DOWN THE LINE Surf Talk Radio

DECEMBER 02, 2012 — Surfing News: STEVE SHERMAN IN STUDIO; SUNSET BEACH, PIPE DRAMA & PEAHI — Scott Bass Host Surfer, Jeff Baldwin Host 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

TONS OF SURF THE LAST THREE DAYS.

emails/news/notes:
hi Scott & Jeff — about the ‘FRUSTRATION’ turn and Dane Reynolds’ status as a world tour surfer,
I think he is an artist. A performance artist if you will, but one that shines and creates as he goes along.
Maybe even beyond the term free surfer, more a free-spirit surfer.
His level of performance depending more on his mind-set and inspiration than the buzzer at the beginning of the heat.

But DANE’S ‘frustration’ turn will not be bigger than TOM Carrolls snap. Because that was picture perfect – poster material , glassy with that beautiful board. Highly marketable. I call it perfect technique and balls out. Dane was more a freakshow . I call it art in progress . you shouldn’t want to shackle an artist in a world tour obligated circus. It wears off their shiny feathers we all love to see.
Have a good one — Rens

SURF REPORT:

top 5 stories:
#1 RED BULL Peahi Paddle In
Twenty-one intrepid big wave paddle-in surfers from around the world have been invited to take on the menacing wave giant known as Jaws for the inaugural RED BULL JAWS, Paddle at Pe’ahi. With no assistance from motorized personal watercraft to catch these monstrous waves, the athletes competing in RED BULL JAWS will drop-in on one ideal day during the period of December 7, 2012, to March 15, 2013. The ideal conditions for the event to be called “on” are wave face heights of between 30 and 50 feet, from a NNW swell direction with light winds. An official ceremony on December 7 will open the event period. To watch the event trailer and learn more about the contest, go to www.redbullusa.com/jaws.

TALKING POINTS – DISCUSS
a) Will this contest ever happen? Or is this just a chance to make some marketing noise without much lifting?
b) Red Bull doesn’t fool around. But either does mother nature. How many times has it been 30 feet+ with NNW direction and light wind?
c) Red Bull has already upped the game, we’re talking about it, as a fan I’m excited about it, so Red Bull has already more or less won … but… from an execution standpoint, WILL THIS EVENT EVER HAPPEN? How many years do you give Red Bull before the surf world gives an overall fail grade — from execution standpoint? One year, two years, three years? Or, no matter what happens, they’ve already PASSED just by trying to run this event?
d) What about the politics and logistics of this? Three big wave contests, all with the same waiting period. DOES Ian Walsh get left off of some invite lists because RED BULL didn’t invite certain people? NBC TV and Big Wave events in general must be troubling for the ASP, no? Or is this all sugar coated with a ‘growing the pond” mentality?
e) As of today, Shane Dorian is not on the list of surfers in the event?

#2 PIPELINE EVENT WILL BE THE MOST WATCHED EVENT IN SURFING HISTORY ; SLATER’S SWAN SONG ; PARKO VS THE WORLD
TALKING POINTS – DISCUSS
a) No doubt, the entire surfing world will be tuning-in for this; I hope the ASP broadcast crew is prepared for MASSIVE WORLD WIDE VIEWING AUEDIENCE — web servers are fast & plentiful.
b) How much pressure is Parko feeling, on a scale of 1-10? Is he even on the North Shore yet?
c) Does Slater feel a touch more pressure knowing this is it- one last try at at World Title?

PARKO’s ASP World Title scenarios
As Parkinson is the current rankings leader on the ASP WCT, the following ASP World Title scenarios will be based on his potential finishes at Pipeline.

If Parkinson finishes 13th, 9th or 5th at the Billabong Pipe Masters:

Slater needs a 5th or higher to take the 2012 ASP World Title.
Fanning needs to win at Pipeline to take the 2012 ASP World Title. (*Contingent upon Slater finishing 5th or Lower at Pipeline.)

If Parkinson finishes Equal 3rd at the Billabong Pipe Masters:

Slater needs a 3rd or higher to take the 2012 ASP World Title.
Fanning needs to win at Pipeline to take the 2012 ASP World Title. (*Contingent upon Slater finishing 5th or Lower at Pipeline.)

If Parkinson finishes 2nd at the Billabong Pipe Masters:

Slater needs to win at Pipeline to take the 2012 ASP World Title.
Fanning cannot win the 2012 ASP World Title.

If Parkinson wins the Billabong Pipe Masters, he will take the 2012 ASP World Title.

