Today marks 25 years since a bunch of surfers from St Agnes and Porthtowan organised themselves ( a minor miracle in itself back then) to fight against the dumping of raw sewage into their local lineups.
Dealing with condoms and sanitary towels in the lineup was more common than offshore days back then. It was so bad it was common to see kids on holiday making sandcastle flags out of the later on Cornish beaches. It was pretty disgusting. Yet the water authorities, councils, politicians, tourism chiefs and even some hoteliers in certain holiday resorts thought this was ok. The surfers did not. What started as a small group representing the locals soon grew as word spread up the coast from Cornwall to Devon, Wales, the east and south coasts. A movement was born.
In a remarkable stroke of luck, and it was pure luck, the small group at the heart of the campaign voted onto the SAS campaign board and a certain set of skills. Non were qualified in anything much apart from riding waves, but they had a healthy disregard for authority, a hatred of surfing in crap and a vivd imagination. Pretty soon images of gas masked surfers were captivating the publics imagination and a PR campaign had swung into action. MP’s were being chased around with an inflatable turd, shares were being bought in water companies and bags of sanitary towels and condoms collected at the beach were being handed back to shareholders at AGM’s. The authorities simply did not know how to handle it. SAS weren’t playing by the rules, mainly because SAS didn’t realise there were any. The water companies called in the po po, they tried to ban SAS from meetings, anything but admit they had to treat sewage before dumping it on millions of water users.
As more and more surfers got involved, the press backed the campaign and the public realised the surfers were fighting for them and the argument for disposing of sewage untreated into the ocean was decimated. It was a long hard fight, and to some extent is still not over, but when you sit above certain beaches now and look down into clear water it will be pretty tough to imagine how dirty our beaches were and what the surfers and pubic of the time were swimming in.
From groms who sent in their £1.50 pocket money, through pro surfers who supported the campaign some against advice of sponsors who thought the campaign may slow down T shirt sales, through to advisors and supporters, hard working staff, reps and directors of the SAS campaigns everyone should be proud of what SAS achieved and continues to fight for to this day.
As well as wishing happy birthday to SAS there is one other important thing you should take from this day and that is this. Anyone can change the world for the better. All it takes is belief and imagination!
The World Surf League (WSL) and Oi today announced the Brazilian telecommunication giant’s title sponsorship of the elite WSL Championship Tour (CT) event in Rio de Janeiro from May 11 – 22, 2015. This multi-dimensional partnership will see the largest telecommunications company in South America align with the world’s best surfers at the sole elite tour event in Brazil, tapping into the unparalleled adventure, competitive drama and athleticism of surfing’s greatest stage.
The Oi Rio Pro begins next week and with the Australian leg of CT now complete the world title race is focused on Brazil as the WSL Top 34 and Top 17 prepare to compete in Rio de Janeiro. A staple on the elite CT for several years, this year’s Brazilian event not only boasts a home country status from the rising power within the surfing world but offers a festival platform for an array of partnership activations in its Rio de Janeiro site.
“The past several years have seen the rise of the ‘Brazilian Storm’ phenomenon within the world of professional surfing,” Paul Speaker, WSL CEO, said. “The crowning of their maiden world champion in Gabriel Medina, the current frontrunner of Adriano de Souza, the electric surfing of Silvana Lima and the rest of the Brazilian surfers on tour. There’s never before been a more exciting time for Brazilian surfing. There’s never been a more exciting time for professional surfing worldwide. It is with great enthusiasm that we announce Oi as the title sponsor of the Championship Tour event in Rio de Janeiro.”
Reigning WSL Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA) will make his first competitive appearance in Brazil since winning his maiden world title and will take on Freddy Patacchia Jr. (HAW) and injury replacement Alejo Muniz (BRA) in Round 1.
Current ratings leader Adriano de Souza (BRA) comes into the event wearing the Jeep leader jersey after a fantastic run of form through the Australian leg, including a third-place finish in Snapper Rocks, a runner-up result at Bells Beach and a win in Margaret River. De Souza matches up against Kai Otton (AUS) and one of the wildcards.
Filipe Toledo (BRA), fresh from victory at the WSL Qualifying Series (QS) 10000 event in Lower Trestles, California, enters the contest in third place on CT rankings after his maiden elite tour victory on Australia’s Gold Coast at the start of this season. Toledo will match-up against last year’s runner-up Kolohe Andino (USA) and Adam Melling (AUS) in the opening round of competition.
