canal Walk, along with Liqui Fruit and DC, hosted the first ever, Canal Walk Snowboarding Jam. The event was attended by some of South Africa’s top Snowboarders, including current Euro Cup holder, Marta “Mawa” Jekot. There was also an international flavor, thanks to Austrian Pro, Chris Cab.
All the riders threw themselves onto the 3m Rail setup on the small slope inside Canal Walk for over R20’000 in prizes. There were big spills and huge thrills for the hundreds of people who came to watch the event, while getting in a last minute Christmas shop. The contest was run on a “Jam Format”, meaning the riders had 3 open sessions to impress the judges and the crowd. The first two sessions went down on the rail, before organizers took it out and the last session was an Air Jam.
In the ladies division it was no surprise when Marta Jekot took first place, but Sally Berold, in her first competition came in a deserving second place, as well as winning the best Newcomer Award. Marta completed some high risk tricks with a couple of 180 on, 180 off slides on the rail, as well as a clean 360 off of the small kicker in the air section.
The men, with a much bigger field, were a very close affair. Katlego “Kat” Maponyane, a rail specialist, was throwing down seriously technical tricks, but due to their difficulty had a lower completion rate than some of the other riders. He took out third place, along with the best trick award, for a huge 270 on, 90 off board slide on the rail. In second place was the Austrian, Chris Cab. He was showing his experience with a wide range of tricks and approaches to the rails. Unfortunately he injured himself landing a one-footed air in the last session and had his Granny and family in the audience extremely worried. He turned out to be ok, but he will definitely be out of action for a while.
In first place was seven time SA Champion, Marcin Jekot. He quietly went about his business and stuck multiple board-slides and airs, including a 540 Method Air (Amazing on that small kicker). The judges were suitably impressed and he walked away the first ever Canal Walk Snowboard Jam Champion.
There were numerous wipeouts during the day, a couple of very close calls, but it was Darren Swanepoel, who body slammed the rail face first in the practice session, who took the best Wipeout award. The Guts and Glory award went to BMX rider, Rupert von Tutschek, who impressed everyone with his commitment to pushing his limits and trying new tricks.
Canal Walk Snowboard Jam - World Snowboard Day from Kai Linder on Vimeo.
The event was a huge success and we can but hope that we will see it on the Snowboarding Calendar again in 2011.
Podium:
Mens:
1st Marcin Jekot (SA)
2nd Chris Cab (Austrian)
3rd Katlego Maponyane (SA)
Ladies:
1st Marta Jekot (SA)
2nd Sally Berold (SA)
Best Trick: Katlego Maponyane (SA)
Best Wipe Out: Darren Swanepoel (SA)
Guts & Glory Award: Rupert von Tutschek (SA)
(For the rider who pushed their limits even though they had major falls.)
Best Newcomer: Sally Berold (SA)
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| Chris Cab straight out of Austria and onto our tiny slope! |
To celebrate World Snowboarding Day, Canal Walk, along with Liqui Fruit and DC, hosted the first ever, Canal Walk Snowboarding Jam. The event was attended by some of South Africa’s top Snowboarders, including current Euro Cup holder, Marta “Mawa” Jekot. There was also an international flavor, thanks to Austrian Pro, Chris Cab.
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| Cab takes the low road, while Mens winner, Marcin Jekot takes the high road. |
All the riders threw themselves onto the 3m Rail setup on the small slope inside Canal Walk for over R20’000 in prizes. There were big spills and huge thrills for the hundreds of people who came to watch the event, while getting in a last minute Christmas shop. The contest was run on a “Jam Format”, meaning the riders had 3 open sessions to impress the judges and the crowd. The first two sessions went down on the rail, before organizers took it out and the last session was an Air Jam.
 |
| Sally looking pretty pleased with her 2nd place and Best Newcomer prizes! |
In the ladies division it was no surprise when Marta Jekot took first place, but Sally Berold, in her first competition came in a deserving second place, as well as winning the best Newcomer Award. Marta completed some high risk tricks with a couple of 180 on, 180 off slides on the rail, as well as a clean 360 off of the small kicker in the air section.
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| All smiles for the Queen of African snowboarding, Marta "Mawa" Jekot. |
The men, with a much bigger field, were a very close affair. Katlego “Kat” Maponyane, a rail specialist, was throwing down seriously technical tricks, but due to their difficulty had a lower completion rate than some of the other riders. He took out third place, along with the best trick award, for a huge 270 on, 90 off board slide on the rail. In second place was the Austrian, Chris Cab. He was showing his experience with a wide range of tricks and approaches to the rails. Unfortunately he injured himself landing a one-footed air in the last session and had his Granny and family in the audience extremely worried. He turned out to be ok, but he will definitely be out of action for a while.
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| Katlego Maponyane doing what he does best - kills jibs and rails! |
In first place was seven time SA Champion, Marcin Jekot. He quietly went about his business and stuck multiple board-slides and airs, including a 540 Method Air (Amazing on that small kicker). The judges were suitably impressed and he walked away the first ever Canal Walk Snowboard Jam Champion.
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| theGoodLife riders, commentators and judge! |
There were numerous wipeouts during the day, a couple of very close calls, but it was Darren Swanepoel, who body slammed the rail face first in the practice session, who took the best Wipeout award. The Guts and Glory award went to BMX rider, Rupert von Tutschek, who impressed everyone with his commitment to pushing his limits and trying new tricks.
Canal Walk Snowboard Jam - World Snowboard Day from Kai Linder on Vimeo.
The event was a huge success and we can but hope that we will see it on the Snowboarding Calendar again in 2011.
Podium:
Mens:
1st Marcin Jekot (SA)
2nd Chris Cab (Austrian)
3rd Katlego Maponyane (SA)
Ladies:
1st Marta Jekot (SA)
2nd Sally Berold (SA)
Best Trick: Katlego Maponyane (SA)
Best Wipe Out: Darren Swanepoel (SA)
Guts & Glory Award: Rupert von Tutschek (SA)
(For the rider who pushed their limits even though they had major falls.)
Best Newcomer: Sally Berold (SA)
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Le Frog Flores wins Pipeline, makes History
The French must have got tanked up on wine and brandy! The first ever European Pipeline Master - Jeremy Flores. Good one on the old boy, Kieren Perrow, its about time he showed his class at Pipe/Backdoor with a Final finish. Joel Parko took the Triple Crown, the first time anyone has taken the hatrick - 3 in a row!
PIPELINE, Oahu/Hawaii (Thursday, December 16, 2010) – Jeremy Flores (FRA) 22, won the Billabong Pipe Masters in memory of Andy Irons over Kieren Perrow (AUS), 33, in a come-from-behind victory in firing four-to-six foot (1.5 metre) backdoor barrels, marking his first career ASP World Tour victory.
Joel Parkinson (AUS), 29, was another to stand atop the Billabong Pipe Masters podium, clinching his third, consecutive Vans Triple Crown title to conclude the 2010 ASP World Tour season.
Flores, who was in need of a solid 8.60 single-wave score in the dying moments, clawed his way back into the Final against Perrow and threaded the needle on a beautiful righthand barrel to earn a 9.37. Making history as the first European to ever win the Billabong Pipe Masters in the event’s 40 year history, Flores punctuated his season with his career-best result.
“This is such a dream,” Flores said. “I’ve been coming to Hawaii for so long and this is my favorite place in the world, the waves, the people, everything. I just knew I couldn’t give up in the Final even though I was behind. It’s the Pipe Masters and it’s everything. I’m so stoked.”
