Pipe Masters Excellent Rides in Challenging Conditions

BANZAI PIPELINE, Oahu/Hawaii (Thursday, December 13, 2018) - The Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons, the final stop on the 2018 World Surf League (WSL) Men’s Championship Tour (CT), launched today in wind-affected 4-to-6 foot swell and completed the opening round of competition. Waves improved throughout the afternoon, offering an action-packed final two hours of action that included excellent scores from three-time Vans Triple Crown of Surfing Champion Joel Parkinson (AUS) and 2017 Vans World Cup winner Conner Coffin (USA).
World Title contenders Gabriel Medina (BRA) and Julian Wilson (AUS) advanced through their opening heats at Pipeline to launch their final campaigns towards surfing’s most prestigious crown. 2014 WSL Champion and two-time Billabong Pipe Master finalist Medina won his battle against Connor O'Leary (AUS) and wildcard Benji Brand (HAW) well above the lip, locking in a 13.16 point total (out of a possible 20) for a high-octane progressive approach in the windy ramps this morning.

“I was just trying to get a lot of waves,” Medina stated. “I’m really happy to make it through. Today the waves are really challenging out there. This year has been challenging with a couple of ups and downs. I’m stoked to come to Hawaii with a little advantage over the other competitors. But, I’m really focused on myself. I need to make the Final so I’ll stay focused and try and do my best every single heat.”

2014 Billabong Pipe Master Wilson stuck to the wave face and managed to take the edge over Tomas Hermes (BRA) and replacement surfer Seth Moniz (HAW), courtesy of a four-maneuver combination at Backdoor - Pipeline’s right-handed wave - for a 5.57. Wilson backed it up with a straight turn in the Pipe lip to advance into Round 3 and distance himself slightly from Toledo.

“I’m mostly focusing on just trying to find some opportunities out there,” Wilson said. “They’re few and far between and I kind of just found a couple. I’m definitely closer this year, but still needing a really big result to get it. I feel like the three of us that are in contention are all thinking we need a big result to clinch it. We’re all in the same boat. It feels really good to get through a heat that’s so tricky like that.”

Filipe Toledo (BRA), on the other hand, suffered a potentially serious setback in his campaign after being defeated by Matt Wilkinson (AUS) in the opening round. In a barrel-starved heat, Toledo, Wilkinson and Caio Ibelli (BRA) battled mostly with traditional maneuvers, with the Australian claiming the top two scores for his backhand attack at Backdoor.

“It’s always stressful this time of year and being on the bubble is most definitely a little scarier,” Wilkinson admitted. “But I’m just taking it as it comes. Waking up here every day we hope to get big tubes, but today is about as tough as it can be. I just wanted to do two backhand re-entries and try and find a little tube to try to beat the other guys in the water.”

Toledo will have a chance to redeem himself in Round 2 when competition resumes, as he will face lethal local wildcard Brand for a spot into Round 3.

The Men's World Title Scenarios at the Billabong Pipe Masters:

- If Gabriel Medina finishes 1st or 2nd at the Billabong Pipe Masters, he wins the World Title;
- If Gabriel Medina finishes 3rd at the Billabong Pipe Masters, Julian Wilson and Filipe Toledo will need to finish 1st;
- If Gabriel Medina finishes 5th-25th, Julian Wilson and Filipe Toledo will need a 2nd or 1st at Pipe.
Italo Ferreira (BRA) took his act to the air in Heat 3 and landed a massive forehand rotation for a last-minute win over Joan Duru (FRA) and Keanu Asing (HAW). Ferreira, the current World No. 4, has been a standout at Pipeline lately with inspiring performances, both in massive barrels and air sections. With three event wins under his belt this season (Bells Beach, Bali, Portugal), Ferreira made a clear run for the World Title but his inconsistency cost him the opportunity to fight with compatriots Medina and Toledo for the top spot.

“I’ve been having a good time here in Hawaii,” Ferreira said. “Conditions are tough. It’s difficult to surf with this strong wind, but it also makes for good ramps, so I was excited. I fell on a few waves but thankfully in the last few minutes I managed to do two good airs so I was happy with that.”

The machine-like waves that have made Pipeline so famous finally started to turn on for Heat 9 and an entertaining battle between Michel Bourez (PYF), Ezekiel Lau (HAW) and Ian Gouveia (BRA) ensued. The Hawaiian held a firm grip on the lead all the way into the last two minutes of action, but Gouveia - sitting with priority - found himself in position for one of the best waves of the day. Gouveia took a late drop and squared off the bottom turn to pull in, claiming an excellent 8.17 (out of a possible 10) to steal the lead from Lau. But in the dying moments, Bourez found a left-hand barrel of his own and rode it successfully to add a 5.93 to his scoreline and ultimately claim the heat win.

