Weird waves – the series

PAT’O REPLACES KP AS COMISH. KINDA.

KP getting it done at Backdoor back in his pro days. Sequence: Sharpy

The genial gent that is Kieren Perrow, lover of throaty right tubes, is stepping down from his role with the WSL. The Comish had the unenviable job of calling comps on or off. No one has a crystal ball to see what the surf is like the rest of the waiting period so it can’t be a fun job in that regard. But as the job is now LA-based and KP is Oz based he’s stepping down.

Taking over is the irrepressible Pat O’Connell, him off of the Endless Summer 2, Taylor’s films and generally regarded as one of the nicest guys in surfing. He also knows his stuff, as an ex-tour surfer and longtime industry bod. How he’s going to fit his new job title of ‘Senior Vice President, Tours and Head of Competition’ on his biz card remains to be seen.

–PRESS RELEASE–
The World Surf League (WSL) today announced that after six years in the position, Commissioner Kieren Perrow is stepping down to take on a supporting role at the WSL, which will leverage his decades of experience in evolving and championing the technical aspects of the sport.

“I’ve been a part of professional surfing my entire life, and I never imagined it would get to the level it’s at today,” Perrow said. “To be able to live out my dream on tour as a competitor, while also being a surfer rep and board member, was a massive high point in my career. However, getting to transition into my role as Commissioner and foster new talent and development pathways for surfers, has been even more rewarding. I’m really proud of my team and the WSL for all we have achieved together. With the role now needing to be based in Los Angeles, I’m taking this opportunity to step down and spend more time in Australia with my family, while continuing to be a part of professional surfing in a more focused capacity.”

Pat O’Connell, former WSL Championship Tour (CT) competitor and current VP of Sports Marketing at Hurley, will succeed Perrow in the newly titled WSL role of SVP, Tours & Head of Competition (formerly titled “The Commissioner”), overseeing the Commissioner’s Office roles and responsibilities. O’Connell will be based out of WSL Headquarters in Los Angeles, California.

“Words can’t describe the amount of respect I have for the WSL, Kieren and his team,” O’Connell said. “From competitor to surfer rep to board member to commissioner, he really has given his all for surfing to get it to where it is today and I couldn’t be more thankful. It’s super hard to leave my family at Hurley as it’s been such a huge part of my life for more than 15 years. I’ve had an incredible experience at Hurley, but I’m beyond excited for the opportunity to lead the competitive aspects of surfing and further elevate the sport. I believe in the WSL, I believe in what it can be, and I’m stoked.”

O’Connell will officially begin his role on March 11, overseeing the development of all of the WSL’s tours – Championship Tour, Qualifying Series, Pro Junior Series, Big Wave Tour, Longboard Tour and Specialty Events and Series.

“Kieren’s leadership over the past six years has significantly contributed to the success and improvements across the sport, and we’re very pleased that he will continue to work with us in a new capacity,” Sophie Goldschmidt, WSL CEO, said. “I am delighted that Pat O’Connell has agreed to join the WSL to fill KP’s shoes. He has held a number of diverse roles within surfing, both as a competitor and on the business side, and his passion for the sport is infectious. He will have the support of an incredible team at a time when momentum is building across all surfing disciplines and taking the sport to new levels.”

Win a pair of the new Vans Paradoxxx

The Dane Reynolds-inspired Paradoxxx has quickly become a new favourite in the Vans Surf arsenal. This spring, Vans introduces a new seasonal colour-way of the retro style for collectors and fans alike. The Paradoxxx draws inspiration from Dane Reynolds’ subtle yet bold persona and honours the design’s heritage by achieving a timeless Vans look and feel.

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WIN A PAIR OF THE NEW PARADOXXX VANS

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A winner will be picked on Monday 18th February and contacted via Instagram DM.
For more on Vans and the Paradoxxx collection, head to vans.eu.

Mully smashes surfers femur, but quick action saves life

Mullaghmore isn’t like other big waves around the globe. It’s cold, heavy, unpredictable. It drops sections from nowhere, the bottom falls out, lip come out of the face, it’s not an attractive proposition to most, and if you get caught it’s going to punish you badly. Pete Conroy and the founders of the Irish Tow surf rescue club have always known this and for the last ten+ years set about rigorously training for the inevitable – a life threatening scenario.

