The scenic beachside town of Batu Karas in West Java was ablaze with action on Sunday as right on plan the swell kicked up and provided the perfect arena for the Java groms to fire up the first event of the 2011 Rip Curl GromSearch season.
47 groms, some from as far away Cimaja (a 12 hour drive by car) as well as from nearby towns Pangandaran, Cilicap, and Karang Papak gathered at the beach in Batu Karas for a fun day of surfing competition, but with a serious prize at stake for the two top finalists in the Under 16 Division…The coveted “Ticket to Bali”.
In addition to trophies, prestige and prizes from Rip Curl, ESS, and Skullcandy for all the finalists, the two best surfing groms in the Under 16 Division received an all expense paid trip to Bali this October where they will compete with the other GromSearch event finalists in the National GromSearch Finals at Kuta Beach. The grand prize for the overall winner of the National Finals is a trip to the Rip Curl GromSearch World Finals at Bells Beach in Australia.
With visions of trips to Bali and Australia firmly in their minds, the starting horn called the first heat of the Under 16 groms into action at 7:30 am at the spot locally known as “the Reef”, with the rising tide conditions providing glassy and perfectly lined up 2-3 foot waves for the 23 frothing youngsters. They aggressively went on the attack with deep bottom turns, big hits to the lip, and going for aerials whenever possible.
By 10:30 the semi-finals were finished and the four finalists decided, but first the Under 14 groms had to have their turn.
The highlight of the Under 14 Division was the 4th heat, which had the only two girls groms competing, 9 year old Nika and 12 year old Bela both from Cimaja, as well as tiny Batu Karas local 9 year old Cece. MC Elan Jaelani got the crowd all fired up with his commentary, and soon everybody was shouting encouragement and cheering from the beach every time the groms caught a wave. It was great fun.
On the serious side, Diki, Muldi, Yoga, and Erik showed off their skills to the judging panel led by Head Judge Arya Subyakto and included Rip Curl team riders Pepen Hendrik and Wayan “Gobleg” Suyadnya from Bali, as well as Batu Karas locals Husni Ridwan, Giang, and Lili leading up to their final showdown.
After taking a short break for a 20 minute Expression Session, where 10 non-grom contestants were given the chance to win Skullcandy and ESS gear for having the Best Wave and Best Trick, it was down to the business end…the Finals.
The low tide and slight cross-shore wind didn’t faze the Under 14 Finalists as the waves were still head high for them. At the final horn it was Diki using his local knowledge to find the best waves and post the highest scores to nab a first place finish over Muldi from Karang Papak.
The Under 16 finalists were initially challenged by a lull in the waves during their 20 final, which only increased the tension. But it soon became clear that Deden and Dian were in a tight battle for the win, with 13-year-old Dian aggressively attacking each wave and going for the big maneuvers. Deden was more selective, trying to find the best wave before blasting his patented big turns. In the end, Dian had racked the most points and proved to the judges that he was the most committed in his surfing, and was all smiles after being presented with his prizes and Ticket to Bali.
“I really wanted to win, but didn’t know if I could against the older guys. I just had to try my best. Now I will be practicing hard because I want to become the champion when I go to the finals in Bali!” he said.
In addition to the surfing competition, the non-surfing kids were giving a chance to win some prizes too. Rip Curl Event Manager Dhanny called all the kids together for a trash gathering competition, explaining the importance of having a clean beach and properly disposing of their trash. Earlier in the day everyone on the beach had been given a booklet from GUS, an environmental non-profit company in Bali, on how to care for their environment.
I’m really happy to see the kids so eager to cooperate and learn about caring for beach and the environment, and also want to thank the local Bata Karas crew for making this such a great GromSearch event. We had great waves, saw some great surfing and had a create crowd, so it was just a super day. The 2011 GromSearch is off to a great start!” he said at the end of the day.
Head Judge Arya Subyakto was very pleased the quality of the grom surfing he had seen at Batu Karas, saying, “We saw some really good surfing from these groms here today and it was clear that the level is rising all the time. I’ve been spending a bit of time around here and know everyone was really excited to be hosting this event. It’s a great location for a GromSearch and I was stoked to be here and help out.”
At each ISC Junior event, Coca-Cola Amatil Indonesia asks the judging crew to select the grom who shows the greatest potential but lacks the proper equipment and gives them a custom made surfboard. The lucky grom at the Batu Karas GromSearch even was Deni Mencos. Congratulations Deni!
Next month the Rip Curl GromSearch team will be heading to the island of Lombok for the 2nd event of the series, which will take place on the 20 of March at Kuta Lombok. For more information see http://www.ripcurl.com/ and http://www.isctour.com/.
The Rip Curl GromSearch 2011 series is sponsored by ESS (Eat Sleep Surf), Skullcandy, TRAX, GUS, Magic Wave and OZ101.FM Radio Bali.
The Rip Curl GromSearch series is sanctioned by the Coca-Cola Indonesian Surfing Championship Tour; therefore all contestants receive ISC Junior Division Championship points at each event. The Under 16 year old surfer with the most points accumulated through all junior events at the end of the year will become the Indonesian Junior Surfing Champion.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Taj Burrow wins Breaka Burleigh Pro - by surftotal.com
Taj Burrow won his second consecutive Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) 4-Star Breaka Burleigh Pro held in wind affected, but good high performance 1m (3 feet) surf at Burleigh Heads today.
