surffantics's GHive Blog

RIP CURL RIGHT COAST RAID

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 18:59:30 +0000

Friday, August 22nd at 10pm

Hey Don't miss out on the rip curl crew at Beachside Tavern in New Smyrna Beach Mick Fannning, Tom Curren, Taylor Knox and Pancho Sullian will arrive and then Tom Curren will be playing with the Burnin Smyrnins and or reform.

Surf off at the NSB inlet on Saturday the 22nd at 11am and if the current strom track holds we should have some surf.

Go To www.ripcurl.com/rightcoastraid for complete event info!

Billabong Sebastian Inlet Pro Junior postponed

Sun, 09 Mar 2008 17:49:39 +0000

Submitted by ASP on Sat, 03/08/2008 - 3:56pm. SEBASTIAN INLET, Florida (Saturday, Mar. 8, 2008) – The Billabong Sebastian Inlet Pro Junior has postponed the opening day of competition due to lackluster waves on offer at Sebastian Inlet, Florida. The opening event of the 2008 Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) North America Pro Junior Season, the Billabong Sebastian Inlet Pro Junior has already been postponed one week due to poor conditions and today’s further postponement will force event organizers to push through two full days of competition tomorrow, Sunday, Mar. 9, 2008. A 30mph West wind, and an 8am high tide combined with slow 2-3 ft surf did not meet competition standards this morning. The lackluster surf and weather conditions will be waited out with organizers hoping to commence competition at 8am tomorrow. An ASP Grade-2 Pro Junior men’s event, and Grade-1 women’s event, the Billabong Sebastian Inlet Pro Junior will begin its first round of 80 pro junior surfers tomorrow in the hopefully improved conditions. These first round competitors will attempt to battle their way through the early rounds as they compete for the $10,000 and $2,500 in prize money respectively, as well as extremely valuable ratings points and confidence leading into the new season as each surfer strives for a chance to qualify for the coveted Billabong ASP World Junior Championships held in Australia at the beginning of each year. Tune in to The Billabong Sebastian Inlet Pro Junior tomorrow, Sunday, Mar. 9, for LIVE action and heat scores at www.billabongpro.com

Slater on FCS fins Oh Yea!

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 11:08:43 +0000

Submitted by FCS Surf Hardware on Thu, 03/06/2008 - 8:07pm.

Eight times World Champion Kelly Slater has once again proven he is the man to beat by winning the Quiksilver Pro on Australia’s Gold Coast. Kelly defeated the reigning World Champion Mick Fanning in the final that produced high scoring rides and an impressive display of modern day performance surfing.

Kelly’s equipment played a major role in capturing the win. In a move that proved to be advantageous Kelly rode a board slightly shorter and wider than his normal 6’1 shortboard. Complimented by his signature K2.1 fins, the set up proved to be a winning combination. Showing no signs of slowing down Kelly looked in complete control producing effortless speed and some spectacular maneuvers on the high performance waves of Snapper Rocks.

“My boards were going really well throughout the event. I was riding an Al Merrick Flyer with my K2.1 set up; the combo was perfect for the waves on offer. I had the speed and drive when I needed it, and instantaneous response in the tight sections”.

While most of the focus and attention was on Mick Fanning, Taj Burrow and Joel Parkinson, Kelly steadily made his way to the final. Along the way he was forced to produce some explosive performances as he came up against fellow FCS teammates Adriano De Souza and Jeremy Flores. Each match-up was a close and high scoring affair with all surfers pushing themselves to the limit.

FCS Brand Ambassador Richie Lovett was on hand at the event and remarked, “It was amazing to watch, Kelly was producing so much speed and he simply attacked every section on every wave he rode. He looked explosive and fast and that’s what the judges want to see”.

The win marks yet another milestone for Kelly who has never won the Quicksilver Pro while the event has run at Snapper Rocks.

“I’ve never won the Quicksilver Pro while it’s been at Snapper Rocks, I won a few years back when it was at Duranbar but I’ve always wanted to win it here. It’s been in the back of my mind for a while so the win is pretty satisfying”.

Kelly has placed himself firmly in the box seat to challenge for World Title number 9. With 35 WCT event wins under his belt and nothing more to prove he now has everyone guessing if he will turn up to the next event at Bells Beach.

