ISA PRESS RELEASE DECEMBER 2005

IN THIS ISSUE
1. ISA News
2. ISA Events
3. ISA Calendar
4. SurfAid International
5. International News
6. Regional News
7. Contact the ISA

1. ISA NEWS

SURFING SOUTH AFRICA RECEIVED LETTER CONFIRMING MEMBERSHIP IN THE SA SPORTS CONFEDERATION AND OLYMPIC COMMITTEE (SASCOC)

(December 9, 2005) “Congratulations, Robin, for a job well done!” replied Fernando Aguerre, President of the ISA upon hearing the following news from Robin de Kock, Director of Surfing South Africa and ISA Vice President.

Robin’s official announcement:

Great news for Surfing South Africa! Surfing has just been confirmed as a member of the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) which means we are now included with all the Olympic sports.

 SASCOC has replaced NOCSA as the SA Olympic Organization.

For more information contact Robin at: rosadian@iafrica.com

2. ISA EVENTS
 
QUIKSILVER ISA WORLD JUNIOR SURFING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2006
The ISA, in conjunction with the Confederação Brasileira de Surf, will be presenting the Quiksilver ISA WJSC 2006 in Maresias, Brasil. The contest will be held from the 6th to the 14th of May.

ISA WORLD SURFING GAMES 2006
The ISA, in conjunction with the Surfing America, will present the 2006 ISA WSG in Surf City USA – Huntington Beach, California. The contest will be held from the 7th to the 15th of October. 
 

3. ISA CALENDAR

YEAR EVENT LOCATION DATES
2006 Aloha Cup: South Africa, Namibia and Britain South Africa January 2006
2006 PASG Peru January 15 – 23, 2006
2006 ISA World Junior Surfing Championships* Maresias, Brazil May 6 – 14, 2006
2006 ISA World Surfing Games* California, USA October 7-15, 2006
2006 ISA Biennial General Meeting 2006 California, USA 
Early October
2006 ISA Annual General Meeting 2006 California, USA Early October
2006 ISA World Kneeboard Championships* Santa Cruz, CA USA Fall 2006 (TBD)
*An ISA Sanctioned Event

4.  SURFAID INTERNATIONAL

WITH YOUR HELP WE CAN SOLVE DEADLY PROBLEMS.

December 26, 2006 marks the one-year anniversary of the devastating Tsunami that rocked coastal communities of the Indian Ocean last year. Prior to this terrible disaster, SurfAid International was eagerly expanding successful health programs, targeting deadly, yet preventable, diseases in the islands off Western Sumatra.

When the Tsunami struck, SurfAid was positioned to provide critical relief to communities devastated by the massive waves, thus saving thousands of lives. Since then, SurfAid has re-focused on the fight against the daily disasters of terrible diseases such as malaria, measles, tetanus, polio, cholera and whooping cough.

True, lasting change does not happen overnight, which is why we are committed to our beneficiaries for the long-term.  With your help we can solve these deadly problems. Please send in your financial contribution today.  

We only ask once per year, and following your contribution we invite you to stay informed of our collective progress by receiving SurfAid's eNewsletter. Visit our website to donate online or mail a check using our printable donation form.

With your support, SurfAid will continue to save lives everyday.
www.surfaidinternational.org

SURFAID RECEIVES 2ND HUMANITARIAN HONOR IN 4 MONTHS

(December 1, 2005) In recognition of the capability and potential of our small but heavy hitting nonprofit, SurfAid International was invited to attend the TIME Global Health Summit in New York.  Perhaps the most prestigious and knowledgeable gathering ever of health professionals and world leaders, the goal of the conference was to discuss major health problems facing the developing world and share ideas for overcoming these deadly issues.

Excerpt from On Board, SurfAid’s eNewsletter. For more information on this and SurfAid, please visit: www.surfaidinternational.org

5.  INTERNATIONAL NEWS

AUSTRALIA
HUGE WEEKEND COMPLETED AND ON TARGET TO BREAK THE 6000 PARTICIPATION MARK
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 12 December, 2005: - - Completed at over 60 beaches around Australia on the weekend , this year's massive all-girl event is on target to break the 6000 in numbers barrier and possibly introduce up to 7,000 girls to the joy that is surfing this summer.
Final numbers are to be collated on Monday following a massive instructional weekend in ideal beach weather throughout Australia's coastline, across 60 surf schools Australia wide. It's the world's biggest learn-to-surf event and is in its 15th year of operation. Despite this it remains a 'grass roots' program that caters for all ages, backgrounds and ability.
The program has been developed and sculpted throughout the years to deliver a fun, non-threatening and healthy way for girls to get stoked on the ocean. It's the perfect way to welcome the holiday season and the ideal activity to kick-off summer.
www.ripcurl.com.au / www.surfingaustralia.com

BARBADOS
NEW EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FOR THE BARBADOS SURFING ASSOCIATION
 
(December 12, 2005) The Barbados Surfing Association has a new executive committee, which was elected at our recent AGM last week. Please update accordingly. Following is the new committee.
 
President - Andrew Lewis 
Vice President - Paul Marshall 
Secretary - Margot Tuach 
Treasurer  - Rachel Roett 

Phone numbers and e-mail address will be sent ASAP. 
To all have a good Christmas and better New Year.

Andrew Lewis
President.

BRAZIL

OFFICIAL NOTICE 22/2005:  EXTINGUISHING OF THE WORD "AMATEUR"

(December 4, 2005) Under the authority of the Brazilian Confederation of Surf and all affiliates, in the use of its legal and statutory attributions announce the following:

In concordance with the International Surfing Association’s Rulebook, the ISA being the International Olympic Committee’s maximum authority governing surfing on an international level, and according to the CBS Rulebook - BRAZILIAN CONFEDERATION OF SURF, recognized entity to the ISA and by the Ministry of the Sport of the Brazilian Government and for Brazilian the Olímpico Committee as maximum authority of administration of the Surf in national level, " AMATEUR" will not be used in describing any type of event and action developed by any affiliated Entities of  CBS after today.

