Bell's Beach 2011 Round's 1 and 2

With good waves for the first two rounds and only better waves on the way, it’s look like this years Bell’s event will hopefully come down to a classic battle. The first two round’s saw all the major player’s getting through with a few standout’s in there also. Every surfer seems to be really wanting to shake the infamous Bell, and more so this year considering it’s the 50th anniversary of the event. One person in particular is none other than Kelly Slater, who seemed to be in form for the first rounds, and as we all know he only gets better in the later heats. With everyone claiming classic Bells, I’m sure no one will let Mr. Slater slip out of their sights. So, here are the Round 1 and 2 highlights and Round 2 standings. Check out the event live at http://live.ripcurl.com/index.php?bells2011

Round Two Mens Results

Heat #1
Jordy Smith (ZAF) 17.43 def. Adam Robertson (AUS) 16.26

Heat #2
Owen Wright (AUS) 16.70 def. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 7.90

Heat #3
Bobby Martinez (USA) 16.16 def. Taj Burrow (AUS) 15.93

Heat #4
Josh Kerr (AUS) 17.24 def. Ace Buchan (AUS) 16.04

Heat #5
Damien Hobgood (USA) 12.17 def. Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 11.44

Heat #6
Bede Durbridge (AUS) 12.10 def. Cory Lopez (USA) 11.84

Heat #7
Gabe Kling (USA) 11.67 def. Brett Simpson (USA) 5.00

Heat #8
Jadson Andre (BRA) 12.84 def. Dan Ross (AUS) 12.84 (Countback)

Heat #9
Chris Davidson (AUS) 16.10 def. Julian Wilson (AUS) 13.83

Heat #10
CJ Hobgood (USA) 8.17 def. Kai Otton (AUS) 8.10

Heat #11
Kieren Perrow (AUS) 15.10 def. Dusty Payne (HAW) 13.97

Heat #12
Tiago Pires (PRT) def. Taylor Knox (USA) 8.06

Bells Blog #2 from Surfing Life on Vimeo.

Bells Blog #3 from Surfing Life on Vimeo.

Get Barreled this Summer!

I love getting barreled, and I’m sure you don’t mind it either. There are so many place’s that you can go and get barreled all day long. How much do you want to get barreled may be the question, and possibly how big does it have to be to barrel where you want to go. What would be your ideal trip and where? Would you want other options than just getting barreled, say a beach break or point break, something that would allow a little of both? Or, would you try to change it up and take a trip that you know you’ll just get shacked the entire time and love every minute of it. I wouldn’t mind either or. Just surfing satisfies me, and getting barreled would probably be my ideal trip. Somewhere with a perfect point break or reef that allowed you to just get barreled all day. It’s that feeling of being inside the wave and knowing that no one can replicate that feeling. It’s better than riding a roller coaster. So, where would be your dream wave to get barreled out of your mind for a few days?

Tales from the Tube from Jarred Hancox on Vimeo.

Probably my most 'intimate' video ever made, some really high quality amazing barrel footage captured on my GoPro Surf Hero HD. Featuring multiple angles including some of the same waves being captured from land on my Panasonic HD camcorder. These clips were taken in different sessions over the 2010 Indo season, the bulk of it while surf guiding at G-Land Bobby's Surf Camp and a few at Padang Padang, Bali. I know it sounds long at just over 5mins but don't be put off, it certainly doesn't seem very long at all when you watch it. I put countless hours into editing and getting this clip rendered so I hope you enjoy :)

Soundtrack is Live - Lightning Strikes, and I've also added in the sound of the tube in some clips just for something different.

What's it like to be a pro?

What would it be like if you were one of the top pro surfers on tour? How would you spend your days and night’s? Surfing all day, fantasy surf trips, getting paid to surf, free clothes, boards, maybe a travel budget. Oh, how about staying in Hawaii during the best time of the year. If there were any professional athlete I could be it would hands down be a professional surfer. You get to live the dream life of traveling and seeing places that many people in today’s world never get to see. Not only that but you get to surf wave’s that are world class and often times perfect in the average surfers mind. What else can you think of that would cause you to be a professional surfer?

Joel Parkinsons Hawaii Vacation from Joel Parkinson on Vimeo.

