by The Editors on May 12, 2014
We’re sure the 2014 Billabong Rio Pro was everything a Brazilian ASP contest is all about. Great crowds, amazing buns on the beach, and “difficult” surf. But then we wouldn’t know. All we know about the contest we learned from the official ASP press release that we’ve included after the jump. It even included this quote from winning surfer Michel Bourez:
“This win is amazing and I feel great,” said Michel Bourez. “I didn’t expect to win two events in the same year so it feels brilliant. It’s great to be here in Rio and have another win – I’m so happy. I’m really glad I came and to have a final against a good friend of mine is wonderful. He (Kolohe Andino) is someone I think will be huge in a few years. Rio is beautiful, I love this place. There’s so many things going on and so many people that are passionate about sports and surfing.”
Sally Fitzgibbons was excited, too. For her amazing win quote, please follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on May 5, 2014
Proving that kids are never too young to get to work, Mark Occhilupo has just signed his son up for a two-year contract with Billabong, according to a story in the Herald Sun. Jay Occhilupo is just 11 years old.
One of the youngest surfers to ever receive a sponsorship deal from the iconic brand, Jay joins a star stable including Joel Parkinson, Taj Burrow, Andy Irons, and dad. . . “I’m feeling stoked, I was hoping for it but I wasn’t expecting it so soon,” Jay said. . . Mark Occhilupo was 14 when he was signed by Billabong more than 30 years ago. . .“So it’s fitting for Jay to be in the Billabong team,” Mark said.
If the kids are going to do the work, they certainly deserve to get paid. We hope the best for young Jay.
[Link: Herald Sun]
by The Editors on May 2, 2014
Rareform takes old advertising and makes surf and travel bags out it. Nice to see that sometimes old messages can survive the transitory nature of outdoor ads.
Founder and outdoor enthusiast, Alec Avedissian’s brilliant idea of billboards to bags came to mind during a surf trip to El Salvador where he noticed locals using old billboards to protect their homes from wet weather and the effect of mildew. Launched in September 2012, the former investment banker transitioned his life to reflect his passion for the environment and the outdoors; his now Rareform vinyl products are padded, waterproof, mildew-proof, and as tough as the products they protect due to the sturdy material each Rareform piece is created with. The one of a kind brand offers eco-friendly products ranging from surf bags, paddle bags, totes and backpacks to laptop and cell phone cases available in warm, cool, dark, light and mixed colors to ensure the best protection for outdoor gear.
Rareform bags are available at Patagonia, REI, and other retailers who sell high-priced outdoor gear to people who rarely go outdoors.
[Link: Rareform]
by The Editors on May 1, 2014
If you can live another year without sitting elbow to elbow with the gnarliest big wave surfers in the world, then tomorrow night (May 2, 2014) point your web browser to the Billabong XXL website for the complete live webcast of all the action.
Anticipation is swelling as the best big wave surfers on the planet gather in Southern California ahead of the Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards this Friday, May 2. The gala ceremony will sweep into the Grove Theater in Anaheim where the greatest rides of the last year will be celebrated and over $120,000 in prize money will be awarded to event champions. Nominees run the gamut from established superstars like Hawaiian Shane Dorian and Californian Greg Long to emerging performers like Andrew Cotton of England and Gautier Garanx of the Basque Country of France.
The show begins at 7:45 PM PDT. For the official word from the Billabong XXL follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on April 29, 2014
In another interesting development in pro contest surfing the Association of Surfing Professionals has purchased the XXL Awards from Billabong, The ASP will own the franchise and Billabong will maintain “a key naming rights position.
“This is a night to celebrate big wave surfing and we’re very pleased on the partnership between Billabong XXL and the BWWT Awards and the acquisition of the XXL Property,” Paul Speaker, ASP CEO, said. “This is a platform to honor the brave men and women who dedicate their lives to the art of big wave surfing and we are honored to continue this tradition in future years.”
Since the XXL awards are basically a TV awards show (aside from all the death defying surfing everyone else is recording), this property will likely fit very well in the ASP’s current skill set. The show has come a long way since it’s beginnings with K2. Nice work, Bill Sharp! For the official word from the ASP, please follow the jump.
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by The Editors on April 24, 2014
Lost’s Mike Reola, Dave Lester, and Matt Biolos in front of a quiver to die for.
Lost Surfboards‘ Matt Biolos and Mike Reola have named former Quiksilver VP Global Wetsuit Division Dave Lester (above middle) as the General manager of Lost Surfboards.