David do Carmo (BRA) has been selected as one of two wildcards to compete in the men’s event. The second will be awarded to the highest ranked non-CT surfer on the QS, which will be determined on completion of the upcoming QS10000, the Quiksilver Pro Saquarema.
Defending event winner Michel Bourez (PYF) will not be competing in the event due to a broken hand vertebra suffered while freesurfing Teahupo’o earlier this week. Alejo Muniz (BRA), who is currently leading the QS rankings, has been chosen as the injury replacement.
On the women’s side two-time World Champion Carissa Moore (HAW) and 2011 event winner has been on dominant form so far this year with two back-to-back wins at the opening two events of the season, followed by a runner-up finish in Western Australia. Wearing the Jeep leader jersey, Moore will take on Dimity Stoyle (AUS) and wildcard Luana Coutinho (BRA).
Defending event winner Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) is looking for a return to form in Rio, keen to defend her title and move back up the rankings from her current fifth place. She will battle Johanne Defay (FRA) and Laura Enever (AUS) in Round 1.
Reigning six-time WSL Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) has withdrawn from the competition due to a knee injury sustained during a freesurf in Margaret River last month. Replacement surfer Keely Andrew (AUS) will compete in her place.
The Oi Rio Pro holds a competitive from Monday, May 11, until Friday, May 22 and will be webcast live on WorldSurfLeague.com
The world’s best surfing will also be broadcast LIVE on Fox Sports in Australia, MCS Extreme in France, EDGE Sports in China, South Korea, Malaysia and other territories and on Globo TV in Brazil.
Oi Rio Men’s Pro Round 1 Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS), Jeremy Flores (FRA), Brett Simpson (USA)
Heat 2: Kelly Slater (USA), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Ricardo Christie (NZL)
Heat 3: John John Florence (HAW), Wiggolly Dantas (BRA), C.J. Hobgood (USA)
Heat 4: Gabriel Medina (BRA), Freddy Patacchia Jr. (HAW), Alejo Muniz (BRA)
Heat 5: Mick Fanning (AUS), Italo Ferreira (BRA), TBD
Heat 6: Adriano de Souza (BRA), Kai Otton (AUS), TBD
Heat 7: Josh Kerr (AUS), Jadson Andre (BRA), Dusty Payne (HAW)
Heat 8: Jordy Smith (AFR), Sebastian Zietz (HAW), Keanu Asing (HAW)
Heat 9: Nat Young (USA), Bede Durbidge (AUS), Glenn Hall (IRL)
Heat 10: Filipe Toledo (BRA), Kolohe Andino (USA), Adam Melling (AUS)
Heat 11: Julian Wilson (AUS), Miguel Pupo (BRA), Matt Banting (AUS)
Heat 12: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Owen Wright (AUS), Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
This bank holiday weekend saw the 43rd English National Surfing Championships. Spectators were treated to a smorgasbord of traditional and progressive surfing styles by surfers of all ages; from seasoned veterans to the rising stars of the under 12’s, all competing for the highest titles in English surfing.
There were double celebrations across the womens with Emilie Currie winning the women Open and the womens longboard and coming fourth in the under 18’s womens. Ellie Turner won the girls under 18’s and under 16’s and came second in the under 14’s. Quite and achievement!
Media Relations for the competition, Anya Gilbert, said: “The Bank Holiday weather may have been a little damp, but the competition this year was electric as some of the UK’s best surfers competed to be crowned the ESF champion. Lots of supporters braved the conditions, sharing brollies and huddling together as they showed their support for the competitors, but we did also see some sunshine.”
The event was managed by students from Cornwall College’s FdSc Surf Science and Technology course in conjunction with the English Surfing Federation (ESF), the competition marked the opening of the 2015 competitive surfing season and is the first stop on the UK Pro Surf Tour Circuit.
On Saturday Stanley Norman took the win in the under 12’s open final and Lily Mandeville to became the under 14’s girls champion.
“Ellie Turner stormed through some choppy surf to win the Zumba under 18 girl’s category with a wave score of 8.5, as well as the Boneyard Under 16 girls competition. Jack Unsworth dominated the Junior Longboard final to win with a final score of 13.2 and Emily Currie continued her campaign by winning her first Women’s Longboard title in two years, gaining a wave score almost double that of her fellow competitors.”
The weekend’s rain finally relented in time for Monday’s Semi’s and Finals of this year’s competition. The rain lifted and a solid 4-6ft swell was rolling in by the afternoon, providing the competitors with larger and cleaner wave faces to shred.
The Veterans category kicked off the afternoon’s Finals seeing Drustan Ward win with the title with a combined wave score of 11.83. The category that followed hosted a fierce battle between young surfers, Eno James and Liam Murray Strout for the title of Under 16 Boys Champion. Eno’s 5 waves gave him an overall heat score of 14.67, an uncomfortably close lead over Liam’s 14.27. Plymouth’s Jonty Tucker took the Masters Title in a heat against Rob Watson, Mike Young and Joel Gray. Rising star Harry DeRoth dominated the following final of the Fistral Beach Under 18 Boys category; boosting his total wave score to 16.7 by a giant 8 points with his final wave.
Adam ‘Bearman’ Griffiths successfully defended his title as Longboard Champion against the formidable talents of semi-final winner, Ben ‘Skindog’ Skinner, Sam Bleakley and Ben Haworth in 6ft surf that saw Skindog’s board snapped into two. And in the Seniors Final, Shaun Skilton came out on top after narrowly beating Joss Ash’s impressive 13.6 with a 14.9 combined wave score. Emily Currie continued her weekend of success with a decisive win in the Disco Bead’s Women’s Final over fellow surfer girls, Peony Knight, Lucy Campbell and Anne-Cecile Le Tallec.
The final heat of the day saw Jobe Harriss crowned winner of the Men’s Open, after knocking last year’s champion, Jayce Robinson out of the semi-final heat with a last minute screamer of a wave. Jobe said: “I’m feeling pretty good! I’ve come second quite a few times in this contest, so it’s good just to get a win! It was hard to position myself in the right place because the peak was so shifty but I had a few strait away off the bat and a few 6’s. I’ve got two months chill time now until the next Pro Junior starts and then it’ll be kind of non-stop from there with 8 or 9 contests on main-land Europe competing with the international guys. So yeah, hopefully I can do well!”
Congratulations to all who competed in this year’s event, and special thanks to the sponsors who supported it; Sharp’s Brewery, Cornwall College, Watergate Bay’s Extreme Academy, Fetch Surf Co, Dritek, Snugg Wetsuits, Niglon, Zumba Fitness, Checkered Photography, Fistral Beach, Extreme Academy, Disco Beads, Get Fruity, Boneyard Clothing and Red Bull.
Men’s Open Final Results
1. Jobe Harris
2. Mark Harris
3. Alan Stokes
4. Luke Dillon
Fistral Beach Under 18 Boy’s Final
1. Harry DeRoth
2. Angus Scotney
3. Issac Marshall
4. Liam Murray Strout
Under 16
1. Eno James
2. Liam Murray Strout
3. Kit Innes
4. Noah Capps
Under 14 Boys
1st Will Masterman
2nd Barnaby Cox
3rd Stanley Norman
4th Finn Collins
Under 12’s
1. Stanley Norman
2. Jake Arrowsmith
3. Sam Hearn
4. Thomas Reeves
Seniors
1. Sean Skilton
2. Joss Ash
3. Ben Skinner
4. Mike Young
Masters Final
1. Jonty Tucker
2. Rob Watson
3. Mike Young
4. Joel Gray
Veterans Final
1. Drustan Ward
2. Dave Renauld
3. Gary Clay
4. Ben Marshall
Women’s Final
1. Emily Currie
2. Peony Knight
3. Anne Cecile le Tallec
4. Lucy Campbell
Under 18 women
1. Elie Turner
2. Georgie Timson
3. Peony Knight
4. Emily Currie
Sharp’s Brewery, makers of the UK’s number one cask beer Doom Bar, has launched a national campaign with world renowned British big wave surfer, Andrew Cotton. People across the country have the chance to win a trip to Mullaghmore, Ireland or Nazare, Portugal to watch an XXL session with Cotty surfing the world’s biggest waves, as well as attend a surf training camp at his home in North Devon.
