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	<title>Curl Magazine</title>
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	<link>http://www.curl.co.nz</link>
	<description>Girls Lifestyle Magazine</description>
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		<title>Straight from Rio: Pauline Ado</title>
		<link>http://www.curl.co.nz/2012/05/14/straight-from-rio-pauline-ado/</link>
		<comments>http://www.curl.co.nz/2012/05/14/straight-from-rio-pauline-ado/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 15 May 2012 00:56:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.curl.co.nz/?p=7732</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Pauline Ado (FRA) 21, just placed fifth at the Billabong Pro Rio, losing in a low scoring quarter-final matchup against current World N°2 Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS). Extremely difficult conditions in the 1-2Ft range were on offer at Barra da Tijuca in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) yesterday with tricky A-frame peaks. Pauline managed to eliminate Paige [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<iframe class="me-likey" src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.curl.co.nz%2F2012%2F05%2F14%2Fstraight-from-rio-pauline-ado%2F&amp;layout=button_count&amp;show_faces=true&amp;width=150&amp;height=24&amp;action=like&amp;font=arial&amp;colorscheme=light" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:150px; height:24px"></iframe><p>Pauline Ado (FRA) 21, just placed fifth at the Billabong Pro Rio, losing in a low scoring quarter-final matchup against current World N°2 Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS). Extremely difficult conditions in the 1-2Ft range were on offer at Barra da Tijuca in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) yesterday with tricky A-frame peaks.</p>
<p>Pauline managed to eliminate Paige Hareb (NLZ) in her Round 2 confrontation and Rebecca Woods (AUS) in Round 4, two experienced surfers on the World Tour by raising her <a href="http://www.aspworldtour.com/2012/05/13/straight-from-rio-pauline-ado/">game</a> and put a lot of efforts into turning small waves into good scoring rides. Pauline was kind enough to take a moment to answer our questions right after the end of yesterday’s action.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>- Congratulations Pauline ! I’m sure all your fans are stoked to see you finally get to those final heats !</strong><br />
Me too ! I’m really relieved to finally get a good result on the World Tour after a pretty hard<a href="http://www.aspworldtour.com/2012/05/13/straight-from-rio-pauline-ado/">start</a> to the year.</p>
<p><strong>-How was your week in Brazil ?</strong><br />
I arrived a few days early with Justine (Dupont), my dad and Judith (who edits videos for Swatch). We got to test the conditions and get a good rythmn going before the event. Then it started and we didn’t get the best waves but it’s what competition is sometimes..</p>
<p><strong>-Did you change anything in your preparation from the previous events ?</strong><br />
It’s more like my mindset I think that changed. After a hard start in the first four events I started to feel like I had nothing to lose anymore and that I needed to just start enjoying surfing and competing again !</p>
<p><strong>- Conditions were pretty hard for you gals in Rio, do you think that actually helped you ?</strong><br />
Maybe, I’m not sure.. It’s tough because despite a great result I feel like I didn’t showcase my best surfing in those conditions, like all the other girls I suppose..</p>
<p><strong>- What do you think of your lost quarter-final against Sally Fitzgibbons ? </strong><br />
I think I needed a 4.80 to <a href="http://www.aspworldtour.com/2012/05/13/straight-from-rio-pauline-ado/">win</a>. It’s a pretty low score but actually very hard to get in those extreme conditions. There weren’t any waves in the last minutes and Sally and I just kept paddling towards the inside hoping we can catch a little something with potential.</p>
<p><strong>- I imagine it’s a confidence boost right before heading home to France for the Swatch Pro and later the Roxy Pro ?</strong><br />
Yes it feels really good and I hope it’s only the start of a better run for the next Start events and World Title. I’m going to spend a few weeks in France and I’m so looking forward to it ! I’ve been away for so long now I’m sure it’s going to be amazing to be home !</p>
<p><strong>- What are your objectives for the end of the year ?</strong><br />
I just want to end well and have a couple excellent results on the Star Tour.</p>
<p>- Anything else you want to add ?<br />
Thank’s to everyone who’s been following and supporting me in Rio ! I had a lot of messages and it’s always amazing to feel supported.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		<title>BILLABONG RIO PRO WOMENS FINAL</title>
		<link>http://www.curl.co.nz/2012/05/13/billabong-rio-pro-womens-final/</link>
		<comments>http://www.curl.co.nz/2012/05/13/billabong-rio-pro-womens-final/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 13 May 2012 22:45:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.curl.co.nz/?p=7725</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 21, has taken out the Billabong Women’s Rio Pro over Coco Ho (HAW), 21, by a score of 14.10 to 14.03 in peaky one-to-three foot (.5 metre) waves at the primary venue of Barra da Tijuca. Event No. 5 of 7 on the 2012 ASP Women&#8217;s World Championship Tour, the Billabong Pro [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<iframe class="me-likey" src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.curl.co.nz%2F2012%2F05%2F13%2Fbillabong-rio-pro-womens-final%2F&amp;layout=button_count&amp;show_faces=true&amp;width=150&amp;height=24&amp;action=like&amp;font=arial&amp;colorscheme=light" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:150px; height:24px"></iframe><div id="attachment_7726" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://www.curl.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/billfinalF.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-7726" title="billfinalF" src="http://www.curl.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/billfinalF-300x168.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="168" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Pictured: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 21, winner of the 2012Billabong Women’s Rio Pro. Credit: ASP/SCHOLTZ</p></div>
