Mission WOW
I’m fresh back from Mission WOW (Women of winter/wheels/waves) down in Curio Bay (think way down south, South Island, New Zealand), and my enthusiasm for surfing has been sparked up! Never before in my decade of haphazard surfing experience have I been surfing with a pack of girls. If two others were out there along with me, it was a good day. I’m fairly cautious by nature so being out there with the boys wasn’t really my thing, I need people to go out with at my own pace. The concept of the Mission WOW events – now in the third year running – is to get together a bunch of like minded women with a thirst for adventure. WOW’s taken to the surf, the mountains, and the biketracks. Experience or none, it doesn’t matter; the idea is to have a good time, push your limits, and share your particular brand of knowledge with other women.
When you live in New Zealand, particularly in the south of the South Island, you can’t complain about a lack of surf. There’s plenty of very worthwhile surf breaks scattered around the lower half of the South Island. Forget all those sun kissed images of bronzed lasses in bikinis riding waves though; here it’s full wetsuits, all year long. There’s something about cold water that makes getting amonst it just a little more angst inducing; as do a bunch of obviously very experienced guys, and no girls waiting in the line up. Although to be fair, often you’d be out on your own with a colony of seals, which presents a whole other set of psychological challenges! So surfing around here can be a little intimidating, especially to the female novice, a rare species in the deep south.
With this in mind Jo Guest, the Mission WOW maestro, organised an all girl surf trip away to the Catlins. No experience necessary, gear and lessons provided by the very able Tomo of Catlins Surf School; food and accommodation sorted by the WOW team. All we needed to worry about was showing up vaguely on time for our roady south.
And what a weekend we had! Our itinerary was roughly as follows; yoga, eat amazing food, surf till you can’t lift your arms, your feet are numb and your lips blue, eat amazing food, surf more if you can, eat more (did I mention the amazing food?). This was interspersed with some quality social time. And then there were the wildlife encounters; Hector’s dolphins out in the surf with us, Sammy the sea lion, and at dusk we had the privilige of watching the endangered Hoihoi penguins return from fishing.
Conditions on Saturday were perfect for learners and those of us with a little more experience. Everyone had a ride that day, even those self-confessed “terrified” novices. The whooping and laughing going on throughout the day suggest that in future I may not be so lonely out in the surf.
Unfortunately the last day of our trip the conditions were less co-operative; the ocean was putting on a fairly sizeable display of potentially bone crushing, confidence zapping wave force. We decided to give it a miss, leave it on a high note. Besides, there were warm scones to be eaten, and plenty of ridiculous photos that needed taking of us relishing the gale force winds on top of the cliffs.
FINALISTS ANNOUNCED IN SURFING LIFE’S OAKLEY BIG WAVE AWARDS
Biggest Slab Finalist Ryan Hipwood. Pic. Shannon-Stent
Australia’s most prestigious huge-surf challenge is once again up for grabs, along with $35,000 in prizemoney, as the finalists have been announced in Surfing Life’s Oakley Big Wave Awards.
Huge, crazy rides have been thrown into the mix from renowned big-wave chargers like current Biggest Wave champ Mark Mathews, former Awardee Marti Paradisis, and Queensland legends Jamie Mitchell and Ryan Hipwood. But these well-known watermen are facing stiff opposition from underground hell-men like Chris Shanahan, Ben Rufus, perennial West Australian Damien Warr, and a man who goes solely by the name of Camel!
Jamie Mitchell, 10 time conqueror of the Oahu-Molokai paddleboard race and one of the world’s top mega-surf hunters, secured his monster Paddle-In entry at the infamous Cow Bombie, usually only tackled with jetski assistance, ‘Usually the left-hander out there is the only paddleable wave, but that day I through caution to the wind and paddled into one of the rights and after that it all just came together. My big wave, the one that has made the finals, felt exponentially bigger than my other waves that day. It was such a perfect day, everyone was going for it!’
This year’s finalists have been decided through a world-first surfer poll in which every surfer who’s ever registered for an Award entry was asked to vote for the top few rides in each of the three divisions: Biggest Wave, Biggest Slab, and Biggest Paddle-in Ride.
“We felt the surfers themselves were the best judges of each other’s performances,” explained event co-ordinator Nick Carroll. “They know these wild surf zones better than anyone else and they have a clear view of the challenge involved. We were stoked with the way they responded! They’ve come up with an epic group of finalists, that’s for sure.”
Biggest Wave, Biggest Slab, and Biggest Paddle-In rides are now in the hands of the finalist judges – an elite international panel of big wave maestros – and they’ll be stretched to pick the winners out of an unprecedented range of entries.
A number of impressive sessions in a year of consistent swell has seen a colossal total of 80 entries, far above and beyond any of the year’s previous, which have now been whittled down to 13 entries between 12 surfers across the 3 categories.
The Awards, now in their 10th year, have come to highlight a side of surfing that’s way beyond both the recreational mainstream and the professional competitive arena – a zone where seemingly normal people take seemingly outlandish risks, with seemingly little concern for fame or renown.