Flores’ impressive showing in the Final wasn’t his only come-from-behind win of the day, as the young Frenchman also topped reigning 10-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 38, in the dying minutes of their Semifinals match-up, marking a significant turnaround in the young Frenchman’s career.
“I’m so stoked to be here and to have made this result,” Flores said. “I’ve been surfing a lot again in all conditions, small or big and I kind of lost that at the start of the year. I think that’s what has helped my rhythm. I’ve just been surfing three times a day no matter what the conditions are and I think that’s the biggest thing that changed this year for me. I just feel like I’ve found my rhythm again.”
Flores Finished at No. 9 on the ASP World Tour Rankings for 2010.
Perrow dominated the tricky Backdoor Pipeline conditions throughout the event’s entirety, weaving through several tight barrels to drop some of the event’s top scores including a 9.90 a 9.83 and a 9.70, However the hard-charging Australian saw his Billabong Pipe Masters title slip from his grasp in the final minutes of his match up against Flores.
“You never think you’ve won until the hooter goes I guess,” Perrow said. “I know Jeremy (Flores) is capable of getting great scores which he showed throughout the event and I wanted to be patient and wait for that good one. I went on that one that wasn’t so good and Jeremy got that 9 and all credit to him. It’ been a fantastic week though, the support from everyone has been amazing.”
Kelly Slater (USA), 38, reigning ten-time ASP World Champion, appeared to be the form surfer of the event, notching the event’s only perfect 10-point ride in his Round 4 heat, but made an uncharacteristic priority mistake in his Semifinals bout against Flores, allowing the young Frenchman to find the score needed to overtake Slater in the final minutes of their heat to leave the Floridian icon with a 3rd place finish overall.
“I thought there was a bigger one behind but there have only been one wave sets and I didn’t even think about it in the moment. As soon as it went over I was like oh no, but that’s the way it goes. I’ve had it go that way for me before, but good for Jeremy he’s a great tube rider and I’m sure he’s stoked to be in the Final. To start the heat off I fell and Jeremy was just getting barreled across and I said ‘you know, I’m going to come back and win this heat.’ I let my guard down in the end and that’s the way it goes. You can get 18 or 20 points at Pipeline in the last two minutes.”
The 2010 Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons also represents Slater’s historic 20th event at the Banzai Pipeline and the ASP World Tour veteran took the time to reflect on his many years in Hawaii.
“I have a lot of good memories here at Pipeline,” Slater said. “I think I’ve surfed in 20 of these things. I think my first one (Pipe Masters) was my best memory, just because of the guys I was surfing against. I saw people like Tom Carroll, who won that year, and I just sat on the beach in awe. He was just amazing that year.”
Dane Reynolds (USA), 25, was another talent to shine in the racy Backdoor Pipeline conditions. The innovative natural-footer topped fellow Americans Taylor Knox (USA), 39, Damien Hobgood (USA), 31, and Patrick Gudauskas (USA), 25, but fell to Perrow in the Semifinals to match his best result of the 2010 ASP World Tour season with an equal 3rd place finish.
“It was funny because my Semifinals heat turned a total flip-flop for me,” Reynolds said. “In my Quarterfinals heat I was in the spot every time a wave came and in the second heat it just went flat. I think in the end it was a pretty good morning with a few tubes at Backdoor. It doesn’t happen every morning for me. It’s a good way to end the year and I’m looking forward to Snapper.”
Joel Parkinson returned to Hawaii to defend his Vans Triple Crown title after a brutal laceration to his foot sidelined him for nearly the entire 2010 ASP World Tour season. The stylish natural-footer put on a memorable performance despite the injury, posting a victory at the ASP PRIME Reef Hawaiian Pro, a 9th at the O’Neill World Cup at Sunset Beach and a 13th at the Billabong Pipe Masters to secure his third consecutive Vans Triple Crown Title.
“I’m excited,” Parkinson said. “This year’s Triple Crown didn’t go how I thought it would go. I was just hoping that I would make a few heats because I only felt like I was surfing at 60 percent at home, but everything changed when I got to Hawaii. The Triple Crown has always been really prestigious to me. It was always dominated by the best Hawaiians and it’s something that I’ve always held high. To get one was great, so to get three is amazing. I hope that next year I’m just injury free and that this win is just a stepping stone.”
Highlights from the Billabong Pipe Masters will be available via http://triplecrownofsurfing.com/billabongpipemasters/
For additional ASP information log on to www.aspworldtour.com
Billabong Pipe Masters Final Results:
1 – Jeremy Flores (FRA) 14.54
2 – Kieren Perrow (AUS) 13.77
Billabong Pipe Masters Semifinals Results:
SF 1: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 17.50 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 17.23
SF 2: Kieren Perrow (AUS) 15.03 def. Dane Reynolds (USA) 6.83
Billabong Pipe Masters Quarterfinals Results:
QF 1: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 14.00 def. Owen Wright (AUS) 7.43
QF 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 12.94 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 3.16
QF 3: Kieren Perrow (AUS) 13.00 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 12.00
QF 4: Dane Reynolds (USA) 17.00 def. Taylor Knox (USA) 3.37
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| Le frog on his way to history! |
Joel Parkinson (AUS), 29, was another to stand atop the Billabong Pipe Masters podium, clinching his third, consecutive Vans Triple Crown title to conclude the 2010 ASP World Tour season.
Flores, who was in need of a solid 8.60 single-wave score in the dying moments, clawed his way back into the Final against Perrow and threaded the needle on a beautiful righthand barrel to earn a 9.37. Making history as the first European to ever win the Billabong Pipe Masters in the event’s 40 year history, Flores punctuated his season with his career-best result.
“This is such a dream,” Flores said. “I’ve been coming to Hawaii for so long and this is my favorite place in the world, the waves, the people, everything. I just knew I couldn’t give up in the Final even though I was behind. It’s the Pipe Masters and it’s everything. I’m so stoked.”
Flores’ impressive showing in the Final wasn’t his only come-from-behind win of the day, as the young Frenchman also topped reigning 10-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 38, in the dying minutes of their Semifinals match-up, marking a significant turnaround in the young Frenchman’s career.
“I’m so stoked to be here and to have made this result,” Flores said. “I’ve been surfing a lot again in all conditions, small or big and I kind of lost that at the start of the year. I think that’s what has helped my rhythm. I’ve just been surfing three times a day no matter what the conditions are and I think that’s the biggest thing that changed this year for me. I just feel like I’ve found my rhythm again.”
Flores Finished at No. 9 on the ASP World Tour Rankings for 2010.
Perrow dominated the tricky Backdoor Pipeline conditions throughout the event’s entirety, weaving through several tight barrels to drop some of the event’s top scores including a 9.90 a 9.83 and a 9.70, However the hard-charging Australian saw his Billabong Pipe Masters title slip from his grasp in the final minutes of his match up against Flores.
“You never think you’ve won until the hooter goes I guess,” Perrow said. “I know Jeremy (Flores) is capable of getting great scores which he showed throughout the event and I wanted to be patient and wait for that good one. I went on that one that wasn’t so good and Jeremy got that 9 and all credit to him. It’ been a fantastic week though, the support from everyone has been amazing.”