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<td valign="middle">Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 21, has taken out the Billabong Women’s Rio Pro over Coco Ho (HAW), 21, by a score of 14.10 to 14.03 in peaky one-to-three foot (.5 metre) waves at the primary venue of Barra da Tijuca.</p>
<p>Event No. 5 of 7 on the 2012 ASP Women&#8217;s World Championship Tour, the Billabong Pro Rio culminated in a thrilling fashion this afternoon with both Fitzgibbons and Ho exchanging the Final&#8217;s lead multiple times before the hooter sounded.</p>
<p>In need of a high 7-point ride with just minutes remaining in the heat, Fitzgibbons bashed a blowing lefthander on her backside, notching a 7.93 out of 10 to take the elite win, her second of the year.</p>
<p>“That was so crazy and Coco (Ho) had me on the ropes for sure,” Fitzgibbons said. “I just had my fingers crossed and knew there would be one towards the end. I made a few mistakes and it happens in Finals but I was able to recover there at the end. I’m so excited.”</p>
<p>Fitzgibbons, current No. 2 on the ASP Women’s WCT, has significantly narrowed the gap between her and current ASP frontrunner Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 24, but remained humble in regards to her chase for the 2012 ASP World Title.</p>
<p>“This makes the World Title race more interesting, but thinking ahead, it’s still pretty far to go,” Fitzgibbons said. “There are still a couple of events, but to get a win, it’s an amazing result. To win at Bells too, it’s been an awesome year so far.”</p>
<p>Ho, who was ranked 12th on the ASP Women&#8217;s WCT ratings before the Billabong Rio Pro, had yet to advance beyond the Quarterfinals this year, but her Runner-Up finish to Fitzgibbons vaults the young Hawaiian to 9th in the world and restores her confidence to appropriate levels.</p>
<p>“This result really opens things up for me,” Ho said. “I’ve been having a really tough year and I’m stoked to get into this Final. This is my best result of the year and this has been an important event for me. Congrats to Sally on her win.”</p>
<p>Carissa Moore (HAW), 19, last year’s Billabong Rio Pro winner and reigning ASP Women’s World Champion, was edged out of a hard-fought battle against Fitzgibbons in their high-scoring Semifinal affair. Both competitors posted big-scores in the dying seconds of the heat, but it was Fitzgibbons who earned the best of the exchange, handing Moore and equal 3rd place result.</p>
<p>“I think we all want to make the Final and it’s disappointing,” Moore said. “I’ve lost to Sally (Fitzgibbons) twice this year and I’ve just got to keep trying in the next couple of events and that’s it.”</p>
<p>Moore, who was dominant over the course of 2011, has yet to find a win this year, but remains focused on attaining a strong performance to end out the season.</p>
<p>“I think it’s been a bunch of things this year,” Moore said. “I think finding the right waves is one thing overall and I need to switch it up and bring something different out.”</p>
<p>Alessa Quizon (HAW), 18, Billabong Rio Pro wildcard, put in an incredible performance at this year’s event, tearing through the world’s best female surfers and finding her way into the Semifinals. Quizon put up a good fight against fellow Hawaiian Coco Ho, but ultimately fell during last minute exchange, finishing with a respectable equal 3rd place finish overall.</p>
<p>“This has been an amazing event for me,” Quizon said. “I had nothing to lose and it’s been a great learning experience for me and I’m happy that I made it to the Semifinals. I could tell that Coco (Ho) was getting the scores that she needed and I was looking for one big score and I just didn’t find it. Sometimes it happens that way.”</p>
<p>Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow morning at 7am local time for a possible recommencement to men’s Billabong Rio Pro competition. For all of the LIVE action log on to <a href="http://www.billabongpro.com/">www.billabongpro.com</a></p>
<p>The Billabong Rio Pro is proudly supported by Monster Energy Drink and Xperia Sony Smartphone.</p>
<p>The next stop on the 2012 ASP Women&#8217;s World Championship Tour is the Roxy Pro Biarritz from July 10 &#8211; 14, 2012</p>
<p>For additional ASP information log on to <a href="http://www.aspworldtour.com/">www.aspworldtour.com</a></p>
<p><strong>BILLABONG WOMEN&#8217;S RIO PRO FINAL RESULT:<br />
</strong>1 &#8211; Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 14.10<br />
2 &#8211; Coco Ho (HAW) 14.03</p>
<p><strong>BILLABONG WOMEN’S RIO PRO SEMIFINAL RESULTS:</strong><br />
SF 1: Coco Ho (HAW) 14.16 def. Alessa Quizon (HAW) 10.94<br />
SF 2: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 15.47 def. Carissa Moore (HAW) 15.36</p>
<p><strong>CURRENT ASP WOMEN’S WCT TOP 5 </strong>(After Billabong Rio Pro):<br />
1. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 38,400 pts<br />
2. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 36,900 pts<br />
3. Carissa Moore (HAW) 30,200 pts<br />
4. Courtney Conlogue (USA) 29,600 pts<br />
5. Tyler Wright (AUS) 28,700 pts</td>
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		<title>BILLABONG RIO PRO &#8211; WOMENS ROUND 3 UNDERWAY</title>
		<link>http://www.curl.co.nz/2012/05/13/billabong-rio-pro-womens-round-3-underway/</link>
