Reubin Pearce took home the Animal Newquay Open title, and with it cheque for £1000, in a tense final fought out between Spencer Hargreaves, Alan Stokes and Nathan Philips on Fistral Beach.

Reubin Pearce - Jason Feast photos

With high tide Fistral providing a chunky 6ft swell the solid conditions meant some high scoring waves from the competitors, keeping the judges on their toes, and the crowd on the edge of their seats to find out who would take home the Animal Newquay Open title.

Reubin made the comp his own with such a high score combination that his competitors couldn’t rival it with their top scoring rides. With the South African taking the top spot, second on the podium was Stokesy followed by Spencer Hargreaves and Welshman Nate Philips.

Spencer Hargreaves claimed the King of Watersports King of the Waves highest wave score of the event with a 9.5 to win a Sector 9 skateboard worth £200.  The Relentless Money Move went to Nate Phillips who gets to bank a sweet cheque for £250. This was also considered the Manoeuvre of the year by the panel of judges.

In the Women’s event the girls took on the 6ft swell and fought it out in the difficult conditions costing Nicole Morgan her board half way through the heat. Gabi Rowe took home first place with Zoe Sheath second, Sophie Helliyer third and Ireland’s Nicole Morgan in fourth.

The Pro Junior title was taken by Newquay’s Josh Piper, followed by George Picking in second, Jayce Robinson third and Toby Donachie fourth.

With the sun setting over Fistral beach the final event of the UK Pro Surf Tour ended another great year of competitive performances from the cream of the UK’s surfers.

Dave Reed of UK Surf Promotions said, “This has been an incredible finale to great year. We have seen good waves at all venues of the tour and the performance of the competitors has been outstanding. Of the back of this event I believe British surfing will take another step forward”.

Steve Kitchin, Animal Sponsorship manager said, ‘It was great to support the final leg of the tour and see so much British talent on form over the weekend.’

With high tide Fistral providing a chunky 6ft swell the solid conditions meant some high scoring waves from the competitors, keeping the judges on their toes, and the crowd on the edge of their seats to find out who would take home the Animal Newquay Open title.

Reubin made the comp his own with such a high score combination that his competitors couldn’t rival it with their top scoring rides. With the South African taking the top spot, second on the podium was Stokesy followed by Spencer Hargreaves and Welshman Nate Philips.

Spencer Hargreaves claimed the King of the Waves highest wave score of the event with a 9.5 to win a Sector 9 skateboard worth £200.  The Relentless Money Move went to Nate Phillips who gets to bank a sweet cheque for £250. This was also considered the Manoeuvre of the year by the panel of judges.

In the Women’s event the girls took on the 6ft swell and fought it out in the difficult conditions costing Nicole Morgan her board half way through the heat. Gabi Rowe took home first place with Zoe Sheath second, Sophie Helliyer third and Ireland’s Nicole Morgan in fourth.

The Pro Junior title was taken by Newquay’s Josh Piper, followed by George Picking in second, Jayce Robinson third and Toby Donachie fourth.

With the sun setting over Fistral beach the final event of the UK Pro Surf Tour ended another great year of competitive performances from the cream of the UK’s surfers.

Dave Reed of UK Surf Promotions said, “This has been an incredible finale to great year. We have seen good waves at all venues of the tour and the performance of the competitors has been outstanding. Of the back of this event I believe British surfing will take another step forward”.

Steve Kitchin, Animal Sponsorship manager said, ‘It was great to support the final leg of the tour and see so much British talent on form over the weekend.’

After the stormy conditions provided by Mother Nature on day one, meaning the event was moved to Towan beach, the competition returned to Fistral. Day two saw a challenging chunky 6ft swell and a strong cross-shore SSW wind testing the competitors. On the beach each heat of the day was watched closely by the onlookers to find out who would win overall.

Stokesy secured the UK Pro Surf Tour title defeating rivals Tom Butler and Reubyn Ash in the semi finals despite a strong performance from Tom Butler throughout each of the rounds. Alan kept on top with some solid scores getting a 7.5 and 8.33 in the semis to clinch the title and take the championship title home on solid form.