Kelly Slater (USA), 38, reigning ten-time ASP World Champion, appeared to be the form surfer of the event, notching the event’s only perfect 10-point ride in his Round 4 heat, but made an uncharacteristic priority mistake in his Semifinals bout against Flores, allowing the young Frenchman to find the score needed to overtake Slater in the final minutes of their heat to leave the Floridian icon with a 3rd place finish overall.
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| Pipe Bombs were Rare |
The 2010 Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons also represents Slater’s historic 20th event at the Banzai Pipeline and the ASP World Tour veteran took the time to reflect on his many years in Hawaii.
“I have a lot of good memories here at Pipeline,” Slater said. “I think I’ve surfed in 20 of these things. I think my first one (Pipe Masters) was my best memory, just because of the guys I was surfing against. I saw people like Tom Carroll, who won that year, and I just sat on the beach in awe. He was just amazing that year.”
Dane Reynolds (USA), 25, was another talent to shine in the racy Backdoor Pipeline conditions. The innovative natural-footer topped fellow Americans Taylor Knox (USA), 39, Damien Hobgood (USA), 31, and Patrick Gudauskas (USA), 25, but fell to Perrow in the Semifinals to match his best result of the 2010 ASP World Tour season with an equal 3rd place finish.
“It was funny because my Semifinals heat turned a total flip-flop for me,” Reynolds said. “In my Quarterfinals heat I was in the spot every time a wave came and in the second heat it just went flat. I think in the end it was a pretty good morning with a few tubes at Backdoor. It doesn’t happen every morning for me. It’s a good way to end the year and I’m looking forward to Snapper.”
Joel Parkinson returned to Hawaii to defend his Vans Triple Crown title after a brutal laceration to his foot sidelined him for nearly the entire 2010 ASP World Tour season. The stylish natural-footer put on a memorable performance despite the injury, posting a victory at the ASP PRIME Reef Hawaiian Pro, a 9th at the O’Neill World Cup at Sunset Beach and a 13th at the Billabong Pipe Masters to secure his third consecutive Vans Triple Crown Title.
“I’m excited,” Parkinson said. “This year’s Triple Crown didn’t go how I thought it would go. I was just hoping that I would make a few heats because I only felt like I was surfing at 60 percent at home, but everything changed when I got to Hawaii. The Triple Crown has always been really prestigious to me. It was always dominated by the best Hawaiians and it’s something that I’ve always held high. To get one was great, so to get three is amazing. I hope that next year I’m just injury free and that this win is just a stepping stone.”
Highlights from the Billabong Pipe Masters will be available via http://triplecrownofsurfing.com/billabongpipemasters/
For additional ASP information log on to www.aspworldtour.com
Billabong Pipe Masters Final Results:
1 – Jeremy Flores (FRA) 14.54
2 – Kieren Perrow (AUS) 13.77
Billabong Pipe Masters Semifinals Results:
SF 1: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 17.50 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 17.23
SF 2: Kieren Perrow (AUS) 15.03 def. Dane Reynolds (USA) 6.83
Billabong Pipe Masters Quarterfinals Results:
QF 1: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 14.00 def. Owen Wright (AUS) 7.43
QF 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 12.94 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 3.16
QF 3: Kieren Perrow (AUS) 13.00 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 12.00
QF 4: Dane Reynolds (USA) 17.00 def. Taylor Knox (USA) 3.37
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Lizard Summer Surf
LIZZARD SUMMER SURF HUGE SUCCESS
Casey Grant continued his formidable approach to contests in 2010, winning the Lizard Summer Surf contest. This guy is looking really solid for the start of his WQS career and I can't wait to see him on the WQS and hopefully the WCT. I worked with Casey on Blue Crush 2, he and Wok were the surf doubles for the actors, and I got to see gim surf a whole bunch in different conditions. The kid blew my mind! So watch this space.
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| Casey Grant - Open Winner (photo: Greg Ewing) |
Official Press Release:
Well done to everyone who took part in the Lizzard Summer Surf Event this weekend! Saturday conditions were VERY tricky and a lot of the surfers had a tough time with the HOWLING SW winds… but we still managed to get through a lot of heats with two podiums and over 200 surfers entered!
A huge thanks to the following people for all they did:
1. Anne Wright – Contest Director
2. Annie de Vries/Viv Venter – tabulators
3. Jemma Wright/Amy – Beach Marshalls
4. Lynette Stander – EVERYTHING – sponsors/branding/ food/complaints
5. Jordan – beach runner (with a sore toe)
6. Paul and Chrissy Izzard – trailer & Equipment etc / sound system
7. The judges – Tim, Wade, Dave, Bongani, Nick, Joe, Chris, Fez, QJ – THANKS!
8. The Lifeguards – especially James Elliott – thanks for being so hospitable
9. Peter Rose – head of Umhlanga Tourism – for helping with venue etc
10. Surfers – Casey Grant, Wes Lewis, Jono Venter, Wazo, and others for helping pack up!
11. To all our sponsors – see below for details!
12. To all the parents and support teams! Thanks for bringing your kids
13. To the surfers themselves – thanks for taking part
14. To Stanton Ashton for singing me and Stan Badger a special birthday song at Hooters after the event!
Thanks to Anne and Chrissy for organizing me a huge bunch of flowers and pressie! Was so special thanks!
Winners of various divisions were: CLICK HERE FOR FULL RESULTS:
Girls:
U8 Gaby Lailvaux
U10 Olivia Izzard, Sophie Bell, Tyla Banks, Gaby Lailvaux
U12 Cana Foster, Micaela Ceruti
U16 Chanelle Botha, Micaela Venter, Cana Foster, Courtenay
U20 Sarah Baum, Chantelle, Heidi, Sehjorn
Open Sarah Baum, Chantelle, Heather Clarke, Heidi
Boys:
U8 Byron Kraus, Tide Lee Ireland
U10 Ethan Kraus, Saxton Randall
U12 Ethan Fletcher, Liamde Villiers, Sam, Denham
U16 Pro Am: Wes Lewis, Byron Daynes, Mitchell, Luc
U20 Pro Am Kyle Emde, Wade Simkiss, Jj, Matt Moon
Open Pro Am Scott Venter, Mikhael Vawda, James Elliott, Jono
Masters Pro Am Paul Izzard, Stanton Ashton
Longboarding Brad Weare, Brad Trickett, Dave VDB, Stanton
U16 Pro JJ Harris, Wade, Justin Sykes, Ethan Fletcher
U20 Pro Beyrick de Vries, MFeb, Chad DT, Slade
Open Pro Casey Grant, Gavin Roberts, Jacko, Dan Redman
Masters Pro Andrew Banks
Surfer of the Event (Trophy from Jordy Smith) – DAN REDMAN
Biggest wipe out at Air Show (he popped his knee!) – DAN REDMAN (now on crutches!)
Highest wave score – Sarah Baum (9.)
Highest Heat Score – Beyrick de Vries (16.3)
Surfer that gave it their all (Lindt Choc Hamper) – Sophie Bell
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Quiksilver - In Memory of Eddie Aika
While the pro tour languishes in tiny swell on the North Shore, waiting for the Pipe Masters to conclude. I thought I would give you the lowdown on probably the most famous big wave event on the planet. Our good mates Grant "Twig" Baker and Chris Bertish have made the trip over to the big rock, Hawaii, to surf in the event.So best you know all there is to know about this famous event and the Waterman it is dedicated for.
