Maya Gabeira sets world record

Photo: WSL Pedro/Meste

Nazaré, Portugal (Monday, October 1, 2018) – Today, the World Surf League (WSL) proudly announced that Maya Gabeira (BRA) has claimed the inaugural Women’s XXL Biggest Wave Award and set a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the Largest wave surfed unlimited (female).
The 31-year old from Rio de Janeiro, Brasil successfully surfed a wave measuring 68 feet / 20.72 metres from trough to crest at the infamous big-wave break known as Praia do Norte in Nazaré, Portugal on January 18, 2018.
“To set the world record has been a dream of mine for many years,” said Gabeira. “But of course, after the accident in Nazaré 2013, it felt like a very distant dream. It took a lot of work to have a season like last year, to be 100% again, and to complete it with a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDStitle is quite special.”
Gabeira’s incredible feat did not come without its challenges. In 2013, Gabeira suffered a serious injury at Nazaré, but her unwavering determination brought her back to the monstrous and dangerous wave to not only surf again, but set the women’s world record.
“It’s been quite a journey, but I can honestly say that in 2013 when I first came to Nazaré my life changed like never before,” continued Gabeira. “Of course, there was an accident, injuries and so on, but also I moved to Nazaré to be closer to the wave. I dedicated most of my time to the spot and I had years to focus on improving, on safety and on being around the best people to get where I wanted to be. That time was priceless, it taught me a lot and slowly I got back to my feet. Back to surfing at 100% and in a spot that I honestly consider the biggest and most challenging wave I ever surfed.”

Photo: Bruno Aleixo

“Congratulations to Maya Gabeira for her outstanding achievement,” said Sophie Goldschmidt, WSL CEO. “Maya exemplifies the courage, commitment, and progression of female athletes around the world and we are so proud to celebrate her today as the new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title holder for the Largest wave surfed unlimited (female).”
The achievement was announced at a special ceremony upon the grounds of the famous lighthouse that stands watch over the waves of Praia do Norte. An official Adjudicator of GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS presented Gabeira with a certificate declaring her as the current record holder for the Largest wave surfed unlimited (female).
Contenders for the women’s world record dated back through surfing history, but the frontrunners featured two-time Big Wave Tour Champion Paige Alms, big wave standouts Justine Dupont, Keala Kennelly, Andrea Moller, and surfing icon Bethany Hamilton.
Normally, the WSL’s Big Wave Awards declare the biggest and best waves of the year during the annual Big Wave Awards show in April. As this was a special determination of the largest wave ridden to date – spanning the history of the sport – it was awarded in a unique setting at the start of the winter big wave season, and will now set the bar in the category going forward. The 2019 Big Wave Awards in April will now award two new categories: Women’s XXL Biggest Wave Award (where jet skis maybe be used) and the Women’s Biggest Paddle Award (wave caught with only arm power).
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

Your guide to the film premieres, concerts and official parties at Quiksilver and Roxy Pro France

line up during final day at Quiksilver Pro France 2017, Hossegor, France

Visiting the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro France? Here is your guide to what’s on apres surf!

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 3RD
Quiksilver & Roxy Pro France waiting period commences*
5:00pm: Autograph session with elite surfers, downtown Hossegor
9:00pm : Quiksilver Generations Screening, Place des Landais, Hossegor

THURSDAY OCTOBER 4TH
7:00 pm : XL Tour Concert, Place des Landais, Hossegor

FRIDAY OCTOBER 5TH
6:00 pm : Opening Party presented by Roxy, Joe&Joe, Hossegor

SATURDAY OCTOBER 6TH
2:00 pm -7:00pm : Exhibition « Tom Carroll 80-85” Casino, Hossegor
7:00 pm : SCREENING LISA ANDERSEN « TROUBLES », followed by a women panel, Le Rex Hossegor
7:00 pm : Sunset Sons Concert, Place des Landais, Hossegor

SUNDAY OCTOBER 7TH
10:00 am -7:00pm : Exhibition « Tom Carroll 80-85” Casino, Hossegor
10:00 am : Roxy Yoga Master Class – La Sud, Hossegor
11:00 am : Quiksilver et Roxy Pro France Beach Cleaning presented by WSL PURE and Surfrider Foundation – La Sud, Hossegor

MONDAY OCTOBER 8TH
8 :00 pm : « Génération Momentum » Screening, Le Rex Hossegor

TUESDAY OCTOBER 9TH
9 :00 pm : « Kissed by God» présenté par Surf Night Screening, Le Rex Hossegor