In the Women’s event strong performances were put on by Zoe Sheath and Gabi Rowe but not enough to take the overall title from Gwen Spurlock who won the overall UK Pro Surf Tour Women’sevent thirty points ahead of the pack.
Tour Director Dave Reed said “A fantastic event and a great result for two of the best surfers in the UK, Alan Stokes and Gwen Sprulock. They have both achieved a great result from the last 12 months hard work”.
Stoksie and Gwen’s results overshadowed great performances by event winners Ruebin Pearce and Gabi Rowe who both became Animal Newquay Open Champions for 2009.

Stop No 6 of 7 on 2009 UK PST

31^st October – 1^st November 2009

Rest Bay, Porthcawl Wales

www.ukprosurf.com

The ‘AXL / DOH Pro, this year will be sponsored by Billabong, Santa Cruz, The Realm, Sanuk and Carve Eyewear  With the talent pool of surfers that now compete on the UK Pro Surf Tour the event promises to be bigger and better than previous years. It will be held 31st October to 1^st November at Rest Bay Porthcawl. The 6^th of 7 UK Pro Tour (UKPST) competitions being held this year.

This is the ninth year the tour has come to Wales, the third time at Porthcawl. Previous years the event has been held at Freshwater Beach in Pembrokeshire and prior to that it has been hosted at Langland Bay and Llanglennith Beach.  This venue offers a fantastic challenge for the surfers, who at this time of year will see some of the best swell coming in from the Atlantic Ocean.

It will attract the top surfers from all over the country including some top international competitors. These include 2008 champion, WQS / WCT Surfer Russell Winter (Newquay), 2008 Tour Champion Ruebin Pearce (S Africa) and the surfer who is pushing the boundaries of contemporary surfing in the UK, Reubyn Ash (Bude) plus many more. They will be joined by the best Welsh surfers around which include: Nathan Phillips (Llantwit), Nick Reid (Swansea) and top local surfer Greg Owen (former Welsh Champion).

Hoping to encourage the development of the sport in Wales the event will also include an Under 16 Boys division.  It will feature future stars of surfing from around the UK, but one of the favourites must be local surfer Max Tucker (Porthcawl) whose knowledge of conditions will give him the edge.

Dave Reed, Director of the UKPST states ”It is great to be going to Porthcawl, we know the venue can get great waves. I would like to thank local company Double Overhead and the surf brands they support for backing this event and securing its future in Porthcawl. At a time when the recession is biting hard it is extremely difficult to put your hand in your pocket, but they are coming forward to support a fantastic sport we all love” adding “There are many talented Welsh surfers that will now have the opportunity to compete at the highest level in Wales”.

Brad Hockridge Owner of Axl and Doh Distribution Companies, “said it has been an ambition of mine from growing up surfing at Rest Bay from the age of 8, to now being in a position of sponsoring the biggest professional event ever to be held in Porthcawl”

A big thanks go out to 2009 UK PST sponsors, including Relentless for providing, not only an endless supply of energy drink but also money manoeuvre prize of £250 for the best Cut-Back. King of Watersports. Com will also be providing a Sector 9 Skateboard for the highest scoring wave of the competition.

On Saturday Night of the event there will be a Surf Halloween Party. Details will be available shortly. Bring your fancy dress!

‘21 Days Later – Mentawais’ follows seven of Britain and Ireland’s finest surfers on a three week boat trip around the Mentawai Islands off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, home to some of the most perfect waves in the world! Featuring some incredible sessions at a variety of epic spots such as Macaronis, HTs, E-Bay, Lances Left, Pit Stops, Bank Vaults and more. Learn about the spots and share the surfers experience as they embark on the trip of a lifetime.

“I think it’s every surfers dream, isn’t it, to spend 3 weeks on a boat with perfect waves, good friends, good times…I didn’t want to go home” - Alan Stokes.

Featuring Reubyn Ash, Lee Bartlett, Easkey Britton, Robyn Davies, Sam Lamiroy, Mike Morgan and Alan Stokes. Also including a host of international professional surfers we met along the way.

This trip was organised by photographer Roger Sharp of Slide Magazine, which is now online at: www.slidemag.co.uk

Check out our gallery for 21 days later also here.

