Billabong Club Challenge Readies For Bay Boardriders
New Zealand’s number one surf brand Billabong has laid down the gauntlet to all boardrider clubs in New Zealand. Invite our team of surfers to one of your club contests, beat us in a tag team format competition and take the cash.
It is a new concept that will see a combination of the fifteen Billabong team riders in New Zealand travel around the country and join in with local boardriders clubs at a community level in a very fun yet competitive environment.
Host clubs will invite the Billabong team to one of their club days and form their best team of surfers to take on the national Billabong team. The club will walk away with $1,000 should they be talented enough to win the tag team event.
The first Billabong Club Challenge takes place with Bay Boardriders at Mount Maunganui on the 28th of March.
“It is great to see Billabong supporting surfing at a community and club level” commented Bay Boardriders President James Jacobs. “They are the most prominent surf brand in New Zealand and we look forward to challenging them for the win”.
The Bay Boardriders Club have one of the strongest pools of talent in New Zealand and Jacobs suggested their club could “clean up”.
The confidence of the Club President is warranted with the likes of top national surfers Tim O’Connor, Nick White, Alex Dive, Laura Rishworth and Mark Dovey amongst their ranks.
Billabong’s leading team rider and coincidentally also a Bay Boardriders member, Matt Hewitt was stoked when he heard about the new concept. “The idea is cool. It is a good way to get around the country and see what boardrider clubs have got on offer. And if they can beat us, they get to walk away with the cash for the club” commented Matt Hewitt from Tahiti.
Hewitt is in the middle of an ASP Pro Junior event where he has progressed through to the final twelve surfers. He along with Buck woods (Gis) who is also at the event will be two surfers that Billabong will hope to have back in New Zealand to bolster their talent pool for the challenges.
“Tag team format events are fun and it will definitely make it interesting on the day. I haven’t been back in New Zealand much this summer but I am looking forward to competing at the Billabong Club Challenge if I am back in the country” commented Hewitt.
Tag team events are relay-styled competitions that take one hour to complete. Teams comprise of five surfers (3x Open Men, 1x Women and 1x Under 20 Men). The teams must elect an order for their five surfers to compete. The first surfer enters the water and catches three waves with his best two counting toward the team total. Once catching their allotted waves, each surfer must exit the water, tag their team mates and repeat the process. All surfers must be back at their team tent within the allowed 60 minutes to avoid penalties. Each team also has a ‘whammy’ surfer whereby all three waves count toward the team total.
The Billabong Club Challenge will be filmed and posted on internet. The clip will have an invite asking any clubs who would like to challenge Billabong to write to them and tell them dates for their next club day. Billabong will in turn decide on the next challenger.
The Billabong team in New Zealand comprises:
Matt Hewitt
Buck Woods
Sam Willis
Blair Stewart
Blake Myers
Keone Campbell
Ben Poulter
AJ Matthews
Felix Dickson
Ben Kennings
Dune Kennings
Peri Matenga
Jessica Santorik
Grace Spiers
Bianca Sansom
Gabriela Sansom
For more information on the Billabong Club Challenge please contact AJ Matthews at Billabong on 021 2416227 or email aj.matthews@billabong.co.nz.
2009 California shark attacks tallied – Surfers hit most
There were 7 unprovoked shark attacks authenticated from the Pacific Coast of North America during 2009. All 7 of the reported attacks occurred in California and were distributed in the following months; April (1), July (1), August (2), October (1) and November (2), with 5 of the 7 attacks occurring South of the Santa Barbara/Ventura County line.
Activities of the victims were; 3 Surfing, 1 Paddle-Boarding, 1 Diving, 1Surf- Fishing, and 1 Swimming. The Great White Shark, Carcharodon carcharias, was positively identified or highly suspect as the causal species in 5 of the attacks with 1 attack attributable to the Thresher Shark, Alopias sp., and 1 unknown species.
The publication “Shark Attacks of the Twentieth Century” authenticated 108 unprovoked shark attacks from the Pacific Coast between 1900 and 1999. The Great White Shark was implicated in 94 (87%) of the attacks with an annual average of slightly more than one shark attack per year. The 7 cases reported for 2009 brings the total number of unprovoked shark attacks occurring along the West Coast during the first 9 years of the 21st Century to 49.
