extremehorizon blog

Does Bournemouth's artificial surfing reef work?!

2009-11-16T11:53:00.003Z

I was recently sent a link to a new blog by its creator, concerning the recent official launch of Bournemouth's artificial surf reef, Europes first man made reef. The Reef has been a major talking point amongst surfers since construction was given the go ahead a few years ago and its been eagerly awaited promising to produce a classic wave. Well it appears that the reef isnt quite working as it should..."The quality of wave produced by the reef is extremely debatable and can in my opinion can only be described as a wedge"

make up your own mind by visiting http://bournemouthgreef.blogspot.com/2009/11/bournemouth-surf-reef-officially-opens.html

Big waves, Surf fitness and Agave surfboards

2009-11-13T10:16:00.003Z

The guys a Surf Stronger who produce fantastic workout programmes on DVD for surfing fitness met up with Big wave charger Don Curry to talk about, waves, Agave wood surfboards and keeping fit for surfing monster swells. Check out this great interview below:

Surfing- the Million Dollar prize

2009-11-10T08:55:00.003Z

The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing presented by Rockstar Energy Drink made history today, announcing the TRIPLE CROWN - TRIPLE THREAT bonus purse that makes this prestigious Hawaiian series the first $1,000,000 stop on the Association of Surfing Professionals Dream Tour. More than 150 surfers from 17 nations have a crack at the loot as the series kicks off this Thursday, November 12, at Haleiwa on Oahu's North Shore.

The TRIPLE CROWN - TRIPLE THREAT will award $50,000 to the men's Triple Crown series champion, an extra $50,000 for the Billabong Pipeline Masters winner, a $50,000 bonus to the ASP's men's world champion, and a $25,000 bonus to the women's Triple Crown champion. The $175,000 Triple Threat is in addition to the existing $825,000 in event prize money, making for a $1million total purse.

Mavericks big wave contest waiting period begins

2009-11-04T08:39:00.002Z

The waiting period for the 2009/2010 Mavericks Surf Contest® presented by Sony Ericsson has officially begun. On a picture perfect Friday afternoon, more than two-dozen of the best big-wave surfers from around the world, along with family members, friends, and members of the media gathered on the beach at Pillar Point to celebrate the opening of the new 2009/2010 Contest season.

The only big-wave paddle-in contest on the mainland, the waiting period for this year’s Mavericks Surf Contest® will last from November 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010. During this window, the 24 invitees will wait for Mother Nature to conjure up the “perfect storm”
that will produce waves that are 30-40 feet in height. Once such a swell is on the horizon, the 24 contestants themselves will vote on whether to call the Contest to compete for a record-breaking $150,000 prize purse, including $50,000 to the Champion.

Heat One:
Evan Slater, Darryl “Flea” Virostko, Ion Banner, Dave Wassell, Grant “Twiggy” Baker, Tyler Smith

Heat Two:
Peter Mel, Shane Desmond, Zach Wormhoudt, Nathan Fletcher, Matt Ambrose, Anthony Tashnick

Heat Three:
Brock Little, Tim West Jr., Kenny “Skindog” Collins, Josh Loya, Greg Long, Carlos Burle

Heat Four:
Chris Bertish, Grant Washburn, Ryan Seelbach, Ben Andrews, Shawn Rhodes, Jamie Sterling

Album review: Primal Sky: Tim Smith

2009-11-03T08:44:00.005Z

Theres a buzz in the US surf world centred around a new CD/album, by Tim Smith, called "Primal Sky, Caballero Del Mar". The word has been triggered by a number of tracks being used in surf movies, most notably "A fist full of barrels", (which first exposed the Mexican "Rincon" to the world). So we were stoked to receive a review copy of the album from Tim.

Whenever anyone listens to a new track or piece of music they instinctively, knowingly or sub conciously pigeon-hole it into a genre, especially surf music, however even after a few listens this album for me, defied definition, which although unfamiliar at first eventually allowed the music to wash over me without feeling the need to over analyse.

Tim Smiths sound is so unique and distinctive, however there are obvious influences, which include a chilled rock vibe and a definate latin flavour- no doubt infused by Smiths life in California. An affinity with the ocean also pervades a number of tracks which brings us to the surfing connection.

The sound of Primal Sky isnt immediate but slot it into the cars CD player on your next surf trip, soak up the sounds of a Californian summer and you'll understand why this album is gathering such a following.

*tracks can be downloaded here http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/primalsky/ (its an external link so has no affiliation with Extremehorizon)

Minor Disruption: UK Juniors live webcast surf comp

2009-11-02T14:56:00.003Z

For the first time ever a UK junior contest will be streamed live online.

