Rip Curl Grom Search tour titles decided at Watergate

Will Masterman takes Under 16 boys tour title. Alys Barton under 16 and under 14 Girls titles. Lukas Skinner wins under 14 and under 12 titles.

The 3 event Rip Curl Grom Search series started off in Jersey, made a mid summer stop in Croyde Bay and wrapped up in great swell at Watergate Bay. An unexpected jump in swell for the finals day brought all round stoke to competitors and spectators a like. Conditions provided a platform for some excellent performances, all set to the backdrop of Surfing England’s seamless new live scoring system.

Belle Betteridge was the first winner of the day in a girls Under 12’s division that was really impressive. All girls making the most of the conditions with Belle’s top to bottom turns standing out for the judges. In the Under 14 girls it came down to the last 10 seconds when Tegan Blackford snatched the win with a great left-hander. “I knew it was going to be close to the score I needed and when they read it out as I got to the beach I was stoked with my family and friends cheering. There’s a great atmosphere at this event and with it being tour is good for us all too.”

The Boys Under 12s division is particularly strong in numbers and the final did not disapoint. In the end it was Fynn Gillespie who’s powerful, consistent display stood out to all watching. “In the final the waves were really good and I was just trying to get some critical sections and make sure I completed my turns. Im stoked to have won this event.”

The overall title for the Under 14’s was up for grabs and was another nail biter with the lead changing hands many times. As a flurry of scores dropped in the last minute it was Lukas Skinner who took the win and the title.

“I was thinking in my head “please give me the score’ because I really wanted this win. It’s so good when we have good waves to compete in. This is a great event with all my friends here and everyone hanging around for the 2 days competing and surfing.”

Alys Barton completed her dominance of junior girls surfing with another win here. She’s unbeaten in the Grom Search series and also now holds the U14 and U16’s overall title. With that 16s title comes the Golden Ticket to the Grom Search International Final to be held ‘somewhere’ later this year. “Somewhere tropical and nice for the International final would be fun. I loved this last event – it was sunny, the waves were good and the the vibes around the site were great.”

All eyes switched to the boys U16s final where both Travis Pearce and Will Masterman were in with a chance pf the overall title. In the end Stanley Norman was a deserved winner of the event.

“The waves were fun with a bit of power and offshore. I was stoked to land that big reverse that got me the Move of the Event. And to win the final was really tough as both Travis and Will were competing really strong for the over-all title.” Stan Norman

“I dont think I have paddled so hard in my life.” said Will straight after the final. The waves were good but I was not thinking about that. I had 2 massive paddle battles against Stan and Travis. I was desperate to get the win or hold 2nd place. Ive been in France before this and thinking about this event coming up and that I really wanted to the title and that spot in the world final. I love this series as with other comps you are just surfing to win it. But with this series if you win the whole thing it leads to a much bigger prize and global event. From the start of the year I wanted this title and Im really happy to have won it. If I could choose where the International Final will be I would just say anywhere in boardies. And somewhere far away so I can get some more time off school. ha ha.”

U12 Girls
1. Belle Betteridge
2. Eva Blackford
3. Sienna Morrison
4. Coral Millward
5. Kaja Millward

U12 boys
1. Fynn Gillespie
2. Eli Perrins-Davies
3. Nikita Petrov
4. Reen Bowden-Inoue

U14 Girls
1. Tegan Blackford
2. Asha Sykes
3. Megan Webb
4. Rosie Thomas

U14 boys
1. Lukas Skinner
2. Alex Townsend
3. Sammy Hearn
4. Beau Betteridge

U16 girls
1. Alys Barton
2. Lauren Sandland
3. Bonita Whitelock
4. Esmee Gregorius

U16 Boys
1. Stanley Norman
2. Will Masterman
3. Travis Pearce
4. Sam Stonebridge

Tour rankings

Kerrsy puts together dream team for WSL Air Comp

For the first time in history, the WSL will be hosting an aerial specialty event combining a cross-section of the world’s best surfers from the elite Championship Tour with a global field of specialists for the Red Bull Airborne France this October.

