ASP Women’s World Tour adds new Kiwi event for 2010

The ASP Women’s World Tour will be getting a boost next season with the addition of New Zealand’s Taranaki region as a dream tour venue.

The Taranaki Women’s Surf Festival will host the world’s best female surfers from April 14 – 18, 2010 along Taranaki’s Surf Highway 45, with mobile venue options including famed locations such as Fitzroy Beach, Rocky Point, Stent Road and Opunake.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to be adding New Zealand to the ASP Women’s World Tour schedule,” Brodie Carr, ASP Intl CEO, said. “The region is ripe with world class waves and it’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase the talents of our outstanding female athletes.”

Paige Hareb (NZL), 19, 2009 ASP Dream Tour rookie and current ASP World No. 3, is New Zealand’s first female ambassador at surfing’s elite level of competition, and the addition of another ASP Dream Tour event in her backyard could prove advantageous to the young goofy-footer’s bid for an ASP Women’s World Title.

“I’m pretty happy about the ASP Women’s World Tour coming to my home town in New Zealand next year,” Hareb said. “I know a lot of the girls have never been before and have wanted to come here for a long time. The surf is really consistent around that time of the year so I can’t wait to show the girls what my coast has to offer. It’s going to be pretty exciting!”

The addition of New Zealand to the ASP Women’s World Tour in 2010 is the latest in a string of successes for professional women’s surfing, having recently confirmed the Gidget Pro Sunset Beach event for November this year and with the 2010 season shaping up to be one of its’ best ever.

“This is the first ever World Tour event to be held in New Zealand making this a historic step for both professional surfing and sports in the country,” Brooke Farris, ASP Women’s World Tour Manager, said. “It’s fantastic to see the people of New Zealand putting all their support behind tour rookie Paige Hareb. It will be very exciting to see Paige bring the tour to her local town and perform in front of the masses.”

New Zealand’s Taranaki, for their part, are ecstatic to host the world’s best female surfers next season. In addition to adding an ASP Women’s World Tour event to the 2010 schedule, Taranaki will also host an ASP Grade-3 Girl’s Pro Junior, boasting the richest prize purse on the ASP Australasia Pro Junior Girl’s Series, AUD $8,000.

“Surfing sits at the heart of Taranaki’s innovation and culture,” Stuart Trundle, Chief Executive of Venture Taranaki Trust, said. “We’re stoked that Taranaki has been selected as the venue to host the New Zealand leg of the ASP Dream Tour next year. This event gives us the opportunity to showcase our world-class athletes, the legendary point breaks they call home, and the innovative surf industry that’s grown here.”

The next stop on the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour will be the Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic at Sydney’s Northern Beaches from September 30 through October 5, 2009.

For more information, log onto

www.aspworldtour.com

Courtney Conlogue wins 2009 Supergirl Pro Junior

In a hotly contested battle that was decided in the final seconds by only a half point, Courtney Conlogue ripped through the waves in Oceanside, California, this afternoon and bested her competitors to claim the honor of being the 2009 Supergirl Pro Junior Champion and take home the $5,000 top prize.

Boasting a $15,000 total prize purse, the 2^nd Annual Supergirl Pro Junior is the first event in this year’s Supergirl Jam, the action sports industry’s only large-scale, all-female competition and lifestyle events designed to promote female empowerment, strength and independence.

Conlogue, who recently won this year’s U.S. Open of Surfing women’s event and a USA team and individual gold medal in the International Surfing Association’s World Surfing Games, battled Malia Manuel (Kauai, HI), Sage Erickson (Ojai, CA) and Nikita Robb (East London, South Africa) for the Supergirl title.  Manuel, Erickson and Robb placed second, third and fourth, respectively.

“Last year I took fourth in this event and saw Coco Ho take home the Supergirl cape when she won it,” said Conlogue.  “I really wanted the win—and to take home the cape to be this year’s Supergirl champion.  It’s an honor to win an event like this that focuses on, and supports, the girls.”

