The infamous Smart Parking Night Surf Event and second stop on the UK Surf Tour took place at Fistral Beach on the 16th-17th June. The competition was greeted by rolling 3-5ft waves and blazing sunshine for the both days, revellers and surfers alike basked in the glorioThe Night Surf is one of the few night time surf events around the globe and sees the UKs top surfers battle it out under light up shores. With nothing but ocean light up each surfer battles it out in floodlit arena to be championed champion of the Smart Parking Night Surf.
Day one of the competition saw crowds gather at Fistral Beach the preliminary rounds of the Fistral beach U18s Boys, U18 Girls, Mens Open and the Stable Women’s Open. The level of surfing continued to be of an extremely high, with notable performances from Ellie Turner in the female divisions and Jay Quinn from the Mens open.
Day two saw the semi-finals and finals take place with tenacious surfing from the competing surfers, each surfer fought tooth and nail for their desired scores but for some that wasnt enough. Semi final heat with Reubyn Ash, Russell Winter, Jay Quinn and Miles Lee Hargraves was arguably the most exciting of the whole competition as Jay and Rueben went head to head, wave to wave trying to out surf one other, big turns and an impressive aerial favoured dominated this heat.
We were blessed with scorching sun through the finals with not a single cloud in the sky, the shoreline and Fistral Beach Bar was near capacity with people, all watching the surfing and enjoying Korev Lager. As the sun set an orange glow covered the horizon, the anticipation filled the air and finally the finals headed into the water.
Once the competition came to a close it was time for the presentation where the champions were crowned, fresh out of the water. After a few congratulatory speeches and thank you to our sponsors Smart Parking, Fistral Beach, Fistral Beach Bar, The Stable, Fistral, Korev Lager and The Surfing Sumo the delightful display of pyrotechnics took place. As the nights sky was painted a variety of colours from the fireworks it was hard to not see this event as a complete success.
We want to extend a huge thank you to the sponsors of this event, without whom this wouldnt be possible.
Results:
Smart Parking Mens Open
1st Jobe Harris
2nd Liam Turner
3rd Reubyn Ash
4th Jay Quinn
Fistral beach U18 Boys
1st Patrick Langdon Dark
2nd Liam Murray Strout
3rd Alex Ashen
4th Kit Innes
The Stable Ladies Open
1st Ellie Turner
2nd Emilie Currie
3rd Lucy Campbell
4th Emily Williams
In just a few weeks the surfing world’s attention will turn to the Indonesian island of Bali when the Rip Curl Cup returns to the storied lefthand barrels of Padang Padang. The opening ceremony kicks off the action to surfing’s premier renegade contest on July 9.
With a non-stop barrage of swell lighting up Indonesia’s world-class reefs this May and early June, it appears the Indian Ocean is kicking things into high gear just in time for the year’s most anticipated barrel-riding showdown.
“We’ve had more big swells in the first two months of this season than we had all last year,” local Bali surfer and 2014 Rip Curl Cup Champion Garut Widiarta said. “It feels like Padang has been breaking non-stop. Hopefully this means we’re in for a special swell at Padang for the Rip Curl Cup this year.”
For the second year in a row the Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang will be a WSL sanctioned event, bringing all the drama and unsurpassed action of the “Ultimate Tuberiding Contest” to a massive global audience.
“It’s always an exciting time of year when the Rip Curl Cup holding period opens,” WSL Australia/Oceania Regional Manager Will Hayden-Smith said. “I know a lot of people keep an eye on the Indonesia swell charts waiting for it to be called on. It’s an exciting event that sees Indonesia’s best take on some international tube riding specialists. I can’t wait to see Padang Padang fire up and put on a show. Thanks to the Rip Curl crew in Indonesia for all of their work making this prestigious event happen.”
While the WSL sanctioning is befitting of Indonesia’s most prestigious and historic surf contest, Rip Curl Southeast Asia Marketing Manager James Hendy says the formula for the Rip Curl Cup, regarded as having the highest wave standards in pro surfing, will remain unchanged.
“We are thrilled to once again have the WSL’s support and expertise in showcasing the best tuberiding show of the year to an ever-growing global audience, but the roots of the Rip Curl Cup remain the same,” Hendy said. “Only the most respected tuberiders in the world will receive an invitation to compete for The Cup, and the contest doesn’t run until the barrels at Padang Padang are all-time.”
The holding period for the 2017 Rip Curl Cup runs from July 10 to August 10, a full month during the peak of Indonesia’s prime swell season, providing the event with the best odds of scoring the cavernous jade barrels the Balinese Pipeline is world-famous for.
As a WSL “specialty event,” entry to the Rip Curl Cup is not based on qualification points or current WSL rankings. Ability, reputation, and track record at the heaviest, most hollow waves around the globe are the sole criteria for an invitation.
Over its 14-year run, the Rip Curl Cup has seen some of the finest tube masters of the modern era compete in the spitting barrels of Padang Padang, including John Florence, Bruce Irons, Jamie O’Brien, Chris Ward, Anthony Walsh and Jack Robinson. Meanwhile, Indonesia’s top surfers like Rizal Tandjung, Garut Widiarta, Lee Wilson and two-time and reigning Rip Curl Cup Champion Mega Semadhi have consistently proven they can compete with the best in the world on their home turf.
The complete 2017 Rip Curl Cup surfer lineup will be released to the world on June 26.
“Last year only one of the four surfers in the final was from Indonesia, but he was the Champion,” Widiarta said, referring to fellow Balinese surfer Mega Semadhi. “When I won in 2014, it was me versus my cousin in an all-Indonesian final. As Indonesian surfers, we know we have a special opportunity to compete against some of the best tube masters in the world. We know the whole world will be watching. And we know we can win.”