		<comments>http://www.curl.co.nz/2012/05/13/billabong-rio-pro-womens-round-3-underway/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 13 May 2012 22:21:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.curl.co.nz/?p=7720</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[BARRA DA TIJUCA, Rio de Janeiro/Brazil (Saturday, May 12, 2012) – The Billabong Rio Pro women’s Round 3 action is on at the primary venue of Barra da Tijuca in clean one-to-two foot (.5 metre) waves with the remainder of the event on standby. &#160; Stop No. 3 on the Men’s ASP World Championship Tour [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<iframe class="me-likey" src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.curl.co.nz%2F2012%2F05%2F13%2Fbillabong-rio-pro-womens-round-3-underway%2F&amp;layout=button_count&amp;show_faces=true&amp;width=150&amp;height=24&amp;action=like&amp;font=arial&amp;colorscheme=light" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:150px; height:24px"></iframe><div id="attachment_7721" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://www.curl.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/billa3F.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-7721" title="billa3F" src="http://www.curl.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/billa3F-300x168.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="168" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Pictured: Laura Enever (AUS), 19, will surf in Billabong Rio Pro Heat 4 of Round 3 today</p></div>
<p>BARRA DA TIJUCA, Rio de Janeiro/Brazil (Saturday, May 12, 2012) – The Billabong Rio Pro women’s Round 3 action is on at the primary venue of Barra da Tijuca in clean one-to-two foot (.5 metre) waves with the remainder of the event on standby.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Stop No. 3 on the Men’s ASP World Championship Tour and No. 5 for the women, the Billabong Rio Pro ran Round 1 of men’s competition and Rounds 1 and 2 of women’s action at the backup location of Arpoador and has relocated to the primary site for women’s Round 3.</p>
<p>“We’ve got small, clean waves on offer this morning and will recommence with women’s non-elimination Round 3,” Rich Porta, ASP International Head Judge said. “We’ll reassess conditions before moving into Round 4 and with unfavorable winds and rain for the final day of the women’s waiting period, a Billabong Rio Pro Women’s Champion could be crowned today.&#8221;</p>
<p>American Courtney Conlogue (USA) has already secured her place in the Quarter Finals with a win over Tyler Wright (AUS), 18, and Alessa Quizon (HAW), 18, in Heat 1 of Round 3.</p>
<p>The Billabong Rio Pro holds a waiting period from May 9 through 20 while the women’s waiting period runs from May 9 through 13. To watch the event LIVE log on to <a href="http://www.billabongpro.com">www.billabongpro.com</a></p>
<p>The Billabong Rio Pro is proudly supported by Monster Energy Drink and Xperia Sony Smartphone.</p>
<p>For additional ASP information log on to <a href="http://www.aspworldtour.com">www.aspworldtour.com</a></p>
<p>BILLABONG RIO PRO WOMEN’S ROUND 3 MATCH-UPS:<br />
Heat 1: Tyler Wright (AUS), Courtney Conlogue (USA), Alessa Quizon (HAW)<br />
Heat 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Lakey Peterson (USA), Coco Ho (HAW)<br />
Heat 3: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Malia Manuel (HAW), Rebecca Woods (AUS)<br />
Heat 4: Carissa Moore (HAW), Laura Enever (AUS), Pauline Ado (FRA)</p>
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		<title>BILLABONG RIO PRO &#8211; WOMENS ROUND 2</title>
		<link>http://www.curl.co.nz/2012/05/13/billabong-rio-pro-womens-round-2/</link>
		<comments>http://www.curl.co.nz/2012/05/13/billabong-rio-pro-womens-round-2/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 13 May 2012 22:07:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.curl.co.nz/?p=7715</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Thursday, May 10, 2012) – The Billabong Rio Pro returned to the lefthanders of Arpoador today to complete Round 2 of women’s competition in challenging one-to-three foot (0.5 metre) waves. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 24, four-time ASP Women’s World Champion and current frontrunner, found herself in unfamiliar territory, yesterday forced into do-or-die Round 2 by rampaging [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<iframe class="me-likey" src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.curl.co.nz%2F2012%2F05%2F13%2Fbillabong-rio-pro-womens-round-2%2F&amp;layout=button_count&amp;show_faces=true&amp;width=150&amp;height=24&amp;action=like&amp;font=arial&amp;colorscheme=light" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:150px; height:24px"></iframe><div id="attachment_7716" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://www.curl.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/billaF.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-7716" title="billaF" src="http://www.curl.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/billaF-300x168.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="168" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Pictured: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 24, four time ASP Women’s World Champion, took out her Billabong Rio Pro Round 2 heat over veteran competitor Melanie Bartels (HAW), 30, while posting the day’s highest heat-total of 16.70 out of 20. Credit: ASP/DUNBAR</p></div>
<p>Thursday, May 10, 2012) – The Billabong Rio Pro returned to the lefthanders of Arpoador today to complete Round 2 of women’s competition in challenging one-to-three foot (0.5 metre) waves.</p>
<p>Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 24, four-time ASP Women’s World Champion and current frontrunner, found herself in unfamiliar territory, yesterday forced into do-or-die Round 2 by rampaging wildcard Alessa Quizon (Haw), 18, of Hawaii. She admitted that the combination of jet lag and the tight takeoff zone of Arpoador provided additional challenges.</p>
<p>Today however, Gilmore regained form, commanding her Round 2 bout against another Hawaiian, Melanie Bartels (HAW) &#8211; earning one of the day’s highest single-wave scores of 8.50 out of 10 en route to the highest heat total of the Round, 16.70 out of 20, with her fluid backhand approach.</p>
