Learning how to understand and treat anxiety effectively
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Surfaced’ is a documentary film about resolve, recovery and the power of the sea. A personal story by professional ocean photographer Nick Corkill.
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Hell yes, who doesn’t love watching Mikey February surf? A passionate advocate for ocean conservation and diversity in surfing, working to broaden the representation of African surfers on the global stage.
His stylish approach has earned him recognition not only as a talented surfer but as an artist on the water.
Sit back and watch him slide his way through North Africa accompanied by a rich and smooth soundtrack, nice.
Caity Simmers (USA) and John John Florence (HAW) claimed historic wins at the Lexus WSL Finals, the final event of the season for the World Surf League (WSL) 2024 Championship Tour (CT), and were crowned the 2024 World Champions. Both Simmers and Florence entered the Lexus WSL Finals as the No. 1 seeds and became the first duo to hold their place since the inaugural WSL Finals in 2021, won by Carissa Moore (HAW) and Gabriel Medina (BRA).
Caity Simmers Claims Maiden World Title, Becomes Surfing’s Youngest World Champion on the CT*
After a sport-changing season, 18-year-old Caity Simmers (USA) capped off 2024 with her first World Title today as she continues to lead surfing’s progression to another level. The pride of Oceanside, California, Simmers’ incredible showing in the Title Match against reigning WSL Champion Caroline Marks (USA) pushed her performance to historic feats, accruing the highest heat total of the WSL Finals so far, an 18.37 (out of a possible 20). Marking the first women’s World Title for California in 40 years, Simmers was hoisted up by some of her closest friends and surrounded by her family and Oceanside community.
In her second season on Tour, Simmers claimed CT wins at the Lexus Pipe Pro, Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, and Vivo Rio Pro and made her Olympic debut all in just nine months.
“It means so much,” Simmers said. “I literally was going through every single emotion today, and it just feels crazy. I can’t believe it. I was feeling so much love today from everyone. You can look at it that it’s all for yourself or you can look at it like it’s for those people who support me.”
The Women’s Title Match went to three heats for just the second time in Finals history after Marks claimed victory in Title Match 1. Despite Simmers getting the advantage in the opening exchange and posting an excellent 8.50 (out of a possible 10), backed up by an 8.33, Marks kept pace, closing the match out with a near-perfect 9.60, the highest single wave score for women in the Finals.
Undeterred, Simmers opened Title Match 2 with her powerful, progressive form to post a 9.17 and eclipse Marks’ opening wave. Marks answered right back with an 8.00 before Simmers found herself in the spot for a Lower Trestles dreamer to attack from start to finish with her signature flair and power. Her efforts garnered another near-perfect 9.20 that had the Oceanside fans in attendance erupting on the beach as she posted her historic heat total.
Fireworks ensued in the winner-take-all third match. Simmers opened up with her forehand attack to post a 6.33, while Marks’ backhand daggers earned a solid 7.17. But, Simmers eyed down another gem and blasted an excellent 8.33, courtesy of multiple powerful hammers, to seize control and claim her maiden World Title.
“I wanted to go out there and just dance and surf how I wanted to surf and not surf like there was so much weight on it,” Simmers said. “Everyone’s here because surfing is so great. We’re just out there riding waves.”
John John Florence Returns Atop the World for Historic Third World Title
At a young age, John John Florence (HAW) was labeled a future World Title contender, and he made those dreams a reality in 2016 and 2017. After a laborious seven years of injury-plagued seasons that saw him become a two-time Olympian, husband, and father, Florence returned to the top of the world for his historic third World Title.
The 31-year-old spoiled Brazil’s initial storm with his maiden World Title in 2016, after Adriano de Souza (BRA) and Gabriel Medina (BRA) won back-to-back in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Now, after six years of Brazilian dominance, Florence has ended that streak once more to join the likes of Medina, Andy Irons (HAW), Mick Fanning (AUS), Tom Curren (USA), and more with three World Titles.
“I’m tearing up,” Florence said. “I can’t believe it. The last seven years have been so tough. There were so many injuries, and just fighting back to being in this position. My family, my wife, my son, my team, everyone. I couldn’t have done it without them because of the injuries and the down days and just so much going into these last few years to get to this point.”