This is ‘more than five times’ the Twentieth Century annual average and represents 45% of the total number of attacks reported for the entire Twentieth Century, and all in less than a decade. The Great White Shark has been implicated in 41 (80%) of the 49 attacks reported during this Century. Of the 157 unprovoked shark attacks reported from the Pacific Coast since 1900, the Great White Shark has been positively identified or highly suspect in 133 (85%).
Victim activity for the 49 unprovoked shark attacks reported from the Pacific Coast since 20000 are distributed in the following groups; surfers 35 (71%) of the documented attacks with 5 (10%) swimmers, 3 (6%) kayakers, 3 (6%) divers, 2 (4%) paddle boarders, and 1 (2%) surf fishing. The number of adult, sub-adult, and juvenile Great White Sharks observed in Southern California during 2009 suggests a possible change in their population dynamics and seasonal site preferences.
The number of stranded marine mammal carcasses reported, specifically their location and time of year, would seem to support this observation. The Shark Research Committee will continue to closely monitor this activity in the coming year.
Additional information regarding the Shark Research Committee’s conservation, education, and research programs are available at: sharkresearchcommittee.com. ‘Save the Sharks – Save the Oceans’
Solid surf hits Margaret River for Day 2 of Drug Aware
Pauline Ado : photo ASP/Robertson
16 March, 2010 : – - Margaret River/Western Australia — A powerful and building 2m (6-feet plus) swell provided great waves as rounds one and two of the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Six-Star Rated Women’s Drug Aware Pro were completed.
Sally Fitzgibbons lead the charge of high quality performances in her opening round heat choosing the biggest and best waves to demolish her opponents on a score-line of 15.50 for her top two scoring rides (an 8.00 and a 7.50) with French surfer Alizee Arnaud a distant second on just 5.66.
“I really enjoy the challenges of surfing Margaret River, the waves are always solid and you can really push the performances here knowing the wave has the power to reward you – it’s one of my favourite locations to surf” said Fitzgibbons.
“It’s a great field for this year’s event and with quite a few high level events over the next few months competing here keeps me focused – with solid waves looking likely all week I’m really keen to do well – the raw energy of the waves is similar to my home breaks so I feel very comfortable out there.”
Local girls also revelled in today’s conditions with Gracetown sisters Laura and Bronte Macaulay both advancing through their early heats.
As the daughters of former great ASP World Tour surfer Dave Macaulay, they surf the outstanding waves in this region throughout the year and while both are relative youngsters in this quality field, (Laura at 17 and Bronte 16) they demonstrated today that they’ll be formidable opponents particularly in these solid and familiar surf conditions.
Laura won her round two heat today defeating current elite ASP World Tour surfers Amee Donohoe (AUS) and Hawaii’s Alana Blanchard.
“This is a great opportunity for both of us to surf against the best surfers in the world and really assess how we measure up to them so we’re really just going out there each heat and doing our best without worrying about the pressure too much and it’s going well at this stage” said Macauley.
“Dad’s out there in the channel as our board caddy during the heats and it’s good to have him there watching and advising us!” Others to impress in the powerful conditions included Jessi Myley-Dyer (AUS), Nicola Atherton (AUS) and Rosanne Hodge (South Africa) .
The swell continued to build during the afternoon heats and 18 year-old Sydney surfer Laura Enever caused the day’s biggest upset when she won her heat defeating Mizuki Hagiwara from Japan in second and eliminating the number one seed Sofia Mulanovich from Peru.
The very next heat saw the day’s best performance executed by the events youngest surfer in Tyler Wright. The 15 year-old NSW surfer was outstanding picking off the biggest waves of the day and scored a near perfect 9.67 on her final ride blasting three huge top-to-bottom turn snaps. She easily finished the heat with the day’s top scoring ride and top scoring heat tally of 16.67.
“The waves are pumping out there” said Wright.
“I’ve surfed here a few years ago in junior events and I love the place, so much power in the waves – that was a great start for me but it’s early days here so I’ll just focus on the next heat now and not get carried away with that heat.”
