Patagonia invite you to test the new neoprene free wetsuits 20th- 28th August in the UK. They’ll be hanging out at various locations across the British coastline where visitors wil be able to get in the water with their new Yulex suits.
The entire line of Patagonia’s all-new, high-performance wetsuits is made with natural rubber developed in partnership with Yulex and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified by the Rainforest Alliance.
The neoprene-free Yulex wetsuits perform as well or better than conventional neoprene wetsuits. But because the main polymer is produced in trees instead of factories, using natural rubber reduces the CO2 in wetsuit manufacturing by up to ~80 percent. The FSC certified rubber is blended with a small amount of chlorine-free synthetic rubber for increased ozone and UV resistance, and to meet Patagonia’s rigorous demands for durability and strength. The Yulex process also removes over 99% of impurities, resulting in a nonsensitizing material.
During the evening of the 20th, 23rd and 27th, hang out from 6pm- 9pm for an evening of beers and film screenings and learn about how Patagonia are saying #GoodbyeNeoprene.
All dates for the Yulex Natural Rubber Wetsuits Launch Tour can be found here, or see below for details on the UK dates, locations and times.
August 20th – Hayle, Cornwall with Down the Line
Day event: 9:30am – 5pm at The Rockpool at 1 Godrevy Towans, Gwithian, Hayle TR27 5ED – http://www.therockpoolbar.co.uk/
Evening event on Sat 20th from 6pm – 9pm at Down the Line, Market Square Arcade, Copperhouse, Hayle TR27 4EA with brand ambassador Lea Brassy and Patch Wilson
August 21st – Hayle, Cornwall with Down the Line
Hayle, Cornwall with Down the Line.
Day event: 9:30am – 5pm at The Rockpool at 1 Godrevy Towans, Gwithian, Hayle TR27 5ED – http://www.therockpoolbar.co.uk/
August 23rd – Newquay, Cornwall with Northshore
Day event: 9:30am – 5pm outside Gilmore’s at 11 Tower Rd, Newquay TR7 1LS – http://www.gilmoresnewquay.co.uk/
Evening event on Tuesday 23rd from 6pm – 9pm at Gilmore’s 11 Tower Rd, Newquay TR7 1LS with brand ambassador Lea Brassy and Patch Wilson
August 25th – Bude, Cornwall with Surf Cabin Day event only: 9:30am – 5pm outside Rosie’s Kitchen at Crooklets Beach, Bude EX23 8NE – http://www.rosieskitchen.co.uk/
August 27th – Shore, East Wittering with Shore Day event: 9:30am – at Shore, 20-22 Shore Rd, East Wittering, Chichester PO20 8DZ – http://www.shore.co.uk/wittering-surf-shop
Evening event on Sat 27th from 6pm – 9pm at Shore, 20-22 Shore Rd, East Wittering, Chichester PO20 8DZ with brand ambassador Patch Wilson
August 28th – Shore, East Wittering with Shore Day event: 9:30am – at Shore, 20-22 Shore Rd, East Wittering, Chichester PO20 8DZ – http://www.shore.co.uk/wittering-surf-shop
Evening event on Sat 27th from 6pm – 9pm at Shore, 20-22 Shore Rd, East Wittering, Chichester PO20 8DZ with brand ambassador Patch Wilson
The 2016 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy has been run and won by West Australian surfer Taj Burrow. Burrow came up against the event’s defending champion, big wave legend Shane Dorian in the Final.
After winning the semifinal and final of the thruster division, coming up against Dorian in the overall event final would be no easy task for a fatigued Burrow. Burrow hit the lead early posting two excellent scores, a 9.17 and an 8.67 (out of a possible 10) for a heat total of 17.84.
Burrow was always going to be too tough to beat having only just retired from competing on the elite WSL Championship Tour (CT). The natural footer surfed incredibly on the final day throwing his fins out on critical sections and drawing rail carves out as if he was on tracks.
“This has been such a fun event,” Burrow said. “Sultans is just such a fun rippable wave, and to surf with one of my childhood heroes, Shane Dorian, in the final was like a dream come true. I was so nervous in both of those Finals; Shane was ripping so hard and just not falling off, so it was pretty nerve-racking.”
