Aussie Takes Japan

Harley Ingelby has started this year like he did last by winning the first round of the World Longboard Tour. However, unlike last year, he know there is more than one event so won't have to spend months wondering if he will be world champ or not.

Was a big day on the beachy with the event running all the way from the remaining round 1 heats to the final. The waves for the final were okay and Harley was the deserving winner.

Harley's two best waves included a couple of big backhand reos, flying floaters and carving cutbacks. He even chucked in a stall and 5 for the traditionalists.

Hopefully he can back it up with good results in the other events and get a deserved World title.

World Longboard Tour Starts Today

The first event of the World Longboard Tour started today in Japan. The waves are onshore crap and barely contestable.

Longboard events can be a little hard to watch. It is difficult to enjoy watching a Brazilian who obviously isn't competitive on a shortboard try to surf a longboard like one. There are too many tail surfers, ridiculous attempted chop hops and barely touching cheater fives. Usually the waves are not mal friendly and lots progress through heats by lucking into two waves rather than good surfing.

However when you get decent waves there are some surfers who know how to surf a longboard, using the whole length and mixing traditional moves with shortboardish smashes. Josh Constable, Harley Ingelby and Bonga Perkins are all worth watching.

Having said that, there is a webcast and I'll be watching.