You can watch the event at www.tiger24.com on the 7^th and 8^th of November 2009.

The contest will run using ASP format with prizes aimed at developing the surfers’ careers. It’s also an opportunity to offer surfing to a much wider audience which. To be part of it you don’t have to be on the beach, you can be anywhere in the world - just log on and take a look.

How valuable is your wave?

2009-10-30T09:37:00.002Z

Businesses close to famous surf spots know it, surfers know it but it seems the fact that a wave can create, boost or regenerate a local economy is lost on everyone else (look at what happened to Mundaka as a case in point). So Save the Waves have done a "Surfomomics" study of Mavericks to find out the economic benefits to Half Moon bay by having a famous wave on their doorstep:

" Save The Waves Coalition announced the preliminary results from its second 'Surfonomics' study, a measure of the economic value of the world-famous big-wave break at Mavericks in Half Moon Bay, California. The study found that the surfing site and area has an estimated economic value to visitors of nearly $24 million per year, based on approximately 420,000 annual visitors.

“Mavericks is an iconic, world-renowned surf break that’s truly unique,” said Save The Waves executive director Dean LaTourrette. “This study provides evidence of not just its environmental value, but of its economic value as well. This further reinforces the notion that it and other special coastal areas around the world need and deserve to be protected.”

Nelscott reef big wave event goes off

2009-10-29T10:54:00.003Z

Nelscott reef, 1km offshore from Lincoln City, Oregon scored an epic glassy 30 ft swell last thursday. Andrew "Cotty" Cotton from Devon was representing the UK...

Paddle in results:

Results
1st Anthony Tashnick-California
2nd Kealii Mamala-Hawaii
3rd Chris Bertish- South Africa
4th Travis Payne-Oregon
5th Greg Long-California
6th Gary Linden-California
7th Mark Visser-Australia
8th Shane Desmond-California
9th Mike Parsons-California

Rip Curl Portugal semis and finals today

2009-10-28T08:56:00.001Z

Supertubos, Peniche/Portugal - The Rip Curl Pro Search is headed to Supertubos this morning and started at 8.30am with the Men's semi-finals. It's an all-Australian affair for the final three heats, with Bede Durbidge up against current ASP World No. 2 Joel Parkinson in Semi 1 and Current ASP World No. 1 Mick Fanning against Wildcard Owen Wright in Semi 2 - if Owen elects to surf this morning after perforating his ear drum yesterday. The finals will follow so it should all be over today

*Pic: ASP

Supertubes is firing for todays Rip Curl WCT

2009-10-27T13:36:00.002Z

Round 3 is on today at Supertubes, Portugal which is firing at 6-8ft. Check out the live event at:

http://live.ripcurl.com/?aid=532

WCT Rip Curl Peniche 2009

2009-10-22T09:04:00.002+01:00

The last event of the European leg of the ASP tour in Peniche Portugal is set to kick off this morning in clean 3ft waves after a lay day yesterday when a 15ft swell hit which saw some of the pro-surfers towing in and surfers across the Atlantic coast catching huge waves including 25ft sets at Aileens in Ireland.

*image ASP/Getty

Nelscott Reef big wave comp gets green light

2009-10-21T10:33:00.002+01:00

Nelscott Reef Big wave comp has the green light for go this Thurs 22nd Oct with a classic 17ft, 15 sec swell forecast, which should produce at least triple overhead waves!

The Nelscott Reef Tow In Classic has become one of the world’s premier tow in events with contestants traveling from all over the world to compete. This big wave contest is held 1/2 mile offshore of Lincoln City, Oregon at Nelscott Reef. With a holding period of Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, organizers wait for a swell large enough to produce 30 foot or greater waves.

http://nelscottreef.com/

Adriano de Souza takes 09 Billabong Pro Mundaka

2009-10-14T08:56:00.001+01:00

Adriano de Souza (BRA), 22, claimed his inaugural ASP World Tour win today, taking out the Billabong Pro Mundaka, eliminating fellow Finalist Chris Davidson (AUS), 33, in punchy two-to-three foot (1 metre) waves at the backup venue of Sopelana.

Stop No. 8 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, the Billabong Pro Mundaka experienced an array of conditions for the event, from clean surf on the opening day at Mundaka to a lengthy seven-day wait before a marathon 24-heat session yesterday, culminating into today’s dramatic finale.

Billabong Pro Mundaka: Update

2009-10-13T08:47:00.002+01:00

MUNDAKA, Euskadi/Spain (Tuesday, October 13, 2009) – UPDATE: Due to the rapid deterioration of conditions at Mundaka, event organizers have put the event on hold while relocating to Sopelana for a 10am call.

