Patagonia launch Fair Trade board shorts and bikinis

Patagonia global surf activist Dave Rastovich travels to Sri Lanka to learn more about where his boardshorts come from, who actually makes them and how Fair Trade helps them. Of course he finds a few waves along the way.

By ensuring safe working conditions and paying workers a direct premium for every product made, Fair Trade is an important first step to better the garment industry. It’s also a powerful tool to create new connections between members of the human family—and to acknowledge that every member of our family deserves to be treated with respect.

Grom Heaven – Hugo Prins, 11

Hugo Prins, 11 years old from Seignosse France was lucky enough to change his hooded 53 Rip Curl Flashbomb, his gloves and boots for a pair of boardshorts during a number of trips over the last 6 months. Searching perfect waves took him to some of the most beautiful places on our planet.

Images were shot by Didier Piter Surfcoaching, Geni Larosa, photographer on the MV Addiction and Benjamin & Jean-Marc Boyer.

Welsh champions crowned

The Welsh National champs tool place over the weekend at Fresh West. Jay Quinn took out the Open event. Jay was 2013 NZ champ and 2001 world junior champion (smashing Bede Durbridge in the final.) Jay has Welsh heritage.

Jo Dennison won her fifth womens title. Seth Morris won both the under 18s and under 16 titles. Raise Gaskill won the Longboard open. Womens Longboard Champ is Hazel Illett.

Jay Quinn demonstrated why he’s a former World Junior Champion with a typically polished performance at the Billabong MiPost Welsh Nationals. Surfing at Freshwater West for the first time, Quinn soon got to grips with the ever changing line up with clean and stylish surfing throughout. Jay saved his best surfing for the final, with an inverted backside air reverse that shut the door on an outstanding performance by Rhys Poulton who’d made an exceptional start to the Open final. Quinn who’d been enjoying time with his Welsh relatives prior to the event, was delighted to arrive in Pembroke to a clean 3 to 4ft swell which ended a lengthy flat spell. Within moments of the 25 minute final Poulton smashed a left to earn an 8.5, which he backed up quickly with a 5.5. Fellow finalists Adam Jenkins and Stephen Phillips had shown throughout the event they weren’t to be ignored, but struggled to match the early pace, the pair soon finding themselves chasing huge scores. Quinn soon dropped an 8 point left, thanks to some good old fashioned square off the bottom, vertical off the top backhand whacks. He quickly switched from old school to new school, pulling a backside air 180 to score an 8.7, that left Swansea’s Poulton chasing a near perfect score that never came. The Open final concluded 3 days of action held at Freshwater West, Pembrokeshire, once again blessed with great waves and fantastic surfing.

In the Women’s Open Jo Dennison was equally convincing, her power and precision perfected over two years of training at the Wave Garden of Surf Snowdonia ensured she regained the title she was unable to defend last year. Whilst her duck diving may have been a little rusty her surfing was far from it. Her speed and attack was too much for Emily Williams, Niamh Mathias and Ffion Hughes to match on this occasion. The judges score cards recording excellent scores of 9’s and 8’s. Take note all you competition surfers, wave pool training works!

Seth Morris also enjoyed a superb weekend as he was crowned U18 and U16 champion. It wasn’t easy for Seth as he faced strong opposition from Cieran Hughes, Jo Morris and Jack Mathias. However young Seth found himself in great rhythm with his stylish eye catching surfing and quick fitting turns ensuring he left the beach with two titles.

Ffion Hughes demonstrated her class in the Under 18 girls, dropping a 9-point backhand right within moments of the Final’s start. Niamh Mathias fought hard to catch her up, but Ffion soon shut the door with another high scoring ride that now leaves her the undoubted queen of girls surfing in Wales.

Ejay Cogger successfully defended his Under 14 title with another solid performance, the ever improving Cogger surely one to watch in the coming years, reigned again despite spirited performances from fellow young rippers Rudder Rava, Eli Perrin Davies and Luke Barfield.

Eli Perrin Davies became Under 12 boys champion, the Ogmore youngster has been turning heads with his surfing for sometime and now has his first Welsh title. Eli is hoping for a strong future in Welsh surfing. His boundless energy, enthusiasm for surfing and a family that holds three generations of surfers, should stand him in good stead!

Anna Jenkins was awarded the best young girls performer after seeing off the challenge of older sister Mia and friend Isabelle Vaughan. All the girls were competing for the first time at the Nationals.

Mark Vaughan completed a double in the Masters and Grand Masters thanks to the extra weight in his turns. In the Kahuna and Grand Kahuna Jamie Bateman and Colin Bright confirmed their titles in convincing fashion. Bateman’s surfing is still on par with the best of the Open, the lines he draws are clean and stylish with a front side wrap that’s the envy of his peers. Brighty meanwhile, must have like, 4 trillion trophies by now; if ever there’s a national gold shortage, Colin’s your man with the reserves!

Raife Gaskell and Hazel Ilett once again defended their Longboard titles impressively, a mix of modern and old school logging ensured they left the beach with plenty of goodies courtesy of Billabong and yet more trophies to place in the cabinet. These two are a firm fixture on the Welsh Nationals podium and show no sign of going anywhere soon!

