Machado takes single fin event at Four Seasons

Rob Machado at the 2017 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy Single Fin Division

The 2017 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy has finally kicked off at Sultans point in clean 2 – 4 foot waves. Day one saw the completion of the Single Fin division, which was taken out by Californian style guru Rob Machado.

Machado came up against fellow goofy-foot C.J. Hobgood in the final and the two went toe-to-toe, duelling it out on their backhand. Hobgood was in solid form posting a 15.33 (out of a possible 20) heat total but it was Machado’s fluid style and experience on his single-fin that saw him take the victory with a two-wave combination of 15.67.

“That was so fun out there,” Machado said. “I was stoked to share the final with another goofy-footer, it was actually pretty unbelievable that it ended up like that. It’s amazing to be back here at the Four Seasons Kuda Huraa, such a magical place with amazing waves, we are all so spoiled to be here. The waves today were the best they have been all week, which was great, particularly in the Final. C.J. and I were catching waves non-stop which is what you want, lots of waves and high scores.”

Machado is at the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy for his second time and had unfinished business having finished runner-up in the single fin last time to Taj Burrow (AUS). Machado got one back eliminating Burrow in the Semifinal on a board he shaped himself.

“I had last years final in my head,” Machado continued. “I was definitely keen to go one better so I was stoked to take the win. I shaped a new board for this event, which was easy as I knew what kind of wave we’d be surfing. It’s always fun to go into the shaping bay and imagine how you’ll be surfing a wave when you build a board. It went well and I hope my twin fin does as good a job tomorrow.”

Rob Machado with the single fin he shaped himself to win the opening division in the Maldives. Credit: © WSL / Sean Scott

Hobgood put on a great performance all day but came just short of finding the score he needed. Half way through the final he pulled into a rare barrel but was unable to find the exit, leaving him chasing a 7.68 (out of a possible 10). In the end he was unable to find it but was happy to share the line-up with one of his favourite surfers and good friend. After a few days of waiting, competitors were buzzing with excitement on board the Four Seasons Explorer, ‘the ultimate surf vessel’ and none were more pumped than Hobgood.

“I knew I needed to do something good and thought that barrel would open up for me,” Hobgood said. “If I just went for turns instead of the tube it might have been the difference. Regardless of the result I’m having a great time and am just stoked to be here in paradise. I didn’t even think an experience like this was real; it’s just so amazing. Being here with all of these guys that you look up to is unreal.”

2001 WSL Champion C.J. Hobgood takes second place in the single fin division at the 2017 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy. Credit: © WSL / Sean Scott

Last years single fin winner and overall event champion Taj Burrow was looking dangerous early posting the highest heat total of the day, a 16.77. He was unable to repeat this performance in the semifinal, going down to eventual winner Machado.

“It was a little slow out there and I fell on two good ones which is not what you want in a slow heat,” Burrow said. “I was feeling really good and my board was going well but I just slipped when I shouldn’t have. The board I have is from Jake Patterson (former CT competitor) and it goes really well. It needs a bit of power in the waves to really get going so I had to wait for the set waves. It’s good to finally get the competition started and score some fun waves. I’m pumped to be back at the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy, I love this event.”

Taj Burrow was unable to go back-to-back in the single fin division.
Credit: © WSL / Tom Bennett

Brazilian big wave charger Maya Gabeira (BRA) is used to being the lone female in the line-up and showed it doesn’t phase her to much as she took on Taj Burrow and Ross Williams. Riding a single fin for the first time this week, Gabeira enjoyed soaking up the experience of scoring Maldivian waves with two other out.

“This doesn’t feel like a competition at all,” Gabeira said. “Just surfing out there with no one out except some of the world’s best is so fun. Watching these guys surf is really inspiring to me and amazing to watch. I’m slowly getting used to the single fin but it is really different for me. Today was probably the best waves I ‘ve had here in the Maldives, which was cool. This is just such a crazy experience; I have never been on such a luxurious surf trip, it has exceeded all of my expectations.”

Tune in tomorrow as the 2017 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy continues with competitors taking to the water on twin fins in what is bound to be another action packed day at the ‘world’s most luxurious surfing event.’

BRITS LEAD FIELD AT BOARDMASTERS

BOARDMASTERS SURFING LAUNCHES

The Boardmasters, Quiksilver Open launched yesterday in wind-affected three-to-four foot surf at Fistral beach and completed the opening two rounds of competition of the men’s event as well as the opening round of the women’s Boardmasters, Roxy Open.

Competitors made the best of the conditions on offer and put on a good show for the Newquay locals and tourists coming to enjoy the beach at Fistral.

