The Endless Summer is the most iconic surf movie ever made and set the tone for surfers taking on the ‘lifestyle’ of chasing waves around the planet and creating a ‘work-life’ balance that included as little as possible of the former and a lot of the later.
Browns surf films include Slippery When Wet, Surf Crazy (1959) Barefoot Adventure (1960), Surfing Hollow Days, any Sunday and The Endless Summer II but it is The Endless Summer that will forever live on in surf culture.
Dusty Payne of Hawaii advances to the Quarter Finals of the Pipe Invitational after winning Round One of Heat 2 at Pipe, Oahu, Hawaii, USA.
Dusty Payne won the Pipe Invitational today and earned the coveted wildcard entry into the Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons, the final stop on the 2017 World Surf League Championship Tour and the third gem of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.
Former CT surfer Payne had a comeback performance after returning to competition from an eight-month hiatus due to injury but has proven successful rebounds throughout his career, including a win at the 2014 Hawaiian Pro, the first stop of the VTCS. Recently crowned WSL Hawaii/Tahiti Nui Regional Champion Benji Brand will also advance into the main event after earning the runner-up finish in the Pipe Invitational event.
Today, 32 of the best Pipe surfers from Hawaii and around the world battled in the Pipe Invitational for a chance to compete alongside the WSL Top 34 men at the Billabong Pipe Masters. With only two event wildcards on the line, the day saw outstanding performances amongst the trialists with Payne and Brand besting the field.
“I’m excited to be in the Pipe Masters, it’s an event every kid growing up in Hawaii who’s a surfer dreams about,” commented Payne. “It’s just a blessing to be here. Had a great day surfing with Benji and all the guys, Seth (Moniz) and Jack (Robinson), everybody out there was ripping. It’s a fun day, I’m just super grateful the WSL gave us this opportunity.”
The 35-minute final opened with a quick ride by Brand but Seth Moniz (HAW), 20, set the bar when he dropped from the sky and pulled into a beautiful Backdoor runner, followed by a nice turn off the top for a 6.50 (out of a possible 10) from the judges. Brand stayed active and continued to lock in scores on his backhand, while Payne, 29, put a 4.0 on the scoreboard for a quick right-handed wave. Priority then shifted to Jack Robinson (AUS), a Margaret River local who won the 2015 Pipe Invitational, but after choosing an inside wave that only garnered a 1.30, the young surfer remained in fourth when he was unable to find a backup score.
Moniz had the lead for the majority of the heat with a 6.50 and 3.33 until Payne found an open Backdoor barrel that put him in an unsurpassable lead with an 8.0. Moniz dropped to second, but Brand continued to demonstrate versatility by riding both Pipeline and Backdoor waves and earned a 5.50 on his second to last wave to overtake Moniz. The final horn sounded and gave Dusty his first win of the season.
Payne will face 2017 World Title contender John John Florence (HAW) and Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) in Round 1 Heat 6 of the Billabong Pipe Masters when competition resumes.
“I was just trying to stay calm the whole day and not get too freaked out on how big the occasion is because it’s pretty easy to get intimidated by all these really big names and really good guys at Pipe,” said Brand. “I was trying to read the waves well and not get to freaked out about the situation and hopefully we can take down some names and give John the title.”
Brand will be up against World Title contender Gabriel Medina (BRA) and Miguel Pupo (BRA) in Round 1 Heat 5.
“Feels pretty unreal to think of having a heat with Gabriel Medina at Pipe,” Brand continued. “I hope the waves are really fun and we can get some barrels, hopefully take out some names.”
Hank Gaskell (HAW) of Hana, Maui scored the highest ride of the day, a near-perfect 9.00 for an unpredictable Backdoor barrel that threaded through multiple sections. With a lot of white water on the face, Gaskell used veteran knowledge to navigate the challenging ride and breakthrough the exit.
“It was a shaky one, I knew I was pretty deep so I just took off and set my line as fast as I could,” commented Gaskell. “I gave a big pump and I fully fell forward and almost gave up and I was on my tip toes, just luckily managed to land back on my feet with enough balance, my foot was way on the wrong side of the board but I recovered. I’m glad it looked good because it felt really really difficult but I didn’t know how it was going to look.”
