DOWN THE LINE Surf Talk Radio

SURFING NEWS — SURFING NEWS — TOP 5 SURFING STORIES OF THE WEEK AND MUCH MORE SURFING NEWS — SURFING NEWS — TOP 5 SURFING STORIES OF THE WEEK DISCUSS

March 3, 2013 SURFING NEWS — TOP SURFING STORIES OF THE WEEK – March 3, 2013 – Surfing News, Surf News : Grain Surfboards , World Tour Kicks off, 5 stories much more!
w/ Scott Bass (surfer) and Jeff Baldwin (surfer)

SURF REPORT: ADAM WRIGHT SOLSPOT.COM

EMAIL:

Hey Scott and Baldy, Hi guys – Love the show. What is the code to join your Fantasy Surf clubhouse?

Thank you,

GRAIN SURFBOARDS MIKE LAVECCHIA CALLS IN ABOUT KCIKCSTARTER PROJECT:
“Truck-n-Trailer” Mobile Surfboard-Building Classroom

by Mike & Brad from Grain Surfboards
Project: To share the craft of wood board-building with the West we need a truck we can sleep in, towing a trailer/mobile classroom.

So our plan is this: with your help, we’ll get a truck we can sleep in, and a utility trailer large enough to fit piles of tools, shaping stands, and gear, and we’ll hit the road out west. Your funding assistance will also help outfit this rig – for instance, we’ll need some mobile shop-tools, and other stuff classes require. If things work out, we’ll set this up to burn alternative fuels as well.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/grainsurfboards/truck-n-trailer-mobile-surfboard-building-classroo?ref=email

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS), Bede Durbidge (AUS), Raoni Monteiro (BRA)
Heat 2: Adriano de Souza (BRA), Travis Logie (ZAF), Dusty Payne (HAW)
Heat 3: John John Florence (HAW), Kai Otton (AUS), Patrick Gudauskas (USA)
Heat 4: Mick Fanning (AUS), Sebastian Zietz (HAW), William Cardoso (BRA)
Heat 5: Kelly Slater (USA), Kolohe Andino (USA), Dane Reynolds (USA)
Heat 6: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Matt Wilkinson (AUS), Brent Dorrington (AUS)
Heat 7: Gabriel Medina (BRA), Kieren Perrow (AUS), Tiago Pires (PRT)
Heat 8: Josh Kerr (AUS), Alejo Muniz (BRA), Nat Young (USA)
Heat 9: Julian Wilson (AUS), Damien Hobgood (USA), Adam Melling (AUS)
Heat 10: Owen Wright (AUS), Michel Bourez (PYF), Filipe Toledo (BRA)
Heat 11: Jeremy Flores (FRA), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Brett Simpson (USA)
Heat 12: Jordy Smith (ZAF), C.J. Hobgood (USA), Glenn Hall (IRL)

___________________
#2

SEGMENT BROUGHT TO YOU BY SURFING HERITAGE VINTAGE SURF AUCTION PRESENTED BY QUIKSILVER WATERMAN COLLECTION TAKING PLACE MAY 11 AT THE ORANGE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS: GET TICKETS AND INFORMATION AT :

HTTP://THEVINTAGESURFAUCTION.COM

TOP 5 Stories

#1 story THE ASP WORLD TOUR
Association of Surfing Professionals International (ASP) is excited to announce the appointments of Paul Speaker as ASP CEO and Kieren Perrow as Interim Commissioner. The announcements are made as ZoSea Media finalizes its acquisition of the world’s premier surfing organization.
QUIKSILVER PRO & Roxy Pro GOLD COAST ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:
The world’s best female surfers got down to business today as Round 1 of the Roxy Pro Gold Coast presented Land Rover was completed in clean, three-to-four foot (1 metre) waves at Rainbow Bay.

Event No. 1 of 7 on the 2013 ASP Women’s World Championship Tour, today’s Roxy Pro Gold Coast plays first opening of the season to the most impressive collection of female surfers for the sports history.

Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 22, continued to prove why she is a perennial threat to the ASP Women’s World Title this afternoon, posting an impressive 17.77 out of a possible 20 in a convincing Round 1 win.
Heat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS), Bede Durbidge (AUS), Raoni Monteiro (BRA)
Heat 2: Adriano de Souza (BRA), Travis Logie (ZAF), Dusty Payne (HAW)
Heat 3: John John Florence (HAW), Kai Otton (AUS), Patrick Gudauskas (USA)
Heat 4: Mick Fanning (AUS), Sebastian Zietz (HAW), William Cardoso (BRA)
Heat 5: Kelly Slater (USA), Kolohe Andino (USA), Dane Reynolds (USA)
Heat 6: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Matt Wilkinson (AUS), Brent Dorrington (AUS)
Heat 7: Gabriel Medina (BRA), Kieren Perrow (AUS), Tiago Pires (PRT)
Heat 8: Josh Kerr (AUS), Alejo Muniz (BRA), Nat Young (USA)
Heat 9: Julian Wilson (AUS), Damien Hobgood (USA), Adam Melling (AUS)
Heat 10: Owen Wright (AUS), Michel Bourez (PYF), Filipe Toledo (BRA)
Heat 11: Jeremy Flores (FRA), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Brett Simpson (USA)
Heat 12: Jordy Smith (ZAF), C.J. Hobgood (USA), Glenn Hall (IRL)

You can watch a repeat of the ASP awards banquet held last week on RedBullTv
I understand Parko gave an excellent acceptance speech.

Watch a full replay of this year’s ASP World Surfing Awards.

Stars from the ASP World Championship Tour on both the Mens and Womens sides have gathered on the Gold Coast, Australia, for the 2013 ASP World Surfing Awards. Join the year’s most exclusive party by watching a replay of the entire event here.

Predictions
Rookie of the Year: Nat Young
World Champ: JJ FLorence
Female Champ: Alana Blanchard

Epic battle between Gabe & JJ florence which will see heated words and situation unfold on the North Shore, with Brazilian nationalism and hoorah goes over the top. Certain Hawaiian locals don’t like it.

Who falls of the tour? KP ;

__________________________________________________________
The Surfing Heritage Vintage Surf Auction presented by Quiksilver Waterman Collection – May 11, 2013 at the Orange County Fairgrounds

The theme is “California Gold” and the Surfing Heritage (SH) is focusing on just that, boards and memorabilia with a California flair from the ’20s through the ’80s. We’ve already coalesced a solid selection of “Gold’ from various sellers and are actively searching for more. We’re anticipating between 50 prime vintage surfboards for the live auction and at least 40 items including surfboards for the silent auction.

Randy Rarick, a member of the Surfing Heritage Auction Advisory Committee, and a great friend of the Surfing Heritage, has lent his auction expertise to the Surfing Heritage and will also serve as the emcee of this gala.

Please put the Surfing Heritage Vintage Surf Auction presented by Quiksilver Waterman Collection (May 11, 2013) on your radar!
__________________________________________

#2 story Daisy Merrick RIP – lost her fight with cancer ; little girl battled hard for a long time.Garnd daughter of legendary Santa Barbara shaper, and San Diegieutio High school alum, Al Merrick.
___________________________
Story #3 out of Auctralian press… ELEVEN-times world surfing champion Kelly Slater says recreational drug use in his sport is “rampant”.

But the American superstar does not believe drug-testing is the answer, saying addicts have to want to kick the habit and need support.

In an exclusive interview with The Courier-Mail ahead of the season-opening Quiksilver Pro on the Gold Coast, Slater also quashed retirement speculation and vowed to chase a 12th world title at the age of 41.

He opened up about drugs in sport after the Lance Armstrong scandal and claims against some Australian sports.

He said he did not believe surfing had a performance-enhancing drug problem because he did not “think there’s a drug you can take to make you surf better”.

Asked if there was a recreational drug problem, he said: “There clearly is – absolutely. There’s no denying that, it’s rampant, it’s full-on.”
Access all Areas. $1 for the first 28 days. Only $2.95 a week thereafter. Learn more.

Slater said the Association of Surfing Professionals had introduced drug-testing last year, but it had faltered.

“They tested us at the first event and I never got tested again all year,” he said.

“Why talk about it and not do it? Why bother? Either do it or don’t do it.”

However, Slater said he did not believe drug-testing would help surfers hooked on recreational substances.

He questioned Queensland surf legend Gary “Kong” Elkerton’s assertion, in a recently-released biography, that drug-testing might have saved Slater’s friend, triple world champion Andy Irons, who died in 2010 after battling substance abuse.

“Those are personal, private matters and it’s really hard to dredge them up publicly and come to any kind of conclusion,” Slater said.

“Andy was the one who put himself in that situation. Had he had more outside pressure to change, that might have pushed him over the edge more quickly.