Surfing Life’s Oakley Big Wave Awards will be presented at a super, spectacular, celebrity-studded evening at Simmer on the Bay, Dawes Point, Sydney on February 8th, 2012.
All finalists can be viewed at www.bigwaveawards.com.au.
Tyler Hollmer Cross. Pic. Andrew Chisholm
Remembering Sarah Burke
Sarah Burke would light up a room when she walked into it. Actually more than that, she lit up an entire sport, and was bound to light up the world in the forthcoming Olympics, before she succumbed to spine injuries sustained while training in Park City on January 10. She passed away yesterday. The world lost an amazing skier and a superstar human being.
I had the amazing opportunity to know and work with Sarah over the course of a decade. During that time I, along with so many others, had the insanely good fortune to watch her change the face of women’s skiing and simultaneously watch her inspire all those around her. The image gallery above is the tip of an iceberg of images I was able to capture of/with Sarah. This tribute isn’t her best work, or mine. It isn’t meant to be. It’s rather a humble historical look back – in some cases looking back more than 10 years – at her first Freeskier skiing cover, her first Smith Goggle ad, her practicing runs at the X-Games, and that amazing smile. Working with her was pure joy. And she will be missed dearly. RIP.
My manager, Christopher Jerard, knew her even better than I did, as he was the publisher of Freeskier and Snowboard Magazine for many years before coming to work at CJinc. Jerard and I got the news of her passing while we were together yesterday. He wrote these words below about Sarah that I think we can all live by. The theme is ‘step up’. Step up to the challenges in your life. Step up for your friends, step up because it’s human to do so….
For my friend Sarah Burke – January 19, 2012
“Step up.”
I met Sarah when she was 16 years old shortly after I joined the staff of the brand new Freeskier magazine. She was already the “it” girl in freeskiing. Actually, in 1999 she was really the only girl in freeskiing. She was incredibly talented and fearless. And there was always that ever-present smile. She was shy early on -but before you knew it she was giving the editors at our magazine shots in the arm, still with that same great smile, and challenging us to get the shot, ski another run, or just have more fun. Her passion for skiing was evidenced by her athletic success – and her passion for life came through like the sun. She was a light for all of us. Just one of those people that is universally loved. For all of those who knew her only through the movies and photos – she was exactly as she seemed. Simply one of the best people you’ll ever meet. Pure love.
It’s impossible to deny, that by the time she was 20, she went from being a cute kid, to being simply drop-dead gorgeous. Suddenly she graduated from profiles in the ski industry standards Freeskier and Powder to being in Maxim, People and one FHM’s sexiest athletes alive. But she played it all off as no big deal with a humbleness rarely found at her level of success – an elegance and grace that was unique to her. And yet, even with all the beauty and the elegance, she was one of the toughest people Ive ever met. She once put me in a head lock. And I am not ashamed to admit I could not break out of it. And I tried. Hard. I think that memory would make her smile.
She could play with the boys. That is for sure. She had to for a lot of years in order to open up the sport for the women behind her. Her will and determination on and off the hill in this regard are legendary. Sarah was an innovator and a leader for women in skiing. Even as Sarah was an inspiration to so many people – but she was especially important for women athletes. She did more for the progression of woman’s freeskiing than any other single person – period. She was a founder of the Association of Freeskiing Professionals and was instrumental in helping to push the disciplines of skiing she loved, halfpipe and slopestyle skiing, into the Olympics for 2014. That will be a lasting part of her legacy forever.
She pushed her sport, her profession, to the next level. And even as she had to fight for women to be considered in competition with the men, when she took her hits, she always smiled through the bruise and the bang. Both on and off the hill. In 14 years of working with Sarah – I never saw her without a smile and a good word. Not once. Ever. No matter what. That smile on the podium, holding the X Games Gold four times? That was the same smile she would give 2 months later if you ran into her on the street in passing. So radiantly genuine.
Sarah will always be around us.Trennon Paynter, her coach and good friend to both Sarah and her husband Rory, sent a message out on twitter yesterday: “She’s in every snowflake, every ray of sunshine, every breeze. More than ever, now and always, #IBelieveInSarah.” She will always be there to remind us to “step up” and be better. No matter if it’s out skiing, at work, at the gym or remembering to smile and give your friend a hug. Do not hold back. Life is simply to precious and too much of a gift. Step up. Its such a powerful idea.
It was a dear friend of mine, Matt Harvey, the longtime Editor of Freeskier magazine, who reminded me of this playful challenge to step up that Sarah so often conveyed to her fans and those around her – with such obvious joy.
