Carroll plans to wave fear goodbye, by Will Swanton - The Age - 30th December 2007

AUSTRALIA'S former world champion Tom Carroll is 46 going on 16, with the wisdom and fearlessness you get from simultaneously being at both ends of the spectrum.

He's old enough to know the legendary Big Wave Invitational In Memory of Eddie Aikau is seriously dangerous, but still bristles with enough attitude to pack his bags, grit his teeth and go.

The most famous big-wave contest was created in 1985 to honour Hawaiian waterman Eddie Aikau. Twenty-eight of the world's most accomplished paddle-in big-wave riders are on alert, waiting for the call that could come day or night — to grab their bags and converge on the legendary surfing ground of Waimea Bay, on the north shore of Oahu, for the most jaw-dropping contest of all.

The 28 are spread around the globe with their hearts in their mouths while they wait for the beast to start stirring. The holding period is from December 1 to February 29, and heats do not begin until the faces of the waves reach a thunderous nine metres.

A man of Carroll's age and past glories as a double world champion should feel no obligation to keep testing himself in such a frightening cauldron, but as soon as the call comes that the waves have maximised, he will be on the first plane.

"There's plenty of storm activity up there — it's just a matter of time," Carroll said yesterday. "It's the ocean; she's just got a mind of her own. When the time comes, you've just got to get yourself together because you're moving towards an animal, you know. You want the fear to be there. It has to be.

"If there's no fear, there's something wrong with you. There's the anticipation and then you're out there and the ocean is pouring in at you. It's a humbling experience. You sense that you're insignificant, really, but that can be inspiring."

Given the strict wave-height requirement, The Eddie has only been held seven times in 21 years. The winner receives around $100,000 — and unbridled respect.

Media Man Australia Profiles

Surfing

Places to surf before you die: the Superbank, by Sean Doherty - 17th December 2007 - news.com.au

IT'S one of the great wonders of the surfing world, but Mother Nature can only take half the credit for Queensland's Superbank.

While man has utterly extinguished the natural beauty of the Gold Coast, it is the ultimate irony that he's been able to create a thing of true beauty - even if it was by mistake. It seems that in the home of the cheeseball tourist theme park, they've even made one for surfers.

In 2001, the Gold Coast council fired up the pumps to start dredging the mouth of the Tweed River, making it safer for fishing boats to put to sea. The sand was to be pumped to the northern side of the river mouth, behind Snapper Rocks, whence it would continue its natural drift north up the Queensland coast.

Gallery: Waves to surf before you die »

When the dredge contractor pushed the button on that morning, he had no idea he would soon become a cult hero for surfers around the world.

Within weeks the local surfers began to notice the change.

The adjacent (yet independent) point breaks of Snapper Rocks and Greenmount were being cemented together by a blanket of sand. A few months later the magic dust had spread out into the bay, the high-tide line was 150 metres further out, and the new wave was even linking up with Kirra, two kilometres away.

It was Frankenstein's monster, only much, much prettier - it was the Superbank coming to life.

Gold Coast surfers couldn't believe what they were seeing. Guys were scoring the waves of their lives.

Twenty-second tubes were clocked; one local surfer, Damon Harvey, rode a wave from Snapper Rocks all the way through to Little Groyne at Kirra. And it wasn't just that the wave was long - it barrelled, walled, spat and slithered all the way. The thing was damn-near flawless, whichever way you looked at it.

The wave begins behind the rock at Snapper - Satan's washing machine. The heaviest section of the whole wave, it's the backwash off Snapper's rocks that makes the take-off here so sketchy, and it's here that the local guys rule.

If you survive this below-sea-level barrel section - which the locals have an uncanny knack of doing - the next kilometre or two is all yours (or, more to the point, theirs).

Beyond this, the nature of the wave itself fluctuates according to the state of the sand.

As a rule, the wave barrels through Little Marley, backs off slightly heading into Greenmount, then goes to the races through Coolangatta into Kirra. But don't worry so much about what the wave's going to do, just worry about getting one.

Cue the circus music, because the best sandbank in the world was never going to remain a secret for very long. Flawless would soon become lawless.

The perfect nature of the wave means that it rarely sections off, so, in theory, a five-wave set can be ridden by five guys for as long as they want. With another 500 guys in the water waiting their turn ... well, you crunch the numbers.

The only way to get a wave is to either take off behind the rock, hope the guy on the wave chokes and falls, or simply burn him.

Sadly, the latter scenario is all too common out here, and the place occasionally degenerates into a post-apocalyptic war zone. From 70-year-olds to seven-year-olds, from Brazilians to the British, from weekend warriors to world champs, they're all thrown together out there, battling each other for their little slice of the legend.

But what man can build, nature can wipe away in a heartbeat, and you always get the feeling there's something impermanent about the Superbank. It will only exist as long as the pumps keep pumping. The bank's short existence has coincided with one of the quietest meteorological periods in modern history, and the place hasn't yet experienced a direct hit from an overdue tropical cyclone.

