by The Editors on November 2, 2009
Apparently, for the past two years Australia’s Stab Magazine and Von Zipper have gotten together to throw a “water themed” party. This year’s was yesterday (November 1, 2009) and it was called Shark Fin Soup.
This year, a barge is parked 50 metres offshore from the Sydney harbour beach of Athol Bay, a beach famous for its white sand, blue water and occasional White Pointer sharks. . . Six cigarette boats pull in close to the party and point their snouts at the barge. On one, Vogue photographer Richard Freeman is shooting two girls for a feature in this magazine’s December issue.
As one of the commenters on the Stabmag.com said, “Shallow, vacuous, self-absorbed, self-important, selfish, extravagant, ridiculous, flamboyant, gay, drug-fuelled, over-the-top stupidity. There are children starving in this world because they can’t find one or two dollars to buy some food. I expect an invite next year.”
Follow the link for all the beautiful people photos.
[Link: Stab Magazine]
by The Editors on November 2, 2009
Reality TV continues to amaze. Loveline’s Dr. Drew has a new show on VH1 called Sex Rehab With Dr. Drew in which a gang of sexually addicted freaks live together in a house and look for solutions. Joining the gang, which includes “a Playmate, a rock drummer, a porn star, a swimsuit model, and the gorgeous wife of a guy who won Rock Star: Supernova” is “one of the world’s top rated surfers and wakeboarders” James Lovett.
It’s truly great for anyone in any public forum to treat masturbation, condom use, STDs, and the tricky connection between sex and emotion as serious subjects worthy of genuine, nonjudgmental discussion. But there’s no denying the more voyeuristic elements of this series.
Nice that Neff can get this kind of quality product placement, huh?
[Link: Entertainment Weekly]
by The Editors on October 31, 2009
On Friday, October 30, 2009, organizer and surfers celebrated the opening of the Mavericks Surf Contest with a ceremonial paddle out. While they were out a “solitary figure appeared our of nowhere, according to a Bruce Jenkin’s story on SFGate.com.
“Out of the mist,” as Evan Slater said with a smile. . . It was Jeff Clark, cruising in on a stand-up paddle board. Clark may be the center of a highly political squabble behind the scenes, but he wanted to give the event his blessing. He said a few words, provided a much-needed jolt of inspiration and then paddled off. . . . “It was a great thing,” said Slater. “Really eased our minds. We know these past few months have really been hard on Jeff, and it was great to know he’s behind us.”
Clark is still not done with Mavericks Surf Ventures (who’s contest waiting period opens tomorrow). In fact, according to Jenkins he is “reportedly preparing legal action.” As we’ve said before. We’d back Jeff.
[Link: SF Gate]
by The Editors on October 31, 2009
Former number five in the world surfer Rob Bain, 47, made a little miscalculation while surfing on October 11, 2009, near his home in Sydney, Australia according to a story in the Sydney Morning Herald. It began with something we’ve all done before. After getting off a wave in shallow water he pushed off the bottom and dove back out toward the line up. Only this time it was a little shallower than he thought.
‘I’d done this a million times before but for some reason I think I was further in on the reef than I thought. As soon as I went under the water I felt my head just full-straight-on smash into the rock. . . ‘‘All the force propelled down through my spine and I felt my whole back explode.’’
Bain miraculously made it back to shore, with a fractured vertebrae, three compressed disks, a broken rib and a gaping head wound. After a week in the hospital he’s very lucky to be alive and walking. Thanks for the reminder, Rob. We hope you get well soon.
[Link: Sydney Morning Herald]
by The Editors on October 30, 2009
Huntington Beach, California police officers have arrested a man and woman who are suspected of robbing the cars of 16 surfers by watching where they hid their keys and then using the keys to get in the car and take what they wanted, according to the OC Register. But the cops got ’em by doing a little watching themselves.
