The Hawaiian season is just about to kick off. The Vans Triple Crown is back thanks to the ASP giving some events extra points despite not meeting the prize money thresholds.
The first event a Haleiwa has been on hold for the last few days. It will be webcast in the middle of the night at http://vanstriplecrownofsurfing.com/reefhawaiianpro2011 and is expected to start tonight.
Over in Italy the final event in the World Longboard Tour has finally started in one foot wind swell 180 ks away from the primary venue. Apparently a solid overhead swell smashed the venue the day before the event started and it has been billiard table flat since then. The WLT has smaller fields so they hope that the little pulse will allow them to finish the event today and crown a world champ. Heats are in the water right now but due to the change in venue there is no webcast.
Showing posts with label WLT. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WLT. Show all posts
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Thursday, October 29, 2009
More contest news
The Womens Search is on at one of the backup venues. The waves look really nice - clean, offshore and around chest height. They are in to round three with Steph Gilmore through. Her current competition for the world title, Silvana Lima just beating Aussie Jessie Miley-Dyer by less than 0.3 with a wave in the final minute.
Over in the Maldives Harley Ingelby has scored his first World Championship in the WLT with a second. Hawaiian Kai Sallas won.
Over in the Maldives Harley Ingelby has scored his first World Championship in the WLT with a second. Hawaiian Kai Sallas won.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Fanning wins Search
Mick Fanning has beaten Bede Durbridge in the final of the Search in Portugal. Fanning only had to surf once after Owen Wright pulled out of the semi due to a burst ear drum sustained the day before.
Durbridge took out Parko in the other semi. Parko was not happy after his loss however on adjusted points Mick will still need finish higher at Pipe to win the World Title. Bede's loss means that he is out of the running leaving on the two Coolie Kids.
The WLT is into round 2 at the Maldives. The webcast is on and the waves look fun. Last years world champ Bonga Perkins is out but current tour leader Harley Ingelby is easily through to the next round.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Supertubos is on
The Search has finally ended up at the primary venue and the waves are big. Six to eight foot sets are smashing through the beachie and a few some barrels but plenty of smashing closeouts. Wave selection is the key.
Local knowledge is that the waves will get better when the swell and tide starts to drop. Contest director Dooma Hardman is hoping to run at least all of round three and possibly the quarters today and finish tomorrow.
Fuel TV is showing the contest live in Australia and streaming it in HD from their US site. The tv is the same as the webcast so lack some of the refinement of some other sports but it is live and from the beach somewhere. I'm just happy I get to watch on a proper sized screen.
Taj is in the next heat and this will remind him of Rabbit Hill. Parko just won his heat with a tube and an air. Owen Wright continues his good run in 'CT events by just beating Dane Reynolds with a killer backhand tube late in his heat.
Meanwhile in the Maldives it was a lay day for the WLT Oxbow Pro.
Local knowledge is that the waves will get better when the swell and tide starts to drop. Contest director Dooma Hardman is hoping to run at least all of round three and possibly the quarters today and finish tomorrow.
Fuel TV is showing the contest live in Australia and streaming it in HD from their US site. The tv is the same as the webcast so lack some of the refinement of some other sports but it is live and from the beach somewhere. I'm just happy I get to watch on a proper sized screen.
Taj is in the next heat and this will remind him of Rabbit Hill. Parko just won his heat with a tube and an air. Owen Wright continues his good run in 'CT events by just beating Dane Reynolds with a killer backhand tube late in his heat.
Meanwhile in the Maldives it was a lay day for the WLT Oxbow Pro.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Is the Search jinxed ?
After the primary location was smashed and flooded by a storm the Search is now on hold due to thick fog.
Apparently the waves are really good but the judges can't see them.
In other contest news the second and final leg of the WLT is being held at Pasta Point in the Maldives. Round 1 is done with 2008 champ Bonga Perkins, current ratings leader Harley Ingelby and former no 1 Josh Constable all through. With only two events for the whole tour it is still any ones world title.
Apparently the waves are really good but the judges can't see them.
In other contest news the second and final leg of the WLT is being held at Pasta Point in the Maldives. Round 1 is done with 2008 champ Bonga Perkins, current ratings leader Harley Ingelby and former no 1 Josh Constable all through. With only two events for the whole tour it is still any ones world title.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Parko Rules Again
For the third time this year Parko has smashed his way into first in a WCT event. Parko started the final with a 9.47 and backed up with a 6.5. Damien Hobgood was chasing at least a high 8 from halfway through the heat and spent the 3 minutes in combo land.
Parko deserved to win and had been on all contest. He had two 10s and two of the ten highest heat scores. Only his semi-final was close
Yesterday was a classic day of contest surfing. The waves just got better and better and almost everyone was going off.