A battle of WSL Champions unfolded in men’s Title Match 1 between Florence and Italo Ferreira (BRA), the 2019 World Champion. A slow start gave way to a fiery performance from Ferreira, who put Florence in an early combination. Florence answered with a 7.17, before staying extremely patient while Ferreira built his scoreline. Requiring an 8.16 in the fading moments, Florence was gifted a Lower Trestles gem that he unloaded his power and progression on for each critical section to earn an excellent 8.33, turning the heat as the horn sounded.
Taking his confidence from Match 1, Florence opened up the crucial Match 2 with a near-perfect 9.70, the single-highest score in WSL Finals history, to deliver a definitive statement and clinch the victory with his trademark layback. Ferreira posted two excellent rides of his own but was left needing a near-perfect 9.96 when the buzzer sounded, allowing Florence to claim his long-awaited third World Title and even the Title count with his greatest rival, Gabriel Medina (BRA).
“What a day,” Florence said. “It’s been a really hard road getting here. It feels really good to be done and to win again. The list of names that have three World Titles is pretty incredible, and to be part of that now is really fun. I’m stoked to tie it with Gabe [Medina], because he’s such a fierce competitor, and we qualified at the same time.”
Olympic Gold Medalists Caroline Marks and Italo Ferreira Push the Limits as 2024 Runner-ups
Another incredible season for defending World Champion Caroline Marks (USA) sees the 22-year-old Olympic Gold Medalist place runner-up to the World Title for the second time in her career. Heading into the event in the No. 2 seed, the Floridian, who resides in San Clemente, was able to fend off strong competition from 2021 runner-up Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA), in a rematch of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games Gold Medal Match.
The first all-goofy-footer battle to take place in the Lexus WSL Finals saw Weston-Webb push Marks to bring out her best. The Brazilian’s form had previously powered through victories over Molly Picklum (AUS) and Brisa Hennessy (CRC) in Match 1 and 2, respectively, but Marks was once again able to win ahead of Weston-Webb to meet Simmers in the Title Match.
Appearing in his third Lexus WSL Finals, Italo Ferreira (BRA) repeated the charge from Match 1 to the Title Match that saw him finish runner-up in 2022. The Tokyo Olympic Gold Medalist displayed his unmatched energy as he defeated Australia’s two World Title hopefuls, Ethan Ewing (AUS) and Jack Robinson (AUS), in Match 1 and 2, respectively, before meeting Griffin Colapinto (USA) in Match 3.
Ferreira brought his bravado once more to start the match against Colpainto, San Clemente’s local hero, posting a 7.60 and taking control. The Californian found his form later in the heat to earn a 7.33 and push Ferreira to respond, with it all coming down to the last exchange. Ferreira’s backhand flair bumped Colapinto’s requirement up to a 7.20 and the World No. 2, Colapinto, fell just short – his 7.00 ride allowing Ferreira one more chance at a second World Title.
For highlights and more information about the 2024 Lexus WSL Finals, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
2024 Lexus WSL Finals Women’s Results: Women’s Title Match 3: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 15.16 DEF. Caroline Marks (USA) 7.17 Women’s Title Match 2: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 18.37 DEF. Caroline Marks (USA) 14.17 Women’s Title Match 1: Caroline Marks (USA) 17.43 DEF. Caitlin Simmers (USA) 16.87 Women’s Match 3: Caroline Marks (USA) 14.20 DEF. Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 13.83 Women’s Match 2: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 13.77 DEF. Brisa Hennessy (CRC) 13.17 Women’s Match 1: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 12.74 DEF. Molly Picklum (AUS) 9.40
2024 Lexus WSL Finals Men’s Results: Men’s Title Match 2: John John Florence (HAW) 18.13 DEF. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 16.30 Men’s Title Match 1: John John Florence (HAW) 15.50 DEF. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 15.33 Men’s Match 3: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 14.47 DEF. Griffin Colapinto (USA) 14.33 Men’s Match 2: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 14.57 DEF. Jack Robinson (AUS) 9.94 Men’s Match 1: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 15.47 DEF. Ethan Ewing (AUS) 14.83
*Although Simmers is the youngest to win a WSL world title, Margo Oberg became the youngest world surfing champion at 15 in 1968. Margo went on to win many more titles and is a pioneer of woman’s surfing.