The Billabong Pipe Masters, the third jewel of the Vans Hawaiian Triple Crown of Surfing, will be run from December 8 – 20, 2012.
2012 ASP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR RESULTS:

Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast: Taj Burrow (AUS)
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach: Mick Fanning (AUS)
Billabong Rio Pro: John John Florence (HAW)
Volcom Fiji Pro: Kelly Slater (USA)
Billabong Pro Tahiti: Mick Fanning (AUS)
Hurley Pro at Trestles: Kelly Slater (USA)
Quiksilver Pro France: Kelly Slater (USA)
Rip Curl Pro Portugal: Julian Wilson (AUS)
O’Neill Coldwater Classic: Taj Burrow (AUS)
Billabong Pipe Masters: TBD

#3 NIKE SELF-IMPOSED EXORCISM FROM SURFING
Nike pulling out of surfing completely ; entire team now rides for HURLEY; simply a name change and all fiscal energy that NIKE was putting in is transferred to HURLEY marketing. Really?
TALKING POINTS – DISCUSS
a) The new ASP ZoSea sales team (is there one?) must be disappointed.
B) Does HURLEY really get all the fiscal resources from NIKE surfing, or do they have to start cutting team members? Who really moves/sells board shorts for HURLEY? In North America it’s got to be Machado. In Europe? Machado? Does Kolohe Andino move board shorts? Does Carissa Moore sell anything? Believe it or not, these considerations flow through the minds and spreadsheets of somebody at HURLEY.
c) Where does John John fit in all this?
D) This is tough situation, because of all the surf industry companies, it is my perception that HURLEY, and I mean Bob Hurley, has the most compassion, is one of the boys if you will. It would be problematic for him to let someone go. But… it’s a business.
E) If they keep everyone they have one hell of a surf team: Ace Buchan, Rob Machado, Brett Simpson, Carissa Moore, Julian Wilson, Kolohe Andino, Evan Geislman, Tim Curran, Mitch Crews, Yadin Nichols, Conner Coffin, Nat Young, Aamion Goodwin, Coco Nogales, Evan Valiere, Rizal, Laura Enever, Koa Smith, Michel Bourez, Mickey Detemple.

#4 Defending ASP world champ Kelly Slater has been called to testify in a Southern California courtroom over a trademark dispute between his clothing brand, VSTR, and New York-based apparel maker World Marketing.

At issue is whether Slater’s VSTR — which stands for Visiting, Surfing, Traveling, Responsibility — violates a trademark that World Marketing has held on its Visitor apparel line since 1998.

Under the Quiksilver umbrella, Slater launched VSTR in January. In March, World Marketing sent Quiksilver a cease-and-desist letter, to which the apparel giant responded in court, claiming no infringement. The complaint explains that VSTR is pronounced by saying each letter separately, rather than saying “visitor.”

However, during the brand’s rollout earlier this year, VSTR was widely reported as an acronym, pronounced “visitor.” Earlier this week, a representative who picked up the phone at the brand’s customer service number listed at its website also referred to the brand as “visitor.”

World Marketing has countersued, and on November 14 served the 11-time world champ a subpoena. Slater reportedly responded by saying he’s not available to testify at the moment, as he’s too busy “preparing full-time” for the last stop on the ASP’s 2012 Championship Tour. Yet again, Slater’s a contender for the title, breathing down the neck of tour frontrunner Joel Parkinson.

“I can’t really talk about the case,” World Marketing VP Neil Mossberg told a New York paper earlier this month. “I will say this: I know we are not as famous as Kelly Slater, and I know our stock is not traded like Quiksilver’s. I also know we will not be wiped out without a fight.”

“We have no comment on this,” Fresh and Clean Media’s Shelby Meade, who heads up Slater’s publicity team, told ESPN.com. The Billabong Pipe Masters, held on Hawaii’s North Shore, marks the tenth and final event of this season’s ASP World Tour. The window opens December 8.

TALKING POINTS – DISCUSS
a) Does World Marketing group have a valid legal position here?
b) Do you see this having any effect on Kelly Slater as he prepares for Pipeline Masters?

November 18, 2012 — Surfing News : DANE REYNOLDS BIG MOVE REEF HAWAIIAN PRO – Scott Bass Host Surfer, Jeff Baldwin Host 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

emails/news/notes:
Hi Bassy n Baldy,

Best wishes from Australia, love the show, I listen every week. my question is …… have you or Jeff had much exposure to the Von Sol boards and are they a fun replacement for a summer fish ?? Do they rip or is it just more of the same ?? Hope to hear back, sorry to disturb, please keep up the great work, best wishes to Jeff !!

PS It’s so refreshing to listen to a radio show by hosts who are really tuned into what we are as surfers and what we find interesting and important, it’s amazing how similar our thoughts are even though we are on the opposite side of the planet. It just goes to show that surfers are the same the world over – we all know that surfing is such a great lifestyle and your show really celebrates it, well done !!! Kind regards, Peter
____________________________

TOP 5 STORIES OF THE WEEK POWERED BY SURFERS VILLAGE:

#1 THE TURN
DANE REYNOLDS busts an acrobatic, mind bending turn, if you can call it that, during a rather ho hum heat at Haleiwa and immediately remings us all of what we are missing.
1) THE TURN: Biggest wave of the heat; head high wave. full speed, full rail, dual arm layback, fin bust, nose pick to half-rotate to whitewater chaos to recovery. Maybe that’s it. It wasn’t as clean as it could’ve (or should’ve) been? (Watch it above)

Will THE TURN, DR’s move at Haleiwa, hold a place in history like Tom Carroll’s The Snap at Pipeline? or no? email us: surftalksandiego AT gmail DOT com

2)The judging:
The wave was scored a 7.3; Dorian and Machado both would’ve given the wave a 10 or high 9. Do you trust their judgment? How can you not trust the judgement of Dorian and Machado? Machado was rightfully calling out the judges. Right or wrong, this is what color commentators need to do — be honest and forthcoming with their opinions. John McEnroe/Johnny Miller. This, as much as the Dane Reynolds turn – THE TURN, progresses the sport.

