Jueves 8 de Septiembre 2004

Pro Júnior
Ribeira d’Ilhas-Ericeira-Portugal, September 17-19

   We are just one week away from the start of the Pro Junior, staged at Ericeira every year, at the famous break of Ribeira d’Ilhas. This year, the contest will take place between 17th and 19th of September.
   This contest has already a long history of success, as top surfers consider it to be the largest in the junior tour. The Pro Junior is part of the European calendar, and one of the eight surf events that will crown the European Junior Champion
   The contest will take place at “Ribeiras” point break, where young competitors get a unique chance to surf really good waves when competing. Last year’s Pro Junior winner, Tim Boal, declared during one of his last Portuguese surf sessions: “Coming to Portugal and being able to compete in such good waves, is an extra motivation for everyone”. For Portuguese based German surfer Marlon Lipke, one of this year’s main contenders, and presently number 2 in 2004 title race: “all these young competitors who spend their year surfing on bad quality waves have a unique opportunity, here in Ericeira, to Surf point breaks, and catch some good surf”.
   Based on these statements it’s not surprising that the Pro Junior is the most valuable contest on the tour, as it adds the 2 star rating and the 10.000 dollars purse, to good quality surf.
   Several years ago, Tiago Pires, won this contest and clinched the title, ahead of several young talents from all over Europe. Another Portuguese surfer is now aiming to achieve the same success. João Guedes has been for several years the top Junior surfer in Portugal. Proof of his talent is his winning a national tour contest ahead of some of the highly rated European contenders, such as Justin Mujica, Ruben Gonzalez, and José Gregório, showing impressive skills and good physical shape that could take him one step further.
   The economic impact of this specific contest on Ericeira is tremendous. With the WQS event being cancelled for current year, it makes Pro Junior an even bigger moment for tourism companies, and their revenues. The media always follow this contest with tremendous interest; which also makes it more appealing for tourism purposes.

Lunes 6 de Septiembre 2004

Campeonato Europeu de Surf Júnior
Peniche-Portugal, September 24th to 26th

   PRO JUNIOR
   Peniche
   September 24th to 26^th
   This will be the last European Pro Junior competition - it will select europe's Junior Surf Champion.
   THE COMPETITION'S PRIZE MONEY HAS BEEN UPGRADED FROM 5.000 USD TO 10.000 USD, FROM * TO **.
   Best Regards, Beatriz Lopes Chaves 