Along with the prize money, for winning the contest Burrow is now invited back to the event next year, which some would say is the best prize of all.
“Bec (Burrow’s partner) and I are so stoked we get to come back next year,” Burrow said. “It’s been so amazing here on Kuda Huraa. It’s funny because everyone talks about how chilled out this event is but we’re all competitive deep down and as soon as we paddle out, we’re in it to win it.”
Returning to the event as defending champion, Dorian was the one to beat and his performance didn’t disappoint posting excellent scores across all divisions and taking out the twin fin division. This continued in the final where Dorian’s huge power hacks saw him post a heat total of 17.33, just short of the requirement. “That was so fun today,” Dorian said.
“The waves were pumping all day. I’m so tired after surfing back-to-back finals but it was sick to be out there with Taj, he’s an incredible surfer. My wife and I have been looking forward to getting back here all year so I’m stoked we got to experience it all again and get on the different boards in a contest.” Earlier in the day the two met in the final of the thruster division, which was taken out by the
“That was so fun today,” Dorian said. “The waves were pumping all day. I’m so tired after surfing back-to-back finals but it was sick to be out there with Taj, he’s an incredible surfer. My wife and I have been looking forward to getting back here all year so I’m stoked we got to experience it all again and get on the different boards in a contest.”
Earlier in the day the two met in the final of the thruster division, which was taken out by the in form Burrow. Before they got there they had to each overcome a number of the world’s most renowned surfers on their more preferred conventional thrusters.
Finishing in equal 5th in the thruster division was Californian style icon and former Pipe Master Rob Machado. Machado was on a tear but came up against a rampaging Travis Logie and Taj Burrow and was knocked out of the division finishing in equal 3rd overall.
“This has been unreal,” Machado said. “That heat was sick, Bethany blew me away, her surfing is incredible. Everyone at this contest rips so hard, once you’re off tour it’s rare to be around people who surf at this level, it’s so cool to see, especially making everyone surf single and twin fin boards. I came to the Maldives years ago and it was a real mission getting around to waves but this trip has been amazing; Kuda Huraa is so close to all these waves it’s been so incredible.”
In one of the closest heats of the contest, WSL Deputy commissioner Travis Logie looked set for a finals birth in the thruster division posting a number of excellent scores with his searing back-hand attack. With less than a minute left, Shane Dorian took off on a set and went to town on it posting an excellent 8.90, putting Logie into second for a division result of equal 3rd and an overall contest result of the same.
“This is one of the best events I have ever competed in,” Logie said. “The vide is really cool and the waves have been pumping the whole time. I’m pretty bummed I didn’t make a final, it was really tough to compete on your backhand; hats off to Rob for making the Single fin final. I think Bethany Hamilton is the best surfer in the world, I’ve always had respect for her but seeing her surf this week was incredible. I have done a lot of travelling in my life and been to the Maldives a number of times but this experience at the Four Seasons has been the best, the service, the food and such a short boat ride to Sultans, it’s amazing.”
Finishing in fourth overall was Hawaiian ripper and former Pipe Mater Jamie O’Brien. O’Brien finished second in the twin-fin but was unable to progress through the thruster division in a heat that was low on set waves.
“This event has been so great,” O’Brien said. “The waves, the hospitality at the Four Seasons and the format are all awesome. It’s been a really relaxing experience except for the last five minutes of my heat of course. I’ve had a real blast.”
Hands down the most impressive performance went to Bethany Hamilton of Hawaii. In the unique format, Hamilton was the only competing female. Hamilton posted an excellent 8.63 and had her male opponents on the ropes. The inspirational goofy-foot was unable to find a back-up score and finished 6th overall at the event.
“That wave was so perfect – one of the ones you really look for,” Hamilton said. “It’s been so good to be here with my family and surfing with the guys. Seeing Rob and his style is just amazing. It’s been a really awesome event.”
Beaten in the Semifinal by Burrow, local wildcard Hussain ‘Iboo’ Areef put on an awesome display of backhand surfing at his local break, which tested the world class Burrow no end.
