EXTREME SURFER

Into the pipeline

2010-02-08T15:24:00.000-08:00

Into the pipeline2010

On a cloudless day I paddle through emerald and turquoise water, suffer the gentle wrath of churning whitewash and take my place in the Waikiki line-up. The sun is blinding, the water is bathtub warm and the trade winds smell of frangipani and sunscreen. To my left is the majesty of craggy Diamond Head; to my right, a row of fellow neophytes from at least 10 countries straddle their boards and stare seaward. The horizon is a flotilla of yachts, catamarans, outrigger canoes and glass-bottom boats.

The Triple Crown of Surfing

2010-02-08T13:54:00.000-08:00

The Triple Crown of Surfing 2010

The Event: Fancy a spot of sun in December? Well surf’s up in Oahu in Hawaii, for one of the top events in women’s surfing. This mixed event is a real test of the world’s top surfers, who will try and tackle the North Shore, a coastline famous for its mighty swells. The women’s surfing takes place in three events – the Vans Hawaiin Pro in Haleiwa (November 17-23rd), the Gidget Pro Sunset Beach (November 24th-December 6th), and the Billabong Pro Maui in Honolua Bay December 8-20th)

Tahiti Girl Surfing

2010-02-08T13:46:00.000-08:00

Tahiti Girl Surfing 2010

Super Surfer Girl Steph Gilmore

2010-02-08T12:48:00.000-08:00

Surfer Girl Steph Gilmore 2010

Stephanie Gilmore has achieved the distinction of being the first ever surfer, male or female, to win the ASP World Title consecutively during the first three years of competing in the Tour. And she's only 21. To top off a year of victories, she just scored her third consecutive win at Billabong Pro Maui and her second consecutive win at the Vans Triple Crown. Gilmore's living the dream, and she knows it. Outside Online caught up with the Aussie wonder at the tail-end of an incredible year.

Wanna Surf in Ghana

2010-02-07T06:20:00.000-08:00

Wanna Surf in Ghana 2010

Surf camp Ghana is lies on a 2 km beach in the fishing village of Busua. It is a traditional Ghanaian coastal village, 3-4 hour driving from Accra (the capital city). This tourist destination is providing you with many entertainment options boast some of the nicest beaches in Ghana. Surfing is relatively new to Ghana, but the surf instructors will guide and help you improve your surfing skills

Surf’s Up, Beach Bum Image

2010-02-07T06:12:00.000-08:00

Surf’s Beach Bum Image 2010

World-Class Surfing

2010-02-07T05:52:00.000-08:00

World-Class Surfing 2010

Surfing Fiercely

2010-02-07T05:24:00.000-08:00

Surfing Fiercely 2010

Due to massive numbers and the huge success at last seasons’ NSW Jim Beam Surftag Series, NSW will now be split into two regions, NSW North and NSW South.

The new event - NSW North, will involve Boardriding Clubs from the Central Coast, Newcastle and the Mid North Coast and scheduled to be held in January at Newcastle.

The NSW North qualifier will be fought out by 2005 Jim Beam Surftag National Champions Umina, Macmasters, Avoca, Nth Shelley, Wamberall, Norah Head, Catherine Hill Bay, Merewether, Boomerang and Saltwater as well as attracting new clubs Port MacQuarie, Blacksmiths and Tea Tree.

Umina Boardriding Club Stalwart Drew Courtney, currently in Europe competing on ASP World Tour events is looking forward to the new seasons Jim Beam Surftag saying “We all love getting back to our local Boardriders club to team up and put back into the club – it’s where all Australian competitive surfers begin their careers and it always feels good to give back to the club in these team events that are full of passion, I can’t wait!”

The Jim Beam Surftag National Series is a tag team surfing competition contested by boardriding clubs from all over Australia. The series in 2009 expanded to 7 events with the introduction of the Jim Beam Women's Surftag that was won by North Narrabeen (NSW). The North Narrabeen girls continued the clubs Surftag dominance with the mens team winning the 2008 Jim Beam Surftag National title and the junior mens team claiming the 2008 O'Neill Gromtag title.

North Narrabeen went into the 2009 Final as the team to beat and narrowly missed out on a hat trick of National Titles when south coast club Werri Beach Boardriders (NSW) surprised all and held off a strong finishing NN. Dee Why (NSW) in their first year at the finals finished in third position with powerhouse club Snapper Rocks (QLD) fourth. WCT stars Joel Parkinson and Josh Kerr surfed for Snapper with Kerr scoring a perfect 10 point ride in the final.

The Werri Beach team of Todd Prestage, Ryan Bailey, Tully Robinson, Matt Jones, Rhys Bombaci and Dave Hunt (Manager) won $12,000 cash and a vmoto scooter for the south coast club with Bombaci also winning the O'Neill Surfer of the Series ($500) and the vmoto highest score in the final ($3,000 vmoto scooter).

The Jim Beam Surftag National Series provides a national competition for boardriding clubs to compete against each other and to determine Australia's No.1 Club. The Jim Beam Surftag is Australia's largest team surfing competition and offers a prize pool of over $100,000 in cash and prizes.

kite Surfing With Naked Lady

2010-02-07T05:13:00.000-08:00

Surfing With Naked Lady 2010

Draping himself with naked ladies is all in a day's work for Virgin founder Richard Branson. For a photoshoot on Necker Island, his private paradise in -- where else? -- the British Virgin Islands, Branson posed kite surfing while draped with model Denni Parkinson. What's amazing is that he still seems to be focused on the surfing bit.

In another photo in the series, Branson appears in a white buttondown in the forest while Parkinson stands behind him au naturale. She also happens to be the photographer's girlfriend, according to the Daily Mail, but the British tabs aren't giving Richard a free pass on this, even though he claims his children were watching from the shore. In the same week, Branson also reportedly clashed with Virgin-sponsored Formula 1 driver Jenson Button over his paying too much attention to Button's girlfriend, Japanese-Argentine underwear model Jessica Michibata. No wonder Branson's next trip was to a surprise birthday party for his dad in Scotland -- nothing untoward-looking about that.

We were unable to figure out exactly why Branson is posing with a naked girl, but the lesson here is clear: Do your nudist outdoor activities with your significant other, not away from him or her. Branson oughta British Naturism, a club for people who like being outdoors in the altogether with activities like a paddleboat trip in Norfolk, a July 4 fun run and of course several beach days. Imagine a crowd of seacombers wearing a Virgin towel and a smile...

Kite Surfing 2010

2010-02-07T05:09:00.000-08:00

Kite Surfing 2010

Come 2010, not only will you be able to stay at Virgin Group head honcho Richard Branson's private Swiss ski lodge, but you'll also be able to go kite surfing alongside his silver foxness at the British Virgin Islands KiteJam.

From March 1-5 the BVIs, including Branson's luxury hideaway Necker Island, will be filled with kite boarding enthusiasts, celebrities, and pro kiteboarders including German Kristin Boese and American Gretta Kruesi. It'll be five days of inter-island events including flat water freestyle, waves, sliders and racing, and of course some after-hours partying. No word on whether or not Branson will walk on water however, or if he'll strap a nude supermodel to his back again

New rules for surfing schools

2010-02-07T05:01:00.000-08:00

New rules for surfing schools 2010

The main issue up for grabs at a volusia County meeting tonight in Daytona Beach: Should Volusia County start licensing surf schools?

Surf schools are popular at several beaches along the coast and some do a great business as summer camps.

But they don’t operate with any help, or any licensing from the county.

Volusia County does have contracts for the main beach vendors, selling food, renting chairs and umbrellas, and renting golf carts. There is an available contract for windsurfing and other water sports. And the county regular approves permits for special beach events, especially ones in which alcohol is requested.

