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!
The Free to download surf movie trend continues with Billabong's latest offering - Blow Up. Starring the likes of Laurie Towner, Granger Larson, Jack Freestone, Ian Gentil and many more.
Also available for digital download at billabong.com/blowup/
Directed by - Victor Pakpour
Produced by - Blake Pettit
The young Kohole Andino racked up the contest's first 10 point ride. (Photo: ASP)
BALLITO, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (Monday, June 4, 2011) – The ocean delivered for the opening day of competition at the ASP PRIME Mr Price Pro Ballito producing flawless barrels, two perfect 10-point rides and 10 broken surfboards at Surfers Beach, Ballito on Monday July 4, 2011.
The light northwest winds (offshore) and a two to two-and-a-half meter (6-8ft) swell held for most of the day that saw twelve heats of the Round of 96 completed, in what surfers were calling some of the best waves ever surfed on the ASP PRIME Tour.
Seventeen-year old Kolohe Andino (USA) proved master of the tube, riding deep inside a spectacular barrel to score the first PERFECT 10 of the event.
“I’m on such high right now,” Andino said, “These are some of the best waves I’ve surfed in my life!”
Sitting deeper and taking off later than any of his opponents, Andino opened up with an excellent 8.27 (out of ten) before dropping into an enormous ocean cavern, navigating through two wide sections, to come screaming out earning a perfect 10- point ride that had the crowd cheering in disbelief.
“That wave was amazing,” Andino said. “I wasn’t sure if I would make it out but I made that first section, pumped hard and made the second one. That wave was so good I was freaking out. I cannot believe I made it!”
Arriving from California on Friday evening, Andino was the first in and last out at Surfers Beach all weekend. Surfing everything from clean two-meter barrels to stormy four-meter wave faces, Andino’s commitment was duly rewarded with his victory win over fellow advancing surfer Patrick Gudauskas (USA).
Corey Lopez (USA) showed off his backhand barrel riding skills on a throaty wind affected wave, dropping straight into a four second barrel to earn the second perfect 10-point ride of the day.
“I was lucky to get that wave,” Lopez said. “It was big and gnarly, the first part was nice and open but then it got all foamy and I couldn’t see in front of me. I just closed my eyes, held my rail and came out! “
Returning to Ballito for the first time in 15 years, Lopez sailed into the next round with 14.97 (out of 20.00) ahead of second place and fellow advancing surfer Sebastian Zietz (Haw).
“It’s such a beautiful place with a great little beach community and today was some of the best waves I’ve seen on tour all year,” Lopez said. “It’s great to have waves like this at a contest.”
ASP World Title No. 12 Josh Kerr (AUS) jumped straight off an international flight into the surf, with less than four hours sleep Kerr produced an almost faultless performance to advance with an 18.43 (out of 20.00) ahead of South African surfer Brandon Jackson (ZAF).
“I was pretty excited for that heat,” Kerr said. “I had a fun free surf up the beach and then was just watching going ‘are you kidding me it’s pumping!’ I was just excited to get out there and rack up some really good scores.”
Proven big wave surfer and a well-respected member of the world’s elite 34, Kieren Perrow (AUS) showed class in the solid conditions, posting an excellent 8.70 for his double barrel ride to advance in first place over Nic Muscroft (AUS).
“As always there’s a lot of luck involved but everyone had a chance to get a good wave out there today,” Perrow said. “I got in late last night and it was amazing to wake up to perfect barrels this morning, these are some of the best waves I’ve surfed at a PRIME event in a long time.”
The South African surfers faired exceptionally well against their out-of-town opponents, with seven out of the nine surfers competing advancing into the next round.
Defending champion and current ASP World No. 5 Jordy Smith (Durban) made his intentions known in the deteriorating afternoon conditions holding off Brasilian Thiago Camaroa and Hawaiian Tonino Benson, to advance in first along with trialist Sean Holmes (Cape Town), who advanced in second.
“I knew conditions would change from the minute I arrived. Ballito seems to do that in the afternoon so I was just glad to make my heat,” Smith said. “I watched some incredible heats this morning, there was some inspiring surfing and it was good to see so many South African’s go through.”
2010 ASP Africa Champion Shaun Joubert emerged to of a seesaw battle against Hawaii’s Kiron Jabour. Joubert using the afternoon’s wind-affected waves to his advantage, by completing one of the only front side aerials of the day, to win the heat with 12.03 (out of 20.00).
