Harley Ingelby has started this year like he did last by winning the first round of the World Longboard Tour. However, unlike last year, he know there is more than one event so won't have to spend months wondering if he will be world champ or not.
Was a big day on the beachy with the event running all the way from the remaining round 1 heats to the final. The waves for the final were okay and Harley was the deserving winner.
Harley's two best waves included a couple of big backhand reos, flying floaters and carving cutbacks. He even chucked in a stall and 5 for the traditionalists.
Hopefully he can back it up with good results in the other events and get a deserved World title.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
World Longboard Tour Event 1
The first event of the World Longboard Tour started today in Japan. The waves are onshore crap and barely contestable.
Longboard events can be a little hard to watch. It is difficult to enjoy watching a Brazilian who obviously isn't competitive on a shortboard try to surf a longboard like one. There are too many tail surfers, ridiculous attempted chop hops and barely touching cheater fives. Usually the waves are not mal friendly and lots progress through heats by lucking into two waves rather than good surfing.
However when you get decent waves there are some surfers who know how to surf a longboard, using the whole length and mixing traditional moves with shortboardish smashes. Josh Constable, Harley Ingelby and Bonga Perkins are all worth watching.
Having said that, there is a webcast and I'll be watching.
Longboard events can be a little hard to watch. It is difficult to enjoy watching a Brazilian who obviously isn't competitive on a shortboard try to surf a longboard like one. There are too many tail surfers, ridiculous attempted chop hops and barely touching cheater fives. Usually the waves are not mal friendly and lots progress through heats by lucking into two waves rather than good surfing.
However when you get decent waves there are some surfers who know how to surf a longboard, using the whole length and mixing traditional moves with shortboardish smashes. Josh Constable, Harley Ingelby and Bonga Perkins are all worth watching.
Having said that, there is a webcast and I'll be watching.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Newsletter This Week
Hopefully the next newsletter will be out this week.
The next one may be a few months away (leave and stuff) so savour it when it arrives.
The theme is wipeouts and you should get a good laugh out of it.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Maurice Cole Interview
The "Down the Line" podcast from the US interviewed Aussie shaper Maurice Cole for their weekly podcast. The interview runs for nearly two hours and he is very open in his comments.
Maurice talks about his early days, his favourite surfers, why Taj hasn't been world champ, how he set up and then was removed from BASE surfboards, why he won't shape for pros, his battle with cancer and telling Kelly that his new boards are crap !
Download it, whack it on your iPod and then listen while your doing something else.
Maurice talks about his early days, his favourite surfers, why Taj hasn't been world champ, how he set up and then was removed from BASE surfboards, why he won't shape for pros, his battle with cancer and telling Kelly that his new boards are crap !
Download it, whack it on your iPod and then listen while your doing something else.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
US Open of Surfing
The US Open of Surfing has been going for the last few days. It is probably the biggest WQS event as it includes men, womens, juniors, trials and longboards as well as BMX, skateboarding and a surfboard expo.
There is a WPS All Stars tow in expression session, which is scheduled for the middle of the night here. The surfers were selected by Hurley and voted by the public. The All Stars are -
Kelly Slater
Mick Fanning
CJ Hobgood
Andy Irons
Bruce Irons
Dane Reynolds
Rob Machado
Taj Burrow
Jordy Smith
Yadin Nicol
Good to see two WA boys in the lineup.
The main event is down to the round of 16. With a mid-season break for the WCT more than a couple real pros have entered this event. Some because they were there for the all stars event and others because they may need to re-qualify via the 'QS. Nine 'CT surfers are still in the event with the rest being basically seven of the top 10 or so from the other tour. Five Aussies remain including Mick Fanning, who will go up against fellow Gold-Coaster Julian Wilson. Slater is against Nic Muscroft with Hurley legend Rob Machado facing Tahitian Michel Bourez. All these are heats worthy of a WCT event.
In the womens Steph Gilmore was knocked out in the quarters by a unknown Hawaiian. Despite there being an Australian in each quarter final, only Laura Enever made it to the semis where she will meet Gilmore's Hawaiian.