Curitiba, 4 December 2005 from Antonio José Marchesini de Barros, President

CIRCUITO MARESIA BRASILEIRO DE SURF AMADOR DE 2006
1ª etapa – MARACAÍPE, Pernambuco, March 3 - 5
2ª etapa – MARESIAS, São Paulo, April 28 - 30
3ª etapa – Bahia (Location to be chosen by Federação Baiana),  July 1 - 3
4ª etapa – MATINHOS, Paraná, September 1 - 3
For more information visit: www.cbsurf.com.br

COSTA RICA
SURF CIRCUIT COMES TO TAMARINDO

(December 28, 2005) Twenty-three year-old American Anna Garaway was in Costa Rica for the second time, and figured she might stay a couple of months to do some surfing and look around.

Four weeks in and all that has suddenly changed.

She’ll return to the US to see her friends and family next month, but she now has a return ticket, bringing her back on February 7. In so doing, she will miss the Circuito Nacional de Surf’s competition in Jacó in the New Year, but be right on time for February’s date in Dominical.

Last Sunday, in lackluster conditions, Ms Garaway from Santa Cruz in California surfed her way into top spot in the women’s category of the national surfing circuit Tamarindo meeting. A month earlier at Playa Avellanas and in the opening round of competition, she did the same thing, beating Costa Rica’s current number one woman surfer, Lisbeth Vindas.

And just like that, in a category that’s as wide open as any, Ms Garaway, a shortboarder who grew up riding alongside her four sisters and two brothers, is two for two and in with a real crack at Costa Rica’s national women’s title.

“My oldest sister was a professional surfer, but I used to play soccer all the time,” she says of her entry into the sport. “But when my family moved right on the beach, it was difficult for me to keep playing. The beach was right there, and I could surf with my sisters.”

For others, two days in Tamarindo were full of mixed blessings.

Tamarindo’s Federico Pilurzu, who spends more time abroad with his surfboard than in Costa Rica, used his knowledge of local conditions plus his international experience to win the open category, beating Playa Nosara’s Vilbert Wingrove and Durby Castillo of Playa Pavones.

“There are a lot of new young people who are surfing very well on almost all beaches of the country,” said Pilurzu, who has spent recent months competing in the 2006 Matix/Sun Diego Pro Am Surfing Series in La Jolla. In the last contest he reached the quarterfinals.

“In the last few years, the level has increased especially in the technical part of surfing, and that’s because people have had the chance to leave here and compete in other countries against excellent surfers,” he said.

Pilurzu’s win came as a blow, however, to Isaac Vega, the Villareal surfer who stormed to prominence last month, when he beat some of the country’s top surfers to take the first round of the national circuit. Vega went out in the first round Saturday morning.

“I lost a little of my concentration,” he admitted. “Once it was my turn, it was about ten minutes without me catching a wave, then I got some, but it was not enough.”

His wasn’t the only disappointment. Angie Forigua, the 17-year-old surfer from Villavicencio, in Colombia, who surfed so strongly in the newly-formed junior women’s category in Playa Avellanas, had to be content with fourth place.

In the end it was Lupe Galluccio, the 13-year-old Playa Esterillos surfer, who climbed onto the winner’s podium, beating highly fancied Tamarindo girl Natalie Bernold, who had made an impressive start Saturday.

“Now we have our own category, we are competing against each other,” said Ms Galluccion. “It makes it more fun because we are competing at our own level and at least one of us makes it through to the final.”

In other categories Carlos Muñoz also notched up his second victory for the season, repeating his success at Playa Avellanas in the mini-grommets. His brother, Alberto, won again in the mini-grommets category.

The national circuit moves to Playa Jacó January 7 and 8

Submitted by Ellen Zoë Golden: EllenZoe@aol.com

LISBETH VINDAS PUTS COSTA RICA ON TOP OF LATIN AMERICAN RANKING WHEN THE TICA FINISHED FOURTH THIS YEAR

(December 21, 2005) Costa Rican, Lisbeth Vindas, finished in fourth place if the women’s division of the Latin Pro 2005 which finished the annual calendar circuit this past Sunday in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.

According to the Asociación Latinoamericana de Surf’s (ALAS – the association that organizes the 14 dates of the tour in countries like Chile, Argentina, Columbia, Costa Rica and Peru among others) website, the competitor from Jacó placed fourth with 11410 points.

In the ALAS tour this year, 42 women participated in the feminine division, competing in at least one event and finishing on Surfers Beach of Aguadilla, on Isla del Encanto.

Per the association’s website, the girl’s top three positions went in to Argentinean, Ornella Pellizari (15902), followed by Natacha Rodriguez (Venezuela, 13792) and Agostina Pellizari (Argentina, 11572). After appearing in the ALAS championship, Vindas is now preparing for the WQS event that begins early in 2006 on the 5th of January in Florida.

Other surfers besides Vindas in the tica delegation set to complete in the WQS will be Diego Naranjo, Federico Pilurzu and Luis Vindas  - all will carry the national flag in this series of tests that will conclude December 5, 2006 in Sunset Beach, Oahu, Hawaii.

Lisbeth, Naranjo and Luis Vindas were all on the ALAS tour together.   Naranjo finishing seventh (24895) and Vindas coming in ninth place (21624) in the Open division where 210 other competitors surfed at least once in the tour.

This year, three Peruvians, Gabriel Villarán, Gabriel Aramburu and Javier Swayne with 32305, 29595 and 27745 points respectively dominated the Open division of the Latin Pro.

In the Junior division, the tico Juan Carlos Naranjo finished eighth with 6575 points and Chilean, Manual Selman, won with 13506 points.

For more information, please contact Luis Castillo, reporter for the Federación de Surf, tel. 3639921: luiscastrillo68@yahoo.com

THE POWER OF SURF

(December 9, 2005) Costa Rica’s famous waves have attracted tourists for a long time, but a few years ago, we who have been here from the beginning of the surf tourism influx began to notice huge growth and realized the positive impact that this sector could have for this country.

 But even though we had that knowledge, we still lacked factual evidence to earn respect for our suspicions, and about what those surf tourists could do for the fortunes of Costa Rica. That confirmation arrived a few weeks ago when the Costa Rica Tourism Bureau (ICT) released information that last year (2004) 222,659 surfers arrived here by air in search of good waves. In doing so, these surf tourists generated $273.3 million in income for Costa Rica, staying an average of 10.3 nights in the country, with a daily cost of $119.  The total cost for the year was spent on car rentals, lodging, food, souvenirs, tours, and related aspects of the sport.