Domingo 5 de Septiembre 2004

WCT Japon
Hebara-Japon, September 1-8
CJ Hobgood Clinches Dramatic Victory

   Sunday, September 5, 2004 (Hebara, Japan) 2001 world champion CJ Hobgood (FL, USA) today clinched his second victory of the season by winning the WCT Pro in Japan. The men’s ASP World Championship Tournament (WCT) commenced with quarterfinals this morning, running through until the US$260,000 event climaxed in dramatic fashion.
   Clean 3ft (1m) waves were again on offer at Hebara beach. Light rainfall continued, but couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of thousands who crammed the shoreline for a close up view of their surfing heroes.
   Hobgood trailed throughout the 30-minute decider against Joel Parkinson (Gold Coast, AUS), and most figured the Australian had wrapped it up as the final minutes elapsed. The Floridian never gave up however, and picked off a good lefthander to claw into contention with an 8.23 score. ‘Parko’ remained in front as he surfed his last wave to the beach, but with 40-seconds left, Hobgood caught a righthander and unleashed a ferocious backhand attack – highlighted by a tail sliding re-entry and reverse 360 maneuver on the inside section. When the top single score of exchange was announced for a 9.47, victory was his.
   Having also won in Tahiti this year, as well as reached the  semifinals in Fiji, the 25-year-old now holds down runner-up position on the current ratings.
   “I don’t even know what just happened,” exclaimed Hobgood, moments afterward. “I saw ‘Parko’ just ruling the whole time, but I kept telling myself I was still in it. Then I got that left, and went for broke on my last wave. I knew I had nothing to lose and was able to do a couple of nice turns. I just remember standing on the beach… I seriously didn’t think I got the score. I heard the crowd erupting, but wasn’t sure if they were screaming for me, or just because it was the final and everything was going on (laughs). When I knew, it was the best feeling.
   “We’re going to Trestles (Boost Mobile Pro in California) next, so I’ll try to keep the momentum and see if I can pull out something there,” he added. “Me and Kelly, Parko and ‘Damo’… we’ll be fighting it out, so hopefully Andy doesn’t get further in front (on the ratings).”
   For Parkinson, the narrow defeat marks his second consecutive runner-up finish in Japan. After posting the highest combined tally of the WCT Pro yesterday, eliminating defending event champ Andy Irons (HAW) this morning, and earning a near-perfect 9.8 to reach the final, ‘Parko’ continued the form onwards. He then locked in two eight plus scores, including an 8.33 for a massive frontside air, but after his opponents last effort, he was suddenly 9.38-points short.
   The world #5 won at Bells beach in Australia this year, before missing two WCT’s due to the birth of his daughter Evie. Ironically, today’s result coincides with Father’s Day in his homeland, and both mother and newborn were among the huge crowd present. The 23-year-old is now rated fourth.
   “What can you do?” began Parkinson. “I surfed as hard as I could, but got beaten by someone who surfed way better. It’s a bad thing for CJ to do to me on Father’s Day and all (laughs). I was devastated for about five minutes, but I’m starting to feel better now that I have a Foster’s beer in me. I would have loved to win, but I lost.”
   Equal third were Chris Davidson (Narrabeen, AUS) and Kalani Robb (HAW). Both surfed exceptionally to reach the semifinals and created major upsets along the way.
   Davidson secured his best result to date, jumping from 40th into 24th position on the ratings. Having missed three WCT’s earlier this year due to a seriously cut foot, his high finish provided a huge confidence boost. Against Parkinson he was unable to bridge the massive gap established by his opponents near-perfect 9.8 score – following two aerials and a tube – and lacked a combination of scores worth 17.14-points.
   “Sort of what I did to ‘Hedgey’ the other day, ‘Parko did to me then,” explained Davidson, of the one-sided exchange. “He got off to a commanding start and then found another good wave. I’m stoked with third, but there is disappointment, as I would have liked to make a final.”
   Robb was also positioned low on the ratings following poor results this season, but a third placing has pushed him into 20th spot. Having eliminated six-time world champion Kelly Slater in their nail-biting quarterfinal, he then contested a great battle with CJ, but required an additional 7.51 score at completion.
   “I’m really stoked, and CJ surfed great,” said Robb. “There wasn’t too many good waves coming through, so I knew whoever got them would pretty much win. Surfing against Kelly in the quarters was an honor. He’s such a good surfer, so to beat him I was really stoked. I’ve done badly all year, so this is really good.”
   Finishing equal fifth in the wct Pro today was Darren O’Rafferty (Port Macquarie, AUS), Andy Irons, Slater, and fellow Floridian Damien Hobgood.
   Irons - the reigning two-time world champion - posted the only perfect 10 of the tournament yesterday, but against Parkinson in a rematch of last year’s final, was unable to find a waves of similar potential. While his opponent locked in an 8.0, the Kauaian ultimately required a combination of scores worth 15.18-points. Nonetheless, a fifth marks his lowest result of the season and he still holds a commanding ratings lead.
   “That’s what you call peaking way too early,” acknowledged Irons, of his performance compared to previous rounds. “Last year I had a really good thing going on ‘Parko’ and smoked him a couple of times, but this year he’s got it on me. He’s comboed me two heats now, so I’m feeling pretty sour right about now. Quarterfinals are fine though, as this is a marathon, not a sprint. Fifth is my worst result, so I did what I came here to do.”
   Slater held advantage over Robb towards the end, but the Hawaii swung things with his final 7.5 ride in the dying minutes. The Floridian was visibly frustrated, especially since Irons had lost the heat prior and finally created an opportunity for others to gain ground. As it happened, the 32-year-old was dealt his fourth quarterfinal finish of the year and slipped to third on the ratings.
   “I made a mistake I was totally aware of,” acknowledged Slater. “I gave away priority with 6-minutes left, and Kalani just waited until one wave came which had some shape. He got a long ride, and even though he fell at the end, still got the score. It’s a little frustrating for me. A big opportunity missed as far as points go. Instead, I’ve just stayed equally far back, so now it makes each contest from here on out a little more work.”
   The fourth quarterfinal showcased the Hobgood twins in their first head-to-head clash, and while CJ ran away with it thanks to catching virtually every good wave, he was quick to highlight the incredible experience of the competing against his brother. Damien is now fifth on the current ratings.
   “That was an experience not too many people get to enjoy,” stated CJ. “In the quarterfinals of a ‘CT – the highest level of competition for surfing, with your brother.”   Official WCR  Pro J apon Results
1st CJ Hobgood (USA) 17.7 – US$30,000
2nd Joel Parkinson (AUS) 16.33 – US$16,000
   Semifinals (1st>Final; 2nd=3rd receives US$10,000)
SF1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 17.13 def. Chris Davidson (AUS) 9.5
SF2: CJ Hobgood (USA) 14.0 def. Kalani Robb (HAW) 12.77
   Quarterfinals (1st>Semifinals; 2nd=5th receives US$8,000)
QF1: Chris Davidson (AUS) 13.0 def. Darren O’Rafferty 12.5
QF2: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 15.17 def. Andy Irons (HAW) 6.33
QF3: Kalani Robb (HAW) 14.34 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 14.26
QF4: CJ Hobgood (USA) 15.5 def. Damien Hobgood (USA) 6.96

   Current ASP Ratings After WCT #6
1. Andy Irons (HAW) 5,748-points
2. CJ Hobgood (USA) 4,644
3. Kelly Slater (USA) 4,284
4. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 4,008
=5. Damien Hobgood (USA); Nathan Hedge (AUS) 3,912
7. Mark Occhilupo (AUS) 3,876
8. Jake Paterson (AUS) 3,696
9. Dean Morrison (AUS) 3,492
10. Michael Lowe (AUS) 3,468

