Roxy Jam Biarritz
Presented by Orange

ASP WLT Women's Champs
Cote des Basques France
11 - 16 July 2008

Results/Photos/Videos etc

The Biarritz Roxy Jam Festival of Female Surf, Music & Art presented by Orange kicks off in July

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 17 June, 2008 : - - Orange presents The Biarritz Roxy Jam Festival of Female Surf, Music & Art 11th to 16th July 2008 Côte des Basques – Biarritz - France To celebrate women’s surfing in all its forms, explore the roots and boardriding influences and mixing different genres and styles. That is what the Roxy Jam’s all about. A unique Festival that brings together surfing, art and music …girls style.

The famous Côtes des Basques, home of European surfing, once again hosts The Biarritz Roxy Jam between 11th and 16th July 2008. 22 SURF Women’s World Longboard Championship WLC The W’s Longboard Championships are the cornerstone of the Biarritz Roxy Jam. Held at the famous Côte des Basques, below the equally famous “Villa Belza” the worlds 48 top female longboarders will compete for the 3rd edition of the Women’s World Longboard Championship WLC.

This contest is supported by the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) and has $30,000 of prize money up for grabs. Longboarding - the art of walking the board. Grace, style and radical manoeuvres…modern day longboarding has managed to retain it’s original spirit whilst evolving towards more critical moves and techniques.

Watching these stars elegantly walking their boards, hanging ten and venturing into modern surfing turns, is a unique sight, especially, given that the likes of Jennifer Smith, Kassia Meador and Coline Ménard will be present. A selection process that brings together the world’s top female surfers.

Jennifer Smith 2007 Champ : photo Towner/ASP Covered Images

The top 32 surfers from the 2007 Roxy Jam can be found amongst the 48 talented candidates in this years World Title race along with the top two placements from competitions in Cardiff/USA 2007, Honolulu/Hawaii 2007, Roxy Pro Phillip Island/Australia 2008 as well as a female longboarder from the Noosa Festival/ Australia.

Furthermore, the ASP will be presenting one competition entry to each of the territories that do not have qualifying rounds: Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. The four Roxy’s wildcards will participate in the ”Main Event”. American, Schuyler McFerran was the winner of the 2006 comp and it was her compatriot Jennifer Smith who took last year’s title beating the young French talent Justine Dupont.

French talents Claire Karabatsos from Biarritz is no longer the only French competitor in the lineup at the Biarritz Roxy Jam. This quadruple European Champion and holder of 3rd place from the 2006 event will be up against the star of the 2007 event: Justine Dupont. Having just earned herself the 2006 French Title, this young lady from Gironde caused a sensation as she climbed into second place in the 2007 Roxy Jam behind the supreme Jennifer Smith (USA).

Keep an eye out too for Coline Ménard from Réunion Island (ranking world 9th in 2007). This biology student is constantly progressing and performs particularly well in solid conditions, as does the experienced Hélène Chabeaud. Other favourites Jennifer Smith (USA), the style and board walking queen, she dominated the 2007 Roxy Jam and at only 20 years of age landed herself the World Title.

Justine Dupont : photo Towner/ASP Covered Images

This young Californian dethroned her compatriot Schuyler McFerran, the winner of the 2006 Roxy Jam and is a competitor intent on repeating this performance in 2008. Jen’s season got off to a flying start with her win at the Phillip Island Roxy Surf Festival in January 2008 – leaving no doubt that her goals are well within her reach! Jennifer Smith Her smile and elegant longboarding style have travelled the world.

Timeless champion and glamour icon of women’s longboarding, 26 year old Kassia Meador is still awaiting her moment of glory on the podium despite having won virtually every title since the age ten. Watch out too for the Hawaiians Crystal Dzigas and Kelia Moniz, that is, unless Mika Uemaru from Japan beats them to it. This year, the Roxy Jam will also host one of the ten European legs of the ASP Women’s Pro Junior 2008 circuit.

Todays leading young surfers: young Hawaiian prodigy Carissa Moore, European Champion Lee-Ann Curren, and not forgetting Alizé Arnaud will be amongst those participating in this 2 Star under 21’s ASP Event. Kassia Meador Kelia Moniz Crystal Dzigas Carissa Moore is undeniably the most talented female surfer ever for her age. At only 15 years of age, this super talented Hawaiian has dealt competitive blows to the hierarchy of the sport at every opportunity.

A finalist at the Gold Coast Roxy Pro 2007 (having won the trials!), Carissa eliminated the reigning World Champion Stephanie Gilmore last March, again at the Roxy Pro, slotting herself into a semi final finish on this leg of the World Tour. Lee-Ann Curren is the golden child of French surfing. 2006 Junior European Champion, Lee-Ann stepped up to the next level last year, becoming Senior European Champion.

Since completing her Baccalauréat (French A-level) with honours the daughter of renowned three times World Surfing Champion Tom Curren is focussing her full attention on the WQS. Winner of the Jetty Pro Junior at Bells Beach in January, Lee-Ann is currently sitting in 20th place on the WQS. Her plan of action is to work her way into the world’s elite on the ASP World Tour.  

Previous reports:
# 1 : Coming soon
# 2 : Coming soon
# 3 : Coming soon
# 4 : Coming soon 

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