Bude surfer Jobe Harriss (GBR), 21, opened his account with a solid heat to rack up a 14 points total and advance into the third round of competition in Cornwall. The long time WSL competitor had to put his surfing career on standby following the loss of his main sponsor this season and was extremely happy to put the competition jersey back on on home turf.

“I had a free surf this morning and barely did a turn so I was a bit worried, but luckily now at low tide it’s nice and steep and has a few sections!” Harriss stated. “Pretty much every U.K tour event ever is at Fistral so I’ve surfed loads of heats down here and I knew it was going to get better at low. I came fifth here last year, this year’s feels like it’s got a stronger field but I’m confident and hoping for the best.”

2016 Boardmasters runner-up Angelo Bonomelli (ITA), 26, managed to escape a treacherous Round Two matchup and advanced in second position behind Liam O’Brien (AUS) to keep his hopes of reaching the finals again alive. The Italian surfer returned to Fistral to launch his European season and try to improve on his overall ranking.

“I really struggled to find good waves and honestly didn’t expect to make it through this heat,” Bonomelli admitted. “Last year’s was my best result ever and I don’t know if I’m capable of doing better but I sure am going to try my hardest! I love the vibe here, I’m staying with the Timson family and it’s like being home.”

An avid traveler, Bonomelli found in Cornwall reasons to come back and enjoy the special vibe the place has to offer. As much as surfing a final was a highlight for the Italian surfer last year, the general atmosphere at Boardmasters is really what got him to come back.
“The weather here changes every ten minutes so you have to prepare for everything but some days we get really good waves and even pretty much to ourselves. People are super nice and it’s a pleasure to come back. I even went to the music festival last year and it was fun, a bit too crowded for me but if you’re into music you just have an incredible night there. It’s a great way to get more people to the beach and show them competitive surfing, there’s also skateboarding and other sports so it’s a festival for everyone and a great way to enjoy a sunny summer day.”
Bonomelli

Fresh off a victory at the Murasaki Shonan Open in Japan, Lliam Mortensen (AUS), 20, managed to keep his momentum going today and made his way into Round Three of competition. Currently sitting right outside the Top 100 on the Qualifying Series, the Australian is after a few more ranking points to access the prestigious QS10,000 events later this season.

“I’m glad to be here for the first time, it looks like an amazing place,” Mortensen said. “It’s tricky to surf a heat when you have no idea what the situation is, but you just kind of have to score your waves yourself and hope you’re surfing better than your opponents. Japan was awesome and it’s hard to come back in your first event after a win, but I’m going to try and better a few other results to hopefully get into the Top 100.”

A two-time event winner in the Longboard division at Boardmasters, Edouard Delpero (FRA), 27, got off to a good start on his shortboard as well today. In the hunt for another European longboard champion title, Delpero is also a threat on the QS and will try to better his best result at Fistral, an excellent third place a few years ago.

“I dare say this is classic Newquay conditions for Boardmasters,” Delpero commented. “It’s pretty windy but there’s waves out there if you can find the right sections. It’s good to come early and do the QS so you can work out the conditions. We have a great battle going again with my brother Antoine and Emilien (Fleury) leading this time, so I look forward to getting the longboard out and fight for the title.”

Other notable results include the successful starts of British surfers Liam Turner, Angus Scotney, Gearoid McDaid, Alan Stokes, Luke Dillon, Jay Quinn, Harry Timson, Joss Ash, Reubyn Ash and Seth Morris.

Capitalizing on conditions on Day One, the women then entered the arena to complete their opening round of competition at Boardmasters, Roxy Open.

Argentina’s Lucia Cosoleto belted the day’s highest combined heat total for the women, with a solid 13.17 to advance into the top seeds’ Round Two.

Longboarder and current No. 3 in the world Honolua Blomfield (HAW), 18, decided to enter the QS event as well and marched right through the opening round early this evening. The Hawaiian surfer jumped on the opportunity to visit a different part of the world she was yet to explore and will be a force to be reckoned with in both the short and longboard events this week.

“It was my mom and I’s dream to come here and I met a friend from here about a month ago in Bali and decided to come,” Blomfield said. “I came mostly for the longboard but thought I’d enter the QS as well just for fun! I’ve been here a couple of days and I love it so far, the festival is something really different from what I’m used to.”

In the following heat, former Championship Tour athlete and famed musician Lee-Ann Curren(FRA), 28, managed to advance into Round Two despite receiving an interference and being judged on her best wave only. The French surfer had earlier that day played her music for the public at Fistral during the Day Sessions.