The fast, talented number 1 seed and ASP World No. 3 rated surfer displayed a full repertoire of moves including his renown aerial talents to seal today’s win.
Burrow lead for most of the 40 minute final, building his scores throughout and closing on a 7.57 and 7.9 for a final two wave tally of 15.47 but was challenged late when Joel Parkinson scored the highest single wave of the final, an excellent 8.23.
It left Parkinson chasing a 7.24 to take the win but he was unable to find a second decent wave in the final minutes.
“Great to win back-to-back here at Burleigh – Parko came hard at me near the end which made for a tight final and it’s always good to win a quality final like that – I certainly hope history can repeat and I follow up next week at the Quiksilver Pro – I’ll take that for sure,” said Burrow.
“Burleigh’s an exciting wave, even small like today, its high performance and you can really surf these waves and score – it’s been another amazing event.”
Parkinson was satisfied with his result today but also disappointed not to take the win.
“It has been a great warm up for all of us but you know, when you’re in a final with guys like Taj and Bede you really want to win and I was out there chasing the win – I needed a decent final ride and it didn’t happen but all up, a great event, Taj was always going to be the man to beat in conditions like that,” said Parkinson.
Bede Durbidge placed third in today’s final and all three top placed surfers look ready for the opening event to the 2011 ASP World Title Tour – next week’s Quiksilver Pro.
Once again, spectators relished the return of professional surfing to its spiritual home of Burleigh Heads and organisers are expecting an even bigger 2012.
The fast, talented number 1 seed and ASP World No. 3 rated surfer displayed a full repertoire of moves including his renown aerial talents to seal today’s win.
Burrow lead for most of the 40 minute final, building his scores throughout and closing on a 7.57 and 7.9 for a final two wave tally of 15.47 but was challenged late when Joel Parkinson scored the highest single wave of the final, an excellent 8.23.
It left Parkinson chasing a 7.24 to take the win but he was unable to find a second decent wave in the final minutes.
“Great to win back-to-back here at Burleigh – Parko came hard at me near the end which made for a tight final and it’s always good to win a quality final like that – I certainly hope history can repeat and I follow up next week at the Quiksilver Pro – I’ll take that for sure,” said Burrow.
“Burleigh’s an exciting wave, even small like today, its high performance and you can really surf these waves and score – it’s been another amazing event.”
Parkinson was satisfied with his result today but also disappointed not to take the win.
“It has been a great warm up for all of us but you know, when you’re in a final with guys like Taj and Bede you really want to win and I was out there chasing the win – I needed a decent final ride and it didn’t happen but all up, a great event, Taj was always going to be the man to beat in conditions like that,” said Parkinson.
Bede Durbidge placed third in today’s final and all three top placed surfers look ready for the opening event to the 2011 ASP World Title Tour – next week’s Quiksilver Pro.
Once again, spectators relished the return of professional surfing to its spiritual home of Burleigh Heads and organisers are expecting an even bigger 2012.
Joy Monahan is the new Women’s World Longboard Champion - by surfertoday.com
Joy Monahan (Oahu, HAW), 22, became the 2008 Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Women’s World Longboard Champion today after winning the Roxy Jam event at La Cote des Basques in Biarritz. Monahan, who defeated runner-up Chelsea Williams (Gold Coast, AUS) in an exciting 30-minute final, posted a solid 14.10 point heat tally (out of a possible 20) to secure her first world crown in front of a cheering crowd.
Monahan, who placed 9th in 2006 and 5th in 2007, stepped up this week to seize the prestigious Roxy ASP Women’s World Championships and become the first Hawaiian female World Longboard Champion.
"I am super stoked, I cannot believe I won the championship", Monahan said. "Chelsea is one of the best surfers in the world and it was one of the most difficult heats to win. I got good waves and was very focused for the win."
Monahan, who defeated reigning ASP Women’s World Longboard Champion Jennifer Smith (USA) in Semifinal No. 1, was unstoppable in the last heat of the event putting together strong combinations of classical turns and modern style re-entries in the two foot (0.5 meter) contestable conditions.
"I was very surprised to defeat Jennifer (Smith) in the semi-finals", Monahan said. "I had a great week in Biarritz and it ends up perfectly. It is like a dream coming true and it is great to bring this world title home. So stoked."
With Carissa Moore (HAW) winning the ASP Grade-2 Pro Junior and Joy Monahan (HAW) the Roxy ASP Women’s World Longboard Championships, Hawaiians dominated the 2008 Roxy Jam and will be back next year to defend their respective titles.
Chelsea Williams (AUS), 22, who was a favorite towards a possible ASP World title in Biarritz, finishes runner-up of the 2008 edition and betters her 2007 equal 3rd. Williams, who was the last Australian representative in the event, was a standout throughout the Roxy ASP WWLC and posted two of the best three heat scores of the event including an impressive 15.00 point result to defeat Leah Dawson (USA).
"I won most of the heat, but Joy got two good ones in the dying seconds", Williams said. "I tried to take the bigger waves at the very end but it was not enough. I am still happy with my result and hope I can do better next year."
Jennifer Smith (Ca, USA), reigning ASP Women’s World Longboard Champion, was stopped in the Semifinals by Monahan, forgetting her second consecutive title hopes. Smith, who was one of the event’s top scorers with a solid 14.75 point heat tally (out of a possible 20) obtained in Round 4, was not able to counter Monahan’s assault.
