Strandleben Frankfurt

http://www.strandleben-frankfurt.de

Tenerife Top Training (T3)

2009-08-11T13:16:00.000-07:00

Das neu errichtete Trainingszentrum "Tenerife Top Training", kurz T3, befindet sich im Süden Teneriffas an der Costa Adeje und bietet optimale Trainingsbedingungen für Schwimmer und Triathleten.

Neben einem 50m- und einem 25m-Becken bietet der Strömungskanal herausragende Möglichkeiten für eine Technikanalyse im Schwimmen. Ab November 2009 finden im T3 regelmäßig Schwimmseminare und Trainingscamps für Triathleten mit verschiedenen Inhalten und Schwerpunkten statt. Teneriffa bietet 340 Sonnentage im Jahr und damit beste Voraussetzungen für einen erfolgreichen Trainingsaufenthalt. In Zusammenarbeit mit einer der führenden Sportmarketing-Agenturen Deutschlands, der Firma akzio! (www.akzio.de) mit Sitz in Frankfurt am Main, haben wir mit dem T3 einen Exklusivvertrag für die Durchführung von Triathlon-Seminaren und -Camps geschlossen.

mehr Infos unter http://www.allwetterkind.de/

high tide (...music by "Lost Acapulco") supported by STRANDLEBEN FRANKFURT

2009-07-10T13:53:00.000-07:00

High Tide

STRANDLEBEN FRANKFURT

HANS SÖLLNER live in der Batschkapp (21. März 2009)

2009-03-15T12:55:00.000-07:00

Hans Söllner +Bayaman'Sissdem Hans Söllner wird im März 2009 mit seinem Bassisten Denis Riegger und seinem Schlagzeuger Stephan Hofer von Bayaman'Sissdem auf große Tournee gehen - 31 Konzerte an 31 Tagen, quer durch die Republik, in den Großstädten, in den mittleren Städten, auf dem Land. Da ist einer, der es wissen will. Einer, für den „Freiheit“ keine Worthülse ist. Hans Söllner, „der bayerische Rebell“. „Der wilde Hund von Reichenhall.“ (DER SPIEGEL). „Söllner war und ist der härteste, böseste, witzigste in Sachen Stimmungsmache gegen diejenigen, „die alles daransetzen, diesen Planeten in die Luft zu jagen“ (W.S. Burroughs) oder die uns einreden wollen, es gäbe in Deutschland ein Asylgesetz, das diesen Namen verdient.“ Franz Dobler in ROLLING STONE „Den Rock'n'Roll spielt er nicht, er lebt ihn, ohne ihn neu erfinden oder ihn neu erklären zu wollen. Söllner singt über sein Leben. In Liedern über die Liebe, übers Vatersein, übers Sterben fallen Sätze, wie sie wahrhaftiger nicht sein könnten.“ TIP Berlin „Anarchische Lust am selbstbestimmten Leben mit Sinn für die Metaphysik der Underdogs. Wer die Zeit auf seiner Seite hat, muß sich nicht mehr fürchten, das versucht er seinen Fans zu vermitteln.“ Süddeutsche Zeitung „Abseits der Unterhaltungsindustrie bestellt Söllner sein gesetzloses, wenn auch moralisches Feld.“ PROFIL Wien „Der Outlaw aus den Bergen (…) Dieser Mann spricht offen aus, was andere kaum zu denken wagen. In bitterbösen Versen zur Wandergitarre zieht der bayerische Volkssänger gegen Politik, Papst und Polizei zu Felde.“ MUSIKEXPRESS „A Wuiderer (…) Der Bayerische Sänger und Volkstribun Hans Söllner…“ die tageszeitung Die Lobeshymnen über den Künstler, der seit Jahrzehnten unterwegs ist, füllen Ordner. Und schwierig ist es, das Phänomen zu beschreiben, ihm nahezukommen. So viele Missverständnisse. Das Eine - da ist ein Künstler, zu dessen Konzerten Tausende strömen. Der allein von seinem ersten Album mehr als 200.000 Kopien verkauft hat. Und das ganz ohne „Marketing“, ein Alptraum also für die gesamte Musikindustrie, die meint, ihre Kunstprodukte nur mit geballter Werbepower verkaufen zu können. Dann kommt da einer, der einfach macht, was er will, der keine Interviewreisen unternimmt, der sich aussucht, mit wem er redet, der selbst entscheidet, was er redet, der keinem Konflikt aus dem Weg geht (und das heißt im Fall Söllner ja auch: endlose Prozess-Serien…). Und der ein Publikum hat, von dem die meisten anderen Künstler nur träumen - viele junge Menschen, kaum „Hipster“, kaum Intellektuelle, das hier ist keine Mode, das ist ehrliche Kunst mit Haltung. Aber wie funktioniert das denn, dass die Kulturindustrie den Künstlern beibringt, sie sollen möglichst keine Haltung haben - und dann ist da einer, der „Haltung pur“ ist, und der hat Erfolg ohnegleichen? Oder ist es vielleicht gerade deswegen? Der bayerische Schriftsteller Franz Dobler, u.a. Autor einer großartigen Cash-Biografie, schreibt über Hans Söllner im „ROLLING STONE“ folgende schöne Beobachtung: „Vergleicht man einen Künstler mit einem anderen und benutzt dabei einen so großen Namen, dass es größer nicht geht, erschlägt man den kleineren dabei. Fast immer. Hier geht's: Nach ein paar Liedern und dann bis zum Ende spielte in meinem Kopf ein anderer Mann, eine andere Platte mit, entfernt, aber deutlich: „American Recordings“ von Johnny Cash. Söllner kommt in jeder Hinsicht so nah an das hin, dass es unglaublich ist. Ohne dass sich der Eindruck oberflächlich herstellen lässt. Wie Cash besingt Söllner die großen Themen Geburt, Liebe, Sterben, Vatersein, Mitglied einer Gemeinschaft sein… so einfach und auf die eigene Erfahrung bezogen, dass das Verständnis nie eine Frage von Automechaniker oder Professorin ist, und ohne sie so zu vereinfachen, dass sie zu dummen Klischees verkommen. Dazu eint sie ein Gespür für Charme und hinterhältigen Witz, und wenn sie einmal sentimental werden, dann ist die übliche sentimentale Schnulze ein Faschingsknaller dagegen. Typen, die immer nur Wahrheit sagen können; Typen, die wie Einsiedler wirken, aber den Menschen lieben und ihn nie einem System unterordnen würden. Daher ihre widersprüchliche, unberechenbare Popularität.“ Der Kontext zu Cash ist in meinen Augen der naheliegendste überhaupt. Nicht der Cash des Hollywood-Films „Walk the line“, auf den sich alle einigen können. Sondern der Cash, der Jahrzehnte sein eigenes „Ding“ gemacht hat (und für den, am Rande sei es angemerkt, auch hierzulande Jahrzehntelang die meisten nur Hochnäsigkeit übrig hatten; ich weiß das noch gut, „Country“? da war hier nix außer Franz Dobler und Wiglaf Droste und ein paar anderen, die diese Musik schon immer hoch hielten, da musste erst einer wie Rick Rubin ums Eck kommen, damit Country hier als „korrekt“ galt…). Und woher kommt das denn, dass es in den USA schon immer diese „Outlaws“ gab, die mit einem sehr ernst gemeinten und weit begriffenen Begriff von „Freiheit“ hantierten, Cash, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams und wie sie alle heißen? Und wie kommt das, dass diese Tradition hierzulande nur in Bayern existieren mag? Daß einer wie Hans Söllner im besten Sinne „Volkssänger“ der „Freiheit“ ist? Da haben wir noch einiges nachzuholen… Und das Interessante mag ja vielleicht wirklich sein, dass Zigtausende zu Söllners Konzerten kommen, eben weil sie spüren: der da ist „echt“, der meint, was er singt, der vertritt, was er sagt, der ist nicht „Kunstprodukt“, der würde sich nie zu einem Johannes B. Kerner aufs Sofa setzen. Und dafür lieben sie ihn. Und dafür kann man den Hans Söllner aus Reichenhall auch eben nur lieben. Und sein „A Drecksau is a Drecksau“ kann in Bayern jeder mitsingen, und sein legendärer „Marijuanabam“ gehört zu den knapp 100 Musiktiteln, die jede Trachtenkapelle auf der Münchner „Wiesn“ einstudiert haben muß, weil der „Marijuanabam“ vom Publikum in den Bierzelten immer wieder verlangt wird (was ja auch eine hübsche Fußnote ist, wenn Tausende betrunkener Biertrinker ausgerechnet einen Song wie den „Marijuanabam“ auf dem Oktoberfest grölen…). Und Söllner, ob solo oder mit seiner formidablen Reggae-Band „Bayaman'Sissdem“, wird weiter seinen Weg gehen, das Publikum auch jenseits Bayerns kommt, es spürt, dass da einer der wenigen Großen unterwegs ist, dem es mit der „Freiheit“ ernst ist, und dass er eine andere Freiheit meint als diejenige, die Frau Merkel im Mund führt… („Was is jetzt des? Is des jetzt die Merkel mit Hühnermaske oder ein Huhn mit Merkelmaske?“ Hans Söllner im Interview mit der „Abendzeitung“ zur Vogelgrippe) „Eigentlich aber geht es darum dass er weiter sein Maul aufreißt, gegen eine CSU, die immer wieder ausländerfeindliche Stimmung macht, gegen Beckstein, der Asylanten selbst in Krisengebiete zurück schickt - sein Alptraum, ein Sänger. Weil er in fast allen Schichten und vor allem bei den Jüngeren so populär ist. Weil er bayrischer ist als alle Tölzer Bullen… Den Entertainer Söllner gibt's aber nur verbunden mit dem Rasta, dem Punk, dem Protestsänger, dem Kraudn-Sepp-Nachfolger und dem Moralapostel. (…) Und er liebt sein Publikum, da ist ein fast unheimliches Wir-Gefühl.“ Süddeutsche Zeitung Aktuelle Alben: Hans Söllner + Bayaman'Sissdem, Vietnam (Trikont) Hans Söllner + Bayaman'Sissdem, Im Regen - Live (CD + DVD) (Trikont)