What if nobody in the commentating box had said anything? We, the audience, would be spewing.

What we were told during the webcast is that the judges can only see the replay in real time speed. They can watch the super slo-mo, but are not allowed to have super slo-mo sway their opinion/judement.

WTF? We’ll give you the evidence, but you are not allowed to use it. That seems a bit ass-backwards, no?

#2 REEF Hawaiian Pro

SLATER ADVANCE
SUNNY ADVANCES AND WINS CLASH OF LEGENDS
KOLOHE QUIETLY ALREADY IN THE ROUND OF 16
Nathan Hedge making a push to re-qualify
John John moves on

#3 I went surfing and saw a dinosaur
A group of surfers in Santa Cruz County, Calif. stumbled upon a surprise Thursday. Sticking out of a rocky outcrop that is usually covered by water, even at low tide, was a giant set of fossilized vertebrae.
One of the dumbfounded surfers snapped a photo of the six to eight feet of bones, which were sticking out from a rock formation at Pleasure Point, a world-renowned surfing destination (home to the surf legend Jack O’Neill) that is one of only four dedicated “World Surfing Reserves.”
The surfer, under the name Donkahones, posted his photo of the fossils to Reddit, the Internet message board, with the explanation that the group could see the bones because of an unusually low tide. The post was titled “So I went surfing and saw a dinosaur.”
Experts disagreed.
“It is not a dinosaur,” Gary Griggs, director of the Institute of Marine Sciences at the nearby University of California, Santa Cruz, told ABCnews.com. “The vertebrae are in what is called the Purisima formation, which is from the Pliocene, so they’re three to five million years old. Which is relatively young. This is from way after the dinosaurs.”
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/11/surfers-find-giant-fossilized-back-bones/

#4 Nat Young heard he officially made the ASP World Tour on Friday, joining the ranks to the top 34 surfers in the world. But Young, 21, wasn’t celebrating. And he won’t until an ASP official delivers the news to him directly. Young, ranked No. 20 in the world, has reason for skepticism. Last year he thought he had done everything necessary to claim a World Tour spot, only to see it yanked away.

SURFING HERITAGE VINTAGE SURF AUCTION
We are producing a premier cultural event. More than an auction, a place for the relevant, the swank, & the surfing intelligentsia to gather in a celebration of craftsmanship, art, music, and surfing lore. The Surfing Heritage Vintage Surf Auction has a ten-year history in Hawaii and is for the first time ever being produced on the mainland USA in gorgeous Orange County California.

The theme of the auction is “California Gold” and the Surfing Heritage Foundation is focusing on just that, boards and memorabilia with California flair from the ’20s through the ’70s. We’re anticipating 50 unique & rare vintage surfboards for the live auction and at least 50 items for the silent auction.

Event Info
• 100 Live & Silent Auction items, unique & rare vintage surfboards by Lopez, Curren, Noll, Rawson, Hynson, Cole, Lis, Schroff, Frye, Velzy, Kivlin, Stussy, Harbour, Quigg & many others.
• Art from the ilk of Thomas Campbell, Matt Beard, Damian Fulton, Art Brewer & others
• Acoustic jazz by Neon Stiletto Groove & others
• California Gold vehicles including VW Bus, Porsche, Ford Galaxy, Hot Rods, El Caminos others, tbd
• VIP area for QWC ambassadors, legend shapers, cultural icons, gorgeous athleticas, honored guests
• Roadshow appraisals, vintage marketplace, California Gold timeline, autograph signing, short films
• Expected attendance 800 – 1200
• May 11, 2013; Auction preview begins noon; VIP cocktail reception 3-5pm; Live auction 6-9pm
• Benefiting the Surfing Heritage Foundation a non-profit 501c organization
• OC Fairgrounds – three conjoined buildings / 35K+ Square Feet

The Surfing Heritage Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving, presenting and promoting surfing’s heritage for the appreciation and education of current and future generations; and to achieving our goal of surfing being more accurately understood, represented and enjoyed. Preservation. Presentation. Promotion.

AUG 05, 2012 – - Surfing news, Surf news, Surf Channel, Surf Industry

SEGEMENT 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

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 WITH SOLPSOT.COM’S ADAM WRIGHT:

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;

LIBERIA Surfing with Sean Brody – Surf Resource Network

What is the latest with surfing in and around Liberia?

Liberia and the ISA?

You are on your way to do some Masters Degree work over there, correct?

What would you tell someone thinking about a surf trip to liberia; what are the goods what are the bads?

Are there ugly Americans?

What do you eat?

Any dangers in the water?