So there is a question brewing on what policy should the county have on surf schools — should it begin licensing them or setting up exclusive contracts?

That’s the main topic before the Volusia County Beach Policy Advisory Board which will meet in Daytona Beach, at the new lifeguard headquarters, 515 S. Atlantic Ave., near Sun Splash Park, at 5:30 pm. There is an audio feed available online if you can’t go to the meeting (and the audio will be available later.) The board will discuss the issue, but any rule changes would have to be approved by the Volusia County Council.

Surfing outings

2010-02-07T04:33:00.000-08:00

Surfing outings 2010

Fancy a Puerto Rican experience? Then watch this space for a link to our new website for the upcoming Surf2Live surfing school in Aguadilla, located on the northwest coast of this splendid Caribbean Island, and renowned for its amazing surf. Whether it's a surfing holiday you're after or lessons in an exotic location, we'll cater to your every need.

Brett Simpson Speaks 2010

2010-02-07T04:08:00.000-08:00

Brett Simpson Speaks 2010

HUNTINGTON BEACH, California (Wednesday, October 14, 2009) - The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is close to capping off the 2009 season and with the exciting changes set in place for ASP surfers for next year and beyond, Brett Simpson (Huntington Beach, CA), 24, current ASP WQS No. 6 and ASP Dream Tour hopeful, took a minute to express his thoughts on how the landmark changes will benefit his sport.

Simpson has been a standout in several international events on The Grind this year and is in excellent position to potentially qualify for the prestigious ASP World Tour. The progressive regular-footer is looking forward to being a part of the new face of the ASP Dream Tour set in place for 2010.

“I think the 32-man format awesome for the sport,” Simpson said. “This is the kind of progression we needed to build or sport and take it to the next level! I already think it’s a pretty prestigious class of guys, but by the middle of next year there will likely only be 32 guys and that’s a huge honor if you’re a part of that.”

Simpson is also looking forward to the simplification of the one-world rating slated to take place for next season, making it perfectly clear as to where each surfer sits on a global scale.

“The one-world rating is huge for us surfers too,” Simpson said. “Somebody will ask me what I’m rated, and I don’t even know what to tell them because I’m sixth on the ‘QS but there are still 45 guys ahead of me on the World Tour, so now it will be a much more clear answer.”

The Orange County local, who won the richest ASP WQS prize purse in surfing history when he claimed the Hurley U.S. Open this year, is also out to claim his piece of the financial boost set in place for next year’s ASP World Tour as well as the top level ASP WQS events.

“I’m always motivated and hungry, but the increased prize purse definitely helps us surfers out a lot,” Simpson said. “The more money we can make just helps us in the future. It’s an awesome bonus and great that the sponsors and ASP are really backing the surfers.”

Simpson will be out to solidify his spot on the ASP World Tour at the upcoming ASP WQS 6-Star O’Neill Cold Water Classic which will run from October 25 through 31, 2009.

For Simpson’s profile log on to www.aspnorthamerica.org

American Surfers Qualified for 2010

2010-02-07T03:58:00.000-08:00

American Surfers Qualified for 2010

HUNTINGTON BEACH, California (Sunday, December 20, 2009) – Now that the dust has settled after the dramatic finish to the 2009 Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Tour season, 10 Mainland American surfers have secured the right to surf amongst the top 45 for the 2010 ASP Dream Tour.

The 2010 ASP World Tour season, which will undergo a significant facelift, will see six veteran surfers lead the four fresh faces to qualify via the ASP WQS towards the ultimate goal of the ASP World Title.

Kelly Slater (Cocoa Beach, FL), 37, former nine-time ASP World Champion, was the top rated American to requalify for next year’s quest for surfing’s throne after a near-immaculate performance at the Billabong Pipe Masters where he finished runner-up behind Australian talent Taj Burrow (AUS), 31. Despite leading America’s strong force of competitors into the 2010 season, the iconic-veteran was cautious in announcing his commitment to the ASP World Tour for next year.

“I don’t know if I’m going to do the tour full-time next year,” Slater said. “I’m sort of feeling it out. I’ve just competed for so many years, doing the same thing and going to the same places, it’s a little monotonous. When you find some meaning in it and it’s bigger than just going and surfing, then it becomes more exciting, but, unfortunately, this year I had a pretty lackluster year in a lot of ways, both personally and competitively and it probably showed in my surfing.”

C.J. Hobgood (Melbourne, FL), 30, who was the 2001 ASP World Champion, finished his year No. 7 amongst the elite and capitalized on his impressive barrel-riding skills at Pipeline to finish his year off with a fifth at the Billabong Pro while posting one of the event’s perfect 10-point rides for a massive forehand barrel.

Also wrapping up their year within the crucial top-27 on the ASP World Tour were Bobby Martinez (Santa Barbara, CA), 27, who claimed a crucial win at this year’s Billabong Pro Tahiti and finished the year ASP World No. 8, Damien Hobgood (Satellite Beach, FL), 30, who posted his best result of the season with a runner-up finish at the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, finished the year No. 9, while California sensation Dane Reynolds (Ventura, CA), 24, finished the year rated 10th.

In addition to the top 10, Taylor Knox (Carlsbad, CA), 38, who just completed his 16th season amongst the world’s finest surfing talent, wrapped up his season rated 12th, guaranteeing the veteran competitor an amazing 17th season on the ASP World Tour.

Learn 2 Surf Adventure

2010-02-07T03:53:00.000-08:00

Learn 2 Surf Adventure 2010

Register now for learn 2 surf and our beach boot camp adventure to be held at Cookies Beach beside the Murramarang Resort on Saturday 16th January. Total cost is $50 for boot camp, surf board and wetsuite hire and surfing lesson. Friends and family are more than welcome. Places are limited so get in quick, it’s going to be an awesome day!

ASP Junior News Surfer

2010-02-07T03:40:00.000-08:00

ASP Junior News 2010

Felicity Palmeteer Opens ASP Season Winning Quiksilver Jetty Surf Pro Junior

JAN JUC, Victoria/Australia (Wednesday, January 6, 2010) - Felicity Palmeteer (Hillaries Beach/Perth/West Australia) made the ideal start to her 2010 surfing season by winning the ASP Quiksilver Jetty Surf Pro Junior in uneven 1m (2 to 3 feet) surf at Jan Juc Beach on Victoria’s Surfcoast.

Seventeen-year-old Palmeteer defeated Sarah Mason (Cabarita Beach/NSW) in a closely-fought Final with scores based on each surfer’s top two scoring rides of Palmeteer on 11.00 to Mason’s 10.35.

Palmeteer set herself an early season goal of trying to make the Top 5 on the ASP Austalasia Pro Junior ratings for the year, but after today’s win, has already adjusted her ambitions.

“It’s the greatest start to the year for me and now I’ll really aim to win the series or at least make the Top 2 for the season and try and qualify for the ASP World Junior Championships," Palmateer said. "Even though I won an ASP Pro Junior last year in Perth, I have always felt that win had a lot to do with being on my home beaches, but now I’ve won here I’m starting to believe more in myself and I feel I’m ready to really challenge for the entire season. It feels good!”

Palmeteer set up today’s win early in the Final when she scored the Final’s highest-scoring ride of a 7.25 out of a possible 10 for a series of smooth and well-timed backhand bottom-to-top turns.

In crumbly and fairly weak waves, it was a decisive and excellent score.

Sarah Mason’s performance at this event was also her greatest competitive achievement to date.