Competing in smaller surf conditions than day one of the event weekend, the finals got started with a bang.  Conlogue grabbed the highest score of the final out of the gate, when she posted a 7.50 on her opening wave.  Manuel answered with her second and third waves, posting a 5.75 and 6.65 to take the lead.  With Manuel in the lead, Conlogue hunted the horizon for an answer, but fell short until her fifth wave, when she posted a 5.40.  With only minutes remaining in the final, Conlogue continued to catch waves while employing a defensive strategy to Manuel by shadowing her in the line-up.  As the clock ticked down, Conlogue hung on to win by a nail-biting half point.

“I knew it was going to be a battle with Courtney right to the end—and it was.  We were both fighting hard for the win,” said Manuel. “This is my first time competing in the Supergirl Pro Junior and I’m happy with the result.”

Final Results—Supergirl Pro Junior 2009

1) Courtney Conlogue 12.90 points

2) Malia Manuel 12.40 points

3) Sage Erickson 8.15 points

4) Nikita Robb 6.45 points

Supergirl Pro Junior finalists announced

The action-packed, preliminary rounds of the 2nd Annual Supergirl Pro Junior surfing contest, the first stop of the 2009 Supergirl Jam action sports series, yielded four finalists who bested the waves and the competitive skills of their 16 fellow contestants to advance to the finals on Sunday, August 16.

Courtney Conlogue (Santa Ana, CA), Sage Erickson (Ojai, CA), Malia Manuel (Kauai, HI) and Nikita Robb (East London, South Africa) will return to Oceanside Beach Pier in Southern California tomorrow afternoon in pursuit of the $15,000 prize purse and the honor of taking their place atop the 2009 ASP junior rankings.

The Supergirl Pro Junior, an ASP sanctioned Grade-4 surfing contest, recognizes the sport’s top female athletes who are 20-and-under.

Conlogue, who recently won this year’s U.S. Open of Surfing women’s event and was the USA gold medalist in the International Surfing Association’s World Surfing Games, remained strong in the competition with the day-high score of 9.0, advancing her to the finals. “I was incredibly stoked when I heard I got a 9.0 from the judges,” said Conlogue. “This is the next generation of competitors, and Supergirl’s support has been amazing.”

Powering the waves, Erickson earned a 7.75 and a 7.25 to secure her spot in the finals. “I am excited to be in the finals, but it will be a tough competition against Courtney,” said Erickson. “I caught myself clapping for her when I was watching her heat. Competing against her will push us both to do well.”

Also securing a berth in the finals is Manuel, with her assortment of strong tail turns and speed. “It feels awesome to be out there,” added Manuel. “I hope the waves hold up for tomorrow.”

Nikita Robb once again proved that her strong surf style scores well with the judges, receiving marks to place her in the finals. “The competition was tough today,” said Robb. “I felt I had to bring it to the table if I wanted to make the finals. Events like this push the girls.”

The Supergirl Jam, the action sports industry’s only large-scale, all-female competition and lifestyle festival, is designed to promote female empowerment, strength and independence.

(via press release)

Legoland and Surfrider unveil celebrity mosaic project

One of our fave Pretty Tough gals is involved in this project so it caught our attention. Heidi Klum is not only beautiful but she’s a strong, accomplished businesswoman as well. And now she’s among a bunch of great celebs helping raise funds for the wonderful Surfrider Foundation.

Turns out today is SEA LIFE™ Aquarium’s first birthday and LEGOLAND® celebrated with a ceremony unveiling the Celebrity Mosaic Project to benefit Surfrider Foundation. Ocean-themed LEGO® mosaics designed and built by some of today’s hottest celebrities are on display at the Resort and listed online for auction at www.charitybuzz.com now through Sept. 9.

In addition to Klum, celebrity participants include Al Pacino, Brooke Shields, Jamie Lee Curtis, Mark Hoppus, Molly Shannon; Peter Facinelli, Thomas Gibson, Tom DeLonge and Tony Hawk. More mosaics will be added to the project.