http://www.fabiolamolina.de

http://www.frankfurt-am-meer.de

DISCO FRANKFURT jeden Mittwoch

2009-03-12T10:58:00.000-07:00

Das hat Frankfurt gerade noch gefehlt!
Die Macher von Party out of Bounds präsentieren ihr neuestes Werk:
DISCO FRANKFURT!
Im Herzen der Bankenmetropole präsentiert euch caroli-city.de eine mittwochs Party Reihe, wie es die Euro Türme so noch nicht erlebt haben.
Die ehemaligen Party out of Bounds DJs bringen zusammen was auf den ersten Blick eigentlich nicht zusammen gehört! Hier tanzt ein ausgelassenes, studentisches Publikum neben Oper und EZB zu Seeed und David Guetta, zu Lil Wayne und MIA, zu Billy Talent und Kool & The Gang.
Ekstatische Stimmung im coolen Herzen der Stadt, in der sonst nur die Finanzströme pulsieren.
DJs die mit ihrem Publikum feiern und sich nicht vom Publikum feiern lassen, ohne erhobenen Zeigefinger und ohne Rechenschaft für die Charts abzulegen.
No Dresscode - Just be You!Musik: Partyclassics, Electro, House, RnB, Nu Rave, MashUp, Collegerock mit dem original Party out of Bounds DJ Team (DJ Clubs Finest & Dj Rockster)
Eintritt: 5 EUR (Studenten: Eintritt frei bis 24.00 uhr)
Anfahrt zum Velvet Club:5 Minuten zu Fuß von der Hauptwache entfernt
Mit der U-Bahn: U 1,2,3 bis Willy- Brandt Platz
Mit der S-Bahn: S (alle Linien) bis Hauptwache
Mit dem Auto: Parkhaus Hauptwache
http://www.strandleben-frankfurt.de/
http://www.fabiolamolina.de/
http://www.frankfurt-am-meer.de/

10 Jahre King Kamehameha Club (am 14. März ab 22 Uhr)

2009-03-10T10:57:00.000-07:00

FRANKFURT - One of the world’s finest Clubs, liebevoll KingKa genannt, macht die zehn voll. Doch was sind zehn Jahre? Nicht mal Kamehameha, der erste König des Inselparadieses Hawaii vor rund 200 Jahren und Namensvetter, hätte sich träumen lassen, dass vor zehn Jahren aus einem alten Kesselhaus der Union Brauerei, dank gutem Design- und Unterhaltungskonzept, einer der erfolgreichsten Clubs der Mainmetropole wird. Die Erfolgsstory nahm 1999 ihren Lauf. Ein ganzes Viertel geriet in Umbruch. Eine neue Location entstand, die aufgrund ihrer visuellen Identität, der Kommunikation mit dem Publikum und dem nach außen getragenen Erscheinungsbild wohlwollend angenommen wurde. Die Strategie ging auf. Das King Kamehameha heimste sämtliche Preise ein und entwickelte sich zu einer internationalen Marke für Gastronomie- und Clubkultur mit insgesamt sechs Locations in Frankfurt, Köln und Mallorca. Zwischen Eventreihen wie „Smile“ oder „Hed Kandi“ ist wohl das sinnlich am stärksten wahrnehmbare Merkmal des KingKa die Liveband. Sie verkörpert den Kompromiss zwischen Rock, Soul, Funk, R’n’B und modernem House, verschmolzen zu einer energiegeladenen Bühnenshow. Zum 10-Jährigen hauen die Künstler mal so richtig in die Tasten und sorgen gemeinsam mit den Residents James Blunt, Monique und Oli Roventa und der gesamten Frankfurter Clubszene für ein schallendes und rauschendes Geburtstagsfest.

Happy Birthday King Ka! Support your locoal! www.strandleben-frankfurt.de
King Kamehameha Club
Hanauer Landstraße 192
60314 Frankfurt
Telefon: 069/4800370
Telefon: 069/48003711
E-Mail: club@king-kamehameha
Internet: http://www.king-kamehameha.de/

Wie wird ein altes Kesselhaus zum Brodeln gebracht? Genau, der angesagteste Szeneladen der Stadt wird dort eröffnet. Man schrieb das Jahr 1999, als der Club mit dem unaussprechlichen Namen King Kamehemeha (König von Hawaii 1740-1820) Einzug ins Union-Gelände erhielt. Sieben Jahre später ist einer der „World’s Finest Clubs“ aus Frankfurt nicht mehr wegzudenken. Genauso wenig wie die Event-Agentur Envy, die rfreitags die Lokalitäten des King Kamehameha für ihre Veranstaltungen nutzt, um die Gäste in ihre glamonröse Welt von Drama und Fake zu entführen. Der Club bietet neben dem großen und imposanten Innenraum auch eine Cigar-Lounge, wo genüsslich Zigarren zu gutem Whiskey geraucht werden können. Diesen kann Mann und Frau von Welt nach belieben auch an der langen Bar des Clubs zu sich nehmen oder aber auf einen Cocktail am Pool im überdachten Garten ausweichen. Die Musik der Kingka-Garde um Steve Blunt, Marco Sönke und Monique dringen auch bis in diesen Bereich des Clubs vor und verwöhnen die Gäste jede Woche auf ein Neues mit guter House Music die ihren Standart über die Jahr nie verloren hat. Das der Kunde wahrhaftig König ist, scheint sich herumgesprochen zu haben, und so treffen sich Trendsetter, VIPs sowie die heimische Szene im Club. 2006 feierte das King Kamehameha in Palma das Opening, somit muss im Urlaub keiner auf seinen Lieblingsclub verzichten! (PUR)

Öffnungszeiten
Do 21–5, Fr/Sa 22–5 Uhr
Parkmöglichkeiten
Rückseite King Kamehameha Club
Öffentliche Verkehrsmittel
Linie 11 Schwedlerstraße

Das neue MINI Cabrio - präsentiert von Strandleben Frankfurt am 28. März 2009!

2009-03-02T12:25:00.000-08:00

Das neue MINI Cabrio. Immer offen.
Die Basis ist gelegt: Rund 164.000 MINI Cabrios haben sich seit 2004 aus dem MINI Werk Oxford aufgemacht, Offenfahren im MINI Style zu definieren. Nun geht die Erfolgsgeschichte weiter und das neue MINI Cabrio an den Start, um die echten Open-Air-Fans zu begeistern: Das Stoffverdeck mit integrierter Schiebedachfunktion öffnet sich in gerademal 15 Sekunden - vollautomatisch, versteht sich. Auf Wunsch auch während der Fahrt bei einer Geschwindigkeit von bis zu 30 km/h. Gerade bei geöffnetem Verdeck kommt die besonders sportliche Seitenlinie richtig zur Geltung.
Das ermöglicht der neu entwickelte aktive Überrollschutz, der sich hinter den Fondsitzen versteckt und im Fall der Fälle in nur 150 Millisekunden hochschießt - wenn er muss. Im Zusammenspiel mit dem cabriospezifisch verstärkten Windschutzscheibenrahmen ist bei einem Überschlag für maximalen Insassenschutz gesorgt.
Doch nicht nur die Rundumsicht verbessert sich durch den unsichtbaren Schutzbügel. Trotz dieser Konstruktion bleiben die Rücksitze umklappbar und das Laderaumvolumen lässt sich auf bis zu 660 Liter erweitern. Genügend Stauraum für einen Ausflug ins Freie. Und sobald das Verdeck vollständig geöffnet ist, kommt der Always-Open-Timer - das sogenannte Frischluftchronometer - zum Einsatz: Damit können Freiluft-Enthusiasten genau nachvollziehen, wie viel Zeit sie in ihrem neuen MINI Cabrio offen gefahren sind. Der Timer ist direkt links neben dem Drehzahlmesser platziert und hält minutengenau die Open-Air-Zeiten fest.
Das neue MINI Cabrio tritt zunächst in zwei Motorvarianten an: als MINI Cooper Cabrio und MINI Cooper S Cabrio. Sportliche Ambitionen offenbart das neue MINI Cooper Cabrio, das von einem 1,6 Liter großen Vierzylinder-Motor mit vollvariabler Ventilsteuerung und einer Leistung von 88 kW/120 PS angetrieben wird. Noch temperamentvoller setzt sich das neue MINI Cooper S Cabrio in Szene. Sein ebenfalls 1,6 Liter großer Vierzylinder mit Twin-Scroll-Turbolader und Benzin-Direkteinspritzung mobilisiert 128 kw/175 PS und sorgt für kräftig auffrischenden Fahrtwind. Natürlich verfügen beide Antriebsvarianten serienmäßig über die aktuellen Maßnahmen zur Verbrauchs- und Emissionsreduzierung. Das Stichwort: MINIMALISM. Die Details: zum Beispiel Auto Start Stop Funktion, Bremsenergie-Rückgewinnung und Schaltpunktanzeige. Das Ergebnis: Der Kraftstoffverbrauch und die CO2-Emissionen wurden um bis zu 23 Prozent reduziert.
Das neue MINI Cabrio können Sie ab 28. März 2009 bei uns live erleben.Angaben Kraftstoffverbrauch / CO2-Emission für die genannten Modelle: Verbrauch: von 5,7 bis 6,4 l/100 km CO2-Emissionen: von 137 bis 153 g/km Weitere Informationen zu offiziellen Verbrauchswerten und offiziellen spezifischen CO2-Emissionen von neuen Personenkraftwagenmodellen finden Sie in einer Broschüre, die kostenlos bei jedem MINI Händler oder unter folgender Adresse erhältlich ist: Deutsche Automobil Treuhand GmbH, Helmuth-Hirth-Str. 1, 73760 Ostfildern.

