The biggest beach party in the world is kicking off this week at the Huntington Beach Pier with stop six of the women’s championship tour with with Round 1 of the Vans US Open of Surfing.
“The men’s QS Round 1 will run at 7:30 a.m. this morning and then we will run the women’s Round 1 at 11:30 a.m.,” said WSL Deputy Commissioner Jessi Miley-Dyer. “It is a beautiful day in Huntington Beach and the waves are looking fun. We are excited to see the opening rounds kick off. Best of luck to all the competitors.”
If you’re interested in watching the guys and girls surf live, please click here. For the official word from the Vans US Open of Surfing including all the details, please follow the jump.
Coco Ho blasted past Malia Manuel in the finals of the 2016 Paul Mitchell Supergirl Pro at the Ocenside Pier on Sunday, July 24, 2016 to claim her third Supergirl title.
“It’s all a whirlwind!” said Ho, whose win earned her a third iconic Supergirl cape, and her first since the contest became a QS6000. “I’ve never really been labeled as consistent and to be able to prove that wrong with a third win is my biggest milestone.”
Laura Enever finished in third. For the official word from the Paul Mitchell Supergirl Pro, please follow the jump.
The Artists Republic in Laguna Beach, California is pleased to showcase a solo exhibit by surf artist Andy Davis on Saturday evening July 23, 2016.
Andy Davis has made a successful career through his highly recognizable surf inspired art for over twenty years now. His work has been shown in galleries all over the world as well as translating over to clothing design. His trademark surf art has had a cult following since the 90’s and he continues to produce new works out of his studio in Encinitas, CA. Andy says of his work; “[it has] evolved by years and years of being influenced and inspired by things that make me happy. A big part of that is the lifestyle revolving around the ocean.”
The opening party begins at 6 PM. Artists Republic is located at 1175 S. Coast Hwy
in Laguna Beach, CA. If yo missed the opening, please stop by and check out his show during gallery hours, Thurs-Sat 12-6, Sunday 11-5. For more info on Andy, please follow the jump. [click to continue…]
Few know what it’s like to survive a shark attack, but Mick Fanning lived through it last year at Jefferys Bay. That’s why it’s all the more amazing that he was not only able to make the final this year (against 2 John Florence), but able to put all those thoughts of being hit by a shark behind him and focus on the task at hand. We don’t think we’ve ever seen anything more gnarly.
“It’s definitely a very different feeling this win,” said Fanning. “There was a real emotional build up coming back here this year. That Semifinal with Julian was really special and it was wonderful to have a heat with him again. Definitely some emotions went into it paddling out and it was just really special having a surf with him out there and both of us come in safe. I’m stoked that I got to come back and right the wrongs that happened last year. I’ve done that now so I can move on.”
We can say this — we’ve never, ever been more stoked for the three-time world champ than we were today. For the official word from the entertainment business that produced the stage that allowed Mick Fanning to perform, please follow the jump.
Shane Jones was out surfing Huntington Beach, California’s Dog Beach yesterday (June 14, 2016) when he cut out of a wave and started paddling back out only to find a body floating in the water, according to a story in the Orange County Register.
Jones, a Garden Grove surfer and maker of Jonesea wetsuits, jumped into action when he saw the body. . . He paddled up to him and tapped the man’s head three times, each time with no response. Jones, who was a junior lifeguard growing up, said his instincts kicked in to get the man to shore. . . “I grabbed him and started charging toward the surfline,” he said. “He was lifeless. I saw his eyes, they were glazed over and blue. I had to get him to shore.”
Easier thought than done seeing as the man weighed close to 300 pounds. Eventually, Jones got the man to shore with some help. Authorities still have no idea who the man is. For the details, please click the link. And yes, we’ll be spooked every time we paddle back out for weeks.
In 2007, the International Surfing Association (ISA) launched a unique, global Scholarship Program that offers financial assistance to young, aspiring surfers from around the world as a way to further their education while encouraging and building their surfing careers. . . To date, the ISA has awarded more than USD $228,500 in scholarships to further the education and surfing careers of 267 surfers from over 40 countries. Thanks in part to the ISA funding, many scholarship winners have gone on to compete at national and international Surfing competitions.
To be a part of the ISA’s surfing education revolution please click the link.
Don’t miss your chance to catch The Wave I Ride on the big screen, and meet the inspiring women behind the film, when director Devyn Bisson and female big wave pioneer (and star of the documentary) Paige Alms head “Up The Coast” to screen the film in San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Cruz and Portland from June 10 to June 22, 2016.
“We’ve struggled to ever get any support from the surf industry, and it’s always been pretty defeating, but when Paige and I go into a screening, whether it’s San Diego or London, the response is insane,” says Bisson. “People literally come up to us and thank us for making this film, and that’s when I finally get to remind myself that it was all worth it. It was so necessary. We needed this film. Our audience needed it, not the industry.”
Door times vary, but all showings will begin at 7:30 pm with a Q&A with Paige and Devyn immediately following. The tour kicks off tomorrow night (June 10, 2016) at the World Famous La Paloma Theatre, in Encinitas, California. For advance tickets click here. For the official words, and show times please follow the jump. [click to continue…]
Sticky Bumps is happy to welcome big wave icon Jamie Mitchell to their Elite Team.
Jamie Mitchell has been called the “World’s Greatest Waterman” and is said to “ooze greatness.” He is a lover of all watersports, especially big wave surfing and paddle boarding. He does these sports with such confidence and ease, it is no wonder Sticky Bumps has added him to their Elite Team alongside other amazing big wave surfers, Garrett McNamara, Coco Nogales, Trevor Sven Carlson, Danny Griffiths, Niccolo Porcella, Aaron Gold, Shane Dorian, and Chuck Patterson. Jamie has used Sticky Bumps for years, and will continue to do so as a brand ambassador. He will also be doing product testing on their bags, leashes and traction pads.
For the official word from Sticky Bumps, please follow the jump. [click to continue…]
Gotta love it when two of our favorite, dashing, world traveling surf men get together to compare not size but volume. Beach Grit’s Chas Smith stopped by Matt Biolos‘ San Clemente, California headquarters to dunk some boards in a barrel of water and remind us all that volume matters.
Check it all out in the first episode of Beach Grit’s new TV show Like, Bitchin’.
Kelly Slater, the 11-time world champion surfer who has lent his name to a growing number of commercial ventures including a surfboard company, a high-end casual clothing line, a recently independent accessories brand, and a wave pool development company, has commented on the “sale” of the magical wave making company (Kelly Slater Wave Company) to a surfing event production and content creation company that is co-owned by his agent Terry Hardy along with Dirk and Natasha Ziff, who are also reportedly partners in the wave company.
“While surfing for me will always be about adventure, travel and the ocean, this wave brings a new opportunity to the sport without taking away the soulfulness that attracted many of us to surfing in first place,” said Slater. “Surfing great waves in a controlled environment adds a new dimension, as there is no hassling for waves, no stress over who got the best wave – they are all good. Everyone can relax, have fun and focus on improving their surfing.”
Whether anything has actually changed hands is totally up for discussion, however, either way it makes a great press release for the surf event production company. And that’s often the only upside to deals of this sort.
For the official word from the purchaser, please follow the jump.
