Errico Crowned 2018 Women’s World Longboard Champion

Jinzun Harbour, Taitung/Taiwan (Saturday, December 1, 2018) – 17-year-old Soleil Errico (USA, above and below) wins the 2018 WSL Women’s World Longboard Championship at the Taiwan Open of Surfing in a thrilling Final against Rachael Tilly (USA) at Jinzun Harbour. The Californian pair went toe-to-toe in clean 2-to-3 foot perfect longboarding waves.
The 35 minute Final started with 2015 World Champion Rachael Tilly bursting out of the gates and posting a two-wave combination of 14.27 in the first 10 minutes, leaving Errico chasing two scores for the remainder of the heat. Malibu native, Errico displayed a never-say-die attitude as she went to work in the back end of the heat, finding two set waves that allowed her to display her impressive repertoire of traditional and power manoeuvres. Errico eventually posted an excellent 8.23 (out of a possible 10) to take the lead and seal the deal, improving tenfold on her equal last-place finish at her first World Championship appearance in 2018.

“I don’t even know what to say right now this doesn’t feel real,” Errico said. “I’m just so happy that all of the hard work I have put in has paid off. It’s been such an amazing week here and to be honest I never thought it would end this way — I just wanted to do better than last year. It was cool to come up against Rachael in the Final as we have surfed against each other a lot. She is an amazing surfer and a really tough competitor so I knew it would be hard and as I imagined she got the upper hand at the start. I’m just so happy I found a way back but as I said, this doesn’t actually feel like real life.”
Errico equalled history today becoming the equal youngest-ever WSL World Champion, a feat only matched by her opponent in the Final, Rachael Tilly (2015 World Longboard Championship at 17). The character shown by Errico to claw her way back in the final was exceptional but not nearly as impressive as dedicating the win to her hometown of Malibu.

“I want to thank all of my friends and family, especially my mum and dad who have supported me so much to get here and done so much for my surfing career. There is no way I’d be the surfer I am today without my coach Taylor Jensen (Reigning Men’s Longboard Champion), he is incredible. All of the women’s competitors at this event are my idols and it’s been an honour to surf with them all. My hometown of Malibu has had a tough time recently with the Fires and everything and I want to dedicate this to Malibu and I can’t wait to bring it home.”

Having taken down the reigning World Champion Honolua Blomfield (HAW, above ) in Semifinal 1 and already having won a World Title, Rachael Tilly (USA, below) came into the Final as a favourite. Although she was taken down by her younger opponent, in the end, Tilly was still positive about posting the second best result of her career.

“Before I went out for the heat I just told myself that I’ve already got one and nobody can take that away from me so I should just enjoy myself,” Tilly said. “Soleil is a great competitor and we have surfed against each other a lot so it’s great to see how far she has come. I’m so happy that regardless of who won that heat the Women’s longboard title was coming back to California. It’s been another incredible week here in Taiwan and now we get to celebrate then come back tomorrow and watch the Men’s Finals, which will be awesome.”

Finishing in equal third position at Jinzun were the 2017 Women’s World Longboard Champion Honolua Blomfield (HAW) and 2016 Women’s World Longboard Tory Gilkerson (USA)

Earlier in the day, Men’s Round 4 was completed to set up the Quarterfinalists for 2018 with Steven Sawyer (ZAF), Edouard Delpero (FRA) Taylor Jensen (USA), Harley Ingleby (AUS), Antoine Delpero (FRA), Cole Robbins (USA), Tony Silvagni (USA) and Kai Sallas (USA). With only one day left in the World Longboard Championship waiting period, the Men’s Finals are certain to run tomorrow, meaning we will have our Men’s champion crowned for 2018 by Sunday afternoon.

Event directors will reconvene at Jinzun Harbour tomorrow morning to make a call on competition for a likely 7:00 am local time start.

The 2018 WSL World Longboard Championships will run in conjunction with the Taiwan Open of Surfing from November 26 to December 2. Head to worldsurfleague.com and on the Free WSL App. Head here for more information, images, highlights and results.

