Finally, following weeks of virtually flat ocean the waves have finally graced our coasts. Hollow waves on perfect sand bars offered some nice tubes for the takers on this beautiful day for surf. We could say the season is on in Hossegor.
The new issue is out. You can get it delivered to door for by hitting this link here.
What is surfing to you?
"What is surfing to you?" Good question! Recently, to me, it's meant long days swearing at a non co-operative horizon, staring at blank swell charts and waiting. I’ve learnt a few new ways to use expletives, seen some dolphins and tuna, watched a lot of sunsets, and may have been driven to drink. Flat spells, hey. Thought they had been consigned to the 1980s, but no. Of course, the real answer to the question should be – a joyous pastime in a natural environment, the doorway to a work/ life balance outside the usual 9-5, sport, community, an avenue for creativity, and a reason to cherish and protect our special playgrounds. So this issue we have bravely ignored the fact it has been flat for weeks and touched on all of the above! After the World Games we asked Britain’s top competitors and federation reps just what support is needed for the UK to once again have a top internationally ranked shortboarder on the WSL tour and in the Olympics. Craig Maclachlan tells us what it’s like to be a grom on the north coast of Scotland, and Levi Freed writes about the liberation of spirit that surfing provides. In travel, two of Ireland's finest escape to Indo and try to surf every wave within their reach while scoring big time. Al Mackinnon explores Madeira’s huge waves and their even bigger threats from the local government’s bad planning. We also have our annual photo competition with amazing contributions from right around the UK and Ireland. And we have an eassy from Croyde, the jewel of North Devon’s crown, and legends from Skewjack – Britain’s first and most famous/infamous surf camp. So, tales from all coasts of our unique surf community. Which despite occasional flatness is pretty special. Never let anyone tell you any different… Unless it's flat through September as well, in which case feel free!
Enjoy!
Steve
Editor
RAW footage of at The Wedge, California. Koa Smith, Tyler Newton, Dawson Tylers, Mike Harris, Tommy Cantrell, Jeff Hubbard, Tyler Stanaland, Travis Smith, and others surfing the peak day of the swell. There were large XXL waves and heavy wipeouts all morning. Pro surfers and bodyboarders showed off their skills on dangerous waves at Cylinders and the dirty old Wedge.
Organisers Christian surfers UK are very excited to be welcoming the longboard community to the 13th anniversary Jesus Longboard Classic, which will be held over the weekend of October 9 – 10 based at its usual venue of Tubestation using the beach at Polzeath.
After sadly being unable to host the event last year in person, due to COVID restrictions (although we did organise an upload video based event) it will be great to gather the longboard community back together again.
The Jesus Longboard Classic is a great contest for both those who have not entered a competition before and those seasoned contest surfers. The event has a well-deserved reputation for its friendly atmosphere and relaxed vibe, as well as the later rounds being highly competitive.
The event has always attracted some of the top longboard surfers in the UK, with previous winners including Ben Skinner, Ben Howarth, Ben Howey, Beth Leighfield and Emily Currie.
Due to the ongoing popularity of the event entries are limited, so for all those keen to enter we would advise surfers to get their entries in as soon as possible to avoid disappointment, the portal is now open, so to enter follow the link here.
All the various elements that go along with this contest, the great vibe, hospitality in the Tubestation and exciting surfing will all be there again.
With the Jesus Surf Classic growing every year Christian Surfers took the decision 12 years ago, to give the Longboard community their own dedicated event. This was done to enlarge the entry numbers and increase the number of categories being contested. Also, to give the competitive longboard community a more focused stage to highlight the progression of UK longboarding.
The Jesus Longboard Classic, after the success of the last few year's have decided to continue with a ‘Legends’ category (due to popular demand) which will cover 60 and above, and this will be restricted to a maximum of eight surfers – first-come first-served. In addition, we will also be holding the following categories: Grand Masters over 50, Masters over 35, Open, Juniors (U18) and Women’s. Entry includes a free competition T-shirt.
Deadline for entries will be 4th October, unless there is space available in the surfers chosen category.
