Just three months ago, Able Seaman Paul de Gelder lay in hospital fighting for his life.
His right hand had been torn off by a bull shark, and within days surgeons amputated his lower right leg.
He'd stared "eye-to-eye" with the monster shark, and cheated death.
Paddling through the waves at Sydney's North Bondi beach Tuesday, Mr de Gelder, 32, was a man determined to recover and live his life.
A keen surfer, he hit the waves with two mates for the first time since the shark attack in Sydney Harbour on February 11.
Emerging from the surf, he told the Herald Sun he felt good being back in the water.
"Mate, I've been falling off my surfboard," he said. "It was my first time back out there."
Mr de Gelder spent about 15 minutes lying on his board, swimming and catching waves. On the beach he did some push-ups and stood gazing out at the water.
"Surfing was a big part of my life before the attack," he said. "So I really wanted to get back out there again.
"I'm a beach boy now."
Mr de Gelder served in East Timor as a peacekeeper and spent four years as an army paratrooper.
He was mauled while testing the navy's counter-terrorism equipment off the RAN base at Garden Island.
In a TV interview on Sunday, Mr de Gelder said he stared "eye-to-eye" with the shark that attacked him.
"You don't even feel the teeth go in. I think the adrenaline, the panic, probably puts a numb on the pain and you don't feel it," he said.
Mr de Gelder said he was very happy to be back in the water: "It's . . . where I feel most comfortable of all, even with these big sharks around."
Mr de Gelder hopes to one day return to work as a navy clearance diver.
"It's gonna be a tough bridge to cross but you can't show weakness," he said.
"Not in my job."
Asked if he was planning more surfing, he said: "I'll be back for sure." (Credit: Herald Sun)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Surfing
Coastal Directory
Beaches Of Australia
Bondi Beach
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Surfers spooked by shark sighting at Bondi, by Georgina Robinson - The Sydney Morning Herald - 4th March 2009
Eight people were forced to abandon their after-work surf at Bondi Beach yesterday after a two-metre shark swam under them.
Real-estate agent Karl Timms said he was in the water off Bondi about 7.30pm in a group of about eight surfers when he spotted a dark shape.
"I thought what I saw was a piece of seaweed but when I could actually see what it was ... and I looked out to another guy and said, 'Did you see what I saw' and he said, 'Yeah I saw it too,' " said Mr Timms, a surfer with 40 years' experience.
"It looked like it was very wide, very pointed, so I would say it was probably around the seven-foot [2.1-metre] mark.
"So it wasn't too big but seven foot is also too big, you know."
He said he asked another surfer, who also confirmed the sighting. They told the others and quickly made their way in to shore.
"There wasn't mass hysteria, there was a lot of tourists ... they were probably more excited and elated more than anything else that something like that was out there," Mr Timms said.
He did not surf this morning and would not go out tonight, he said.
"But only because the swell's dropped off. There's next to nothing," he said.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Surfing
Bondi Beach
Real-estate agent Karl Timms said he was in the water off Bondi about 7.30pm in a group of about eight surfers when he spotted a dark shape.
"I thought what I saw was a piece of seaweed but when I could actually see what it was ... and I looked out to another guy and said, 'Did you see what I saw' and he said, 'Yeah I saw it too,' " said Mr Timms, a surfer with 40 years' experience.
"It looked like it was very wide, very pointed, so I would say it was probably around the seven-foot [2.1-metre] mark.
"So it wasn't too big but seven foot is also too big, you know."
He said he asked another surfer, who also confirmed the sighting. They told the others and quickly made their way in to shore.
"There wasn't mass hysteria, there was a lot of tourists ... they were probably more excited and elated more than anything else that something like that was out there," Mr Timms said.
He did not surf this morning and would not go out tonight, he said.
"But only because the swell's dropped off. There's next to nothing," he said.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Surfing
Bondi Beach
Monday, October 13, 2008
Surf's up in NSW, Australia's Top Surfing Destination - 13th October 2008
The Minister for Tourism, Jodi McKay reported that, surfing was a key attraction for almost a million visitors to NSW in 2007 with more than $11 million spent on surfing lessons alone.
“Surfing is a healthy experience which is appealing to both domestic and international visitors and is also delivering an economic boost to communities right along the NSW coast,” Ms McKay said.
“Events such as the Beachley Classic in Manly this week contribute to NSW’s reputation as one of the world’s best places to surf,” she said.
Ms McKay continued that NSW was the number one destination for surf tourism in Australia.
“Around 848,000 holidaying Australians went surfing in NSW last year, which was more than any other State,” she said.
“Surfing lessons are popular with the international backpacker market and NSW received 445,000 international backpackers last year,” she said.
“More than half of all international backpackers to Australia are likely to take surfing lessons.”
Tourism NSW estimates that the states 33 accredited surf schools contribute $11.7 million to the NSW economy each year.
Ms McKay said that the state was expecting thousands of visitors to attend the Beachley Classic in Manley which began on Thursday.
The event which has been supported for the past two years by the state government, will be supported by Events NSW this year.
Events NSW CEO Geoff Parmenter said that surfing forms a natural part of an events strategy for New South Wales.
“By securing significant high profile professional and participatory surfing events and by working with Surfing NSW and Tourism NSW we can support their efforts to position NSW as the surfing capital of Australia.
“Surfing provides a unique and targeted foundation from which to build economic and brand marketing benefits for New South Wales.
“Events NSW current investment in surfing encompasses a regional and a Sydney based platform, extending from the Country Energy Australian Surf Festival in Port
Macquarie to Surfest in Newcastle and the Beachley Classic.
“Surfing is not only an Australian pastime; it’s also one of our most successful exports, seriously big business for the surf wear brands.
Ms McKay said seven-time women's world surfing champion, Layne Beachley, has worked in conjunction with Tourism NSW to promote surfing.
This has included headlining an event in Los Angeles for media and travel agents as part of G’DAY USA: Australia Week in January this year.
“NSW has spectacular beaches all along its coastline including 77 of the top 100 surf beaches in Australia,” she said.
“Visitors to NSW want to experience our unique urban beach culture that is a major part of the lifestyle in Sydney and coastal NSW.
“Surfing is part of the Australian way of life and is a great way for visitors to connect with local people and experience our culture.”
There are accredited surf schools all along the NSW coastline from Tathra to Kingscliff including iconic locations such as Bondi Beach, Manly and Byron Bay.
According to NSW surf tourism operators, Sydney is the most popular destination for international surf tourists in NSW followed by Byron Bay.
Other favourites include the North Coast surf touring route including Newcastle, Port Macquarie, the Coffs Coast and Byron Bay.
Tourism NSW promotes surfing in a wide range of marketing activities here and overseas including on our website www.visitnsw.com.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Surfing
Sydney
Australia
Travel and Tourism
“Surfing is a healthy experience which is appealing to both domestic and international visitors and is also delivering an economic boost to communities right along the NSW coast,” Ms McKay said.
“Events such as the Beachley Classic in Manly this week contribute to NSW’s reputation as one of the world’s best places to surf,” she said.
Ms McKay continued that NSW was the number one destination for surf tourism in Australia.
“Around 848,000 holidaying Australians went surfing in NSW last year, which was more than any other State,” she said.
“Surfing lessons are popular with the international backpacker market and NSW received 445,000 international backpackers last year,” she said.
“More than half of all international backpackers to Australia are likely to take surfing lessons.”
Tourism NSW estimates that the states 33 accredited surf schools contribute $11.7 million to the NSW economy each year.
Ms McKay said that the state was expecting thousands of visitors to attend the Beachley Classic in Manley which began on Thursday.
The event which has been supported for the past two years by the state government, will be supported by Events NSW this year.
Events NSW CEO Geoff Parmenter said that surfing forms a natural part of an events strategy for New South Wales.
“By securing significant high profile professional and participatory surfing events and by working with Surfing NSW and Tourism NSW we can support their efforts to position NSW as the surfing capital of Australia.
“Surfing provides a unique and targeted foundation from which to build economic and brand marketing benefits for New South Wales.
“Events NSW current investment in surfing encompasses a regional and a Sydney based platform, extending from the Country Energy Australian Surf Festival in Port
Macquarie to Surfest in Newcastle and the Beachley Classic.
“Surfing is not only an Australian pastime; it’s also one of our most successful exports, seriously big business for the surf wear brands.
Ms McKay said seven-time women's world surfing champion, Layne Beachley, has worked in conjunction with Tourism NSW to promote surfing.
This has included headlining an event in Los Angeles for media and travel agents as part of G’DAY USA: Australia Week in January this year.
“NSW has spectacular beaches all along its coastline including 77 of the top 100 surf beaches in Australia,” she said.
“Visitors to NSW want to experience our unique urban beach culture that is a major part of the lifestyle in Sydney and coastal NSW.
