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The News
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Wavelength June Issue 215 Out Now |
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Written by James Wilkinson
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Wednesday, 23 May 2012 12:55 |
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I have a dream... I have it quite often in fact. I am surfing a wave in water the temperature of a bath. Usually, I am alone in the line-up, able to wait for my perfect wave. But as soon as it arrives and I gracefully pull-off an impossibly late take-off, the channel fills up with friends, colleagues and ex-girlfriends, all cheering as I dig my rail in and soul arch back into the blue right-hander, which seems to run as far as I can see. As I set my line and drag four fingers through the water, the lip throws over me and I pull up a little higher on the face. It feels like flying. The wave is so mechanical that I don’t have to pump, I never feel too deep and I’m in no rush to come out. I run my fingers against the fluid ceiling; more cheering from the channel, but this time they have banners... and a steel band. Incredibly, unlike my recurring dreams about taking Audrey Tatou to Flambards, and the one where I commute to work by hover-luge, this dream has its basis in reality. This flawless wave that defines perfection for me exists in the real world, and in theory, I could go there and surf it – thus making my dream come true. Unfortunately, I know deep down that the most fantastical part of my dream is that fact that I am not screaming, getting pitched onto the reef and rescued by my friends.
Often, our perfect wave in a photo, bears little resemblance to the wave that would be perfect for us to surf. The shots from Rileys in Ireland have such allure to them that they mask the difficulty of surfing that wave. In fact, they actually make The Box in West Oz look super fun. But the perfect barrels that you’ll see from there this issue do not come without heavy beatings.
Perhaps, for some of us, the perfect wave isn’t the once in a lifetime bomb, perhaps it is something a little more fun and every day. The surf in Costa Rica never really gets world class, but for most days of the year it is just very, very good, which almost sounds perfect to me. One day, I hope to get there, because invariably, the search for our perfect wave involves travelling. It’s why, this issue, we have a German surfer scoring Scotland, a Moroccan surfer paddling out in Sweden and a Bristolian determined to take his whole city to the surf. Travelling takes us to perfection, and let’s face it, if money was no object, we could have spent April scoring this session in the photo, the Aussie slab on the cover, Padang Padang with Marcus Lascelles and everywhere else that was working around the world, instead of suffering one of England’s flattest months in ages. The wave deprivation inspired our new Lottery Surf Trip feature, giving you lucky numbers and the ultimate trip to spend your winnings on. It also inspired me to surf the Severn Bore for the first time; I just needed to catch a wave – saltwater or not. Dropping into a surreal, glassy lefthander with no-one but cows for company, it felt like a dream. That’s when I realised - up on my board for the first time in weeks - sometimes the perfect wave is simply the one you’re lucky enough to be riding.
Your Month In Surfing: April had waves... honest...
In My Experience: Moroccan-born Didine shares his journey into the light (whilst surfing Sweden)...
How Did I Get Here: How did a top German Surfer end up scoring perfect Scotland?..
Ride With Me: Nathan Brown is on a mission to take EVERYONE surfing, whose coming?..
Welcome To The Severn Bore: We surf the longest wave in the uk...
The Session: Irish Photographer David Olsthoorn recounts four special days at Rileys...
Costa Rica: The most consistant surf destination?..
Western Australia: In search of the best side of OZ...
The View: Punt your way through...
Timeline: A brief history of fins...
All this in issue 215 plus: The 600 Grand Surf Trip, Fin Guide, Improve Your Surfing, The Board Geek, Behind The Shot with Tim Nunn, Enviromental News, The Ultimate Ride, Quiver, Pad and Waterproof Key Pouches Tested...
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 23 May 2012 13:43 |
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Wavelength May Issue 214 Out Now |
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Written by James Wilkinson
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Friday, 11 May 2012 00:00 |
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Are you sitting comfortably? Favourite chair? Slippers on? Or are you in the van, waiting for the wind to swing around so you can get suited and get wet? Or perhaps you’re less lucky and are sat in your office/desk/lecture hall/classroom dreaming of sunshine and perfect waves? Wherever you are, we know. We know you need your fix of surfing. That’s why we do what we do. So shut down your computer, turn off your phone and reach for the latest copy of Europe’s longest running surfing mag. Pick it up, feel it, smell it. It smells like a new magazine. Fresh, exciting, and all yours!