What's it take?

What’s it take to surf big waves, or just heavy scary waves? It definitely takes guts and some talent. I guess the more you surf waves of consequence then the less scared or fearful you are of pulling into a wave that can slam you like you’ve never been slammed. It just takes a different kind of mind set and belief that you can do something that is out of the ordinary or even above your own capabilities. Just wonder, what if you didn’t drop in on that wave you got a barrel? Well, you wouldn’t have gotten barreled. That leaves us wanting more of that adrenaline running through our blood, and believe me I know I’m just another adrenaline junky. I love finding those waves on big days that everyone looks at and doesn’t want any part of. Yes, we all like those days that are perfect and every wave seems like it’s so easy to surf, but some times it’s good to get a scare. With so many more waves found around the world that consist of an air drop, to dredging barrel, over sallow sharp reef, where will your next trip be to? How far do you want to push your surfing? Where are your limits in your mind that keep you from catching the wave of the day? Go find out and comment here or upload a picture on All About Surfing’s Facebook page. We want to see how far you push yourself when you surf.

HIS- SLATER,TAJ & MARK MATHEWS AT OURS (SYDNEY) from JAMIN MCLEAN on Vimeo.

Here's a quick clip to get you motivated to charge harder.

Girls Rip

I don’t know of a better time to be an up coming girl surfer. Girls have often been overshadowed in the surfing world, and more of someone who sits in the water or on the beach to get a tan. I know a few girls that surf well, but these girls in Nike 6.0’s new video ‘Leave A Message’ are going to put all of us to shame. It’s a new all-women’s surf movie with some of the most talented female surfers in the world. The cast in this film will be Carissa Moore, Lakey Peterson, Laura Enever, Coco Ho, Monyca Byrne-Wickey, and Malia Manuel. This video is going to up the bar of women’s surfing and set a new standard for every girl in the world. It’s also going to push us men to make sure we can at least hang with the girls, good luck! The film gets released on May 24, 2011 at nike6.com/leaveamessage, and the best part is that it’s FREE!

Leave A Message Trailer from Nike 6.0 on Vimeo.

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach 2011 is here!

The second ASP World Tour contest is here! This is one of the most prestigious events in professional surfing, and this year is the 50th anniversary of the event running, which should have everyone on tour pushing their limits to win this thing. This event should be the clash of titans with the likes of Kelly Slater coming back to defend and possibly try to break another record by winning a fifth Bell’s Beach trophy. Others in this years mix include Mick Fanning, who is ready to take down anyone who gets in the way. Two other Australians to watch are Joel Parkinson and Taj Burrow, both with great finishes at Snapper. Some young guns in the mix are Jordy Smith, Matt Wilkinson, Tiago Pires, Alejo Muniz and Brett Simpson with great performances at Snapper. There will also be two wildcards in the event, which are unknown as of now. So, who do you think will ring the Bell? Will it be the old and wise or the young and fearless? I know I will be watching everyday to see what goes down at Bells Beach. The contest will run from April 19 through April 30. Fun Fact: this is the only sporting event in Australia that is allowed to run on Easter Friday. How would you like it if the national sport in the USA were surfing? Check out the contest here http://live.ripcurl.com/index.php?bells2011 live!

-surferabell, bringing you the updates you want to hear.

Different Personal Water Propulsions to keep you thinking and creating

Tech
First off, this may be the future of our sport, as we know it. Have you ever thought while you were out surfing and missed a wave because you couldn’t paddle fast enough to catch it? I know I have missed a few good one for this reason. Well, there may be a solution to our problems. There is a company out of San Diego California that has made a product or as they call it an ‘Aquamotive Technology’. This little jet is built in to the belly of your board and provides you with that extra push you want sometimes, or it will just help you paddling and can even give you a break from it. Yes, your thinking this is crazy and wouldn’t be good for surfing at all. There are a few moments that I see this technology coming in handy: Big wave surfing, strong offshore winds, heavy currents or winds. This board could get you back or keep you in that section of the sand bar when the rip current is killing your arms. It could get you into that huge wave you’ve been looking for with out getting crushed under the lip. I am sure this won’t take over every board in our quiver, but it would definitely be fun to try out and have for those days where your board or arms have just had enough. Check out this video and you’ll see how fun this could be for beginners all the way up to pros.