The 14-year-old signalled her potential early in the event when she defeated the number 1 seed Tyler Wright and she showed that was no fluke but going all the way to today’s final and scoring numerous impressive excellent wave scores along the way.

“I feel good about making the final – There’s no pressure as I’m competing to simply gain the experience at this level but after today I feel confident that I can do well at this level and I plan to do all the Pro Junior events on the Australasian Series this year.”

“The final was hard," Mason said. "Felicity scored that good wave early and I really couldn’t find a wave that had enough potential to match it.”

Equal third in today’s event were Dimity Stoyle (Sunshine Coast/Qld) who was defeated by Mason in the Semifinals and Philippa Anderson (Newle) who went down to Palmeteer in a close Semifinal.

ASP Pro Junior Rounds 3 and 4 of the men’s division were also completed today, with the biggest upset being the elimination of top seed Dean Bowen.

Bowen’s powerful backhand style struggled in today’s conditions which appeared to favour lighter weight surfers.

While Bowen exited the event, fellow South Coast NSW surfers Sam Wrench, Ty Watson and Jordi Watson were all super impressive and advanced to the final 16 surfers remaining in the event.

Others to impress today included Garrett Parkes (Byron Bay), Perth Standlick (Bondi), Billy Keane (Coffs Harbour), Chris Salisbury (Newport Beach) and Davey Cathels (Narrabeen).

Billy Keane looms as the dark horse in the event.

He has scored multiple excellent rides during this event utilizing what appears to be a well-honed aerial attack. His final ride today, scoring an excellent 8.33, was due to a successfully-d air reverse.

“I enjoy aerial surfing and I’m always prepared to go for the move knowing I have a good chance of success and knowing the move will score big – I’ve been working hard on these moves and I hope the training pays off” said Keane.

Tomorrow will be the final day of the Quiksilver Jetty Surf Pro Junior and jan Juc Beach is again the likely venue.

With just 16 surfers remaining in the event organizers will be starting early aiming to complete the final around mid day.

Quiksilver Jetty Surf Pro Junior

2010-02-07T03:33:00.000-08:00

Quiksilver Jetty Surf Pro Junior

The 2010 Association of Surfing Professionals Australasia (ASP Australasia) season began with a reduced day of competition in winter like conditions at Jan Juc Beach in Victoria as six round one of the Quiksilver Jetty Surf Pro Junior were completed before organizers called off the day when strong onshore winds destroyed what were good early wave conditions.

Despite the freezing unseasonal winds, swells increased throughout the morning with New Zealand surfer Alex Dive clearly very comfortable scoring the mornings top scoring ride of an 8.5 out of a possible 10 which also saw him take the highest two wave combined heat tally of the day posting 15.94 in his easy win over Oscar Scanes (mid-north coast NSW) who also advanced to round two placing second in the four surfer opening round heats.

“That was a good heat to start the year” said Dive after his heat win … I’m used to the cold conditions coming from New Zealand and the waves are quite powerful which suits me – It looks like getting bigger in the coming days and hopefully we’ll surf great waves at Bells from now on.”

Local surfer Harrison Mann, just 15 years of age and surfing well above his league taking on Australasia’s very best 20 year and under surfers showed he’ll be hard to beat in his familiar local waters by easily winning his opening heat where he defeated highly rated Sydney surfer Steve Ahrens along with USA surfer Luke Davis who was eliminated from the event in third place.

“It’s great to get through the opening round and I’m really looking forward to competing against the higher seeded surfers – they are the best Pro Juniors in Australia and the experience will be good for me whether I get through my heat or not – I’m confident I can mix it with them, especially with good surf at Bells likely!”

Only six round one heats were completed today and organizers plan to start early tomorrow, most likely at Bells Beach to complete round one then move into round one of the Pro Junior Women’s.

Kite Surfer Beach

2010-02-07T03:21:00.000-08:00

Kite Surfer Beach 2010

Healing in the surf Beach

2010-02-07T02:50:00.000-08:00

Healing in the surf 2010

NARRAGANSETT — A bunch of athletic-looking people from the other side of the country showed up here yesterday to take a bunch of kids with autism surfing.

Parents said the effect was remarkable, even magical.

Kerry Schemck watched her son, Kameron, come in headfirst, lying down on a surfboard, with an enormous smile on his face.

Kameron’s 10, and his mother said he usually doesn’t like people to touch him.

The next time Kameron came in, there was a surfer-instructor on the board, too. The surfer stood up and hauled Kameron up by his arms until he was standing, too. His smile was at least as big as before.

About 100 people on shore, many of them parents, applauded as each child swooshed in.

The surfer-instructors yesterday were from Surfers Healing, a donor-supported foundation in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. It got its start when Isaiah Paskowitz, the son of the founders, Israel and Danielle Paskowitz, was diagnosed with autism. Israel Paskowitz, a former competitive surfer, discovered that the ocean relieved the sensory overload children with autism experience. So he took his son surfing. It has a profound impact on both of them.

Surfers Healing now holds “camps” on both coasts.

“If we can, we let go and they’re standing on their own,” said one of the surfer-instructors, Kamakani Froiseth, a lifeguard from Makaha Beach, Hawaii. He said that some kids are “kicking and screaming” to start with but, “You take them in the water, and their mood just swings, from hating it to loving it.”

Autism often involves impairment of the ability to form normal social relationships and to communicate with others, and leads to repetitive activities with a narrow focus. Autism has a broad range of effects, which can vary from minor to profound.

It translates into experiences like that of the DiSimone family. Their son, Anthony, spoke until he was 3.

“Then he gradually stopped speaking,” said his father, Richard DiSimone. He said the experience was heartbreaking.

Anthony is now a slim 10-year-old. He does not speak, and his parents say that he is in constant motion. That means keeping an eye on him and not relaxing. He pauses for a moment to shake hands, and is off again, down the beach.

For yesterday, his parents bought him a wetsuit for insulation. He got some surfing in, and his mother, Maria DiSimone, said early in the afternoon that he had been in the water for four hours and didn’t want to come out.

Paskowitz said he had to cut short a camp at Montauk, on Long Island, the day before because conditions were terrible: lots of wind, big waves and currents. On a danger scale of 10, he said, Montauk was an 8.

Yesterday at the Narragansett Town Beach, the waves were a bit over a foot high –– just enough to ride standing up on a surf board, and no bigger. The beach slopes gently, with no drop-off and no currents. There was a light wind.

Paskowitz said the conditions were perfect. He put the danger level at zero.

His advice for parents who want to replicate the “surfing camp” yesterday is, unfortunately, “Don’t do it,” because, “the danger factor is just so high.”

Paskowitz and the seven other surfers he brought with him made it look easy, smoothly giving the kids a good time in ideal conditions. He said, though, that the surfers have had years of experience and have dealt with 60-foot waves.

Even with all that, they focused a lot of manpower on the kids’ surfing runs –– one instructor on the board with the child, and two or three more on the receiving end, to catch the child and the board, separately or together. The absolute ratio of skilled surfers teaching children with autism has to be a minimum of one to one and often more, he said.

The DiSimones, who discovered Surfers Healing on television, have gone to three of the camps during the last five years, two in New Jersey and one in North Carolina.

She said the parents’ goal is to have Surfers Healing hold a camp in Rhode Island every year.

Dustin Ray Surfing-Cayucos

2010-02-07T01:51:00.000-08:00

Surfing-Cayucos 2010

"Get closer" is the photography technique intended to be illustrated here. Oftentimes photos can be improved by getting closer and drawing the viewer's attention to the subject to the exclusion of the background or other environmental elements.

Read my (Mike Baird's) tutorial on how to take good surf photos.

