Josh Kerr, Alana Blanchard and Freddy P have been announced as the first three surfers invited to the 2018 ‘world’s most luxurious surfing event’ Four Seasons Champions trophy, which sees six of the best surfers on the planet go head-to-head on single fins, twin fins and thrusters, on the incredible Island paradise of Kuda Huraa, North of Male’ starting on August 7th later this year.
Be interesting to see Josh Kerr technical brand of surfing transferred onto twinnnies and single fins.
“It’s a real honor to be invited to such a cool event like this,” Kerr said. “Riding the different boards is something I’ve always enjoyed and to do it in a paradise like the Maldives will be incredible. It’s going to be fun competing against some of my old buddies from the CT, I’ll feel like the youngster again.”
Alana Blanchard
There wouldn’t be many people in the surfing world who don’t know the name Alana Blanchard. The Kauai native has been turning heads since she dominated the junior ranks in Hawaii as a teenager and rose towards the WSL Qualifying Series (QS). After recently becoming a mother, Blanchard is looking to re-qualify for the ‘Dream Tour’.
“I am really excited to be surfing the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy,” Blanchard said. “Doing events is always really fun for me, it’s a good change of pace – and what better place to compete than the Maldives. I always see Instagram posts from past competitors and Four Seasons Kuda Huraa looks like an incredible place, the waves look perfect and the event just seems so well set-up. I can’t wait to surf in an empty lineup out there and experience such a beautiful place and event with my partner, Jack, and our baby boy, Banks. I love experimenting with different boards so feel like the format will suite me.”
Who can forget Freddy P’s retirement. Legend!
Former CT veteran Fred Patacchia Jnr will return to the Maldives for the first time since he competed in a QS event there over 15 years ago. The powerful goofy-foot is known for his finesse in the tube and tactician-like technique on his backhand, meaning he will be one to watch when competition hits Sultans this August. Although he plans to enjoy a relaxing week at Four Seasons Maldives Kuda Huraa, his competitive side will be sure to shine once he pulls the jersey on.
“My first trip to the Maldives was for a QS event,” Patacchia said. “It’s a vivid memory though as I instantly fell in love with the place, from landing at the airport and jumping on our own personal boat headed to our own personal island, to riding my first wave and thinking ‘this is paradise’. I’m excited to be taking my wife along with me as this will be her first time to the Maldives and we’re both so excited to be staying at the Four Seasons.”
Although it is tradition for the previous year’s winner to be invited back to the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy, the reigning two-time event winner Taj Burrow has had to withdraw due to a serious knee injury sustained while surfing in Western Australia. Four Seasons and the WSL wish Taj a swift recovery and hope to see him back in the water very soon.
Stay tuned in the coming weeks for the announcement about a replacement for Burrow along with one more international competitor and a local wildcard for the 2018 event.
Bearman racks up up another fine finish amongst elite competition. (pic not at Malibu. Hopefully full press release to come.)
Adam Griffiths has taken second place in the Mens modern division losing out to Taylor Jensen. Ben Skinner was ninth.
Justine Mauvin took the womens Modern division.
Chad Marshall took the Classic division in a really close four man heat.
More news to follow
Relik unites the global longboard surfing community while building a sustainable competitive platform for all disciplines of longboard surfing. A modern and classic Longboard World Tour hosting 50 of the top longboard surfers from around the world. And has put up ¢150,000 prize purse.
Their goal is to perpetuate the growth of modern longboarding as well as honor the masters of traditional logging and style.
Relik’s modern pro division is complemented by an equally impressive line-up of sixteen traditional standout competitive loggers. These mavericks of style continue to perpetuate the art of surfing and have been influential in enriching the longboard community by honoring tradition and authenticity.
Two weeks. Nearly 1000 entries. And so many air reverses.
With the high-profile final to be held at Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch, kids from around the world entered the 2018 #YGSurfContest with high hopes and chlorine dreams. So, how did Quiksilver choose who moves on to the next round? Their judges — Kanoa Igarashi and Leonardo Fioravanti — picked four kids each.
Kanoa went with Sammy Pupo, Kian Martin, Callum Robson and Noah Beschen. Leonardo Fioravanti chose Mateus Herdy, Jett Schilling, Marco Mignot and Justin Becret. The eight of them wave six different flags — Brazil, USA, Hawaii, France, Australia and Sweden.
In the second stage you get your say. Only four of them will make it to the final at the Surf Ranch. And the public will decide who it’s going to be.
Here’s how it works:
From June 25 – July 2, we’ll be dedicating a day to each of the semifinalists on our Instagram story. Each dedicated post will feature a poll, which will enable you to vote to send a Young Gun to the final. (Note: the poll will feature two options, but both options will count as a “yes” vote — there is no such thing as a “no” vote in this contest.) After every Young Gun has been featured, the three with the highest number of votes will go to the Ranch along with a fourth wildcard selected by Leo and Kanoa.
Jay Davies (AUS)
Jack Freestone (AUS)
Mason Ho (HAW)
Damien Hobgood (USA)
Gearoid McDaid (IRL)
WAIT… WHAT?!
Yes, I missed it first time too…
One of Irelands favourite surfing sons is off to a premier league surfing event. It is huge news in the Emerald isle and everyone who knows G Man, or not, is super stoked for him…
G Man is pretty well known in the UK and Eire, likeable young chap from Sligo, accomplished tube rider spending much time in slabbing pits from Bundoran to County Clare, a=wtia few runners in between. He is, I think it is fair to say, Irelands best performance surfer, and he recently grabbed rope to face the big stuff with Conor Maguire.
Better get a few words from the man of the moment..
So you are the first Irish man to be picked for a world class tuberiding event. The most important questions is… Going from an Irish summer, how are you going to deal with the sun?
Ha ha ya it’s going to be pretty tough over there for me not to get sun burnt. I will have plenty of sun cream packed! Been a pretty fun summer over here for waves but still gonna be pretty nice to surf over there be a bit better!
How did you find out you were invited and what were your initial thoughts?
I was kind of talking to Rip Curl about it for the last couple of months but when I found out I was so frothing. I’ve always wanted to get into this comp. It’s a perfect left, my favourite thing ha ha. So ya, I am pretty excited to go to Bali next week and it’ll hopefully be pumping!
The lads at home are obviously all freaking out? You get a lot of support hey..
Ya everyone over here is super happy for me / pretty jealous. Ha ha. I’ve a big support from everyone here when I go to comps which is super nice. I’m always getting messages about heats makes me feel good to be Irish.
So how do you feel when you read the list and it basically goes.. “Damien Hobgood, Gearoid, Bruno Santos… That’s some call there…
The invite list is next level. I kinda read it and feel like my name doesn’t fit. I mean all these huge names and me! But hopefully i can prove myself over here and get some sick ones and show everyone what I can do
Have you screen grabbed the invite list and printed out? You should…
Ha ha Not yet but ya I probably will could be the biggest thing I’ll ever do!
What’s the plan now? Do you wait for a swell and then book your flight or do you jump on a plane right away and camp out in Indo?
I’m actually going next Thursday. I’m going to be there for the whole waiting period which is sick. So psyched to go chill in Bali, surf everyday in boardies and have a good time while waiting for hopefully and epic swell!
RIP CURL CUP PADANG PADANG 2018 EVENT SCHEDULE:
Event Waiting Period
July 1st – 31st
Rip Curl Planet Beach Cleanup
Friday, June 29th at 8 AM, Padang Padang Beach, Bali
Opening Ceremony
Sunday, July 1st at 3 PM, Padang Padang Beach, Bali
1. Meet the surfers
2. Press conference
3. Traditional Balinese Kecak Dance
