From the Article in NY Times
Last spring, on a green wave in the Mentawais, a chain of islands off the west coast of Indonesia, Jordy Smith performed perhaps the most sublime aerial in the history of surfing, a back flip while spinning one and a half times. Video of the flip, known as a rodeo clown, went viral when Yahoo posted it in June.
With soaring tricks adapted from action sports like snowboarding, freestyle bicycle riding and especially skateboarding, the 22-year-old Smith, of South Africa, has been at the forefront of the young surfers entering another realm.
An international group in their early 20s, they were raised on films of free surfers, who perform radical maneuvers at prime locations without the pressure of scoring.
They have begun vaulting barriers between free surfing and contest surfing."That's the future of surfing," said Kelly Slater, 38, a nine-time world champion from Cocoa Beach, Fla. "It's really in the air. The deepest barrels that are ever going to be ridden have already happened. Probably the best carving that's ever going to be done is being done now or it's been done." For most of its history, competitive surfing rewarded long rides. Waves milked to shore with a series of turns often garnered high scores. And the most radical maneuver was being barreled, or slipping behind the veil of a breaking wave and emerging before it crashed on one's head. Leaving the wave created controversy, leading the competitive surfing establishment to suppress aerials for decades.
"There were a few times where they wouldn't even score you because you were doing airs and stuff like that," said Smith, who last week mixed aerials with other new-school maneuvers to finish in second place at Snapper Rocks, Australia, during the first contest of the Association of Surfing Professionals season. It was the best result of his three-year career on the World Championship Tour, the highest level of competitive surfing.But a series of recent changes to the association's contest criteria has placed a premium on trying new tricks, rewarding a higher degree of difficulty over consistency, and scoring only the best two rides, instead of three or more, during a 30-minute heat. Now a competitor can record one or two scores with safe surfing and go for more high-risk maneuvers on others.
At a competition in the Maldives last June, Patrick Gudauskas, 24, of San Clemente, Calif., received a perfect score, 10, when he landed a rodeo clown during an early heat. He landed another during the final and received another 10.
In August, Matt Meola, 20, of Maui, landed a rodeo at an independent competition on Maui and also earned a 10.
"So few guys have been trying airs in the most critical spots on certain waves that it's kind of fresh," Slater said. "It's going to become more the norm."
Some of today's top surfers were discouraged from pursuing aerials as youngsters.
"I remember parents coming up to me and saying: 'Don't try any airs. Just do like three or four turns to the beach, and you'll make it,' " Smith said.
Dane Reynolds, 24, of Ventura, Calif., whose explosive aerial maneuvers have made his name synonymous with the new style of surfing, heard similar comments.
"There were other guys that were telling me that's what I shouldn't be doing," he said. "But that's what I wanted to do, and that's what came easy to me. Traditional surfing has been more of a struggle."Earlier generations faced hostility.
"I think back in the '80s and '90s, a lot of people were of the feeling, just because it can be done doesn't mean it should be done, as far as aerials," Pritamo Ahrendt, an Australian judge who has been scoring world tour events for 11 years, wrote in an e-mail message. "It didn't fit the tradition of what surfing was."
The origins of aerials are not well documented. But Kevin Reed of Santa Cruz, Calif., was the first to appear performing one on the cover of Surfing Magazine in 1975. Matt Kechele, who later mentored a young Slater, imitated skateboarders during the late 1970s along the Florida coast. Detractors disparaged Kechele's approach in graffiti near the beach.A decade later, with new board designs facilitating aerials, San Clemente emerged as a launching pad. Particularly the high-performance and consistent waves at Lower Trestles, at San Onofre State Beach, and T-Street, near Trafalgar Lane, where the high-flying 1989 world champion Martin Potter inspired a crew of young locals, including Matt Archbold and Christian Fletcher.
A third-generation surfer, Fletcher has helped spread the modern aerial perhaps more than any other surfer."I was doing it on a skateboard," Fletcher, 39, said. "You stand the same way. Why wouldn't you do it on a surfboard, too?"Other surfers did not agree.
"One of the judges told my dad that I need to slow down because they didn't know how to score it," Fletcher said about his moves.
World tour surfers circulated a petition among the professionals asking the news media to focus less on Fletcher, who cultivated an antisocial, anti-establishment attitude.
Blacklisted from surfing magazines, Fletcher popularized aerials through videos produced by his father, the surfing legend Herbie Fletcher, in which he appeared soaring skyward accompanied by a hard-driving soundtrack.Bruce Irons, 30, brought a free-surfing sensibility to the world tour from 2004 through 2008. He recalled studying videos featuring Fletcher while growing up in Hawaii.
"Christian Fletcher to me was a pioneer," Irons said. "When I was a kid, I was like: 'Wow, that's sick. I want to be like that guy.' "Slater, who emulated Potter's go-for-it approach to aerials, began dominating competitive surfing, winning five consecutive world titles from 1994 through 1998. At the prestigious Pipeline Masters on the North Shore of Oahu in 1999, Slater attempted a rodeo flip. Although he fell, the move signaled a new step for competitive surfing.
"Conventional surfing is good, but when you go to the air and start mixing it up, that's what the crowd wants to see," Irons said. "The future is to keep going to the air. If you go to the air and mix that with smooth carves, that's surfing."
Julian Wilson, 21, of Australia, landed his signature sushi roll — a back flip while spinning 180 degrees and extending his body from his board like Superman — while filming a 2007 surf session in Japan, elevating the progression of aerials. And the film "Modern Collective," released in November, features top competitive surfers like Smith, Reynolds and Dusty Payne, of Hawaii, performing stunning aerial surfing."They're the leaders," Slater said of the new generation. "They're still learning. Their approach is fresh and different. Surfing has to follow them."
In the film, Smith pulls a backside Superman-style aerial, separating from his board and kicking his front leg forward while soaring above the wave.He said he could not wait to introduce the as-yet-unnamed maneuver in competition this season "and see how they score it."
Erik Olsen contributed reporting from San Clemente, Calif.
CONGRATULATIONS ERIC WILLETT!!!!!!!!
O'Neill team rider Eric Willett has won Gold at the inaugural Winter X Games Europe Slopestyle, taking victory ahead of a host of international talent.
The 22-year-old American from Breckenridge, Colorado won gold with 91 points ahead of American Sage Kotsenburg and Slovenian Marko Grilc.
"It was crazy because I had the worst practice ever," said Eric. "The run I ended up doing I only thought about as I dropped into the course."
Despite the lack of planning it was an awesome run consisting of a Cab 9, Backside 7, Frontside 10 Double Cork, Backside Rodeo 5 to Switchback 9, and a double backside Rodeo.
"All the riders had runs that could knock me down. It was just cool to be up there competing with those guys like Marco Grilc and Chas Guldemond and Travis Rice.
It's been an incredible 2010 so far for the O'Neill team rider.
Eric finished second at the Winter X Games Slopestyle in Colorado at the beginning of February behind Eero Ettala.
He then followed it up with a first place finish at the 5 Star TTR event at the end of February in Livigno Italy.
However it is this first place at the Winter X Games Europe that has really stood out for the talented snowboarder.
"I got second place at the Winter X Games back home in Colorado," he said. "That was special because it was at home and it's so popular there. But this Gold at these first Europe Winter X Games is up there with that result – and probably the highlight of my season."
Bobby, Roy and Jordy blow up during a fun South Straddie session.
Timmy Reyes pulls into a big one and scores the Surfing Mag cover for May
O'NEILL WCT surfers Jordy Smith, Bobby Martinez & Roy Powers seized the sunny conditions and solid swell on offer today to bag clips, shoot photos and share throaty barrel's after a relaxing few days post Quik Pro.
Off the back of very impressive starts to their 2010 World Tour campaigns Smith (2) & Martinez (3) along with travel partner Powers took the opportunity to get away from the ultra crowded Super Bank and score on South Stradbroke Is.
Jordy Smith makes his first WCT final but comes up just short of the
win, while Bobby Martinez finishes equal 3rd in his first contest as an
O'Neill team rider.
Jarrad Howse, Dion Atkinson and Shaun Cansdell get shacked at Kirra and decimate the walls of Rainbow Bay
Jordy Smith has started 2010 in spectacular fashion,
finishing runner up in the Quiksilver Pro. The in form South African
showed thousands of spectators and the rest of the top 45 this week
that he is not only an entertainer but a title contender in 2010.
Jordy's path to the final saw him take down Marco Polo (33rd) , Tiago
Pires (17th), 9x World Champ Kelly Slater (9th), Bede Durbidge (5th),
and Dane Reynolds (3rd). The Semi Final match up against Reynolds was
the most highly anticipated heat of the event and most important of
Smith's career. Jordy displayed to the masses his repertoire of style,
power and futuristic moves to breeze past Reynolds into the final with
an in form Taj Burrow.
The Final was filled with hi-fi surfing from both Smith & Burrow
but after a broken board and loss of priority it was Taj that took the
victory leaving Jordy a credible 2nd leading into stop 2 on the ASP
Dream Tour at Bells Beach.
Stay tuned to www.oneill.com for all the hype on team O'Neill.
Jordy Smith has shown thousands of spectators lining the point at Snapper Rocks that he's a World Title contender in 2010. Jordy's furious approach and modern variety throughout his two heats today saw him take down Kelly Slater then local favorite Bede Durbidge to rocket him into the Semi Finals. Tomorrows Semi is set to be the most exciting heat of the event when Jordy takes on the in form Dane Reynolds.
Stay tuned to www.oneill.com for all the news on Team O'Neill's Jordy Smith & Bobby Martinez progress on the final day.
During the Quiksilver Pro the O'Neill boys fine tune their equipment at various hot spots around the southern end of the Gold Coast.
Bobby Martinez has shown the world that he is the in form goofy footer on the WCT in solid but challenging conditions at Snapper Rocks today. Martinez, no stranger to a right point break looked electric on his backhand, dominating both all goofy heats accounting for Damian Hobgood and Kai Otton on his way to the Semi Final. Martinez, the last remaining goofy will take on world no. 5 Taj Burrow in what should be a killer heat.
Stay tuned to www.oneill.com for all the news on Team O'Neill's Jordy Smith & Bobby Martinez progress on the final day
Bobby Martinez over came ASP event wildcard and 3 x World champion Andy Irons in solid but challenging conditions at Snapper Rocks this morning. Martinez, no stranger to a right point break looked solid on his backhand, dominating from the start. Bobby opened with a 7.33 then consolidated with a 6.83 leaving Andy chasing a 8.23 when the final horn blew.
Stay tuned as Bobby Martinez takes on Damien Hobgood in round 4.
O'Neill's latest signing and electric goofy footer Shaun Cansdell came together with Dion Atkinson & Jarrad Howse to surf with the regional O'Neill team on the Gold Coast.
Jordy blows up in Round 2 of the Quiksilver Pro posting the highest total heat score
Malia Manuel, Sage Erickson, the Partridge twins and Taira Barron enjoying in the tropics.
Avoiding the crowded Snapper Rocks line-up, Jordy Smith finds a couple drainers away from the contest mayhem.
1st Round highlights from the Snapper Rocks event. Jordy Smith, Bobby Martinez and Roy Powers getting warmed up for a solid contest run.
Norwegian snowboarder Fredrik Evensen logs in to start his blog from the depths of Japan .
Check out all his new and pictures on his team page.
Jordy Smith has arrived in stereotypical style to the Gold Coast, no sooner had he landed he was taking to the skies of D-Bah, testing his quiver at altitude as well as laying rail in the fun 3 foot right and left a-frames.
Jordy's preparation to the first event on the Dream Tour is a shade different from last year's where he arrived 2 weeks before the event. This year choosing to arrive 4 days before his first round match up with Dusty Payne (HI) and Drew Courtney (AUS) giving him more time to train at home and prepare for the year on the road.
World number 8 WCT surfer Bobby Martinez has been training and surfing three times a day dialing in his equipment for the Quiksilver Pro at Snapper Rocks. Today February 26th marks the last day before the waiting period begins. Bobby has been hard at work with shaper Darren Handley of DHD surfboards working on some new designs and thickness. Watch and expect big things from Santa Barbara California's best goofy footer. Tune back to www.oneill.com for updates on Bobby Martinez and the rest of Team O'Neill as they take on the world's best at Snapper Rocks Feb 27-March 10.
Powers took no time finding his spot in the crowded D-Bah line up just hours after his Hawaiian Airlines flight touched down in Coolangatta.
2010 is Powers 4th year on the Dream Tour as is proving to be his strongest after a full on off season training program and some magic boards under his feet.
After a solid Hawaiian season, Florence takes on California’s premier big wave break. Grabbing a few bombs and making his making his claim as an all around waterman.
Martinez, team O'Neill's latest signing has arrived on the Gold Coast in preparation for the 2010 Dream Tour event at Snapper Rocks. Bobby has been zoning in and avoiding the Superbank crowds by taking the drive south of the Tweed River making the most of the hollow pipes and punt sections at Fingal.
Stay tuned to www.oneill.com as team O'Neill surfers Jordy Smith, Bobby Martinez, Roy Powers and Shaun Cansdell tear
up the Gold Coast.
Timmy Reyes ripping apart the fruits of an El Nino winter. Reyes, taking a break from his Mexico adventure, found the time to dial into a few clean Rincon walls.
Jordy Smith gets in a couple of practice days before heading off to the Snapper contest.
A world class crew takes over the Rincon line up. With a head high swell in the water, O’Neill’s Bobby Martinez, Jordy Smith and Timmy Reyes put on a clinic on the “Queens” perfect rights. Here’s Part 1 of the Rincon Sessions.
Find Us on Facebook
Follow O'Neill on Twitter
O'Neill South Africa Team Rider Chris
Bertish Wins At Mavericks
Half Moon Bay, California, USA - After a historic day
of big wave surfing, Cape Town surfer Chris Bertish emerged victorious at the
2009/2010 Mavericks Surf Contest. Held in wild waves that many were calling
40-foot and more, Chris put his head down and paddled into a series of giant
waves to take the win from a bunch of dedicated international big wave surfers.
The total prize pool for the event was a staggering US$150,000, which was the
largest in big wave surfing to date, and Chris took home a sweet US$50,000 for
his first place prize. Chris flew 36 hours to get to the event on time,
gambling that the event would run and that the waves and conditions would be
good enough for the contest director to give the go ahead.
Bertish is part of the O'Neill South Africa surf team, and also works as the Western Cape sales agent
for O'Neill South Africa. He has been with the brand for 5 years and has played
an active role in marketing initiatives, as well as representing in big wave
events around the world. Chris is a former finalist in the Red Bull Big Wave
Africa, and his most recent results was a third place at the Nelscott Reef
Paddle In Event.
Paul Canning (PC) from O'Neill South Africa was really pleased on hearing the
news. "We at O'Neill South Africa are really stoked for Chris," said
a proud PC. "I know that this has been a dream of his for a long time, and
he has put a lot of hard work and effort into his big wave surfing over the
year. Chris is really passionate about big-wave surfing and the brand, and he
really stands for what O'Neill is all about."
The waves for the event were big, unruly monsters, some of them up to 40-foot.
There were mentions of 60-foot waves rolling through but with no one able to
catch them. Mavericks is a heavy big wave spot, and competitors all agreed that
these were some of the biggest paddle-in waves that they had ever surfed. Some
heavy wipe-outs, scary sitiuations and blood pouring from the mouth of
competitor Zach Wormhoudt after one nasty fall added to the excitement. Even
winner Bertish took his fair share of the knocks out there, getting caught by
one monster set. "I took the worst beating of my life out there,"
said Chris in a post-event interview.
The inimitable Bertish had a wild ride this year just getting to the event,
which included some self-generated fund-raising, and a few broken ribs, all of
which he overcame en route to this amazing victory and the massive first prize
cheque of US$50,000 (R385,000).
"It was an honor just to be here today and paddle out with these
guys," said an emotional Bertish on his win. "I flew 36 hours to be
here, and this has been a dream come true."
There were an estimated 50,000 spectators lining the cliffs at Half Moon Bay to
witness this unique event and his memorable victory.
Jordy Smith, Timmy Reyes, Cory Lopez and Luke Davis take advantage of the endless swells this winter.
Straight from his Costa Rican wedding, Cory Lopez spent a couple weeks in Hawaii in January. Ripping into every wave that came his way.
The Volcom Pipeline Pro 5 Star ASP (Association of Surfing Professionals) WQS event finished up yesterday in extraordinary conditions at the famed break of Pipeline on the North Shore of Oahu. O'Neill team riders Mark Mathews, John John Florence, Brett Barley, and Nils Schweizer excelled in the incredible surf that persisted throughout the event of four days. The surf ranged from dangerous unruly 8-12' out of control Pipeline to epic conditions that proved to be some of the best surfed waves in recent memory at the famous wave.
Australian charger Mark Mathews went up against a field of Pipeline aficionados, WQS chargers, and the local Hawaiian talent to make the finals and came up just shy of winning the event. His performances through out the event where much to be noted pulling into incredible barrels heat after heat and taking on the Pipeline and the competition with complete abandon. One of his many highlights was the highest scoring wave of the final, a 9.67 on a beastly Backdoor barrel that was impossibly gnarly. He charged the wave and drove through a huge cavern to get blown out to the amazement of the crowd and judges. With that wave he was only in need of a 7.2 with ten minutes on the clock. It seemed an eventuality of a wave coming to him, but as fortune would have it, the wave never materialized and he finished in 3rd place. Despite not winning the final he has shown the world that indeed he is capable of winning at Pipeline, and has once again reinforced his name as one of the heaviest surfers on the planet.
One of the biggest stories of the event was 20-year-old O'Neill team rider and North Carolina surfer Brett Barley. He amazed the crowd and fans a like with the highest heat total of the entire event with a 19.67 out of a possible 20 with a combined two wave score. He excelled in all conditions whether it was unruly monstrous Pipe, Backdoor, or big perfect Pipe. He rode into the history books with amazing rides through out the event in a Cindarella like story. With this result he has put his name on the map, which was clearly one of the biggest stories of the event. He reached the semi finals in stunning fashion, which amazed all who witnessed his incredible tube riding skills.
On the Hawaiian front local resident and amazing Pipeline surfer who looked destined for the finals was John John Florence who surfed every heat with precision and bravado not seen by surfers his age of 17 years old. He took some of the biggest waves that Pipeline had to offer and absolutely charged the huge surf. Eventual event winner Jamie O'Brien narrowly defeated him in the dying moments of the semi-finals. Never the less John John performances were outstanding and the local crowd and fan support was clearly in his court with huge cheers with every wave he rode.
Also putting in a remarkable performance was Florida's underground big wave charger Nils Schweizer who grabbed two of the best waves ridden in the event on the second day, which like Barley, put him on the radar of the surfing world by reaching the quarterfinals. He took off on two incredible waves that showed his guts and panache in heavy situations. On one, he dropped in and made a near impossible drop, which had him completely inverted where he buried his nose where certain punishment would have resulted. Miraculously he made the drop and pulled into one of the most glorious rides of the event.
The Volcom Pipeline Pro will go down in history as having some of the best and biggest Pipe for an event in many years. Even greater is that O'Neill riders shined where it was most important. Congratulations to all the surfers who laid it all on the line with guts and glory!
John Florence showing us how it’s done at his local spots.
Bobby Martinez ripping the points and beach breaks of Santa Barbara in preparation for the 2010 World Tour.
World's Premier Goofy Footer to Sport O'Neill Clothing and Wetsuits
O'Neill Clothing, the original California surf, snow and youth lifestyle brand, has officially signed Bobby Martinez to an endorsement deal with both their apparel and wetsuit divisions in the U.S. Martinez, who finished the 2009 World Championship Tour (WCT) ranked eighth in the world, is widely regarded as the most sought after "free agent" in professional surfing, and recently competed the entire season without the support of a major clothing sponsor, a feat that is virtually unheard of in this day and age.
The Dream Tour veteran and Santa Barbara, Calif. native has not only been heralded as a premier goofy footer, but routinely referred to as one of the world's most well-rounded surfers and a perennial world title threat each year since 2006. That is when he claimed WCT Rookie of the Year honors and stunned the industry with a jaw-dropping victory at Teahupoo, Tahiti, arguably the most challenging wave on the professional circuit. Additionally, Martinez finished the year-end rankings in the top 10 each season of his WCT career and has multiple wins at both Teahupoo and Mundaka, Spain under his belt, making him the most successful California surfer during that time span.
"O'Neill is thrilled to welcome Bobby to our surf team," said Garth Tarlow, O'Neill's Director of Sports Marketing. "He is one of the few surfers on tour that racks up WCT victories each season and, bottom line, he's a surfer's surfer with amazing technique, tremendous power and total commitment. We look forward to watching his tenacious approach to the tour this year."
O'Neill Clothing CEO, Toby Bost, added: "In an era of evolving change in the surf industry, O'Neill is committed to building the best team of surfers in the world. We feel this year we have done just that with the addition of Bobby Martinez."
Martinez joins a prominent group of O'Neill surfers, including Jordy Smith, Timmy Reyes, Cory Lopez and Roy Powers.
"I'm more than happy to be part of the O'Neill team," Martinez said. "It's a company of surfers for surfers, and even though it has been a long wait, it's totally worth it."
Stay updated on what's going on with Martinez and Team O'Neill by joining O'Neill's mobile VIP program. Text 68398 to receive up-to-the-minute news, promotions and event info.
For more information, visit www.oneill.com.
About O'NeillO'Neill, the original California surf, snow and youth lifestyle brand, was founded in 1952 when a young man named Jack O'Neill took his unstoppable passion for surfing and used it to beat Mother Nature at her own game. Pioneering the world's first neoprene wetsuit, Jack had successfully found a way to extend his surf sessions in the bone-chilling breaks of Northern California. He opened up the garage doors to his first surf shop in Santa Cruz soon after.
While many things have changed since those humble beginnings, Jack's initial vision of producing functional and innovative boardriding products continues to lie at the core of everything the company does. O'Neill's core values -- innovation in style and technology -- have seen the brand devote itself wholeheartedly to the evolution of the action sports lifestyle. From the first-ever neoprene wetsuit and surf leash, to the world's first stitchless boardshorts and range of groundbreaking wearable electronics, O'Neill's progressive spirit will always drive the company forward.
For more information, please visit www.oneill.com.
Surfing Life captured the O'Neill team as they freesurfed through Australia.
John Florence looking smooth at Da Hui Sunset Sponsor Me Open. Sunset is a tricky wave, but Florence makes it look easy on his way to a semis appearance.
Jordy Smith, Shaun Ward and Joey Head take full advantage of this past weekend’s swell.
Nat Young, Luke Davis, Brent Reilly and Casey Grant blitz through the World Junior’s.
Malia Manuel, Sage Erickson and Alizee Arnaud have a strong showing at Narrabeen.
O'Neill invades Narrabeen for the World Junior Championships. Get the inside perspective from Nat Young, Luke Davis, Brent Reilly and Sage Erickson leading into the event.
Here's a look back at the O'Neill team from the past winter on the North Shore.
Malia Manuel and Sage Erickson put their frontside attack on display. The girls didn't disappoint once they got in the water.
Swiss snowboarder Ursina Haller took victory in a closely fought women's halfpipe final at the O'Neill Evolution in Davos.
"I didn't expect to win," said Ursina. "I was hoping for top five or top three – so I am even more stoked with the win!"
The sun came out for this first day of competition at the O'NeillEvolution 2010 to highlight the impressive halfpipe riding from thewomen. "The pipe was really good and the weather worked for us tootoday. We had a good time," said Ursina.
Her winning run of84.5 from her first run of the final, consisted of a FS 5 into a BS 5,a Stalefish, a BS air, and a FS 7 at the bottom.
"The wholevibe of the competition was not to put too much pressure on theriders," she said. "We had so much fun in the qualifications, which wasa jam session, so it felt like you were riding with your friends. Thenin the finals we had three runs too, so we just continued to have fun!"
18-year-old Slovakian snowboarder Cilka Sadar – the youngestrider in the final – was surprised but delighted with her second placefinish – after coming from fifth on her final run.
"I wasn'tnervous because I got fifth in the qualifiers and then before the finalrun I was also fifth. So I didn't really expect to do that good," saidCilka. "I am clearly better when I am not that nervous!"
Finishing off the top three was another Swiss rider, Manuela Peska, whofinished in first place in the qualification round, and with herconsistent runs ended the competition in third place.
Althoughfinishing 6th,Sarka Pancochova was the one partying the hardest at theaward ceremony– with each of the top eight finalists receiving a bottleof champagne– as she maintains her Swatch TTR World Tour lead.
Dutch rider, Cheryl Maas moved up to second place, and now the world number three is Cilka Sadar.
With womencompeting at the O'Neill Evolution for the first time in three years, itproved a decisive and important stop on the Swatch TTR World Tour.
"WhenI saw that women were back at Eovlution on the TRR page I was reallystoked," said the winner Ursina. "It's not far frommy home, and Ialways thought it was a great event – with the halfpipe and having it inthe village. Hopefully they have it again here next year – that would begreat!"
Tomorrow the halfpipe opens to the men – when the qualification round begins at 11am.
FINALS RESULTS
1. ($8,000) Ursina Haller (SUI)
2. ($6,000) Cilka Sadar (SLO)
3. ($4,000) Manuela Pesko (SUI)
4. ($4,000) Kjersti Ostgaard Buaas (NOR)
5. ($2,000) Caroline Beliard (FRA)
6. ($1,000) Sarka Pancochova (CZE)
7. ($500) Nadja Purtschert (SUI)
8. ($500) Akiko Miwa (JPN)
SCHEDULE
Monday January 4 – Training
Tuesday January 5 - Women's Halfpipe
Wednesday January 6 – Men's Halfpipe Qualifications
Thursday January 7 – Men's Slopestyle Qualifications
Friday January 8 – MEN'S HALFPIPE FINALS
Saturday January 9 – MEN'S SLOPESTYLE FINALS
Malia Manuel on where she learned how to surf, her first kiss, how she prepares for a contest and much more.
With a majority of the surf industry gone from the North Shore. O'Neill's Mark Mathews is still grabbing some good ones. Taking full advantage of the drop in the crowds. Here's a couple shots from Off the Wall courtesy of Freesurf's Tony Heff.
John John Florence takes a couple on the head before punching threw one at Log Cabins. Photos courtesy of Freesurf's Mike Latronic.
Photo's courtesy of Freesurf's Mike Latronic
John John Florence, Timmy Reyes, and Roy Powers early round highlights from the Pipeline Masters. Photos courtesy of Freesurf's Mike Latronic and Tony Heff.
Mark Mathews and Timmy Reyes get a couple large ones at The Bay the day before the Eddie. Photos courtesy of Freesurf's Mike Latronic and Tony Heff
Pipeline finally awakens. After a good month of no Pipe, the Banzai finally comes to life and the boys were on it. Cory Lopez, Timmy Reyes, Roy Powers, John John Florence, Brett Barley, and Charly Martin score some good ones. Photos courtesy of Freesurf's Mike Latronic and Tony Heff.
Congratulations go out to Patrick Gudauskas and younger brother Tanner Gudauskas for qualifying for the 2010 ASP World Tour! It has been a hard fought year to enter the ranks of the world's elite surfers. For 23year-old Patrick Gudauskas it is a dream that has narrowly been out of grasp and now realized. In 2009 he was one surfer out of qualifying. Yet despite not qualifying he was granted an injury replacement in a couple events last year which gave him a taste of the dream tour. Having the dream within reach only fueled the San Clemente Surfer to campaign even harder which resulted in him reaching #2 on the WQS (World Qualifying Series) and a ticket to further rise up the pro ranks.
Equally impressive is younger brother Tanner Gudauskas who has been hovering in and around the qualifying position most of the year. His dramatic finish and excellent surfing at Sunset Beach during O'Neill's World Cup of Surfing clinched the deal. His quarter finals appearance was undoubtedly a great show of commitment, desire,and hard work that has paid off handsomely. The story in many ways seemed almost scripted for the Gudauskas clan. All the brothers (Dane included) faced each other alongside Mason Ho in the round of 32 where Tanner had to get through to qualify.
This was the first time in ASP history that three brothers surfed together in a heat and even more climatic was that result at Sunset Beach catapulted Tanner's entry into the 2010 World Championship Tour.
"I owe a lot to Pat and Dane because they were like having caddies in the water, and Mason [Ho] as well," said Tanner. "It was like a gentlemen's heat. I couldn't have thought of three other people I would have wanted to have a heat out there.
"We were saying before the heat that we haven't had each other all together in one heat since we were amateurs, like five or six years ago,"said Patrick. "And, to have it for Tanner to be the biggest heat of his life, he's was just been ripping so hard all day, we were just out there hooting for him because we just wanted him to get through it and go the distance.
"We didn't have a strategy going into the heat, but we wanted Tanner to get through for sure. It was definitely the priority and you don't have too many opportunities to help out someone in that situation. Surfing with him next year will be a dream come true."
The level and commitment of surfing from the G-Boys wil ladapt well on the WCT Tour
and they will be a force to be reckoned with as they continue their rise up the ladder.
Next year's ASP WCT will be exciting and will give even more reason for people to be interested in the sport with the fresh faces of Patrick and Tanner Gudauskas on tour. The next chapter to the G-Boys story is Dane's(who finished 58 on the 2009 WQS) 2010 WQS campaign to join his brothers on the Dream Tour for 2011.
6 December, 2009 : - - Sunset Beach -- You couldn't have scripted it any better. The O'Neill World Cup of Surfing reached its highest point in 35 years today in clean 10- to 15-foot surf after riding out the biggest waves in Vans Triple Crown of Surfing history.
When all was said and done, Australian Joel Parkinson was the winner, claiming $20,000 and the lead on the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing ratings presented by Rockstar Energy Drink. More importantly, he gained momentum and psychological ground on close friend Mick Fanning, with whom he will battle for the ASP World Title at Pipeline next week.
But there was even more to the story than that. Joining the Aussie mates was six-time Vans Triple Crown champion Sunny Garcia, 39, who had to finish first or second to win a wildcard into next week's Pipeline Masters and keep his dream of a seventh Vans title alive. He pulled it off as the cameras filming his life story documentary rolled. And then there was Dusty Payne, the 20-year-old from Maui who needed to do well today to become the first Maui surfer in history to qualify for the ASP Dream Tour. He did just that, finishing fourth in the final.
Sunny started out strongest in the 35-minute final, locking in the deepest barrel of the day, worth 9.47 out of 10, that put his rivals on red alert. Fanning and 'Parko' were having their own preliminary world title match up on the West Bowl. The two traded off small barrel rides for average scores, as Garcia stayed busy but couldn't find a backup for his major score.
Parkinson finally managed to post a 7.0 with a couple of smooth on-rail carves and with only two minutes remaining scored a 6.17 for a late barrel through the inside. Garcia scratched as the Nixon timer counted down, ultimately failing to find the mere 3.7 score he needed for a win.
Parkinson joins Hawaii's legendary Michael Ho as the only three-time winners of the O'Neill World Cup at Sunset Beach. If he can win this year's Vans Triple Crown of Surfing title, he can claim a $50,000 bonus and a $10,000 custom Nixon watch. But Garcia is hot on his heels - only 31 points, or less than a place, behind.
"I couldn't hear the score, but I heard the crowd," said Parkinson of Sunny's 9.47 ride. "I knew I had my work cut out for me... With two minutes to go (Sunny) needed a three and I felt like telling him 'you just gotta go anything... It's a little sweeter because I'm coming off a bit of an injury. Right now it feels really good because I'm back on the podium and back winning going into the biggest battle of my career. I love the Triple Crown."
While the commentators, crowd and media drooled over the Parko/Fanning matchup today and prelude to the world title, Mick was quick to deflect the pressure to Joel. "I'm in the lead and all the pressure is on Joel now," said Fanning. "He has to get third (at Pipe). There's no room for error for him. I'm just concentrating on myself and getting through as many heats as possible and making it as hard as possible for him.
"I just wanted to get some heats under my belt. It's getting back in that rhythm of doing heats again and everything feels real good. I'm excited."
In classic Garcia style, none of his brilliance today ended up being good enough without taking the winner's cup home. "It's not how it starts, it's how it ends," said Garcia. "It feels good, but I'm still bummed that I lost. I came this far and I wanted to win. I started off with a 9.4 and to need a three at the end of the heat and not get it was a little frustrating. Hopefully, they'll run the Eddie tomorrow, I'll go get some big waves and wash out this loss and get ready for Pipe."
Known for being a last-minute guy, Payne wait until the last event of the year to qualify. "It's a dream to make the WCT," said Dusty Payne. "I'm over the moon right now. It hasn't sunk in yet and I don't think it will until the tour starts next year."
RESULTS:
Final:
1. Joel Parkinson (AUS) - $20,000 - 3,500 points
2. Sunny Garcia (HAW) - $10,000 - 3,063 points
3. Mick Fanning (AUS) - $5,100 - 2,625 points
4. Dusty Payne (HAW) - $4,900 - 2,494 points
Semi-Finals:
1: Mick Fanning (AUS), Dusty Payne (HAW), Torrey Meister (HAW), Daniel Ross (AUS)
2: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Sunny Garcia (HAW), Mason Ho (HAW), Taylor Knox (USA)
Quarter Finals:
1: Daniel Ross (AUS), Dusty Payne (HAW), Kekoa Bacalso (HAW), Jihad Khodr (BRA)
2: Mick Fanning (AUS), Torrey Meister (HAW), Pancho Sullivan (HAW), Glen Hall (IRL)
3: Taylor Knox (USA), Joel Parkinson (AUS), Alejo Muniz (BRA), Tanner Gudauskas (USA)
4: Mason Ho (HAW), Sunny Garcia (HAW), Bede Durbidge (AUS), Kai Otton (AUS)
Jordy, Roy, Nat, and Malia get a session in at Gums. With a massive swell projected for Monday, this was the last session at Gums for at least a week. Photos courtesy of Freesurf's Tony Heff.
It's been a tough week for surf. Perfect conditions with no waves, then huge surf with bad weather. Here's a quick look at the boys getting a quick dip at Rockies
Largest Waves Ever Contested at Vans Triple Crown of Surfing
SUNSET BEACH, HI - Thurs. Dec.3, 2009 - The O'Neill World Cup of Surfing can lay claim to running in the largest surf ever contested in the 27-year history of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing presented by Rockstar Energy Drink. Waves were at the outside limit of contestable, topping out this morning at 20 to 25 feet and often closing out totally across the bay. But with a forecast for even larger swells on the way, it was full steam ahead. Organizers anticipate that the final day of competition will be held tomorrow. With very little beach remaining, there is serious concern that all remaining sand will be lost to Saturday's extra-large swell.
Six-time Vans Triple Crown champion and two-time O'Neill World Cup champion Sunny Garcia (HI) was about the only surfer smiling when he stepped onto what remained of the beach. He advanced to the quarter finals and is in good shape to have a shot at his 7th Triple Crown title, which boasts an added $50,000 bonus this winter.
They say be careful what you wish for, you know?" said Sunny. "I wanted big waves and we got big waves. It's almost too big. You go out there and hope you get two waves.
"Some of the sets are kind of big and go into the channel. The takeoff seems like it's going to be a big wave and it turns into a 4-foot mush burger, so wave selection is crucial today. I'm having fun watching some of the kids sit on the shoulder and they didn't want any part of it. That's what I wanted to see!
"Physically, I've been doing four hours of cardio before anyone gets up, so this is fun. I'm having a good time. I'm not using that much energy and as long as you don't get caught inside you're pretty good.
"I rode an 8'4" and it's easier to sneak in and sneak out, and just in case you gotta get out of the way it's easier to paddle."
Aussie Adam Melling stepped up his game to post the highest heat score of the day and the second highest heat score of the event: 16.5 out of a possible 20. Melling looked sharp and managed to crank off some critical vertical turns, proving he'll be a threat next year on the 2010 World Championship Tour.
"I could just hear a few scores, heard I got a good first one and just tried to back it up," said Melling. "It was hard out there. I stayed inside, it was a bit cleaner. I took a 7'0" board, a bit thicker and wider, but you need it to get into them out there. I didn't bring anything bigger."
Although he posted the highest two-wave total of the day, Melling failed to advance out of his Round of 32 heat and was eliminated by fellow Australians Kai Otton and Joel Parkinson.
The Gudauskas brothers had their own campaign going today and all three of them found themselves in the same heat come the round of 32. This was the first time in ASP history that three brothers surfed together in a heat. Patrick has qualified for the elite Dream Tour in 2010, and twin brother Dane is out of WCT contention this year. Youngest Gudauskas brother, Tanner, won the round of 32 heat with North Shore native Mason Ho advancing behind in second. Today's result at Sunset Beach guarantees Tanner entry into the 2010 World Championship Tour.
"I owe a lot to Pat and Dane [Gudauskas] because they were like having caddies in the water, and Mason [Ho] as well," said Tanner. "It was like a gentlemen's heat. I couldn't have thought of three other people I would have wanted to have a heat out there.
"I think Pat and Dane were testing me and making sure I was pushing them so that they didn't just give it to me. I would have done the same for them. I actually had an opportunity last year with Pat and he was in the same spot and I tried to help him out, but this year I had both of them. It was epic."
Patrick, who was eliminated in the Round of 32 with twin brother Dane, said it was a special heat for the brothers.
"We were saying before the heat that we haven't had each other all together in one heat since we were amateurs, like five or six years ago," said Patrick. "And, to have it for Tanner to be the biggest heat of his life, he's just been ripping so hard all day, we were just out there hooting for him because we just wanted him to get through it and go the distance.
"We didn't have a strategy going into the heat, but we wanted Tanner to get through for sure. It was definitely the priority and you don't have too many opportunities to help out someone in that situation. Surfing with him next year will be a dream come true."
Brazilians Alejo Muniz and Jihad Khodr had noteworthy performances today. Khodr posted the highest scoring ride of the day, a 9.67 out of a possible 10 points. The high score came in the form of a big, gaping barrel and followed it up with a giant carve on a 10-foot wave. In addition, Muniz won the Nose Guard Rookie of the Year by making the round of 32.
For all of the LIVE action log on to www.triplecrownofsurfing.com. Find out the call for the day, each day, as soon as it's made by Director Randy Rarick by signing up for mobile text alerts at triplecrownofsurfing.com. When competition resumes, all the action will be broadcast live on the web at triplecrownofsurfing.com, as well as on Hawaii television on Oceanic channel 250.
Making the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing presented by Rockstar Energy Drink possible: Reef, O'Neill, Billabong, Gidget Worldwide, Nixon, Turtle Bay Resort, Hawaiian Airlines, JN Automotive Group, Surfing Magazine, Surfline.com, FUEL TV, The Honolulu Advertiser, Hawaiian Springs Water, Road Runner, Climb On! chemical-free skincare, and the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP). The Series is proud to announce that it is working with local company Tr3ees to embark upon a greener, more sustainable future.
RESULTS:
Round of 64:
H9: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Mason Ho (HAW), John John Florence (HAW), Pablo Paulino (BRA)
H10: Adam Melling (AUS), Patrick Gudauskas (USA), Drew Courtney (AUS), Phillip MacDonald (AUS)
H11: Tanner Gudauskas (USA), Dion Atkinson (AUS), Jordy Smith (ZAF), Wiggolly Dantas (BRA)
H12: Dane Gudauskas (USA), Kai Otton (AUS), Blake Thornton (AUS), Gabe Kling (USA)
H13: Taylor Knox (USA), Austin Ware (USA), Dean Morrison (AUS), Nathan Yeomans (USA)
H14: Adrian Buchan (USA), Alejo Muniz (BRA), Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA), Flynn Novak (HAW)
H15: Brett Simpson (USA), Aritz Aranburu (EUK), Nic Muscroft (AUS), Michael Picon (EUK)
H16: Bede Durbidge (AUS), Sunny Garcia (HAW), Sebastien Zietz (HAW), Granger Larsen (HAW)
Round of 32:
H1: Kekoa Bacalso (HAW), Glenn Hall (IRL), Bernardo Miranda (BRA), William Cardoso (BRA)
H2: Jihad Khodr (BRA), Torrey Meister (HAW), Luke Munro (AUS), Nat Young (USA)
H3: Mick Fanning (AUS), Daniel Ross (AUS), Chris Davidson (AUS), Shane Beschen (HAW)
H4: Pancho Sullivan (HAW), Dusty Payne (HAW), Joan Duru (FRA), Neco Padaratz (BRA)
H5: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Kai Otton (AUS), Adam Melling (AUS), Dion Atkinson (AUS)
H6: Tanner Gudauskas (USA), Mason Ho (HAW), Dane Gudauskas (USA), Patrick Gudauskas (USA)
H7: Sunny Garcia (HAW), Taylor Knox (USA), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Aritz Aranburu (EUK)
Cory Lopez, John John Florence and Kieran Horn get a couple at Off The Wall. Photos courtesy of Freesurf's Mike Latronic and Eric Baseman.
Sunset Beach, HI - (Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009) - World title campaigner Mick Fanning (Australia) clocked in at the O'Neill World Cup of Surfing today, hitting the water at Sunset Beach for his debut heat of the 2009 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing presented by Rockstar Energy Drink. He looked sharp, highly motivated and ready to get to work as he advanced behind Sunset Beach's favorite son, Pancho Sullivan. Even though this event has no bearing on his world title campaign, it's a critical warm-up to next week's ultimate, season-ending battle at Pipeline.
Fanning's entrance came during the last heat of an intense day that was full of action, upsets, and super clean waves in the six-foot range. Those spectators who stuck it out were rewarded - not only by Fanning's highly anticipated flair, but by Pancho's radical, full-body, on-rail attack that was fueled by his determination to lay claim to his home break.
"I was excited!" said Fanning, 28, after the heat. "I haven't had a heat for a while so it was good. Just stoked to be out there with Pancho. He's one of my favorite guys out at Sunset. Stoked to get through."
Pancho seemed relieved to get his opening heat behind him and notch up an early win.
"These dieing swells that move over to the point are really tricky," said Pancho, 36. "I wasn't really finding a rhythm in the beginning of the heat. I saw the other guys getting waves and I just wanted to get to my feet and join the fun."
Nat Young (Santa Cruz), 18, continued to win over an adoring Hawaiian crowd, taking it a step further today in posting the highest heat total of the event to date: 17.33 points out of a possible 20. His backhand blitz was electrifying and earned him individual wave scores of 9.33 and 8.0. While he was looking more like a seasoned Sunset veteran than the greenhorn grom he his, he still managed to downplay his score-topping performance.
"Ian Cairns has been giving me some pointers and telling me which waves are good," said Young. "The guys I'm staying with, Kieren Horn and Jarrad Howse, I've gone out surfing with them and they showed me where to sit.
"I'm just seeing how many heats I can make and having fun with it. Sunset is a fun wave, but I definitely have a lot to learn.
"I kind of had an idea of where to go. I didn't feel that lost out there. I knew which waves to go on: the ones that looked like a peak, not a huge wall on it."
The downplay continued with his recollection of his 9.33:
"It was a good wave and I did three turns and didn't fall. I didn't think it was gonna be a 9, but I was stoked when I heard it was."
While there was plenty of good news to go around, it didn't find its way to Joel Centeio - winner of the first event of the series last week at Haleiwa and Vans Triple Crown of Surfing series points leader until today. After a blistering run of nine consecutive heat wins in the Vans Triple Crown, it all came crashing down in the second-last heat of the day when he was eliminated in third place behind Neco Padaratz (Brazil) and Daniel Ross (Australia).
In losing, Centeio has opened up the door for Sunny Garcia to make a push for his seventh Vans Triple Crown title. Garcia, 39, will have to step it up again in his next heat, drawn against 2007 Vans Triple Crown champion Bede Durbidge (Australia), and red hot Hawaiians Granger Larsen (Maui) and Sebastian Zietz (Kauai).
The winner of the O'Neill World Cup of Surfing will receive $20,000. The Vans Triple Crown Triple Threat also offers a $50,000 bonus for the most consistent performer across all three events. Hawaii's Joel Centeio currently leads the series ratings after his win at Haleiwa and his successful run so far here at Sunset Beach.
For all of the LIVE action log on to www.triplecrownofsurfing.com. Find out the call for the day, each day, as soon as it's made by Director Randy Rarick by signing up for mobile text alerts at triplecrownofsurfing.com. When competition resumes, all the action will be broadcast live on the web at triplecrownofsurfing.com, as well as on Hawaii television on Oceanic channel 250.
Making the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing presented by Rockstar Energy Drink possible: Reef, O'Neill, Billabong, Gidget Worldwide, Nixon, Turtle Bay Resort, Hawaiian Airlines, JN Automotive Group, Surfing Magazine, Surfline.com, FUEL TV, The Honolulu Advertiser, Hawaiian Springs Water, Road Runner, Climb On! chemical-free skincare, and the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP). The Series is proud to announce that it is working with local company Tr3ees to embark upon a greener, more sustainable future.
Jodi Wilmott - (808) 258-8533
RESULTS:
Round of 96:
H9: Mason Ho (HAW), Phillip MacDonald (AUS), Gony Zubizarreta (ESP), Myles Padaca (HAW)
H10: Drew Courtney (AUS), Pablo Paulino (BRA), Adam Robertson (AUS), TJ Barron (HAW)
H11: Wiggolly Dantas (BRA), Dane Gudauskas (USA), Ben Dunn (AUS), Dustin Cuizon (HAW)
H12: Gabel Kling (USA), Tanner Gudauskas (USA), Lincoln Taylor (AUS), Cory Lopez (USA)
H13: Nathan Yeomans (USA), Alejo Muniz (BRA), Jay Thompson (AUS), Nathan Hedge (AUS)
H14: Flynn Novak (HAW), Dean Morrison (AUS), Ruben Gonzalez (PRT), Nathan Carroll (HAW)
H15: Nic Muscroft (AUS), Sunny Garcia (HAW), Dylan Melamed (HAW), Yadin Nicol (AUS)
H16: Granger Larsen (HAW), Aritz Aranburu (EUK), Leigh Sedley (AUS), Solomon Ortiz (HAW)
Round of 64:
H1: William Cardoso (BRA), Torrey Meister (HAW), Josh Kerr (AUS), CJ Hobgood (USA)
H2: Bernardo Miranda (BRA), Jihad Khodr (BRA), Matt Wilkinson (AUS), Chris Ward (USA)
H3: Luke Munro (AUS), Kekoa Bacalso (HAW), Travis Logie (ZAF), Tim Reyes (USA)
H4: Nat Young (USA), Glen Hall (IRL), Damein Fahrenfort (ZAF), Damien Hobgood (USA)
H5: Shane Beschen (USA), Dusty Payne (HAW), Tom Whitaker (AUS), Marco Giorgi (BRA)
H6: Chris Davidson (AUS), Joan Duru (FRA), Andy Irons (HAW), Fredrick Patacchia (HAW)
H7: Neco Padaratz (BRA), Daniel Ross (AUS), Joel Centeio (HAW), Jadson Andre (BRA)
H8: Pancho Sullivan (HAW), Mick Fanning (AUS), Renato Galvao (BRA), Jarrad Howse (AUS)
Team O'Neill footage from North Shore, Oahu.
Sunset Beach, Oahu, HI (Sun. Nov. 29, 2009) - It was tough to spot Santa Cruz teenager Nat Young, 17, in the lineup at Sunset Beach today. Out in the water for round two of the O'Neill World Cup of Surfing, Young's windblown shock of white hair, white surfboard and white contest jersey blended perfectly with the white-caps and spray that ruled the day. It was a tough morning for even the most seasoned Sunset competitors as the eight- to ten-foot surf rapidly declined and competition was halted after only eight heats. But Young was full of smiles, braces gleaming, after a self-confessed clueless performance that saw him advance to round three behind local charger Kekoa Bacalso.
It's not that his surfing doesn't measure up; Young is a former NSSA champion and won the 2008 O'Neill Coldwater Classic back home at Santa Cruz. He just has zero experience at Sunset Beach, which the champions will tell you is a tough venue to master. Add the world's top-ranked surfers and the prestige of the $1,000,000 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, and it's obviously an overwhelming scene for a rookie.
"I'm so stoked, it was pretty tough out there," said Young, after his heat. "I don't know the wave at all. I just kind of caught a bunch of waves and it worked out.
"It's definitely hard to find (the waves), especially not being from here and not surfing out there. I have no idea which waves are good. It was a coin toss and I'm stoked I made it.
"The waves here are definitely bigger and trickier than home."
Young got his start in the event with an O'Neill wildcard and plans to use the opportunity for some uncrowded learning time at a venue that can make and break careers.
"O'Neill gave me a wildcard in this and I'm happy I could get in. I did Haleiwa and I did bad, but it's been fun. Normally I would be here just free surfing, but to be able to do contests and free surf is pretty nice."
The top-scoring surfer today was South African Damien Fahrenfort, whose sure-footed, powerful attack surged out of reach of his seasoned rivals Luke Munro (Australia), Liam McNamara (Hawaii), Kieren Horn (CA).
Others to advance today included Andy Irons (Hawaii); Joel Centeio (Hawaii) - who won his ninth consecutive heat of the 2009 Vans Triple Crown series today; Marco Giorgio (Uruguay); and Jihad Khodr (Brazil).
The O'Neill World Cup of Surfing is the second jewel of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing presented by Rockstar Energy Drink. The winner of this event will receive $20,000. The Vans Triple Crown series title, awarded to the most consistent performer across all three events, carries a $50,000 bonus.
The O'Neill World Cup of Surfing will likely continue at 8am tomorrow with a new swell forecast to fill in. For all of the LIVE action log on to www.triplecrownofsurfing.com. Find out the call for the day, each day, as soon as it's made by Director Randy Rarick by signing up for mobile text alerts at triplecrownofsurfing.com. When competition resumes, all the action will be broadcast live on the web at triplecrownofsurfing.com, as well as on Hawaii television on Oceanic channel 250.
Making the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing presented by Rockstar Energy Drink possible: Reef, O'Neill, Billabong, Gidget Worldwide, Nixon, Turtle Bay Resort, Hawaiian Airlines, JN Automotive Group, Surfing Magazine, Surfline.com, FUEL TV, The Honolulu Advertiser, Hawaiian Springs Water, Road Runner, Climb On! chemical-free skincare, and the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP). The Series is proud to announce that it is working with local company Tr3ees to embark upon a greener, more sustainable future.
O'NEILL WORLD CUP OF SURFING RESULTS:
O'Neill World Cup of Surfing
ROUND of 96 (1st & 2nd advance, only 8 of the round's 16 heats were surfed.)
H1: Josh Kerr (AUS), Bernardo Miranda (BRA), Romain Cloitre (FRA), Ola Eleogram (HAW)
H2: Jihad Khodr (BRA), Torrey Meister (HAW), Gavin Gillette (HAW), Leonardo Neves (BRA)
H3: Kekoa Bacalso (HAW), Nat Young (USA), Blake Wilson (AUS), Rudy Palboom (ZAF)
H4: Damien Fahrenfort (ZAF), Luke Munro (AUS), Liam McNamara (HAW), Kieren Horn (USA)
H5: Marco Giorgi (BRA), Andy Irons (HAW), Marco Polo (BRA), Eric Geiselman (USA)
H6: Chris Davidson (USA), Shane Beschen (HAW), Royden Bryson (ZAF), Brad Ettinger (USA)
H7: Joel Centeio (HAW), Jarrad Howse (AUS), Roy Powers (HAW), Evan Valiere (HAW)
H8: Renato Galvao (BRA), Neco Padaratz (BRA), Nathaniel Curran (USA), Brandon Jackson (ZAF)
Sunset Beach, Oahu, HI (Sat. Nov. 28, 2009) - Sunset Beach bounced to life right on Sunny Garcia's cue today, delivering punchy eight-foot-plus surf for the completion of the first round of the men's O'Neill World Cup of Surfing. With a shot at his seventh Vans Triple Crown of Surfing series title, Garcia, 39, is hoping to replicate his recent performance at Haleiwa, where he blazed out of the opening round gates and took it all the way to the quarter finals. He made solid headway today, posting the highest heat score of the opening round: 15 points out of a possible 20.
Garcia's power was on par with that of the new swell, looking comfortable and focused in the expansive lineup that wreaked havoc with many less-seasoned competitors. Garcia caught a total of four rides during the 30-minute heat, with top scores of 9.5 and 5.5, each out of a possible 10. He looked every bit of the surfer he was 15 years ago when he won this event for the first time in 1994, then again in 2000.
Dane Gudauskas (CA) and Cory Lopez (FL) led the US Mainland charge today, both advancing out of the same four-man heat ahead of Luke Campbell (Australia) and Jason Shibata (HI). Dane broke his surfboard during the heat, but still made it through on backup equipment. He will draw younger brother Tanner in the next round, along with Gabe Kling (FL), and Lincoln Taylor (Australia).
"I'm just so stoked to be here," said the younger Gudauskas, 24. "This is my favorite wave in the world, so I'm stoked to get out there, have a good first heat and make it to the next round.
"I was taking wipeouts. I broke my board and got kind of annihilated. My brother was sitting in the channel, coaxing me to go hard and had my spare [board].
"It's a wild day. When there's nothing there's nothing. But when the waves come it's pumping. It's kind of bizarre."
Surprise eliminations today included Tahiti's Alain Riou, who featured in the final at Haleiwa on Monday but effectively lost all hope of reaching the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) 2010 Dream Tour with his loss today. He is also now out of the running for the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing presented by Rockstar Energy Drink title race. After reaching the final at Haleiwa, Riou was looking for at least a semi-final finish here to qualify for the Dream Tour.
Others ousted prematurely were Shaun Gossman (Australia), Hodei Collazi (EUK), Yuri Sodre (Brazil), who was nursing a dislocated toe, and Australian big-wave rider Mark Mathews.
The O'Neill World Cup of Surfing is the second jewel of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing presented by Rockstar Energy Drink. The winner of this event will receive $20,000. The Vans Triple Crown series title, awarded to the most consistent performer across all three events, carries a $50,000 bonus.
The O'Neill World Cup of Surfing will likely continue at 8am tomorrow with the present swell forecast to fill in. For all of the LIVE action log on to www.triplecrownofsurfing.com. Find out the call for the day, each day, as soon as it's made by Director Randy Rarick by signing up for mobile text alerts at triplecrownofsurfing.com. When competition resumes, all the action will be broadcast live on the web at triplecrownofsurfing.com, as well as on Hawaii television on Oceanic channel 250.
Making the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing presented by Rockstar Energy Drink possible: Reef, O'Neill, Billabong, Gidget Worldwide, Nixon, Turtle Bay Resort, Hawaiian Airlines, JN Automotive Group, Surfing Magazine, Surfline.com, FUEL TV, The Honolulu Advertiser, Hawaiian Springs Water, Road Runner, Climb On! chemical-free skincare, and the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP). The Series is proud to announce that it is working with local company Tr3ees to embark upon a greener, more sustainable future.
O'NEILL WORLD CUP OF SURFING RESULTS:
O'Neill World Cup of Surfing
ROUND of 128 (1st & 2nd advance)
H1: Ola Eleogram (HI), Gavin Gillette (HI), Hizunome Bettero (BRA), Brent Dorrington (AUS)
H2: Torrey Meister (HI), Bernardo Miranda (BRA), Derek Ho (HI), Paulo Mauro (BRA)
H3: Rudy Palboom (ZAF), Kieran Horn (CA), Heat Joske (AUS), Christophe Allary (REU)
H4: Damien Fahrenfort (ZAF), Blake Wilson (AUS), Brian Toth (PRI), Kevin Sullivan (HI)
H5: Marco Giorgi (URY), Brad Ettinger (USA), Hank Gaskell (HI), Masatoshi Ohno (JPN)
H6: Shane Beschen (HI), Eric Geiselman (USA), Jack Perry (AUS), Jay Davies (AUS)
H7: Joel Centeio (HI), Neco Padaratz (BRA), Izuki Tanaka (JPN), Danny Fuller (HI)
H8: Renato Galva(BRA), Evan Valiere (HI), Raoni Monteiro (BRA), Kiron Jabour (HI)
H9: Mason Ho (HI), Adam Robertson (AUS), Jesse Merle-Jones (HI), Marcio Farney (BRA)
H10: T.J. Barron (HI), Myles Padaca (HI), Andre Silva (BRA), Shaun Gossman (AUS)
H11: Dane Gudauskas (USA), Cory Lopez (USA), Luke Campbell (AUS), Jason Shibata (HI)
H12: Lincoln Taylor (AUS), Dustin Cuizon (HI), Hodei Collazo (EUK), Charlie Brown (BRA)
H13: Alejo Muniz (BRA), Ruben Gonzalez (PRT), Makuakai Rothman (HI), Hugo Savalli (REU)
H14: Nathan Carroll (HI), Nathan Hedge (AUS), Mark Matthews (AUS), Kai Barger (HAW)
H15: Sunny Garcia (HI), Granger Larsen (HI), Kamalei Alexander (HI), Alain Riou (PYF)
H16: Solomon Ortiz (HI), Dylan Melamed (HI), Jean Da Silva (BRA), Yuri Sodre (BRA)
This is part of the daily routine on the North Shore...checking the different line ups. The first image is Cory Lopez, brother Shea, and Peter Medina assessing the conditions at Pipe from the O'Neill house. The second image is Timmy Reyes checking the World Cup sunset site. Photos courtesy of Sam Olson
Jordy Smith and Timmy Reyes find some open ones at Log Cabins. With most of the North Shore a mess, Log Cabin had some gems on offer. Jordy and Timmy sneak in a couple during the early morning session. Photos courtesy of Sam Olson
Warmond, The Netherlands – November 26, 2009 - Dutch kiteboarder, Kevin Langeree yesterday became PKRA World Champion for the first time ever.
“It’s so hard to believe,” said Kevin. “This season has been amazing. I was so focused on winning the world title, and I did it!” he said.
Dutch kiteboarder, Kevin Langeree yesterday became PKRA World Champion for the first time ever.
"It's so hard to believe,"said Kevin. "This season has been amazing. I was so focused on winning the world title, and I did it!" he said.
The 21 year old O'Neill kiteboarder from Noordwijk in the Netherlands had three years previously been runner up to British kiteboarder Aaron Hadlow. And once again it came down to the final event on the tour – the Teri Kite Pro in the warm waters of New Caledonia.
Kevin came second in this final PKRA stop on the World Tour, however it was enough to push long term rival Aaron Hadlow off the top of the rankings and take the World Title.
The young talented kiteboarder isn't going to take it easy from here however. "I'm going to enjoy this victory," said Kevin. "But I will keep training hard. I want to be ready for next year's tour."
O'Neill team rider Stefan Gimpl celebrated his 30th birthday in winning style last weekend by claiming a memorable first place at the LG Freeze Big Air World Cup event in London.
The Austrian freestyle stomp master triumphed over a stacked field of more than 50 international riders, putting on an incredible aerial display for the 15,000 amped spectators packed in together besides the city's iconic Battersea PowerStation.
The rider from Leogang – crowned 2009 FIS Big Air World Champion earlier this year –edged out Switzerland's Gian-Luca Cavigelli and Slovenia's
Domen Bizjak to claim his first Big Air victory of the current season.
The standard of riding was mind-blowing throughout the 3-day event, with all manner of tricks being thrown down by the super motivated pro riders. Once again though, Gimpl reminded everyone that class is permanent, stomping "the best frontside 1080 of my life" in the finals to claim top spot.
Speaking after the event, Gimpl said: "To win an event of this size and importance is a dream come true for me, and to do it on my birthday is just the icing on the cake. It's a good sign for the rest of the coming season, but right now I'm just going celebrate my birthday and this win – it's a great moment!"
Stay tuned for more Big Air madness courtesy of Stefan Gimpl later thisseason as he looks to retain his FIS Big Air World Championship title.And if early season form is anything to go by, it would take a verybrave person to bet against him doing just that.
Santa Cruz, CA. (October 5, 2009) – The Psychofreak wetsuit by O’Neill received the Surf Industry Manufacturers’ Image Award for the Wetsuit of the Year this past weekend at SIMA Surf Summit 12 in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The SIMA Image Awards identify the surf industry’s most influential companies and recognize them for their efforts to advance and grow the industry.
Determined to make the warmest high performance cold water wetsuit, O’Neill introduced the revolutionary Psychofreak with XDS-Air neoprene in fall 2008. "As the original wetsuit manufacturer, it is in our blood to push the evolution of the wetsuit," stated John Hunter, Senior Product Designer at O’Neill Wetsuits. Unlike traditional cold water wetsuits that utilize thicker neoprene, the Psychofreak with O’Neill’s unique XDS-Air neoprene, a complex 3D structure of rubber and trapped air components, provides increased insulation similar to a double paned window, without additional thickness or restriction. "The ultimate goal in designing wetsuits is to make them as warm and flexible as possible; we obviously achieved that with the Psychofreak."
Chosen by fellow surf industry companies and retailers, the SIMA Image Awards are a reflection of how brands and their products are viewed within the industry, but more importantly by those selling the product to the customer. "I really want to thank all of our dealers for supporting O'Neill for over fifty-five years and I'm stoked our dealers and customers recognize the difference between a functional innovative wetsuit and all the imitations out there," stated Pat O’Neill, CEO and President of O’Neill Wetsuits. "Our dealers claim O'Neill wetsuits continue to represent seventy to eighty percent of their total wetsuits sales, so I am not surprised the Psychofreak has been recognized as the top wetsuit."
CLICK ON JORDY/PSYCHOFREAK IMAGE BELOW TO WATCH PSYCHOFREAK VIDEO.....
October 13 2009, Berlin, Germany - Sixteen year old Seb Toots won the freestyle.berlin on the weekend with a perfect backside 1080 double cork – showing just why he is currently TTR World Tour number one.
"I am super excited to win," said Seb "There were a lot of good ridersthere so it means a lot to me. It's like a dream to come out first."
The Canadian beat an impressive lineup at the big air contest in its first year in Berlin, taking victory over Eero Ettala and current TTR World Champ Peetu Piiroinen with his backside 1080 double cork. And he made it look easy. "I think the hard part about a backside 1080 double cork is learning it," said Seb. "It's always scary to try the first time, but once you can control it, it's a great trick."
His first place comes right after finishing second at the freestyle.ch a few weeks ago.
"Peetu and Eero are really good riders and you never know what they are gonna throw in the contest," said Seb. "Eero got first place at freestyle.ch, and I got second so I am really stoked to be first this time with this good line up of riders."
CONGRATUALTIONS SEB!
Seb Toots has continued his onslaught of the season – coming second at the freestyle.ch in Zurich over the weekend.
The 16-year-old Canadian snowboarder who currently sits top of the TTR World Snowboard Tour ranking list, pulled off a Rodeo 5 and Back 1000 Double Cork to come second behind Eero Ettala.
And this is only the start of the season. Expect big things this year from the young star.
O'Neill Team win recap at Surfer Poll:
Jordy Smith - #9 Ranking
Jordy Smith - Web Clip of the Year - Rodeo Clown
Cory Lopez - Best Barrel (5'5" x 19 1/4" Redux)
Mark Mathews inside Ours with a hand-held video camera.
Awesome footage!
CONGRATULATIONS TO KEVIN LANGEREE!
The Dutch kiteboarding sensation Kevin Langeree has won the 4th stop of the PKRA World Tour
HERE'S A LITTLE UPDATE FROM THE WINNER:
"I've been busy celebrating my 1st place here in Germany! It's already the 4th time that the PKRA is held here in St. peter Ording and I was able to win it 3 times in a row!!
We had the perfect conditions on the first day of wind, I was out on my 6m the whole day. It was a classic NorthSea storm and I'm really used to those conditions cause they are the same as at home. That really gave me an advantage to the other riders.
On the day of the singles it was really my day I landed all my trick in every heat I rode so before I knew it I was in the final again! In the final I had to go up against Aaron. Just before the final stared the wind dropped a bit so I toke a bigger size kite and that was a good decision. I landed a double front mobe, double back spin pass, doublesbent pass, a one handed kgb, a switch KGB and some other powered HP's.That was good enough to win the singles.
The next day it looked like it would be the last day with wind so we tried to finish of the doubles. Youri had a 3rd place in the singles in the doubles he was riding really well and kicked Aaron of his 2ndplace. That means that I had to go up against Youri in the finale ofthe doubles. An all Dutch final!
In the beginning it went pretty well but during the end of the heat we both started crashing a bit. In the last minute I still landed a front mobe to blind that really helped me to win that heat!!!!
The next event is in Brazil in October so we have a really long break to train!"
After four years out of competition in his native Holland, wakeboarder Duncan Zuur made quite a comeback on Saturday.
Known for his stunts wakeboarding through the Amsterdam canals and through the streets of Venice, Duncan took out the Dutch National Championships in Amsterdam on Saturday.
He will now continue to train as he sets his sights on the European Championships.
Out of Bounds
The first stop on this year's O'Neill Out of Bounds event saw 14 visually impaired and blind children take to the stormy Dutch waters to learn to surf.
For some, like 18 year old Elroy Dominicus who is completely blind, itwas their first time ever on a surfboard. "I wanted to do it because Iwas excited to experience something new," said Elroy.
"It's a little unstable, but I loved it," he said. "I can hear thewaves coming so I'm not so scared. The waves are very long. One time Iwas going very fast and I was thinking where does it end."
"The best thing about it is you just lie on the board and go with the waves all the way to the beach," he said.
For others like Leroy Le Bock, 13, with only 1% sight, havingparticipated in the first ever Out of Bounds programme last year, hecould not wait for his second opportunity to get in the water with theSanta Cruz local instructors.
"I was so excited to come back again," said Leroy. "I loved it lastyear. I just love the feeling of surfing, I couldn't wait to get in thewater again," he said. "When they were giving us instructions in thetent before, I just wanted to get straight into the water."
It wasn't just the kids who were stoked on the day. For everyone involved this is one of the most rewarding days of the year.
Each kid was paired with a "buddy" – a volunteer from within O'Neill -as well as a qualified surf instructor as they were introduced to thesurfboard and the sea before learning the thrill of surfing.
Head instructor and Santa Cruz local surfer, Joey Hudson ran this daylast year with great success and satisfaction, and was stoked onceagain to be part of it.
"The O'Neill Out of Bounds day produced such a rewarding experience foreveryone involved last year, it was great to have it back," he said."This year was just as special as it was last year – although just abit more challenging in the swell. But all the kids were standing upand so excited – almost as much as all the volunteers."
Despite stormy summer conditions producing a surprising four-foot swellat Scheveningen making the experience that bit more challenging, allthe kids managed to cruise on a wave, some even standing up first time.
On the beach for the day and as a fitting source of inspiration for thekids was professional snowboarder and wakeboarder, Bibi Mentel.
"I spoke to the kids this morning before they went in the water," shesaid. "I told them about my story which in short is that in 2000 I hadan injury and they discovered bone cancer in my leg. Although theytried to save it, I ended up having to have it amputated. Four monthsafter, I was back on my snowboard and seven months later I was DutchChampion."
"I told the kids to just follow their dreams," said Bibi. "I hope Iinspired them to find out what they want and to just do it."
The O'Neill Out of Bounds programme was introduced last year for twodays on the Dutch coast. Based on its success it will now feature threedays in this year's Surf Academy – a day in Holland, one in Belgium andanother in France.
The O'Neill Surf Academy was started 12 years ago by Jay Moriarity,Richard Schmidt and Robert "Wingnut" together with O'Neill. Offeringfree day-long surf tuition to kids between the ages of 6-16 years old,it provides hundreds of children their first experience of surfing.
Sunday July 5, 2009 – Just hours after celebrating both his 21st birthday and American Independence Day (both on 4 July), Tanner Gudauskas (California, USA) celebrated the biggest victory of his professional surfing career, taking out the ASP WQS 6-Star Mr Price Pro Ballito, today.
Gudauskas defeated Australian James Taipan Wood (Aus) rocketing to World No. 6 on the ASP World Qualifying Series and pocketing R159 000 (US$20 000) as well as 2500 ASP WQS ratings points.
"I just can't believe it, this is a personal best for me!" said Gudauskas. "Every night this week I've been going to bed dreaming about winning this contest and putting myself up there where Pat (Tanner's brother and WQS No. 10 Patrick Gudauskas) was at, and it came through today so I'm fired up!"
Attacking the 30-minute final with unprecedented determination, Gudauskas rode every lump of swell, snatching an early heat lead with a 6.83 (out of 10.00) for some clean backhand turns, riding out in an explosion of whitewater off his final maneuver.
While his opponent Wood opted to play the patience game catching his first wave at the 11 minute mark, Gudauskas projected fast out of his top turns, maintaining speed and power in the wind affected waves to score a 6.67 and further extend his lead over the Australian, who was left looking for a 7.67.
"I just got into this mindset that when the surf got worse I was going to get better and as the tide came up and it got less consistent, I just got more fired up and more pissed off," said Gudauskas. "It's crazy because I can hardly remember half of it now but my priority exchange worked out and it all came together and I'm just super fired up!"
Cloaked in stars and stripes, of the American flag, an emotional Gudauskas was chaired up the beach by his older brother Dane and quarterfinalist Dylan Graves (Pri), surrounded by a sea of adoring fans and media crew all wanting a piece of the newly crowned champ.
"When I came out of the water and saw my brothers and some of my friends all standing on the beach cheering for me I was almost in tears," said Gudauskas. "We have a really strong crew from America right now and we're all pushing as hard as we can to bust down the door and make the ASP World Tour and I think this year could be the year."
Guduaskas is now the highest rated American surfer on the WQS tour, surpassing both WQS No. 7 Brett Simpson and his older brother WQS No. 10 Patrick Gudauskas.
THE MOST NORTHERN, THE MOST SOUTHERN, THE WILDEST, THE COLDEST & THE MOST CLASSIC SURF CONTEST ON THE PLANET
Blake Thornton, the 24 year old from Maroubra, Sydney, surfed the perfect final in epic Cape Town conditions to knock out local favourite Royden Bryson, and take victory at the O'Neill Cold Water Classic South Africa.
"I am so excited to win this," said Blake. "Royden fell on his wave at the end. I think maybe the cold was getting to us," he said shivering in his wetsuit. "I am sorry for him, but so glad I won."
In victory, Blake lifted the CWC South Africa trophy – a replica shark's jaw – high above his head on the shoreline at Kalk Bay.
"Thankfully this is a fake jaw," said Blake. "Hopefully I won't see any real ones. There was actually a seal swimming around out there with us in the final," he said. "Everyone knows that sharks love seals, but actually in a heat you're only worried about what's going on in the heat."
After a lay day yesterday which saw everyone hiding away from the storms, conditions came together perfectly on the eastern side of the Cape with offshore winds and a solid six-foot swell.
The barreling left hand reef break of Kalk Bay provided the dream final day for the first professional surfing event in Cape Town in 21 years - the 4 Star ASP WQS O'Neill CWC South Africa.
And local Cape Town surfer Royden Bryson almost provided the dream local ending. "From the water I could hear everyone supporting me – shouting and honking their horns on the beach," said Royden. "I don't think I've ever had support like that in a contest. It was amazing."
"I wish I hadn't folded on that last wave, but what can you do," he said. "I will kick myself for about half an hour and then it will be good."
Although eager to win the trophy, Royden hadn't been too keen on the idea of displaying the shark's jaw. "There would be no way I would want to see that thing before I went in for a surf!" he said.
The anticipation of Kalk Bay working for the final day had been building all week, so when contest director Matt Wilson made the call to start at 11am with man-on-man heats, the surfers were ready.
"It was a good decision to have man-on-man heats out there," said semi-finalist Jarrad Howse. "There would have been too much hassling if you had four man heats."
Jarrad was one of the standout performances of the day – actually looking like he was having a lot of fun as he pulled into barrel after barrel on his backhand.
The shock of the day was the early departure of World Tour star and event ambassador, Jordy Smith – knocked out by Glenn Hall in the round of 16.
And the wave of the day came from the eventual winner who pulled into an awesome barrel to score the highest wave score of the competition – a 9.6.
"My first heat was a shocker, I just wasn't understanding the wave," said Blake. "I think in the next heat I was a bit more relaxed and just pulled into that wave and it worked out."
The O'Neill Cold Water Classic South Africa had been billed as the 'wildest event in professional surfing'. Over the past week it more than lived up to its name.
"O'Neill took a risk to hold an event here in Cape Town in the middle of winter," said Royden. "There can be some pretty huge out of control storms down here."
With howling winds, huge rain squalls, and cold winter temperatures both in the water and out – there were definitely some out of control storms.
And although the sheltered east coast of the Cape provided a sanctuary, it was still quintessential Cold Water Classic conditions.
"I was cold all day," said Blake. "I think it is the adrenaline that kept me going. I cannot wait for a hot shower and a few beers. But that's part of the whole series – battling the elements."
And it's not going to get any warmer; next stop on the CWC Series - the freezing colds of Vancouver Island, Canada in October.
February 10, 2009 – Xavier de le Rue has won the 2009 Swatch O'Neill Big Mountain Pro after being voted best snowboarder as well as the overall winner of the competition with his signature dynamic and fluid riding.
"I thought coming into this competition that Cody Townsend was going to win the overall competition," said Xavier. "But when we were watching the videos it was so cool that everyone was cheering after my runs. Then I started to think that maybe I could win it."
For taking both prizes, French snowboarder Xavier walks away with $20,000 which he says he will "spend on a nice holiday with my family."
Last year's winner Jeremy Jones who was voted in second place, was happy to see his friend take victory: "It's been an amazing week," said Jeremy. "Xavier's riding is always incredible to watch."
Santa Cruz local, Cody Townsend walked away with victory from amongst the skiers with his always astounding fast runs and smooth skiing.
"A lot of people were saying I could win before I came here," he said. "I was surprised when I came here the first year and I finished second. Then last year when I finished fourth I was a little disappointed. So now to come first is amazing," he said.
"I think I learnt a lot in the past two years of the Big Mountain Pro. I don't do a lot of competitions so every time I do I improve a lot."
After an intense judging session, the riders are now off to celebrate the end of a successful week of near-perfect riding conditions and incredible snow at "Gosstall" in Saalbach Hinterglem with DJ Gitta Saxx and the Urban Knights from London.
Earlier this morning, the final day of competition was cancelled as the clouds came in earlier than predicted.
"This morning was off because the early morning window closed and the risk of having flat light was too big to hold the contest on that face," said event director Nicolas Hale Woods.
However with four very different competition faces completed in good weather and on amazing snow, this year's Big Mountain Pro has been the best yet for Nicolas and the riders.
"For me it's been the best edition of the Big Mountain Pro for the main reason that we've had very good snow conditions," said Nicolas. "We've been able to make it work with the weather, and we haven't had to drive too much," he said. "We were so welcomed in Austria. And very simply riders are smiling and that is the key."
For Fredrik Evensen it was his first Big Mountain Pro and his first venture into a freeriding competition.
"It's been fun," he said. "I've learnt a lot. It's been a great experience for me."
"The funniest thing has been having to pick a line before I drop in. It's the first time I've ever planned where I'm going. What surprised me the first time dropping in is instead of being four turns as I had thought, it was one. I had to improvise a bit," he said.
"When I do freeestyle riding I don't worry about safety precautions. It's been good to get a reality check," Fredrik said. "My understanding of the mountain has really improved."
"I want to continue freeriding. Freestyle riding is what I do, but I hope it will change. I'm tired of doing the same jump for the last ten years. I want to try something new. I'm not sure I want to do anything too crazy. The tree runs were what I loved. That's my thing."
Watch all the highlights from the 2009 Swatch O'Neill Big Mountain Pro on www.oneilltv.com
O'Neill Global HQ – Warmond, The Netherlands – December 13, 2008 – Freestyle professional snowboarding phenomenon Sebastien Toutant AKA Seb Toots has signed a new three-year deal with O'Neill.
The 16-year-old French Canadian exploded onto snowboarding's global stage for the first time in 2006, coming from nowhere as a 13-year-old amateur to win the Empire Shakedown contest in Canada. Since then, Toutant has been busy traveling the globe and cementing his reputation as one of snowboarding's brightest young talents.
Despite setting the bar so high at such a young age, Toutant hasn't been fazed by the weight of expectation. Instead, the young rookie has gone from strength to strength. After notching up another victory in Canada at the end-of-season Telus World Ski & Snowboard Festival, the Montreal native traveled south to New Zealand this summer to compete in the Big Air event at the Billabong Snow Stock Festival. It was there that he chose to unleash his signature Tootsie Roll – a double corked backside 1080 – to claim his first career victory on foreign soil.
Toutant's appetite for trick innovation and his ability to land the unthinkable have made the industry sit up and take notice. This season, the rookie has been invited to compete in some of the world's biggest contests, including the TTR 6Star Nissan X-Trail Jam, O'Neill Evolution and Billabong Air & Style Quarterpipe. With Toutant clearly marked out as a star of the future, it surely won't be long before he fulfills his longstanding ambition to compete in the Winter X-Games. As well as going head-to-head against the world's best riders, Toutant will also showcase his skills on film this season by putting together another banger video part with one of the world's finest snowboard film production companies.
Pausing for thought on his way to Tokyo, where he'll compete in front of 70,000 fanatical spectators at the X-Trail Jam, Seb said: "I'm really stoked to sign with O'Neill. They're doing a lot of great things in snowboarding, and they've been supporting me for a long time already. They really understand what I want to achieve and have always given me the support and guidance I need to step my game up. Looking ahead, I just want to keep progressing and eventually end up pushing the sport as much as riders like Travis Rice and Eero Ettala. Thanks once again to everyone at O'Neill and a big shout out to my team manager Max Henault for all the support."
O'Neill Global Snow Team Manager Franck Corbery is proud to keep Toutant at the heart of the O'Neill Global Youth Team, saying: "Seb has the potential to occupy a position at the pinnacle of freestyle snowboarding for many years to come. More importantly, he's one of the few riders blessed with the talent and sense of creativity needed to take the sport to the next level. His groundbreaking riding style is bang in line with the innovative character of the O'Neill brand, and this latest deal is a real testament to Max's hard work and commitment towards nurturing local talent. We're all super happy to get right behind Toots as he continues to fulfill his incredible potential."
To witness the Toots madness first hand, check out KNOCKOUT – the latest movie by Alterna Films. And keep an eye out for Seb's signature O'Neill jacket, dropping worldwide in 2009/10.
Martinez, team O'Neill's latest signing has arrived on the Gold Coast
in preparation for the 2010 Dream Tour event at Snapper Rocks. Bobby
has been zoning in and avoiding the Superbank crowds by taking the
drive south of the Tweed River making the most of the hollow pipes and
punt sections at Fingal.
Stay tuned to www.oneill.com as team O'Neill surfers Jordy Smith, Bobby
Martinez, Roy Powers and Shaun Cansdell tear up the Gold Coast.