More than 30 children from Kids for Peace were special guests at the unveiling ceremony where the staff of SEA LIFE Aquarium was presented with a LEGO birthday cake and recognized by General Manager Peter Ronchetti for a year of hard work and dedication. Alexis Henry also spoke on behalf of Surfrider Foundation.

“This partnership with SEA LIFE is a perfect fit,” said Henry about the synergy between the two organizations. “They are engaging children and showing them that no matter how old you are, you can do something to protect your oceans and coastlines.”

“Our goal here at SEA LIFE is to educate children in a fun way, inspiring them to care for our oceans,” said Peter Ronchetti, General Manager of LEGOLAND California Resort. “It is with that in mind that we decided to team up with Surfrider Foundation for the Celebrity Mosaic Project – they have been dedicated to protecting the world’s oceans, waves and beaches for 25 years!”

The Surfrider Foundation is one of the world’s largest non-profit organizations dedicated to the protection and preservation of our oceans, waves and beaches. Now in its 25th year, the Foundation continues to carry out initiatives for clean water, free and open access, and the preservation of coastlines through its global grassroots networks made up of all types of ocean lovers.

Mosaics vary in theme from a mermaid created by Heidi Klum (pictured) to a fish on a skateboard by Tony Hawk, a smiling sting ray by Thomas Gibson and a kissy-faced blowfish by Jamie Lee Curtis. Most of the celebrities recruited their children to help in the design and creation of their mosaics.

In addition to the Celebrity Mosaic Project, SEA LIFE is hosting a special Surfrider Foundation Weekend August 15 and 16 featuring a Surfrider Foundation-inspired craft for kids; a Surfrider Foundation education booth and a ticket offer for Surfrider Foundation Members. For more information, visit www.surfrider.org or www.sealifeus.com.

USA takes top honors at Billabong ISA World Games in Costa Rica

The PacSun USA Surf Team ended up with a golden result because of solid consistent surfing that after eight days positioned teen Courtney Conlogue to win the Women’s gold with Sage Erickson taking bronze.

After winning the US Open last month, SoCal phenom Conlogue is showing more than a flash of stardom. The high school junior began surfing nearby Trestles at age six and has consistently improved every year since.

From the opening heats of this year’s Games at Playa Hermosa, Team USA appeared committed and focused as they competed against 34 other teams for a spot on the podium. On the final day of competition, USA stood firm and was able to place five of their eight team members into the three finals, hence becoming the team to beat.

Dubbed the Dream Team, every rider surfed spectacularly with Tony Silvagni taking fourth in the Longboard and Corey Lopez finishing a close second to Jeremy Flores in the Men’s.

The USA hasn’t won a gold since 1996 so count on the other teams coming back with a vengeance in 2010.

FINAL Team Results:
GOLD – United States – 14910 points
SILVER – France – 13280 points
BRONZE – Australia – 10996 points
COPPER – Hawaii – 10856 points

INDIVIDUAL FINAL RESULTS
Open Men
Gold: Jeremy Flores (FRA)
Silver: Cory Lopez (USA)
Bronze: Gabriel VIllarán (PER)
Copper: Ben Bourgeois (USA)

Open Women
Gold: Courtney Conlogue (USA)
Silver: Rosanne Hodge (RSA)
Copper: Sage Erickson (USA)
Bronze: Pauline Ado (FRA)

Longboard
Gold: Antoine Delpero (FRA)
Silver: Harley Ingleby (AUS)
Copper: Ben Skinner (GBR)
Bronze: Tony Silvagni (USA)

Shawn Johnson, Stephanie Gilmore win Teen Choice Awards

The Teen Choice Awards won’t air until tomorrow, but we’ve got a list of all the winners. If you don’t mind spoilers, check ‘em all out after the jump.

