THE NEWS

Saturday, 24 March 2012

John John Florence (HAW) has taken out the ASP Prime rated Telstra Drug Aware Pro, with Courtney Conlogue (USA) winning the ASP 6-Star Women's event. Western Australia turned it on for the final day of the event with clean 3 - 4 foot surf and perfect clear sunny skies for the surfers and thousands of spectators.
 
Florence's performance at this event will go down as one of the most dominant in the event's history. Florence collected five of the top ten single wave scores and the top three two-wave heat totals thanks to his full repertoire. Florence defeated fellow Hawaiian, Olamana Eleogram in the final by scoring two 9-point-rides, for mixing huge power gouges with technical aerials.

Courtney Conlogue (USA) today won the event for the second year in a row. Conlogue's powerful backhand attack is perfectly suited to these powerful South West Oz waves. The young Californian dominated the final against Hawaiian Malia Manuel, posting two scores in the 8-point-range (out of a possible 10), to etch her name on the winners list once again.

Another stand out in this year's event was Mark Occhilupo (AUS). Occy was ASP World Champion back in 1999, has twice won this event and although retired from full-time competition, scored a wild card entry. Occhilupo's affinity for Margaret River was clear from day one, with surf fans being treated to watching his iconic style and flair as he progressed through the contest. His dream run ended in the last minute of his semifinal today, when Olamana Eleogram (HAW) posted a 6.50 and took the lead, sending Occhilupo home with an equal 3rd place finish...not bad at all for a 45 year old retired surfer!

MEN'S FINAL RESULT:

John John Florence (HAW) 18.76 def. Olamana Eleogram (HAW) 15.43

MEN'S SEMIFINAL RESULTS:

SF 1: Olamana Eleogram (HAW) 11.67 def. Mark Occhilupo (AUS) 9.84

SF 2: John John Florence (HAW) 19.13 def. Kai Otton (AUS) 14.37

MEN'S QUARTERFINALS RESULTS:

QF 1: Olamana Eleogram (HAW) 14.83 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 2.34

QF 2: Mark Occhilupo (AUS) 17.63 def. Tom Whitaker (AUS) 16.03

QF 3: John John Florence (HAW) 15.44 def. Nic Muscroft (AUS) 13.10

QF 4: Kai Otton (AUS) 16.90 def. CJ Hobgood (USA) 13.93

WOMEN'S FINAL RESULT:

Courtney Conlogue (USA) 16.23 def. Malia Manuel (HAW) 11.03

WOMEN'S SEMIFINAL RESULTS:

SF 1: Malia Manuel (HAW) 15.90 def Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 13.40

SF 2: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 15.67 def. Rebecca Woods (AUS) 11.00

WOMEN'S QUARTERFINALS RESULTS:

QF 1: Malia Manuel (HAW) 12.00 def. Pauline Ado (FRA) 9.83

QF 2: Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 12.17 def. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 11.17

QF 3: Rebecca Woods (AUS) 10.33 def. Laura Enever (AUS) 9.06

QF 4: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 15.26 def. Kirby Wright (AUS) 12.90

Sunday, 4th March 2012

West Australian Taj Burrow opened up his 2012 ASP World Championship Tour with the perfect start...a win at the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast.

Burrow defeated dangerous South American Adriano De Souza (BRA) in a final that came down to the wire. De Souza caught a wave in the dying minutes and launched into a massive air-reverse, requiring a 7.87 out of a possible 10 to take the lead. The judges deliberated until after the siren sounded and when it was announced that De Souza came a mere 0.27 short, Burrow was chaired up the beach and declared the 2012 Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast champion.

"I feel so good now!" Burrow said. "I had a really good event last year, but came up short in the final against Kelly (Slater). Then today when I found myself against Adriano (De Souza), I was really nervous because he got me in a final in Brazil last year. He's really tough and I don't like competing against him to be honest. There was a lot of weight on my shoulders in that final so it's pretty rewarding to come out on top."

The ASP World Championship Tour will head to Victoria next for the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach from 3 - 14 April, stop number 2 of 10 in the race for the 2012 ASP World Title.

"I've been going for the ASP World Title for a while now," Burrow said. "I don't know what to say. I just want to surf my best and hope that the rest falls into place. I love Bells. I love throwing on a full wetsuit and doing some big arcs in the Bells Bowl."

