The first and crucial event of the ASP European Longboard Tour came to an end today, British surfers Ben Skinner (GBR) and Candice O’Donnell (GBR) dominating the LQS 1-Star Goanna Pro Tapia in consistent wind-blown five foot waves. Both event winners and runner-ups have secured their Oxbow World Longboard Tour (WLT) tickets and will represent Europe on the elite longboard tour along with Europe’s leaders Antoine Delpero (FRA) and Romain Maurin (FRA).
Ben Skinner (GBR), longtime top European longboarder, defeated inform Frenchman Alexis Deniel (FRA) in the final confirming his standout status through the event posting both highest wave score and heat result in the 30-minute decider… Details
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Neal Kearney
The Froth Pit
Staring into the eye of this ferocious monster, I came to fully understand the reason for its mythic reputation. It towered above me, threatening me with unimaginable force. Its furious advance did little to intimidate me however, for this encounter was my idea.
For years I had studied this Hawaiian behemoth called the Banzai Pipeline, analyzing its characteristics, idolizing those who had successfully tamed this beast. Yet, when I found myself face to face with the monstrosity during a 2004 session, I felt almost at ease, as though watching myself act from the safety of a movie theater seat. The time came for me make my move, and as the beast lifted me up with its giant claws, I took my position and …Â Details
PRESS RELEASE
Local Scottburgh surfer Casey Grant held on to win the Pro Junior boys title in the first Billabong Junior Series event of 2009, defeating Brendon Gibbens (Kommetjie) in a high scoring final that went right down to the wire at his home break on Saturday.
On an absolutely epic day of competition surfing in front of a packed Easter Saturday holiday crowd, the country’s top 20-and-under surfers went ballistic in the punchy one to 1.3 metre light onshore waves that provided the ideal conditions for high performance manoeuvres, barrel rides and aerials.
Grant, the fourth seed for the event, took full advantage of his local knowledge to race into an early lead in the man-on-man final of the …Â Details
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PRESS RELEASE
The Virginia Longboard Federation (VLF) is pleased to announce the 6th Annual Steel Pier Classic Surfing Contest and Surf Art Expo to take place Memorial Day Weekend (May 23-25, 2009) at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, First Street Jetty, presented by Freedom Surf Shop. This annual charity event will raise money for The Virginia Beach Noblemen. The three day event celebrates the roots of surfing and will feature Longboard and Shortboard Pro divisions with a cash purse, amateur divisions, Stand Up Paddle and the Club Challenge. Over 300 surfers from all over the United States are expected to attend. In honor of our Fallen Soldiers killed in combat, the VLF will hold a true Hawaiian Paddle out at noon on Monday, May 25th. The local Military community will be joining the surfers to honor those Hero’s memory. The VLF, who are “Partners in Education” with the City of Virginia Beach will feature the Student Art Show on the Beach. Local area High School Students will be competing for first place in this annual show. Students from Princess Anne High School along with the VLF will produce the show. The VLF and local agency Sponsorships Unlimited are pleased to present the Surf Art Expo along the boardwalk for the second year. Artists from across the nation will feature surfing themed art. Saturday May 23rd party at Kokamos 8 p.m., featuring local beach band “Ray and the Ultraviolet’s”. Festivities continue Sunday night, May 24th with the Virginia premier of the Mikey DeTemple’s new surfing flick “Picaresque” , showing at 7:30 p.m. on the beach, featuring the band “BLORR” live. The memory of former Virginian Pilot Sports Writer, Danielle Roach will be honored at the awards ceremony with the presentation of the “Danielle Roach Sportsmanship Award”.
For more information, entry forms, and a schedule of events visit www.virginialongboardfederation.com or contact Mary Knight at 757-409-1363. Applications are also available at Freedom Surf Shop, 1361 Laskin Road, Va. Beach. For more information on the Surf Art Expo contact Sponsorships Unlimited at 757-222-2355 or go to www.vbsurfartexpo.com