As the tide turned it was American Austin Ware who picked off one of the biggest set waves of the day. Throwing himself into a wave that could have been compared to Backdoor Pipeline, Ware stalled for a perfect set-up and emerged cleanly to earn an 8.17 finishing in second behind heat winner Jay Quinn (NZL).
“I dropped in and the wave was so steep,” Ware said. “I just saw it opening up enough to get through and I came out, so I was pretty stoked.”
Hawaii’s Granger Larsen threw some Hawaiian might behind his open face hacks and risky closeout re-entry, securing a narrow heat win over local star Rudy Palmboom with 12.63 to 12.17 (out of 20.00).
The only Irish surfer in the event Glen Hall produced a pleasing combination of barrel rides and backhand snaps to win his heat over Royden Bryson (ZAF).
The competition was called off after heat 12 due to deteriorating conditions. The next call will be made at 06h30 for a possible 07h00 start as organisers look to make the most of the early conditions. For all the updates visit www.mrpricepro.com
MR PRICE PRO BALLITO RESULTS Mr Price Pro Ballito Trials Results:
Heat 1: Frankie Obherholzer (ZAF) 13.50; Beyrick De Vries (ZAF) 8.50; Dylan Lightfoot (ZAF) 7.84; Allan Johns (ZAF) 5.00 Heat 2: Sean Holmes (ZAF) 14.00; Casey Grant (ZAF) 10.30; Kyle Lane (ZAF) 8.83; Chad Du Toit (ZAF) 7.17 Final: Beyrick De Vries (ZAF) 13.17; Sean Holmes (ZAF) 12.33; Frankie Oberholzer (ZAF) 7.60; Casey Grant (ZAF) 4.73 Mr Price Pro Ballito Round of 96 Results:
Heat 1: Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 14.16; Hodei Collazo (EUK) 9.24; Greg Emslie (ZAF) 8.26; Brett Simpson (USA) 4.24 Heat 2: Josh Kerr (AUS) 18.43; Brandon Jackson (ZAF) 10.70; Andre Silva (BRA) 8.17; Dion Atkinson (AUS) 6.77 Heat 3: Kolohe Andino (USA) 18.27; Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 13.67; Billy Stairmand (NZL) 4.57; Felipe Luel (BRA) 00.00 Heat 4: Junior Faria (BRA) 10.34; Dale Staples (ZAF) 9.73; CJ Hobgood (USA) 8.93; Bernando Miranda (BRA) 6.36 Heat 5: Glenn Hall (IRL) 14.60; Royden Bryson (ZAF) 9.00; David Weare (ZAF) 8.33; Marco Fernandez (BRA) 7.57 Heat 6: Pablo Paulino (BRA) 11.17; Jesse Mendes (BRA) 6.10; Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 6.03; Eric Geiselman (USA) 2.07 Heat 7: Granger Larsen (HAW) 12.63; Rudy Palmboom (ZAF) 12.17; Gabe Kling (USA) 9.07; Jihad Khodr (BRA) 8.24 Heat 8: Kierren Perrow (AUS) 14.70; Nic Muscroft (AUS ) 13.74; Lincoln Taylor (USA)10.14; Davey Brand (ZAF) 7.57 Heat 9: Jay Quinn (NZL) 14.93; Austin Ware (USA) 13.00; Heitor Alves (BRA) 10.10; Romain Cloitre (FRA) 9.57 Heat 10: Shaun Joubert (ZAF) 12.03; Kiron Jabour (HAW) 11.93; Adam Melling (AUS) 8.06; Mason Ho (HAW) 3.17 Heat 11: Cory Lopez (USA) 14.97; Sebastien Zietz (HAW) 13.06; Jeronimo Vargas (BRA) 11.30; Frederick Patacchia (HAW) 6.86 Heat 12: Jordy Smith (RSA) 11.36; Sean Holmes (ZAF) 10.06; Thiago Camarao (BRA) 8.63; Tonino Benson (HAW) 6.26 Upcoming Round of 96 Mr Price Pro Match ups:
Heat 13: Adrian Buchan (AUS); Kai Barger (HAW); Adam Robertson (AUS); Wildcard Heat 14: Tom Whittaker (AUS); Tanner Gudauskas (HAW); Alain Riou (PYF); Maxime Huscenot (FRA) Heat 15: Julian Wilson (AUS); Tim Boal (FRA); Stu Kennedy (AUS); Mitchel Coleborn (AUS) Heat 16: Jadson Andre (BRA); Marc Lacomare (FRA); Blake Thornton (AUS); Brendon Gibbens (RSA) Heat 17: Gabriel Medina (BRA); Masatoshi Ohno (JPN); Heath Josek (AUS); Jack Freestone (AUS) Heat 18: Dusty Payne (HAW); Richard Christie (NZL); Joan Duru (FRA); Tomas Hermes (BRA) Heat 19: William Cardosa (BRA); Travis Logie (ZAF); Richard Santos (BRA); Jano Belo (BRA) Heat 20: Matt Wilkinson (AUS); Nathaniel Curran (USA); Jonothan Gonzalez (CNY); Steven Sawyer (ZAF) Heat 21: Tiago Pires (PRT); Aritz Aranburu (EUK); Dylan Graves (PRI); Klee Strachan (ZAF); Heat 22: Alejo Muniz (BRA); John John Florence (HAW); Pedro Henrique (BRA); Felix Messias (BRA) Heat 23: Yadin Nicol (AUS); Kai Otton (AUS); Davey Cathels (AUS); Jean De Silva (BRA); Heat 24: Damien Hobgood (USA); Nat Young (USA); Shaun Cansdell (AUS); Adrian Toyon (REU)
The lads at Red Bull push the envelope once again, recording sound on the surfers as they surf very big and very windy Jaws.