Viernes 30 de Julio 2004

Biarritz Surf Festival
Côte des Basques-Biarritz-France, 10-18 Juillet

   Biarritz, le 20 juillet 2004
   Un festival d'émotions, de rencontres, de spectacles et de sport!
   Pour sa 12 e édition, le BSF présentait le BIARRITZ SURF FESTIVAL, un événement unique entièrement dédié à la culture surf, un rendez-vous incontournable sur la Côte des Basques à Biarritz, du 10 au 18 juillet derniers.
   Comme chaque année, le Festival a débuté par la traditionnelle et magnifique cérémonie d'échange des eaux, l'HO'OKUPU, ouverte à tous les surfeurs et parrainée par Clyde AIKAU, afin de bénir les compétitions sportives pour lesquelles le Top des meilleurs longboardeurs internationaux s'était déplacé. Car cette année pour eux, tout se jouait dans les vagues de Biarritz avec 2 titres primordiaux en jeu : celui de CHAMPION DU MONDE et celui de CHAMPION D'EUROPE DE LONGBOARD.
   RESULTATS SPORTIFS
• CHAMPIONNAT DU MONDE DE LONGBOARD : Longboard World Championship
1 e Joel TUDOR (Usa) - 2 e Kekoa UEMURA (Haw) - 3 e Mathew MOIR (Safr) & Bonga PERKINS (Haw)
• European Longboard Championship EPSA** : championnat d'Europe de Longboard
1 e Romain MAURIN (Fr) - 2 e Jonathan LARCHER (Fr) - 3 e Thibaut DUSSARAT (Fr) - 4 e Timothée CREIGNOU (Fr)
• International Tandem Surfing Contest
1 e Eric LEROY & Sarah BUREL (Fr) - 2 e Jason & Kim LUSK (Usa.) - 3 e Alban MERIC & Marie VIGNE (Fr)
• European Girls Longboard Contest EPSA**
1 e Claire KARABATSOS (Fr) – 2 e Estremo ESTITXU (Eusk) – 3 e Deanne ASHMORE (Gb) - 4 e Nina BLAKE (Jey)
• Junior International Longboard Contest
1 e Kama GOILE (Reu) - 2 e Timothée CREIGNOU (Fr) - 3 e Vincent DELAPLACE (Gua) - 4 e Joe DAVIES (Jey)
   AMBIANCE
   Si Séverine FERRER était la marraine toute en charmes de cette édition, elle n'en était pas moins entourée du non moins charmant surfeur tahitien Hira TERIINAFOOTA (champion du Monde amateur 2004) mais aussi de l'acteur Mathieu TRIBES (héros de la série Léa Parker sur M6). Tous les 3 ont vraiment apprécié de partager l'ambiance si particulière du BIARRITZ SURF FESTIVAL.
   Tous les jours, le public venu très nombreux a pu bénéficier d'INITIATIONS gratuites au Longboard, au Tandem surfing et à la Pirogue avec l'élite Américaine & Polynésienne de ces disciplines, tout spécialement venue pour l'occasion.
   De nombreuses et diverses ANIMATIONS étaient aussi proposées sur le Village du Festival de jour comme de nuit: l'ambiance polynésienne avec danses et chants typiques, la réalisation d'une fresque immense, la sculpture d'un Tiki géant, les stands et les boutiques "glisse & beach", l'élection de Miss BSF, les soirées DJ's au Beach Café… sans oublier le magnifique spectacle nocturne de la FREE EXPRESSION SESSION de longboard, de pirogue et tandem surfing, un show irréel et magique.
   Cette année, plus que jamais, le BIARRITZ SURF FESTIVAL a tenu toutes les promesses d'un événement au très haut niveau sportif, aux spectacles magiques, aux rencontres fantastiques et aux instants tout en émotions dans une ambiance dépaysante et très chaleureuse.
   ALOHA !!
   Marie-Laure DUCOS

Jueves 22 de Julio 2004

WCT Jeffreys Bay
Supertubes-Jeffreys Bay-South Africa, July 13-23
Irons Posts Perfect 10 To Win