Dustin Ray "D-Ray" - Surfer at the Cayucos Pier, Cayucos, CA, 01-02-2007 - taken from the pier with a tripod, Canon 5D w/ 300 mm f/2.8 IS lens (EF300mm f/2.8L IS USM). This shot shows the local AZHIAZIAM azhiaziam.com/ brand -Photo by Mike Baird BairdPhotos.com 1/1600 f/3.2. This photo is used, by permission, by Chris Woodford at www.explainthatstuff.com/surfingscience.html under the Creative Commons license
surfmorrobay.com

Surfers and friends of surfers – please add a Note (see ADD NOTE button above) annotation to this photo and or add a comment below indicating the identity of the individual(s) in this image.

surfing-cayucos

2010-02-07T01:43:00.000-08:00

surfing-cayucos2010

Dustin Ray "D-Ray" - Surfer at the Cayucos Pier, Cayucos, CA, 01-02-2007 - taken from the pier, some hand held, some with a tripod, Canon 5D w/ 300 mm IS lens - This shot shows the local AZHIAZIAM azhiaziam.com/ brand -Photo by Mike Baird BairdPhotos.com 1/1600 f/5

Surfers and friends of surfers – please add a Note (see ADD NOTE button above) annotation to this photo and or add a comment below indicating the identity of the individual(s) in this image.

10 Dec 2008 Creative Commons use note matadorgoods.com/5-best-surf-films-of-all-time/ - note said Hi Michal ! We are writing to let you know that we've selected two of your incredible creative commons licensed images from Flickr as the lead photo in an article for our Matador website. Below, you'll find a link to the article to be published with your photo and links to various pages of our site. Browsing through your photos on Flickr, we knew straight away that we were looking at the album of someone who is not only passionate about photography, but also passionate about the realization of a story through photos. We also think you might be interested in joining our community of writers, photographers, and travelers at www.matadortravel.com. Signing up for a profile is quick, easy, and free, and you'll join a growing community of people who appreciate great images and great stories. Thank you so much,
The Matador Team - You can view the article here
(http://matadorgoods.com/5-best-surf-films-of-all-time/)
MatadorTravel.com BraveNewTraveler.com MatadorNights.com TheTravelersNotebook.com MatadorTrips.com MatadorAbroad.com MatadorChange.com MatadorGoods.com MatadorLife.com

Surfer Catches a Wave

2010-02-07T01:23:00.000-08:00

Surfer Catches a Wave 2010

Every year, a total of 44 men and 16 women compete for the highly prestigious title of 'best championship surfer' at the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coasts.

The competition - which also doubles up as the start of the annual ASP World Tour -
usually occurs at Snapper Rocks Beach, in Collangata, at the southern end of Queensland's Gold Coast. It has been known, however, to relocate to other nearby locations should the waves not reach the desired height and strength.

Fans can expect the odd lay-day (no competition) during the waiting period, but waves in Australia are typically healthy throughout February and March, with soaring temperatures and impressive swells, so there's always plenty of top-class surfing action.

Seed Eliminated at Jetty Surf Pro Junior

2010-02-07T00:39:00.000-08:00

Jetty Surf Pro Junior 2010

Young 14-year-old Sarah Mason provided a gigantic upset on Day 2 of the Quiksilver Jetty Surf Pro Junior, which ran in good quality clean 1 metre surf at Jan Juc beach on Victoria's Surfcoast.

The diminutive, former-Kiwi surfer, who has now been based in Australia for five years, took an exciting Round 2 heat win in the ASP Pro Junior Women's division, defeating and eliminating the event's No. 1 seed Tyler Wright.

Sixteen-year-old Wright probably has the greatest junior surfing record in Australian surfing, which includes multiple Australian and World Titles along with an ASP World Tour victory at the sport's highest level, but she struggled in today's conditions while Mason capitalised by finding better waves to secure a close heat win.

"I never think about who I'm surfing against in my heats, I simply go out and surf my best and try and win," said Mason after her win today. "Tyler's a great surfer and now I've won the heat it gives me confidence to go a lot further and aim high at this event."

West Australian surfer Laura Macaulay placed second behind Mason to advance today with Wright close behind in third place but unfortunately eliminated.

Sarah Mason's older sister Arini also impressively won her Round 2 heat along with Philippa Anderson and Ellie-Jean Coffey, who both took strong heat wins.

Ellie-Jean Coffey, just 15 years of age, highlighted the depth of young talent coming through the ASP Australasian Pro Junior ranks.

"I have just returned from a High Performance training camp with Surfing Australia and I'm feeling really good about my surfing - even though there's a lot of girls older than me in the Pro Juniors I now have the confidence to really surf against them and know that I can beat them," said Coffey, who has spent a lot of time over the past two years transient along the northern NSW coastline developing her surfing talents.

Chris Salisbury and Jerome Forrest were the outstanding performers as Round 1 of the ASP Pro Junior Men's was also finalised today.

Salisbury utilized his smooth and powerful backhand surfing to post the days highest wave score of 8.75 out on his way to a comfortable heat win.

"I'm taking the ASP Australasian Pro Junior circuit very seriously this season - It's my last year on the circuit and I definitely want to finish the year in the top five on the ratings and qualify for the ASP World Junior Championships," said Salisbury.

Jerome Forrest scored two excellent waves of an 8.45 and an 8 to register the highest heat tally of the day of 16.45.

Victorian surfers had mixed results on day two - Caiden Fowler and Tom Allan both progressed to round two while Georgia Fish and Nikki Van Dijk were surprise eliminations in closely contested round two heats in the Pro Junior women's.

Tomorrow will most likely see the top seeds including Dean Bowen, Garrett Parkes, Davey Cathels and Chris Friend surfing in round two and surf conditions are expected to remain very similar to today's good conditions.

Bondi Surfer 2010

2010-02-06T16:03:00.000-08:00

Bondi Surfer 2010

I’ve got a small set of good photos from our recent trip to Australia and New Zealand. I’ll be posting them in succession – as I finish editing them. I’m not allowed to take any new photos until I edit all the ones from Oz – which is significant since I’m off to Hawaii next week where I will, hopefully, take a surfing class. Oh… and I couldn’t decide If I like the warm sunset version… or the cool blue version. Anyway… once you go RAW.. blah blah blah.

Surf school

2010-02-06T15:55:00.000-08:00

Surf school 2010

Sunshine Coast school kids may appear to be having the time of their lives when they surf at pristine beaches as part of their curriculum but parents and teachers say the pupils are still learning.

A recent letter to the editor criticising the Caloundra Surfabout competition for primary school students prompted a wave of support for the event from parents and teachers.

In a letter from J Goldston published in the Daily, the writer claimed students would be “laughing their heads off, getting out of school and the old three Rs”.

Jim Beam Surftag Series 2010

2010-02-06T15:37:00.000-08:00

Jim Beam Surftag Series 2010

Due to massive numbers and the huge success at last seasons’ NSW Jim Beam Surftag Series, NSW will now be split into two regions, NSW North and NSW Sout

The new event - NSW North, will involve Boardriding Clubs from the Central Coast, Newcastle and the Mid North Coast and scheduled to be held in January at Newcastle.

The NSW North qualifier will be fought out by 2005 Jim Beam Surftag National Champions Umina, Macmasters, Avoca, Nth Shelley, Wamberall, Norah Head, Catherine Hill Bay,

Brett Simpson Speaks about New Face of ASP for 2010

2010-02-06T15:30:00.000-08:00

Brett New Face of ASP for 2010

Simpson is also looking forward to the simplification of the one-world rating slated to take place for next season, making it perfectly clear as to where each surfer sits on a global scale.