“Surfing is part of the Australian way of life and is a great way for visitors to connect with local people and experience our culture.”
There are accredited surf schools all along the NSW coastline from Tathra to Kingscliff including iconic locations such as Bondi Beach, Manly and Byron Bay.
According to NSW surf tourism operators, Sydney is the most popular destination for international surf tourists in NSW followed by Byron Bay.
Other favourites include the North Coast surf touring route including Newcastle, Port Macquarie, the Coffs Coast and Byron Bay.
Tourism NSW promotes surfing in a wide range of marketing activities here and overseas including on our website www.visitnsw.com.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Surfing
Sydney
Australia
Travel and Tourism
Saturday, August 02, 2008
They surf at Dangerous Banks, 35km off Tassie, by Damien Murphy - The Sydney Morning Herald - 2nd August 2008
DANGEROUS BANKS is a large shifting sandbar with a mythical and fearsome history, about 35 kilometres off the tip of north-west Tasmania where Bass Strait floods into the Southern Ocean.
Once windjammers coming up from the Roaring Forties were wrecked regularly there and if the weather didn't get them, wreckers lit deceptive beacons on nearby islands in hope of plundering aground ships.
Raging currents, unpredictable winds and giant swells that suddenly jacked up from the depths kept humans at bay for nearly 200 years. But on June 27 three surfers conquered Dangerous Banks. The Australian veterans Ross Clarke-Jones and Tom Carroll and the young Hawaiian Ian Walsh were towed onto 30-foot waves as part of their odyssey to surf giant winter swells around Australia for a pay-TV special Storm Riders, expected to be released next summer.
Clarke-Jones, regarded as Australia's most renowned big wave rider, said the Tasmanian wave was barely rideable but being first compensated for that.
"It was more than wild , it was complete chaos. I've never seen an ocean so angry and confused in all my surfing days," he told the Herald. "We managed to catch a few each but must admit that the ocean beat us to a pulp that day. We were lucky to have all made it to shore to tell you the truth."
Days before, Ben Matson, a surfing website meteorologist who had been tracking ocean storms for the project, made the call that a low pressure system forming in Antarctica would send giant waves onto Dangerous Banks within 48 hours. The surfers and support crew scrambled.
In a Los Angeles taxi, Walsh got the text message, told the driver to head for the airport and booked a flight in transit. He walked off the plane at Sydney in boardshorts, T-shirt and hoodie, carrying only his wallet and passport.
The team gathered in Smithton on Tasmania's north-west coast, and, guided by abalone diver Paul Critchlow, put to sea equipped with two powerboats, six powerskis and a helicopter.
It was Critchlow who broke the news about the break eight years ago when a number of surfers, including Clarke-Jones, were competing in the world's first tow-in surf contest on King Island to the north.
Critchlow learnt about the wave the hard way. In the late 1980s he was ferrying a biologist to a nearby island with his wife, Audrey, in the boat when Dangerous Banks took him on.
"A swell reared up out of nowhere so I just swung the QuickCat into the wave and gunned it but the wave went perpendicular. I looked around to see Audrey flying horizontal out the back so grabbed her by the scruff and held on until we punched through the peak," he said. "The bride broke her ankle when we came down the back of the wave and she hit the deck."
Since February, Clarke-Jones, who lives in the Victorian surfing town of Torquay, had prepared for the expedition with three reconnaissance flights but filming proved problematic. There was no set take-off, rogue waves chased off cameramen on powerskis and the most effective platform, the helicopter, was so overworked keeping track of the surfers that low on fuel, it had to head home.
"It was like climbing Everest meets the running of the bulls meets an iron man contest," Clarke-Jones recalled.
There are financial incentives for the men who ride mountains, including a $US1000-a-foot ($1060) purse for the surfer who takes the biggest drop each year. Clarke-Jones and Carroll, a two-time world champion, are watching Australian surf spots hoping they'll turn on before winter goes.
Seven days after Dangerous Banks they rode Cow Bombie, a reef off the southern tip of Western Australia, despite a shark cruising nearby and Carroll suffering concussion from a heavy hit and long hold down. It was only 25 foot. (Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald).
Media Man Australia Profiles
Surfing
Once windjammers coming up from the Roaring Forties were wrecked regularly there and if the weather didn't get them, wreckers lit deceptive beacons on nearby islands in hope of plundering aground ships.
Raging currents, unpredictable winds and giant swells that suddenly jacked up from the depths kept humans at bay for nearly 200 years. But on June 27 three surfers conquered Dangerous Banks. The Australian veterans Ross Clarke-Jones and Tom Carroll and the young Hawaiian Ian Walsh were towed onto 30-foot waves as part of their odyssey to surf giant winter swells around Australia for a pay-TV special Storm Riders, expected to be released next summer.
Clarke-Jones, regarded as Australia's most renowned big wave rider, said the Tasmanian wave was barely rideable but being first compensated for that.
"It was more than wild , it was complete chaos. I've never seen an ocean so angry and confused in all my surfing days," he told the Herald. "We managed to catch a few each but must admit that the ocean beat us to a pulp that day. We were lucky to have all made it to shore to tell you the truth."
Days before, Ben Matson, a surfing website meteorologist who had been tracking ocean storms for the project, made the call that a low pressure system forming in Antarctica would send giant waves onto Dangerous Banks within 48 hours. The surfers and support crew scrambled.
In a Los Angeles taxi, Walsh got the text message, told the driver to head for the airport and booked a flight in transit. He walked off the plane at Sydney in boardshorts, T-shirt and hoodie, carrying only his wallet and passport.
The team gathered in Smithton on Tasmania's north-west coast, and, guided by abalone diver Paul Critchlow, put to sea equipped with two powerboats, six powerskis and a helicopter.
It was Critchlow who broke the news about the break eight years ago when a number of surfers, including Clarke-Jones, were competing in the world's first tow-in surf contest on King Island to the north.
Critchlow learnt about the wave the hard way. In the late 1980s he was ferrying a biologist to a nearby island with his wife, Audrey, in the boat when Dangerous Banks took him on.
"A swell reared up out of nowhere so I just swung the QuickCat into the wave and gunned it but the wave went perpendicular. I looked around to see Audrey flying horizontal out the back so grabbed her by the scruff and held on until we punched through the peak," he said. "The bride broke her ankle when we came down the back of the wave and she hit the deck."
Since February, Clarke-Jones, who lives in the Victorian surfing town of Torquay, had prepared for the expedition with three reconnaissance flights but filming proved problematic. There was no set take-off, rogue waves chased off cameramen on powerskis and the most effective platform, the helicopter, was so overworked keeping track of the surfers that low on fuel, it had to head home.
"It was like climbing Everest meets the running of the bulls meets an iron man contest," Clarke-Jones recalled.
There are financial incentives for the men who ride mountains, including a $US1000-a-foot ($1060) purse for the surfer who takes the biggest drop each year. Clarke-Jones and Carroll, a two-time world champion, are watching Australian surf spots hoping they'll turn on before winter goes.
Seven days after Dangerous Banks they rode Cow Bombie, a reef off the southern tip of Western Australia, despite a shark cruising nearby and Carroll suffering concussion from a heavy hit and long hold down. It was only 25 foot. (Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald).
Media Man Australia Profiles
Surfing
Monday, June 30, 2008
Whalers get hot reception in Chile - Gold Coast Bully - 30th June 2008
Bryon Bay locals were among the many who pitched up at the International Whaling Committee meeting held in Chile.
Dave Rastovich, from the lobby group Surfers for Cetaceans, Skye Bortoli from Teens Against Whaling, Paul Watson from Sea Shepherd and Hannah Fraser and Jeff Pantakhoff all made the trip to South America to air their views.
They have all played active roles in highlighting the plight of marine mammals. They also work tirelessly to stop the slaughter of the gentle giants.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Dave Rastovich
Hannah Fraser
Skye Bortoli
Sea Shepherd
Surfing
Dave Rastovich, from the lobby group Surfers for Cetaceans, Skye Bortoli from Teens Against Whaling, Paul Watson from Sea Shepherd and Hannah Fraser and Jeff Pantakhoff all made the trip to South America to air their views.
They have all played active roles in highlighting the plight of marine mammals. They also work tirelessly to stop the slaughter of the gentle giants.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Dave Rastovich
Hannah Fraser
Skye Bortoli
Sea Shepherd
Surfing
Saturday, March 22, 2008
With Bells on, by Martin Boulton - The Age - 22nd March 2008
WORLD champion Mick Fanning bounced back from an opening-round loss to keep alive his hopes of winning the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach yesterday.
In tricky 1.8- to 2.4-metre surf and a stiff onshore breeze, the 26-year-old outclassed wildcard Stuart Kennedy after going down to fellow Australian Adrian Buchan in the first round.
It was Fanning's first opening-round loss in a tour event for 18 months, but the world No. 2 attacked from the moment the siren sounded in the sudden-death second round to reach the next stage.