Josh Kerr, former Championship Tour surfer and universally-regarded as one of the most progressive aerialists in the history of surfing, is one of the co-developers of the Red Bull Airborne France and will serve as Event Director in October.

“Growing up, I was really into the whole action sports world: freestyle motocross, snowboarding and skateboarding, because it had attitude,” Kerr said. “Then I started seeing video of the first Airshows in America, with Christian Fletcher and Ratboy [Jason Collins], and they were just punk rock and edgy, and they were only concentrating on big punts. To me, that was it. That was the highest form of surfing. I just wanted to do the biggest thing I could do on a wave.”

One of the most successful surfers on the nascent Airshow series in the late-90’s and early-00’s, Kerr views the Airborne as the first step towards providing tomorrow’s surfers with a new platform for innovative expression in the water.

“I’m so excited this is happening because I really want to give kids this creative platform to gravitate towards at a young age,” Kerr continued. “It’s great to the WSL support this and I think it’s gonna help progress our sport and help open up a lot of kids’ minds, now that they’ll have a new platform to strive for that makes sense to who they are.”

The Red Bull Airborne France will feature an 18-man field across six qualifying heats and a Final, and will run in conjunction with the Quiksilver Pro France – the 9th Stop on the 2018 WSL Championship Tour.

Two remaining spots for the Red Bull Airborne France will be determined via an online submission site at www.wslairborne.com. The submissions will be judged by a panel including Event Director Josh Kerr, former CT stalwart and progressive surfing deity Taj Burrow, Ventura innovator Tim Curran and Santa Cruz’s aerial virtuoso Jason “Ratboy” Collins. The most deserving contestants — one surfer over 18 and one under 18 — will be awarded a spot in October’s competition.

“It’s always exciting when we can work with some of the world’s best surfers in developing new platforms for creativity and the advancement of the world’s best surfing,” Sophie Goldschmidt, WSL CEO, said. “We’re very much looking forward to France and the potential for it to be the start of something much bigger in this space.”

Airborne Invitees:
Albee Layer (HAW)
Chippa Wilson (AUS)
Mikey Wright (AUS)
Noa Deane (AUS)
Matt Meola (HAW)
Mason Ho (HAW)
Kolohe Andino (USA)
Griffin Colapinto (USA)
Yago Dora (BRA)
Italo Ferreira (BRA)
Filipe Toledo (BRA)
Jordy Smith (ZAF)
Eric Geiselman (USA)
Hector Santa Maria (PRI)
Kalani David (HAW)
Jack Freestone (AUS)
Wildcard A
Wildcard B

The Red Bull Airborne France will take place from October 5 – 10, 2018 during the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro France running from October 3 – 14, 2018.

Win SunGod sunnies for you and a friend!

Win customised SunGod sunglasses for you and a friend 

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Designed for action and adventure, these specs have some serious tech: 

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See the full range of what’s up for grabs here.

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PATAGONIA MAKE FULL WETSUIT LINE ‘FAIR TRADE’

This Fall, Patagonia has taken an important step to change the surf industry, making its full line of wetsuits Fair Trade Certified™. By investing in Fair Trade Certification for the world’s largest wetsuit factory, SHEICO, Patagonia has made it easy for other companies to join in and support the people behind the product.

This development follows the Fall 2016 Patagonia launch of the world’s first neoprene-free wetsuits made with Yulex® natural rubber, from sources that are Forest Stewardship Council® certified by the Rainforest Alliance.

This season, Patagonia wetsuits have been reformulated so that they are not only most environmentally sound suits on the planet; they are also the most socially responsible. Working with wetsuit factory SHEICO and natural rubber partner Yulex, Patagonia neoprene-free, Yulex full suits are now lighter, stretchier, more comfortable and better fitting. Solution-dyed face fabrics and water-based glue have also been incorporated to further reduce their environmental footprint.

By making the world’s first Fair Trade Certified™ wetsuits, the people behind the products are treated with the respect they deserve. For each suit made, the workers receive a premium that can be used as a collective social investment or to otherwise elevate their standard of living. The certification also ensures that the factory complies with Fair Trade USA’s standards for safe and healthy working conditions. As of Spring 2017, Patagonia’s full line of board shorts and bikinis has been Fair Trade Certified™. Currently, Patagonia has more Fair Trade Certified styles than any other brand.

