ISA Newsletter

International Surfing Association September 2006 Newsletter

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 2 September, 2006 : - - ISA Press release September 2006. In this issue: 1. ISA News 2. ISA Updates 3. ISA Events 4. ISA Calendar 5. National Governing Bodies’ News 6. Regional Surfing Associations’ News 7. International News 8. Environmental News 9. SURFAID International 10. Contact the ISA

1. ISA NEWS

COACHING AND SURFSCHOOL NEWS
It is all positive on the Surfschool front for the ISA as we move to take a higher profile in setting up a global network. The last three months have seen activity on a number of fronts but challenges still lie ahead in the short term.

The ISA's overall plan is to bring all coach and instructor training and surfschool recognition, under its international standard. Already the foundation is there under the Surfing Australia Surfschools Worldwide program which is in the process of being transferred to the ISA.

The Level 1 instructor / coach accreditation is the basis for the coaching system, with Level 2 in Elite Performance and Level 2 in surfschool Management following and becoming more specialized. Higher levels will follow.

The ISA would like to see more NGBs involved in accepting responsibility for the training of presenters for the various courses and arranging for them to be conducted. This is done under a General License agreement with the ISA. It is relatively easy to move down this path as the ISA will provide presenters for the initial courses until your domestic people come on stream and after that as required. Currently the following NGBs are involved, Brasil, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Barbados, Ireland.

If you are an operational surfschool and you are in good standing with your NGB you will be able to apply for affiliation to the ISA. We are working hard to finalize an insurance package for global use, which will protect the surfschool owners and coaches from negligence and public liability matters. Surfschools will have to agree to specific minimum operational standards and coach accreditations to access these affiliations and insurances.

It is all part of bringing the surfschool activities into a "business" mode. Surfschool affiliations exist in Fiji, Venezuela, Peru, Australia and currently we have enquiries from a variety of locations including Taiwan, Philippines, Mexico, El Salvadore, Dominican Republic, Guatemala.
NGBs, coaches and surfschools interested in being part of the ISA Coaching & Instructor Certification Program and surfschool affiliation system should check the ISA website.

2. ISA UPDATES


ASR TRADE EXPO
The ISA will have an information booth at the Action Sports Retailer (ASR) Trade Expo. ASR provides the ultimate showcase of the action sports and youth lifestyle market by attracting the world's largest and most powerful brands and buyers representing such diverse markets as surf, skate, swim, snow, footwear, and fashion.

ASR is the #1 trade event for networking, developing and fostering industry relationships. ASR always delivers the maximum exposure to the worlds leading retailers, distributors, marketers, athletes, designers, media and manufacturing company chiefs. Get in there, get noticed, and get business done. ISA booth #1610

Dates: September 8-10, 2006
Location: San Diego
San Diego Convention Center
111 Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92101
More info: www.isasurf.org and www.asrbiz.com

EMAIL SIGNATURE
Please create a signature for emails sent to the ISA from your National Surf Federation, in order to identify yourself and your organization. This is to include your Name, your Title, Organization, Phone, Address, and Website.

Example: Kate Herber
ISA, Operations Manager
5580 La Jolla Blvd, PMB 145
La Jolla, CA 92037
Tel: (858) 551-5292
www.isasurf.org

ISA ACTIVITY REPORT
Due to ISA June 31, 2006 - Submission of a completed Activity Report is required in order for NGBs to remain as member in "good standing" with the ISA. All such filings must be signed under oath by the head of each NGB to insure the contents are true, correct and complete.

OUTSTANDING ISA MEMBER DUES
Outstanding dues must be paid in order to compete in the upcoming WSG 2006. If paying by wire, add an additional $25 US to account for intermediary bank fees. Thank you!

3. ISA EVENTS

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 14th to the 22nd of October.

2007 WORLD KNEEBOARD CHAMPIONSHIPS, 7 – 14 JANUARY 2007
Kneeboard Surfing International (KSI) is pleased to announce that Kneeboard Surfing USA (KSUSA) will be conducting the 2007 World Kneeboard Championships. The dates for the event are 7 January 2007 to 14 January 2007 at Santa Cruz, California. This event will be sanctioned by the ISA and be conducted in accordance with ISA guidelines.

2007 ISA WORLD MASTERS SURFING CHAMPIOSHIPS, 20 – 28 JANUARY 2007
The International Surfing Association (ISA) is pleased to announce that the Federacion de Surfing de Puerto Rico
(FSPR) has been awarded the rights to host and organize the 2nd edition of the ISA World Masters Surfing Championships.

The ISA World Masters Surfing Championships will take place on the beaches of Rincon, the self-described surfing capital of the Caribbean, in January 20-28, 2007. The event will determine the world's top surfing nations and award individual titles to the world’s top Masters surfers.

QUIKSILVER ISA WORLD JUNIOR SURFING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2007
The ISA, in conjunction with the Federação Portuguesa de Surf (FPS), will present the 2007 ISA WJSC in Costa da Caparica, Portugal on May 4 – 12, 2006. The contest schedule of events is yet to be determined.

4. 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 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships* Maresias, Brazil May 6 – 14, 2006
2006 ISA World Tandem Surfing Championships* Waikiki, Hawaii USA August 17 – 27, 2006
2006 ISA World Surfing Games* Huntington Beach, CA USA October 14 – 22, 2006
2006 ISA Biennial General Meeting 2006 Huntington Beach, CA USA October 16, 2006
2006 ISA Annual General Meeting 2006 Huntington Beach, CA USA October 18, 2006
2007 ISA World Kneeboard Championships* Santa Cruz, CA USA Jaunary 7 – 14, 2007
2007 ISA World Masters Surfing Championships* Rincon, Puerto Rico Jaunary 20 – 28, 2007
2007 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships* Costa da Caparica, Portugal May 4 – 12, 2007
*An ISA Sanctioned Event

5. NATIONAL GOVERNING BODIES’ NEWS

AUSTRALIA
ALEX SURFER MAKES IT TWO OUT OF THREE IN VOLCOM STONEFISH
31.08.2006 -- There must be something in the water at Duranbah.
Something that Alexandra Headland surfer Blake Wilson can’t get enough of. For the second time in three years, Wilson has won the Volcom Stonefish surfing competition, beating a tough field including fellow Coast products Julian Wilson and Mitch Coleborn.

Wilson said that his positive mindset might have given him the edge over the rest of the competitors.
“I was pretty confident going down. I had a really good mindset for the whole contest.
“I seem to have a bit of luck in the Volcom comps,” he said.

Luck might be a bit of an understatement; Wilson has previously won the Australian leg of Volcom’s Totally Crustaceous Surf Tour, and competed in the world finals in California.

Conditions at Duranbah over the weekend weren’t spectacular, thanks in part to south-easterly winds, but Duranbah’s world-renowned sandbanks still provided decent conditions.

“It was a fun little contest,” Wilson said. “It was about two foot; the banks were pretty good.” In a stark contrast to the undersized swell regularly rolling in across the Coast, Wilson is heading to Hawaii in December, for his second Northern Hemisphere winter season. “I went last year, so I know what to expect. “The biggest thing is getting it through your head. If you take off thinking ‘I’m going to fall’, you end up falling,” Wilson said.

Before taking on the brute power of Hawaii’s Northshore, Wilson is competing in the final rounds of the Australian Pro Junior series, with the final round to be held at Bells Beach in Victoria in late September. While a series win is not on the cards for Wilson, his sights are already set on the 2007/08 season, his final as a junior.

“I’m coming 13th at the moment; my goal for the end of the year is to make the top 10. “It sets me up pretty well for next year,” Wilson said. “That’s pretty much what I’ve been training for.”

The final event, the Billabong Pro Teen, offers a substantial $24,000 in prize money and will decide who takes home the 2006 ASP Australasian Pro Junior title, and a spot on the world junior championship tour.

NATHAN WOULFE
http://www.thedaily.com.au

MICHAEL CAMPBELL WINS THE 20TH RIP CURL PRO SUPER SERIES
August, 2006 : - - Australian surfers Michael Campbell (Port Macquarie, NSW) and Josh Kerr (Coolangatta, QLD) have confirmed their spots on next year's Foster's ASP Men's World Tour by finishing first and second respectively at this year's 20th Anniversary Rip Curl Pro Super Series in Seignosse, France.