The Tweed Heads surfer unleashed his trademark power and speed against Kennedy to quickly record a 7.5 wave and finished with a combined score of 14.17 points from his best two waves.
Kennedy, from Lennox Head, managed a combined score of 5.50 from his best two waves after 30 minutes in tough conditions, which tested the stamina of surfers throughout the day.
He refused to comment after his earlier loss, but Fanning was all smiles after a solid second heat and said he's looking forward to the chance of winning his first tour event of the year.
"It's good to get through and live to fight another day," he said.
Eight-time world champion Kelly Slater progressed straight through to the third round after scoring a 9.5 — the highest score of the day — and finishing with a combined score of 17.50.
The 36-year-old, who calls Florida and Hawaii home when he's not travelling the globe, thrilled the strong crowd with an awesome display against Brazilian Adriano de Souza.
Slater opted for a shorter board than most in the lumpy seas and produced the wave of the day after organisers feared he might not even show up.
"I wasn't actually planning on coming down here," Slater said.
"I did officially pull out of the event, but then I saw the swell forecast and things lined up the right way … it was a good week to come down."
Slater, who opened this year's tour with a win in the Quiksilver Pro on the Gold Coast, will mount a serious challenge for his ninth world crown if he wins his third Bells Beach title.
"Obviously, I'm in a good position," he said.
"Everyone talks it up and thinks I'm playing cat and mouse with them, but I just say how I feel.
"Sometimes, I don't want to go to the next contest."
Defending champion Taj Burrow, ranked ninth in the world heading into this event, also moved into the third round and said "the plan is to ring the bell" again after edging out Brazilian Leonardo Neves and fellow Australian Nathan Hedge yesterday.
Bede Durbidge, who came third on the Gold Coast, ended Hedge's campaign in Torquay yesterday with a convincing win in the second round.
Joel Parkinson, from Coolangatta, booked a third-round spot after beating fellow Australians Nic Muscroft and Ben Dunn.
"It (was) really tough conditions," Parkinson said.
"You've just got to have a little bit of luck and a little bit of faith, (and) I jagged one early, not much through the middle and fortunately got one at the end just in time."
The second round continues today, with Luke Stedman scheduled to be the first Australian in the water against Chris Ward from California.
Hawaiian and triple world champion Andy Irons moved through to the third round with a combined score of 12.84 on the first day of competition.
"Sixes (were) basically nines out there today," he said. "I just tried to go out there, surf a good heat and get a couple of scores."
http://www.theage.com.au/photography
Media Man Australia Profiles
Surfing
In tricky 1.8- to 2.4-metre surf and a stiff onshore breeze, the 26-year-old outclassed wildcard Stuart Kennedy after going down to fellow Australian Adrian Buchan in the first round.
It was Fanning's first opening-round loss in a tour event for 18 months, but the world No. 2 attacked from the moment the siren sounded in the sudden-death second round to reach the next stage.
The Tweed Heads surfer unleashed his trademark power and speed against Kennedy to quickly record a 7.5 wave and finished with a combined score of 14.17 points from his best two waves.
Kennedy, from Lennox Head, managed a combined score of 5.50 from his best two waves after 30 minutes in tough conditions, which tested the stamina of surfers throughout the day.
He refused to comment after his earlier loss, but Fanning was all smiles after a solid second heat and said he's looking forward to the chance of winning his first tour event of the year.
"It's good to get through and live to fight another day," he said.
Eight-time world champion Kelly Slater progressed straight through to the third round after scoring a 9.5 — the highest score of the day — and finishing with a combined score of 17.50.
The 36-year-old, who calls Florida and Hawaii home when he's not travelling the globe, thrilled the strong crowd with an awesome display against Brazilian Adriano de Souza.
Slater opted for a shorter board than most in the lumpy seas and produced the wave of the day after organisers feared he might not even show up.
"I wasn't actually planning on coming down here," Slater said.
"I did officially pull out of the event, but then I saw the swell forecast and things lined up the right way … it was a good week to come down."
Slater, who opened this year's tour with a win in the Quiksilver Pro on the Gold Coast, will mount a serious challenge for his ninth world crown if he wins his third Bells Beach title.
"Obviously, I'm in a good position," he said.
"Everyone talks it up and thinks I'm playing cat and mouse with them, but I just say how I feel.
"Sometimes, I don't want to go to the next contest."
Defending champion Taj Burrow, ranked ninth in the world heading into this event, also moved into the third round and said "the plan is to ring the bell" again after edging out Brazilian Leonardo Neves and fellow Australian Nathan Hedge yesterday.
Bede Durbidge, who came third on the Gold Coast, ended Hedge's campaign in Torquay yesterday with a convincing win in the second round.
Joel Parkinson, from Coolangatta, booked a third-round spot after beating fellow Australians Nic Muscroft and Ben Dunn.
"It (was) really tough conditions," Parkinson said.
"You've just got to have a little bit of luck and a little bit of faith, (and) I jagged one early, not much through the middle and fortunately got one at the end just in time."
The second round continues today, with Luke Stedman scheduled to be the first Australian in the water against Chris Ward from California.
Hawaiian and triple world champion Andy Irons moved through to the third round with a combined score of 12.84 on the first day of competition.
"Sixes (were) basically nines out there today," he said. "I just tried to go out there, surf a good heat and get a couple of scores."
http://www.theage.com.au/photography
Media Man Australia Profiles
Surfing
Monday, March 17, 2008
Will Jack drop in?, By Peter Gardiner - Sunshine Coast Daily - 8th March 2008
For fans of laidback surfing singer Jack Johnson, it could be a case of “Sitting, Waiting, Wishing” in Noosa for an impromptu performance from the latest face to grace the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.
There’s an underground buzz that Johnson will appear on stage today with the coolest surfer on the planet –newly crowned Quiksilver Pro champ Kelly Slater.
Music inspired by the surf and played by surfers is a cultural phenomenon of recent times, and one that the Global Surf Industries Noosa Festival of Surfing is now in tune with.
Its musical concert at the Noosa Heads Lions Park will have free surfing activist Dave Rastovich performing with Band of Frequencies, and all-time great Tom Curren performing alongside Pico.
“To be honest, I can’t wait to play and it would be a real buzz to have a jam with Curren and Pico – who knows, maybe Kelly (Slater) will join in too if he is around,” Dave said.
Last year festival organiser Garth Prowd, of USM events, sowed the first seeds of speculation when he said how good it would be to have someone like Jack surfing alongside Kelly in Noosa and then the two jamming together.
And eight-times world champion Kelly is supposed to be coming to town for the festival, while Jack, who kicks off his Australian tour next week, is supposed to be in Australia at the moment. Some reports have him staying on the Coast.
Mr Prowd yesterday refused to comment on what he sees as idle speculation.
The word around the festival is that even if Kelly and Jack were both in Noosa this weekend, any decision to play would be an entirely spontaneous thing on their behalf.
So as Jack almost said in his hit tune: “Must we always be waiting, waiting on you guys.”
Your complete guide to the Noosa Festival of Surfing, including links to stories and photo galleries.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Rolling Stone magazine
Global Surf Industries
Noosa
Surfing
There’s an underground buzz that Johnson will appear on stage today with the coolest surfer on the planet –newly crowned Quiksilver Pro champ Kelly Slater.
Music inspired by the surf and played by surfers is a cultural phenomenon of recent times, and one that the Global Surf Industries Noosa Festival of Surfing is now in tune with.
Its musical concert at the Noosa Heads Lions Park will have free surfing activist Dave Rastovich performing with Band of Frequencies, and all-time great Tom Curren performing alongside Pico.
“To be honest, I can’t wait to play and it would be a real buzz to have a jam with Curren and Pico – who knows, maybe Kelly (Slater) will join in too if he is around,” Dave said.
Last year festival organiser Garth Prowd, of USM events, sowed the first seeds of speculation when he said how good it would be to have someone like Jack surfing alongside Kelly in Noosa and then the two jamming together.
And eight-times world champion Kelly is supposed to be coming to town for the festival, while Jack, who kicks off his Australian tour next week, is supposed to be in Australia at the moment. Some reports have him staying on the Coast.
Mr Prowd yesterday refused to comment on what he sees as idle speculation.
The word around the festival is that even if Kelly and Jack were both in Noosa this weekend, any decision to play would be an entirely spontaneous thing on their behalf.
So as Jack almost said in his hit tune: “Must we always be waiting, waiting on you guys.”