What began as a local tribute to one of Hawaii’s favorite surfing sons in 1984, soon took on a life all its own and the story is the reason why this event continues to grow. Eddie Aikau has come to personify all of the human qualities we honor today: respect, humility, passion, and a love for fellow man. Waimea Bay was the canvas upon which his story is told each year, in his memory. For over 25 years, it is a story that has traversed the globe to touch hearts, minds and imaginations: a life lived with passion, dedicated with meaning, and exited from heroically.
Just 31 years of age when he lost his life in an attempt to save others, Aikau has physically been gone longer – 33 years – than he was here. But far from being forgotten, his life, the waves he rode, and the lives he saved on his ancestral grounds at Waimea Bay have become a part of history, passed on from person to person around the world like a wave seeking shore.
The contest is held every year at the famous Waimea Bay, but not surfed every year. This is because the surf has to be in the required region of over 20ft. After all, this is when Eddie would go. Last year the event was run in incredible conditions and Twig's long time tow partner, Greg Long, won the contest. This year with 2 Saffers on the bill and a third in, Andrew Marr, on the alternative list, we can finally hope to see this prestigious trophy coming to South Africa. Thats if it happens. I will be catching up with Twig soon for an interview and update as to what's been happening on the North Shore.
You can keep up to date with the event and watch the live broadcast here - Quiksilver - In Memory of Eddie
Check the video teaser here:
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| You don't want to be caught in this shore break! |
Just 31 years of age when he lost his life in an attempt to save others, Aikau has physically been gone longer – 33 years – than he was here. But far from being forgotten, his life, the waves he rode, and the lives he saved on his ancestral grounds at Waimea Bay have become a part of history, passed on from person to person around the world like a wave seeking shore.
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| The Brotherhood of the Eddie |
You can keep up to date with the event and watch the live broadcast here - Quiksilver - In Memory of Eddie
Check the video teaser here:
Hardcore Metal out of Soweto
It's not very often I am blown away by a metal band. I mean, my time of thrashing my head to my knees and back while throwing the evil fingers are quite far behind me. I might even throw my neck out if I were to head bang. So it was with a little trepidation that I allowed the Monster Energy guys to drag me down to the Assembly, Cape Town's top live venue, to watch a metal band. Mind you this is not your average metal band. Ree-Burth are made up of 4 black guys who grew up in Soweto of all places. Not exactly the first place you think of when you think hardcore. These guys not only found metal but each other and thank the dark lord of metal they did, because they totally blew all of us away. These guys can go large, globally! Have you ever heard of an all black Metal band?
Check them out on Facebook - Ree-Burth
I filmed the video on my little GoPro unit, was pretty stoked with how it came out, make sure you hang around for the interview by Chris Cab at the end, bloody funny!
Check them out on Facebook - Ree-Burth
I filmed the video on my little GoPro unit, was pretty stoked with how it came out, make sure you hang around for the interview by Chris Cab at the end, bloody funny!
Monday, December 13, 2010
The Fattest Party of the Summer
Ola all my readers and supporters. This Thursday, 16th December, in Cape Town, will be the "Official" theGoodLife party and launch! What are we launching? Our first multi sport DVD and Tv Show of course and everyone who comes gets the DVD for free! What can you see on the DVD you ask - well tow surfing, BMX, the Ultimate X event from 2010, wakeboarding and Kite surfing. Oh, and before I forget, we have a whole batch of music videos in the extras!
You can check out the Facebook event page here - theGoodLife Launch
Date: 16th December 2010
Venue: Assembly, Harrington St, Cape Town
Times: 9pm till 4am
Price: R60
What bands are playing? Glad you asked, check their videos and info below:
The Little Kings
The Little Kings on Facebook
Half Price
Stepdog
Taxi Violence
P.H.Fat
Shew! What a banger this is gonna be!
Date: 16th December 2010
Venue: Assembly, Harrington St, Cape Town
Times: 9pm till 4am
Price: R60
What bands are playing? Glad you asked, check their videos and info below:
The Little Kings
The Little Kings on Facebook
Half Price
Stepdog
Taxi Violence
P.H.Fat
Shew! What a banger this is gonna be!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
The smoothest Snowboard Run
When I watch this clip, I almost never want to ride again - DAM! haha
Torstein Horgmo’s Northstar park run with a follow cam top to bottom Remixed from Standard Film’s new release “The Storming”.
My jaw is on the ground here!
Northstar Run. from torstein horgmo on Vimeo.
pretty damn fun day at Northstar. top to bottom cruisin.
Torstein Horgmo’s Northstar park run with a follow cam top to bottom Remixed from Standard Film’s new release “The Storming”.
My jaw is on the ground here!
Northstar Run. from torstein horgmo on Vimeo.
pretty damn fun day at Northstar. top to bottom cruisin.
Pipe Masters Day 1
Day one of the Pipe Masters went down in pretty good conditions, mostly at Backdoor. The biggest talk on the beach, in an event dedicated to the memory of Andy Irons, was the birth of his son yesterday morning. Bruce Irons was on hand to welcome his new nephew into the world, before flying over to the North Shore for his round one heat - unfortunately he never got the waves and was straight out of the contest.
Another local man was on hand though to carry the flag. Dusty Payne, in need of a 9th place finish at Pipe to requalify for the WCT next year, won both his round 1&2 heats to keep the dream alive.
For the Saffers, Travis Logie had a dismal round 1 heat and all our hopes now rest on Jordy Smith, who surfs in the round 3 against local wild card, Dave Wassel. Jordy will want to prove to the world that he has what it takes to win at Pipe, just like Kelly and Andy before him.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Surfer tribute to Andy Irons
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| Photo: Noyle |
It's been a long time since I cracked a tear in front of my computer, but watching this tribute, they came unbidden. To see the effect this great surfer had on so many people's lives is truly amazing. To see Bruce Iron's, his brother's, emotional message, forced me to simply sit back and remember how lucky we are to be part of a brotherhood with such strong bonds! Take 10 minutes out of your day and be inspired, motivated and saddened by the loss of a true hero - RIP Andy!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
World Snowboarding Day - Cape Town
That's right! Its time to celebrate our favorite winter pastime - Snowboarding! Never mind the nay Sayers out there who will say it's bloody hot outside and the middle of summer - who cares, we can still enjoy a day dedicated to the snow. No really, we can, because I am running a Rail Jam, right here in Cape Town at Canal Walk Shopping Center.
The top South African boarders, as well as one loose Austrian, will be competing for over R10'000 in prize money. Sunday, 19th December, at Canal Walk - indoors with aircon, so no worries about the summer heat!
We are part of the official World Snowboarding Day program:
The World Snowboard Day will mark the beginning of the winter season on Sunday, December 19th 2010. Organized by EuroSIMA (European Boardsports Industry Manufacturers Association), the Outdoor Sports Valley (European outdoor sports industry association), and the WSF (World Snowboard Federation), the World Snowboard Day is celebrating its 5th birthday.
This free celebration day is the occasion to make new publics know about the wonderful world of mountains and snowboard, share our passion for boardsports and make people aware of the delicate beauty of our environment, as well as the values of conviviality and solidarity snowboarders are attached to.
World Snowboard Day Teaser 2010 from Oz Sports on Vimeo.
Check out our event page on - Facebook
Check out the World Snowboarding Day website.
The top South African boarders, as well as one loose Austrian, will be competing for over R10'000 in prize money. Sunday, 19th December, at Canal Walk - indoors with aircon, so no worries about the summer heat!
