John John Florence takes out Joel Parkinson in the final of the Billabong Rip Pro and in doing so moves up to 5th place in the ratings.
Rank:
1. Joel Parkinson
2. Mick Fanning
3. Josh Kerr
4. Adriano De Souza
5. Taj Burrow
5. John John Florence
8. Kelly Slater
The Bud Light Lime Surf Series will head to North County San Diego for the first event of 2012, the Oceanside Invitational, slated for June 1 – 3 at the Harbor.
Come out and join us and watch the action live!
Bud Light Lime Surf Series Oceanside Invitational Facts:
Who: 32 men, 8 women, special guests, trials and expression sessions
Contest Window: Friday, June 1 – Sunday, June 3.
Daily Time Frame: Between 8:00am – 5:00pm, and will run based on conditions and forecast.
Where: Oceanside Harbor @ the North Jetty (Oceanside, CA)
Parking: There will be Free all-day parking in Lot 1 in the harbor located to the east side of the railroad tracks, under the tunnel across from Helgren’s sport fishing.
The BLLSS will be providing spectators with round-trip complimentary shuttle service from parking Lot 1 to the event site during contestant hours. The lot is about half a mile away from the event.
About Bud Light Lime Surf Series
The Bud Light Lime Surf Series launched in 2011 with two events on the California coast, bringing together 32 top men and eight women to compete for more than $100,000 in total prize purse. The BLLSS takes a unique approach to the “professional” surf contest with an equal focus on competition, athlete/spectator experience and providing a relaxed atmosphere. Athletes weigh in on contest formats, heat line ups, and scheduling under the guidance of Benji Weatherley a fellow surfer, participant, and the BLLSS Contest Director.
The BLLSS integrates an eclectic pool of athletes and will once again invite a diverse group of contest pros, legends, local pros and photo/video stars to vie for more than $125,000 in total prize purse.
“Last year was amazing. We kinda hit the nail out of the park and the ball on the head.” said Benji Weatherley, Contest Director and Bud Light Lime surf team member. “This year, we have big plans to make the Bud Light Lime Surf Series events even better.”
Inspired by the Bud Tour of the 1990s, the Bud Light Lime Surf Series strives to foster a participant-influenced competition structure. Its unorthodox format brings together participants from various surf genres around the globe, offering them the chance to compete at least twice before cuts are made following the second round.
Additionally, each surfer’s top-two scores are counted, regardless of which heat they competed in during opening rounds, allowing them to focus on bettering their own scores as opposed to competing directly against one another.
“We are all excited about this year. As a sponsor, Bud Light Lime has given us the freedom and support to develop a unique contest series,” said Chris Conrad Vice President, IMG. “We had a great start last year and with the input from many athletes we will be able to take this season to the next level.” The Bud Light Lime Surf Series is owned and produced by IMG, the global sports, fashion and Media Company.
In addition to the Bud Light Lime Surf Series, Anheuser-Busch’s involvement in surfing includes the Bud Light Lime Surf Team – Fred Patacchia, Jr., Serena Brooke, Sean Moody and Benji Weatherley – and annual surf videos, related parties, promotions and activities supporting the team.
Billabong XXL Ride of The Year, Mens Performance and Monster Tube Champion went to Nathan Fletcher
Billabong XXL Biggest Wave Champion (recorded at 78ft) Garrett McNamara
Monster Paddle Champion Dave Wassel
Verizon Wipeout of the Year going to Garrett McNamara
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, USA – (May 5, 2012) — A new world surfing record has been recognized at the Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards fueled by Monster Energy, with Hawaiian surfer Garrett McNamara (Haleiwa, Hawaii) winning the Biggest Wave Award for a wave measured by experts as 78 feet. The Haleiwa surfer rode the wave at Praia do Norte, Nazaré, Portugal on November 1, 2011, eclipsing the previous record held by Californian Mike Parsons who in 2008 rode a 77 foot wave at the Cortes Bank off the coast of California.
The height of McNamara’s wave was decided by a panel of big wave surfing and photography experts who painstakingly analyzed and measured the photographs and video images of his ride. The measurements of the Billabong XXL judging panel are recognized by the Guinness World Records as the official determination of big wave surfing superlatives. The award winners in seven categories were announced last night at a gala ceremony at the Grove Theater in Anaheim, California that was attended by some 2,200 surf world VIPs.