STEPPING AWAY

2009-01-27T12:58:00.000-08:00

Andy Irons Announces Sabbatical from ASP World Tour (by surfline.com)

The ASP and Andy Irons have made official what many have whispered for months: Andy will be taking a break from full-time competition in 2009.
Irons isn't the first multiple-world Champion to take a break from competition - Tom Curren stepped away in 1989, and Kelly Slater did the same in 1999. Like Slater before him, Andy has been granted a wildcard for 2010, allowing him to return to the tour after his break without suffering through a year on the WQS. ASP President Rabbit Bartholomew explains:"Three times ASP World Champion Andy Irons requested and was granted an ASP World Tour wildcard for 2010. Andy cited personal reasons for not participating in the full tour in 2009, however he may participate in certain pet events as an event wildcard.
All stakeholders, being the surfers (WPS), the Events Council and ASP Management were supportive of Andy's request, and the ASP Board of Directors ratified this arrangement officially. Andy has made a massive contribution to the advancement of the Dream Tour concept and is recognized for taking surfing performance to a new threshold of performance. His rivalry with Kelly Slater over a 5-year period from 2002 elevated the ASP World Tour and captured the imagination of the global surfing community. This new performance benchmark also captured the attention of the world beyond surfing borders and elevated the Dream Tour into mainstream consciousness. Andy will be sorely missed in 2009 and we look forward to him contending again from 2010. Each year, three tour wildcards are issued, they are for injury, they are sometimes granted to next in line WQS and they are also granted to former ASP World Champions or someone held in high esteem."Surfline caught up with Andy Irons this week to get his perspective on the announcement. Surfline: Why are you taking 2009 off -- what factors contributed to that decision? Andy Irons: Last year was a really long year for me, physically and mentally. I've been doing the tour for 12 years and I came really close to just burning out completely last year. The ASP has been cool about me taking some time off, and I think they understand where I am at right now. They know I need a break, and the fact that they have been able to guarantee me a wildcard for 2010 takes a lot of pressure off me to just work on myself and my surfing in '09.The last time we talked, you told me "It feels like I have been taking those bad moods all the way across oceans to the next event with me, and I can't figure out why." Have the last few months changed things? Do you feel like you have more clarity as to why competition became a negative for you? No, nothing has really changed too much over the past couple months. Yeah, I surfed the Pipe event, but that was more just because it's a place where I know I can win. Even if I did end up winning that event, I had my mind made up the whole time that I needed this coming year to spend on the road chasing waves, and using that time away to get my competitive nerves jumpstarted again.There's been a lot of talk about selfishness leading to titles -- Mick had to be selfish to win his, Slater has won nine at the expense of personal relationships, etc. Do you feel there's truth in that, and are you hesitant to concentrate that much on your own goals at the expense of friends and family? Definitely, 100%. The years I was winning there wasn't a second I wasn't thinking about contests. Everything in between contests was preparation for contests. Looking at Kelly, he's used relationships as drive. If they didn't work out, he used them as fire -- the break-up -- to motivate him to win. For me it was full-on, you're working with boards, you're already thinking about the next contest the second the horn ends at the contest you're at. It's definitely something you've got to be 100% committed to. Once you start not thinking about it... with me where I'm at right now, I don't think a title is worth losing my wife or family over. Definitely not. They're a lot more important to me. I've won my titles.
"...where I'm at right now, I don't think a title is worth losing my wife or family over. Definitely not. They're a lot more important to me. I've won my titles."
How did it feel to put a jersey back on at the Pipe Masters?It felt really weird. Ever since my last interview with you I feel like the microscope has been on me 10 times more than before. I went to Oahu early to work out with Kai (Garcia) a bit, and just get used to the waves over there. Instead of surfing, I was just out there trying not to pay attention to people whispering shit to their friends about what they heard about me and my plans for next year. I am used to people watching me surf, and asking me questions out in the water, it's part of the job, and it usually pushes me, and makes me want to perform, but the vibe is just different right now. Maybe it's just me, and before I just never really paid attention to people around me and what they had to say. Our last interview set a record for Surline Comments. Did the positive comments that readers left effect you? I definitely started to hear stuff after Europe, when the rumors started getting so out of control, when people were believing them and I was hearing them and I was going, "How can this be? I've got to set the record straight." Then that article came out and people who were writing me off kinda understood where I was coming from. And they showed me some leniency, like "He's fried, or whatever," and the feedback that was positive... I don't try to read that stuff too often, cause it does wig me out, but when that positive stuff came back, people showed it to me, and it was awesome. It made me feel good, it made me stoked that people were getting where I was coming from, what I was going through. It helped me a lot to keep psyched on surfing.What are your plans for 2009? Will this sabbatical be a break from travel in general, or are you planning on doing a bunch of freesurfing trips? 2009 is all about surf trips, and being anywhere but sitting on my ass at home. I want to chase swells all year long with my friends, and do a couple of select Billabong contests as a wildcard. I already committed to doing a Drive Thru episode, and I am going to do a couple of trips for sure with Bruce too. I know he is going to be working on his own movie for the next couple years, so hopefully we will get to go surf some heavy waves together.Did Bruce's retirement from full-time competition influence your decision? Bruce's decision messed with me a little bit. Yeah! Imagining him surfing perfect waves without me anywhere around is the kind of stuff that keeps me up at night. There is a big difference in retiring from tour and taking a break, though.Rabbit suggested you may compete as a wildcard in select events in '09. Which events are you thinking about competing in? Just the Billabong ones. Tahiti, and Pipe. Not too sure about J-Bay, but it's a possibility for sure.At the beginning of last season, Transworld Surf wrote the following about you: "There's been talk of too much partying...now he knows it's time to get serious. Reports say that he's cut out the nightlife and started fresh and clean." What's your response to that assessment? Did partying contribute to your competitive woes over the last couple years, and the subsequent decision to take time off? Nope. It's easy to place the blame on drinking and partying, but honestly, 12 years is the reason why, and that is it. Go ahead and replace the word "partying" in Transworld's quote with "repetition," and you got yourself a quote we can work with. Do you feel like your surfing has suffered at all in recent years, as you've been having less success competitively? When you paddle out these days for a freesurf, do you feel like you're surfing as good as you ever have? No. I don't feel like I am surfing at 100%, and I know it's because I wasn't in the water freesurfing as much as I should've been. I would surf heats, and surf around the contests a bit, but I didn't take time to get used to the wave, the water, or my boards. I fell into a terrible routine, took my career for granted, and was more just going through the motions of being on tour instead of fine tuning my surfing and doing everything I could to make sure I was prepared to win the next event. In the past, when world champions have stepped away from the tour (like Curren did in '89) it's been interpreted as a criticism of the ASP. Are you partly taking time off because of issues with the tour, or is this just about you? I'm burnt out, and I don't really know the exact reasons why the other guys took time off, so I'm not gonna comment on them. There is nothing wrong with the ASP, though. I know what you are trying to do here with that question, but they've done nothing but show me respect, and I am happy to do the same with all they've done for me.Have you talked about your decision with any of the guys on tour? Jake Patterson has helped a lot with the ASP, and working out the wildcard deal. Billabong has been extremely supportive as well, and has helped me with a plan of attack for the next couple years. I haven't talked to too many guys on tour about this though. Now that I made the decision public, I would imagine the guys'll stop walking around on eggshells so much around me knowing where I am and what I will be doing for the next 12 months.Are you concerned about having second thoughts once the first contest kicks off? Do you think you'll be watching it online, with a part of you wishing you were there? I know I will miss the tour this year. I watch (WQS) 2-stars online when they're on -- that's how much I love watching and surfing heats. This decision wasn't easy for me to make, but I do know that it is the best one for me at this point in time. Come 2010, waves like Snapper will still be there, and I will be more psyched than ever to surf 'em. Is your competitive legacy important to you? Do you think about it? I don't think about it a lot, but it's definitely important to me. Sometimes I think about it -- where I'll go down, what people will remember me for. Just being able to surf with Kelly, being around with some guy who's won nine world titles. I mean, no one else is going to do that, ever, I guarantee, there's no way. If that happens in 1000 years I'll really be surprised. So to take him on, and actually have some success, I hope people will remember that -- remember me as someone who was definitely psyched, really competitive, and really enjoyed winning, someone who really got psyched off of winning, really loved surfing. I hope they don't forget about it!Any regret in the fact that you won't be there to challenge Kelly while he goes for #10? Are you rooting for Kelly to win it, now that you won't be a fellow contender? I hope Kelly gets 10 this year. No regrets on my side if he does get it while I'm not there.Did Kelly give you any advice during that trip to P-Pass right before the Pipe Masters? No. There were a lot of guys there on that trip, so we never really got deep about anything. I know he's there if I want or need his advice.In the past, the world champion has not always been considered the best surfer in the world. After over a decade on tour, what's your take on that? Is the World Title a fair indication of who the best surfer in the world is? Yes, I think it's true. I think that some guys peak at certain events, but the guy who walks away at the end of the year with the championship was the guy who was the best surfer in the world over that 10-month period.How about the whole financial side of this? Times are tough for a lot of people right now, and as I understand it many of your sponsorship agreements are up for renewal right now. Has that put extra pressure on you in terms of making this decision? Pressure? You have no idea. This negotiation couldn't have come at a worse time with the economy being where it is. People are getting fired from their jobs everyday in the "real" world, and I know I am lucky to even have a job with what is going on out there. I gotta thank Billabong for being so cool, and sticking this past year out with me. I delivered them three world titles so far, and am looking forward to giving them a few more before my time on tour is officially over.When we spoke in October, you told me that you wanted to "win everything, or I don't even want to be there." Do you still feel the same way? Yes, that's exactly why I'm taking a break.In most professions, people get better as they go along - promotions, knowledge, income etc. But for pro athletes, there seems to be an age where you're still relatively young, but your best professional days are behind you. Last time you said, "Titles were my life goal, but I've realized getting them is a type of temporary happiness." Any thoughts on what you might do when you finally retire from professional surfing, and what might provide you with a more lasting sense of happiness? Surfing will always provide me with a sense of happiness whether I am getting paid to do it or not. I have said it since I was 12 years old. I am going to surf for the rest of my life no matter what. Goals are important for me at this stage of my life and career though. Similar to the world title goal of the past, I've created some personal goals to reach in the next couple years, but I'm going to keep them to myself for now.