MOVIES

CHOICE MOVIE: ACTION ADVENTURE
X-Men Origins: Wolverine

CHOICE MOVIE: DRAMA
Twilight

CHOICE MOVIE: ROMANCE
Twilight

CHOICE MOVIE: BROMANTIC COMEDY
Marley & Me

CHOICE MOVIE: COMEDY
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian

CHOICE MOVIE: HORROR/THRILLER
Friday the 13th

CHOICE MOVIE: MUSIC/DANCE
High School Musical 3: Senior Year

CHOICE MOVIE ACTOR: DRAMA
Robert Pattinson, Twilight

CHOICE MOVIE ACTRESS: DRAMA
Kristen Stewart, Twilight

CHOICE MOVIE ACTOR: ACTION ADVENTURE
Hugh Jackman, X-Men Origins: Wolverine”

CHOICE MOVIE ACTRESS: ACTION ADVENTURE
Jordana Brewster, Fast & Furious

CHOICE MOVIE ACTOR: COMEDY
Zac Efron, 17 Again

CHOICE MOVIE ACTRESS: COMEDY
Anne Hathaway, Bride Wars

CHOICE MOVIE ACTRESS: MUSIC/DANCE
Miley Cyrus, Hannah Montana: The Movie

CHOICE MOVIE ACTOR: MUSIC/DANCE
Zac Efron, High School Musical 3: Senior Year

CHOICE MOVIE: VILLIAN
Cam Gigandet, Twilight

CHOICE MOVIE: FRESH FACE FEMALE
Ashley Greene, Twilight

CHOICE MOVIE: FRESH FACE MALE
Taylor Lautner, Twilight

CHOICE SUMMER MOVIE: DRAMA
My Sister’s Keeper

CHOICE SUMMER MOVIE: COMEDY
Up

CHOICE SUMMER MOVIE: ROMANCE
The Proposal

CHOICE SUMMER MOVIE: ACTION ADVENTURE
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

CHOICE SUMMER MOVIE STAR: MALE
Shia LaBeouf, Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen

CHOICE SUMMER MOVIE STAR: FEMALE
Megan Fox, Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen

CHOICE MOVIE HISSY FIT
Miley Cyrus, Hannah Montana: The Movie

TELEVISION

CHOICE TV SHOW: DRAMA
Gossip Girl

CHOICE TV SHOW: ACTION ADVENTURE
Heroes

CHOICE TV SHOW: COMEDY
Hannah Montana

CHOICE TV: ANIMATED SHOW
SpongeBob SquarePants

CHOICE TV: REALITY
The Hills

CHOICE TV: REALITY MUSIC COMPETITION
American Idol

CHOICE TV ACTOR: DRAMA
Chace Crawford, Gossip Girl

CHOICE TV ACTRESS: DRAMA
Leighton Meester, Gossip Girl

CHOICE TV ACTOR: ACTION ADVENTURE
Tom Welling, Smallville

CHOICE TV ACTRESS: ACTION ADVENTURE
Hayden Panettiere, Heroes

CHOICE TV ACTOR: COMEDY
Jonas Brothers, JONAS

CHOICE TV ACTRESS: COMEDY
Miley Cyrus, Hannah Montana

CHOICE TV: PERSONALITY
Ryan Seacrest, American Idol / E! News

CHOICE TV: BREAKOUT SHOW
JONAS

CHOICE TV: BREAKOUT STAR FEMALE
Demi Lovato, Sonny With a Chance

CHOICE TV: BREAKOUT STAR MALE
Frankie Jonas, JONAS

CHOICE TV: MALE REALITY/VARIETY STAR
Adam Lambert, American Idol

CHOICE TV: FEMALE REALITY/VARIETY STAR
Lauren Conrad, The Hills

CHOICE TV: VILLAIN
Ed Westwick, Gossip Girl

CHOICE FAB-U-LOUS!
Miss Jay, America’s Next Top Model

CHOICE TV: SIDEKICK
Emily Osment, Hannah Montana

CHOICE TV: LATE NIGHT SHOW
Chelsea Lately

CHOICE TV: PARENTAL UNIT
Billy Ray Cyrus, Hannah Montana

MUSIC

CHOICE MUSIC: SINGLE
Miley Cyrus, “The Climb”

CHOICE HOOKUP
Lady Gaga feat. Colby O’Donis, “Just Dance”