Video highlights from the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast are available here

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST FINAL RESULTS:
1 - Taj Burrow (AUS) 15.86
2 - Adriano De Souza (BRA) 15.60
 
QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF 1: Adriano De Souza (BRA) 14.16 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 13.57
SF 2: Taj Burrow (AUS) 15.56 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 14.20
 
QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:
QF 1: Adriano De Souza (BRA) 16.43 def. Owen Wright (AUS) 13.73
QF 2: Josh Kerr (AUS) 14.43 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 13.04
QF 3: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 15.56 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 11.30
QF 4: Taj Burrow (AUS) 16.86 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 15.97
 
CURRENT ASP TOP 5 (After Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast):
1. Taj Burrow (AUS) 10,000 pts
2. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 8,000 pts
3. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 6,500 pts
3. Josh Kerr (AUS) 6,500 pts
5. Kelly Slater (USA) 5,200 pts
5. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 5,200 pts
5. Owen Wright (AUS) 5,200 pts
5. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 5,200 pts 

Sunday, 15th January 2012

This year the Billabong Taj's Small Fries celebrated its seventh anniversary and again the Fries came, nearly 100 grommets and their families, coaches and minders, to compete and encourage each other to the podium across five divisions.
 
In building three-to-four foot waves (double overhead for some competitors!) at Yallingup's intimidating main break, the 2012 Small Fries contenders battled their way to the finals.
 
Jack Robinson (Margaret River) surfed his way to his third straight win in the blue-ribbon U/16 Boys Division, the blonde 14 year old natural foot holding out two other locals, Jacob Wilcox and Josh Burke, and perennial East Coast contender, Jeames Young (Angourie, NSW). 
 
Zac Wightman (Skennars Head, NSW), Dexter Muskens (Kirra, Qld), Eliza Greene (Yallingup, WA) and Emi Campbell (Denmark, WA) won the other divisions.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

16 Boys 
1.  Jack Robinson (Margaret River, WA) 15.55pts
2.  Jacob Wilcox (Margaret River, WA) 13.50pts
3.  Josh Burke (Margaret River, WA) 11.25pts
4.  Jeames Young (Angourie, NSW) 9.10pts
 
16 Girls 
1.  Eliza Greene (Yallingup, WA) 16.00pts
2.  Emi Campbell (Denmark, WA) 12.60pts
3.  Marie Bradley (Dunsborough, WA) 9.00pts
4.  Maddi Sharpless (North Beach, WA) 3.50pts
 
14 Boys 
1.  Zac Wightman (Skennars Head, NSW) 14.50pts
2.  Shaun Manners (Margaret River, WA) 11.90pts
3.  Riley Laing (The Entrance, NSW) 10.75pts
4.  Duke Nagtzaam (Yallingup, WA) 6.85pts
 
14 Girls 
1.  Emi Campbell (Denmark, WA) 11.75pts
2.  Bailee Hastie (Margaret River, WA) 8.90pts
3.  Luciana Burke (Margaret River, WA) 8.35pts
4.  Mia McCarthy (Karrinyup, WA) 3.25pts
 
12 Boys 
1.  Dexter Muskens (Kirra, Qld) 13.50pts
2.  Josh Cattlin (Marmion, WA) 8.15pts
3.  Luka Burke (Margaret River, WA) 5.10pts
4.  Brad Harrington (Singleton, WA) 2.10pts

Thursday, 24th November 2011

West Australia’s Taj Burrow, a virtual veteran of pro surfing at 33 years of age, has claimed his first Reef Hawaiian Pro title in Haleiwa, Hawaii to pocket $25,000 and take an early lead on the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing ratings. Burrow, who has been competing in Hawaii for 15 years, left the field in his wake today, finding a form all his own in the pumping overhead surf. Coming into the final, he claimed that this was his year to shoot for the Vans Triple Crown. He kept his word. Runner-up was East Coast Australian Adam Melling; third was Adriano De Souza (Brazil); and fourth was Nat Young (Santa Cruz, CA.).  

For a full wrap up click here

Sunday, 20 November 2011

A record number of entries attended the third event of the Australia wide Wahu Surfer Groms comp at Trigg Beach over the weeekend. 

Kael Walsh (Yallingup) was the surfer of the event winning not only the under 13s final but also taking out the under 15s division. 
 
Jake Edwards (Cottesloe) posed the biggest threat to Walsh with some solid surfing. However, Edwards scores were not quite enough to catch the winner eventually finishing in second place. Ace Van Peer (Mandurah) surfed excellently to finish in third place ahead of an unlucky Pascal Hutchinson (Carine) who just couldn't find the waves he needed to place fourth.

In the under 15 girls division, new kid on the block Denver Young (Cottesloe) was equally impressive on her way to a well earned victory ahead of Margaret River's Bailee Hastie. In a two sided affair, Young and Hastie went wave for wave with Young's last minute 6.50 enough to give her victory. Luciana Burke (Margaret River) also performed well finishing third ahead of Nicola Tate (Perth) in fourth place. 
  
