hiya wa howa aswat

Kelly Slater surfing a fun looking right down in Central America. Video thanks to Grupo Sal.

Before departing to the Gold Coast for the start of the 2014 Dream Tour, Jordy found his rhythm during a consistent run of swell in his hometown of Durban.
And while one bad heat at Snapper has left him with a slow start to this year’s world title race, there is still a long way to go. What’s clear in this video however, is that he has got the moves to challenge the best.

Mick Fanning buries the rail on his forehand as good as anyone in the business. Photo: Childs

There are few surfers who possess a more fluid frontside turn than Mick Fanning. And while it may not be the flashiest move in surfing, when executed properly, it is a thing of pure beauty. Below, Mick walks you through the fundamentals of his frontside hack.

The Bottom Turn
“Like most maneuvers, a good frontside arc begins with a solid bottom turn. You want to have some speed going into the turn to do it properly. When I’m driving down the line, I like to have my back foot at the top of the tail pad, but when I begin my turn, I place my foot farther back on the board, almost over the back fin. By placing your foot that far back, near the smallest width of your tail, you’re able to pivot your board a lot more. You’ll want to explode off the bottom, but as you approach your turn, take your foot off the gas a little, it’ll allow you an opportunity to set up your move.”

Keep Your Chest Open, Head Up
“As you approach the section of the wave where you want to do your turn, you’ll need to transition your weight off of your front foot and onto your back foot. From there, you can begin moving the pressure from your toes to your heels. This is where it gets a little tricky and most people make mistakes. From the moment you start your turn until you finish it, it’s really important to keep your chest open and your head up. You’ll need to do that to create drive throughout the turn. I think that’s the number-one mistake most people make. You’ve gotta keep your chest open and your head up.”

Turn Off Your Back Foot
“How you actually execute your turn depends on the type of turn you’re looking to do. If you’re looking to do a short, in-the-pocket turn, you’ll need to put most of your weight on your back foot. For a turn like this, you’ll also want to get your front arm out of the way as soon as you begin your turn. Try and put your arm behind you quickly and turn through your core. This will help initiate your turn.”

Open Up Your Arms
“If you’re looking to do a more drawn-out arc, you can place a little more pressure on your front foot throughout the turn. You’ll also want to do something different with your front arm than you would with a shorter turn. You’ll want to open up your palm on your front hand and lead with it a bit. Think of it like you’re ushering someone through a door. That will allow you to lengthen the carve more. Remember, keep your chest open and your head up.”


Don’t Squat
“As you come out of the turn, keep in mind that you don’t need to be that low. I think that’s a pretty common misconception. You want to have some bend in your knees, somewhere between 90 degrees and standing straight up, but you don’t need to be squatting over your board. That’ll make it a lot harder to transition into your next maneuver.”

Hobart "Hobie" Alter has passed away at 80. The surf industry leader teamed up with Gordon Clark to use polyurethane foam in modern surfboards.

"Hobie" Alter was born in Ontario, California, in a1933. He began surfing at 16, in Laguna Beach. After reaching the finals of the Makaha International surf contest, he started producing his own boards.
In 1958, he teamed up with laminator Gordon Clark to develop polyurethane foam blanks that could be marketed for surfboard shaping.

Hobie Surfboards was already a huge commercial success, just like his innovative shaping machine. In 1960s, Alter got into wakesurfing, skateboarding and catamaran design.

The famous Hobie Cat model sold like hotcakes. Over 135,000 Hobie 16 Cats are sailing around the world. "The Cat that Can Fly" could be launched off any beach and soon became one of the world's top selling sailboats.

"He wanted to make a living without having to wear hard-soled shoes or work east of California's Pacific Coast Highway," tells the statement on the Hobie sporting goods website.

"By 'making people a toy and giving them a game to play with it' he was able to realize this dream. And in the process, he introduced the world to an outdoor lifestyle and collection of products that made things just a bit more fun for all of us."


Alter was inducted into the Huntington Beach Surfing Walk of Fame, in 1997, and into the National Sailing Hall of Fame, in 2011. Discover more about his life in "Hobie: Master of Water, Wind and Waves", by Paul Holmes.

Heavy barrels—and a few heavy beatings—greet Kohl Christensen and friends at Puerto Escondido in the sixth episode of the Deep Water series. Other surfers include Greg Long, Gabriel Villaran, Joao De Macedo, Jensen Hasset, Alvaro Malpartida and Coco Nogales

A curated list of the best webclips on the Internet

The 2014 Drug Aware Margaret River Pro will gather the world's best surfers in the Southwest of Australia, between 2nd-13th April.

Margaret River is a special place. A long-time staple on the ASP Qualification Series, this year is the first time in over 20 years that Margaret River has been an elite stop for both the men and women.

The women's event regained World Championship Tour status in 2013 having last featured in 1996, while this year sees the men's event upgraded to become part of the Dream Tour for the first time since 1990.

Surfers will battle it out at Margaret River Main Break, a consistent left-and right-hand reef break that can produce excellent waves from two to 20 feet, with infamous right-handers, The Box and North Point offering secondary locations.

Expect steep drops and bumpy rides. There's one man that knows the place very well. Taj Burrow, 35, was born in Busselton, just 30 miles away from Margaret River.

Mark Occhilupo was originally scheduled to compete in the Trials but has withdrawn following a back injury.
Gabriel Medina travels to Western Australia controlling the number one spot in the rankings. He wants to do well, but it won't be easy for the talented Brazilian.

"I've never done well there but Western Australia has great waves. I have never been in the ratings' lead before, so I'm just going to focus on surfing my best and getting some more experience in Margaret River before the event starts," explains Medina.

The trailer of the event is not available due to the fact that ASP World Tour has disabled Youtube sharing.

Drug Aware Margaret River Pro Round 1 Matchups:

Heat 1: Nat Young (USA), Filipe Toledo (BRA), Aritz Aranburu (EUK)
Heat 2: Jordy Smith (ZAF), Sebastian Zietz (HAW), Raoni Monteiro (BRA)
Heat 3: Taj Burrow (AUS), Fredrick Patacchia (HAW), Tiago Pires (PRT)
Heat 4: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Adam Melling (AUS), Brett Simpson (USA)
Heat 5: Kelly Slater (USA), Bede Durbidge (AUS), TBD*
Heat 6: Mick Fanning (AUS), Matt Wilkinson (AUS), TBD*
Heat 7: Julian Wilson (AUS), Jeremy Flores (FRA), Dion Atkinson (AUS)
Heat 8: C.J. Hobgood (USA), Miguel Pupo (BRA), Travis Logie (ZAF)
Heat 9: Josh Kerr (AUS), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Alejo Muniz (BRA)
Heat 10: Adriano de Souza (BRA), Owen Wright (AUS), Jadson Andre (BRA)
Heat 11: Kai Otton (AUS), Michel Bourez (PYF), Mitch Crews (AUS)
Heat 12: Gabriel Medina (BRA), John John Florence (HAW), Kolohe Andino (USA)

Making webisodes is part and parcel of the modern pro surfers life. Stoker has a rich back catalogue of clips from all over the world in his Strange Beautiful Life series. This is the latest ep. Enjoy.

”Four years down the line and 12 episodes in and we’re back where we started: Costa Rica! Generally in sport athletes would have a shelf life and after they hit their 30s you could see a decline in performance. These days it seems that things are changing and theres a select few which seem to get better with age and are rewriting the book, the obvious example here is Kelly, being a true testament that if you live a healthy, active life then improvements and success can be sustained.

Bringing it back to what were doing and I can confidently say that every episode we do I see an improvement in Stokesy’s performance and there’s no sign of him slowing down! Its not just a simple as going out there and just ripping harder though I think it starts by just having a pure addiction to the sport you love and wanting to improve. I see progression not just in the water, a lot comes down to your mental and physical state making sure your putting the right things into your body and having the confidence to attempt new things without worry of injury.

I constantly get random messages of froth where he’s pushed his performance, to most it just reads like gibberish and for a second you would swear your talking to a teenage grom but its that kind of child like excitement that can keep you fresh and enables him to mix it up with the youth of tomorrow! After all surfing’s not a sport that can be mastered, I guess that’s what makes it so damn addictive, so stay healthy, keep the froth alive and get out there and push your abilities! Oh and a little about the trip…. the waves pumped, Stokesy ripped and I got an epic tan!”


Tim Davies, Filmer/Director

Let’s get technical. We’ve got Yago Dora and Wade Goodall in the new Tiger VS Bear, two aerial animals doing two full rotations. Yago hucks wildly into the wind at Rocky Point. It’s tail-high and tweaked, with a landing smoother than a warm glass of whole milk. Wade’s, on the other hand, is a true loft. Same grab, but he spins madly. Angrily almost. His tail ain’t so high, but it’s refreshing to see a flat, high air — like Bruce Irons in Campaign.

Filmed and edited by Joe Carter. 

Surfers: Sam Hammer, Mike Gleason, Pat Schmidt and Tommy Ihnken

Afghanistan has joined the International Surfing Association (ISA) as its 82nd member nation.

The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, a landlocked country located in South Central Asia and part of the greater Middle East, is officially part of the surfing world.

Although Afghanistan has no ocean waves, the country has a small population of surfers who have come together and travelled for surfing.

"Because so many of our people have been spread across the globe, we have found a place we can all come together and meet up through surfing," explains Afridun Amu, president of the Wave Riders Association of Afghanistan.

"For our citizens and surfers, this provides an opportunity to take part in an international network, which strengthens the tie of Afghanistan's role in the world community. Since that is possible with soccer, basketball, cricket and chess, we think it can be the case with surfing as well."

The Wave Riders Association of Afghanistan (WRAA) was founded in 2012 by a dedicated group of individuals. The WRAA plans to hold the first Afghani National Surfing Championship, during June 2014, in Hossegor, France.

"While still in its infant stage, there are a lot of opportunities for surfers and SUPers in Afghanistan, and we are excited to provide them with tools so they can grow their existing surfing community and allow their surfers to compete on an international level," adds Fernando Aguerre, president of the International Surfing Association.


Band-e Amir, Lake Hamun, Zorkul, Kul-e Chaqmaqtin, Dashte Nawur, Bande Sardeh, and Abe Istada Lake are the main large water surfaces in Afghanistan.

Michael Heath is the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Surf Hardware International, the brand behind FCS fins.

Heath has previously worked for some of the major global brands in the action sports industry such as O'Neill, Hurley, Nike and Rip Curl.

With over 18 years of experience, Michael Heath will be leading Surf Hardware International through a new growth phase, largely underpinned by the launch of the new FCS II system.

"I'm honoured to be joining such an iconic company that provides so much to the surfing industry as a whole. From elite surfing athletes through to recreational surfer's and the surfboard manufacturers who are at the heart of the sport," underlines Heath following the appointment.


The company headquartered in Mona Vale, New South Wales, Australia, also develops the brands Gorilla, Softech, Hydro and Headhunter.

How big is the largest wave you've ever surfed? If you're proud of a wave's height, it's time to take a look at the weight of the waves you can't escape.

Getting pounded. We know how it hurts. Whether we get caught on the inside or we miss an unexpected wave set, it's always tough to feel the weight of the salted water on our head and back.

When a wave breaks, it loses part of its energy. But until then, those liquid curtains will not wait for the rider's lucky escape, in order to fall over the flats. It's heavy stuff, no doubt about that.

Now, let's do the math. According to physicists, a breaking wave can apply a pressure of between 250-6000 pounds per square foot (1220-29294 kilograms per square meter), depending on its height. Can you handle the numbers?

There are many variables involved. The salinity of the water (the world's average is of 3.5%), the height, thickness and width of the falling lip, the winds involved in the equation, speed, etc. Although the human body will not literally "feel" those massive numbers, it will definitely taste it.

Big waves are surely heavy. If you want to get an overall weight for your specific wave, you can roughly memorize that a cubic meter of water (1000 litres) weighs one metric tonne (1000 kilograms). How about that?

Example: a 33-foot (10-meter) wave with a falling lip that is 66-foot (20-meter) wide will mean that, if you wipeout, you'll feel the equivalent to 410 tonnes (410000 kilograms). That is 488 Volkswagen Beetle (1967 model).

Now, another example from the average surfer's perspective. Imagine a 20-inch (50 centimeter) thick lip, that is only 3.2 feet wide, in a summer three-foot wave. Total weight? A solid 500 kilograms (1100 pounds).

The weight of a wave lip can be tremendous. So, make sure your duck diving skills are up-to-date. Protect your head and your back, too, because oxygen will almost feel like a secondary need.

Are surf leashes a matter of style or safety? When surfers are hit by loose surfboards, the debate on using leg ropes arises again. There is only one way, though. Use it.

Longboarders tend to embed the spirit of "ropeless riding" in their DNA. It's cool, it's traditional, it's pure and it's trendy. Let's take a look at what they usually say about surf leashes:

"Longboarders should never use leashes."
"I don't need one, I never lose my board."
"If it's a sandy beach, I’m not putting a cord on."
"Leg ropes are dumb, all surfboards were invented without leg ropes."
"It's a personal choice, you don't need one if you can surf."
"Boards have gotta be single-fin and without leashes."
"I can go out and be confident I'm not going to lose my board".
"If you lose your board, you have to swim and collect it and think about why you lost it."
Surf leashes were introduced in the world of surfing in the 1970s. It is still an intelligent invention, whether you're a pro surfer or a an absolute beginner.

Despite being wrongly named "kook cords", these surf ropes have avoided thousands of injuries, in the last 50 years. Take a look at five reasons why you should definitely get that polyurethane cord around your ankle.


1. Surf leashes may save your life. You're tired and getting pounded. A rip current has taken you to unwanted spots. Stay cool and connected to your surfboard. It will keep you afloat.

2. A leg rope will prevent your surfboard from hitting and injuring other surfers. Do you want to be responsible for inflicting severe injuries on someone else? Wearing a leash is an act of civility.

3. A surf cord will make you surf more. If every time you make a mistake you have to swim back to the beach to get your surfboard, you won't surf 10% of what you could if you'd attached the rope to the stick.
4. Leg ropes allow you to leave the surfboard for emergency duck dives. A dangerous set approaches and you can't make a proper duck dive. Leave your surfboard behind and submerge your body as deep as you can.

5. Why do 99% of surfers use surf leashes? Style isn't everything.

Sofia Mulanovich has conquered the 2014 Rip Curl Girls Pro, in San Bartolo, Peru.

Mulanovich defeated Anali Gomez, the 2013 event winner, in an all Peruvian final. The former world surfing champion collects 1000 points and 7000 dollars for the victory.

"I'm so happy to have won this contest, but I knew that I couldn't celebrate until the end of the heat because Anali surfs incredibly", explains Mulanovich.

"It was a pretty slow final, but I'm glad to have gotten my revenge against 'La Negra', who beat me last year in Punta Rocas. Now I can choose which contests I want to participate in without any pressure of having to get a good result."

The 2014 Rip Curl Girls Pro is an ASP 4-Star Qualifying Series event. At the end of the season, the six best ranked female surfers will earn a ticket to the World Championship Tour.

2014 Rip Curl Girls Pro Final:

Sofia Mulanovich (PER), 14.75 def. Anali Gomez (PER), 9.95

The contest window for the 2014 Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards has been concluded.

The 2013/2014 winter season showed why big wave surfing has a bright future ahead. In Ireland, Mexico, Tasmania, Tahiti, Portugal, California, Western Australia, Hawaii and France, the number of quality waves ridden meant a record number of entries for the XXL competition.

illabong XXL Awards," says Bill Sharp, director of the Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards.

"It will be remembered as a time when nature provided a grand stage for the world's best big wave surfers to make global headlines taking on the swells produced by some of the most intense storms on record".

Adding even more fuel to the XXL fire are the waves ridden in Europe during several mind-blowing swells this winter which produced amazing waves and hairy rides at Nazaré, Portugal.

Carlos Burle and Andrew Cotton may have beaten the world record for the biggest wave, in the same spot where Garret McNamara dominated the 2011 surf beast.


The nominees in seven award categories - Ride of the Year, Biggest Paddle, Best Tube, XXL Biggest Wave, XXL Wipeout of the Year, Best Overall Performance and Girls Best Performance - will be revealed before the end of March, and the gala awards presentation is set for May 2nd, at the Grove Theater in Anaheim, California.

Photo: Kelly Slater Instagram Account

Snapper was probably the most dangerous spot in the country to catch a wave and several surfers had been treated for injuries since Slater had raised the problem last Monday. “I have seen about six people in the past few days with oxygen masks on getting medical help after surfing at Snapper,” he said. “Snapper is a recipe for disaster.”

The third Annual Conference in Surfing Medicine will be held at Mullaghmore, County Sligo, Ireland, between 9th-13th September, 2014.

The European Association of Surfing Doctors (EASD) will be taking surfing medicine to extremes. The unprecedented North Atlantic swells of our recent winter boosted big wave surfing in the Old Continent.
Waves of immense ferocity and magnitude were cast upon the shores of Western Europe. The danger factor increased incommensurably.

What are those dangers? What are their needs? How does one face the elements, the ocean, and themselves? That's exactly what surfing doctors will try to answer.

"Never before has the need to address major trauma, drowning incidents, hypothermia, advanced water rescue, training methodologies, and technology, been so prescient," explains Dion van de Schoot, the conference manager.

Forerunners in big wave surfing and the medical world will try to share new methods and techniques for improving the safety levels in extreme ocean conditions.


Conference speakers include Irish big wave surfer and paramedic Peter Conroy, the Hawaiian Pipeline Masters doctor and co-author of "Surf Survival" Dr. Clayton Everline, and many more global leaders in their respective fields.

Fox Sports has released a short documentary about the history of Mavericks, the infamous big wave surfing spot located at Half Moon Bay, California.

Jeff Clark is the key to Mavericks. He discovered the wave's potential in the 1970s and spent 15 years surfing it alone in the dark.

Decades later, after convincing friends to join him in the cold waters, Mavericks is the US capital of big wave surfing.

The documentary follows the life of organizers and the surfers, as they prepare for the Mavericks Invitational. The spiritual side of the place is kept alive by Greg Long.

Mavericks has rules. Mavericks has claimed lives. You have to be prepared, physically and mentally. There are sharks out there to add drama to the whole story.


Mavericks feels like concrete in wipeout mode, but it will also change your life forever. "I still really love it. You have to be the person you are. I'd rather live a good short life than a long miserable one", underlines Mark Healey.

Dan Gavere has ridden the wake of a sternwheeler in the Columbia River Gorge, somewhere between Oregon and Washington.

When you don't have waves, you have to invent them. There are currently many options. You can build your own artificial wave pool or you can hit the nearest river wave.

A standup paddleboard enthusiast has surfed the wake of beautiful sternwheeler, as the river boat made his journey through the Columbia River Gorge, between Oregon and Washington.

The quality of the wave is impressive. Although it may seem an endless ride, the wake produced by the giant boat is not always stable. So if you're the next customer, prepare for several unsuccessful attempts.


Dan Gavere has been "sternwheel surfing", at least, since 2011. What more can be invented, when it comes to wave riding?

The Oakley High School Surf Team Challenge 2014 returns with two stops in San Diego and Orange County.

The Surf Team Challenge picks 10 high school teams from each region against each other for the two regional titles, and a bevy of sponsor prizes and accolades.

The first stop in San Diego will hit Seaside Reef in Cardiff, on the 29th March, and the second event will take place at 54th/56th Street, in Newport Beach, on the 31st May.

In 2013, Torrey Pines High School (San Diego) and San Clemente High School (Orange County) are the defending champions.


The structure of the High School Surf Team Challenge will be based on teams rather than individual surfers and typically include hour-long heats where each team member contributes to the team's overall score.

Scott 'Whippy' Dennis is a South Coast hell-man. After spending the good portion of the year filming with good mate Brett Burcher to produce Carpark Stories for Waves, Whippy put this clip together of all the leftovers and boy is there some gold. In the first drop we head to the deep south and get hunting for slabs.
Here's what Whippy had to say to Tracks.


"So the first trip was deep south, we saw the charts looking good and hit the road for four days of driving.  It was hectic for two days of surfing but well worth it. After surfing that right we saw that the charts looked good for this left back in Vico so we packed the car and got back on the road. My good mate Darcy ward filmed the whole trip, sleeping on the road while Brett and I were living it up in the wagon. All in all it was just good times on the road with mates."

“There is no beach for 2km, and a minefield of fang like rocks lining the inside,” says the filmmaker, Eelke Dekker. “These guys from Agadir made the horrible paddle through the rocks and ended up scoring some truly epic rights.”

Filmed and edited by Conor Hegyi.

An Australian bodyboarder has collided with a dolphin while surfing at Bawley Point, in New South Wales.

The 27-year old wave rider was struck on the chest when he was duck diving a wave. The strong impact tore his wetsuit and caused him lower abdominal injuries.

The medical team arrived quickly, and the bodyboarder was later airlifted to the St George Hospital.
"They [dolphins] can always miscalculate. There is a possibility of error there on the animal's behalf. Dolphins have killed people overseas in the past," explained Ronny Ling president of the Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia.

"We've had a lot of cases lately of people trying to hold on to dolphins. That's what they don't like," adds Ling.

The bodyboarder thought his back was broken because of the violent impact he felt after being hit by the dolphin. Fortunately, he may have suffered only internal bruising.


The Australian law says swimmers are required to stay 50 metres away from dolphins and 100 meters from whales.

It’s finally happened, a video has knocked Mickey Smith’s epic Dark Side of the Lens from the ‘most viewed ever’ spot on Vimeo. The drone cam clip from Eric Sterman lacks the depth or soul of Mick’s film but it is an eye popping angle.

Jeremy Flores,Benjamin Sanchis, Shane Dorian and Laurent Pujol and a wild winter in the SW of France…

Australia has a solid reputation as a fabulous holiday destination for surf addicts, and its biggest city - Sydney - is certainly no exception to the trend.

There are thousands of incredible surf spots in Australia. Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South and West Australia and Tasmania have several different types of places: reef, point and beach breaks. Surfing in the Northern Territory will not be a good option.

Manly beach is one of the best loved of Sydney’s northern beaches and just so happens to be an excellent surfing spot. Many of the old tourist pamphlets liked to pitch it as being 'Seven miles from Sydney and a thousand miles from care', and the old-school slogan doesn’t stray far from the truth. There are many surf schools in the area as this patch is excellent for beginners.

For the experienced surfer, however, the real surf action is to be found at North Narrabeen. This spot is famous for its breathtaking beach breaks and this is where the cream of the local surfer crowd is to be found in Sydney. Beginners should check it out too. This is a great place to get tips from the pros and to marvel at the masters in action.

Whether you are a seasoned pro or a complete stranger to the sport, it’s often helpful to take advice from those who are most used to the conditions of the area you are visiting.

Sydney Surf is a great surf instruction company, offering one off lessons as well as full weekend or week-long courses designed to match your needs according to your ability and your level of experience. Other useful local ports of call include Bondi Surf School and Manly Surf school.


Whenever getting involved in any type of water sport it is essential to be aware of the weather and wave conditions on the day. Where possible, check online prior to departure and if upon arrival you find that you are still in doubt, consult an expert.

Grant "Twiggy" Baker is the 2013/2014 Big Wave World Tour champion.

The South African big wave charger has had a stunning season, with two consecutive victories at the Punta Galea Challenge and Mavericks Invitational.

In the penultimate event of the 2014 Big Wave World Tour, Grant Baker finished in a well-deserved third place, which means he takes the crown before Todos Santos, the last stop of the world circuit.
Grant "Twiggy" Baker was born in 1973, in Durban, South Africa. The regular footer has Dungeons as his favorite surf break.

He started surfing at the age of 13. In 2003, he made the finals of the Red Bull Big Wave Africa, at Dungeons. Three years later, as a wildcard, Baker would steal the Mavericks title.

Throughout his career, the South African collected several Billabong XXL Awards trophies. The worst wipeout of his big wave surfing career happened in Jaws, Hawaii.


The last event of the 2013/2014 Big Wave World Tour is the Dive N' Surf Todos Santos. In the next season, the Big Wave World will be held under the ASP umbrella.

Laird Hamilton, Eddie Aikau, Jeff Clark, Mark Foo, Ross Clarke-Jones, Mike Parsons, Grant Baker, Greg Long, João de Macedo, Shane Dorian, Ken Bradshaw and Maya Gabeira share one statement. They would go.


In big wave surfing, time and timing are two different things. There's a time to go for it, to paddle hard and the stand-up timing. The rest is courage, experience and knowledge.

That's why surfing in the most extreme spots and weather conditions is so uncomfortable. It requires preparation - physical and logistics - and the risk of leaving family and friends forever.

SurferToday.com has carefully picked the ultimate extreme surf spot list. If you really aim to surf big, you have to try the diversity of these wave peaks and ride them all, one by one. Some offer wind and swell adversity, others require slab experience and the rest can get really big.

Banzai Pipeline is a surf classic. The Hawaiian reef break can turn into a deadly cavern very easily. In the last ten years Joshua Nakata, Joaquin Velilla, Malik Joyeux, Jon Mozo and Moto Watanabe have lost their lives in the spot.

Belharra is an outer reef break located off the town of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, in France. This gigantic wave Belharra has a massive lip that may end your wish to surf for the rest of your life. In Jaws, Maui, waves can easily reach 35 metres (120 ft). Sometimes, the only way to surf the wave is by pressing the tow-in button. If you fail, reef and rocks will eat you.

Mullaghmore Head and Prowlers are the biggest wave Ireland has to offer. With a rainy and windy scenario, these waves are absolutely fearful. Watch out and never ride them alone. Nazaré, in Portugal, is so powerful that may hold the "surfboard breaking machine" nickname. The undersea canyon creates giant waves that can only be surfed by experienced big wave surfers.

Pico Alto, in Peru, is considered the largest wave in South America. This big wave surf spot challenges everything. Your fear, your safety and your life. Needless to say it is one of the few stages of the Big Wave World Tour. Punta de Lobos is the goofy footer's big wave heaven in Chile. Expect fast drops and giant lips. Escape, if possible, with no injuries.

Shipsterns Bluff, in Tasmania, is such a powerful wave that getting barreled may not be a wise option. It is one of the most dangerous waves in the world and there's not an hospital nearby. Teahupoo has already taken many lives. Fast, shallow, tubular and heavy wave. This reef break delivered what is considered the "heaviest wave" ever ridden. Laird Hamilton did it.

The Wedge, in USA, is almost known as a shore break. If you go over the falls, an injury will certainly visit your body. Local surfers have already ended up as quadriplegics, here. Todos Santos, in Mexico, gets monstrous quite often. This big wave surfer's heaven has plenty of adrenaline for sale. The 'Killers' wave is ferocious.


Yakutat, in Alaska, is the ultimate cold surfing experience. Temperatures can get below minus 20ºC, which means waves almost get frozen. Helmets required. Click in each surf spot to watch a video of the insane wave.

Nice Puerto video from Noam Eshel “After a few days in Mexico, this swell arrived at July 1st – 2nd 2012…
Here is a clip from both days, one session in the afternoon when the swell was starting to build up, and the morning session with solid 6-8 foot pumping barrels.
Enjoy! and come back for more videos next week…

Californian surfers are advised to stay out of the water five days after it rains.

It might sound strange, but a new study by UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability reveals that levels of bacteria in the water after storms are alarming.

For seven years, scientists studied water quality data from 32 popular beaches in Los Angeles and Orange counties. They discovered that elevated levels of bacteria lingered in the water in beaches located near storm drains and creek outlets.

"Although the three-day rule is simple, it is not applicable to all beaches and is not the best protection of public health," explain the researchers at the UCLA.

"Public health agencies should warn beachgoers to avoid water contact at enclosed and storm drain, creek or river impacted beaches for at least five days after a significant rain".


The three-day rule is appropriate for open beaches only. Scientists also recommend that California develop an uniform statewide storm drain impacted beach classification and monitoring protocol.

Adriano de Souza and Jeremy Flores are not best friends anymore. In their Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast 2014 matchup things heated up and boards were literally clashed.

There's a Brazilian-French soap opera in the making. De Souza and Flores have not shaken hands after the incident/interference occurred during Round 3, at Snapper Rocks.

Jeremy Flores was trying to improve his overall score with a good looking wave, under Adriano's priority. The French surfer was almost finishing his performance when the Brazilian dropped in to silence his efforts.
"It's pretty sad to lose this way. I wanted to make that heat, but what Adriano did I think no one has ever done to me in my whole surfing career. On purpose, he took on me, which is so lame. I wasn't on that wave he would have made that take off easily", says Jeremy Flores.

"From him it's the worst sportsmanship that you could get, but I don't expect anything less from him. Everybody knows that. It sucks. I learned that next time in a heat with him I am going to paddle on him, elbow him... If it takes all this to win the heat, it's pretty bad. He had to freakin' take off on me..."
Adriano de Souza was happy with the victory, and didn't express any regret for what had happened. He still uses the word "friends" to describe their relationship.

"We had a lot of rivalries. We are good friends. We started together in Junior events, and we had many heats together. I saw the potential he had, and when I saw his board under my feet I was like 'oh'. There's something wrong here. Judges saw that and gave him an interference", explained Adriano de Souza.

Who's right and who's wrong? What's up next between Adriano de Souza and Jeremy Flores? Watch what happened at 11m11s.

The Dive N' Surf Oregon Pro 2014 will be run on the 12th March, at Nelscott Reef. A massive swell is on the way and surfer girls have been invited for the party.

The world's best big wave surfers are ready for the penultimate event of the 2013/2014 Big Wave World Tour. The Tacklebuster Reef, commonly known as Nelscott Reef, is the place to be.
Located a half mile out to sea in Lincoln City, Oregon, just up the beach from Spanish Head, Nelscott Reef offers high performance big wave with both rights and lefts.
The wave is protected by miles of beach break surf that is mostly impassable when the swells are big enough for the reef to break.
Although there are smaller days when the reef can be paddled to from the beach, Nelscott Reef isn't considered a big wave spot until the beach break is too big to paddle.
One of the hidden gems of Pacific Northwest will be visited by Greg Long, Jamie Sterling, Peter Mel, and Carlos Burle. The waves at Nelscott Reef are rideable up to 50-foot and beyond.
A one-hour long Women's Super Heat has been added to the event, and it will include Keala Kennelley, Wrenna Delgado, Savannah Shaughnessy, Paige Alms, Mercedes Madaina, Jamila Star, Bianca Valenti and Andrea Moller.

For the first time, the finals of the Dive N' Surf Oregon Pro 2014 will be broadcast live exclusively on Universal Sports Network.