Jack Mathias was awarded the Paul Ryder award by local ripper and all round nice guy Harry Cromwell. Jack has been representing Pembrokeshire for some time on the contest scene. He’s a determined competitor and richly deserved this great honour.

Billabong Mi Post Welsh nationals results

Open
1 Jay Quin
2 Rhys Poulton
3 Adam Jenkins
4 Stephen Phillips

Women
1 Joanne Denison
2 Emily Williams
3 Niamh Matthias
4 Ffion Hughes

Under 18
1 Seth Morris
2 Cieran Hughes
3 Jo Morris
4 Jack Mathias

U12
1 – Eli Perrin Davies
2 – Sol Williams
3 – Thomas Khan
4 – Blake Jones

U14
1 – Ejay Cogger
2 – Rudder Rava
3 – Eli Perrin Davies
4 – Luke Barfield

U16
1 – Seth Morris
2 – Jo Morris
3 – Jack Mathias
4 – Rudder Rava

U18 Boys
1 – Seth Morris
2 – Cieran Hughes
3 – Jo Morris
4 – Jack Mathias
5 – Rhys Evans

U18 Girls
1 – Ffion Hughes
2 – Niamh Mathias
3 – Mia Jenkins
4 – Alice Barton
5 – Isabelle Vaughan

Ladies Longboard
1 – Hazel Ilett
2 – Georgina Lewtas

Longboard
1 – Raife Gaskell
2 – Martin John
3 – Tim Aylett
4 – Colin Bright

Masters
1 – Mark Vaughan
2 – Chris Seage
3 – Stuart Beale
4 – James Jones (retired injured)

Grandmasters
1 – Mark Vaughan
2 – Jason Cogger
3 – Adrian Boyles
4 – Craig Burrows

Kahuna
1 – Jamie Bateman
2 – Neil Newman
3 – Adrian Boyles
4 – Craig Burrows

Grand Kahuna
1 – Colin Bright
2 – Adrian Boyles
3 – Gwyn Bright (retired injured)

Paul Ryder Award
Jack Mathias

U12 Highest Place Girl
Anna Jenkins

Matthew Bryce had ‘prepared for death’

Matthew Bryce, the Scottish surfer who spent 32 hours adrift at sea, has spoken for the first time about his ordeal to the BBC.

He said he had “made himself at peace” while watching the sun set, believing he would not survive another night.

The 23-year old told BBC Scotland’s Jackie Bird how it had started as “just a normal day”.
He said he had driven to Westport car park in the Kintyre peninsula on Sunday morning, waxed his surfboard then gone into the sea about 11:00 to catch some waves but began to panic as tides and winds carried him out to sea.

“The wind and water was just relentless,” he said.
At one point he got back to within about a mile of land, only for the tide to change direction.
“It got to the point where my paddling was ineffective, but I was doing it to keep myself warm.”
“It was incredibly lonely and quiet because there was just nothing – just waves,” he said.
“I hadn’t seen any helicopters.
“I was thinking I was going to die – I was almost convinced.
“I didn’t think I would see sunrise.”

He then saw ships, and since he was well out of the coastguard search area, he decided to try and get into a shipping lane in the hope someone might see him. He continued to paddle towards the ships through the night. By daylight he was starting to pass out and fall off his board. He continued to drift through the day and as night approached again he said he was resigned for death.
“I knew I wasn’t going to make another night, so I was watching the sunset,” he said.
“Then a helicopter flew over me.”
“Beautiful sight”
“I owe them my life.”

Full interview here
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-39802553

Ellie Turner Set For The Rip Curl GromSearch International Final

Bude’s Ellie Turner is heading to the RC Gromsearch Final in Brazil. The legendary event that’s been a stepping stone to greatness for many, will be held at Maresias Beach, Sao Paulo, from May 2 – 7.
Competitors come from seven different regions around the globe, including Europe, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Indonesia, South Africa and South America.
Competition will take place at the home beach of 2014 WSL World Champion Gabriel Medina, on the white sandy beaches of the northern part of the Sao Paulo coastline. In conjunction with the Medina Institute, 16 of the world’s top up-and-coming surfers will have the chance to stake their claim to this prestigious event, gaining international recognition as a competitive athlete.

2017 List of Competitors:

Australia: Jay Brown and Sasha Baker
Brazil: Leonardo Barcelos and Louisie Frumento
Europe: Yael Pena (Spain) and Ellie Turner (UK)
Indonesia: Rio Waida and Dhea Natasya Novitasari
New Zealand: Caleb Cutmore and Elin Tawharu
USA: Kade Matson and Caroline Marks

Rip Curl ran the first GromSearch event back in 1999 with the goal of providing a fun yet high-level competitive event for junior surfers. Since then it has developed into a worldwide series that culminates in an International Final, held at a different location each year. With an age bracket of under-17, the focus is on nurturing the development of the next generation of elite surfers.

Rip Curl Team rider Ellie Turner from the UK will be representing Europe along Yael Pena from Spain. We will be closely following the Euro Kids next week with interest.

Former GromSearch competitors include 2014 World Champion Gabriel Medina, reigning World Champion Tyler Wright (2016), 6x World Champion Stephanie Gilmore, World Tour competitors Owen Wright, Nikki van Dijk and more.