“I know a lot of drug addicts and you can’t force them to go get help if they don’t want it. You just have to show those people love and support and let them know that if they need your help, you’re there.”

Slater said he would support more stringent drug-testing in surfing.

“I don’t think it’s necessarily my battle to deal with because I’ve been drug-free my whole life,” he said.

Despite losing the world title to Joel Parkinson in an epic battle in Hawaii in December, Slater said he was motivated to chase a 12th crown.

“I’m going to go for it and try to put together a good year,” he said.

“Pretty much every day I get some older dude come up to me and say ‘Oh, mate, you’ve got to keep going’.

“I was one heat away from winning the title last year. I came really close and it wasn’t really heartbreaking. I was happy for Parko.

“But right now everyone’s got a target on their back we’re all starting at zero.”
- See more at: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/surfing-champ-says-recreational-drug-use-is-rampant-in-the-sport/story-fndo45r1-1226589479863#sthash.qr4s9wxk.dpuf

________________________________

#4 story THE BOARDROOM AT HB US OPEN OF SURF JULY 23-27
The freestanding, climate-controlled pavilion will be held alongside the world’s largest surfing festival between July 23 to 27, during the last week of the competition.
Will the Boardroom still take place at its original location in San Diego, or will this new show serve as its sole location now?

Scott Bass: All locations, venues, and regions are in discussion and we absolutely look forward to serving as many regions/locales as the market will bare.

My surfboard show roots in San Diego are strong. I’m in the water everyday—in San Diego. San Diego is the foundational location, the genesis location, if you will, of The Boardroom shows. A San Diego show will happen again.

It’s also good to take a break from a locale. I produced five shows in a row, from 2007 to 2012, in San Diego. I’m also very proud of the fact that we have produced shows in Santa Cruz and Ventura.

Our track record indicates that we appreciate and understand that surfers are more or less regional. The opportunity to showcase surf gear and to highlight local shapers and manufacturers in different areas throughout North America—and the world for that matter—is in front of us.

The East Coast is wide open and we know that the East Coast surfer is looking to celebrate at The Boardroom. As you may know, The Boardroom is co-locating with Surf Expo in Orlando Florida this September. I visited out there last September and in January. Surfers are frothing for a consumer show. They are enthusiasts. They are passionate. This is who they are. This is who we are. They embrace everything surf—just as I do, just as my children do, just as my neighbor does. We are all surfers, therefore we love surfboards.

How will the format work?

Scott Bass: From a specific granular view, The Boardroom is two days trade, two days consumer. It’s important to note, however, that from a global perspective The Boardroom is a celebration of everything surf: industry, sport, culture, lifestyle.

All of that of course begins and ends with the surfboard. From that prism, The Boardroom is one big cultural happening and there is something for everyone. Retailers order product. Manufacturers discuss product. Surfers take in the latest innovations. The Boardroom is a multifaceted, five-dimensional surf magazine. Everything comes to life. Don’t just look, pick the gear up. Ride the boards. Test the wetsuit. Pull on the stretch boardies. Quiz the manufacturer. Talk to the pros. Order a board. Get an autograph. Watch fresh new clips. Smell the resin. Ride an alaia. Test a handplane. Compare fins. Watch the shaping. Discuss board design. Talk shop. It’s all there in front of you. Not just 3-d, 5-d.”

What has been the City’s reaction, and how do you see this relationship evolving in the future?

Will it look and feel like previous Boardroom shows in San Diego?

Let me be clear. It all centers around the alpha and the omega of our surf industry, our surf world, and our surf lifestyle: the surfboard. The look and feel will be the same. The surf manufacturer, the shaping culture, the vibe is centered squarely on the surfboard — our iconic symbol of enduring youth.

Think back. Way back. Way back before instant surf access or a professional world tour, or surfboard mounted cameras. The surf industry was built by surfers named Butte, Downing, Hobie, Velzy, Edwards, Bing, Hap, Noll, Takayama, Aipa, and many many others. Shapers. All of them. Surfboard manufacturers. Their ads filled the surf mags. They dressed a certain way and had their own style. They stood out. Mainstreamers would look at them and scoff.

In 2013 their legacy — dozens and dozens of core manufacturers, shapers, surfers, surf industry designers from around the world — will exhibit at The Boardroom. They will be exalted. They will be center stage. Our industry flows from its core — the surfboard.

Thankfully surf equipment has evolved and technology has blossomed. Now surf gear consists of skateboards, boardshorts, wetsuits, fins boxes, watches, leashes, waterproof cameras, rack systems, wax, rash guards, travel, clothing and swimwear made specifically by surfers and for surfing. Paipos are back! Only this time they have GoPro cameras mounted on them. Classic. The Kuhio Groin crew would be stoked!

I love surfboards. Surfers love surfboards. The Boardroom is an extension of that passion. Lots of surf gear, lots of surfers, lots of sincere stoke. At the end of the day surfers really only care about two things, waves and the equipment to ride them with.

Now, to be a little more specific, there will be a Best Of Show exhibit, two shaping bays, live shaping, laminating demonstrations, surfboard exhibits, an Icons of Foam shaping tribute. Legends of shaping. Legends of lifestyle. Short films. Genuine surf stoke and happiness. A few scoffs would be cool too.

DECEMBER 16, 2012 – SURFING NEWS — SURFING NEWS Parko New ASP World Champ; Surfing Madonna; Surfing Santa Checks His Passport MUCH MUCH MORE
w/ Scott Bass (surfer) and Jeff Baldwin (surfer)

SEGMENT 1: Segment Sponsor Quiksilver Waterman Collection is presenting next years’ Surfing Heritage Vintage Surf Auction presented by Quiksilver Waterman Collection which takes place May 11, 2013 in the brand new state-of-the-art building at the OC Fairgrounds called The HANGAR. Quiksilver Waterman Collection and their brand ambassadors on twitter Mark Healey @healeysurf, Shayne McIntyre @ShayneMcIntyre, Jamie Mitchell, Peter Mel @peter_mel, Mel Pu’u: Robby Naish

THE ADVENTURES OF STU THE ELF — CHILDREN’S BOOK BY MY FRIEND CHAPMAN MURPHEY

HTTP://www.waterpenpublishing.com

surf report:

emails /shout outs/

TOP 5 STORIES

#1 PARKO WINS WORLD TITLE AND PIPELINE MASTERS TITLE

DISCUSSION
1) CONGRATS PARKO / Baldy… you win.
2) Dorian/ Slater heat
3) Not taking anything away from Parko, but the Slater/ Kerr semi was wave starved. There was really only one good wave and Kerr got it, so, you have to think… send them some waves and things may have been different. It wasn’t as if there was a Slater vs Parko final and it was a clear cut victory… just sayin’. Not taking anything away from Parko world title which is well deserved. Just sayin…
4) After 22 years on Tour, Taylor Knox hung up his singlet at the Pipe Masters and effectively retired from professional surfing. Other power surfers from years past: Kong, BK, Ian.

#2 2013 ASP World Title TOP 34
The 2012 ASP World Championship Tour season has come to a close following yesterday’s culmination of the Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons and the clinching of the 2012 ASP World Title by Joel Parkinson. While the world’s best surfers prepare for a well-deserved break before the start of the next season, the ASP has determined which surfers will contest for the 2013 ASP World Title:

Top 22 from 2012 ASP WCT Rankings:
- Joel Parkinson (AUS)
- Kelly Slater (USA)
- Mick Fanning (AUS)
- John John Florence (HAW)
- Adriano de Souza (BRA)
- Taj Burrow (AUS)
- Gabriel Medina (BRA)
- Josh Kerr (AUS)
- Julian Wilson (AUS)
- Owen Wright (AUS)
- Jeremy Flores (FRA)
- Jordy Smith (ZAF)
- C.J. Hobgood (USA)
- Adrian Buchan (AUS)
- Michel Bourez (PYF)
- Damien Hobgood (USA)
- Miguel Pupo (BRA)
- Alejo Muniz (BRA)
- Kieren Perrow (AUS)
- Bede Durbidge (AUS)
- Travis Logie (ZAF)
- Kai Otton (AUS)

Top 10 from 2012 ASP World Rankings (barring double qualifiers):
- Sebastien Zietz (HAW)
- Kolohe Andino (USA)
- Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
- Glenn Hall (IRL)
- Brett Simpson (USA)
- Filipe Toledo (BRA)
- Adam Melling (AUS)
- Nat Young (USA)
- Fredrick Patacchia (HAW)
- Tiago Pires (PRT)

Two ASP Wildcards:
- Dusty Payne (HAW)
- Raoni Monteiro (BRA)

ASP WCT Replacements (in the event of athlete withdrawal):
1 – Patrick Gudaukas (USA) – next on ASP World Ranking
2 – Yadin Nicol (AUS) – next on ASP WCT
3 – Willian Cardoso (BRA) – second on ASP World Ranking
4 – Heitor Alves (BRA) – second on ASP WCT

The 2013 ASP World Championship Tour will commence with the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast at Snapper Rocks from March 2 to 13, 2013.
DISCUSS / TALKING POINTS:
1) Will Slater retire? Yes or No
2) Is it fair for him to only do selective events… i.e Pat G gets put in a constant state of will he or won’t he? Plays havoc with Pat G’s schedule.
3) If it’s your event, do you want Slater? Or, do you want Pat G? DUH!

#3 Deadly Sea Snake — two in one?

Sea Snake believed to be same species is actually stow separate species that look exactly alike.
University of Queensland researcher Bryan Fry and colleagues tested the serpentine DNA, the results showed that the tow snakes were separate species, and not even close relatives, as noted by the publication Asian Scientist.

This is a case of convergent evolution, wherein different species evolve independently but end up looking quite similar, according to the study, published recently in the journal Molecular Phylogenetics & Evolution. Or, as Yong put it, convergent evolution is “when different species turn up at life’s party wearing the same clothes.”

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/science/2012/12/11/deadliest-sea-snake-splits-in-two/#ixzz2FE2JnqzD

#4 SURFING MADONNA DEDICATED IN CITY OF ENCINITAS

Dozens on Wednesday attended an official dedication ceremony in Leucadia for the Surfing Madonna mosaic’s latest home.

The mosaic was put up on a wall shared by Café Ipe and Surfy Surfy in Leucadia in June.

Newly sworn-in Encinitas Mayor Teresa Barth was one of several elected officials who showed up to the dedication on Wednesday.

“Everybody wanted it back up, and this is actually a blessing in disguise,” she said. “Perhaps we could look at it that way.”

#5 SURFING SANTA GET HELP

US border patrol agents plan to make sure Surfing Santa makes it across the Niagara River safely this year.

For the past 28 years, John Fulton, also known as Surfing Santa, has been dressing up like Santa and embarking on a wind-surfing trip across the Niagara River into the US to bring attention to the plight of the homeless worldwide.

In the past, Fulton has had some run-ins with border patrol in the US One year, he was arrested for illegally entering the country. But last year, US border patrol rescued him after heavy winds snapped his mast halfway through his journey.

That’s why U.S. border patrol offered to escort him across the river this year.

“He had an issue last year and we were in the right place at the right time. We already have a vessel out there anyway. If he needs help we’ll be there to provide it,” said Mike Scioli, lead border patrol agent.

Fulton asks the public to take some of their stuff, toys, food, clothes, blankets, cash, etc., and find a shelter, a homeless person, family, charity and make a donation because shelters and food banks have a greater need than ever during these tough economic times.

He is currently the longest-running surfing Santa in the world.

He will cross the river Dec. 23, beginning at 9 a.m.

November 20, 2011 –  surfing, surfing news, surfing industry, surf – Live every sunday on XTRASPORTS 1360AM IN SAN DIEGO ; internet Xtrasports1360.com ; or iTunes podcast download keyword search “down the line surf”

GMAC’s World Record Proclamation w/ XXL Director Bill Sharp

GMAC’S wave could be 90 feet. It could be 100 feet. I hope it measures 99 feet. I don’t care. I’m not questioning the size. What I’m questioning is the process.
Which organization or authority validates such a claim? Is it the Guinness people? Or XXL? YouTube? Is it George Downing or George Will? Perhaps Jane Kachmer?
This week we talk with Bill Sharp, Director of Billabong’s XXL Global Big Waves Awards Director. There’s been much internet chatter about Garrett McNamara’s huge wave and self-proclaimed world record.

Here are some other “Worlds Biggest Wave” – there’s more than one! Who knew?

 

 

Top 5 Stories:
1) Aussie News article:  http://www.swellnet.com.au/news/2651-kelly-slater-almost-sunk-in-wave-pool-wrangle
2) Please support your favorite flag:  http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/patriotism-flagging-at-surf-contests/story-e6frg7mf-1226197716298
3) Hawaiian Happenings: Rumor floating on Twitter from Shea Lopez that ASP will do away with the mid-year reshuffle of pro surfers; Flat on the North  Shore so far…REEF HAWAIIAN PRO AT Haleiwa – no waves showing up at Haleiwa. They need west swell. Minor norths rolling in.
4) ASP drops Rip Curl Pro Search from 2012 ASP World Tour schedule
5)

 

ERMA EBERLY
We are raising money to pay for Tom Eberly’s wife’s cancer operation.
Erma Eberly Dangla is the mother of three daughters, Rebeca (23), Erin (17) and Tara (15), and is the force behind Tom Eberly’s Nicasurf International Surf Tours. La jefa. We are raising money to pay for Erma’s cancer operation to save her. Please Help us by donating anything you can spare through our paypal account – sean@sanjuansurf.com – all will help and will go straight to the cause. She needs to have an operation now and we are a little bit short, so please help!
Website     http://www.nicasurfinternational.com/

I never mention charities on the air unless I have given and I have given generously. I want you too as well, but only within your means.

Help Matt Warshaw get the Encyclopedia of Surfing on line by donating to the KickStarter Cause. Link below:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1391193483/encyclopedia-of-surfing?ref=live

J Bay looks simple enough: a perfect point break. To get from Point A to Point B and make it look good, well, only the most polished get the job done correctly. JBay doesn’t just uncover weaknesses; it shines a bright light on them. Those flicky little fin-check top turns make some pro surfers look like WSA district 6 participants (or USA Team members). The most hideous of surfing styles are disrobed and some pro surfers stand naked and shriveled for the entire world to see. Spectators forced to turn away in disgust.

J Bay requires full-rail, turn-to-turn connections, which demands strong legs, which in turn generally results in an outstanding surfing style. Think about the good ones: Terry Fitzgerald, Shaun Tomson, Tom Curren, Occy, Irons, Slater, Fanning, Parko and Taylor Knox. All of them smooth as a baby’s bum and as strong as a middleweight.

Taylor Knox has one of the best styles on tour. It’s no secret or big reveal. I use the kid factor when assessing a surfers style. Would I want my kid to surf like that? When I watch Taylor Knox I say to myself, “hell yes!”

The greatest thing about good style is that you’ll more or less have it forever. When you get old; you are going to lose your ability to do aerials. I never had that ability so I see this as a plus. Sorry to break it to you, but you won’t be punting airs when you are 50 years old. You will however be holding your arms and hands and body posture basically the same way you are now. Style doesn’t leave you. It’s like the IRS, it stays with you for the long haul. Look at Skip Frye or PT or Rabbit or Pottz or Gerlach. They all have the same distinctive style they had in their prime.

Who has the worst style on TOUR? Which pro surfer makes you cringe? Watch the JBay event and it’ll become very clear. I won’t call out any names because that’s not cool. Bad style on the ASP tour used to be easy to call out. The ASP top 32 have risen. Bad style in 2011, in my opinion, not so easy to spot. When the surfers are too technical, and the dance isn’t apparent, when they don’t look like they are having, dare I say it,… fun, their styles suffer.

Curren danced. Slater dances. Fanning dances. Others are trying to score points. Not good. Bad style. Certain names pop into my head: Durbidge, Ross, Davidson: not the greatest style. They don’t have panache. They don’t dance. They can score points though. They are sporting. All opinion of course. Internet is full of it. Shit and opinion.

Taylor Knox surfs like a Sidewinder: smooth, powerful, deadly. Body positioned for a buried rail strike. Aesthetically perfect. When J Bay is six feet, deadly to competitors. A few years back, in perfect J Bay, Knox crafted a symphonic 19.70 out of possible 20 points. It was beautiful. Knox’s wave dance earned him single wave scores of 9.9 and 9.8 out of possible 10. I think he threw away a 9.0!

J Bay really brings out the best and worst in styles. Watch some of these heats on the Billabong Pro website and you’ll see the best and worst of it. This event could be Taylor Knox’s swan song event at J Bay. Hearing rumblings that T Knox will retire and become Padres pitcher Heath Bell’s personal trainer.

Terry Fitzgerald clip with Jay Adams crossover transitions. Great J Bay at the end, and insight from provocateur Derek Hynd.

ED NOTE: I wrote most of this fours years ago when I worked as an Editor for SURFER magazine. I spit out articles on a weekly basis at SURFER for 10 years. In many cases spit was more palatable. Nevertheless, for some reason SURFER magazine doesn’t put my name, or any writers name for that matter, on archived articles. I’ll be posting up some old stuff soon. Hard to SEARCH when they don’t give you credit for your work. Is that too much to ask? Rant over.

billabong, surfing styles, jbay,jay bay, j bay, jeffries, jeffreys, taylor knox, kelly slater, billabong, derek hynd, terry fitzgerald, asp, asp tour,