Receiving information of this type, from a government organization of the magnitude and official character of the ICT, finally puts Costa Rica in the international big leagues, and also forces us to design a strategy to draw even more attention on our surfers and this distinct culture of natural travelers.

Up front, we need to bust through the smokescreens of politics that keeps Costa Rica itself from recognizing its own potential with surfing both with the tourism dollars that come the sport, as well as the competitive aspect that we in the Federation have been fostering in the Circuito Nacional de Surf for six years (and our having to raise our own funds to send Costa Rican National Surf Teams to international competitions without governmental support.)

In addition, we need to improve the quality of our nationwide beach access to visitors, and simultaneously implement an international publicity campaign to that promotes the Costa Rican surf power—world-class waves, surfers, tourism, and more—to the United States, Europe, Latin America, Australia and elsewhere. Costa Rican businesses must also give strong financial support to local surfers and their activities.

With the ICT reporting such high surf tourism numbers in 2004, the dollars spent by those visitors in Costa Rica made an excellent socio-economic impact on evolving zones such as Puerto Viejo, Jaco, Tamarindo and the entire Peninsula of Nicoya. This has also helped draw investment, both private and public, in these locales, allowing surfing and its culture to shape the future of Costa Rica development.

Another challenge for the Costa Rican surf world: Waves here may be taken seriously within the Latin American circuit for professional contests, however, in the world competitive market, their power and awe is considered very low compared to regions like Hawaii, Indonesia, Australia and South Africa. 

With all of the international surfing competitions available for Costa Rican participation, we must take advantage of the superb athletic talent available and find the financial resources to send the best, qualified National Team to represent on our behalf. The leadership of the Federation of Surf is aware of this challenge, and for that reason has been working hard to accomplish these goals with projects such as the 6th edition of the Circuito Nacional de Surf (CNS), which kicked off this past weekend in Guanacaste’s Playa Avellanas at the Pinilla Classic and will continue until April with the Grand Finals April 7 and 8 in Playa Hermosa. In January 2006, the top-ranked surfers from last year’s CNS critiqued along with the best of the first two dates of this year’s Circuito form the Costa Rican National Surf Team and travel to the prestigious Pan American Games 2005 in Lima, Peru on January 15 through 23, 2006.

 Money for the Pan American Games will be raised privately as the Costa Rican government has yet to officially sanction surfing, even though the team will be representing this country among others from around the world.

All in all, Costa Rica has a big advantage in our favor for surfing as a whole: Beautiful, natural beaches with stunning waves and a variety of breaks set in a culture where locales treat tourists well. The costs here are less than other parts of the world and this is a country without a military, so security is good, rest assured.

These conditions serve to point out that, without a doubt, Costa Rica is a planetary reference point for those who love the adrenaline rush of surfing.
 
By Antonio Pilurzu President, Costa Rica’s Federation of Surfing. For more write to Ellen Zoë Golden EllenZoe@aol.com

IRELAND

T-BAY HOST CHARITY EVENT BENEFITING HOUSING PROJECT IN NICARAGUA
On Saturday the 17th of December T-Bay hosted a charity event in aid of Housing for Boaco, which is an Irish charity building houses in Nicaragua. It was also a fun event with prizes supplied from The Reef Surf Shop, Impact Surf Shop and Beach Break Surf Shop. There were free refreshments served afterwards in the Surf Centre while watching the finals on the Large screen.... there was also an open junior event. All proceeds went to Charity....

NEW ZEALAND
DÉJÀ VU’ FOR OUTER ISLAND IN QUIKSILVER CORE STORE SURF CHALLENGE!
 
(Tuesday, 13 December, 2005): Outer Island surf store has made it two in a row, winning their second consecutive Quiksilver Core Store Surf Challenge held in two-three foot (1m) waves in the chilly waters of Blacks beach near Dunedin on New Zealand’s South Island.
 
Mike Oakley, Nick Black, Llew Thomas and Daisy Thomas teamed up in the 45 minute tag-team style final fending off challenges from rival stores Assault, Hydro, R&R and The Fridge to claim the win, earning themselves undisputed bragging rights as New Zealand’s number one Core Store team and a berth directly into the Core Store grand final scheduled for the pumping waves of Snapper Rocks, Queensland next March.
 
There Outer Island will surf it out against winning stores from six Australian states in front of thousands of surfing fans at the number one event on the Association of Surfing Professionals 2006 World Championship Tour, the Quiksilver Pro presented by Samsung. A cool $10,000 first place prize is up for grabs and all four employees will also receive assistance with airfares, accommodation on the Gold Coast courtesy of Quiksilver plus V.I.P passes to the pro.
 
Island blitzed the field today, jumping out of the gates to an early lead with all four surfers ultimately completing their wave count within 30 minutes to finish on a winning total of 41.23 points. Assault were their closest rivals with Mike Kiwi, Anna Hadfield, Joe Hadfield and Cale Tolley only managing to get within 10 points of them. Hydro finished third.
 
“We're totally over the moon about our win today. The team can’t wait to head back to Snapper and take on the other Core store winners. Hopefully we can take out the title for New Zealand!” said Alan Coburn, Outer Island’s team manager and owner.
 
“We totally appreciate this great concept and already look forward to competing in the challenge again next year,” he added.
 
The back-to-back victories for Outer Island follows an emerging trend with three other stores also dominating their respective challenges two years in a row. Aloha (NSW, Australia), All Above Board (Qld, Australia) and Freeride (Tas, Australia) have already completed the double and confirmed their berths to the Gold Coast grand final.
 
Following the event today all competitors enjoyed drinks, a barbecue and prizes were handed out courtesy of Quiksilver and F.C.S (Fin Control Systems). First place team members received buff valued close to $1,000 each, consisting of sunglasses, watch, backpack, boardcover, F.C.S H2 fins and a Quiksilver Surf Store voucher. Second placed contestants received prizes worth $700, third received $500 worth and fourth took home $200.
 