“It’s amazing we get to do what we do, I am so grateful. The world record doesn’t mean as much to me, this is for the town of Nazaré and Portugal and for all my family and friends there. To be able to give them something to be proud of and inspire them, a world record for this town doing it tough in the middle of nowhere is great,” said McNamara. “I didn’t want to get caught up in it all, but I have to tell you the truth, when they announced my name I got a bigger rush than probably on all the waves I rode this year.”
In addition to his Biggest Wave Award, McNamara also claimed the Verizon Wipeout of the Year Award for a disastrous looking attempt to ride a huge wave at Jaws on Maui, Hawaii in January of this year. With the wind blowing his surfboard off course and water obscuring his vision, McNamara found himself cart-wheeling head over heels into a watery abyss. The wipeout eclipsed other horrifying entries from Tahiti, Tasmania and West Australia.
“You gotta choose where you are comfortable and how you want to die. Jaws is actually really deep and pretty safe compared to the wipeouts Nathan (Fletcher), Bruce (Irons) and all the guys had in Tahiti. When you are scraped on the reef you are dead. At Jaws you have deep water and some guy is probably going to scoop in on the jet ski, pick you up and give you a little kiss. It all depends where you are comfortable,” explained McNamara.
While McNamara’s rides have earned him mainstream acclaim, Nathan Fletcher (San Juan Capistrano, California, USA) walked away with the surfing industry night’s biggest prize, the 35 year-old goofy-foot winning the prestigious, blue ribbon Sony Xperia Ride of the Year Award and $50,000. Fletcher also became the first surfer in the 12-year history of Billabong XXL Global Big Awards to win three awards in the one night. The same massive wave Fletcher rode at Teahupoo in Tahiti on August 27, 2011 that earned him Xperia Ride of the Year, also won him the Monster Tube Award. In addition Fletcher was presented with the Surfline Best Performance Award that honors the male surfer showing the most consistency during the last 12 months. The humble Fletcher is a true “surfer’s surfer” — short on words, but held in high regard by his surfing peers and the global big wave fraternity for his relentless charging.
I definitely didn’t expect to be up for an award, let alone three. It’s a huge honor. I didn’t expect that out of myself,” he said. “The wave at Teahupoo was pure fate. Somehow it just popped up and I was the one who got it. Somehow, I’m not sure, maybe Sion (former award winner, Sion Milosky who drowned in 2011), gave it to me. I can’t believe it. I guess it is all the result of hard work and I am very appreciative of that,” added Fletcher.
Hawaiian Dave Wassel secured the Monster Paddle Award honoring the surfer catching a single big wave without motorized, jet ski assistance.
“For me this is like a lifetime achievement award. I’ve been using my arms since the day I was born and I’m very, very proud. I’m extremely honored, especially considering the mountain of people who strive for this award. To me it makes this the most prestigious award. Jetskis have their place, but the bottom line is I’ll grab a rope if I have to when I’m 40, but I’m not there yet. I’m just using what God gave me,” said Wassel.
Female surfer Maya Gabeira from Brazil won her fifth overall Girls Best Performance Award in Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Award history. Gabeira won four consecutive awards between 2007 and 2010.
“It’s special this year. This has been the best year ever in women’s surfing. I am very honored to win this award because the sport has evolved so much. I have been coming here for six years now and usually there are one or two standouts. This time the level is so much higher with all five nominees being solid entries,” said Gabeira.
In all, over $120,000 in cash and prizes was awarded to the world’s greatest big wave surfers in this the 12th edition of the Billabong XXL Awardsfueled by Monster Energy. Sporting celebrities including the likes of skateboarding legend Tony Hawk and fighter Tito Ortiz, model Erin Wasson, and musicians Dave Grohl and Tayler Hawkins were among the long list of big-name presenters and entertainers. Other top surfers that were nominated for awards were Kohl Christensen (Haleiwa, Hawaii) who distinguished himself with numerous outstanding sessions from Fiji to Chile to Hawaii and Greg Long (San Clemente, California) who was a contender in the Ride of the Year category for a spectacular paddle-in barrel at Puerto Escondido, Mexico. Long was also in contention for the Surfline Best Overall Performance.
Verizon Wireless is the official communications provider and XPERIA Sony Smartphone is the official cell phone supporter. Surfline.com is the exclusive surf forecast of the XXL and Contour the exclusive provider of point of view cameras. The event is sponsored by Air Tahiti Nui airlines, Surfing Magazine and Pelican Products.