The World Snowboard Day will mark the beginning of the winter season on Sunday, December 19th 2010. Organized by EuroSIMA (European Boardsports Industry Manufacturers Association), the Outdoor Sports Valley (European outdoor sports industry association), and the WSF (World Snowboard Federation), the World Snowboard Day is celebrating its 5th birthday.
This free celebration day is the occasion to make new publics know about the wonderful world of mountains and snowboard, share our passion for boardsports and make people aware of the delicate beauty of our environment, as well as the values of conviviality and solidarity snowboarders are attached to.
World Snowboard Day Teaser 2010 from Oz Sports on Vimeo.
Check out our event page on - Facebook
Check out the World Snowboarding Day website.
Pipeline - The greatest show in the surfing World
Before there was Tahiti and Shipsterns Bluff, before Jaws and Dungeons, there was a wave that struck fear into every surfer's heart, a wave that pushed professional surfing to new heights - that wave is Pipeline!
The Pipe Masters is the last event on the WCT every year. For many of the surfers, it is there last chance to re-qualify for the next year. Standing in there way are the highest amount of local wild cards for any event, all just frothing to take out surfers from the Tour. Kelly Slater has already won the world title, so the show moves onto who will the Triple Crown, with Joel Parkinson in the lead after a win at Haliewa and a solid backup result at Sunset.
As for the South Africans, I am especially keen to see how Jordy and Travis are going to do. Travis has never really shone at this event, but he needs a solid result to guarantee his re qualification for the WCT in 2011. Jordy has yet to post a result at Pipeline and as the current World number 2 and future world champion, it must seem, he has to show the world that he can charge Pipe and Backdoor. Another to really keep an eye on, will be Bruce Irons, who has one of the wild cards. Bruce has won the event before and with his brother, Andy Iron's death just a short while ago, you can bet that he will be going all out to win the event for his brother!
Kelly Slater is a multiple past champion and even though he has his 10th World Title, it seems unlikely that he will not want to cap off an incredible year with another Pipe Masters title. Last year, Taj Burrow took the win from under Kelly's nose and I am pretty confident he will want that crown back!
You can follow all the action at - Billabong Pipeline Masters
As for the South Africans, I am especially keen to see how Jordy and Travis are going to do. Travis has never really shone at this event, but he needs a solid result to guarantee his re qualification for the WCT in 2011. Jordy has yet to post a result at Pipeline and as the current World number 2 and future world champion, it must seem, he has to show the world that he can charge Pipe and Backdoor. Another to really keep an eye on, will be Bruce Irons, who has one of the wild cards. Bruce has won the event before and with his brother, Andy Iron's death just a short while ago, you can bet that he will be going all out to win the event for his brother!
Kelly Slater is a multiple past champion and even though he has his 10th World Title, it seems unlikely that he will not want to cap off an incredible year with another Pipe Masters title. Last year, Taj Burrow took the win from under Kelly's nose and I am pretty confident he will want that crown back!
You can follow all the action at - Billabong Pipeline Masters
Thursday, December 2, 2010
The video that Started it all!
Ok, so here is the deal. I had been messing around with filming and editing for quite a while - this is back in the near history of life as the Captain. My good friend and partner in crime, Andrew "Roosta" Langer, told me he had some epic footage from a secret location in SA, of perfect waves and a mammoth 6 hour session that he surfed - probably the best session of his life. Not much had ever been done with the footage and would I edit a youtube video?
Of course I said yes, and some how got the boys from Goldfish to let me use one of their funky new tracks. It was a bizarre experience editing the video, I mean the footage was insane, but it was unbelievable to see how the video just organically came together - the first time as an editor I had experienced this. It was obviously meant to be! So now the video is sitting just below 20'000 views on Youtube, a milestone that I have never achieved before - neither has Roosta - so have a watch, enjoy the video that pretty much inspired me to start theGoodLife proper and gave birth to the Kaptein! Feel free to like, comment and forward onto everyone, haha, 30'000 hits would be even better!
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| Roosta some where between Durban and East London. |
Two Saffers left, as Sunset becomes a small wave!
The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) PRIME O’Neill World Cup of Surfing felt like it hit fast-forward today as organizers utilized two surf spots to maximize the waves at hand and ensure that the event will wrap up tomorrow at the peak of the swell. Some surfers battled through three rounds as the heats clicked off two at a time. Head-high waves teamed up with high performance, small wave surfboards that rarely see the light of day this time of year in Hawaii, and the result was a rapid fire of maneuvers and more than 1,000 waves surfed. It’s all in a day’s work at the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, where the most versatile and consistent performer across all three events will be crowned the annual series champion.
On a day where the organisers had to split the contest in order to get enough heats surfed and Sunset was looking more like the Dairy Bowls, it's not really surprising that two of Durban's best surfers kicked ass in the O'Neill World Cup of surfing. Travis Logie took out a wct heavy heat with his patented back hand hacks -
Jordy Smith was also on song and took his heat, beating North Shore legend and multiple Triple Crown Champion, Sunny Garcia, on the way. The big kid from Durbs just looks so relaxed in the water, he must drive his competitors mad!
Joel Parkinson is still in the hunt for his third Triple Crown in a row, so tonights viewing looks good. They should finish the event tonight and you can check out all the live heats at - O"Neil World Cup of Surfing
On a day where the organisers had to split the contest in order to get enough heats surfed and Sunset was looking more like the Dairy Bowls, it's not really surprising that two of Durban's best surfers kicked ass in the O'Neill World Cup of surfing. Travis Logie took out a wct heavy heat with his patented back hand hacks -
Jordy Smith was also on song and took his heat, beating North Shore legend and multiple Triple Crown Champion, Sunny Garcia, on the way. The big kid from Durbs just looks so relaxed in the water, he must drive his competitors mad!
Joel Parkinson is still in the hunt for his third Triple Crown in a row, so tonights viewing looks good. They should finish the event tonight and you can check out all the live heats at - O"Neil World Cup of Surfing
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Surf Photographer displays Warzone Portfolio
I first met Nik Bothma on board the boat, on the way out to Dungeons, to shoot big wave surfing. In fact I knew of his work in and around surfing before that, but it turns out Nik also has a serious side when it comes to shooting. Putting himself in war zones, such as when Liberian leader, Charles Taylor, fell from grace, has a whole new danger element when compared to shooting 60ft waves. Child soldiers, raving lunatics and flying bullets - I think I will stick to the Extreme Sports.
Now you can go and see his amazing work from all over Africa, at the Summer Group Exhibition, in Cape Town, at the Photographer's Gallery, from the 20 November till the end of January 2011.
Check out Nik's Portfolio
Information on the Summer Group Exhibition
Now you can go and see his amazing work from all over Africa, at the Summer Group Exhibition, in Cape Town, at the Photographer's Gallery, from the 20 November till the end of January 2011.
Information on the Summer Group Exhibition
Monday, November 29, 2010
Oh my Beer!
Aaaah sweet amber nectar of the Gods! Beer is simply the love of my life - perhaps not the love of my paunch, but god I love her anyway! Thus, it was with great joy and rapture that I partook of the Cape Town Festival of Beer this past weekend. At first, I was just going for Friday after work, have a few dops and spend the rest of the weekend on the beach, but it was so much fun and the beer was so absolutely good, that I ended up spending most of Saturday there too.
