Greg Longs "non fatal drowning"

So…this is pretty hectic…Greg Long is one tough nut, but he suffered a “non-fatal drowning” while surfing the infamous Cortes Bank. That is pretty much drowning and being brought back by recuss…Something Maya is rumoured to have done twice…So,um. Yeah think about that. Dead and brought back to life. No wonder it’s a bit of a headspin.

Thankfully most big wave teams are pretty on it with the health and safety, but we can’t help thinking we are going to be seeing a few more incidents as boundaries are pushed in terms of size and locations, and things could get worse.

Surfing GB achieves Stage 1 of its Application for Governing Body Recognition

Surfing Great Britain has announced that it has now achieved Stage 1 of its application for recognition as Governing Body for UK surfing.

More than three years of meetings and hard work by volunteers from across the UK, led to the submission of pre application documents being approved by the UK Sport recognitions council this week.

Surfing has not had a UK-wide Governing Body since the collapse of the British Surfing Association (BSA) in 2010 and as a result no major UK Government funding for Surfing has been available to help grassroots projects, support surf clubs, coaches and schools, or assist with looking after the safety and enjoyment of all those who surf in the UK.

“It’s a massive step forward for British Surfing” said Nick Rees, Operations Manager at Surfing GB. “Now we can present our funding plans to the UK Government for the next decade, which we hope will result in full NGB recognition for Surfing GB and support for our sport once again; something which is long overdue and desperately needed”.

David Webb, Chairman of Boscombe Surf Club in Bournemouth commented, “our local volunteers have been desperate for support with the club and looking at ways of developing grassroots surfing in our area, we have found it almost impossible to access funding without an NGB to support us“.

Joe Taylor, CEO of The Wave Project, said: “This is fantastic news, in particular for less able surfers who will benefit from Surfing GB’s excellent policies on inclusion. Surfing GB have worked hard to make surfing more accessible to people from all walks of life and I believe that as the National Governing Body they will continue to help to make surfing more relevant to more people.”

Delivering the work of an NGB via volunteer committees, without funding or formal recognition, has been the major achievement of Surfing GB over the last three years. “Surfing GB is a Surfer’s organisation and exists to serve its members” said Nigel Semmens, President of Surfing GB. “We really want to congratulate our volunteers and thank our members, and all those in the wider UK surfing community that have continued to support their NGB- in- waiting during this tough phase. This is now the opportunity for Surfing to apply for the government funding it needs alongside other recognised sports.”

“Recognition for Surfing GB would be huge for the future of surfing within educational establishments.” commented Brender Wilmott, course Co-ordinator at Cornwall College. “Having an NGB will allow school teachers and lecturers access to resources to enable them to educate students and promote an understanding of healthy lifestyles, and make students aware of the marine environment. Surfing has a place in a number of core subjects within schools: Physical Education, Geography, English, Maths, Science, Media and IT.”

The next stage for Surfing GB will be to submit their “whole sports plan” (WSP) to the UK Sports recognitions council- something that could happen within weeks. Sarah Touissa is Surfing GB’s Strategic Development Officer: “Many surfers have been watching and waiting for Surfing GB to get to this stage and we are keen to invite the federations of Scotland, Wales, the Channel Islands and England, as well as all the other Surfing organisations in the UK to grasp this opportunity and get involved in writing the Whole Sport Plan; so that their interests and the interests of their members are properly represented in future funding bids”.

Another exciting development for Surfing GB is an imminent office relocation to the Museum of British Surfing in North Devon, “It is fantastic that SGB are going to be based at the Museum of British Surfing – we are here not just to celebrate the past, but to mark current achievements and alongside SGB help shape the future of British surfing”, said Pete Robinson, founder of the Museum of British Surfing.

“This is great news” said Alex Williams, one of the volunteer directors of SGB, “but it’s also vital that we now hear from passionate Surfers: by joining Surfing GB as a member you can help shape the Whole Sport Plan and be a part of our shared future in Great British Surfing”.

Quik Pro kicks off

All the news just in case you missed it;

Gabriel Medina won a hard-fought battle over dangerous wildcard Dane Reynolds and ‘Portuguese Tiger’ Tiago Pires in Round 1 today, taking him one step closer to becoming Brazil’s first-ever ASP World Title-holder.

“That was a hard heat,” Medina said. “Dane (Reynolds) is always scary and Tiago (Pires) has a lot of experience in these waves. I’m feeling good. My boards feel good and my surfing feels strong. France has a lot of special memories for me. I won the King of the Groms here and won my first WCT event here. I’m hoping to make more memories.”

While Medina advanced directly to Round 3, fellow title contenders Kelly Slater and Mick Fanning were both relegated to Round 2 by Matt Wilkinson and Jeremy Flores respectively.