THURSDAY OCTOBER 11 TH
7:00 pm : Boardriders Party, Boardriders, Capbreton

SUNDAY OCTOBER 14TH
Quiksilver & Roxy Pro France waiting period ends.*

Waco Pool Closed For CDC Tests…

The wild ride of wave pools has just hit a very large pothole. The latest kid on the block that has everyone frothing, the BSR Cable Park in Waco, Texas, has been closed early for the season and won’t reopen until March as they investigate the possibility a surfer died from a brain-eating bug. It’s a hard thing to test for but being careful is obvs the sensible course and so they’re working with the CDC to see if the park was the source. Our thoughts are with Fabrizio Stabile’s family and friends.

Managing any freshwater body of water is tricky. Kayakers and river users know full well the risks of gastro bugs and of fatal conditions like Weil’s disease, which gets washed into water courses from rat runs when rivers are in flood. The park has stated they’re going to instal filtration and manage the pool as a pool as opposed to a swimming lake in future. More below…

The Waco Tribune-Herald reports Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is testing BSR Cable Park’s Surf Resort for Naegleria fowleri, a rare but highly deadly amoeba colloquially known as a “brain-eating amoeba.”

BSR Cable Park owner Stuart E. Parsons Jr. said it will continue to comply with requests related to the investigation of Fabrizio Stabile’s death. The 29-year-old man died in New Jersey earlier this month after falling ill with Naegleria fowleri. Parsons said Stabile had been in the park’s wave pool. Officials are investigating the source.

An obituary in The Press of Atlantic City describes Stabile as an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing, surfing and snowboarding.

“Our hearts and prayers are with his family, friends, and the New Jersey surf community during this difficult time,” Parsons said. He said the surf resort, which operates an artificial man-made wave, is in compliance with the CDC’s “guidelines and recommendations concerning Naegleria fowleri.”

The surf resort has closed pending the test results from the CDC, he said. 

The CDC says people are typically infected when they go diving or swimming in warm freshwater places. Normally, people are infected when contaminated water enters through their nose, according to the agency.

LS/FF 2018 Line-up Announced

The 8th annual London Surf / Film Festival x Reef hits the capital 10 – 19th October 2018.
This year’s programme of premieres, underground projects and award winning features, explore our salt water realm and the diverse characters that inhabit it like never before. With documentaries to inspire, surfing to blow minds, travel to stir up the wanderlust and biopics that get under the skin this year’s international London Surf / Film Festival is a true slice of surfing in the here and now and a showcase of our multi-layered world of waveriding.

“The breadth of this year’s line up is really exciting,” says LS/FF Director Demi Taylor. “We’re hosting two huge premieres that lift the curtain on an era that changed modern surfing forever. Momentum Generation charts the rise and rivalries of Slater, Machado and their tight knit crew of nu skoolers who triggered a paradigm shift in not just waveriding, but youth culture. Trouble: The Lisa Andersen Story, in a raw and intimate insight into the rise of a true surfing icon, an enigmatic 4x world champion that changed the way the world thought about women and our lifestyle. We’re delighted to be hosting the eagerly awaited World Premiere of multi award winning Director Andrew Kaineder’s Beyond The Noise. Featuring Noah Lane and Harrison Roach in Europe’s most jaw dropping waves, combining stunning cinematography and an arresting soundscape this is a must see exploration.”

LS/FF is bringing to the UK 3 World premieres, 2 European Premieres and 10 UK Premieres. For many of the movies, the festival will be the only chance to watch them as they were intended to be enjoyed – on the big screen, accompanied by a packed crowd of likeminded folk – the original “social media” experience.

Accompanied by Q+A’s and audiences with some of the world’s most exciting surfers and award winning filmmakers plus live music, art, pop up events and more the London Surf / Film Festival is a must attend for dreamers, doers, adventurers, hard chargers and anyone of a salty disposition.

10 – 13 October 2018, Regent Street Cinema plays host to the London Surf / Film Festival. Tickets are on sale now >> HERE.
There are limited number of evening passes available offering more surf for your buck, plus a free beer from our friends at Sharp’s (over 18’s only) and exclusive goodies!