The live web-stream is showing highlights on a loop and will stream the event if your still up. Otherwise there are plenty of video highlights.
There is a WPS All Stars tow in expression session, which is scheduled for the middle of the night here. The surfers were selected by Hurley and voted by the public. The All Stars are -
Kelly Slater
Mick Fanning
CJ Hobgood
Andy Irons
Bruce Irons
Dane Reynolds
Rob Machado
Taj Burrow
Jordy Smith
Yadin Nicol
Good to see two WA boys in the lineup.
The main event is down to the round of 16. With a mid-season break for the WCT more than a couple real pros have entered this event. Some because they were there for the all stars event and others because they may need to re-qualify via the 'QS. Nine 'CT surfers are still in the event with the rest being basically seven of the top 10 or so from the other tour. Five Aussies remain including Mick Fanning, who will go up against fellow Gold-Coaster Julian Wilson. Slater is against Nic Muscroft with Hurley legend Rob Machado facing Tahitian Michel Bourez. All these are heats worthy of a WCT event.
In the womens Steph Gilmore was knocked out in the quarters by a unknown Hawaiian. Despite there being an Australian in each quarter final, only Laura Enever made it to the semis where she will meet Gilmore's Hawaiian.
The live web-stream is showing highlights on a loop and will stream the event if your still up. Otherwise there are plenty of video highlights.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Wednesday Hoodoo Strikes Again
Wednesday's appear to be jinxed.
After three others piked out with very weak excuses, Dave and Tweeds headed down south today for yet another unsuccessful sojourn. There was still three metres of swell coming through and you could see the lines at every spot on the eastern side of the Cape. However the massively high tide stopped everything from breaking.
Even carrying a mal and a fish each down the track to Rocky Point wasn't enough to reward them with waves as what was there just mushed out.
After three others piked out with very weak excuses, Dave and Tweeds headed down south today for yet another unsuccessful sojourn. There was still three metres of swell coming through and you could see the lines at every spot on the eastern side of the Cape. However the massively high tide stopped everything from breaking.
Even carrying a mal and a fish each down the track to Rocky Point wasn't enough to reward them with waves as what was there just mushed out.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Wipeout Stories
Stories are need from WAPSurfrider members for the next newsletter detailing the best (or more accurately worst) wipeout they experienced or saw. Maybe it was a 10 wave hold-down at Marges main break, a free fall from a Gnarloo lip or everyone's favourite, going over the falls backwards !
One of the best I ever saw was at the 4th Groyne in Mandurah in the mid 90's.
It was a clean and bigish day for there (about head height). The wave breaks best just in front of the groyne but the take off can be really hollow and a bit tricky.
Cue the smart arse groms. These three paddle out and straight inside of me and Ian Francis. We had been out a while and had worked ourselves into a good takeoff position. Apparently they thought the were more local than us (Frano was living two streets away) so they would be a little greedy.
Set comes through, grom paddles and gets launched by the lip. He doesn't even touch the water before being deposited onto the groyne. The wave then smashes over him. When the water subsides he is clinging to the biggest rock with his board bouncing off everything hard it can find, helped by a leggie that has wrapped around the groyne. Luckily for him no more sets come through before he can extricate himself.
Total of the damage - bit of missing skin, a few dings, a fin that is knocked over and the snapped in half and one massive ego dent. His mates thought it was the funniest thing ever and for us it was one less in the lineup.
Got a story ? Membersbcan email Dave at work but everyone else is welcome to leave their story as a comment for everyone to read.
One of the best I ever saw was at the 4th Groyne in Mandurah in the mid 90's.
It was a clean and bigish day for there (about head height). The wave breaks best just in front of the groyne but the take off can be really hollow and a bit tricky.
Cue the smart arse groms. These three paddle out and straight inside of me and Ian Francis. We had been out a while and had worked ourselves into a good takeoff position. Apparently they thought the were more local than us (Frano was living two streets away) so they would be a little greedy.