The FCS system was ridden by 50% of the World Championship Tour surfers during the Quicksilver Pro. FCS is dedicated to supplying high quality products to the world’s best surfers.

Richie Lovett

www.surffcs.com

Former WQS surfer creates hospitality website for ASP-rated events

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 07:49:12 +0000

Global Surf News, 6 March, 2008 : - - Former WQS surfer, Matt Jones from Yamba Australia, has been working on a webiste which concentrates on every ASP rated surfing event around the world. The site provides accommodation, location information, event information, detailed maps and directions for every event site.

It also provides photo galleries, news and swell forecasts. The site also has surfer profiles and allows professional surfers to post there own profile and picture. Matt came up with the idea a few years back when he was doing the WQS circuit full time and was doing all of the accommodation bookings for himself and his other travel mates ( Bede Durbidge, Corey Ziems and Jamie Thomson).

When he wasnt surfing he was in front of the computer searching the web for accommodation for each event they where planning to travel to. So over the years he had so much information collected he thought he would put it to good use and create a website to allow traveling for others easier.

Matt says he wish he had a site like this to use when he was competing and said it would have made life so much easier when going to each event. He says the site provides the traveling competitor with everything they need to know to get to an event and to book accommodation.

It is a completely free site and hopes all competitors take advantage of using this information rich source made specifically for them.

www.mysurfworld.com

Adam Wickwire Debit Card Release Party,

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 21:39:24 +0000

Space Coast Credit Union Introduces Adam Wickwire Debit Card Design

Submitted Wed, 03/05/2008 - 7:40am. Space Coast Credit Union (SCCU) is excited to announce the release of its exclusive Adam Wickwire debit card design and will celebrate the debut with an autograph signing event at its Indian Harbour Branch on March 10, 2008.

The entire community is invited to attend the Adam Wickwire debit card release party, which will begin at 4pm in the lobby of SCCU's Indian Harbour Beach Branch (2100 Highway A1A). The event will include a short presentation, refreshments, giveaways, and an autograph and photo session with Adam. Select SCCU branches in Brevard, Volusia, Flagler and Indian River counties will also celebrate the new card with in-branch refreshments and promotions from March 10 through March 21.

SCCU's newest debit card design features 19-year-old surfing phenomenon Adam Wickwire, of Satellite Beach, Florida, executing his favorite move. The latest in a long line of surfing talent hailing from Central Florida, Adam won several East Coast and National amateur titles before turning professional two years ago. Last year was a banner year for Adam as he won three major Junior Pro events in the U.S. and captured the 2007 Association of Surfing Professionals title as the nation's top pro surfer under age 21. As a longtime member of Space Coast Credit Union, Adam is stoked to be depicted on SCCU's debit card. Adam's surf-themed debit card joins a line of more than 20 exclusive debit and credit card designs available at SCCU, including a CJ Hobgood credit card and Lisa Andersen debit card.

"We are so excited to feature Adam Wickwire on our debit card," said Teresa Farnsworth, Vice President, Operations. "He is an asset to the local community, the surfing community, and the SCCU community. Now everyone can enjoy his surfing style, simply by pulling this new card out of their wallets!"

The Adam Wickwire debit card is free with any SCCU checking account and was made possible through the joint efforts of SCCU and Adam's manager, Mitch Varnes of Board Sports Management. Visit SCCU.com/surf for more information about the event, to open an account, or to see SCCU's selection of debit and credit card styles.

Billabong PRO Jr Date Change

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 10:33:35 +0000

Sebastian Inlet 2008 To Run March 8th and 9th!

ASP Grade-2 Billabong Pro Junior Changes Dates To Accommodate Swell
February 27, 2008
PRESS RELEASE

The 2008 Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) North America Pro Junior series is ready to start off the year with the Billabong Sebastian Inlet Pro Junior held at Florida's Sebastian Inlet originally scheduled from Mar. 1-2, 2008, but changed to Mar. 8-9, 2008 in hopes of attracting better surf conditions.

At present, the contest site at Sebastian Inlet has not seen waves for the past few days and the outlook for this weekend looks grim. The call to change event dates was made by event organizers and ASP North America officials today, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008.

An ASP Grade-2 Pro Junior event, the Billabong Sebastian Inlet Pro Junior will consist of 85 junior men and 16 junior women competing for $10,000 and $2,500 in prize money respectively, as well as extremely valuable ratings points and confidence leading into the new season.