“I heard Ian (Gouveia) got an 8-something on this last one and I saw the wave, he looked really, really good,” Bourez said. “I made a mistake just before and I could have been on that one, but at the end of the day it worked out well and I got the score at the end. Every spot on tour is super important, but this one is the last one, it’s your last chance, so you give yourself like two-hundred percent to make it.”

In the following heat, defending event winner Jeremy Flores (FRA) took on Conner Coffin (USA) and rookie Jesse Mendes (BRA) as waves continued to pump. Coffin and Flores found exciting barrels both on the rights and lefts and put up a brilliant fight on back-to-back waves with the heat eventually going the Californian’s way after he found a clean, deep backhand tube for an 8.47 and the win.

“Any heat win on the world tour is a big feat these days, everyone is so good,” Coffin said. “Jeremy won here last year and he’s definitely one of the best guys on tour as far as barrels are concerned. I knew it was going to be a good battle and it’s fun that waves turned on and I’m stoked to get the win.”
2012 World Champion and former Pipe Master Joel Parkinson (AUS) enjoyed one more pulse of near-perfect Pipeline conditions at the beginning of Heat 10, locking into a great barrel for an 8.33 which eventually was enough to seal a win into Round 3 with a low backup number. Parkinson, who will retire following this event, is in a great position on the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing rankings and will shoot for an epic finish to his highly successful professional career.

“It was a tough day and I’m lucky I found a good opportunity,” Parkinson said. “I’ve been here with my family and listening to my wife and daughter speak last night [at my retirement party] was really amazing and emotional. The love and support I’ve received from everyone including the fans has been overwhelming. I can’t wait for the next chapter and let’s go out with a bang!”

Michael Rodrigues (BRA) claimed the rookie class’ best performance in today’s opening round with a couple of backdoor barrels perfectly negotiated despite the tricky chandelier sections. The Brazilian, currently ranked 14th on the CT, built a healthy 11.44 heat total to make his way into Round 3 and defeat Patrick Gudauskas (USA) and Willian Cardoso (BRA).

“I’m stoked with that heat and to finally get a couple barrels at Pipe and Backdoor,” Rodrigues said. “This year was so special to me, I just tried to do my best in every event and right now I’m thinking about the next season and I’m super excited.”

The next call for the Billabong Pipe Masters will be tomorrow, Friday, December 14, at 7:30 a.m. HST, when event organizers will reassess the conditions and decide if the competition will run.

Surfline Forecast for the Billabong Pipe Masters

Billabong Pipe Masters Round 1 Results:
Heat 1: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 12.00, Kelly Slater (USA) 11.43, Frederico Morais (PRT) 4.47
Heat 2: Yago Dora (BRA) 9.83, Owen Wright (AUS) 9.60, Miguel Pupo (BRA) 2.00
Heat 3: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 13.30, Joan Duru (FRA) 11.67, Keanu Asing (HAW) 5.66
Heat 4: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 6.03, Filipe Toledo (BRA) 5.04, Caio Ibelli (BRA) 4.93
Heat 5: Julian Wilson (AUS) 8.07, Tomas Hermes (BRA) 6.40, Seth Moniz (HAW) 4.57
Heat 6: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 13.16, Benji Brand (HAW) 9.97, Connor O’Leary (AUS) 9.67
Heat 7: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 7.07, Ryan Callinan (AUS) 6.77, Wade Carmichael (AUS) 4.50
Heat 8: Michael February (ZAF) 6.30, Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 6.10, Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 4.03
Heat 9: Michel Bourez (PYF) 12.03, Ian Gouveia (BRA) 12.00, Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 10.90
Heat 10: Conner Coffin (USA) 15.07, Jeremy Flores (FRA) 14.00, Jesse Mendes (BRA) 9.20
Heat 11: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 11.23, Kolohe Andino (USA) 8.10, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 5.13
Heat 12: Michael Rodrigues (BRA) 11.44, Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 7.60, Willian Cardoso (BRA) 5.04

Billabong Pipe Masters Round 2 Matchups:
Heat 1: Filipe Toledo (BRA) vs. Benji Brand (HAW)
Heat 2: Owen Wright (AUS) vs. Seth Moniz (HAW)
Heat 3: Wade Carmichael (AUS) vs. Caio Ibelli (BRA)
Heat 4: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) vs. Keanu Asing (HAW)
Heat 5: Kolohe Andino (USA) vs. Miguel Pupo (BRA)
Heat 6: Willian Cardoso (BRA) vs. Kelly Slater (USA)
Heat 7: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Ryan Callinan (AUS)
Heat 8: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Ian Gouveia (BRA)
Heat 9: Ezekiel Lau (HAW) vs. Jesse Mendes (BRA)
Heat 10: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) vs. Patrick Gudauskas (USA)
Heat 11: Frederico Morais (PRT) vs. Connor O'Leary (AUS)
Heat 12: Joan Duru (FRA) vs. Tomas Hermes (BRA)