"I guess I cannot win everything but I definitely enjoyed this contest", Smith said. "I will come back next year and try again. I was here for a repeat but Joy (Monahan) is an amazing surfer. She really deserves to be crowned champion."
Leah Dawson (USA), other semifinalist of the Roxy ASP Women’s World Longboard Championships, secured her best result to date with an equal 3rd. Dawson, who placed equal 9th in 2007, created the upset of the final day when she defeated French favorite and 2007 ASP Women’s World Tour No. 2 Justine Dupont in the Quarterfnals in a close heat.
Dupont, 16, who placed 3rd in the ASP Grade-2 Roxy Pro Junior Tuesday, lost by 0.90 points and was disappointed with the result.
"I am very disappointed because I surfed this morning before the event and I was confident", Dupont said. "I think I was not patient enough to wait for the better waves and a bit tired after my performance in the final of Roxy Pro Junior yesterday."
The Roxy ASP Women’s World Longboard Championships will be back next year at the beautiful beach of La Cote des Basques in Biarritz.
Final of the Roxy Jam:
Heat : Joy Monahan (HAW) 14.10 pts Def. Chelsea Williams (AUS) 13.50
Source: ASP World Tour
Monahan, who placed 9th in 2006 and 5th in 2007, stepped up this week to seize the prestigious Roxy ASP Women’s World Championships and become the first Hawaiian female World Longboard Champion.
"I am super stoked, I cannot believe I won the championship", Monahan said. "Chelsea is one of the best surfers in the world and it was one of the most difficult heats to win. I got good waves and was very focused for the win."
Monahan, who defeated reigning ASP Women’s World Longboard Champion Jennifer Smith (USA) in Semifinal No. 1, was unstoppable in the last heat of the event putting together strong combinations of classical turns and modern style re-entries in the two foot (0.5 meter) contestable conditions.
"I was very surprised to defeat Jennifer (Smith) in the semi-finals", Monahan said. "I had a great week in Biarritz and it ends up perfectly. It is like a dream coming true and it is great to bring this world title home. So stoked."
With Carissa Moore (HAW) winning the ASP Grade-2 Pro Junior and Joy Monahan (HAW) the Roxy ASP Women’s World Longboard Championships, Hawaiians dominated the 2008 Roxy Jam and will be back next year to defend their respective titles.
Chelsea Williams (AUS), 22, who was a favorite towards a possible ASP World title in Biarritz, finishes runner-up of the 2008 edition and betters her 2007 equal 3rd. Williams, who was the last Australian representative in the event, was a standout throughout the Roxy ASP WWLC and posted two of the best three heat scores of the event including an impressive 15.00 point result to defeat Leah Dawson (USA).
"I won most of the heat, but Joy got two good ones in the dying seconds", Williams said. "I tried to take the bigger waves at the very end but it was not enough. I am still happy with my result and hope I can do better next year."
Jennifer Smith (Ca, USA), reigning ASP Women’s World Longboard Champion, was stopped in the Semifinals by Monahan, forgetting her second consecutive title hopes. Smith, who was one of the event’s top scorers with a solid 14.75 point heat tally (out of a possible 20) obtained in Round 4, was not able to counter Monahan’s assault.
"I guess I cannot win everything but I definitely enjoyed this contest", Smith said. "I will come back next year and try again. I was here for a repeat but Joy (Monahan) is an amazing surfer. She really deserves to be crowned champion."
Leah Dawson (USA), other semifinalist of the Roxy ASP Women’s World Longboard Championships, secured her best result to date with an equal 3rd. Dawson, who placed equal 9th in 2007, created the upset of the final day when she defeated French favorite and 2007 ASP Women’s World Tour No. 2 Justine Dupont in the Quarterfnals in a close heat.
Dupont, 16, who placed 3rd in the ASP Grade-2 Roxy Pro Junior Tuesday, lost by 0.90 points and was disappointed with the result.
"I am very disappointed because I surfed this morning before the event and I was confident", Dupont said. "I think I was not patient enough to wait for the better waves and a bit tired after my performance in the final of Roxy Pro Junior yesterday."
The Roxy ASP Women’s World Longboard Championships will be back next year at the beautiful beach of La Cote des Basques in Biarritz.
Final of the Roxy Jam:
Heat : Joy Monahan (HAW) 14.10 pts Def. Chelsea Williams (AUS) 13.50
Source: ASP World Tour
Brazil to host ASP World Masters 2008 - by surfetoday.com
For the first time in five years, the ASP World Masters Championships will assemble some of the most legendary names in professional surfing to Rio de Janeiro’s Barra de Tijuca from June 30 through July 6, 2008 to crown the 2008 ASP World Masters and ASP World Grand Masters Champions.
The Rio Masters will feature two divisions in the ASP Masters (surfers aged over 35) and the ASP Grand Masters (surfers aged over 47). The top 14 in each division are invited directly off of ASP career ratings (points being accrued by winning ASP World Titles, Top 5 World rankings, Top 10 World rankings and time spent on the ASP World Tour).
“To look at this list of names, I find it just a staggering congregation of talent,” Brodie Carr, ASP CEO, said. “This field is well representative of the pioneers of our sport, and those who have seen these living legends surf recently will attest that they haven’t lost a step at all. They’re all still ripping and so hungry to get back in the competition singlet. It’s very exciting to have the ASP World Masters Championships back on the schedule in 2008 and I feel like this season’s event will be one of the year’s highlights.”