SEGMENT 3 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

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

TOP 5 STORIES — SURFING NEWS: Mavericks Contest and Big Wave World Tour Join Forces

Early Winter Swells Anticipated for Mavericks Invitational; Organizers Announce Partnership with the Big Wave World Tour

(Half Moon Bay, Calif.) – Looking ahead to an El Niño winter and the anticipation of big waves early in the season, the organizers of the Mavericks Invitational big wave surf contest are opening the contest season on November 1, 2012.

Following the approval of the permit by the San Mateo County Harbor District last week, the organizers kicked into high gear the planning for this year’s famed big wave surfing contest off Pillar Point in Half Moon Bay. The contest waiting period is officially November 1, 2012, through March 31, 2013.

“It looks like we’re headed for an early winter, and we want to take advantage of the big swells in November,” said Mavericks Pioneer Jeff Clark, part of a group of business and community leaders organizing the event. “The surfers are ready, the community is ready, and we are stoked to make this amazing event happen this year.”

Mavericks Invitational organizers are also announcing a partnership with the Big Wave World Tour. Founded by famed big wave rider and shaper, Gary Linden, the Big Wave World Tour (BWWT), is an international surfing phenomenon that organizes the best big wave riders in the first-ever big wave surfing league. The tour showcases the world’s top surfers and local standouts as they battle extreme conditions, and each other, in a season long battle to become the next Big Wave World Champion. The tour includes events in Chile, Peru, Mexico, and now in California.

“Big wave surfing and Mavericks have become synonymous, and a competition there a dream come true,” said Linden, who has served as head judge for previous contests at Mavericks. “Being part of the event is an extreme honor, personally and for the Big Wave World Tour.”

The association with BWWT allows those surfers who are part of the tour to use their performance at Mavericks as part of their overall scoring for the season. The list of competitors for this year’s Mavericks Invitational will not change from last season, when a lackluster winter dashed hopes for a contest.

“The competitors will still earn their way through dedication to surfing Mavericks, proving their mettle at Mavericks, and being voted into the event by their peers,” said Clark. “Gary Linden has experience at Mavericks, making it easy to integrate their judging system and water patrol into our event, while keeping true to the unique nature of Mavericks.”

Mavericks Invitational is the world’s premier, high adrenaline, big wave surfing event. This one-day, invitation-only surfing competition is held at the legendary Mavericks surf break located ½ mile offshore at Pillar Point Harbor, just 20 minutes south of San Francisco. The 24 most daring big-wave surfers in the world will attempt to tame the massive swells on the biggest and best day of the 2012 winter season. For additional details, visit MavericksInvitational.com.

Join us on Facebook: Mavericks Invitational.

THE COMPETITORS:

Matt Ambrose (Pacifica, CA)

Ryan Augenstein (Santa Cruz, CA)

Grant “Twiggy” Baker (South Africa)

Chris Bertish (South Africa)

Carlos Burle (Brazil)

Ken “Skindog” Collins (Santa Cruz, CA)

Shane Desmond (Santa Cruz, CA)

Shawn Dollar (Santa Cruz, CA)

Shane Dorian (Hawaii)

Nathan Fletcher (San Clemente, CA)

Mark Healey (Hawaii)

Rusty Long (San Clemente, CA)

Greg Long (San Clemente, CA)

Alex Martins (Brazil)

Peter Mel (Santa Cruz, CA)

Ryan Seelbach (San Francisco, CA)

Kelly Slater (Florida)

Tyler Smith (Santa Cruz, CA)

Jamie Sterling (Hawaii)

Anthony Tashnick (Santa Cruz, CA)

Grant Washburn (San Francisco, CA)

Dave Wassel (Hawaii)

Ben Wilkinson (Australia)

Zach Wormhoudt (Santa Cruz, CA)

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)

7. Ben Andrews (San Francisco)

8. Andrew Marr (South Africa)

9. Travis Payne (Pacifica)

10. Ion Banner (Half Moon Bay)

11. Kohl Christensen (Hawaii)

12. Shawn Rhodes (Pacifica)

13. Mike Gerhardt (Santa Cruz)

14. Garret McNamara (Hawaii)

15. Russel Smith (Santa Cruz)

16. Jamie Mitchel (Australia)

17. Frank Solomon (South Africa)

July 15, 2012 Down The Line Surf Talk Radio with Bassy n Baldy on XTRA SPORTS 1360AM in San Diego; on iTunes podcast (Google it).

Tom Morey was once asked if he would give up surfing for a million dollars. He responded by asking something to the effect of “does that include hanging your hand out the car window at a freeway underpass?”.

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;

LIBERIA Surfing with Sean Brody -

What is the latest with surfing in and around Liberia?
ISA?
You are on your way to do some scholarship over there, correct?

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;

BOYS TO MEN Mentoring Program w/ Joe Sigurdson

Good morning Joe, tell us about Boys to Men,
Who What When Where Why How
100 Wave Challenge
Are these kids that are already in gangs?
Is there anything more important to a society than Father/Mother family home life?