Simpson will be out to solidify his spot on the ASP World Tour at the upcoming ASP WQS 6-Star O’Neill Cold Water Classic which will run from October 25 through 31, 2009.

Shot of the Week - Roadies

2010-02-06T15:26:00.001-08:00

Shot of the Week - Roadies 2010

ASP One Ranking System Unveiled for 2010 and Beyond

2010-02-06T15:18:00.000-08:00

System Unveiled for 2010

COOLANGATTA, Queensland/Australia (Tuesday, December 29, 2009) – Beginning in 2010, ASP International will activate a One Ranking structure for the men’s ASP Dream Tour and the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS).

The concept of the ASP One Ranking structure is to make both the ASP-sanctioned World Tour and Qualifying Series events contribute to a surfer’s year-end rating. The ASP One Ranking structure will be the primary means for determining if a surfer is eligible to compete in ASP World Tour events and the highly-rated ASP Qualifying events.

Surfers will start to accumulate their respective ASP One Ranking points from the start of the 2010 season. However, the first season will be a bridge year to allow ASP to ensure that points are correct across all events and the changeover times onto the ASP World Tour are finalized.

Below is a brief summary of the ASP One Ranking System and how the crowning of the ASP World Champion will work. We have begun with 2011, as it is the first full year season of operation.

ASP One Rankings from 2011:

· A surfer’s ASP ranking is determined by their best eight results from 2010. These results can come from any ASP event.
· As a surfer progresses through the 2011 ASP World Tour, they to replace and results, but always counting their best eight results from the past 12 months. Essentially, a surfer’s ranking constantly changes throughout their career (subsequent years will work in a similar fashion).
· EXAMPLE: if a surfer is counting a result from the 2010 Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, once the 2011 Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast comes around, they need to that result and pick up their next best. That next best result can (but does not have to) come from the 2011 Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast if they perform better than the previous year or from their 9th best result of the past 12 months.
· The ASP One Ranking structure will determine which surfers qualify for the 32-man ASP World Tour events at pre-determined changeover points throughout the year. The ASP is currently considering that the changeovers will occur approximately every three events or three months. However, 2010 will be used to better analyze the results of the ASP One Ranking tem before finalizing.
· The changeover points for each season will be announced as soon as the following year’s schedule is finalized.
· A surfer cannot count the same event twice in their top eight results should that event change dates to fall twice in 12 months.

The ASP World Champion will be determined by counting only results from ASP World Tour events. Each year, a new ASP World Title race will start and surfers can only win by counting their best eight results from ASP World Tour events. The rationale behind this is to ensure that the surfers competing for the prestigious ASP World Title are all competing at a level playing field and not chasing points in ASP Qualifying events at the end of the season,

ASP Bridge Year in 2010:

2010 will act as a bridge year for the transformation into the ASP One Ranking structure. ASP One Ranking points will start accumulating from the first ASP-sanctioned event of 2010 – the ASP 1-Star Movistar Pro Peru from January 15 – 17, 2010.

The ASP Top 45 (the Top 27 from the 2009 ASP World Tour, the Top 15 from the 2009 ASP WQS and three wildcards) will commence 2010 as they have in the past, with the first ASP World Tour event at the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast.

After the fifth ASP World Tour event (the Billabong Pro Teahupoo), the field will be reduced to the Top 32 from the 45 who qualified for the start of the 2010 season. After the final ASP World Tour event of 2010 (the Billabong Pipe Masters), the ASP will determine the Top 32 surfers for the 2011 ASP World Tour. ASP International has built in a safety net to guarantee the number of surfers that comprise the 2011 ASP Top 32 – 22 from the ASP World Tour events and 10 from the ASP One Rankings events.

For more information, log onto

surfer in ocean beach

2010-02-06T14:53:00.000-08:00

surfer in ocean beach 2010

CATCH SURF

2010-02-06T14:46:00.000-08:00

CATCH SURF 2010

Surfers and Kayakers.

2010-02-06T14:40:00.001-08:00

Surfers and Kayakers.2010

The 2010 Vancouver Olympics are coming soon and the traditional Olympic torch relay is currently going on. This time, the organizers of the event are focusing on alternative transportation and the different methods of transportation have been unique indeed.

Yesterday the Olympic torch was carried on surf board up in Tofino, BC for the first time ever by Raph Bruhwiler. It’s also been carried on a mountain bike, skateboard, canoe, wheelchair and a float plane. It was also recently carried by van when police had to get around some protesters doing what they do best, protesting stuff.

Keep an eye on day 11 of the relay (November 9, 2009) when the torch passes through Iqaluit, Nunavut. There it will be paddled in a traditional skin-on-frame kayak along the shoreline by Kyle St. Laurent, a long-time member and assistant coach with the Nunavut Speed Skating Association

Surfing Championships

2010-02-06T14:28:00.000-08:00

The best young surfers in the world will be competing for waves at Piha next January when Auckland plays host to the 2010 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship. The event will be held from 20-28 January.

Surfing Championships2010

The announcement comes after a successful approach to the sport’s global ruling body, the International Surfing Association (ISA), led by Surfing New Zealand and including New Zealand Major Events, Tourism New Zealand, Tourism Auckland, and the Auckland and Waitakere City Councils.

The 2010 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship will see the world’s best under 18-year-old surfers battling it out for world titles in the biggest event of the junior surfing year. The spectacle at Piha is an Olympic-type event staged with competitors from around the world competing both individually and for their countries in front of large crowds.

“We’re really happy to announce that New Zealand will be the 2010 location for the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship. It is an amazing location with perfect waves and a great surfing culture. It’s really important to note that this is the first time after more than 25 years that the ISA holds an event of this magnitude in the Australasia zone,” says the ISA President, Fernando Aguerre.

2010 slayshTank Surf Trip: Destination Pororoca, Brazil and the Longest Wave in the World

2010-02-06T14:09:00.000-08:00

The wave has become popular with surfers. Since 1999, an annual championship has been held in São Domingos do Capim. However, surfing the Pororoca is especially dangerous, as the water contains a significant amount of debris from the shores of the river (often entire trees). In 2003 the Brazilian Picuruta Salazar won the event with a record ride of 12.5 kilometers during 37 minutes

It occurs at the mouth of the river where river water meets the Atlantic Ocean. The phenomenon is best seen in February and March

The pororoca is a tidal bore, with waves up to 4 meters high that travel as much as 13 kilometers inland upstream on the Amazon River. Its name comes from the indigenous Tupi language, where it translates into “great destructive noise”

The phenomenon, known as the Pororoca, is caused by the tides of the Atlantic Ocean which meet the mouth of the river. This tidal bore generates waves up to 12 feet high which can last for over half an hour.

Twice a year, between the months of February and March, the Atlantic Ocean waters roll up the Amazon river, in Brazil, generating the longest wave on the Earth. We have been taking some time over the Christmas break planning our 2010 surf trips and the journey to Brazil to battle the turbulence of the Pororoca may be a possibility. Either way, enjoy the story of the longest wave on the planet.

Surf Destinations for 2010

2010-02-06T14:03:00.000-08:00

Surf Destinations for 2010

After casting an eye over the current surfing landscape, Rhys Stacker lays out the best waves of 2010 and when to find them.

IT’S HARD TO BE a serious surfer without also being a serious traveler. As fun as it is to surf your local beach, it’s the chance that perfect waves are just around the next corner — or around the world — that keeps us on the road.

[Editor's note: Once you're finished checking out the spots below, make sure to visit Matador's surfing resources page].

