Elliot Dudley comebacks on BLU and does the double

If you wanted to watch longboarding at its best then you should have been at The Saunton Sands Longboard Classic this weekend. The first stop of the 2018 tour kicked off at the North Devon primo longboard wave and in a nutshell – Saunton delivered. Really delivered. The standard of competition was high and the 3-5ft clean surf provided the perfect canvas for Britain’s top longboarders.

Elliot Dudley from Wales, having returned to competition after winning the Welsh title the week before, was quick to set his stall out and with his traditional logging approach posted some high scores. Local lad, Jack Unsworth, also favouring a traditional approach was keen to show why he qualified for the 2018 WSL World Longboard Tour posting two 10s to score a perfect combined heat score of 20 in the Single Fin semi final. However it was Elliot that took the win in the final with Jack in second.

Elliot also dominated the Men’s Open despite a valiant effort from Ben Howey in the final who posted a 10 on one wave, but still fell just short of Elliot’s massive overall score.

Claire Smail returned to her winning ways after a year off, taking the win in the Ladies Division. Her experience at Saunton gave her just too much of an edge against the other finalists, despite Jen Pen and Jenny Briant racking up high scores in earlier rounds.

Barnaby Innes, the 14 year old from Bude, showed that he is going to be one to watch in the future winning both the Cadets U16 and Juniors U18 narrowly squeezing out Newquay gigant-a-grom Jordan Zervas in the final. The predominently right-handed waves at Saunton just seemed to favour Barnaby’s style, which should lead us nicely into the second tour stop at Fistral and Jordan’s home break.

In the Junior Girls U18, the bigger conditions made the paddle out back more of a strength-sapping folly than a winning strategy and Emily Wells played it perfectly, picking off the reforms and putting enough on the scoreboard to seal victory.

The conditions brought out the best in everyone and even the old fellas showed they could still take on some solid waves and long paddles, with Adam Chell and Adam Zervas winning the Masters and Grandmasters respectively. Jason Gray, current Masters Tour Champion, will be looking to redress the balance at Fistral.

A huge thank you to all sponsors of The Saunton Sands Longboard Classic, without you none of this would be possible and we thank you all for your continued support.

Thatch Croyde Saunton Break Cafe Ocean & Earth Europe, O’Neill, Paua Technologies Surfing England

Results:

Men’s Open:
1 Elliot Dudley
2 Ben Howey
3 Jack Unsworth
4 Sam Bleakley

Womens Open:
1 Claire Smail
2 Jenny Briant
3 Jen Pendlebury
4 Rebecca Brown

Grand Masters:
1 Adam Zervas
2 Rich Unsworth
3 Colin Bright
4 Nick Lethbridge

Masters:
1 Adam Chell
2 Jason Gray
3 Colin Bright
4 Tom Gibson

Single Fin:
1 Elliot Dudley
2 Jack Unsworth
3 Lewis Stritch
4 Sam Bleakley

Junior U18:
1 Barnaby Innes
2 Jordan Zervas
3 Jack Gregorius
4 Matt Mitchell
5 Joe Maloney

Cadets U16:
1 Barnaby Innes
2 Matt Mitchell
3 Joe Maloney

Junior Girls U18:
1 Emily Wells
2 Annie Young
3 Stella Briggs

Jay Quinn & Joe Dennison win Surfaced Pro

This years UKPSA Pro Surf Tour got off to an amazing start last weekend with the first stop, The Surfaced Pro in association with Quiksilver & Roxy. Early Saturday morning the surfers were greeted by the early summer sun and solid 6-8 foot lines rolling into Watergate Bay. This year’s event was especially epic as it was the first time an event was broadcast live to the internet, expanding the audience, giving more exposure to the surfers, the location and the sponsors. This marked a new chapter in UK Pro Surfing as going forward, every event on the tour will be available to watch live on ukprosurf.com

The first day of competition on Saturday, saw a large swell arrive with offshore winds delivering near perfect conditions and the ultimate challenge for the top surfers. The Fistral Beach Men’s division was first up, standout performances came from European Champion Jay Quinn, also WSL Brit Luke Dillon, Jobe Harriss and last year’s tour champion Reubyn Ash, who all progressed to the final. The Under 18 Boys battled through the large surf and stamped their mark on the future of UK Surfing. True to form and befitting the ‘gender equality’ aspect of the event, the women’s open took to the water with the girls showing just as much grit as the guys in the challenging surf. The 2nd day and finals day started with Nerf Clash of the Groms Under 16 Boys division followed by the seven other Junior categories. Surf conditions were still very big with above head high sets still coming through. The weather remained sunny throughout attracting a substantial crowd of spectators to the beach. By the middle of the afternoon on Sunday the finals of all the divisions took to the water