EMAIL – TWEETS – SHOUTS OUTS:

SEGMENT 3 SPONSORS THE BOARDROOM INTERNATIONAL SURFBOARD SHOW HONORING 4X ASP WORLD CHAMP MARK RICHARDS OCTOBER 6 & 7 DEL MAR FAIRGROUNDS LIVE SHAPING, LIVE LAMINATING, BOARD GIVEAWAYS, SURFBOARD DEMO, AUTOGRAPHS SIGNINGS, TOP SURFBOARD MANUFACTURERS, WETSUITS, LEASHES, BOARDBOAGS GREAT DEALS
Big Wave Roundtable

TOP 5 Storeis:
# 1) Jeffreys Bay — Brazilian surfer Adriano De Souza has won the ASP 6-Star Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay defeating French surfer Joan Duru in small and difficult conditions in the Final with polished and dynamic surfing.

It was an icy winter day that dawned for the remaining competitors in the Billabong Pro J-Bay today, but with contestable waves running down the point, contest director Luke Egan showed no hesitation in sending the remaining competitors straight out into the water. “We’re going to crown a winner today, weather permitting,” said Egan.

June 24, 2012 Down The Line Surf Talk Radio with Bassy n Baldy on XTRA SPORTS 1360AM in San Diego; on iTunes podcast (Google it).

Tom Morey was once asked if he would give up surfing for a million dollers. He responded by asking something to the effect of “does that include hanging your hand out the car window at a freeway underpass?”.

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;

Contact us @surfboardexpo @jeffbaldy surftalksandiego@Gmail.com call the show 858.570.1360

SHOW NOTES:
EMAILs/ TWEEETS / SHOUT OUTS:

Email #1: Hey Bassy and Baldy,

Like both of you guys I’m a fan of the WCT, it’s surfers and the webcasts, and like both of you I was both enthralled and disappointed by what went down at the Fiji Pro on June 8. Enthralled because regardless of who was in the water, we got to see some epic hollow big wave surfing go down. And disappointed because we didn’t get to see high-performance WCT surfing go down in rare waves of consequence. I feel Surfline did a great job at breaking down the situation, but my own thoughts — some not brought up in the article and some in response — are below.

1. While the best surfers for those conditions were indeed in the water when things lined up (and I was stoked to see them charge), this was a WCT event and if those big wave surfers were skunked because the contest was run, well, c’est la vie. Those days were blacked out for that event well in advance and those chargers were aware of this as they boarded airplanes.

2. The fact that some WCT surfers were unprepared for such a swell is inexcusable; Surfline predicted the swell well in advance (hell, I was giddy about watching such a swell hit) and so it wasn’t like it wasn’t in the mainstream. They needed to be ready in case it paid off like expected. They’re professionals, it’s their job to be prepared for all conditions. Shaun White doesn’t show up with his powder board when he’s going to be competing in the Superpipe. Or if it’s fogged out, slope style competitors bring appropriate goggles. Can you imagine Kobe Bryant not competing because he brought the wrong shoes? Please. If you don’t have the right board, whatever the conditions, then you perform accordingly. Simple.

3. The great thing about the WCT tour is that the different breaks bring out different strengths and weaknesses in different surfers; advantages and disadvantages are implicit in such a format. This is obvious. The tour tends to be skewed to fairness because of this; things balance out. The PGA Tour is interesting because of this. It’s the same idea. If you’re well-rounded, you’ll probably succeed.

4. If there was ever going to be a time when “inexperienced” WCT surfers were going to compete in those conditions, this was it. It was indeed paddleable and there was arguably some of the most experienced water patrol to minimize the risk and “pick up the pieces” when necessary. If there was ever a time to go and and push the sport forward, June 8 was the day. There might be another opportunity such as this, but with waiting periods being as constricted as they are, and the lack of spots on the tour that have such consequential “magical” days are few. Sure, there will be special swells for trestles, super tubes, bells etc., but they’ll never have the teeth of a break like Cloudbreak.

5). This is the main stage for pro surfing. These are the kind of conditions where names are made. Think about Jeremy Flores last year in Tahiti. Here’s a kid, who only a couple of years earlier opted not to charge the big stuff when presented the opportunity (the infamous vote to wait or not for an incoming swell) in competition and has now been invited to the Eddie based on his performance. The ASP missed an opportunity to further its lesser-known and younger surfers — the brands future — beyond Kelly Slater. A potential gutsy, surprise performance from somebody unexpected was squandered. Somebody was robbed of the opportunity to make a name for themselves. Imagine an XXL nominee in a WCT jersey? Competition is how these athletes at that level push each other. Those who have it in them to step up, will. Those who don’t, won’t. Simple. Competitive, live sports are compelling because of the drama they create; we truly don’t know what’s going to happen. That’s exciting. It’s not scripted. Think Michael Jordan. Think Willis Reed. Think Kirk Gibson. All big performances on the biggest stage. All legendary.

Look, it was great to see all those waves ridden by guys who do that for a living. As a surf fan, and now a quadriplegic who doesn’t surf much, I was in heaven. But this was a WCT event, and this kind of high-level competition can’t be duplicated during a free surf. Yeah, guys push each other with each wave ridden no matter what, but it’s different — it’s friendlier. Look at the emotion generated between Adriano and CJ; that was only because winning and losing were on the line i.e. ratings points, money, personal accolades, a career.