Hope to see you very soon in the lineup Andy!!! (here with Felix Frank - Strandleben Frankfurt)

www.frankfurt-am-meer.de

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL!

Die neuen Modelle von FABIOLA MOLINA aus Brasilien sind da!

2009-01-22T15:07:00.000-08:00

Strandleben Frankfurt freut sich über die neue Zusammenarbeit mit Fabiola Molina, die mit ihrem Namen seit ein paar Jahren schon in Brasilien ihre Beach und Swimwear Kollektion erstellt. Fabiola ist langjähriges Mitglied der brasilianischen Schwimmnationalmannschaft und kennt deshalb die hohe Anspruchsfähigkeit von Strand- und Poolbekleidung. Die Artikel sind hochwertig verarbeit - durch Schnürung auch der Oberteile ermöglicht sicheren Halt auch bei Sprüngen und Wellen - und die Farben behalten auch trotz Chlor- und Salzwasser ihre Leuchtkraft. ...endlich gute Bikinis und Badehosen aus Brasilien in Deutschland!

Exklusiv bei STRANDLEBEN FRANKFURT!

Fabiola Molina Sizes:
S = 36
M = 38/40
L = 42

Bitte beachten: Die Bikinis fallen sehr klein aus! Besser eine Nummer größer bestellen um einen späteren Umtausch zu vermeiden.

ASP International News (08/2008)

2008-08-05T11:35:00.000-07:00

Like a Rock Star
Hawaiian juggernaut Bruce Irons took down Stop No. 6 on the ASP World Tour, the Rip Curl Pro Search, ‘somewhere’ in Indonesia this past week and celebrated like a rock star. After blitzing the ledging lefthanders at turbo speed, Irons the younger was marched up the cliff to the sounds of Indonesian bells and thousands of spectators cheering. Donning full native ceremonial gear and with a stunning sun setting over the Indonesian lineup in the background, Irons hoisted the Rip Curl Pro Search globe over his head and roared a primal and guttural call of victory for the world to hear.

Mrs. Dingo
Dean “Dingo” Morrison, current No. 18 on the ASP World Tour, popped the question to longtime girlfriend Alana Brennan ‘somewhere’ in Indonesia last week and the happy couple is off to the altar. The week proved fruitful for Morrison in other ways too who defeated Roy Powers (HAW), Leonardo Neves (BRA) and Michael Campbell (AUS) before coming up short to Taj Burrow (AUS). Morrison finished equal 9th at the Rip Curl Pro Search and moved into No. 18 on the ASP World Tour ratings. Congratulations to the happy couple.

ASP WQS Situation Room – Monday, August 4, 2008
ASP action happening around the globe this past week so let’s get started. Hawaiian Bruce Irons claimed his first ASP World Tour win at the Rip Curl Search ‘Somewhere’ in Indo while Kelly faltered early and the top seeds failed to capitalize. Dustin Cuizon picked off his second ASP WQS career win at the ASP WQS 6-Star Yumeya Billabong Pro Tahara in Japan and ASP Top 17 member Jacqueline Silva (BRA) scalped the ASP WQS 6-Star Billabong Cascais Festival. Ratings movements, ASP Pro Junior title and much more after the jump– yew!

Escape from Cascais
While the girls of the ASP Top 17 and ASP WQS are resetting after last week’s battle in Portugal, but for some of them, leaving the town of Cascais is proving more difficult than they could have imagined. Suffering rental car debacles, board bags flying onto the highway, sleepy and sore sangria mornings, ASP World Tour surfers Amee Donohoe and Jessi Miley-Dyer have teamed up with ‘QS’ers Kim Mayer, Nikita Robb, Marina Werneck, Ornella Pellizari, Kim Wooldridge and Kyla Langen in one massive van to see if they can…escape from Cascais! If you’re in Europe, stay off the highways.

Fantasy Freakout
Well, well, well…with all the top seeds on the ASP World Tour, including eight-time ASP World Champion and current ratings leader Kelly Slater (USA) all going down early, there were surely some cyber punters crying in their bags of Doritos over the weekend as Fantasy Surfer teams cried out all over the world. Well the hits are going to keep on coming as next up will be the Rip Curl Pro Mademoiselle featuring the world’s best female surfers. Be sure to lock your team in as soon as possible.

ASP International News (07/2008) IV

2008-07-29T11:35:00.000-07:00

ASP WQS Situation Room – Monday, July 28, 2008
We’ve just experience what is sure to be the first of many explosive events in the coming weeks with the completion of the ASP WQS 6-Star Honda U.S. Open of Surfing pres. by O’Neill. Congratulation to Nathaniel Curran who took out the big win and is our new ratings leader on the men’s ASP WQS. On the women’s side, 14-year-old Malia Manuel from Kauai made history as the youngest ever U.S. Open winner and the ratings have changed substantially for both the men’s and the women’s. It’s all getting very exciting from here on out.

Bugs’ Big Week in the States
Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew, President of ASP International, has just capped off a massive week in the States that has included movie premiers, board meetings and halls of fame. “Bustin’ Down the Door”, the opus that chronicles the birth of professional surfing, played to packed-out audiences all over California last week and Bugs was there alongside Shaun Tomson, Ian “Kanga” Cairns and Peter “PT” Townend. In addition to the movie premiers, Bugs was inducted into the Surfers’ Hall of Fame outside of HS&S in Huntington Beach. World has is the El Presidente will be hanging in Southern California for a few more days before heading back to Oz so if you happen to see him on the streets, send him a g’day!

Who Wants to be a Millionaire?!?
Western Australian and current No. 5 on the ASP World Tour, Taj Burrow, is about to join a very exclusive club. With $995,263 earned in prize money thus far, Burrow stands to become only the fifth surfer in history to crack the million-dollar prize money mark. Eight-time ASP World Champ and current ratings leader on the ASP World Tour Kelly Slater is in the lead (duh) with $1,713,205 followed by Andy Irons ($1,356,733), Sunny Garcia ($1,101,155) and Mark Occhilupo ($1,055,004). Should Burrow breach Round 3 in the upcoming Rip Curl Pro Search Somewhere, the fleet-footed Aussie is in. Next round’s on Taj!

Fantasy Surfer: Rip Curl Pro Search
Still no official word on the location of this season’s Rip Curl Pro Search event so all you cyber managers and Fantasy Surfer fanatics must be shakin’ in your boots at this point. What we do know is this: Aritz Aranburu has officially withdrawn from the event, and one of the wildcards has been awarded to the winner of the Padang Cup. That being said, your guess is as good as ours so check out the heat draw and choose wisely as there is so much at stake.

BMP Wildcards Assigned
The Boost Mobile Pro pres. by Hurley, Stop No. 7 on the 2008 ASP World Tour, held Trials for this season’s event last week at the Honda U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach, with Brett Simpson (USA) and Yadin Nicol (AUS) surviving the stacked field to receive entry into the prestigious event. Simpson and Nicol will join former ASP World Tour Runner-Up Rob Machado in September when the world’s best return to North America.

http://www.frankfurt-am-meer.de/

Mini Frankfurt - der neue Support für das Strandleben Frankfurt!

2008-07-26T13:00:00.001-07:00

Öfter mal etwas Neues: Besuchen Sie uns in unseren neu gestalteten Räumen!
MINI ist frisch, jung, individuell und sportlich. Und MINI ist vor allem eines – nie langweilig!Ständig präsentieren wir Ihnen Neuheiten rund um Ihren MINI und aktuelle Produkte aus der MINI Collection. Heute haben wir jedoch eine ganz besondere Nachricht für Sie: Wir haben unsere Niederlassung für Sie umgebaut!Ab sofort begrüßen wir Sie und alle anderen MINI Fans in unserem Haus in ganz neuem Ambiente. Trendige Farben, modernes Interieur und natürlich viele, viele aktuelle MINI Modelle. Erste Einblicke in unsere neuen Räume erhalten Sie hier in unserer Bildergalerie.Noch besser aber, Sie schauen einfach selbst einmal unverbindlich bei uns vorbei und lassen sich von unseren neuen Verkaufsräumen inspirieren. Wir freuen uns auf Ihren Besuch!

http://www.mini-frankfurt.de/
oder der direkte Kontakt: daniel.crespi-vicaria@mini.de

MINI Frankfurt
Hanauer Landstraße 255
60314 Frankfurt
Tel.: 069-4036-207
Fax. 069-4036-44
Das Strandleben Frankfurt freut sich über die neue Zusammenarbeit mit Mini Frankfurt!
http://www.strandleben-frankfurt.de/

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ASP International News (07/2008) III

2008-07-26T12:53:00.000-07:00

Fantasy Surfer: Rip Curl Pro Search “Somewhere”
Are we going left or right? Is it a beachie or a reef? Heavy-water monster or playful pointbreak? The upcoming Rip Curl Pro Search “Somewhere”, stop No. 6 of 11 on the 2008 ASP World Tour, is gearing up for action and all you Fantasy Surfer humans had better get your affairs in order. Keeping the location tight-lipped thus far this season, we can only look to past venues of Rip Curl’s Search events as clues: the peeling lefthander of St. Leu in Reunion Island (2005), the Kirra-esque “La Jolla” in mainland Mexico (2006), and the slabby doom-bringer of Chile’s El Gringo (2007). Choose wisely…

Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better
Well, last week we saw TMZ.com, the foremost authority on celebrity news in the world, have a look at the boys on the ASP World Tour, so it was only a matter of time before they directed their star-studded gaze at the ladies of the ASP Women’s World Tour. Have a look for yourself to see the Dream Tour campaigners in amongst the stars of Hollyweird…

Huntington Beach Invasion
The ASP WQS is kicking into full swing with the first of six big-time events, the ASP WQS 6-Star Honda U.S. Open of Surfing pres. by O’Neill, has hit the water with the Trials completed over the weekend and Round 1 of the main event hitting the water today. The event will be a pivotal point in the qualification season, with athletes hoping to net results here before heading to Japan, England, France and Portugal. Catch all the action.