Peniche, Portugal

Each year Rip Curl holds its premier WCT surf contest, The Search, at a different break around the world. Past locations have included Bali, Mexico, and Chile. In 2009 it was Peniche, a quaint fishing town about 1.5 hours north of Lisbon.

If the experience of past destinations are anything to go by, Peniche is likely to see an influx of traveling surfers keen to score the same waves they watched the world’s best compete in.

Peniche once had the distinction of being one of the smelliest surfing spots in the world due to local fish processing plants. Thankfully the factories have been cleaned up, but the world-class waves remain, the result of an undersea ledge that consistently produces hollow waves in clean swells.

SURF’S UP” Folly Beach

2010-02-06T13:39:00.000-08:00

SURF’S UP” Folly Beach 2010

With Hurricane Bill steadily approaching and forecasted to run east of Bermuda, Folly Should be receiving some truly epic swell this weekend so pack up the kids, grab the boards and head on down to the beach . Waves should be maxing out and overhead on Saturday afternoon so wax up and get ready for a great weekend out in the sun and surf. High tide should be just after 10am so dawn patrol will be where it’s at and the best time to take advantage of these great conditions. Winds will be offshore and about 10 mph which should stand the waves up nicely and give us that sweet blow-back mist that we all love so much. It’s not often that we get to brag about the waves on Folly, but this will truly be a weekend worth remembering and will without a doubt get us through the cold winter. Parking will be at a premium so the earlier the better and remember that sunscreen because the sun will be blazing. Make sure to keep an eye on the rip currents and even if you don’t venture out into the water come on down because the show should be totally awesome.

SURFER'S BEACH, PUERTO

2010-02-06T13:29:00.000-08:00

SURFER'S BEACH

The Totally Crustaceous Tour took off to Puerto Rico for the annual Catfish Surf Series last weekend. However, this year we switched the venue over to Surfer's Beach, were the two-day event went down in ripple 4-5ft surf. The sunny warm skies made for great weekend of beach mayhem, chillin, and high amplitude of surfing. To top it off, Volcom's brand new surf flick Creepy Fingers was premiered at Surf Zone surf shop after the event, with bands Panty Sniffers and ASG rocking the crowd. Here’s some high lights from the event.

The Squids, is a specialty division for the supercharge kids of 12 and under, for this once a year event. Cristian Rivera claimed the victory with a Santa Cruz skate, custom Volcom trophy and heap of other goods. Brian Laide took second with Quincy Davis in third and Jose Claudio in forth.

In the Grom final, Andrew Doheny wasted no time in the opening minutes by hooking up on a surfer’s beach gem. He took it to pieces and posted a score of an 8.0 and never looked back. Andrew was all smiles after earning himself the win, a Zoo York deck and grip of other prizes. Nick Rupp put in a good run and earned himself a solid second with Jose Tovares, Erick Torres, Jorge Rivera and Hector Santa Maria rounding out the final

Panama surfing destinations

2010-02-04T07:27:00.001-08:00

Panama surfing destinations 2010

The archipelago of Bocas del Toro has remained a unique and unspoiled place, only recently having been discovered by international travelers. An early visitor, Christopher Columbus visited the islands on October 6, 1502 where he took refuge in the calm waters and gathered food from the islands for their voyage home.

Bocas del Toro is an outdoor lover’s paradise with unspoiled coral reefs, deep-sea fishing, boating, kayaking, snorkeling, surfing and white sandy deserted beaches and coves. The local people of the province are made up of mainly indigenous tribes and descendants of slaves from Jamaica, which contributes to Bocas’ diverse and lively culture. Read the rest of this entry »

The Bocas del Toro Archipelago Surfing

2010-02-04T07:23:00.001-08:00

The Bocas del Toro Archipelago Surfing 2010

Panama weather is relatively mild in that the highs and lows year-round are within about 10 degrees of each other. While temperatures vary depending on the region, Bocas del Toro experiences a tropical climate with temperatures ranging from 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Bocas del Toro experiences relatively low humidity, with light breezy days and light temperate nights. From our quiet dock by the water to our wrap-around porch, relaxing outside and enjoying the weather couldn’t be more delightful.

The rainy season in Bocas takes place from December through January and then again June through August, however this season rarely produces enough rain to ruin a vacation. The dry season runs from February through May and during this period it is not uncommon to miss the raindrops all together. However, since we are in the tropics, short storms can come and go at any time. The great part about this tropical positioning though, is that we enjoy warm temperatures and light ocean breezes all year round. Read the rest of this entry »

“Surfing the Breaks in Panama’s

2010-02-04T07:18:00.001-08:00

“Surfing the Breaks in Panama’s 2010

The tropical surfing experiences offered on the Caribbean Coast of Panama are unlike any other. Whether you like surfing point breaks, beach breaks or reef breaks, there can be a perfect Panama surf tour in your future, around one of Central America’s prime surf spots to visit…Bocas del Toro Archipelago.

After flying into Panama City’s Tocumen International Airport (PTY); you can take a taxi to Albrook airport (the national airport) which is a 40 minute taxi ride. Then you catch your sixty minute or so connecting flight from Albrook airport -AKA- Marcos Gelabert Regional Airport (MPMG) to Bocas Del Toro (BOC). Or you can plan your flights to have an overnight stay in Panama City before your Bocas flight, and check out the night life in a remarkable tropical city of nearly a million people. Read the rest of this entry »

Surfers in Bocas del Toro, Panama”

2010-02-04T07:13:00.000-08:00

Surfers in Bocas del Toro, Panama” 2010

We’re talking about comfortable, casual lodging for visiting surfers, we’re looking at Lula’s B&B and Cocomo-by-the-Sea on Avenida Norte, Bocas Del Toro, on Isla Colon. It’s one of the largest and northern most islands in the Bocas del Toro Archipelago, near the border of Costa Rica.

Traveling to Bocas, as the locals call it, can either be as comparatively simply as taking a 60 minute flight from Panama City, Panama; or as possibly adventurous as traveling for a long number of hours by bus. Either way you will find your destination to be unlike any other. The rain forest ecology of the islands is immediately apparent, and sudden rain showers seem to warm everything up…most of the time. Unless you’re in a boat, traveling fast while it’s storming and the faster the driver runs the boat, the harder the rain smacks you; then it’s cold. Read the rest of this entry »

“Surf Class Schoo Or Tour– Bocas del Toro

2010-02-04T07:08:00.000-08:00

Surf Class Schoo Or Tour– Bocas del Toro

How will you chose where you surf in Bocas del Toro? Hit the waves of the week by word of mouth from the surfers in Bocas bars? Or will you plan your trip in advance, doing some comparative analysis of the beaches, the waves, weather and winds.

If you already are a surfer – do you want to become better, faster? You could float a few sets with local surf trainers to learn the patterns of the Caribbean waves, or you could chose to go a surf camp or maybe you will be coming to Panama with a surf tour. Most Panama surf tours include a private guide who is an experienced, bilingual local surfer who knows where to take you for an amazing Panamanian surf trip. But you may not want that much attention. Read the rest of this entry

“Come Surf Panama’s Un-Crowded, Warm Waves in a Tropical Paradise!”- Bocas del Toro

2010-02-04T07:00:00.001-08:00

“Come Surf Panama’s 2010

Good surfing locations in Panama include Bocas del Toro, and Isla Grande on the Caribbean side of Panama. And on the Pacific Ocean side of Panama the waves call your name from the beaches at Chiriqui, Santa Catalina, Cambutal, Venado and San Carlos. Some surfers try the Panama City waves at Punta Teta or Cepillo.

“The surf in Panama is year-round, with the most consistent conditions occurring on the Pacific coast between March through November, and on the Atlantic Coast November through April. But what makes a trip to Panama an especially fine wintertime option is the prevailing wind: blowing out of the north during the dry season between December and April, this means clean offshores on the Pacific side.”