The points from this event will then be recorded into each surfer's regional rankings with the top five men and top two women qualifying for the renowned Billabong ASP World Junior Championships, held in Australia at the beginning of each year. This event has spawned exceptional surfing talents such as Joel Parkinson (AUS), Andy Irons (HAW), Adriano de Souza (BRA), and much talked about 2008 ASP World Tour rookie Jordy Smith (ZAF), all of whom former champions.

Adam Wickwire (Satellite Beach, FL), who is the reigning 2007 ASP North America Pro Junior Champion, will be a favorite at the opening event of the season, and will be look to defend his title. With three victories, and a third place at the Oakley Pro Junior Santa Cruz in the previous year, Wickwire has more than proven his ability to perform amongst the nation's finest ASP Pro Junior competitors.

"I would say there is a little bit of pressure, but it's a good pressure," Wickwire said. "I want to do the same thing that I did last year go into every heat with an open mind, not expecting anything."

Into his final season on the ASP North America Pro Junior Series, Wickwire will have his work cut out for him as there is a bevy of up-and-comers challenging the status quo.

"There are some great young guys coming up - Evan Geiselman, Nat Young, etc. and I'm sure that the little guys are just improving," Wickwire said. "Hopefully Eric (Geiselman), myself and some of the older guys can keep them in check."

Wickwire will be joined by fellow top seeds Cory Arrambide (Ventura, CA), Travis Beckmann (Vero Beach, FL) and Eric Geiselman (New Smyrna Beach, FL) at Sebastian Inlet this weekend.

In addition to the junior men's division, the Billabong Sebastian Inlet Pro Junior will also host an ASP Grade-1 Pro Junior event for the women.

Courtney Conlogue (Santa Ana, CA), reigning ASP North America Pro Junior Champion, will be out to defend her title, with hopes of requalifying for the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships. This event has extreme significance for the women as the Billabong Sebastian Inlet Junior Pro is one of only two events in North America in which the women can qualify for the World Junior Championships.

"I always want to do well in every event I enter no matter what I've done in the past," Conlogue said. "Every heat is a new heat. I'm glad that Billabong sponsors this event and I'm proud to compete in it. It would be wonderful, however, to see others in the surfing industry step up and put into other Pro Junior events for women athletes in North America. It's a bummer for all the women surfers in the Pro Junior division to have everything based on the outcome of one event."

Sage Erickson (Ojai, CA), Conlogue's North American partner at last January's Billabong ASP World Junior Championships in Australia, will also looking for a solid result in Florida as she has qualified through the Billabong Sebastian Inlet Junior Pro in the past, and understands the significance of this event.

The Billabong Sebastian Inlet Pro will begin on March 8 and will be webcast LIVE on www.billabongpro.com

For more information, log onto www.aspnorthamerica.org.

WHEN: The contest runs March 8th and 9th, 2008.

WHERE: Sebastian Inlet, Florida

WHO: The hottest male and female junior surfers in Florida. In order for surfers to compete in this series, they cannot turn 21 during the 2008 tour year.

FORMAT: The competition is 80 man format, and a limited 16 entry girls division, with standard ASP 2008 Junior Series event rules.

JUDGING: The ASP 2008 judging criteria will be used by four ASP rated judges with the head judge officiating.
STATUS: This Grade 2 event is sanctioned by the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP), the organization that controls professional surfing globally.

PRIZE-MONEY: The juniors receive a total of US $12,500 in prize money.
$10,000 for Boys Event, $2,500 for Girl’s Event

CONTEST ORGANIZER: Darren Brillhart

Sofia Mulanovich Wins Roxy Pro

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 10:30:07 +0000

Sofia Mulanovich Wins Roxy Pro; Takes ASP Ratings LeadCOOLANGATTA, Australia (Saturday, Mar. 1, 2008) – Sofia Mulanovich (PER) has won the 2008 Roxy Pro Gold Coast presented by LG, defeating fellow finalist Samantha Cornish (AUS) in clean three foot (1 metre) waves at Snapper Rocks.

The opening event of the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour season, the Roxy Pro Gold Coast ran from Round 3 through the Final today with major upsets and inspiring performances enthralling the hundreds on the beach and thousands watching online.