Body Surfing
Have you ever broke a board and still stayed out in the water to have fun in the waves? Have you ever broken a leash and had to swim you way in or body surf? What about body surfing the shore break because you know you’ll break your board if you try to surf it? Well, why not get a set of body surfing fins and go have some fun in the surf. I have done this a few times and it’s always a blast. You find your self in spot’s you usually don’t get in on a surfboard, like riding the foam ball in the barrel or maybe just getting barreled. One of the major reasons for doing this is for a great work out and staying in shape. You may just take your fins to the beach and have a swim. Fins are also much cheaper than a surfboard! They will run you anywhere from 40-70 bucks and will last you a long time. This type of surfing helps you read the wave differently and also push you to look at a wave differently. It will help your paddling, swimming, cardio, and overall fitness along with helping your wave knowledge if you’re just starting out surfing. Heck this stuff looks fun, and even pro surfers do it from time to time.

What's Next?

We have all heard of tidal bores and surfing in some crazy river somewhere with mysterious creatures. How about Skeleton Bay in Africa with some crazy long lefts with barrels that last almost a minute? Or a standing river wave that only breaks twice a year? Or some new crazy wave pool in the making? Ask yourself what’s next in the world of surfing, what could we possibly find next to surf? Well, a select crew that Rip Curl has put together to travel the world looking for new waves has found something amazing in a very remote jungle of Sumatra. Wave’s that are unlike any other’s found inland anywhere else in the world, so far. And from my knowledge this is the first ever barreling wave located in a river that is actually possible to stand up in. With what the video shows, I wouldn’t mind going over there and catching a few or just one. So, on April 11, 2011 Rip Curl plans to release the rest of this video with surfers actually riding and getting barreled in a river, and I know that I can’t wait to see the footage. With out further ado here is Rip Curl’s Tip2Tip footage of some Sumatra gold.



Here are a few other videos that make you think about the possibilities that are out there.

Best Surf Destinations for this Summer

Summer surf trips seem like a ritual for everyone who surfs. Whether we get the best waves ever on our trip doesn’t really matter that often as long as there are waves. But, why not get a tip on where to go and where to find the best surf possible. Well, I am going to give you a run down of some good summer locations that will score you great surf. Order of trips will be from decent to great.

Costa Rica:
Costa Rica is one of the most traveled destinations for many Florida surfers, because of the price and consistency of waves. This trip will be the cheapest way to score some great waves. Although, by 12pm the winds usually shift and the waves don’t always stay great. You can find amazing point breaks, reef breaks, river mouths, and most notably beach breaks. The wave height ranges from 3-4ft and can get up to 10ft very easily. Bring you normal short board and a step up for the bigger days. The northern coast sees great waves, but lacks the power of the south. If your looking for heavy beach breaks this is your trip.



Nicaragua:
Known as the old Costa Rica, this destination is accustom to prevailing offshore winds on a daily bases. If your looking to surf all day long, charge some outer reefs, and get plenty of time surfing some point breaks and barrels this is where you need to go. It’s definitely more off the beaten path and you will really want to meet a local to guide you or hire one. Make sure to take your regular short board and a step up if your feeling ballsy. This place can make or break your surfing, but it will definitely make you better. Just don’t be upset when a grom throws a air over your head, remember they get waves 90% of the year.



Bali:
Well what can we say about Bali? Surfer’s paradise! Here is a great video of Dede Suryana with a run down of what Bali is like and when the best swells usually are. Bali is comprised of many reef breaks that are located all around the coast. It has become a very well known stop for many pros during the peak season, April to September. You can still find uncrowned waves during this period, but many of the best waves will be littered with pros. Flights to this tropical paradise will run you much more than your average trip, but the payoff will be much greater. For this trip you will want to take your average short board (Maybe 2 if you can afford it) and a step up or mini gun. The waves range from playful air sections to long speed barrels.

Summer and Bathing Suits!