Maybe Huey, seeing that the place is conjuring up the dark side of the surfing spirit, will do a Sodom and Gomorrah on the Superbank and wash away all trace of it.

The Pilgrimage: 50 places to surf before you die, edited by Sean Doherty, is published by Penguin Books on the Viking Imprint and is available in all good bookshops for $49.95.

Media Man Australia Profiles

Surfing

Fanning in world-title heaven - Imbituba, Brazil - The Age - 8th November 2007

NEW world champion Mick Fanning's thoughts were of his late brother as a dolphin swam nearby while he clinched the crown at Imbituba in Brazil.

Fanning ended seven years of American dominance, giving Australia its first men's world title since Mark Occhilupo in 1999.

The 26-year-old Gold Coaster clinched the title when he outlasted remaining rivals Taj Burrow and Kelly Slater in the penultimate event of the season, the Santa Catarina Pro.

Fanning was in the water waiting for his semi-final against childhood friend Joel Parkinson when Burrow was eliminated by fellow Australian Tom Whitaker and his dream was realised.

"I woke up this morning and I just had a good feeling that it was going to happen today," Fanning said. "It was so amazing to be out there with Joel.

"When I realised I'd won, I went, 'What do we do, Joel?' and he was like, 'I don't know'."

Not done, workaholic Fanning went on to beat Parkinson then claim his ninth world tour event win by beating Australian rookie Kai Otton in the final.

"To take the reins over from Oc (Occhilupo) is incredible," Fanning said.
"He is pretty much the legend of the sport. He's such a character and such a cool guy."

Fanning has been a model of consistency in his climb to world champion but it has not come easily.

Raised by a single mother who now manages his career, Fanning lost his older brother Sean, also a gifted surfer, in a car accident as a teenager.

The two were very close and Fanning wondered at the presence of a dolphin in the water yesterday.

"It was so cool with Joel out there in the semi-final and there was a dolphin out there, I'm not sure if it was my brother or what," Fanning said.

"Every heat I've had today there has been a dolphin right there in the line-up, just chilling."

Born in Penrith, NSW, Fanning, his four siblings and mother moved to Coolangatta on Queensland's Gold Coast when he was a toddler and he grew up surfing with Parkinson and Dean Morrison, known collectively as the Cooly Kids.

"Joel and Dean are the reason that I train so hard," Fanning said.
"When I was a kid, those guys used to smoke me all the time. I was always trying to be better than those guys."

Making his debut on the world tour in 2002 after finishing No. 1 in the world qualifying series, Fanning was fifth in his rookie year and moved up to No. 4 in 2003 before finishing No. 3 in 2005 and 2006.

His lowest year-end rating of No. 7 came in 2004 after he tore his hamstring from the bone in a freesurfing incident midway through the season.

"Even though I was injured, it was probably the best six months of my life. I didn't have to worry about surfing.

"I had fun with my friends and, at the end of it, I found the girl that I love and want to marry.

"So even though it was bad for my body, it was a million more times better for my mind and my heart."

Fanning is engaged to be married in February to his long-time girlfriend, Gold Coast model Karissa Dalton.

Since winning the Billabong Pro in South Africa in 2006, Fanning has featured in seven finals.

He has also finished as a semi-finalist three times and a quarter-finalist twice from the past 15 events.

This year he had already won the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast and the Quiksilver Pro France.

Parkinson was thrilled for Fanning after their semi-final.

"It was pretty cool, we were speechless," Parkinson said.

Occhilupo was quick to congratulate Fanning.

"I get goose bumps just thinking about it," Occhilupo said.

"It's been eight years and we've got it back to Australia.

Fanning is now Australia's ninth men's world champion after "Midget" Farrelly (1964), "Nat" Young (1966 and 1970), Paul Neilsen (1972), Ian Cairns (1973), Mark Richards (1975 and 1978-82), Peter Townend (1976), Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew (1978), Tom Carroll (1983-84), Damien Hardman (1987 and 1991), Barton Lynch (1988) and Occhilupo in 1999.
AAP

Aussie Fanning wins surfing world title - NineMSN - 7th November 2007

Mick Fanning has become the first Australian to win the men's surfing world title in eight years at the Santa Catarina Pro in Brazil on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old secured the world crown following the elimination of rivals Kelly Slater and Taj Burrow in the fourth round and quarter-finals respectively at the tour event in South America.

Having picked up the nation's first men's title since Mark Occhilupo in 1999, Fanning went on to claim the event by edging out countryman Kai Otton in the final.

The Gold Coaster has been ultra-consistent this year, reaching the semi-final in eight of the nine rounds.

He has finished third behind eight-time champion Slater in the title race for the past two seasons before finally trumping the American master this time around.

Fanning has been at the front of the pack since his rookie year in 2002, only missing a top-five finish on one occasion.

That was in 2004 when he missed most of the year due to severe hamstring injury from a freak wipeout in Indonesia that almost brought a premature end to his career.

He completely tore the hamstring and tendons from his bone and was left with a softball sized lump of muscle below his backside.