The best barrel of the morning awarded Gaskell advancement into the Quarterfinals, but he was ultimately eliminated in the second Semifinal by eventual Finalists Moniz and Robinson.
Event organizers will reconvene at 7:30 a.m. HST tomorrow to reassess the conditions and make the next call.
Surfline, official forecaster for the Billabong Pipe Masters, are calling for:
The forecast is packed with swell, but the windows for favorable conditions will be sporadic. Easing NNW swell on Friday, although still solid and with light wind. Smaller surf on Saturday and with conditions falling apart through the day. Then another large, maxed out NNW swell is expected for Pipe on Sunday the 10th, while NNE veering NE winds prevail. Monday the 11th is shaping up to be very similar to tomorrow (Friday). Watching for another large (potentially XL size) NW swell to peak around Wednesday the 13th; again, Pipe maxed out and wind conditions looking suspect. Then finally, a smaller, yet still fun size WNW-NW swell possible for the 18th-20th. Dusty Payne (HAW) won the Pipe Invitational today and earned the coveted wildcard entry into the Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons, the final stop on the 2017 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT) and the third gem of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing (VTCS).
Looking for a little gift inspiration for the lady in your life? Then check out our top picks for Christmas gifting. With something for every budget and style you’re going to find something awesome to give this festive season at the Beach Boutique.
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The gift that keeps on giving! In a time where all we seem to do is stare at our phones, scrolling endlessly wouldn’t it be nice to give a gift that encourages a moment of peace and quiet. The time to sit down with a cup of tea and read about inspirational surfers and beautiful destinations!
A lovely little stocking filler, perfect for wintery walk on Christmas morning. Not only will this hat be perfect for the festive period but it will also keep any surf girls head warm and cosy after a surf.
A selection of beautiful rings inspired by the ocean. Perfect for stacking or wearing with other rings, we love the simple designs, aimed to keep you more connected to the surf.
This is a very special hamper, it comes with 3 gifts all inspired by sea salt. Relax with the uplifting fragrance of the St Eval’s ‘Sea Salt’ scent and indulge with the hand wash and lotion. If you know someone who could use a little rest and recuperation after Christmas, this is the gift to give!
What better gift to give than the gift of art. Especially one that celebrates surfing through the seasons because for most it’s not always surfing in bikinis and board shorts. This print is perfect gift for any surfer.
A stunning coffee table book which captures the beauty and majesty of the ocean waves. A wonderful addition to any book shelf, featuring work from world renowned photographers. Go on a visual journey to some of the worlds most breath taking waves.
With high impact graphics on these technical running leggings she will love the extra boost to every stride. Breathable fabric with excellent recovery has been woven using ROXY DryFlight® technology that works harder to keep you dry, ideal for cool-weather and early morning training sessions.
With fin so suit all styles of surfing and boards, each with unique artwork, the Koalition would make a great gift for any keen surfer. Whether they surf a single fin or shortboard there’s a fin in there that will not only make their turns that little more radical but they will also make their surfboard look awesome.
Surf girls really can do anything, so we put it on a tee to tell the world! A real statement piece and a perfect additional to any surfers wardrobe. Plus you will only find it here!
WHAT IS THE BLUE BELT?
The Blue Belt will be a series of large protected areas of ocean around 7 of the 14 British Overseas Territories, all of which are under the sovereignty of the United Kingdom. The Blue Belt consists of Ascension Island, British Antarctic Territory, British Indian Ocean Territory, Pitcairn Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Saint Helena and Tristan da Cunha. The surrounding areas of ocean are vast marine estates that contain breeding grounds for a quarter of the world’s penguins, a third of the world’s albatrosses, endangered turtles, and the world’s largest coral atoll. Together, these Territories will create 4 million square kilometres of ocean – an area larger than India.