For Campbell, aged 32, it is his second consecutive World Qualifying Series contest win after his first place finish at the 2006 Lacanau Pro last week. The double result has shot him straight into first place on the ASP Men's WQS Ratings, 274 ratings points ahead of 18-year-old sensation Jeremy Flores (FRA).

The Rip Curl Pro Super Series is the highest rating WQS contest of the season and this year's 20th anniversary helped draw some of the biggest names in surfing. Foster's ASP World Tour stars such as Mick Fanning (AUS), Nathan Hedge (AUS) and Adriano de Souza (BRA) mixed with former greats like Tom Curren (USA), Rob Machado (USA) and Tom Carroll (AUS) who in-turn mixed with future phenoms such as Flores, Ben Dunn (AUS) and Matt Wilkinson (AUS).

In the end though it all came down to two surfers and a 35-minute man-on-man final. Campbell started the heat in the ideal way, posting a 9.17 score on his first decent ride. He added a quick 4.83 score and quickly took control of the heat. Kerr fought hard to strike back, but failed to find the scores he had continually tallied all week. When Campbell added an 8.17 late in the heat Kerr was put in a 'combination situation', which meant he had to total two high scoring rides to fight back at the goofy-footer.

The result was all but over. "It's pretty amazing - I can't really believe it's all happening this quick," said Campbell. "I don't think it will sink in until I go home and reflect by myself, but I'm just really happy right now and stoked for Josh and the other Aussie guys that qualified for the WCT at this event. It's been an amazing day of surfing for me and a great day for Australian surfing."

"Sometimes when you're on a roll, you're on a roll and I guess luck has probably played a big part in my wins here and in Lacanau," continued Campbell, when asked about his relationship with the conditions this week. "It feels good to be in tune with the waves though right now and it's awesome to get another win."

"I'm going to enjoy the rest of the year and not take it too seriously. I'm going to go home now and have some fun, then put my work hat back on next month, keep training and finish the year strongly."

The second place finish was Kerr's best result of the season and has cemented his position in fourth on the ASP WQS ratings. The 22-year-old surfed an amazing final day, taking down Andre Silva (BRA) in the quarter-finals and then former ISA World Junior champion Ben Dunn (AUS) in semi-final 1. When it came to the final encounter against Campbell though, Kerr was under-gunned but happily settled for second.

"I didn't really know what I was doing in the final, but I wasn't really thinking about it - I was more celebrating the fact that I've qualified for the WCT now," joked Kerr after the final. "This is such a prestigious event, plus it's the highest rated 'QS on the tour, so I've had my sights set on it all year and I'm just stoked to do so well in it."

"I have been working so hard and trying to stay focused all year," continued the 22-year-old. "It's kind of hard sometimes with the travelling and parties all the time on the 'QS, but I've had a great year - I've got married and now I've qualified for the 'CT, so it can't get much better. It's really good, but I've got a massive year next year!"

"Mick's confidence is through the roof right now and every turn he makes he puts in 150 per cent," answered Kerr, when quizzed on Campbell's hot form. "I knew Mick was going to take plenty of energy into the final, which he did, but unfortunately it all fell apart for me. I'm stoked with second though!"

The 2005 Rip Curl Pro Super Series was dominated by Brazilian surfers last year, but this year saw an all-out Australian assault on the title. Australian surfers filled six of the eight quarter-final spots and then all four of the semi-final slots.

Young gun and 2006 Foster's ASP World Tour hopeful Ben Dunn (AUS) won the first heat of the morning, eliminated local favourite Jeremy Flores (FRA) in strong form at 9.30am. Flores was the WQS ratings leader coming into the event and knocked out Rip Curl Pro favourite Mick Fanning (AUS) in the round of 16 yesterday. Dunn's luck ran out in semi-final 1 though, losing to Kerr and earning =3rd place.

"I'm so stoked about this result and about beating Jeremy in the quarters," said Dunn. "I'm right on the edge of qualifying so to score this big result is awesome." Semi-final 2 saw Campbell scrape past Dayyan Neve (AUS) to advance through to the final. Neve has had a great week and can take great confidence into the next WQS event in Portugal this week.

www.ripcurl.com/ripcurlpro

AUSTRALIAN MITCHELL CLAIMS 5TH QUIKSILVEREDITION PADDLEBOARD TITLE
31 July, 2006 : - - Honolulu – If Australia's Jamie Mitchell had anything left to prove to the international paddling world, he proved it today by winning his fifth consecutive QuiksilverEdition Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard Race, overcoming grueling open-ocean conditions that spanned the 32 miles of the infamous Molokai Channel.

While tough conditions left all records untouched today, the fact that 29-year-old Mitchell succeeded in warding off 129 other paddlers with adverse winds, waves and tides showed he is without question the master of this sport. Mitchell's winning time was five hours, 19 minutes and 26 second - 23 minutes outside of his 2004 record time of 4:56:03.

Runner-up was highly touted World Ironman Champion Zane Holmes, 25, also from Queensland, Australia - 5:36:38. It was his first time paddling this course. Third place went to California's Gary Fortune, 39, (Malibu) - 6:00:28, who was not tipped to be among the top finishers. La Jolla's Eric Meech was the Mainland favorite, but a run-in with a large fish 10 minutes into the race saw him break the rudder-system on his open class board.

The only back-up equipment he could find was a smaller, 12-foot "stockboard". Despite the mishap, he finished second in the stockboard division (6:28:26), even after incurring a one-minute penalty for his change in equipment. The top stockboarder was Keoni Watson (Honolulu, 6:28:03). The first Hawaii paddler over the line was 53-year-old Matt Barnett (Haleiwa), paddling an open-class board in a time of 6:26:44, for 13th place overall.

Only one woman made the solo crossing today, defending champion Kanesa Duncan, 30, (Honolulu), in a time of 6:33:54. Duncan crossed in 21st place overall. Duncan is the defending women's champion and also the women's course record holder. This was her fifth crossing and fourth victory.

Starting out at 7:30 a.m. from Kaluakoi, Molokai, Mitchell and Holmes set a cracking pace and remained neck and neck for the first 10 miles of the course. Minimal wind and waves made for a level playing field at the start with little opportunity for anyone to gain an edge. But as the wind kicked in to chop up a five-foot swell mid-channel, and as an outgoing tide ripped through the course, Mitchell's technical prowess saw him inch his way well clear of the record field of 128 paddlers to take line honors.

"I did everything right today," said Mitchell. "To beat Zane, he's world class, I knew I had to do everything perfect. I started to hurt a little bit, but I think I felt stronger at the end than at the three hour mark. It was hard - light winds, all over the place.

Zane and I were pretty close. Then there was about five minutes where I linked up a whole bunch of (swell rides) and I put about 75 yards between us... I didn't look back. I was feeling pretty good, so for him to pass me he would have had to have been going pretty amazing. It's really good when you know you did everything right.

"As long as I keep enjoying the paddling, I'll be back. Molokai is such a challenge. The current... you can't even put into words how hard it is. I knew I was probably in the best shape I've been in in the past four years. You look at the calibre of talent and you've got the best waterman in the world to win out there. That's why it's so prestigious. If it was easy, you'd have everyone doing it. Only the strong survive out there."

For Holmes, who had never paddled this far or this long before, his introduction to the Molokai Channel was a painful one and one he vows never to do again on a paddleboard. As he gingerly set foot on the sands of Maunalua Bay, Oahu, the exhausting toll of the channel was clear on his face and the tops of his feet and knees had been rubbed down to raw flesh.

"It was everything they said it would be and more," said Holmes. "I don't know what Jamie thought the conditions were like, but I didn't think it was good. It was all coming from the side - hard work to get the (rides on the swells). At the half-way mark, that's when I started to feel the current and that's when it went all pear-shaped for me. I'd catch up, (Jamie) would pull away, I'd catch up again, but then I just didn't have it in me.