Hawaiian ASP World Champion!
The Roxy ASP Women’s World Longboarding Championships culminated in Biarritz, France last week and Hawaiian Joy Monahan, 22, took the title back to the islands, defeating Australian Chelsea Williams in the Final. The Californians have dominated the past two years, but Monahan’s superior rail work and commanding nose-riding proved tops in the picturesque beachbreaks of France and Hawaii has a new ASP World Champion.

ASP WQS Situation Room - Monday, July 21, 2008
Congratulations go out to Hawaiian Flynn Novak for taking out the inaugural ASP WQS 1-Star Macy’s E-Series in Hawaii last week. Although the surf was pumping, the ASP WQS 1-Star rating did little to affect the current ASP WQS standings, but that will all change this week with the ASP WQS 6-Star Honda U.S. Open of Surfing pres. by O’Neill. There are some massive points up for grabs so gird your loins people!

ASP International News (07/2008) II

2008-07-26T12:46:00.000-07:00

Presidential Address: Bugs on Jeffreys Bay
We’ve had a few lay days since the big upsets in Round 2 of the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, and the world’s best surfers have been biding their time in picturesque South Africa. ASP International President, Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew, is in his element amongst the exotic wildlife and fauna, and Bugs has checked in on the mental states of the remaining 32 survivors, the forthcoming cold front and the remainder of the event.

HB Preps for the Invasion
The GO211 Live featuring the Honda U.S. Open of Surfing presented by O'Neill is attracting some of the biggest names in surfing for a showdown in Huntington Beach. The ASP WQS 6-Star Men's and Women's events will see current No. on the ASP WQS Patrick Gudauskas as well as reigning ASP Women's World Champion Stephanie Gilmore do battle against the throngs of ASP World Tour and ASP WQS competitors alike.

Padang BANG!
While the ASP Top 45 are currently freezing their toes off in South Africa for the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, trialists for the upcoming Rip Curl Pro Search event got more than they bargained for when a 100-foot Taiwanese illegal fishing boat ran aground at trials venue, Padang Padang. Waves are still peeling perfectly off the beached barge, and the Trials are scheduled to go on as planned. The Rip Curl ISC Padang contest will award the winner with entry into the fourth installment of the Rip Curl Pro Search event – location still undisclosed!

ASP WQS Situation Room - Monday, July 18, 2008
Like the well-oiled beast that it is, the ASP WQS ("The Grind"), following the completion of the ASP WQS 6-Star and 5-Star at the Mr. Price Pro in Durban, has been inhaling this past week, with an ASP WQS 1-Star in Portugal. That being said, this breather period, will be shattered shortly with the start of the ASP WQS 6-Star events in Huntington Beach this coming weekend for the GO211 Live featuring the Honda U.S. Open of Surfing pres. by O’Neill. A lot on the line as we've breached the halfway point and are pushing forward towards daylight...

Hollywood Takes Notice
With everyone from Matthew McConaughey to Paris Hilton taking up the sport of surfing these days, it was only a matter of time before Hollywood peered its pair of Gucci designer sunglasses our way. TMZ.com, the foremost authority for celebrity news in the world has checked out the current Top 10 on the ASP World Tour and we’re putting odds on our boys taking out the A-listers any day.

ASP International News (07/2008)

2008-07-26T12:37:00.000-07:00

Bede Durbidge Preps for J-Bay Assault
With event No. 5 on the ASP World Tour, the Billabong Pro J-Bay, rapidly approaching, the ASP Top 45 are gearing up for an assault on one of the world’s premier righthand pointbreaks. Aussie Bede Durbidge, current ASP World No. 3, recently checked in with What’s On Tour (W.O.T.) to dish on his frame of mind, the daunting lead that Mr. Slater has accumulated thus far and his recent preparation with one of the most dominant surfing forces in the history of the planet. Read on to find out who!

The Hits Keep On Coming!
Reigning ASP Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) hasn’t been shy of accolades or praise since making ASP History in Maui last December, but sport media giant is throwing another log on the fire by nominating Ms. Gilmore as Best Female Action Sports Athlete in the 2008 Espy Awards. Should Steph take top honors, the preternatural talent could be rubbing shoulders with Espy’s host and international superstar Justin Timberlake on July 20th, 2008. Don’t just sit on your haunches, get out there and vote!

International Arse Whooping
Last Monday was an impressive day for Australian junior surfing (and what some are calling a harsh one for the North Americans). With only four Australians (all of whom started in Round 1) competing in the ASP Grade-4 Nike 6.0 Pier Pressure Pro Junior in Huntington Beach, three of them survived the 80-man field to crack the final and take first, second and third. Julian Wilson, Stuart Kennedy and Chris Salisbury took top honors with Newport Beach’s Andrew Doheny round out the final. Never has such an international group been so dominating in an overseas ASP Pro Junior event, and if it’s any indication of how the Australians plan to do at the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships, the world needs to watch out.

ASP WQS Situation Room – Monday, July 7, 2008
Ups and downs and ups and downs and ups and downs! The Mr. Price Pro, which hosted an ASP WQS 6-Star Men’s and ASP WQS 5-Star Women’s event, completed last weekend and big congratulations to Australian Chris Davidson and Brazilian Silvana Lima who took out their respective divisions in fine fashion. The big event caused some big shifts and the frontrunner on the ASP WQS Men’s ratings has been dethroned and replaced. Read on to find out who!

Fantasy Surfer: The Clock is Ticking!
We warned you last week and now we’re that much closer to event No. 5 on the ASP World Tour, the Billabong Pro J-Bay (July 10-20), so get your affairs in order ladies and gentleman! If you haven’t already signed up to play Fantasy Surfer, you need to crawl out from the rock you’ve been living under and join the movement. If you’re like the tens of thousands that already partake, get you team lined up for Jeffrey’s Bay!

ASP International News (06/2008)

2008-07-26T12:31:00.000-07:00

ASP WQS Situation Room - Monday, June 30, 2008
The ASP WQS has just wrapped back-to-back 5-Star events in Brazil and the ratings on the Grind are beginning to take shape with competitors filling up their seven results for the season. Shaun Ward (USA) collected his second event win of the season (and his career) with the ASP WQS 5-Star Local Motion Guaruja Surf Pro and vaulted up 47 spots on the rankings. The event was also cause for some other substantial movement in the ratings, and with the ASP WQS 6-Star Mr. Price Pro coming up this week, expect the hits to keep on coming.

Throwdown at the Nike 6.0 Pier Pressure Pro Junior
They came. They saw. They delivered. The international contingent at the ASP Grade-4 Nike 6.0 Pier Pressure Pro Junior pres. by Jack’s tore through the opening three rounds of competition yesterday with standouts such as Julian Wilson, Stuart Kennedy and Kai Barger sticking it in the punchy, HB peaks. The top ASP North America seeds hit the water today and will do battle against the overseas onslaught so don’t miss a moment of action as the best up-and-comers in the world duke it out for Nike 6.0 supremacy.

Fantasy Surfer: Righthand Point Perfection
With the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay just around the corner, it’s time to sort out your Fantasy Surfer Teams for Stop No. 5 of the 2008 ASP World Tour. King Kelly is still way out in front, but with a bevy of pointbreak specialists making their respective ways to the Dark Continent, it’s time for some of us to take a gamble. Jordy, Dane, AI, Parko, Fanning, Burrow, Slater, Durbidge or any number of ASP Top 45 campaigners can get it done at J-Bay. The trick will be…can you pick ’em?

ASP WQS Attacks the Dark Continent
The ASP WQS 6-Star (Men’s) and ASP WQS 5-Star (Women’s) Mr. Price Pro in Durban, South Africa has begun and the event will play a crucial role in the qualification campaigns of our young men and women for the 2009 Dream Tour. ASP World Tour and ASP Women’s World Tour campaigners such as Jeremy Flores (FRA), Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA), Roy Powers (HAW), Heitor Alves (BRA), Jordy Smith (ZAF), Silvana Lima (BRA), Rosanne Hodge (ZAF), Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS), Rebecca Woods (AUS) among others will be looking to prove their worth against an army of hungry ’QS campaigners.