CHOICE MUSIC: MALE ARTIST
Jason Mraz

CHOICE MUSIC: FEMALE ARTIST
Taylor Swift

CHOICE MUSIC: R&B ARTIST
Beyonce

CHOICE MUSIC: BREAKOUT GROUP
Paramore

CHOICE MUSIC: BREAKOUT ARTIST

CHOICE MUSIC: LOVE SONG
David Archuleta, “Crush”

CHOICE MUSIC: R&B TRACK
Beyonce, “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)”

CHOICE MUSIC: RAP/HIP HOP TRACK
The Black Eyed Peas, “Boom Boom Pow”

CHOICE MUSIC: ROCK TRACK
Paramore, “Decore”

CHOICE MUSIC: ALBUM (MALE ARTIST)
Jason Mraz, We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things

CHOICE MUSIC: ALBUM (FEMALE ARTIST)
Taylor Swift, Fearless

CHOICE MUSIC: ALBUM (GROUP)
Jonas Brothers, Lines, Vines and Trying Times

CHOICE MUSIC: SOUNDTRACK
Twilight

CHOICE MUSIC: TOUR
Demi Lovato / David Archuleta

SPORTS

CHOICE MALE ATHLETE
David Beckham

CHOICE FEMALE ATHLETE
Shawn Johnson

CHOICE ACTION SPORTS MALE
Ryan Sheckler

CHOICE ACTION SPORTS FEMALE
Stephanie Gilmore

OTHER

ULTIMATE CHOICE AWARD
Britney Spears

CHOICE MALE HOTTIE
Robert Pattinson

CHOICE FEMALE HOTTIE
Megan Fox

CHOICE RED CARPET ICON FEMALE
Selena Gomez

CHOICE RED CARPET FASHION ICON MALE
Jonas Brothers

CHOICE WEB STAR
Fred

CHOICE COMEDIAN
George Lopez

CHOICE CELEBRITY ACTIVIST
Hayden Panettiere

CHOICE CELEBRITY PET
Bo Obama

CHOICE VIDEO GAME
Rock Band 2

CHOICE CELEBRITY BABY
Honor Marie Warren

Courtney Conlogue is US Surf Open Champion

The future of women’s surfing came down to a battle of two 15-year-olds Saturday in Huntington Beach.

Local girl Courtney Conlogue, 15, of Santa Ana, California won the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) 6-Star Hurley U.S. Open today over defending event champion Malia Manuel (Wailua, HI), also 15, who claimed the U.S. Open Nike 6.0 Pro Junior, in a high-scoring Final in six-to-eight foot (2 metre) surf today at South Huntington Beach Pier.

Conlogue won the hard-fought battle over the young Hawaiian with huge backside blasts on the steep lefthanders in the Final to log a 9.00 and an 8.17 in her score line, placing the defending champion in a combination situation. Each of the impressive scores earned by the Huntington Beach local were awarded with one single maneuver, allowing her to take out her first major ASP WQS victory.

“I’m pretty much speechless,” Conlogue said. “Malia (Manuel), she’s an amazing surfer and to win that heat was to die for. I want to thank Malia for putting on a good Final with me. I’m so stoked to have had that Final with her. I was just going out there and having fun and that’s what I’ve been doing this whole contest and it ended up working out. I’m going to try and carry that throughout all of my contests this year.”

The young American’s victory today solidifies her as a threat to the rest of the world’s finest competitive surfing talent and continues to establish the explosive regular-footer as a frontrunner in the women’s progressive surfing movement. After completing her educational goals, Conlogue expects to set her sights on the Women’s ASP World tour.

“I’ve got to finish school first, but definitely the ASP World Tour is coming soon enough,” Conlogue said.

Malia Manuel put on a banner performance throughout the entire Hurley U.S. Open, and claimed the U.S. Open Nike 6.0 Pro Junior en route to her runner-up ASP WQS finish. Manuel’s Final berth was no easy feat, as she defeated reigning two-time ASP Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (Tweed Heads, AUS), 21, in the women’s main event.