Set comes through, grom paddles and gets launched by the lip. He doesn't even touch the water before being deposited onto the groyne. The wave then smashes over him. When the water subsides he is clinging to the biggest rock with his board bouncing off everything hard it can find, helped by a leggie that has wrapped around the groyne. Luckily for him no more sets come through before he can extricate himself.
Total of the damage - bit of missing skin, a few dings, a fin that is knocked over and the snapped in half and one massive ego dent. His mates thought it was the funniest thing ever and for us it was one less in the lineup.
Got a story ? Membersbcan email Dave at work but everyone else is welcome to leave their story as a comment for everyone to read.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Wet and Wild Down South
The beach is wild and wooly at the moment with a front passing through the lower south.
There are waves on the Dunsborough side of the Cape and they should clean up a little when the wind swings more west and the tide drops.
PK was ok but not really breaking how it should. And it was crowded. There was a little wave at outside Meelup and Castle Rock was small and messy but could do it later with a slight change of conditions.
The Naturaliste swell bouy has jumped from three to five metres between 6.00 am and lunchtime and one Rotto chart is showing it a three and the other over four metres.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Parko Wins Again
For the third time this year Parko has smashed his way into first in a WCT event. Parko started the final with a 9.47 and backed up with a 6.5. Damien Hobgood was chasing at least a high 8 from halfway through the heat and spent the last 3 minutes in combo land.
Parko deserved to win and had been on all contest. He had two 10s and two of the ten highest heat scores. Only his semi-final was close
Yesterday was a classic day of contest surfing. The waves just got better and better and almost everyone was going off.
Slater was unbelievable in his round 2 heat against Nic Muscroft. He scored 18.84 out of 20 and had a throw away score of 9 ! If you only watch one heat on demand then make it this one. In round three he got a total of six and his 10th title might be on hold till next year despite there still being enough events.
Dane Reynolds just missed the final by a smidge but as a consolation won the hugely expensive Nixon watch for the highest heat total. One of his round two waves was so long he got dropped in on by a free surfer way down the line.
Not surprisingly Occy won round two of the Icons clash by less than a point. Just gives them an excuse to try again at Mundacca, a left.
The next event is the Hurley at Trestles in the US from 13th September.
Jennifer Smith from the US won the Womens WLT title for the second time at the Roxy Jam in France. She beat Chelsea Williams in the semis in waves that looked fun but no more special that a pretty average beach break.
Parko deserved to win and had been on all contest. He had two 10s and two of the ten highest heat scores. Only his semi-final was close
Yesterday was a classic day of contest surfing. The waves just got better and better and almost everyone was going off.
Slater was unbelievable in his round 2 heat against Nic Muscroft. He scored 18.84 out of 20 and had a throw away score of 9 ! If you only watch one heat on demand then make it this one. In round three he got a total of six and his 10th title might be on hold till next year despite there still being enough events.
Dane Reynolds just missed the final by a smidge but as a consolation won the hugely expensive Nixon watch for the highest heat total. One of his round two waves was so long he got dropped in on by a free surfer way down the line.
Not surprisingly Occy won round two of the Icons clash by less than a point. Just gives them an excuse to try again at Mundacca, a left.
The next event is the Hurley at Trestles in the US from 13th September.
Jennifer Smith from the US won the Womens WLT title for the second time at the Roxy Jam in France. She beat Chelsea Williams in the semis in waves that looked fun but no more special that a pretty average beach break.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Round 2 of J-Bay
Round two at J-Bay is on. The waves are really good but not that big. They are a little inconsistent but there are long, long, long walls and some great barrels.
So far Taj has lost to a local wildcard after spending much of the heat in combo land. This is his second 17th so he will have to have excellent results for the rest of the year.
2008 WQS Champ Nathaniel Curran has finally won two heats in a row.
Mick Fanning just gotten beaten despite holding an 9 and a high 8 in the highest scoring heat so far.
Parko was on fire but is so smooth he hardly looks like he is trying.
The next heat is a killer Jordy Smith vs Dane Reynolds, the battle of the next generation. Both have smashed their first waves with huge carves, barrels and floater. 8.50 vs 7.83.
Slater will be in the heat after. It will be interesting to see what he rides.