The competition window opens Friday for Boardmasters, Jeep Men and Women’s Longboard, with a first call at 7:30 a.m for both the men and women. Qualifying Series athletes will reconvene at 11 a.m.

Boardmasters are scheduled from August 9-13, 2017 at Fistral Beach, Cornwall – England. For all results, photos, video highlights and press releases, log on to worldsurfleague.com. 

Boardmasters are supported by Corona, Monster Energy, Cornish Orchards, VISA, Samsung, Quiksilver, Roxy, Jeep, Carve Surfing Magazine, Surfgirl, Radio X and DJ Mag among others, with MagicSeaWeed.com as official forecaster.

UPCOMING BOARDMASTERS, QUIKSILVER OPEN ROUND 3 MATCHUPS:
Heat 1: Lliam Mortensen (AUS), Jobe Harriss (GBR), Liam Turner (GBR), Alan Stokes (GBR)
Heat 2: Jock Barnes (AUS), Arne Bergwinkl (DEU), Angus Scotney (GBR), Gearoid McDaid (IRL)
Heat 3: Max Longhurst (AUS), Liam O’Brien (AUS), Jay Quinn (NZL), Caina Souza Da Silva (BRA)
Heat 4: Luke Dillon (GBR), Angelo Bonomelli (ITA), Theo Julitte (FRA), Ian Fontaine (FRA)
Heat 5: Ignacio Guisasola (ESP), Edouard Delpero (FRA), Lens Arancibia Avila (FRA), Moses Le Grice (AUS)
Heat 6: Slade Prestwich (ZAF), Alex Bauduin (CNY), Harry Timson (GBR), Joss Ash (GBR)
Heat 7: Tristan Guilbaud (FRA), Jordan Lawler (AUS), Pablo Montero (ESP), Marcos Rojas (CRI)
Heat 8: Reubyn Ash (GBR), Seth Morris (GBR), Kairi Noro (JPN), Luis Diaz (CNY)

UPCOMING BOARDMASTERS, ROXY OPEN ROUND 2 MATCHUPS:
Heat 1: Claire Bevilacqua (AUS), Ellie Turner (GBR), Teal Hogg (ZAF), Emily Currie (GBR)
Heat 2: Reika Noro (JPN), Vahine Fierro (PYF), Nadia Erostarbe (EUK), Hannah Bristow (GBR)
Heat 3: Justine Dupont (FRA), Eliza Greene (AUS), Lucia Cosoleto (ARG), Leonor Fragoso (PRT)
Heat 4: Mikaela Greene (AUS), Peony Knight (GBR), Joanne Dennison (GBR), Yolander Hopkins (PRT)
Heat 5: Carol Henrique (PRT), Lucy Campbell (GBR), Honolua Blomfield (HAW), Lee-Ann Curren (FRA)
Heat 6: Ella Williams (NZL), Nagisa Tashiro (JPN), Summa Longbottom (AUS), Denver Young (AUS)
Heat 7: Camilla Kemp (PRT), Ainara Aymat (EUK), Uhaina Joly (FRA), Tiana-Breeze De Mooij (NZL)
Heat 8: Ren Hashimoto (JPN), Ariane Ochoa (EUK), Josefina Ane (ARG), Marion Philippe (PYF)