Mulanovich, 2004 ASP Women’s World Champion and world runner-up last season, was in sensational form today, netting the day’s highest heat total of a 17.34 out of a possible 20 to combo Cornish in the Final.

“The final started out kind of slow, but I got a good score midway and from then on, I started pushing my surfing out there,” Mulanovich said. “My board felt really good out there and I when I caught that last wave, I knew that Sam (Cornish) was going to need a lot to catch me. So stoked.”

The Peruvian had yet to procure a solid result at the Roxy Pro Gold Coast in past seasons, but her victory today puts Mulanovich at the top of the ratings in the race for the 2008 ASP Women’s World Title.

“So stoked to finally get a good result here,” Mulanovich said. “I love the wave at Snapper, but until today, I hadn’t been able to get a result. It’s a long season and I am off to a good start, but there are still so many good girls out there. Steph (Gilmore) and Layne (Beachley) and so many others. Samantha today surfed so well and I know she’s hungry for a win.”

Cornish, who finished No. 4 on the ASP Women’s World Tour last season, was in devastating form today netting solid scores in the three rounds leading up to the final. Although the young Australian’s conditioning held steady, the waves did not deliver for her in the Final.

“We’ve surfed four times today, but I didn’t feel too tired out there, I just couldn’t get the waves that linked through,” Cornish said. “Congrats to Sofia (Mulanovich) though as she was ripping. I’m a bit bummed that I couldn’t see it all the way through today, but I’m still happy with my performance here.”

Carissa Moore (HAW), who won the Roxy Pro Trials and was runner-up at this event last season, dazzled throughout the day, blending full-rail carves with new school tail slides to take down reigning ASP Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) and fellow islander Melanie Bartels (HAW) before going down to Cornish.

“This was my first time ever surfing against Steph (Gilmore) and she has absolutely been ripping,” Moore said. “It see-sawed back and forth in that heat, but I ended up getting that one at the end that was really exciting. I am a bit disappointed that I couldn’t do as well as I did last season, but Sam (Cornish) was on point and got the better waves. It has been a great experience for me and I’m really thankful for the opportunity to compete here again this year.”

Amee Donohoe (AUS), who finished No. 6 on the ASP Women’s World Tour in 2007, was in sterling form all day, eliminating Jacqueline Silva (BRA) and Julia De La Rosa Toro (PER) (formerly Julia Christian (USA)) before going down to Mulanovich in the Semifinals. Donohoe collects an equal 3rd place finish and solid positioning on this season’s ratings.

“Starting the season with a 3rd is great, although I’m a bit bummed that I couldn’t get the waves in the Semifinal against Sofia (Mulanovich),” Donohoe said. “Pretty stoked with my performance here and I’ll be focusing on keeping the momentum up at Bells Beach.”

The next stop on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour will be the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach from Mar. 19-24, 2008.

Highlights from the 2008 Roxy Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG will be available via www.aspworldtour.com/roxypro

The Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG has completed the opening two rounds of competition and with swell forecasted to come in over the next few days, the ASP Top 45 could be back in the water very soon. The Quiksilver Pro pres. by LG will be webcast live via www.aspworldtour.com/quikpro

For more details, including quotes and complimentary images, log onto the Press Room on www.aspworldtour.com

Roxy Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG Results

Final
1 – Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 17.34
2 – Samantha Cornish (AUS) 7.83

Semifinals: 1st advances to Final; 2nd finishes Equal 3rd
SF 1: Samantha Cornish (AUS) 16.90 def. Carissa Moore (HAW) 15.53
SF 2: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 13.50 def. Amee Donohoe (AUS) 10.33

Quarterfinals: 1st advances to Semifinals; 2nd finishes Equal 5th
QF 1: Samantha Cornish (AUS) 15.60 def. Layne Beachley (AUS) 12.00
QF 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) 17.57 def. Melanie Bartels (HAW) 9.07
QF 3: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 13.16 def. Rebecca Woods (AUS) 7.10
QF 4: Amee Donohoe (AUS) 10.73 def. Julia De La Rosa Toro (PER) 10.33

