The Cold War: 2009 Cold Water Classic Canada Day 6

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On the eve of the first day of the holding period of the Xcel Sunset Pro, historically the opening course of the North Shore winter, we caught up with Evan Valiere winner of the event in 2006.

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Highlights from Mick Fanning's win over Bede Durbidge on the final day of competition at Supertubos for the 2009 Rip Curl Pro Search Portugal.

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Quite possibly the biggest day ever ridden at Tasmania's mutant wave, Shipsterns Bluff.

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By Jeff Mull

Santa Cruz surfers pride themselves on their tolerance for the cold. Four/three, booties, and some frozen fingers are a badge of honor for the NorCal boys. Of the Santa Cruz upstarts, Nat Young has moved himself into the vanguard, winning events left and right and spending plenty of time in front of the lens. Chasing the O'Neill Cold Water Classic series north to Canada, we caught up with the cold-blooded Young to see how he's faring in what has been deemed "The Coldest Contest of the Season." It's pouring rain outside, and Nat is fighting back an onlsaught of shivers as we get to talking.

So we're in Canada, it's pretty miserable outside, but let's hear your take on Canada so far.

Yeah, it's pretty sick over here. It's really foresty. I'm stoked to be out here but it's really cold.

How would you say it compares to Santa Cruz?

It's way colder. We'll only have like, one day a year that's this cold. I don't know man...this is really, really cold.

How's the water?

Cold. Back home, I don't really wear booties or gloves ever. But over here, it's pretty much mandatory. I'm trying not to get in the water unless I have to.

How's the Canadian nightlife?

Ha! I don't even know. I just sit at home at night in front of the fire and try and keep warm. It's too cold to really do anything, so I'm just keeping mellow while I'm here.

How are you getting prepared for your heats out here?

Just trying to stay warm before my heats. Maybe listen to my iPod. I don't think I'm gonna be freesurfing too much though.

Supertubos gets massive as Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson advance through to the semifinals.

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Rip Curl Pro Search Portugal Day Three: Photos By Joli

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Surfers can be an uncharitable bunch. Today, the world’s top 45 surfers were presented with the best waves they’d seen since Jeffreys Bay. Jeffreys Bay was a long time ago. Four whole events, in fact. But even though it was offshore and solid, the surfers were not stoked. To be fair, the backup wave, Lagido, is not exactly A+. You wouldn’t even give it a B. It’s a “must try harder”, a fat left wall, and the early free-surf session was full of three stage cutbacks. If the best surfers in the world are doing three stage cutbacks, you know you are not looking at a good wave.

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Andrew Gesler, Zach Humphries, and a crew of East Coasters journey from the Outer Banks of North Carolina to New Jersey scoring quintessential fall swell along the way. Video: Carmen Vicari

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Imagine you are a Portuguese contractor tasked with building the temporary surf mecca at Peniche. Now imagine you're woken at 4 am by a phone call just one day into the waiting period describing the sound of metal being twisted by whitewater.

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By Jeff Mull

With all of the media hype focusing in on the men’s World Tour and their last-mile sprint to a title, nary an eye noticed that the women’s WQS came to a premature finish this year with Coco Ho winning the season outright. On the heels of Coco, Australia’s Jessi Miley-Dyer and the ever-heralded Carissa Moore finished a close second and third respectively. With Moore’s spot on next year’s World Tour solidified, coupled with a dynamic Steph Gilmore and a rising Coco Ho, you can rest assured that the surf world will be awaiting the womens’ appearance in 2010 with baited breath.

“I’m really excited to be doing the tour next year and I’m so excited that I qualified. I didn’t feel like I had that great of a year…I didn’t go to Brazil…but I’m just really, really excited, ”said Moore when asked about her run on the ’QS.

In the past, Moore has said that she has every intention of finishing her senior year of high school in Honolulu, (Moore attends with one of the most esteemed private schools in the nation, Punahou. The school is the alma matter of President Obama) a fact that seemed to clash with her 2010 World Tour qualification.

“My dad and I just talked with the school, and we’re going to be able to work something out where I do the tour and finish my senior year up at the same time. It’s gonna be a little scary, but I’m gonna get it done somehow.”

Moore’s appointment to the Big Leagues bodes well for Coco Ho, a close friend since childhood. As a rookie on the World Tour, Ho has made a solid showing as a full-time professional and is currently rated fifth on the World Tour. Couple that with her win on the ’QS, and the pair may indeed prove unstoppable next year. Between Ho and Moore and Steph Gilmore’s hold on the rating, we’re left with the dying revelation that there is a new guard taking hold of the women’s elite circuit.

“Well this year, we had a big break between events on the CT and there was plenty of time to do the QS. I wanted to stay on the tour, so I decided to do the QS too,” said Ho when asked her winning season. “I wasn’t really trying or planning on winning the WQS, it just happened.

“With Carissa on tour next year, it’s gonna be great with her. She’s one of my best friends and I think we’re gonna have a blast next year. It’s gonna be a really exciting year. That’s for sure.”

Just as the weather began to subside with clear skies approaching, Jesse Hines, the area’s brightest surf star, snapped his tibia and fibula while surfing the shallow sandbars of Avon.

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It’s a week before the race for the 2009 ASP World Title season is due to kick off, Luke Egan and Joel Parkinson have bolted two hours down the New South Wales coast to escape the human flotsam of Coolangatta.

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Video highlights from Sam Wrench's win at the 2009 Oakley Pro Junior Global Challenge.

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Unsponsored Sam Wrench defeats Marc Lacomare to claim the 2009 Oakley Pro Junior Global Challenge.

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By Jeff Mull

Friday night. Downtown Honolulu. The boys in blue are out in force, patrolling the city’s Chinatown district, trying to keep the peace amid the hundreds of meandering hipsters crawling through the streets. The first Friday of every month always draws a hefty crowd to the historic streets of the city. Bars and shops keep their doors open late, people mingle, wear tight jeans and plaid shirts, and don asymmetrical haircuts.

A few blocks north of the art crawl and a crowd of surfers are standing affront a dimly lit pair of goliath bouncers, having their hands stamped and birthdates checked before they enter the club. Once in, they’ll join their aquatic brethren for the premiere of one of the most anticipated and progressive surf films to make it to the islands in years. It’s the debut of Billabong’s Still Filthy and from the looks of the crowd inside the club, it’s gonna be a hell of a night.

With $3 dollar Primos and a steady drip of thirsty customers crowding the bar, the vibe inside the building was flowing well before the flick even started. Once the lights dimmed and the unforgettable Billabong logo tattooed itself on the projector, the club erupted in a fit of whistles and pidgen-tinted “chheee-hoooos.”

From the opening wave to Parko’s closing segment, Still Filthy did not disappoint. With a soundtrack that will survive the ages, the movie will prove to be as watchable in 2019 as it was in 2009. But more than just good edits and a head-bobbing set of beats, the film’s most solid aspect was the surfing itself, earning yells of approval from the Hawaii crowd whenever a standout punt was stomped or someone weaved their way through a heaver.

That being said, no one seemed to make more of an impression on the audience than Torrey Meister, who had one of the more memorable segments of the movie, showcasing his lightning-fast repertoire.

“That was amazing; the bar is officially raised,” said Billabong frontman and team guru Rainos Hayes at the conclusion of the movie. 

Rainos said it right. Taking nothing away from the effervescent club and crowd, but the surfing in Still Filthy goes above and beyond and proved itself the highlight of the evening. With the entire cast of the film having full, head-whipping rotations seemingly on lockdown, it’s unimaginable to see what’s next.

Here’s to a crazy night in Chinatown, and the bar, both literally and figuratively, being raised.

Sam Wrench today won the prestigious Oakley Pro Junior Global Challenge 2009 final in excellent surf to 5 feet at Keramas River-mouth in Bali defeating French surfer Marc Lacomare.

The 19 year-old from Ulladulla on the south coast of NSW was overjoyed with the win, defeating an elite field of 18 of the world’s best 20 year and under Pro Junior surfers.

“It’s the first and obviously the biggest win of my professional career and it couldn’t have come at a better time” said Wrench after the win. “I lost my major sponsor at the start of the season and competing has been hard but this win helps in a big way and hopefully proves that I’m well worth sponsoring – the field here was so strong and we have surfed perfect waves all week and it’s amazing to win an event like this – it’s one of the best events in the world for any pro junior surfer.”

Wrench trailed for most of the final after Lacomare opened with a very strong 7 point ride.

It was during the final 10 minutes of the final when Wrench found two clean deep rides and used his proven strategy of scoring long barrel rides that he took the lead and eventually the win.

“It’s such an amazing wave, you can score big in lots of ways, either tube riding, on-face or even aerials and I found getting the  longer tube rides suited me and it worked for me today” said Wrench.

For Lacomare it was his second 2nd placing at this event and despite being disappointed was gracious in defeat.

“I would have liked to have won this year but unfortunately I’m second again – the contest is so good and the field so strong, we have enjoyed an incredible week of surfing against each other and well done to Sam.”

An inspiring performance was also put on by Hawaii’s Kai Barger today.

Barger suffered a knee injury sustained free surfing two days ago and this morning hobbled to the water’s edge fully braced around his knee to surf his semi-final.

Early in the semi-final he could barely turn on two extremely low scoring rides and most wondered why he even bothered to paddle out.

Half way through the semi on a good clean medium sized wave, Barger pushed his performance hard, clearly uncomfortable but still showing signs of his renown power and he scored a very worthy 6 point ride putting him in contention.

His following ride was simply amazing, taking one of the largest set waves, Barger unleashed a massive opening bottom-to-top turn and followed up with three more powerful controlled turns, scoring an excellent 8.5 and looked set to take an incredible semi win.

Barger’s injury clearly made it very tough for him in the final 5 minutes and a priority mistake saw Wrench claim the semi final but Barger’s remarkable performance was applauded by all at the event as limped from the water.

With an iced bracing around  his knee after the event Barger spoke of the semi-final performance saying “It was good to get through it and get an excellent score but I feel disappointed now as it was also a missed opportunity, I was so close and it’s frustrating for me right now.”

“The knee was painful throughout each turn and it’s difficult to surf fully braced.”

Sam Wrench won $US20 000 for today’s win, the highest prize purse in Global Pro Junior professional surfing and he joins last year’s inaugural winner Dusty Payne (Hawaii) on the winners list of the Oakley Pro Junior Global Surf Challenge.

The quality of this event was highlighted by the daily scheduling of heats.
With plenty of excellent surf in prime time at an A grade surf location  heats were surfed per day in the following way, 3, 3, 5, 4, 3, 0, 3 and 2– a scheduling unlikely to be matched!

Final Day:

Semi 1: Sam Wrench 14.85 V Kai Barger 14.50
Semi 2: Marc Lacomare (FRA) 15.50, Alejo Muniz (BRA) 10.66

Final: Sam Wrench (AUS) 14.40 V Marc Lacomare (FRA) 13.65

Highlights from Adriano De Souza's win at the 2009 Billabong Pro Mundaka.

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Adriano De Souza defeats Chris Davidson in the finals of the 2009 Billabong Pro Mundaka.

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Hanging out at Keramas at the 2009 Oakley Pro Junior Global Challenge.

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By Jeff Mull

Luke Davis appears the quintessential fiery grom. Young, blonde locked, and media hyped, we sat down with the Californian to talk techno, home school, and why Kelly's still the best.

In your eyes, who's the best surfer under 21 right now and why?
I think Julian Wilson is the best.  He just has the full package, from airs to carves, he does it all. 

Who's the most underrated surfer in the game right now and why?
I think Brent Dorrington is the most underrated guy right now.  He's not very well known but he surfs like a mix between Parko and Mick. 

Is Slater overrated? 
He isn't overrated. 

In five years, where do you see yourself?
Hopefully on the WQS trying to qualify for the WCT, if not, just trying to get good photoss and video stuff. I would also love to be doing something in the techno music scene. Whether it be making my own music or DJ-ing, music is just something that I am extremely interested in.  

Is home school BS? 
Yeah, people think that kids who home school don't have to do any work at all, when it's the complete opposite. You actually work a ton and I think it is way more productive than going to normal school and having to sit in a classroom all day. 

What's your take on the Rebel Tour?
I think it's a great concept. It will make surfing a llot more exciting to watch because the guys who end up surfing on this new tour will be the best of the best.

What's the last song you listened to?
Beyonce - Single Ladies (Dave Aude Club Mix)

The Salani Surf Resort in Samoa, a staple among South Pacific surf haunts for more than a decade, is gone. A result of the recent earthquake and subsequent tsunami, the camp was simply erased by Mother Nature on the morning of September 29.

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SURFER Magazine is looking for qualified editorial interns. If you’re currently a college student interested in getting into the magazine biz and you meet the qualifications below, you could be eligible for an opportunity to intern at the biggest surf magazine on the planet.

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An exclusive webisode from Julian Wilson's upcoming film, Scratching the Surface.

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Hanging out on the Kauai with Hawaiian charger Malia Manuel.

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The Oakley Pro Junior finals are set to go dynamite all up on ya in just a few days as the forecast in Bali looks good. Held at Keramas, the event will showcase the best junior surfing in the planet, hands down. You name a hot shot junior, and there's a good chance he'll be shralping at the event. Marzo, Barger and Nat Young are just a few to whet your appetite. For more info, check the link below:

Oakleyprojunior.com

Fog hangs like an apparition above a stack of rice paddies as a Balinese farmer bows to harvest his grain. His topi, angled toward the sun, paints a cylindrical silhouette against the green canvas behind him, accenting the natural symmetries of the land and the stark geometric contrast between cone and terrace.

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The Cosmic Creek Music & Art Extravaganza takes place at 7 Degrees (Laguna Canyon) Saturday night, Oct 3rd as part of the Cosmic Creek event that includes a retro-style surf contest and beach BBQ. With performances by an amazing gathering of famous artists, musicians and surf legends, the music and art extravaganza is part Woodstock/ Warhol Factory/ surf stomp/ & great Charity event all rolled into one evening.

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