The Quiksilver Core Store Surf Challenge criteria is unique, requiring teams to consist of a total four surfers, including at least one female surfer and the option of one store sponsored surfer. All participating surfers must be surf store employees.
 
Just one region remains to decide the grand final field with 2004/05 inaugural challenge grand champions Island Surfboards of Victoria hungry for their second bid at the major prize.
The Victorian round is scheduled for the epic waves of Jan Juc in the New Year.
 
The Quiksilver Pro presented by Samsung will take place at Snapper Rocks, Gold Coast, Australia between February 27 – March 12, 2006. The event window also incorporates the first event of the 2006 ASP women’s world tour, the Roxy Pro presented by Samsung.
 
The Quiksilver Core Store Surf Challenge is proudly supported by Australian Surf Business (ASB) Magazine and FCS (Fin Control Systems).
 
Full tour dates are: Duranbah (Qld) 18 Oct, Scarborough (WA) 27 Oct, Middleton (SA) Nov 8, Avalon (NSW) 17 Nov, Roaring (Tas) 30 Nov, Dunedin (NZ) 13 Dec and Jan Juc (Vic) 7 Feb 2006.
 
Official results NZ Quiksilver Core Store Surf Challenge
1st Outer Island (Mike Oakley, Daisy Thomas, Nick Black, Llew Thomas) – 41.23 pts
2nd Assault (Anna Hadfield, Mike Kiwi, Jos Hadfield, Cale Tolley) – 30.13 pts
3rd Hydro Surf (Tash Civil, Maru Pou, Scott Todd, Nick Mills) – 15.73 pts
4th R and R (Nikki Jones, Tim Green, Brad Melville, Stefan Brown)
5th Place - The Fridge (Jeremy Holding, Chris Hogan, Pae Pou, Haami Pou)

OUTER ISLAND GUNNING FOR THE DOUBLE IN SURF INDUSTRY CHALLENGE!

(Thursday, December 8, 2005): Quiksilver's second annual Core Store Surf Challenge is to commence next Tuesday, 13th at Dunedin with up to six teams of surf shop employees going head-to-head in the tag-team style industry surf off.

Inaugural 2004 champions Outer Island (Christchurch) are joined this year by Central Surf (Christchurch), Assault (Mt. Maunganui), R&R Sports (Dunedin) and Hydro Surf (Dunedin).

Some serious prizes are on the line with thousands of dollars worth up for grabs!

Outer Island team surfer Mike Oakley says his team has already been preparing for the surf showdown in anticipation of some stiff opposition.

"We've been doing a couple practice runs, I think the teams are going to be a bit harder this year. Assault had a really good team last time so we're expecting big things from them," said Oakley.

"Last year it was held at Kaikoura which was fairly neutral territory, but this year at St. Clair the local teams could definitely have an advantage," he added.

In 2004 Outer Island won a berth into the Quiksilver Core Store Challenge grand final, which was held in the pumping waves of Snapper Rocks, Queensland during the first event on the Association of Surfing
Professionals tour, the Quiksilver Pro.

If Outer Island can claim the double next week they'll be heading back to try and improve upon their placing last year where they competed against winning teams from six Australian states for the first prize of
an all expenses paid trip on board the Quiksilver Crossing.

In March 2006 at the Quiksilver Pro teams will battle it out in front of thousands of surfing fans for a whopping first place prize of $10,000.

"Queensland was wicked," added Oakley, "but the guys over there were just so on their game. Most of us had never surfed Snapper before so it was bit hard to get our heads around it."

Hopes are running high for all teams next week, with the winners also being given V.I.P. treatment including exclusive passes to the pro plus assistance with airfares to the Gold Coast and accommodation.

Spectators are urged to get down to Dunedin and check out the action. Fin Control Systems will have a test-drive centre set up on the beach with a variety of fins available to try free of charge, plus advice from their expert technicians.

Quiksilver will also have a range of wetsuits, and new retro boards waxed up and ready to go featuring the latest designs by shapers including Mark Phipps, Darren Handley and the legendary Mark Richards.

Industry mag Australian Surf Business (ASB) will be covering all the action for an upcoming issue. An afternoon barbecue is also planned.

For further information:
Ben Kennings - Surfing New Zealand
ben.kennings@surfingnz.co.nz
+64-7825 0018

Al Fennell - Quiksilver Australasia
al.fennell@qsilver.com.au

JJ Jenkins Media Manager - Quiksilver Australasia
jj@qsilver.com.au

ROXY'S ELITE TEAM HIT NEW ZEALAND FOR SURF JAM!

(December 7, 2005) The Roxy Surf Jam, a free all-girl instructional surf day that demonstrates surfing skills and basic water techniques in a fun way for women of all ages, will be staged at Whangamata, on New Zealand's North Island tomorrow and Christchurch, in the South on both days this weekend.

Standout performers from Roxy's elite surf team head the extensive tour that kicked off in Queensland, Australia in September before weaving its way right around the Aussie coastline through five states and now New Zealand.

Joining the tour in New Zealand will be a colourful star-studded cast of Roxy team riders including Carly Smith (Byron Bay, NSW), Australian longboarding champion Selby Riddle (Gold Coast, QLD) and top junior Jemma Lenton (Sunshine Beach, QLD).

Local riders taking part include Lisa Hurunui from Te Atatu Peninsula, Auckland and Pippi Sopp of Whangamata.

Carly Smith, an experienced competitor who has been in attendance at many Surf Jams says it's not only first timers who benefit from the fun day at the beach, but also many of the girls who have become addicted surfers and are returning for more.

"Some girls have enjoyed it so much they've joined us four years in a row," explains Smith. "Our education on surf awareness and conditions has helped them progress time and time again. The girls are getting years of knowledge from those who know best and best of all it's delivered right on the spot."

Top Roxy rider, 21 year-old Chelsea Georgeson, the winner of the recent Roxy Pro, Haleiwa and current 2005 Association of Surfing Professionals women's world no. 1, has been on hand to lend her experience at the previous Jams.

"It's great to see these Roxy Surf Jams happening, everyone should take advantage of the free lessons and just come down and hang out," said Georgeson. "They are fun days. I'm just stoked to see that girls are being encouraged to pick up a board and go surfing."