Tour Insights with Aritz Aranburu
Being a rookie on tour is no easy feat, especially when you’re the first from your country to represent on the ASP World Tour. For current ASP World No. 41, Aritz Aranburu hasn’t had things easy. Injuring himself in a free surf exhibition before the first event of the season, Aranburu sat out the Australian leg of the Dream Tour before collecting a 33rd in Tahiti and a 17th in Fiji. Despite the rough roll so far, Aranburu is keeping his outlook sunny and offers insights as to how the remainder of the season will pan out.

www.frankfurt-am-meer.de

Ironman Frankfurt 2008 - European Championship

2008-06-14T05:18:00.000-07:00

- Frankfurter Sparkasse IRONMAN European Championship -

Versammelte Weltelite bei der IRONMAN Europameisterschaft in Frankfurt

Dem Veranstalter der Frankfurter Sparkasse IRONMAN European Championship (Agentur Xdream) ist es gelungen, erstmals fast die gesamte Weltelite für den Start in Frankfurt zu verpflichten. Für den Wettkampf am 06. Juli 2008 befinden sich in dem 30-köpfigem Profi-Starterfeld neben vielen Top-Athleten und hoffnungsvollen Nachwuchsstartern mehrere Welt- und Europameister, wie z.B.: - Chris McCormack (Australien), amtierender Weltmeister, - Chrissie Wellington (England), amtierende Weltmeisterin, - Timo Bracht (Deutschland), amtierender Europameister, - Normann Stadler (Deutschland), Weltmeister 2004 und 2006, - Faris Al-Sultan (Deutschland), Weltmeister 2005, - Cameron Brown (Neuseeland), Europameister 2006. Ein derart hochkarätig besetztes Rennen gab es in dieser Konstellation bisher so noch nie in Europa und die Zuschauer in Frankfurt und Umgebung, sowie vor dem Fernseher, dürfen sich auf ein hoch spannendes Rennen am 6. Juli freuen. Kurt Denk (Präsident IRONMAN Germany) betont, dass in dieser Zusammensetzung besonders im Männerfeld ein Kampf der Giganten toben wird, da insbesondere die beiden deutschen Ex-Weltmeister Stadler und Al-Sultan auf Revanche sinnen, für deren bitteres Ausscheiden bei der letzt jährigen Weltmeisterschaft in Hawaii, gegenüber dem dortigen Sieger Chris McCormack. Zusätzliche Spannung ist auch im Frauenfeld garantiert, wo die beiden Kontrahentinnen des Herzschlag-Finales aus dem Jahre 2007 (Nicole Leder vs. Andrea Brede) auf die amtierende Weltmeisterin Chrissie Wellington treffen. Eine interessante Neuerung bietet der Veranstalter zudem erstmals für das seit dem letzten Juli ausgebuchte Rennen an, indem er nochmals einige wenige Startplätze nun zur Verfügung stellt, in einer so genannten „limited edition“. Die Athleten, welche diese exklusiven Plätze noch bis 31. März buchen können, unterstützen mit ihrem Startgeld u.a. die drei gemeinnützigen Projekte „Kinder-Krebsinitiative Rhein-Main-Neckar, „Stiftung Sporthilfe Hessen“ und das Anti-Dopingprogramm „Eiserne Transparenz“.

www.ironman.de

support your local!

www.strandleben-frankfurt.de/

BILLABONG PRO TAHITI ...live webcast!!!

2008-05-15T12:26:00.000-07:00

www.billabongpro.com/

BILLABONG PRO TAHITI [May 8th - 18th Teahupoo 2008]

2008-05-15T12:19:00.000-07:00

it´s always summer inside!

www.strandleben-frankfurt.de

surfeurope (05/2008)

2008-05-15T12:07:00.000-07:00

Surf Europe 57 — Hits the shelves 30th April April 29th. 2008 - News
SE57 features latitude sickness in the Republic of Iceland, Vans Europe Team trippin' the Mexican Riviera, Europe's best young power surfer Joan Duru profiled, an essential 10-step guide to successful coastal living, not forgetting Electric's awesome cover-mounted Save The Big Fat Whales DVD. Subscribe for 8 issues this month and receive a Rip Curl Pro Search Mexico DVD.

Billabong Pro Tahiti April 29th. 2008 - News
With the Air Tahiti Nui VZ Trials already going off in epic 8- to 12-ft conditions last week, the real deal gets underway from May 8-18 for the Billabong Pro Tahiti, with the contest generally held on the four best days of surf during that window. Check out the Trials footage, watch the preview and then log onto the live webcast from the 8th onwards.

Vans Europe shred Mejiiiiiiiiico! April 29th. 2008 - News
Also appearing in this month's SE57, Vans team rippers Simon Young, Nicolau Von Rupp and José Gregorio visit Mainland Mexico and score the heavy beach break of Pascuales. Water temps of 25 degrees plus, stiff morning offshores, and grinding 6-feet barrels all round. View video footage from the trip here: Vans Europe shred Mejiiiiiiiiico!

Billabong XXL Awards April 29th. 2008 - News
In case you've been living under a rock for the last month, you might not have heard this year's Billabong XXL Awards recently went down in Anaheim, California. Shane Dorian took out top honours with a beast of a wave at Teahupoo, winning the $50,000 Ride Of The Year Award. Watch the video highlights of this year's nominees right here: Billabong XXL Awards.

Win a Pukas Pete Daniels April 29th. 2008 - Competitions
Just 10 days to go until this comp closes so time you got a shake on... Our good amigos at Pukas are offering the chance to win a brand spanking Pete Daniels shaped shooter. Inspired by Basque WCTer Aritz Aranburu, the Low Gravity is designed for heavy strong legged, low stance surfers. There's more volume in the tail to power around, over and through sections at full speed. Click here to enter the comp.

Win a holiday for 2 to Kevin Olsen's Surf House April 29th. 2008 - Competitions
And now that you've won yourself a brand new shred stick, the Kevin Olsen Surf Camp in Hossegor, France is offering the chance to win a free 1-week holiday for 2 persons, including accommodation, food and surfing lessons (2 hours per day). What are you waiting for?

Nike Killing It Video Comp on Mpora.com April 29th. 2008 - Competitions
Our newly revamped Mpora.com website features a new Nike Killing It Video Comp you'd be silly to miss out on... The chance to win an all-inclusive VIP trip with your favourite Nike 6.0 riders. Plus there are two pairs of the latest Nike 6.0's up for grabs every month. Find out more here.

ASP International News (04/2008) III

2008-05-15T11:58:00.000-07:00

Meet a Rookie: Dan Ross (AUS)
As the ASP Top 45 gear up for the South Pacific leg of the 2008 ASP World Tour, our rookies have logged in two events and gotten a taste of life amongst the world's best. Is the Dream Tour everything they thought it would be? This week, What’s On Tour catches up with big wave hellman Dan Ross to see how his first year on tour is panning out so far...What's Dan Think?

6.0 Lowers Pro Attracts the Big Dogs
The ASP WQS 6.0 Lowers Pro is preparing to kick off at the world-famous Lower Trestles, and the possibility of tearing into some rippable cobblestone walls has attracted some of the biggest names in surfing. ASP Top 45 stalwarts Taylor Knox (USA), Ben Bourgeois (USA), Fred Patacchia (HAW), Adriano de Souza (BRA) and Chris Ward (USA) will all be in attendance and looking to show the hungry campaigners on the ’QS a thing or two about solid ripping. Competition begins tomorrow so don’t miss a moment of LIVE action.Watch it LIVE...

Back-to-Back at Hyundai Malfunction
Defending Hyundai Malfunction Champions, Dane Pioli of Wollongong and Chelsea Williams of the Tweed Coast, defended their respective titles this past weekend in fun waves at Kingscliff. The multi-day event saw some of the world’s best longboarding go down at the final Australian ASP WLQS of the season.Full Report...

Von Zipper/Air Tahiti Nui Trials Goes Big
As the 2008 Dream Tour prepares to assault the South Pacific, the world’s most terrifying wave has roared to life for the Von Zipper/Air Tahiti Nui Trials at Tahiti’s Teahupoo. 64 handpicked hellman from around the globe are battling it out for two wildcards into the Billabong Pro Teahupoo where they will face the best in the world. After a few more days of battle, the dust will have cleared and we’ll have our trialists, but until then check out all the action.Check the Images...

ASP WQS Situation Room - Monday, April 28, 2008
After a slow start in Scotland, the ASP WQS 6-Star Prim O’Neill Highland Open pres. by Swatch is getting underway and the points are there for the taking. Next week we should have some big changes on the ASP WQS ratings with the completion of the O’Neill Highland Open as well as the ASP WQS 4-Star 6.0 Lowers Pro in California. There are some big guns showing up at Lower Trestles and if the world-class wave turns on, there could be some exciting surfing going down.Get on the Hunt...

ASP International News (04/2008) II

2008-05-15T11:38:00.000-07:00

Al Hunt’s Situation Room – Monday, April 14, 2008
The Drug Aware Pro presented by O’Neill for both men and women has been completed at Margaret River in West Australia with congratulations going to Tom Whitaker (AUS) and Paige Hareb (NZL) on their great wins in surf ranging from 3 feet to 12 feet over the week.

Boost Mobile Surf Sho pres. by Nokia
The world’s best surfers are gearing up for the first specialty event of the 2008 ASP season, the Boost Mobile Surf Sho presented by Nokia on Australia’s Gold Coast. The specialty event format pits some of the finest aerialists in the world against one another in a shootout of epic proportions. Pushing the envelope of competitive surfing, the 2008 Boost Mobile Surf Sho pres. by Nokia will see if defending champ and current ASP World No. 4 Taj Burrow (AUS) can stave off the onslaught from his fellow Dream Tour campaigners and a few other aerial acrobats.

Meet A Rookie: Nicola Atherton (AUS)
After two events on this season's ASP Women's World Tour, our rookies have gotten a taste of what it's like to be mixing it up with the best of the best. Is the Dream Tour everything they thought it would be? This week, What's On Tour catches up with Bronte beauty Nicola Atherton to see how her first year on tour is panning out so far...

Fish Tales
For those who were tuning in last week to the Drug Aware Pro pres. by O’Neill, you would have seen the surfers concerned with more than the massive swell and fierce competition on Wednesday. ASP Top 17 member Amee Donohoe (AUS) caught glimpse of what many are calling a massive (4 metre) White Pointer in the lineup during her heat, causing event organizers to postpone competition temporarily. Although the men would eventually brave the lineup only a short while later, the Noah sighting had everyone talking for days afterwards.

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Gold Coast Oceanfest 20.-22. June 2008

2008-05-15T11:29:00.000-07:00

Frankenreiter headlines North Devon’s surf and music festival
Whatever you do this summer, get yourself down to the beach and catch Donavon Frankenreiter at Gold Coast Oceanfest. One time professional free surfer and all round grooverider, Donavon will take to the stage on the longest day of the year with his own very special vibe: chilled out, beach inspired sounds for the soul surfer in all of us. After a great day on the beach it will be the sundowner session of the solstice – and the perfect way to see in the summer.