OFFICIAL RESULTS 

Under 15 Boys Final
1.  Kael Walsh (Yallingup)

Under 15 Girls Final

Under 13 Boys Final

Under 13 Girls Final

Under 11 Boys Final

Under 11 Girls Final

Under 9 Parent Assist Boys
1.  Dexter Payenberg (Palmyra)

Under 9 Parent Assist Girls

The Wahu Surfer Groms Comp now heads to the Gold Coast in December.

Monday, 24th October 2011

Over the weekend Trigg Beach was a total gromfest as 100 of our Aussie junior surfers battled it out in the Rip Curl GromSearch.

Jacob Wilcox (Margaret River) was an absolute standout, taking out not only the 14 and under final but also the 16 and under.

Emi Campbell (Denmark) won the girls 16 and under final ahead of Eliza Greene (Yallingup).

Jacob and Emi will now go on to represent Western Australia at the national final to be held at the Sunshine Coast, Queensland in December, with the winners qualifying for the International GromSearch final which runs alongside the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach, Victoria.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

 16 & Under Boys Final

 16 & Under Girls Final

 14 & Under Boys Final

 14 & Under Girls Final

 12 & Under Boys Final

 12 & Under Girls Final

Thursday, 29th September 2011

Malia Manuel (Hawaii) has narrowly won the ASP 6-Star Billabong Girls Azores Islands Pro defeating our local Perth girl, Felicity Palmateer, in a low scoring final which saw the lead change several times in excellent 3-4ft peaks at Praia de Santa Barbara. 

Manuel made it back-to-back Star event victories following her win in Pantin, Spain last week to finish off her European campaign in the best possible fashion. In the tactical final where positioning and wave selection proved crucial, it was the young Hawaiian, whose grandfather originated from the Azores Islands, gaining the edge with a solid 6.67 (out of 10) with a series of backhand snaps to take victory.

Palmateer claimed her best result of the season with her first final appearance in the 2011 season. The powerhouse goofy footer ripped apart the jacking peaks in her semi-final matchup to enter the final in great form. Unlucky not to latch onto a decent scoring ride, Palmateer has jumped up the Star rankings.

"I am really excited and every heat I kept getting through and I am so happy. I haven't had any good results this year so just to make the final has given me a massive confidence boost. I am happy for Malia for winning and qualifying for the tour and happy for myself for getting second. I was sitting out there this morning and I heard the girls were on and it was pumping. It usually doesn't happen like that so I am stoked."

Billabong Girls Azores Islands Pro Final Result:

Billabong Girls Azores Islands Pro Semi-final Results:

Billabong Girls Azores Islands Pro Quarterfinal Results:

Tuesday, 14th June 2011

West Australian super grom, Jack Robinson, has re-signed to Quicksilver for another three years. Regarded by many as the best young surfer on the planet, the snowy-haired Margaret River prodigy has redefined what a 13-year-old with a surfboard is capable of. Read more here...

Tuesday, 31st May 2011

Kai Otton (Northern Beaches, NSW) won the ASP PRIME rated Coca-Cola - Oakley, World Tour event in solid 6 foot (2.5 meter) surf in Itaúna Saquarema, Brazil overnight.

In the final, Otton frustrated the passionate Brazilian crowd by beating local Raoni Monterio 15.43 to 14.93 (out of a possible 20). The pair went wave for wave and battled hard, but it was Otton who made the most of what was on offer.

Otton pockets USD$40,000 for the victory and more importantly 6500 points, which Otton was in desperate need of after slipping to 56th on the ASP World Rankings after a slower than usual start to the year. The win now moves Otton up to 38th on the ratings and goes along way to helping him keep his coveted spot on the ASP World Title Series.

Yadin Nicol (Margaret River, WA) has also received a significant boost on the ASP World Ratings after an equal 3rd place finish in Brazil last night. Nicol defeated Brazilian prodigy Gabriel Medina in the Quarterfinals, but couldn't get past Raoni Monterio in the Semis. Nicol jumps from 39th to 33rd on the ratings and is now only one spot away from a position on the ASP World Title series, a spot that he's has been chasing for years.

Australians Lincoln Taylor (QLD) and Adam Robertson (VIC) also took home solid results, securing 5th place Quarterfinal finishes that will also see the pair jump up the ratings.

Monday, 30th May 2011

Picture this. A beach break with small waves, say 1-2 foot. The banks are a little straight. This is Perth! More specifically.....Trigg! Not the ideal conditions for a Pro Junior surf comp. I wasn't expecting too much but these young frothers blew me away. They were actually making the surf look pretty damn good! Airs, tail slides, 360's...all on waist high waves.

New Zealand surfer Matt-Lewis Hewitt claimed victory in the men's final and Phillipa Anderson from Merewether took out the women's. For more info on results and the latest news check out the Chill Pro Junior website.