Roxy's professional surfers will team up with fully accredited surf coaches to give the girls practical advice and step-by-step instructions on surfing equipment, etiquette and the environment straight from female professional surfers.

With women's surfing becoming increasingly popular, hundreds of girls have attended the program and all have been excited by the experience of surfing with some of the world's best female professional surfers. It's not everyday that you get to surf with your surfing heroes!

Registration is only $15 and includes
* a day of surfing and lessons with the Roxy team riders
* a surf jam showbag
* a Roxy t-shirt
* and even more surprise giveaways!

Prior registration is essential and due to demand numbers are limited. Registration information can be found at: www.roxy.com/surfjam or surfingnz.co.nz.

Please note: Whangamata, Nth Island SOLD OUT! due to record number of registrations!

Private lessons are available for media. Bookings are essential. (Full contacts at bottom of release).

New Zealand is the final stop on the three-month tour, which has seen a record number of participants. The 2005 Roxy Surf Jam has traveled through six Australian states, across the Pacific and stopped at more than 20 beaches.

The 2005 Roxy Surf Jam is proudly supported by Girlfriend Magazine, the Victorian Government "Play it Safe by the Water", Vic Health "Play it Safe Through Sport", Surfing Australia and Surfing New Zealand.

 Further information:
Whangamata, Nth Island - Candace Featherstone +64 (9) 414 77 57 candice.featherstone@qsilver.com.au
Christchurch, Sth Island - Donna Wakelin: + 64-0275 622 660  donna.wakelin@extra.co.nz

Media Contact:
JJ - Quiksilver/Roxy Media Manager
Ph: (03) 52 616 000 mob: 0421 384 431
jj@qsilver.com.au

Kristen Rudduck - ROXY Marketing Manager
Ph: (03) 52 616 000 mob: 0419 368 163
kristen.rudduck@qsilver.com.au

SOUTH AFRICA
LET’S GO SURFING SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

(December 29, 2005) This is the first LGS event for 2006.  To start this year we have managed to combine forces with the National Sea Rescue Institute. (NSRI) and our contact person for the “NSRI Water wise’ initiative, Linda Els, is currently the Youth Development Project Coordinator. She will be facilitating the participation of the NSRI at the LGS clinic.

In addition to the normal coaching sessions, we will be running a development contest, in depth water safety tips and CPR classes.

Other beach related activities (Flags, beach soccer, cricket etc) are planned as well. The event hopes to attract more than 150 kids from the Western Cape. The event will start on the 6th January and end off on Sunday 8th.
The event is a Surfing South Africa (SSA) initiative and is supported by Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA).

The contest will focus on entry-level surfers only. Those surfers who have previously reached the second rounds of ANY entry-level event/development contest and above will not be allowed to enter.

Friday 6th
Registration and indemnity    0.900 to 11.00
Preparation: Warm-up.     11.30 to 12.30
Surf lessons  & Talent identification   12.30 to 16.00
Briefing on following days events    16.00 to 16.30
Day ends

Saturday 7th
 Registration and Indemnity (late entries)   09.00 to 9.30
Warm-up – Stretching etc.     09.30 to 10.30
Surf lessons      10.30 to 13.00
Lunch       13.00 to 14.00
Surf lessons & Talent identification    14.00 to 16.00
Briefing on following days events    16.00 to 16.30

The NSRI will spend time with breakaway groups throughout the day.

Sunday 8th
Contest day
Divisions are as follows
• U10 boys and girls
• U12 boys and girls
• U14 boys
• U16 girls
• U16 boys
• Open girls
• Open boys
• 
There are no seedings. The contest Format will be decided after entries have been finalised Entry to the contest is limited.  Contest entry forms will be available from Natalie Solomon at the beach on Friday and Saturday.  Registration for the contest will close on Friday and Saturday at 16.00 on Saturday 7th.

First heat will start at 08.30am
Prize giving at 17.00pm

The NSRI will spend time with breakaway groups throughout the day.

Cecil Solomon
Transformation and Development Director
Surfing South Africa

Event Coordinator  Cecil Solomon
Event Administrator  Natalie Solomon (083 2735 790)

TOP ARTISTS RIDE ART WAVE
 
(December 8, 2005) CAPE TOWN - Prominent South African artists, including Beezy Bailey, Brett Murray, Sanell Aggenbach, Richard Scott and Cameron Platter, have decorated vintage replica surfboards for a unique auction to raise funds for the NSRI and Cape Town Shark Spotters. Their 'canvas' has been one of 12 identical surfboards - exact replicas of the board ridden in 1977 at Pipeline, Hawaii, by Shaun Tompson, South Africa's only world surfing champion. The surfboards, with a single wooden fin, were made by shaper Spider Murphy in Durban to the same specification as the original and delivered to top sculptors, illustrators, cartoonists and painters, also including Konradski from Bitterkomix, Lizza Littlewort, Richard Hart, Andy Mason, Rowan Thompson and Brahm Van Zyl.
 
The Wavescapes Surf Film Festival, presented by FNB, will host the art exhibition, to be held at the VEO Gallery and Art Warehouse, Jarvis Street, Cape Town, between December 8 and 18. The surf film festival starts on Friday December 9 with a giant screening beneath the stars that turns Clifton Fourth into a giant open-air cinema. Proceeds from the auction will go to the NSRI and the Shark Spotters in False Bay. The auction forms part of a wider exhibition of surf art by artists from along the South African coast, including cartoons by Zapiro that have a surfing theme.
 
The film festival - supported by GQ, the Cape Times and Cape Town Routes Unlimited - was launched in Cape Town last year, and has been expanded to include a coastal road show and the surf art exhibition.
 
Organiser of the film festival, Steve Pike from Wavescape.co.za, said: "The commission was for the artists to open up and push the envelop of their artistic license, to use the boards as their canvas, their subject, their malleable material. The brief was open-ended. They're free to do with the board what they want, whether to mangle it into bits, stab it with fondue forks or mould them into a Kylie Mynogue bust. It promises to be a wonderful example of artistic expression in its purist form!"
 
If you're still in need of some surfing soul during your 'Endless Summer', the film festival roadshow pulls into Hermanus, Vic Bay, Knsyna and Plett between 27 December and 7 January 2006. A 1967 split-screen Kombi covered in a giant surf design will bring the films to holidaymakers, and includes outdoor shows in Hermanus and a big screen film right on the beach at Vic Bay.
 
