Surfing great Kelly Slater says Australia has the best beaches in the world and he wants to know why Prime Minister Kevin Rudd isn't using them.
The nine-time world champion was at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Saturday to announce a new initiative which recognises significant beaches around the globe.
One iconic Australian beach, which has not yet been named, will be among the first to be declared a world `surfing reserve'.
The sites were chosen from 150 beaches nominated by 34 countries, and also include Waikiki in Hawaii and Malibu in California.
Beaches in Western Australia, Queensland and NSW are all in the running, and Mr Rudd has been invited to make the declaration in October.
While explaining the benefits of the scheme, Slater threw down a challenge to the Prime Minister after raving about Australia's offerings.
"What sort of surf board is (he) riding? Rudd, where are you, come on?" Slater said.
"And Peter Garrett, we gotta get that guy in the water too - he is supposed to be a keen body surfer."
Slater is one of many elite surfers supporting the World Surfing Reserves organisation, modelled from an Australian version which successfully lobbied for the legal protection of beaches deemed as significant surfing spots.
Thanks to the efforts of Australia's National Surfing Reserves (NSR), seven beaches in NSW have been given the declaration designed to preserve beaches for generations to come under the Crown Lands Act.
NSR chairman Brad Farmer said the concept was so successful it's now being replicated in California, Scotland and Hawaii.
"It's the first time in history surfing has been recognised in law, so it's really extraordinary," Mr Farmer told AAP.
"Now the legislation is being used around the world, so it's going world-wide in a very short time.
Slater said Australia was well deserving of international recognition.
"I love the beaches in Australia," he told AAP.
"It really has all the variety of cold to warm, sand to reef and point breaks to beach breaks so you really have more variety in Australia than probably anywhere."
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Dave Rastovich and crew, Surfers for Cetaceans, Sea Shepherd, eco warriors and community unite - 5th November 2009
David Rastovich and crew, Surfers for Cetaceans, Sea Shepherd, eco warriors and community unite - 5th November 2009
Media Man was on hand this morning to witness the exciting and historic arrival of team Transparent Sea Voyage: Dave Rastovich and Surfers for Cetaceans, who have paddled down the NSW coast on a 700km journey.
Rastovich, world class surfer and famed environmentalist, was joined on the epic adventure by JJ (photographer), Hilton Doar and Chris Del Moro (surfer and artist).
A swag of fans, supporters and media was present to welcome the team, despite the overcast weather.
Doar encouraged concerned citizens to write to local members of Parliament, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and environmental minister, Peter Carrett.
Doar said "It was amazing to share the journey with like minded people. We're all inter connected. Australian people love the whales and dolphins. The Australian Government needs to send ships and help. Sea Shepherd is keeping the pressure one as whaling and fishing vessels are frequently Australian waters illegally. People need to help".
Further news reports on Channel Nine, Network Ten and others tonight.
Statistics
700 km paddle by Dave Rastovich
Rastovich touched in at Bondi Beach shore 11.15am
36 day journey
Website
Transparent Sea Voyage
*Media Man Australia is a supporter of Sea Shepherd and numerous environmental causes
Media Man Australia Profiles
David Rastovich
Surfers for Cetaceans
Sea Shepherd
Billabong
Surfing
Coastal Directory
Environmentalists and the environment
Bondi Beach
Media Man was on hand this morning to witness the exciting and historic arrival of team Transparent Sea Voyage: Dave Rastovich and Surfers for Cetaceans, who have paddled down the NSW coast on a 700km journey.
Rastovich, world class surfer and famed environmentalist, was joined on the epic adventure by JJ (photographer), Hilton Doar and Chris Del Moro (surfer and artist).
A swag of fans, supporters and media was present to welcome the team, despite the overcast weather.
Doar encouraged concerned citizens to write to local members of Parliament, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and environmental minister, Peter Carrett.