He endured an eight-hour boat trip and three-day journey without painkillers - and even had to bribe Indonesian immigration - just to get home.

The final event on the world tour is the Pipeline Masters in Hawaii from December 8-20.

Media Man Australia Profile

Surfing

Surfing Poseidon's Peaks, By Kati Turcu - The Epoch Times

Surfing Poseidon't Peaks (Credit: The Epoch Times)

Describing a good wave or the feeling of surfing it isn't easy. Not before long one finds oneself in superlative wipeout, much like the surfers who attempt it only to fail.

Luckily surfing is not about words. There are those who do and those who watch.

Though the thrill of riding a wave can hardly be described, at least it can be documented in film.

To this end, the Australian Surf Movie Festival (ASMF) is in its sixth year and presents the best opportunity for fans to see spectacular footage from around the world.

Film and Event Director Tim Bonython has been shooting surfing footage since 1978 and understands what makes a good surfing film.

He explains: "It's easy to shoot good surfing as long as you got a good surfer in good waves, but what we'd like to have in relation to the festival is a good story. We transport people to amazing locations and, in most cases the location is scarier than just guys having fun in waves."

One of the features of the festival called Down the Barrel documents the lives of four talented surfers: Kelly Slater, Rob Machado, Kalani Robb and Australia's Joel Parkinson. It won The Best Cinematography in this year's Surfer Poll and Video Awards in the US run last month for its underwater barrel shots and masterful jet-ski angles from exotic destinations such as Teahupo'o in Tahiti.

Mr Bonython explains further: "In a festival we want to chop and change and keep people totally entertained from the start to the end. So we start with something exciting and then we pull it back and go on a bit of a profile of a person's career and then we come back and do something exciting.

Then there's the kind of excitement that is best left for viewing."

Filmmaker Brook Sylvester, captures Mark Mathews catching the heaviest wave ever surfed in Australia at the most feared break nicknamed Cyclops. "Surfing this wave is really dicing with death," says Mr Bonython "It's very very thick and it contorts; a beautiful wave but it's deadly."

Sydney's fearless big wave surfer Mark Mathews, whose objective is to surf the biggest and heaviest waves on the planet is also in Three Days at OURS.Shot at Sydney's Cape Solander outside Botany Bay in April 2007, Mathews and the "Bra Boy crew" – Ritchie Vaculik, Evan Faulks, Koby Abberton – and Bronte surfers Kobi Graham and John Dwyer tackle some of the most spectacular barrels ever surfed in Sydney or anywhere else on the planet.

Mr Bonython says: "I promise you that when viewing this footage, which is our finale you will be blown away by the intensity of the action. This is one serious wave, where really only the gutsiest surfers on the planet could take it on."

But Mr Bonython's excitement also masks considerable frustration at seeing Australian filmmakers battling it out financially while surf magazines have been giving away mediocre free DVDs as part of their marketing strategy. The situation makes it difficult for independent producers to make something out of genuinely good films.

He tells The Epoch Times: "there haven't been any good surf-DVD's release in this country for a while now."

The films in the festival are shown exclusively and will only be released next year with tracks as a DVD package.

Alhough the ASMF documents the near impossible feats of the big names in surfing, not all of the films shown focus on the stars. "It's good to have a film where it's not just full of surf stars. It's actually just got your Jo normals out there having a good fun time and in that film it's not life threatening waves, just beautiful endless perfection. When a wave is that good, really the wave is the star," Mr Bonython says.

Sounds like the audience will definitely be stoked.

The Australian Surf Movie Festival premieres at the North Bondi RSL on October 31, 2007 at 8pm and will tour nationally for three weeks, travelling to 22 venues until November 25.

See www.asmf.net.au for a list of venues, dates and ticket purchase information.

Media Man Australia Profiles

Australian Surf Movie Festival

Surfing

Australian Surf Movie Festival Premiers Tonight at North Bondi RSL

Fructis Style Surf Hair Australian Surf Movie Festival presented by Tooheys Extra Dry

The Fructis Style Surf Hair Australian Surf Movie Festival presented by Tooheys Extra Dry premieres at the North Bondi RSL on October 31, 2007 at 8pm and will tour nationally for three weeks, traveling to 22 venues until November 25.

Film and Event Director Tim Bonython says, “the number one objective of the Fructis Style Surf Hair Australian Surf Movie Festival is to have surf movies on the big screen come seriously alive! There’s no better place than sitting with friends in an auditorium hooting surfers riding giant waves and being part of the surf stoke that surf flicks on a big screen create.”

NEWS AT 26th OCTOBER 2007

The Fructis Style Australian Surf Movie Festival presented by Tooheys Extra Dry has now secured access to the most incredible action from Tasmania's hell wave, Shipsterns Bluff. On 22 October 2007, Shipsterns Bluff erupted with some of the nastiest waves ever surfed there, around 15 to 20 feet, with offshore winds and clear sunny skies.