“I’m so over the moon even to make it to the final day,” Manuel said. “It was great out there. Courtney is an amazing athlete and she was the deserving heat winner.”

Manuel took out her U.S. Open Nike 6.0 Pro Junior title in dramatic fashion when she nabbed a last-minute wave to overtake the win over Sage Erickson (Ojai, CA), 18, who finished in second, defeating fellow finalists Cannelle Bulard (REU), who finished in third and current ASP World Tour rookie Coco Ho (Sunset Beach, HI), 18, who finished fourth.

“I’m glad I had the Pro Junior to fall back on,” Manuel said. “Surfing against Coco (Ho) was great and Sage (Erickson) almost had it in the bag and some miraculous wave came and I got to pick it up and got a score. I’m just happy to be here today and surf in both finals.”

The young regular-footer is now ready to start gaining more ASP WQS experience to eventually make a push towards qualification for the ASP Women’s World Tour.

“I think it’s time to put my foot through the door and do a couple of WQS events,” Manuel said. “I’m in no rush, I’m only 15, so I’m just going to get some experience going on and hope for the best and hopefully in a couple of years I’ll be doing what Coco (Ho) and Steph (Gilmore) are doing right now.”

Women’s Hurley U.S. Open Final Results:
1 – Courtney Conlogue (USA) 17.17
2 – Malia Manuel (HAW) 12.67

Women’s Hurley U.S. Open Semifinals Results:
Heat 1: Malia Manuel (HAW) 11,17 def Laura Enever (AUS) 6.27
Heat 2: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 11.33 def. Carissa Moore (HAW) 7.47

Surf’s Up – The Basics

Summer is in full swing so what better time to head to the beach and try surfing? If you’ve never tried it, surfing can be a bit intimidating. But fear not, we have all the tips you need to get  started.

The Basics

Learning to surf is not as scary or hard core as you may think.  It does, however, require patience so don’t be disappointed if you’re not riding  your board upright by the end of the first session.  In fact, until you become competent, you might just walk your board out, turn it round to face shore, climb on, paddle like mad when a wave approaches and enjoy the ride lying down.

We’ve all seen pro surfers riding massive breaks and barrels but you don’t need really big waves to enjoy surfing. If you have a longboard (exactly as it sounds – a longer, more buoyant board) you can surf in waves as small as a foot high.  Most surf schools use longboards for beginners, often with a foam surface to help avoid injury.

If you’re just starting out, it’s usually easier to learn to surf a beach break – meaning the waves break as they approach the beach – as opposed to a reef break (like in Hawaii) where the waves break where they hit the reef. A beach break is generally less intimidating and you don’t have to paddle your board out as far.

Catching a Wave

The truth is you’re never going to learn to surf by reading a tutorial.  You just have to get out there and try it.  But the feeling you get when you catch your first wave will be one you will remember forever.

Basically, here’s what you’re going to try to do:  As a wave approaches, turn the nose of your board toward the beach, lay down and begin paddling.

As you feel the wave lift you and your board, paddle as hard as you can and lean your weight forward. The natural tendency is to lean back to keep the nose from going under water, but that will only slow your momentum and make it more difficult to catch the wave.

Lean forward but raise your chest so that your weight is just above the center of the board. You’re going to want to begin standing just as you feel the pull of the wave.

Presumably, you’ll first practice standing on your board on dry land. Lie on  your surfboard on the sand  (remove your fins to avoid damage) and do a basic push-up quickly. Once your arms are at full extension, pull both knees toward your stomach and hop to your feet. Do this repeatedly to program your subconscious to be ready for what you will do in the water. Whether you stand with your right foot or left foot forward will establish your membership into a long standing rivalry between regular foot and goofy foot surfers.

So once on the water, you’re going to paddle for a wave, and just as you feel the momentum of the surfboard flow faster than your paddling speed, you are ready to hop up on your surfboard.

1.  With your hands firmly grasping each rail, push up quickly.

2.  Simultaneously, extend your arms completely and pull your knees quickly up to your chest. Be sure to keep your weight centered with just a little slant forward.