Soundwave is the first production in history to record comprehensive audio in the big wave surfing arena.
Soundwave gives us an inside look at what really happens as surfers risk it all while riding 50-foot waves.
Stay tuned as we follow surfers Ian Walsh, Carissa Moore, Carlos Burle and Maya Gabeira as we get a unique perspective on the action.
American rider, Eric Willett, took the first 5Star Big Air title of the 2011/12 TTR World Tour season at the second annual Billabong Ante Up competition held atop Whistler Mountain in Canada. The sun was hidden behind the clouds for most of the day, but riders put on a great performance for the crowd of spectators at the top of the mountain where Sebastien Toutant (CAN) came in a close second behind Willett and Dash Kamp (USA) took home third place.
The Ante Up started out with a qualifying round of 30 snowboarders in the early afternoon that was whittled down to 10 men for the finals. The start list was packed full of riders who are usually super consistent on big air kickers like Seppe Smits (BEL), Chas Guldemond (USA), Gjermund Braaten (NOR) and Roope Tonteri (FIN) but they just couldn't seem to put their landing gear down on the 90-foot gap jump. This opened the door for Eric Willett who took numerous podium spots at Big Air and Slopestyle competitions last season and for Sebastien Toutant who won the Ante Up last year. Eric Willett landed a smooth switch backside double cork 1260 to take $20,000 USD for his win today. Sebastien Toutant was awarded $12,500 USD for landing a Cab double cork 1260 and Dash Kamp walked away with a cool $8,000 for his backside double cork 1080.
The TTR Snowboard Tour kicks off today! Live webcast, so make sure you don't miss out. Check out the previews -
Billabong is proud to announce Billabong Ante Up, a 5star TTR World Snowboard Tour event back for its second year, taking place on July 1st, 2011 in Whistler, British Columbia on the top of Whistler Mountain. The event is the marquee kick-off event for the TTR World Snowboard Tour for the 2011-2012 season and is a qualifying event for the 6Star Billabong Innsbruck Air and Style event in February 2012.
Billabong Ante Up will take place at the top of the Whistler Mountain, steps from the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola building with 30 of the world's top snowboarders competing in a Big Air format. Riders will hit an 85-90 foot big air jump, with $50,000 USD in prize money and valuable TTR World Tour snowboard points up for grabs. The top 10 riders from the 2010-2011 season will automatically qualify, with the remainder of riders being filled through a registration/selection process.
"Holding this event at the top of Whistler Mountain on Canada Day, July 1st is the perfect timing and spot for a summer snowboard event" says Risto Scott, Marketing Director for Billabong Canada. "With the world's best snowboarders at the world's best four season resort, and the excitement of a Canadian national holiday, what better way to spend it than on top of Whistler Mountain watching the riders throw down!
Never mind the fact that this is a nuts event. The video is simply amazing. You could be forgiven for thinking you are watching a fully animated Dinky Car production. Creative use of time lapses and very wide shots make this video seem unreal.
Check out all of the little people battle it out at Erzberg Rodeo moto enduro event in Austria as part of the epic Red Bull Hare Scramble 2011.