15 – 19 October 2018, Events are popping up across the capital – sign up to the LS/FF newsletter for details >> HERE

For full details head to: londonsurffilmfestival.com

London Surf / Film Festival 2018 Feature Line-Up

Beyond the Noise by Andrew Kaineder // 11th October
WORLD PREMIERE: Surfer Poll nominated multi-award winning filmmaker Andrew Kaineder presents this highly anticipated ode to an Irish Winter, when snow covered the ground and deep depressions spiralled in the raging North Atlantic. Combining epic waveriding from Noah Lane & Harrison Roach, plus stunning cinematography, not to be missed. Presented by Director Andrew Kaineder & surfer Noah Lane

Trouble: The Lisa Anderson Story by Chas Smith // 13th October
EUROPEAN PREMIERE: Enigmatic surf icon and 4 Time World Champion Lisa Andersen changed youth culture forever. Her combination of style, power, drive and determination showed the world a new way to think about female surfing. A raw and honest insight into Lisa’s perilous quest to fulfil the hastily scribbled promise of a run-away teen to be the world’s number one.

Momentum Generation by the Zimbalist Brothers // 12th October
UK PREMIERE: Fired by an explosive cocktail of camaraderie and deep-seated competitiveness, this highly anticipated documentary explores how Slater, Machado, Dorian et al pushed each other to levels of performance previously unseen in surf culture. A frank and insightful exposé of the rivalries forged and friendships burned in the white heat of competitive surfing. A very special screening & guest Q+A

The Electric Acid Surfboard Test by Ashton Goggans // 12th October
UK PREMIERE: What happens when you bring Dane Reynolds and 10 tripped out surfboards, hand-shaped by some of the most radical hands, for a ten-day mind-melter at Mexico’s loveliest sand points? A celebration of surfing’s experimental tradition, an exploration of some of the most iconic and disruptive alternative designs, put through their paces by surfing’s most radical innovator. Filmmaker Q+A

EOS by Bruce Muller // 10th October
EUROPEAN PREMIERE: Iconic Kassia Meador blurs the line between surfer, artist & performer. Combining an epic soundscape and stunning cinematography from Scott Soens & the late, great Sonny Miller, this is a creative and captivating cinematic masterpiece. Not to be missed.

Priboi by Kokorev Konstantin // 11th October
UK PREMIERE: In Siberia, winter water temperatures average just 2 degrees, snow lays heavy on the beaches and then there are the blizzards to contend with. This is cold water surfing at its very limits. This ground breaking, visually arresting masterpiece is a two year quest across the vastness of the Russian continent, home to some 37,000 km of coastline. A must see surf exploration.

Big Wata by Gugi van der Velden // 10th October
UK PREMIERE: West Africa has a turbulent and violent past, a history marked by civil war, ravaged by disease. In a small corner of Sierra Leone, during an Ebola outbreak, a band of brothers find solace, escape and a new found identity through surfing. Big Wata (The Ocean) offers an insight into the first and only surf club in Sierra Leone.

A Land Shaped by Women by Anne-Flore Marxer // 13th October
UK PREMIERE: Anne-Flore Marxer and Aline Bock, two Freeride World Champions, undertake an amazing journey across Iceland, exploring this breath-taking country by van, carving fresh powder and frigid point breaks, while also meeting some of the women who have helped forge Icelandic culture.

It’s Not All About The Waves by Kepa Acero // 13th October
UK PREMIERE: Surf adventurer Kepa Acero and photographer Eva Diaz head to Africa in search of a right hand point break but discover so much more, in this uplifting film about the power of community and joy of giving back. Q&A with filmmakers Kepa Acero and Eva Diaz

Paige by Bjarne Salen // 10th October
UK PREMIERE: Paige Alms is a ground breaking waverider, XXL award winning charger and pioneer of women’s big wave surfing. This documentary takes you inside Paige’s world, journeying to her home island of Maui where she trains, mentally and physically preparing for the rigours of a season taking on her favourite wave – the infamous Jaws.

Rail Road by Gustavo Imigrante // 12th October
UK PREMIERE: Nic Von Rupp embarks on an ethereal surf lapse around Europe, traversing the continent on night trains, branch lines and intercity expresses, finding stirring landscapes and time to contemplate, between stalking sickeningly shallow slabs with Mick Fanning and mind warpingly huge waves with Ireland’s bravest chargers. Presented by Nic von Rupp

The Sea Empowers Dir. Lucy Jane/ Joya Berrow // 10th October
WORLD PREMIERE: Within the patriarchal Jamaican surf scene, 28 year old Imani Wilmot is a beacon of hope for fellow women. An intimate exploration on the social impact of surfing
on a community. Events culminate in the first ever all female surf contest in Jamaican history. Emotions run high and the gravity of the competition exposes just how much surfing really means to these women.