The news of Sarah’s passing hit in the middle of the work day and Matt was onstage hosting a Freeskier magazine sponsored event. He was a very close and personal friend of Sarah’s. To be in public and hurting, gutted with loss, was painful. But he remembered her words, “Step up.” She would tell him this, no matter if she was standing next to him on the hill taunting him to try a jump or rail slide or pushing him to go talk to the girl across the bar later that night – she was always nudging those around her to be better. And she led by example. So when it hurt and he wanted to hide – he smiled and remembered Sarah. He dug deep and stepped up. That’s what Sarah did when organizers told her that girls didn’t have a spot in competition and that’s what she did when she was battered from falls and that’s what she did when there was a line of little girls who wanted an autograph…hours after the last competition run of the day.
Sarah always stepped up. Always.
And that’s what we’re going to do to remember her. Step Up. Thanks Sarah. We will. And we’ll remember you’re smile when we do.
Caio Ibelli & Leila Hurst crowned World Junior champs
Hurst and Ibelli © ASP / Kirstin
Billabong World Junior Surfing Championships
Event 3 of 3, ASP World Jnr Tour
Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast, Australia
21 – 29 January 2012
Live Coverage | Results/Photos/Videos etc | Slideshow | Joliphotos
Ibelli And Hurst Claim ASP World Junior Titles At The Billabong World Junior Championships
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 28 January, 2012 : – - Burleigh Heads – Caio Ibelli (BRA) and Leila Hurst (HAW) have claimed the Men’s and Women’s ASP World Junior Titles at the Billabong World Junior Championships today. The pair join a prestigious list of former ASP World Junior Champions, including: Adriano De Souza (BRA), Joel Parkinson (AUS), Andy Irons (AUS), Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) and Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS). Wade Carmichael (AUS) and Alessa Quizon (HAW) were also amongst the winners today, taking out the third and final event of the ASP World Junior Title Series, the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships.
The Men’s ASP World Junior Title race saw all the frontrunners bow out early today with Jack Freestone (AUS) eliminated by Medi Veminardi (REU) and Ian Gouveia (BRA) taken out by Wade Carmichael (AUS) in the Quarterfinals. Carmichael had a sensational outing at Burleigh Heads this week, gaining entry into the event with a win at the Von Zipper trials and then sticking it to the world’s best junior surfers with a win at the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships.
Another frontrunner, Garrett Parkes (AUS), needed to advance out of today’s Quarterfinals to clinch the 2011 ASP World Junior Title, but was halted by South American sensation Filipe Toledo (BRA). Parkes’s ousting in the Quarterfinals resulted in a tie with Caio Ibelli (BRA) for the top spot on the ASP World Junior Title rankings, requiring a “Surf-Off” to determine the champion.
Caio Ibelli (BRA) started the Surf-Off with a couple of minor scores, it was clear that he was going for something big. Garret Parkes (AUS) on the other hand started chipping away at the lead, posting some scores in the good range to give him an early lead. Ibelli found a wave that linked up and unleashed some solid carves and a massive air-reverse to score an 8.67 (out of a possible 10), to swing momentum his way and take the lead. Parkes had a last minute chance to claim the prestigious ASP World Junior title, needing a 7.58 (out of a possible 10), but fell less than a point short after he too landed a nice air-reverse.
Garrett Parkes © ASP / KIrstin
“I’m so stoked to bring the ASP World Junior Title back to Brazil!” Ibelli said. “I feel so amazing now! I didn’t know I had another opportunity to win, I just found out this morning. I want to thank my family, my friends and Oakley for their support. Garrett (Parkes) is a good surfer and he’s at home in Australia so I knew I had to do my best.”
Garrett Parkes, who missed out on qualifying for the ASP World Junior Tour in 2010, finished his junior career on a high at number 2 in the world. Parkes now has been given a priority seeding into the ASP Star and Prime events to help his chances of Qualifying for the elite ASP World Tour.
“I’m pretty devastated because I put a lot of hard work in,” Parkes said. “I gave it all I could, I tried my best and I still lost. The Surf-Off was great, it gave me a second chance, but I didn’t capitalise on it. It’s better than doing a count back because this way it comes down to surfing.”
Wade Carmichael (AUS) and Nathan Carvalho (HAW) were perfectly matched and put on an exciting Final at the Billabong World Junior Championships that won’t soon be forgotten. As the clock was counting down the final seconds, Carmichael was left needing a mid-range score, he took off on a smaller wave and blasted one of the biggest fins-free turns of the event. The siren went and both surfers were floating in the lineup waiting for the scores to be announced. Carmichael only caught 2 waves in the 30 minute final, but that’s all it took for him to claim an epic come-from-behind victory.
Wade Carmichael © ASP / Kirstin
“I’m over the moon right now, this is the best day of my life!” Carmichael said. “I’ve been training for this for the last few months, I wanted to have a big year and this is unbelievable. I wasn’t nervous that whole heat, even though I was sitting waiting for that second wave for a long time. But I was really nervous and freaking out after the heat while I was waiting for the score to be announced. Then they said I won and it was the best feeling.”
Leila Hurst (HAW) was one of three surfers in the running for the ASP Women’s World Junior Title this morning, but was the last one standing after front-runner Joanne Defay (FRA) lost her Quarterfinal clash. Then Philippa Anderson (AUS) bowed out of the race when she finished runner-up in the event, as she needed to win the final to claim the crown.