In round one of the "Clash of the Titans" Curren beat Occy. The next heat is just before the final. Bet Occy wins for one all.
So far Taj has lost to a local wildcard after spending much of the heat in combo land. This is his second 17th so he will have to have excellent results for the rest of the year.
2008 WQS Champ Nathaniel Curran has finally won two heats in a row.
Mick Fanning just gotten beaten despite holding an 9 and a high 8 in the highest scoring heat so far.
Parko was on fire but is so smooth he hardly looks like he is trying.
The next heat is a killer Jordy Smith vs Dane Reynolds, the battle of the next generation. Both have smashed their first waves with huge carves, barrels and floater. 8.50 vs 7.83.
Slater will be in the heat after. It will be interesting to see what he rides.
In round one of the "Clash of the Titans" Curren beat Occy. The next heat is just before the final. Bet Occy wins for one all.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Occy vs Curren - Tuesday
The Occy vs Curren "Clash of the Icons" heat is scheduled for 7.00 am Tuesday J-Bay time. According to my very sketchy calculations that's about 1.00 pm here.
Could be another classic.
Could be another classic.
Round 1 in SA and Round 2 in France
The Billabong Pro has started in clean but small waves. It is offshore and quick but with the odd barrel and big whacking sections. If we rocked up to these conditions you'd be frothing but for the Pros you'd probably question if they would have run today if the waiting period wasn't disappearing so quick.
Round 1 is elimination. No surprises so far and no real outstanding heats.
The Roxy is also running. WA's Georgina Young was knocked out and the only remaining Aussie Chelsea Williams beat the current world champ. She comes up against the other Australian in heat 5. The video from yesterday showed the usual small but clean French summer conditions, ideal for longboarding.
Round 1 is elimination. No surprises so far and no real outstanding heats.
The Roxy is also running. WA's Georgina Young was knocked out and the only remaining Aussie Chelsea Williams beat the current world champ. She comes up against the other Australian in heat 5. The video from yesterday showed the usual small but clean French summer conditions, ideal for longboarding.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Lay Day at J Bay
Waves are even smaller but they forecast is for a new swell tomorrow. They will need to start running heats tomorrow just to get through in the waiting period.
The Roxy Jam has just started for today. No webcast but you can follow live scores and results if that floats your boat.
The Roxy Jam has just started for today. No webcast but you can follow live scores and results if that floats your boat.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
WA Desert: June 14-17, 2009 - Still Filthy.
Coastalwatch has some photos of Parko, AI and Occy at very nice and very clean Gnarloo. Apparently Macca from Carnarvon was a witness and was able to score a few on the side.
WA Desert: June 14-17, 2009. Still Filthy.
WA Desert: June 14-17, 2009. Still Filthy.
World Tour News
Another lay day has just been called by J-Bay contest director "Snips' Parsons. The waves are up to shoulder height but too inconsistent to run the first round. Tomorrow arvo seems to be the next likely start time.
The positive is that they will now run the new contest format and dump the losers in the first round, whilst the top seeds go straight to round 2. Less time to wait for the decent surfers and heats.
If you want a contest fix or your a female surfer looking for tips, the annual Roxy Jam starts in France today. Girls riding mals isn't for everyone but it can be a good way to spend a slow night.
The contest is the World Womens Longboard World Championship and will run the first round elimination format. Seems women longboarders, most who earn little or nothing from surfing, are a lot less precious about the risk of going home after one heat than the so called elite back half of the men's WCT.
There is only one seeded Australian and a total of three in the event, including WA's Georgiana Young, who draws a Hawaiian in round 1.
The positive is that they will now run the new contest format and dump the losers in the first round, whilst the top seeds go straight to round 2. Less time to wait for the decent surfers and heats.
If you want a contest fix or your a female surfer looking for tips, the annual Roxy Jam starts in France today. Girls riding mals isn't for everyone but it can be a good way to spend a slow night.
The contest is the World Womens Longboard World Championship and will run the first round elimination format. Seems women longboarders, most who earn little or nothing from surfing, are a lot less precious about the risk of going home after one heat than the so called elite back half of the men's WCT.