“Que paso?” It’s thought the sharks may be following tuna and bait fish up from the Med.
Ocearch scientists, renowned for their study and tracking of large sharks in the Atlantic, are currently off the coast of Ireland searching for the first recorded great white shark in Irish or UK waters.
Despite much searching and UK shark expert Richard Peirce exploring around a dozen “credible” sightings, a great white shark sighting in British or Irish waters has never been confirmed.
Nukumi – a 17 ft 2 in. 3,541 lbs pinged back in 2021 about as far east as has been seen.
“Conditions in parts of the United Kingdom and Ireland are very similar, to where there are thriving populations of great whites in other parts of the world. I’m talking about food sources — namely seals — and water temperatures,” conservationist Richard Peirce told ABC News.
A small population of great whites is found in the Mediterranean, and it’s thought they could migrate to eastern parts of the North Atlantic to forage for food off the coasts of Spain, France, and Ireland. A young female great white was caught off La Rochelle in 1977, but since then huge populations of tuna and bait fish have moved north to UK and Irish shores.
Other great whites are in the western Atlantic but none have ever been tracked further east than the Acores.
There has never been a confirmed great white shark sighting in British or Irish waters, although other favourite food sources such as seals are abundant.
Shark expert Dr Nick Payne, said
“I think given the conditions we have in Britain and Ireland in terms of the water temperatures and the kind of food that’s available, the kind of habitats that exist on the seabed here, I think there’s a really good chance – these are exactly the kind of conditions, this is like a Goldilocks environment for these animals. It’s not too hot, it’s not too cold, the food here is right, both here in Ireland and throughout different parts of the UK. This whole region is potentially a really comfortable place for them. It’s just a matter of trying to find out if they’re here.”
However in previous weeks the team have fruitlessly searched the waters off Spain and France before moving to Ireland. The expedition will continue in Irish waters until 8 September.
Taj Burrow today became the first ever three-time winner of the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy, beating Mikey February in the grand final to cap off three radical days of competition in the best waves the event has ever seen.
Taj Burrow – Jon Frank
Burrow’s victory was hard fought. After finishing runner-up in all three divisions and surfing the maximum 10 heats, the 46-year-old Australian did his best to conserve energy on the final day. While being conservative with wave selection is counterintuitive behaviour for a surfer when the waves are four-foot and flawless, it was a wise call. Burrow’s six excellent wave scores on the final day proved that while he may have sacrificed quantity, the quality of his waves didn’t suffer in the least.
Grey skies greeted competitors as they made their way out to the Sultans lineup this morning, but as an early tropical downpour dissipated it left a silky-smooth ocean in its wake. Slack winds and non-stop waves were the perfect recipe for the twin fin division to get underway, and Jeremy Flores came out all guns blazing. Unimpressed with his performances on the opening two days, and with no chance of winning overall, Flores was surfing for pride alone, but that was plenty. An 8.33 and a 7.17, both for beautifully ridden tubes, were warning shots to the field, and enough for a comfortable victory over Burrow and local wildcard Ahmed “Ammaday” Agil.
Ahmed “Ammaday” Agil – Jon Frank
The second heat saw more fireworks from another passion-fuelled surfer, Jadson Andre. Going upside down on his backhand, as he has all event, Andre locked in an 8.33 and a 7.83 to move on to the next round in first. Mikey February advanced in second, while a valiant but fatigued Carissa Moore was eliminated.
After his strong opening round performance Flores stepped up further in the semi-finals against February, whose pair of sixes were no match for Flores’ 8.67 and 9.10. By now the tide was optimal, conditions had clicked, and the waves were impeccable. A 17.77 total for Flores saw him move on to the final with a head of steam after claiming the scalp of the most renowned twin fin artists in the game.