The enormity of the distance... anyone can paddle for two or three hours no problem, but that's when it starts to get really hard. I can't even really remember the last half. I was on another planet I think. Oahu just doesn't seem to get any closer. As you get closer you can see the current's pushing you and you're not even moving. It's the toughest thing I've ever done. I don't think I'll be back, not on a board."

California's Fortune finished more than 40 minutes after Mitchell, succumbing to the physically draining environment as most visitors do in this event. "It was brutal this year, really sloppy," said Fortune. "It was hard to get any good runs. Seems like every year I decide to do this race it's the worst conditions. We don't get swell like this in California, and the heat of the water.... I usually crack in the heat."

Two-man teams are also a part of this race, and today the first team to cross the line was that of Maui duo Kiva Rivers and John Gangini (5:46:34). For the second year there was also a “Beachboy” style stand-up paddle division, taken out by Kevin Horgan (Hanalei) 7:23:14.

The Quiksilveredition Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard Race is considered to be the world championship of long distance paddleboard racing. In all, 128 paddlers set out today - the highest number in the 10-year history of the race. Thirty-six paddled solo. Only two teams and one solo paddler did not finish.

Paddleboards are streamlined boards ranging in length from 12-17 feet and are designed to ride open-ocean swells. They are arm-paddled in a prone or kneeling position.

RESULTS: check www.quiksilver.com for more results
Overall Finishers - Elite-
1. Jamie Mitchell (Aus) 5:19:26
2. Zane Holmes (Australia) 5:36:38
3. Gary Fortune (Malibu, California) 6:00:28

Stockboard Mens Elite
1. Keoni Watson (Honolulu) 6:28:03
2. Eric Meech (La Jolla, CA) 6:28:26
3. Ernie De Silva (Lawai) 6:30:40

Women All Ages
1. Kanesa Duncan (Oahu, Haw) 6:33:54

Stockteam Men All Ages (combined ages)
1. Eric Abbott & Mikey Cote 5:57:53
2. Sam Chillingsworth & Kimo Greenwell 6:28:58
3. Casey Dyson & Marcio Freire 6:41:50

Mixed Team
1. Stephanie Barneix & Walter Goyer 6:29:27
2. Heidi Gutgesell & Greg Quinn 6:49:55
3. Kiyomi & Buddy Sheppard 7:19:19

Women Team
1. Kirsty Bowlay & Belinda Neville 7:19:52
2. Brenda Fried & Crystal Thornburg 7:55:47

Stand up 'Beachboy' Style Men's Team:
1. David & Ekolu Kalama (Maui) 5:28:36
2. Alan Cadiz & Scott Trudon (Hawaii) 5:59:27
3. Todd Bradley & Brian Keaulana (Oahu) 6:14:43

Stand up 'Beachboy' Style Men's Solo:
1. Kevin Horgan (Hanalei) 7:23:14
2. Kamalei Aea (Hawaii) 7:25:39
3. Jack Gillen (Kailua-Kona) 8:08:13

Stand up 'Beachboy' Style Womens Team (all ages)
Andrea Moller & Maria Souza (Hawaii) 7:30:04

Stand up 'Beachboy' Style Mixed Team (all ages)
Emili Janchevis & Michael Richardson (Hawaii) 8:00:53

About QuiksilverEdition
QuiksilverEdition, a division of Quiksilver Inc, is inspired by the waterman lifestyle. Whether surfing, paddling, canoeing or just spending quality time with family or friends talking story, QuiksilverEdition is a great looking, comfortable and stylish compliment to the best moment of our lives.

QuiksilverEdition is a premium sportswear brand built for the man who is looking for a more refined alternative to today's youth-driven surf companies. It is an authentic brand that embodies the rich heritage of Quiksilver's legendary wave and mountain culture.
QuiksilverEdition offers a sophisticated, refined yet still comfortably casual line of men's knits, wovens, pants, shorts, jackets, fleece, sweaters, boardshorts, volleys, tees and hats. Fashionable styling, premium fabrics, quality construction and great attention to detail are built into every garment.

www.quiksilver.com

COSTA RICA
COSTA RICAN FREDERICO PILURZU DEFEATS ROB MACHADO TO ADVANCE LACANAU PRO
18 August, 2006, San Jose, Costa Rica – In 4-foot waves that finally arrived after two flat days delayed his Round 2 heat, Costa Rican surfer Federico Pilurzu showed enough radical and controlled moves to take 1st place over the renowned waterman Rob Machado at the Sooruz Lacanau Pro in France.

Considered the French Pro of surfing, this was Pilurzu´s first European 6-star World Qualifying (WQS) event of the year, and the defeat over Machado—who won the Honda U.S. Open of Surfing in July—advances him to Round 3 of the tournament.

The tournament, which features other WQS surfers such as France´s Jeremy Flores, and two dozen pros from the World Championship Tour (WCT) in a fight that continues today through August 20 at Grand Plage, Lacanau, Gironde, and offers $125,000 in prize money. “Federico´s victory over Rob Machado is not only great for him, but for all of Costa Rica,” said Antonio Pilurzu, President of the Federacion de Surf de Costa Rica, immediately after the heat.

“The kids here can now see that they too can do something more with their skills. They can watch Federico compete and win in these international contests, and have proof that just as they have results in Costa Rica, they too can go up against good surfers and be confident. It’s not impossible. They just have to go and do it.”

Meanwhile, Federico is still competing on the WQS while wearing a splint on the ankle that has been injured for month, and limited his mobility a few weeks ago at the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) WQS Rip Curl Board Masters in Newquay, United Kingdom.

However, after a short break from a rigorous competitive schedule—including winning the Central American Championships in Costa Rica in July, then placing #19 at the Honda U.S. Open of Surfing two weeks later, then Newquay—Pilurzu regrouped at the northern beach break of Zarautz, Spain.

There he met friend and local Aritz Aranburu, a fellow WQS competitor (currently ranked #81), who this past March 2006, visited Pilurzu in Costa Rica, where he participated and won, the Costa Rican Circuito Nacional de Surf tournament. In Zarautz, Pilurzu did physical training with Aritz’s coach and rested the ankle in preparation for the Sooruz Lacanau Pro.

The strategy paid off. Reported Pilurzu after these two successful Sooruz Lacanau Pro heats: “I’ve got pain on the first wave, but it goes away after that. The conditions are okay, the event is underway and I made it through so everything’s going the best way for me so far!”

“When you compete against such good surfers, the mind takes more than 80 percent of the work, ” Federico explains. “Everybody rips, and the guy that has the most clear and confident mind somehow wins. The waves come to you, and you make no mistakes. I’ve just been trying to have a good time, be relaxed and focused during the event. Just thinking positive, and giving my best each time!”

Pilurzu’s is already looking ahead. He is currently wait-listed for the August 21 to 27 Super Series, Rip Curl Pro in Hossegor/Seignosse, Landes-France ($150,000 in prizes), and is confirmed to compete in the 5-star Buondi Billabong Pro in Ericeira, Portugal between August 29 and September 3, which pays $100,000 in awards.

Now ranked #143 out of 800 surfers on the WQS chart, and his goal is to become one of the top 100 surfers in the world to compete in the two 6-star contests in Hawaii at the end of November and December.

www.surfingcr.net

COSTA RICA NATIONAL SURF CHAMPION ISAAC VEGA WINS SURF CONTEST FOR HOMETOWN BREAK
31 July, 2006 : - - Tamarindo, Guanacaste Costa Rica. The premier Century 21 Coastal Estates Charity Surf Classic, finished its three-day eco-event this afternoon, and surpassed all expectations to raise community consciousness for a cleaner beach and the local environment, while raising funds to do so in the form of a surf contest.

Nicholas Viale, who organized the event with Laura Sibley of Liquid Solutions, announced before the presentation of trophies and prizes to the surf tournament winners, that the fundraiser had brought in an unprecedented $30,000 in sponsored cash money, $20,000 in donated services and $15,000 in prizes.

In addition, the surf contest inscriptions, donations, T-shirt and food sales, raffles and other contest profit centers will be accounted by a CPA, and once production costs are subtracted, a net figure will be released. The money will then be distributed to the CENTURY 21 Coastal Estates Charity Surf Classic beneficiaries: Tamarindo’s Ecological Blue Flag Program, the Tamarindo Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation and the Tamarindo Lifeguards.