“The surfing that went down on this day was mind numbing. One mistake and death was a real possibility,” says event director Tim Bonython.

“To add this footage to the festival is the absolute icing on the cake,” says Bonython. With Brook Sylvester's Cyclop's film, 'The One Eyed Monster' and Tim Bonython’s 'Three Days at OURS', the action will be pretty crazy when watching it all on the big screen.

In its sixth year, the Fructis Style Surf Hair Australian Surf Movie Festival has an impressive line-up of surf movies, music and $15,000 in prizes.

THE FILMS:

WILD AUSTRALIA by Tim Bonython
Wild Australia, produced by Tim Bonython takes the viewer on a 30 year journey of surfing including the legendary Bells 81 big waves right through to the most perfect waves ever surfed this year on the Gold Coast’s Superbank at Coolangatta.
Bonthyon says “I have shot thousands of hours of surfing over the last 30 years and Wild Australia is my pick of the best surfing I have seen in this time”. To bring back the 80’s vibe, Tim is planning to narrate Wild Australia live as he did back in the day when he toured pubs and clubs showing the latest footage with his Super 8 – keeping the punters up to date before the video era.

THREE DAYS at OURS by Tim Bonython
Sydney’s fearless big wave surfer Mark Mathews is the star of this year’s Australian Surf Movie Festival. Mark’s objective is to surf the biggest and heaviest waves on the planet. OURS, located at Sydney’s Cape Solander (outside Botany Bay) in April 2007 was surfed as big and mean as it gets.

Surfing Ours with Mark Mathews includes the Bra Boy crew of Ritchie Vaculk, Evan Faulks, Koby Abberton and Bronte surfers Kobi Graham and John Dwyer. These fearless surfers tackle some of the nastiest barrels ever surfed in Sydney and for that matter Australia or anywhere else on the planet.

Bonython says “I promise you that when viewing this footage which is our finale you will be blown away by the intensity of the action. This is one serious wave, where really only the gustiest surfers on the planet could take it on. ”

DOWN THE BARREL by Steve Lawrence
Down the Barrel won The Best Cinematography in this years Surfer Poll and Video Awards in the US run last month. This feature film documents the lives of four unique and talented surfers: Kelly Slater, Rob Machado, Kalani Robb and Australia’s Joel Parkinson.
Lawrence and world renowned surf water cameraman Mike Prickett capture surfing from so many unique angles. The entire project is filmed in 16 mm, super 16 mm, and high definition. Amazing underwater barrel shots and masterful jet-ski angles from exotic surf destinations such as Teahupo’o, Tahiti make this movie stand out from the crowd. Bonython enthuses, ‘this film is a really cool flick and fits perfectly to what our film festival represents’.

CYCLOPS, WA 2007 By Brook Sylvester
Mark Mathews catches the heaviest wave ever surfed in Australia at the most feared break, Cyclops.“Surfing this wave is really is dicing with death,” says Bonython. Watching this wave on tape will make you squirm, Bonython believes.

BANKRUPT - THE SUPERBANKBy Tim Bonython
April 07 – Probably the most perfect wave on the planet – In this short this man made wave is the star – Never ever has the Superbank looked so flawless. No surfing super stars – just endless perfection.

HURLEY PRESENTS SOUND & VISION – Yadin Nicol profile.
This is the real deal, Australia, Bali, Africa and more! The sights and sounds of remote locations and near death experiences. The movie features Yadin blowing up waves all over the world while his closest peers lend insight into what makes this million dollar maniac tick. From the water to the local watering hole, Yadin is loud and impossible to ignore.

SHORT STORIES – TIM CURRAN profileBy Jason Haynes
Short Stories profiles Californian Pro surfer and musician Timmy Curren. Timmy Curren was the world’s first surfer to pull a full back flip on a surfboard, has competed at the highest level on the WCT and when he is not surfing for the latest Talyor Steele film or competing in an Airshow he is playing music. In a very short time Tim has gone from playing music in his bathroom to playing with the Foo Fighters at the Sydney Opera house. How did this happen? Find out in Short Stories.

LIVE MUSIC:
Sydney band, Tokenview will perform live acoustic tunes in the intermission at most shows. Tokenview is a chilled out pop/rock band with a great vibe. Check the web site for details of venues Tokenview will be playing. Have a listen - www.myspace.com/tokenview

Slide Show Intermission – Photography montage by Tracks photographers showcasing some of the world’s best still surfing images.

Win a Surf Trip of a lifetime!
The Surf Travel Company are giving one lucky surfer the opportunity to win a surf trip of a lifetime to the Mentawai Islands, Indonesia aboard Arimbi valued at $5,000. The prize includes flights to Padang, return airport/hotel/boat transfers, 11 nights of luxury on Arimbi with all meals and drinks provided and use of all fishing and snorkeling gear. Plus you will receive one naturalfooted medical kit and 2 weeks insurance with Suresave Global Travel Insurance.
Win Surfboards 1 of 10 surfboards!