“I never want to be in that position again,” Hurst said. “Watching a final and having no control over if I won the ASP World Title or if I lost. I was feeling so much pressure. I’m losing my mind right now, I never thought I had a chance to win this. I’ve only just started to do well in contests again after a run of bad results, so I had low self-esteem coming into this event. It’s feel great to see what winning feels like again.”
Leila Hurst & Alessa Quizon © ASP / Kirstin
Alessa Quizon (HAW) handed the ASP World Junior Title to fellow Hawaiian when she defeated the last contender in the Final of the Billabong World Junior Championships. Quizon had been a standout performer all event, using her vertical backhand snaps to build up some big scores in each round, punctuating her performance with a solid 7.50 (out of a possible 10) in the final to win the event.
“I feel really happy, this is the best result I’ve had in a long time,” Quizon said. “I’m so happy that Leila (Hurst) won the ASP World Junior Title. A Hawaiian gets to take the title home, I’m really stoked for her!”
The top four surfers on the ASP World Junior Ratings get priority seeding into all ASP Prime and Star event in 2012.
1. Caio Ibelli (BRA)
2. Garrett Parkes (AUS)
3. Davey Cathels (AUS)
4. Jack Freestone (AUS)
Medi Veminardi © ASP / KIrstin
2011 ASP WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPION SURF-OFF RESULTS:
Caio Ibelli (BRA) 14.74 def. Garrett Parkes (AUS) 14.00
BILLABONG WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS GOLD COAST MEN’S FINAL RESULTS:
Wade Carmichael (AUS) 11.17 def. Nathan Carvalho (HAW) 10.63
BILLABONG WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS GOLD COAST MEN’S SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF 1: Wade Carmichael (AUS) 11.84 def Medi Veminardi (REU) 8.66
SF 2: Nathan Carvalho (HAW) 16.50 def. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 15.26
BILLABONG WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS GOLD COAST MEN’S QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:
QF 1: Medi Veminardi (REU) 12.00 def. Jack Freestone (AUS) 11.50
QF 2: Wade Carmichael (AUS) 14.27 def. Ian Gouveia (BRA) 7.00
QF 3: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 15.74 def. Garrett Parkes (AUS) 14.44
QF 4: Nathan Carvalho (HAW) 12.13 def. Dean Bowen (AUS) 9.60
BILLABONG WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS GOLD COAST WOMEN’S FINAL RESULT:
Alessa Quizon (HAW) 13.67 def. Philippa Anderson (AUS) 8.67
BILLABONG WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS GOLD COAST WOMEN’S SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF 1: Philippa Anderson (AUS) 15.10 def. Nage Melamed (HAW) 9.34
SF 2: Alessa Quizon (HAW) 13.80 def. Leila Hurst (HAW) 6.94
BILLABONG WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS GOLD COAST WOMEN’S QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:
QF 1: Philippa Anderson (AUS) 13,07 def. Sarah Mason (NZL) 10.83
QF 2: Nage Melamed (HAW) 15.00 def. Joanne Defay (FRA) 12.67
QF 3: Leila Hurst (HAW) 15.67 def. Felicity Palmateer (AUS) 14.76
QF 4: Alessa Quizon (HAW) 10.83 def. Sarah Baum (ZAF) 8.97
South African Sarah Baum strong at the WJSCs
Sarah Baum © ASP
Team Updates
Sarah Baum into quarters with another top score at Billabong World Junior Surfing Championships
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 27 January, 2012 : – - Sarah Baum stormed into the quarterfinals of the Billabong World Junior Surfing Championships at Burleigh Heads in Australia this morning, posting the highest heat total of the day to dispatch highly rated Frenchwoman Maud Le Car from the event.
Competing in stormy one metre conditions, Baum, who turned 18 yesterday, opened her account with an excellent 8.77 point ride that included two massive manoeuvres. While Le Car caught eight rides with a best score of 4.50, Baum waited patiently for 15 minutes before sending her opponent into comboland and needing to improve on both her rides with an 8.17 at the five minute mark.
Baum has now recorded three of the top six single ride scores in the women’s event, including a near-perfect 9.93 out a possible10 in her Round 1 heat, the highest score of the entire event to date. She also holds the events highest heat total – 18.53 out of 20 – and her powerful backhand surfing and canny heat strategies make her one of the favourites to clinch the women’s event title.
Compatriot Bianca Buitendag (George), the defending Billabong Women’s World Championships champion, surfed brilliantly in defence of her crown, but was eliminated by Nage Melamed (HAW) in the dying moments of their Round 3 clash.
Buitendag posted scores of 7.0 and 6.8, leaving Melamed needing a massive 8.33. With just five minutes remaining the Hawaiian stroked into the wave of the day and executed a series of radical manoeuvres to earn 9.80 from the judges and progress to the quarters.