Confirmed athletes to this season’s Rio Masters include former ASP World Champions Mark Occhilupo (AUS), Shaun Tomson (ZAF), Peter Townend (AUS), Rabbit Bartholomew (AUS), Tom Curren (USA), Damien Hardmen (AUS), Martin Potter (ZAF) and Derek Ho (HAW) as well as former ASP World Masters Champions Gary Elkerton (AUS), Michael Ho (HAW), Cheyne Horan (AUS) and Terry Richardson (AUS). Other confirmed athletes include Brad Gerlach (USA), Rob Bain (AUS), Dave Macaulay (AUS), Hans Hedemann (HAW), Buzzy Kerbox (HAW), Simon Anderson (AUS) and Ian Cairns (AUS).
Tomson, who claimed the ASP World Title in 1977, is eager to return to the competitive scene and looks forward to rejoining his fellow surfers in the idyllic beachbreaks of Barra de Tijuca in Brazil. “Wonderful to have the Masters back on again,” Tomson said. “I’ll be there with bells on and definitely looking forward to seeing the guys again and having a great event in Rio.”
The 2008 Rio Masters will be the first of a three-year license for Brazil, and this year’s event will stand alone in terms of Masters events, crowning both the ASP World Masters Champion and ASP World Grand Masters Champion.
“It’s with a great enthusiasm that ASP (Association of Surfing Professionals) together with Pepper Comunicação Integrada has the pleasure to announce the ASP World Masters Championship 2008,” Pepper’s Paulo Costa Jr. said. “After five-year absence, the event returns to the world competition scene through the partnership between the greatest surfing entity on the planet and one of the most important agencies of communication and marketing in Brazil.”
“This effective teamwork certainly promises to be a success, bringing the icons of surf, such as Tom Curren, Shaun Tomson, Rabbit Bartholomew, Martin Potter, Gary Elkerton, Damien Hardman, Brad Gerlach, Peter Townend, Cheyne Horan, among others, back in a real meeting of champions in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,” Costa Jr. continued. “In addition to having the surfers who have influenced generations over the years, the event will proudly gather music, art, life style and environmental actions together into an unforgettable surf festival between June 30 and July 6.”
The 2008 ASP World Masters Championships begins its waiting period on June 30, 2008.
Source: ASP World Tour
The Rio Masters will feature two divisions in the ASP Masters (surfers aged over 35) and the ASP Grand Masters (surfers aged over 47). The top 14 in each division are invited directly off of ASP career ratings (points being accrued by winning ASP World Titles, Top 5 World rankings, Top 10 World rankings and time spent on the ASP World Tour).
“To look at this list of names, I find it just a staggering congregation of talent,” Brodie Carr, ASP CEO, said. “This field is well representative of the pioneers of our sport, and those who have seen these living legends surf recently will attest that they haven’t lost a step at all. They’re all still ripping and so hungry to get back in the competition singlet. It’s very exciting to have the ASP World Masters Championships back on the schedule in 2008 and I feel like this season’s event will be one of the year’s highlights.”
Confirmed athletes to this season’s Rio Masters include former ASP World Champions Mark Occhilupo (AUS), Shaun Tomson (ZAF), Peter Townend (AUS), Rabbit Bartholomew (AUS), Tom Curren (USA), Damien Hardmen (AUS), Martin Potter (ZAF) and Derek Ho (HAW) as well as former ASP World Masters Champions Gary Elkerton (AUS), Michael Ho (HAW), Cheyne Horan (AUS) and Terry Richardson (AUS). Other confirmed athletes include Brad Gerlach (USA), Rob Bain (AUS), Dave Macaulay (AUS), Hans Hedemann (HAW), Buzzy Kerbox (HAW), Simon Anderson (AUS) and Ian Cairns (AUS).
Tomson, who claimed the ASP World Title in 1977, is eager to return to the competitive scene and looks forward to rejoining his fellow surfers in the idyllic beachbreaks of Barra de Tijuca in Brazil. “Wonderful to have the Masters back on again,” Tomson said. “I’ll be there with bells on and definitely looking forward to seeing the guys again and having a great event in Rio.”
The 2008 Rio Masters will be the first of a three-year license for Brazil, and this year’s event will stand alone in terms of Masters events, crowning both the ASP World Masters Champion and ASP World Grand Masters Champion.
“It’s with a great enthusiasm that ASP (Association of Surfing Professionals) together with Pepper Comunicação Integrada has the pleasure to announce the ASP World Masters Championship 2008,” Pepper’s Paulo Costa Jr. said. “After five-year absence, the event returns to the world competition scene through the partnership between the greatest surfing entity on the planet and one of the most important agencies of communication and marketing in Brazil.”
“This effective teamwork certainly promises to be a success, bringing the icons of surf, such as Tom Curren, Shaun Tomson, Rabbit Bartholomew, Martin Potter, Gary Elkerton, Damien Hardman, Brad Gerlach, Peter Townend, Cheyne Horan, among others, back in a real meeting of champions in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,” Costa Jr. continued. “In addition to having the surfers who have influenced generations over the years, the event will proudly gather music, art, life style and environmental actions together into an unforgettable surf festival between June 30 and July 6.”
The 2008 ASP World Masters Championships begins its waiting period on June 30, 2008.