   Thursday, July 22, 2004 (Jeffreys Bay, South Africa) Reigning two-time world champion Andy Irons (Kauai, HAW) today won the WCT Pro with a commanding performance over Nathan Hedge (Narrabeen, AUS). The Foster’s Men’s ASP World Championship Tournament (WCT) commenced with quarterfinals this morning, running right through until the event’s climax.
   Great 4-6 ft (2m) lines greeted the final day of competition, with only light winds blowing. A couple of whales once again graced the lineup and entertained the massive crowd onsite.
   Irons, who had not progressed past a 9th placing at Jeffreys in previous years, overcame his local wildcard nemesis Sean Holmes in round three to gain momentum. From there, the Kauaian continued his charge towards an elusive final, and once in, made his intentions clear from the outset. The 25-year-old picked off a great set wave holding priority, and following three clean barrels and a couple of big maneuvers, locked in the only perfect 10-point ride of the tournament.
   The current ratings leader then scored another 6.83 to control the decider. With two runner-up finishes already to his credit this year, as well as another two equal thirds, today’s victory shoots him a massive 1,464-points ahead of his nearest rival in pursuit of a third consecutive world title.
   “I’m feeling so good right now,” said Irons. “I’ve never made the quarters here before, so to actually go on and win it is awesome. I want to congratulate ‘Hedgey’ too, on such a great performance. And I’d like to thank my beautiful girlfriend Lindy for supporting me the whole contest.
   “It really paid off coming a week early to try some boards out and get used to the wave,” he continued, of his pre-event strategy. “It’s a huge weight off my shoulders to do well here. Just getting past Sean was a real accomplishment, but to actually win here… I’m beside myself and so happy.
   “Clutch timing,” he remarked on his 10. “It was a perfect wave and I knew if I just rode the whole way it would be a high score, but I got some good turns off and three barrels.
   “Nice,” he added, of the ratings lead. “But like I’ve said, the tour is a marathon, not a sprint. There are so many contests ahead of us and I’m just going to try and keep my lead solid through until Hawaii. Hopefully I’ll come out on top again, but I’ve definitely got my work cut out.”
   For Hedge, who missed last tournament after dislocating his shoulder in the final of the  Teahupoo event in Tahiti, another runner-up finish is an amazing comeback achievement. The 25-year-old impressed all with his devastating backhand attack throughout the tournament, none less than those he eliminated along the way, and the result pushes him into #4 on the current ratings.
   “It was nice to see a final out, but there wasn’t many waves in it,” began Hedge. “A little disappointed now, but I’ll get over it soon. I made a little slipup on priority taking the wrong wave, and then Andy had it for the big set. There weren’t too many chances after that.
   “I’m back and it’s game on for the rest of the year,” he added. “I’ve solidified myself as one of the top surfers, not just making up the numbers like last year. I’ve never had to miss an event before, but it really put the fire in my belly to comeback. I put a lot of hard work into my shoulder and it’s paying off.”
   Equal third today were Jake Paterson (West AUS) and 2000 world champ Sunny Garcia (HAW). Both received US$10,000 by reaching the semifinals.
   Paterson, the two-time consecutive (2000 & ’01) champion, posted the highest combined total of this year’s tournament with 18-points yesterday, but against Irons suffered the slow side of an inconsistent heat. He opened his campaign with a strong ride, but never found a solid back up wave. Nonetheless, this result marks his best of the season and pushes him to 7th position on the current ratings.
   "It was just a bummer there weren’t more waves,” said Paterson. “Andy was surfing really well, but I reckon I could have gotten him if I had a better chance. I love J-Bay, so I expect a good result for myself here. This definitely gives me a bit of confidence traveling into the rest of the tour now.”
   Garcia, who only returned to WCT competition three events ago after major reconstructive knee surgery kept him out of the water all last year, displayed some incredible power surfing at Jeffreys. A rampaging Hedge collected a couple of eight plus rides in their match though, stopping the 34-year-old Hawaiian.
   “Normally I would say I’m disappointed, but I went out there and gave 100 percent,” acknowledged Garcia. “I surfed the best I could, and Nathan was a better surfer today. Hats off to him. For me, this year was all about coming back and trying to get back in shape. So far, with the exception of Bells (Beach, AUS) where I had those migraines, I’ve got a semifinal, quarterfinal and a ninth. I’m doing a lot better than I thought I would this year. At 100 kilos I’m giving these small boys a good run for their money. Hopefully I get into better shape and make a final.”
   Finishing equal fifth in the WCT Pro were Australians Lee Winkler (Coffs Harbour, NSW) and Michael Lowe (Windang, NSW), six-time world champion Kelly Slater (FL, USA) and South Africa’s Greg Emslie (East London).
   Slater, the defending event winner, again seemed destined for a finals appearance following earlier performances. Against Hedge however, the Floridian trailed throughout, making uncharacteristic errors and even fell a number of times. Requiring an 8.17 for the latter half of the clash, the 32-year-old secured a great wave with a minute to go, and landed a series of three incredible floaters, but was then caught behind the section and lost any chance of posting the score. His third equal fifth placing of the year, pressure now mounts for him to give Irons a serious challenge for this year’s world title.
   “Last year was just a dream contest for me and everything went my way,” began Slater. “This year just didn’t quite feel like it. I thought I was surfing well, but didn’t get the waves in my heats, and I think the judges were pushing me to do more and it just didn’t work out.
   “It’s obviously frustrating to try and catch up and either tie, or fall further behind three events in a row,” he added, of the ratings. “We’re nearly halfway through the year and I’ve only matched him in one event. I wish we could go head-to-head more (laughs). I wish were on the same side of the draw, so we could put each other out instead of having to try and fight to meet each other at the end of the contest. I’m still expecting Andy to make the quarters and semis most contests, so I’m going to have to start winning some.”
   Emslie equaled his best WCT result by again reaching the quarterfinals at Jeffreys. Despite a strong start to his heat against Garcia, he was unable to emerge from the last couple of tubes and never found the additional 5.68 score required.
   “It was real tricky heat, and bit a slow,” reasoned Emslie. “I was just unlucky at the end. My last two waves went really tight in the barrel and squashed me. I was expecting more out those, so it’s very disappointing. Still, there’s a long way to go this year and hopefully I can get some more results on the WCT.”  
   Results
1st Andy Irons (HAW) 16.83 – US$30,000
2nd Nathan Hedge (AUS) 8.0 - $US$16
   Semifinals (1st>Final; 2nd=3rd receives US$10,000)
SF1: Andy Irons (HAW) 13.84 def. Jake Paterson (AUS) 12.17
SF2: Nathan Hedge (AUS) 16.67 def. Sunny Garcia (HAW) 13.33
   Quarterfinals (1st>Semifinals; 2nd=5th receives US$8,000)
QF1: Jake Paterson (AUS) 10.66 def. Lee Winkler (AUS) 10.33
QF2: Andy Irons (HAW) 15.5 def. Michael Lowe (AUS) 8.17
QF3: Nathan Hedge (AUS) 16.66 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 14.17
QF4: Sunny Garcia (HAW) 11.67 def. Greg Emslie (ZAF) 11.33