Following yesterday’s marathon session that saw the world’s best surfers attack both the punchy sandbars of Sopelana as well as the roping lefthanders of Mundaka, the Billabong Pro Mundaka has the option to finish as soon as tide and conditions allow for it.

Surfer found dead on the South Coast

2009-10-12T12:41:00.002+01:00

The body of a dead surfer has been found drifting in the sea close to a famous beauty spot.

The man's body - which was still attached to his surf board - was spotted by a passer-by at Kimmeridge Bay, Dorset, at 2.15pm 09th Oct. A police spokesman said the body was found next to a slipway.

He added that a camper van had been recovered and steps were being taken to identify the deceased. The spokesman said: 'Dorset police is investigating on behalf of the coroner because there are no suspicious circumstances.'

A spokesman for Portland Coastguards said: 'A member of the public had seen what they thought was a body on Kimmeridge Slipway. 'A coastguard helicopter and rescue team were tasked to attend the scene and confirmed there was a body of a man in the water.

'He was a surfer and was still attached to his board. We are unsure how long he was in the water but yesterday's sea conditions were not very good for surfing.'However, they were the day before, so he could have been at sea for a long period of time before being found.'

A post-mortem examination is due to take place today to establish the unnamed man's cause of death.

* Source: Daily Mail

UK pro tour hits the North Sea

2009-10-09T11:47:00.004+01:00

The next leg of the UK Pro Surf Tour is set to hit the road for the weekend of the 24th 25th October. The event to be held at Longsands Beach, Tynemouth. This will be the fourth leg of seven UK Pro Surf Tour events for 2009.

Lets hope they get surf and I hope the Southern lads bring at least 5mm of rubber as its getting colder already up here :)

Billabong Pro Mundaka 2009 starts

2009-10-07T08:44:00.002+01:00

After a swell on the opening day, a lay day (wed 07th) has been called for the Billabong Pro Mundaka, with only small one-to-two foot (0.5 metre) waves and high tide conditions on offer this morning. Event No. 8 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, the Billabong Pro Mundaka commenced competition yesterday at the primary venue, running the first eight heats of the man-on-man elimination Round 1.

“The surf we enjoyed yesterday has dropped substantially since then and we’ve called competition off for the day,” Mike Parsons, Billabong Pro Mundaka Contest Director, said. “We’re tracking some models for the end of the week that look promising, but we’ll be back tomorrow to make another call.”

Regulated Surfing: An end to our freedom?

2009-10-06T08:46:00.005+01:00

If you surf in the UK during the summer you cant fail to notice the vast numbers of "surfers" in the water- hotspots like Croyde and Fistral are rammed with beginners and surf schools all vying for their own little space, all dropping into and onto each other. The situation is the same in SW France so much so that the city councils around the Hossegor area are considering regulating surfing!

We spotted this alarming news in Drift magazine, which is online at the moment but is up there with the best in terms of content, images, ethics and design. Well worth checking out. The paragraph below is from their story, the image is ours taken at Croyde bay:

According to regional French newspaper Sud-Ouest, after the high number of surfing related accidents resulting in injuries that occurred on the Capbreton – Hossegor - Seignosse stretch of coast this last summer (up to 35% more than the previous summer), these City Councils are studying the possibility of setting up some sort of surfing regulation. A regulation that, they say, would mainly affect surf schools (they will have a designated stretch of beach each, so as not to have an excess of learner surfers in the same break) but also surfers with rentals and, presumably, little or no ocean experience.

Surf aid apeal for Sumatra Earthquake victims

2009-10-05T10:04:00.004+01:00

Last week two major earthquakes hit the Padang, West Sumatra, region - the initial 7.6 and then a second 6.6 quake. Padang, the gateway to the Mentawai Islands and where most of the surf charter boats are based, has been seriously damaged and the initial death toll is more than 1,100.

SurfAid has gone into emergency mode and has staff doing assessments of the needs of the people in the coastal areas south of Padang, which are heavily populated and impoverished. SurfAid had Mentawai health program staff already in Padang and they have been reassigned to emergency work. SurfAid will respond to the immediate urgent needs with medical staff and supplies. SurfAid has eight doctors and three nurses preparing medical supplies.

SurfAid is buying tents, tarpaulins, food, water and sanitation and medical supplies in Medan, North Sumatra, and getting these to Padang. The SurfAid office in Padang survived, however the internet system is down, along with electricity and phones, so a priority is to get a new internet system in place along with satellite phones and gensets for power, along with fresh water as the mains water supply is cut off.

Surfaid are asking for donations to help with the selfless relief work, aid and assistance they are providing in Padang. To donate to Surf Aid: CLICK HERE

Lets go surfing...

