Mavericks Surf Contest 2010

The much awaited Mavericks Big Wave surfing contest is set to return to the shore of North California this weekend. With huge swells predicted for the region over the coming days, big wave charges from across the world are heading to this famous surf spot at Half Moon Bay for the so called ‘Olympics of Surfing’.

A little bit about the contest….
Mavericks is a world-renowned big wave break located one-half mile off the coast of Half Moon Bay, California.
Since the early 1990s, when the local spot was introduced to the world, Mavericks has become an epicenter of modern big-wave surfing, attracting elite riders to test its limits (and theirs) each time it rears its awe-inspiring head. With waves cresting as high as 50 feet, ridiculously strong currents, dangerous rocks, perilously shallow reefs, and bone-chilling water temperatures, Mavericks is like no other place on Earth.

Each winter, during a waiting period typically set for sometime between November and March – if and when conditions are perfect, and giant swells roll in from far across the Pacific – The Mavericks Surf Contest® is held. On just 24 hours notice, two dozen of the surfing community’s bravest and most skillful souls assemble to confront the thundering mountain of salt water many consider to be the most dangerous wave Mother Nature has ever concocted.

(wording courtesy of www.maverickssurf.com)

Tune in and check out some out of this world surfing….you can watch live online via the website www.maverickssurf.com

Big swells on the way for North California

Quiksilver Pro France Surf Competition 2009

We were lucky enough to arrive in Hossegor in time for the Final round of the Quiksilver Pro France.  It’s the largest surf contest in the world, and the top 45 surfers on the planet rock up to the small town of Hossegor each September to show off their skills on some of Frances’ most famous beaches.

There are sooooo many good breaks around this place, the tour takes advantage of this by having a fully mobile contest site.  Luckily for us the finals were held just down the road from where we were camping at Les Bourdaines.  We rocked up just in time for the quarter finals. We watched in eager anticipation as some of our surfing heroes battled it our for the title.  There was a great atmosphere on the beach, helped by the amazing weather!  There was a solid turn out, with plenty of cheering and booing going on in true French fashion.

Australian, Mick Fanning put on a great performance on the 2 - 3ft choppy waves, and showed us all that if you surf that good then it doesn’t really matter what the conditions are like.

In true fashion, we joined in with the revelry and partied hard in Cafe due Paris ( not intentionally, as the party came to us!)  We rocked out with the pros, drank copious amounts of beer and sangria until the early hours.  The party spilled over to the notorious Dicks Sand Bar and Rock food where the dancing began - in hope of a hangover cure for the next morning.  When it all got too much, and too late we headed back to our camp for some well deserved sleep!!!

Surf Coaching Day for the Girls from the RAF Waveriders Club

I had a great day on Tuesday when I joined the RAF Waveriders Club for a day of coaching with the girls.  In preparation for their up and coming competition on Thursday I was drafted in to give them some last minute quick fixes to help them along in preparation for the contest.  I was surprised with the turnout of 12 girls!!

After a lot of running around in the morning, the girls finally got it all together and put their kit in the van.  Fully laden with board, suits, towels, girls and enough face cream to last a lifetime we took to the road.

The question of the day was where to surf??  It was pretty much flat as a pancake on all the main beaches, with a weird North Easterly wind blowing some choppy looking waves down the coast.  The blokes headed off in their vans to all corners of the county in search of the perfect wave.  After some careful consideration to the prevailing conditions I though it a good idea to head to Penhale Corner.  If I’m honest I don’t get to surf there that much because of the long haul trek normally involved….either its because I’m too lazy, or that my board is just to heavy to carry all that way ( and back again!)  With a van full of RAF girls we were allowed access through the Army Camp, to park right at the beach!

I don’t think the girls caught on, but I was stoked!  Waves looked great….the walk down a little tretcherous, and the beach perfectly empty!!!

We spent all day in the water and the girls totaled about 5 hours in the water.  Their surfing definately improver throughout the day, and by the time we finished some great waves had been ridden!

As we were heading back to camp, all the guys arrived having chased waves around the county, only to find that we’d been at the most perfect spot all day!

When we got back to camp we watched all the videos and photos we’d taken over the day on the big screen!!  You can check out some of the best shots from the day on our online gallery HERE

Rachael Taylor takes 4th place in the womens shorboard contest, St Ives

After a rigorous day of competition on Tuesday, Wednesday welcomed the arrival of the RipCurl Girls Shortboard division at the final leg of the Girls Surf Tour.  Rach battled her way through some tough competition to take 4th place in the final.

With her combination of impressive wins over the past couple weeks her overall point score for the 3 events gave her a final placing of 3rd overall.  Rachael was delighted with her win and is looking forward to some more contests over the summer!  Congratulations Rachael!!!!!

On Tuesday 28th July, we had an early start leaving Newquay in the early hours arriving in St Ives by 9am.  When we rocked up the surf looked great!  After checking in for the comp we headed in for a high tide session at Porthmeor.  After the tide dropped a little we got in for our heats.  The surf was great which made it nice and easy to catch some good set waves.  After combating it through our heats we both go knocked out in the Semi Finals.  It was a close call for both of us.

Even though we didn’t win we had a great day out and loads of fun surfing at Porthmeor.  We’ll be entering a lot more Longboard comps in the coming months so the experienced gained from the comp should hopefully help us out next time round.

Competition Finalists at the RipCurl Girls Surf Tour, Croyde 2009

A huge congratulations to Rach this weekend for claiming 4th place in the final at the 2 star RipCurl Girl Surf Tour ar Croyde Bay this weekend.

Taking a well deserved day off from surf school, Ashleigh and Rach stole the surf school van, kitted it our with a blow up mattress, some girly throws, and not forgetting our pillows headed off to Croyde.  With our technical surf school phone with its GPS and Google Map we made it without getting too lost.  We blagged a great spot in the carpark and pumped up our airbed before heading to the pub for just one beer before the big day.  We had a suprisingly good sleep and got up at 7am……fatal error…..the shop that sold fresh croissants didnt open until 8.

After checking the surf, eating croissants and making a cup of tea on our new stove Rach checked into the surf comp.  After a quick stretch she headed into the first heat of the day.  After a difficult round Rach pulled off second place and progressed into the semi finals.  After some fierce competition in the semis, facing some of the UK’s best female surfers, she did it one again and made it through!  The conditions throughout the day deteriorated from bad to hideous and with a tough final round.

After a tough heat Rachel pulled off 4th position and collected her prize.  Hopefully we’ll do as well at the next event in St Ives this week!

On Thursday 17th July, one of our top coaches - Matthew Stoked joined the Surf Relief Festival team to help  provide some expert coaching for over 200 school children from across Cornwall.  Lessons were provided for both disabled and able bodies youngsters and everyone had a great time, despite the gale force winds and driving rain.  Throughout the day all the kids surfed in small groups, and also got the opportunity to try out beach rugby, volleyball and even learn some Lifeguard skills from the professionals!

The following day (Saturday), the top surfers from the UK took part in the annual Surf Relief contest.  In challenging conditions the Under 16’s showed some exceptional talent and are firmly paving the way for the future of British Surfing.  The Mens Open Title was taken by Reubyn Ash who showed a great display of versatility and talent through the weekend - clearing up in the final and posting the highest wave score of the entire contest.