Your complete guide to the Noosa Festival of Surfing, including links to stories and photo galleries.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Rolling Stone magazine
Global Surf Industries
Noosa
Surfing
Friday, March 14, 2008
Top sorts - The Sydney Morning Herald - 13th March 2008
The Award for Best Sort was taken out by a pregnant woman (Katherine Heigl for Knocked Up), Best Nude Scene went to a children's flick (The Simpson's Movie) and Best Documentary was won by a surf gang from Maroubra. The Oscars it wasn't but what the Filmink awards lacked in Hollywood glamour it made up for in unusual award choices. Local stars, host Brendan Cowell, and film brethren Joel and Nash Edgerton stepped out for the awards, held last night at Sydney's State Theatre, while Sunny Abberton arrived without his famous brother, surfer Koby, to pick up the award for their 2007 documentary, Bra Boys. Other awards were more predictable with Academy Award-nominated film Atonement, winning the Best Film, and Australian Film Industry award winners taking out Best Australian Film - Romulus, My Father - and Best Newcomer - Emma Booth. John Travolta won Best Hair for his performance in Hairspray. See video from the awards show at www.smh.com.au/entertainment/stayintouch.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Bra Boys
Maroubra Beach
Media Man Australia Profiles
Bra Boys
Maroubra Beach
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Constable pulling double finals at the GSI Noosa Festival
Global Surf Industries Noosa Festival of Surfing
ASP LQS 2 Star Men's Event
Banana Boat Women’s Pro
Noosa, Queensland
3 - 9 March 2008
Live Coverage | Results/Photos/Videos etc
Josh Constable into the final of both the Telstra Men’s Pro and the Stand Up Paddle
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 8 March, 2008 : - - An incredible day at the Noosa Festival of Surfing which included great surfing along with amazing history as no fewer than 13 past ASP World Champions participated in what truly is a celebration of the awesome surfing culture.
Competitively Queensland surfers dominated and in the Telstra Men’s Pro have managed to secure all four finals positions as Seb Wilson, Grant Thomas, Josh Constable (All Sunshine Coasters) and Jackson Close managed to advance through the semi finals and will take their place in what should be a tense final tomorrow.
Thomas and Constable will be shooting for their 3rd victories at this event and the ever confident Thomas said after his semi win today – “ I’m sure I can win it but it’s going depend on me getting the best waves over the others and they’ll be just as determined as I am so who knows! It’s great it’s an all Queensland final but when we hit the water tomorrow there’ll be no friends out there – we’ll be all chasing the win… at all costs!”
The Banana Boat Women’s Pro looks set to be dominated by internationals with just Gold Coast surfer Selby Riddle flying the flag for Australia. Current ASP World Champion Longboarder Jen Smith (USA/California) is the surfer to beat. She has consistently posted the highest scores throughout this event and looks unstoppable. Justine Dupont (France) and Jana Irons (Hawaii) will be in the final making it an international showdown not to be missed!
Some incredible names of the sport took to the Noosa waters today, both competitively and for charity and included current ASP World Champions Mick Fanning and Stephanie Gilmore in a unique team surfing auction that raised a worthy $110 000 for charity!
Names like Mark Richards, Shaun Tomson, Tom Carroll, Layne Beachley, Brian Keaulana and many more champions of the sport enjoyed an awesome day that delighted the large crowds and participants alike in a memorable day of surfing that stamps the Noosa Festival of Surfing as something very special now and into the future.
Stand Up Paddle, Tandem surfing, Noserider Pro and Legends of the sport all enjoyed the perfect small waves at Noosa’s first point throughout the afternoon and organizers are super optimistic that all the finals can capitalize on more of the same perfection on the point all day tomorrow for the finals across all divisions.
It’s a superb final day coming up and will run for an unprecedented 10 hours with the premier finals of Telstra Men’s Pro and Banana Boat Women’s Pro to be put in the water on the prime tidal conditions to get the very best of the waves.
The event will start around 7:00am with the expected location at first point with the back up at Main Beach.
www.noosafestivalofsurfing.com
More Australasian Surfing News available here
Check the latest Australasian Surf Reports and Forecasts
Darren Landers
Media Manager | Noosa Festival of Surfing
darren@freshlogicmedia.com.au
Garth Prowd OAM
Managing Director | USM Events
gp@usmevents.com.au
Georgie Hannon
Event Management | USM Events
georgie@usmevents.com.au
Media Man Australia Profiles
Global Surf Industries Noosa Festival of Surfing
Surfing
ASP LQS 2 Star Men's Event
Banana Boat Women’s Pro
Noosa, Queensland
3 - 9 March 2008
Live Coverage | Results/Photos/Videos etc
Josh Constable into the final of both the Telstra Men’s Pro and the Stand Up Paddle
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 8 March, 2008 : - - An incredible day at the Noosa Festival of Surfing which included great surfing along with amazing history as no fewer than 13 past ASP World Champions participated in what truly is a celebration of the awesome surfing culture.
Competitively Queensland surfers dominated and in the Telstra Men’s Pro have managed to secure all four finals positions as Seb Wilson, Grant Thomas, Josh Constable (All Sunshine Coasters) and Jackson Close managed to advance through the semi finals and will take their place in what should be a tense final tomorrow.
Thomas and Constable will be shooting for their 3rd victories at this event and the ever confident Thomas said after his semi win today – “ I’m sure I can win it but it’s going depend on me getting the best waves over the others and they’ll be just as determined as I am so who knows! It’s great it’s an all Queensland final but when we hit the water tomorrow there’ll be no friends out there – we’ll be all chasing the win… at all costs!”
The Banana Boat Women’s Pro looks set to be dominated by internationals with just Gold Coast surfer Selby Riddle flying the flag for Australia. Current ASP World Champion Longboarder Jen Smith (USA/California) is the surfer to beat. She has consistently posted the highest scores throughout this event and looks unstoppable. Justine Dupont (France) and Jana Irons (Hawaii) will be in the final making it an international showdown not to be missed!
Some incredible names of the sport took to the Noosa waters today, both competitively and for charity and included current ASP World Champions Mick Fanning and Stephanie Gilmore in a unique team surfing auction that raised a worthy $110 000 for charity!
Names like Mark Richards, Shaun Tomson, Tom Carroll, Layne Beachley, Brian Keaulana and many more champions of the sport enjoyed an awesome day that delighted the large crowds and participants alike in a memorable day of surfing that stamps the Noosa Festival of Surfing as something very special now and into the future.
Stand Up Paddle, Tandem surfing, Noserider Pro and Legends of the sport all enjoyed the perfect small waves at Noosa’s first point throughout the afternoon and organizers are super optimistic that all the finals can capitalize on more of the same perfection on the point all day tomorrow for the finals across all divisions.
It’s a superb final day coming up and will run for an unprecedented 10 hours with the premier finals of Telstra Men’s Pro and Banana Boat Women’s Pro to be put in the water on the prime tidal conditions to get the very best of the waves.
The event will start around 7:00am with the expected location at first point with the back up at Main Beach.
www.noosafestivalofsurfing.com
More Australasian Surfing News available here
Check the latest Australasian Surf Reports and Forecasts
Darren Landers
Media Manager | Noosa Festival of Surfing
darren@freshlogicmedia.com.au
Garth Prowd OAM
Managing Director | USM Events
gp@usmevents.com.au
Georgie Hannon
Event Management | USM Events
georgie@usmevents.com.au
Media Man Australia Profiles
Global Surf Industries Noosa Festival of Surfing
Surfing
The APT/WG world tour awards party goes big in Haleiwa - Global Surf News - 8th March 2008
Big Wave News
APT/WG World Tour Awards Party Goes Big
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 8 March, 2008 : - -The Association of professional Towsurfers, Inc. (APT) World Tour Tow-In Surfing Circuit and Wave Giant (WG) a Brazilian based company, closed the 2007 tour season with an official awards party that was held at Banzai Sushi in Haleiwa, Oahu.
With only one event to account for in the 2007 APT tour season, there was still plenty of stoke to go around amongst the big name winners, contestants, friends and family during the evening of March 2, 2008. The top four winning teams of the tour, not only won some good money but were presented with amazing belts and plaques for their accomplishments.
The top four winning teams of the APT World Tour for 2007 were:
1st Place World Champions - Makua Rothman / Ikaika Kalama -HI
2nd Place - Carlos Burle / Eraldo Gueiros - BRA
3rd Place- Dustin Barca / Sion Milosky - HI
4th Place Jamie Sterling / Wendell Wall - HI
Koby Abberton, Maya Gabeira, Keali’i Mamala, Eddie Rothman, Troy Alotis, Tom Dosland and many others were also in the mix and shared their support for the 2007 winners and APT’s upcoming 2008 tour announcement.
“It was a great party and it gave APT a chance to let everyone know that we are here for the long hall and thank the contestants for their support. Our first season was not so good due to poor surf, but at least we had one event that got the ball rolling. This party also gave APT the opportunity to share some exciting news on our first scheduled event for the 2008 season.”- Said, Rodney Kilborn, APT Vice President and Event Sanctioning Director.