Men’s round three heats appear certain to hit the water first thing tomorrow morning with outstanding conditions forecast and the first heat of the day should see local favourite and current world number one rated surfer Taj Burrow in action. All the top seeded surfers are introduced into tomorrow’s round and the action will highlight just how much impact the new ASP one world rating system has had.
In great waves expect to see super-charged performances from Burrow, De Souza, Fanning, Durbidge, Owen Wright, the Hobgood brothers and many more. Round three heat one of the Drug Aware Pro Men’s should begin at 7:30am West Australian time-line.
Open Men’s and Women’s rounds kick off Noosa Fest
Clinton Guest : photo ASP/Scholtz
15 March, 2010 : – - Noosa, Sunshine Coast Queensland — Clean 0.5 – 1 meter waves on offer at First Point, Noosa heralded the official start to this year’s Global Surf Industries Noosa Festival of Surfing today, that saw the first round of exciting action underway in the Open Men’s and Women’s divisions.
Former Noosa resident of five years Clinton Guest (Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast) caused the biggest upset of the morning, posting the highest heat score of round 1 a 15.50 (out of 20.00) to defeat defending event champion Justin Healey (QLD) during the Classic Malibu Men’s Open.
The polished young surfer and fourth seed for this division, posted two of the best individual wave scores of the round, a 7.25 and an 8.25 (out of ten) snatching the win off the last wave of the heat to advance in first place.
“I saw Healey’s re-entry at the start of the heat and I knew he’d be tough to beat,” said Guest. “To defeat the defending champ in the first round is definitely a confidence booster and I’ll take it with me into my next heat.”
Josh Berigan was another Queenslander to make his presence felt this morning, the youngster netting a 15.00 heat total in a nail-biting clash that saw him defeat top wave scorer Adam Barley, of South Australia. Despite a single excellent 8.00 ride from Barley it was not enough to top Berigan’s 7.75 and a 7.25 combination.
Top seed Jordie Brown (Vic) made sure he remained among the morning’s front-runners, selecting his waves wisely to complete a near perfect 8.00 ride earning a first place finish over Patrick O’Leary (QLD) who came in a close second.
Second seed Ed Cunningham (QLD) was as impressive to watch, the exceptionally talented multiple junior Australian titleholder defeating Lee Cooper (QLD) and Marc McNamara (QLD). Unfortunately Ed’s twin brother George wasn’t as lucky being defeated in third place by advancing surfers Deans Krestensen (NSW) and Phil Morris (NZ) in an earlier heat.
Other standouts today included local surfer Malakai Mitchell (Noosa) who maintained his heat lead despite some polished noseriding from second place surfer Josh Gandulla (USA); Josh Tulk who captured a last minute victory over Jason Murray (QLD) and Adam Lynch (VIC) who advanced ahead of Menard Valentin (QLD).
The Zinc 91 Open Women’s division saw a clean sweep from top seeds Monique Keane (QLD), Sharon Jackson (QLD), Jen Wilson (NSW) and Samantha Walker (NSW) all of whom captured first place finishes in their respective round 1 heats, advancing into the Semifinals before lunch time today.
Keane (Caloundra, Sunshine Coast) the top seed for this event, by far outshone her competition, her exceptional style and control earning her 7.25 and 7.75 scores for the highest heat total of the women’s event, a 15.00.
Fourth seed Samantha Walker (Freshwater, NSW) proved virtually untouchable in her round 1 clash, ousting her competition with an 11.00 heat total (out of 20.00) to second place surfer Roison Carolan’s (NSW) 6.15 and third place Ashley Beer’s (NSW) 5.90.
Jen Wilson (NSW) and Sharon Jackson (QLD) earned first place finishes ahead of Sasha Leitmanis (Vic) and Kathryn Hughes (QLD) respectively. The remainder of the day’s action saw round 1 of the Old Guys Rule Over 60’s, Smyth Over 55’s and two heats of round 1 of the Mandill Motor Group over 50’s.
The Global Surf Industries Noosa Festival of Surfing, presented by Golden Breed, boasts
Dream Tour Rookie Owen Wright Defies Gravity
Bondi Beach, New South Wales/Australia – Australian young gun Owen Wright is flying high after winning the Boost Mobile SurfSho presented by Samsung (an ASP Specialty event) at Bondi Beach today.