2012 BILLABONG XXL BIG WAVE AWARDS RESULTS
SONY XPERIA RIDE OF THE YEAR WINNER:
Nathan Fletcher (San Juan Capistrano, California, USA) at Teahupoo, Tahiti on August 27, 2011. ($50,000)
Video by Simon Saffigna ($5,000)
SECOND PLACE: Ryan Hipwood (Gold Coast, Australia) at Cloudbreak, Fiji on July 12, 2011. ($5,000)
THIRD PLACE: Greg Long (San Clemente, California, USA) at Puerto Escondido, Mexico on May 19, 2011. ($1,500)
FOURTH PLACE: Jeff Rowley (Torquay, Victoria, Australia) at Jaws, Maui, Hawaii on January 30, 2012. ($1,500)
FIFTH PLACE: Garrett McNamara (Haleiwa, Hawaii, USA) at Praia do Norte, Nazaré, Portugal on November 1, 2011. ($1,500)
MONSTER PADDLE AWARD
Dave Wassel (Kaneohe, Hawaii, USA) at Jaws, Maui, Hawaii on January 4, 2012. ($15,000)
Photo by Mike Neal. ($4,000)
BILLABONG XXL BIGGEST WAVE AWARD
Garrett McNamara (Haleiwa, Hawaii, USA) at Praia do Norte, Nazaré, Portugal on November 1, 2011. ($15,000)
Photo by Wilson Ribeiro. ($4,000)
MONSTER TUBE AWARD
Nathan Fletcher (San Juan Capistrano, California, USA) at Teahupoo, Tahiti on August 27, 2011. ($5,000)
Photo by Brian Bielmann. ($2,000)
SURFLINE BEST PERFORMANCE AWARD
Nathan Fletcher (San Juan Capistrano, California, USA) – $5,000
BILLABONG GIRLS BEST PERFORMANCE AWARD
Maya Gabeira (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) – $5,000
VERIZON WIPEOUT OF THE YEAR AWARD
Garrett McNamara (Haleiwa, Hawaii, USA) at Jaws, Maui, Hawaii on January 4, 2012. ($2,000)
Video by Elliot Leboe. ($1,000)
Glenn Hall by far the under dog in this comp
Jeremy Flores top turn
Glenn Hall had priority, and Jeremy loses
Tanner Gudauskas on rail
John John barely going down to Glenn in the semi
Yes, we wanted Dane to win or at least be in the final
WCT veteran Adrian “Ace” Buchan taking down local boy Pat Gudauskas
All of San Clemente most likely wanted to see at Pat and Tanner Gudauskas final
Almost standing room only at the Nike Lowers Pro
Smoking Glenn Hall in the final
Would you flex your muscles like this if you were to be carried up the beach after a win (neither would we)
Gabriel with the $40,000 check along with a gold train spike worth $30,000 and Glenn Hall receiving a silver plated spike
Begins next week from Lower Trestles
Our favorites:
Dane Reynolds
Taj Burrow
Julian Wilson
Kolohe Andino
Biggest Wave Nominees
Andrew Cotton
*Garrett McNamara
Axi Muniain
Ollie O’Flaherty
Damien “Taco” Warr
Monster Paddle Nominees:
Ken “Skindog” Collins
Danilo Couto
*Shane Dorian
Jamie Mitchell
Dave Wassel
Monster Tube Nominees
Kohl Christensen
*Nathan Fletcher
Bruno Lemos
Tyler Hollmer-Cross
Bruce Irons
Everaldo “Pato” Teixeira
Verizon Wipeout Nominees
Felipe Cesarano
Rodrigo Koxa
*Garrett McNamara
Danny Griffith
Mark Mathews
Surfline Mens Overall Performance Nominees
Kohl Christensen
Shane Dorian
*Nathan Fletcher
Mark Healey
Greg Long
Billabong Girls Overall Performance Nominees
Paige Alms
Maya Gabeira
Keala Kennelly
Siliva Nabuco
*Savannah Shaughnessy
Yesterday they finished the Vans Pier Classic presented by Jacks Surfboards in solid 6ft plus wind blown storm surf.
Keanu Asing sticking to his backside the whole event
Junior Final Results
1 12.07 Keanu Asing HAW
2 11.37 Andrew Doheny USA
3 7.93 Ian Gentil HAW
4 4.77 Conner Coffin USA
Nat Young’s backside was highly talked about over the loud speaker, but in this comp he proved his frontside can be just as lethal.
Mens Finalist (all Cali boys)
1 15.07 Nat Young USA
2 14.87 Nathan Yeomans USA
3 10.66 Chris Ward USA
4 7.00 Chase Wilson USA
We were on Surfline today and noticed they are having a photo challenge here where the user can vote between 10 images that were taken in February by various photographers. In return the winning photographer will be awarded a one-year premium membership to Surfline.