It's probably a good thing that the Springboks won against England, for if they had lost, the Beer Fest might have emptied out faster than the cool people at a Celine Dion concert. Luckily the Bok front row were on song and so were most of the people at the Festival, thanks mainly to above average strength of the ales and beers from the many micro breweries.
My Pick of the Festival?
Newlands Brewery Dark Ale - this stuff was made for the Festival, which unfortunately means that if you were not there, you probably will never get to taste it. It was made to raise money for charity and was cheap and strong! A lovely rich amber nectar with very strong toffee overtones. At 7% alcohol levels it got the party started too!
Darling Slow Brew Lager - What a refreshing Lager. All the traits of the classics, with a slightly unique and almost nutty flavor. This one is great for those hot days in the summer sun!
Black Label were the sponsors, but it has to be said, that for one of the mass produced big guns of beer, their new draught is scrumptious! It more than held it's own with the artisan brewers on offer. I could easily quaff a few pints of the stuff after a long surf on a hot summers day!
The verdict?
What a great event. it was well run, there were not huge lines and everyone who went had a bloody good time! Well done Cape Town festival of Beer
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| In my happy place! |
My Pick of the Festival?
Newlands Brewery Dark Ale - this stuff was made for the Festival, which unfortunately means that if you were not there, you probably will never get to taste it. It was made to raise money for charity and was cheap and strong! A lovely rich amber nectar with very strong toffee overtones. At 7% alcohol levels it got the party started too!
Darling Slow Brew Lager - What a refreshing Lager. All the traits of the classics, with a slightly unique and almost nutty flavor. This one is great for those hot days in the summer sun!
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| Boys and gals loved the beer! |
Black Label were the sponsors, but it has to be said, that for one of the mass produced big guns of beer, their new draught is scrumptious! It more than held it's own with the artisan brewers on offer. I could easily quaff a few pints of the stuff after a long surf on a hot summers day!
The verdict?
What a great event. it was well run, there were not huge lines and everyone who went had a bloody good time! Well done Cape Town festival of Beer
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| Roosta was just back from Ireland and gave Newlands Dark Ale the thumbs up over Guiness! |
Friday, November 26, 2010
Dope Skating - Street Cred
Cape Town has a healthy populace of tight ass skinny jean wearing, mustashed skaters. These guys go on large missions to find places to skate and any chance to ride a great rail or ledge, especially when they can win free shit while riding, is a huge success. Hence, the Dope Industries Street Cred competition went down like a house on fire - if the guy needed an insurance payout - and the cream of Cape skaters rocked up to entertain the Cape commuters at Cape Town station.
How many times can I fit the word Cape into one blog? haha
Check the video:
How many times can I fit the word Cape into one blog? haha
Check the video:
Street Cred from Dope Industries on Vimeo.
Street Cred was held in Cape Town, South Africa on the 24th September 2010.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Art of Surfing - Surf as Art
Surf and art, or surf as art? Any way you put it, we surfers have always been connected to the world of art. I guess it comes from our connection to such a powerful and beautiful piece of nature - the ocean is one serious piece of art!
As part of their Surf Film Festival, Wavescape have encluded an art exhibition, utilsing surfboards. What a great idea!
Wavescape's official Run Down:
From this heady mix flows the juice that concocts the creative result of the Wavescape Surfboard Art Exhibition that runs 1-7 December at the Depasco Café on Kloof Street, and culminates in the Wavescape Art Auction on Wednesday 8 December.
Proceeds of the auction, in which 12 decorated retro 80s ‘Pottz Twin Fin’ surfboards will be sold by funny man Mark Sampson, goes to ocean charities such as the NSRI, Shark Spotters and Ticket To Ride Foundation.
Look out for the asymmetrical, manga-on-acid-like-characters of Black Koki and 35ten73, from the Love and Hate crew. Enjoy and decipher the out-there tapestry of underground grafster Ice7. Ewok, renowned beat poet and graffiti legend works with underground talent Bones on their board. Cape Argus cartoonist and Kommetjie charger Chip Snaddon brings extra surfing cred to the party. Conrad Botes aka “Konradski” from Bitterkomix is back with another tightly encrypted study of South African weirdness. Stalwart ND Mazin, the author of What's so Funny?, a cartoon history of South Africa, and You Must Be Joking - The Year in Cartoons, works on a celestially-charged commentary on the darker side of humanity in the Mystic Duiker. Also with the old guard, come the Durban-based design duo of Scott Robertson and Kim Longhurst who share a board for a two-sided view of their cryptic wit.
Other newcomers Osnat de Villiers and Matthew Pinker bring more than a background steeped in the ethos of surfing and its subculture. De Villiers is a renowned Scarborough-based painter who works with her partner Pierre de Villiers to add custom aesthetics to his Dream surfboard shapes. Pinker, a talented painter, moves beyond the legacy left by his father Stanley Pinker, whose work Wheel of Life (1974) recently fetched R2.5 million as part of a new record set in South African art sales in October (a work by Irma Stern fetched R13.4 million).
This year’s shape – the Pottz Twin Fin – was famous in the early 1980s just before the advent of the Thruster: surfboards with three fins. The board comes with klinkers (wings) and laminated wooden fins. Speaking of wood, Wavescape welcomes the talent of artisan Patrick Burnett as he creates a hand-crafted wooden version of the board, and fine artist Kelly John Gough, who will decorate the piece with one of his trademark nudes.
Wavescape teams up with Tim Cornibear of the Ticket to Ride foundation and Muizenberg artist Claire Homewood to decorate one of the 12 surfboards with development surfer kids from Masiphumelele township. Proceeds of this board go to the foundation for its projects with disadvantaged children.
Also on show, and to be auctioned will be a mini-surfboard reshaped from a broken board, part of the My First Surfboard Project penned by South African surfing’s agent provocateur Conn Bertish.
“Every year, thousands of broken surfboards end up in dumps and landfills, and are environmentally toxic. The project turns broken boards into new boards for beginner surfers who can’t afford them, transforming junk into transforming a kid’s life.”
The money raised from the auction will go to ocean charities including NSRI, Shark Spotters, SOSF and Ticket to Ride, so pull in, enjoy the free beer and bid for a surfboard for a good cause.
For more info go to www.wavescape.co.za or call 079 0260 669
As part of their Surf Film Festival, Wavescape have encluded an art exhibition, utilsing surfboards. What a great idea!
Wavescape's official Run Down:
From this heady mix flows the juice that concocts the creative result of the Wavescape Surfboard Art Exhibition that runs 1-7 December at the Depasco Café on Kloof Street, and culminates in the Wavescape Art Auction on Wednesday 8 December.
Proceeds of the auction, in which 12 decorated retro 80s ‘Pottz Twin Fin’ surfboards will be sold by funny man Mark Sampson, goes to ocean charities such as the NSRI, Shark Spotters and Ticket To Ride Foundation.
Look out for the asymmetrical, manga-on-acid-like-characters of Black Koki and 35ten73, from the Love and Hate crew. Enjoy and decipher the out-there tapestry of underground grafster Ice7. Ewok, renowned beat poet and graffiti legend works with underground talent Bones on their board. Cape Argus cartoonist and Kommetjie charger Chip Snaddon brings extra surfing cred to the party. Conrad Botes aka “Konradski” from Bitterkomix is back with another tightly encrypted study of South African weirdness. Stalwart ND Mazin, the author of What's so Funny?, a cartoon history of South Africa, and You Must Be Joking - The Year in Cartoons, works on a celestially-charged commentary on the darker side of humanity in the Mystic Duiker. Also with the old guard, come the Durban-based design duo of Scott Robertson and Kim Longhurst who share a board for a two-sided view of their cryptic wit.