The 20-year old from Lennox Head, NSW, competed against some of the biggest names in surfing, including Taj Burrow, Mick Fanning and Kelly Slater, during the three-day aerial surfing extravaganza. Owen takes home $25,000 in prize money, along with a stack of other prizes.
When receiving his trophy on the SurfSho podium, Wright said: ‘I’m ecstatic! Where’s the thesaurus to describe how I feel? It was a great final, great atmosphere, and a great crowd. I’m buzzing! It’s been a big three days. I’m stoked to be at Bondi and walking away with the Boost Mobile SurfSho trophy and this cheque!’
During the final this afternoon, Owen threw down some gravity-defying moves to out-fly fellow surfers including reigning world champion Mick Fanning and world number two Jordy Smith (ZAF), to take home the major prize. This is the second time the aerial specialist has won the ASP specialty event, beating Kelly Slater in the final in 2008.
Owen boosted high over Bondi’s ramping waves, performing a massive full rotating aerial to score a near perfect 9.8 (out of a possible 10). He then backed it up with a similar manoeuvre scoring 8.3. His closest competitor in the final was Cooper Chapman, scoring a 7.17 for a front-side air reverse.
Bondi Beach provided the ideal playground for the event today, with 4-5 foot waves providing perfect aerial conditions on the water, and more than 30,000 spectators watching on in sunny conditions and soaking up the festival atmosphere.
In contrast to a traditional surfing competition, the day’s format followed a unique format in which a wheel was spun at the start of each heat, dictating which aerial tricks the surfers had to perform. B, O, O, S, T letters were awarded for each successful manoeuvre and the six highest scoring surfers who spelt ‘BOOST’ went into the final.
John Shimooka, event spokesperson and former pro-surfer commented: ‘Surfing’s finally back at Bondi Beach after a 20 year hiatus. This weekend, Bondi witnessed some of the biggest moves performed by some of the world’s best surfers, and judging from the crowd, they enjoyed every minute of it. We can’t wait to bring the event here again next year.
Pete the famous skateboarding dog !
This is Pete the now famous skateboarding dog RIPPING the ramps at the SKATELAB in CALIFORNIA.
Trained by these guys: www.miamioffleash.com
The Butterfly Effect Fiji Expedition
~June 19th- 26th, 2010~
The B.E. Fiji Expedition will be a trip not to be missed!
The all inclusive package will take care of all your needs once you arrive. It is completely hassle-free and friendly, and will be way too much fun! The package will include the following and a whole lot more:
- 7 day accommodation
- All meals
- Transportation (on land and boat)
- Clinics
- Training Sessions
- Photos
- Video
- Non-wind activities ( Snorkel, SUP, fishing, wake, waterski)
- Down-winder
- Boat trip
- And so much more!
The package for all the above is only USD $1,190 for all Butterflies (A.K.A. water women!). Airfare sold separately.
(Packages for couples, kids, families and groups are available upon request)
Please contact us for any questions and to reserve your space!
Hope you are all out in the water enjoying every moment!
Much Love and Aloha,
The Butterfly Effect crew
Evan Geiselman, Malia Manuel win Sebastian Inlet ASP Jrs
Evan Geiselman : photo ASP / Lorraine Guthrie
Ron Jon Sebastian Inlet Pro
Skullcandy Girls Junior Pro
ASP Grade 4 Men’s Pro Junior event
ASP Grade 2 Women’s Pro Junior event
Sebastian Inlet Florida
11 – 14 March 2010
Sebastian, Florida — The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) North America Pro Junior Series season opener saw local Floridian Evan Geiselman (New Smyrna Beach, FL), 16, clinch the ASP Grade-3 Ron Jon SI Pro presented by Skullcandy while young Hawaiian talent Malia Manuel (Wailua, HI), 16, won the ASP Grade-2 Skullcandy Junior Pro in one-to-three foot (1 metre) surf at Florida’s iconic break of Sebastian Inlet.
With qualification for the inaugural ASP World Junior Tour (WJT) on the line via this year’s regional series, the early season ratings’ lead picked up by Geiselman and Manuel could prove vital in their chance to battle the globe’s best for the title of ASP World Junior Champion.