Patagonia’s factory, SHEICO, makes most of the wetsuits on the market so helping SHEICO earn Fair Trade certification raises the profile of Fair Trade throughout the surf industry and allows other brands to easily join in, if they so choose.

Dave Rastovich, global surf activist at Patagonia says: “The factories we rely on aren’t just full of machines; they’re also full of people with families, histories and futures that have been overlooked by the industry for far too long. Fair Trade extends a sense of value, acknowledgment and respect to members of the human family who are often pushed to the margins.”
Belinda Baggs, global surf activist at Patagonia adds: “Surfers are connected to nature and, when they are educated on topics that have never been spoken about in the surfing world, I believe more and more people will demand change in their products. For example, we know the consequences of the heavy, harmful pollution created by the production of neoprene. Now that there are high performing alternatives such as Yulex available, I see a movement growing wings towards better production methods and materials in surf.”

As well as making high quality wetsuits that are built to last, this season, Patagonia’s Worn Wear crew is travelling to surf locations such as Newquay and Hossegor, repairing wetsuits and gear, regardless of brand.

The Search for Nicky Woods Bells Trophy

In 1987 Nicky Wood won the Rip Curl Easter Surfing Festival at Bells Beach, becoming the youngest male surfer to ever win a World Championship Tour event, a record that remains to this day. Wood defeated Tom Curren, Shaun Tomson and Barton Lynch on his way, but later dropped off tor due to injury and health issues.

Unfortunately his trophy was left in storage unit and then auctioned. His sister now wants to try and get it back. Can you help?

Patagonia Worn Wear Tour

Ripped rubber? Patagonia Worn Wear Tour is hitting the road to fix wetsuits along the South West Coast of the UK and France. All brands are welcome, as long as the suits are DRY. Patagonia will repair clothing too. First come, first served, limit of one item per person. And as always, all repairs are free!

Aug. 30th
Ho House, Cornwall- Beers, Bands and Ripped Rubber
Newquay
Aug. 31st
Plage du Pierrier, Montreux – Worn wear débarque dans votre ville!
Sept. 1st
Canoe Centre, Dublin –  Film Screening: Blue Heart
Sept. 3rd
Patagonia Manchester – An evening with Keith & Lauren Malloy
Sept. 6th 
Mount Pleasant Eco Park, Cornwall – A Blue Heart evening
Patagonia Dublin – An evening with Keith & Lauren Malloy
Sept. 7th

Ho House, Cornwall – Nevertown Film Screening
Sept. 8th
Patagonia Manchester – Worn Wear

Sept. 11th

Rosie’s Kitchen, Bude, Cornwall – If it’s dry worn wear tour!
Sept. 12th

Museum of British Surfing, Braunton, Devon – If it’s dry worn wear tour & Nevertown film screening
Sept. 14th

Ho House, Cornwall – Wetsuit Deepdive Evening
Sept. 27th
Le surfing, Aquataine, France – If it’s dry worn wear tour
Oct. 9th
Bordeaux France, If it’s dry worn wear tour
Oct. 10th
Lacanau Ocean, France – If it’s dry worn wear tour
Oct. 11th
Le Surfing, France – Nevertown Film Screening

BRIEF HISTORY OF WORN WEAR
Back in 2011 Patagonia ran an ad in The New York Times on Black Friday telling people, “Don’t Buy This Jacket” – asking consumers to buy less and to reflect before you spend a penny on a jacket or anything else. As a result Patagonia launched the Common Threads initiative asking people to Reduce, Repair, Reuse, Recycle and Reimagine.
The response was amazing and the numbers of repairs handled free of charge by Patagonia escalated, as did the story telling behind the products being sent in. Two years later in 2013, Patagonia ambassador Keith Malloy and his wife Lauren decided to start a Tumblr blog where people could share stories about their favourite piece of Patagonia clothing – inspired by the years of use Keith was getting from his surf gear.
This was, and is still know as this day as the Worn Wear initative.