The Billabong Pipe Masters will be broadcast LIVE on WSL’s Facebook page and WorldSurfLeague.com.
Photos: WSL/Cestari/Sloane

Herdy wins the 2018 World Junior Title in Taiwan

Congratulations to Mateus Herdy (17) for winning the 2018 World Junior Title in Tawain ! The Brazilian surfer from Florianópolis took out friend and Quiksilver teammate Rio Waida as well as the next best thing out of Japan Yuji Nishi en route to the Final against the aerial specialist from California, Eithane Osborne. Mateus finishes this year’s impressive QS campaign just narrowly missing WCT qualification finishing the in 18th position. The victory in Taiwan also makes Mateus the 3rd Brazillian to win the World Junior title after Adriano De Souza and Gabriel Medina.

"I was in Hawaii two weeks ago and luckily got the wildcard to come here thanks to WSL," Herdy continued. "I have always wanted my name to be on something like my heroes Adriano (de Souza) and Gabriel (Medina). To now have it alongside them is amazing, they both inspire me so much and have helped me get to here.”

Herdy was the surfer to beat all week, there wasn’t a heat that he didn’t post an excellent score. However, he saved his best performance for the Final where he posted a two-wave total of 18.37 (out of a possible 20) to overcome Californian Eithan Osborne. It was his 9.77 for two air reverses and a number of turns on one wave that stole the show. Osborne battled hard but was left in a combination situation, needing two scores to beat Herdy.

"This has been the best few weeks of my life," Herdy said. "I just got here to Taiwan and loved it straight away - the waves are fun, the people are so nice and it's a beautiful place, I'm definitely coming back. I was talking to my friends before the final and knew to win I was going to have to surf better than I ever had. The conditions were great for airs so I just went for it and am just so stoked I got the win."

Herdy, wasn’t the only Quik surfer to go deep into the event, Rio Waida (18) who lost to Herdy in the semi finals also made history. Through his final finish he achieved the highest placing of any Indonesian surfer in a WSL World Championship event.

"I really wanted to win this event but third is still an amazing result," Waida said. "It's really special to have the best result of an Indonesian at a World Championship event. I love coming to Taiwan and want to come back here to compete in the future -- it's such a special place to me.”

For the Quiksilver team it has been an amazing week. 13 surfers from all over the globe came to Tawaiin to represent the mountain and the wave and putting on an amazing show. With 3 riders finishing in the quarterfinal , 2 making it through to the semi finals and the World Junior Champion, one could say Taiwan has been a successful trip.

A Day In The Life: Luis DIAZ

Words and lifestyle photos: Sharpy  action photo: WSL/Masurel

Behind the scenes with Gran Canaria’s Luis Diaz when he hit Cornwall to compete at Boardmasters.

My routine for the day started super early because I was actually staying in Woolacombe! Which is like two hours away from Newquay. I was staying with my good friend Alex Baudain, who’s also from the Canaries, and our friend Hannah who lives in Woolacombe - that’s why we stayed there really. Every day I’d get up and drive the two and half hours down to Newquay. Go for a morning free surf and then spend the day at the site. As soon as I finished a heat, I tried to get away from the beach and chill.

The contest so was much better than other events. The set up is bigger than other QS 1000 events around the world. I guess it’s because of the festival. There are so many people around, it was crazy busy. But it was really cool because there were so many people watching us surf and asking for autographs and stuff on the beach.

There are so many people around, it was crazy busy. But it was really cool because there were so many people watching us surf and asking for autographs and stuff on the beach.

Apart from surf, I didn’t do much. I was actually super focussed on the event. I didn’t go to the festival or party at all. I was sticking to my goals in the event which was to do really well. I felt really good in the contest. I ended up in fifth place. The waves were pretty tricky with a couple of small days and then some bigger days with some wind. I ended up losing in the quarterfinals. I had one really good wave, but I just didn’t get the opportunity to get that second solid score. I still felt I could have gone further and won the contest. But a fifth place is ok, it’s good to have some good heats and build some confidence and take that on to the next one. Food wise I pretty much just tried to eat simple stuff around the contest. Nothing too crazy, a few pizzas and things but I just don’t like fish and chips like you English folks…

£192,000 for British surfing but many of you may be asking “What is Britsurf?” and “How will the money be used? Answers here…

So a lot of money being is about to be pumped into British surfing. But many of you may be asking “What is Britsurf?”, and “How will the money be used? We asked Britsurf spokesman Nick Hounsfield.

So first up what is British Surf and how does it work?