It smells like a new magazine because we’ve been working hard to bring you the new look Wavelength. It was time for change, and change is good. Change is positive, it helps keep the stoke. We’re sharing the stoke, just like Rodney Sumpter did when he returned to the UK from Australia in the early sixties and there was no one in the line up. He got back, put on a thick coat, looked out to the ocean and said to himself ‘people should be standing on finely crafted fibreglass wave riding machines out there’. Well, he probably didn’t say exactly that, but the point is, he shared the stoke, he got people surfing, and he made created change.
So flick through the pages of our new look magazine, immerse yourself in huge Irish barrels from the safety of your sofa. Mentally plan your trip to Sydney, but not before reading the ‘how to’ on packing surfboards… Heck, before that, take a long hard look at our 2012 surfboard guide to make sure you’re riding the right stick. Not sure what leash you’ll need? We’ve covered that too, in our ‘tested’ pages. Heading up to Saltburn and need some inside knowledge? Yup, got it. Bit of spare cash after that Grand National win? You’ll need the ‘we want’ pages, where Wavelength showcase objects of desire! There’s something for every type of surfer in this latest issue, everything you need to help you surf more. So go on, pick it up, read it, and share the stoke.
Your Month In Surfing: What's been happening in March...
In My Experience: Patch Wilson's story of a momentous session...
How Did I Get Here?: Kohl Christensen has a Lightning Bolt moment...
We Are Surfers: Rebecca Pepperell and her surfing life...
Home: Welcome to Saltburn-By-The-Sea...
The Session: Would you share this spot?...
Surf The World: A guide to Sydney, Australia...
Enjoy The View: Pull into some serious spreads...
Boardguide 2012: It's time for a new stick, check out what's on offer in the surfboard guide in mag and below...
All this plus Improve Your Surfing Technique, Tested: Leashes, Board Geek, Your Ultimate Ride and news from sustainable surfing in the Green Room.
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Last Updated on Friday, 11 May 2012 16:15 |
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Student Surf Tour - The Shack-O-Lympics |
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Written by Joe Koa
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Wednesday, 09 May 2012 21:43 |
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The Student Surf Tour are at it again!
June 1-3rd 2012, GWITHIAN, CORNWALL
The Shack-O-Lympics End of Year Beach Party and Surf Competition is the final event of the SST 2012/13 calendar as they return to the motherland for one last inter university surfing competition.
Gwithian Beach hosts the event on the weekend of June 1-3rd 2012.
The aptly named Shack-O-Lympics will see another dose of quality inter-uni surfing in Men’s, Women’s and Longboard divisions. Each surfer will choose a country to compete for; early entries from Somalia, Wales, North Korea and Kazakhstan look to ensure some bizarre beach based commentary!
Strong performances are expected from Plymouth, Cardiff, Falmouth, UWE, AUCB and the other usual suspects, as well as entries from newcomers Cornwall College.
Competition entry is set at £20, no excuses to miss out on this one!
The event is being hosted in association with The Sandsifter, who are providing camping within the grounds of their famous restaurant. A £15 weekend ticket not only gets you your camping pass, but the wristband also provides access to both nights entertainment, as well as discounts on food, drinks and surf hire.
Sunday sees the return of the popular Retro/Longboard Cup (aka Hangover Classic Expression Session), which will see students struggling to stand up on longboards in a bid to be crowned most stylish slider of 2012.
There can’t be Student Surf Tour event without an SST style party, and this last event will see a great line up of acoustic acts and DJs for both Friday and Saturday night. Sponsorship from Relentless Energy Drink and Gireau Spirits completes the recipe for the perfect end of term surf party!
Anyone is welcome to get involved with the surfing, the partying or both, it isn't just for students and it isn't just for surfers...
For more details on the event, check it all out here:
Shack-O-Lympics on Facebook
To book your place in the competition, the party, or both; contact the SST team:
facebook.com/studentsurftour
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 
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Last Updated on Thursday, 10 May 2012 09:30 |
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Slater no go Billabong Pro |
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Written by Joe Koa
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Tuesday, 08 May 2012 12:53 |
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Although rumours that Wavelength had been approached to find a staff member to replace an 'injured, top flight surfer' proved to be untrue, whisperings that Kelly was out of Rio have been confirmed.