Round 3: 1st advances to Quarterfinals; 2nd finishes Equal 9th
Heat 1: Samantha Cornish (AUS) 14.50 def. Nicola Atherton (AUS) 8.30
Heat 2: Layne Beachley (AUS) 12.67 def. Serena Brooke (AUS) 11.66
Heat 3: Melanie Bartels (HAW) 14.40 def. Megan Abubo (HAW) 12.23
Heat 4: Carissa Moore (HAW) 15.33, def. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 14.50
Heat 5: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 15.50 def. Claire Bevilacqua (AUS) 12.16
Heat 6: Rebecca Woods (AUS) 11.50 def. Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 9.83
Heat 7: Amee Donohoe (AUS) 14.90 def. Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 10.80
Heat 8: Julia De La Rosa Toro (PER) 12.33 def. Silvana Lima (BRA) 7.83

2008 ASP Women’s World Tour Ratings after the Roxy Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG
1. Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 1200 points
2. Samantha Cornish (AUS) 972 points
3. Amee Donohoe (AUS) 756 points
4. Layne Beachley (AUS) 552 points
4. Rebecca Woods (AUS) 552 points
4. Melanie Bartels (HAW) 552 points
4. Julia de la Rosa Toro (PER) 552 points
8. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 360 points
8. Silvana Lima (BRA) 360 points
8. Megan Abubo (HAW) 360 points
8. Rosanne Hodge (ZAF ) 360 points
8. Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 360 points
8. Serena Brooke (AUS) 360 points
8. Nicola Atherton (AUS) 360 points
8. Claire Bevilacqua (AUS) 360 points
16. Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) 180 points
16. Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS) 180 points
16. Karina Petroni (USA) 180 points

Ron Jon's 44th Easter Surf Fest

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 07:00:04 +0000

Ron Jon"s Easter Surfing Festival

Shepard's Park & Cocoa Beach Pier Florida
20 - 23 March 2008

Ron Jon Surf Shop to host 44th annual Easter Surf Fest

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 28 February, 2008 : - - Cocoa Beach – More than 300 professional and amateur male and female surfers of all ages are scheduled to compete in the Ron Jon Surf Shop 44th Annual Easter Surf Festival, scheduled from Thurs., March 20 to Sun., March 23 in Cocoa Beach.

Competing surfers will travel from around the globe to participate in the annual contest, which is recognized as one of the largest, oldest and most diverse surfing events on the east coast of the United States. Surfers will vie for championship titles and more than $20,000 in cash and prizes during four days of events taking place at Shepard Park (March 20-23) and the Cocoa Beach Pier (March 21-23).

Featured surfing events at the festival include the $10,000 Ron Jon Surf Shop Men’s Longboard Pro, the Lost $3,500 Junior Men’s Shortboard Pro/Am, the Lost Energy Drink $5,000 Men’s Shortboard Pro/Am, the Wet N’ Wild Women’s $1,000 Shortboard competition, the Banana Boat $1,500 Junior Men’s Longboard contest and the Ron Jon Surf Shop $1,000 Women’s Longboard Pro/Am.

“We are pleased to present the Easter Surf Fest again this year,” said Heather Lewis, Ron Jon’s director of marketing. “The Ron Jon Easter Surf Fest is a great opportunity for spectators to watch an exciting competition and meet some of the world’s best surfers. Local and regional surf fans and families look forward to this event year after year.”

In addition to marking the beginning of the beach season for locals, the annual Ron Jon Surf Shop Easter Surf Festival provides endless entertainment for the thousands of visitors who attend each year.

Free activities offered to the public include a “surf off” for newcomers who sign up for the Ron Jon Surf School clinic, autograph signings with top surfers on the beach and at Ron Jon Surf Shop, as well as interactive displays and free giveaways from sponsors. Plenty of parking and on-site concessions are also made available to spectators.

For a complete schedule of Ron Jon Surf Shop 44th Annual Easter Surf Fest events, visit online or the Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach, located at 4151 N. Atlantic Ave.

About the Easter Surf Festival
Entering its 44th consecutive year, the driving force behind the Ron Jon Surf Shop Easter Surf Festival continues to be culture, tradition and history. Over the years, the festival has continually brought world-class surfers and the community together for a weekend of top-notch surf competitions and youth-focused events along the world-famous Cocoa Beach. This year, the Ron Jon Surf Shop 44th Annual Easter Surf Festival will take place from March 20-March 23 at Shepard Park and March 21-March 23 at the Cocoa Beach Pier.