Celebrating 10 years of sun,
surf and sounds at Oceanfest 2008

The 10th anniversary Oceanfest takes place on 20th, 21st and 22nd June at Croyde bay in North Devon. This year it is set to be bigger and better than ever. With everything from beach volleyball and beach football to surf comps and skate demos – as well as the chance to try it for yourself - you’ll be able to make the most of every moment on the sand. Eco-projects with local schools and a celebration of the local environment also help to make it a festival with a conscience. And let’s not forget the best music the South West will hear this year! For a full line up of sports, music and events and to find out how to register as a competitor or simply get involved, sign up to the online newsletter.

The Oceanfest is all about good times, great music, keeping fit and looking after the environment. It’s a lifestyle thing. You’ll love it. And where else can you live it to the full from just £27 for an adult weekend pass? Tickets are limited so it’s a good idea to move fast. Go online at goldcoastoceanfest.co.uk to get your slice. See you on the beach!

ASP International News (04/2008)

2008-04-10T07:36:00.000-07:00

Thumping Margarets
The Drug Aware Pro presented by O’Neill kicked off action this week and Huey has served up a value-sized swell. Surf in the 6-8 foot range is currently detonating on the infamous reef, and swell is projected to smash into the 20-foot range in the coming days. Boasting an ASP WQS 6-Star PRIME event for the men and an ASP WQS 5-Star event for the women, the Drug Aware Pro has attracted a cross-section of the best male and female surfers and with swell approaching macking levels, you can be sure to see some fireworks. Don’t miss a second of LIVE action.

The Newest Member of the ASP Top 17?
After only three events on this season’s ASP WQS, Gerroa’s Sally Fitzgibbons has already amassed an incredible 6,150 points with wins at the ASP WQS 6-Star Roxy Pro Women’s Surfing Festival, the ASP WQS 4-Star Arrive Alive Central Coast Pro and a runner-up finish at last week’s ASP WQS 6-Star Midori Pro. Still a bit difficult to call give the season isn’t event at the 1/3 mark, but with her nearest challengers 2,450 points away, the ASP Women’s World Tour better prepare to see lots of Sally in the near future.

The Swoosh Steps Up
One of the longest-running events in North America, the Surfbout at Lower Trestles, has picked up a new sponsor. Footwear giant Nike, and their action sports offshoot Nike 6.0 jumped at the opportunity to pick up the Surfbout for three years. Retaining its ASP WQS 4-Star rating this season, Nike 6.0 will be upgrading the event to an ASP WQS 6-Star in 2009 and 2010, with the option to take it PRIME. This means big points are now up for grabs for contestants at the famed cobblestone break, and Surfbout will continue to be a staple on the ASP World Qualifying Series.

ASP WQS Situation Room - Monday, April 7, 2008
Into the thick of it now, having just completed Surfest in Merewether which saw an ASP WQS 4-Star men’s event as well as an ASP WQS 6-Star women’s event. Congratulations are in order for Adriano de Souza and Stephanie Gilmore who took down the MR Pro and Midori Pro respectively. Certainly some movement in the ratings this week, and with the start of the Drug Aware Pro pres. by O’Neill at Margaret River just around the corner, expect to see some big shake-ups in the coming week.

Abubo’s True Tales from the ASP Women's World Tour
Dream Tour fixture Megan Abubo knows what life is like on the road. After 13 years on tour, Abubo has all the insider information about how to enjoy life on tour, and the stylish Hawaiian is giving the world a look into her world. Offering insights from the latest stop on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Rip Curl Pro pres, by Ford Fiesta, Abubo takes us through her run-ins with rats, break-dancers and the Bells Bowl…

it´s always summer inside!

www.strandleben-frankfurt.de

ASP International News (03/2008) III

2008-03-31T11:39:00.000-07:00

Showdown at Winkipop!
The 2008 Rip Curl Pro presented by Snickers has relocated to nearby Winkipop where the ASP Top 45 are going absolutely ballistic. Kelly Slater and Dane Reynolds went bananas in yesterday's Round 3 action, netting some of the highest scoring waves of the event. We may crown a champion today, so don't miss a second of LIVE action!Watch it LIVE!

Back-to-Back Bells for Gilmore
Reigning ASP Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore scalped her second consecutive Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach title yesterday, defeating current ratings leader Sofia Mulanovich in a hard-fought final. Surfing from the Quarterfinals through the finals, Gilmore came from behind in each of her three heats, nailing high-scoring rides in the dying moments of each affair to advance through.Read the Full Report...

ASP WQS Situation Report - Monday, March 24, 2008
This week saw the 2008 ASP European season kick off with the ASP WQS 1-Star Goanna Pro at Tapia in Spain and congratulations are in order for Spaniard Marcos San Segundo who claimed his maiden victory on the Grind. Mossel Bay phenom Shaun Joubert grabbed the Oakley Pro Junior in Durban, and we’re on the verge of some big events in the States and Australia before the massive ASP WQS 6-Star Prime leg.Get on the Hunt...

Samantha Cornish Wins 2nd Annual FUEL TV Easter Egg Hunt
Seasoned ASP Women’s World Tour campaigner Samantha Cornish may not have been able to crack the Semifinals of the Rip Curl Women’s Pro pres. by Ford Fiesta, but she can hold her head high as she took out the 2nd Annual FUEL TV Easter Egg Hunt this past Sunday. Competition was fierce and heavy hitters such as Layne Beachley, Amee Donohoe, Jessi Miley-Dyer and Stephanie Gilmore all put up a hard-fought battle, but the Cornish Game Hen swept the field and took home the goods.More from FUEL TV...

HB Domination at Vans Pier Classic
The third annual Vans Pier Classic is scheduled to go off this week at the hallowed sands of Huntington Beach. The ASP WQS 2-Star event has seen HB locals own it each season with Brett Simpson claiming victory in 2006 and Micah Byrne in 2007, but a full field of 160 contestants will do battle throughout the week to lay claim to the title. The Vans Pier Classic is the second event on the 2008 ASP North America Tour and will kick off the west coast leg.

it´s always summer inside!

www.strandleben-frankfurt.de

surfeurope (03/2008)

2008-03-23T12:49:00.000-07:00

Surf Europe 56 — Hits the shelves 28th March March 28th. 2008 - News
Kicking off 2008 with a wicked new redesign, SE56 features interviews with Europe's four WCT-ers, Flores, Pires, Picon and Aranburu, the inside on Mick's World Title, a 5-day New Year score across the Gibralta Straits, the finest rubber gimp suit action from deepest darkest Europa winter, and Team Reef Europe shred Bali and beyond. Plus win a surfboard, wetsuit and loads more! Subscribe for 8 issues this month and receive a Rip Curl Pro Search Mexico DVD.
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, March 18th-29th March 19th. 2008 - News
With Easter falling very early this year, Bells' waiting period has officially begun and the forecast looks good with six to eight foot waves expected this Friday. Remind yourself what happened last year by watching this Rip Curl Lightning Strikes series and then log onto the live webcast for some real-time action.
Surf Europe Score MoroccoMarch 19th. 2008 - News
Giving you a taste of what's to come in this issue of Surf Europe, take a peek at some of the video footage from a SE trip to Morocco with Aritz Aranburu and Benjamin Sanchis who scored straight off the bat for 2008.
Hurley Sound & Vision, Vol. 2 Rizal Tanjung March 19th. 2008 - News
Now on SurfEurope.com, the second episode in a series of quarterly Hurley teamrider films focuses on Kuta's favourite prince Rizal Tanjung. Enjoy the sights and sound of Bali firsthand with the Riz by watching the full-length movie right here.
Win Amph Gear March 19th. 2008 - Competitions
The latest line from O'Neill, the Amph Series was born out of the inspiration to develop creativity and progression in surfing, with the likes of Charly Martin, Christophe Allary, Hugo Savalli and Justin Mujica all riding for the Series. Hitting stores this month, Amph has kindly offered SE readers the opportunity to win a tasty little give-away pack. For more info on the line, visit the Amph website.
Win yourself a copy of Billabong's Trilogy III - a Taylor Steele Movie March 19th. 2008 - Competitions
Andy, Taj and Joel are three of a kind. All completely different in background, personality and style yet sharing one universal characteristic, the ability to blow minds in the water and redefine the parameters of modern day surfing. Trilogy brings you a rare insight into the lives and surfing skills of three of the greatest surfers of all time, and Surf Europe have 5 Trilogy copies to give-away. Watch the Trilogy trailer here.

www.strandleben-frankfurt.de

ASP International News (03/2008) II

2008-03-23T12:37:00.000-07:00

Hell’s Bells!
In case you’ve been living under a rock for the past month, allow us to enlighten you…the 2008 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach is upon us – yeoooowwww! Boasting the Rip Curl Pro pres. by Snickers from Mar. 18 – 29 and the Rip Curl Women’s Pro pres. by Ford Fiesta from Mar. 19 – 24, the idyllic towns of Torquay and Jan Juc have been absolutely flooded with top notch talents all chomping at the bit for a chance to ring the Bell. With the potential for a swell of epic proportions to hit this week, competition could get underway very soon indeed. Don’t miss a second of action!

ASP WQS Situation Room - Monday, March 17, 2008
Thank the ratings gods as we’re back into the swing of things on the ASP WQS. Big happenings this past week on the Central Coast at the ASP WQS 4-Star Arrive Alive Pro at Soldiers Beach. Congratulations go out to Australia’s Leigh Sedley for his maiden win over Shaun Gossman, and wunderkind Sally Fitzgibbons is proving that the ASP World Junior Crown is still breaking barriers as the young champion is two-for-two on the ASP WQS. Read on minions…

It’s That Time Again!
Gentlemen (and ladies)…start your engines as the 2008 Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach is about to begin. It is the 25th hour folks, and if you haven’t already locked in your respective men’s and women’s teams for the upcoming competition, get on your horse and do it now as time is of the essence. Event No. 2 on the 2008 ASP World Tour, the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach pres. by Snickers, will see the ASP Top 45 begin their waiting period tomorrow, Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2008, which the ladies of the ASP Top 17 will see the Rip Curl Women’s Pro pres. by Ford Fiesta kickoff their waiting period the following day, Wednesday, Mar. 19, 2008. Again, the biggest prizes will be awarded to the overall ratings leader who plays both the men’s and the women’s divisions so be sure to select teams for both.