Kelly Slater (USA), 40, reigning 11-time ASP World Champion and current ASP World No. 1, has withdrawn from the Billabong Rio Pro following a heel injury sustained in Java.
“I injured the inside of my left heel in Java and then re-opened it again the following week at Cloudbreak,” Slater said. “It became infected and I flew to Australia to get it treated and stitched in hopes of making it to Rio, if not for Round 1, at least for Round 2. I’ve been in the water since getting it stitched and while I can go straight, I can’t do turns at all right now so I’ll have to pull out of Rio. It’s unfortunate, but I’m just going to focus on healing up as soon as possible right now. Good luck to all the competitors in Brazil and I’ll be watching online.”
Slater has been replaced by Willian Cardoso (BRA), 26.
Event No. 3 of 10 on the 2012 ASP World Championship Tour, the Billabong Rio Pro will recommence this year’s race for the ASP World Title, following wins by Taj Burrow (AUS), 33, on the Gold Coast and Mick Fanning (AUS), 30, at Bells Beach. With Slater’s withdrawal, the current frontrunner spot on the ASP WCT ratings is up for grabs in Rio de Janeiro.
Dusty Payne (HAW), 23, has also withdrawn from the Billabong Rio Pro, citing an ankle injury that has kept him out of the water all season. Payne will be replaced by fellow Hawaiian Frederick Patacchia (HAW), 30.
The Billabong Rio Pro will run from May 9 – 20, 2012 and will be webcast LIVE via www.billabongpro.com
For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com
BILLABONG RIO PRO ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Josh Kerr (AUS), Bede Durbidge (AUS), Jadson Andre (BRA)
Heat 2: Jordy Smith (ZAF), C.J. Hobgood (USA), Patrick Gudauskas (USA)
Heat 3: Owen Wright (AUS), Raoni Monteiro (BRA), Taylor Knox (USA)
Heat 4: Adriano de Souza (BRA), Kai Otton (AUS), Willian Cardoso (BRA)
Heat 5: Taj Burrow (AUS), Kieren Perrow (AUS), Tomas Hermes (BRA)
Heat 6: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Matt Wilkinson (AUS), Peterson Crisanto (BRA)
Heat 7: Julian Wilson (AUS), Brett Simpson (USA), Fredrick Patacchia (HAW)
Heat 8: Gabriel Medina (BRA), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Yadin Nicol (AUS)
Heat 9: Mick Fanning (AUS), Damien Hobgood (USA), Travis Logie (ZAF)
Heat 10: Michel Bourez (PYF), Miguel Pupo (BRA), Tiago Pires (PRT)
Heat 11: Jeremy Flores (FRA), Heitor Alves (BRA), Kolohe Andino (USA)
Heat 12: John John Florence (HAW), Alejo Muniz (BRA), Adam Melling (AUS)
BILLABONG WOMEN’S RIO PRO ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Courtney Conlogue (USA), Lakey Peterson (USA), Sage Erickson (USA)
Heat 2: Tyler Wright (AUS), Paige Hareb (NZL), Justine Dupont (FRA)
Heat 3: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Sarah Mason (NZL), Juliana Quint (BRA)
Heat 4: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Rebecca Woods (AUS), Melanie Bartels (HAW)
Heat 5: Carissa Moore (HAW), Coco Ho (HAW), Jacqueline Silva (BRA)
Heat 6: Laura Enever (AUS), Malia Manuel (HAW), Pauline Ado (FRA)
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 08 May 2012 13:39 |
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Go big or go home - Billabong Rio Pro |
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Written by Joe Koa
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Tuesday, 08 May 2012 10:42 |
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Here we go again…
It's nearly time for the Billabong Pro Rio! No leaked videos of Slater warming up this time around (remember that?!), but some interesting first round match ups are sure to make it a cracking event. We've locked in our Fantasy Surfer team and are gearing up for some serious webcast action. With just a 3 hour time difference in Rio, you won't need to stay up too long past your bedtime to enjoy the surfing!
Check out the line up for heat 11, 3 Brazillians, one of whom carries all the hype of the surfing world on his young shoulders (and that is a LOT of hype) - might be the highlight of Round 1.
