Landlocked surfing

Jeremy Flores has a few words to say about Swiss surfing; original Geneva locals Nicolas Rampini and Gaël Vuillemin talk about the early surf sessions at the Pont de la Machine (Machine Bridge) in the Swiss capital; Valentin and Esteban continue their crazy Swiss surfari to a semi-secret spot in Neuchâtel; and the President of the Swiss-French Surfing Association, Greg Williams gives a first-hand account of what it was like to surf the biggest swell ever on Lake Geneva!

Jesus Surf Classics back for 2021

Both the Jesus Surf Series events will be back in person for 2021: both at Croyde over the weekend of 11 / 12 September and at Polzeath for the Jesus Longboard Classic during 9 / 10 October.

There will still be eight categories, including our very popular Over 35s and Under 12s, and there will be a prize pool of £2000 shared between the winners. Entries are limited to two categories per competitor.

The team will be working really hard to deliver an amazing and safe Jesus Surf Classic; with that in mind the number of places available might be slightly less than in previous years, so please make sure you get your entries in as soon as possible.

We hope to have the usual refreshment options and the marquee in place, although at this stage it is unlikely that we will be able to put the skate park up.

We want to say a big thank you to Parkdean for allowing us to host the event on their site, and also to the volunteers and local churches that will be helping us put on a great event with lots of the same community spirit that we have enjoyed over the previous 29 years.

If you would like to register for the Jesus Surf Classic (shortboard), please go to the online registration portal and get your entry in as soon as possible.

Registration for the Jesus Longboard Classic will open later on in the year

“If you have entered the Jesus Surf Classic in previous years (and you have given CSUK permission to contact you), you should also get an email so please check your junk folder in case you do not see it

We look forward to seeing you back at our normal venue, bright and early on Sat 11 September.
Christian Surfers celebrated its 30th anniversary last year, and whilst we did many things remotely, it is not quite the same as being at events in person. Between now and the Surf Classic, we will also be involved with Creation Fest, where we have a stall, and will also be looking after the surfers’ hospitality at Boardmasters which we are really looking forward to.”

If you would like to know more about the organisation, please log onto www.christiansurfers.co.uk

153624 – Slabs and airs

Ben Howard has got game

Carissa Moore, Italo Ferreira Earn Historic First Olympic Gold Medals in Surfing

After three days of fierce competition in everything from waist-high wedges to overhead typhoon surf, reigning World Surf League (WSL) Champions Carissa Mooreand Italo Ferreira have won the first-ever Olympic gold medals for surfing.

Four-time WSL Champion Moore was able to hold on against South Africa’s Bianca Buitendag, while 2019 WSL Champion Ferreira’s Finals Day run was not to be halted, even by Japan’s Kanoa Igarashi. Both Buitendagand Igarashi earned the silver medals for their respective efforts.

Rounding out the podium and earning the bronze was Japan’s Amuro Tsuzuki and Australia’s Owen Wright, who were both formidable competitors throughout the entire surfing competition.

Credit: ISA / Sean Evans, Pablo Jimenez, Ben Reed

Surfing’s first women’s Olympic medalists (left to right): Bianca Buitendag, Carissa Moore and Amuro Tsuzuki – PABLO JIMENEZ / ISA

Women:
Gold: Carissa Moore (USA)
Silver: Bianca Buitendag (RSA)
Bronze: Amuro Tsuzuki (JPN)

“Getting to share the sport with so many people that maybe have never even watched surfing was super special,” said Moore. “As a Hawaiian, just seeing Duke Kahanamoku’s dream come true to have surfing in the Olympics is super special. It’s a big time for surfing to be recognized on this level.”

Surfing’s first men’s Olympic medalists (left to right): Kanoa Igarashi, Italo Ferreira and Owen Wright. – PABLO JIMENEZ / ISA

Men:
Gold: Italo Ferreira (BRA)
Silver: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN)
Bronze: Owen Wright (AUS)

“All surfers made history here,” said Ferreira. “Every surfer has a piece of this Gold Medal. I started surfing on a cooler top when I was a kid before I got my first real board and won my first event. Because of [my upbringing] I have a lot of passion for the sport.”

Now after their success in Tokyo, Moore, Ferreira, Igarashi, and Wright will continue to compete on the Championship Tour for the World Title, next in Mexico for the Corona Open Mexico pres. by Quiksilver from August 10 – 19, 2021, followed by Tahiti for the Outerknown Tahiti Pro pres. by Shiseido from August 24 – September 3, for a chance to qualify for the Rip Curl WSL Finals in September.

Once upon a time in Indo

Nine minutes of pure surfing searching for the best swells at Desert Point, Lakey Peak with Pedro Boonman