Surfers will get the chance to join Andrew on a two-day surf camp at his home in Croyde, Devon. Then, Cotty will select a companion to accompany him on an all-expenses paid trip to either Mullaghmore Head, Ireland or Nazare, Portugal, where they could witness him taking on some of the biggest waves on earth. The competition is open to anyone who is passionate about surfing regardless of ability.
“Surfing, and especially Big Wave surfing, is close to my heart, and I’m excited to be sharing this adventure,” said Cotty.
To enter the competition, simply visit www.sharpsadventure.co.uk, and upload a captioned photo of you experiencing your biggest adventure.
“Reef, the global surf lifestyle leader, is proud to continue its support for Global Ambassador, Shane Dorian, through 2018.” reads the press release…
“The 42-year-old regularfoot from Kona…”
Hang on right there…42? And going harder than ever?
There was an old adage that big wave surfers didn’t peak until 30, but that has gone out of the window along with all other preconceptions associated with age. From 14 year olds with style and air games, to 70 year olds still getting their fix in the cold light of winter. If you surf, you surf for life. Anyway I digress…What a great example to his fellow man.
“Dorian has been on the Reef program for five years. He’s one of the most respected surfers in the world, having continually pushed the limits of big wave surfing through his long and storied career.
“Dorian surfed the ASP World Tour for 11 years. He took first on the World Championship Tour’s Billabong Pro France and Rip Curl Bells Beach Pro. He has also logged six Billabong XXL titles including both “Ride of the Year” and “Pacifico Tube Award” in 2013. In 2012, the Surf Industry Manufacturer’s Association named him “Waterman of the Year.” And this year, Dorian has two massive waves nominated for the World Surf League’s Billabong XXL “Ride of the Year.”
“I’m excited about continuing my partnership with Reef. It’s an honor to be part of such a great team, and I’m looking forward to many more adventures and experiences,” says Dorian.
Surfing GB’s 2015 competition season has begun and the season is now in full swing as we saw the trophies awarded, bragging rights distributed and stoke shared in Bude over the weekend of April 25th & 26th in a record breaking 2015 Aquajuice British Schools Surf Championships.
122 entries from 38 Schools made up the entry for the event, which is a new record. The sponsors Aquajuice, Surfdome, Acer, Billabong, Santa Cruz, Carve Visionaries, Elements Hotel and Vospers motors all contributing to create a comfy and enjoyable hub for competitors and supporters in the small tented village erected for the event along the cliff edge overlooking the contest area.
Day one was one for the younger competitors in tow foot surf. Day 2 provided fun waves in the 2ft with the occasional 3ft range with some superb banks allowing for perfectly formed peaks to arrive from the shore line and the high scores began to drop.
The finals commenced as the crowd looked on from the cliff top, music and commentary filtering through the air as oooo’s and ahhh’s could be heard by the teams and their supports as their surfers hit the lips and chucked buckets in search of the judge’s approval.
As the hooter went for the boys under 18’s final the points were calculated and the winners were confirmed. Bude Haven A were the champion team as their team of six accumulated the most points for their performances and placings over the two days. The individual champions and finalists were as follows and if you want to see ALL of the heat results and individual surfer’s wave scores for the event, click on the links below the results. It isn’t quite the WSL heat analyser but it’s a start…
Results
Under 18’s Boys sponsored by Santa Cruz
1st – Charlie Rio (Les Quennevais School)
2nd – Rhys Barfield (Truro)
3rd – Max Payne (Truro)
4th – Liam Murray Strout (Wadebridge)
Under 16’s boys sponsored by Carve Visionaries
1st – Eno James
2nd – Liam Murray Strout (Wadebridge)
3rd – Kit Innes (Budehaven)
4th – Seth Morris (Sir Thomas Picton)
Under 14’s Boys sponsored by BILLABONG
1st – Stanley Norman (Budehaven)
2nd – Seth Morris (Sir Thomas Picton)
3rd – Noah Capps (Kingsbridge)
4th – Leo Reeves (Mounts Bay)
U18 Boys Longboard
1st – Charlie Rio (Les Quennevais School)
2nd – Jordan Zervas (Tretherras)
3rd – Rhys Burton (Budehaven)
4th – David Currie (Budehaven)