We always like Mr B’s productions, they are down to earth and featuring “local” talent always makes for an appealing film. The familiar accents, the common way of relaxing and chilling out all strike a chord and seem a long way from some of the surf super stars where they seem to be rich beyond belief but without the soul.

The result is the film 21 Days later – Mentawais takes you away almost on an autobiographical holiday. As with all Mr B’s films they are wave packed. Rather than have seperate scenes for interviews and surfers comments, its dubbed over the action, so you get the best of both worlds – you get to hear what the guys think about a spot, whist watching them or one of the others surf it.

As always the footage is well shot, and the camera person (can’t be sexist) gets in a good position to really help you capture the feel for the waves, the perfectness of them, and also the risk to skin on the nasty looking shallow reefs.

Whilst the perfect, seemingly endless waves of the mentawais seem a million miles away from windy september swells in the UK / Ireland its great to showcase the talent that our Islands produce and to show that in really great conditions these guys are ripping it up with the best in the world.

So to sum up.

With this film you get to see a load of great UK / Irish surfers – both male and female, living the dream! Spending 3 weeks in world class surf, ripping up it. The film is a veritable wave fest, I dont know exactly how many shots there are but there is lots and lots
Its another one of those films that by the end of it you feel like you are there on the trip with them.. and then when you realise you are not, its time to start saving!

Well done Mr B, Another diamond job, keep them coming

Sunset Surf A++ Approved.

Available from:

www.21dayslater.com or

http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/mrbproductions1

Several of surfing’s biggest names got together two weeks ago on Australia’s Gold Cost for a two-day meeting, dubbed “Rabbit Camp 2009” (after former ASP President Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew’s annual strategy sessions) where event licensees, surfer’s representatives and ASP administrators discussed several key ideas which would change the face of next year’s ASP Dream Tour and the future of surfing. Although finalization of these new ideas discussed at the meeting will not be voted upon until October, there is a solid chance for some exciting changes for next year’s finest ASP competitors.

Women’s Finest Prep for Action

After a lengthy break from competition, the finest crop of competitive female talent are heading back to Australia to do battle at this year’s Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic, which will host a waiting period from September 30 through October 5 in Sydney at Dee Why Point. You’ll want to see what unfolds at the third of seven stops on the Women’s ASP Dream Tour as reigning two-time Women’s World Champ and current ratings leader Stephanie Gilmore, 21, will be working towards her third title and youngster Tyler Wright, 15, who won the Beachley Classic last year, will definitely be out to reclaim her event throne

C.J. Hobgood Scrapbook by ESPN

C.J. Hobgood (USA), 30, current ASP World No. 2, has been on a tear this season, collecting three 5ths, a 3rd and a 9th during the first half of the year. Looking phenomenally fit and having been an historic doom-bringer during the back half of the ASP Dream Tour schedule, it would appear that Mr. Hobgood is sitting in a pretty good position. However, things weren’t always this good, and the soft-spoken Floridian recently opened up about life on the road with Eastern Surf Magazine. This…is their story…

Cardoso Bests Andre to Claim Azores Islands Pro

The inaugural ASP WQS 6-Star Azores Islands Pro presented by Nissan saw an all-Brazilian Final which saw young Brazilian William Cardoso, 23, defeat current ASP WQS No. 2 Jadson Andre to claim the crucial qualification points towards the ASP Dream Tour, while Andre’s runner-up finish solidifies him as a top threat on The Grind. Cardoso’s break-through victory launched him up the ladder in to the No. 14 seat amongst the finest up-and-coming competitive global talent and puts him in good position for a slot on next year’s ASP World Tour.

Fantasy Surfer: Trestles Time!