“This has been the best week,” Iboo said. “Seeing the world’s best surfing my home break has been amazing but talking to them and hanging out has been the best part. They’re all so nice which is cool. I feel like my surfing has improved just from watching how they surf. I will remember this experience for ever.”
Check back at WorldSurfLeague.com for more images and information on the 2016 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy or on the WSL App.
Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy Final Results
Bonomelli continued his tear through the early rounds. – WSL / Laurent Masurel
The Boardmasters, Cornwall resumed in cleaner two-foot surf under a bright Cornish sun and saw competitors from almost all divisions take part in the second day of competition.
The remaining four heats of the QS Men’s Round 3 were first completed and witnessed the surprise eliminations of local favorites Alan Stokes, Luke Dillon and Kit Innes.
In the afternoon, men longboarders entered their final regional event of the season, and while the European title was decided at the previous stop in Galicia, surfers went out just as motivated to conquer the coveted Boardmasters trophy.
Newquay waterman Ben Skinner (GBR), 31, left no chance to his opponents in his opening matchup on home turf, and controlled the heat from start to finish with authority. The former event winner edged out Emilien Fleury to advance into the quarters where he’ll be facing compatriot Adam Griffiths (GBR).
“I’m so stoked just to be at home, it’s so nice after the three events and a lot of travelling,” Skinner commented. “Boardmasters has a 31-year history of some amazing events, as I was a kid it’s always something I looked up to so now to have the longboarders be part of it is amazing. I started surfing this event about eight years ago I think and have won it a couple of times, so I’m definitely looking to add one event title to my resume this year.”
Skinner’s salute to the huge crowds gathered at Fistral. – WSL / Laurent Masurel
“That’s just a whole different feeling being at home and having my wife and kids, and all the support from everyone down here it’s pretty special,” he continued. “There’s a lot going on for sure but I love it, even the distractions.”
Defending event champion Edouard Delpero (FRA), 26, bounced back after an early elimination in the QS division yesterday with a solid win in the over 9-foot board category. The young Frenchman found a better rhythm and negotiated the flat sections perfectly to post an impressive 14.74 heat total for his quarterfinal ticket.
Edouard Delpero knows a thing or two about nose-riding, too. – WSL / Laurent Masurel
“It’s complicated out there and you really have to be active, scouring the lineup to find the little ones that reform and offer a longer wall,” he reflected. “Unfortunately yesterday I couldn’t find the right waves, but today it was a little bit easier on a longboard and I managed to do ok. This event is awesome, very different from what we’re used to and a nice little escape in the summer. I hope I can continue to surf well and maybe even beat my brother for once if we do surf against each other later in the event.”
Said brother, Antoine Delpero (FRA), 30, rounded up the day with an uncharacteristic average performance, but enough to see him move into the quarters as well where he’ll match up with local Brit Sam Bleakley (GBR).
Bleakley will look to upset the current European Champion in the quarters. – WSL / Laurent Masurel
More information on the full festival lineup is available at boardmasters.co.uk.
The Boardmasters, Cornwall are scheduled from August 10-14, 2016 at Fistral Beach, Cornwall – England. For all results, photos, video highlights and press releases, log on to worldsurfleague.com.
The Boardmasters, Cornwall are supported by Surfers Against Sewage, Carve Mag, Corona, Relentless, Cornish Orchid, The Stable and MagicSeaWeed among others.
