http://www.aspworldtour.com/

“I feel best when I’m free-surfing” – Bobby Martinez

‘The dream tour’. On paper it seems exactly that. Travelling the globe competing in a sport you love, surfing the world’s best beachies, point break’s and heaving reefs. You wake up in the morning, hop down to the beach and surf a few rounds against your mates; if you loose you get paid anyway, if you win you get paid big bucks. All in all, its hardly a 9 to 5 at the office. So why does it seem to push so many away, leaving them with a bitter taste in their mouth and a feeling of recent against competitive surfing.

Goofy, lip-cracker Bobby Martinez is the next great surfer that has thrown down his competitive jersey in anger of the ASP. Bobby regularly vents his frustration on Twitter, and we all saw it at Bells when he lost to Taj and then basically told the judges they were idiots. In a in depth interview with his board producer, Channel Island’s, Bobby explains what it is about the tour that he dislikes and explains what his plans are for the future. Check it out here.

So why does it seem so many want to steer clear of the competitive arena. We constantly here people going ‘it’s a hard life on tour’. Really? I’m sure 99% of us would drop everything for a glimpse in to their world’s.

I beleive there is two different type’s of surfers. One one hand you have Kelly, Jordy, Kolohe, Mick, Adriano. On the other you have the likes of Machado, Rastovich, and Wade Goodall. Some are born to compete, regardless of their bank balances they want to win and stay with the world tour for as long as their bones will take it. Then there is those who are competent of making it on the world tour, yet opt to for a life of pursuing their own desires.

I believe this divide is due to the nature of surfing. Surfing being such a soulful experience that enriches your own life, is sometimes best kept just to yourself. It seems that many resent the whole competitive life of surfing, alongside the exploding corporate industry as it takes away the basic fundamentals of what surfing is.

Taj, A.I, Sunny and now Bobby Martinez have all grown frustrated by the ASP. Andy took time out and dropped off tour simply because he did’nt like it anymore. It seemsclearing the fog of competitive surfing from your mind allows the creative juices to begin flowing again. Bobby has finally recieve a much deserved sponsor from FTW. FTW is owned by Icer Brands that owns the likes of Rocawear and Sean John so its sure to give him the backing he needs. Let’s not forget Bobby, lets follow that legendary backhand snap and that explosive attitude wherever he may go. Congradualtions Bobby. Freedom is with you.

Chopes (the hot head) is renowned as one of the heaviest waves in the world. It undoubtably takes the crown for the most feared wave on the ASP world tour.

The Billabong Pro kicks of this weekend and fingers, arms ands legs crossed, it looks as if there’s a swell on the horizon.

The late Andy Irons made a glorious comeback last year and raised the trophy in a much deserved win. This year, who’s on the cards? For me Nike 6.0 star Michel Bourez defiantly has the potential to snag it from the pack. Firstly, he is a Tahitian. Returning to his homeland for the most breath-taking event of the year must push him a little bit more. Secondly, he is not nicknamed ‘The Spartan’ for nothing. He thrives for heavy conditions. When no one else will go Bourez will for sure. In a recent interview with Waves magazine, Bourez said ”Teahupoo is why I wanted to be on the tour,” he explained that  ”I just put my mind to surfing. Right now, when I get home I might train for a little bit because there’s going to be a long leg so it’s going to be hard. I need to be ready physically.”

You can catch-all the live action here courtesy of Billabong

The comp which is supposed to be pumping for the duration has been less than adequate thus far. But ladies and gentlemen-now its pumping!!! 4-6ft light offshore and big and wackable.

Some Adriano De Souza-world number 1,  has been knocked out by fellow countryman Alejo Muniz.

The 3 man non-elimination rounds are on their way up so check it out.

CLICK ME FOR BILLABONG PRO LIVE

Taj Burrow, Josh Kerr up next

Ask yourself a question. In any sport worldwide, can you name a single competitor that has won a world title 20 years on from his first world title? No? Because it’s never happened.

Kelly Slater is the youngest and oldest competitor on the World Tour to ever win a world title-and yes, another 8 in between them.

10 world titles and still going strong. There is no other sportsman/women who has achieved this amount of success in their career. He is a freak, a super freak!

There were big question marks over wherever Kelly would surf in the 2011 World Tour. To be honest, I like the sound of 10 better than 11 and would have probably called it a day and went free-surfing for the rest of my life. But I’m not Kelly, obviously. Maybe the fiercest competitor out there, he seems rattled that he’s currently sitting in a disappointing 3rd!! To most, 3rd would be enough, but only poll position will satisfy the 38-year-old.

With Jeffreys approaching, people are questioning wherever he will even show. I’m guessing he will. I’m guessing he will absolutely smash it and climb back to 1st or 2nd in the world ratings. If he doesn’t,if he goes out early and slips even more places, I believe South Africa will be the last stop on the world tour for Kelly.

This kid is non-stop at the minute. He is absolutley smashing everything. Perfect 10′s, 1st place finishes, huge airs and now, coverboy of Transworld Surf Magazine.

One of the worlds biggest surf mags, Kolohe has deservadly bagged the top spot with an awesome shot of him blowing the fins and throwing some spray.

Check out his 10 at the end of this clip at the Mr Price pro

And another 10 here at Lower Trestles. Absolutley ripping!!

Kolohe Andino wins USA Championships from Nike 6.0 on Vimeo.

Jordy Smith is in to the next round, beating giant killer Sean Holmes.

Its live now, so have a gander! Conditions improved slightly from yesterday but still windy! A few dredging barrels on offer tho!

Blake just got a 9.63 with a super deep tube.

The home of European surfing, Biarritz will play host to the ASP Womens Longboard event and the ASP World Title event.

With the world title race officially on, Carrisa Moore seems to be extended the gap between poll position and the rest of the field. If all the elements combine, the young Hawaiian has the chance to bag the title at this early stage in Biarritz.

Courtsey of Surfer Mag

Tour ripper Laura Enever has been chilling with just one week to go. Taking a little time-out from the World Tour pressures is sometimes needed. Although she has bagged herself a few sweet little waves at the same time-off course!!

Check her out here sucking helium, smashing some waves, and visiting the Nike 6.0 HQ.

John John Florence, Tiago Pires and Damian Hobgood next heat. Going to be a smasher!!!!

5ones.com

Day 1 highlight
An ASP Prime event located in Ballito, South Africa. The comp kicked off on Monday with some immense conditions. Over-head, dredging barrels rifled down the point breaking boards and ego’s.

It also saw some of the worlds best surfers get slotted in some huge barrels. Stand out of the day had to be Kolohe Andino. The 17 year old got the barrel of his life and was justifiably rewarded with a perfect 10 point ride. Andino said “I’m on such high right now,” “These are some of the best waves I’ve surfed in my life!” .

Kolohe is on a roll at the minute coming off a win at the Quiksilver USA surfing championships in Cali. Everyone has big dreams for this boy, keep your eyes pealed.

The excelllent swell is set to continue. The entire surfing world will soon be setting up camp in South Africa as the ASP Billabong Pro at Jefferys bay kicks off next week. Who you got your money on, Slater, Jordy, Parko?

Torrey Meister: Spring Round Qualifier from INNERSECTION on Vimeo.

Oh wait, you cannot be missing the runner-up also, Tory Meister (great name I know) , who bagged 2nd place to Peter Devries with this lovely little adaptation of your traditional surf flick. Never before have I seen a guy so casually strut around in the buff and not give a damm. Respect Tory!!!!

Peter Devries: Spring Round Winner from INNERSECTION on Vimeo.

If you don’t know about Innersection then where’s your head been for the past year? In a very, dark crevasse I expect.

Anyway Innersection is a ‘freesurfing platform’. What does that mean your asking, well, it gives surfers the chance to work alongside filmmakers and editors in producing a short surf movie. If you win, you go home with a $100,o00 in your back pocket (ohh no it wont fit put it in the briefcase) and a section in the next Taylor Steele surf movie.

Taylor Steele is the Tarantino of the surf movie world. He produced the massive ‘Castles in the Sky’ which delved deep in to the feeling and vibe that surrounds surfing and travel in obscure locations worldwide.

This time Peter Devries braved the icy waters of Canada to bag himself the winner of this round. He now goes into the top 5 with a chance of bagging the big bucks. The great thing about this entire project, is that you, me, Tom, Dick and Harry are the ones who vote. So get over to Innersection to check the other clips and vote to decide who you think the worthy winner is.

Big wave surfing has claimed the lives of too many surfers over previous years. Most recent being Hawaiian giant rider Sion Milosky who passed away after getting pitched on a bomb at Maveriks earlier this year.

This suit has been designed alongside Shane Dorian after he was nearly killed on a severe wipeout in 2010. Basically the simple tech behind the suit is that it includes a compartment between the shoulders, that stores a ‘bladder’ attached to a CO2 cartridge. When a surfer gets in a tricky situation and needs to surface fast one can tug on a cord which inflates the bladder and hopefully sends you shooting to the surface.

Its designed to effectively eliminate big wave ‘hold downs’. My only concerns are how easy is it going to be to pull this cord when a 40ft beast has just landed on your head. Also a problem with big wave surfing is that when caught within the ‘impact zone’, it’s often the 2nd, 3rd or 4th set wave which is going to give you the beating yet you have already used your trusty surfacing device.

Undoubtably inventions such as this one are welcomed within the surfing community. Designs will obviously develop and progress but I doubt wherever this new wetsuit will see us ‘ordinary’ surfers waxing up our guns and heading to some outer reef!

Blow Up from Billabong USA on Vimeo.

Wow. Now this is amazing. The days when you had to visit your local surf shop and spend £15 for an amateurly filmed surf flick are no more. The major surf brands are doing their rounds with viral videos and dudeeeeeeeeeee, are they doing it good.

Here you get 30 minutes of mind blowing technical surfing all for free. If you dont like it, who cares – your wallet is no lighter.Billabong are backing their groms and pushing them to the highest levels. Sit back, feet up and embrace Ian Gentil, Jack Freestone, Laurie Towner, Granger Larsen and more, literally BLOW the fuck UP before your eyes. Enjoy!

Sooruz Lacanua Pro 2009 – Unknown surfers.

 Check the link above to witness Kolohe Andino absolutely annihilate his final wave at Lower Trestles to be crowned winner of the Under 18 category of the Quicksilver USA surfing championships.
Trestles pumped for the majority of the contest with consistent 4-6 ft waves which looked almost double overhead for most of the competitors. (being groms)
Kolohe Andino, 17, from San Clemente, was super eager to take this one after not reaching the finals in a previous Lower Trestles event. And boy was he unbeatable. Ian Gential put the pressure on slightly at the beginning of the final but then Kolohe’s domination came in to full force and he finished with a combined heat total of 18.67!
Nowadays it seems like every single surfer is ‘He’s one to watch out for’ or ‘He’s going to be the next Slater’ but it actually seems a possibility with this kid. A lot of people seem to be investing plenty of time and money in to him. He has just confirmed a long contract with Billabong (god knows how much that was worth???) and has one of the best crew around him that is available in the surfing world. Anyway, even if he doesn’t make it (although he is destined for the World Tour) , he is still going to be rich, not have to work ever in his life and get to surf all day every day.Not bad eh

Interrupted unfortunately by Dave having to do three 13 hour night shifts mid-move.  Better him than me, I say.
I’d die.

I’ve actually enjoyed taking our time with this move.  Since we don’t have to be “out” of the condo the same day we’re “in” the new house, it allows us to get really settled and organized as we go.  Just how I like it.  There will be months worth of details to organize and projects to take on, but at least we can begin to live in the house with some semblance of order.

Meanwhile, we’ve been able to go back and forth and take care of other things as well.
While Christie (I told you about her in THIS post,) was here, Josiah took advantage of the chance to ask her some questions on basic video projects.  He has done photo slide shows, but never video.  She graciously gave him a quick lesson.
Before he forgot anything, he immediately put together his first official surf video project.

Hope you enjoy!

I love how quickly kids learn new things!
It inspires me to keep learning too.
And summer is a great time to take something on!
Right now, I am working on becoming a better photographer!  I am determined to learn how to use my camera with more expertise.  Laura gave me a a quick little lesson the other day, and now I’m obsessed.

I’ll try to put some of that to work this weekend and finally take more pictures of our new home interior.

Are YOU learning anything new this summer?  Tell me what you are mastering…or attempting to learn.  Or something you hope to one day learn.
Maybe you’ll inspire someone else!  :)

Much aloha to you,

gm

Some clips from last week’s fun sunny session with Tyler Vaughan, Bryan Zinski and Brian Parnagian. Edited by T Vaughan.