With not much to separate KS, Adriano, Taj, Mick, Joel, Jordy and Kerrrazy, the big question is can Taj make 2012 his year?
It all kicks off on May 9th and runs until the 20th, perfect timing to ruin revision and dissertations for anyone who is still studying!
Watch it all live here: www.billabongpro.com
Enjoy!
The draw has been finalised for the next stop on the ASP World Championship Tour, the Billabong Rio Pro, cementing the Round 1 match-ups for the world’s best surfers to go down at Rio de Janeiro’s Barra da Tijuca this week.
Event No. 3 of 10 on the 2012 ASP World Championship Tour, the Billabong Rio Pro will recommence this year’s race for the ASP World Title, following wins by Taj Burrow (AUS), 33, on the Gold Coast and Mick Fanning (AUS), 30, at Bells Beach, with the current ratings’ lead being held by 11-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 40.
Dusty Payne (HAW), 23, has withdrawn from the Billabong Rio Pro, citing an ankle injury that has kept him out of the water all season. Payne will be replaced by fellow Hawaiian Frederick Patacchia (HAW), 30.
Event wildcards for the Billabong Rio Pro are Tomas Hermes (BRA) and Peterson Crisanto (BRA).
The Billabong Rio Pro will run from May 9 - 20, 2012 and will be webcast LIVE via www.billabongpro.com
Running in conjunction with the men’s event is the fifth stop on the 2012 ASP Women’s World Championship Tour, the Billabong Women’s Rio Pro. This year has bore witness to return of four-time ASP Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 24, to the top of the ratings after posting two big wins.
Sofia Mulanovich (PER), 28, and Silvana Lima (BRA), 27, have both withdrawn from the event due to illness and injury. They have been replaced by Melanie Bartels (HAW), 30, and Sarah Mason (NZL), 17, respectively.
Event wildcard for the Billabong Women’s Rio Pro is Juliana Quint (BRA).
When women’s competition commences, up first will be Courtney Conlogue (USA), 19, Lakey Peterson (USA), 18, and Sage Erickson (USA), 21.
The Billabong Women’s Rio Pro will run from May 9 - 13, 2012 and will be webcast LIVE via www.billabongpro.com
For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com
BILLABONG RIO PRO ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Jordy Smith (ZAF), Brett Simpson (USA), Fredrick Patacchia (HAW)
Heat 2: Owen Wright (AUS), Bede Durbidge (AUS), Jadson Andre (BRA)
Heat 3: Adriano de Souza (BRA), C.J. Hobgood (USA), Patrick Gudauskas (USA)
Heat 4: Taj Burrow (AUS), Raoni Monteiro (BRA), Taylor Knox (USA)
Heat 5: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Kai Otton (AUS), Tomas Hermes (BRA)
Heat 6: Kelly Slater (USA), Kieren Perrow (AUS), Peterson Crisanto (BRA)
Heat 7: Josh Kerr (AUS), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Yadin Nicol (AUS)
Heat 8: Julian Wilson (AUS), Damien Hobgood (USA), Travis Logie (ZAF)
Heat 9: Gabriel Medina (BRA), Miguel Pupo (BRA), Tiago Pires (BRA)
Heat 10: Mick Fanning (AUS), Heitor Alves (BRA), Kolohe Andino (USA)
Heat 11: Michel Bourez (PYF), Alejo Muniz (BRA), Adam Melling (AUS)
Heat 12: Jeremy Flores (FRA), John John Florence (HAW), Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
BILLABONG WOMEN’S RIO PRO ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Courtney Conlogue (USA), Lakey Peterson (USA), Sage Erickson (USA)
Heat 2: Tyler Wright (AUS), Paige Hareb (NZL), Justine Dupont (FRA)
Heat 3: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Sarah Mason (NZL), Juliana Quint (BRA)
Heat 4: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Rebecca Woods (AUS), Melanie Bartels (HAW)
Heat 5: Carissa Moore (HAW), Coco Ho (HAW), Jacqueline Silva (BRA)
Heat 6: Laura Enever (AUS), Malia Manuel (HAW), Pauline Ado (FRA)
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 08 May 2012 10:57 |
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