Source: ASP World Tour
Billabong XXL reaches 420 surf photos - by surfetoday.com
New entries are flooding in from Europe, Hawaii and California, and with less than a month remaining in the annual cycle for the Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards presented by Monster Energy, few are doubting that a number of records are going to be shattered. The last eleven months have proven among the most extraordinary in the history of big wave surfing, with an unprecedented 420+ entry images from all around the planet providing visual evidence of the mammoth surf on the event website at BillabongXXL.com.
New video clips and still photos continue to arrive week after week in all key categories of the event including the Billabong XXL Ride of the Year Award, Billabong XXL Biggest Wave Award powered by Honda, Monster Tube Award and Monster Paddle Award. Also featured are the Surfline Best Overall Performance Award and the Billabong Girl's Performance Award. In total, over $120,000 in prize money will be awarded in the eighth annual edition of big wave surfing's top event. The competition is open to all qualified, invited surfers at any surf break around the world over the course of a full year and is based on the photographic evidence.
Although there is still plenty of time for more shocking swell events to occur before the event period concludes with the Vernal (Spring) Equinox on March 19, 2008 the world's big wave elite are already making plans to attend the gala Billabong XXL Awards ceremony this April 11 at the Grove Theater in Anaheim, California.
While the 2000 seats at the Grove are invitation only, the entire evening's activities from Red Carpet arrivals to the final award will be broadcast during a live webcast at http://www.billabongxxl.com/ and televised at a later date.
A truly global event, a number of European surfers have surged to new levels of XXL respect in recent months, with entries from France and Ireland offering their credentials as potential contenders. The legendary Belharra Reef off southern France has reared its head once again, with an epic ride by Vincent Lartizen (Hossegor, France) reminding all of that break's leap onto the world stage in 2003. Likewise, the British Isles have made their first real push to prominence with performances by Duncan Scott (Newquay, Cornwall, England) and Alistair Mennie (Portrush, Northern Ireland) at Mullaghmore Head in Donegal and beneath the imposing Cliffs of Moher in County Claire.
The Monster Paddle Award has likewise become intensely competitive with extremely fresh entries from Maverick's in Northern California and Waimea Bay on the North Shore of Oahu. Hawaii's Kalani Chapman and female phenom Maya Gaberia of Brazil both weighed in with some Valentine's Day bombs last Thursday at Waimea. As the same swell made its way to the west coast the following day, it was 18-Year-old Nick Lamb (Santa Cruz) who scratched into the wave of the session at Mavericks.
These new entries join some formidable company with amazing rides so far registered in such diverse locales as Chile, Tahiti, Western Australia, South Africa, Mexico, Tasmania and Spain. In addition to all the latest entries in each category, full event details including formats, rules and archives of past XXL years can be seen at the event website at http://www.billabongxxl.com/.
Source: Billabong XXL
New video clips and still photos continue to arrive week after week in all key categories of the event including the Billabong XXL Ride of the Year Award, Billabong XXL Biggest Wave Award powered by Honda, Monster Tube Award and Monster Paddle Award. Also featured are the Surfline Best Overall Performance Award and the Billabong Girl's Performance Award. In total, over $120,000 in prize money will be awarded in the eighth annual edition of big wave surfing's top event. The competition is open to all qualified, invited surfers at any surf break around the world over the course of a full year and is based on the photographic evidence.
Although there is still plenty of time for more shocking swell events to occur before the event period concludes with the Vernal (Spring) Equinox on March 19, 2008 the world's big wave elite are already making plans to attend the gala Billabong XXL Awards ceremony this April 11 at the Grove Theater in Anaheim, California.
While the 2000 seats at the Grove are invitation only, the entire evening's activities from Red Carpet arrivals to the final award will be broadcast during a live webcast at http://www.billabongxxl.com/ and televised at a later date.
A truly global event, a number of European surfers have surged to new levels of XXL respect in recent months, with entries from France and Ireland offering their credentials as potential contenders. The legendary Belharra Reef off southern France has reared its head once again, with an epic ride by Vincent Lartizen (Hossegor, France) reminding all of that break's leap onto the world stage in 2003. Likewise, the British Isles have made their first real push to prominence with performances by Duncan Scott (Newquay, Cornwall, England) and Alistair Mennie (Portrush, Northern Ireland) at Mullaghmore Head in Donegal and beneath the imposing Cliffs of Moher in County Claire.
The Monster Paddle Award has likewise become intensely competitive with extremely fresh entries from Maverick's in Northern California and Waimea Bay on the North Shore of Oahu. Hawaii's Kalani Chapman and female phenom Maya Gaberia of Brazil both weighed in with some Valentine's Day bombs last Thursday at Waimea. As the same swell made its way to the west coast the following day, it was 18-Year-old Nick Lamb (Santa Cruz) who scratched into the wave of the session at Mavericks.
These new entries join some formidable company with amazing rides so far registered in such diverse locales as Chile, Tahiti, Western Australia, South Africa, Mexico, Tasmania and Spain. In addition to all the latest entries in each category, full event details including formats, rules and archives of past XXL years can be seen at the event website at http://www.billabongxxl.com/.
Source: Billabong XXL
Raoni Monteiro wins the Hang Loose Pro - by .surfertoday.com
Brazilian Raoni Monteiro won the ASP WQS 5-Star PRIME Hang Loose Pro at Cacimba do Padre today in barreling waves of four-to-six feet (2 metre) height. Monteiro won the great final over American Gabe Kling, who already made the finals at Fernando de Noronha Island in 2006. Until last year, both surfers were competing on the ASP World Tour, and now with this excellent result, they will try to return to the ASP World Tour next year.