Well, like I have been talking about in a few of my post, summer is on its way. So, what’s that mean? Hot weather, humidity, work, flatness, and hopefully a surf trip. Start thinking out of the box as with new bathing suit lines, trunks, beach days, sand bar adventures with the boat, go ahead and think how fun summer really is. It’s time to shed the wetsuit and get a suntan and some rashes; who wants rashes though? Below the ladies can see some new suits they may want to strut their stuff in while in the sun, and for the men, well we get extreme with the most innovative board shorts we have ever seen. These will have us surfing longer and without the worries of fighting off a rash. When looking at a new pair of board shorts, try picking out a pair the pro’s wear, because you know they make sure theirs are the best. They do surf more than the average surfer. I recently purchased a pair of Phantom 120s and wow they are the most sophisticated and unbelievably comfortable board shorts I have ever wore. The new Phantom line has come a long way from the very first production model. Don’t think I forgot about the ladies though. The suits for the ladies are getting more creative and fun, along with better functionality. So, go get a new suit and show it off out in the water or on the beach.
See you out there,
-surferabell


2011 SWIMSUIT ISSUE PART I from SURFING Magazine on Vimeo.

Hero's Live Forever

These past several months have been a rocky road in the surfing community. First we loose a icon in our sport with the passing of Andy Irons, one of the few that could ever challenge Kelly Slater’s dominance. Now we have lost a true hero and big wave surfing legend Sion Milosky. These men risk their lives day in and day out surfing waves for the love of the sport. They push the envelope with every wave they catch. We each have our hero’s in our sport and want to emulate them with every wave we catch, at least to the best of our ability. We buy and watch their videos there in so we can study their every move on a wave, and we sometimes even buy the same baggies as they wear. These are the men that have made our sport what it is today. They are the one’s who have made us want to dream about becoming a professional surfer or at least living the life of one. You know, chasing swells to far off lands so we can possibly get a cover shot, or going on a trip to film a video. These men have shaped our surfing and continue to be remembered and watched by younger surfers and our selves for motivation to try something new or before we surf. So, when wondering how surfing came to be, look back at all the hero’s that have changed our sport and catch a wave for them. My prayer’s go out to Sion and Andy’s Families everywhere.

-surferabell

SION MILOSKY FOREVER from WINDOWSEATpictures on Vimeo.

Surf Trips and Tips

Summer is closing in and the time all us surfers tend to take that week or two to get away and have a little adventure. Whether it is with friends, someone special, or even by yourself us surfers really enjoy finding new waves in far off places. Even finding waves close to home sometimes gets your blood pumping and gets you amping to surf. The most important thing to remember when taking a surf trip is your budget and of course your boards. There are five things that I like to look at for my trips that help me along the way with finding great waves and saving money while doing it.
1. Look off the beaten path. Look for those hotels that are not located right next to the best wave around, find the one that wants you to come to them and will show you a good time. They tend to be cheaper and add more adventure. Just make sure they are safe.
2. Take some friends. This will help everyone on the trip save money because you all can split cost on lots of things ie. rental, hotel, food, beer, etc. This will also add some great times and memories to share with others.
3. Rental Cars. This is a need most of the time. If your going off the beaten path and are going to be driving a lot then definitely get one! Make sure you inspect the car with the rental company before driving away; sometimes they like to say you did something you didn't. Also make sure you get one that will fit everyone and everything you need; along with fourwheel drive if you are advertisers.
4. Make sure to double check all of your surf supplies before you leave. Many times the places we travel will not have what we need, but often times you can find something that will work. Most off all always pack a couple fin keys, for some reason or another these always seem to get lost and are always hard to find.
5. Most important! Make sure to have a safe spot or something to hide or keep your passport. If you loose this bad boy your not going to have fun getting back to the states or where ever you need to go. Also, make sure to make a budget of how much you can spend while on your trip and put some money aside for emergencies and getting back home. Often times this money will not be spent and you will still have it when you get back, which is always nice.
So, when on your trip to a far off land this summer or maybe just around the corner have fun and be safe. Good luck on your adventures and catch some good waves.

-surferabell

THE RARE TO RAW RUGGER ROADIE....... from Tom Jennings on Vimeo.

Summer is closest at dark...