   Official ASP Ratings after WCT#5
1. Andy Irons (Haw) 5,016-points
2. Kelly Slater (USA) 3,552
3. CJ Hobgood (USA) 3,444
4. Nathan Hedge (AUS) 3,432
5. Mark Occhilupo (AUS) 3,396
6. Damien Hobgood (USA) 3,180
7. Jake Paterson (AUS) 3,096
8. Michael Lowe (AUS) 2,988
=9. Joel Parkinson (AUS); Sunny Garcia (HAW) 2,976

Domingo 18 de Julio 2004

Biarritz Surf Festival
Joel Tudor 2004 World Champion
Côte des Basques-Biarritz-France, 10-18 July

    Sunday, July 18th 2004 (Côte des Basques, Biarritz, France) Even if the sky was grey and a little rain softly caressed the road, 4-5 ft waves were eventually breaking at the Côte des Basques, recalling last year in everyone’s mind when the waves just arrived for the final rounds. No wind, glassy waves, the WLT top 12 in the quarters: could we expect a better ending?
   At 8.15 am was sent the first heat as the excitment was growing around the competition site. With the pressure, either the surfers could be trumendous either they could be nervous and give nothing at all. Mathew Moir (Zaf) chose the first option and started the heat on fire scoring the second perfect wave of the contest with 10 pts; with beautifull re-entries over the 5 ft sections and a 7 seconds hang-five, he smashed the lip at the inside ending with a flying floater. A-ma-zing! This beautifull heat just anounced the action was going to be hot around here!
   Joel Tudor (Usa) arrived on the site at 7.30 this morning for a warm-up surf in glassy sections. With nearly perfect conditions, the 25-minute heat opposed the last european of the International contest Ben Skinner (GB), Tudor (Usa), Jye byrnes (Aus) 2003 WLT #10 and Marcelo Freitas (Bra). This colourfull heat offered less radicality but more old-school style as Tudor again hung ten perfectly, getting a 9.50 pts two minutes from the hooter qualifying with Marcelo Freitas (Bra).
   The third quarter brang another Hawaii/Brazil clash with former world champion Bonga Perkins (Haw), Duane De Soto (Haw), Diego Rosas (Bra) and Paulo Kid (Bra). Wearing the red singlet, Perkins made the best of the hundred-meters rides and got a 9.25 pts. His style is a mix of radical shortboard moves with classical longboard ones offering a huge variety of manoeuvers. He went through followed by Diego Rosas (Bra).
   Colin McPhillips (Usa) looked relaxed this morning but still determined to get through the round. The swell gave again perfect conditions for the last quarter before the man-on-man quarters. Alex Salazar (Bra), #7 last year, scored the longest hang-five of the week as the brazilian team was enjoying their friend’s show. The three-time world champion showed nice skills but fell too much, creating the first upset of the contest as he got eliminated.
   The man-on-man format made the pressure get to the maximum. Mathew Moir (Zaf) met Taylor Jensen (Usa) in the first quarter and showed again he was really able to get to the end here. “I was shaky this morning when I woke up and I knew it was going to be tight. But with the sets giving many peaks, I just managed to get the right ones this morning with the 10 pointer and then against Taylor as there was less waves,” said the south african. “I’m stoked to be here anyway but if Joel gets through his heat it will be just like in Raglan last year and I have a revenge to take” finished a smiley Moir.
   Joel Tudor (Usa) and Marcelo Freitas (Bra) had to wait longer between the sets as the outgoing tide lowered the waves. The two surfers stuck one to the other for more than 15 minutes. With 3 ft waves whereas the heat before have had solid 4-5 ft, the show was not too good with a maximum of 5.70 pts until the last 3 minutes. Tudor and Mathew Moir (Zaf) got to the semifinal #1.
   Diego Rosas (Bra) started the heat with low scores and open the way to Bonga Perkins who grabbed the opportunities getting set waves scoring an 8.60 pts after a 360° and a huge old school hang-five. “Yesterday was my first surf since last Monday so I felt a bit shaky during the first heat. I’m pretty happy now because something is happening here for me; I surf well even if it’s pretty tricky out there. I’m happy ASP officials waited long because we are getting really nice waves today”, confessed 1996 world champion. “I’m hungry as day one and after all the second and third places I ‘m looking forward to catch this year’s title” ended a concentrated Bonga, already focused on his semifinal.
   The last quarter was ran during low tide and the waves were less present for Kekoa Uemura (Haw) and Alex Salazar (Bra). Eventhough Kekoa got the best ones and scored a 15.75 pts total before a one hour break was decided to wait for the incoming tide.    Semifinals start in 4 ft long glassy waves.
   The high pressure heat opposed Joel Tudor (Usa) to Mathew Moir (Zaf), the two high-scorers of the contest with their 10 pts waves. Less waves were coming but still high quality ones allowing the two contestants to score 9.50 pts for Joel and two 8.50 pts for Mathew. Moir was not impressed and he gave his best with a radical style on his re-entries trying all he could to avoid last year’s result. But with two minutes remaining and more than 9 points to catch-up with, the young South african could only watch the flat ocean in-between the sets and forget the world title for another year.
   The second semifinal was the hawaiian clash between powerfull Bonga Perkins and last year’s WLT #23 Kekoa Uemura, who showed all his talent to get in the semifinals. The swell lost a bit of its regularity giving the surfers the opportunity to work their mental skills. The wide open aera offered a two-peak possibility, and on that last semi, whereas Bonga Perkins stuck to the north side, Uemura chose the opposite, surfing some lefthanders. The outsider took the best of it and accessed the final giving another great upset.
   “I’m so stoked, I’m speechless...It’s been four years now that I work hard on the gym and the surf at home in Hawaii. I just missed the right ones in Raglan but I’m in the final. I’m going to relax, listen to some music and watch the waves” said Uemura before his one-chance last heat to bring the title in Hawaii.
   2004 International Logboard Championships.
   With 4 ft waves on offer, the two last surfers of the week entered the water in a friendly state of mind. Joel Tudor (Usa), wearing the red singlet, looked really relaxed as his long time experience helped him to deal with the pressure. With it’s fourth year on the tour, Kekoa Uemura was a bit more nervous but still smiling before the heat.
   The third man in this 35 minute decider was patience; with long breaks between the heats, the tension was growing out there as hundreds of people were keeping their eyes on the outsider and the former world champion. They both started with high scores but Joel got an 8.50 pts whereas Kekoa managed to grab 8.00 pts on his first; then came the long break leaving everybody impatient to get the action.
   With no big sets coming-in, Kekoa caught an inside wave to take the lead with little 3.25 pts. Joel chose to wait about ten minutes and it payed: he scored a 6.25 pts wave after Kekoa and took the lead with a beautifull one foot hang-five as there was 15 minutes remaining. After paddling to the outside and with a white priority, another good wave came in but Kekoa preferred to stay still and Joel went back for a ride in the row getting a 7.50 pts extending his lead by more than 8 points.
   The grey sky was giving a heavy atmosphere on the Côte des Basques as the ocean went flat again; it was obvious that only one more set was going to break before the hooter spoke, and the pressure got at its highest level with five minutes remaining on the official ASP timer. Nothing came, and Joel Tudor grabbed the World Champion Crown for the second time of his career after waiting 6 years for it.
   “I feel like I have what I’ve wanted for a while. I got second here twelve years ago and it was really important for me to make something here. I’ve been trying to win again because everybody wants to win more than once; it took a while, I had to change my equipment but here it is!” confessed the new 2004 World Champion.
   “My girlfriend is pregnant so I’m going to watch her at home for the next three months, than I’ll be back on the tour. I think Beau Young (Aus) is going to come back on th contests soon, so it will be a great battle and I will answer more than ever. I will definitly be here next year” finished the new World Title holder.