Already, with over 500 people visiting the beach for the weekend of the Charity Surf Classic, four new Lifeguard Chairs—constructed by EcoMaderas—were installed on the sand from the money of the CENTURY 21 Coastal Estates benefit work.

“I was amazed by everything about this contest,” reported Viale at the end of the day. “The money raised, the sponsor support, the surfers. I feel that we had a real community spirit by end of the Charity Surf Classic. I’ve never, since I’ve been living in Tamarindo, been as proud to be a member of this community.”

As to those surfers, they got going each day at 7:00 a.m. at the Tamarindo river mouth. These included both novice and professional, and in the latter category, athletes from the Circuito Nacional de Surf (CNS) arrived in town at the behest of Federacion de Surf de Costa Rica (FSCR) President Antonio Pilurzu, in order to draw more attention to the efforts of the organizers and to the beach itself.

Isaac Vega, the current Costa Rican National Surf Champion, who won the CENTURY 21 Coastal Estates Charity Surf Classic, lives in Villareal, and surfs Tamarindo regularly.

When asked why now that he makes a living doing contests to improve his professional standing, he would do a contest where the grand prize—though fantastic: a NatureAir Weekend to Bocas del Toro, Panama for 2 persons with 2 nights at PuntaCaracol Aqua Lodge and a Banzaii surfboard—does not raise his surf ranking, the surfer had a simple answer.

“I wanted to enter this contest, and do well in it because I want to do something for Tamarindo, since this is my home. Of course I’m happy I won, and in doing that I helped my beach too,” Vega said after the Charity Surf Classic. Triple threat Junior Champ Jason Torres (Pan American Junior Champion, Central American Junior Champion, Costa Rican Junior Champion);

Volcom teamrider Nino Myrie, who is also a Costa Rican National Surf Champion/2002-03 CNS; Lupe Gullucio, 2005-06 National Junior Women’s Champion; her sister Malia Gullucio, 4th place Central American Women’s Champion; and others including Nataly Bernold, Yorjani Ruiz, Luis Castro, Ronald Reyes, Giovani Perini, Marcel Madura, Lou Maresca and more were also in the contest.

Lou Maresca, the 2005-06 Costa Rican National Masters Champion, is also the head of the Tamarindo Surfrider Foundation. He announced that the money his organization will receive from the CENTURY 21 Coastal Estates Charity Surf Classic will go towards water testing kits that will be used in Tamarindo and Langosta on a regular basis to ensure the safest, cleanest ocean possible.

The Tamarindo Blue Flag Committee, headed by Juanita Hayman, will use their funds from this contest to maintain the prestigious ecological award that the beach recovered from the Costa Rican government in 2005. They will continue to maintain the quality necessary for that reward via improvements such as water quality and environmental management.

During this weekend’s Charity Surf Classic, plants and landscaping were brought in for beautification, and today, a cleanup crew was on hand to make sure that all of the debris of the festivities was removed. Hayman says that Blue Flag will negotiate to use some of the foliage in the renovation and maintenance of Tamarindo’s beach accesses.

Under the direction of Viale, real estate companies and area developers banded together with environmental organizations in an Expo tent on site. For the same two days as the surf tournament, companies altered their principle business of earning money from property sales, and looked towards investing in the well-being of the community itself.

Gabriela Salgado, representing sponsor The Oaks, said they came to this event because, like what Viale is trying to accomplish this weekend, The Oaks very eco-oriented, a model of how to work with the environment. Because of that, Salgado added, “we didn’t want to put out the message that we were here to sell; we wanted to be here for the community. Our clients are going to be here for a long time so we want to offer them a healthy beach and support the surfers.”

Hayman agreed: “I was really surprised to see the community finally come together for a cause that directly benefits everyone. The most valued possession here is not real estate, it’s the beach. This is why is people come here, this is why people surf here, and I think today was an example of recognizing the importance of taking care of the beach.”

www.surfingcr.net

FRANCE
RIP CURL PRO SURF & MUSIC FESTIVAL
Rip Curl Super Series WQS Event
28 August 2006 -- Plage Nord Estagnots, Hossegor, France

Rip Curl Pro Super Series WQS Results:
1. Michael Campbell (AUS)
2. Josh Kerr (AUS)
=3. Ben Dunn (AUS)
=3. Dayyan Neve (AUS)
=5. Jeremy Flores (FRA)
=5. Andre Silva (BRA)
=5. Kai Otton (AUS)
=5. Sam Page (AUS)
=9. Gabe Kling (USA)
=9. Mick Fanning (AUS)
=9. Pablo Paulino (BRA)
=9. Patrick Gudauskas (USA)
=9. Marlon Lipke (DEU)
=9 Ricky Basnett (ZAF)
=9. Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
=9. Leonardo Neves (BRA)

FANNING & FLORES ADVANCE AT RIP CURL PRO SUPER SERIES
25 August, 2006 : - - Hossegor experienced one of the most wild and stormy days the Rip Curl Pro Super Series has seen in its 20-year history today, but that didn’t stop the competitors from tearing into the final 14 Round 2 heats and first four Round 3 heats today in shifty 4-6ft (1.5-2m) surf at Plage Nord Estagnots on Hossegor beach.
It wasn’t an easy feat seeing the surfers in the line-up today, let alone being one of the guys competing but overall the standard of surfing was excellent in the messy conditions.

Competition finished up this afternoon at 6.30pm (local time) after the first four heats of Round 3 were held. Alex Gray (USA) and former ISA World Junior Champion Ben Dunn (AUS) were the two surfers to win through heat 1 of Round 3, defeating Moroccan surfer Abdel El Harim and Brazilian Jihad Khodr. The have now earnt spots in the Round of 24.

Dunn, currently rated 13th on the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) ratings, started the heat strongly with a 6.33 scoring wave and later added a 4.97 to take hold of first place position. He was knocked to second deep in the heat though when Grey picked up two strong scores on consecutive waves. After posting a 7.00-point ride the American paddled straight back out into a bomb set wave. Taking full advantage of the extra size Grey worked the wave all the way through to the shore and was awarded an 8.83.

"It was pretty big and pretty lumpy, bit I’m just so stoked to get through this heat and into the next round," said Dunn, obviously relieved to secure the second advancing place. "The wind made it really hard to paddle out and it was difficult deciding where to sit, but I just kept thinking about the next round and the three man heats and got through. Hopefully the conditions will get better, but I’ll just take tomorrow as it comes."

Heat 2 of Round 3 was another stunner matching contest favourites Mick Fanning (AUS) and Jeremy Flores (FRA) up against current WQS #14 Drew Courtney (AUS) and Gony Zubizarreta (ESP). Flores, the current WQS ratings leader, got the early jump on the trio posting an 8.50 on his very first wave. Getting the early lead has been Flores’ forte this year and it immediately put Fanning, Courtney and Zubizarreta on the back foot.

He couldn’t find a second scoring wave though and Fanning snatched the lead off him roughly half way through the heat. The Australian only held the lead with a two-wave combined score of 11.94 points though and when the 18-year-old Reunion Island export posted a 7.57 on his final wave the win was his. Fanning advanced through to the Round of 24 in second spot ahead of Zubizarreta and Courtney.

"I am very happy to win that heat and beat the surfers in the heat, especially Mick and Drew," said Flores. "I have no pressure, so I am happy to keep surfing." Fanning now has two losses at the hands of Flores [he was knocked out of the Quiksilver Pro in Hossegor by Flores last September], but was not fazed about surfing an average heat in today’s conditions.

"It was just victory at sea... I guess Jeremy got good waves while the rest of us were struggling," said the current Foster’s ASP World Number 8. "He’s having a good run, but he’s not unbeatable. In conditions like today’s it’s whoever gets a decent wave that allows turns."

Fellow Foster’s ASP World Tour surfer Victor Ribas (BRA) won a close battle in heat 3, posting 13.67 points to defeat American Gabe Kling (13.40 points), Brazilian Bernardo Miranda (13.00 points) and Spanish surfer Pablo Gutierrez (11.26 points). Ribas scored an 8.67 wave in the heat, which was the second highest of the round behind Gray’s 8.83.

