This week: Google robots invade the ocean, Aritz hits the pits, Aussie women throw rootsy contest, ASP is in no hurry to replace Brodie Carr, Nineties pro Shaun Brooks passes on, Luke Davis, Kai Otton & Matt Wilkinson add new sponsors, and some Californian goes surfing in France, gashes his leg and sues Channel Islands and FCS. Yes he's actually doing that...
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 27 January, 2012 : - - Robot surfboard to map ocean for Google Earth: Waves and sun will power this bad-ass SUP as it collects heaps of data for Google Earth and other data fiends. There's talk of a submersible going on to new depths in the ocean, a feat that would not be complete without that Virgin guy Richard Branson at the helm. Stay tuned for smiling, thumbs-up photos of Branson once the submersible launches.
Mundak-ahhhh! Aritz hits the pits Couple of video clips came through of Basqueman Aritz Aranburu threading some serious caverns at the world's favorite left. The clips were compiled as part of the Surf Online de Mundaka competition where entrants upload their best tubes of the season at Mundaka. Aritz shows why he was on the World Tour.
Germans fly under the radar, invade Scotland Marlon Lipke and Nic von Rupps' collective mantra is: "You can score waves in Europe any time of the year". To prove their point, the German goofyfoots jumped over to Scotland. Known for its reeling right ledges, the duo scored some really impressive lefts that until now were flying way below the collective surf radar. Although limited to brief sessions due to the cold and shortness of daylight, they logged heaps of tube time. Check the clip for a good dose of cold left-hand barrels.
Depending on how you read it, Kelly Slater being prematurely awarded the 2011 world title forced the resignation of Brodie Carr. But there is no hurry to post a new CEO. ASP chairman Richard Grellman told an Australian paper that the board will not discuss appointing a new CEO until it reconvenes during the Quiksilver pro on the Gold Coast in late February.
“The board took the view that we should hasten slowly and the discussion in February will be around the sort of person we might think is what we need at this point in time,” he told The Australian via email. Surfers' representative Kieren Perrow said the slow progress was justified. “We’re better off taking time to find the right person,” he said. “The process is enormous. Hundreds of applicants have already passed through their details. There will be a lot of decisions to be made at the board meeting in February." Until then, the ASP World Tour kicks off in February sans leader.
The Modern Gypsy is a Reef term used to describe the brand’s diverse team roster of surfers who never call one place home. The pitch goes that their home is on the road, in an airplane or on a boat, traveling to exotic locations in search of new cultural experiences and perfect surf. The newest Modern Gypsies to join the ranks are Luke Davis and Kai Otton.
Luke Davis is readying himself for the 2012 Qualifying Tour with World Championship Tour aspirations on the horizon while Kai Otton is an experienced World Tour vet. To make the change Otton had to part ways with longtime sponsor Insight. “Leaving Insight was one of the hardest things I had to do…those guys are like family. Looking forward, Reef has such a great plan in place for me, and I felt that it was time for a change. I know I can bring a lot of value to Reef.”
Matt Wilkinson signs with etnies That bright flash of personality on the ASP World Tour, Matt Wilkinson, has signed on to the etnies team. No word if Wilko has it in his contract that he must arrive at World Tour venues with funny hats, hairstyles via modes of ironic transportation. But, even if it was in the fine print, we know Wilko would do rise to the task. Check his latest 'Extreme' video from Out2Brunch
Channel Islands & FCS focus of lawsuit Keith Hamm reported that lawyers representing Channel Islands Surfboards are demanding a jury trial in response to a lawsuit filed by California surfer Tom Gregg, who claims he suffered a deep fin gash in his lower right leg while surfing in France more than two years ago. According to Gregg's complaint, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, the surfboard and fins were defective.
Channel Islands' response was filed last week. In the court documents, Channel Islands denies any wrongdoing, emphasizing that its surfboards are "state of the art" and that surfers who ride them "are knowledgeable and sophisticated users who knew or should have known any dangers associated with use of the product, even in the absence of any warnings."
Culture Clips: Thought Sandsurfing, matsurfing and bodysurfing were new? Check the below trailer from 1966. Look out for the narrator's line of "The shout of 'Surf's Up' may come at anytime" and hear him use the word "terpsichorian" in all ernestness...
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