Well with summer just around the corner here in Florida its time to start thinking about what you will do with your spear time when there aren't any waves. Every day we get closer and closer to the summer flat spell that we hope we don't get, but always seem to end up with. You know exactly what it's like to, check the computer every morning for the forecast, then maybe ride by the beach if it looked like there may be a ride able wave, which there probably isn't. Next, call a couple buds and figure out something to do for the day, hopefully you have to work because that means your making money for that surf trip you are itching to take. But there are still days that are lost to boredom and more boredom. Well I got a solution; we are surfers and unique, wild and crazy humans that will do anything to have a good time. So, find something that others aren't doing or don't do often and have at it. Maybe go tarp surfing, or river surfing, take a boat out and wake surf. There are always things to do, even though all we want to do is surf.
-surferabell, get waves while you can before summer starts!
What do you do or what can you think of for something to do when the waves go flat? Comment below.


DAM DAY: Tackling Australia from Paul Fisher on Vimeo.

What board to ride in what surf?

As every surfer comes to find out, that there is no such thing as a perfect board. Maybe a magic board or one that works really well in certain waves and conditions. When starting out as a beginner you want to pick a board that is a little wider, floats a bit more than the normal short board, and may be a little thicker. This will make it a little easier for a beginner to paddle and actually stand up on waves. When I started surfing, which was around 7-8 years ago I rode a 5'11 fish, which was about 19 1/4 inch wide and 2 1/4 thick. I weighted about 160lbs and was 6'0; I know not the average board for me but it worked really well. This board got beat up, cracked, water logged, you name it and it had been through it. I actually sold this board a while back to a friend who was starting out surfing, and think he still has it. So, when starting out find a board that will make it easier for you to learn, isn't that the whole idea?
After you have learned the basics of surfing (going down the line, pumping, turning, stalling, etc.) and you are feeling like your ready to move up and try something new then upgrade it a little. Look for the average short board, which is usually an inch or two taller than you and about 18 1/4 inch wide and 2 1/8 inch thick. This board will allow for quicker tighter turns, faster down the line speed, and overall maneuverability. It will take a little getting used to in the beginning, I know it did for me, but after a few surfs on it you will start feeling more comfortable and realize how much easier it is to ride. What you loose in paddling power you will gain in speed while riding the wave.
So, you have mastered the basics and find yourself looking for that added edge out in the water. Your board really isn't holding up and nothing in the surf shop seems to interest you. By now you may have met a shaper out in the water or someone you know that can order you custom boards. I stress this, "Make sure you investigate the shaper and the boards, ask how others like them, how they hold up, anything and everything, and most of all try to stay close to what you are used to at first." I made the mistake and looked at what others were riding and thought I would like that better, well that didn't work! So I had a board that I didn't really like. Money lost! I sold it and ended up knowing someone that knew and worked with the guys from Ghetto House Glassing (Lost Shapes) and was able to order another custom board. Well this thing blew me away! Having a board that is made for your size, weight and level of performance is amazing. This board allowed me to do anything I wanted on a wave. It was also a step in a good direction for further board shapes. So after several custom boards and some store bought's, I really know what I am looking at and what I will like just from inspecting the board. It helps to know some things about surf boards too, like the concave, rocker, tail, rails, and overall shape. This will help narrow and get a board specifically for what you want and will be surfing on a daily bases.
As of now I have two boards that I regularly surf, one is a 5'6 rocket and the other is a 6'0  squash slight diamond tail Chilli  that is amazing. I also have a 6'5 rounded pin for summer trips when knowing I will be surfing some much bigger and heavier waves than Florida. Right now I have another board on my mind and what it will be for my next purchase hopefully in the near future before any trips are made.
Now, learn as much as possible about surf boards before you buy, and don't think you can ride a board way smaller than what you normally ride unless you have tried a few. The best way to see what you like is to ask a friend if you can surf their board. And if we are lucky you can make your own, which is the best way if you know what your looking at and good with your hands.

Dane Reynolds magicboard from Surf in Italy on Vimeo.

Dane Raynolds trickkeggia con il vecchio giallone di Rob Machado...

Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Winner!