BOARDMASTERS, QUIKSILVER OPEN ROUND 2 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Max Longhurst (AUS) 11.00, Jock Barnes (AUS) 10.90, Gony Zubizarreta (ESP) 9.97, Kit Innes (GBR) 6.93
Heat 2: Jobe Harriss (GBR) 14.00, Arne Bergwinkl (DEU) 10.86, Jesse Halkett (AUS) 8.80, Cieran Hughes (GBR) 3.47
Heat 3: Angus Scotney (GBR) 11.50, Liam Turner (GBR) 10.43, Pedro Coelho (PRT) 9.67, Tom Butler (GBR) 3.93
Heat 4: Gearoid McDaid (IRL) 14.30, Alan Stokes (GBR) 9.06, Arran Strong (GBR) 8.76, Mark Boyd (SCO) 4.87
Heat 5: Max Longhurst (AUS) 13.07, Luke Dillon (GBR) 9.57, Ben Penny (AUS) 8.43, Rhys Barfield (GBR) 5.93
Heat 6: Liam O’Brien (AUS) 11.50, Angelo Bonomelli (ITA) 9.07, Charlie Rio (JEY) 7.50, Titouan Canevet (FRA) 6.70
Heat 7: Theo Julitte (FRA) 12.33, Jay Quinn (NZL) 10.94, Daiki Tanaka (JPN) 9.83, Harry De Roth (GBR) 8.97
Heat 8: Ian Fontaine (FRA) 13.00, Caina Souza Da Silva (BRA) 10.73, David Noy (ISR) 8.17, Stanley Norman (GBR) 4.93
Heat 9: Ignacio Guisasola (ESP) 11.03, Slade Prestwich (ZAF) 10.66, Tomas Fernandes (PRT) 6.24, Tom Boelsma (NDL) 6.03
Heat 10: Edouard Delpero (FRA) 10.33, Alex Bauduin (CNY) 7.70, Paul Moretti (NZL) 7.63, Logan Nicol (GBR) 7.33
Heat 11: Harry Timson (GBR) 12.70, Lens Arancibia Avila (FRA) 11.90, Liam Murray Strout (GBR) 6.27, Ariel Sanin (ISR) 4.14
Heat 12: Joss Ash (GBR) 11.00, Moses Le Grice (AUS) 9.67, Naru Awada (JPN) 8.10, Kaspar Hamminga (NLD) 6.83
Heat 13: Tristan Guilbaud (FRA) 13.00, Reubyn Ash (GBR) 9.87, Pepijn Tigges (NDL) 5.53, Will Bailey (GBR) 4.80
Heat 14: Jordan Lawler (AUS) 9.07, Seth Morris (GBR) 8.46, Kai Awada (JPN) 7.70, Ely Cassirer (ISR) 4.87
Heat 15: Kairi Noro (JPN) 10.00, Pablo Montero (ESP) 8.84, Miles Lee Hargreaves (GBR) 8.80, Max Payne (GBR) 6.87
Heat 16: Luis Diaz (CNY) 9.00, Marcos Rojas (CRI) 7.73, Patrick Langdon-Dark (GBR) 7.44, Jakob Lilienweiss (DEU) 5.80

BOARDMASTERS, ROXY OPEN ROUND 1 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Teal Hogg (ZAF) 10.00, Hannah Bristow (GBR) 4.76, Mirna Boelsma (NDL) 3.77
Heat 2: Nadia Erostarbe (EUK) 9.50, Emily Currie (GBR) 9.24, Ozvan Masseron (FRA) 7.93, Tehillah McGuinness (GBR) 5.07
Heat 3: Lucia Cosoleto (ARG) 13.17, Yolander Hopkins (PRT) 11.10, Dominga Valdes (NLD) 7.23, Ffion Hughes (GBR) 3.13
Heat 4: Joanne Dennison (GBR) 7.60, Leonor Fragoso (PRT) 5.83
Heat 5: Honolua Blomfield (HAW) 11.67, Denver Young (AUS) 8.77, Nina Reynal (FRA) 5.53
Heat 6: Summa Longbottom (AUS) 8.46, Lee-Ann Curren (FRA) 6.77, Klervi Masseron (FRA) 5.17
Heat 7: Uhaina Joly (FRA) 12.93, Marion Philippe (PYF) 7.84, Mischa Maguire (GBR) 2.93
Heat 8: Josefina Ane (ARG) 11.83, Tiana-Breeze De Mooij (NZL) 7.33, Emily Williams (GBR) 4.20, Alys Barton (GBR) 0.40

BOARDMASTERS, QUIKSILVER OPEN ROUND 1 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Lliam Mortensen (AUS) 10.60, Cieran Hughes (GBR) 7.20, Joshua Hughes (GBR) 4.87
Heat 2: Liam Turner (GBR) 10.50, Alan Stokes (GBR) 8.50, Jordan Dean (GBR) 6.20, Kamron Matthews (GBR) 3.77
Heat 3: Max Longhurst (AUS) 9.30, Charlie Rio (JEY) 7.30, Chad Schwab (ZAF) 4.13
Heat 4: Jay Quinn (NZL) 10.07, Caina Souza Da Silva (BRA) 8.74, Joseph Morris (GBR) 2.90
Heat 5: Slade Prestwich (ZAF) 9.17, Logan Nicol (GBR) 7.00, Alex Ashen (GBR) 5.27
Heat 6: Harry Timson (GBR) 10.70, Joss Ash (GBR) 8.80, Samuel Coad (GBR) 7.47
Heat 7: Reubyn Ash (GBR) 11.77, Jordan Lawler (AUS) 7.97, Will Davey (GBR) 7.36
Heat 8: Max Payne (GBR) 9.27, Patrick Langdon-Dark (GBR) 7.23, Frankie Bamford (GBR) 7.03

f: @Boardmasters   i: @Boardmasters   t: @Boardmasters   Snapchat: Boardmasters #Boardmasters

Da Kine launch JJF collection with bonus eco packaging

Considered the best surfer in the world, John John Florence has been on a surfboard since his infancy, originally signing as a Dakine athlete at age 7. He’s been gracing covers of magazines, redefining the approach to progression and dominating the world tour ever since. Hawaiian-born and bred, Florence is a history-making surfer who stands behind the gear he uses. With the launch of the new JJF Collection from Dakine, Florence and the Maui-born brand created a line of thoughtfully crafted, superior quality products that supports the needs of surfers from all walks of life.