<p>“I was pretty worried going into that heat because the waves were just so minimal,” Gilmore said. “Performance-wise, when it’s inconsistent and very hard to surf, there are so many things going through your mind. It was really nerve-wracking, especially going against Mel Bartels, she’s one of my favorite surfers and I was nervous.”</p>
<p>“The girls really were hassling really hard yesterday,” Gilmore said. “When you’re sitting next to the rock you’re basically pushing each other on to that rock. It’s like a weird war out there and young Alessa (Quizon), it’s her first World Tour event, I think and I was still pretty jet-lagged after that first one.”</p>
<p>Coco Ho (HAW), 21, bounced back this afternoon from yesterday’s difficult Round 1 loss, and was responsible for some of the day’s highest scores. Ho caught only two waves in her heat, but managed to post the day’s highest single-wave score of 8.57 out of 10 and nearly matched Gilmore’s two-wave total with a combined 16.57 out of 20 in her heat win over New Zealand’s Sarah Mason (NZL), 17.</p>
<p>“Aproador is pretty fun when there are waves, it was just inconsistent and scary for a heat,” Ho said. “I got my two, so I’m really stoked. I’m really happy that I just got to surf, because in my Round 1 heat, I didn’t even get to surf.”</p>
<p>Ho, current No. 12 on the ASP Women’s WCT rankings, is coming off of her season-best result of a 5th place finish in Sydney and is looking to climb the rankings with a solid performance at the Billabong Rio Pro.</p>
<p>“I’m looking for a good result here in Brazil,” Ho said. “I’m pretty comfortable in these waves and I’ve had good results in the Star events here. My results in Brazil are what got me on tour a few years ago and I’m just hoping to keep my consistency throughout the event.”</p>
<p>Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 21, runner-up at last year’s Billabong Rio Pro, returned to form this afternoon, getting the best of veteran Jacqueline Silva (BRA), 32, despite the inconsistent conditions in her heat.</p>
<p>Silva was Brazil&#8217;s only representative in the women&#8217;s division of the Billabong Rio Pro and is still searching for the form she held prior to injuring herself in a car accident near Bells Beach, Australia last year.</p>
<p>Courtney Conlogue (USA), 19, current No. 4 on the ASP WCT Rankings, advanced to Round 3 of Billabong Rio Pro competition this afternoon with a win over rookie surfer Justine Dupont (FRA), 20, with solid backhand surfing at Arpoador. Conlogue is fresh off of her maiden ASP WCT victory at the last even in Sydney, Australia.</p>
<p>Billabong Rio Pro event organizers will reconvene tomorrow morning at 8am local time at the primary site of Barra da Tijuca to assess conditions for at possible 8:30am start.</p>
<p>The Billabong Rio Pro is proudly supported by Monster Energy Drink and Xperia Sony Mobile Smartphone.</p>
<p>BILLABONG RIO PRO WOMEN’S ROUND 2 RESULTS:<br />
Heat 1: Pauline Ado (FRA) 10.00 def. Paige Hareb (NZL) 8.17<br />
Heat 2: Laura Enever (AUS) 12.96 def. Sage Erickson (USA) 12.23<br />
Heat 3: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 16.70 def. Melanie Bartels (HAW)<br />
Heat 4: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 12.60 def. Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 5.30<br />
Heat 5: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 14.17 def. Justine Dupont (FRA) 10.47<br />
Heat 6: Coco Ho (HAW) 16.57 def. Sarah Mason (NZL) 10.00</p>
<p>BILLABONG RIO PRO WOMEN’S ROUND 3 MATCH-UPS:<br />
Heat 1: Tyler Wright (AUS), Courtney Conlogue (USA), Alessa Quizon (HAW)<br />
Heat 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Lakey Peterson (USA), Coco Ho (HAW)<br />
Heat 3: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Malia Manuel (HAW), Rebecca Woods (AUS)<br />
Heat 4: Carissa Moore (HAW), Laura Enever (AUS), Pauline Ado (FRA)<br />
TV NEWSFEEDS</p>
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		<title>Red Bull&#8217;s Maya Gabeira wins fifth Billabong XXL Award</title>
		<link>http://www.curl.co.nz/2012/05/13/red-bulls-maya-gabeira-wins-fifth-billabong-xxl-award/</link>
		<comments>http://www.curl.co.nz/2012/05/13/red-bulls-maya-gabeira-wins-fifth-billabong-xxl-award/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 13 May 2012 22:03:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[Women&#039;s Performance Nominees in the 2012 Billabong XXL Big Wave Awards Runtime1:56 Views13,842 Team Updates Bilalbong Women&#8217;s Performance category packed with solid year-long entries Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 10 May, 2012 : &#8211; - Brazilian Maya Gabeira won her fifth Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Award last Friday after beating Americans Paige Alms, Keala Kennelly [...]]]></description>
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<div id="attachment_7710" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://www.curl.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/redF.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-7710" title="redF" src="http://www.curl.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/redF-300x168.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="168" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Maya Gabeira © Carlos Serrao / Red Bull Content Pool</p></div>
<p>Team Updates</p>
<p>Bilalbong Women&#8217;s Performance category packed with solid year-long entries</p>
<p>Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 10 May, 2012 : &#8211; - Brazilian Maya Gabeira won her fifth Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Award last Friday after beating Americans Paige Alms, Keala Kennelly and Savannah Shaughnessy. Maya Gabeira had already won four Billabong XXL awards in a row between 2007 and 2010, but the 25-year-old says this year&#8217;s victory was extra special. She picked up her gong at the awards ceremony in Anaheim, California.</p>