Slater was unbelievable in his round 2 heat against Nic Muscroft. He scored 18.84 out of 20 and had a throw away score of 9 ! If you only watch one heat on demand then make it this one. In round three he got a total of six and his 10th title might be on hold till next year despite there still being enough events.
Dane Reynolds just missed the final by a smidge but as a consolation won the hugely expensive Nixon watch for the highest heat total. One of his round two waves was so long he got dropped in on by a free surfer way down the line.
Not surprisingly Occy won round two of the Icons clash by less than a point. Just gives them an excuse to try again at Mundacca, a left.
The next event is the Hurley at Trestles in the US from 13th September.
Jennifer Smith from the US won the WLT title for the second time at the Roxy Jam in France. She beat Chelsea Williams in the semis in waves that looked fun but no more special that a pretty average beach break.
Parko deserved to win and had been on all contest. He had two 10s and two of the ten highest heat scores. Only his semi-final was close
Yesterday was a classic day of contest surfing. The waves just got better and better and almost everyone was going off.
Slater was unbelievable in his round 2 heat against Nic Muscroft. He scored 18.84 out of 20 and had a throw away score of 9 ! If you only watch one heat on demand then make it this one. In round three he got a total of six and his 10th title might be on hold till next year despite there still being enough events.
Dane Reynolds just missed the final by a smidge but as a consolation won the hugely expensive Nixon watch for the highest heat total. One of his round two waves was so long he got dropped in on by a free surfer way down the line.
Not surprisingly Occy won round two of the Icons clash by less than a point. Just gives them an excuse to try again at Mundacca, a left.
The next event is the Hurley at Trestles in the US from 13th September.
Jennifer Smith from the US won the WLT title for the second time at the Roxy Jam in France. She beat Chelsea Williams in the semis in waves that looked fun but no more special that a pretty average beach break.
Monday, July 13, 2009
J-Bay On
The Billabong Pro has started in clean but small waves. It is offshore and quick but with the odd barrel and big whacking sections. If we rocked up to these conditions you'd be frothing but for the Pros you'd probably question if they would have run today if the waiting period wasn't disappearing so quick.
Round 1 is elimination. No surprises so far and no real outstanding heats.
The Roxy is also running. WA's Georgina Young was knocked out and the only remaining Aussie Chelsea Williams beat the current world champ. She comes up against the other Australian in heat 5. The video from yesterday showed the usual small but clean French summer conditions, ideal for longboarding.
Round 1 is elimination. No surprises so far and no real outstanding heats.
The Roxy is also running. WA's Georgina Young was knocked out and the only remaining Aussie Chelsea Williams beat the current world champ. She comes up against the other Australian in heat 5. The video from yesterday showed the usual small but clean French summer conditions, ideal for longboarding.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Another Layday at J Bay
Waves are even smaller but they forecast is for a new swell tomorrow. They will need to start running heats tomorrow just to get through in the waiting period.
The Roxy Jam has just started for today. No webcast but you can follow live scores and results if that floats your boat.
The Roxy Jam has just started for today. No webcast but you can follow live scores and results if that floats your boat.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Contest News
Another lay day has just been called by J-Bay contest director "Snips' Parsons. The waves are up to shoulder height but too inconsistent to run the first round. Tomorrow arvo seems to be the next likely start time.
The positive is that they will now run the new contest format and dump the losers in the first round, whilst the top seeds go straight to round 2. Less time to wait for the decent surfers and heats.
If you want a contest fix or your female, the annual Roxy Jam starts in France today. Girls riding mals isn't for everyone but it can be a good way to spend a slow night. Especially if Kasia Meador is commentating.
The contest is the World Womens Longboard World Championship and will run the first round elimination format. Seems women longboarders, most who earn little or nothing from surfing, are a lot less precious about the risk of going home after one heat than the so called elite back half of the men's WCT.
There is only one seeded Australian and a total of three in the event, including WA's Georgiana Young who draws a Hawaiian in round 1.
The positive is that they will now run the new contest format and dump the losers in the first round, whilst the top seeds go straight to round 2. Less time to wait for the decent surfers and heats.
If you want a contest fix or your female, the annual Roxy Jam starts in France today. Girls riding mals isn't for everyone but it can be a good way to spend a slow night. Especially if Kasia Meador is commentating.
The contest is the World Womens Longboard World Championship and will run the first round elimination format. Seems women longboarders, most who earn little or nothing from surfing, are a lot less precious about the risk of going home after one heat than the so called elite back half of the men's WCT.
There is only one seeded Australian and a total of three in the event, including WA's Georgiana Young who draws a Hawaiian in round 1.
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