Other newcomers Osnat de Villiers and Matthew Pinker bring more than a background steeped in the ethos of surfing and its subculture. De Villiers is a renowned Scarborough-based painter who works with her partner Pierre de Villiers to add custom aesthetics to his Dream surfboard shapes. Pinker, a talented painter, moves beyond the legacy left by his father Stanley Pinker, whose work Wheel of Life (1974) recently fetched R2.5 million as part of a new record set in South African art sales in October (a work by Irma Stern fetched R13.4 million).
This year’s shape – the Pottz Twin Fin – was famous in the early 1980s just before the advent of the Thruster: surfboards with three fins. The board comes with klinkers (wings) and laminated wooden fins. Speaking of wood, Wavescape welcomes the talent of artisan Patrick Burnett as he creates a hand-crafted wooden version of the board, and fine artist Kelly John Gough, who will decorate the piece with one of his trademark nudes.
Wavescape teams up with Tim Cornibear of the Ticket to Ride foundation and Muizenberg artist Claire Homewood to decorate one of the 12 surfboards with development surfer kids from Masiphumelele township. Proceeds of this board go to the foundation for its projects with disadvantaged children.
Also on show, and to be auctioned will be a mini-surfboard reshaped from a broken board, part of the My First Surfboard Project penned by South African surfing’s agent provocateur Conn Bertish.
“Every year, thousands of broken surfboards end up in dumps and landfills, and are environmentally toxic. The project turns broken boards into new boards for beginner surfers who can’t afford them, transforming junk into transforming a kid’s life.”
The money raised from the auction will go to ocean charities including NSRI, Shark Spotters, SOSF and Ticket to Ride, so pull in, enjoy the free beer and bid for a surfboard for a good cause.
For more info go to www.wavescape.co.za or call 079 0260 669
Rudy Palboom Jnr Rips into Sunset - Saffer Power
Hailing from the Bluff, on the south side of Durban's harbor, The Palmboom family are an institution. Rudy Snr has long dominated in the world of heavy waves and his son has taken over the mantle. Not surprising really, when you consider their local wave is Cave Rock and they come from an area that's motto is rough and tough and from the Bluff!
The ASP had the following to say on the event website -
South African Rudy Palmboom, 22, claimed a whole new fan base in Hawaii today, trumping the scores in the opening round of the O’Neill World Cup of Surfing, the second stop of the annual Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.
Palmboom found perfect rhythm and placement in the double-overhead surf to close with the highest individual wave score (8.67 points out of 10) and two-wave heat total (15.34) of the men’s opening day. Sunset Beach leaned more towards playful today, as opposed to its reputation of being one of the more punishing surf spots on the planet.
“It’s pretty fun out there and a lot bigger than I thought it would be,” said Palmboom. “I got an 8.67, a nice little barrel. I lucked into a good wave straight after the siren. It’s more spread out and there’s a lot of waves coming through, which makes it a lot more fair.
“I’ve been coming to Hawai’i since I was 15, 7 years now, and this is my third Triple Crown. I do surf here quite a bit and I’ve started to enjoy this wave. I haven’t had too many heats actually, which is quite a bummer, but I’ve learned to love it.”
Check out Rudy's heat - Rudy's Sunst Heat
Lets hope Rudy and the other Saffers continue the roll!
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| Rudy Palboom Jnr Giving it to Sunset |
South African Rudy Palmboom, 22, claimed a whole new fan base in Hawaii today, trumping the scores in the opening round of the O’Neill World Cup of Surfing, the second stop of the annual Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.
Palmboom found perfect rhythm and placement in the double-overhead surf to close with the highest individual wave score (8.67 points out of 10) and two-wave heat total (15.34) of the men’s opening day. Sunset Beach leaned more towards playful today, as opposed to its reputation of being one of the more punishing surf spots on the planet.
“It’s pretty fun out there and a lot bigger than I thought it would be,” said Palmboom. “I got an 8.67, a nice little barrel. I lucked into a good wave straight after the siren. It’s more spread out and there’s a lot of waves coming through, which makes it a lot more fair.
“I’ve been coming to Hawai’i since I was 15, 7 years now, and this is my third Triple Crown. I do surf here quite a bit and I’ve started to enjoy this wave. I haven’t had too many heats actually, which is quite a bummer, but I’ve learned to love it.”
Check out Rudy's heat - Rudy's Sunst Heat
Lets hope Rudy and the other Saffers continue the roll!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
O'Neill World Cup of Surfing starts today
The second contest of the Vans triple Crown of surfing's waiting period gets underway today, with the O"Neill World Cup of Surfing. The contest is held at Sunset Beach and is definitely one of my favorite surf contests to watch. The wave at Sunset is big, angry and sketchy at the best of times, but has delivered some of the most memorable moments in North Shore surfing. It is also the wave where South Africans first made their mark on the North Shore, when very young surfers, Gavin Rudolph and Johnny Paarman, gave the rest of the surfing world a lesson there at the Smirnoff Cup back in the Seventies. Jordy has had a second there and we can only hope that he and the rest of the Saffers can do well!
How heavy was last year's event? Just check the video above!
Sunset Beach Park
- Second stop of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.
- Northern-most beach park on the North Shore coastline.
- Surfing takes place more than 100 yards out to sea.
- Sunset Beach is the standard by which other beaches are measured.
- Pre-modern Hawaiians knew Sunset as Paumalu.
- Surfboard riding began here prior to the 19th century.
- Parking isn’t always close to the beach park so bring additional transportation, like a skateboard or bicycle.
Curtain Call: Sunset is last chance for Qualifying hopefuls
For some it’s a romance. For others it’s a tragedy. And for the men on the ASP World Qualifying Series (QS), The O‘Neill World Cup of Surfing is the climax to a long, grueling season. The first rounds of competition are chocked full of drama with many QS competitors having their World Tour dreams materialized or destroyed in front of a huge audience. Look for QS competitors to put it all on the line at the O’Neill World Cup of Surfing in hopes of qualifying for next year’s elite World Tour.How heavy was last year's event? Just check the video above!
Saffers crack the nod for the Eddie
It seems our campaigning this year, through the voting system for nominees for the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Event have paid off, with a record number of South African riders invited. Grant "Twig" Baker is of course on the list, but 2 more South Africans have made the event this year, with Chris Bertish making the invite list along with Twig and Andrew Marr, long time Waimea Bay rider making the alternate list. Bizarrely the list has Bertish as hailing from Europe and Andy from Hawaii? But, I can assure you both will be flying the SA flag.
Held in honor of the legendary Hawaiian waterman, Eddie Aikau, The Quiksilver in honour of Eddie Aikau gathers the most skillful and dynamic big-wave surfers from around the globe. The Eddie is a surfer’s ultimate challenge, employing unassisted manpower to physically paddle into and ride giant waves.
Eddie launched today with the announcement of the 28 coveted Invitees and 24 Alternates to the Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau, fueled by Monster Energy (an ASP Specialty Event). The event will be held on one day, between December 1, 2010 and February 28, 2011, when waves exceed the 20-foot minimum threshold and Invitees contend for the $98,000 prize purse. The traditional opening ceremony will take place at 2:30pm, December 2nd, 2010, at Waimea Bay. Monster Energy will be presenting the Monster Drop Award for the surfer who makes the most critical drop and rides out of it during the event. The judges will determine the winner the day of the competition and will present the chosen surfer with a unique Monster Drop Specialty Award.