Friday, 20th May 2011

Yallingup's Taj Burrow placed runner-up at the Billabong Rio Pro, Barra Da Tijuca, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil after he was defeated by local Brazilian Adriano De Souza in the final 15.63 to 12.17 (out of 20.00).

Today's runner-up finish marks Burrow's second such result this season and sees him climb to No. 4 on the ASP World Title ratings.

The Billabong Rio Pro is event stop 3 of 11 on the men's ASP World Title Tour featuring the World's Top 33 surfers plus one wildcard. 

Saturday, 9th April 2011

Well it's all done and dusted. Two Americans have taken out the major prizes for the men's and women's events at this year's Margaret River Pro. Floridian, Damien Hobgood, excelled in the small waves in the final against local West Aussie lad Yadin Nicol. Hobgood's experience surfing at the top level showed through with his wave selection and wave count.

World Tour rookie Courtney Conlogue defeated fellow Californian Sage Erickson in a see-sawing battle in the women's final which will see her move to No. 1 on the ASP Women’s World Rankings.

A little disappointing for the 10,000 strong crowd on the final day to not witness the major drawcard, Kelly Slater, take to the water. Would have thought that he might have a paddle in the "big air" comp!

For a full wrap up on results click here

Monday, 28th February 2011

Margaret River kid, Jack Robinson has won the annual and prestigious Quiksilver King Of The Groms contest on the weekend which runs in conjunction with the Quiksilver Pro at Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast. Jack at just 13, and competing in a 16 and under event, defeated the cream of Australia's young gun surfers and will now move on to the King Of The Grom International event which is run in France later this year. It's Jack's best ever result on the national scale of surfing and there's plenty more to come from this future legend! 

Thursday, 24th February 2011

Surfing WA has announced the names of three local wildcards who will take to the line-up with surfing’s finest at the Telstra Drug Aware Pro in Margaret River from 3 – 10 April.  17 year old Margaret River local and current National U18 Junior Champ, Creed McTaggart; Yallingup raised current U18 Junior Girl's State Champion, Mikaela Greene and Bronte Macaulay of Gracetown.   A full list of competing surfers will be announced after 8 March when registrations officially close.

For more information, visit Surfing WA

Monday, 21st February 2011

Taj Burrow scooped up a back to back win at the Breaka Burleigh Pro in Queensland over the weekend defeating Joel Parkinson and Bede Durbidge in the final.

Fingers crossed our Yallingup lad, and world number 3, can keep up his awesome form and take it to them at the opening event of 2011 ASP World Title Tour - next week's Quiksilver Pro on the Gold Coast.

Monday, 7th February 2011

Legendary surf filmmaker Alby Falzon has become the 33rd member inducted into the Surfing Hall of Fame. Growing up in the beachside suburb Maroubra in Sydney, Falzon did not begin surfing until age 14, when the family moved to the NSW Central Coast. Alby was the co-founder of the original Oz surf bible, Tracks, and director of the classic surf film 'Morning of the Earth'. 

Falzon's induction was one of a number of awards that were presented as part of the Australian Surfing Awards. For more winners click here

Sunday, 30th January 2011

13 year old Margaret River local, Jack Robinson, took out his second consecutive win in epic conditions at Yallingup that saw surf up to 2m!  Jack again rose to the challenge competing in the Boy's 16 Division and opening the final with three awesome tube rides.

Local surfers Jacob Wilcox (Margaret River) and Duke Nagtzaam (Yallingup)  also both took impressive wins in the Boy's 14 and 12 Divisions.

For a full wrap up of results click here

Monday, 10th January 2011

The Defence Department has issued an official statement regarding new restrictions which will now be in place for access to Wedge Island through the north of Lancelin. In the coming months the Training Area boundary will be reinforced to prevent unauthorised access and additional signage will be posted directing people to use the new Indian Ocean Drive. For more info click here...

Saturday, 8th January 2011

Yallingup Boardriders have nabbed back the title of WA's best surfing club with the narrowest of victories (we're talking less than 1 point!!!) over Margaret River at the Jim Beam Surftag regional qualifying event held at Gas Bay today.

The team of Jake Patterson, Paul Patterson, Ryan Wordsworth, Sam Tucker, Brody Maclean and Zak Ogram trailed Margaret River for much of the 1 hour decider but, it came down to a classy power wave by Wordsworth to steal the win in the dying stages.

The final results were Yallingup 77.13, Margaret River 76.27, Geraldton 67.68 and Margaret River B 39.70.

The top three WA clubs will now travel to Sydney's northern beaches to compete in the national final in February.  Read more...