REMAINING BOARDMASTERS MEN’S QS RD3 RESULTS:
Heat 5: Bruce MacKie (BRB) 11.00, Tristan Guilbaud (FRA) 10.50, Che Allan (BRB) 9.56, Lens Arancibia Avila (FRA) 7.73
Heat 6: Monty Tait (AUS) 15.10, Jake Marshall (USA) 13.24, Chris Friend (AUS) 11.07, Alan Stokes (GBR) 7.60
Heat 7: Angelo Bonomelli (ITA) 10.76, Louis Gillick (AUS) 8.34, Luke Dillon (GBR) 8.10, Shaun Burns (USA) 6.67
Heat 8: Arthur Lassee (FRA) 8.30, Jayce Robinson (GBR) 8.00, Jared Hickel (AUS) 7.30, Kit Innes (GBR) 3.00
UPCOMING BOARDMASTERS MEN’S LQS QUARTERFINAL MATCHUPS:
QF 1: Ben Skinner (GBR) vs. Adam Griffith (GBR)
QF 2: Emilien Fleury (FRA) vs. Josh Le Marquand (JEY)
QF 3: Edouard Delpero (FRA) vs. Ben Howey (GBR)
QF 4: Sam Bleakley (GBR) vs. Antoine Delpero (FRA)
BOARDMASTERS MEN’S LQS RD2 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Ben Skinner (GBR) 14.33, Emilien Fleury (FRA) 14.30, Izaak Lawton (GBR) 7.23, Robin Henry (FRA) 7.17
Heat 2: Josh Le Marquand (JEY) 10.33, Adam Griffith (GBR) 9.84, Joe Hornbuckle (GBR) 7.07, Jordan Zervas (GBR) 5.53
Heat 3: Edouard Delpero (FRA) 14.74, Sam Bleakley (GBR) 10.87, Edward Wilson (GBR) 8.14, Martin John (GBR) 3.74
Heat 4: Antoine Delpero (FRA) 11.23, Ben Howey (GBR) 8.83, Jack Unsworth (GBR) 8.07, Stephan Hudson (GBR) 2.90
BOARDMASTERS MEN’S LQS RD1 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Emilien Fleury (FRA) 16.00, Jordan Zervas (GBR) 7.03, Louis Thomas Hudson (GBR) 6.33
Heat 2: Josh Le Marquand (JEY), Robin Henry (FRA)
Heat 3: Martin John (GBR) 4.60, Stephan Hudson (GBR) 3.44, Russel Mullins (GBR) 1.00
Heat 4: Ben Howey (GBR) 14.10, Edward Wilson (GBR) 6.57, Toby Lowe (GBR) 4.13
Shane Dorian (HAW) has continued his love affair with twin fins taking out the division for a second year in a row as competition continues at the 2016 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy.
Dorian looked in good form all day finding a number of long Sultans tubes and unleashing his furious rail game on the clean four-foot walls on offer all day. The big-wave charger was able to post an excellent heat total of 16.24 (out of a possible 20) to overcome fellow Hawaiian Jamie O’Brien in the Final.
“I’m so stoked to be back here in the beautiful place,” Dorian said. “Surfing with all these guys is so sick, I’m just having a blast. That board had not felt good in any surf’s until my first heat and then it all just started to click, which was lucky. Hopefully I can make the final in the thruster division and have a shot at getting back here.”
After a shaky start to the contest during the single fin round, O’Brien was keen to impress on the twin fin which he did, posting impressive scores on his way to the final.
“I’m just stoked to be in the final,” O’Brien said. “It’s been really fun surfing all these guys, my first heat today was almost like a Championship Tour (CT) line-up. It’s been really cool to surf with Bethany; she is such an inspiration. I’m just loving it here.”
Bethany Hamilton was a standout performer on the twin fin. Having only just had a couple of days practice on the unique craft the Hawaiian goofy foot looked like she was on a thruster going vertical turn after turn. It was not enough to progress to the semifinals so Hamilton will look to reset and focus on the thruster division (three fin conventional board).
“This was my first time surfing a twin fin,” Hamilton said. “It’s really fun, I like how you really have to draw out your turns. Surfing with all of these guys is so amazing it’s just fun to be in the water with them, it gets me excited to surf and pushes me. I’m not in it to take them down but it would be cool to make a heat against them.”
After taking out the single fin division, Australian Taj Burrow was hoping to set himself up for an overall final appearance with a solid result in the twin fin. This wouldn’t be the case as Burrow was unable to find a solid scoring wave while O’Brien and Dorian went blow for blow pulling into long draining barrels in the dying minutes of the heat.
“I didn’t know waves that good would come through at this place,” Burrow said. “Those waves at the end were amazing, I was so jealous I wasn’t on them. I didn’t surf this morning so it took me a while to get used to the twin fin. I never really got into a rhythm. It’s all good though I still had a hell time.”
Also being out done by the Hawaiian duos tube time was local trials winner Hussain ‘Iboo’ Areef, who’s stylish backhand was unable to get him the nod from the judges on this day. “It was fun out there but quite hard,” Areef said.