Emocean Dir. Tony Harrington // 10th October
UK PREMIERE: Featuring the likes of iconic surf filmmaker Paul Witzig, Pipeline photographer Brent Bielmann, watermen Dave Kalama, Jamie Mitchell and Jeff Clarke plus surfers Bronte & Dave MacAulay, and shot on location in Australia, Hawaii and California this is a cinematic exploration of our complex relationships with the ocean.

Nausicaa by Luca Merli // POP UP
UK PREMIERE: The ocean going yacht Nausicaa embarks on a surf adventure with a twist, traversing unexplored shores and empty waves in the Mediterranean’s most secluded corners, living with an almost zero carbon footprint, embracing the beauty of the cradle of civilization and reflecting on living a simple lifestyle in symbiosis with nature. Luca Merli ‘s stylishly laidback movies make you want to jump on a plane and head straight to the crystalline blue waters of the Italian coastline.

International Shorts
Tan Dir. Alena Ehrenbold
North Sea Holes Dir. Lewis Arnold & Chris McClean
A Lunar Cycle Dir: Andrew Kaineder
Black is a Colour Dir: Taylor Knox (A very special screening)
Generations Dir.Russell Brownley
Isla de los Bufalos Dir. Gabriel Novis

Quiksilver & Roxy Pro France

This autumn, for the 17th consecutive year, France will welcome the world’s best surfers to the legendary beachbreaks of the Landes region for the sole French leg of the World Surf League’s Championship Tour – the Quiksilver & Roxy Pro France. Held from the 3rd to the 14th of October in the iconic surf towns of Seignosse, Hossegor and Capbreton, the Quik Pro is the 9th stage of the 2018 Championship Tour (CT).

It’s a crucial stage of the tour, a true highlight of the season, and a favourite for fans and pros alike. The long, stunning coastline of south Landes, France provides the global shortboard elite with a surfing playground par excellence. With some 230km of sandbanks groomed to perfection each summer in anticipation of autumn’s steady supply of quality Atlantic swells, it’s a destination on every surfers bucket list – pro and punter alike. Landes is as challenging in its way as any other stop on the tour. When the surf is pumping, the waves Quiksilver & Roxy Pro France 2018. For the surfers, it’s a welcome opportunity to sample both France’s rich culture and pumping barrels, while for the tens of thousands of spectators who flock the beaches during the event, it’s a chance to see the world’s surfing elite do their thing at the epicentre of European high performance surfing. With October being prime time for big swells, the Quiksilver & Roxy Pro France promises to provide perfect barrels for the incoming surf royalty of the elite tour.

The holding period for Quiksilver and Roxy Pro France, Stop No. 9 of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), will open on Wednesday, October 3 and run through Sunday, October 14, 2018. 

The stunning coastline of Landes, France will play host to the penultimate stop of the 2018 Women’s CT season as two surfers remain in contention for the World Title: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) and Lakey Peterson (USA). 

The World Title scenarios going into the Roxy Pro France are as follows: 
- Gilmore is the only surfer who can clinch the title in France

– If Gilmore wins the event, she takes the title
– If Peterson wins the event the title goes to Maui
– If Gilmore finishes 2nd (runner-up) and Peterson finishes 3rd or below, Gilmore wins the title
– If Gilmore finished 3rd (Semifinalist) and Peterson finishes 5th or below, Gilmore below the title. If Peterson finishes 3rd or better the title goes to Maui for a potential surf off
– If Gilmore finishes 5th or below, the title goes to Maui 



On the men’s side, Filipe Toledo (BRA) continues to lead the rankings with only 4,100 points over 2014 WSL Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA). As the defending, three-time event winner, Medina is known to push the limits at this event and a win will be crucial in his World Title campaign. Toledo has had mixed results in France but will fight for a big result to maintain his lead and get one step closer to earning a maiden World Championship. 

Caio Ibelli (BRA), 11-time WSL Champion Kelly Slater (USA), and two-time WSL Champion John John Florence (HAW) have withdrawn from the Quiksilver Pro France due to the ongoing injuries. WSL Replacements Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) and Miguel Pupo (BRA) accepted their spots. The third WSL Replacement spot will go to the highest ranked surfer on the Qualifying Series after the EDP Billabong Pro Ericeira QS 10,000 event. The first wildcard will be awarded to the highest French surfer on the QS Rankings after the EDP Billabong Pro Ericeira. The remaining wildcard will be selected by Quiksilver. 

