A new surf school has been launched along the South Wales coastline encouraging people of all ages to take to the water whilst protecting the environment.

Porthcawl based mobile surf school, Cressey’s Surf Academy launched in June of this year in response to the growing demand for private surf lessons from Head Coach and South African Surfing Champion, Ingemar Cressey. Previously sponsored by Billabong, Cressey had been competing in surf competitions across the world for over 18 years, whilst working as a Lifeguard and Surf Instructor, but it wasn’t until he moved to Wales that business really began to take off.

“The demand for Surf Lessons in the UK is much higher than in South Africa” Cressey explains. “For many people in South Africa surfing is a natural part of their lifestyle. Surfing in the UK is currently a growth industry, with more and more people recognising the benefits and opportunities that lie within their own shores. With many people currently choosing to holiday in the UK, now more than ever people of all ages are looking to give surfing a go – and Wales is the perfect place to learn.”

A fully qualified British Surf Association Surf Coach, Lifeguard and Fitness Instructor, Cressey began offering private lessons to friends and colleagues, but within a year found demand warranted the launch of a fully fledged surf school with a difference – and so Cressey’s Surf Academy was born.

Calling itself an ‘eco-surf school’ Cressey’s Surf Academy aims to provide professional, accessible and sustainable surfing experiences that benefit mind, body and soul without detriment to the environment. As Cressey explains, “Our business is obviously a lot closer to nature than most. So it makes both ethical and commercial sense for us to ensure we do all we can to protect the environment that provides our livelihood and enjoyment. We’ve started in small ways, like offsetting our carbon emissions, recycling equipment, using sustainable or recycled resources for our marketing materials and products, and educating our clients, but we hope to develop in these areas as the business grows.”

As a mobile surf school Cressey’s Surf Academy is also able to travel wherever the best surf conditions are for each lesson, utilising many different beaches and keeping their environmental impact to a minimum. Cressey continued, “Our slogan is ‘we go where the waves are’, which means we are free to offer surf coaching sessions all along the South Wales coast. We’ve taught everyone from children to adults, hen days, birthday parties, youth group beginners and competitive surfers – regardless of age or ability everyone can benefit from surfing”.

In fact, such is the inclusive nature of the Cressey’s Surf Academy approach that they have even been involved in an unusual partnership with Welsh National Opera. Taking 30 young people from across Bridgend County and the South Wales Valleys on an intensive week long course last summer, Cressey worked as a Surf Coach for the project combining surfing, song writing and film making – the latter led by another Cressey’s Surf Academy coach and local eco-surf film maker, Anne Gallagher. The project was so successful that Cressey’s Surf Academy is now in talks with other local organisations keen to make a positive impact on the lives of young people within the area through similar opportunities. The surf school is also exploring ways to offer surfing experiences to people with disabilities, helping the sport to become more accessible.

“There is a freedom you experience whilst surfing the ocean,” Cressey’s Surf Coach, Anne Gallagher added. “We’re passionate to share that with as many people as possible, whether you’re learning to surf for fun or you’re focussed on becoming the next Kelly Slater!”

Cressey’s Surf Academy offers tailored surf sessions for 1:1 and groups of all sizes, ages and levels of ability from beginners through to advanced and competition level. All equipment is provided and prices start from just £20pp for half a day, with special offers available for youth and school groups. The school is fully insured and able to offer surf sessions any time of the day or week, subject to availability. Cressey’s Surf Academy is also the official distributor for DK Surfboards in Wales, as surfed by British Champions Tom Butler and Luke Dillon, and Ripcurl Team Member Jayce Robinson, and are able to assist with custom made board queries. For further information visit www.cresseyssurfacademy.com or contact Ingemar Cressey on m: 07502 124030 e: hello@ingemarcressey.com.

This year’s Paddle Round The Pier, sponsored by Feelfit, has raised an estimated record-breaking £30,000 for this year’s charities – The RNLI, SurfAid International and local children’s charity, The Rockinghorse Appeal.

Around 23,ooo people from across the globe visited the event, which was held on Saturday 4^th and Sunday 5^th July on Hove Lawns.

