Posted: July 20, 2010 by
Francesca
After 4 days of near perfect J-Bay waves and the best surfers in the world battling it out in heat after heat, South African Jordy Smith became the new Billabong Pro J-Bay champion on Sunday 18th July 2010.
At stop number 4 of 10, spectators at the Billabong Pro Jeffrey’s Bay witnessed Jordy Smith claim his maiden elite tour win by defeating Australian Adam Melling 17.93 points to 10.00. Smith’s victory sees him take the lead in the world championship race for the first time, leading Taj Burrow and Kelly Slater.
Smith had to defeat some of the best surfers in the world to take his place on the podium, including Adriano de Souza in the quarter finals, and Bede Durbidge in the Semis. Runner up Adam Melling also had one of the best contests of his life as Melling’s 2nd place finish projected him up the ratings from 41st place to 19th. Melling’s new position in the rankings helps him to secure his place in the remainder of this year’s ASP dream tour.
So what is it that has got all the surfers vying for a high ranked position? The ASP has raised the stakes so that after the next contest, the Billabong Pro Tahiti, surfers not ranked 32 or above will no longer have their place in the ASP’s elite tour guaranteed. This makes for competitive and exciting surfing, because every wave, every heat and every competition result counts.
Our European boys are looking good at the moment. Portuguese Tiago Pires from
Ericeira, one of our most popular surf holiday destinations, managed another 9th in the contest. Pires now sits comfortably at 15th in the rankings. Joining Pires and flying the European flag was Jeremy Flores, from another superb surf holiday destination of
Capbreton, France. Flores managed a 33rd, placing him at 24th in the rankings.
So now all eyes will be focused on the Billabong Pro Tahiti August 23rd to 3rd September 2010. In the meantime, check out the highlights from the beautiful waves of Jeffrey’s Bay...
Posted: July 15, 2010 by
Francesca
Want to get yourself fitter and ready for that all important
surfing holiday? Even if you are land locked there are still a wide variety of sports that can help you to not only get fitter, but can also improve your surfing ability when you finally get to those waves. Here are our top 5 favourite cross training sports for you to try...
Yoga/Pilates
Developing your strength, balance and flexibility is key when you want to first learn to surf or improve your surfing technique. Yoga and Pilates will improve your strength for paddling and pop ups, balance for better rides once you’re up, and flexibility to lower the risk of injury.
Swimming
An obvious choice, but the more you are in the water, whether that’s your local swimming pool or the sea, the better. Swimming, especially frontcrawl, will help you develop the muscles needed to paddle into waves, and of course swimming is a great cardiovascular- helping to burn excess blubber from one too many slices of pizza at the weekend.
Running
Your general level of fitness and energy will really show in the surf. To help you to improve your confidence in the water, explore your body’s ability to move, to build up stamina and to release short burst of energy, through running. Just be careful to find a healthy balance to how often or far you run, and invest in good running trainers.
Circuits
For a structured class environment where you know that you will improve your strength, stamina and general fitness levels, circuits is perfect. Make sure you keep it interesting by trying different classes to keep your motivation up.
Breakdancing/Capoeira
Pure fun- you will hardly know that you’re working out. Breakdancing and Brazilian Capoeira not only have you sweating from the cardio involved, but will build your core strength, flexibility and improvisational techniques- ideal for the ever changing waves you’ll be surfing.
Here's a little Capoeira inspiration for your day, tune in at 50secs to see why Capoeira is such a good work out.
Posted: July 14, 2010 by
Francesca
Name: Duke Kahanamoku
Nicknames: The Duke
Hometown: Waikiki, Hawaii
Born: 24 August 1890
Died: 22 January 1968
Stance: Regular
Before there was the likes of Kelly Slater, Laird Hamilton, Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew or Eddie Aikau, there was Duke Kahanamoku. “The Duke” is known as the father of surfing, as it was Duke who helped to take the sport of surfing around the world during the 1910s.
Born and raised Hawaii, Duke grew up in Waikiki and learnt to surf in the gentle waves of Waikiki Beach. Surfboards looked a little different in Duke’s time in comparison to what we are used to see carving the waves of today. At the turn of the 20th century traditional techniques were still in place, and surfboards were shaped out of trees, creating massive 16ft boards that could weigh anything from 100lbs and up. Duke learnt to surf on these huge long boards, riding waves with a grace and poise that is now only really seen in the longboarders today.
During the 1910s and 1920s the Duke did more for the sport of surfing than anyone throughout history. The Duke was a phenomenal swimmer breaking world records and winning medals, today’s equivalent would be Ian Thorpe or Michael Phelps in this era. Duke not only qualified with ease for the American Olympic swim team, but took the Gold medal in the 100m freestyle at the Olympics in Stockholm in 1912, then again in 1920 in Antwerp. He also was part of the American relay team that took the silver in the 4x 200m freestyle relay in Stockholm in 1912. The team went on to win the gold medal in Antwerp in 1920 and in 1924 in Paris they won the silver in the same event.