The Hurley Pro Trestles is set to host mainland America’s only stop on the ASP Dream Tour at the premier wave of Lower Trestles and Hurley is about to unleash a sick prize pack for Fantasy Surfer fanatics. So, who are you banking on for the Upcoming event? Will Parko’s reign on the 2009 season continue? A Mr. Kelly Slater has quite the history at the famed cobblestone reef, so will you lead with him? Maybe there will be a breakthrough performer at this year’s Hurley Pro Trestles, so start plotting out your team while there’s still time by logging in to FantasySurfer.com 

Women’s Finest Prep for Action

After a lengthy break from competition, the finest crop of competitive female talent are heading back to Australia to do battle at this year’s Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic, which will host a waiting period from September 30 through October 5 in Sydney at Dee Why Point. You’ll want to see what unfolds at the third of seven stops on the Women’s ASP Dream Tour as reigning two-time Women’s World Champ and current ratings leader Stephanie Gilmore, 21, will be working towards her third title and youngster Tyler Wright, 15, who won the Beachley Classic last year, will definitely be out to reclaim her event throne

C.J. Hobgood Scrapbook by ESPN

C.J. Hobgood (USA), 30, current ASP World No. 2, has been on a tear this season, collecting three 5ths, a 3rd and a 9th during the first half of the year. Looking phenomenally fit and having been an historic doom-bringer during the back half of the ASP Dream Tour schedule, it would appear that Mr. Hobgood is sitting in a pretty good position. However, things weren’t always this good, and the soft-spoken Floridian recently opened up about life on the road with Eastern Surf Magazine. This…is their story…

Cardoso Bests Andre to Claim Azores Islands Pro

The inaugural ASP WQS 6-Star Azores Islands Pro presented by Nissan saw an all-Brazilian Final which saw young Brazilian William Cardoso, 23, defeat current ASP WQS No. 2 Jadson Andre to claim the crucial qualification points towards the ASP Dream Tour, while Andre’s runner-up finish solidifies him as a top threat on The Grind. Cardoso’s break-through victory launched him up the ladder in to the No. 14 seat amongst the finest up-and-coming competitive global talent and puts him in good position for a slot on next year’s ASP World Tour.

Fantasy Surfer: Trestles Time!

The Hurley Pro Trestles is set to host mainland America’s only stop on the ASP Dream Tour at the premier wave of Lower Trestles and Hurley is about to unleash a sick prize pack for Fantasy Surfer fanatics. So, who are you banking on for the Upcoming event? Will Parko’s reign on the 2009 season continue? A Mr. Kelly Slater has quite the history at the famed cobblestone reef, so will you lead with him? Maybe there will be a breakthrough performer at this year’s Hurley Pro Trestles, so start plotting out your team while there’s still time by logging in to FantasySurfer.com

Surfers Against Sewage call for year-round protection for Pease Bay surfers

This year, Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) asked all UK water companies if they had any plans to reduce their sewage treatment outside the bathing season (May – September). Outside the bathing season is usually the best period for surf in the UK and reducing sewage treatment increases the health risks for surfers and waveriders.

When SAS asked Scottish Water if they planned to reduce their sewage treatment, thus increasing the health risk to surfers and waveriders, they replied with “It is not a question of switching off treatment outside the bathing season, but rather switching on extra treatment during it”. Just how stupid do they think we are?

Pease Bay is one of the places Scottish Water plan to reduce the levels of sewage treatment outside the bathing season. It is also one of Scotland’s most popular surfing breaks, consistently producing its best surf from September to April, and therefore is most heavily used outside the bathing season.

We therefore call on the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) to immediately revise the Water Use License so that tertiary level treatment remains an all year-round process for Cove STW, until such time that it is shown that recreational water users do not suffer a reduced threat to their health from turning off the UV-light disinfection process here, or it is found that recreational water user numbers are not using this beach in significant numbers on a regular basis outside the bathing season.

SAS applaud water companies all over the UK who are trying to reduce their carbon footprint, however, this cannot come at the cost of increased health risks for surfers and waveriders. SAS are calling on water companies to generate clean and sustainable energy through their sewage treatment process and embrace new technologies that will allow them to harness more of this energy and increase efficiency.

In 2008, SAS successful campaigned against Northumbrian Water reducing their levels of treatment outside the bathing season and as a result the Environment Agency (EA) has ruled that water companies must prove an absence of water users and impact on water quality before they can switch off the treatment. SAS believe this sets a strong precedent and believes that SEPA should provide the Scottish public with the same levels of protection.

If you plan to use Pease Bay outside the bathing season please sign our petition. This will help SAS to demonstrate to SEPA that Pease Bay is well used outside the bathing season and a significant number of water users are being put at risk from Scottish Water’s actions.

