Strange things going on at Richard Kevnin’s Hydrodynamica web blog including Carl Ekstrom shaping boards with no fins, Derek Hynd at Windansea on Sunday night, and looking forward into the past. Everything you know about surfing may be wrong. . .
[Link: Hyrdrodynamica]
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Volcom had a very large stone balloon that flew for a short while over the streets of Nikeington Huntington Beach, California during the Hurley US Open of Surfing. But somehow it “mysteriously” floated away (who would do such a thing). Now Volcom wants it back.
The balloon was seen last at the US Open in Huntington Beach on Saturday July 25th. The rope mysteriously broke and the balloon took off into the sky. . . Volcom is giving out $250 + a box of Volcom gear for the person who finds the balloon and gives it back. If you find the balloon, please contact us at 949-646-2175 and we’ll hook you up.
Those in Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Anaheim or Placentia (or Pamona or Fontana for that matter) might want to look around in the yard a little. Then again, it may be all the way to Salt Lake City by now.
[Update July 29, 2009: According to sources, the Volcom balloon is now in the possession of the Huntington Beach Police department. After the rope was allegedly cut the balloon drifted to 17th Street where it landed on a residence. The occupants believed that a plane towing a banner and dropped it on their house so they called the police.
Now, the Huntington Beach Police department along with the FAA are allegedly beginning an investigation into exactly who put numerous small aircraft and passenger jets in danger by cutting the the balloon free from the roof of The Closet.]
[Link: Volcom]
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This morning while writing a post about how good and timely Transworld Surf’s coverage of the 2009 Hurley US Open of Surfing was this year (they had winning photos up minutes after the fact) we popped over to the site to find it completely down for the count. Like, blank white page. Then a while later there was a black page with some old content on it.
Turns out most of the Transworld Media sites were down this morning including Snowboarding, Skateboarding, Surf, and Motocross. As of 11:30 AM PST most of the sites were back up, however, it appears to be from a backup made on July 22, 2009. Most all the US Open content from the final four days is gone.
We’re guessing there are some pretty pissed people right, especially those who labored night and day all week to get it all up.
[Link: Transworld Surf]
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Ogle Vision video was shooting footage of Elite Helicopter Charters off-shore near Pepperdine University in Malibu, California when they spotted a 12-14 foot great white shark, according to video featured on Surfline.com.
Thursday, July 23rd saw the beginnings of a pumping south swell — and a white shark spotted about 300 yards off Malibu. This is on the heels of many sitings at both San O and Sunset Beach in LA.
Watch the video, the thing is huge and just cruising offshore. On the up side we humans wouldn’t even be an appetizer for a great white this size. We’re hoping we’re just not worth the trouble.
[Link: Surfline.com]
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If we were writing a surfing screenplay there would have been no better story than Brett Simpson’s march to the title at the 2009 US Open of Surfing. In a final with very few waves and in front of what will likely be the largest live surfing event crowd ever, the local surfer rocked the world by edges former world champion Mick Fanning to take the $100,000 check in only his second ASP WQS win ever.
Simpson was pretty much beside himself after getting carried up the beach following the finals. “I’d like to thank everybody. You guys are awesome. All the support has been just amazing. Every time you think you’re a little bit tired just t energy level goes up a even more just from hearing everybody,” Simpson said from the stage. “I’d like to thank them and Bob and Paul and everybody at Hurley. It’s my main sponsor and they put on an awesome event. And Rob mentioned they should put in $100 grand and they end up doing it and I end up winning it so it’s even more better.”
Mick Fanning was a gracious in his defeat as he was committed to winning the event. “Brett I was there when you just missed out on qualifying, an mate winning in front of your hometown crowd is amazing,” Fanning said. “I am so stoked for you mate. That’s awesome.”
Brett said that the single most important thing to his win was sleeping at home and being able to run his normal routine even though a contest was going on. He was stoked. “It’s a dream come true,” he said.
Click here for full results from all the US Open events including the women’s event and Pro Jr.’s.
Transworld Surf Photo Gallery and ASP official press release after the jump. . .
[Link: US Open of Surfing]
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etnies’ Pierre Andre had friends over to his Newport Beach loft last night (July 25, 2009) to celebrate the release of “The Malloys” new “eco-friendly” shoe The Jameson. Two out of the three brothers made it (Dan did not) and so did Jamie O’Brien with his manager, and celebrity Tweeter Charlie Smith.
We arrived late (Wahoo’s had already packed up their tacos) and Newport’s finest shut the music down early. But it was a warm summer night in Newport, so who can complain.
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Newport Beach, California’s The Wedge was going off today as a massive swell hit southern California. Sadly, an earlier tip to Boardistan has been confirmed by the Los Angeles Times. A body surfer, Monte Kevin Valantin, 50, of Lawndale died after being thrown against the rocks around noon today July 24, 2009.
The body surfer. . . was taken to Hoag Memorial Hospital about noon in grave condition, said Jennifer Schulz, a spokeswoman for the Newport Beach Fire Department. . . Wedge veterans have left the beach with concussions, fractured vertebrae and broken bones. The waves ricochet off the rocky jetty at the tip of Balboa Peninsula, smashing together in white-frosted peaks that can tower 20 feet.
Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
[Link: LA Times]
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The Hungtington Beach Surfing Walk of Fame in front of Jack’s Surboards got five news members as Hang Ten’s Duke Boyd; four-time world champion Wendy Botha; Fred Hemmings, considered the godfather of professional surfing; Mark Martinson, and local hero Jackie Baxter were recognized for their contributions to surfing, according to a story in the Orange County Register.
A standing room only crowd spilled onto Main Street in front of Jack’s Surfboards as the Surfing Walk of Fame paid tribute to iconic surfers who paved the way for a future generation.
Awards for OC Surfer of the Year were also awarded to Brett Simpson, Joe Aaron, Courtney Conlogue and Andrew Doheny.
[Link: OC Register]
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How many live Internet streams does one surfing event really need? If it’s the 2009 US Open of Surfing apparently it needs a more than a couple.
Hurley is streaming it live on Ustream. Transworld (the official media sponsor) is streaming an “enhanced HD” stream on TransWorld Surf, and then Fuel.TV will be running an “exclusively True HD webcast” on Saturday and Sunday. And the best part? It’s all the same show: the same commentators, same graphics, same angles, same feed.
Great for the viewers like us, not so great for those trying to sell advertising packages around an “exclusive” webcast.
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Mornings are still quiet at the Huntington Beach Pier, but that is all about to change as the weekend crowds (and monster swell) begin to roll in. We cruised the scene early to check things out. Follow the link for more photos from the beginning of the 2009 US Open of Surfing.
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