So as exciting as it was to watch some of the best big wave surfers do what they do in conditions they’re familiar with, it would have been far more riveting and dramatic to see WCTers make competitive surfing history, and quite possibly witness an unexpected legendary performance. Extraordinary circumstances have a way of bringing out the extraordinary in humans.

Oh, what could have been.

Great show guys! Peace and aloha.

Tony S — end emails —-

Segment #2 Brought to you by THE BOARDROOM INTERNATIONAL SURFBOARD SHOW Oct 6 & 7 Del Mar Farigrounds – more info at http://surfboardshow.com

SURFING should consider a separate big-wave tour, says 11-time world champion Kelly Slater.

Slater was responding to questions from The Australian regarding the decision to halt the Volcom Fiji Pro in what turned out to be enormous, perfect waves at Cloudbreak.

When that event was called off, it allowed up to 30 big-wave specialists, who had flown in especially for the occasion, to put on their own show. The session was broadcast live on Volcom’s webcast and its TV affiliates.

Asked if the decision not to run the event had diminished the sport’s marketability, Slater said: “It actually brings up a more interesting question about the Association of Surfing Professionals backing a big-wave world tour or events in a specialty way as they happen.

“These (big-wave) guys and these swells need a good platform that supports what they’re already doing and someone to really document the whole lifestyle and help these guys out more.”
The most influential people in Sport

As reported in The Australian last week, the decision to abandon the contest came down to a split vote, with head judge Richie Porta voting for the event to proceed and contest director Matt Wilson and a representative of the surfers calling for a postponement.

There has been some speculation in online forums about exactly who was the surfer who voted with Wilson to stop the contest. However, Taj Burrow, who would have been in the first heat if the event had continued, said the surfers’ vote had been the result of a kind of consensus.

Burrow said he was consulted, as were a handful of other surfers in the ensuing heats. “I was scared,” Burrow said with a wry laugh.

“I’m pretty sure the surfers felt like we just didn’t have big enough boards. It was just this really weird, unorganised moment. In the meantime, the big-wave guys were out there going nuts and a lot of us felt we’d just watch them.”

The incident also raises the issue of the role of the contest director, and whose interests he represents. In an email to The Australian, Wilson, who normally works for the ASP as a regional director, said he was still being employed by the ASP at the time of the announcement to call off the contest.

But ASP tour manager Renato Hickel said: “For that event, Matt was the contest director through Volcom. Once the event accepts, he’s working for the event.”

The distinction is important. Volcom was in a win-win situation at the time. Call the event on, and the world’s most famous surfers will throw themselves at huge waves, live on Volcom’s broadcast. Call the event off, and it still gets to broadcast the unsanctioned big-wave session anyway, regardless of the opportunity lost for the ASP.

Slater said the ASP should have one contest director for the entire season, whose allegiance is to the ASP.

“We should have a single contest director for all events hired by ASP who works closely with the people who know each spot best,” he said. “We have seen cases where contest directors can run based on conditions that suit their friends/sponsored riders best. It’s human nature. We need someone at arm’s length.”

Slater added, however, he wasn’t criticising Wilson. “I don’t think he did a bad job.”

TOP 5 Stories:
#1 QnA Performance Shaping Bay has a solid list of shapers lined up to talk design to the surfing public:
Rusty P., Matt Calvani, Matt Biolos, Daniel Thomson, Chris Christenson, Timmy Patterson, Tim Stamps, a DIY show by Foam Ez, DIY by Shaper Studios
Name Change

#2 Parko to Paddle Molokai. From JoelParko.com
How long has the idea of doing the Molokai race been floating around in your head?

It’s been something I’ve wanted to do for a long while now, but I never thought I’d ever get the chance. It’s always been on the bucket list but I never thought it’d come together until I’d finished with the tour.

How much of the race’s vibe have you soaked up over the years?

I’m always watching it every year. We’re generally in J-Bay when it’s on and I’m always checking it out. I guess Jamie (Mitchell, 10-time winner) is the king of it and being a Gold Coast surfer I’ve always been interested in the race and how he went. It’s been in the back of my mind to give it a go one year and experience it.

Are you doing it solo or as a team?

I’m doing it as a team with Wes (Berg). He’s one of the best board paddlers in the world and a guy I’ve trained with for years now, so he’s a pretty handy guy to do the race with.

How do you think you’ll go?

[Laughing] I’ll just be happy to finish. I’m there for the experience, not the win. It’s about being in the ocean, that’s why I’m doing it.

And you’re hearing the Kelly might be doing it as well?

Yeah… [laughing] maybe he doesn’t want Jamie to get to 11 Molokai wins! Nah, I reckon he’ll be doing it for pretty much the same reasons I’m doing it. I reckon he’s probably been thinking about doing it for a while too. It’ll be good having him in the race

#3 Matt Biolos off to Spain to shapes, so if you want him to make you a board call the Pukas factory in Spain and Matt will dial you in.