Now in it’s third year, The Surfaced Pro champions the cause for gender equality in sports with both male and female participants receiving equal prize winnings – unprecedented in most sports, including surfing. Instigated by students at Cornwall College Newquay, who plan and implement the event as part of the Surf Science & Technology and Marine Sports Science degree programs, welcomes in a new era in professional surfing and further challenges the traditional norm by having each surfer’s highest wave score doubled, awarding powerful, impressive wave scores over an accumulation of “safe” rides. The Surfaced Pro, like last year, is the first stop on the new Nerf Clash of The Groms Tour, which covers 4 exciting events on the UK Pro Surf circuit, making stops at Watergate Bay with The Surfaced Pro, The UK Schools Surf Championships at Fistral beach, The Thurso Surf Festival in Scotland before returning to the home of The UKPSA at Fistral for The Clash of The Groms finale, giving our new generations of surfing talent an important pathway to hone their competitive skills and promote fresh talent across the UK. Presentations on the beach were the call for the day. Ben Sousek from Quiksilver & Roxy was joined by Cornwall Brender Wilmott to award our Contestants their prizes and crown the Surfaced Pro Champions.

We would like to Thank our fantastic event sponsors for their support Quiksiver, Roxy, Nerf, Korev, The Boardmasters Foundation, Fistral Beach, Cornwall College, Season Surf, Watergate Bay and we look forward to seeing you all at the Night Surf in July 2018

Results:

Men’s Open
1st: Jay Quinn
2nd: Luke Dillon
3rd: Reubyn Ash
4th: Jobe Harriss

Women’s
1st: Joe Dennison
2nd: Emily Currie
3rd: Emily Williams
4th: Lucy Campbell

Under 18 Boys
1st: Barnaby Cox
2nd: Seth Morris
3rd: Patrick Langdon-Dark
4th: Noah Capps

Under 18 Girls
1st: Lily Mandeville
2nd: Francesca Sayer
3rd: Mischa Maguire
4th: Tegan Blackford

Under 16 Boys
1st: Max Hudson
2nd: Sol Hawkins
3rd: Travis Pearce
4th: Sam Hearn

Under 16 Girls
1st: Francesca Sayer
2nd: Alys Barton
3rd: Tegan Blackford
4th: Lauren Sandland

Under 14 Boys
1st: Sam Hearn
2nd: Alex Townsend
3rd: Thomas Reeves
4th: Bertie Norman

Under 14 Girls
1st: Alys Barton
2nd: Tegan Blackford
3rd: Asha Sykes
4th: Lauren Sandland

Under 12 Boys
1st: Flynn Gillespie
2nd: Arthur Randell
3rd: Reen Bowden-Inoue
4th: Finlay Lucas

Under 12 Girls
1st: Lauren Sandland
2nd: Eva Blackford
3rd: Sienna Morison

Filipe Toledo’s Perfect 10

Toledo lands massive air for the first 10-point ride in Round 4 of the Oi Rio Pro. So the commentators are saying it's the biggest air of the comp so far, quite frankly he's in orbit and travelling such a distance that it's the biggest air we've seen for a long time, landing smoother than a crooner.  Go Toledo, yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew.

for more on the comp go to worldsurfleague.com

BRAZILIAN STORM IGNITES BARRINHA

The Oi Rio Men’s Pro kicked off on Monday in four-to-six foot (1.2 - 1.8 metre) waves at Barrinha, the event’s backup location famous for its hollow tubes and powerful waves. The fourth stop on the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), the Oi Rio Pro, witnessed a strong showing from the Brazilians in men's Round 1. Out of the 14 Brazilian men in the draw today, seven will advance to Round 3 after the completion of Round 1 and the first six heats of Round 2.

Jeep Frontrunners Italo Ferreira (BRA) and Julian Wilson (AUS) both advanced to Round 3 after winning their opening heats. The two competitors, who are equally ranked World No. 1 on the Jeep Leaderboard, earned just enough to progress, with Wilson capturing a 12.93 (out of a possible 10) and Ferreria a 10.64. Each surfer will await the remaining six Round 2 heats before they know who they will match-up against in elimination Round 3.

“I feel so good and confident, especially here in Brazil,” said Ferreira. “I missed this event last year because I was injured, but now I am just enjoying all the fans and my home. The fans in Brazil are the best part. I am just trying to feel this feeling and leave the pressure in the water.”

“There is so much excitement from the local people and it is hard to not get caught up in all of that,” said Wilson. “We’ve been waiting a few days, so that energy also builds up. I think WSL made a great decision to come up to this end of the beach. There are a lot of quality waves here and it is exciting.”