Martes 13 de Julio 2004

Campeonatao Mundial de Surf
Praia do Amado-Algarve-Portugal, 16-17-18 de Julio

   Campeonatao Mundial de Surf WQS
   Praia do Amado, Alagarve (Portugal )
   16, 17 y 18 Julio.

Lunes 12 de Julio 2004

Biarritz Surf Festival
Côte des Basques-Biarritz-France, 10-18 July

   July 11th. Flat day at the International Longboard Championships 2004
   At 8 am, under a nice blue sky the surfers woke up as organisers decided to postpone the International Longboard Championships. 1 ft surf was on offer at La Côte des Basques and a few free surfers went in to practice and warm up in soft tiny waves. We are expecting a new 3-4 ft swell next tuesday but there is a hope for tomorrow afternoon during the incoming tide.
   It’s a day off for the competitors who will have time to enjoy the lifestyle of the Basque country today, between two little sessions of surfing. Round of 96 and round of 72 will be held tomorrow, with the return of Michel Demont (Tah), former ISA 1994 World Champion. Six times winner here in Biarritz, he even made the double win in 1996 of the EPSA and ASP contests, so it’s obvious he’s here to recall a few good impressions.
   But we can be sure the new generation will try its best here in Biarritz. The 21 year old Peruvian Felipe Becerra (NSSA champion 2003 and 2004) already showed his intentions yesterday, scoring four of the best six waves of the contest so far, and just ripping his heat. Antoine Delperro (Fra) who obtained a wild card for the International Longboard Bear championships is also expected to make a nice result here, and will be one of the outsiders to watch during the week.
   From the longboard elite to the young outsiders, everything is together to make this 2004 edition a beautiful event. Let’s be patient and hope the conditions will get better! But for the moment enjoy the ride on the website and see you tomorrow.
   Surf Tech Junior International (July 10-11)
   With 1 ft surf on offer this morning, the International Longboard Bear champonships was postponed under a sunny blue sky. Therefore the last heat and final of the Surf Tech Junior International was sent in the water at 9.30 am.
   The 35-minute decider opposed Karna Goile (Reu), Timothée Creignou (Fra), Joe Davies (Jey) and Vincent Delaplace (Gua) in glassy little waves. Karna Goile showed yesterday he was here to make something serious and as the heat started he confirmed, with two hang-fives and a little re-entry on his first wave.
   With such tiny waves the young surfers showed nice technical skills, walking with style on the water, trying their best to move their 9 ft surf boards. Karna Goile led the heat from the beginning to the end, scoring two amazing long waves from the outside: an 8 pts and a 9.25 pts thanks to a short but well-done hang ten.
   Wearing the white vest, Timothée Creignou managed to get a few good ones but the conditions were really difficult; even though, he scored a 6.25 pts ride and stayed 2nd  with nice moves. But the surfer from Reunion, with a lead of 17.26 pts, just ripped the heat and managed to grab the Surf Tech Junior International’s trophee.
   The two other surfers didn’t manage to get the best of the conditions and stayed at the last places for the whole final. Timothée Creignou tried his best and came back to 9.25 pts from the start but it was still not enough.
   Official results of the Surf Tech Junior International:
1st: Karna Goile (Reu)
2nd: Timothée Creignou (Fra)
3rd: Vincent Delaplace (Gua)
4th: Joe Davies (Jey)
   At 11.30 was held the first tandem surfing exhibition with 4 teams enjoying the glassy but small surf. With the wind coming but under a blue and sunny sky, the crowd was given the opportunity to see in action some of the best teams in the world doing their best before the international contest which will start next Friday.
   No more contest for the day, so enjoy the summer and see you tomorrow at 8.00 for the chek-in.