APT would like to thank Wave Giant (WG) for their support in making this awards party happen. The 2008 APT World Tour Season will kick-off on April 15, 2008 and the official press announcement will be sent out later this month. APT/WG clothing line and apparel for the extreme athlete will soon be available online at Protowsurfers.org. The official 2008 event website will not be launched until later this month.
About the Association of Professional Towsurfers, Inc. (APT)
The Association of Professional Towsurfers, was Founded on March 6, 2003 with the charter to support the responsible growth and development of Tow-In Surfing. The Association of Professional Towsurfers, is dedicated to sanctioning and promoting world class competitions, dissemination of safety and technical information to athletes, and technical direction to event organizers.
The Association of Professional Towsurfers embraces corporate sponsors and media entities that provide the support necessary to increase its events and goals. The Association of Professional Towsurfers has goals to expand its support throughout the world, lobby government agencies and municipalities to provide more certified tow-in access to ocean venues, and be ever attentive to the unique technical and safety needs of this evolving sport and its constituents.
www.protowsurfers.org
Check the latest Hawaii Surf Reports and Forecasts
More Hawaiian & USA Surfing News available here
Media Man Australia Profiles
Surfing
Big Wave Surfing
APT/WG World Tour Awards Party Goes Big
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 8 March, 2008 : - -The Association of professional Towsurfers, Inc. (APT) World Tour Tow-In Surfing Circuit and Wave Giant (WG) a Brazilian based company, closed the 2007 tour season with an official awards party that was held at Banzai Sushi in Haleiwa, Oahu.
With only one event to account for in the 2007 APT tour season, there was still plenty of stoke to go around amongst the big name winners, contestants, friends and family during the evening of March 2, 2008. The top four winning teams of the tour, not only won some good money but were presented with amazing belts and plaques for their accomplishments.
The top four winning teams of the APT World Tour for 2007 were:
1st Place World Champions - Makua Rothman / Ikaika Kalama -HI
2nd Place - Carlos Burle / Eraldo Gueiros - BRA
3rd Place- Dustin Barca / Sion Milosky - HI
4th Place Jamie Sterling / Wendell Wall - HI
Koby Abberton, Maya Gabeira, Keali’i Mamala, Eddie Rothman, Troy Alotis, Tom Dosland and many others were also in the mix and shared their support for the 2007 winners and APT’s upcoming 2008 tour announcement.
“It was a great party and it gave APT a chance to let everyone know that we are here for the long hall and thank the contestants for their support. Our first season was not so good due to poor surf, but at least we had one event that got the ball rolling. This party also gave APT the opportunity to share some exciting news on our first scheduled event for the 2008 season.”- Said, Rodney Kilborn, APT Vice President and Event Sanctioning Director.
APT would like to thank Wave Giant (WG) for their support in making this awards party happen. The 2008 APT World Tour Season will kick-off on April 15, 2008 and the official press announcement will be sent out later this month. APT/WG clothing line and apparel for the extreme athlete will soon be available online at Protowsurfers.org. The official 2008 event website will not be launched until later this month.
About the Association of Professional Towsurfers, Inc. (APT)
The Association of Professional Towsurfers, was Founded on March 6, 2003 with the charter to support the responsible growth and development of Tow-In Surfing. The Association of Professional Towsurfers, is dedicated to sanctioning and promoting world class competitions, dissemination of safety and technical information to athletes, and technical direction to event organizers.
The Association of Professional Towsurfers embraces corporate sponsors and media entities that provide the support necessary to increase its events and goals. The Association of Professional Towsurfers has goals to expand its support throughout the world, lobby government agencies and municipalities to provide more certified tow-in access to ocean venues, and be ever attentive to the unique technical and safety needs of this evolving sport and its constituents.
www.protowsurfers.org
Check the latest Hawaii Surf Reports and Forecasts
More Hawaiian & USA Surfing News available here
Media Man Australia Profiles
Surfing
Big Wave Surfing
Monday, March 03, 2008
Fanning makes a statement in tour opener - The Age - 2nd March 2008
World surfing champion Mick Fanning showed his readiness for the 2008 season with a storming victory over dangerous wildcard Julian Wilson in the opening event on the Gold Coast.
Fanning demoralised teenaged rival and fellow local Wilson to win 17.57 to 7.33 and advance to the fourth round in his quest for a third Quiksilver Pro title on his home break of Snapper Rocks.
An early eight-plus wave score, backed up by a 9.07 immediately afterwards was enough to send Wilson home, but Fanning was quick to praise the youngster, who notched a win over Kelly Slater in the event last year.
"Julian's one of those up and comers and is really dangerous," said defending champion Fanning.
"There weren't many opportunities for Julian towards the end, and I knew with the tide coming in that was going to happen, so that's why I tried to get some early."
With 10 of 16 third round heats surfed on Sunday, Fanning completed a hat-trick of local successes, with Gold Coast boys Dean Morrison and Joel Parkinson also making it through.
Fellow Australians Bede Durbidge, Ben Dunn and Taj Burrow, who recorded the highest heat score of the day with 19.20 points against France's Mikael Picon, also progressed to the fourth round.
But South African teenager Jordy Smith will be looking to break the Aussie strangle-hold on the event, when he meets Morrison in the fourth round.
The 19-year-old wowed the 3,000-strong crowd with two nine-plus wave scores against world No.10 Bobby Martinez, to end with a near-perfect final heat score of 19.03 points out of a possible 20.
Smith has been labelled a world title contender in just his first year on the professional circuit and is a dark-horse to take out this world championship tour event if he can oust Morrison.
"I'm not really feeling any pressure, I'm just out there to have fun and pretty much just surfing with my heroes," Smith said.
"I'm just focusing on heat by heat."
Kelly Slater and fellow former multiple world champion Andy Irons are among surfers still waiting to contest their third round heats.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Surfing
Fanning demoralised teenaged rival and fellow local Wilson to win 17.57 to 7.33 and advance to the fourth round in his quest for a third Quiksilver Pro title on his home break of Snapper Rocks.
An early eight-plus wave score, backed up by a 9.07 immediately afterwards was enough to send Wilson home, but Fanning was quick to praise the youngster, who notched a win over Kelly Slater in the event last year.
"Julian's one of those up and comers and is really dangerous," said defending champion Fanning.
"There weren't many opportunities for Julian towards the end, and I knew with the tide coming in that was going to happen, so that's why I tried to get some early."
With 10 of 16 third round heats surfed on Sunday, Fanning completed a hat-trick of local successes, with Gold Coast boys Dean Morrison and Joel Parkinson also making it through.
Fellow Australians Bede Durbidge, Ben Dunn and Taj Burrow, who recorded the highest heat score of the day with 19.20 points against France's Mikael Picon, also progressed to the fourth round.
But South African teenager Jordy Smith will be looking to break the Aussie strangle-hold on the event, when he meets Morrison in the fourth round.
The 19-year-old wowed the 3,000-strong crowd with two nine-plus wave scores against world No.10 Bobby Martinez, to end with a near-perfect final heat score of 19.03 points out of a possible 20.
Smith has been labelled a world title contender in just his first year on the professional circuit and is a dark-horse to take out this world championship tour event if he can oust Morrison.
"I'm not really feeling any pressure, I'm just out there to have fun and pretty much just surfing with my heroes," Smith said.
"I'm just focusing on heat by heat."
Kelly Slater and fellow former multiple world champion Andy Irons are among surfers still waiting to contest their third round heats.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Surfing
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Peru's Mulanovich takes out Roxy Pro - The Age - 1st March 2008
Peru's Sofia Mulanovich has claimed the first victory of the 2008 surfing season, winning the Roxy Pro on the Gold Coast to get Stephanie Gilmore's world title defence off to a rocky start.
Mulanovich, who finished last at Snapper Rocks just one year ago, surfed a near-faultless final against Australia's Samantha Cornish, including 8.17 and 9.17 rides, to dominate the decider.
Mulanovich ended up almost 10 points ahead of Cornish - an unsatisfying end to a day replete with nail-biting finishes and big name defeats, including pre-competition favourite Gilmore, Layne Beachley and Brazil's Silvana Lima.
Gilmore's slayer came in the unlikely form of the diminutive 15-year-old wildcard Carissa Moore, who proved the talk of the competition after taking down the reigning world champion in a narrow round three victory.
She went on to record the best heat score of the day in the quarter-finals before losing her semi to Cornish, solidifying her spot as one of surfing's biggest rising stars.
But it was Mulanovich who took home the $12,700 winner's cheque at the season-opening event, where her previous best was third place amid a sea of poor results.
Given her previous track record, the 24-year-old was decidedly upbeat about her victory.
"Guys, I never believed I would win here!" a euphoric Mulanovich told reporters shortly after her win.
With the Peruvian flag draped across her shoulders, she chuckled off suggestions she had declared a full-on assault on Gilmore's world crown.
"It's crazy you know," she said.