Mikey February – Jon Frank
In the second semi, Andre, who needed to advance to the twin fin final to remain in contention for the overall final, had no answer to Burrow’s all out assault. Opening with an incredible 9.67 for a deep tube complete with wild foamball ride, the West Australian was never headed. As he has all week Andre stayed busy catching waves the length of the point, whether banging out big backhand blasts at the top peak, or sneaking off to hunt tubes further down the line.
While Andre’s two final waves were his highest scorers it was Burrow who had the last laugh with the event’s first perfect 10 coming in the dying minutes, thrown unanimously by the judging panel for a deep disappearing act.
Taj Burrow – Jon Frank
“It was a really fast, perfect cylinder,” said Burrow. “I knew it was a good one because there were some foamball moments in there, then it let me out and I did a nice roundhouse cutback. The whole week has been a blur of tubes but that felt like a 10 for sure.” Burrow’s near-perfect 19.67-out-of-20 total saw his MR x Mayhem California Twin Pin take him to his third final for the week.
Jeremy Flores and Taj Burrow – Jon Frank
A battle between two of the WSL Championship Tour’s greatest ever performers was always going to be a closely fought affair, no matter the surfboards being ridden. After five minutes Burrow sat with priority on his preferred corner of the reef, while Flores headed up the line to chase the bigger top peak. Somehow the next set delivered gems to both men, Flores the first to pull into a huge tube, exiting in time for Burrow to hear the crowd erupt as he paddled into a gem of his own.
“That was so fun!” said Burrow, of the back-to-back barrels that ensued. Flores earned a 9.67 for his bigger first pit, Burrow a 9.77 for his deeper tube behind. Like that, we had a final on our hands as the two surfers scoured every inch of the lineup looking for waves. In the end it was Flores who found a better second score, a 7.27 the reward for his last wave, a tight tube followed by a long wall that allowed him to unleash his arsenal of powerful open face carves and under the lip laybacks.
Jeremy Flores – Jon Frank
“It was crazy, it looked like the swell was dying then suddenly it turned on again,” said Flores. “I was a bit angry today, I’d been cruising at first, yesterday I was a bit bummed, but today I really wanted to win something. And I did! Still got it!”
With the twin fin division decided, the grand finalists were locked in. Burrow kept his rash vest on to surf his third straight 33-minute heat, and fourth for the day, while February had spent the previous hour relaxing in an airconditioned cabin on the Kuda Princess, the luxury yacht that has been the surfer’s locker room all week. While fatigue was starting to play a role, there was no way Burrow wanted to lose his rhythm. He opted against taking any form of break and rolled straight on to the title-deciding bout, merely pausing for a second to add a third small trailer to his twin fin set-up, given the grand final allows for any equipment to be used.
Mikey February – Jon Frank
February remained atop his beloved Channel Islands twin fin, as another insane tube duel commenced. February caught seven waves to Burrow’s four, and both men had three excellent scores to their name at final’s end, but with a 9.10 and a 9.03 it was Burrow who led throughout. An 8.67 and a 9.10 ensued February was never far from first, and with a few minutes to go a storm loomed large on the horizon. Suddenly the wind turned stiff offshore, and even after a week of big barrels, suddenly they’d never seen wider.
Burrow’s final pit for the week was a gem, but an 8.00 was no help to him. He kicked out in the channel leaving February alone in the lineup chasing a 9.04. As the buzzer went February snuck into one last long wall. The crowd seemed to be paying little attention as the South African flew through section after section in the tube. Burrow was worried but he needn’t have been, as the resulting 8.17 fell short. Bottles began popping on the back of the Princess as Burrow’s 18.13 scoreline narrowly shaded February’s 17.77 two-wave total.
Taj Burrow – Jon Frank
“I almost feel guilty for winning,” said Burrow afterwards. “Mikey was the best surfer here this week. He looks beautiful on any board but especially that twinny. His turns were looking so perfect, he was on point and ripping and I knew he was the one to beat.
“But I know how to surf a heat, and I knew how I could do it. I patiently sat on my spot, got a couple of drainers, did a few turns of my own. Even at the end I knew he could get me, and then the storm hit! The wind ripped in hard offshore, the waves were so groomed and I got maybe my roundest tube for the week. I thought I’d done enough at that point, then Mikey caught another wave on the buzzer, and was in the barrel for ages. I didn’t think it was the score, but you never know, and finally it was read out that’d I’d won.