Lunes 12 de Julio 2004

Biarritz Surf Festival
Côte des Basques-Biarritz-France, 10-18 July

   2004 World Longboard Tour (WLT)
   July 10th, 2004 (Côte des Basques, Biarritz, France)
   The 2004 International Longboard Championships of the Biarritz Surf Festival were inaugurated this morning with the ceremony of the Ho’Okupu (mix of waters from the surfers’ home spots), symbol of the origins of each surfer and of the unique community of surfing. Conducted by the legendary Clyde Aikau from Hawaii, special guest of this festival, surfers, tandem teams, Polynesian canoes gathered at the outside in front of the crowd. The event began with a wonderful journey through Polynesian culture.
   At 3pm started the International Longboard Championships of the Biarritz Surf Festival. With US$35,000 prize money, all the best nations of longboard made the trip to meat here hoping to bring the crown home. Indeed, it’s here in Biarritz that will be known the 2004 world champion of longboard at the end of the contest next Sunday.
   This year looks promissing with a total of 114 surfers present in the international contest including more than 45 European surfers but overall with the best longboarders of the world. Former world champion Rusty Keaulana (Haw), former world champion and last year’s world #2 and amazing free surfer Joel Tudor (USA, Ca), last year’s winner of the Biarritz Surf Festival Taylor Jensen (USA) and 3 times world champion Colin McPhillips (USA) will compete for the world champion crown here at the Côte des Basques in Biarritz, France.
   The first wild card was given to Jonathan Larcher (Fra), 2003 European champion, who got to the semifinals here last year. 18 years old Antoine Delpero, winner of the Biarritz Surf Festival Junior Longboard in 2002, was given the second wild card as one of the most promissing French longboarders.
   In 2-3 ft glassy waves the first 20-minute heat took place under a sunny sky and in front of a numerous crowd. The contest will run today until 7pm with the two pre-trial heats of the WLC event, and the round of 112. The surf’s on for a week from now and it’s obvious that there’s gonna be some action here in Biarritz for the 2004 World Longboard Championships in this Biarritz Surf Festival.
   Chek-in tomorrow at 8.00 am for the round of 96 of the International Longboard Championships, which will be followed by the round of 72.

Martes 6 de Julio 2004

WCT Jeffreys Bay
Supertubes-Jeffreys Bay-South Africa, July 13-23

   Surfing World Focused On J-Bay
   Tuesday, July 6, 2004 (ASP Int’l, Australia) The eyes of the surfing world will be firmly fixed on Jeffreys Bay, South Africa, next week as the world’s best surfers converge for the US $260,000. The fifth of 12 events on the 2004 men’s ASP World Championship Tour (WCT), ‘J-Bay’ follows a months’ break, leaving competitors hungry to be let loose on one of the world’s premier righthand point breaks.
   Supertubes, the venue for the 20th edition of what has become Africa’s most prestigious and lucrative surfing tournament, is universally acknowledged as one of the planet’s top 10 high performance waves.
   Add the talent of the world’s 45 highest ranked surfers, including reigning two-time world surfing champion Andy Irons (Kauai, HAW) and former six-time world champ and defending  winner Kelly Slater (FL, USA) - whose year long duel for the 2003 world crown produced arguably the most exciting title chase in the 28 year history of surfing’s world tour – and you get a sense of the show brewing.
   Former event winners Mark Occhilupo (1984), Joel Parkinson (1999) and Jake Paterson (2000 & 2001) - all Australians, will be back to try and emulate their previous triumphs. Slater meanwhile, will be doing his best to repeat his legendary feats of last year when he produced one of the greatest sequences of sustained contest surfing ever witnessed to clinch a second Supertubes title to go with the inaugural crown he won in 1997.
   At 38, surfing phenomenon Mark Occhilupo (Gold Coast) is the oldest WCT competitor. The ‘Raging Bull’ is currently the highest ranked Australian surfer at no.4 in the world behind Irons, Slater, and fellow Floridian CJ Hobgood.
   “I am definitely in a good position for this time of year and at this time of my life,” reasoned Occhilupo. “Hopefully J-Bay will be kind to me this year, my free surfing at J-Bay is good and I feel like it should be one of my best events. I had a quarterfinal finish last year after a tight heat with Kelly. I just hope it’s pumping this year.”
   The 45 WCT campaigners, including South African Greg Emslie, will be joined in the 48-man format by three wildcards who are determined by the Wildcard Trials staged on the first day the contest is called.
   The Trials will be contested by South Africans Sean Holmes (Wilderness), J-Bay local Ryan Payne and the 2002 ISA world junior champion and runner-up, Durbanites Warwick Wright and Ricky Basnett respectively, as well as SA juniors Damien Fahrenfort and Jordy Smith.
   They will be against four international  team riders in Bede Durbidge (Aus) and Portugal’s Tiago Pires, along with newcomers TJ Barron from Hawaii and Norimasa Ohno – the first Japanese surfer to compete in the event. The top surfer in each of the five man heats, plus the highest scoring second placed competitor, automatically earn a spot in the prestigious WCT Pro, where they will be matched up against the top three seeds in the first round.
   Holmes has become one of the most feared wildcards, following the past two years of qualifying for the WCT Pro and then defeating #1 seed and reigning world champion Andy Irons (Haw) and a number of the other top 45 rated surfers, finishing fifth overall in 2002 and ninth last year.
   “It’s a great honor to be given another chance in the Von Zipper Trials,” said a humble Holmes, a two-time SA open surfing champion who reached the final of the ISA World Surfing Games in Ecuador in March. “Hopefully a couple of us can earn wildcards and fly the SA flag in the Billabong Pro.”
   Unfortunately some members of the top 45 will be absent from the draw. 2002 winner Mick Fanning (Gold Coast, AUS) recently injured his hamstring, and Floridian Shea Lopez continues to recover from the knee injury he suffered at the late last season competing at Pipeline. Replacing them are Luke Hitchings (Bronte, AUS) and Troy Brooks (Gold Coast, AUS).
   World #7 Kieren Perrow (Byron Bay, AUS) and wife Danielle are expecting the birth of their first child any day, so should he elect to withdraw later this week, Shane Powell (Avoca, AUS) will be offered the spot.
   Meanwhile, Nathan Hedge (Narrabeen, AUS) is again primed for action after dislocating his shoulder in the final of the Teahupoo event in Tahiti, and fellow Narrabeen surfer Chris Davidson has also recovered from his foot injury. Similarly, Californian Shane Beschen returns after the knee injury he incurred on Australia’s Gold Coast at the start of the season.
   The WCT Pro boasts an 11 day window, yet only requires four full days of competition to determine a champion in the best possible conditions.