Well, Kelly Slater has done it again folks. Not only has he won the Quiky Pro but also solidified yet another bench mark by become the first person to ever win 3 Quiksilver Pro's. Will this put Slater on a role to win another ASP World Title? He is obviously the one to beat again this year, even after a few close calls in some of Slater heats. Slater stated a few times that he wasn't up to his best surfing yet during almost the whole contest. Was this a mind game that he played on everyone, did he hold back, could he really surf better? These are all questions his competitors are contemplating while going into the next contest at Bell's Beach. I suppose we will all have to wait and see what happens, whether he retire's or try's for another World Title.

Round 4 Highlights and Roxy Pro Winner

Mens Highlights
Well Jordy Smith, who seemed to be taking a little more risk in some of his maneuvers, which is where I noticed Joel was not, took the heat win. Joel looked great but just lacked that risk taking on his waves. We all know that Joel is notorious for being the smoothest surfer on tour and often gets underscored because he makes it look to easy. Jordy surfed an amazing heat and kept the presser on through out the heat, which led to Joel letting Jordy take a wave right before the end of the heat.
Taj and Adriano’s heat was action packed with both surfers just throwing caution to the wind on every wave. It was a back and forth battle till the final buzzer, which saw Taj tack the win by just .12 points. Taj definitely has a fire burning especially since he was last years Quicksilver Pro Champ.
Michel Bourez and Tiago Pires also had a very close heat. These two battled it out till the buzzer, leaving Tiago in the lead to move on to Quarter Finals. And of course Kelly Slater went on to take his heat win and also move on the Quarter Finals.
So, here are our match ups going into the Quarter Finals:
Heat 1:                                    Heat 2:
Dusty Payne (HAW) red        Matt Wilkinson (AUS) red
Kelly Slater (USA) wht          Tiago Pires (PRT) wht

Heat 3:                                    Heat 4:
Brett Simpson (USA)red        Alejo Muniz (BRA) red
Taj Burrow (AUS) wht          Jordy Smith (ZAF) wht



 Roxy Pro Winner Carissa Moore

Mens Round 3 Best Heats in my opinion and Roxy Pro Round 4 Highlights

Finally the contest has got some decent waves and has been able to complete two more rounds. Here are a few highlight heats from round 3 of the mens that I found to be very exciting to watch. Also a video of the women's round 4 highlights. Enjoy the videos and come back for updates each day.


ROXY PRO RD4 Highlights 2011 from McKinnon Media Productions on Vimeo.

Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Round 2 Highlights, Results and Round 3 Matchups

QUIKSILVER PRO RD2 HIGH LIGHTS from McKinnon Media Productions on Vimeo.

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 2 RESULTS:
Heat 1:Matt Banting (AUS) 9.43 def. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 4.00
Heat 2: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 14.17 def. Mitch Crews (AUS) 13.10
Heat 3: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 10.83 def. Marc Lacomare (FRA) 8.66
Heat 4: Michel Bourez (PYF) 13.40 def. Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 4.80
Heat 5: Cory Lopez (USA) 7.83 def. Chris Davidson (AUS) 4.77
Heat 6: Jadson Andre (BRA) 10.17 def. Gabe Kling (USA) 9.00
Heat 7: Dusty Payne (HAW) 12.33 def. Damien Hobgood (USA) 10.83|
Heat 8: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 12.60 def. Kieren Perrow (AUS) 11.27
Heat 9: Kai Otton (AUS) 13.73 def. C.J. Hobgood (USA) 7.06
Heat 10: Brett Simpson (USA) 16.73 def. Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 9.90
Heat 11: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 11.50 def. Taylor Knox (USA) 10.50
Heat 12: Heitor Alves (BRA) 14.50 def. Bobby Martinez (USA) 12.83

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 3 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Dusty Payne (HAW)
Heat 2: Jadson Andre (BRA) vs. Tiago Pires (PRT)
Heat 3: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Josh Kerr (AUS)
Heat 4: Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. Adam Melling (AUS)
Heat 5: Heitor Alves (BRA) vs. Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
Heat 6: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Matt Banting (AUS)
Heat 7: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Cory Lopez (USA)
Heat 8: Brett Simpson (AUS) vs. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW)
Heat 9: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Daniel Ross (AUS)
Heat 10: Owen Wright (AUS) vs. Alejo Muniz (BRA)
Heat 11: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Kai Otton (AUS)
Heat 12: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Julian Wilson (AUS)

ROXY PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 4 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Pauline Ado (FRA) vs. Tyler Wright (AUS)
Heat 2: Laura Enever (AUS) vs. Sofia Mulanovich (PER)
Heat 3: Coco Ho (HAW) vs. Jacqueline Silva (BRA)
Heat 4: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Courtney Conlogue (USA)

Taj Burrow the dark horse?