“I was really hoping to get a bomb set wave but it didn’t really happen. I’m just looking forward to getting on the thruster.”
Travis Logie may swap his thruster for a twin fin after the goofy foot South African put on an absolute clinic at Sultans. Logie posted a solid heat total of 14.97 but was unable to overcome O’Brien who was given an excellent score for his tube riding.
“I felt really good on the board,” Logie said “It’s really tough to compete against a natural footer in waves like that especially when they’re getting barrels, it forces you to go really hard on your backhand turns. I’m really happy with how I surfed out there.”
Rob Machado was unable to make it back-to-back finals appearances as he came up against a rampaging Shane Dorian. In a heat filled with non-stop waves, the two friends went wave for wave each posting a number of scores in the excellent range. Machado’s amazing heat total of 18.00 wasn’t enough and Dorian took the heat win by just 0.77 of a point.
“Surfing against Shane again was so fun,” Machado said. It’s been so long since we have and in conditions like that, it was just perfect. It was a really good heat, the waves kind of didn’t stop and we were both posting high scores which is always a good indicator of the fun we’re having.”
Check back at WorldSurfLeague.com for more images and information on the 2016 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy or on the WSL App as competitors ready themnselves for the thruster division.
Twin Fin Division Results
Round 1
Heat 1: Travis Logie (ZAF) 16.10, Rob Machado (USA) 11.43, Bethany Hamilton (HAW) 9.80
After years of campaigning by the ISA their long held dream of surfing in the Olympics has finally become reality…
From the IOC:
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today agreed to add baseball/softball, karate, skateboard, sports climbing and surfing to the sports programme for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.
The decision by the 129th IOC session in Rio de Janeiro was the most comprehensive evolution of the Olympic programme in modern history. Plans call for staging the skateboarding and sports climbing events in temporary venues installed in urban settings, marking a historic step in bringing the games to young people and reflecting the trend of urbanisation of sport.
IOC president Thomas Bach said, “we want to take sport to the youth. with the many options that young people have, we cannot expect any more that they will come automatically to us. We have to go to them. Tokyo 2020’s balanced proposal fulfils all of the goals of the Olympic agenda 2020 recommendation that allowed it. Taken together, the five sports are an innovative combination of established and emerging, youth-focused events that are popular in Japan and will add to the legacy of the Tokyo games.”
The response from athletes seems positive, understandably as representing your country at the Olympics would be an amazing experience. The response from everyone else covers the full spectrum from stoked to oh god to don’t care.
The one plus side is it will be ocean based, not in a wave pool, assuming there’s some swell in the two week summer window of the event.
The thought process makes sense. Snowboarding injected much needed excitement, cool and ‘youth interest’ in to the Winter Olympics and the IOC is hoping the same for the summer version. Admittedly the snowboard fraternity haven’t been exactly stoked with the whole deal.
Formats and how who gets to go is decided is a long way down the track. It’s a good thing for the smaller nations. As while the surfing superpowers will be favourites this will be a platform for those countries with a few very talented surfers to make a dent. Expect some epic tales of surfers from landlocked nations enjoying their five minutes in the sun.
The other new sports make sense. Well. I’m amazed karate wasn’t already there? Baseball seems a tad odd as it’s not a particularly global sport. Sports climbing will be fascinating and the skating will be incredible as that’s far more easy to digest for armchair sports fans who will understand the dynamic from the snowboard halfpipe events.
As for surfing. I don’t see it working myself. If the public aren’t interested in the world’s best in the world’s best waves on the WSL why would they be interested in a few of the world’s best and a lot making up the numbers?
If you’ve ever tried explaining a surf contest to a non-surfing friend you’ll know what I mean. It’s impenetrable. It’s not neat like skating or snowboarding. The session atmosphere of riders going bigger than the last for ever more complex tricks is not surfing. A sport where you can get a ten-point ride for just standing up and trimming down the line … if you happen to be doing it in a barrel.
Whatever your opinion it’s happening. And the ISA’s hopes of millions of new surfers (eeek!) getting turned on to the glide draws nearer.