An absent Joan Duru (FRA) meant that only three surfers paddled out in heat 4, but unfortunately for Eneko Acero (EUK) he was the surfer to finish third and be eliminated. Hawaiian Ola Eleogram and Brazilian Pablo Paulino did enough to keep Acero at bay in the low scoring heat.

There were plenty of major upsets in the remaining 16 heats of Round 2 that were held this morning. The biggest names to fall were Foster’s ASP World Tour surfers Peterson Rosa (BRA), Jarrad Howse (AUS), Chris Ward (USA), Mikael Picon (FRA), David Weare (ZAF), Fredrick Patacchia Jnr (HAW) and defending Rip Curl Pro Super Series champion Adriano de Souza (BRA).

The next call on competition at the Rip Curl Pro will take place at 8.30am (local time) tomorrow morning. The swell forecast indicates another pulse in swell, but also indicates we’ll probably experience stormy conditions similar to today.

http://www.surfersvillage.com/surfing/23532/news.htm

YOUTH MOVEMENT: DEAN BOWEN WINS THE QUIKSILVER KING OF THE GROMS
11 August 2006 -- Dean Bowen (AUS) won a nail biting final against Kiron Jabour (HAW) in the Quiksilver King of the Groms in Capbreton, France today. Bowen's victory earned him a prestigious place in the upcoming Quiksilver Pro France in September, and in the Quiksilver Pro Australia in March 2007.

Bowen, 15, of Gerringong, New South Wales, Australia was ecstatic as he was carried up the beach by his mates, crowned on spectacular hand-carved wooden crown, and showered by non-alcoholic champagne. "It's such a great event," he said. "I really felt I surfed my best all week."

Bowen was equally thrilled to now have a chance to surf against his heroes for two events on the ASP WCT World Tour. "I can't wait to get into a 'CT and try and take some guys out," he said.

Due to the dropping swell, the contest was moved to the open beach break of La Piste. Conditions for the final day were 2-3 feet (.5-1 meter) and not as well shaped as previous days. The waves did, however, improve with the incoming tide throughout the day.

Jabour, 15, of Haleiwa, Hawaii, held the lead for most of the heat, but saw Bowen get the score he needed, a 5.60 (out of 10) with 2min28s remaining, to pull into first position. Jabour got a wave right at the final horn, but it did not offer him much scoring potential.

"I feel pretty bad that I lost," said Jabour. "I got that wave at the end, but it just wasn't good enough."
Jabour's 2nd place finish earned him a free custom surfboard from the shaper of his choice.
Finishing in equal third were Jon-Jon Florence (HAW) and Shaun Joubert (ZAF).

Florence, 13, of Sunset Beach, Hawaii, was looking like a favourite to win the event as his small, light frame and lightning quick surfing were well suited to the conditions. Bowen, however, posted two massive scores in his semi-final against Florence with solid backside surfing early in the heat, and ran away with the victory. "I just didn't get the right waves," said Florence. "It was a super fun contest, though, and I hope to be back next year."

Joubert, a 15 year-old trialist from Mossel Bay South Africa, whose giant killing run took out number one seed Tamaroa McComb earlier in the day in Round 4, went down to Jabour in the semi-finals. "I'm pretty happy with third," said Joubert. "I would have liked to have won but Kiron kept improving on his scores and made it tough."

Before the final, a Mixing of the Waters ceremony was held with competitors bringing samples from the ocean off their local beaches in Europe, America, the South Pacific, Africa and Asia.

The event, meant to symbolize the spirit of international camaraderie and brotherhood at the contest, also featured a paddle-out where groms from all over the world sat in the circle just beyond the breakers and clasped hands.
About the King of the Groms Series

By establishing an international qualifying circuit, the Quiksilver King of the Groms is intended to cast a spotlight on the potential and qualities of young surfers (15 years of age or less) from all continents, in order to bring the best of them together for the international finals in August, at Capbreton.

National mini-championships have therefore been held in the world's 9 major surfing regions: Australia, USA, Europe, Bali, Africa, Tahiti, Japan, Reunion Island and South America. At the end of each of these championships, 16 boys (3 Australia, 3 USA, 3 Europe, 1 Bali, 1 South Africa, 1 Tahiti, 1 Japan, 1 Reunion Island, 2 South America) will be directly qualified for the finals at Capbreton, as invited competitors. Young surfers who did not qualify during the Series will be able to take part in the King of the Groms trials, to compete for an additional 32 spots.

info@slurrrp.com

HAWAII
NORTHSHORE LEGEND BABE CHUN DIES AT AGE 70
27 August, 2006 -- Funeral services will be held this weekend for a boisterous, beloved man who was a larger-than-life figure in Haleiwa town. His name was John Chun but everybody called him by his childhood nickname "Babe." He ran the only store on Haleiwa road, Chun's store.

One of the north shore's first big-wave surfers knows how this hidden surf spot got its name. It was named for a generous family that allowed surfers to cut through their yard to get to it. "The thing went onto the map. you look on the map. It shows Chun's reef," says Henry Preece, former big wave surfer.

The oldest of the 13 chun children was John "Babe" chun. He played tackle on a championship Waialua high school football team, served in the air force, went to butcher school, and took over the family store a few miles away from Chun's reef, on Haleiwa road. "My dad sometimes had a gruff exterior and people may have been afraid of him initially but once they got to know him they knew he was all soft inside," says Jana Remson, daughter.

The store was a popular gathering place. while other businesses discouraged loitering, Babe wanted people to come hang out. "He was smart at getting people to come over to the shop because he couldn't leave so he got everybody to come here and party," says longtime friend Joel Asato. "Dad, he could eat, yeah? (he could cook! your dad would come to the fire station, cook the meals for us in the evening."

His youngest daughter learned the business from him and she owns it now. "He worked hard and he played hard. I admire that. he taught us, work as hard as you can, but you enjoy life. I appreciate that," says daugther, Janelle Chun-Nicely. He gave freely to family, friends, people in need. But former business partner randy sanborn says babe often advised. "Watch your money! (laugh)," says Randy Sanborn, longtime friend.

That's one reason the only store on Haleiwa road has lasted for so long--60 years. "One of my father's last words to me were to keep it going so that's what we're going to do, as long as the community allows us and they support us which we're very grateful, we're just going to keep going," says Chun-Nicely.

She keeps his upstairs office overlooking the store just as he left it, dotted with family photos. And she likes to think he's still watching over all his family and friends... And still tucking in the business at night. John Babe Chun was 70 years old and suffered complications from diabetes. His funeral will be held Sunday morning at eleven at Mililani mortuary's mauka chapel.

http://www.surfersvillage.com/surfing/23574/news.htm

GROMSEARCH MADE HISTORY IN HAWAII: CARISSA MOORE TAKES OUT THE BOYS
23 August 2006 -- The 5th stop of the 2006 RIP CURL GromSearch presented by Unbound Energy came to Kewalo Basin on Oahu’s south shore, and was greeted with not just pumping surf, but also a historical performance by one grom in particular.

Solid 4-6 foot offshore waves were sliced and diced like a fresh plate of sashimi as Hawaii’s micro-groms looked to blow up for all the local aunties and uncles on the beach. Local girl Carissa Moore woke up Saturday morning with one thing on her mind, to show the boys what was really going on…

Surfing in the boys 14 & under division, Carissa was the first female competitor in GromSearch history to mix it up with the boys. Making her way through three rounds, she found herself in the final and in the company of some heavy hitters. Local names with competitive notoriety such as Keanu Asing, Matty Costa, and Dylan Goodale were absolutely killing it all day and were looking to transcend that form into a GromSearch victory, but Carissa had different plans.

Catching the biggest and best waves of the final, the young phenom blew the back out every lip thrown her way. One left in particular, Carissa extended a deep bottom turn straight into a vertical bash that threw a ten-foot pinecone shaped spray into the air with not one drop of water out of place. Scoring a 9.5 for the ride, Carissa blew the minds of every grom, spectator, competitor, tourist, fisherman, and even people up in the air on Hawaiian Airlines flight 220 landing in Honolulu.

