‘Fun’ boards contained 500 kgs of coke

‘Fun’ boards contained 500 kgs of coke

Uruguay police say they have broken up an international drugs ring which smuggled cocaine from South America to Europe hidden inside surfboards.
The six “Salty’ ‘fun’ board shapes with a distinctive line down the middle, were found to contain up to 500kgs of coke after being scanned.
One board was allowed to be despatched to Europe and subsequently three Italians were arrested, two picking up the board in Portugal, and one in Italy.
Police think the Italian smugglers entered Uruguay across the land border with Brazil and then travelled on to Argentina after posting the surfboards.

Hollowed out surfboards have long been used to smuggle hash and coke across borders worldwide.
Seated Surfers

Seated Surfers

Coastal Crusaders is a community Interest company, located in Cornwall. The Seated Surfers project mission is to engage with as many people in our community who can benefit from Seated Surfing. These are people of all ages and a vast range of mobility and medical challenges, we believe Seated Surfing can aid recovery and help with happiness and health. Using a giant 12 ft Stand Up Paddle Board and mounting a fibreglass race car bucket seat atop. We have created a user friendly, surf vessel for people with mobility and balance challenges. We will provide ocean and beach chill-out time and education for families and individuals. This initial pilot project and the equipment has been funded by the McPZ Foundation and Sport England. We aim to deliver sessions nearly every weekend through summer 2023. With the vision for this project to continue for ever here in Cornwall… Watch this space.

Kelly Slater Wave Co & Surf Abu Dhabi

Kelly Slater Wave Co & Surf Abu Dhabi

It’s official as you can see from the press release below, the world’s largest wave pool to open in Abu Dhabi this year with the help of the Kelly Slater Wave Co.

• Kelly Slater Wave Company Licenses tech to Surf Abu Dhabi
• KSWC’s Innovative Wave Basin Technology Will Reach New Geographies and Communities

Kelly Slater Wave Company (KSWC), an innovative wave technology and surf experience company, is licensing its world-class technology to Surf Abu Dhabi, a one-of-a-kind wave facility in Abu Dhabi owned and operated by Modon Properties, Abu Dhabi. In the midst of a rising passion for water sports around the world, KSWC aims to bring the stoke of surfing to a new frontier.

Located in Hudayriyat Island in Abu Dhabi, an international city with a vibrant and diverse community, Surf Abu Dhabi will serve as the world’s premier surfing destination and experience for everyone – from beginners to enthusiasts. Utilizing KSWC’s proprietary technology, the wave facility will deliver the perfect, barreling wave every time.

“When we opened the first wave, the mystery it created and excitement that ensued was something I’m not sure many have experienced,” said Kelly Slater, 11-time World Surf League Champion and founder of KSWC. “Surfing reaches people in all corners of the globe and I’m always surprised with who gravitates towards this world. Having a KSWC wave in Abu Dhabi is something I’ve never dreamt would happen but here it is. Unbelievable. While not many would have predicted the location for the project there are great synergies with Abu Dhabi and like KSWC they are always innovating and ahead of the curve. This is gonna be a lot of fun for so many people.”

Jeff Fleeher, President of Kelly Slater Wave Company, said, “As a global hub for tourism, sport, and business, with diverse peoples and cultures, Abu Dhabi is the perfect place for us to showcase KSWC’s unmatched wave technology and surf experience. We’re fortunate to work with Modon and join Hudayriyat Island’s incredible ecosystem of sport and recreation to foster new participation and enthusiasm for surfing in the Middle East.”

Bill O’Regan, CEO of Modon, said: “At Modon, our role is to support the growth of Abu Dhabi’s ambitions and sports asset development strategy which is contributing towards a legacy of sporting excellence.

“As the world’s premier man-made surf experience, Surf Abu Dhabi is specified to host major international surf competitions. It is a high-performance destination that will offer world-class surfers the perfect conditions to train or compete, while also growing the region’s surfing community, and inspiring wider society to embrace a healthy new activity.”

Construction of Surf Abu Dhabi is expected to be completed by December 2023.

Newport Wedge, Pleasure & Pain

Newport Wedge, Pleasure & Pain

The best waves and the craziest wipeouts of the Newport Wedge and Cylinders. 2023 has been a fun year already. Here are some of the highlights and its only just beginning, plenty more to come. Enjoy the action at The Wedge in Newport Beach!

Filmed and edited: Brent Weldon

Featured surfers: Blair Conklin, Jamie O’Brien, Tyler Stanaland, Nolan Rapoza, Tyler Gunter, Mitchell Grant, Jordy Collins, Craig Whetter, Tanner McDaniel and many more.

Rastovich X Frankenfish

Rastovich X Frankenfish

Slide and glide with iconic freesurfer, and friend of the planet Dave Rastovich. To be fair Rasta could probably groove it out on an ironing board, hit play for a style masterclass by one of the finest.

Filmed by Nathan Oldfield

Chocolate Kegs with Chapter 11

Chocolate Kegs with Chapter 11

Surfing after so much rainfall is definitely rolling the dice a tad, but they do say, you gotta pay to play. Hopefully that doesn’t mean you leave the session with a dose of the staff. God knows what’s in that run off, good luck y’all.

Featuring the exploits of Dane Reynolds, Matt McCabe, Jake Kelley, Micky Clarke, K-bone, Josiah Amico, Andrew Jacobson, Mikey Wright, Lungi Slabb