“I was staring down the barrel of a bunch of seconds, and that led me to dig deep for the final. I was very tired and running on adrenaline, but I knew my formula and the ocean delivered. That might be one of the funnest finals I’ve ever surfed. I don’t know if I’ll ever wear a jersey again … unless I get invited back! I got so tubed, with friends, staying at the Four Seasons, there’s no way you can better that. The pinch-me moments have been non-stop all week.”
Twin Fin Division Results
1. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 1000pts
2. Taj Burrow (AUS) 900pts
3. Jadson Andre (BRA) equal with Mikey February (ZAF) 800pts
5. Carissa Moore (HAW) equal with Ahmed “Ammaday” Agil (MDV) 700pts
2024 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy Leaderboard
1. Taj Burrow (AUS) 2700pts
2. Mikey February (ZAF) 2600pts
3. Jadson Andre (BRA) 2500pts
4. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 2500pts
5. Carissa Moore (HAW) 2200pts
5. Ahmed “Ammaday” Agil (MDV) 2200pts
The Hamburg startup Floating Wave aims to set new standards in urban surfing by combining cutting-edge technology with sustainability, the 12-meter-wide Floating Wave offers a unique project that brings together economic benefits, urban accessibility, and scalability. This innovative floating wave is set to change life for inland surfers right around the world!
Unlike other artificial river waves and large surf parks, which are often located outside city centers, Floating Wave brings the surfing experience directly to people in the heart of harbor cities. The innovative floating pontoon solution is made possible by advanced wave technology and expertise in water construction.
Floating Wave utilizes state-of-the-art wave technology that consumes 50% less energy than conventional systems. By using filtered river water instead of drinking water, the ecological footprint is significantly reduced. This combination of efficiency and environmental friendliness makes Floating Wave a pioneer in the field of artificial river waves.
Thanks to its unique features, Floating Waves can be implemented quickly and efficiently worldwide in any suitable harbor city. This allows for a planning and construction period of just 16 to 24 months. This unique selling point supports the fast and healthy growth of Floating Wave.
The First Floating Wave will be in Hamburg, Germany. The project has broad support from politics and business, as well as cooperation with environmental authorities and experts, have made this possible. The Hamburg startup is excited to realize the first floating river wave in its home harbor, with an opening planned for 2026.
The owners are now inviting visionary co-founders and investors to join them in setting new milestones in the market for artificial river waves.
“With lower mooring fees and reduced energy consumption, Floating Wave offers a financially attractive and environmentally responsible investment opportunity. Together, we can bring the surfing experience to central urban locations worldwide and transform cityscapes and recreational activities”
Felix Segebrecht, Founder:
„We are excited about the support from the city and our seed investors for our smart low-tech innovation. Our next goal is to close the upcoming funding round to ensure a successful launch in the spring of 2026. We look forward to engaging with visionary banks and investors as we advance.“
José Fernandes, Snowboard World Champion, Surfer, and Entrepreneur:
“Floating Wave is a true game changer for the leisure industry. By innovatively combining proven technologies, it significantly reduces fixed costs for mooring and energy while enabling central urban locations. Thanks to sound financial planning and support from the federal INVEST funding program, this project is not only ecologically but also economically sustainable.”
Christoph Holstein, State Councillor for Sports, City of Hamburg:
“This project revitalizes unused harbor areas for sports, recreation, and tourism. It creates space for leisure and sports activities and adds a spectacular surfing attraction to the city’s offerings. It aligns exceptionally well with the core concept of ‘Active City’ and the use of the city for non-club-based sports. Therefore, the Sports Authority supports this attractive project.”
Michael Zirlewagen, President of the German Surfing Association (DWV):
“The Floating Wave in Hamburg combines sustainability, innovation, and passion to create a unique surf location in the heart of the city. This project makes surfing accessible to both beginners and professionals alike, and has the potential to set a precedent for similar initiatives across Germany. We are excited to fully support the Floating Wave and look forward to the opportunity to surf the rapids in Hamburg soon.”