Spike says that the jaw-dropping slow motion opening sequence of Mike Parsons weaving down a 60' Jaws juggernaut is a must-see at the Clifton outdoor show, when a three-storey inflatable screen will be erected and the big wave documentary Billabong Odyssey projected onto it. Showing at the film festival will be a range of local and overseas movies such as Sprout, Second Thoughts, Blackwater, Campaign 2, A Brokedown Melody, and Dungeonkeepers at the Labia Cinema and the Brass Bell, Kalk Bay. Dungeonkeepers is a South African retrospective covering six years of the Red Bull Big Wave Africa event at Dungeons off Hout Bay. Several films in the lineup feature women surfing as a theme, such as AKA Girl Surfer, with an all-women cast.
 
Brett Erasmus, Head of Marketing, Consumer Segments at FNB, said: "Following the resounding success of last year's festival FNB has again decided to support this festival. Surfing is a celebration of what South Africans hold dear - sun, sea and the beauty of the great outdoors."
 
Newly appointed editor of Zigzag surfing magazine, Will Bendix, said that surf films were the fix that kept surfers going when the surf was flat, whether from the professionals ripping the waves in what you could call a surf variation of 'block-buster Hollywood action flicks' right over to the 'cruisy, more soulful stuff that gives you a different angle on what riding waves is about.
 
Check out www.wavescapes.co.za or call the info line on 072 424-6965 for schedule and booking details. For information on the giant screen, visit www.justpushplay.co.za or call 084 6222 400
 
 
Compiled by
OJ
Olivia Jones Communications
Mobile: +27 (0) 82 537 8840
Email:olivia@atomgate.com
 
Forwarded by Surfing South Africa
rosadian@iafrica.com

 HODGE HALTS DE MAROUSSEM'S THREE-YEAR ROXY WAHINE REIGN

(December 4, 2005) Roxy Wahine Cup presented by Peugeot Tamarys de Maroussem's (Westbrooke, KZN) three year reign as the Roxy Wahine Cup Open Division champion was ended Sunday (December 4) by 2005 ASP Africa's Pro Junior Women's Champion, Rosanne Hodge (East London).
 
Hodge walked away from Suncoast Beach R10 000 richer, after winning the Open division of the seventh edition of Roxy Wahine Cup, the biggest stand-alone women's surfing contest in the country.
 
An elated Hodge said after the Award ceremony "I missed last year's Roxy Wahine Cup as I was in Fiji at the Roxy Pro.  However, to win this year's event is awesome.  I have just written matric and will be joining the WQS Tour in Australia in January, so this money will be used for my travels."
 
Stacey Guy (Melkbosstrand, Cape) finished second and de Maroussem placed third. Sarah Johnston (Warner Beach, KZN) came fourth.
 
The event, which attracted over 180 entries from around the country, produced winners in five in the Novice, Under 14, Under 16, Under 18 and the premier Open Division.
 
Several girls surfed two divisions, which was quite a feat in the twenty-five knot northeasterly wind and two to three foot choppy swell.
 
Hodge, managed to win despite surfing back-to-back in the Under 18 and Open-Division finals.  She was runner-up in the Under 18 division, but took the Open title with a combination heat score of 17 points out of a possible 20.
 
Another Roxy team rider, Nicole Annels (Warner Beach, KZN) scored an 8.75 ride in the Under 18 Final to give her the edge over Hodge.
 
Nikita Robb (East London) continued her recent run of success by winning the Under 16 division.  Port Elizabeth girls took the top three positions in the Under 14 division, led by Philippa Anderson.  Winner of the Novice division, and a year's sponsorship from Roxy, is Durban North's Madz Nixon, who, at 31, was one of the oldest competitors in the contest.
 
Running concurrently with the weekend's contest, was the Roxy Learn To Surf Tour, which will now move to every premier beach around the country over the festive season.  (See list of dates and venues).
 
The Roxy Wahine Cup was presented by Peugeot and co-sponsored by Mentos, Saltwater Girl magazine and All-Stings.
 
The annual event is sanctioned by Surfing South Africa (SSA), the sport's governing body, with the Open division included in on the 2005 ASP Africa Pro Surf Tour (PST).

 
RESULTS OF THE ROXY WAHINE CUP:
 
OPEN DIVISION:
1st:    Rosanne Hodge, East London
2nd:  Stacey Guy, Melkbosstrand (Cape)
3rd: Tamarys de Maroussem, Westbrook Beach (KZN)
4th:   Sarah Johnston, Warner Beach (KZN)
 
UNDER 18:
1st: Nicole Annels, Warner Beach (KZN)
2nd:   Rosanne Hodge, East London
3rd:   Michelle Imeson, Warner Beach
4th:   Leslee Salzman, Melkbosstrand.
 
UNDER 16:
1st: Nikita Robb, East London
2nd: Philippa Anderson, Blue Water Bay, Port Elizabeth
3rd: Alice McGregor, East London
4th: Tarryn Chudleigh, Scarborough, Cape Town
 
UNDER 14:
1st: Philippa Anderson, PE
2nd: Alice McGregor, East London
3rd: Faye Zoetmulder, Blue Water Bay, PE
4th: Heidi Palmboom, Bluff
 
NOVICE:
1st: Madz Nixon, Durban North
2nd: Kerri Hodgkinson, Cape Town
3rd: Andrea Mellon, Durban North
4th: Kathryn McCleod, Doonheights, Durban.
 
Issued on behalf of: Roxy
By:  Frances Park-Ross, KPR Consultants,
Tel 031 572 4655 or 082 458 4178
 
THE ROXY LEARN TO SURF TOUR 2005/6:
 
EAST COAST:
•         3 - 4 December -   Wahine Cup / Suncoast Beach
•         8 December -   Ballito (Thompson's bay)
•         10 & 11December -   Richards Bay (Alkantstrand)
•         16 & 17 December -  Margate (Main Beach)
•         19 & 20 December -       East London (Nahoon Beach)
•         22 & 23 December -  P.E. (King's Beach)
•         27 - 30 December -   Plett (Lookout Beach)
•         3 January 2006-  J-Bay (Kitchen Windows)
•         5 & 6 January -  St Francis Bay (Main Beach)
•         6 January   Cape St Francis (Seal Point Beach break)
 
 
WEST COAST:
•         07 December -   Melkbosstrand (Main Beach)
•         09 & 10 December -  Bloubergstrand (Big Bay)
•         10 December -   (Sat) Bloubergstrand (Big Bay)
•         12 December -   (Mon) Camps Bay (Main Beach)
•         14 December -   (Wed) Llandudno (Main Beach)
•         15 December -   (Thurs) Hout Bay (Main Beach)
•         17 December -   (Sat) Fish Hoek (Main Beach)
•         19 & 20 December -  Muizenberg (Main Beach)
•         23 & 24 December -  Strand (Main Beach)
•         27 - 30 December -    Hermanus (Grotto Beach)
•         03 January -   (Tues) Kommetjie (Long Beach)
 
For further information, contact:  Natasha Bellingan 082 560 1640

AN UPDATE ON SSA’S SHEEDY
 
December 1, 2005 - It was Sheedy, our former SSA Office Administrator's 51st birthday today and her sister brought her to visit me.

Although she is much better physically, psychologically she is battling to come to terms with the fact that she will never be the same again.

The stroke she suffered has left her paralyzed down one side and she cannot type or work on a computer. She also needs to be aided when she walks, as she does not have very good balance.

Unfortunately she is no longer able to work for Surfing South Africa and I am at present sorting out her UIF payments and trying to get her a Government disability grant.

She has many other financial, personal and physical problems and although she puts on a brave face she is lonely and depressed.

She is very grateful to Lisa Mace, Sarah Baum, Puvashnee Nydoo, Tarryn Chudleigh, Border Surfriders Association, KZNSA, WP Surfing and the John Whitmore Trust as well as all those who put money into the collection box at the O Neill SA Junior Champs for their kindness and generosity. The amount raised was R4, 692.

She is still desperately short of funds to pay her medical bills and her day-to-day expenses so anyone out there who still feels that they would like to support Sheedy can still deposit any amount into the following account:

 
SURFING SA
FNB RONDEBOSCH
Bank code 201509
61017128590

Robin de Kock, SSA Executive Director

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

COLLEEN HANLEY NAMED SUPPORTING ARTIST OF THE USA SURF TEAM

(December 14, 2005) The walls of Surfing America’s new office space may not have many windows, but they hold something a lot more majestic than the Orange County skyline.  San Clemente Artist Colleen Hanley has provided 13 of her original surf paintings to adorn the newly occupied work place.
 
In a truly unique collaboration, Colleen was even asked to recommend paint colors for the walls that would complement her vivid imagery on canvas.  The office serves as a showcase gallery for Hanley’s work, where art lovers can appreciate as well as purchase her masterpieces.  Originals as well as limited edition prints are available through Surfing America, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the USA Surf Team, who recently won the bronze medal at the 2005 Quiksilver/ISA World Junior Surfing Championships.  Wholesale pricing is also available.
 
When asked to comment about the new endeavor, Colleen remarked, “It’s a wonderful idea that people can support the surfers and the artist while at the same token be rewarded with a fine piece of art that represents their participation.  Surfing America is a family of talent and families support one another.”
 
Colleen Hanley first made her mark in the surf world as a top young female athlete.  Changing gears from being a competitor, her time has recently been spent embracing her artistic and musical talents.  Aside from the Surfing America office, her artwork is on display at exclusive locations, including the Billabong store at Times Square in New York City.
 
"The USA Surf Team is both super stoked and deeply honored to have Colleen's work on display in the office," said Surfing America's Executive Director Mike Gerard.  "Her art is evocative and alive!  And it fits the new office space perfectly.  The walls come alive as Colleen's work stirs a deep chord of exhilaration--while powerfully nailing the positive, good-vibe, spirit of surfing and aloha.  Where words can't describe the nobility of Surfing America's Mission, Colleen's work illustrates it." 
 
Surfing America is the ISA-recognized National Governing Body for Surfing in the United States.  The International Surfing Association (ISA) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the World Governing Authority for Surfing.  Surfing America’s mission is to promote the growth, competitive success, and positive image of surfing in the USA and to provide the best possible experience for all participants by encouraging, developing, advancing, and administrating the sport – while producing champions.  As part of this mission, Surfing America is responsible for selecting the USA Surf Team and bringing them to international competition.
 
The new digs are located at 33157 – B Camino Capistrano in San Juan Capistrano, CA (next door to the Coach House).  The public is always welcome.  For a viewing appointment, please call 949-276-4660.  For more information visit: www.surfingamerica.org and www.colleenhanley.com
 
Press Contact:
 
 
Mike Cianciulli
Surfing America, Inc.
33157-B Camino Capistrano
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Tel 949-276-4660
Fax 949-496-9190
Cell 805-704-1484

VENEZUELA

RONALD REYES IS THE NEW LATIN AMERICAN LONGBOARD CHAMPION

(December 11, 2005) Ronald Reyes from Venezuela was crowned today as the new Latin America Longboard Champion after winning the Marcelo Freitas Longboard Latin Pro at Los Caracas Beach, beating his closest rival, Gerhard Welheim at the grand final, showing a great surfing, confirming his status as the greatest longboarder of the year.

Reyes took a great advantage of the four to five foot waves uncharacteristic to the zone. On the other side, Weilheim rode an excellent wave at the beginning of the heat, but he took off before the horn sounded so his top two rides did not count. Other standouts of the day were the also Venezuelans José Chopite and Giovanni Pinto, placing third and fourth respectively.

The last stop of the tour will be held at Puerto Rico the next weekend. With today result, Reyes discarded 2000 points and added 3000, having now a 1000 points advantage over Welheim that also bettered his rating points, discarding 1720 points and adding 2580. Incredibly in the possible case scenario in which Welheim wins at Puerto Rico, and Reyes gets a worse than second, they will get tie in their six best results of the year, so the seventh best result will come into count, and they will be tied again, so then, is the other best result makes Ronald Reyes the Latin American Longboard Champion.