Two-time WSL Champion Tyler Wright (AUS) will not be competing due to an ongoing illness and will be replaced by Pauline Ado (FRA). Silvana Lima (BRA) has withdrawn to have knee surgery and will be replaced by Macy Callaghan (AUS). Vahine Fierro (PYF), reigning World Junior Champion, has been awarded the Roxy event wildcard. 

This year, the event will also feature the Red Bull Airborne, an aerial specialty event featuring 18 of the most innovative surfers in the air, both on and off the Championship Tour. Two wildcards selected via online submissions will join the star-studded field, which includes Albee Layer (HAW), Chippa Wilson (AUS), Mikey Wright (AUS), Matt Meola (HAW), Yago Dora (BRA), Filipe Toledo (BRA) and more.

The Quiksilver and Roxy Pro France and the Red Bull Airborne will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL’s Facebook page, and the WSL app. Also, check local listings for coverage from the WSL’s broadcast partners.

Local fans will be able to follow the event LIVE on a big screen on the Central square in Hossegor and enjoy movie screenings and music acts in various places during the event’s waiting period.

Quiksilver Pro France Round 1 Matchups:
Heat 1: Jordy Smith (ZAF), Sebastian Zietz (HAW), Joan Duru (FRA)
Heat 2: Owen Wright (AUS), Yago Dora (BRA), Keanu Asing (HAW)
Heat 3: Italo Ferreira (BRA), Frederico Morais (PRT), Wiggolly Dantas (BRA)
Heat 4: Julian Wilson (AUS), Tomas Hermes (BRA), TBD
Heat 5: Gabriel Medina (BRA), Connor O’Leary (AUS), TBD
Heat 6: Filipe Toledo (BRA), Joel Parkinson (AUS), TBD
Heat 7: Wade Carmichael (AUS), Ezekiel Lau (HAW), Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
Heat 8: Kolohe Andino (USA), Adriano de Souza (BRA), Miguel Pupo (BRA)
Heat 9: Kanoa Igarashi (USA), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Ian Gouveia (BRA)
Heat 10: Michel Bourez (PYF), Michael Rodrigues (BRA), Patrick Gudauskas (USA)
Heat 11: Willian Cardoso (BRA), Griffin Colapinto (USA), Jesse Mendes (BRA)
Heat 12: Jeremy Flores (FRA), Conner Coffin (USA), Michael February (ZAF)

Roxy Pro France Round 1 Matchups:
Heat 1: Caroline Marks (USA), Nikki Van Dijk (AUS), Bronte Macaulay (AUS)
Heat 2: Carissa Moore (HAW), Coco Ho (HAW), Paige Hareb (NZL)
Heat 3: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Sage Erickson (USA), Vahine Fierro (PYF)
Heat 4: Lakey Peterson (USA), Courtney Conlogue (USA), Pauline Ado (FRA)
Heat 5: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA), Malia Manuel (HAW), Macy Callaghan (AUS)
Heat 6: Johanne Defay (FRA), Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Keely Andrew (AUS)

More available at WorldSurfLeague.com.

New for this year, the Quiksilver & Roxy Pro France VIP experience. This is your chance to experience the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro France in style. From the best seat in the house, you can witness the highest level of competition whilst enjoying complimentary food and drink, within close proximity to the athlete lounge and presentation podium. The competition will be streamed live around the hospitality area, so you don’t miss out on the action. Plus you will receive a welcome pack from sponsors Quiksilver and Roxy. To find out moreclick here

Contact [email protected] for support enquiries

 

Major surfboard phishing scam being reported

Have you seen the ads? Firewire from £76, Channel Islands from $116, Bings $106.. Lib Techs, Fannings, Taklyamas and Waldens all at amazing prices.

As much as I would like to believe you can have the worlds best quiver for £1000 with free packing and post something is not quite right here. So I asked the UK’s importers what was going on and they are reporting a phishing ‘scam’.

Multiple cloned websites and targeted Facebook ads look pretty legit. Even when you dig down through them, until you release you simply can’t pack and post a board for 70 bucks much never mind make any money out of selling it.

Traces back through the damian’s are coming from China and rerouting through Holland. A US surf shop has had their site cloned. It is all happening.

Please be aware, report the ads and inform others.

Domains affected include surfstationstore and surfboardstores. There are multiple fake FB pages but they all lead these domains.