Sign the petition here

Romain Cloitre

[Photo section: Aquashot/aspeurope.com] Romain Cloitre (REU), 20, was in good form today opening his Sooruz Lacanau Pro campaign with an excellent 16.34 point heat score. Cloitre eliminated current ASP Top 45 Nic Muscroft (AUS) and won the heat ahead of Miguel Pupo (BRA)

LACANAU OCEAN – France (Thursday, August 20, 2009) – The ASP WQS 6-Star Sooruz Lacanau Pro experienced another short day of competition as three heats only were completed during the outgoing tide at Lacanau this morning. Some two to three foot (0.5 to 1 meter) waves allowed the twelve getting their chance to surf today to show some good surfing, former ASP European Junior champion Romain Cloitre (REU), 20, impressing the ASP judging panel to net a 16.34 point combination, the sixth best score of the event thus far.

Cloitre, who surfed against fellow top seed and ASP World Tour member Nic Muscroft (Victoria, AUS), experienced a tough heat not finding any decent ride for the first ten minutes of the heat before coming back in the race to oust Muscroft and Brad Ettinger (USA) and advance through to Round 3.

“I was really nervous at the start of that heat and already thinking of my coach watching me and stressing out,” Cloitre said. “Then I got that first wave, it took me a bit of time to find a second ride but it was the best wave of the heat and that 9.17 definitely relieved the pressure. I am happy to make it through and get to surf in the expected better waves.”

Cloitre, who got in the spotlights in 2007 after dominating the ASP Pro junior tour in Europe winning three out of five events including the biggest one against superstar Julian Wilson (AUS), has stepped up this year touring on the Grind, the Reunion island born surfer getting two excellent results in the ASP WQS 6-Star event in Portugal last April where he placed 3^rd, and in the ASP WQS 6-Star Prime event in the Maldives with a 5^th.

The event was put on hold by event officials after Heat 11 of Round 2 was completed, Gony Zubizarreta (Vigo, ESP) advancing through with a win ahead of Austin Ware (California, USA) and joining other standout today Dusty Payne (HAW).

The expected new swell has been confirmed by official reporter Surf-report.com and tomorrow will see loads of action as no less than twenty heats are scheduled, the first call being made at 7 AM by contest director Cyril Camu along with ASP Head Judge Iain Buchanan and Surfer’s Representative Michael Picon.

Visit www.aspeurope.com and www.sooruzlacanaupro.com for results, photos and news of the ASP WQS 6-Star Sooruz Lacanau Pro

SOORUZ LACANAU PRO ROUND 2 RESULTS
Heat 1: Tim Boal (FRA) 17.17 pts, Charles Martin (GLP) 12.60 pts, Richard Christie (NZL) 11.17 pts, Alex Gray (USA) 10.00 pts

Heat 2: Yadin Nicol (AUS) 15.66 pts, Luke Munro (AUS) 13.20 pts, Daniel Redman (ZAF) 11.17 pts, Mark Mathews (AUS) 9.57 pts

Heat 3: Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 11.50 pts, Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 9.98 pts, William Cardoso (BRA) 9.66 pts, Shaun Ward (USA) 8.77 pts

Heat 4: Owen Wright (AUS) 13.00 pts, Nat Young (USA) 11.20 pts, Hodei Collazo (EUK) 10.94 pts, Masatoshi Ohno (JPN) 8.43 pts

Heat 5: Dylan Graves (PRI) 14.10 pts, Jihad Khodr (BRA) 11.67 pts, Paulo Moura (BRA) 10.07 pts, Che Stang (USA) 8.70 pts

Heat 6: Eric Geiselman (USA) 13.07 pts, Travis Logie (ZAF) 11.07 pts, Marco Polo (BRA) 10.67 pts, Vincent Duvignac (FRA) 7.73 pts

Heat 7: Blake Wilson (AUS) 13.67 pts, Leonardo Neves (BRA) 12.80 pts, Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 9.07 pts, Brent Dorrington (AUS) 8.90 pts
Heat 8: Medi Veminardi (REU) 14.00 pts, David Weare (ZAF) 13.60 pts, Pablo Paulino (BRA) 7.33 pts, Damien Chaudoy (REU) 6.66 pts
Heat 9: Romain Cloître (FRA) 16.34 pts, Miguel Pupo (BRA) 14.74 pts, Nic Muscroft (AUS) 12.26 pts, Brad Etinger (USA) 12.16 pts