Last Wednesday their training paid off saving the life, and possible leg, of Sligo surfer John Monahan. John, a paid up and drilled member of the ITSRC, nearly drowned after smashing his femur. Luckily Pete Conroy and the team were there.

John takes up the story

“I had been keen to take a low line after seeing Raphael’s wave and hoped to get an open end section that I could tuck into. The lip on mine seemed to follow me, didn’t throw open as before and at the point I thought I would pull up into the barrel I was too low for the lip and the barrel clamped down. After this I’ve a vague memory of being deep under water, squirming, out of air and for some reason I didn’t have the sense to pull my vest. Really glad to have been breath hold training as I was desperate. I’m told there were a couple of waves on the head.

“My next memory is being out of the impact zone and trying to pull up onto the sled, that’s when I saw my leg swollen and swinging out of position. It was obvious there was something broken or out of joint, again it’s quite vague. Peter got me lay on my back, I felt safe for the first time. Chest was sore, really wanted my vest off, turned out I had two broken ribs. Had a knock to my head also.

“I was held in position on the ski and slowly driven back to the harbour where the ambulance had been co ordinated from the water and was on its way. Back to the harbour and I vaguely remember being on the slip way, answering some questions and again the feeling of being safe. Wetsuit was being cut off. Femur break more obvious. I got wrapped in foil. Familiar faces around, bit cold, but the situation was under control. On into the ambulance, then into the care of Sligo General Hospital. They were concerned by the foot going blue. They said if the work at the harbour hadn’t happened and allowed some blood flow to the foot there could have been talk of amputation. There was a kink in a main artery and it could have been serious. This all came good, blood flow improved, and I had an operation on the broken femur the day after. As I lay here I can bend my knee and will be fighting fit in no time.

“It’s hard to put into words the appreciation I have for the Tow Surf Rescue club, especially Peter and John but everyone that played a supporting role and have been so decent in the days since. There were so many stages to this rescue, each excecuted with professionalism and calm. I still have two legs and I’ll surf again in a matter of months. Without the speedy response at any of the stages I could be in a much worse condition . From me its a message of thanks .
Stoked to have caught that wave.”

Pete Conroy of Irish Tow Surf Rescue said
“What do we train for? Why do we all meet up and go through emergency situations that could happen but rarely do. Because when it goes wrong it goes wrong fast. It is only then that training kicks in, and practice makes perfect. And lives are saved and all very very smoothly.

“It was a day like no other. Big, heavy, and nearly perfect. Limits were pushed and bones broken. It could have happened to any of us. But only the brave will suffer for the limits to be broken. A big shout out to all the lads that help make sure that John made it back to the peir in one piece and transported to hospital with a very life threating injury. Ollie’s Surf Academy @twin_phin @sligokayaktours @conormaguiree Rafa Tapia @monzy88 @hseambulanceservice Pier Head Hotel, Spa & Leisure Centre and so many more thanks a million.”

Massive respect to all the lads who got John to safety. Irish Tow Surf Rescue Club run courses for locals surfers all aspects of sea safety as well as big wave safety and response. They also take the time to run visiting pros through safety and rescue situations and responses so everyone is correctly briefed and knows what they are doing if the shit hits the fan… Which it will… A foward thinking, world leading organisation saving lives. Top work.

You can join or find out more here. Maybe join and chuck them a few quid so they can carry other good work.

Crowdfunder launched for man ‘divorced for being a surfer’

A Crowdfunder has been launched for a Dorset surfer who is being divorced for night surfing. Friends say Karl, originally from NZ, ended up in the UK, and met the girl of his dreams, but when he rediscovered surfing (after a bad neck injury) and then started night surfing, he got kicked out of home.

‘Geordie Surfer’ who launched the appeal said,

“He hadn’t surfed since leaving NZ and was pretty confident that his neck was strong again… So we chucked him a wettie, got him hooked up with a board and got him out in the water. It wasn’t long before the dude was ripping. Super flow and a good powerful style! Once again he was hooked. The main problem being is that he simply didn’t have time to surf. With work, family, farm and home commitments he was adamant that he would not be able to find the time to surf.

