DOWN THE LINE Surf Talk Radio

January 20, 2013 – SURFING NEWS — SURFING NEWS — MAVERICKS SURF CONTEST TODAY & MUCH MUCH MORE
w/ Scott Bass (surfer) and Jeff Baldwin (surfer)

The top story of the week has to be today’s Big Wave World Tour contest the Mavericks Invitational at Half Moon Bay.

SURF REPORT: ADAM WRIGHT SOLSPOT.COM
TP buoy is 3′@22 right now

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

http://mavericksinvitational.com/

Contest organizers for the Mavericks Invitational 2012-2013 presented by GoPro, have confirmed that the world’s premier big wave surf contest will take place on Sunday, January 20, 2013 in Pillar Point, Half Moon Bay, CA.

“The waves are going to be insane, the weather is going to be beautiful, and the level of surfing will break new ground,” said Mavericks Invitational Contest Director Jeff Clark.

Who will win, what will the waves be like, how big, who will shine, who will wipe out?

All to be answered after the event, but what we do know is this:
1) Sunny and gorgeous with pristine conditions
2) buoys are 8′ at 19s this morning
3) Surfline reporting no Shane Dorian hurt back, No Kelly Slater, No Carlos Burle hurt shoulder

A San Francisco news source, The Inquisitor, reports that “it’s unclear why Slater is missing the event, but Slater faces a conflict with the Association of Surfing Professionals, governing body of the professional tour. Mavericks is not an ASP-sanctioned event, and as such, Slater could face being fined, losing points (in the tour standings) or having his seeding changed in ASP events if he competed at Mavericks.”

The paper reached out to Kelly Slater about his reason for pulling out, but the surf legend didn’t respond to the request. The paper tracked down another source who said Slater was disappointed to miss the tournament but relieved his spot will be filled by a dedicated Mavericks surfer. He’s only surfed there a handful of times.

Read more at http://www.inquisitr.com/488259/kelly-slater-out-of-mavericks-international-surf-contest-reason-unclear/#v0v7A5uTe7o42XdO.99

I watched the Mavs cam last night at Sunset and it was dreadfully inconsistent. Will the competitors have enough time?

You will see some carnage, as the long period swell will have people out of position, cold, tight, not warmed up, peaks hitting the reef and becoming steep quickly, surfers pushing each other into the bowl, the takeoff zone squeezed.

I anticipate a young guy winning, slightly smaller surf,

The Competitors

Matt Ambrose
Ryan Augenstein
Grant “Twiggy” Baker
Chris Bertish
Carlos Burle
Ken “Skindog” Collins
Shane Desmond
Shawn Dollar
Shane Dorian
Nathan Fletcher
Mark Healey
Rusty Long
Greg Long
Alex Martins
Peter Mel
Ryan Seelbach
Kelly Slater
Tyler Smith
Jamie Sterling
Anthony Tashnick
Grant Washburn
Dave Wassel
Ben Wilkinson
Zach Wormhoudt

THE ALTERNATES

1. Tyler Fox (Santa Cruz)
2. Josh Loya (Santa Cruz)
3. Colin Dwyer (Pacifica)
4. Nic Lamb (Santa Cruz)
5. Danilo Couto (Brazil)
6. Derek Dunfee (San Diego)

Contest organizers for the Mavericks Invitational 2012-2013 presented by GoPro, have confirmed that the world’s premier big wave surf contest will take place on Sunday, January 20, 2013 in Pillar Point, Half Moon Bay, CA.

“The waves are going to be insane, the weather is going to be beautiful, and the level of surfing will break new ground,” said Mavericks Invitational Contest Director Jeff Clark.

This is the first time in three years that contest-worthy waves are headed to the
legendary surf break. Stormsurf forecaster Mark Sponsler stated, “This is looking like the best opportunity we’ve had in quite a few years with great conditions for running the contest.”

“This swell is going to offer huge waves and possibly perfect conditions. This is a very powerful swell, and we will have dramatic conditions that will push the competitors to their limits. Sunday is going to beautiful and very scary at times. I look forward to seeing plenty of glory rides,” said competitor and surfers’ representative Shawn Dollar.

Top 5 Stories:

#1 Dorian and others surf massive Portugal Nazere, basically Blacks on steroids. Jan 11
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=x96S5F1oMRE

#2 VOLCOM PIPE PRO WQS 5STAR STARTS JAN 27 NEXT SUNDAY

#3 Surf Expo features more than 2,500 brands and 26,000 buyers, exhibitors and media
More than 26,000 buyers, exhibitors, and media took to the halls of Surf Expo January 10-12 in what was the largest show in the tradeshow’s 37 year history. More than 2,500 brands were represented in 250,000 gross square feet of exhibit space and buyers from 47 states and 49 countries not only found industry mainstays but also more than 217 brands new to the show.

#4 A surfer is recovering after he was attacked by a shark on the Big Island. Paul Santos, 43, was attacked by a 15-foot tiger shark about 200 yards off shore of Kiholo Bay. According to the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Santos was bit on the right forearm and sustained knee injuries.

A worker at the private home of Dr. Earl Bakken responded after hearing someone shout “911.” According to Dr. Bakken’s General Manager Adam Atwood, the staff isolated Santos’ injury, stabilized him, and waited 35 minutes for paramedics to arrive. Atwood says Santos punched the shark repeatedly until it let go, and then saw it jump completely out of the water.

Santos was taken to the hospital, but was later flown to Oahu for treatment. As of Thursday afternoon, hospital officials say Santos is in stable condition. According to Atwood, sharks and turtles are known to frequent the area.

#5 Insight, born on the Northern Beaches of Sydney, Australia…taps back into our heritage to bring you Insight Surfboards by shaper Haydn Lewis. Haydn, taking to water at a young age, surfing some of Australia’s best points, started his career learning to shape under the watchful eye of his father. Then moving on to work for shapers such as Simon Anderson, Greg Webber, and Al Merrick. Experimenting with a range of short performance, alternative, and long boards, we’ve brought over a culmination of our favorites at the Insight LA store.

Surfing News – August 12, 2012: Tim Bessell- Master Shaper from La Jolla, California joins us in-studio.

Tim Bessell- Master Shaper from La Jolla, California joins us in-studio.

SEGMENT 1 SPONSOR —

THE BOARDROOM INTERNATIONAL SURFBOARD SHOW

–
HONORING MARK RICHARDS IN THE ICONS OF FOAM SHAPING TRIBUTE PRESENTED BY US BLANKS

October 6 & 7, 2012
Del Mar Fairgrounds Exhibition Hall
Open to the Public
Food, Music, Fun
Exhibits, Shaping, Events, Art
$10; U12 FREE
Free sub to SURFER Magazine for each paid entrant
Surfboard Demo morning at 15th Street in Del Mar Sunday Oct 7

EVENTS AND EXHIBITS INCLUDE:

QNA SHAPING BAY
BEST OF SHOW
VINTAGE SWAP SHOWDOWN
CINEMA GROTTO SHORT FILMS FEST
SURFAID BOARD ART BENEFIT
ARTIZEN LIVE PERFORMANCE ART
ECO-SWIRL LAMINATING
GUN CLUB LOUNGE
MUSIC BY SURFERS FOR SURFERS
Autograph & Book Signings

Surf Report:

Emails, Tweets, Shout Outs:

“I disagree with the listener email last week from Jay (in Carlsbad), that basically called out the surfing and conditions at the US Open. They’ve had really bad days at PipeMasters, when they didn’t even run the contest at Pipe! Sometimes Mother Ocean does not provide, but more often than not she does. Plus, the final day’s action was red hot and very exciting.” - Lisa H. Fan of HB Pier and the US Open from Torrance. California.

SEGMENT 2: 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

Lacanau Summer from loyal listener Renz in Europe

Tim Bessell – re-knowned local La Jolla shaper Bessell surfboards

Tim it might be good to go back a bit, Jeff and I grew up in San Diego, so we know all about you...but many of our international listeners don't know your connection to San Diego so let's start there..

Where were you born, raised?

What did your parents do, what was family life like?

When did you become enamored with this thing called surfing?

Do you remember your first surfboard?

As a young surfer who were your influences?

Shaping bug? How did you get involved with shaping surfboards?

What were your early experiences with the planer and foam? Garage stuff?

Sunset Surfboards days...

Regarding early shaping life, who really went out of their way to show you the ropes, or give you tips?

Who did you see go through those doors at Ed Wright's Sunset Surfboards, they had a big influence?
Al Merrick, Ken Bradshaw, Willis Brothers, Ned McMahon, Bill Shrosbree,

In the early 80s you really had a stable of red hot local La Jolla kids including Peter King.

The Artist Series -- tell us how this concept came about?

How did the Clark foam closure in 2005 effect on your business?

I'm of the opinion that cheap entry level, price point boards are good for the local surfboard industry, do you agree with this?

Can a surfer walk into the Bessell shop, and... like going into a Mercedes dealer, choose from a either 300 series, a 500 series or a bells and whistles 700 series?

The Sustainable surfboard... when will an eps, linseed oil resin, bamboo weave be the only board available to surfers?

...it seems we've been hearing about it for years, a day when all boards will be environ-senstive, that they won't eventually find their way into the landfill. Or, if they do, they bio-grade.

Yet, the PU surfboard still dominates the market place. Is it the paying customers that are driving these market conditions or is it the surfboard manufacturers, the industry, that is too stubborn or lazy to change?

THE BOARDROOM INTERNATIONAL SURFBOARD SHOW

–
HONORING MARK RICHARDS IN THE ICONS OF FOAM SHAPING TRIBUTE PRESENTED BY US BLANKS

TOP 5 Stories:
#1 Catch Baldy – demo morning at 15th Street

#2 Shark Week – Great White shark spotted by helicopter off of Carlsbad beach; Reunion Island – French allow for shark culling after a smattering of shark attacks;

#3 SIMA Watermans Weekend honored Sean Collins, Jean Michel Cousteau, and Shane Dorian last night at gala fundraiser that raised money for 20 environmental causes.

#4 US Open last week exciting stuff! Julian Wilson – only ten new guys can make the tour next year…

#5 Surfline, official forecasters for the Billabong Pro Tahiti, are calling for a low rise in small/short-period SE swell from Sunday, 12th, into next Tuesday, as small WSW swell joins in for waist-shoulder high waves, some plus sets. Similar size SSW swell shows mid week while the WSW drops out. Better, longer-period SW swell and possible WSW swell from current Tasman Sea storm scheduled to move in Thursday, 16th, and peak Friday with chest-head high surf and inconsistent overhead sets. Those waves fade over the following weekend. More onshore flow is expected for the south facing breaks into the start of next week, then SE tending ESE winds on tap for the second half of the week.

AIR TAHITI NUI VONZIPPER TRIALISTS (The winner plus highest placed Tahitian earn Billabong Pro, main event wildcards. If the winner is Tahitian, then 2nd place is awarded the wildcard)

INTERNATIONAL INVITEES – updated list
Jamie O’Brien (Sunset Beach, Oahu, HAW)
Anthony Walsh (Lennox Head, NSW, AUS)
Bruce Irons (Kauai, HAW)
Kamalei Alexander (Kauai, HAW)
Bruno Santos (BRA)
Aritz Aranburu (Zarautz, EUK)
Kalani Chapman (Oahu, HAW)
Manoa Drollet (Papara, Tahiti, PFY)
Ricardo Dos Santos (BRA)
Dean Bowen (Gerroa, NSW, AUS)
Wade Goodall (Sunshine Coast, Qld, AUS)
Ben Sanchez (Hossegor, FRA)
Matt Bromley (Capetown, ZAF)
Alvaro Malpatida (Lima, PER)
Shinpae Horiguchi (Wakayama, JPN)
Dylan Longbottom (Sth Coast, NSW, AUS)

PLUS 16 TAHITIAN LOCALS – (as determined by the local ‘trials for the trials’ event).
The Air Tahiti Nui Vonzipper Trials is made possible with the support of the Government of French Polynesia, Sports Minister, Institut of Sports, Sports Department, Tahiti Tourism, Air Tahiti Nui, Coca Cola, OPT, Mana, Hyundai, Hertz, Polynesie 1ère, La Depeche, NRJ, City Hall of Taiarapu ouest and the City Hall of Teahupo’o,

Top Five Stories, April 3rd, 2011: courtesy of Matthew Marbach – Matthew tirelessly writes these show summary and we appreciate his efforts here. Misspellings… forgive us! (thanks Matthew!)

1) Kelly Slater can rip on anything.  Somewhere, nestled amongst the vast expanse of photos on Facebook, you can find videographic evidence that Kelly Slater rips, and can rip on anything.  The footage shows Kelly arriving at a perfect Southern Australian beach break, where he quickly commences to snap his board in the heavy surf.   One of the Gudauskas brothers (who have been aptly formed into one entity known as ‘the Gudauskas’) gives Kelly his  Mini-Sim, a 5’6” squaretail with two hideous looking sidefins, almost resembling a boogie board, except for the hardness and density of the foam, and Kelly proceeds to shred the break to bits.   Apparently functionality means little to the most decorated surfer in history, “He paddled out on a completely different shape and controls it perfectly. There’s not one displaced rail, he’s holding the line on that back fin of this big squaretail thing – and those fins don’t look like they help the board go faster…”

2) “Ultimate Boarder Surfing”.  The second stage of the Ultimate Boarder Surfing Competition takes place at Seaside Reef, April 6-9.  The competition features a mesh of the three major boarding sports, snow, surf, and skate.  Participants in the contest will compete in three different events, beginning with the snowboard competition, which has already taken place in Mammoth, then moving onto the surfing portion, and finishing with the skateboarding competition.  The winner will have to perform well in all three arenas in order to take home a victory.  The contest also features team events, in which different members of a given team are chosen to compete in their specific field of expertise.

3) A special tour featuring the surf movie Melali:the Drifter Sessions, with musical guests Rob Machado and John Swift, will kick off Tuesday night April 5th , at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, Ca, followed by dates in Santa Ana, San Francisco, New York, DC, Virginia, Carolina and Florida. The schedule is for the upcoming month, with the last public date being May 8th.  Melali is a pure surfing movie; a sort of branch off of Machado’s hit The Drifter, featuring all the extra footage that wasn’t used in the original film – the entire score will be performed live by Machado, Swift, and company.  Support the guys and watch some great surfing.

4) Meteorologists are calling for a very active 2011 hurricane season in the Atlantic.  Predictions state that we could see fifteen named tropical storms, eight of which reach hurricane force, and three of which will obtain enough force to cause heavy damages were they to make landfall.  This could bode well for the Quiksilver New York, which will be held during the hurricane season and has direct access to the swell produced in the mid-Atlantic.

5) The Billabong XXL ride of the year award will be given out to one of five videos submitted of big wave riding.  The winner of the award receives $50,000 as well as a Toyota Tacoma.  The first video features Michael Brennan at Shipstern’s Bluff being towed into a twenty foot barrel, negotiating the notorious bubble that forms as it closes out, air-dropping fifteen back onto the face while still in the tube, and fighting off a front-rail pearl to emerge victorious.  This wave is mean, nasty, and highly critical.

The second video shows Danilo Couto paddling into Jaws on his backside.  Just as he transitions to his feet at the peak of the wave, you can see the his board flutter with the wind as it goes airborne – he maintains his composure, resetting his fins into the face and beginning his decent down the liquid avalanche.  The inside section of the wave also proves to be critical forcing him to reset his rail twice as he narrowly escapes the spitting barrel by choosing his high line precisely.  Of course, Jaws is known to be one of the biggest waves on the planet and you can see it’s full potential in this clip; it seems to dwarf the Shipstern’s wave in size, although the wave itself may not be considered as critical.  The most compelling difference in the video is the fact that Couto paddles in to this monstrer – making it first XXL submission from Jaws to feature a paddler.

The third video comes from Mark Healey surfing Phantoms, an outer reef on the North Shore.  The video was shot shortly after the cutoff date for the previous Billabong XXL award.  The wave that is surfed is huge, no doubt, but because of the way it was filmed and lit, it will have a difficult time contending for the XXL award.  You can barely make out a silhouetted figure as he drops into a huge set wave, and after ten seconds of dark, grainy film, you assume Healey made the wave as you see the tiny figure pulling out the back.

The next submission comes from Mullaghmore Head in Ireland.  Benjamin Sanchis of France is towed in deep on this Teahupoo type left located on the island’s west coast.    The dark, cloudy beach and slight wind-chop create hazardous conditions for Sanchez as he drops into a thick barrel, sticks the tube, and pulls out like a stoked grom.  It isn’t groundbreaking footage, except that it was filmed in Ireland, but the wave itself and the way it is surfed resembles so many old Teahupoo submissions that the chances of it receiving the award are slim to none.  This is Billabong throwing a bone to Ireland and Sanchis for the incredible wave they have discovered and surfed, but unfortunately it is not in a class that will win the award.

The final video is at Cloudbreak, featuring David Scard, and has enough production quality to stand next to the Shipsterns wave.  It is a paddle-in wave filmed from up close, features a great set of dynamic colors and images, and is the longest wave submitted.  Cloudbreak is known as a highly critical wave, and Scard surfs it expertly, staying high after the drop-in to get into upper barrel, driving the rail hard, and relaxing a bit as the barrel burps open and reveals its twenty foot cavern.  You can hear the hoots from the water well before Scard has even exited the barrel, and by the time he is released, the entire scene on the Fijian reef is estatic with congratulations.

With the official call: Bassy claims Brennan at Shipsterns and Baldy goes with the pizzazz and style displayed by Scard at Cloudbreak.  Keep an eye out for updates and check out the videos on youtube.

We interview Bill Sharp this morning. Give a listen!

Do yourself a favor, go check out BillabongXXL.com website. Bring along a sandwich and a cold beverage and schedule yourself two hours to digest it all– the waves, not the meal. There is plenty to sink your teeth into.

Do your best to determine the winner of four categories: Ride of the Year, the Best Paddle-in Wave, The Best Tube Ride, and the Biggest Wave. These clips below are just a small smattering of what you’ll see. And with last weeks Mavericks event providing some of the largest and heaviest waves of the year, well, the judges have their hands full.

Is this the year that all four categories are won by the same surfer on the same wave? Could a paddle-in surfer claim Biggest Wave over some of the tow-in stuff at Peahi? Hell yeah!!