With ocean on both the West and East side of Panama, one should not discount the tropical setting and experience offered on the Caribbean Coast. Just a short flight from Panama City gets you into the Bocas Del Toro region. Stated one expert. “The Caribbean coast (Bocas del Toro and Isla Grande) receives strong swell from November through April, plus June and July, due to wind and cold fronts to the north. August is generally smaller, but there is still some surf in Bocas. September and October are normally flat on the Caribbean coast, but sometimes they get some swell during those months with the hurricanes in the Caribbean pushing swells in.”
Check out all the info, read traveler reviews and sign up for what you want and start surfing Panama! Airfare, trinkets for your little sister and side trips are up to you. Until next time….

Surfing in Panama

2010-02-04T06:55:00.001-08:00

Surfing in Panama2010

Costa Rica has been a surfer’s paradise destination for a long time, but it’s near neighbor, Panama, is getting onto the surfer’s map. Santa Catalina, in the South of the province of Veraguas has a respectable surfing beach, and business is growing in popularity in the area. Surfers from all over the world are coming to this cheap destination to enjoy the world class quality waves which sometimes reach 20 feet.

Santa Catalina can be reached from the small town of Sona, which has an ATM, grocery store and essentials. It takes about one hour to travel down the paved road to the coast. The road ends in Playa Santa Catalina, which is little more than a fishing village with some surf camps, low cost basic hotels and a few eating establishments, as shown on the map below

SNP at Surf Expo 2010

2010-02-04T06:48:00.001-08:00

SNP at Surf Expo 2010

kuta beach surfing

2010-02-04T06:39:00.001-08:00

kuta beach surfing 2010

padang beach Bali surfing

2010-02-04T06:19:00.000-08:00

Bali surfing

Matthew McConaughey Hangs Ten

2010-02-03T08:36:00.001-08:00

Holywod Surfer 2010

He rides bikes with Lance Armstrong, and also goes running with the seven-time Tour de France champ (as well as their move upbringing partner, Jake Gyllenhaal). We've even brought you pictures of Gospels McConaughey doing yoga on the beach. Now, Us Magazine has a shot of the Sexiest Man Alive enjoying still another form of exercise: surfing.

McConaughey's grueling training program ostensibly knows few boundaries. Not unlike his increasing turn of hair. Maybe he's auditioning for a new movie role as whatever sort of (sexy, charming, fun-loving) Merman

Surfing USA with sexy swimsuit model Tashia

2010-02-03T08:15:00.000-08:00

Surfing USA with sexy swimsuit model Tashia

Best Time of 2010 for Surfing on the Florida Gulf Coast

2010-02-03T08:00:00.001-08:00

If you are interested in surfing on the Gulf Coast, the prizewinning time to find waves would be Jan through March, since that is when the cold fronts sweep across the state. Generally the twine picks up from the southwest in face of the face and kicks up a choppy 2-4 foot behave with foggy skies, then as the face passes, the sky clears (usually) and the twine becomes westerly, then northwesterly. The prizewinning surf comes when the twine backs around to the northeast, usually the next day, and creates an offshore twine that creates cleaner, steeper-faced swells that are much more enjoyable than the blown-out groundball from the day before. Sometimes though by the time the twine turns to the northeast, there is not enough behave left to ride. That's surfing on the Gulf coast

Best Time of 2010 for Surfing on the Florida Gulf Coast

July, August, and Sept is hurricane season. When there is a hurricane, a equatorial assail or a brawny low-pressure trough in the Gulf, superior swells haw dead attain an appearance. Sometimes for a some hours, sometimes for a some days. These are commonly brawny high-energy (for the Gulf) waves that are recreation to ride. But they are rattling arduous to predict. So you nearly have to ready your surfboard in your automobile and ready checking the surf several nowadays a day to find the waves. Jobs and edifice crapper seriously interact with this approach to gesture hunting. Now of course, there is Gulfster and nxtcsurf.com to support you undergo when the waves are up.July, August, and Sept is hurricane season. When there is a hurricane, a equatorial assail or a brawny low-pressure trough in the Gulf, superior swells haw dead attain an appearance. Sometimes for a some hours, sometimes for a some days. These are commonly brawny high-energy (for the Gulf) waves that are recreation to ride. But they are rattling arduous to predict. So you nearly have to ready your surfboard in your automobile and ready checking the surf several nowadays a day to find the waves. Jobs and edifice crapper seriously interact with this approach to gesture hunting. Now of course, there is Gulfster and nxtcsurf.com to support you undergo when the waves are up.

Best Time of 2010 for Surfing on the Florida Gulf Coast

2010 Hawaii Best Surf Beach

2010-02-03T07:48:00.000-08:00

2010 Hawaii Best Surf Beach

The wave are large in the wintertime at this birthplace of surfing, the North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii. Frequently referred to as \"wild water\", this legendary beach is home to the World's Best Surf location on the planet.

Early Hawaiian Surfers Best Surf BeachesWhere did aquatics come from? Lt. James King of the Capt. Cook expeditions, carried on Cooks work after he was killed in Hawaii. King, commander of the Discovery, wrote in 1779 that he noted natives sport waves by lying down or standing on long, hardwood boards. However, aquatics was belike well ingrained into the Polynesian culture long before his arrival.

Early Surfer island Best Surf BeachCalled the \"Sport of Kings\", aquatics was discouraged by missionaries incoming in Hawaii, since they believed it took up likewise much leisure time. How nowadays have changed. Some of the best aquatics schools on the planet are separate by Christians.

Why the North Shore? It stretches for nearly 20 miles - wide, sandy beaches - which between October and February, display ugly waves reaching heights of 20 to 30 feet. This can be dangerous for even the most experienced surfer. North Shore island Best Surf Beaches`Ehukai Beach (Banzai Pipeline), is the crowning location. Named \"Pipeline\" because of the large tube that forms from the curling waves, `Ehukai is not for the inexperienced. During the winter, waves meet generally more than 10 feet and fortuity over sharp coral no more than 24 inches from the surface.

But Banzai Pipeline is where aquatics fokelore and legends abound. Only the best gather here and you can watch them for countless hours - dirt the sun sets.

Best Surf Beaches North Shore HawaiiWaimea Beach is another hot surf spot. It is also notorious for producing ugly waves in the winter. The \"big-wave\" surfers crowd here every season hoping to grownup \"the bounteous one\". One surf event held each year is the Quicksilver Eddie Aikau Invitational. The only requirement for the oppose is that the wave peak must be 20 feet or higher.

Waimea Beach island Best Surf BeachThe shore fortuity at Waimea is digit of the most dangerous in the world. Lifeguards have had to save some \"onlookers\" that got likewise close to the water's bounds and were literally \"sucked out\" to the coral reef and crashing waves.

Curiously enough, you belike wouldn't discern either beach in the season as the liquid is what surfer call \"flat\". During that period, it's excellent for swimming, snorkeling and fishing.

Duke Kahanamoku King of Surf Best Beaches SurfingDuke Kahanamoku is credited with popularizing aquatics world-wide during the 1920's. He had just placed handsomely in the 1912 and 1920 Olympics as a swimmer, then toured with his famous 10 foot cypress plop every over the world art thousands to watch his performances on the waves.

Duke's contribution was recognized in 2002 with a ceremonial postage stamp. The portrait of Kahanamoku in the walk art, an lubricator craft by Michael J. Deas of New Orleans, La., is supported on a 1918 photograph from the collection of the Bishop Museum. Behind Kahanamoku two surfers are represented sport a wave at Waikiki Beach; Diamond Head is circumpolar in the background.