Firewire Surfboards in conjuction with Fructis Style Surf Hair, we will be giving away 4 Firewire Surfboards.

Tooheys Extra Dry will be giving away 5 MR Surfboards.

STC in conjunction with Simon Anderson will be giving away a custom surfboard with a AUD $100 international gift voucher for use on an international holiday.

Win Sanyo Video Waterproof and dust proof video camera valued at $799.

SAMPLE BAGS:
Everyone who attends the Fructis Style Surf Hair Australian Movie Festival presented by Tooheys Extra Dry will be given a sample bag loaded with samples and goodies from our sponsors.

SPONSORS

FRUCTIS STYLE SURF HAIRTOOHEY’S EXTRA DRY
BLINDE SDS JETTY SURFHURLEYSANYOTHE SURF TRAVEL COMPANY

MEDIA PARTNERS
TRACKS MAGTRIPLE J FUEL TVREALSURFSWELLNETPODSURF TVSURF DECALS
ASSOCIATION PARTNERS
SURFRIDER FOUNDATIONSURF AID INTERNATIONALSURFDECALS.COM

::TOUR SCHEDULE::
SYDNEY
• PREMIERE Wed 31 Oct Nth Bondi RSL Nth Bondi 8pm• Thurs 1 Nov Paddington RSL Paddington 8.15pm• Fri 2 Nov Randwick Ritz Randwick 6.45 pm• Sat 3 Nov Cronulla Dunningham Park Live music from 7.30pm- films from 8pm• Mon 5 Nov Manning Bar Sydney Uni Sydney 8pm• Wed 7 Nov Nth Bondi RSL Nth Bondi 8pm• Thurs 8 Nov Dee Why RSL Dee Why 8pm• Fri 9 Nov Collaroy Cinema Collaroy 7pm• Sat 10 Nov Avalon Cinema Avalon 4pm• Sat 10 Nov Palm Beach RSL Palm Beach 8pm• Sun 11 Nov Towradgi Beach Hotel Wollongong 7pm ( over 18’s yrs)

VICTORIA
• Tues 13 Nov The Astor Melbourne 7.30pm• Thurs 15 Nov The Esplanade Hotel 8pm ( over 18’s yrs)

SOUTH AUSTRALIA• Sat 17 Nov Mercury Cinema Adelaide 5pm• Sat 17 Nov Mercury Cinema Adelaide 8pm

QUEENSLAND
• Tues 20 Nov Noosa Bowling Club Noosa 8pm
NSW COAST• Sun 4 Nov Avoca Beach Picture Theatre Avoca Beach 5pm• Wed 21 Nov Byron Bay Community Centre Byron Bay 8.15pm• Thurs 22 Nov Twin Towns Star Room Twin Towns 8pm• Fri 23 Nov First Avenue Cinema Sawtell /Coffs Harbour 8 pm• Sat 24 Nov Tuncurry Memorial Hall Tuncurry /Forster 8pm• Sun 25 Nov Newcastle Showcase City Cinema Newcastle 6pm

TICKETING:
Adult: $17.50 Pre-booked $20.00 at the door
Children (under 12) $ 12.50 pre-booked $15.00 at the door
Group tickets ( 5 adults) : $75.00 pre-booked only
Family pass ( 2 children + 2 parents) = total of 4 people = $50.00

TICKETS ON SALE NOW - www.asmf.net.au
Contacts• Film Director: Tim Bonython call 0412500050 or office 02 9973 3842 tbproductions@volatile.com.au
• Event and Ticketing Director: Sandrine Bonython office 02 9918 5300 sandrine@volatile.com.au
• Sales and pr: Phil Osborn 0403091515 posborn@tpg.com.au
• Media & Press Relations: Suzy Anderson 0402 734 173 media@volatile.com.au

_______
Photo Press:
Photo : Bill Morris Surfer: Koby Abberton Location: Ours To download click here.
Photo: Shorty Surfer: Mark Matthews Location: Ours To download click here.
Photo: Nathan Smith Location: Kirra To download click here.

Tweed surfer nabs Deadly award - Gold Coast Bulletin - 1st October 2007

01Oct07

TWEED Heads surfer Dale Richards has nabbed Most Promising New Talent at the Deadly Awards.

The awards, held at the Sydney Opera House last week, honour indigenous and Torres Strait Islander music, sport, entertainment, the arts and community achievements.

Earlier this year Richards was selected to compete in the trials for the Quiksilver Pro on the Gold Coast the opening event on the 2007 ASP Men's World Tour.

He went on to beat 15 more experienced surfers to earn himself a wild card entry into the main event. In doing so, Richards became the first-ever indigenous surfer to advance to the main round of the elite world tour event.

Joining the world's top 45 professional surfers in the tournament, Richards drew three time world champions Andy Irons (Haw) in his first heat and, after beating him, squared off against one of his idols eight time world champion Kelly Slater in the next.

While he didn't progress beyond the second round with Slater, the tournament still marked an unbelievable achievement for the 18-year-old.