GromSearch contest director, Darren Brilhart (who runs such prestigious events such as the X Games, Cold Water Classic, and Lowers Surf Bout) claimed, “This is what it was like watching Kelly Slater come up.” Carissa walked away with the win, and humbly stated “ I would like to say it was on honor to surf against all the boys today, I want to thank them for allowing me to compete against such great surfers, thank you!”

In the girls 16 & under division, the ocean threw everything in its power, as there was no shortage of waves being ridden. Impressive exchanges had everyone thinking they were watching WCT event as these girls capitalized on every wedge in their path.

Alessa Quizon caught one left that held up all the way through to the inside where she methodically destroyed the lip with a series of top turns and cutbacks scoring her an 8. The ride sealed her fate as the girls champ, barely squeaking by a hard charging Missy Valdez.

The Kewalos onslaught continued as the boys 16 & under took to the water next as less than one point separated Dege Oconnell, Billy Kemper and Tyler Newton for the crown. In the end, Dege had two solid lefts into the basin which he continuously went upside down on his vertical lippers, sliding his tail out the back of every section to come away with the win.

The micro of the micro groms finished out the afternoon with the 12 & under division giving the crowd a vision into the future of Hawaiian surfing. With the big sets and offshore winds, one had to think these menehunes would just get blown out to sea. However, these mini rippers definitely put on a show. Isaiah Moniz took home first place by utilizing the biggest waves of the heat to his advantage, dishing out a plethora of maneuvers that had big dad and Hawaiian legend, Tony Moniz, grinning ear to ear with fatherly pride.

The Kewalo GromSearch is always impressive, and this year was no exception. Many thanks go out to HASA for all their hard work in putting on the event, the entire judging panel, as well as Tommy Asing for his mc skills. The Rip Curl GromSearch presented by Unbound Energy heads into the East Coast leg this week with the Outer Banks event scheduled to go off Aug 12-13. Big thanks to event sponsors Unbound Energy, Arnette Sunglasses, SURFING Magazine, Sticky Bumps and WaveWatch for their continued support.

For more information, go to www.ripcurl.com

MALIA MANUEL WINS O'NEILL ISLAND GIRL JUNIOR PRO
POIPU, KAUAI, Aug. 13, 2006¬—Thirteen-year-old Kauai surfer Malia Manuel won the 2006 Rochelle Ballard O’Neill Island Girl Junior Pro supported by Reef and Nukumoi Surf Co. today at PK’s on the south shore of Kauai. Edging out former Pipeline Women’s Pro champ, runner-up Alana Blanchard, Malia delivered a series of high-scoring rides with smooth top-to-bottom turns and a number of perfectly executed 360s during the heat on the clean 2- to 3-foot waves.

Besides the $1,500 cash prize, Malia wins a slot in the first round of the OP Pro Hawaii at Haleiwa, the first jewel of the prestigious Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. Finalists Alana Blanchard (Kauai), Leila Hurst (Kauai) and Coco Ho (Oahu) also receive slots into the trials for the Roxy Pro, the second jewel of the Triple Crown at Sunset Beach.

“The idea behind the junior pro and the ASP format is to take these girls to the next level. At the Triple Crown, they’ll compete against the world’s top female surfers,” says Ballard, who was proud to host the event on her home island of Kauai. “The Hawaii girls are totally ripping right now. One day they’re going to dominate the world tour.”

The girls surfed aggressively heat after stacked heat, pulling off maneuvers and tricks typically seen more during free surf sessions than in competition. “I felt confident after I got a couple, so I just thought I’d go for it,” said Malia, adding she was pleased with the 4-man, 20-minute heat format. “This was the best contest I ever surfed, and the only one I’ve ever surfed for money.”

Brennecke’s generously donated a luau lunch, and O’Neill, Reef and Nukumoi Surf Co. styled the girls out with goodie bags, T-shirst, stickers and posters.

“O’Neill is really pleased to see this event grow. The girls’ surfing speaks for itself—they’re pushing the boundaries more and more, and we’re glad to provide an opportunity to showcase their talent,” says O’Neill Juniors’ Sports Marketing Manager Karin Kendrick.

Contest director Nelson Togioka emphasized what a positive event it is for Hawaii surfers. “It’s a good self-esteem builder for all the kids, whether they ultimately make it to the pro level or not. It’s great for Hawaii, makes us stronger,” he said. “All these people—the judges, the helpers—they all came out of the system, and now they give back to the system.”

The junior pro followed the 6th Annual Rochelle Ballard O’Neill surf camp. Overnight campers from Kauai, Oahu, Maui and the Big Island enjoyed a full day of fun, from surfing with Rochelle to hip hop lessons and a dance-off.

Taira Barron was the winner of the Rell Sunn Inspiration Award. “I’m honored to have been a part of it all.” As a contest surfer and camp counselor, she was able to help advise the younger girls. “The girls learn from each other and the older girls can mentor them, not just surfing-wise, but attitude-wise, cleaning up, helping others.”

An expression session featuring Kauai’s top boys and special invitee Sena Seramur was held between the semis and finals. Kyle Ramey won $500 for best maneuver, and Aaron Swanson won $500 for best trick, landing an air-360 into a reverse.

O’Neill is the world’s original surf brand. The family-owned and operated company distributes its products to 85 countries; including more than 2,000 specialty wetsuit and clothing retailers in the U.S. Consumer information is available at www.oneill.com.

RESULTS: 1) Malia Manuel (Kauai), 2) Alana Blanchard (Kauai), 3) Leila Hurst (Kauai) 4) Coco Ho (Oahu)

Media Inquiries: Catharine Lo (Hawai‘i) catharine.lo@gmail.com
Karin Kendrick (O’Neill) kmoran@oneillclothing.com

INDONESIA
INDONESIA'S BEST SURFER JOINS FORCES WITH ELECTRIC VISUAL EVOLUTION
4 August, 2006 -- Made Adi Putra or BOL as he's know to the surfing World, has stepped up to join one of the most elite surf teams on the planet. The deal was confirmed last week in Bali, with BOL putting pen to paper at the Electric Indonesia HQ.

"Indonesia has some very talented surfers and to have secured a sponsorship deal with BOL means we've been fortunate enough to get the best. BOL is on our international program and will be travelling with guys like Ozzie Wright and Kalani Robb. For us it's a positive global step, not just a regional one".

BOL is really excited about joining the Electric Pro Surf Team. "I am very happy to be riding for such a cool company and to be a part of such a cool team"…. He joins Ozzie, Rasta, Kalani, Barney, Luke Stedman, Mike Morrisey, Mike Todd, Ry Craike, Brad Gerlach, Raoni Monteiro and Matt Hoy on the Volts international surf team.

BOL hails from Kuta Beach, where he's a born and bread local. Surfing has always been a part of his life. He started at the age of 9 on a broken board given to him by his Uncle at Halfway Beach. As a teenager he was always a standout and won most of the events he enterd. This culminated in him making the Indonesian surf team where he competed in the World Grommet Champs.

After making the final in 2001, BOL was picked up by Volcom. Since then he's been on some incredible surf trips, visiting spots like The Mentawis, Hawaii, Fiji, Australia, USA and Europe, to name a few.

BOL's career isn't just about travel. He has a contest record that would make most surfers green with envy. He's the current Indonesian Champ, a title he won in Bali last year, where he beat Indonesian surfing legend Rizal Tanjung. 2005 also saw BOL win the coveted Rip Curl Cup, an annual invitational event held at Uluwatu, featuring the best 32 surfers in Indonesia.

BOL is sponsored by Electric Visual, Volcom Clothing, Sequence Surfboards and Jungle surf shop. He's currently in France competing in two Pro Junior events during August before heading back to the perfect barrels of Bali.

www.electricvisual.com

ISRAEL
LOCAL BOY HOLDS IT DOWN AT REEF CLASSIC ISRAEL
16 August 2006 -- The 2nd annual Reef Classic for 2006, and 5th stop on the ISA (Israel Surfing Association) tour kicked off on the beaches of Kontiky in Natanya, Israel, on June 28th. The waves weren't as big as expected with only 2- 3 foot sets coming in, but everyone was just stoked to be able to get the contest on.