Florence brings his passion, experience and demands of a traveling athlete to the Dakine brand to influence the collection that is built on the details. After re-signing with Dakine in October 2016, the design of the JJF signature traction pad and leash immediately began. Particular with every detail, Florence provided his feedback over 8 rounds of protyping of his ideal traction pad including the size of the kick, direction and height of the grid pattern, the softness of the EVA foam, and the width of the middle arch.

“John John takes his equipment very seriously. He won’t just use a traction pad or a leash if he doesn’t feel it’s not going to help elevate his potential while competing,” said Micah Nickens, surf marketing director at Dakine. “Adding his name to any product is a very big deal to him. It only gets the green light once he’s 100% sure its exactly what he wants.”

The hyper-grippy traction pad and series of surf leashes all ship in eco-friendly packaging that is built from recycled cardboard and no plastic, a request from Florence to reduce landfill waste. “Plastic free packaging and my favorite pad yet! I’m so happy to be back with the Dakine family,” said Florence.

Coming off the most dominant season of any athlete in the history of professional surfing, Florence earned champion titles at the 2016 WSL World Championship, Hawaiian Triple Crown and Eddie Aikau Waimea Bay Invtiation. The JJF Collection is all about pushing the limits of surf accessories so one of the most progressive riders can continue to change the game.

Kelly Slater “This First”

Its no secret we are massive Slater fans here at Carve, and it’s not just his surfing we admire. Kelly puts it on the line whatever he does and yet as successful as he has been you can see he has vulnerabilities.

Kelly opens up on Surfing, Insecurity, Family, Sobriety & Relationships in his Volcom ThisFirst Interview. It’s a story a lot of people can learn from particularly todays youth who are presented with all sorts of problems and not so many role models with answers.

Top man, true legend.

Surfer that saved the world arrested by FBI in LA


The British cyber-security researcher who was praised for stalling the worldwide WannaCry cyber-attack has been arrested in Las Vegas.

Marcus Hutchins, 23, the surfer that saved the world from the Wannacry virus has been arrested by the FBI charged with involvement with Kronos – a malware used to steal banking logins.


In a twist that reads like Point break Four script Hutchins was arrested in Los Vegas attending the Black Hat and Def Con cyber-security conferences. US prosecutors claim he helped create and distribute the Kronos banking trojan between July 2014 and July 2015 and arrest him on Wednesday.

“Marcus Hutchins… a citizen and resident of the United Kingdom, was arrested in the United States on 2 August, 2017, in Las Vegas, Nevada, after a grand jury in the Eastern District of Wisconsin returned a six-count indictment against Hutchins for his role in creating and distributing the Kronos banking Trojan,” the US Department of Justice (DOJ) said in a statement.

“The charges against Hutchins, and for which he was arrested, relate to alleged conduct that occurred between in or around July 2014 and July 2015.”

Mr Hutchins’ job involves investigating malware.

“It looks like the US justice system has made a huge mistake,” said fellow researcher Kevin Beaumont on Twitter.

The BBC report Hutchins was arrested while at an airport. A colleague said

“We tried to visit him at [the detention centre], but he was moved before visiting hours,” they told the BBC. We’ve not had any contact with him for 18 hours now.”

Stayed tuned for how this rolls out. Our money is on a break out, quick plane ride and Hutchins surfing 50 year storm with a guy called Bodie somewhere in the Pacific.

Buy a Scottish surf film …


Here is a sneak peak at Scotland Eurosurf team member Boydie’s section from “01847”

“01847” is a Thurso surf film which was put together by Rups as a charity fundraiser for the Scottish Surfing Federation at this year’s Scottish Nationals.

The full length film will not be made available online but will become available in digital form to pledgers as a reward on the SSF’s Scotland Team EuroSurf Crowdfunding campaign which is now live!! The campaign will help raise funds for the 10-strong Scotland Team who will be travelling to Norway to fly the flag at the European Surfing Championships:

www.crowdfunder.co.uk/scotland-surfing-team-eurosurf-2017
Huge thanks to Malcolm Anderson who dedicates a lot of his time volunteering and supporting the SSF but also many thanks to the other filmers from whom some of the additional footage used has been acquired 🙂