``It is an honour to be nominated and to win is special there aren't a lot of indigenous surfers out there," said Richards, who received a huge round of applause from the thousands of invited guests as he accepted his award.

Growing up 10 minutes from the beach at Tweed Heads, it wasn't long before Richards began surfing.

After taking up the sport at age 11, Richards was soon entering and winning a swathe of local junior surfing competitions, squeezing in training and practice in the surf at every opportunity between school.

By the age of 16 Richards boasted a bevy of sponsors, including surfwear label Quiksilver.

After establishing himself as one of the stars of the pro-juniors and being widely recognised as one of the top young surfing talents in the country, Richards had been building towards a breakthrough performance for some time and it was his 2007 performance against the world's surfing elite that saw him honoured at the 12th annual Deadlys.

Eagle beats McNaught to TV gig - The Daily Telegraph - 25th October 2007

When they raced each other for the affections of surf god Kelly Slater at this year's Australian Grand Prix, Erin McNaught beat her then roommate Lauryn Eagle to his heart.

But in the latest wave of rivalry between the local beauties, Eagle has landed a prize TV hosting role ahead of McNaught.

While the former Miss Universe Australia got the guy that weekend back in March, Eagle has pipped her to the post for the gig presenting Foxtel's popular surf show, Ra5.

While McNaught was chatting up Slater during the celebrity race, Eagle, an Australian water-skiing champion and part-time model, told Confidential her big break on the new show came through meetings with his Aussie surfing mates.

"I thought he was absolutely gorgeous. I told Erin about him and she was right onto it. I wasn't bothered though,'' Eagle added, ``I met Stuart (Bedford Brown), one of the show's producers and he suggested I try out.''

After impressing during a screen test mid-year for the program's presenter, Eagle got revenge on her racing buddy and romantic rival, who was also considered for the role.

While filming on the fifth series starts next week, the 19-year-old water babe will also take on McNaught's beauty queen territory when she competes in the Miss Tourism pageant in Malaysia next month - more competition for McNaught.

Press Release: Fructis Style Surf Hair Australian Surf Movie Festival presented by Tooheys Extra Dry

Press Release: Fructis Style Surf Hair Australian Surf Movie Festival (Credit: ASMF)

Fructis Style Surf Hair Australian Surf Movie Festival presented by Tooheys Extra Dry
The Fructis Style Surf Hair Australian Surf Movie Festival presented by Tooheys Extra Dry premieres at the North Bondi RSL on October 31, 2007 at 8pm and will tour nationally for three weeks, traveling to 22 venues until November 25.

Film and Event Director Tim Bonython says, “the number one objective of the Fructis Style Surf Hair Australian Surf Movie Festival is to have surf movies on the big screen come seriously alive! There’s no better place than sitting with friends in an auditorium hooting surfers riding giant waves and being part of the surf stoke that surf flicks on a big screen create.”

In its sixth year, the Fructis Style Surf Hair Australian Surf Movie Festival has an impressive line-up of surf movies, music and $15,000 in prizes.

The movies include:
Wild Australiaby Tim Bonython
Wild Australia, produced by Tim Bonython takes the viewer on a 30 year journey of surfing including the legendary Bells 81 big waves right through to the most perfect waves ever surfed this year on the Gold Coast’s Superbank at Coolangatta.

Bonthyon says “I have shot thousands of hours of surfing over the last 30 years and Wild Australia is my pick of the best surfing I have seen in this time”. To bring back the 80’s vibe, Tim is planning to narrate Wild Australia live as he did back in the day when he toured pubs and clubs showing the latest footage with his Super 8 – keeping the punters up to date before the video era.

Three Days at OURS by Tim Bonython
Sydney’s fearless big wave surfer Mark Mathews is the star of this year’s Australian Surf Movie Festival. Mark’s objective is to surf the biggest and heaviest waves on the planet. OURS, located at Sydney’s Cape Solander (outside Botany Bay) in April 2007 was surfed as big and mean as it gets.

Surfing Ours with Mark Mathews includes the Bra Boy crew of Ritchie Vaculk, Evan Faulks, Koby Abberton and Bronte surfers Kobi Graham and John Dwyer. These fearless surfers tackle some of the nastiest barrels ever surfed in Sydney and for that matter Australia or anywhere else on the planet.

Bonython says “I promise you that when viewing this footage which is our finale you will be blown away by the intensity of the action. This is one serious wave, where really only the gustiest surfers on the planet could take it on. ”

Down the Barrelby Steve Lawrence
Down the Barrel won The Best Cinematography in this years Surfer Poll and Video Awards in the US run last month. This feature film documents the lives of four unique and talented surfers: Kelly Slater, Rob Machado, Kalani Robb and Australia’s Joel Parkinson.