"I always used to get bad results here, I guess I proved to myself that I can surf this wave and I'm just so happy this year - everything just came perfect for me."
Cornish, a former world No.1, said she was pleased with her result.
"It's definitely a great start to the year," the Crescent Heads surfer said.
"I thoroughly enjoyed myself today, it was just a super magical day - there were dolphins and stingrays and fishermen, you never really get to see that."
Cornish, who was Australia's last chance to retain the event after Chelsea Hedges' victory last year, will now try to go one better at the Rip Curl Pro event at Bell's Beach later this month.
There, Gilmore said she would also be seeking redemption.
"A bit of redemption, yeah, and to get back in the groove of things," she said.
"It's always pretty hard first event - I mean, I thought everybody was a little bit wobbly but obviously not, maybe it's just me."
Media Man Australia Profiles
Surfing
Mulanovich, who finished last at Snapper Rocks just one year ago, surfed a near-faultless final against Australia's Samantha Cornish, including 8.17 and 9.17 rides, to dominate the decider.
Mulanovich ended up almost 10 points ahead of Cornish - an unsatisfying end to a day replete with nail-biting finishes and big name defeats, including pre-competition favourite Gilmore, Layne Beachley and Brazil's Silvana Lima.
Gilmore's slayer came in the unlikely form of the diminutive 15-year-old wildcard Carissa Moore, who proved the talk of the competition after taking down the reigning world champion in a narrow round three victory.
She went on to record the best heat score of the day in the quarter-finals before losing her semi to Cornish, solidifying her spot as one of surfing's biggest rising stars.
But it was Mulanovich who took home the $12,700 winner's cheque at the season-opening event, where her previous best was third place amid a sea of poor results.
Given her previous track record, the 24-year-old was decidedly upbeat about her victory.
"Guys, I never believed I would win here!" a euphoric Mulanovich told reporters shortly after her win.
With the Peruvian flag draped across her shoulders, she chuckled off suggestions she had declared a full-on assault on Gilmore's world crown.
"It's crazy you know," she said.
"I always used to get bad results here, I guess I proved to myself that I can surf this wave and I'm just so happy this year - everything just came perfect for me."
Cornish, a former world No.1, said she was pleased with her result.
"It's definitely a great start to the year," the Crescent Heads surfer said.
"I thoroughly enjoyed myself today, it was just a super magical day - there were dolphins and stingrays and fishermen, you never really get to see that."
Cornish, who was Australia's last chance to retain the event after Chelsea Hedges' victory last year, will now try to go one better at the Rip Curl Pro event at Bell's Beach later this month.
There, Gilmore said she would also be seeking redemption.
"A bit of redemption, yeah, and to get back in the groove of things," she said.
"It's always pretty hard first event - I mean, I thought everybody was a little bit wobbly but obviously not, maybe it's just me."
Media Man Australia Profiles
Surfing
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Surfing Pioneer Mark Warren Inducted into Hall of Fame - Press Release - 26th February 2008 - Surfline
Surfing pioneer Mark Warren (Avalon, NSW) was honoured as the 2008 Hall of Fame Inductee at the 23rd annual Australian Surfing Awards at Twin Town Services Club in Coolangatta last night.
Warren's varied and successful careers within surfing span three decades. A 70s pro surfer - a media sports personality in the '80's - National Coach and ASP Tour Representative in the '90's.
Warren the 1970 NSW Junior Champion from Narrabeen went onto become one of the worlds first pro surfers winning numerous contests including the 1976 Smirnoff World Pro-Am at Sunset Beach, Hawaii and The Duke Kahanamoku Classic at Waimea Bay, Hawaii in 1980.
To this day Warren remains at the forefront of the sport, responsible for the live web streaming of the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro tournaments around the globe.
"If surfing is Hawaii's gift to the world then I'm amazed how, for me, surfing is the gift that keeps on giving," said Warren.
"I get just as big a thrill now out of a half decent wave as I did when I first started surfing over 40 years ago.
"And equally it's a thrill for me to be acknowledged by Surfing Australia in this way, in fact it's a privilege," added Warren.
Warren adds his name to a list of surfing luminaries that includes four time world champion Mark "MR" Richards OAM, seven time world champion Layne Beachley, 1976 world champion Peter Townend, 1998 world champion Mark Occhilupo 1990 world champion Pam Burridge, legends Nat Young, Wayne Lynch, Michael Peterson, Wayne Deane and surfing historian Peter Troy OAM .
Reigning ASP world champions Mick Fanning (Tweed Head, NSW) and Stephanie Gilmore (Kingscliff, NSW) claimed the coveted 2008 'Male and Female Surfer of the Year Awards'.
Gilmore's sensational 2007 performance saw her become the only male or female surfer to win an ASP World Title in their rookie year. A bumper 2007 for Fanning saw him bring the world crown back to Australian shores for the first time in a decade.
"It's another great honour for me. An Australian award has that extra special meaning too," said Gilmore.
In all, 11 awards were presented on the night before 2007 Hall of Fame Inductee Cheyne Horan (Gold Coast) honoured Mark Warren as this year's Inductee in the nights crowning moment.
ASP world junior champion Sally Fitzgibbons (Gerroa, NSW) broke the gender barrier by taking out the inaugural 'Rising Star Award' for her enormous promise and potential. The 17 year-old 'Super-Grom' has again proved unstoppable this year currently leading both the World Qualifying Series (WQS) and the Australasian junior rankings.
Joining the elite on stage was Jon Frank for the 'The Best Photo of the Year Award' and Sunny Abberton accepted the 'The Surf Movie of the Year Award' on behalf of the Bra Boys.
"The movie has won a few international awards but this is the first one in Australia and to receive in front of the surfing community is fantastic, " said Abberton.
Former USA surfing champion Rusty Miller - who has recently been in the media spotlight as Elle MacPherson's surfing coach - took back home to Byron Bay 'The Surfing Australia Lifestyle Award'.
"I am very excited to be recognized by the Australian Surfing Awards and that there is a category for me after all. At the Lennox Head surfing reserve dedication I got to really feel again what an amazing tribe we are a part of and that, at my vintage, savour the diversity in style, generation and walks of life represented," said Miller.
Highly respected surfing journalist and author Tim Baker (Currumbin, Qld) was the 'Surf Culture Award' recipient for his latest book High Surf, which profiles inspirational surfers.
Australasian Surf Business (ASB) magazine claimed the 'Pioneer Award' and in doing so acknowledged publisher Keith Curtain's dedication to surfing and hard work in founding the surf industry trade title. ASB magazine has established a strong and proudly independent niche within the surf publishing market in Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia.
Billabong Australasian Brand Manager Andrew Flitton accepted the inaugural 'Surf Industry Award' on behalf of surf label Billabong.
LE BA Boardriders claimed the Simon Anderson Premiere Club Award as the club that excelled across a variety of levels in 2007.
Leon Norris (Geraldton, WA) was honoured with the Duke Kahanamoku Award for his enormous services to Surfing Australia and the sport of surfing.
The introduction of Team Australia who will contest the 2008 ISA World Junior Championship in France, May 24 till June 1st, 2008 added to the night's festivities.
Both Owen Wright (Culburra, NSW) and Laura Enever (Narrabeen, NSW) feature in arguably one of the strongest U/19 national sides ever assembled.
The night also set a new benchmark for Award presentations by emitting 'Zero C', - no carbons - thanks to the work of Balance Carbon.
The Australian Surfing Hall of Fame would like to acknowledge Surfing Australia, the Australian Sports Commission, Domain Casuarina Beach Resort, ASB , Balance Carbon and Urchins Artwork for their support in staging the Australian Surfing Awards.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Sunny Abberton
Surfing
Coolangatta
Warren's varied and successful careers within surfing span three decades. A 70s pro surfer - a media sports personality in the '80's - National Coach and ASP Tour Representative in the '90's.
Warren the 1970 NSW Junior Champion from Narrabeen went onto become one of the worlds first pro surfers winning numerous contests including the 1976 Smirnoff World Pro-Am at Sunset Beach, Hawaii and The Duke Kahanamoku Classic at Waimea Bay, Hawaii in 1980.
To this day Warren remains at the forefront of the sport, responsible for the live web streaming of the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro tournaments around the globe.
"If surfing is Hawaii's gift to the world then I'm amazed how, for me, surfing is the gift that keeps on giving," said Warren.
"I get just as big a thrill now out of a half decent wave as I did when I first started surfing over 40 years ago.
"And equally it's a thrill for me to be acknowledged by Surfing Australia in this way, in fact it's a privilege," added Warren.
Warren adds his name to a list of surfing luminaries that includes four time world champion Mark "MR" Richards OAM, seven time world champion Layne Beachley, 1976 world champion Peter Townend, 1998 world champion Mark Occhilupo 1990 world champion Pam Burridge, legends Nat Young, Wayne Lynch, Michael Peterson, Wayne Deane and surfing historian Peter Troy OAM .