One thing Taj doesn't have is an ASP World Title. He has had wins and great finishes in the years past just seeming to always come up short of winning the title. So, with this year could he have a chance? He did just win the Breaka Burleigh Pro on February 18, 2011. He seems to be on fire and with the surfing done in this video he will give everyone he competes against a run for their money. There are also many other up and comers that could take anyone down at any time. While just watching the contest live, http://quiksilverpro.com.au/live.en.html, Matt Banting, wild card, just took down Bede Durbidge. With so many others fighting for the title Taj better stay on his game and hope to stay injury free through out the year in order to secure himself a ASP World Title.
Keep up-to-date with what's happening in the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast by coming back or checking in to http://quiksilverpro.com.au/live.en.html.


Taj Burrow Wins Breaka Burleigh Pro from Surfing Life on Vimeo.
www.surfinglife.com.au


Snapper round 1 from Taj Burrow on Vimeo.
Round 1 Quik pro, Snapper. Filmed and edited by Riley Blakeway

Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast: Lay Days

Well, with the fifth day in a row of lay days the contest looks like it should be getting some good swell arriving by Saturday and latest on Sunday. This swell should hopefully progress and sustain itself through out the rest of the contest.
So, what have the pros done to keep themselves occupied while the swell has been down and the contest has been laid off? Some have found waves around the corner and others have just been hanging around. Don't we all wish we could become a pro surfer; you get to travel the world, see extraordinary places, meet people from all different types of cultures, and best of all, surf some of the greatest waves in the world and make money while doing it. I guess this is why everyone calls it the dream tour, because it really is a dream come true to be able to make a living by surfing on this tour.
When I was younger I got put on a motorcycle and started racing when I was 8 years old and I raced till I was 16. I had only surfed a few times when I wasn't traveling the country racing, and yes I wanted to become a professional motocross racer and almost did till I had a few major injuries and decided to go back to school. After quitting I picked up surfing and lets just say it was the only thing that quenched my adrenaline hunger.
Surfing became my new favorite hobby/sport that I did every chance I got. There was nothing I would rather do than go surf. With that I finished high school and went to college which I am finishing in May of this year, all the time surfing every chance I got. For some reason I think motocross and racing kind of helped me with surfing; being fit, ambitious, competitive, and wanting to be the best I could be drove me to become a good surfer. Yes, I am not some pro like anyone of the ones that I may mention in my blog, but I can hold my own and stand out in a crowd at my local spots. Surfing is all about having fun and enjoying being out in the water, whether your in a contest or just free surfing you always try your best and have as much fun as possible. Now if I could make money doing something I love then that would be the ultimate dream, and believe me I have thought about it. If only I had started earlier maybe, just kidding, I give the upmost respect I can to everyone of these pros and anyone for that matter that can surf as good as these guys and girls. This sport is truly the hardest sport I have ever got myself into, and the most addicting. So, if you want to surf go try it, if you don't like it then it's not for you, but if you do then plan on surfing a lot.
I guess what I am trying to say is have fun most of all, try your best, ask for advice when possible, and practice, practice, practice, practice, practice, practice, if you ever want to become a pro surfer. Respect what these guys do every day because it truly is one of the hardest professions in this world, and it would really be the biggest dream ever!

Check out the contest here!
Men's contest: http://quiksilverpro.com.au/home.en.html
Women's contest: http://www.roxypro.com.au/
Both of these offer LIVE contest feeds!

From left to right: Sean Taylor, Pat O'Connell, and Mick Fanning play angry birds while waiting for waves for another lay day. 

Coco Ho having a little surf on the lay day just around the corner from Snapper Rocks

Photos curtesy of http://www.surfermag.com/photos/lay-days-on-the-goldie/

Snapper Rocks Surf Report and Forecast