Lawrence and world renowned surf water cameraman Mike Prickett capture surfing from so many unique angles. The entire project is filmed in 16 mm, super 16 mm, and high definition. Amazing underwater barrel shots and masterful jet-ski angles from exotic surf destinations such as Teahupo’o, Tahiti make this movie stand out from the crowd. Bonython enthuses, ‘this film is a really cool flick and fits perfectly to what our film festival represents’.
Cyclops, WA 2007By Brook Silvester
Mark Mathews catches the heaviest wave ever surfed in Australia at the most feared break, Cyclops.“Surfing this wave is really is dicing with death,” says Bonython. Watching this wave on tape will make you squirm, Bonython believes.

Bankrupt - The Superbank By Tim Bonython
April 07 – Probably the most perfect wave on the planet – In this short this man made wave is the star – Never ever has the Superbank looked so flawless. No surfing super stars – just endless perfection.

Hurley presents Sound and Vision – Yadin Nicol profile.
This is the real deal, Australia, Bali, Africa and more! The sights and sounds of remote locations and near death experiences. The movie features Yadin blowing up waves all over the world while his closest peers lend insight into what makes this million dollar maniac tick. From the water to the local watering hole, Yadin is loud and impossible to ignore.

Short stories…Tim Curran profileBy Jason Haynes
Short Stories profiles Californian Pro surfer and musician Timmy Curren. Timmy Curren was the world’s first surfer to pull a full back flip on a surfboard, has competed at the highest level on the WCT and when he is not surfing for the latest Talyor Steele film or competing in an Airshow he is playing music. In a very short time Tim has gone from playing music in his bathroom to playing with the Foo Fighters at the Sydney Opera house. How did this happen? Find out in Short Stories.

Live Music:
Sydney band, Tokenview will perform live acoustic tunes in the intermission at most shows. Tokenview is a chilled out pop/rock band with a great vibe. Check the web site for details of venues Tokenview will be playing.Have a listen - www.myspace.com/tokenview
Slide Show Intermission – Photography montage by Tracks photographers showcasing some of the world’s best still surfing images.

Win a Surf Trip of a lifetime!

The Surf Travel Company are giving one lucky surfer the opportunity to win a surf trip of a lifetime to the Mentawai Islands, Indonesia aboard Arimbi valued at $5,000. The prize includes flights to Padang, return airport/hotel/boat transfers, 11 nights of luxury on Arimbi with all meals and drinks provided and use of all fishing and snorkeling gear. Plus you will receive one naturalfooted medical kit and 2 weeks insurance with Suresave Global Travel Insurance.
Win Surfboards 1 of 10 surfboards!

Get your Surf Style!The Garnier Fructis Style team will be coming along to some screenings to help everybody wipe out flat hair for good! Look out for the Fructis Style Styling Tent, come down, get styled, and maybe even get your hands on some great freebies!

Firewire Surfboards in conjuction with Fructis Style Surf Hair, we will be giving away 4 Firewire Surfboards.

Tooheys Extra Dry will be giving away 5 MR Surfboards.
STC in conjunction with Simon Anderson will be giving away a custom surfboard with a AUD $100 international gift voucher for use on an international holiday.

Win Sanyo Video Waterproof and dust proof video camera valued at $799.
Sample Bags:Everyone who attends the Fructis Style Surf Hair Australian Movie Festival presented by Tooheys Extra Dry will be given a sample bag loaded with samples and goodies from our sponsors.

Sponsors:

Fructis Style Surf Hair, Tooheys Extra Dry, Blinde Eyewear, SDS & Jetty Surf, Hurley, Sanyo. The Surf Travel Company

Media Sponsors: Tracks, TripleJ, Fuel TV, RealSurf, Swellnet, Podsurf TV, Surfdecals.com
Partners: Surfrider Foundation, Surf Aid International

List of Venues and Dates:
Cinema locations and dates 2007: ALL 8 PM except for the ones noted.

SYDNEY• PREMIERE Wed 31 Oct Nth Bondi RSL Nth Bondi 8pm• Thurs 1 Nov Paddington RSL Paddington 8.15pm• Fri 2 Nov Randwick Ritz Randwick 6.45 pm• Sat 3 Nov Cronulla Dunningham Park Live music from 7.30pm- films from 8pm• Mon 5 Nov Manning Bar Sydney Uni Sydney 8pm• Wed 7 Nov Nth Bondi RSL Nth Bondi 8pm• Thurs 8 Nov Dee Why RSL Dee Why 8pm• Fri 9 Nov Collaroy Cinema Collaroy 8.30pm• Sat 10 Nov Avalon Cinema Avalon 4.30pm• Sat 10 Nov Palm Beach RSL Palm Beach 8pm• Sun 11 Nov Waves Nightclub Wollongong 7pm ( over 18’s yrs)• Fri 16 Nov Gala Cinema Wollongon 8.15pmVIC• Tues 13 Nov The Astor Melbourne 7.30pm• Thurs 15 Nov The Esplanade Hotel 8pm ( over 18’s yrs)SA• Sat 17 Nov Mercury Cinema Adelaide 5pm• Sat 17 Nov Mercury Cinema Adelaide 8pmQLD• Tues 20 Nov Noosa Bowling Club Noosa 8pmNth NSW• Sun 4 Nov Avoca Beach Picture Theatre Avoca Beach 5pm• Wed 21 Nov Byron Bay Community Centre Byron Bay 8.15pm• Thurs 22 Nov Twin Towns Star Room Twin Towns 8pm• Fri 23 Nov First Avenue Cinema Sawtell /Coffs Harbour 8 pm• Sat 24 Nov Tuncurry Memorial Hall Tuncurry /Forster 8pm• Sun 25 Nov Newcastle Showcase City Cinema Newcastle 6pm