Doar said "It was amazing to share the journey with like minded people. We're all inter connected. Australian people love the whales and dolphins. The Australian Government needs to send ships and help. Sea Shepherd is keeping the pressure one as whaling and fishing vessels are frequently Australian waters illegally. People need to help".
Further news reports on Channel Nine, Network Ten and others tonight.
Statistics
700 km paddle by Dave Rastovich
Rastovich touched in at Bondi Beach shore 11.15am
36 day journey
Website
Transparent Sea Voyage
*Media Man Australia is a supporter of Sea Shepherd and numerous environmental causes
Media Man Australia Profiles
David Rastovich
Surfers for Cetaceans
Sea Shepherd
Billabong
Surfing
Coastal Directory
Environmentalists and the environment
Bondi Beach
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Strong dollar threatens earnings wipe-out for Billabong, by Daniel Hurst - Fairfax - 28th October 2009
Global surfwear brand Billabong is bracing for cuts to earnings as the rising Australian dollar erodes the value of overseas sales.
The Gold-Coast-based company told shareholders at its annual meeting yesterday its after-tax profit had dropped more than 13 per cent to $152.8 million last financial year, with the financial crisis having a big impact on US retail markets.
Billabong International, which owns surfwear, skateboarding, sunglasses and footwear brands, generates more than 80 per cent of its sales overseas. Chief executive Derek O'Neill said he believed the tide had turned in the US and the company aimed to boost its sales margins in the next three years.
The company predicts 5 per cent growth in net profit this financial year if exchange rate variability is not taken into account.
Mr O'Neill said the company's after-tax profit would drop by $500,000 for each US1¢ rise in the monthly average value of the Australian dollar above US92¢.
''I'm not unhappy about the rising Australian dollar,'' he said. ''It has a number of positive benefits. It's just when there is a massive rise in a very short period of time it affects our profits immediately.''
The group's directors put forward a freeze on executive base pay as part of its remuneration report to shareholders - a document that was rejected by 11 per cent of those who voted.
Questioned about the ''huge amount of variability'' in the company's day-to-day share price, chairman Ted Kunkel said it was affected by US retail reports and rapid appreciation of the Australian dollar.
Billabong shares fell 37¢ yesterday to $10.58. (Credit: Fairfax)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Billabong
Surfing
Fashion
Coastal Directory
News
Financial News
Sports News
Entertainment News
The Gold-Coast-based company told shareholders at its annual meeting yesterday its after-tax profit had dropped more than 13 per cent to $152.8 million last financial year, with the financial crisis having a big impact on US retail markets.
Billabong International, which owns surfwear, skateboarding, sunglasses and footwear brands, generates more than 80 per cent of its sales overseas. Chief executive Derek O'Neill said he believed the tide had turned in the US and the company aimed to boost its sales margins in the next three years.
The company predicts 5 per cent growth in net profit this financial year if exchange rate variability is not taken into account.
Mr O'Neill said the company's after-tax profit would drop by $500,000 for each US1¢ rise in the monthly average value of the Australian dollar above US92¢.
''I'm not unhappy about the rising Australian dollar,'' he said. ''It has a number of positive benefits. It's just when there is a massive rise in a very short period of time it affects our profits immediately.''
The group's directors put forward a freeze on executive base pay as part of its remuneration report to shareholders - a document that was rejected by 11 per cent of those who voted.
Questioned about the ''huge amount of variability'' in the company's day-to-day share price, chairman Ted Kunkel said it was affected by US retail reports and rapid appreciation of the Australian dollar.
Billabong shares fell 37¢ yesterday to $10.58. (Credit: Fairfax)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Billabong
Surfing
Fashion
Coastal Directory
News
Financial News
Sports News
Entertainment News
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Boost SurfSho at Bondi Beach in March 2010 - Big Air!