Reigning ASP world champions Mick Fanning (Tweed Head, NSW) and Stephanie Gilmore (Kingscliff, NSW) claimed the coveted 2008 'Male and Female Surfer of the Year Awards'.
Gilmore's sensational 2007 performance saw her become the only male or female surfer to win an ASP World Title in their rookie year. A bumper 2007 for Fanning saw him bring the world crown back to Australian shores for the first time in a decade.
"It's another great honour for me. An Australian award has that extra special meaning too," said Gilmore.
In all, 11 awards were presented on the night before 2007 Hall of Fame Inductee Cheyne Horan (Gold Coast) honoured Mark Warren as this year's Inductee in the nights crowning moment.
ASP world junior champion Sally Fitzgibbons (Gerroa, NSW) broke the gender barrier by taking out the inaugural 'Rising Star Award' for her enormous promise and potential. The 17 year-old 'Super-Grom' has again proved unstoppable this year currently leading both the World Qualifying Series (WQS) and the Australasian junior rankings.
Joining the elite on stage was Jon Frank for the 'The Best Photo of the Year Award' and Sunny Abberton accepted the 'The Surf Movie of the Year Award' on behalf of the Bra Boys.
"The movie has won a few international awards but this is the first one in Australia and to receive in front of the surfing community is fantastic, " said Abberton.
Former USA surfing champion Rusty Miller - who has recently been in the media spotlight as Elle MacPherson's surfing coach - took back home to Byron Bay 'The Surfing Australia Lifestyle Award'.
"I am very excited to be recognized by the Australian Surfing Awards and that there is a category for me after all. At the Lennox Head surfing reserve dedication I got to really feel again what an amazing tribe we are a part of and that, at my vintage, savour the diversity in style, generation and walks of life represented," said Miller.
Highly respected surfing journalist and author Tim Baker (Currumbin, Qld) was the 'Surf Culture Award' recipient for his latest book High Surf, which profiles inspirational surfers.
Australasian Surf Business (ASB) magazine claimed the 'Pioneer Award' and in doing so acknowledged publisher Keith Curtain's dedication to surfing and hard work in founding the surf industry trade title. ASB magazine has established a strong and proudly independent niche within the surf publishing market in Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia.
Billabong Australasian Brand Manager Andrew Flitton accepted the inaugural 'Surf Industry Award' on behalf of surf label Billabong.
LE BA Boardriders claimed the Simon Anderson Premiere Club Award as the club that excelled across a variety of levels in 2007.
Leon Norris (Geraldton, WA) was honoured with the Duke Kahanamoku Award for his enormous services to Surfing Australia and the sport of surfing.
The introduction of Team Australia who will contest the 2008 ISA World Junior Championship in France, May 24 till June 1st, 2008 added to the night's festivities.
Both Owen Wright (Culburra, NSW) and Laura Enever (Narrabeen, NSW) feature in arguably one of the strongest U/19 national sides ever assembled.
The night also set a new benchmark for Award presentations by emitting 'Zero C', - no carbons - thanks to the work of Balance Carbon.
The Australian Surfing Hall of Fame would like to acknowledge Surfing Australia, the Australian Sports Commission, Domain Casuarina Beach Resort, ASB , Balance Carbon and Urchins Artwork for their support in staging the Australian Surfing Awards.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Sunny Abberton
Surfing
Coolangatta
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Lay day for Quiksilver Pro & Roxy Pro on the Gold Coast - Global Surf News - 25th Feb 2008
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast
Roxy Pro Gold Coast
ASP Men's WCT Event #1
ASP Women's WCT Event #1
Coolangatta, Qld Australia
23 February - 5 March 2008
Live Coverage | Results/Photos/Videos etc
Lay Day for Quiksilver and Roxy Pro presented by LG
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 25 February, 2008 : - - Event organizers for the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro presented by LG have called for a lay day today due to small surf on offer at the main site at Snapper Rocks and nearby Duranbah Beach.
"While there are a few small waves on offer at Snapper and D'Bah this morning, we've decided to call a lay day for both the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro today," Brooke Farris, ASP Women's World Tour Manager, said. "We've just completed two full days of action for the men and the women, and with the swell looking like it will stay consistent throughout the week before filling in on the weekend, we'll wait until better conditions present themselves before we restart competition."
Saturday's action saw the ASP Top 45 take on Round 1 of the Quiksilver Pro presented by LG in punchy waves at nearby DuranbahBeach. Highlights included the domination of Coolangatta kids Mick Fanning (AUS), Joel Parkinson (AUS), Dean Morrison (AUS), Bede Durbidge (AUS) and Luke Munro (AUS). Munro in particular surfed brilliantly to hold off highly-touted rookie Dane Reynolds (USA) in their Round 1 clash.
Yesterday saw the girls take on clean three-foot (1 metre) waves at Duranbah for the opening two rounds of the Roxy Pro presented by LG, and reigning ASP Women's World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) took top honors for the day with Hawaiians Melanie Bartels and Megan Abubo also impressing the hundreds on the beach.
When Quiksilver Pro competition resumes, former three-time ASP World Champion Andy Irons (HAW) will be up against lethal Komunity Project Trials Winner Tamaroa McComb (PYF) in the opening heat of the elimination Round 2 competition.
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG Round 2 Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Andy Irons (HAW) vs. Tamaroa McComb (PYF)
Heat 2: Pancho Sullivan (HAW) vs. Julian Wilson (AUS)
Heat 3: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Michel Bourez (PYF)
Heat 4: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Nic Muscroft (AUS)
Heat 5: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Daniel Ross (AUS)
Heat 6: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Roy Powers (HAW)
Heat 7: Michael Campbell (AUS) vs. Kieren Perrow (AUS)
Heat 8: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Jihad Khodr (BRA)
Heat 9: Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA) vs. Ben Bourgeois (USA)
Heat 10: Neco Padaratz (BRA) vs. Aritz Aranburu (EUK)
Heat 11: Leonardo Neves (BRA) vs. Tiago Pires (PRT)
Heat 12: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) vs. Jay Thompson (AUS)
Heat 13: Ricky Basnett (ZAF) vs. Dane Reynolds (USA)
Heat 14: Daniel Wills (AUS) vs. Jordy Smith (ZAF)
Heat 15: Royden Bryson (ZAF) vs. Tim Reyes (USA)
Heat 16: Travis Logie (ZAF) vs. Ben Dunn (AUS)
When Roxy Pro competition resumes, Australians Samantha Cornish and Nicola Atherton will compete in the opening heat of Round 3.
Roxy Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG Round 3 Match-Ups
Heat 1: Samantha Cornish (AUS) vs. Nicola Atherton (AUS)
Heat 2: Layne Beachley (AUS) vs. Serena Brooke (AUS)
Heat 3: Melanie Bartels (HAW) vs. Megan Abubo (HAW)
Heat 4: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) vs. Carissa Moore (HAW)
Heat 5: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) vs. Claire Bevilacqua (AUS)
Heat 6: Rebecca Woods (AUS) vs. Rosanne Hodge (ZAF
Heat 7: Amee Donohoe (AUS) vs. Jacqueline Silva (BRA)
Heat 8: Silvana Lima (BRA) vs. Julia De La Rosa Toro (PER)
Websites
Global Surf News
Quiksilver Pro
Media Man Australia Profiles
Surfing
Roxy Pro Gold Coast
ASP Men's WCT Event #1
ASP Women's WCT Event #1
Coolangatta, Qld Australia
23 February - 5 March 2008
Live Coverage | Results/Photos/Videos etc
Lay Day for Quiksilver and Roxy Pro presented by LG
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 25 February, 2008 : - - Event organizers for the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro presented by LG have called for a lay day today due to small surf on offer at the main site at Snapper Rocks and nearby Duranbah Beach.
"While there are a few small waves on offer at Snapper and D'Bah this morning, we've decided to call a lay day for both the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro today," Brooke Farris, ASP Women's World Tour Manager, said. "We've just completed two full days of action for the men and the women, and with the swell looking like it will stay consistent throughout the week before filling in on the weekend, we'll wait until better conditions present themselves before we restart competition."
Saturday's action saw the ASP Top 45 take on Round 1 of the Quiksilver Pro presented by LG in punchy waves at nearby DuranbahBeach. Highlights included the domination of Coolangatta kids Mick Fanning (AUS), Joel Parkinson (AUS), Dean Morrison (AUS), Bede Durbidge (AUS) and Luke Munro (AUS). Munro in particular surfed brilliantly to hold off highly-touted rookie Dane Reynolds (USA) in their Round 1 clash.
Yesterday saw the girls take on clean three-foot (1 metre) waves at Duranbah for the opening two rounds of the Roxy Pro presented by LG, and reigning ASP Women's World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) took top honors for the day with Hawaiians Melanie Bartels and Megan Abubo also impressing the hundreds on the beach.