Baum is now the sole South African remaining in the event and she comes up against Alessa Quizon (HAW) when women’s conpetition resumes.
Beyrick de Vries (Umhlanga), SA’s last hope in the men’s event, was ousted by Brazilian Felipe Toledo whose multiple high-flying aerial manoeuvres left de Vries combo’d and out of the event in equal 9th place overall with earnings of US $1 550 (approx. R12 000)
A call will be made at 7.30am local time tomorrow (11.30pm Friday SA time) to decide on whether to get the competition underway. The Billabong World Junior Championships Gold Coast runs until 29 January and all the action will be webcast live via billabongpro.com. For more information, log onto aspworldtour.com
BILLABONG WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS GOLD COAST WOMEN’S ROUND 3 RESULTS:
HEAT 1: Philippa Anderson (AUS) 9.43 def. Quincy Davis (USA) 4.23
HEAT 2: Sarah Mason (NZL) 13. 57 def. Ellie-Jean Coffey (AUS) 11.67
HEAT 3: Nage Melamed (HAW) 15.63 def. Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 14.16
HEAT 4: Joanne Defay (FRA) 10.16 def. Holly-Sue Coffey (AUS) 5.96
HEAT 5: Leila Hurst (HAW) 12.17 def. Eden Putland (AUS) 11.33
HEAT 6: Felicity Palmateer (AUS) 10.67 def. Nao Omura (JPN) 10.57
HEAT 7: Sarah Baum (ZAF) 16.94 def. Maud Le Car (FRA) 7.83
HEAT 8: Alessa Quizon (HAW) 12.90 def. Dimity Stoyle (AUS) 11.93
BILLABONG WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS GOLD COAST MEN’S ROUND 4 RESULTS:
HEAT 1: Medi Veminardi (REU) 12.50 def. Mateia Hiquily (PYF) 7.67
HEAT 2: Jack Freestone (AUS) 10.20 def. Arashi Kato (JPN) 10.13
HEAT 3: Ian Gouveia (BRA) 10.90 def. Conner Coffin (USA) 5.77
HEAT 4: Wade Carmichael (AUS) 11.50 def. Vasco Riberio (PRT) 6.33
HEAT 5: Garrett Parkes (AUS) 14.43 def. Kaito Ohashi (JPN) 6.60
HEAT 6: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 17.30 def. Beyrick De Vries (ZAF) 10.44
HEAT 7: Nathan Carvalho (HAW) 12,77 def. Evan Thompson (USA) 8.43
HEAT 8: Dean Bowen (AUS) 10.20 def. Soli Bailey (AUS) 10.07
SeaHawaii Womens Pro at Pipeline
Women Set to Tango With The Tube
Tatiana Weston Webb 2011
March 1, 2012 is going to be the kick-off for the holding period of the SeaHawaii Womens Pro at Pipeline.
The Women are set to tango with the tube at Pipe. This year the contest is going to be as special as ever because it is the only Womens Professional surf contest this winter season on the North Shore. Look for the SeaHawaii Womens Pro at Pipeline to showcase many local surfers as well as Women surfers from all over the world that are willing and able to charge Pipeline. This event will be a one star Women’s short board, ASP, Association of Surfing Professionals, as well as a USBA, United States Bodyboarding Association, rated contest.
There is also a longboard expression session added to the mix.
Banzai Pipeline is a surf break off of Ehukai Beach Park located on the North Shore of Oahu. It is considered to be one of the most dangerous waves in the world. Because of the strong, sometimes massive size waves that are breaking over a shallow reef, it requires not only knowledge of the wave and skillful talent but also a little luck of the draw. This is the only Pro event on the North Shore this season and the Women are stoked to be participating. ” Women don’t really have much chances to prove them selves”, said Kauai’s defending champion Tatiana Weston Webb. ” This event provides that for us. Women think of it as a really big opportunity to be exposed and show their talent!”
Defending Champion body boarder Karla Costa Taylor said,” This event is my favorite, I feel an extra ease going into it, it’s weird…an excitement with joy at the same time. You can never be too comfortable, it is never easy, it is always always a challenge and I love challenges. I hope all the girls have a blast surfing “Queen Pipeline”.
The SeaHawaii Women’s Pro contest is in it’s 23rd year. The event started out as a bodyboarding contest, but has expanded to running three separate divisions including bodyboard, longboard, and shortboard. This year’s holding period will be from March 1-15, with the shortboard division coming to a close by the 9th. Other plans are in the works. Contest organizers are considering adding Mens and Women’s Jr. events durning the three days of competition. ” I would be excited to add the Jr. contests as Hawaii needs more competitions for our young surfers”, said Betty Depolito, Contest Director. ” All of our surfers need more rated contest to be competitive on the World Tour, this would really help in that arena. I am happy to say that these events incorporate the community contingent as well into an International gathering of athletes.”
Shannon “O”, Shannon O’Connell, has designed this years artwork. Shannon had an early love for the ocean, the colorful tide pools and vivid sunsets. She was Raised in Laguna Beach, California…a beach town with a great history in the arts, and a well established art community.