Geiselman, who was a runner up at the ASP Grade-2 Billabong Pro Junior at Sebastian Inlet in 2008, proved to be untouchable at this year’s Ron Jon SI Pro event, marching to victory after getting a slow start in the final to best Hawaiian standout Keanu Asing (Ewa Beach, HI), 16, and Californians Gabe Garcia (Carlsbad, CA), 19, and Chase Wilson (Newport Beach, CA), 18.
“The final started off slow for me and I hadn’t caught a wave after the first five minutes,” Geiselman said. “Then I caught two quick waves and had to play the dirty work and sit on second in the last five minutes.” After several close finishes in ASP Pro Junior events, the Ron Jon SI Pro victory marks the first ASP Pro Junior Series win for the young Floridian, and clinching the event close to home made his inaugural win that much more memorable.
“I’m really stoked and don’t even know what to say,” Geisleman said. “To win this contest so close to home with so many great Pro Junior surfers from up and down the East Coast, California and Hawaii, it means a lot.” The crucial ASP Grade-3 points earned by Geiselman also establish that talented goofy-footer as the early season ratings leader of the pack of surfers looking towards qualification for this year’s ASP WJT.
“It’s a great start to my year,” Geiselman said. “This is one of the bigger contests of the year since it’s a Grade-3 and it gives me some momentum going into the next event.”
Manuel, who is the reigning women’s ASP North America Pro Junior Series Champion, wasted no time in becoming familiar with Sebastian Inlet during her first trip to Florida and continues to establish herself as a top threat amongst her junior peers while continuing to hold her regional junior series points lead.
“The final really slowed down with the high tide, but I was lucky to find a couple of waves,” Manuel said. “It really came down to who just got the right ones in the final, but I just kept moving around and managed to get a couple of scores.”
Manuel is another talent who is hoping to qualify for the ASP WJT and feels that the Skullcandy Junior Pro victory will help the young Hawaiian pave the path towards competing against the globe’s best juniors in the future. “It’s a great start to my year and I’m so thankful to have a couple of events to try and qualify for this year’s World Junior Tour,” Manuel said. “I haven’t competed in about a month, so this is a great way to start of the new year.”
The ASP North America Pro Junior Series will continue with the ASP Grade-2 Ezekiel Pro Junior presented by Jack’s Surfboards, which will run from March 24 through 28, 2010.
New Zealand Women’s Open (NZWO) – Entry Form
New Zealand Women’s Open (NZWO) will commence on Saturday 10th April at 7:30am. The ‘Open’ division doubles as a trial for the event wildcard for the ASP World Tour and will be run first. All other divisions will take place at some time during the week long festival, but will also commence on the 10th as well if possible. See ‘important information’ below for further explanation. There will be prize money, or prizes, or trophies for all divisions.
The winner of the Open division will receive the wildcard to ASP Womens World Championship tour event (and min prize of $USd3,500 for 17th place).
Gilmore bests Bartels to claim the Roxy Pro Gold Coast
Stephanie Gilmore & Melanie Bartels : photo ASP/Kirstin
Roxy Pro Gold Coast
ASP World Tour Women’s event #1
Snapper Rocks Queensland
27 February – 10 March 2010
Live Coverage | Results/Photos/Videos etc
Gilmore Retains ASP Women’s World No. 1 Spot with Roxy Pro Gold Coast Win
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 5 March, 2010 : – - Snapper Rocks, Queensland Australia – - Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 22, reigning three-time ASP Women’s World Champion and defending event winner, has taken out the 2010 Roxy Pro Gold Coast in punchy two-to-three foot (1 metre) waves at Snapper Rocks over fellow Finalist Melanie Bartels (HAW), 27.
The opening event of the 2010 ASP Women’s World Tour season, the Roxy Pro Gold Coast enjoyed an exciting final day of competition, culminating in Gilmore’s emphatic win in front of a raucous hometown crowd. In a déjà vu version of last year’s event, the Australian and Hawaiian squared off once again in the Final, with Gilmore taking the win and the dream start to her 2010 campaign for a fourth ASP Women’s World Title.