Dave Samuel, Paddle Director said: “Well what a fantastic weekend. Good weather and great sea conditions made this the best and biggest Paddle Round The Pier event ever.

“All of the events in the water and on the land were really well supported, but what was hugely satisfying was to see a record number of people take part in the ‘Paddle Round The Pier’ itself on Sunday afternoon.

“I would also like to give a huge thanks to everyone who helped make this event as successful it was – the other organisers, all the volunteers, the bands, Brighton & Hove Council, the Seafront Office, the local businesses and of course our sponsors, in particular Feelfit.

“And on behalf of the charities I would like to thank all of the people who came down and joined in the fun. Their generous donations will make a huge difference.

“Get your diaries out now and make sure you write in Saturday 3^rd and Sunday 4^th July for the 2010 Paddle Round The Pier.”

“To win a second world title is just unbelievable,” Smith said. “That heat against Chelsea (Williams)… I was ready to bow out in the semis and I had no idea I was going to get that wave and this score down. I was feeling pretty confident after that and when once I made the final I was definitely looking for the second title, for sure.”

Smith, who raised her world title trophy in front of a cheering crowd at La Côtes des Basques, signed an unexpected stellar come-back on top of the international hierarchy today, after several months without a win.

“I had no expectations this year as I had not won an event in months, maybe a year,” Smith said. “I came over here to give my best and see what happens, and I made the final and won it. It’s just so good to get a second one. I am going to celebrate with all my best friends that are here tonight and fly back home tomorrow.”

With three favorites and one outsider in the Semifinals, the 2009 Roxy Jam witnessed spectacular levels of surfing through the four-day waiting period, the new 32-woman format bringing more intensity into the ASP Women’s World Longboard title race. Menard’s final berth showed again how strong the French female longboarders were getting with a second representative making the final in three years.

“The level of surfing has gone so high these days,” Smith said. “Everytime I see Coline (Menard) at an event, she has improved since the last time and it shows that the talent in Europe and worldwide is huge. The European girls are ripping with Justine (Dupont), Coline and the other Justine (Mauvin) who will soon come up. I think Coline will be better next year.”

At 21-years-old, Reunion Island resident Coline Menard became the second French representative to reach the final of the international event after Justine Dupont in 2007 who lost to Smith as well, Menard confirming her status of best up and coming competitor on tour.

“Making the final is a dream coming true for me,” Menard said. “Everything went my way except for the final where I didn’t really get the waves but Jennifer (Smith) was the best and she deserves to win. I had no pressure before the final, I knew it would be very tough and I tried to stay relaxed.”

Menard, who has been improving fast in the last couple of years, came to Biarritz hoping to better her equal 9th place result from 2007 and ended runner-up in the most prestigious event.

“I spent four months in Australia this year competing at all events to get experience and improve,” Menard said. “I didn’t get any big result but it definitely helped me build my confidence and by the time I got here, I was able to put everything behind me and surf relaxed through the event which worked out pretty well.”

Placing 3rd after a dominating run from Round 1 up to the Semifinals was event favorite and last year’s ASP Women’s World Longboard No. 2 Chelsea Williams (Gold Coast, AUS), 23, the renowned powersurfer losing to Smith despite a solid performance and a 13.25 point heat score (out of a possible 20).

“It is very disappointing not to make it through,” Williams said. “I just couldn’t find the better waves and Jennifer (Smith) got that 9.25 and I knew it was going to be hard to catch-up by then. I just sat out there waiting and nothing came.”

Williams, the event’s best scorer with an impressive 16.50 point score (out of a possible 20) on Day 1 of competition, was much awaited on the highest step of the podium today but failed to counter Smith’s flawless attack and will wait another year before she can chase a first ASP World title in her division.

“I was feeling good before the heat and went out there with the same approach,” Williams said. “I didn’t get the opportunity to score and that 9 pointer was the turning point. I didn’t feel like it was going to happen for me.”

Justine Dupont (Lacanau, FRA), 17, was not able to advance to her second Roxy ASP Women’s World Longboard Championships’ final going down to fellow French surfer Menard in the first semifinal. Dupont, who was considered a favorite in her Semifinal duel, could not score any better than a 5.25 point ride (out of a possible 10) throughout the 30-minute semifinal.

“I am very disappointed with my performance and I didn’t enjoy my time out there,” Dupont said. “I made a first mistake and let the bomb go while Coline (Menard) was paddling into it. Then I waited for a good wave which came but I fell on the second turn and that was it.”

Dupont’s equal 3rd place finish makes her one of the most consistent female longboarders in the world after a runner-up in 2007 at 15-years-old only and an equal 5th last year.

ROXY ASP WWLC FINAL
1st, Jennifer Smith (USA) 12.25 pts
2nd, Coline Menard (REU) 9.55 pts

ROXY ASP WWLC SEMIFINALS
Heat 1: Coline Menard (REU) 11.75 pts  Def. Justine Dupont (FRA) 9.15 pts
Heat 2: Jennifer Smith (USA) 15.25 pts Def. Chelsea Williams (AUS) 13.25 pts

Last weekend (Saturday 4th July) saw the A1Surf.com & Alder Under 8s Groms Comp take place on the beach in Brighton. It was just one of the events that made up the huge Paddle Round The Pier beach festival.

Run in association with local Brighton legend Cliff Cox and his Pure Spirit Surf School, the comp saw six local kids (aged 3 – 8 years) battle it out in a ‘anything goes’ final. As the tide dropped,  a small wave formed near the West Pier in Brighton and the groms were sent in, along with a parent or adult helper who could push them into waves (although paddling into them scored more!).

After 25 minutes of non-stop action, the judges conferred and decided the results. First place went to Alexander Taylor (aged 6), with Tyler Samuel (aged 5) in second place and Fynn Lightbown (aged 6) in third. The presentation saw the top three receive Alder wetsuits and accessories, plus medals, and a trophy for the winner Alexander. All the other entrants got an A1Surf.com goodie bag and medals. David Somerville from A1Surf.com said: “We were stoked to see the kids having so much fun in the waves. “Considering some of them had only been on a board a few times before, and their ages, there was some really good surfing going on.

“I would like to say a huge thank you to Alder for generously providing the prizes for the competition and to Cliff Cox, for the medals and trophy, plus his guidance as ‘Head Judge’.

“We’re keen to run more of these fun comps around the UK to help create interest in kids surfing and help the future of British and Irish competitive surfing.”

A1Surf.com & Alder Under 8s Groms Comp – Results

1. Alexander Taylor (6)
2. Tyler Samuel (5)
3. Fynn Lightbown (6)
4. Marley Hollingdale-Tong (5)
5. Harrison Chambers (8)
6. Skyla Fitzhugh (3)

Event No. 4 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, the Hang Loose culminated in a dramatic finale with perennial ASP World Title threats all pushing one other towards the finish line.

Despite the Brazilian smashing his way out to an early lead, Slater found his form mid-heat with a 9.27 out of a possible 10 for a series of high-risk maneuvers, exhibiting a near-perfect variety of repertoire. Not satisfied with only one high score, Slater nailed the coffin shut with an 8.67 in a dying minutes to secure his 41st ASP World Tour victory. “There were much better waves in the Final than there were for my Semifinal,” Slater said. “Adriano (de Souza) found a pretty good rhythm early on and posted some pretty good scores, but I felt comfortable out there and felt that the waves would come to me if I were patient. Both of my scoring rides allowed me to a bunch of maneuvers and I felt that the scores were maybe a little high, but I haven’t had many good scores this year, so it was bound to go my way at some point.”

Nearly pulling out of both the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro and the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay altogether, Slater made a last-minute decision to come to Brazil for the fans, but his journey here was riddled with delayed flights, visa complications and missing baggage. After a Round 1 loss on a borrowed board, the Slater juggernaut built momentum throughout the event, riding everything from self-shaped, asymmetrical quad-fins to epoxies to his bread and butter performance boards.

“I definitely feel like I sharpen as the event moves into the later rounds,” Slater said. “I started out pretty slow in Brazil, and I wasn’t even planning on coming initially. I rode borrowed boards, ones that I shaped, epoxies, everything and I definitely think I found my formula today. I actually called my girlfriend before the Final and said, ‘every time I show up to an event after trying to pull out, I win.’ I guess that held true today. I have less pressure on myself and am free to perform to the best of my abilities.”

Slater’s win today breaks his worst slump ever as an ASP World Tour campaigner, three 17ths in three events in 2009, and rockets the Floridian from 25th to No. 9 on the ASP World Tour ratings. Although a mountain of challenges still stand between Slater and an unprecedented 10th ASP World Title, today’s victory has re-ignited the competitive fire for him.

“I feel like I have all those guys (ASP World Title contenders) right where I want them,” Slater said. “I don’t feel like I have any pressure on me, and I tend to do my best when I have no pressure. We’re coming up on Jeffreys Bay, which is probably my best event historically and hopefully I can build off my result here today.”

Next stop on the 2009 ASP World Tour will be the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay in South Africa from July 9 – 19, 2009.

With 8 world titles to his name by 2006, Kelly Slater was considered to be the Tiger Woods or Tony Hawk of surfing. When the man who was the youngest ever world champion aged 20 decided to seek an historic 9th world title at 35, his place in the sporting hall of fame was secured.

CLOUD 9 follows the two-year campaign leading up to Kelly Slater’s historic 9th world title.  As well as in-depth interviews with the man himself, the film features skateboarding legend, Tony Hawk and surf stars, Mick Fanning, Dane Reynolds, Jeremy Flores, Jeff Hakman, Miky Picon, Taj Burrow and Joel Parkinson who bear witness to Kelly’s incredible career.

The four times world champion Mark Richards narrates the journey.  The captivating story follows Kelly Slater’s battle for the title and takes the audience back to his humble roots in Cocoa Beach, Florida, offering a spectacular insight into the mindset of the young Kelly Slater and what drove him from an early age, to succeed.  Kelly reveals what still drives him on to compete across generations and reach such peaks of performance.  As well as seeing some of the best waves at some of the most beautiful locations on the planet, CLOUD 9 takes us backstage, capturing the highs and lows of life on the World Tour.  The audience is with Kelly when he wins world titles and loses them and is taken along for the ride like never before.

The camera follows Kelly as he loses a world title to Mick Fanning in 2007, at which point commentators and Kelly himself questioned whether or not he would retire or continue to compete in the 2008 season.  Events transpired against his retirement as he unleashed an unprecedented assault on his rivals and found himself on course for the elusive 9th world title and yet another record to add to the book.

The inspirational story of human endeavour in CLOUD 9 illustrates the dominance and determination of Kelly Slater, the world’s best surfer.  Having touched on his past, it then looks to the future.  What is next for Kelly Slater?  Will he aim for the 10th world title or will he change the shape of the sport in other ways?  Can the world’s best surfer get even better…?

Nikita clothing, the brand for girls who ride would like to introduce Sarah Beardmore into the team.

Carole, European Marketing Manager for Nikita mentions; “Sarah is a great surfer and her personality and enthusiasm is perfectly suited to represent the Nikita way of life and style.  We’re stoked to have met with her and have her on board the team.”

Originally from Dorset, UK Sarah has spent the majority of her 25 years living life, loving surfing and growing up between the UK and Australia.  Travelling is a big part of her life and after extensive travels to date, including competing on the WQS tour circuit, she has no intention of stopping.  Sarah is also a keen artist and paints through her own experiences, influences and surrounding inspirations.

Having represented Australia for many years she’s drawn back to her homeland and is vying for the Brits, hoping to be the first British female to make the WCT.  Although Sarah has effectively changed her representation country to GBR she will still have a big involvement with Australia.

More recent travels have included competing at the 6 star WQS event in Portugal early May, a quick chill out trip to the Greek islands before heading back to compete in her first UK event, the Salt Rock Open in Croyde – which she won!  Picking up a cash prize she also won the King of the Waves, the highest wave score of the women’s event.

This June, Sarah is heading off on an amazing boat trip in the Mentawis, Indonesia.  Having organised the trip with the photographer, she will be the only English surfer alongside an international field of surfers including WCT surfers Sofia Mulanovich and Rebecca Woods.  The whole journey will be documented, both on film and camera, so there will be some fantastic images, action and updates to be had.  Straight after, Sarah will be heading off to Sunway Lagoon, a huge theme park in Kuala Lumpur, to ride a wave pool.

Aritz Aranburu (EUK), 23, current ASP World No. 39, caused the upset of the event, eliminating reigning nine-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 37, in Round 2 of the Billabong Pro Tahiti.
Following four consecutive lay days, the event roared back to life this morning, with the world’s best surfers tackling the three-to-four foot (1 – 1.5 metre) waves on offer at Teahupoo.

After surprising eliminations of Euroforce members Jérémy Florès, local surfer Michel Bourez, Miky Picon… at the very beginning of the event, Aritz Aranburu and Tim Boal were the last two european surfers still on course last night.
While French surfer Tim Boal was easily eliminated by Australian Tom Whitaker, Euskadi surfer Aritz Aranburu blew up his heat against King Kelly.
For Aranburu, it would mark his first heat win of the 2009 ASP World Tour season; the young Basque surfer of Quiksilver Surf Team putting up an impressive 17.27 heat total to Slater’s 15.00.
“Kelly (Slater) is the best competitor and the best surfer in the world and I was just trying to stay focused out there so I could get my own waves,” Aranburu said. “Once I got that first score I almost felt more pressure because I was surfing against Kelly and I know what he can do with his priority. I just tried to put the pressure off and luckily I got a second good score and it worked out.”

The win was no easy feat as the pair locked in the highest-scoring heat of the event, but Aranburu’s near-perfect 9.77 out of a possible 10, for an extremely deep backhand barrel in the opening minutes of the bout, assisted the European in his landmark victory.

“I was lucky to get that first wave,” Aranburu said. “I paddled deep because I knew I was going to need a big score against Kelly (Slater) and when I was paddling into it, I thought I was going to fall, but I made it, so I’m happy.”

Aranburu will now face current ASP World No. 9 Damien Hobgood (USA), 29, in Round 3 of the Billabong Pro Tahiti when competition resumes.

For Slater, today’s disappointing result marks his third, consecutive equal 17th place finish in 2009, leaving many to ponder the iconic Floridian’s state of mind in regards to his campaign for an unprecedented 10th ASP World Title.
“That may have just given me an excuse for a big, long vacation,” Slater said. “I don’t know yet. It’s really decision time for me. With that many 17ths, you’re really hard-pressed to win an ASP World Title. I’m not here to just make up the numbers, but I don’t want to fall off the map either – I guess I kind of have though. Numbers-wise, I’m still within the possibility of getting in late in the year, but I don’t know. I guess I have a lot on my mind.”
Slater has yet to confirm if he will attend Stop No. 4 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro in Brazil, from June 27 to July 5, 2009.

The Surfing Tribe tells the fascinating story of how a sport first practised in Hawaii found its way to the chilly Atlantic shores of Britain thanks, originally, to a Birmingham dentist and a Newquay ice-cream seller. Way back in the late 1930s Midlands dentist Jimmy Dix was leafing through the Encyclopaedia Britannica when he spied a photo of surfing in Hawaii and felt the urge to give it a go. He obtained a 14-foot wooden surfboard from a surf club in Waikiki, Hawaii, and took it down to Newquay in Cornwall on his annual holiday. There he met a young Newquay ice-cream seller, Pip Staffieri, who built his own wooden board and taught himself to surf.

The Surfing Tribe tells how, from these small beginnings, and thanks to dozens of colourful characters, the sport took hold in Jersey, Cornwall and Wales, before spreading along the South Coast and as far as Scotland and the Northeast. Today, according to the British Surfing Association, there are around 500,000 surfers in the UK, and surfing is worth around £70 million to the Cornish economy alone.

Today’s surfers, who rely on high-tech wetsuits and boards, will be awed by stories about the bravery of the early surfers, like the Australian and American lifeguards who paddled out at notorious big-wave spot The Cribbar near Newquay in 1966 without leashes, and just wearing shorts and t-shirts. Foreign travel was also very different in the ’60s; the early surf travellers had no guidebooks or internet surf forecasts, they often journeyed to surf breaks in France, Spain and Ireland on little more than a rumour.

Written by renowned surf historian Roger Mansfield, the Surfing Tribe features all the characters who made the sport what it is today, including former World Junior Champion Rod Sumpter, as well as ‘Tigger’ Newling, Pete Jones, Linda Sharp, Nigel Veitch, Tim Heyland, Nigel Semmens and Carwyn Williams. The book also charts the evolution of British surfboards, and looks back at the films and magazines that have portrayed the British scene over the decades.

The Surfing Tribe represents a lifetime of work for Mansfield. “Riding waves has always been my passion. I began surfing in 1963, when I was 11, and I watched the sport evolve as I grew up. As the decades passed, surfers came and went, new breaks were ridden, and equipment went through enormous changes. I always thought someone would write all this stuff down, but no-one did. The big story seemed to be drifting away as significant members of the tribe started to pass on. I just felt it was time for the full history of surfing in Britain to be put together.

“The Surfing Tribe has been a massive project – a lot of time and and research have gone into it. It’s factual, it’s full of terrific stories and iconic photos. It’s an education. Hopefully, surfers will not only enjoy reading the book, but it’ll leave them much the wiser about the sport we all love.”

Three surfers are going against the grain of the norm, they are seeking out the biggest, the heaviest, most unpredictable and hidden breaks around Ireland Why? Because they are Artists, they are driven by an unquenchable passion for their art and never choose the easy route. Powers of Three is a documentary that follows three remarkable guys as they pioneer and conquer Irish waves through the bleak winter months.

Relentless Energy announce the official release of Powers of Three – a ground breaking big wave surfing documentary.

For most of us, when we think of big waves we see in our minds’ eye the glorious breaks of California, South Western Australia, Hawaii or Tahiti, freaks of nature – every one of them… There exists, though, a small circle of people, for whom big and heavy conjures images of an altogether different place: the west coast of Ireland. This is the place of choice for the Artists of the Oceans, those who will never choose the easy route.

During winter, a small stretch of Atlantic-facing coastline provides an unpredictable selection of waves with the scale, power and weight that can comfortably compete with what the rest of the world has to offer. That they are named Aileen’s, Lauren’s, and Riley’s conceals their brutal nature behind a veil of charm.

Today’s technology might offer two or three days notice to the touring surfer in other parts of the world, but Irish forecasting means getting up in the dark, taking a perilous hike and staring out at the sea from the cliffs that tower 700 sheer feet over the action.

Fergal Smith, Tom Lowe and Mickey Smith are more than just athletes, they are Artists driven by obsession, and prepared to suffer and sacrifice in pursuit of their art. While they can surf almost anywhere, they have made it their purpose to pioneer and push ahead; to conquer these Irish waves through the bleak winter months.

Mickey saw the early potential of these waves and set events in motion. Now they are being respectfully pioneered by Fergal and Tom. Mickey documents their progress and describes it as, “a journey which is stirring, awe inspiring and shows the true unpredictability of the ocean”.

Relentless are proud and privileged to document this trial, to share a story of three young men extending the meaning of courage and dedication in one of the most beguiling, magnificent and deadly locations that could ever play host to the surfer.

Relentless Brand Manager, Steven Ruhl, said Powers of Three represents a true departure from the usual core sport film genre as we bring a grittier edge and cinematic look and feel to this big wave documentary’’.

“The film follows three remarkable guys doing truly remarkable things in the cold, watery paradise that is Ireland”.

“Powers of Three brings to life the theme of artistry, one that underpins the Relentless brand and represents yet another step in our ongoing journey. One which is proudly supporting and showcasing British and Irish surfing to a wider audience through our on-line release at  www.relentlessenergy.com and DVD covermount with Carve magazine,”

The partnership will see A1Surf.com keep its users up-to-date with results, news and more from the tour, plus help strengthen the reputation of the UK Pro Surf Tour amongst the UK and Irish surfing community and further afield.

David Somerville from A1Surf.com said: “We are really excited about being involved with this year’s UK Pro Surf Tour.

“It is a well-run, professional contest series that is helping to push some of the top British and Irish surfers so they can hopefully one-day compete with the best in the world.

“Many of our regular A1Surf users are members of the tour themselves or have friends and family who are taking part.”

Dave Reed director of the UK Pro Surf Tour said: “Having A1Surf.com onboard as a media partner is another big step forward for the tour.

“Along with our other media partners we will give greater recognition through the media to the achievements of the surfers who compete on the tour and the sponsors, who without their support the events would not take place”

The UK Pro Surf Tour kicks off on the Whitsun Bank Holiday weekend in May with the Saltrock Open, to be held at Croyde in North Devon.

The tour then visits a further eight venues for the Open events, culminating in the Animal Newquay Open in October. There are also divisions for Women, Pro Junior, Longboard, Under 12 and Under 16 Boys and Under 16 Girls.

The tragic events around the 7th Feb left more than 200 dead and over 7000 homeless.  The day, known as ‘Black Saturday’, marks the deadliest Bushfires in the nation’s history.  Australia is still coming to terms with the scale of the tragedy, where a combination of high winds and extreme temperatures and, in some cases, acts of arson proved to be a deadly combination.

The next stop on the ASP World Tour, the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach, will take place in Victoria 7-18th April.  Jeremy Flores will be there to support the region and of course pursue his aspirations of becoming the first European ASP World Tour Champion.

Donations to the Victorian Bushfire Appeals Fund can be made via the Australian Red Cross.
www.redcross.org.au

The 19-year old from Coolangatta, Australia, blitzed past opponent Rochelle Ballard (HAW) with a stunning performance to advance through to the Quarterfinals of the Billabong Pro Maui after rival Mulanovich went down to wildcard Keala Kennelly (HAW) in a surprise Round 3 elimination.

“Surprisingly, I did quite well to not watch Sofia’s heat at all, and I didn’t even know that Keala (Kennelly) had won until right before my heat was about to start,” Gilmore said.  “That was interesting.  I guess it was awesome for me.  I was stoked.  It pretty much just fired me up when I heard that, and then the next wave I got barreled.”

With Mulanovich eliminated, and following her phenomenal win over the veteran Ballard, Gilmore needed fellow rookie Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) to defeat remaining contender Silvana Lima (BRA) in the final heat of the day to seal the ASP Women’s World Title.  With less than five minutes remaining, Hodge turned the tide with an incredible forehand assault on a roping righthander which would put her into the lead.  The countdown to the heat ended with the raucous applause from the army of media and hundreds of spectators assembled on the beach.

Gilmore first moved to World No. 1 on the ASP ratings when she took out the Rip Curl Bells Beach in Australia in April – though she shared the top spot with 2005 ASP World Champion Chelsea Hedges (AUS) at the time.

She claimed the sole ratings lead after a semifinal finish in Brazil, but then dropped to 4th in the world with a 9th in Spain. Back-to-back wins in Sydney, Australia and Peru put Gilmore in contention to seal the deal with one event to go in Sunset Beach, Hawaii, but the Australian fell short, netting only an equal 9th place finish.

Requiring a result in Maui, Gilmore stepped up her performance at Honolua Bay, consistently displaying her world class form before sealing the title this afternoon.

Despite the numerous accolades collected by predecessors such Layne Beachley (AUS) and Kelly Slater (USA), Gilmore is the first surfer ever to claim the ASP World Title in their rookie season.

“That’s amazing, I never even thought of that until now,” Gilmore said.  “It’s truly an honor to make my way into the history books.  To do it here in Maui, in waves that are barreling, and with all the family and friends here to share it with is truly amazing.  I’m absolutely over the moon, and I’m just at a loss for words.”

Gilmore’s phenomenal rookie season on the ASP Women’s World Tour saw the prodigious natural-footer claim victories at the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach, the NAB Beachley Classic in Sydney and the Mancora Peru Classic.  Although 2007 was Gilmore’s official rookie season, the Australian had already scalped two events as a wildcard prior to this year, the Roxy Pro Gold Coast (2005) and the Bico Beachley Classic (2006).

