Blog Posts

2013 Billabong Pipeline Masters In Memory of Andy Irons Day 2 Recap

12/10/2013

Kelly Slater drops in during round 4

Day 2 of the Billabong Pipeline Masters finished today, and the ASP World Title is still up for grabs. Wave conditions were about 6-7 feet, with a few barrels coming in on some of the bigger sets. Kelly Slater, John John Florence, Joel Parkinson, and Yadin Nicol all advanced to the quarterfinals. However, Mick Fanning made a very uncharacteristic error in the final wave of his 4th round 3 man heat, when he dropped in on John John Florence and got an interference call. Fanning was penalized and dropped from 1st to 2nd in his heat, handing John John Florence the top spot and a pass to the quarterfinals. So Fanning will have to compete in round 5, keeping his world title chances alive.

Other highlights include; Yadin Nicol scored the only perfect 10 of the day with an amazing barrel. Joel Parkinson eliminated Dusty Payne in round 3 despite Dusty's amazing performance, he couldn't get a 2nd high scoring wave. And Miguel Pupo had an amazing barrel scoring 9 points when he eliminated Josh Kerr in round 3.

Slater starts round 3

Slater pulls under the lip in round 3

Slater carrying speed

Dusty Payne

Dusty Payne and Joel Parkinson come in together after a hard fought round 3

We are blogging live from the 2013 Surfer Poll Awards!

12/7/2013

Best barrel of 2013: Didier Tinhin.

Worst Wipeout: Peter Craig at Mullaghmore

Womens Surfer Poll Results

5th: Stephanie Gilmore

4th: Coco Ho

3rd Carissa Moore

2nd: Sally Fitzgibbons

1st: Alana Blanchard

Mens Surfer Poll Results

10th: Andy Irons

9th: Gabriel Medina

8th: Taj Burrow

7th: Joel Parkinson

6th: Jordy Smith

5th: Dane Reynolds. Also had quote of the night in his thank you speech "thank you Quiksilver for sparing me from the massacre this year."

4th: Julian Wilson

3rd: Mick Fanning

2nd: John John Florence

1st: Kelly Slater

Kelly Slater at the Surfer Poll Awards

12/6/2013

We'll be updating live as results come in.

Ezekiel Lau Wins the Vans World Cup of Surfing Even at Sunset Beach

12/2/2013

In 5-6 foot conditions Ezekiel Lau won the Vans World Cup of Surfing at Sunset beach. While the waves weren't perfect, they were good enough for a few barrels that allowed Ezekiel to defeat Damien Hobgood, Raoni Monteiro, and Frederico Morais. See all the highlights in the above video. Click here for the full webpage and vid.

The Vans Triple Crown will end with the Billabong Pipe Masters which starts on December 8th. This will be the battle between Kelly Slater and Mick Fanning for the ASP world title. Mick Fanning is looking like the favorite to win with a 7,200 point lead over Slater. But do not count out Slater. If Fanning fails to make the quarter finals and Slater wins the even, Slater will become the champ for the 12th time.

Red Bull Filmed the Epic St. Jude Day Swell in Nazare, Portugal

11/18/2013

The St. Jude Day storm that almost killed Maya Gaberia has been discussed and debated. Regardless of everyone's opinion, it takes guts to go out in those conditions and even more to risk your own life to save a fellow surfer. That's what Carlos Burle did when Maya Gaberia fell on a huge wave, Carlos went after her seeing that she was unconscious. Red Bull has now put that moment and the surfer's thoughts into their own film. Full link is here.

Crazy Downhill Skate Vid On Roads That Were Not Closed

11/7/2013

It's crazy enough to skate down some of California's roads. But most videos are shot on closed sections of street, or using a lead car to spot oncoming traffic. This video of Liam Morgan used no such precautions and its nuts. Don't forget to crank up the volume, especially if your're watching this at work in your cubicle.

Laird Hamilton says Carlos Burle Did Not Make the 100 foot wave, and Calls Maya Gabeira Inexperienced. But Ken Collins Claims Otherwise.

11/2/2013

In an interview with CNN, Laird Hamilton says Carlos Burle failed to complete the ride on the wave in Nazare, Portugal. He also explains how big wave surfers need decades of experience before attempting record setting rides, and Maya Gabeira (age 26) lacked that experience.

Ken Collins responded in the video below saying that women like Keala Kennelly and Maya Gabeira, will never get a fair shake from the male dominated club of big wave riders.

Holy Sh#t, That's a Big Wave

10/29/2013

Carlos Burle on a possible 100ft wave. Photo: To Mane from dailymail.co.uk

The St. Jude Day storm which has been pounding Europe for a few days, and left13 dead in its wake, is responsible for another record setting wave. The storm sent some of the biggest waves in recent months to Nazare, Portugal. Yes, the same spot Garrett McNamara surfed earlier this year on a wave that is now viewed as slightly smaller thatn 100 feet. Brazilian surfer Carlos Burle was towed into what looks like a 100 foot wave. The conditions were life threatening for Maya Gabeira. Prior to his ride, Carlos rescued Maya who was knocked unconscious by a wave, broke her ankle, and nearly drowned. The dailymail.co.uk has more amazing photos of this day. Hats off to anyone who even got in the water tried to ride these beasts.

Hawaii Surfer Punches Shark to Escape Attack

10/27/2013

According to Fox News, Jeff Horton put up the fight of his life and won. On Sunday, Jeff was surfing Pila's near Kilauea, when a shark lunged at his foot. The former boxer's honed skills took over as he jumped on the shark and started punching it. Whether it was due to luck or skill, he escaped unscathed except for a few scratches. But his surfboard has a nice chomp mark as a souvenir. Like a true champ, Jeff surfed the next day... at a different spot. If anyone sees Jeff on the North Shore of Kauai, be sure to buy him a shot.

Kelly McGarry Nails a Backflip over a 72 Foot Gap Jump at the Red Bull Rampage

10/23/2013

Back in the 80's the biggest back flip on film was Cru Jones in Rad. Now Kelly McGarry has upped the ante slightly, and threw a backflip over a 72 foot gap at the Red Bull Rampage. That's huge. That's 24 yards, 4 yards longer than then an extra point kick in football. He also had no room to spare. The flip comes at 1:09 in the video. Check the contest video below if the helmet cam POV above makes you air sick.