GREAT PARTY AT SAMOA

The surfing weekend ended with a great party that took place at Samoa Restaurant, located at Las Mercedes. The prizes ceremony was great and the 13th birthday of Zona Radical was a main attraction. The local ska-reggae band, Wahala, showed a great spectacle of good music.
 
The Longboard Latin Pro, and all the activities of the weekend were possible thanks to the Tourism institute of the Vargas State, Samoa, La Mega, Vargas Government, Grupo Intenso, and had the support of the Venezuelan Surfing Federation and the Latin American Surfing Association.
 
RESULTS:
Longboard Open
1. Ronald Reyes
2. Gerhard Weilheim
3. José Chopite
4-. Giovanni Pinto

6. REGIONAL NEWS

REEF PANAMERICAN SURFING GAMES 2006 COPA MOTOROLA

The Pan-American Surfing Association (PASA) in conjunction with the Federación Deportiva Peruana de Tabla (FEPTA), have the pleasure of presenting this opportunity for national federations to send national teams to Lima, Peru to compete in the seventh annual Pan-American Surf Games, to be held January 16 – 23, 2006
 
IMPORTANT CONTACTS:
PASA:
Antonio Sotillo
President
asfvsurf@c-com.net.ve
 
Maile Aguerre
Vice-President
E-mail: maile@isasurf.org

Event Director:
Karin Sierralta

E-mail: karin@surfingperu.org
Website: www.surfingperu.org

Submitted by Maile Aguerre: Maile@isasurf.org

CSI ISA REPORT DEC 2005
(December 12, 2005) CSI exists to serve the world surfing community with the love of God. CSI is essentially local surfers from local churches interacting with their local communities. Our national groups interact with the amateur surfing bodies where they exist. Contact info@christiansurfers.net or www.christiansurfers.net

New look CSI website. Thanks to Webmaster South Africa’s Mark Edwards (also sporting a new wife! congratulations) for extensive changes to www.christiansurfers.net on line Credit Card donations now available and simplified navigation.   

“Noah’s Arc” DVD goes off in Central America. Noah’s Arc is a great new biographic surfing DVD produced by “Walking on Water” of Noah Snyder and his friends. Buck Waters reports that he and Panama’s George Merino had an amazing time with 6 screenings of the Noah’s Arc DVD in 4 nations over 10 days.

ISA Games. Huntington Beach CS chapter assisting in accommodating the Tahiti team to the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Championships. Brett Davis and Marty Uhler attended the first AGM on behalf of CSI to the ISA. Invitation has been extended to offer hospitality to 2006 ISA Games.

Portuguese and Spanish versions of surfer’s bible. After meetings with Bible Society Brazil the Portuguese version is due for release in March 06. For more information, contact Sergio on sergiobusatto@ig.com.br The Spanish version has also begun work and interested people can contact Ramzi on ramzitubbeh4@yahoo.es.

Sri Lanka Oct 15-30th CSUK’s third team is about to return from Sri Lanka doing further development of aid from money raised with www.tsunamisurfrelief.co.uk. Our sympathies to Phil as he left the day after his dad’s funeral. 

Bali mission building teams sought– Framework and walls are now emerging for Bali’s first Youth and Community Centre. Short-term mission building teams for Feb-April 06 are being sought with projects for plumbers, electricians and carpenters. Contact Richard Agius maltaman71@hotmail.com for brochure outlining needs. The `Buy a Brick for Bali’ has been a great success now with some A$175,000 raise towards the final amount of $180,000. Ado says “Guys are stoked to hear that we are offering this service free to locals as a place they can hang out, learn English, gain other skills and surf”.

EDJE MEDIA PREPARES FOR LAUNCH OF MOVEMENT MAGAZINE US EDITION IN SPRING 2006

Movement Magazine US Edition will serve as the "missing link" in American Bodyboarding media coverage left open by other publications.

Laguna Niguel, CA December 1, 2005 -- Spring of 2006 EDJE Media (http://www.edjemedia.com) will be offering an American version of the prestigious Movement Magazine. The magazine will be available for the U.S market focusing on American bodyboarding.

Movement magazine has become a dominant publication in Australia since it was started two years ago. “This has been a long awaited move for us” said Ben Player founder of the magazine, “We have been waiting for the right people to work with in America since we began and now all the pieces of the puzzle are complete”.

EDJE media joins forces with Movement Magazine in order to provide unparalleled editorial, and advertising content for the U.S market.  Top American professionals Jeff Hubbard and Eddie Solomon will be working as the consulting team for EDJE media. “We have an incredible staff of bodyboarders
on board with us on this venture,” said Hubbard, “this magazine is going to be about the best of the best, the best American stories and photos coupled with the best distribution, working alongside the best creative and artistic staff with the style that Movement Magazine is known for.”

Dealing direct with Anderson News Company as the chief distributor agent for Movement ensures that this magazine will be seen in the right places.
Anderson News is the cover girl of the magazine wholesale industry. Based in Knoxville, Tennessee, Anderson News Company controls an estimated 45% of U.S. single-copy sales. Companies in Anderson's network include Wal-Mart, Kmart, bookstores, mass merchants, grocery stores, drug stores, discount retailers, and just about any place that sells books and magazines.

Wise Owl Worldwide Publications will be operating Movement Magazines subscription services for the general public and surf shops alike. Wise Owl is a family-owned and operated business established in 1974 providing subscription services for 1000's of national and international magazines.

“With this magazine, bodyboarders will have their own identity consistently visible again for the mainstream public. It is not just for kids, it is geared for the bodyboarders of America, period.” said Eddie Solomon

Movement is a bi-monthly publication that is set to hit stores and retail outlets this spring.

Meanwhile, check out the Movement USA website at www.edjemedia.com for subscriptions, news, posters, hats, and shirts. And don’t forget to add a Movement link to your website from http://www.edjemedia.com/linktous.html

7. CONTACT THE ISA

International Surfing Association
5580 La Jolla Blvd. #145 ◦ La Jolla, California 92037 USA 
Tel: 858-551-5292, Fax: 858-551-5290
Layla Marcille, ISA Operations Manager layla@isasurf.org
Website: www.isasurf.org


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Layla Marcille

ISA - Surfersvillage