Officers staked out the beach near Pacific Coast Highway and Sixth Street, and waited for a break-in. . . They watched Nathan Pater, 32, of Huntington Beach, take a key from its hiding place and break into a car, where they arrested him, said Sgt. Greg Davis of the Huntington Beach Police Department. . . They also arrested Amber Marie Hintz, 27, of Garden Grove, who acted as the getaway driver, Davis said.
Guess this is what that little pocket in your wetsuit is for.
[Link: OC Register]
by The Editors on October 30, 2009
LG Corp, the giant Korean electronics company has not renewed its presenting sponsor of the Quiksilver Pro on the Gold Coast, according to a story in the Tweed Daily News.
Quiksilver event manager Jamie Wood yesterday confirmed the departure of LG from the first-class event. . . “They did not renew their contract with us,” Mr Wood said. . . LG were presenting-sponsors for the 2008 and 2009 events. . . “We are talking with a number of companies at this time about the presenting-sponsor. . . “We are expecting to make an announcement in the next 30 days.”
As one of Australia (and the world’s) premiere surfing events we doubt the Quik Pro will have much trouble landing a new presenting sponsor.
[Link: Tweed Daily News]
by The Editors on October 29, 2009
After sitting out the men’s side of Rip Curl Pro Search for what seemed like months, we didn’t even get a chance to check in with the women’s event until it was already over. And we’re bummed because we missed seeing Coco Ho, 18, win her first ASP Dream Tour event.
Ho exercised excellent judgment in the Final, patiently waiting while her elder opponent kept herself busy. With conditions deteriorating, the young Hawaiian let loose with a barrage of backhand hits on the dumpy lefthanders, collecting a 7.50 and an 8.33 to combo Hedges and take the win. . . “I knew Chelsea (Hedges) would be dangerous on the left after seeing her this morning getting those barrels,” Ho said. “This afternoon it turned into a more rippable wave and it was hard on the forehand, but I was lucky to get the waves I did.”
Our favorite, Steph Gilmore, lost to Chelsea Hedges in quarter final number two, but she held on to her lead in the ratings. Follow the jump for the rest of the details.
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by The Editors on October 28, 2009
Hey, look: Mick Fanning won the Rip Curl Pro Search. It is his third win this season. Is he unstoppable in this title race? If only Owen Wright hadn’t wrecked his ear drum then we’d might have a little better answer.
“Yesterday was one of the best days of competition I’ve ever seen and we all showed up today and had to adjust our frame of mind to deal with the drop in size and quality,” Fanning said. “I’ve been surfing conditions like this all summer at home so I knew what I had to do out there. I was able to pick off a couple of good scores at the start and then I basically had to sit on Bede (Durbidge) so he didn’t get any back on me.”
Follow the jump for the ASP press release.
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by The Editors on October 27, 2009
ASP and Rip Curl officials are promising that tomorrow will see the end of one of the most drawn out WCT events of the season, as the 2009 Rip Curl Pro Search rolls into the semi-finals. After that it will be up to Pipeline put a cap in the 2009 ASP World Championship Tour season.
Tomorrow kicks off with Bede Durbidge vs. Parko and Owen Wright vs. Mick Fanning in the semi finals. Heat two will definitely be the one to watch if Owen is able to surf after busting his eardrum during his round three heat with Damien Hobgood. Follow the jump for the official ASP press release.
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by The Editors on October 27, 2009
A six-meter long Great White shark regulator is apparently cruising Deadman’s Beach in Queensland, Australia, and taking bites out of other Great Whites according to a story on Metro.co.uk. Swimmers and surfers have been advised to stay out of the water after officials “found the remains of a smaller Great White that bitten almost entirely in half.”
Ashton Smith, a 19-year-old surfer, said: “Whatever attacked and took chunks out of this big shark must be massive. . . .”I’ve heard about the big one that’s lurking out there somewhere. . . “We’re all being very, very cautious and looking out for each other. Some people aren’t going in the water at all.”
Dun dun. . . We think we’d just stay behind the nets for a while.
[Link: Metro.co.uk and Telegraph.co.uk]