Welcome to our new writer Abi Rule who had produced a fantastic blog post for us on 5 of the Top Surf Spots in Australia.
Are you in your element when you are in a wet suit searching for the best waves? If you have a passion for surfing, you are probably familiar with the fact that Australia is home to some of the best surfing spots in the world. With more than 35,000 kilometers of coastline, beautiful beaches dedicated to surfers, islands completely surrounded by water, and reefs, Australia is the perfect place to visit on your holiday. Here are 5 of the top surf spots in Australia that you should add to your itinerary.
5 Surfing Capitals in Australia


#1: Margaret River for Surf and Wine
If you ask anyone where the best place to surf in Western Australia is, they will probably answer you immediately with two words: Margaret River. Located about 3 hours from Perth, Margaret River is home to the most stunning beaches and forests in the country. If you are looking for powerful surf breaks or a fun environment for beginners, Margaret River offers it all at 40 different areas along the coast. Once you are done catching a challenging wave, you can taste some fine wine from the region and even go on a whale watching tour.


#2: Scarborough Beach in Perth 
If you plan on going to Perth for your holiday, you can find some of the top surf spots located in the city at Scarborough Beach. Scarborough is a Perth beach and a seaside town that is frequented by youth and teens. With a break nicknamed the Scarborough Snake Pit, surfers looking for impressive breaks should visit this beach that has remained a popular hangout since the 1950′s.



#3: Trigg for Surfers Who Like Gnarly Waves 
Trigg Beach caters to both surfers and body boarders looking to ride the gnarliest waves off of the coast in Western Australia. Located at the edge of rocky ledges and sand banks, the conditions on Trigg Beach make for a long ride on a wave down Trigg Point for the experienced surfer.



#4: Lancelin for All Surfers 
Lancelin is about an hour north of Perth for surfers who do not want their holiday to revolve around the hot tourist destination. As a world-class destination for water sports, Lancelin is a great place for surfers with all levels of experience to test their skills. The pristine beaches at Lancelin are sheltered by reefs and islands, making this a great location for water activities of all sorts.



#5: Kalbarri for Powerful Waves
If you love left-handers, Kalbarri is the surf spot for you. Home to the world renowned Jake’s Point, experienced surfers looking for an intense challenge will love what Kalbarri has to offer. See why residents of Perth drive 600 kilometers just to surf and visit Jake’s Point.

There is no denying that Australia is the country to visit for a surf holiday, but there are hundreds of different surf spots along the coastline to choose from. These are 5 of the top surf spots for surfers of all experience levels. Plan your holiday, pack your favorite board, and get ready for a holiday you will never forget.

Gabriel Medina defeated Joel Parkinson to win the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast 2014, at Snapper Rocks.

The Brazilian wonder boy is the first Brazilian and only the second goofy-footer ever to win the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast. Medina took out the title by a very narrow margin: 0.06 points.

Parkinson opened the final with an impressive tube from behind the rocks, which would earn him a 9-point ride. The Australian would quickly back up the ride with a high 6, while Medina would search feverishly to log scores on the board.

The Brazilian air kid, maintaining his trend of come-from-behind performances in the final minutes, worked a long Snapper Wall for an 8.50 and backed the ride up, with little time remaining, to clinch the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast 2014.

In the Women's competition, Stephanie Gilmore beated Bianca Buitendag to win the 2014 Roxy Pro Gold Coast.

Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast 2014 Final:
Gabriel Medina (BRA), 16.33 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS), 16.27


Roxy Pro Gold Coast 2014 Final:
Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 15.80 def. Bianca Buitendag (ZAF), 10.47

James Hollmer-Cross has suffered multiple injuries after a terrible wipeout at Pedra Branca, Australia.

Pedra Branca is one of the most dangerous big wave surf spots in the world. It is located 26 kilometers (16 miles) south of Tasmania. The small island pumps a super heavy, fast and steep wave that can easily mutilate the most experienced surfers.

James Hollmer-Cross, 32, survived a hideous wipeout while playing with the local devil, on the 2nd March, 2014. The surfer from Hobart knew what to expect, but he was not ready for a life-threatening event.

"I've surfed Pedra Branca five times before, it's known as a big remote and challenging wave. Mentally and physically it is easily one of the heaviest waves in the world," underlines Hollmer-Cross.

He traveled with a team of surfers (Danny Griffith, Zeb Critchlow, Tyler Hollmer-Cross, Jarrad Forster, and Justin Allport) and media professionals. They all saw what happened.

Pedra Branca reminds us of the power of Shipstern Bluff. Both spots are separated by less than 50 kilometers (31 miles) but united in strength.

"It's the heaviest thing that has ever happened to me. I thought I was going to die. I thought I'd broken my back. I almost passed out, but I fought it, and then I came through. It was pretty euphoric", adds James.

In the end, Hollmer-Cross is with us to tell the story. Injuries include a broken leg, partial ligament tears, a fractured tibia, and three months out of the water. Have you seen what a small piece of chop can do?