Taiwan Open World Longboard Championship Women’s Final Results:
Heat 1: Soleil Errico (USA) 15.96 DEF. Rachael Tilly (USA) 14.17

Taiwan Open World Longboard Championship Women’s Semifinal Results:
Heat 1: Rachael Tilly (USA) 14.94 DEF. Honolua Blomfield (HAW) 12.50
Heat 2: Soleil Errico (USA) 12.10 DEF. Tory Gilkerson (USA) 12.00

Taiwan Open World Longboard Championship Men’s Round 4 Results:
Heat 1: Steven Sawyer (ZAF) 13.73 DEF. Harley Ingleby (AUS) 13.23, Phil Rajzman (BRA) 12.67
Heat 2: Taylor Jensen (USA) 16.10 DEF. Tony Silvagni (USA) 13.53, Ben Skinner (GBR) 12.40
Heat 3: Edouard Delpero (FRA) 16.20 DEF. Antoine Delpero (FRA) 14.16, Piccolo Clemente (PER) 13.73
Heat 4: Cole Robbins (USA) 13.83 DEF. Kai Sallas (HAW) 12.74, Jefson Silva (BRA) 11.66

Taiwan Open World Longboard Championship Men’s Quarterfinal Matchups:
Heat 1: Steven Sawyer (ZAF) vs. Tony Silvagni (USA)
Heat 2: Taylor Jensen (USA) vs. Harley Ingleby (AUS)
Heat 3: Edouard Delpero (FRA) vs. Kai Sallas (HAW)
Heat 4: Cole Robbins (USA) vs. Antoine Delpero (FRA)

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com

Surfers Against Sewage recruits new trustees:

Surfers Against Sewage is thrilled to announce the appointment of two new trustees, Richard Walker, MD of the Iceland Foods Group and Lucy Siegle, journalist, television presenter and author of Turning the Tide on Plastic. Richard and Lucy are leading progressive and meaningful environmental action and awareness in the business, fashion and media sectors, and have been working closely with the charity in various ways to progress our plastic-free campaigns, inspire volunteers and promote the protection of our ocean, rivers and beaches.

Richard Walker is a surfer, mountaineer, runner and a committed environmentalist. Richard is also the Managing Director of The Iceland Foods Group. Since November 2017 he has taken the board lead on sustainability issues across the Group, pioneering a range of world-leading sustainability initiatives. Richard is a leading voice driving sustainable innovation and positive environmental change within the business sector. His focus is currently on eliminating avoidable plastics and tackling deforestation driven by unsustainable palm oil plantations. Richard has been supporting the charity in a number of ways and recently presented the Iceland Foods Group plan to eliminate avoidable plastics in their own-brand products at the Ocean Plastic Solutions Day attended by HRH the Prince of Wales, which was hosted by the charity in St Agnes, Cornwall.

Richard Walker says of his appointment as an SAS trustee: “I’m delighted have been appointed as a trustee of such a forward-thinking and authentic organisation which is creating real behaviour change as well as protecting our beautiful landscapes. Surfers Against Sewage is truly leading the fight against plastics at all levels – from delivering high profile plastic-free campaigns to activating clean-ups and engaging communities across the UK. I’m looking forward to representing the business community in this important partnership, sharing learnings to better understand how businesses can reduce their environmental impact.”

Lucy Siegle is a writer and TV presenter specialising in environmental issues and ethical shopping and lifestyles. She is an authority on the environmental and social footprint of the global fashion industry. For over 14 years she honed her expertise as the Observer and Guardian’s eco agony aunt. She is well known on TV as a reporter and presenter on BBC1’s The One Show, and has been reporting on the problem of single use plastic since the show began. In January 2018 she began hosting a weekly segment dedicated to turning the tide on plastic. She travelled the length and breadth of the UK in pursuit of solutions. Lucy’s book, Turning the Tide on Plastic: How Humanity (and you) Can Make Our Globe Clean Again was recently published and is one of the most comprehensive guides to the plastic pollution crisis and the pathway to a plastic-free future. Lucy is a long-term supporter of SAS and has been involved in its campaigns for over a decade.

Lucy Siegle says of her appointment as an SAS trustee: “I’ve followed the Surfers Against Sewage story for many years so it’s super exciting to formalise my passion for and anorak-knowledge of the organisation at this point. SAS has become a force to be reckoned with, a beacon of change that makes sure communities and individual engaged citizens can reach their potential as change-makers. I want to ensure that as many people in as many places get the opportunity to be SAS activists and supporters”. 

 

These recruitments are a testament to the growing ambitions, impact and awareness of the work of Surfers Against Sewage in its ongoing mission to protect oceans, rivers, beaches and wildlife around the UK.