Ticket Information:
Adult: $17.50 Pre-booked $20.00 at the door
Children (under 12) $ 12.50 pre-booked $15.00 at the door
Group tickets ( 5 adults) : $75.00 pre-booked only
Family pass ( 2 children + 2 parents) = total of 4 people = $50.00
Tickets sold on www.asmf.net.au
Contacts• Film Director: Tim Bonython call 0412500050 or office 02 9973 3842 tbproductions@volatile.com.au • Event and Ticketing Director: Sandrine Bonython office 02 9918 5300 sandrine@volatile.com.au• Sales and PR: Phil Osborn 0403091515 posborn@tpg.com.au
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Photo Press:
Photo : Bill Morris Surfer: Koby Abberton Location: Ours To download click here.
Photo: Shorty Surfer: Mark Matthews Location: Ours To download click here.
Photo: Nathan Smith Location: Kirra To download click here.

The Bra break is OURS - Telegraph TV - The Daily Telegraph

Bra Boys take on killer waves (Credit: The Daily Telegraph)

THEY are the biggest, meanest waves ever surfed in Sydney.

Now check the amazing video of 'Bra Boy Mark Matthews and his mates taking on Botany Bay's notorious Ours reef break.

Shot by award-winning film maker Tim Bonython in April this year, the footage, from the movie Three Days at OURS, is a feature at this year's Fructis Style Surf Hair Australian Surf Movie Festival.

The festival features six surf films, short story profiles and live music.
It premiers at the North Bondi RSL on October 31 at 8pm and will tour nationally for three weeks, traveling to 22 venues until November 25.

For tickets and festival dates go to http://www.asmf.net.au

Mark Visser eyes 18m swell at Cow Bombie, By Lou Robson - The Sunday Mail - 2nd September 2007

*Four-storey waves not enough for big-wave surfer
*WA's Cow Bombie may reach record 18m today
*Aussie Visser part of 30-man elite team


BIG-wave hunter Mark Visser is ready to tame Australia's most terrifying surf spot today.The 25-year-old from Buderim on the Sunshine Coast has just conquered New Zealand's meanest wave.

He fought off a viral infection and braved 8C water temperatures to ride 13m walls of water - the equivalent of four-storey buildings. But apparently the waves, which broke at Papatowai on New Zealand's South Island, just weren't big enough.

Today the former World Qualifying Series surfer is set for the ride of his life at a little-known West Australian reef break called Cow Bombie.

"If the conditions are right, it could be up to 60ft (18m)," Visser said. "It's a massive wave which rarely breaks and it's the biggest wave in the country."

The fearsome break drew international attention when top pro Jake Patterson surfed it at between 10m and 13m in June last year.

Big wave riders from Hawaii were shocked by the size of the swell, never before seen in Australian waters.

It was believed the wave could reach a record 18m today.

"It's a big wave all right," Visser said. "My Hawaiian tow partner Jamie Sterling and I are heading over to check it out and if the conditions are right we'll be out there."

A low off Margaret River, south of Perth, could generate enough swell to form huge waves offshore.The deep water reef lies 2km off the coastal community of Gracetown, 280km south of Perth.

"The conditions look promising. I'm pretty excited," Visser said.

The Victorian-born surfer, who used to compete against stars such as Kelly Slater and Mark Occhilupo, left the WQS last year to travel the world as part of a 30-strong team of elite big-wave surfers.

In November, Visser was one of six international surfers picked to surf Mavericks off the coast of California. Waves at the notorious spot, which boasts rocks, white pointers, black water and heavy fog, were between 12m and 18m high.

"That was heavy, but nowhere near as cold as New Zealand."

Papatowai has a bad reputation. The big wave spot is an isolated and cold break - home to Antarctic swell, dangerous rips and big sharks.

Due to the cold conditions, Visser sported a vest, wetsuit, gloves, booties and hood.

Media Man Australia Profiles

Mark Visser

Surfing

Big Wave Surfing

Google News search for "surfing"

Articles

Down to Earth at Arms - The Manly Daily - 6th July 2007

Surfer Tom Carroll in private clinic - Sun Herald - 16th June 2007

Buderim's Mark Visser joins surfing's big boys - 8th June 2007 - Global Surf News - internet

Google News Australia search for "surfing"

Google News Australia search for "Koby Abberton"

Bra Boys Profile Updated

The Media Man Australia Bra Boys profile has been updated. Check out their official website.

Best Regards
Greg Tingle
Director
Media Man Australia