The local surfers were used to these event and put up a good fight against special guest Reef teamrider, Damon Nicholls, from Burleigh Heads, Australia. Aviv Vaknin (30, from Herzliya) rode the tiny waves with extraordinary speed and vertical turns. After the 30 minute final Aviv was the clear winner. Humbly he said, "I did my best and I was lucky to have 2 good waves. God that is up there helped me and I won!"

Runner up was Yoni Yadid (24, from Herzliya), third was Kobi Mantzur (25, from Bat-Yam) and fourth was Damon Nicholls. Damon did his best with the conditions but commented, "The waves were really small and I'm not used to that. I was amazed from the local surfers how they get that speed on these waves."

Official Results
1st - Aviv Vaknin (Herzliya)
2nd - Yoni Yadid (Herzliya)
3rd - Kobi Mantzur (Bat-Yam)
4th - Damon Nicholls (Burleigh Heads, Aus)

Reef.com
http://reef.com/newsarticle/125

NEW ZEALAND
DOING IT TOUGH ON THE EUROPEAN LEG OF THE WQS
22 August 2006 -- Maz Quinn (Gis), Jay Quinn (Gis), Bobby Hansen (Gis) and Matt Scorringe are finding it hard going in the first stages of the European leg of the World Qualifying Series. All four surfers were eliminated in the early rounds of the Sooruz Pro at Lacanau, France. They are now competing at the Rip Curl Super Series event in Hossegor France. Jay Quinn won his first round heat on Monday night but Bobby Hansen was less fortunate being eliminated in third place. The Quinn brothers are likely to surf Wednesday night (NZ time). The current event runs through until Sunday 27th August and can be viewed live on http://www.ripcurl.com/ripcurlpro/.

Prior to the event Maz Quinn was the highest placed surfer at 34th with Bobby Hansen 58th, Jay Quinn 101st and Matt Scorringe 228th.

SNZ EVENT DATES RELEASED
22 August 2006 -- The Gisborne Pro which was to take place on the 16th – 17th of September has been rescheduled to the 4th – 5th of November. The new date coincides with Surfing New Zealand sponsorship developments for the coming summer and allows the top New Zealand surfers to attend the event in between the Brazilian and Hawaiian legs of the WQS. New Zealand’s top junior surfers competing on the Australasian Pro Junior events in Australia will also be able to compete at the event.

The National Primary Schools event will be held on the 18th – 19th of November in Gisborne. The event is introductory and is great for groms from around the country to get together, meet new faces and learn to surf in a competitive environment. Further information on the event will be released in due course. The event will also be advertised through the Education Gazette so that all the schools are aware of the event.

The Roxy Surf Jam dates have also been set for December this year. Both surf jams will be two day events. The Whangamata leg of the tour will be held on the 6th – 7th of December and the Christchurch leg will be held on the 9th – 10th. Roxy will be bringing out their elite coaches to help run the courses alongside local surf schools. These courses are specifically designed for young females wanting to learn to surf.

SURFING NEW ZEALAND COACHING COURSE DATES
22 August 2006 -- Surfing New Zealand are looking at running a Level One Coaching Course at Piha Beach Auckland on the 28th – 29th of October. The course is a great way to learn how to coach surfers at beginner to intermediate level. The course is recognised around the globe. If you are interested in attending the course please get in touch with Surfing New Zealand on 07 8250018  A minimum of ten participants are required for the course to go ahead so get in touch and book a place.

If you require any further information on these news items, please contact Ben Kennings at Surfing New Zealand on 021 2278732  Free high resolution images courtesy of New Zealand Surfing Magazine are available for some of the above mentioned surfers.

www.surfingnz.co.nz
Surfing New Zealand are proudly supported by Lion Red, Vodafone, Hyundai, SPARC and Smokefree

PANAMA
GARY SAAVEDRA WILL BE PRESENT AT ASR IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
On August 31, Gary Saavedra will leave to California in the occasion of the ASR (Action Sport Retail) Convention. The eleven-time Panamanian surf champion will be present in the greater fair of the industry of the action sports. In addition to his presence in the ASR, the Panamanian will continue training for the last dates of ALAS tour and the ISA World Surfing Games that will take place in California on the 14th of October.

The last four-month period of 2006 will have much activity for Saavedra. El Salvador will be the stage for "Salvador Latin Pro", where ALAS will be to outline the name of the champion future.

After a Salvadoran shutdown of the ALAS tour, the greater exponents of surfing world-wide will meet in sunny California to dispute the World Surfing Games organized by ISA (International Surfing Association). The surfer born in Chitré will be representing his country. With this new world participation, Saavedra continues being the world-wide undisputed great Panamanian surfer.

During the first weekend of November, he will continue with the ALAS tour. In the waves Costa Rica, the Reef Classic will be disputed in a four-star category event.

Venezuela will be next on the ALAS tour schedule, from the 17 to the 19 of November. Playa Parguito will receive to the best Latin surfers. From there, he will leave for Dominican Republic for another event with Maxima. Finally, in the first weekend of December, the tour will arrive at Puerto Rico, where a Latin champion 2006 will be crowned.

Gary Saavedra is sponsored by: Billabong - Red Bull - Nissan X-Trail - Reef - Atlas - Vonzipper - Byrne Surfboards - Free Style - Prolite - Futures Fins - Copa Airlines - Super Deportes.

PHILIPPINES
WORLD-CLASS FIELD OF SURFERS SET TO CONVERGE ON UNRIVALLED PHILIPPINE REEF-BREAK
(Tuesday August 8, 2006): A relatively untouched tropical paradise in the southeast of the Philippines Archipelago is set to host an international field of world-class surfers for the Quiksilver Open Cloud Nine.

Siargao Island; a jungle-drenched jewel with its virgin beaches and warm clear waters will transform as surfers from Australia, Bali, Japan, South Africa and the USA test their skills against arguably the world’s premier right-hand tubing reef-break, the infamous “Cloud Nine”.

An the 12th annual exclusive specialty event held amidst the Philippine’s cyclic typhoon season, the Quiksilver Open Cloud Nine offers a limited round of 32 surfers the chance to compete in one of surfing’s elite arenas.

Scheduled to commence on the 26th September, 2006 and running through to the 1st October, 2006, the unique Quiksilver Open Cloud Nine boasts an astounding USD$11,000 prize purse as well as an exciting second-chance format that will ensure surfers a six-day surfing window for a mere 9 hours of competition surfing. As a result, surfers will be given optimal surfing conditions to test their tube-riding prowess.

7.  INTERNATIONAL NEWS

GAISF
On behalf of GAISF, we hope you will help ABCD Sport to be known by your members, having prepared this informative and educational product with 173 sports teams (one per sport presented). We created our publishing house for this book, and have choosen to distribute it directly, not having the possibility to be present in all bookstores around the world to start with.

As you will see on the joined press information ABCD Sport has already been recognised as a famous product by a lot of sport and public teams (plus more than 30 Royal families' members, National Presidents or Prime Ministers all around the world who sent us their greatings for ABCD Sport.

All the people who had it in hands appreciate its quality, a lot of them saying that ABCD Sport should be present in each sport interested family and club team.

The choice of the sports offered in this World Sports Book has been done according to two criterias:

· On one hand, ont sports with World Championships or Olympic sports;

· On the other hand, the presence of world wide sports, impossible to be forgotten in a reference book, like golf or rollers, eventhough they have no direct World Championship. The texts have been written according to the official rules of national or international sports federations. Sports are presented in alphabetical order.

One of the main purposes of this work is to offer a general knowledge of the main sports practiced in the whole world. Anyone should find interest in it: sports fans, televiewers, students, teachers or members of the family of a player, sport quizz fans...

The chosen display for each sport is on a double page, to give to each discipline an equivalent respect, to make it easy to read in order to enable a comparative research, if necessary, as each informative unit will be found in the same area of the text.

Please note that most of the rules are equally valid for both men and women. The use of masculine pronouns is merely to ensure that the text remains as simple as possible.