New for Fall 2016, Patagonia introduces the world’s first and only neoprene-free wetsuits made with natural rubber from sources that are Forest Stewardship Council® certified by the Rainforest Alliance. It’s a groundbreaking innovation that doubles down on the company’s initial entry into natural rubber in 2014 with another industry first, and expands Patagonia’s Yulex™ wetsuit offering from two to 21 full-length suits for men, women and kids.
The entire line of Patagonia’s all-new, high-performance wetsuits is made with natural rubber developed in partnership with Yulex and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified by the Rainforest Alliance. The certification assures customers that the source plantation isn’t contributing to deforestation, and that it’s managed in a way that maintains the ecological functions and integrity of the forest. The Rainforest Alliance—an international nonprofit dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable livelihoods, with a focus on tropical landscapes—performs audits to confirm that the plantation adheres to the FSC’s standards on the ground.
“Surfers and wetsuit manufacturers—including Patagonia—have relied on neoprene for years, despite the fact that it’s a nonrenewable, petroleum-based material with an energy-intensive manufacturing process,” says Hub Hubbard, Patagonia’s wetsuit development manager. “Neoprene is nasty stuff, but for a long time we had no alternative. Through our partnership with Yulex we’ve invested in a plant-based game-changer and built it into our entire fullsuit line.”
The neoprene-free Yulex wetsuits perform as well or better than conventional neoprene wetsuits. But because the main polymer is produced in trees instead of factories, using natural rubber reduces the CO2 emitted in wetsuit manufacturing by up to ~80 percent. The FSC certified rubber is blended with a small amount of chlorine-free synthetic rubber for increased ozone and UV resistance, and to meet Patagonia’s rigorous demands for durability and strength. The Yulex process also removes over 99% of impurities, resulting in a nonsensitizing material.
The new plant-based polymer pioneered by Yulex is sourced from Guatemala, where hevea trees are grown on reclaimed farmland. Hevea has long been the source for the most demanding rubber applications, including car and airplane tires. Some of the world’s supply, however, is grown in newly clearcut rainforest zones, making the rubber industry a major driver of deforestation in tropical countries. Patagonia avoided using hevea until a more sustainable source could be found.
As with their previous work, Patagonia and Yulex are again sharing this groundbreaking innovation with other companies, hoping to create a shift toward cleaner and less harmful materials throughout the surf industry. The release of the new line is the result of a decade of Patagonia’s work in developing alternatives to neoprene. Patagonia published a blog post about the environmental impacts of neoprene in 2008, the year the company started manufacturing wetsuits. The post is available here.
“Yulex could not have found a better partner than Patagonia to champion this breakthrough for the surf industry. The collaboration between our companies has been an example of how sustainable products can be brought to customers without sacrificing performance and cost competitiveness,” commented Jeff Martin, founder and CEO of Yulex Corporation. “Patagonia has an exemplary business model which Yulex and others continue to embrace.”
Patagonia’s Fall 2016 wetsuit line has new, fast-drying thermal linings and new floating front-zip entries as well as back-zip options. The new and exclusive inverted microgrid linings, made with the highest possible recycled polyester content, dry faster and create lighter suits while maintaining excellent warmth.The floating front-zip increases the wetsuit’s lifespan and features an asymmetrical flap for better stretch, seal and mobility. Featuring wetsuits rated for six different temperature levels, Patagonia’s collection has offerings that will keep surfers warm in water temperatures ranging from 23°C down to 0°C.
The new wetsuit line was released globally in Australia in March of 2016 with six fullsuit styles. All 21 fullsuit styles will be available starting August 1, 2016 in North America, and Japan. 20 fullsuit styles will be available in Europe. Prices for the Yulex natural rubber suits are comparable to conventional, high-performance wetsuits; the new season also marks the first time Patagonia has offered a wetsuit built specifically for kids.
Patagonia wetsuits are available for purchase at Patagonia San Sebastian Surf store, select surf shops and at Patagonia.com.
About Patagonia
Founded by Yvon Chouinard in 1973, Patagonia is an outdoor company based in Ventura, California. A certified B-Corporation, Patagonia’s mission is to build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm and use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis. The company is recognized internationally for its commitment to authentic product quality and environmental activism, contributing over $70 million in grants and in-kind donations to date.