“I’ve just had an amazing first year on tour,” Gilmore said.  “I have great traveling partners like Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) and my team manager Kate Skarrat (AUS) has been there for me all the way – she’s just a great person to bounce ideas off of.  I’ve also had Mick Fanning (AUS) – he’s a fellow Rip Curl teamrider and his season this year has been a real inspiration to me.”

Gilmore and Fanning are the first two Australians to concurrently hold the ASP World Titles since 1999.

Looking ahead, Gilmore’s precision in the water and competitive savvy will do 19-year-old well as she finishes out the 2007 season and focuses on defending her ASP Women’s World Title in 2008.

“Right now, I’m just enjoying the moment,” Gilmore said.  “It’s such an incredible feeling; I honestly can’t describe it.  Definitely though, next year I will be bringing my focus back to the tour.  I don’t want to lose this feeling, and I can’t wait to finish out the year and head into 2008.”

The Billabong Pro Maui will make a call on the Quarterfinals at 7:30am tomorrow.

All Billabong Pro Maui action will be webcast LIVE via www.billabongpro.com/maui07/index.asp and www.aspworldtour.com

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com or www.triplecrownofsurfing.com

FUEL TV will be broadcasting the Billabong Pro Maui presented by Hawaiian Airlines.  For more information, log onto www.fuel.tv

STEPHANIE GILMORE – 2007 ASP WOMEN’s WORLD TOUR RESULTS
Roxy Pro Gold Coast: Equal 5th
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach: WINNER
Billabong Girls Pro Brazil: Equal 3rd
Rip Curl Girls Festival Spain: Equal 9th
NAB Beachley Classic Sydney: WINNER
Mancora Peru Classic: WINNER
Roxy Pro Sunset: Equal 9th
Billabong Pro Maui: TBA

RESULTS: Billabong Pro Maui (ASP Women’s World Tour)
ROUND 3: 16 surfers remaining
Heat 1: Layne Beachley (AUS) 11.75 def. Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 7.75
Heat 2: Melanie Bartels (HAW) 10.25 def. Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 7.50
Heat 3: Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) 18.65 def. Rebecca Woods (AUS) 9.75
Heat 4: Keala Kennelly (HAW) 15.90 def. Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 7.50
Heat 5: Stephanie Gilmore 9AUS) 18.55 def. Rochelle Ballard (HAW) 10.25
Heat 6: Claire Bevilacqua (AUS) 15.00 def. Amee Donohoe (AUS) 12.00
Heat 7: Megan Abubo (HAW) 4.00 def. Samantha Cornish (AUS) 3.50
Heat 8: Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 13.30 def. Silvana Lima (BRA) 12.25

“This is a massive boost for Britain’s elite young surfers at a time when they are on the verge of long, professional careers in what has become one of the country’s fastest growing sports,” said Karen Walton, director of the British Surfing Association (BSA), the sport’s governing body in Great Britain and the Channel Islands.

“Their talent has never been in any doubt, now this deal with Calypso means they can concentrate on structured training and receive the very best coaching and support without having to worry about where the money is coming from.”

As a ‘warm up’ before the main sponsorship begins in 2008, Calypso has joined some of the biggest brands in the sport as a Gold Sponsor of the BSA, a move which will help the association to continue its vital role in developing the sport at all levels.

“Surfing has to be one of the most exhilarating, exciting and accessible sports for British youngsters and it’s a perfect match for our own emphasis on drinks which are healthy, fun and refreshing,” said Calypso’s sales and marketing director, Richard Cooke.

“There’s some spectacular talent out there in the junior squad and we hope our sponsorship will help to make a real difference to their future success.”

Thanks to the deal, the BSA will now be able to run a full programme of winter training camps for the current junior squad of 25 young surfers, who come from as far apart as Newcastle Upon Tyne and Jersey, with South Wales, South West England and the Isle of Wight in between.

It’s from this squad that the 2008 team of four boys under 18, four girls under 18 and four boys under 16 will be picked to represent Great Britain and the Channel Islands at the World Junior Surfing Games in May, which are likely to be staged in France.

They’ll be hoping to improve on their placing in the 2007 event in Portugal, where they finished 11th out of the 40 nations taking part – but had to resort to packing customers’ bags in local supermarkets to raise the money to get them there.