Wednesday, 5th January 2011

Margaret River's Creed McTaggart will be the only WA junior surfer to compete in the upcoming Quiksilver ISA World Surfing Championships to be held in Peru from 21st - 29th May 2011. 

A 24-strong field of Australia's top class junior surfers completed a testing three day selection camp at Surfing Australia's High Performance Centre before Christmas under the guidance of National Coaching Director, Martin Dunn and High Performance Coaches, Mark Richardson and Chelsea Hedges.  During the selection camp each athlete's wave point averages, previous competition results, fitness and overall approach were tested and analysed allowing point scores to be awarded to each surfer. Based on this point scoring system, the following selections were made:

Under 18 Boys
Creed McTaggart (Margaret River, WA)
Jake Sylvester (Bar Beach, NSW)
Cooper Chapman (North Narrabeen, NSW)
Connor O'Leary (Cronulla, NSW)

Under 16 Boys
Kai Hing (Wurtulla, QLD)
Mitchell Parkinson (Tweed Heads, NSW)
Soli Bailey (Suffolk Park, NSW)
Eli Steele (Moffat Beach, QLD)

Under 18 Girls
Nikki Van (Dijk Cowes, Vic)
Ellie-Jean Coffey (Crescent Head, NSW)
Codie Klein (Kingscliff, NSW)
Brodie Doyle (Rainbow Bay, QLD)

The team will be fighting to defend their current world title after winning Australia's 5th consecutive. 

Friday, 3rd December 2010

A day of highest level junior surfing at Woolamai Beach, Victoria saw Arnette Australian Junior Surfing Champions crowned across four individual divisions, along with seven school team surfing titles.

Margaret River's Creed McTaggart set the scene for an awesome day.  McTaggart was trailing in 2nd place behind Matt Banting (Port Macquarie) with just a minute remaining in the blue ribbon Under 18 Boy's final when he executed two outstanding aerial moves, scoring a 9.2 and winning the final.

Schools teams titles were also surfed and some of the performances were simply outstanding.

Oney Anwar (Gold Coast - Palm Beach Currumbin Secondary High School) put on an unbelieveable aerial display scoring two outstanding 9 point plus rides but his all star team fell just short of Victorian pair Mitch Baker and Harrison Mann (both Torquay) who took the win.

WA took out the Tag Team final and Creed McTaggart also scooped up the Duke Kahanamoku award.  Nice one!

Next years event will head further south to Tasmania.

For a full wrap up on results click here

Monday, 8th November 2010

Over the weekend the opening event of the Wahu Surfer Grom Comp summer series got underway at Trigg Point.  This awesome junior surfing event caters for boys and girls across Australia, from 7 year old micro groms to the bigger under 15 groms. 

The comp was highlighted by the U15 boys division. Sam Humphry (Wembly Downs) went into the water as the number one seed after his second place finish in last summers Wahu Surfer Grom Comp. His ability to power through forehand turns was impressive posting a 7.33 opening ride. When he locked in a back up wave of 6.73, the WA State Junior Surfing Team Member had claimed the win.

Shaun Manners (Margaret River) posed the biggest threat to Humphry when he scored the best wave in the final with a 7.50. However, Manners back up 5.50 was not quite enough to catch the winner finishing in second place. Jack Teague (Mosman Park) surfed excellently to finish in third place ahead of an unlucky Harry McPherson (Mandurah) who just couldn't find the waves he needed to place fourth.

In the U15 girls heats, Eliza Greene (Yallingup) was equally impressive on her way to a well earned victory ahead of Dunsborough's Marie Bradley. Ella Massie (Margaret River) also performed well finishing in a very close third ahead of Aleigh-Shae Norton (Secret Harbour).

The unique event series now heads to Ocean Grove in Victoria.

Click here for a complete wrap up of results.

Tuesday, 2nd November 2010

The 31st Margaret River Classic was run over the weekend with…err…classic conditions! Coops was only down for the heats on Saturday but the waves at Surfers Point were just perfect 4-5 foot, clean lefts and rights. It's nearly worth paying the entry fee just to surf this break for 20 mins with 2 other guys!

Rohan Annesley took out the Men's Open and Felicity Palmateer the Women's Open.

The biggest win of the competition though has to go to 12-year old Jack Robinson who won the Pro Junior (under 21 year olds). What a champ!

Check out the Margaret River Boardriders Club site for all the results.

Saturday, 23rd October 2010

The action was firing down at Trigg Point on Saturday with more frothin' groms around than you could poke a stick at.

The Rip Curl Grom Search series, which has been circulating the country since 1999, gives surfers aged 16 and under the opportunity to showcase their talent in a fun, competitive environment.

Smallish conditions were on offer for the Perth event but these young kids had no problem carving up the waves.  Josh Hay (Copocabana, NSW) smashed the 16 and under boy's final defeating Jordan Lawler (North Narrabeen, NSW), Jack Robinson (Margaret River, WA) and Jacob Wilcox (Margaret River, WA). 

Mikaela Greene (Yallingup, WA) won the girl's 16 and under final for the second year in a row over Hannah Massie (Margaret River, WA), her younger sister Eliza Greene (Yallingup, WA) and Emi Campbell (Denmark, WA).

Tasmania is the next stop on the Rip Curl Grom Search calendar with the final being held at easter as part of the Rip Curl Pro event at Bell's Beach.

For a complete wrap up on results click here.

Friday, 8th October 2010

Aussies' Jack Freestone (18) and Tyler Wright (16) have shot to an early ratings lead in the race for the undisputed men's and women's ASP World Junior Titles, after claiming respective wins at the Oakley ASP World Pro Junior in pumping 4-6ft waves in Bali. 

Keramas turned it on for the world's best junior surfers, with the quarters, semis and finals of both the men's and women's divisions being completed in an absolute tube fest.  Read more...

Tuesday, 14th September 2010

A record number of entrants (around 110) and big crowds made the 34th annual Sunshine Surf Masters comp at Flat Rocks, Geraldton, a huge success.

Jerome Forrest (Margaret River) posted two near perfect scores in the Open Men's Final taking out the event for the second time ahead of Ryan Wordsworth (Dunsborough), Brody MacLean (Yallingup) and local Geraldton lad, Max Marsden.

For his efforts, Forrest picks up a wildcard position for the trials of next year's Drug Aware Pro in Margaret River.

In the Women's Division, Mikaela Green (Yallingup) scored the highest scoring wave of the final with her first ride, which was enough to secure her victory over Bluff local, Alexandra Durant. Misty Poyner and Olivia Williams came in 3rd and 4th respectively.

More info and full results are available from Geraldton Board Riders Club

Monday, 30th August 2010

30 metropolitan and regional high schools competed in the Brownes Chill WA School Surfing Titles in knee to waist high conditions at Trigg Beach last Friday.

Reigning champs for the past four years, Margaret River Senior High created history winning three surfing divisions and placing second in two other divisions.

Standout surfers for the event were Margaret River lads, Creed McTaggart and Shaun Green.

Read more

Tuesday, 27th July 2010

The third and final event of the 2010 Brownes Chill WA Junior Surfing Titles was held at Flat Rocks, Geraldton over the weekend in perfect conditions.

Competition was fierce as surfers battled for a position on the WA State Junior Surfing Team.

Margaret River local Jack Robinson, 12, surfed with a maturity beyond his years posting the weekends highest score - a 9.83!  He dominated throughout the event to claim the Under 18 State Title over Jacob Wilcox, also from Margaret River.

For more info on other results click here

Monday, 19th July 2010

Floss is on fire!!

Local ripper, Felicity Palmateer, has taken out her third ASP Pro Junior Comp at the Fantastic Noodles Pro Junior at Middleton Beach, South Australia.

In the closest of finals, Palmateer scored a total of 15.00 narrowly defeating Airini Mason 14.65 (Gold Coast, Qld).

Today's win moves Palmateer into second position in the overall standings.

She is now heading off to compete in the US Open and then onto Europe for two 6-star WQS events.

Good luck!

Wednesday, 7th July 2010

Margaret River local, Creed McTaggart, today claimed the blue ribbon 16 and under boys division at the 2010 Billabong Occy's Grom Comp held at D'bah, Queensland.

McTaggart was the standout in the final posting a two-wave heat total of 13.47 defeating Eli Steele 11.00 (Caloundra, Qld), Beau Cram 7.83 (Avalon Beach, NSW) and Jake Scott 6.50 (Maroubra, NSW).

Monday, 12th July 2010

WA Australia: Boisterous seas provided an exciting platform for the second and final day of competition at the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP)  Whalebone Classic testing Australia’s best longboard surfers to the maximum.

With large and uneven (5 feet) shifting peaks making wave selection crucial, competitors in semi final 1 all shared the lead at various stages before the all round repertoire of moves from Dane Pioli, (NSW) saw him snatch the win from Jackson Close (Qld). Semi final 2 saw big moves from 2006 World Champion Josh Constable (Qld), including a huge airdrop floater, win comfortably from fellow Queenslander Mitch Surman.

As the finalists for both the men’s and women’s pro divisions hit the water, severe wind squalls were lashing the contest site.

Building on the momentum of his heat and then his semi, Noosa’s Josh Constable absolutely went to town in the final. Undeterred by the atrocious conditions, Constable looked to be having fun as he attacked every wave with big lip bashes and then mere seconds later would be gracefully walking to the nose for serious tip time to amass 17.03 out of 20 for his two scoring rides to master the rough seas.