Hugo Tagholm, CEO of Surfers Against Sewage says: “I’m delighted that Lucy and Richard are joining the board of Surfers Against Sewage and very much look forward to working together on our growing projects to protect oceans, beaches, rivers and wildlife for the future. They are powerhouses of environmental action in their respective sectors and we are hugely grateful for their commitment to the cause. I’ve been lucky enough to work with them on a number of successful projects in recent years, which have created a huge and lasting impact for our work. I look forward to working together even more closely to deliver an optimistic and ambitious range of environmental campaigns and community initiatives.”

Work begins on a surf club hut for Thurso

If you have been to Thurso you will know what a unforgiving place it can be the dead of winter. If you haven’t I am sure you can imagine. So learning to surf there is tough, training is even worse but a new initiative from the local surf club and supporters in town will give the groms and club members toilets and showers.

Jason Simpson‎ from NSSC said

“I am pleased to let everyone know that after 2 years of hard work the contract to build the new NSSC surf hut at Thurso East has been awarded to Norbloc. The work will start this week and will be completed before the end of March 2019.

“We owe a massive deal of gratitude to Lord Thurso for providing the land, Thurso Rotary Club for taking on this project and raising the funds on the clubs behalf and a special thank you to Kevin Sutherland from the Rotary Club who sourced the funding, designed the hut and managed the planning application.”

The building will consist of toilets, showers, change area, judging area/ training room, store and an office. This facility will provide a great opportunity to improve surfing in the area allowing for video analysis and training development.

Good work all involved.

Sawyer Claims World Longboard Champs at Taiwan Open of Surfing

Jinzun Harbour, Taitung/Taiwan (Saturday, December 2, 2018) – South AfricanSteven Sawyer (ZAF) has just taken out the 2018 WSL World Longboard Championship at the Taiwan Open of Surfing in clean, 2-to-3 foot waves at Jinzun Harbour. Sawyer came up against Longboarding legend Kai Sallas (HAW) in an incredible 25 minute Final.

24-year-old Steven Sawyer (above) was on fire all event but saved his best performances for the Final Day, posting excellent heat totals in all three heats, including a 9.50 single wave score in the Semifinal, the highest of the entire event. His combination of traditional longboarding manoeuvres with speed, power and flow was impeccable, and he needed it all to overcome Sallas in the Final to best his runner-up finish at the 2016 World Championship. Sawyer had a massive crowd supporting him on the beach who erupted every time he caught a wave, making the atmosphere electric.

“2016 was my second year at the World Championships and I don’t think I was ready or prepared to win — This year I was definitely ready,” Sawyer said. “I still pinch myself when I surf against guys like Kai (Sallas), Taylor (Jensen) and Harley (Ingleby), They are all my heroes so competing against them is surreal. I was watching Kai all week and he was looking to be the guy to beat so when I came up against him in the Final I was really nervous. It was all good though, as I had such an incredible crew cheering me on from the beach that got me really pumped up to perform.”

Sawyer, who is a proven shortboard surfer as well having competed in the 2017 J-Bay Open Championship Tour event as a Wildcard, was competing on a board shaped by his father that seemed to suit the waves of Taiwan perfectly. He will now join the likes of Jordy Smith (Junior), Shaun Thompson, Wendy Botha as a WSL World Champion.

“My dad has been shaping me, incredible boards recently and they worked so well all event. This is my second time to Taiwan and it is such an amazing place with amazing waves, I think it’s the best surf trip I have ever done — Now it’s become even more special for me.”

Kai Sallas (above) was obviously despondent after coming just short of the title once again. In his 15th year of competing at the World Longboard Championships, the maiden title continues to elude him. Regardless of his runner-up finish, Sallas will remain as one of the icons of modern longboarding.

“To make it all the way to the final and then lose never feels good — it really hurts,” Sallas said. “I feel like I was surfing so well all event and then just lost my rhythm in the final. I’ve been competing for a World title for 15 years now and come really close a few times. I think maybe next year I won’t be taking it so seriously as I do because it hits you harder when you don’t win. I’m happy for Steven and his win but I’m definitely hurting.”

On his way to the Final, Sawyer took down the reigning three-time WSL World Longboard Champion Taylor Jensen (USA) and former Taiwan Open winner Tony Silvagni (Below, USA).

Sallas overcame former two-time World Champion Harley Ingleby (AUS) and Californian Cole Robbins (USA).

This year’s Taiwan Open of Surfing will continue with the WSL World Junior Championships now that Men’s and Women’s World Longboard Champions have been crowned. This is the first year in WSL history that the Junior and Longboard Champions will be crowned at the same event. Round 1 of both the men and the women are expected to start at 7:00 am local time. The best 18-year-old and under surfers in the world will do battle for the chance to join the historic winner’s list that features the likes of Andy Irons, Joel Parkinson, Adriano De Souza, Jessi Miley-Dyer, Laura Enever and many more.