In one of the most entertaining and unforeseen, finals of the year, Matt Wilkinson has taken the win at the Outerknown Fiji Pro over rookie Connor O’Leary.
It was a stunning day in tropical paradise, with 6 – 8 foot sets rolling through the reef at Cloudbreak – the sun was shining, the action was non-stop – and the result was almost fairy-tale-esque.
“We’ve had such an awesome week,” Wilko said, dripping in salt and excitement after the final horn blew. “It obviously started with some pumping waves, then we had some lay days – and if you’re going to have lay days, this is the place to do it! All the Aussies stay on Namotu and have such a good time, and now, this result! I’m so stoked!”
And so he should be. At the start of the event, Wilko was sitting fifth on the Jeep Leaderboard and was a whopping 8000 points behind yellow jersey leader John Florence – a leap that was almost unfathomable for one event.
Yet when John was knocked early and bowed out with a 13th (along with all the other World Title contenders) Wilko saw an opportunity and ran with it. Throughout each day of competition he was slated as one of, if not the most, in-form surfer at Cloudbreak. And with the help of his coach Glenn “Micro” Hall, he didn’t falter once.
“I actually forgot about the old yellow jersey change, but… it’s BACK! And I know there’s a long time to go in the season, but it definitely feels awesome picking up momentum, instead of having a bunch of people saying, ‘Ooh, you’ve got the yellow jersey to lose!’ Now I’ve got it to KEEP.”
Wilko had to put up a tough fight both throughout the event and in the final heat to get to where he is now. Earlier in the event Connor had no trouble taking down heavy-hitters like Joel Parkinson and 11x World Champion Kelly Slater, and he wasn’t about to give Wilko an easy ride through to becoming Champion.
It was turn-for-turn, barrel-for-barrel, wave-for-wave, first-to-second and then back again for the entire 35-minute final – and it wasn’t until the last four minutes that Wilko was able to snag the lead and, as the ocean went silent, keep it for good.
“Now, well… now I guess it’s time to go drink some beer!” Wilko says, almost laughing as he bends over from exhaustion, a huge grin on his face. “What else do you do when you win the OK Fiji Pro!?”
Congratulations on the win, Wilko… now go enjoy that yellow jersey! And the beer…
So every summer we get calls at the office from tabloids asking “Do you know any famous surfers?” To which our answer is always “Kelly Slater…” It’s often met by silence as the paper/magazine actually means Hollywood A listers who surf.
Anyway this year I can say ‘Thor’ cos he actually surfs good. Good work Thor!
The west coast of Ireland is home to some of the most amazing surfing in the World. What would it be like to grow up on these shores? And surf these seas everyday? You’re about to meet two people who did.”
‘Winter Tides’ is a short film about growing up on the west coast of Ireland and being shaped by the incredible surfing on our doorstep. Featuring two of Ireland’s top surfers Gearoid McDaid and Ollie O’Flaherty, grew up along the Wild Atlantic Way a stretch of coastline that has shaped both of these surfers into the type of athletes they are today.
WIN A NORWEGIAN SURF EXPERIENCE WITH GUL and foam travel
Fancy surfing the pristine Norwegian coast with Gul rider Mark ‘Egor’ Harris as your guide and winning a GUL Viper wetsuit? If you’re nodding then read on...
Redefine the limits of your surfing world next winter. Gul and Foam Travel have teamed up to create a unique surf adventure experience in the south west region of Norway. Led by top British surfer and Gul team rider Mark ‘Egor’ Harris, you will be immersed in a land of pristine empty beaches and hidden point breaks. Fear no cold as your own brand new Gul Viper 6mm wetsuit (which you get to keep) is included in the package!
As well as offering vast potential for surf exploration, the Stavanger region is home to the stunning fjords which provide limitless hiking and SUP opportunities. There is also a ski resort close by giving the chance to snowboard and surf in the same day: the ultimate in bragging rights.
The Norway Frontier Surf Camp is ideal for surfers of all abilities. Surf coaching and video analysis is provided by Mark Harris and an ISA Level two surf coach. Each day after fuelling up at breakfast, you will be taken to the best location according to the conditions and your requirements to further gorge yourself on empty waves. In the evening there will be debriefs, general surf chat and dinner. If you are looking to profoundly deepen your knowledge and experiences within surfing, and to develop your skills through a combo anecdotal and structured learning in a stunning location with like-minded surfers, enter now!
Simply tell us who invented "the steamer" wetsuit...
Gul Viper 6mm hooded Wetsuit RRP: £300.00. The Viper wetsuit features less panels and more stretch than ever before! The Viper uses our Quadrate horizontal chest zip entry system keeping the zip off your back leaving your shoulders and back free to move. Features Thermospan and X-Flex super stretch neoprene on the main body panels gives an incredible 100% plus stretch making the Viper the perfect high performance suit.
PRIZE BREAKDOWN:
- Your own new Gul Viper 6mm hooded wetsuit to keep, forever - Seven nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation - Five days surfing and adventure - Transfers and transport in Norway - Video coaching with Gul team rider Mark Harris - Beginner / intermediate board rental - Frontier surfing experience - Empty beach and point breaks, waves suitability: beginner to advanced - Video and photos of your trip to take home - The trip is worth £799.
VERY IMPORTANT INFO:
Flights are not included in the holiday price, however airport transfers and transport in Norway is. Details of this will be provided when the winner is confirmed.
GETTING THERE: Flights to Stavanger from London airports are frequent and cheap. For this trip, we recommend British Airways BA746 LHR to SVG at 1015 on 24th Feb, and British Airways BA747 SVG to LHR at 1355 on 3rd March.