Bondi Beach in March 2010
Sanctioned by the Association of Surfing Professionals
Kelly Slater, Australian big-air specialists Taj Burrow and Owen Wright, and more
Websites
Boost SurfShow
Kelly Slater official website
ASP
Media Man Australia Profiles
Kelly Slater
Surfing
Australian Sports Entertainment
Sports Betting
Bondi Beach
Sanctioned by the Association of Surfing Professionals
Kelly Slater, Australian big-air specialists Taj Burrow and Owen Wright, and more
Websites
Boost SurfShow
Kelly Slater official website
ASP
Media Man Australia Profiles
Kelly Slater
Surfing
Australian Sports Entertainment
Sports Betting
Bondi Beach
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Saltwater Buddha profile
Jaimal Yogis is an award-winning journalist and photographer who spends a good deal of his spare time surfing and traveling the globe. He has a master’s degree in Journalism from Columbia University and his work has been published in The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, The Toronto Star, The Surfers Journal, Beliefnet, Tricycle, San Francisco Magazine, and many others. Saltwater Buddha, which has been internationally praised and is the subject of a forthcoming documentary, is his first book, but he is currently working on a second while also traveling on an extensive book tour (along the coasts of course). You can follow Jaimal on Facebook and Twitter. (Credit: Jaimal Yogis)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Coastal Directory
Surfing
Media Man Australia Profiles
Coastal Directory
Surfing
Thursday, September 03, 2009
The Official Bra Boys Story: My Brothers Keeper, by Sean Doherty
Book Description
Maroubra was a tough place to grow up. Ringed by a jail, a sewerage works, a rifle range and a housing commission estate, it was where the streets of Sydney met the beach. It was a place where the local boys surfed hard and partied harder. It was also a place where trouble easily found you. Adopted by Maroubra Beach at a young age, the four Abberton brothers, all born to different fathers and a mother in the clutches of heroin addiction, grew up at a time when the area was shadowed by drugs and gang violence. Raised largely by their grandmother, Sunny, Jai, Koby and Dakota found solace in the surf, and solidarity with their mates, the Bra Boys.
The official biography of the Abberton brothers follows their story from a turbulent upbringing on the sands of Maroubra to international surf stardom, and the fateful events of 5 August 2003, when Jai shot dead Maroubra underworld figure and childhood friend Tony Hines, only to be acquitted on the grounds of self-defence. The Official Bra Boys Story: My Brothers Keeper is raw, gritty, from the heart ... and everything you won′t read about in the newspapers. (Credit: HarperCollins Publishers Australia)
*Media Man Australia off the record interview conducted with Sunny Abberton
Media Man Australia Profiles
Sunny Abberton
Koby Abberton
The Bra Boys
Books and Authors
Maroubra was a tough place to grow up. Ringed by a jail, a sewerage works, a rifle range and a housing commission estate, it was where the streets of Sydney met the beach. It was a place where the local boys surfed hard and partied harder. It was also a place where trouble easily found you. Adopted by Maroubra Beach at a young age, the four Abberton brothers, all born to different fathers and a mother in the clutches of heroin addiction, grew up at a time when the area was shadowed by drugs and gang violence. Raised largely by their grandmother, Sunny, Jai, Koby and Dakota found solace in the surf, and solidarity with their mates, the Bra Boys.
The official biography of the Abberton brothers follows their story from a turbulent upbringing on the sands of Maroubra to international surf stardom, and the fateful events of 5 August 2003, when Jai shot dead Maroubra underworld figure and childhood friend Tony Hines, only to be acquitted on the grounds of self-defence. The Official Bra Boys Story: My Brothers Keeper is raw, gritty, from the heart ... and everything you won′t read about in the newspapers. (Credit: HarperCollins Publishers Australia)
*Media Man Australia off the record interview conducted with Sunny Abberton
Media Man Australia Profiles
Sunny Abberton
Koby Abberton
The Bra Boys
Books and Authors
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Sydney shark victim's brave return to Bondi beach, by David Barrett - Herald Sun - 13th May 2009
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
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
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
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