Ben Skinner finished 9th, Jack Unsworth and Adam Griffiths 25th. Emily Currie finished 13th in the womens (report to come).

The 2018 WSL World Longboard Championships will run in conjunction with the Taiwan Open of Surfing from November 26 to December 2. Head to worldsurfleague.com and on the Free WSL App. Head here for more information, images, highlights and results.

Taiwan Open World Longboard Championship Men’s Final Results:
Heat 1: Steven Sawyer (ZAF) 16.10 DEF. Kai Sallas (HAW) 15.10

Taiwan Open World Longboard Championship Men’s Semifinal Results:
Heat 1: Steven Sawyer (ZAF) 16.10 DEF. Taylor Jensen (USA) 12.96
Heat 2: Kai Sallas (HAW) 15.80 DEF. Cole Robbins (USA) 15.10

Taiwan Open World Longboard Championship Men’s Quarterfinal Results:
Heat 1: Steven Sawyer (ZAF) 14.76 DEF. Tony Silvagni (USA) 12.94
Heat 2: Taylor Jensen (USA) 14.23 DEF. Harley Ingleby (AUS) 13.57
Heat 3: Kai Sallas (HAW) 16.33 DEF. Edouard Delpero (FRA) 12.83
Heat 4: Cole Robbins (USA) 14.67 DEF. Antoine Delpero (FRA) 12.36

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com

Testing the new Rip Curl GPS2 Watch

Harry de Roth and Gabe Llewellyn test the new RipCurl GPS2 watch which gives you real time surf conditions, tracks your surf and seamlessly syncs to you iPhone, iPad or computer.

SWELL, WIND, TRACK & TIDE
The Search GPS 2 is not only smaller, lighter and more durable than its predecessor, but now also comes with real-time surf conditions and GPS tracking for all of your activities, from surf to snow, run to swim.

ONE TOUCH AUTO SET
Set the time, tide and local surf conditions, with one touch Auto-set & improved location accuracy indoors or out.

TRACK OTHER SPORTS
From swim to snow, run to ride, view live speeds and record all of your activities.

SYNC YOUR SESSION
Sync your session from your watch to your iPhone, iPad or desktop computer.

WELCOME TO THE WORLD’S LARGEST SURFING CLUB
Connect & share with your friends & follow their sessions. Follow the Rip Curl Pro team and see what your favorite surfer is up to.
From swim to snow, run to ride, view live speeds and record all of your activities.

BUY HERE

Skateboard Giveaway

Win a Z-Flex, 80’s style skateboard

Founded in Santa Monica in the 1970’s, Z-Flex has become one of the longest running Skateboard companies in existence. We have partnered up to give one winner a Z-Flex 80’S style Crystal Z-Bar skateboard worth £119.

ABOUT Z-FLEX:

At first an alternative to surfing when the waves were flat, skateboarding soon took priority for a group of skate/surfers eager to prove themselves. Hitting the local schools in an attempt to mimic the big wave surf styles of their idols, the Zephyr team, or Z-Boyz as they came to be known, quickly developed into a phenomenon in their own right.

Riding low, fast and hard, the Zephyr team took the existing version of gymnastic, handstand based skateboarding, fuelled it with the aggression of the streets, and things would never be the same again.

The phenomenon continued as California found itself in the grip of record droughts, causing many residents to empty their swimming pools. The Z-Boyz saw opportunity, and dove right in to these newly exposed playgrounds, sneaking into people’s back yards, skating as long as they could, and then running to avoid the inevitable police presence.

Z-Boy Jay Adams, regarded as one of the best skateboarders ever, eventually broke away from Zephyr and started EZ-RYDER with half of the original Zephyr skaters. 6 months later EZ-RYDER changed it’s name to Z-Flex.

The Skateboard

Up for grabs is a Z-Flex 80’S style Crystal Z-Bar. Worth £119, this board is complete with dazzling blue reflective graphic on an epic 80’s shape, 31.25” x 9.75”, 7 Ply Construction, 60MM 90A Z-Pro Wheels, 6.25″ Z-Flex Trucks.

ENTER HERE

A winner will be drawn at 5pm on Thursday 6th December and will be contacted via direct message on Instagram. Good luck.

For more on Z-Flex, head to www.zflex.com