Marine Protected Areas like these have been found to be a productive, cost-effective and viable way to preserve the ocean’s wildlife. They protect vital ecological processes for both local communities and the planet as a whole. The proposal is for Overseas Territory Governments to get the support they need to create a Blue Belt. Combined with UK waters, this could become the largest network of marine reserves in the world. These waters must be protected, and you can help. #BackTheBlueBelt now and help protect endangered turtles, 1/4 of the world’s penguins, 1/3 of the world’s albatrosses and the world’s largest coral atoll.
You can take action here – greatbritishoceans.org/#BluePlanet2
Edouard Delpero on Finals Day of the Taiwan Open World Longboard Championship
Taylor Jensen has made history at the Taiwan Open World Longboard Championship by winning his third World Title in a winner-takes-all surf-off against Edouard Delpero.
It is only the second time in WSL / ASP History that a World Championship has been decided by a surf-off – as the two surfers finished the season in equal 1st place on rankings. It was a thriller heat with the two trading clean 4-to-6 foot waves at Jinzun Harbour.
After being eliminated in the Quarterfinals of the Taiwan Open WLC event earlier in the week, Jensen had a long wait to find out his fate. When Edouard Delpero beat Phil Rajzman in the final of the Taiwan Open, he joined Jensen on top of the Rankings, meaning that the event needed to run one more heat to decide the 2017 World Longboard Champion. Delpero had just won his first WLC event and was on a roll, but after a number of close second-place finishes over the last two years, nothing was going to stop Jensen from claiming his third Championship.
“This doesn’t feel real at the moment I’m totally tripping out on this,” Jensen said. “It has been an absolute rollercoaster of a week with losing in the quarterfinals then watching everyone fall out, then realizing I still have a chance was mind-blowing. For it to go down to a surf-off is really cool. I was a mess all week, not sleeping and just constantly nervous than when I found out I would surf for it I just treated it as a normal final.”
ensen has won World Championships in 2011 and 2012 in Italy and in China but rates this close call in pumping Taiwan waves as his sweetest yet. Taking out the Kumul PNG World WLC event earlier this season, Jensen was in the box seat heading to Taiwan.
“I was the first to win in Italy and the first to win in China so it is really cool to be the first to win in Taiwan,” Jensen continued. “This is definitely the sweetest of all of them. I have had a few close calls recently and it has definitely taken a toll emotionally. I came to this event with a lot of fire in me and I have worked super hard. Winning in PNG definitely got me pumped up at the start of the year and I’ve just had to carry and manage that motivation throughout the year. This win has definitely alleviated the frustration of the last few years and to get it in great waves in a beautiful place like this is really special for me.”
Although Delpero came short in the surf-off he won the Final of the inaugural Taiwan Open World Longboard Championship. The stylish Frenchman won at Jinzun Harbour in 2016 and was always going to be hard to beat. Delpero leaves Taiwan with his first WLC event win and finishing the year in second spot on the WSL Longboard Rankings.
“This has been a great event for me,” Delpero said. “I have worked really hard this week to get to the final. I was always aiming to win but never expected to be in a surf-off for the World Title. I love Taiwan and the Taitung area – I have amazing memories here and always get incredible surf. I’m already looking forward to coming back next year.”
n the final of the Taiwan Open, Delpero came up against 2007 and 2016 World Champion Phil Rajzman (BRA) from Brazil. Rajzman was Jenson’s only hope to clinch the title without a surf-off and looked a solid chance to win the event. In the final, Rajzman struggled to find the rhythm he had in earlier rounds and went down to Delpero with a heat total of 11.03 and finishes the season rated 4th in the world.
“Edouard was surfing incredibly all event and really deserves the win,” Rajzman said. “I struggled to find good waves in the final which was hard because I would have loved to have won the event. Winning and giving the title to Taylor would have been special for me but to have a surf off is really exciting for the sport and both Taylor and Edouard deserve to win the title.”
The 2017 Taiwan Open World Longboard Championship runs from November 23 – December 3, 2017. For more information, highlights and images, head to www.worldsurfleague.com and on the WSL App.