In a major upset, Adriano de Souza (BRA), the defending event winner and 2015 WSL Champion, was eliminated by CT sophomore Ian Gouveia (BRA) in Round 2 Heat 4. Gouveia left no room for the CT veteran by earning the highest two-wave total of the men’s event so far, a commanding 15.53 (out of a possible 20). Gouveia’s victory marks his first heat win of the 2018 season, and De Souza’s first 25th-place result since Trestles in 2016.

“I am stoked, but at the same time I am kind of bummed,” said Gouveia. “We’ve been competing on only right-handers and this morning I was really bummed because I want to surf lefts too. I thought we could be at Itaúna. We had three events right and the next two events are rights. I did not want to surf right again. This morning my mind wasn’t there, but this got me fired up. It is really good to have everyone here, all the family and friends. Just yeah, sometimes we want to go left.”

“I think I did well out there,” said De Souza. “Ian (Gouveia) chose the right waves and surfed amazing. Also, I fell off a couple of waves. Could have been a good chance for me to be in the lead, but now I am going to go back home and get some energy, and straight to Bali for two events. I am happy for Ian, and good luck to the other Brazilians.”

Reigning WSL Champion John John Florence (HAW) looked in incredible form to take his second heat win of the season but was stopped by injury replacement Mikey Wright (AUS). The two-time WSL Champion charged out of a huge barrel and hit an unruly closeout section, landing miraculously on his feet for a 9.10 (out of a possible 10). Despite being awarded the near-perfect score, Florence could not find a second wave to defeat Wright.

“This definitely makes me want to be on the tour more,” said Wright. “This makes me want to keep doing and getting results on the QS, and getting these spots as a replacement. I am trying to make the most out of these opportunities."

Florence was forced to surf again in elimination Round 2 against event wildcard Deivid Silva (BRA). The 2016 event winner was on the ropes toward the end of the heat but surpassed the needed score with a 5.07 on his final ride.

“I was stoked to get through that heat,” said Florence. “The waves are really fun, but it is definitely difficult. It is just a matter of being in the right spot. Everyone keeps saying that I’ve had a super slow start, but I feel really good. I’ve only lost two events, and they canceled Margarets, so I am where I was at any other year. I’ve lost two events every year so I feel good. Hopefully, I can do the same that I did in 2016 and win here and be back in the World Title race.”

Filipe Toledo (BRA) earned the day’s first win for the Brazilian Storm in the opening heat of Round 1. Toledo’s powerful carves landed him a 13.70 combined score, just a 0.83 lead over Kanoa Igarashi (JPN).

The all-Brazilian matchup in Round 1 Heat 5 saw 2014 WSL Champion Gabriel Medina take the win over rookie Jesse Mendes and injury replacement Alejo Muniz. The entire battle had the crowd to their feet, but Medina delivered the heat’s most exciting performances with a 7.10 and 7.07. The Brazilian superstar now advances straight to Round 3.

“Jesse (Mendes) and Alejo (Muniz) are gnarly,” said Medina. “I used to compete a lot with them in the past and I knew that was going to be a tough heat. I just tried to surf and find my waves. I just thank God that the heat came on my side. I just want to do good here and hopefully get into the Finals and win this thing. Hopefully, we can get some lefts.”

Muniz, who was relegated to elimination Round 2 after failing to overcome Medina, was paired with Owen Wright (AUS), current World No. 4. Knowing that this heat was his only opportunity to continue through the event, Muniz took an aggressive approach to oust the top seed by 0.17 points. Wright now leaves with his first 25th place result of the year.

Miguel Pupo (BRA), injury replacement for Caio Ibelli (BRA), will also advance after defeating Jordy Smith (ZAF) and Tomas Hermes (BRA) in Round 1 Heat 2.

The 2018 CT Rookie class delivered strong performances today with wins by Griffin Colapinto (USA), Yago Dora (BRA), Wade Carmichael (AUS), and Willian Cardoso (BRA).

At Margaret River, Colapinto was eliminated in last place, but his aerial rotation today made it clear that he is back in business and ready to go big at this event. The 19-year-old explained that he did not feel confident in the heat but was able to reach into his progressive repertoire to take down the defending event winner De Souza and fellow rookie Michael February (ZAF).

“I know Adriano (de Souza) has huge fan support in Brazil, and I just knew that our heat was probably going to have a lot of people on the beach and it did,” said Colapinto. “I surfed that heat pretty poorly; I was scrambling all over the place and never really got a set wave. That air really did it for me, and I just safety surfed it so hard, but I got the score and I am stoked to make it.”