One of my favorite webcams is pointing at the Duke's statue in Waikiki. You can see the shoreline in the background with the waves lapping up on the beach. It's a streaming cam separate by the government, so it's always employed and always recreation to watch the tourist strolling by and attractive their represent with the king.

Long Beach Surfer2010

2010-02-03T07:40:00.001-08:00

Long Beach Surfer2010

This man was so young, yet he surfed same a pro. I snapped this shot while taking a walk along Long Beach. To me it looks same an awing place to learn to surf - no rocks, moderately-sized waves and a long, stretched-out beachfront.

To every of you who hazarded a guess as to what was happening in yesterday's photo: There were a few beatific guesses, but what I think happened was that he had grabbed his friend's packsack and run soured into the waves - to vexer him, I suppose. And oh yes, that photo was condemned at Small Bay, near to Big Bay in Table View - that would be Robben Island in the background

SURFIN' USA 2010

2010-02-03T07:33:00.001-08:00

SURFIN' USA 2010

The USPTO has granted Huntington Beach, California, a trade mark for the term SURF CITY USA for ads, on beach bags, hats and other beachwear, according to The Mercury News. Two towns, Huntington Beach and Santa Cruz, have been engaged in a sometimes musical battle over the term. Santa Cruz has hit back with an application to register OFFICIAL SURF CITY USA and there has also been talk on an application to the Californian legislature for official recognition of that term. The president of the Huntington Beach Conference and Visitor's Bureau has said that this is not necessary, since other towns and businesses are free to use the term SURF CITY without the addition of USA.

The IPKat, with his European trade mark sensibilities, finds this a bit strange. If the term is free for all to use without the addition of USA, how can a more precise geographical descriptor suddenly save it from descriptiveness/lack of distinctiveness concerns?

Island Packers Beach Clean up 2010

2010-02-03T07:22:00.000-08:00

Island Packers Beach Clean up 2010

Great Surfer

2010-02-02T23:13:00.000-08:00

Girl Surfer

Smart Surfer

Great Dog Surfer

Surfer girls, unite! Surfer camps 2010

Little Surfer Girl

BLOG for the Surfrider Foundation

2010-02-02T22:46:00.000-08:00

Surfrider Foundation

The End, Montauk

2010-02-01T15:26:00.000-08:00

he End: Montauk is photographer Michael Dweck's photographic chronicle of the end of Long Island, the sleepy fishing village that, in the 1970s, became a haven for East Coast surferTs and, perhaps most importantly to this book, the ridiculously gorgeous, natural beauty surfer girls who were along for the ride. Dweck's black and white photos, reprinted here in a stunning oversized format, serve as a record of a hedonistic yet innocent time, when crab shacks and longboards were all that mattered, and Montauk was still something of an undiscovered East Coast Eden, albeit an extremely chilly one come winter time."

The End, Montauk

2010-02-01T15:16:00.000-08:00

For most of my life, I've assumed that I was just a year or two away from living the sort of life to which I aspire. That is, the life of an easy-going, devil-may-care adventurer. Barring that, I always figured I'd live in the mountains of Appalachia or somewhere along the coast, sitting shirtless on the back porch of a run-down but pleasant beach house, sipping bourbon, thinking about going surfing, and pressing up against the tan body of a bikini-clad beauty in the hammock with me.

Where Is Teahupoo?

2010-02-01T14:26:00.000-08:00

Teahupoo, Teahupo’o (pronounced Cho-pu or Te-ah-hu-po), also known as ‘Chopes, is located on the French Polynesian island of Tahiti. The largest and main island of French Polynesia, Tahiti, is situated in the eastern South Pacific Ocean. Tahiti is pretty much in the middle of South America and Australia. If you have ever flown from Los Angeles, CA to Auckland, NZ, then you flew right over Tahiti. Are you ready for your next surf trip?

Tahiti and French Polynesia

Tahiti is shaped like an hour glass and is the most populated island in French Polynesia. You may know Tahiti mostly for black sand beaches and honeymoons, but among the surfing community, Tahiti is known for Teahupoo. Teahupoo is a world-class reef break spitting out left-handed barrels that will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up straight. The main circus attraction of Teahupoo is when the tow-in surfers get a whiff of big swell. Any significant swell will turn this place into a surfer frenzy. Here is a picture of what Teahupoo looks like when the pro-surfer circus rolls into town.

View from the shoulder

oThe science behind Teahupo

Cocoa Beach Wellness Center Gives Back

2010-01-31T03:23:00.000-08:00

Cocoa Beach Wellness Center Gives Back

Surfer's arm shredded in the first shark attack Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1144384/Surfer-mauled-shark-attack-Bondi

2010-01-31T02:51:00.001-08:00

Surfer's arm shredded in the first shark attack

Surfer Beach aguadilla AIMS

2010-01-31T02:27:00.000-08:00

Surfer Beach aguadilla AIMS

Introducing Pro Surfer Rob Wurlitzer

2010-01-29T08:04:00.001-08:00

Introducing Pro Surfer Rob Wurlitzer

Pictured above is a recent photo of Rob from the legendary Ala Moana Bowls in Honolulu. He is sponsored by Zoo York, UNIV, Ipath, HIC and Electric. He also makes beats and helps promote hip hop shows on Oahu. His surfing career has taken him to Japan, the East Coast, Australia and numerous trips to California.

Introducing Pro Surfer Rob Wurlitzer

Female Surfer on the Beach at the Banzai Pipeline

2010-01-29T07:51:00.001-08:00

Female Surfer on the Beach at the Banzai Pipeline

Male Surfer on the Beach at the Banzai Pipeline

2010-01-29T07:45:00.001-08:00

Male Surfer on the Beach at the Banzai Pipeline

surfer guys children

2010-01-28T09:13:00.000-08:00

surfer guys children

Surf Training pictures

2010-01-28T09:02:00.000-08:00

Surf Training pictures

Forgetting Sarah Marshall Surfer

2010-01-28T08:55:00.001-08:00

Forgetting Sarah Marshall Surfer

surfer california

2010-01-28T08:45:00.001-08:00

Dulip Kokuhannadige has become a one-man tourist attraction after deciding to try 'something different' at his local break

The 22-year-old can stay inverted and ride a wave for up to 15 seconds before it breaks and flips him over.

'My face doesn't get too wet but, when it breaks, water does go up my nose,' admitted the builder from Bournemouth, Dorset.

'I don't mind though, I just hold my breath.' Sri Lankan-born Dulip discovered his talent half a world away and in very different circumstances – the terrible aftermath of the Asian Tsunami in 2004

'I lost everything in the tsunami but decided to volunteer and help others by teaching them how to surf during the bad times,' he said.

'One day I decided to do something different so tried a headstand. I actually managed to stay up for a few seconds so kept practising.'

Dulip soon got his head around it and continued to fine-tune the act after he moved to Britain in 2005.

In fact, he gets such a rush from it that he now spends most of his time using the foot-free approach – to the admiration of others.

'Most of us are just happy to stand on our boards for a few seconds, let alone do it upside down,' said fellow surfer Ross Broad, 19.

'Others have tried to copy it but have ended up flat on their faces.'

Dulip insists he is not a show-off but admits he gets 'lots of people' coming to watch.

And he will soon have another challenge to get his teeth into.

Europe's first artificial surf reef is to be finished in Bournemouth next month.

The reef will double the number of good surf days and could create waves as big as those in the longboard surfing mecca of Malibu, California

extreme surfer bali

2010-01-28T08:33:00.000-08:00

extreme surfer bali