“It was tough out there, I surfed a contest at Bells that had strong offshore winds but this was gnarly, real gnarly but we all had fun out there” said Constable.

The fast aggressive approach to each wave saw Jackson Close finish on 15.16 to claim 2^nd.

NSW champion Dane Pioli had to settle for 3^rd on 14.67, while Mitch Surman in first trip to the West and in his first LQS final placed 4^th on 11.33.

Australian women’s champion Rosie Locke who also hails from Noosa, took charge of the women’s final to head off former Australian and perennial Whalebone winner Claire Finnucane and cement her place in the Roxy Women’s World Titles.

“I got a good wave to start and while I was hoping to build on it, it turned out to be my best wave” Locke said.

She continued “It wasn’t a fight against the other competitors out there it was a fight against the elements.”

Fellow Western Australian, Jade Foster surfed into 3^rd and an out of form Melissa Combo 4^th,

Results

ASP LQS Men Final

Semi 1

Semi 2

ASP LQS Women Final

For more information visit http://www.whaleboneclassic.com.au/

Thursday, 24th June 2010

Julian Wilson (Coolum, QLD) has won the first ever ASP's 6-star SriLankan Airlines Pro in Arugum Bay in flawless four to six feet waves in an epic final with Nat Young (USA).

Wilson came into this event courtesy of a wildcard and throughout the event he dominated, continually posting the day's highest scoring rides.

The inaugural event was an amazing success and all in attendance agreed that another magnificient venue had been added to the ASP surfing tour.

Read more...

Sunday, 20th June 2010

Congratulations to Dave Delroy-Carr and Felicity Palmateer for taking out the Open Mens/Womens event at Strickland Bay on Rottnest Island over the weekend and also securing the State Championship title to boot!

Delroy-Carr posted the weekend's highest scores and landed a massive 'alley oop' in the final to claim the win.

Palmateer made WA history by being the first female to make a Pro Junior final at State level.  Lining up against the boys in a quality field she placed 4th.  She then went on to win the Open Women's State Title for the second year running.  Go Floss!

For more info on other results click here.

Monday, 14th June 2010

The 18th annual All Girls Surf Showdown enjoyed great waves at Lennox Head, NSW, but it was Sunshine Coast's, Dimity Stoyle that stole a narrow victory over Cabarita's, Airini Mason.

This is the biggest all girl event in Australia and the finals day standard highlighted the strength of girls surfing in Australia.

Dimity Stoyle joined a list of great winners of this prestigious event which include Stephanie Gilmore, Samantha Cornish, Sally Fitzgibbons and Tyler Wright.

Read more...

Tuesday, 8th June 2010

In event no. 5 on the 2010 ASP Women's World Tour, Silvana Lima (BRA), 25, has claimed the Movistar Peru Classic over Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 19, in clean two to three foot right handers in San Bartolo, Peru.

The win marks Lima's third elite victory of her career and moves her from 7th to 3rd on the ASP Women's World Tour ranking.

Read more...

Sunday, 6th June 2010

Daz from Spektrum has done a wicked job with the video footage of the Chill Pro Junior 2010 three day event held at Trigg.  He burnt the midnight oil each day to get these clips out so you could see the daily wrap up.  Have a little peak here.

Sunday, 6th June 2010

The ASP sanctioned Chill Pro Junior 2010 has been won and lost! What a spectacle of fantastic surfing from Oz and NZ's best under 21's. The conditions held out at Trigg and produced some decent waves for the three day event.

Jack Freestone from Coolangatta, QLD took out the boys event and went home a happy lad with $6,000 bulging in his pocket. Our local lass, Felicity Palmateer, fought hard through some trying heats to take the girl's crown two years running.

Read more ...

Saturday, 22nd May 2010

Two top professional South African surfers have survived a hairy encounter with a monster white pointer in East London, SA on Saturday.

The weekend surf at Queensbury Bay for Greg Emslie and Rosy Hodge came close to ending in tragedy with Emslie being relentlessly circled and buzzed by a great white.

Read more...

Monday, 17th May 2010

Davey Cathels from North Narrabeen staged a gutsy come-from-behind performance to win the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Billabong Pro Junior at the famous Raglan Point in New Zealand.

Cathels defeated Ryan Callinan (Newcastle/NSW) on a score-line of 13.50 to 13.40 tallied on each surfers top two scoring rides.

Early in the final 17 year-old Callinan held a big advantage after executing an outstanding high degree of difficulty air reverse manoeuvre scoring an excellent 8 .25 and establishing a solid lead.

Read more...