“Thats it, 13 victories in Hang Loose to Brazil and 12 for the rest of the World, but the most important is that we had excellent waves every day for the whole contest, a lot of tubes, great wheater, sun, hot and next year there will be more,” Álfio Lagnado, President of Hang Loose Company, said. Since 1986, Lagnado has organised the most traditional surf contests in Brazil, holding the Hang Loose Pro Contest in places like Florianópolis (SC), Guarujá (SP), Baía de Maracaípe (PE), Cabo de Santo Agostinho (PE), Maresias (SP) and Fernando de Noronha (PE).
With a beatiful barrel from the biggest set on his first wave of the final, Monteiro started the final with a 8.83 score. Then, in the middle of the heat, the Brazilian scored a 6.60 wave to put Gabe in combination situation, and finished the final with 15.43 points against the 9.50 points of Kling. Kling had a solid second semi-final, winning the heat against Brazilian Hizunome Bettero, finishing with 16.44 points against 15.10 of Hizunome.
“I really wanted to win this event, because since Japan, a long time a go, i didn´t won a contest, and now i am really happy and i don´t know what to say” this was the first words of the new champion of the Hang Loose Pro Contest. “I did everything right since my first heat, i stayed calm every heat and the result of this week was this victory. I promised to my daughter that i would bring this title back home” said Raoni Monteiro, who were in ASP Men´s World Tour last year and now he will try to return to the World Tour next year.
“I want to thank the people of Noronha, the local surfers, and this wonderful place, that always give us excellent waves, sun, big barrels and this great event. I also wish to thank Alfio Lagnado (Hang Loose CEO) to bring every year this contest to this magical Island” said the winner, who earned 12.000 dollars and 2.500 World Qualifying Series ratings points, and moved to the 4th position in ‘QS ranking after his victory in 2008 Hang Loose Pro Contest.
Now the American Gabe Kling received 6.000 dollars and 2.188 points to move directly to 6th place in the ‘QS ranking after 3 stops. “I am stocked, this a great result to start this season. I wanted clear win, but Raoni surfed really good and i didn´t found the waves. But anyway i happy with my result” said Gabe Kling (27), who also finish in second place in Hang Loose Pro Contest when he entry in the ASP Men´s World Tour two years ago. “I hope that things happen again in the same way as the last time. I really wants to return to the WCT Tour next year. Is too early, but anyway this was a great first step, so i am very happy”.
Brazilian Hizunomê Bettero and the Spanish surfer from Canary Islands Jonathan Gonzalez finished in third in Fernando de Noronha. Hizunome also finish in third place in 2006. “Once again the dream of the final has been postponed. There were really great waves in the semi-finals but i couldn´t advanced, but a third place here in a 5 star prime event is a good way to start. I really wants to entry in ASP Men´s World Tour next year and i still confident that this will be a good year for me” said Hizunomê Bettero, who had a great perfomance in the tubes of Cacimba do Padre beach.
After the Hang Loose Pro Contest the next stops of WQS Tour will be in March in Australia. WQS Tour will return to Brazil in June with two events, one in Praia do Forte, Bahia and another in Guarujá, São Paulo. Them we will have another event in September at São Francisco do Sul, Santa Catarina and the last four events of ASP South America will be in October in: Costão do Santinho, Florianópolis (SC), Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Itajaí (SC) and the last one in Ubatuba (SP). And to finish, the only stop of ASP Men´s World Tour in South America, the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro, that will be disputed again in Imbituba (SC), from October-28 to November-05.
Source: ASP World Tour
“Thats it, 13 victories in Hang Loose to Brazil and 12 for the rest of the World, but the most important is that we had excellent waves every day for the whole contest, a lot of tubes, great wheater, sun, hot and next year there will be more,” Álfio Lagnado, President of Hang Loose Company, said. Since 1986, Lagnado has organised the most traditional surf contests in Brazil, holding the Hang Loose Pro Contest in places like Florianópolis (SC), Guarujá (SP), Baía de Maracaípe (PE), Cabo de Santo Agostinho (PE), Maresias (SP) and Fernando de Noronha (PE).
With a beatiful barrel from the biggest set on his first wave of the final, Monteiro started the final with a 8.83 score. Then, in the middle of the heat, the Brazilian scored a 6.60 wave to put Gabe in combination situation, and finished the final with 15.43 points against the 9.50 points of Kling. Kling had a solid second semi-final, winning the heat against Brazilian Hizunome Bettero, finishing with 16.44 points against 15.10 of Hizunome.
“I really wanted to win this event, because since Japan, a long time a go, i didn´t won a contest, and now i am really happy and i don´t know what to say” this was the first words of the new champion of the Hang Loose Pro Contest. “I did everything right since my first heat, i stayed calm every heat and the result of this week was this victory. I promised to my daughter that i would bring this title back home” said Raoni Monteiro, who were in ASP Men´s World Tour last year and now he will try to return to the World Tour next year.
“I want to thank the people of Noronha, the local surfers, and this wonderful place, that always give us excellent waves, sun, big barrels and this great event. I also wish to thank Alfio Lagnado (Hang Loose CEO) to bring every year this contest to this magical Island” said the winner, who earned 12.000 dollars and 2.500 World Qualifying Series ratings points, and moved to the 4th position in ‘QS ranking after his victory in 2008 Hang Loose Pro Contest.