2009-10-01T10:11:00.003+01:00

Ok so theres no surfing in the video but theres a swell picking up in the North Sea today and I thought this catchy tune was appropriate! :)

Extremehorizon Surf blog award

2009-10-01T10:05:00.003+01:00

The Extremehorizon surf blog has received an award from the Daily Reviewer which rates the best blogs on the web...nice

Top surfing Blogs

"The Daily Reviewer selects only the world's top blogs (and RSS feeds). We sift through thousands of blogs daily to present you the world's best writers. The blogs that we include are authoritative on their respective niche topics and are widely read. To be included in The Daily Reviewer is a mark of excellence"

Tsunami hits Samoa

2009-09-30T08:34:00.004+01:00

Tsunamis triggered by a strong quake in the South Pacific have killed at least 65 people in Samoa and more than 20 in American Samoa, say reports.The Samoan authorities say at least another 145 people have been injured and whole villages destroyed.

American Samoa's delegate to the US Congress said thousands of people had been left homeless in the territory.

An 8.3-magnitude quake struck at 1748 GMT on Tuesday, generating 15ft (4.5m) waves in some areas of the islands.

The Samoa islands comprise two separate entities - the nation of Samoa and American Samoa, a US territory. The total population is about 250,000.

A general tsunami warning was issued for the wider South Pacific region but was cancelled a few hours later.

Biggest Australian wave of 2009?

2009-09-29T08:30:00.001+01:00

Sunshine Coast surfer Mark Visser has caught one of the biggest waves in Australia for 2009. Battling chaotic and gusty winds, along with rain, the big wave surfer rode a wave with a 36 foot face last Thursday.

The waves were surfed at Cowbombie, a break about 2.5km offshore from Western Australian suburb Grace Town. "The weather was unbearable out there. It was very windy, around 30 knots," Visser said. "Along with the wind, the water was icy cold. My feet ended up getting numb."

The Cowbombie break is gaining itself a reputation as one of the hot spots for big wave surfing, not only attracting Australian dare-devils. With news of the big swell in Western Australia, surfers from around the world came to check it out, including big wave specialists Grant 'Twiggy' Baker (SA), Doug Young (NZ) and Ross Clark Jones (sometime resident of Aus).

"I heard about the big swell on Wednesday morning and we arrived in Perth Wednesday night," Visser said. "On Thursday we got these monster waves and then backed up on Friday. The waves weren't as big, around 25 foot. I went in with a paddle board, but got smashed a few times."

*image: Cassandra Murnieks

Surfing in Cornwall?....watch for approaching fins!

2009-09-28T10:35:00.003+01:00

The stories of big ocean predators arriving on our British shores are increasing and each one always makes headlines. We're just not used to being conscious of a shark threat so evidence of their existance in the South West is always a bit of a surprise. This story below is from the Telegraph and whilst Thresher sharks patrol deeper water and this one looks to have just washed up, it might just have you checking the water for fins next time you paddle out!

A group of surfers spotted the 6ft thresher shark- a close relative of the deadly great white - beached at Hayle near St Ives in Cornwall on 25th Sept, and called the coastguard.

Thresher sharks are predators known for their very long, powerful tail which they use to stun their prey.

Dave Jarvis, from the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, said the sharks can cause serious injury to humans.

He said: "It's in good condition physically, so we're going to take some measurements and see if we can make some arrangements for post-mortem."

Thresher sharks feed on fish and are normally found in coastal waters of North America and Asia.

Fanning takes Quik Pro France

2009-09-28T09:25:00.001+01:00

28 September, 2009 : - - Seignosse, France – Mick Fanning (AUS), 28, has claimed his second consecutive ASP Dream Tour event, taking out the 2009 Quiksilver Pro France presented by Orange over fellow Finalist Bede Durbidge (AUS), 26, in punchy one-to-three foot (0.5 – 1 metre) waves at Les Bourdaines.

Event No. 7 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, the Quiksilver Pro France opted to utilize yesterdays swell to complete the event given the dismal surf forecast for the remainder of the waiting period. Despite today’s challenging conditions, the world’s best surfers executed well, blending their rapid-fire approach with progressive fin-free and aerial surfing.

Fanning continued to build momentum through the final day of competition before erupting in the Final with a flurry of excellent scoring rides, a 7.83, an 8.83 and a 7.33 in the opening half of the competition.

“I was really fortunate to get those couple of good ones at the start because I really ran out of gas there at the end,” Fanning said. “It’s two back-to-back events where I have had to surf four heats on the final day to get the win and it takes a lot out of you. The conditions were deteriorating and I was fortunate to get those scores on the board early on.”