3.  Place your feet firmly on your board, one foot near the tail and one foot

4.  Don’t stand up completely erect. Keep a low center of gravity by crouching down and focusing your weight on the midpoint of the surfboard. Balancing on a surfboard is no different than balancing on a skateboard or even a bicycle. Just keep your arms out and your eyes looking forward (remember: your surfboard will always follow your eyes and head, so focus on forward motion.

Master standing up and riding the wave in and then you can practice wave-riding and all the fun stuff that goes along with the next level of surfing.

Surf Etiquette

Once you do learn to actually ride a wave, surf etiquette is essential. The first and most basic rule of surfing is that the surfer who gets to his/her feet first and is closest to the whitewater  has priority and theoretically owns the wave.

So, if you don’t want to be an outcast or a target for aggression, never drop in on another surfer.  Taking off in front of that surfer is a serious breach of surfing’s most coveted rule.

Camps & Clinics

If you’re looking for a camp, class or clinic to help get you started, check out our database.

Lingo

Oh, and before you head out,  make sure you know how to talk the talk.

Air
getting airborne

Bail
to abandon a board; jump off

Barrel
space inside a breaking wave between the lip and face; a surfer may be completely hidden from view during a barrel ride. See tube.

Bashing
body surfing

Beach Break
waves breaking over a sand bottom

Break
when a wave passes from deep to shallow water the crest or top part of the wave tumbles or “breaks” down the face of the wave

Bodyboard
boogie board

Booger
a bodyboarder

Bump
a swell created by the wind

Carve
technique where surfer slices up a wave using her board like a large knife

Curl
term used to describe the concave face of the wave just before breaking

Da Kine Wave
killer wave, Hawaiian-style

Drop
the initial part of a ride when a surfer slides down the face of the wave.

Dropping in
catching a wave that is already occupied

Falls
the pitching lip of the wave

Fluff
spray off the lip

Gnarly
awesome and intimidating

Grom or Grommet
young surfer

Ground Swell
wave formed over vast distances, well formed and powerful

Hang Ten
longboard maneuver where the surfer hangs ten toes of both feet over the front the board

Hodad
beginner or non-surfer

Leash
a line attaching the board to the rider

Lip
part of a wave that pitches out from the top as the wave begins to break

Log or Stick
slang for surf board

Longboard
usually over 9′ in length; easier to paddle and get into waves but difficult to maneuver

Noodle
exhausted, overall condition or specific as in noodle armed

Paipoboard
Hawaiian wooden bodyboard

Pearl
wipeout where the nose or front of the surfboard goes under the water (from pearl diving)

Pit
the hollowest portion of a breaking wave

Pitch
the act of the lip throwing out in front of the wave

Point Break
wave formed in reaction to a land form

Rail
side edge of a board

Reef Break
wave formed over an underwater reef or rock

Scabbed
getting damaged by a reef or rock

Set
series of waves

Shaper
person who planes and sands a blank to the desired shape

Shortboard
ranging in length from 5′ to 7′;used for high-performance contest-style surfing.

Shred
advanced, high-energy surfing with ability to execute rapid repeated turns

Snake
paddling around behind someone who is in position and stealing their wave.

Stuffed
getting driven under the water by a wave coming down on you

Tail
rear 12 inches of a surfboard

Thrashed
when a wave lays a beating on you

Tube
the cone shaped hole created inside a wave

Vertical
turn straight up the wave

Waffling
rapidly working the board back and forth

Wahine
girl surfer

Wax
used on deck of boards for traction

Wipe Out
a particularly spectacular fall

Hurley U.S. Open of Surfing pays tribute to 50 years of competitive surfing at Huntington Beach Pier

If it’s July, it’s time to pull out the board shorts and head down to the HB Pier. The nine-day event, known as the U.S. Open of Surfing, returns to Huntington Beach (“Surf City, USA”) July 18 to 26, 2009. This is the mother of North American action sports events; the Vegas of surfing with over 500,000 spectators, a host of entertainment stages, peripheral activities and tribes of hardcore fans who pack the sand to watch the competition.