When Quiksilver Pro competition resumes, former three-time ASP World Champion Andy Irons (HAW) will be up against lethal Komunity Project Trials Winner Tamaroa McComb (PYF) in the opening heat of the elimination Round 2 competition.
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG Round 2 Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Andy Irons (HAW) vs. Tamaroa McComb (PYF)
Heat 2: Pancho Sullivan (HAW) vs. Julian Wilson (AUS)
Heat 3: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Michel Bourez (PYF)
Heat 4: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Nic Muscroft (AUS)
Heat 5: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Daniel Ross (AUS)
Heat 6: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Roy Powers (HAW)
Heat 7: Michael Campbell (AUS) vs. Kieren Perrow (AUS)
Heat 8: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Jihad Khodr (BRA)
Heat 9: Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA) vs. Ben Bourgeois (USA)
Heat 10: Neco Padaratz (BRA) vs. Aritz Aranburu (EUK)
Heat 11: Leonardo Neves (BRA) vs. Tiago Pires (PRT)
Heat 12: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) vs. Jay Thompson (AUS)
Heat 13: Ricky Basnett (ZAF) vs. Dane Reynolds (USA)
Heat 14: Daniel Wills (AUS) vs. Jordy Smith (ZAF)
Heat 15: Royden Bryson (ZAF) vs. Tim Reyes (USA)
Heat 16: Travis Logie (ZAF) vs. Ben Dunn (AUS)
When Roxy Pro competition resumes, Australians Samantha Cornish and Nicola Atherton will compete in the opening heat of Round 3.
Roxy Pro Gold Coast pres. by LG Round 3 Match-Ups
Heat 1: Samantha Cornish (AUS) vs. Nicola Atherton (AUS)
Heat 2: Layne Beachley (AUS) vs. Serena Brooke (AUS)
Heat 3: Melanie Bartels (HAW) vs. Megan Abubo (HAW)
Heat 4: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) vs. Carissa Moore (HAW)
Heat 5: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) vs. Claire Bevilacqua (AUS)
Heat 6: Rebecca Woods (AUS) vs. Rosanne Hodge (ZAF
Heat 7: Amee Donohoe (AUS) vs. Jacqueline Silva (BRA)
Heat 8: Silvana Lima (BRA) vs. Julia De La Rosa Toro (PER)
Websites
Global Surf News
Quiksilver Pro
Media Man Australia Profiles
Surfing
Surfing websites coming off the Gold Coast campaign
Media Man Australia Coolangatta Diary
We have just returned from a succesful campaign in the Gold Coast, Tweed and Coolangatta region.
The Quiksilver Pro is currently on. Sunny Abberton pointed out the Rip Curl shop out and we bought some cool gear.
There was a great cafe which is also a surf photography gallery - Slide Cafe - Coolangatta Gallery - Ocean Art Photography
Picked up a copy of radical surfing / surfling lifestyle magazine, Gold Coast Surf
Checked out the view at the Coolangatta Surf Club and Greenmount Beach Club
Breakfast at Outback Jacks Bar & Grill
Taxi back to Gold Coast Airport and flights with Virgin Blue
Home to North Bondi, Sydney
Media Man Australia Profiles
Surfing
We have just returned from a succesful campaign in the Gold Coast, Tweed and Coolangatta region.
The Quiksilver Pro is currently on. Sunny Abberton pointed out the Rip Curl shop out and we bought some cool gear.
There was a great cafe which is also a surf photography gallery - Slide Cafe - Coolangatta Gallery - Ocean Art Photography
Picked up a copy of radical surfing / surfling lifestyle magazine, Gold Coast Surf
Checked out the view at the Coolangatta Surf Club and Greenmount Beach Club
Breakfast at Outback Jacks Bar & Grill
Taxi back to Gold Coast Airport and flights with Virgin Blue
Home to North Bondi, Sydney
Media Man Australia Profiles
Surfing
Public thank you to Sunny Abberton and Neal Cameron
Public thank you to Sunny Abberton and Neal Cameron for their assistance in helping make the grand opening of the Universal Peace Centre Retreat so successful and enjoyable.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Monster ride to surfing stardom - The West Australian - 17th February 2008
WA big wave surfer Alex “Alfy” Carter has ridden away with the top prize in the Oakley Surfing Life biggest wave award after an electrifying trip on a 14m-plus wave during an extreme surfing session in the South-West.
The $20,000 prize was presented to Carter at the Bondi Pavilion in Sydney on Thursday night after judges deemed his monster wave was bigger than those ridden by Queenslander Mark Visser and Hawaiians Ian Walsh and Jamie Sterling. It was a sweet victory for Carter who was runner-up last year.
His monster moment was in September at Cow Bombie, a break 6km offshore at Margaret River.
Carter said the win was a major relief.
“Now I can pay the taxman all the money I’ve owed him for the past few years,” he said.
The award opens doors for Carter to compete in other big wave events around the globe that don’t often attract the major money and sponsorship of the regular world surfing tour.
Carter said the award might change some things for him but it would not change the way he surfed.
He also received a new jetski which should come in handy after the same break that won him the award also claimed his old one.
“The ski conked out about 3m from the worst possible spot,” Carter said.
“We got three waves on the head and that was it for the ski.”
Media Man Australia Profiles
Surfing
The $20,000 prize was presented to Carter at the Bondi Pavilion in Sydney on Thursday night after judges deemed his monster wave was bigger than those ridden by Queenslander Mark Visser and Hawaiians Ian Walsh and Jamie Sterling. It was a sweet victory for Carter who was runner-up last year.
His monster moment was in September at Cow Bombie, a break 6km offshore at Margaret River.
Carter said the win was a major relief.
“Now I can pay the taxman all the money I’ve owed him for the past few years,” he said.
The award opens doors for Carter to compete in other big wave events around the globe that don’t often attract the major money and sponsorship of the regular world surfing tour.
Carter said the award might change some things for him but it would not change the way he surfed.
He also received a new jetski which should come in handy after the same break that won him the award also claimed his old one.
“The ski conked out about 3m from the worst possible spot,” Carter said.
“We got three waves on the head and that was it for the ski.”
Media Man Australia Profiles
Surfing
WA's Cater wins big wave award - The Age - 13th Feb 2008
The argument is finally settled, West Australian Alex Cater rode the biggest wave during the remarkable surfing session off the WA coast late last year.
But not only can Cater brag to his peers that he caught the wave of the day, his 14m plus ride won the $20,000 Oakley Surfing Life biggest wave award at a presentation in Sydney.
Cater's monster wave was one of several nominations from the extreme surfing session held by some of the world's best big wave junkies at `Cow Bombie', a break 6km off the south coast of WA, in September last year.
Judges, however, decided Cater's bomb was bigger than entries from Queenslander Mark Visser and world-renowned Hawaiian chargers Ian Walsh and Jamie Sterling.
For his effort Cater received a hefty cheque, international recognition and a new jet ski - a timely gift considering the dangerous offshore break recently killed his previous tow-in machine.
"The ski conked out about three metres from the worst possible spot," Cater recalled.
"We got three waves on the head and that was it for the ski."
Cater, who'd been runner-up to Damon Eastaugh last year, said he would shout the other finalists drinks then put the leftover prizemoney to good use.
"Now I can pay the taxman all the money I've owed him for the past few years," he said.
"In a way this award might change some things for me but it won't change why I go surfing."
Tasmanian Marti Paradisis may not have claimed the biggest wave, but he at least took consolation in receiving the best overall performance for his insane surfing session at the Apple Isle's remote Shipstern Bluff.
But not only can Cater brag to his peers that he caught the wave of the day, his 14m plus ride won the $20,000 Oakley Surfing Life biggest wave award at a presentation in Sydney.
Cater's monster wave was one of several nominations from the extreme surfing session held by some of the world's best big wave junkies at `Cow Bombie', a break 6km off the south coast of WA, in September last year.
Judges, however, decided Cater's bomb was bigger than entries from Queenslander Mark Visser and world-renowned Hawaiian chargers Ian Walsh and Jamie Sterling.
For his effort Cater received a hefty cheque, international recognition and a new jet ski - a timely gift considering the dangerous offshore break recently killed his previous tow-in machine.
"The ski conked out about three metres from the worst possible spot," Cater recalled.
"We got three waves on the head and that was it for the ski."
Cater, who'd been runner-up to Damon Eastaugh last year, said he would shout the other finalists drinks then put the leftover prizemoney to good use.
"Now I can pay the taxman all the money I've owed him for the past few years," he said.
"In a way this award might change some things for me but it won't change why I go surfing."
Tasmanian Marti Paradisis may not have claimed the biggest wave, but he at least took consolation in receiving the best overall performance for his insane surfing session at the Apple Isle's remote Shipstern Bluff.
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