France, Hossegor is undoubtedly one of the best places in Europe for a professional surfer to live. After a fun summer with small air waves, the big swells have finally arrived. Check out Enzo Cavallini, as he makes the most of his time in between competitions.
It was a bigger set wave that caught most of the lineup out of position in the opening edit. Some managed to scramble over the shoulder, one guy snuck underneath it unscathed, and a couple more just couldn't get out of the way.
A shifty lineup is part of the package when surfing Uluwatu, but the reward is well worth it on a day like this. It was nice and smooth, with the main peak dishing up both tubes and fast walls for the morning crowd, enjoy.
0:00 Intro
0:33 Ryuki Waida:
1:33 Nate Bag:
2:44 Betet Merta:
3:04 Mega Semadhi:
A father and son who’s car caught on fire on the A30 near Launceston on their way to holiday in Cornwall have been found via social media and given new surfboards.
Llantwitt legend Nathan Phillips was returning to his home near Porthleven from Wales on the afternoon of Saturday 21 August when he saw the car alight and surfboards burning on the roof racks. Father Luke VanMeter and son Theo were on their way from Stroud to Gwithian when disaster happened.
Worst start to a surf trip ever! Photo Luke VanMeter
“First smoke starting coming out of the exhaust, then it quickly spread to the engine.’ said Luke
‘We got out of the car and Theo said “What about the surfboards?” I tried to undo the knots at the back to get them off, but then saw they were on fire and already ruined. So we just had to step back and watch.”
At this point Nath passed the distraught pair, but was travelling too fast to stop. Obviously being a surfing dad ( to Ashton ), he knew how much the boards and holiday would mean and decided to give the grom a spare board he had.
Not even Theos Torq was going to survive this…
After posting on social media and getting in contact with Carve the post went viral right around Cornwall, with thousands of people sharing the post. Surfing members of the Devon and Cornwall police and fire service also tried to find out more details.
Cornwall Live, Radio Cornwall also picked the story up and published the post.
Unbelievably last night and eary this morning Nathan and Carve were contacted by friends of Lukes!
This morning, Sunday 22, Nath met Luke and Theo and presented both with boards in Gwithian car park. They were stoked! Having lost everything they had now have the the most important things – surfboards- to carry on their hol!
Legend Nath with Theo and Luke. Photo Steve England
Nath – legend, so stoked you were passing. What an extremely generous thought and action. Free set wave down the Lev next time it’s on and a few bevs in the Mussel Shoal for you I reckon!
Cornwall and Devon police, fire service and everyone who shared the post thank you so much for your help!
To the AA operative who apparently advised the dad that “They are not a taxi service” and couldn’t pick the pair up… Really? Think you owe someone …
Nath shredding. Give him a follow on his Insta @nathanphillips321 !
This year’s Friday the 13th brought one of the craziest swells in recent memory to Tahiti’s infamous, “Teahupo'o” Usually synonymous with bad luck, this Friday the 13th brought quite the opposite. With a heavy crew of chargers like Lucas “Chumbo” Chianca, Nate Florence and Matahi Drollet, Teahupo'o became the epicenter of the surfing world as the day was packed with clear skies and massive tubes.
When Nate told us it was the ‘hardest he’d ever scored on a surf trip’, we knew it was bound to be nothing short of incredible. Now sit back, relax and enjoy from the comfort (and safety) of your chair this next-level Teahupo'o Session.
Reigning European Champions Vasco Ribeiro (PRT) and Leticia Canales Bilbao (ESP) will headline the rosters alongside former Championship Tour athletes Joan Duru (FRA) and Aritz Aranburu (ESP). An army of perennial QS standouts and the best young up-and-comers will complete the 120 Men and 56 Women fields next week.
It’s also the first event back in Europe after the Tokyo Olympic Games, and the public can look forward to watching Olympians Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR), Leon Glatzer (DEU), Anat Lelior (ISR), Yolanda Hopkins (PRT), Teresa Bonvalot (PRT) and Pauline Ado (FRA) compete in Anglet.
Rising young talent Kai Odriozola (ESP) and Sophia Medina (BRA), the sister of two-time World Champion Gabriel Medina, have been awarded wildcards into the event.
Iker Amatriain (ESP) on an Anglet gem Photo: © WSL / Poullenot
At 16, Sophia Medina is also only starting to show up at events but already collecting accolades for her progressive surfing. Although points from this event won’t count towards her regional qualifying campaign, Medina will rack up experience against an unfamiliar field at a new location.
Season-Long Race for Challenger Series Qualification Starts in France
The 2021/22 European Qualifying Series started in July and will wrap up on April 10, 2022 before the brand new, full Challenger Series (CS) schedule gets underway. The Top 9 Men and 7 Women on the European rankings plus a wildcard in each field will get a seat at the CS table and a shot at qualifying for the ultimate battleground, the Championship Tour.
Between now and then, surfers will compete at various locations across the continent and beyond with events returning to the Azores, France, Portugal, Spain and more. All the events, dates are subject to change due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions in various countries.
For the first time, the final two days of competition at the Rip Curl Pro Anglet will be webcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL’s YouTube channel, and the WSL Qualifying Series Facebook page with English commentary. Event broadcast partner MCS Extrême will feature the event LIVE with French commentary for the final two days as well.
The English junior surfing squad.
Surfing England have secured and distributed £40,000 of SportAid financial support to talented young surfers to date in 2021 The money was accessed to help young talented surfers who’s training may have bean hit or impeded by the effects Covid 19 on sponsorship or family incomes. The money comes from the SportAid ”Backing the best” programme.
“This year we’ve been working with SportsAid and their Backing the Best programme to provide financial support to talented young surfers that have been adversely hit by Covid 19.’ say Surging England,
“So far we’ve managed to put £40,000 direct into the pockets of our athletes helping them with coaching, equipment, competition and travel costs. Huge thanks to SportsAid for making this possible.
“SportsAid’s recognition of surfing is another step in the right direction for English Surfing” says Ben Powis, Surfing England CEO. ‘
“We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to get all the right structures and processes in place to help bring more investment into surfing. We’re now starting to see the benefits and I’m so stoked for the first 11 athletes funded through this programme.
“It’s not just cash, but the knowledge their talent and determination is being recognised, that we believe in them, that SportAid believes in them and that they can and should believe in themselves.’
Jamie Wride the Dryrobe Team England Juniors co-manager says
‘This support is making a huge difference to our athletes, it’s been a challenging 18 months for everyone with restrictions on training, travel and competitions and these awards are a massive boost to everyone. They mean that they can get the right coaching and equipment as we start planning of next years junior world champs in El Salvador. This is the first time our surfers have received public funding and it gives validation to everything they are working towards.’
‘Backing The Best has been designed to give a helping hand to those who need it – so that ability and attitude are the only criteria for success, and not money.’ says Phil Smith, Sport England’s Director of Sport.
“Ultimately, we want our national teams to be truly representative of our country, rather than just those that can afford to reach the top. We are incredibly proud of our supported athletes.’