<p>&#8220;This has been the best year ever in women&#8217;s surfing,&#8221; said Maya. &#8220;I am very honoured to win this award because the sport has evolved so much. I&#8217;ve been coming here for six years now and usually there are one or two standouts. This time the level was so much higher with all five nominees being solid entries.&#8221; Nathan Fletcher, who was profiled in Surfer in January, took home the award for Ride of the Year after conquering the monster swells of Teahupoo, Tahiti, on August 27, 2011.</p>
<p>&#8220;I didn&#8217;t expect that from myself,&#8221; said Fletcher. &#8220;The wave at Teahupoo was pure fate. Somehow it just popped up and I was the one who got it. Somehow, I&#8217;m not sure how, maybe Sion [Milosky, the former award winner who drowned in 2011] gave it to me. I can&#8217;t believe it. I guess it is a result of all the hard work and I&#8217;m very appreciative of that.&#8221;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.redbull.com">www.redbull.com</a></p>
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		<title>It&#8217;s grommet season: Kiwis name six new champions</title>
		<link>http://www.curl.co.nz/2012/05/10/its-grommet-season-kiwis-name-six-new-champions/</link>
		<comments>http://www.curl.co.nz/2012/05/10/its-grommet-season-kiwis-name-six-new-champions/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 May 2012 22:22:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[It&#8217;s grommet season: Kiwis name six new champions 9 May, 2012 : &#8211; - The final surfer ratings for the 2012 New Zealand Grommet Series have been completed with six new champions confirmed after five events took place throughout New Zealand during summer and Autumn. The accolades were dominated by Bay of Plenty surfers who [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<iframe class="me-likey" src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.curl.co.nz%2F2012%2F05%2F10%2Fits-grommet-season-kiwis-name-six-new-champions%2F&amp;layout=button_count&amp;show_faces=true&amp;width=150&amp;height=24&amp;action=like&amp;font=arial&amp;colorscheme=light" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:150px; height:24px"></iframe><p>It&#8217;s grommet season: Kiwis name six <a href="http://www.surfersvillage.com/surfing/56261/news.htm">new</a> champions</p>
<div id="attachment_3177" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://www.nzsurfmag.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/grommetF.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-3177" title="grommetF" src="http://www.nzsurfmag.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/grommetF-300x168.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="168" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Dune Kennings © Keone Campbell</p></div>
<p>9 May, 2012 : &#8211; - The final surfer ratings for the 2012 New Zealand Grommet Series have been completed with six new champions confirmed after five events took place throughout New Zealand during summer and Autumn. The accolades were dominated by Bay of Plenty surfers who rose to the top in three of the six divisions contested at the events, Kehu Butler (Arataki) being responsible for two titles in the Under 12 and 14 Boys and Elin Tawharu (Mnt) winning the Under 12 Girls.</p>
<p>However the top accolades in the under 16 divisions went to Whangamata and Gisborne with Dune Kennings (WGM) and Jasmine Smith (Gis) both claiming the number one ranking after their performances at the final event of the series &#8211; the Quiksilver King of the Groms held at Gisborne at the end of April.</p>
<p>Both surfers went into the final event trailing leaders Elliot Paerata &#8211; Reid (Piha) and Gabriela Sansom (Albany). With everything on the line, Kennings took the victory in the Under 16 Boys Division while Smith placed second in the Under 16 Girls Division gaining enough points to surpass Sansom who was eliminated in the early rounds.</p>
<p>Kennings who was defending his title from 2011 finished the series with identical placings to Paerata &#8211; Reid but gained more points by winning the higher rated National Championships held at Piha in January. Kennings and Paerata &#8211; Reid finished with two wins, two runner up placings and a third each.</p>
<p>Smith finished with one win, three runner ups and a fourth placing, the only surfer in her division to feature in all five finals. Smith placed tenth overall in 2011 surfing up a division from the Under 14 Girls. The top ten placings for the boys comprised a spread of talent with surfers coming from Northland, Auckland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Taranaki and Christchurch.</p>
<p>Whangamata&#8217;s McKenzie Bowden claimed third overall in the Under 16 Boys Division, up 13 places from 2011 and he was the only other surfer to claim a victory in 2012. Other big movers included fourth placed Jordan Griffin (Mnt) who jumped six places while fifth placed Caleb Braithwaite (Whakatane) jumped 19 places and sixth placed Joe Palmer (Kerikeri) jumped 25 places.</p>
<p>Meanwhile in the girls division, surfers from Auckland and Gisborne dominated the top five placings with the Sansom twins Gabriela and Bianca filling second and third, emerging talent Claudia Fraser (Piha) in fourth and Dayna Story (Gis) in fifth.</p>
<p>The outstandingly talented Kehu Butler took two titles. Despite his spritely young age of only 12, Butler won three events and placed runner up in two others in the Under 14 Boys Division. His record was slightly better in the Under 12 Boys where he won three events and placed runner up in the other. His closest rival in the Under 14 Boys was national champion Manu Scott &#8211; Arrieta (Sandy Bay) who could only capture the single win with Taranaki surfer Isaac Kettle the other to take a win. Kettle finished the season in third place.</p>
<p>Milly Crewe (Muriwai) took the honours in the Under 14 Girls Division over good friend Britt Kindred (Muriwai) after she won one of the three events. Third placed surfer Abby Falwasser &#8211; Logan (Gis) claimed two victories during the series but was absent from the first event of the year.</p>
<p>Elin Tawharu (Mnt) took the spoils in the Under 12 Girls Division which was dominated by her friends from the Bay of Plenty who filled the top four. The New Zealand Grommet Series comprises the National Championships, the three-event Billabong Grom Series and the Quiksilver King of the Groms. Not all divisions are contested at some events.  Set out below are the top ranked surfers from each of the six divisions contested. Full ratings can be viewed here.</p>
<p>Under 16 Boys Top 10<br />
1, Dune Kennings (Whmata)<br />
2, Elliot Paerata &#8211; Reid (Piha)<br />
3, McKenzie Bowden (Whmata)<br />
4, Jordan Griffin (Mnt)<br />
5, Caleb Braithwaite (Whtane)<br />
6, Joe Palmer (Kerikeri)<br />
7, Matt McGreggor (Whngrei)<br />
8, Harrison Whiteside (ChCh)<br />
9, Taylor Hutchison (Rag)<br />
10, Mahorahora McLeod (Waitara)</p>
<p>Under 14 Boys Top 5<br />
1, Kehu Butler (Arataki)<br />
2, Manu Scott-Arrieta (Sandy Bay)<br />
3, Isaac Kettle (Tara)<br />
4, Daniel Farr (Tara)<br />
5, Taine Craig &#8211; Ranga (Waihi Bch)</p>
<p>Under 12 Boys Top 5<br />
1, Kehu Butler (Arataki)<br />
2, Tane Bowden (Whmata)<br />
3, Lee Ririnui (Mnt)<br />
4, Jared Gebert (Ohope)<br />
5, William Barnes (Mnt)</p>
<p>Under 16 Girls Top 5<br />
1, Jasmine Smith (Gis)<br />
2, Gabriela Sansom (Auck)<br />
3, Bianca Sansom (Auck)<br />
4, Claudia Fraser (Auck)<br />
5, Dayna Story (Gis)</p>
<p>Under 14 Girls Top 5<br />
1, Milly Crewe (Muri)<br />
2, Britt Kindred (Muri)<br />
3, Abby Falwasser &#8211; Logan (Gis)<br />
4, Raiha Ensor (Mnt)<br />
5, Jenny Rockwell (Auck)</p>
<p>Under 12 Girls Top 5<br />
1, Elin Tawharu (Mnt)<br />
2, Kea Smith (Tau)<br />
3, Iritana Butler (Arataki)<br />
4, Tiana &#8211; Breeze de Mooij (Mnt)<br />
5, Gabrielle Paul (Auck)</p>
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		<title>Ella Williams surfed her way to 2nd place at the International GromSearch Final</title>
		<link>http://www.curl.co.nz/2012/05/09/ella-williams-surfed-her-way-to-2nd-place-at-the-international-gromsearch-final/</link>
		<comments>http://www.curl.co.nz/2012/05/09/ella-williams-surfed-her-way-to-2nd-place-at-the-international-gromsearch-final/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 May 2012 01:48:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[After an epic day of big storm surf waves at Bells Beach and progressive surfing performances by a crop of the world&#8217;s best young surfers, Dylan Lightfoot (17, South Africa) and Tatiana Wetson-Webb (15, Kauai, Hawaii) emerged victorious at the Rip Curl International GromSearch. In the Boys Final, Lightfoot scored an 8.5 and an 8.43 [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<iframe class="me-likey" src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.curl.co.nz%2F2012%2F05%2F09%2Fella-williams-surfed-her-way-to-2nd-place-at-the-international-gromsearch-final%2F&amp;layout=button_count&amp;show_faces=true&amp;width=150&amp;height=24&amp;action=like&amp;font=arial&amp;colorscheme=light" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:150px; height:24px"></iframe><p>After an epic day of big storm surf waves at Bells Beach and progressive surfing performances by a crop of the world&#8217;s best young surfers, Dylan Lightfoot (17, South Africa) and Tatiana Wetson-Webb (15, Kauai, Hawaii) emerged victorious at the Rip Curl International GromSearch. In the Boys Final, Lightfoot scored an 8.5 and an 8.43 on two impressive rides which saw him tear apart the burly Bells waves on offer. Brazil&#8217;s Filipe Toledo was nipping at his heels the entire Final. After demolishing his third wave for a 9.33, Toledo nearly caught a potentially heat-winning wave in the dying seconds, but came up less than a point short with a 6.73 score. Cameron Richards (USA) finished third, with a total heat score of 13.00, and Tommy Boucaut (AUS) took fourth with 8.93. In the Girls Final, Wetson-Webb sealed victory on her final wave of the heat, scoring a 8.33 for a series of powerful turns on a ride all the way through the Bowl and to the beach. Wetson-Webb finished with 14.00, followed by Ella Williams (New Zealand) in second with 12.23, Stephania Single (AUS) in third place with 11.33, and Leticia Canales (Spain) in fourth place with 7.00. Rip Curl International GromSearch Boys Final, 1st Dylan Lightfoot (ZAF) 16.93, 2nd Filipe Toledo (BRA) 16.06 3rd Cameron Richards (USA) 13.00 4th Tommy Boucaut (AUS) 8.93. Rip Curl International GromSearch Girls Final 1st Tatiana Wetson-Webb (HAW) 14.00, 2nd Ella Williams (NZ) 12.23, 3rd Stephania Single (AUS) 11.33, 4th Leticia Canales (EUK) 7.00</p>

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		<title>Nathan Fletcher won Monster Tube and Ride of the Year categories of 2012 billabong XXL Big Wave Awards</title>
		<link>http://www.curl.co.nz/2012/05/05/nathan-fletcher-won-monster-tube-and-ride-of-the-year-categories-of-2012-billabong-xxl-big-wave-awards/</link>
		<comments>http://www.curl.co.nz/2012/05/05/nathan-fletcher-won-monster-tube-and-ride-of-the-year-categories-of-2012-billabong-xxl-big-wave-awards/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 06 May 2012 04:46:24 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description><![CDATA[Friday, May 4, 2012 (Anaheim, CA, USA): A new world surfing record has been recognized at the Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards fueled by Monster Energy, with Hawaiian surfer Garrett McNamara (Haleiwa, Hawaii) winning the Biggest Wave Award for a wave measured by experts as 78ft. The Haleiwa surfer rode the wave at Paraia [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<iframe class="me-likey" src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.curl.co.nz%2F2012%2F05%2F05%2Fnathan-fletcher-won-monster-tube-and-ride-of-the-year-categories-of-2012-billabong-xxl-big-wave-awards%2F&amp;layout=button_count&amp;show_faces=true&amp;width=150&amp;height=24&amp;action=like&amp;font=arial&amp;colorscheme=light" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:150px; height:24px"></iframe><p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong></p>
<div id="attachment_3144" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://www.nzsurfmag.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/nathanT.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-3144" title="nathanT" src="http://www.nzsurfmag.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/nathanT-300x168.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="168" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Nathan Fletcher (San Juan Capistrano, California) won bot Monster Tube and Ride of the Year categories of the 2012 Billabong XXL big wave awards with this epic barrel at Teahupoo, Tahiti.</p></div>
<p></strong></p>
<p><strong>Friday, May 4, 2012 (Anaheim, CA, USA): </strong>A new world surfing record has been recognized at the Billabong<strong> </strong>XXL Global Big Wave Awards fueled by Monster Energy, with Hawaiian surfer Garrett McNamara (Haleiwa, Hawaii) winning the Biggest Wave Award for a wave measured by experts as 78ft.<br />
The Haleiwa surfer rode the wave at Paraia do Norte off the coast of Portugal on 1<sup>st</sup> November 2011, eclipsing the previous record held by Californian Mike Parsons who in 2008 rode a 77ft wave at Cortes Bank, California.</p>
<p>The actual height of McNamara’s wave was decided by a panel of big wave surfing and photography experts, who painstakingly examined and measured the photographs and video images of his ride.</p>
<p>“It’s amazing we get to do what we do, I am so grateful. The world record doesn’t mean as much to me, this is for the town of Nazaré and Portugal and for all my family and friends there. To be able to give them something to be proud of and inspire them, a world record for this town doing it tough in the middle of nowhere is great,” said Mcnamara.</p>
<p>“I didn’t want to get caught up in it all, but I have to tell you the truth, when they announced my name I got a bigger rush than probably on all the waves I rode this year.”</p>
<p>In addition to his Biggest Wave Award, McNamara also claimed the Verizon Wipeout of the Year Award for a disastrous looking attempt to ride a huge wave at Jaws on Maui, Hawaii in January of this year. With the wind blowing his surfboard off course and water obscuring his vision, McNamara found himself cart-wheeling head over heels into a watery abyss.</p>
<p>The wipeout eclipsed other horrifying entries from Tahiti, Tasmania and West Australia.</p>
<p>“You gotta choose where you are comfortable and how you want to die. Jaws is actually really deep and pretty safe compared to the wipeouts Nathan (Fletcher), Bruce (Irons) and all the guys had in Tahiti. When you are scraped on the reef you are dead. At Jaws you have deep water and some guy is probably going to scoop in on the jet-ski, pick you up and give you a little kiss. It all depends where you are comfortable,” explained McNamara.</p>
<p>While McNamara’s rides have earned him mainstream acclaim, Nathan Fletcher (San Juan Capistrano, California, USA) walked away with the industry night’s biggest prize, the 35 year-old goofy-foot winning the prestigious, blue ribbon Sony Xperia Ride of the Year award and $50,000. Fletcher also became the first surfer in the 12-year history of Billabong XXL Awards to win three awards in the one night.</p>
<p>The same massive wave Fletcher rode at Teahupo’o in Tahiti on 27th August 2011 that earned him Xperia Ride of the Year, also won him the Monster Tube Award. In addition Fletcher was presented with the Surfline Best Performance Award (Male) that honors the surfer showing the most consistency during the last 12 months. The humble Fletcher is a true ‘surfers-surfer’, short on words, but held in high regard by his surfing peers and the global big wave fraternity for his relentless charging.</p>
<p>“I definitely didn&#8217;t expect to be up for an award, let alone three. It’s a huge honor. I didn&#8217;t expect that out of myself,” he said.</p>
<p>“The wave at Teahupoo was pure fate. Somehow it just popped up and I was the one who got it. Somehow, I’m not sure, maybe Sion (former award winner, Sion Milosky who drowned in 2011), gave it to me. I can&#8217;t believe it. I guess it is all the result of hard work and I am very appreciative of that,” added Fletcher.</p>
<p>Hawaiian Dave Wassel secured the Monster Paddle Award honoring the surfer catching a single big wave without motorized, jet-ski assistance.</p>
<p>“For me this is like a lifetime achievement award. I’ve been using my arms since the day I was born and I’m very, very proud. I’m extremely honored, especially considering the mountain of people who strive for this award. To me it makes this the most prestigious award. Jetskis have their place, but the bottom line is I’ll grab a rope if I have to when I&#8217;m 40, but I&#8217;m not there yet. I’m just using what God gave me,” said Wassal.</p>
<p>Female surfer Maya Gabeira from Brazil won her fifth overall Girls Best Performance Award in Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Award history. Gabeira won four consecutive awards between 2007 and 2010.</p>
<p>“It’s special this year. This has been the best year ever in women’s surfing. I am very honored to win this award because the sport has evolved so much. I have been coming here for six years now and usually there are one or two standouts. This time the level is so much higher with all five nominees being solid entries,” said Gabeira.</p>
<p>In all, over $100,000 in cash and prizes was awarded to the world’s greatest big wave surfers in this the 12th edition of the Billabong XXL Awards<strong> </strong>fueled by Monster Energy.<br />
Sporting celebrities including the likes of skateboarding legend Tony Hawk and fighter Tito Ortiz, model Erin Wasson, and musicians Dave Grohl and Tayler Hawkins were among the long list of big-name presenters and entertainers.</p>
<p>Other top surfers that were nominated for awards were Kohl Christensen (Haleiwa, Hawaii) who distinguished himself with numerous outstanding sessions from Fiji to Chile to Hawaii and Greg Long (San Clemente, California) who was a contender in the Ride of the Year category for a spectacular paddle-in barrel at Puerto Escondido, Mexico. Long was also in contention for the Surfline Best Overall Performance.</p>
<p>Verizon Wireless is the official communications provider and XPERIA Sony Smartphone is the official cell phone supporter. <a href="http://Surfline.com/">Surfline.com</a> is the exclusive surf forecast of the XXL and Contour the exclusive provider of point of view cameras. The event is sponsored by Air Tahiti Nui airlines, Surfing Magazine and Pelican Products.</p>
<p><strong>HIGH RES WINNER ACTION PHOTOS &amp; AWARDS PHOTOS AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD FROM THIS LINK:</strong><strong><br />
</strong><a href="http://media.premiummedia.com.au/url/?l=1s1X1h1c0z1m0j0n0t0n0x1r1X1h1c0z0n0n0r0m0x1g1s1s1o1r0w0l0l1v1v1v0k1c1q1n1o1a1n1w0k1b1n1l0l1f1Z1k1k1d1q1x0l0n0p0v0m0u0p0q0l0n0l141h1k1k1Z1a1n1m1f0b0o0m1Q1Q1E0b0o0m131v1Z1q1c1r0b0o0m0o0m0n0o111g0z0r0o0r1b0o1b">https://www.dropbox.com/gallery/1390834/1/Billabong%20XXL%20Awards%202012?h=525c2c</a></p>
<p><a href="http://media.premiummedia.com.au/url/?l=1s1X1h1c0z1m0j0n0t0n0x1r1X1h1c0z0n0n0r0m0x1g1s1s1o1r0w0l0l1v1v1v0k1x1n1t1r1d1m1c1h1s0k1b1n1l0l1c1k111o1g1h1X1Z1b1s1h1n1m0z1Z1o1o0l1n1q1b1g1d1r1s1q1Z1s1d161n1v1m1k1n1Z1c0c1q1t1q1k0z1g1s1s1o1r0b0o0r0p130b0o0r0o180b0o0r0o181v1v1v0k1x1n1t1r1d1m1c1h1s0k1b1n1l0b0o0r0o181s1q1Z1m1r1e1d1q0k1o1g1o0b0o0r0p181Z1b1s1h1n1m0b0o0r0p161a1Z1s1b1g1X1c1n1v1m1k1n1Z1c0b0o0r0o0s1r1d1m1c1X1h1c0b0o0r0p160n0q0v0r0r0u0s0m0o0p0b0o0r0o0s1d1l1Z1h1k0b0o0r0p160v0m0n0s1Z0o0v0u0n1b1d0r1a0s0o1Z1d0o0s1e0r1Z0s0s1e0p1c1d0t1d0r0m0c1r0z0n0v0n0m0r0c1b1h1c0z1s1w0j0m0o0m0m0o0o0m0u0p0r0m0o0m0m0m0m0m0m0m0m"><strong>TO DOWNLOAD TV NEWS FEED HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE XXL AWARDS, CLICK HERE:</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="http://media.premiummedia.com.au/url/?l=1s1X1h1c0z1m0j0n0t0n0x1r1X1h1c0z0n0n0r0m0x1g1s1s1o1r0w0l0l1v1v1v0k1x1n1t1r1d1m1c1h1s0k1b1n1l0l1c1k111o1g1h1X1Z1b1s1h1n1m0z1Z1o1o0l1n1q1b1g1d1r1s1q1Z1s1d161n1v1m1k1n1Z1c0c1q1t1q1k0z1g1s1s1o1r0b0o0r0p130b0o0r0o180b0o0r0o181v1v1v0k1x1n1t1r1d1m1c1h1s0k1b1n1l0b0o0r0o181s1q1Z1m1r1e1d1q0k1o1g1o0b0o0r0p181Z1b1s1h1n1m0b0o0r0p161a1Z1s1b1g1X1c1n1v1m1k1n1Z1c0b0o0r0o0s1r1d1m1c1X1h1c0b0o0r0p160n0q0v0r0r0u0s0m0o0p0b0o0r0o0s1d1l1Z1h1k0b0o0r0p160v0m0n0s1Z0o0v0u0n1b1d0r1a0s0o1Z1d0o0s1e0r1Z0s0s1e0p1c1d0t1d0r0m0c1r0z0n0v0n0m0r0c1b1h1c0z1s1w0j0m0o0m0m0o0o0m0u0p0r0m0o0m0m0m0m0m0m0m0m">https://www.yousendit.com/dl?phi_action=app/orchestrateDownload&amp;rurl=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.yousendit.com%252Ftransfer<br />
.php%253Faction%253Dbatch_download%2526send_id%253D149<br />
5586023%2526email%253D9016a2981ce5b62ae26f5a66f3de7e50&amp;<br />
s=19105&amp;cid=tx-02002208350200000000</a><br />
<strong>2012 BILLABONG XXL BIG WAVE AWARDS RESULTS</strong></p>
<p><strong>SONY XPERIA RIDE OF THE YEAR AWARD</strong><strong><br />
</strong><strong>WINNER: Nathan Fletcher</strong> (San Juan Capistrano, California, USA) at Teahupoo, Tahiti on August 27, 2011. ($50,000)<br />
Video by Simon Saffigna ($5,000)</p>
<p><strong>SECOND PLACE: Ryan Hipwood </strong>(Gold Coast, Australia) at Cloudbreak, Fiji on July 12, 2011. ($5,000)<strong><br />
</strong><strong>THIRD PLACE: Greg Long</strong> (San Clemente, California, USA) at Puerto Escondido, Mexico on May 19, 2011. ($1,500)<strong><br />
</strong><strong>FOURTH PLACE: Jeff Rowley</strong> (Torquay, Victoria, Australia) at Jaws, Maui, Hawaii on January 30, 2012. ($1,500)<strong><br />
</strong><strong>FIFTH PLACE: Garrett McNamara</strong> (Haleiwa, Hawaii, USA) at Praia do Norte, Nazaré, Portugal on November 1, 2011. ($1,500)</p>
<p><strong>MONSTER PADDLE AWARD</strong><strong><br />
</strong><strong>Dave Wassel</strong> (Kaneohe, Hawaii, USA) at Jaws, Maui, Hawaii on January 4, 2012. ($15,000)<br />
Photo by Mike Neal. ($4,000)</p>
<p><strong>BILLABONG XXL BIGGEST WAVE AWARD</strong><strong><br />
</strong><strong>Garrett McNamara </strong>(Haleiwa, Hawaii, USA) at Priaia do Norte, Nazaré, Portugal on November 1, 2011. ($15,000)<br />
Photo by Wilson Ribeiro. ($4,000)</p>
<p><strong>MONSTER TUBE AWARD</strong><br />
<em>(Surfer prize $5,000 -  Still photography prize $2,000)</em><strong> </strong><strong><br />
</strong><strong>Nathan Fletcher</strong> (San Juan Capistrano, California, USA) at Teahupoo, Tahiti on August 27, 2011. ($5,000)<br />
Photo by Brian Bielmann. ($2,000)</p>
<p><strong>SURFLINE BEST PERFORMANCE AWARD</strong><strong><br />
</strong><strong>Nathan Fletcher</strong> (San Juan Capistrano, California, USA) &#8211; $5,000<strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong><strong> </strong><strong>BILLABONG GIRLS BEST PERFORMANCE AWARD</strong><strong><br />
</strong><strong>Maya Gabeira</strong> (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) &#8211; $5,000</p>
<p><strong>VERIZON WIPEOUT OF THE YEAR AWARD</strong><strong><br />
</strong><strong>Garrett McNamara</strong> (Haleiwa, Hawaii, USA) at Jaws, Maui, Hawaii on January 4, 2012. ($2,000)<br />
Video by Elliot Leboe.  ($1,000)</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Swatch Girls on Tour &#8211; Episode Two</title>
		<link>http://www.curl.co.nz/2012/05/02/swatch-girls-on-tour-episode-two/</link>
		<comments>http://www.curl.co.nz/2012/05/02/swatch-girls-on-tour-episode-two/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 03 May 2012 00:50:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[Swatch Girls on Tour - Episode Two Runtime5:25 Views4,955]]></description>
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		<title>Surfing Highlights Package: Quiksilver King of the Groms &#8211; Gisborne</title>
		<link>http://www.curl.co.nz/2012/05/01/surfing-highlights-package-quiksilver-king-of-the-groms-gisborne/</link>
		<comments>http://www.curl.co.nz/2012/05/01/surfing-highlights-package-quiksilver-king-of-the-groms-gisborne/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2012 04:23:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
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