Now the American Gabe Kling received 6.000 dollars and 2.188 points to move directly to 6th place in the ‘QS ranking after 3 stops. “I am stocked, this a great result to start this season. I wanted clear win, but Raoni surfed really good and i didn´t found the waves. But anyway i happy with my result” said Gabe Kling (27), who also finish in second place in Hang Loose Pro Contest when he entry in the ASP Men´s World Tour two years ago. “I hope that things happen again in the same way as the last time. I really wants to return to the WCT Tour next year. Is too early, but anyway this was a great first step, so i am very happy”.
Brazilian Hizunomê Bettero and the Spanish surfer from Canary Islands Jonathan Gonzalez finished in third in Fernando de Noronha. Hizunome also finish in third place in 2006. “Once again the dream of the final has been postponed. There were really great waves in the semi-finals but i couldn´t advanced, but a third place here in a 5 star prime event is a good way to start. I really wants to entry in ASP Men´s World Tour next year and i still confident that this will be a good year for me” said Hizunomê Bettero, who had a great perfomance in the tubes of Cacimba do Padre beach.
After the Hang Loose Pro Contest the next stops of WQS Tour will be in March in Australia. WQS Tour will return to Brazil in June with two events, one in Praia do Forte, Bahia and another in Guarujá, São Paulo. Them we will have another event in September at São Francisco do Sul, Santa Catarina and the last four events of ASP South America will be in October in: Costão do Santinho, Florianópolis (SC), Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Itajaí (SC) and the last one in Ubatuba (SP). And to finish, the only stop of ASP Men´s World Tour in South America, the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro, that will be disputed again in Imbituba (SC), from October-28 to November-05.
Source: ASP World Tour
Surf City USA legal battle is over - by surfertoday.com
The city’s visitors bureau have guaranteed its exclusive Surf City USA trademark, ending a legal battle with a Santa Cruz shop owner who sued them over the brand use. Huntington Beach City reached a settlement with Santa Cruz, after a dispute reignited in 2004.
The Surf City USA® brand began as a concept proposed at a brand discovery workshop of the Huntington Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau on July 20, 2004. At the time, workshop participants felt that the City’s official nickname, “Surf City” – representing the idealized Southern California beach town celebrated in a Jan & Dean song by the same title – represented a potential brand position that could be used to promote the city.
The Surf City name was not unique, however. It belonged to other municipalities in America. Nothing distinguished it from the popular song title of the 1960s. As such, the “USA” phrase was placed at the end of the title to give it more cache and international stature. The intent was to create a brand position that could be clearly associated with a lifestyle and state-of-mind rather than a song or place on the map.
Six potential brand positions including the Surf City USA phrase were subsequently tested in an online focus group, visitor intercept study, local industry survey and on-line survey of 40,000 travelers in the western U.S. The research revealed immense potential for the Surf City USA name. A subsequent trademark and online search determined the phrase was not trademarked nor being used to promote any other city, product or service.
On November 17, 2004, four applications to register the Surf City USA trademark were filed with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Only nine days later, the news was reported in the Orange County Register, picked up by the Associated Press and spread across the U.S. No one in their wildest dreams had imagined the newly minted trademark would interest so many people.
News of the trademark registrations was greeted by a laugh from the Mayor of Surf City, N.C. The Borough of Surf City, N.J. didn’t respond at all. But in the northern California beach community of Santa Cruz, officials appeared to be fighting mad. The Mayor told reporters, “I think they’re [Huntington Beach] a bunch of wimps.” He suggested a surf-off to settle who should own the trademark.
Media interest skyrocketed. Why the controversy? Bureau officials were surprised to read that “Surf City” was considered a nickname for Santa Cruz, too. Furthermore, Santa Cruz officials had fought an attempt by Huntington Beach during the 1990s to pass a resolution in the state legislature naming it “Surf City.” The ancient conflict had triggered a knee-jerk defensive reaction. There was really nothing to fight about but no one in the press seemed to care.
A tsunami of news coverage followed over the next 10 months to report about the new brand name and which town was the real “Surf City.” More than 200 articles appeared in major publications across the world, in additional to international news broadcasts on radio and TV. The publicity had an equivalent advertising value worth millions of dollars as both cities were thrust onto the world stage for comparison and commentary.
Looking back in history, one of life’s many ironies may be thatofficials from a small college town in northern California unwittingly helped to make the official brand of Huntington Beach a huge success from almost the day it was launched. The irreverent and defiant response from Santa Cruz officials helped to give the Surf City USA brand public awareness and equity that normally would have taken years to cultivate.
Even as heightened public attention placed heavy demand on Bureau staff to respond to inquiries, its Board of Directors stayed focused. In January of 2005, an internet-based survey of Huntington Beach citizens discovered overwhelming local approval for marketing the community with the Surf City USA brand. With a margin of error of +/- 6.6 percent, 92 percent of residents thought the name fit from “fairly well” to “perfectly.” Bolstered by the findings, the Bureau summarized the key research findings to date and commissioned five local graphic artists to design 44 different potential brand logo designs. In May
of 2004, four final logo treatments were selected and published on the internet for a public vote. Within three weeks, 1,110 visitors and 505 residents had logged online to register their thoughts in the debate.