The pier’s been the site of the extravaganza for 50 years now, starting with West Coast Surfing Championships (WCSC) and evolving to today. When the first comp took place in 1959 it quickly became the biggest surfing event in the country – if not the world. HB local Jack Haley won the first event while the legendary Linda Benson took women’s. And it marked the beginning of a long tradition of competitive drama along the 300-yard stretch known as the “South Side.”

In 1960, the women’s division was added to the Championships. Last year 14-year-old Malia Manuel became the youngest finalist ever at the US Open. Runner-up Coco Ho, 17, made it an all-Hawaiian final and a major statement that there’s a new generation in town.

This summer, Hurley takes the U.S. Open of Surfing to a new level, infusing a youthful attitude, elite athletes, fashion and music—all against the backdrop of 50 years of competitive surfing. The “Walk of Champions” pays tribute to this storied history with a special walkway dedicated to the “50 years at the pier” celebration. This will include a timeline with key dates and happenings, along with photos and a list of all the former champions.

The U.S. Open of Surfing boasts North America’s only six-star World Qualifying Series-rated men’s and women’s competitions, longboarding and men’s and women’s junior disciplines. As work crews snap together the last bleachers, and put the finishing touches on the nearby Tiki village, this year’s event promises to be as big and bad as ever.

Technically, the US Open is an all-access event. Just about anyone can get in, but the truth is that because of its high ratings on the circuit, a lot of Big Names surf this contest. It may not be Pipeline or Trestles but the world’s best show up.

Many of the world’s best female surfers are barely getting their driver’s licenses. Carissa Moore, last year’s champ Malia Manuel, Coco Ho, Sally Fitzgibbons…the list goes on. Which is why this year’s Girls Nike 6.0 Pro Junior will pack in all the drama and performance level of a major world tour event.

Halfway through the grueling season, 3000 points up for grabs and $4500 for first place in the women’s division. But most important, it’s that launch pad into the Bigs. Win here, and you’re on your way.

Nevermind that the hype doesn’t always match the waves. Summer in Huntington can mean mediocre surf near the famed pier. Sometimes it’s a surfers ability to perform in sub-par conditions that divides the groms from the pros. Maintaining speed, pulling tricks and destroying mid-sized waves takes real talent.

Whatever the conditions, the event has enough sideshows to keep it interesting. BMX bikers drop into a 13 foot deep kidney-shaped pool, FMX demos take place, DJs and live bands crank loud music, and dozens of sponsor tents promote new products to the massive crowds.

With all the local and international talent, anything can and does happen at this comp. The next superstar might easily emerge from the pack to become part of the U.S. Open’s  colorful and coveted history. So if you’re in SoCal at the end of the month, be sure to make it down. Should be fun.

Tubular Girls spotlighted in July issue of Vanity Fair

The latest issue of Vanity Fair (July 2009) wants you to meet the newest female stars of surfing.

The VF spread, featuring Alana Blanchard, Sally Fitzgibbons, Sofia Mulanovich and a bevy of other surfers (promoting next month’s US Open of Surfing) show that fifty years after Gidget stirred up waves in the male-dominated surfing world, a new set of young women in their teens and 20s are revolutionizing the sport, from the beaches of Montauk to Australia.

Back in April, New York photog Michael Halsband, who specializes in artists, musicians and surfers, traveled to California’s Newport Beach to shoot the coolest surfer girls.

In addition to Blanchard and Fitzgibbons you can see Sierra Partridge, Leila Hurst, Blanchard, Malia Manuel, Coco Ho, Laura Enever, Sage Erickson, Quincy Davis, Courtney Conlogue and Hailey Partridge in the magazine.

There are a bunch of photos online (including outtakes from the shoot)  and some video below. Be sure to pick up theVanity Fair issue and if you’re near Huntington Beach, California July 18 – 26, the US Open of Surfing plays center stage to one of the top stops on the ASP Tour. Put in on your calendar and don’t miss a minute of the fun.

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