Invitees:
Clyde Aikau (HAW)
Kala Alexander (HAW)
Tom Carroll (AUS)
Kohl Christenson (HAW)
Ross Clarke-Jones (AUS)
Shane Dorian (HAW)
Keone Downing (HAW)
Sunny Garcia (HAW)
Mark Healy (HAW)
Michael Ho (HAW)
Bruce Irons (HAW)
Noah Johnson (HAW)
Rusty Keaulana (HAW)
Brock Little (HAW)
Greg Long (USA)
Reef McIntosh (HAW)
Garrett McNamara (HAW)
Peter Mel (USA)
Ramon Navarro (CHL)
Jamie O’Brien (HAW)
Makuakai Rothman (HAW)
Kelly Slater (USA)
Jamie Sterling (HAW)
Dave Wassell (HAW)
Grant Baker (ZAF)
Chris Bertish (EUR)
Carlos Burle (BRA)
Takayuki Wakita (JPN)
Honorary Invitees:
Donny Solomon (HAW)
Jay Moriarty (USA)
Lester Falatea (HAW)
Mark Foo (HAW)
Peter Davi (USA)
Tiger Espere (HAW)
Todd Chesser (HAW)
Andy Irons (HAW)
Alternates:
Kahea Hart (HAW) – Aikau Pick
Ross Williams (HAW)
Nathan Fletcher (USA)
Mark Mathews (AUS)
Sion Miloski (HAW)
Kalani Chapman (HAW)
Keoni Watson (HAW)
Anthony Tashnick (USA)
Ian Walsh (HAW)
Koby Abberton (AUS)
Danny Fuller (HAW)
Kealii Mamala (HAW)
Ken Collins (USA)
Myles Padaca (HAW)
Laurie Towner (AUS)
Jamie Mitchell (AUS)
Paul Patterson (AUS)
Andrew Marr (HAW)
Rusty Long (USA)
Tony Ray (AUS)
Derek Ho (HAW)
Taylor Knox (USA)
Tau Hannemann (HAW)
Manoa Drollet (PYF)
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| The infamous Waimea Shorebreak |
Held in honor of the legendary Hawaiian waterman, Eddie Aikau, The Quiksilver in honour of Eddie Aikau gathers the most skillful and dynamic big-wave surfers from around the globe. The Eddie is a surfer’s ultimate challenge, employing unassisted manpower to physically paddle into and ride giant waves.
Eddie launched today with the announcement of the 28 coveted Invitees and 24 Alternates to the Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau, fueled by Monster Energy (an ASP Specialty Event). The event will be held on one day, between December 1, 2010 and February 28, 2011, when waves exceed the 20-foot minimum threshold and Invitees contend for the $98,000 prize purse. The traditional opening ceremony will take place at 2:30pm, December 2nd, 2010, at Waimea Bay. Monster Energy will be presenting the Monster Drop Award for the surfer who makes the most critical drop and rides out of it during the event. The judges will determine the winner the day of the competition and will present the chosen surfer with a unique Monster Drop Specialty Award.
Invitees:
Clyde Aikau (HAW)
Kala Alexander (HAW)
Tom Carroll (AUS)
Kohl Christenson (HAW)
Ross Clarke-Jones (AUS)
Shane Dorian (HAW)
Keone Downing (HAW)
Sunny Garcia (HAW)
Mark Healy (HAW)
Michael Ho (HAW)
Bruce Irons (HAW)
Noah Johnson (HAW)
Rusty Keaulana (HAW)
Brock Little (HAW)
Greg Long (USA)
Reef McIntosh (HAW)
Garrett McNamara (HAW)
Peter Mel (USA)
Ramon Navarro (CHL)
Jamie O’Brien (HAW)
Makuakai Rothman (HAW)
Kelly Slater (USA)
Jamie Sterling (HAW)
Dave Wassell (HAW)
Grant Baker (ZAF)
Chris Bertish (EUR)
Carlos Burle (BRA)
Takayuki Wakita (JPN)
Honorary Invitees:
Donny Solomon (HAW)
Jay Moriarty (USA)
Lester Falatea (HAW)
Mark Foo (HAW)
Peter Davi (USA)
Tiger Espere (HAW)
Todd Chesser (HAW)
Andy Irons (HAW)
Alternates:
Kahea Hart (HAW) – Aikau Pick
Ross Williams (HAW)
Nathan Fletcher (USA)
Mark Mathews (AUS)
Sion Miloski (HAW)
Kalani Chapman (HAW)
Keoni Watson (HAW)
Anthony Tashnick (USA)
Ian Walsh (HAW)
Koby Abberton (AUS)
Danny Fuller (HAW)
Kealii Mamala (HAW)
Ken Collins (USA)
Myles Padaca (HAW)
Laurie Towner (AUS)
Jamie Mitchell (AUS)
Paul Patterson (AUS)
Andrew Marr (HAW)
Rusty Long (USA)
Tony Ray (AUS)
Derek Ho (HAW)
Taylor Knox (USA)
Tau Hannemann (HAW)
Manoa Drollet (PYF)
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Parko comes back from Injury to win Reef Hawaiin Pro
After an extended injury layoff, which ended any chance he had at the World Title this year, Joel Parkinson came back in real style, to win his first contest back on the tour - the Reef Hawaiin Pro
I suppose we should expect nothing less from the Style Master himself, and lets not forget that he is the 2 time defending Triple Crown champion and well on his way to getting the triple - I am pretty sure no one has ever one three consecutive Triple Crowns, what an amazing end to a mind boggling year in surfing that would be!
Next up is the O"Neill World Cup of Surfing at Sunset Beach, one of my favorite events of the year to watch. Parko is a 3 time previous winner and the rest of the field must be nervous heading into the event with his curent form and searing hunger for success. Parko has the Triple Crown in his sights and a shot at glory to eclipse even this crazy year in surfing.
Watch this space, as I keep you informed and up to date with the Triple Crown. Tomorrow, I preview the World Cup and why Sunset is such an awe inspiring contest.
I suppose we should expect nothing less from the Style Master himself, and lets not forget that he is the 2 time defending Triple Crown champion and well on his way to getting the triple - I am pretty sure no one has ever one three consecutive Triple Crowns, what an amazing end to a mind boggling year in surfing that would be!
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| Parko - Back with a Bang |
Watch this space, as I keep you informed and up to date with the Triple Crown. Tomorrow, I preview the World Cup and why Sunset is such an awe inspiring contest.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Shrine to beautiful Bottoms - Reef Calendar 2011
So, this one is for the boys! I covered the Miss Reef Brazil final a while back and it proved most popular amongst the male readers of this blog. Thus, when I came across this fine piece of work from the team at Reef, I had to forward on to the boys.
Reef have once again made a calendar of their most beautiful girls in an exotci loaction, this time in Panama. The scenic beauty of the place almost matches the girls! I have to admit, that although the hot woman and rear ends are what attract you this this video, I was really impressed with how beautifully it was shot and edited. So, enjoy the trailer and I am sure you will end up ordering the calendar.
Admit it - it was beautifully shot, haha!
Bonus Pic:
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| Reef Girls - your favorite since puberty? |
Admit it - it was beautifully shot, haha!
Bonus Pic:
