Surfing

Kelly Slater Officially Accepts Number 10

by The Editors on February 25, 2011

Kellstephresize

Stab Magazine was nice enough to transcribe Kelly Slater’s entire acceptance speech from last night’s ASP World Surfing Awards at the Gold Coast Convention Center in a story titled The King’s Speech. As Kelly is one of the most eloquent, insightful surfers who has ever lived we’d say it is well worth a read. Here is a little slice:

It’s been a magical occasion for me to win this title, in a lot of ways. Y’know, there’s the challenges, the obvious challenges. When I was getting back on the tour after taking a few years off, there was a lot of doubt whether I’d be even in a shot for the title. So at this age, I just turned 39 years old, and half of you guys out there, even to my face, make fun of me for being that old (laughs). It’s funny, ’cause it’s like you see all these changes happen in people over the years, and when I got on tour I was kinda the hated little kid and now I’m like, the loved old guy by all the older guys that used to hate me when I was a little kid. ‘Cause they’re like, “You’re keeping the dream alive mate (in his best Australian accent), for all us old guys.”

Follow the jump for the official ASP press release or click the link for Kelly’s speech.

[Link: Stab Magazine] [click to continue…]

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Chuck Allen HB Paddle Out On Sunday

by The Editors on February 25, 2011

Wp-Content Uploads 2011 02 Chuck AllenFriends and family of NSSA co-founder and USASA founder Chuck Allen, who died on Valentine’s Day, will gather at the Huntington Beach Pier on Sunday, February 27, 2011 at 1 PM (PST) for a paddle out in his memory, according to a post on the NSSA website.

Huntington Beach Pier was a favorite surf break of Chuck’s where he coached the National Champion Huntington Beach High School surf team for many years. One of his greatest achievements was leading the USA Surf Team to a gold medal at the 1984 World Championships which was held in Huntington Beach. Chuck’s contribution to surfing, snowboarding and the entire action sports industry is unparalleled. His wisdom and inspiration has touched the hearts of many.

Click here for his Los Angeles Times obituary or follow the jump for more information on the paddle out and where condolences can be sent. [click to continue…]

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Kelly Slater’s 2011 ASP Head Trip Tour

by The Editors on February 24, 2011

Slater K4250Snapper10Cestari L

Kelly Slater is going to surf at least the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by Land Rover at Snapper Rocks (February 26 – March 9, 2011). No surprise. It is his sponsor’s biggest event. And no different from most years, Kelly is rolling in with his trademarked, time-tested, media friendly ambivalence.

“The waves at Snapper wake me up enough for motivation but I’d love to get another win at the Quiksilver Pro,” Slater said. “Either a great way to go out or to start another campaign! I can’t honestly answer that (my plans for the year) right now. I’ve thought about doing a farewell aloha tour and saying bye to the tour and I’ve thought about retiring after this event for real.”

But he can’t retire before the Quik Pro New York, so he might as well charge it, right? There are really only two possibilities for Snapper. If he wins, he moves on to the next event to see how he does there. Then on to the next and the next and eventually it will be October. The tour will be in Portugal and he’ll lock up number 11, because it’s one better than 10. Then all the old guys can wear their Ke11y shirts with pride and the discussions for 12 will begin.

If, on the outside chance Slater goes out early at Snapper then he’ll be in a serious “can’t-go-out-like-that” position and will need to spend the next couple events battling his way back to a respectable retiring position. Either way we’re all in for another epic first half of the tour no matter what kind of head trip Kelly wants to lay on us. And that’s just the way we like it.

Follow the jump for all the official ASP details including Round 1 heats for the men and the women. [click to continue…]

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Reunion Island Surfer Loses Leg To Shark

by The Editors on February 23, 2011

A 32-year-old surfer at Three Rocks, Saint-Gilles on France’s Reunion Island lost his leg in a shark attack on Saturday, February 6, 2011, according to a story on Underwater Times.

Several surfers in the water at the time of the attack said they heard the man scream for help. The victim reportedly had his leg torn off at the knee. He was said to be conscious when he was evacuated by emergency personnel to the hospital.

This is reportedly the first time there has been a shark attack at Three Rocks.

[Link: Underwater Times via Surfline]

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Alana Blanchard’s Rip Curl Bikini Work

by The Editors on February 16, 2011

Alana Sand

Tonight (February 16, 2011) “smoking hot pro surfer” Alana Blanchard will be on Fuel TV’s The Daily Habit to apparently “catch up on bikinis and her upcoming return to the WCT,” according to Fuel TV.

We’ve never read anything about her “bikini work” before, but a quick look through Rip Curl bikini catalog brought us right up to speed. For Alana’s real fans we recommend the “full-screen” option.

[Link: Rip Curl via Aloha Update]
[click to continue…]

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Quiksilver Pros Go Live On Free TV In Australia

by The Editors on February 16, 2011

106890-FanningAll three Quiksilver Pro events on the ASP 2011 Tour will be broadcast live on free TV in Australia thanks to a deal struck by Australia’s One HD and the company, according to a story in The Australian.

Surfing Australia CEO Andrew Stark said the deal was “monumental”. “As far as sport in Australia is concerned, you absolutely need free-to-air TV,” he told The Australian. “You see the success of netball since they’ve been on free-to-air, and the massive success of V8 Supercars. . . “Our vision is to become mainstream, and this deal is part of that.”

Kind of funny that a broadcast network would step up now that all the events are streamed live on the Internet, but we guess every little bit helps. You hear that ESPN? Maybe Quik can “sponsor” some of your executives and then get a similar deal rolling.

[Link: The Australian]

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Mavericks: The Jay Moriarity Biopic

by The Editors on February 16, 2011

20110215 102636 Jay ViewerWalden Media has announced that Actor Gerard Butler will star and produce a new biopic based on the life of big wave surfer Jay Moriarity. The film will be called Mavericks, according to a story in the Mercury News.

“Mavericks” will focus on the relationship between the veteran surfer Frosty Hesson [to be played by Butler] and his young friend Moriarity as they begin training for Moriarity to ride Mavericks, according to San Francisco big-wave surfer Grant Washburn, who has been involved with the project. . . The film ends with Moriarity finally conquering Mavericks at the age of 15, rather than tracing a story arc all the way to his sad demise as a young man. Filmmakers are looking to cast an unknown actor to play Moriarity.

Sounds like this could be a great addition to the Hollywood surf genre. Click the link for more.

[Link: Mercury News]

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Innerlight’s Yancy Spencer Dies After Surfing

by The Editors on February 16, 2011

Yancy-Spencer-Surfer-Innerlightjpg-Adbf19409970C36CIn more sad news from Valentine’s Day, Innerlight Surf and Skateboard shops owner Yancy Spencer III reportedly died of a heart attack while surfing in Malibu, California, according to a story in the Pensacola News Journal. He was 60 years old.

He was surfing in Malibu when he came ashore with chest pains, Schluter said. . . He called 911, and nearby firefighters rushed to give him CPR. . . Spencer died of an apparent heart attack. . . “He was very healthy, very fit. He surfed every day and paddled every day. That’s what we’re all shocked about,” his brother and partner, J.B. Schluter, said this morning.

Surfer Magazine has called Spencer the “Godfather of Gulf Coast Surfing.” A memorial service will be held for Spencer at Calvary Chapel Gulf Breeze on February 19, 2011. Our thoughts are will Spencer’s family and friends world-wide.

[Link: Pensacola News Journal]

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

ASP: Break’s Over, Back In The Water

by The Editors on February 15, 2011

Smith6265Snapper10Kirstin L

It’s easy to make surfing on the ASP Tour sound like a vacation. How hard could it be to surf a few heats in 11 of the best breaks in the world? But when when you consider that the 2010 tour ended on December 16 and the 2011 season begins on February 26 for the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast it becomes obvious that there really is no off season on the ASP Tour. None.

But Jordy Smith isn’t worried. He’s reportedly “coming off an extended stay in his native South Africa where he has been recharging for the upcoming season, testing out new equipment and becoming mentally and physically prepared for taking on the world’s best.” Extended stay? Maybe for people used to living nowhere longer than four weeks at a time being home for seven weeks qualifies as an “extended stay.” But Jordy is ready:

“I really enjoyed spending Christmas and New Year at home,” Smith said. “It’s been eight years since I last spent the holidays in South Africa. So I made the best of it down in Cape Town with my mates and Blake, my filmer from the USA, and also spent time with my family in Durban.” . . “I have being testing a bunch of boards, just feeling them out regarding different thicknesses, as I have lost eight kilograms this summer working out, surfing and training with my friends.” Smith said. “I have put a lot of time in spinning, jogging, core work and just eating right. Cape Town offers so many different surf breaks at this time of the year, so I have been spending time surfing them up and down the coast and capturing great footage for my new movie.”

Apparently, Jordy is lean, he’s tan, he’s rested and he’s ready for his first world title. Strangely, we’re not sure we’re ready to watching surf contests again. But we’ll probably get over that in about nine days.

Follow the jump for the rest of the release (which oddly includes no quotes from Quiksilver’s number one surfer Kelly Slater but we’re still hoping for a surprise.)
[click to continue…]

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

RIP: USASA Founder Chuck Allen

by The Editors on February 15, 2011

Chuck AllenChuck Allen’s facebook page is getting inundated this morning with messages memorializing the man who did so much to legitimize competitive board sports in the United States and the world.

Allen died yesterday on Valentine’s Day (February 14, 2011) a little after 1 PM following what has been described as complications with emphysema that had seen him hospitalized for approximately a week and a half before his death. He was with his family when he died. Allen was 74 years old.

Allen is best known as co-founder of the National Scholastic Surfing Association in 1978 and as the founder, in 1988, of the United States Amateur Snowboard Association. Lately, with his work as an ambassador at Mountain High Resort, Chuck was one of the biggest promoters of snowboarding in Southern California, but he was so much more to so many people.

Snowboard innovator Jeff Grell posted the following on Allen’s facebook page:

There was never a better friend than Chuck Allen, my mentor, my inspiration and the best sports event professional I have ever had the pleasure of working with. Chuck, you welcomed me into your family and always gave back more than anyone I’ve ever known, I will truly miss you.

Sierra-at-Tahoe General Manager John Rice agreed:

Pioneer, mentor, coach, friend, you have affected the lives of so many people in so many ways with your positive energy and smiles. Your spirit will live on in every kid with board sports dreams, the countless hours you gave through all the years will never be taken for granted.

Our thoughts are with Chuck Allen’s family, especially his wife Chris, his children, grandchildren and his worldwide family of snowboard and surf friends. We will all miss him dearly. We will keep you posted on memorial service information as it becomes available.

[Update February 20, 2011: Chuck Allen was remembered today in the New York Times for a life spent dedicated to education and boardsports.]

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →