Concrete is hard than water as Lukas Skinner and out when he ruptured his spleen skateboarding. An airlift and stint in ITU led to what must have seemed like a lifetime out of the water to the 13 year old super grom from Perranporth. But he never gave up hope.
“Concrete is harder than water” is his story which won best British film the London Surf Film fest
filmed and edited by Seth Hughes.
Is this a photo of a great white shark cruising the West Sussex coast?
Or it is a seal with its nose in the air.
Hmmm…
Local James Venn was on his way to feed the birds on the beach last week when he noticed a shadow the water. The local to Goring-by-Sea was stunned to notice a triangular fin poking out of the water in the West Sussex holiday spot last week. He quickly snapped a shot of the fin as it resurfaced around 60 yards from the shoreline.
“It then surfaced so I ran to grab my camera and looked out to try and see it again before taking the photos.
“I went down to the beach to feed the birds when I saw something come up just behind the waves. I couldn’t make out what it was so I followed it along the shore. It then surfaced so I ran to grab my camera and looked out to try and see it again before taking the photos.
“At the time I thought it was a seal but when I looked at the photos again I thought it doesn’t look like a seal so it was something else. So I sent it to someone who looks at sharks in British waters.”
“I’m still 50/50 about whether it’s a shark or seal but I’m not an expert so it would be interesting to see what they think.”
Mr Venn gave the photos to Graeme Pullen, an experienced shark fisherman. “Mr Pullen, who has focused his career on catching various shark species in Britain, has been in the shark business for four and a half decades.” says the Daily Express”
Mr Pullen confirmed the image was of a fin narrowing down to either a small great white or a Mako shark, but UK waters being too cold for a mako… “Analysing the photo it is obviously a shark – this can’t be disputed.”
So could it be? Well in theory, yes, there is no reason why a great white shouldn’t be here. Especially given the rise of bait fish, tuna and dolphins visit our shores.
What do you think?
In November of 2021, after a stint in Europe, surfing’s first Olympic gold medalist Italo Ferreira made good on his promise to visit fellow Billabong team rider Cherif Fall in Dakar, Senegal. Also joined by up-and-coming South African talent Joshe Faulkner, they found a thriving surf community that rivals anywhere in the world. A stretch of coast full of fun surf, deep talent and infectious positive energy. This film explores their experience in West Africa and the eternal bonds these three share as the faces of hope and pride in their respective communities.
Lucas Chianca (BRA) was crowned the Best Individual Performance at the TUDOR Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge Presented by Jogos Santa Casa. Photo WSL/Masurel
The World Surf League (WSL) TUDOR Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge Presented by Jogos Santa Casa took place today at Praia de Norte, Nazaré, Portugal and the world’s best big wave surfers revealed in the clean, 40-to-50-foot waves on offer.
It was no surprise that Lucas ‘Chumbo’ Chianca (BRA) burst out of the gates from the first heat, and despite not surfing with his usual teammate, Chianca and Nic von Rupp (PRT) were an incredible team. Chianca scored his best wave early on, speeding down the line with a critical turn in the lip and riding it out for an 8.33 (out of a possible 10). Both surfers increased their scores in their second heat and Chianca was pushing the limit of what was previously thought possible on big waves when he launched into a mind-bending alley-oop on one of his waves.
“We’re super stoked, we have a special connection out there. We are always looking for the same waves and that’s why I think we are the perfect match!” said Chianca.
“It’s a really great opportunity, I’ve always looked up to Chumbo,” said Von Rupp. “He is the guy that always pushes your limits and his own limits so it’s a pleasure to compete with him.”
Nazaré standout Justine Dupont (FRA) suffered an unfortunate fate on her first wave, getting caught by the white water and injuring her left ankle when her foot got stuck in the strap of her board. Dupont was unable to continue surfing her heat, bringing an early end to her and team partner Tony Laureano’s (PRT) run at Nazaré.
Michelle des Bouillons (BRA) put up an impressive performance, pushing herself into some big bombs with her compatriot and partner Ian Cosenza (BRA). Des Bouillons put in a lot of time to improve at Nazaré and it showed, with better positioning taking off deeper and committing to huge rides.
Lucas Chianca (BRA) once again retained the Men’s Best Performance and the Best Team Performance titles, this time partnering with Nic von Rupp (PRT).
Maya Gabeira (BRA) during the TUDOR Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge Presented by Jogos Santa Casa. Photo: WSL/Masurel
“I was happy with my waves, and I can’t wait to learn more and try to improve with my surfing. I’m super stoked to win the best performance and best team with Nic. We had that connection in the water, that was the best part. I didn’t have to say anything, he was choosing the waves for me and I just performed and he did the same so it was the best,” said Chianca.
“Teaming up with Chumbo was amazing, he’s such a positive guy, has so much energy. He’s an amazing surfer, he’s so kind and he’s sharing his world so it was amazing to be out there. We got a bunch of waves and he was cheering for me and he got a bunch of good ones as well, so yeah stoked!” said Von Rupp.
It was a close battle for the Women’s Best Performance award between Des Bouillons and Maya Gabeira (BRA), but patience and experience paid off for Gabeira who clinched the top spot in the last heat of the day.
The winners of the TUDOR Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge Presented by Jogos Santa Casa. Photo: WSL/Masurel
“It’s been a rollercoaster!” said Gabeira. “It’s been a really hard day, we got pounded in the beginning of our first heat and I used all of my canisters and had a bad sensation on my spine. I kept surfing but I was just a little bit overwhelmed with stress. Seeing Justine get injured just before my heat, then Antonio (Silva) and now Jamie (Mitchell), there was just a difficult vibe today. I’m really glad I had Pierre (Rollet) on the ski with me today, he killed it and we made it in one piece. It’s my first professional win and here in Nazaré where I’ve dedicated most of my life now.”
First-time tow partners Rafael Tapia (CHI) and Jamie Mitchell (AUS) delivered some solid performances, but it was Mitchell’s commitment and athleticism that saw him in the perfect spot on every wave, and his ability to read the waves and combine different maneuvers together was the point of difference and awarded him the Jogos Santa Casa Most Committed Award.
Pushing himself in the final moments of the day’s last heat to find a score and take the lead, Mitchell pulled into a massive backside barrel on the infamous lefts of Nazaré and unfortunately suffered a violent wipeout. Suffering a back injury, Mitchell was evaluated and treated by the medical team on-site and evacuated quickly to further assess his condition. He is currently being treated at a local hospital.
With the TUDOR Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge pres. by Jogos Santa Casa completed today, the best big wave surfers on the planet will shift their focus again to the Pacific and track swells around Hawaii in anticipation of the Quiksilver Jaws Big Wave Challenge presented by TUDOR.
The TUDOR Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge pres. by Jogos Santa Casa is proudly supported by TUDOR, Jogos Santa Casa, Red Bull, and Visit Portugal.
The Hurley Pro Sunset Beach presented by SHISEIDO, the second stop on the World Surf League (WSL) 2022 Championship Tour (CT) will open the waiting period on Friday, February 11. After an epic start of the historic 2022 CT season at Banzai Pipeline, the world’s best surfers are heading to the iconic open-ocean Hawaiian break to continue their fight to make the mid-season cut.
For the first time ever, the women and men have a fully combined schedule in a fully redesigned Tours and Competition framework, with the introduction of the all-new mid-season cut. Surfers need to perform well in the first five events of the season in order to make the WSL Final 5.
Will king Kelly continue to Sunset?
The class of 2022 already started proving its worth in Hawaii during the Billabong Pro Pipeline, the first stop of the Tour. 11-time World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) earned his 56th CT victory at the world-renowned Banzai Pipeline and is heading to Sunset Beach as World No. 1, while event wildcard Moana Jones Wong (HAW) won her first-ever CT event, became the women’s World No. 1 and earned a wildcard spot at the Hurley Pro Sunset Beach presented by SHISEIDO.
The men's wildcard will go to Maui big-wave heroes Kai Lenny and Billy Kemper.
Meanwhile, three-time WSL Champion Gabriel Medina has withdrawn from the Hurley Pro Sunset Beach and will be replaced by Brazil's Caio Ibelli (above), who's coming off of a Semifinal finish at Pipe.
World No. 6 Caroline Marks has withdrawn from the Hurley Pro Sunset Beach siting medical reasons. She will be replaced by Australia's Bronte Macaulay.
Brazil's Yago Dora continues his recovery from his injury ahead of the season and will be replaced by South Africa's Matthew McGillivray.
2022 Rookies Liam O'Brien and Carlos Munoz both sustained injuries at Pipeline and continue their recoveries. They will be replaced by Jordan Lawler and Barron Mamiya.
This will be the first time in 13 years that Sunset will host a Championship Tour competition. In the last CT held at Sunset, five-time WSL Champion Carissa Moore (HAW) took the win at the World Cup Sunset Beach against Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), seven-time WSL champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), and Alana Blanchard (HAW). Sunset Beach is also known for playing host to other high-level competitions. For many years it has served as the final major event of the men's Qualifying Series schedule, as a stage to several women’s Pro Junior events.
Some of the 2022 CT rookies have plenty of experience at the famous Hawaiian reef. Gabriela Bryan (HAW) won back-to-back Pro Junior events in 2018 and 2019, and North Shore locals, Luana Silva and Bettylou Sakura Johnson, have also spent a fair proportion of their surfing lives free surfing and competing at Sunset Beach. Johnson made the Final in the Pro Junior in 2020 at the age of 15, while Silva made it to the Semifinals at the same event.
Some of the 2022 CT rookies have plenty of experience at the famous Hawaiian reef. Gabriela Bryan (HAW) won back-to-back Pro Junior events in 2018 and 2019, and North Shore locals, Luana Silva and Bettylou Sakura Johnson (above), have also spent a fair proportion of their surfing lives free surfing and competing at Sunset Beach. Johnson made the Final in the Pro Junior in 2020 at the age of 15, while Silva made it to the Semifinals at the same event.