The image with the “x” is the one we voted for
The current results (you don’t get to see these until you vote). What we liked most from this scale is that it proves most people enjoy empty wave photos compared to surfing action.
The website is now live for this years Quiksilver and Roxy Pro presented by Land Rover on The Gold Coast of Australia – Best of Boardriding
Superstars Dane Reynolds, Shane Dorian and Bruce Irons plus surfing legends Mark “Occy” Occhilupo, Luke Egan and Rob Machado have all accepted their invitations to the inaugural 2012 Billabong Mundaka Challenge, presented by Sony Ericsson.
These international stars will compete against a class field of European and local Basque surfers for the right to win the first ever Billabong Mundaka Challenge and €25,000 worth of prizemoney. The invitational only, one-day event has until the end of March to ensure flawless conditions and a minimum wave size of 6 to 8 feet.
Californian Dane Reynolds, who recently announced that he will not be competing on the 2012 ASP World Tour, jumped at the chance to be a part of the inaugural event. “I’m really stoked to be invited to the Billabong Mundaka Challenge and am mainly looking forward to getting tubed,” said Reynolds. Pressed for a favourite from the elite 18-man field, Reynolds nominated Occy as the biggest threat.
Occy won the Mundaka Billabong Pro in 1999 on the way to his world title and first surfed the
famous rivermouth more than 30 years ago. “Mundaka holds a special part in my heart, both the wave and the people of the town. It’s truly an honour just to surf there, let alone with these other amazing surfers. You’d need wild horses to keep me away from this,” said Occhillupo.
Like Occy, Luke Egan is another former Mundaka Pro winner that will be making the journey from Australia’s Gold Coast. “It’s an amazing town and an amazing wave and it deserves a speciality event like this to showcase how magical it is,” said Egan. “To rock up and surf when it’s pumping with some of your heroes and the best guys that have ever been out there is going to be unreal.”
Joining the six invited international surfers will be Europeans Benjamin Sanchis, Eric Rebiere, Miky Picon, Marc Lacomare, Reubyn Ash and Fergal Smith, all known for their ability in heavy conditions and tubing waves.
Rounding out the 18 man field will be six of the best local Basque surfers, Hodei Collazo, Aritz Aramburu, Iker Fuentes, Eneko Acero, Inaki Urkidi, plus the winner of the Mundaka tubes online contest at www.mundakatubes.biz. With their combined local knowledge and talent it’s entirely possible that one of these surfers could make history at their legendary homebreak.
The inaugural Billabong Mundaka Challenge is set to bring back the world’s best tuberiders to Mundaka, one of the world’s best waves. A three-month waiting period starting from 15th January 2012 has been put in place to ensure the one-day event will score flawless conditions and a minimum wave size of 6 to 8 feet. Video highlights of what should be an historic day of surfing will be available on www.themundakachallenge.com
The innovative event brings a welcome return of world-class surfing back to the town of Mundaka, a venue that holds a special place in European surfing folklore. Known as one of the most perfect and picturesque waves in the world, the Basque town hosted the Billabong Pro, an elite pro surfing competition for a decade up until 2009.
“Billabong in collaboration with the Mundaka Surf Club wanted to run an event that would show the true potential of what the Mundaka wave has to offer,” said Sam Carrier, the Billabong Europe Mens Marketing Manager. “The town is a magical place and the wave is one of the best lefts in the world. We can wait for that perfect day and show the world some of the crazy tuberides that Mundaka is famous for.”
The invitee only event will see six international and six European tuberiding specialists competing against six Basque surfers, two of which will be chosen by the Mundaka Surf Club. An innovative format is in place with surfers initially competing in hour-long six man heats. Depending on conditions, a six man final will then either be held on the primary event day or the following day with the winner pocketing €15,000 in prize money.
With competitors judged solely on their best two tube rides, the invite list is made up of a who’s who of barrel riders, Mundaka specialists and previous Billabong Pro winners. One surfer who falls into all those categories is Mark “Occy” Occhilupo. Occy won the Mundaka Billabong Pro in 1999 on his way to the world title and has a special affinity with the wave.
“When you are standing in the barrel at Mundaka looking out at the mountains it’s like time stands still. It definitely has to be one of the best barrels in the world,” said Occy. “To have it back with the Mundaka Challenge is absolutely epic.”