Jeremy Flores, current No. 33 on the ASP WCT rankings, is into his eighth season amongst the world’s elite and, following a year which has witnessed poor results and misconduct suspensions, is currently fighting for his place on tour in 2015. The former Billabong Pipeline Master, Flores has been a perpetual standout at heavy water venues around the world, but has yet to collect a major result here in France.

“This is a big event for me,” Flores said. “I have had a tough year and I am fighting for my life on tour in these last three events. I’ve never had a strong result here in France and I’m hoping to change that this season. Getting a win over Mick (Fanning), who I respect so much, in these conditions gives me great confidence for the week ahead. I appreciate all the hometown support I’ve received.”

Michel Bourez, current ASP World No. 5, was another to benefit from the local support today. A native of French Polynesia in Tahiti, Bourez spent many years in the South of France developing his world-class surfing. A winner of WCT events this season in Margaret River and Rio de Janeiro, Bourez put on a master class at Les Gardians this morning, showcasing his unmatched power and rarely-seen aerial game.

“It was a great way to start the event,” Bourez said. “I feel very comfortable here. France is like my second home. The waves are fun today and I was able to try some more progressive surfing in my heat today. Stoked to get a win and very appreciative of all the support.”

Julian Wilson (AUS) is universally-regarded as one of the most dynamic surfers on the planet, but the young Australian has struggled to achieve results to match his talents this season. Currently sitting at ASP World No. 17, Wilson put on a dynamic performance in Round 1 today, relegating the ever-impressive John John Florence (HAW) and Jadson Andre (BRA) to Round 2 with some high-flying surfing.

“Feels great to get a heat win like that,” Wilson said. “I feel like I’ve been surfing well all year, but have had trouble translating that into results. To get win with surfing like that is good for the confidence. I feel like I’m due for a result this season. Hopefully we continue to get fun waves here in France.”

When competition resumes, up first will be 11-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) up against freesurfing virtuoso Dane Reynolds (USA) in the opening heat of Round 2.

Surfline, official forecasters for the Quiksilver Pro France, are calling for:

Reinforcing swell due for the weekend, continuing into Monday of next week before easing.

Highligts from the Quiksilver Pro france will be available at ASPWorldTour.com

Quiksilver Pro France Round 1 Results (1st advances to Round 3, 2nd & 3rd to Round 2) :
Heat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) 15.16, Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 14.97, Travis Logie (ZAF) 14.10
Heat 2: Michel Bourez (PYF) 16.33, Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 11.80, Brett Simpson (USA) 9.93
Heat 3: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 16.73, Mick Fanning (AUS) 13.00, Filipe Toledo (BRA) 12.84
Heat 4: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 15.50, Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 10.83, Kai Otton (AUS) 5.17
Heat 5: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 14.67, Kelly Slater (USA) 14.50, Matt Banting (AUS) 13.43
Heat 6: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 15.17, Dane Reynolds (USA) 14.56, Tiago Pires (PRT) 13.43
Heat 7: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 15.90, C.J. Hobgood (USA) 13.76, Aritz Aranburu (ESP) 8.43
Heat 8: Julian Wilson (AUS) 16.77, Jadson Andre (BRA) 14.00, John John Florence (HAW) 12.73
Heat 9: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 15.16, Kolohe Andino (USA) 14.03, Dion Atkinson (AUS) 10.90
Heat 10: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 14.60, Alejo Muniz (BRA) 13.84, Nat Young (USA) 12.06
Heat 11: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 12.43, Bede Durbidge (AUS) 12.00, Mitch Crews (AUS) 11.14
Heat 12: Josh Kerr (AUS) 15.23, Adam Melling (AUS) 12.00, Owen Wright (AUS) 10.43

Quiksilver Pro France Round Match-Ups (1st advances to Round 3, 2nd Finishes Equal 25th) :
Heat 1: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Dane Reynolds (USA)
Heat 2: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Matt Banting (AUS)
Heat 3: John John Florence (HAW) vs. Raoni Monteiro (BRA)
Heat 4: Kolohe Andino (USA) vs. Brett Simpson (USA)
Heat 5: Nat Young (USA) vs. Travis Logie (ZAF)
Heat 6: Owen Wright (AUS) vs. Aritz Aranburu (EUK)
Heat 7: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Jadson Andre (BRA)
Heat 8: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Dion Atkinson (AUS)
Heat 9: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) vs. Alejo Muniz (BRA)
Heat 10: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) vs. Mitch Crews (AUS)
Heat 11: Filipe Toledo (BRA) vs. Adam Melling (AUS)
Heat 12: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Tiago Pires (PRT)

Just Passing Through Europe

Take a two week journey through Spain and Portugal with some of Reef Europe’s finest ambassadors.

Surfers: Kepa Acero, Vincent Duvignac, Mario Azurza, Tibo Spoe, Arthur Bourbon, Roberto D’Amico, Eugenio Barcelloni and Nick Rozsa take a two week trip through Europe.