We are also very pleased that although not forming part of their contest series, the event is being endorsed by the British Longboard Union (BLU).
A big thank you to all our sponsors and supporters who help make this exciting event happen – Including Cornwall Council, Tubestation, Finisterre, Christian Surfers, Nineplus, Era water safety and Beagle Media
For further details contact on the contest, contact [email protected] or phone 07870830182, and for more information on Christian Surfers UK, including all the latest news on the events log onto christiansurfers.co.uk , and for more information on the Tubestation log onto tubestation.org
Gabriel Medina dominates at the Rip Curl WSL Finals to be crowned the 2021 WSL World Champion, securing his third World Championship.
After a historic day of surfing at the inaugural Rip Curl WSL Finals, Gabriel Medina secured his third surfing World Championship, beating countryman Filipe Toledo in a new, best of three final format in perfect Southern Californian surf on Tuesday.
“Dream big. Work hard. Do everything with love”, says Gabriel Medina, on his desire to win a third World Title.
For Medina, this third World Title puts him amongst some very heavy company. He joins surfers such as Tom Curren, Andy Irons and Mick Fanning with three Titles.
Heading into the Title Match, the 2021 World Championship was No. 1 seed Medina's lose. After a dominant regular season, the Brazilian goofyfoot just kept right on rolling at Lowers against rival Filipe Toledo.
He opened the best-out-of-three matchup by taking the first heat courtesy of the day's first 9-point ride. A tight heat, Medina ended up edging out Toledo by a mere 0.60 of a point with a 16.30 scoreline.
Medina then went into overdrive in the second heat of the Title Match. Stomping a backflip -- a freesurf move he unleashed on the internet just days ago -- the judges awarded him a 9.03 for sticking it in competition to put the heat well in his control.
About halfway through the Match things were forced to go on hold due to a shark in the lineup -- reportedly an eight-foot great white -- but Medina was able to pick right back up where he left off and held off a hard-charging Toledo -- who had multiple eight-point rides of his own -- to claim his third Title.
"I feel so happy. It is not everyday you accomplish your dream," Medina said afterwards. "It feels so good to dream. Every dream seems to be impossible until it is done ... I had this dream in my mind for a long time."
#VaiMedina #RipCurlWSLFinals
O’Neill is glad to present the first Digital Junior Showdown. We’re going on a mission to find the most original teenage surfers in the Europe.
The competition is all about being expressive and having a good time on the water. We are not looking for the most technical surfer, but for you to show us how you enjoy yourself in an original and inventive way.
The Rules
• Competitors must be between 12-18 years old.
• Competitors must be based in Europe.
• The length of a submitted clip must be under 60 seconds.
• 1 boys and 1 girls category.
• Deadline of submissions is 1 October. Winner to be announced on 15 October.
How To Participate
To enter, you must upload your clip either your personal Instagram or TikTok page. Use the Hashtag #JuniorShowdown and Tag @oneilleurope on IG or @oneillofficial on TikTok and make sure your profile is set to public. That’s it, no further Guidelines. Feel free to post a single wave or go all out on your edit. You will be judged on creativity, riding style and originality.
Prizes
You can enter #JuniorShowdown as many times as you like, however, all of your entries will be judged individually. 2 sponsorships will be awarded. One for the girls' category, and one for the boys' category.
The Judges
Our judging panel consists of a mix of current team O’Neill and veterans, as well as O’Neill Staff.
Victoria Vergara. From competing on the World Longboard Tour to classic logging events like the Duct Tape Invitational, Victoria continues to chase waves and travel year-round.
Soli Bailey won the ASP Australasia Pro Junior Series back in 2014 and has quietly climbed the world surfing ranks up into the WSL world tour.
Nick Walters is a part of the global O’Neill Marketing team. Nick started to surf in Australia when he was 2. He has over a decade of experience working in the surf industry.
Frank Vanleenhove has been surfing since the 70’s and has won more comps than you can count. The O’Neill veteran is the founder of Surfers and Lakeside Paradise where he manages the O’Neill Surf Academy.