The double page presents 3 parts: the text, a drawing of the playing area and a phographic illustration.

http://www.abcd-editions.com/newwhiteson/pagesGB/menuabcdgb.htm

Jacques Blanchard
Author - Publisher
Whiteson Edition
Fax:0033499049591

TO ALL GAISF MEMBERS: For the attention of the Presidents, General Secretaries and General Directors

Dear Friend of Sport,

We have the pleasure of informing you of the "Panathlon Declaration on Ethics in Youth Sport", which was officially endorsed by the GAISF Council on 3 April 2006 in Seoul.

This Declaration has already been endorsed by many International Sports Federations, as well as by the IOC, and we would like to encourage all the GAISF Member Federations and Organisations to endorse it also.

PANATHLON DECLARATION ON ETHICS IN YOUTH SPORT
Ghent, 24 September 2004

This declaration represents our commitment to go beyond discussion and to establish clear rules of conduct in the pursuit of the positive values in youth sport.

We declare that:

1. We will promote the positive values in youth sport more actively with sustained effort and good planning.
· In training and competition we will aim for four major objectives in a balanced way: the development of motor (technical, tactical) competence, a healthy and safe competitive style, a positive self-concept, and good social skills. In this we will be guided by the needs of children.
· We believe that striving to excel and to win and to experience both success and pleasure, and failure and frustration, are all part and parcel of competitive sport. We will give children the opportunity to cultivate and to integrate (within the structure, the rules and the limits of the game) this in their performance and will help them to manage their emotions.
· We will give special attention to the guidance and education of children according to those models which value ethical and humanistic principles in general and fair-play in sport in particular.
· We will ensure that children are included in the decision making about their sport.

2. We will continue our effort to eliminate all forms of discrimination in youth sport.
This coheres with the fundamental ethical principle of equality, which requires social justice, and equal distribution of resources. Late developers, the disabled and less talented children will be offered similar chances to practise sport and be given the same professional attention available to early developers, able-bodied, and more talented children without discrimination by gender, race or culture.

3. We recognise and adopt the fact that sports also can produce negative effects and that preventive and curative measures are needed to protect children.
· We will maximise the children's' psychological and physical health through our efforts to prevent cheating, doping, abuse and exploitation, and to help children to overcome the possible negative effects of these.
· We accept that the importance of children's social environment and of the motivational climate is still underestimated. We will therefore develop, adopt and implement a code of conduct with clearly defined responsibilities for all stakeholders in the network around youth sport: sport governing bodies, sport leaders, parents, educators, trainers, sport managers, administrators, medical doctors, physical therapists, dieticians, psychologists, top athletes, children themselves, etc.
· We strongly recommend that the establishment of bodies on appropriate levels to govern this code should be seriously considered.
· We encourage registration and accreditation systems for trainers and coaches.

4. We welcome the support of sponsors and media but believe that this support should be in accordance with the major objectives of youth sport.
· We welcome sponsorship from organisations and companies only when this does not conflict with the pedagogical process, the ethical basis of sport and the major objectives of youth sport.
· We believe that the function of the media is not only to be re-active, i.e. holding the mirror up to the problems of our society, but also to be pro-active, i.e. stimulating, educational and innovative.

5. We therefore formally endorse 'The Panathlon Charter on the Rights of the Child in Sport'.
All children have the right
· to practise sports
· to enjoy themselves and to play
· to live in a healthy environment
· to be treated with dignity
· to be trained and coached by competent people
· to take part in training that is adapted to their age, individual rhythm and competence
· to match themselves against children of the same level in a suitable competition
· to practise sport in safe conditions
· to rest
· to have the opportunity to become a champion, or not to be a champion
 
All this can only be achieved when governments, sports federations, sports agencies, sports goods industries, media, business, sport scientists, sport managers, trainers, parents and children endorse this declaration.

Copyright Charter: Service des loisirs de la Jeunesse, (D.I.P.) Genève
Copyright Declaration: Panathlon International

For your information, please find below the contact details of Panathlon International:

Villa Porticciolo
Viale G. Maggio, 6
16035 RAPALLO
Italy

Tel.: + 39 + 0185/ 652 95 -96
Fax: + 39 + 0185/ 230 513

Best regards,

Christine Dominguez
Director General

8.  ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS

NATIONAL SURFING ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANISATION FORMED
"But I remember the bay that never was And stand like stone and cannot turn away."

9 August 2006 -- The first ever National Surfing Environmental Hui was held on July 29 at the Kokiri Centre, Raglan.  Members of the Kereopa whanau welcomed participants and former Surfing NZ president Wayne Brown acted as Chairman for the day's program as mapped out by Greg Townsend, EO of Surfing NZ.

The hui resolved to form a national body which would affiliate with Surfing NZ, representing the views of the surfing community on environmental issues such as the proposed ocean marine farm off Christchurch.

At the conclusion of the Hui, the following Resolution was passed:

"This Hui recommends that a national body representing surfing environmental issues is formed from attendees to the Hui and other interested parties and that this surfing environment group affiliates with Surfing New Zealand.

Proposed:       Jonathan McCarthy
Seconded:       Peter Furze".

Jonathan McCarthy says that the group was bound by a single objective and concern, namely the protection of the surfing environment.

"We aim to establish the world's first Swell Corridor Reserves, to protect surfing breaks, and to provide an education programme at school level. We will also assist grass roots surfing groups with oversight and direct support to help them engage in local surfing environmental issues. 

This event was a milestone for the New Zealand surfing community and its aspiration is to create an effective specialist surfing environmental lobby group similar to Forest and Bird.   Those present had a common commitment and resolution to ensuring that the next generation of surfers will be able to enjoy New Zealand's diverse surf breaks. 

Currently the surfing community is opposing a proposed 10,000 hectare offshore mussel farm to be situated out from the Christchurch surf breaks.  At full size, the farm will be of the same area as greater Christchurch.   If it succeeds, there is the likelihood of a proliferation of such offshore farms around the New Zealand coastline.

To raise funds, a Save Our Surf Ball ("S.O.S.") will take place in the Sumner Community Centre on 23 September 2006.   The Christchurch surfing community has formed a Fundraising Action Committee and this experience will provide a fundraising model for future environmental campaigns, with a view that local clubs in each area can establish an Environmental Reserve Fund.

Those assembled were determined not to turn away from the significant and diverse issues which the surfing community faces, including sewage discharge, coastal access and offshore marine farms

"In the future we hope that the interest of surfers will be considered when Councils, Government or developers plan a project for our coastline," says Jonathan McCarthy.

Surfing New Zealand, www.surfingnz.co.nz

Surfing New Zealand are proudly supported by Lion Red, Vodafone, Hyundai, SPARC and Smokefree

9.  SURFAID INTERNATIONAL and LIQUID NATION BALL

For the second year in a row, Liquid Nation, an event created by Santiago Aguerre, raised over $240,000 for Surf Aid International, the nonprofit humanitarian aid organization that works to improve the health of people living in isolated surfing regions of the world. This fundraiser event, attended by the VIPs of the surfing world, including world champions Lisa Andersen, Sofia Mulanovich, Andy Irons, Peter Townend, Shaun Tomson, featured a live auction in which boards from those surfers and a balsa tow in from Laird Hamilton helped raised over $130,000 in 30 minutes.

The rest of the funds came from ticket sales (over 450 people attended) and sponsors. The Liquid Nation Ball was attended by the leaders of the surfing world from South and North America, Europe, Australia and Africa. The next event, Liquid Nation Ball 3 will be held on the second night of the ASR Tradeshow, September 9th, 2006. As in years 2004 and 2005, ISA President Fernando Aguerre, will be the auctioneer.

The 2006 event will benefit SurfAid and another group of humanitarian organizations run by surfers.
For more information on Liquid Nation 2, please log in www.surfaidinternational.org

10. CONTACT THE ISA

International Surfing Association
5580 La Jolla Blvd. #145 ? La Jolla, California 92037 USA
Tel: 858-551-5292, Fax: 858-551-5290
Website: www.isasurf.org
       
If you are disappointed that there is no news from your country, send your news via email to the ISA Head Office and it will be included in the next newsletter.

www.isasurf.org

More USA/Cen Amer. surfing news available here
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