Dora, who was the 2017 event stand out, made his intentions clear with his early win against Michel Bourez (PYF) and Conner Coffin (USA). Later in the afternoon, Bourez was eliminated by Keanu Asing (HAW) in Round 2 Heat 5. Coffin will face rookie Hermes in the upcoming Round 2 Heat 11.

Smith survived his Round 2 heat against Wiggolly Dantas (BRA), in addition to 2017 event runner-up Adrian Buchan (AUS) who dispatched February.

The WSL Commissioner’s Office will reconvene tomorrow morning at 6:45 a.m. local time to assess the conditions and make the next call for a potential 7:00 a.m. start at Barrinha.

The Oi Rio Pro will be broadcast LIVE on the WSL's Facebook page, WorldSurfLeague.com, and the WSL app. Also, check local listings for coverage from the WSL's broadcast partners.

Surfline, forecast partner of the WSL, is calling for:

Strong SSW swell continues Tuesday morning with favorable wind, with the surf easing through the day. The swell mix trends down on Wednesday but still offers fun/rippable waves during the morning. The next run of SSW/S swells shows on Friday and likely continues over the weekend, with the most favorable wind currently expected for Fri-Sat.

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

Oi Rio Men’s Pro Round 1 Results:
Heat 1: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 13.70, Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 13.07, Ian Gouveia (BRA) 9.73
Heat 2: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 13.10, Jordy Smith (ZAF) 10.66, Tomas Hermes (BRA) 8.23
Heat 3: Wade Carmichael (AUS) 12.60, Owen Wright (AUS) 11.26, Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 11.17
Heat 4: Mikey Wright (AUS) 14.83, John John Florence (HAW) 13.93, Joan Duru (FRA) 10.93
Heat 5: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 14.17, Jesse Mendes (BRA) 13.43, Alejo Muniz (BRA) 12.86
Heat 6: Julian Wilson (AUS) 12.93, Deivid Silva (BRA) 10.30, Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 8.83
Heat 7: Italo Ferreira (BRA 10.64, Connor O’Leary (AUS) 10.47, Keanu Asing (HAW) 10.36
Heat 8: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 11.60, Michael February (ZAF) 11.47, Adriano de Souza (BRA) 11.00
Heat 9: Yago Dora (BRA) 12.13, Michel Bourez (PYF) 10.67, Conner Coffin (USA) 2.87
Heat 10: Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 13.60, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 12.30, Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 6.57
Heat 11: Willian Cardoso (BRA) 11.16, Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 9.60, Jeremy Flores (FRA) 9.30
Heat 12: Kolohe Andino (USA) 13.40, Frederico Morais (PRT) 11.76, Michael Rodrigues (BRA) 7.00

Oi Rio Men's Pro Round 2 Results (H1-6):
Heat 1: John John Florence (HAW) 12.24 def. Deivid Silva (BRA) 10.94
Heat 2: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 10.57 def. Owen Wright (AUS) 10.40
Heat 3: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 12.70 def. Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 9.94
Heat 4: Ian Gouveia (BRA) 15.53 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 11.83
Heat 5: Keanu Asing (HAW) 9.77 def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 9.66
Heat 6: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 12.63 def. Michael February (ZAF) 3.96

Oi Rio Men's Pro Remaining Round 2 Matchups (H6-12):
Heat 7: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) vs. Michael Rodrigues (BRA)
Heat 8: Frederico Morais (PRT) vs. Patrick Gudauskas (USA)
Heat 9: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Jesse Mendes (BRA)
Heat 10: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) vs. Joan Duru (FRA)
Heat 11: Conner Coffin (USA) vs. Tomas Hermes (BRA)
Heat 12: Connor O’Leary (AUS) vs. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN)

Oi Rio Women’s Pro Round 3 Matchups:
Heat 1: Tyler Wright (AUS), Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Keely Andrew (AUS)
Heat 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Nikki Van Dijk (AUS), Caroline Marks (USA)
Heat 3: Lakey Peterson (USA), Johanne Defay (FRA), Silvana Lima (BRA)
Heat 4: Carissa Moore (HAW), Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA), Sage Erickson (USA)

Back to Waco

Yeah I know…More wave pools. BUT this kind of looks like summery Caribbean fun to me. Little sections to hit, fun bowls, shared sessions, all the things that the ruler edged wake of the Ranch don’t offer. Sure you can get endlessly barrelled there, if you are the in the richest 1% of the world club. And sure you can get air there.. if you are Toledo. (You can’t really count Jordys, I don’t really think he would either). BUT for the rest us of… ain’t happening. No one is going to get a go on this thing for a long, long time.

Waco, however, is opening. To you and me, and for friends. And it is user friendly. But whats it that draws the eye? I think for most the world population it is because it looks like your favourite summer spot. It’s not perfect, but somehow the little warbles and kinks add to the waves allure.