For more rattling two-stroke engines, smoking machines, loud rock-music, the smell of gasoline, dust-covered faces, muddy boots, the absence of any traffic rules and a crazy show of fanatic motorsport-enthusiasts, head over to...
Real Street returns for X Games 17! Sixteen of the world's best street skateboarders have submitted 60-second video parts for a shot at $50K and an X Games Gold medal. YOU choose which skater wins $10K by voting the fan favorite: http://xgames.com/realstreet
I love this contest. What a great idea! To make it nice and easy for you guys, I have put all the entries below, so you can view in one place! I am not sure who I am voting for yet, its a pretty hard decision.
This just blows my mind! What the hell are these guys thinking? Just watch the video and you will know what i am talking about. Hells, I got to get to this one day!
The Official Review of the 2011 Isle of Man will be packed with jaw-dropping action from around the legendary 37.73-mile road course, plus all the usual interviews, behind-the-scenes access and bonus features.
The 2011 TT promises to be one of the most competitive ever, with top riders and leading teams lining up to take on the challenge.
The great John McGuinness also returns and will be looking to get back on the top step of the podium after last year's disappointment, adding yet more victories to his 15-win tally.
Former TAS Suzuki teammates Bruce Anstey and Cameron Donald, both TT winners, have new challenges for 2011 -- Anstey is with Padgetts and Donald has moved to with Wilson Craig.
Back in the TAS squad, Guy Martin is the new recruit -- he'll be looking to put the 170mph crash of last year behind him and finally land that elusive first TT win.
Plus, Keith Amor, Michael and William Dunlop, Ryan Farquhar and Michael Rutter will be among the stars hoping to battle for victories in 2011.
There's also a wealth of talented newcomers due to line up for the 2011 TT, including short circuit ace Simon Andrews.
The three-wheel racing will also be scintillating, with Austrian Klaus Klaffenbock back with Dan Sayle and determined to defend the double sidecar TT wins he scored last year.
Stunning trackside and aerial camera work will be skilfully combined with the very best on-board footage to give you the ultimate view of the TT course and let you share every moment of excitement from every race.
The Official Review will also include interviews with the stars, plenty of bonus material and a look at some of the off-track excitement. There'll also be plenty of coverage of the star-studded events organised to mark the 100th anniversary of racing on the Mountain course and Yamaha's 50th anniversary.
Skaters in Jozi had a busy weekend with both the JHB qualifiers, on Saturday, followed the next day by the SA Finals of the Red Bull Manny Mania.
Kanya looked pretty stoked to make the Finals.
Kanya Spani of Sandown won the qualifier for Red Bull Manny Mania 2011 at the Revolution Skate Park in Kempton Park, Johannesburg. He and 3 other qualifiers the event went on to compete in the South Africa finals of Red Bull Manny Mania, the largest international event for amateur manual skaters.
“I feel really stoked about winning. It was unexpected, so I’m really stoked. I'm a little nervous about the final, but I know most of the skaters so it's going to be fun.”
The Manny Mania 2011 Finalists
From 32 competitors at the event today, the three other skaters selected to compete in the final included: Anthony Monalonca, Dada Marumo and Michael Bervoets.
Moses on his way to the win.
The final day kicked off and the pressure was on. In the end Dlamini Dlamini from La Lucia and Dada Marumo from Johannesburg finished second and third, receiving prizes from Session magazine and Element.
According to Red Bull Manny Mania judge Brendan Body of Session magazine it was a very difficult competition to judge, due to the high level of skating.
Moses Adams from Milnerton was the winner of Red Bull Manny Mania 2011 in South Africa, held at the Revolution Skate Park in Kempton Park, Johannesburg. He beat out 12 other finalists at the South African finals as part of the largest international event for amateur manual skaters.
“I didn't expect to win, but gave it my all. At the end my legs were so tired and numb, so I just tried to act like I was alone at the park skating. And I thought, if I can pull this off then maybe I can win. The event was awesome, I had fun and now I'm exhausted.”
Moses Adams will be flown to New York City on an all expenses paid trip to represent South Africa at the Red Bull Manny Mania World Final for amateurs 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.
Check out Dylan Mitchell's latest offering of Wakeskate magic. I have no idea how these guys do these tricks with no bindings let alone without ramming their sphincters through their noses. But, I gave wakeskating a go and it was pretty fun, there was no flipping though, except for the old guy on skis behind me flipping me the bird!
For more from Dylan go here: http://vimeo.com/user2726588