“It’s definitely a dream start,” Gilmore said. “I didn’t really expect to win here. The waves weren’t so great. I definitely didn’t put in as incredible performance as I would have wanted to, and I’m sure Mel (Bartels) has the same feeling, but at the end of the day, I’m happy to win – that’s awesome!”
Today’s win marks the 3rd win on the Gold Coast for the young Australian (2005, 2009, 2010), giving the natural-footer the record for most event wins at the Roxy Pro Gold Coast.
Stephanie Gilmore : photo ASP/Cestari
“I was definitely really relaxed but kind of nervous at the same time – just a little mixture of feelings,” Gilmore said. “As defending event champ and defending world champ, I guess it put some pressure on me to win this event so it feels good to win.”
While Gilmore retains her ASP Women’s World No. 1 ranking heading into the second event of the year, the collectively raised level of surfing on the ASP Women’s World Tour will stand in her way.
“It’s really tough,” Gilmore said. “They’re hungry and I think when you start off the year with not the result you were looking for, you just go into the next event even more focused and more hungry and it’s just getting harder and harder from here and then. She (Bartels) was one of the few girls really pushing us towards progressive maneuvers and really using that judging criteria to her advantage, so I’m definitely going to have to surf it up for the next events.”
Bartels, who went on a giant-killing rampage throughout the event, is surfing with renewed vigour and purpose and has announced herself as a legitimate threat in 2010.
Melanie Bartels : photo ASP/Cestari
“I’m very stoked,” Bartels said. “I tried to stay focused and did my best but couldn’t get there for the Final. My surfing is feeling really good, but I couldn’t really find the waves to let me open up there for the Final. I’m still stoked though and happy with my result.”
The progressive Hawaiian, who has long been touted as a legitimate ASP Women’s World Title contender, has employed a coach for 2010 to help her with her headspace as she battles the best female surfers in the world.
“I’ve been having trouble mentally,” Bartels said. “It’s not my surfing that I need help with. It’s more mentally so she (Coach Nancy Emerson) is helping me keep positive and surrounding me with positive vibes, and everyone has been supporting me and just believing in me. I’m beginning to believe in myself now, so you will see a different Mel on tour this year.”
Coco Ho (HAW), 19, 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour Rookie of the Year, put in a solid campaign at the Roxy Pro Gold Coast, before going down to Gilmore in this morning’s Semifinals. Posting an Equal 3rd in the opening event of the season, Ho has established herself as a major contender in the hunt for the ASP Women’s World Title.
Chelsea Hedges : photo ASP/Cestari
“Good start to the year so I’m definitely stoked.” Ho said. “To be out at Snapper Rocks with Steph (Gilmore) is really special for me. She’s a big inspiration to me and I’m happy with my performance at this event. Looking forward to Bells Beach.”
Chelsea Hedges (AUS), 26, former ASP Women’s World Champion (2005), saw a sensational return to form throughout the course of the Roxy Pro Gold Coast, but fell short against Bartels in today’s Semifinals.
“I’m a bit disappointed with my wave selection out there,” Hedges said. “I feel like my surfing is there, but I couldn’t find a rhythm out there this morning. It’s disappointing for sure, but all you can do is shake it off and look towards the next event.”
Highlights from the Roxy Pro Gold Coast will be available via roxypro.com.au. The next stop on the 2010 ASP Women’s World Tour will be the Rip Curl Women’s Pro presented by Ford New Fiesta at Bells Beach from March 30 through April 5, 2010.
Coco Ho : photo ASP/Cestari
ROXY PRO GOLD COAST FINAL RESULTS:
1 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 12.40
2 – Melanie Bartels (HAW) 10.35
ROXY PRO GOLD COAST SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF 1: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 16.00 def. Coco Ho (HAW) 9.17
SF 2: Melanie Bartels (HAW) 13.00 def. Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 10.30
ASP WOMEN’S WORLD TOUR TOP 5 (After Roxy Pro Gold Coast)
1 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
2 – Melanie Bartels (HAW)
3 – Coco Ho (HAW)
3 – Chelsea Hedges (AUS)
5 – Silvana Lima (BRA)
5 – Sofia Mulanovich (PER)
5 – Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
5 – Rebecca Woods (AUS)
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