#4 Congrats to Jake Marshall from Encinitas Ca, for winning the boys U14 division of the USA Surf Championship yesterday at Lowers.

#5 Want to paddle a Downwinder on the Mainland? The Columbia Gorge Paddle Challenge (CGPC) is a Festival celebrating the sport of Stand Up Paddling in the spectacular Columbia River Gorge. The 2012 Gorge Paddle Challenge will once again feature a Distance Downwind Race, a Course Race, a Team Relay Race and a recreational, non-competitive Paddle for the Park, a fundraiser for the new Hood River Waterfront Park. In addition, there will be SUP exhibits from many companies, free SUP lessons and demos, live music and more!

The inaugural 2011 Gorge Paddle Challenge was held in near perfect conditions at the Hood River Waterfront Park. The Event was a huge success, with tremendous positive feedback from the athletes, sponsors and spectators. With over $15,000 in prize money given away the CGPC became one of the top prize money races in the US.
#5

Sunday, July 10, 2011, California– History was made at the ASP PRIME Mr Price Pro Ballito, the ocean producing flawless four meter (8-10ft) barrels that had surfer’s calling it some of the best waves they’d ever surfed in or out, of competition…

We also talk about the upcoming J Bay Billabong Pro surfing competition which starts July 14; favorites, goofyfoots, underdogs.
Plus, Surf Stronger! Stay fit with surf stronger DVD series, we talk with Coach about crunches, not crunch berries; and the top ten most UNDERRATED Rolling Stones songs. Plus tons more; Search for us on iTunes keyword: DOWN THE LINE :

Side 1

1) Prodigal Son from Beggars Banquet
2) You Got The Silver from Let It Bleed
3) If You Can’t Rock Me from It’s only Rock n Roll
4) All About You from Emotional Rescue
5) Sweet Virginia from Exile On Main Street

Side 2
1) Monkey Man from Sticky Fingers
2) When The Whip Comes Down from Some Girls
3) Lovin’ Cup from Exile on Main Street
4) Dancin’ with Mr. D from Goats Head Soup
5) Moonlight Mile from Sticky Fingers

Somebody call Pat Gudauskas and tell him we found his missing FROTH, it’s on his upperlip. Hideous mustache.

http://www.mrpricepro.com/VideoHighlight.aspx

surf news, surfing news, swamis, surfing industry, seth pettersen, sacred craft expo, taj burrow, bells beach, rip curl

Promoter Linda Benson backed away from having a surf contest at Swamis. We say “thank you” Linda. A contest at Swamis beach Park? Folks if you haven’t been there, let me tell you, it is a tiny beach park with very thin sliver of beach, limited parking, no handicap access, the list of logistical nightmares is never-ending. Common sense prevailed, hard to believe when you consider politicians were involved.

Anyway, it is over, so you probably won’t hear Baldy and I talking about it.Thanks for putting up with us as the issue unfolded. I do know that stake-holders in this debacle did listen to the show, and I’m sure that it helped to ‘pressure them into clarity’ on this issue.

Waves: the last few days have been really good here in San Diego. A mix of southern hemi groundswell ( first of the season – same swell that hit Teahupoo; check TransWorld SURF) and NW groundswelll has provided us with plenty of fun waves. This weekend promises more of hte same, and going into mid-to-late portion of next week (Mar 25th-ish) more significant souther hemi and NW swell combines.

By the way, in case you haven’t been following PT on FaceBook, NOOSA has been firing as the entire Queensland coast is inundated with cyclonic swell activity.

Seth Pettersen, a local Ventura surfer and musician, has been playing some gigs down here in San Diego. Seth will join Baldy and Bassy in-studio Sunday Mar 21st, to play some live music and talk story. We are big fans, and play Seth’s tunes coming in and out of breaks. you may have that song Baby Buddha stuck in your head. That’s Seth!

Seth will be playing at Sacred Craft in Ventura April 10th, Ventura County Fairgrounds

swamis, city of encinitas, surf news, surfing news, surf industry insight, surf blogs, surfing contests, surf ASP, ASP, swamis, city of encinitas

Please copy and paste the following email addresses into your destination field. (To:) The email addresses below are the Encinitas City Council members:

jbond@ci.encinitas.ca.us; jstocks@ci.encinitas.ca.us; tbarth@ci.encinitas.ca.us; mhoulihan@ci.encinitas.ca.us; ddalager@ci.encinitas.ca.us

Potential Email Titles to cut and paste:
Special Operations Permit for Swami’s,
No Contest at Swami’s,
Swami’s Contest

Please create a simple email that states your feelings. Do so in a polite and civil tone. Thanks! Edit/Add anything you see fit to personalize the message:

Dear Encinitas City Council Member,

It has come to my attention on Wednesday March 10th, 2010 you will be reviewing the Parks and Recreation Commission’s Report (PRCR) for the unsanctioned Women’s World Longboard Championship as posted for Agenda Item 7 on the city’s website. While I fully support all women’s surfing, I have many concerns with the city issuing a permit for the first contest in 45 years at Swami’s.