Miércoles 30 de Junio 2004

Roxy Surf Now Tour 2004

   Chicas enseñando a chicas a hacer surf
   El Roxy Surf Now tour vuelve a Europa para enseñar de una vez más a las chicas a surfear. Las campeonas del equipo de Roxy estarán en el agua con todas aquellas chicas que sueñen con aprender a practicar surf. Las chicas podrán conocer los mejores trucos y consejos de las profesionales para aprender deprisa y pasarlo bien! El Roxy Surf Now Tour comenzará durante el Roxy Jam, un campeonato de surf femenino que tendrá lugar del 22 al 30 de Mayo en Anglet (Francia) y continuará por las playas de Europa hasta finales de Julio.
   Chicas Surferas
   Cada día más y más chicas se sienten atraídas por las olas, tal y como pudimos comprobar en la pasada edición del Surf Now Tour. Con las más de 2,500 chicas que se apuntaron el pasado año, el Tour es responsable del gran aumento de la afición de las mujeres al surf. Más de 900 participantes tuvieron la suerte de poder tomar estas lecciones con las chicas del equipo Roxy.
   Mi profesora es Lisa Andersen!
   No todo el mundo tiene el privilegio de tomar su primera lección de surf con una campeona del mundo. Quién mejor que las propias profesionales del surf para transmitir la pasión por este deporte?
   El talento y la experiencia de las chicas del equipo de surf de Roxy las convierte en magníficas profesoras. La modelo y surfista californiana Verónica Kay, Cassia Meador, Caroline Sarran, las campeonas de windsurf y grandes aficionadas al surf Iballa y Daida Ruano Moreno de Canarias, y la Hawaiiana Aimee Vogelgesang entre otras viajarán en esta aventura!
   Calendario Roxy Surf Now 2004
26 de Mayo: Roxy Jam, Anglet (Lecciones para niños). Francia
29 de Mayo: Roxy Jam, Anglet. Francia
23 de Junio: Rouen. Francia
25 de Junio: Lorient. Francia
27 de Junio: Les Sables. Francia
28 de Junio: Saint-Gilles Croix de Vie. Francia
30 de Junio: La Rochelle. Francia
5 de Julio: Santander (Cantabria). España Más info
7 de Julio: Playa de Salinas (Asturias). España
9 de Julio: Ferrol (Galicia). España
14 de Julio:  Wijk Aan Zee. Holanda
16 de Julio: Calais. Francia
19 y 20 de: Croyde (North Devon). GB
24 y 25 de Julio: Fistral Beach, Newquay (Cornwall). GB
   Una tabla de surf especialmente diseñada para la iniciación al surf
   Las chicas que participen en el Roxy Surf Now Tour 2004 tendrán el privilegio de poder utilizar una tabla totalmente nueva diseñada especialmente para principiantes!
   La tabla es una auténtica Malibu N y su forma y volumen la hacen muy estable en el agua.    Su cubierta de neopreno protege de los golpes para una mayor seguridad. Disponible en varios colores (fucsia, azul..) y con grandes flores, la tabla que nunca pasa inadvertida en la playa!
   El Video Learn to Surf Now
   Para que las chicas no olviden sus lecciones, cada participante se llevará a casa un DVD de las clases. En él, las chicas del equipo enseñan los conceptos básicos para el aprendizaje.
   Inscripiciones
   Para participar en el Roxy Surf Now Tour hay que cumplir dos condiciones:
        -Ser chica
        -Presentar un certificado de natación en la playa
   Las personas seleccionadas tendrán la oportunidad de aprender a hacer surf y de conocer a las mejores surfistas del mundo!

   Jeremías San Martín del Nozal (Jefe de Prensa Federación Cántabra de Surf)