Duke’s contributions to sporting and swimming history earned him a place in the swimming hall of fame, but also enabled him to travel the world giving swimming demonstrations. It was through these swimming demonstrations that he began to introduce the world to the sport of kings.
Almost unheard of outside of Hawaii, surfing was a revolutionary sport for the spectators that witnessed the Duke’s demonstrations. As he travelled to California and Australia, he would demonstrate surfing his longboard and so inspired entire generations to try for themselves. He literally brought surfing to American and Australian shores.
Throughout Duke’s life he was an ambassador for the sport of surfing, always prioritizing surfing even above the Olympic medals he’d won in swimming during his youth. Duke died in 1968, yet he is still remembered for how he took surfing around the world. There is a memorial statue on Waikiki beach of the Duke that millions of tourists visit every year... and the statue is constantly covered with leis.
Here is a small glimpse into the life of an extraordinary man who shared what he loved with the world...
Posted: July 12, 2010 by
Francesca
In a matter of days the sun will rise over Jeffrey’s Bay in South Africa and the Billabong Pro JBay 2010 contest will be on. So whilst you prepare for your next
surf holiday, sit back and enjoy watching the pros show how it's done...
There’s a lot riding on this mid year contest, because if you’re not in the top 32 at the close of Billabong’s next competition ending 3rd September, then you won’t be guaranteed a place on next year’s ASP world championship tour.
The Billabong Pro JBay will be running from 15-25th July in the infamous barreling waves of Supertubes. Lying on the Eastern cape of South Africa, near the town of Jeffrey’s Bay, Supertubes has become iconic as one of the best right-handers in the world. Its poker straight barrels can often be seen stacked to the horizon, and these perfect waves offer some of the longest- thigh burning rides on the planet.
Jeffrey's Bay was discovered back in the 1960s when surfers were inspired to explore the South African coastline after watching the film “Endless Summer”. The film showed St Francis Bay, not far from where Jeffrey’s Bay is found, and so it was only a matter of time before a surfer would uncover the world class waves of Jeffrey's Bay.
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Surf contests have been held at J-Bay since 1981, but it wasn’t until 1996 that Billabong started its annual contest. Since its inception the event has seen some of the best surfers in the world lift its trophy: Kelly Slater, Mick Fanning, Andy Irons, Taj Burrow and last year’s winner Joel Parkinson.
However, things are definitely set to change this year because Parkinson has unfortunately had to pull out of the event. The defending champion has suffered a nasty cut to his foot which wont heal in time for the competition. So things are suddenly wide open again for the competitors.
Stop number 4 on the ASP’s dream tour will see a battle of the big names. Nine times world champion Kelly Slater is leading the world championship race, hotly pursued by South African Jordy Smith. It would mean a great deal to either surfer to win, as Slater is going for his 10th world title, whilst for Smith a win on home soil would help him on his way to achieve that all elusive world title.
Surfers to watch will be the Aussies Mick Fanning, Taj Burrows and Owen Wright. Current world champion Mick Fanning is always hungry for more, and with two world titles under his belt he is always a danger. Burrow began the year on top form, winning at the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, but finishing 17th in the last event. So a return to form could be on the cards. However, Wright is the unknown. He exploded onto everyones radar last year as a wildcard entry at the Rip Curl Search in
Peniche, and finished 3rd at the last event in Santa Catarina, Brazil. If Wright continues to find his footing then he will be a big threat.
So to get a piece of the action watch it live at:
www.billabongpro.com/jbay10 and check out the trailer to get a glimpse of why everyone is so excited about the event...
Posted: July 09, 2010 by
Francesca
Summer is finally here, you’re planning on hitting the surf, you’ve even booked your next
surf holiday... So what are the essential fashion tips for looking your best and surviving the beach day in day out?
Sunglasses
If ever there was a summer must have above all others it would have to be a pair or a few hundred sunglasses. We all know that they make everyone look great whilst protecting your eyes from the elements and squinting. So when you’re choosing your next pair invest in some that are properly UV filtered and polarized. Your eyes will thank you in years to come.
Bejeweled bikinis
Why just have a plain bikini when you can have a colourful one with accessories already added to it? There are some really cute bikinis out there where the tops and bottoms will have clever use of beads, jewellery and fasteners that not only create flattering shapes but also give a little bit of bling to your time on the beach.
Over sized beach bag
More is more in fashion, and thank goodness, cos when you head out this summer it’s great to be prepared. Over sized beach bags are the way to go. Just think big bold fun prints, then you can fit all those random beach friendly items and your beach towel into one bag and avoid the embarrassing bag-lady connotations of when you had to carry your surplus in plastic bags.
Cap or visor
Not just for your tennis or golfing star, caps and visors are the perfect accessory for either going to the beach or working out. They are a great multifunctional tool for keeping a wayward fringe at bay, stopping sweat getting in your eyes, covering your eyes for a quick snooze, or even to help you play a great game of beach volleyball or bat and ball.
Flip flops
Love them or hate them, flipflops complete your look. Avoid the annoying sore spots or blisters by choosing softer fabric straps and staying clear of rubber. We love the new range by Reef... especially the metallics that are part of their 60s inspired jetset range.