“Dave will be overseeing all aspects of our surfboard business with his major focus being on sales, shop relationships, production, operations and marketing,” said Reola.
. . “Dave has so much experience in the business and is such a core surfer. His skill set, relationships and experiences are just what we were looking for in a General Manager,” said Biolos. “He is going to help us organize and streamline our surfboard business so that it runs more efficiently.”
It’s always nice to see people leave the fashion industry and get back to surfing. . . For the official word from Lost, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on April 23, 2014
Good on ’em, hey? Both Carissa Moore and Mick Fanning were over the moon with wins in the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach and Tyler Wright and Taj Burrow added another second place finish to their surfing resumes.
Fanning said:
“After that result (13th) in Margaret River I went home and worked really hard and I’m so pleased that the hard work paid off. Congratulations to Taj (Burrow), I’ve never been so nervous for nine minutes of my life, he surfed amazingly,” said Mick Fanning. “We got to surf everywhere at this event which was awesome, we got to surf the Bowl, Rincon and to finish at Winkipop. It’s always been my dream to surf a Heat at Winkipop. This is such a special event for me and I feel comfortable here. With the calibre of surfers on Tour at the moment there’s never an easy Heat and it keeps it so exciting.”
Moore said (after claiming to be “speechless”:
“That was an amazing Final,” Moore said. “We were having such a blast, I just wanted to talk to Tyler (Wright) because the waves were so fun and it felt like we were having a fun free surf. I know she’s such an amazing surfer and will be in ASP World Title contention at the end of the year, so I knew I had to be at my best. It’s been a long Australian leg with three events in a row and it couldn’t have been much better for me, two wins and a quarterfinal and to finish by winning at Bells is so unique and special.”
For what the ASP said about the contest and the complete results, please follow the jump, won’t you? [click to continue…]
by The Editors on April 16, 2014
Ever wanted to ask former Surfer Magazine editor and Encyclopedia of Surfing author and “biggest surf nerd on the planet” Matt Warshaw a question?
Now’s your chance. He’s on Reddit/r/Surfing and he’s said, “As Me Anything. . .” So far people wanted to know about Andy Irons, gender balance in the ASP, filmmaker John Milius and the “gnarliest situation” he’s ever been in. Warshaw’s answer?
I surfed Mavs three times, and was so fear-sick that I almost cried with relief once I got back to the beach. But I also remember a couple of gnarly moments as a kid, just getting in way over my head on days that I shouldn’t have been in the water. I got rescued a bunch of times, by lifeguards and other surfers, and each time I thought I was going to drown. I’d go home and cower for a day or two, then come back and try again.
For the rest of the AMA, click the link.
[Link: Reddit Surfing]
by The Editors on April 13, 2014
Some would say it was closer than the 15.90 to 12.44 score would suggest, however, the ASP judges saw Michel Bourez win the 2014 Drug Aware Margaret River Pro on Sunday, April 13, 2014. And for the second year in a row, Josh Kerr ended up in the runner up position. As can be imagined, he was not happy about it.
I just tried to relax going into the Final,” said Josh Kerr. “It was a rough Heat but I wanted to put a show on for everyone. It hurt last year getting runner up and it hurts even more this year. I made a few errors at the start of the Heat by falling on the inside and I definitely didn’t chose the right waves. The Heat came down to strategy and things didn’t got my way. It’s pretty annoying to make the Final and surf really badly. I’m stoked with the result though, the West has been good to me and I enjoy being here. I’m happy we have a WCT event here and it was great to surf at The Box. I’m going to take the year event by event and I’m excited to move on to the next one.”
Congrats for Bourez for sticking out what seemed like a really, really long contest. He is The Spartan, after all. For the official word from the ASP including full results, follow the jump.
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by The Editors on April 7, 2014
Carissa Moore marched right on through to the finals of the Drug Aware Margaret River Womens’ Pro, but don’t think for a minute that Australian Tyler Wright just handed over the title. Nope she hit it hard early. And from then on it was back and forth until currently ASP world champion Moore finally finished Wright off with an 8.23 to.
“Tyler Wright looked awesome today and she’s a tough competitor,” said Carissa Moore. “I think any time any of us are in a Final we really want to win it and take it home. I was really excited and told myself ‘come on, it’s time’. It’s a very challenging wave here at Margaret River and I’m constantly learning so I’m thankful to be able to win here again. I love this place and I love Western Australia. It feels good to be up there at the top of the rankings with Stephanie (Gilmore) and I can’t wait to see how the rest of the events unfold.”
For the official word from the ASP, follow the jump.
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