Three weeks until the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro France

line up during final day at Quiksilver Pro France 2017, Hossegor, France

Stop No. 9 on the 2018 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro France comes back for a 17th edition and will bring the world’s best athletes to the unique event on French territory. From October 3-14, the tour will settle down in France’s southwest iconic surf towns of Seignosse, Hossegor and Capbreton.

The infamous beach breaks of Les Landes have a reputation worldwide for offering some of the most demanding conditions on the day, and have elevated the French stop to surfing’s prestigious list of events the world’s best have to shine at. Hazards here include massive swells and shallow barrels, unpredictable rips and moving sand banks.

After closely monitoring the beaches for months, contest director and former competitor Alain Riou decided to set the main competition site at Culs Nus, a few hundreds meters north of the world famous La Graviere. But of course the event features a fully mobile option to move to the very best peaks along the stretch of coast.

The penultimate event this season, the French stop always plays a major role in both the World Title race and the re-qualification campaigns of the world’s best surfers. Gabriel Medina (BRA), a three-time winner in France and current World No. 2, could potentially take back the hot spot on the Jeep Leaderboard with another big result on a wave he has come to master.

On the other hand, Jeremy Flores (FRA), Michel Bourez (PYF) and Joan Duru (FRA) will try their hardest to finally put a French name on the prestigious Quiksilver Pro France trophy. World No. 10 Bourez and No. 13 Flores have an opportunity to further solidify their ranking while Duru needs a solid result if he wants to stay on the Championship Tour next season.

The Roxy Pro France is an even more important event as the second-to-last stop on tour for the Top 18 and has more than once crowned the women’s WSL Champion in the past. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) the current World No. 1 has won the event twice and could get even closer to a 7th World Title with another victory in France. But once again, the threat could come from a French surfer, Johanne Defay (FRA) currently sixth in the rankings who has tons of experience in the French beach breaks.

This year, the event will also feature the first installment of Red Bull Airborne, an aerial specialty event featuring 18 of the most innovative surfers in the air, both on and off the Championship Tour. Two wildcards selected via online submissions will join the star-studded field which includes Albee Layer (HAW), Chippa Wilson (AUS), Mikey Wright (AUS), Matt Meola (HAW), Yago Dora (BRA), Filipe Toledo (BRA) and more.

As always, local fans will be able to follow the event LIVE on a big screen on the Central place in Hossegor, and enjoy movie screenings and music acts in various places during the event’s waiting period.

2018 WSL Men’s CT Jeep Leaderboard (After Surf Ranch Pro):
1 – Filipe Toledo (BRA) 49,785 points
2 – Gabriel Medina (BRA) 45,685
3 – Julian Wilson (AUS) 37,125
4 – Italo Ferreira (BRA) 31,825
5 – Owen Wright (AUS) 29,485

2018 WSL Women’s CT Jeep Leaderboard (After Surf Ranch Pro):
1 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 61,175 points
2 – Lakey Peterson (USA) 54,260 points
3 – Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 41,415 points
4 – Carissa Moore (HAW) 41,235 points
5 – Caroline Marks (USA) 37,000 points

Irish Tow Surf Rescue club produce emergency signal signs for popular surf spots

Irish Tow Surf Rescue club has had these signs made up so all surfers and coastal users know the basics of non verbal communications in a rescue situation.

“This sign was designed for all water users and coastal walkers to be able to learn and use the simple hand signals in the event of and emergency . We will hopefully have them put up at all popular surf spots and beaches along our coast line.” says Peter Conroy

Good work. Surfers are involved in many rescues every year, mainly helping others but occasionally getting caught in incidents. If everyone learns these sooner or later one of us will save a life.

Please share the knowledge.

Andy Irons – Kissed by God

A film about bipolar disorder and opioid addiction as seen through the life of three-time world champion surfer Andy Irons. Andy struggled with the same demons that millions of people worldwide battle with daily. Andy was an incredible presence on the world stage as the “People’s Champion.” He was the pride of Hawaii and revered around the world for his blue collar rise to fame and success. However, many were unaware of his internal battles that led to his demise. As the opioid crisis rises to a national emergency in the United States, the untold story of Andy’s life serves to tear down the myths associated with these two ferocious diseases.

Available on (9/11) on Amazon, Google Play, Playstation, Vudu, Vimeo, iTunes, Xbox, Xfinity

Adam Griffiths through to quarters at Relik Trestles.

Afternoon highlights

Adam Griffith took out Skindog in round three of of the Relik Trestles event to making it through to the quarter finals a long side Phil Rajzman. Razman won the heat but Bear and Skindog could not have been any closer fighting for second place in a dramatic heat. Bearman taking it by 0.04!

Bearmand joins Antoine Delpero, Tony Silvagni, Taylor Jenson, Ned Snow, and the first and second from heat four in the quarters of the Mens Modern.

In the Classic event Jack Lynch, Tommy Witt, Chad Marshall and Nick Rodgers are in semi 1. Harrison Roach, Jared mell, Alex Lost and Tyler Warren in Semi 2.

The comp continues later this afternoon.

Morning highlights

The Cold Water Wetsuit Revolution

When you look into the story of British surfing, and especially west’s manufacture, pretty much all roads lead back to this chap; Dennis Cross. 50 years ago he started making wetsuits for surfers and Gul wetsuits were born.

Most the iconic British wetsuit manufactures owe a little something to Gul. As do a lot of the top British surfers and surf contests.

Great story as the short proves, and it is entered into LSFF. If you like it and want vote for it the link is here

A Lunar Cycle

Our connection to the sea and natural cycles is at the heart of A Lunar Cycle.

A short film directed by Andrew Kaineder that explores themes not yet visited in surf films – fusing coldwater surfing, dance, poetry, prose and natural cycles of the body and nature, capturing my sea connection in winter in Ireland.

In a society that rewards ‘busyness’ I think understanding the influence of cycles becomes even more important. We all have them, men and women. We’re living beings influenced by our environment and are affected by the cycles of night and day, the moon, the seasons, the tides… As women, we are gifted with an internal cycle, our menstrual cycle – if we’d only been taught how to better listen to our bodies. Our body tells us when it’s time to act and when it’s time to rest.

I’m beginning to develop a greater awareness of my cycle, and this is what I explore & creatively give expression in A Lunar Cycle. This awareness helps me reconnect with my body in nature, understand my own inner ebb and flow, the high cost of being always ‘on’ in a society that fosters a toxic relationship with time, and the equally important need for stillness and reflection.

A LUNAR CYCLE
Winner: Best Short at Irish Surf Film Fest 2018 (Shore Shots)
Director: Andrew Kaineder

Fusing cold water surfing, dance & poetry, Easkey Britton explores a synodic month from a female perspective. Take an emotive journey through the places in-between, where instability reigns supreme. Embracing the imperfections as we connect with ourselves and the environment around us.