Heat 10: Dusty Payne (HAW) 15.34 pts, Gabriel Medina (BRA) 10.00 pts, Romain Laulhe (FRA) 9.66 pts, Jarrad House (AUS) 4.87 pts

Heat 11: Gony Zubizarreta (ESP) 11.67 pts, Austin Ware (USA) 10.77 pts, Christophe Allary (FRA) 9.34 pts, Rowan Aish (NZL) 3.62 pts

Wiggoly Dantas

[Photo credit: Aquashot/aspeurope.com] Wiggoly Dantas (BRA), 19, was in superb form for his start in the Oakley Pro Junior today, the Brazilian standout posting the days highest scores to advance through two rounds and join event top seeds in Round 3

LACANAU OCEAN – France (Thursday, August 13, 2009) – The ASP Grade-2 Oakley Pro Junior got underway at Lacanau today, the men’s division kicking-off in tricky two foot (0.5 meter) clean waves for an action-packed day of surfing and two rounds being completed. From international representatives to regional event low seeds, numerous summer crowds witnessed intense battles take place and Brazil’s Wiggoly Dantas (BRA), 19, taking control of proceedings.

Dantas, who just got back from England where he placed equal 3^rd in the ASP WQS 5-Star event, paddled back out with his competition rash vest on to destroy the small waves on offer and post the day’s highest heat score, an impressive 17.16 point tally including a 9.33 point ride (out of a possible 10).

“The waves were okay and fun enough during my heat,” Dantas said. “I just went out there relaxed to try and get the better set waves and I managed to do well so I’ m happy to get through Day 1. I am still learning a lot and competing on the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) so that event is another good training.”

Dantas, who is one of Brazil’s leading representatives on the WQS, was able to advance through two rounds today, the 19-year-old competitor advancing through to the event’s top seeds round where he will meet regional top competitors Dimitri Ouvre (FRA) and Edouard Delpero (FRA).

“It wasn’t easy to surf well in the small surf but I am happy with my scores,” Dantas said. “That event is a good training to get used to the place before the WQS contest so I will go heat by heat and enjoy myself without pressure.”

While Dantas was easily taking a commanding lead over the rest of today’s competitive field, several exciting heats got place throughout the day with most of today’s favorites advancing through to Round 3 of the ASP Grade-2 event. Fifth event on this year’s ASP European Pro Junior tour, the Oakley Pro Junior is a crucial step in the regional ratings’ race and pressure already settled over the competitors’ area as Day 1 was coming to an end.

Starting today along with the low seeds was ratings’ front runner Pierre-Valentin Laborde (FRA), the 18-year-old Hossegor resident having to get through two rounds today to join his peers in Round 3. Laborde, who has had a solid start on this year’s ASP European Junior tour, came up with excellent surfing to advance and avoid an upset elimination. Still in contention for a first regional crown, Laborde showed he was ready to step-up and reach his best level this week.

“It’s good to get through those two rounds and get to surf in Round 3 where I should have started,” Laborde said. “The waves were pretty small but I managed to catch a couple in each of my heats and I am now focused on Round 3 where things will get tougher.”

Other top seed to surf early today due to a late entry was current ASP WQS No. 10 Joan Duru (FRA), 19, the renowned competitor and current best European on the WQS escaping the first two rounds of competition to join Oakley Pro Junior top seeds and keep his title hopes alive.

Contest director Cyril Camu along with ASP Head Judge Iain Buchanan had to stop the event after the completion of round 2, deciding of an early check-in for Friday to take advantage of the incoming tide.

“The forecast is pretty small so we want to use most of the better tide moments,” Camu said. “The sand banks are excellent and any small push will give decent surf so we want to give the top seeds some contestable waves and tomorrow morning should be clean.”

All Round 3 competitors will start their ASP Grade-2 Oakley Pro Junior campaign tomorrow, once the call is made at 7 AM.

Visit www.aspeurope.com for results, photos and news of the ASP Grade-2 Oakley Pro Junior