Best Regards,

surf news, surfing industry, southern california surfing culture,

The good Professor professes the truth.. and it hurts… from laughing so hard.

Massive Waves and Chaos at Mavericks Surf Contest:

This week we interview Drew Kampion who authored the World Surfing Reserves Manifesto (see below):

“If surfers won’t save the world, who will? Obama? The G20? The United Nations?

Is there some other global network of alert, persistent, environmentally-aware individuals who are similarly trained in the art of navigating variables, overcoming adversity, and appreciating the rarities of perfection? Who else will do the work? Who else will hold up the vision?

It’s pretty ironic. Surfing is all about getting away from the constraints of society – escaping the usual manmade rules, breaking free and committing to the rule of natural law – the physics of wave form and the glide.

Surfers are a nomadic sort of tribe, conversant with the wild, in touch with the natural world at a time when the natural world is increasingly remote from most people on the planet.

Surfers are like the canaries in the coal mine … reporting back from the shores and coastal edges, where so many of the changes and impacts of unsustainable growth and pollution and climate change are focused. Surfers are in a position to sense and experience the urgency, and to thereby stake a claim on the possible in the face of the so-called inevitable.

Since it’s a universe of waves – waves of all scales and materials – surfers are uniquely positioned to understand how they work and to know how to ride them … because the principles inherent in all waves are the same.

The World Surfing Reserves (WSR) movement is just another wave. Each WSR is a Trojan horse, conceived in cooperation and with appropriate enthusiasm, but harboring powerful, unseen, and unanticipated effects. The WSR that is fully embraced and actualized at the local, national, and global levels – where it becomes an asset not merely for surfers and beach-lovers, but for the bioregional community of which it is a part – will bring value and better quality of life to the whole.

In enshrining these surf spots the program will be enhancing and, in a sense, enshrining their surf-oriented communities, too – affirming what has great value in that place. A WSR is a celebration of place.

The bubble provided by the WSR designation should act like a semi-permeable membrane, enabling certain kinds of activities and sustainable developments while resisting the intrusion of others (like landfills, mining operations, trawlers, and the grosser monoliths of unchecked development). The simple existence of the WSR acts as a tactical wedge that inserts itself into every future discussion concerning the fate and destiny of the reserve area.

A WSR models a kind of environmental synergy, integrating the principles of preservation with sustainable use … with stewardship and cultural celebration. A WSR provides a nexus for rallying and focusing energy and assets on ensuring that a particular coastal area will be permanently vested with intrinsic importance – an importance that local surfers and others already understand but may not be able to communicate.

The WSR designation is this communication. This plaque, this installation, this monument that dedicates the WSR communicates a cohesive valuation forward through time – says that these people, representing a broad local, regional, national, and global community of like-minded individuals hereby value this place – right here – and declare the intention of holding this place sacred for as long as the waves break and the tides cycle. In other words, each small monument is a symbol for the greater monument that is each surf spot and its enshrined environment, dedicated forward for the common benefit and for the enjoyment and appreciation of present and future generations.

Each WSR is a microcosm – a meeting of land and sea selected for the unique and salutary nature of its waves and natural setting. The dedication of each WSR seeks the protection of this microcosm, this coastal zone of waves and habitat, from wanton destruction and exploitation through the positive force of appreciation and valuation. As a force of inception, it’s worth mentioning that the WSR enterprise is in keeping with the initial impulse of John Kelly, who created SAVE OUR SURF (the ancestor of all surf-related environmental organizations) in the early 1960s, and the result is over a hundred Hawaiian beaches and surf breaks saved that would have been lost but aren’t. That’s the power of an idea.

The Save The Waves crew picked up where John Kelly left off. Founded on work with International Surf Spot Protection and modeled on the vision of Brad Farmer and the National Surfing Reserve program in Australia, the concept of World Surfing Reserves draws inspiration from Patagonia’s Yvon Chouinard, who asked: “Why not have surf breaks – famous, great breaks like Jeffrey’s Bay, Rincon and Malibu – as [UNESCO] World Heritage Sites, so that the whole world sees their value and wants to protect them?”

Creating World Surfing Reserves may not in itself save the world, but it’s a step in that direction. A World Surfing Reserve is like a world park, but with more dynamic local interaction. A WSR is a sort of coastal appreciation zone, and it’s an opportunity zone … and a possibility zone, which happens to be on the coast, in a place where surf culture has taken root.

Undertaking the creation of a WSR – to enshrine a wave and its environs – is to set in motion a medium of communication for disparate parties that might not otherwise become engaged. And once communication begins, who knows where it will lead?

This enshrinement is a kind of protection, but it is not a sure one. Over time threats will come, one by one, to all of the world’s great surf spots, and over time, again and again, they will be compromised. And in the end, the enshrinements we make now and in future years may be the deciding factor that saves a beach or a surf spot or a park … or just a jewel of the natural world.

World Surfing Reserves is about surfers saving the world, one wave at a time, and while it may not guarantee that a beach or a wave will be saved, it does enshrine the global community’s demand that it must be.” – Drew Kampion, WSR Vision Council, January 2010