“However, he was completely unaware that there was a small crew of us that had invested in some lithium powered portable floodlights, head torches and a crazy plan to surf at night. Not only could he escape the usual Bournemouth Pier crowds, he could also surf when his girls were in bed and it was too dark to work! It made so much sense! So there it is, when the swell came about we would all meet up between 10pm and midnight, set our lights up on the pier and head out for a surf! We would have a ball and it was all harmless. I mean we would only do this on decent days, days that were worth while. At least 3ft and it had to be reasonably clean. In reality we would surf at night a couple of times a month during the winter season where we receive a bit more Swell on the south coast of the UK.”

“But his wife could not stand that he had a passion outside of the family life. After over 10 years of devoting everything to his family and had found something for himself, something he wanted to pursue and a child hood passion that he had rediscovered, SURFING… ”

Very long story short Karl got kicked out..

“…his wife was adamant that this was it and it was surfing or them!”

Then solicitors got involved and

“To Karl’s surprise his ex had already set up legal proceedings and had already sanctioned a lawyer to oversee everything, basically trying to screw him over and lay the entire financial cost of the divorce on his shoulders. Not only trying to retain all family assets (home and possessions) he is facing the possibility of having to settle divorce costs and accumulated legal fees of what will be approx £6,000. This basically means taking out a loan to cover these costs (as if he hasn’t got enough to deal with).”

“But, and I mean BUT. The biggest surprise was still to come. When the divorce papers were received, the reason cited for divorce was his ‘obsession’ for SURFING. Just to take extract the urine and to be specific, night surfing. Now I know when we surfed at night as I keep the lights. We are literally talking a couple times a month at the very maximum. Now, I know how this sounds and how hard this is to believe, so read the citation yourself below. This is for real! Actually filing for divorce and stating the reason as prioritising his hobbie (surfing) and his obsession for night surfing. So 12 years or marriage gone to pot because Karl rediscovered his childhood passion of surifng over the last two years.”

The Citation (proof not check by us) here is pretty damning

The funding story ends with

“At the end of the day, we all derserve a wave, we all deserve to enjoy our passion and we all should be able to have a surf when it’s pumping. In fact, we deserve to surf even on the days it’s no pumping. Surfing is a way of blowing of steam, recharging the batteries and washing off the dirt! A good friend of mine once said that life leaves dirty spots on us, after we surf the spots are gone, they wash off! Let’s all try to help Karl wash off some the spots that have been left on him and get him surifng as much as he wants!

Thank you for taking the time to read this! After all, we are just helping a bro out!”

At time of publishing I have no idea if this is all legit, but if you got this far it’s probably worth a couple of quid!

You can donate here

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Mick Fanning signs on the dotted line…

In Rip Curl’s 50th year, we are pleased to announce a lifetime contract with the most important surfer in our company history, 3x World Champion Mick Fanning.

In celebration of Rip Curl’s 50th Year Anniversary, we are pleased to announce a lifetime contract with the most important surfer in our company history, 3x World Champion Mick Fanning. After two decades and three World Titles with the company, Mick has signed a 10-year lifetime deal that will usher in the next phase of his career with Rip Curl.

“Being a part of Rip Curl has been more than just a sponsorship” – says Mick…
“Having the relationship I have had with the company and the people within it, including the Founders Claw Warbrick and Brian Singer, has been a huge part of my career and the last 20 years of my life. Signing this 10-year deal is another cornerstone in that relationship, and I can’t wait to get out there and get on The Search!”

Since Mick first signed with Rip Curl in 1998 he has achieved more than most of us dare to dream. He has won three World Titles, overcome personal tragedy and celebrated many triumphs, all the while maintaining face in the public eye.

Mick isn’t just a World Champion surfer,” says Neil Ridgway, Rip Curl’s Group Marketing Chairman. He is the most important surfer in the history of our company. We know that – and he feels it too – so we decided to lock the deal down for life, basically. You don’t walk away from a relationship like that, especially when it’s still working and it’s good fun. Anywhere he goes, we go. He is influential both inside and outside of surfing, and he is gold to the brand. He is one of us.”

Mick will spend the next 10 years on The Search, finding breaks in remote countries, chasing empty lineups and perfect waves. He will also pursue his personal businesses, MF Softboards as well as Balter Breweries, and will work on and for the environmental causes he finds passion with. We look forward to sharing this all with him.