The holding period for the Hurley Pro Sunset Beach presented by SHISEIDO, the second stop of the 2022 Championship Tour, runs from February 11 to February 23, 2022. The competition will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com and WSL’s YouTube channel, as well as the free WSL app. Check local listings for coverage from the WSL's broadcast partners. For fans watching in Brazil, coverage of the Hurley Pro Sunset Beach presented by SHISEIDO Quarterfinals and beyond will continue exclusively on worldsurfleague.com and SporTV.
The Hurley Pro Sunset Beach presented by SHISEIDO is proudly supported by partners Hurley, SHISEIDO, Red Bull, Oakley, Hydro, Flask, Havaianas, Expedia, Flying Embers, Pura Vida, Spectrum Hawaii, 805, and Da Fin.
The World Surf League (WSL) TUDOR Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge Presented by Jogos Santa Casa has been called ON and will start at 9:00 am GMT at Praia do Norte in Nazaré, Portugal. Some of the best big wave surfers on the planet are set to compete in the one-day, team tow-in event, with waves in the 40-to-50-foot range.
“The swell has arrived and it’s big enough. It’s 40-50 foot, maybe we’ll see some bigger waves throughout the day. The winds have backed off, it’s not as strong as was predicted so we have some fog, but it’s contestable for a 09:00 AM start,” said Garrett McNamara, WSL Tours and Competition, Big Wave Consultant.
Top performers Lucas Chianca (BRA) and Justine Dupont (FRA) will be up in the first heat of the day.
Top performers Lucas Chianca (BRA) and Justine Dupont (FRA) will be up in the first heat of the day.
TUDOR Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge Presented by Jogos Santa Casa Format
Eight teams of two will take part in this specialty event. Team Green is not able to compete as Axi Muniain (EUK) and Francisco Porcella (ITA) entered the WSL COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols ahead of the 2022 TUDOR Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge Presented by Jogos Santa Casa.
The teams will be divided into three groups. The competition will have a total of six 50-minute heats and each group will participate in two heats, with each team alternating between surfing and driving the team’s jet ski.
A surfer’s best two waves after surfing both heats will count to an individual total score, with the best wave counting as double points. In total, a surfer’s maximum individual score will be 30 points, as each wave is scored from 1-10 points. Surfers will be awarded across multiple categories at the end of the competition day.
Top performers Lucas Chianca (BRA) and Justine Dupont (FRA) will be up in the first heat of the day.
TUDOR Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge Presented by Jogos Santa Casa Format
Eight teams of two will take part in this specialty event. Team Green is not able to compete as Axi Muniain (EUK) and Francisco Porcella (ITA) entered the WSL COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols ahead of the 2022 TUDOR Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge Presented by Jogos Santa Casa.
The teams will be divided into three groups. The competition will have a total of six 50-minute heats and each group will participate in two heats, with each team alternating between surfing and driving the team’s jet ski.
A surfer’s best two waves after surfing both heats will count to an individual total score, with the best wave counting as double points. In total, a surfer’s maximum individual score will be 30 points, as each wave is scored from 1-10 points. Surfers will be awarded across multiple categories at the end of the competition day.
Heat Draw:
Heat 1, Group A
Team Red: Lucas Chianca (BRA), Nic Von Rupp (PRT)
Team Cyan Blue: Justine Dupont (FRA), Antonio Laureano (PRT)
Team Brown: Andrew Cotton (GBR), Will Skudin (USA)
Heat 2, Group B
Team Pink: Rodrigo Koxa (BRA), Eric Rebiere (FRA)
Team Blue: Michelle Bouillons (BRA), Ian Cosenza (PRT)
Heat 3, Group C
Team Yellow: Rafael Tapia (CHL), Jaime Mitchell (AUS)
Team Purple: Joao de Macedo (PRT), Antonio Silva (PRT)
Team Black: Maya Gabeira (BRA), Pierre Caley (FRA)
Heat 4, Group A
Team Red: Lucas Chianca (BRA), Nic Von Rupp (PRT)
Team Cyan Blue: Justine Dupont (FRA), Antonio Laureano (PRT)
Team Brown: Andrew Cotton (GBR), Will Skudin (USA)
Heat 5, Group B
Team Pink: Rodrigo Koxa (BRA), Eric Rebiere (FRA)
Team Blue: Michelle Bouillons (BRA), Ian Cosenza (PRT)
Heat 6, Group C
Team Yellow: Rafael Tapia (CHL), Jaime Mitchell (AUS)
Team Purple: Joao de Macedo (PRT), Antonio Silva (PRT)
Team Black: Maya Gabeira (BRA), Pierre Caley (FRA)
Four awards will be distributed at the end of the day:
• Men’s Best Performance: Male surfer with the highest 2 scoring waves
• Women’s Best Performance: Female surfer with the highest 2 scoring waves
• Best Team Performance: Total of best two scoring rides of both team riders
• Jogos Santa Casa Most Committed Award: Awarded to the surfer who shows the most commitment throughout the day
Watch LIVE
Watch the TUDOR Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge pres. by Jogos Santa Casa live on Red Bull TV and WorldSurfLeague.com.