There is only one seeded Australian and a total of three in the event, including WA's Georgiana Young, who draws a Hawaiian in round 1.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Good Banks at Secret Harbour
Apparently the recent bad weather has been a bonus for the banks at Secret Harbour. Rather than being an end to end close out there is more than the odd wall.
As usual the best bank is usually packed and being loved on the smaller days by the longboarders but there are others up and down the beach.
The long waves helped Newie make it to the final of the weekend's Secret Harbour Boardriders comp.
As usual the best bank is usually packed and being loved on the smaller days by the longboarders but there are others up and down the beach.
The long waves helped Newie make it to the final of the weekend's Secret Harbour Boardriders comp.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
J-Bay Pro Starts This Week
One of the best WCT events of the year starts later this week. The Billabong Pro usually scores decent waves on most days and they are perfectly suited to the styles of Taj, Parko, Mick, Jordy and Slater.
Unlike the last event, the webcast for Billabong events is always top class, as is the website and heats on demand. Click here for the web-site.
The organisers have added a special heat - OCCY v Tom Curren. Both were fierce competitors at the height of their competitive careers, both drifted off the circuit in the middle and both won world titles on their return. Also they have both won 8 of the 16 heats they have had against each other.
You don't have to search far to see that both are still surfing at a very high level and if there are decent waves this will be an exhibition you won't want to miss.
Unlike the last event, the webcast for Billabong events is always top class, as is the website and heats on demand. Click here for the web-site.
The organisers have added a special heat - OCCY v Tom Curren. Both were fierce competitors at the height of their competitive careers, both drifted off the circuit in the middle and both won world titles on their return. Also they have both won 8 of the 16 heats they have had against each other.
You don't have to search far to see that both are still surfing at a very high level and if there are decent waves this will be an exhibition you won't want to miss.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Is Slater Back ?
Kelly Slater has won his first WCT event of the year and ended his worst start to a season ever. With six events including the Slater hunting grounds of J-Bay, Trestles and Pipe, maybe getting his tenth this year is not out of the question.
Last night he rode his fourth board for the contest, a fairly standard 5'9" squash tail Merrick and he just seems to be able to pull that one manoeuvre that makes you shake your head.
The other finalist was Brazilian Adrian De Souza, who was in his second final of the year (losing to Parko at the Quikie Pro at Snapper Rocks), is having his best year yet. His surfing was worthy of his place in the final.
The waves were ok but most scoring rides were a fairly similar mix of vertical re-entries and the odd floater. This resulted in most heats being fairly close. Interestingly despite the waves being mostly lefts on one goofy footer (CJ) made it through to the quarter finals. This may have been because the waves tended to make backhand snaps look better than forehand re-entries.
The change of date seems to have worked and the event fits better in the middle rather than towards the end of the title race. Nothing has been worse than a World Champ decided because his competitors couldn't find any waves in two foot onshore closeouts. Only the photographers would have been disappointed as they wouldn't have been able to fill their quota of Brazilian G-string bikinis.
Slater has jumped into the top 10 for the first time this year. Parko remains at one but De Souza has moved to second with Fanning and Taj falling down a few spots. CJ and Parko are the only members of the top ten to not have a 17th as a throw away. Unlike last year everyone has managed to get through at least one heat.
CURRENT ASP WORLD TOUR TOP 10:
1 – Joel Parkinson (AUS) 3876 pts
2 – Adriano de Souza (BRA) 3206 pts
3 – C.J. Hobgood (USA) 3072 pts
4 – Taj Burrow (AUS) 3050 pts
5 – Mick Fanning (AUS) 2940 pts
6 – Bobby Martinez (USA) 2625 pts
7 – Tom Whitaker (AUS) 2532 pts
8 – Jordy Smith (ZAF) 2486 pts
9 – Kelly Slater (USA) 2430 pts
10 – Damien Hobgood (USA) 2342 pts
Last night he rode his fourth board for the contest, a fairly standard 5'9" squash tail Merrick and he just seems to be able to pull that one manoeuvre that makes you shake your head.