Sunday, 16th May 2010

A great day for New Zealand surfing with Sarah Mason winning the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Billabong Pro Junior Women’s  at Manu Bay Raglan defeating her older sister Airini Mason in a high scoring final.

Sarah’s third wave in the final was an outstanding and decisive 9 point ride with final scores of  Sarah Mason on 16 to Airini Mason on 11.25.

Today’s result sees the talented sisters, Sarah 15 and Airini 20 years of age, now comprehensively  leading the ASP Australasian Pro Junior Series ratings with Sarah first and Airini in second.

Read more...

Brazil is well known for a number of things...it's waves, Rio Carnival, jiu jitsu and well...bikinis!

The Billabong Pro Santa Catarina has been won by Jadson Andre (BRA) but did you know who took out the title in the Miss Bikini Skol - 2010 Santa Catarina? If you missed the results, check them out here.

29th April 2010

Jadson Andre has conquered the 2010 Billabong Pro Santa Catarina, in Brazil.

In the final heat of this thrilling surf contest in South America, the Brazilian defeated Kelly Slater.

Andre got 14.40 points against 14.00 scored by the nine-time world champion.

The event No. 3 of 10 on the 2010 ASP World Tour was held at the primary site of beautiful Praia da Vila, in Santa Catarina.

Clean three-to-four foot (1,5 metre) waves pumped the last moments of the Brazilian 'Dream Tour' stage.

The WCT now heads to South Africa for the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay. The contest will be held between the 15th and 25th July.

Kelly Slater is now leading the ASP World Tour title race.

Reference: surfertoday.com

26th April 2010

DEE WHY, Sydney / Australia: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 22, reigning and three-time ASP Women’s World Champion, remains on track for her fourth consecutive ASP Women’s World Title after defeating world no.2 Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 19, to triumph in the Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic in Sydney, Australia today.

In a thrilling climax to event no.4 of the 2010 ASP Women’s World Tour, Gilmore came from behind to win, showing experience and patience in building 4-6ft (1.5-metre waves) at the host venue of Dee Why.

Read more...

23rd April 2010

The results are in for the big wave awards. South African Grant "Twiggy" Baker took out top ride honours and US$50,000 for his crazy paddle in wave at the Mavericks Surf Contest at Half Moon bay.

For more information and results of the other categories click here.

20th April 2010

World-leading boardsport and lifestyle company Billabong have just announced the launch of their Pro Junior Asia concept. This unique event will be the first surfing contest in history with dual ASP ratings points from both Australasia and Japan.

The venue for the inaugural Billabong Pro Junior Asia is famous Bali reef-break, Keramas. It will be an elite grade 5 rated ASP event with USD 25,000 in prize money. It is a fully fledged international competition, with surfers from counties such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Indonesia, The Phillipines and Malaysia taking part.

“Billabong is super excited about this event. It's the first time ever that every surfing country in Asia is able to compete for ASP ratings points in the one contest. I see this as a really strong step forward for the professional development surfing in the region,” said Tim Hawken, Billabong Indonesia Sales & Marketing Manager. “Next year we plan to turn this concept into a full series, with Billabong Pro Junior Asia events in countries like Japan, The Philippines and beyond.”

Read more...

19th April 2010

Spekrum Daz has whipped up another frothin' vid of round #2 of the junior state round that was held down at Gas Bay just south of Margaret River. Check it out.

For more details about the competition and the results head to the Surfing Western Australia website.

9th April 2010

Kelly Slater (USA), 38, former nine-time ASP World Champion, has claimed his fourth Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach title over reigning two-time ASP World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS), 28, in clean three-to-four foot (1 metre) waves at the backup venue of Johanna Beach.

Following a relatively slow start to the highly-anticipated Final, Fanning whipped out a 7.17 to take the lead. The lightning-fast Australian strung together a series of high-speed maneuvers to pull ahead and put Slater on the ropes.

However, the American would answer back with an incredible alley-oop aerial maneuver, boosting so high his feet separated from his board before he recovered for an 8.93. Slater then paddled out into another excellent wave, scoring an 8.10 to bring his total to 17.03 out of a possible 20 - a lead that Fanning would not surpass.

3rd April 2010

Woo hoo Steph!  Our reigning ASP women's world champ knocks off Peruvian, Sofia Mulanovich, in a hard fought final at the Rip Curl Women's Pro at Bells Beach today.

Click here to see the full results.

Layne Beachley has invited Felicity Palmateer to compete in the trials for the Beachley Classic at Dee Why in April.

Floss has also been asked to hit a couple of WQS events in Europe in May.  Serious frequent flyer points coming up!

Huge congrats to Felicity Palmateer, a local Pro Junior, who's had a great start to the year.  Adding to the large list of achievements an overall 3rd in the Margaret River Pro.