The Home Federations ( England, Scotland, Wales and Channel Islands) came together with the purpose of collaborating on all matters that may involve a “British” team. The federations meet generally as needed and have constant dialogue with UKSport, British Olympic Association and the International Surfing Association.

How long did it take to get the bid together?

Actually, it couldn’t take long as we had only about 10 days between the Aspiration Fund being announced and needing to submit for it. Thankfully we have experienced bid writers amongst us that could turn it around quickly.

You must be really happy given the medal hopes criteria? What is the money for and how will it be used? Obviously given the devolution and separate national governing bodes a lot of people are going to be asking how the money will be split to develop surfing in each area. Do you have any criteria for that?

Any opportunity to receive this kind of funding for the sport is extremely exciting. To be clear, this “Aspiration Fund” is geared towards supporting athletes who have Olympic qualification potential but also we needed to demonstrate how this funding can be utilised to drive clear, demonstrable social impact through Surfing. As these funds are from UKSport, there is very clear guidance on who receives funding and how it is spent to produce the greatest positive impact. It is our role now to show our ability to manage the process, manage the funding and measurement the impact it has. There is a mountain of work ahead and it is all done on a voluntary basis within the federations.

Are you going to be engaging any prominent sports scientists?

There are some really great blueprints out there of how to deliver an athlete performance programme and we do have real expertise within the federations. Support is also available from UKSport and we have access to a whole network of experts and professionals who can help and advise.

The money pumped into things like bob sleigh and rowing made a huge difference. Are you hoping for the same?

We have a great sport and we have great athletes in Britain. For too many years our talent and potential has been unfulfilled due to financial or organisational constraints.

We truly believe that with this funding comes a responsibility to start to build the sport for the future, to be able to create a progressive structure for those who want to compete at the highest level whilst inspiring the future generations to get into this sport and build a healthy surf community. This funding is a great first step towards achieving this.

British Surfing gets £192,500 Olympic boost from UK Sport

The Olympics get ever closer and the good news today is UK Sport found some cash down the back of the sofa to help out sports not considered medal chances.

The Guardian reports: “Britain’s surfers, skateboarders and softball players are to receive official funding for the first time to help them qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Surfing will receive £192,500 as part of UK Sport’s new “aspirational fund”, which aims to support sports which do not receive full lottery funding to realise their Olympic and Paralympic ambitions and inspire future generations, with skateboarding getting £162,500 and softball £62,500.”

UK Sports harsh ‘if you ain’t winning we ain’t paying’ system makes sense on one hand but stifles development of sports that aren’t cycling or rowing on the other. So it’s great to see them helping out the not so glam sports with their Aspiration Fund.

As to how the money will be spent we don’t know as yet. If nothing else it should mean the team can afford to travel to qualifying events stress free. More on this as we get it.

Press release from Britsurf

“Today, UK Sport have announced that the sport of surfing will receive up to 192,500 GBP as part of the Aspiration Fund in support of preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

“The Aspiration Fund application submitted on behalf of BSURF (the collaboration of the 4 surfing governing bodies) will be used to support the elite athletes in their qualification for the games and the delivery of a social impact plan to maximize the benefit from the games across Britain.

“In 2016 the member nations of the Olympic Movement voted in favor of the inclusion of the sport of Surfing in the Tokyo Olympic Games 2020. Surfing was one of five new sports to be included and provides a platform for British surfing to excel on the world stage.

“Within the British Islands the governing bodies for the sport of surfing consists of the Scottish Surfing Federation, Surfing England, the Welsh Surfing Federation and the Channel Islands Surfing Federation, each of which manage the sport in their own jurisdiction.

“Over recent years each of the Federations have gone from strength to strength; managing their own programmes and teams at European and World Championship level. With the prospect of Surfing entering the Olympics, an event which requires British Team participation, the Federations representing each jurisdiction formed the British Surfing Union of Recognised Federations (‘BSURF’) collaboration agreement. As well as framing how the governing bodies will come together to select, prepare and manage a British team when required, the BSURF agreement offers each home nation a framework for collaboration and mutual support. In the last two years BSURF have been recognized by the British Olympic Association and the International Surfing Association.
For the sport of surfing, these are very exciting times, and the team now embark on a journey to build an effective strategy and development plan that will prepare British athletes for the world stage in readiness for the Olympic Games 2020.

 

Finisterre wetsuit amnesty

Got old worn out wetsuits you don’t want throw into landfill? I think we all have. Finisterre are collecting them for their recycling project this weekend at their south west stores: Bristol, Exeter, Falmouth, Hawksfield, St Agnes.

They will take any brand and any sizes.

You’ll also get a £10 voucher to spend on the day.

The aim is to produce recycled wetsuits.