The other finalist was Brazilian Adrian De Souza, who was in his second final of the year (losing to Parko at the Quikie Pro at Snapper Rocks), is having his best year yet. His surfing was worthy of his place in the final.
The waves were ok but most scoring rides were a fairly similar mix of vertical re-entries and the odd floater. This resulted in most heats being fairly close. Interestingly despite the waves being mostly lefts on one goofy footer (CJ) made it through to the quarter finals. This may have been because the waves tended to make backhand snaps look better than forehand re-entries.
The change of date seems to have worked and the event fits better in the middle rather than towards the end of the title race. Nothing has been worse than a World Champ decided because his competitors couldn't find any waves in two foot onshore closeouts. Only the photographers would have been disappointed as they wouldn't have been able to fill their quota of Brazilian G-string bikinis.
Slater has jumped into the top 10 for the first time this year. Parko remains at one but De Souza has moved to second with Fanning and Taj falling down a few spots. CJ and Parko are the only members of the top ten to not have a 17th as a throw away. Unlike last year everyone has managed to get through at least one heat.
CURRENT ASP WORLD TOUR TOP 10:
1 – Joel Parkinson (AUS) 3876 pts
2 – Adriano de Souza (BRA) 3206 pts
3 – C.J. Hobgood (USA) 3072 pts
4 – Taj Burrow (AUS) 3050 pts
5 – Mick Fanning (AUS) 2940 pts
6 – Bobby Martinez (USA) 2625 pts
7 – Tom Whitaker (AUS) 2532 pts
8 – Jordy Smith (ZAF) 2486 pts
9 – Kelly Slater (USA) 2430 pts
10 – Damien Hobgood (USA) 2342 pts
Friday, July 3, 2009
Contest On
Despite a forced re-start when no waves came though at the start of heat one the waves are starting to flow through in Brazil.
The surfing has already been two steps higher than last round. Bede has cranked out two massive waves to have two 8+ rides whilst Damo Hobgood has a 7 and 6 but still needs more than 9.
Good way to spend a quiet Friday night.
The surfing has already been two steps higher than last round. Bede has cranked out two massive waves to have two 8+ rides whilst Damo Hobgood has a 7 and 6 but still needs more than 9.
Good way to spend a quiet Friday night.
Round 3 Over
Another full day of action in reasonably good waves. Most of the early heats were a bit slow but the surfing was good.
Most top seeds got through. Jermey Flores beat another Frenchman with a 7 plus in the last 30 seconds and Jordy was beaten in a slowish heat. He was one of the few that went right but they were fat and he missed out. Slater rode a swallow tail epoxy and has now ridden something different each heat.
Last night's commentator indicated that with the dropping swell and a poor forecast the rest of the contest might be run tonight. All round 4 match ups look good, hopefully the waves will hang around.
HANG LOOSE SANTA CATARINA PRO ROUND 4 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Damien Hobgood (USA)
Heat 2: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Adriano de Souza (BRA)
Heat 3: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Dustin Barca (HAW)
Heat 4: Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) vs. Joel Parkinson (AUS)
Heat 5: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Tim Reyes (USA)
Heat 6: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Tom Whitaker (AUS)
Heat 7: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Mick Campbell (AUS)
Heat 8: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Chris Ward (USA
Most top seeds got through. Jermey Flores beat another Frenchman with a 7 plus in the last 30 seconds and Jordy was beaten in a slowish heat. He was one of the few that went right but they were fat and he missed out. Slater rode a swallow tail epoxy and has now ridden something different each heat.
Last night's commentator indicated that with the dropping swell and a poor forecast the rest of the contest might be run tonight. All round 4 match ups look good, hopefully the waves will hang around.
HANG LOOSE SANTA CATARINA PRO ROUND 4 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Damien Hobgood (USA)
Heat 2: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Adriano de Souza (BRA)
Heat 3: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Dustin Barca (HAW)
Heat 4: Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) vs. Joel Parkinson (AUS)
Heat 5: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Tim Reyes (USA)
Heat 6: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Tom Whitaker (AUS)
Heat 7: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Mick Campbell (AUS)
Heat 8: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Chris Ward (USA
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