In a Board meeting covered by reporters from the Los Angeles Times, Orange County Register and the community’s two weekly newspapers, the Bureau’s Board of Directors voted to support the election results. The surfboard shaped logo with the Huntington Beach Pier in the upper left hand corner was adopted on July 12, 2005. Few brands or brand logos have been created with an equivalent foundation of research and public input. Following 18 months of review and questioning by the U.S.
Patent & Trademark Office, three of the first Surf City USA trademark registrations were granted on May 11, 2006. The news again generated worldwide media coverage worth millions of dollars.
More than 100 articles appeared in significant publications worldwide, as well as national news coverage on most of the major cable TV stations including CNN and MSNBC.
As a nonprofit entity where “profits” are not distributed to shareholders, the long-term vision of the Huntington Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau is to create a 501(c)3 philanthropic subsidiary – the Surf City USA Foundation – to perpetuate the Surf City USA spirit in Huntington Beach. A portion of revenues derived from the brand could be used to construct the world’s ultimate surfing museum, as well as other projects.
Source: Surf City USA
The Surf City USA® brand began as a concept proposed at a brand discovery workshop of the Huntington Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau on July 20, 2004. At the time, workshop participants felt that the City’s official nickname, “Surf City” – representing the idealized Southern California beach town celebrated in a Jan & Dean song by the same title – represented a potential brand position that could be used to promote the city.
The Surf City name was not unique, however. It belonged to other municipalities in America. Nothing distinguished it from the popular song title of the 1960s. As such, the “USA” phrase was placed at the end of the title to give it more cache and international stature. The intent was to create a brand position that could be clearly associated with a lifestyle and state-of-mind rather than a song or place on the map.
Six potential brand positions including the Surf City USA phrase were subsequently tested in an online focus group, visitor intercept study, local industry survey and on-line survey of 40,000 travelers in the western U.S. The research revealed immense potential for the Surf City USA name. A subsequent trademark and online search determined the phrase was not trademarked nor being used to promote any other city, product or service.
On November 17, 2004, four applications to register the Surf City USA trademark were filed with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Only nine days later, the news was reported in the Orange County Register, picked up by the Associated Press and spread across the U.S. No one in their wildest dreams had imagined the newly minted trademark would interest so many people.
News of the trademark registrations was greeted by a laugh from the Mayor of Surf City, N.C. The Borough of Surf City, N.J. didn’t respond at all. But in the northern California beach community of Santa Cruz, officials appeared to be fighting mad. The Mayor told reporters, “I think they’re [Huntington Beach] a bunch of wimps.” He suggested a surf-off to settle who should own the trademark.
Media interest skyrocketed. Why the controversy? Bureau officials were surprised to read that “Surf City” was considered a nickname for Santa Cruz, too. Furthermore, Santa Cruz officials had fought an attempt by Huntington Beach during the 1990s to pass a resolution in the state legislature naming it “Surf City.” The ancient conflict had triggered a knee-jerk defensive reaction. There was really nothing to fight about but no one in the press seemed to care.
A tsunami of news coverage followed over the next 10 months to report about the new brand name and which town was the real “Surf City.” More than 200 articles appeared in major publications across the world, in additional to international news broadcasts on radio and TV. The publicity had an equivalent advertising value worth millions of dollars as both cities were thrust onto the world stage for comparison and commentary.
Looking back in history, one of life’s many ironies may be thatofficials from a small college town in northern California unwittingly helped to make the official brand of Huntington Beach a huge success from almost the day it was launched. The irreverent and defiant response from Santa Cruz officials helped to give the Surf City USA brand public awareness and equity that normally would have taken years to cultivate.
Even as heightened public attention placed heavy demand on Bureau staff to respond to inquiries, its Board of Directors stayed focused. In January of 2005, an internet-based survey of Huntington Beach citizens discovered overwhelming local approval for marketing the community with the Surf City USA brand. With a margin of error of +/- 6.6 percent, 92 percent of residents thought the name fit from “fairly well” to “perfectly.” Bolstered by the findings, the Bureau summarized the key research findings to date and commissioned five local graphic artists to design 44 different potential brand logo designs. In May
of 2004, four final logo treatments were selected and published on the internet for a public vote. Within three weeks, 1,110 visitors and 505 residents had logged online to register their thoughts in the debate.
In a Board meeting covered by reporters from the Los Angeles Times, Orange County Register and the community’s two weekly newspapers, the Bureau’s Board of Directors voted to support the election results. The surfboard shaped logo with the Huntington Beach Pier in the upper left hand corner was adopted on July 12, 2005. Few brands or brand logos have been created with an equivalent foundation of research and public input. Following 18 months of review and questioning by the U.S.
Patent & Trademark Office, three of the first Surf City USA trademark registrations were granted on May 11, 2006. The news again generated worldwide media coverage worth millions of dollars.
More than 100 articles appeared in significant publications worldwide, as well as national news coverage on most of the major cable TV stations including CNN and MSNBC.
As a nonprofit entity where “profits” are not distributed to shareholders, the long-term vision of the Huntington Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau is to create a 501(c)3 philanthropic subsidiary – the Surf City USA Foundation – to perpetuate the Surf City USA spirit in Huntington Beach. A portion of revenues derived from the brand could be used to construct the world’s ultimate surfing museum, as well as other projects.
Source: Surf City USA
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