In 2000 Shannon move to Makaha Beach, Oahu. She had 2 bags and a skateboard packed. Shannon recalls that day would change her life. “I flew in at night, when I woke up the next day I heard different birds and roosters too. I remember the plumeria and salt water scent on the air that day. The first beach I went to was Cabanas, the water was so many shades of green & blue. I knew right then that I never wanted to leave Hawaii. Learning to surf has made my art come full circle. When you’re surfing you “paint” with your board on each wave and no two are alike.”
Find Shannon on
http://www.shannonoarts.com
Check the official web site for more information at
www.pipegirls.com
www.usbatour.com
www.aspworldtour.com
www.seahawaii.com
www.shannonoarts.com
Christie Eliminated By Young Bay Surfers
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Mount Maunganui surfer Matt Hewitt blazing a big backhand turn sending spray flying during whilst contesting the Open Men’s Division at the 2012 Hyundai National Surfing Championships held at Piha today. PHOTOCPL
Richard Christie (Gis), ranked 43rd in the world was today (Wednesday 18th January) eliminated from the Hyundai National Surfing Championships at the hands of two young Bay of Plenty surfers Matt Hewitt and Alex Dive of Mount Maunganui.
As forecasted the Piha surf dropped overnight leaving the national field of surfers a decent 1.0m swell with light sea breeze winds.
The bigger framed Christie struggled with the smaller waves and low tide conditions which allowed the lighter more nimble and lighter Hewitt and Dive to thrive.
Hewitt won the heat scoring 12.27 out of 20 points to move through to the semifinals ahead of Dive who scored 11.0 points.
“It was hard out there. It was slow and you had to pick the right ones that didn’t close out” Hewitt said adding “Our heat was stacked (full of talent) for the quarters, I was confident that I could progress, I just had to catch the best waves and I did.”
Hewitt has predominantly contested Australasian Pro Junior events over the past three years. He has only managed to compete in selected New Zealand events since he last won the National Championships here at Piha in 2009.
Hewitt is now waiting on official confirmation that he has been given an injury replacement position in the final Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Pro Junior event to be contested in Australia starting this weekend. He now has the dilemma about how to successfully juggle contesting the two events.
“I am frothing that I am in the main round and not the trials of the Pro Junior. If I make the final at this event I should be able to compete in it before I fly over to Aussie for the next event, I hope it works out.”
The ASP World Pro Junior Series comprises three events. Hewitt has only contested one of the first two events where he placed ninth. Hewitt is the only surfer to be given a slot in the main round with Gisborne surfer Buck Woods comntesting the trials of the event on Friday.
Tim O’Connor (Mount) rounded out a top day for the Bay of Plenty surfers winning the fourth quarterfinal scoring 12.93 points.
O’Connor is in search of his first win at national level in the Open Men’s Division and today he showed that he possesses all the right attributes to make it through to the final and challenge the best to get his name on the most coveted trophy in New Zealand surfing.
Defending National Champion Jay Quinn (Gis) made easy work of his quarterfinal posting the day’s highest heat score – 15.83. Quinn found the best set waves and late in the heat posted an 8.17 point ride to seal the win and advance one step closer to a finals berth and hence title defence. Later in the day Quinn went on to win his heat in the Over 28s Division.
While Billy Stairmand (Rag) placed second to the now eliminated Christie in their first heat, today he excelled in the smaller lefthanders scoring 15.67 points to confidently win. His speed and style saw him overcomes day three stand-out Bobby Hansen (Gis) who progressed through to the semifinals in second place.
Only eight surfers remain in the Open Men’s Division. With three days remaining in the event, the best conditions will be utilised to run the premier division.
The first round of the Open Women’s Division was contested today with the top three seeds being rewarded with convincing heat wins. Grace Spiers (WGM) fresh back from Australia, where she has been competing in the Australasian Pro Junior Series, posted the highest heat score of the round – 13.17 out of 20.
“Pretty stoked about the win because this morning when I was practicing I was ‘kooking’ it but it worked out in the end after I got a good start to the heat so that makes me happy.”
Spiers is only back in New Zealand briefly to see her family and contest two domestic events here before she heads back to work and more Australian surfing events. However, at the moment her main focus is this event where she aims to at least make the final which would be a first for the 18-year-old surfer.
Earlier in the day the Under 18 Boys battled the early morning conditions. Raglan’s Ben Poulter led the way from the first heat with an easy win. The defending champion in the Under 18 Boys Division has his work cut out to make it two in a row with several local surfers shining in the quarterfinals. Tane Wallis won his heat over fellow local Elliot Paerata-Reid and Waretini Wano was the third local grommet to advance to the semifinals.
Conditions for day five are expected to be good despite a drop in the swell size. Light variable winds are forecast. Day four will see the introduction of the women’s and age group divisions. The Open and Under 18 Men’s Division’s will again be in the water.
Please see below for results from Day four of the 2012 Hyundai National Surfing Championships held at Piha Beach, Auckland today (Wednesday 18th January).
Open Men’s Division Quarterfinals
Heat 1
Billy Stairmand (Rag), 15.67, 1, Bobby Hansen (Gis), 12.93, 2m Larry Fisher (Rag), 6.17, 3, Leon Santorik (Rag), 5.55, 4
Heat 2
Matt Hewitt (Mnt), 12.27, 1, Alex Dive (Mnt), 11, 2, Richard Christie (Mahia), 8.6, 3, Matt Scorringe (Whmata), 5.97, 4
Heat 3
Jay Quinn (Gis), 15.83, 1, Zen Wallis (Piha), 13.43, 2, Ryan Hawker (Piha), 7.1, 3, Ben Kennings (Whmata), 7, 4
Heat 4
Tim O’Connor (Mnt), 12.93, 1, Chris Malone (Gis), 8.83, 2, Scott Casey (Auck), 7.2, 3
Keone Campbell (Tara), 4.87, 4
Under 18 Boys Quarterfinals
Heat 1
Ben Poulter (Rag), 12.5, 1, Dune Kennings (Whmata), 11.33, 2, Jordan Griffin (Mnt), 7.97, 3, Jordan Hart (Tara), 4.53, 4
Heat 2
Waretini Wano (Piha), 10.1, 1, Adam Grimson (Gis), 7.5, 2, Kahu Craig-Ranga (Rag), 6.67, 3, Corey Asplin (Ham), 4.3, 4
Heat 3
Tane Wallis (Piha), 15, 1, Elliot Paerata Reid (Piha), 11.83, 2, Mackenzie Christie (Tau), 8.93, 3, Josh Taylor (Tau), 6.77, 4
Heat 4
Mckenzie Bowden (Whmata), 9.4, 1, Paul Moretti (Mimiwhangata), 9.2, 2, Eli Macdonald (Waitara), 8.73, 3, Jules Craft (Gis), 7.73, 4
Open Women’s Division Quarterfinals
Heat 1
Jessica Santorik (Rag), 9.27, 1, Thandi Durham – Tipene (Tara), 8.92, 2, Nicola Colson-Koster (Auck), 7.77, 3, Alexis Poulter (Rag), 7.4, 4
Heat 2
Grace Spiers (Whmata), 13.17, 1, Mischa Davis (Auck), 10.1, 2, Jasmine Smith (Gis), 5, 3, Marguerite Vujich (Napier), 0, 4
Heat 3
Ella Williams (Whmata), 12.23, 1, Jayda Martin-Fitzharris (Gis), 7.67, 2, Rachel von Zalinski (Auck), 3.2, 3, Dayna Story (Gis), 2.93, 4
Under 16 Girls Semifinals
Heat 1
Jasmine Smith (Gis), 10.5, 1, Dayna Story (Gis), 6.4, 2, Demi Hewitt (Mnt), 5.77, 3, Nam Northcott (Tara), 2.03, 4
Heat 2
Gabriella Sansom (Auck), 12.67, 1, Claudia Fraser (Auck), 7.73, 2, Bianca Sansom (Auck), 7.33, 3, Jennifer Rockwell (Auck), 0.63, 4
Over 28 Men’s Division Quarterfinals
Heat 1
Bachelor Tipene (Tara), 11.33, 1, AJ Matthews (Whmata), 11.13, 2, Jamie Andrews (Tara), 10.77, 3, Cale Tolley (Mnt), 8.8, 4
Heat 2
Jay Quinn (Gis), 11.33, 1, Liam Joyce (Phia), 9.67, 2, Danny Carse (Ota), 7.6, 3, Bevan Wiig (Auck), 4.33, 4
Heat 3
Jarred Hancox (Tara), 8.37, 1, Thomas Kibblewhite (Auck), 8, 2, Jason Ruddell (Whgrei), 6, 3, Sean Hovell (Gis), 2.8, 4
Heat 4
Larry Fisher (Rag), 9.07, 1, Josh Thickpenny (Dun), 8.87, 2, Baydon Hill (Auck), 3.97, 3, Paul Greenland (Auck), 2.77, 4
Over 35 Men’s Division Quarterfinals
Heat 1
Rick Lasch (Auck), 14.17, 1, Cale Tolley (Mnt), 11.67, 2, Andrew Robinson (Auck), 9.37, 3, Stuart Millar (Piha), 5.17, 4
Heat 2
Ben Kennings (Wmata), 10.23, 1, Nat Barron (Piha), 7, 2, Shaun Coffey (Tara), 5.07, 3, Tui Eves (Nth), 0, 4
Heat 3
Scott Casey (Auck), 14.5, 1, Larry Fisher (Rag), 12.8, 2, Deane Hishon (Rag), 6.03, 3, Zain Thompson (Auck), 3.93, 4
Over 40 Men’s Division Semifinals
Heat 1
Michael Fitzharris (Gis), 14.1, 1, Mike Mulcahy (Auck), 10, 2, Andrew Mann (Auck), 8.6, 3, Geoff Hutchison (Rag), 5.6, 4
Heat 2
Rick Lasch (Auck), 16.17, 1, Deane Hishon (Rag), 11.23, 2, Morgan Cronin (Auck), 9.03, 3, David Farr (Tara), 6.5, 4
Over 45 Men’s Division Semifinals
Heat 1
Geoff Hutchison (Rag), 8.5, 1, Kelvin Louie (Piha), 6.67, 2, Tui Eves (Nth), 5.47, 3, Blair Walker (Auck), 3.67, 4
Heat 2
Phil Wallis (Piha), 10.57, 1, David Mann (Auck), 8.9, 2, Glen Shuker (ChCh), 7.03, 3, Ahu Teua (Piha), 3.6, 4
The all encompassing seven day event runs from the 15th – 21st of January. Please see below for a guide to when remaining divisions are expected to be contested.
Day 5 (Thurs 19th Jan) – Open Men, Under 18, 16, 14 Boys, All Women’s, All Seniors, Kneeboard
Day 6 (Fri 20th Jan) – Open Men, Under 18, 16, 14 Boys, All longboard, SUP Surf, All Women’s, All Seniors, Potentially some finals
Day 7 (Sat 21st Jan) – Finals, All Bodyboard
Matt Lewis-Hewitt replaces injured Cathels for WJC
Matt Lewis-Hewitt © Surfing WA / Woolacott
Davey Cathels Ruled Out Of Billabong World Junior Championships Gold Coast
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 18 January, 2012 : – - Coolangatta — The 2011 ASP World Junior Title Race took an interesting turn in the last couple of days with current ASP World Junior number 1 rated surfer, Davey Cathels (North Narrabeen, NSW/AUS) injuring his right ankle while performing a reverse at his home break of North Narrabeen.
Cathels was a front-runner for the ASP World Junior Title after winning the the biggest event of his career in Bali at stop 1 on the ASP World Junior Tour last year. Cathels will now have to watch the title race unfold without him at the up and coming Billabong World Junior Championships Gold Coast.
“I’m feeling pretty devastated at the moment,” Cathels said. “I’ve torn my front syndesmosis ligament and partially tore the back syndesmosis ligament. Hopefully I’ll be ready for the Australian Open at Manly. I definitely want one of the Aussie boys to take out the event and the ASP World Junior Title and keep the trophy at home, because I think at the moment the world’s best juniors are coming out of Australia.”
Garrett Parkes (Byron Bay, NSW/AUS) currently ranked 3rd on the ASP World Junior Tour is now the highest ranked Australian competing in the Billabong World Junior Championships Gold Coast.
“I’m good mates with Davey (Cathels) and I spoke to him yesterday, he’s pretty shattered,” Parkes said. “To put in all the hard work and get injured a few days before event is very unlucky. It’s kind of given me the extra motivation to do well now that I’m the highest ranked Australian in the event. I’ve been surfing, and training every day, trying to surf right point breaks as much as possible to prepare and I’m feeling pretty good.”
Matt Lewis-Hewitt (New Zealand) will be the injury replacement for Cathels and is currently organising a last minute trip across the Tasman to compete in the last junior event of his career.
“I’m stoked to get in the event, but gutted for Davey (Cathels) too,” Lewis-Hewitt said. “I’ve surfed in some events at home and at the ASP 4-Star in China earlier this year, so I’ve already had a few warm up heats and am feeling good.”
Soli Bailey (Byron Bay, NSW/AUS) has been awarded a sponsor’s wildcard into the Billabong World Junior Championships Gold Coast and is looking to make the most of it.
“I’m thrilled to get this wildcard!” Bailey said. “To be able to surf in such a big event and get the chance to show people what I’ve got is amazing. I don’t surf Burleigh that often, but I’ve surfed it enough to know where to sit and I surf right hand point breaks all the time, so I’m feeling good and hoping to make it through couple of heats.”
Mitch Parkinson (Coolangatta, QLD/AUS), Peterson Crisanto (Brazil), Jack Robinson (Margaret River, WA/AUS), Mateia Hiquily (PYF) have been awarded wildcards into the men’s draw of the Billabong World Junior Championships Gold Coast. They will be joined in the main draw by 2 surfers from the Von Zipper Trials.
Ellie-Jean Coffey (Crescent Head, NSW/AUS), Eden Putland (Currumbin, QLD/AUS), Felicity Palmateer (Perth, WA/AUS), and Sarah Mason (New Zealand) have been awarded wildcards into the women’s draw. The Von Zipper trials will be held on Friday 20 Jan.
The Billabong World Junior Championships Gold Coast will be webcast live via billabongpro.com? ?The Billabong World Junior Championships Gold Coast is brought to you by Monster Energy Drink, Sony, Events QLD, Sony Ericsson, VonZipper, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, ASL magazine and Burleigh Boardriders.
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