The Wicked Chronicles Part II
The end of an era…or perhaps the birth of a legend? Last week, we saw the Steve Irwin-graced Wicked Camper depart from the Gold Coast to parts unknown. Was the trip successful? Did our fearless van and fearful driver fall captive to cannibalistic Irish backpackers? Did they join a hippie commune run by Spanish-speaking Kangaroos? Did the clutch burn out only to be repaired by a team of Koalas? No, but stuff did happen. Read on to find out.

Gilmore Burns Up the Burnout
Ever wonder what ASP World Champions do when they not busy defending their titles? Well, how’s about learning to drive Formula 1 cars and racing in front of hundreds of thousands of screaming fans. That’s exactly what 19-year-old Stephanie Gilmore did last week when she terrorized the racetrack in Melbourne and took on a bevy of international stars in the Celebrity Formula 1 race. All proceeds went to charity and now it’s back to business for the talented natural-footer, who will look to rebound at this week’s Rip Curl Women’s Pro at Bells Beach.

www.strandleben-frankfurt.de

ASP International News (03/2008)

2008-03-16T10:27:00.000-07:00

Fantasy Surfer Speculation
Eight-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater blew minds at last week’s Quiksilver Pro pres. by LG, defeating reigning ASP World Champ Mick Fanning in the finals. Will Kelly be at Bells though? And, what kind of impact will that have on your Fantasy Surfer Teams? On the women’s front, we saw Peruvian Sofia Mulanovich grab the Roxy Pro while reigning ASP Women’s World Champ Steph Gilmore suffered an early exit. How’d you guys go? If you haven’t signed up yet, you’re blowing it! Remember, play both the men’s and the women’s for the biggest prizes.

The Wicked Chronicles Part I
With the wrap of the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro pres. by LG, the best surfers in the world have two weeks before battling it out in the coliseum that is Bells Beach for the Rip Curl Pro. With such a short break in between events, the ASP Top 45 and Top 17 are already gearing up for their next assault on the ASP World Tour and ASP Women’s World Tour. With that in mind, ASP has lucked into a sweet Wicked Camper (fresh with Steve Irwin spray) to trek the coast and catch up with the world’s best surfers to see how they spend their time in between events.

ASP North America Pro Junior Qualifiers Decided
The opening event of the 2008 ASP North America Pro Junior Series has been completed and congratulations go out to Cory Arrambide and Christa Alves who took out the men’s and women’s divisions respectively. The victory was extremely important for Alves as the Billabong Sebastian Inlet Pro Junior is the only women’s qualifying event in North America, and the young Floridian along with event runner-up Courtney Conlogue will be now be heading to Narrabeen come next January

Bustin’ Down the Door Touches Down in Oz
Shaun Tomson’s iconic documentary, Bustin’ Down the Door, has finally arrived in Australia, premiering up at Noosa this past Thursday. The film, which chronicles the Hawaiian exploits of Tomson, Mark Richards, Ian Cairns, Peter Townend and Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew, illustrates the birth of professional surfing and received a rabid response from the packed theatre in Noosa. This film is a must see for all who surf, and even those who don’t. Great story-telling, dramatic cinematography and some of the best characters our sport has ever seen.

ASP WQS Situation Room - Monday, March 10, 2008
The ASP WQS reignites this week with the ASP WQS 4-Star Arrive Alive Central Coast Pro at Soldiers Beach so we’ll be seeing what’s what in terms of ratings next Monday. We did, however wrap a hard-fought ASP Pro Junior event in the land of the long, white cloud (that’s New Zealand to everyone born in a barn) as well as the GSI Noosa Festival of Surfing.

it´s always summer inside!

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Help our friends in the ocean!

2008-02-27T11:32:00.000-08:00

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ASP International News (02/2008) III

2008-02-18T06:31:00.000-08:00

Fantasy Island
The ASP World Tour and ASP Women’s World Tour seasons are once again upon us and that means that everyone, and we mean EVERYONE, needs to get their Fantasy Surfer teams picked before the start of the season. Fantasy Surfer and the ASP will be rolling out bigger, better and more prizes as well as some big incentives for the overall ratings leaders. Be sure to play both the men’s and the women’s to qualify for the big prizes. Sign up today to lock your teams in for the Quiksilver and Roxy Pros!

ASP WQS Situation Room - Monday, February 18, 2008
Perhaps the recent Presidential Primary Elections in the States have elicited a change of a different kind as the Americans are dominating the ASP WQS ratings after the first three events of the season. At present, the top four spots are held by Seppos, but bare in mind that the three events this season have been in Florida, Hawaii and Brazil. Congrats are in order for former ASP World Tour campaigner Raoni Monteiro (BRA) who took out the ASP WQS 5-Star Prime Hang Loose Pro in Brazil yesterday.

Meet a Rookie 2008: Aritz Aranburu
Although little is known about the first Basque surfer to ever qualify for the prestigious ASP World Tour, ASP European Tour Manager Gregoire Puget caught up with 2008 rookie Aritz Aranburu to get the inside scoop on this talented natural-footer. Aritz will do battle with the world’s best beginning at the Quiksilver Pro pres. by LG at Snapper Rocks from Mar. 22 – Feb. 5, 2008, but you can get all your background info here first.

A Word from Jimi Ripstix
With the ASP World Champions Crowning Banquet days away, the world’s best surfers and assorted industry celebrities are dusting off their black-and-whites and preparing for an evening of revelry and good times. In addition to awarding the most sought-after accolades in professional surfing, the night is also notorious for generating more than its fair share of memorable stories. ASP caught up with longtime banquet attendee Jimi Ripstix to get the lowdown on how to survive the biggest night in surfing.

Swell on the Way for Quiksilver and Roxy Pros
The fine folks at Coastal Watch, the official forecasters for the Quiksilver and Roxy Pros, are calling for a fetch of promising swell projected to hit for this season’s event at Snapper Rocks. In the midst of a mature La Nina cycle, Australia’s Gold Coast has been experiencing a run of good swell throughout the past few weeks, and it looks like more will be coming in this week. For a full report, read on…

it´s always summer inside!

www.strandleben-frankfurt.de

ASP International News (02/2008) II

2008-02-18T06:23:00.000-08:00

Trials to the Title for Pancho Sullivan
Hawaiian powerbroker Pancho Sullivan kicked off his 2008 competitive season in fine form last week, taking out the ASP WQS 3-Star Monster Energy Pro at Pipeline despite having to compete from as early as the Trials (resulting from a late registration). Taking down fellow islanders Fred Patacchia, Roy Powers and Dustin Barca in the all-Hawaiian final, the former event champ (2005) proved he is still the man out at the revered break. In addition to the points and prize money on offer were 14 extremely-coveted local wildcards into season-ending Billabong Pipeline Masters. Read on to see who will battle it out with the world’s best come December.

Abubo Celebrates Big 3-0 in Australia
Ground-breaking Hawaiian competitor Megan Abubo celebrated the big 3-0 over the weekend in Tweed Heads on Australia’s Gold Coast. Although Megan’s birthday was actually in late January, this past Saturday saw dozens of the world’s best surfers and friends descend upon returning ASP Women’s World Tour campaigner Serena Brooke’s beautiful Tweed Heads home for a night of revelry. With all the girls now converging upon the Gold Coast, it’s only a matter of time before they take to the water for the start of the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour with the Roxy Pro, and you can be sure that Abubo will look to keep the good times rolling.

ASP WQS Situation Room - Monday, February 11, 2008
Big week for the Hawaiians with the completion of the ASP WQS 3-Star Monster Energy Pro at Pipeline. Congratulations go out to Pancho Sullivan as well as the rest of the top finishers on the North Shore. No rest for the wicked as we're straight into some more 'QS excitement this week with the ASP WQS 5-Star Prime Hang Loose Pro in Brazil. The points at this event will be of consequence with surfers looking to really get ahead in the race for the Dream Tour. The Grind is swinging into full motion and we're seeing the launching of several promising careers.

Victory at Trestles
Lower Trestles, the venue for Stop No. 7 of 11 on the 2008 ASP World Tour, the Boost Mobile Pro presented by Hurley, scored a major victory last week when the California Coastal Commission voted 8-2 against the projected toll road that would cut through the San Mateo state park and have an adverse effect on the surf at Trestles. Surfers and environmentalists rallied last Wednesday when the CCC voted and the protests and petitions have paid off for the time being. A major blow has been dealt to the developers, but you can still “Save Trestles”…

Freddy P’s Pink Pal
Amidst the bevy of stories flying out of Hawaii last week, a rumor started swirling that ASP Top 45 campaigner Fred Patacchia had ridden a pink bodyboard during the Finals of the ASP WQS 3-Star Monster Energy Pro at Pipeline. While Fred is without question a consummate waterman, we just had to find out if it was true. ASP caught up with the progressive Hawaiian to get the full story of the Patacchia the Pipeline and the Pinky…

it´s always summer inside!

www.strandleben-frankfurt.de

ASP International News (02/2008)

2008-02-18T06:14:00.000-08:00

Jeremy Flores Sounds Off on 2008
Last year’s ASP World Tour Rookie of the Year, Jeremy Flores (FRA), has collected quite a few accolades in his 19 years on this planet, and now, the Frenchmen is sounding off on this past season and what lies ahead in 2008. Grégoire Puget, tour manager for ASP Europe, caught up with Flores before he journeyed to Australia for the start of the 2008 ASP World Tour season. Read on…

A Call to Action – Trestles
It’s been an issue for quite sometime now, but the venue for Stop No. 7 on the ASP World Tour, the world famous Lower Trestles, is currently being threatened by the development of a toll road that will cut through the state park. The California Coastal Commission will be meeting Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at 9pm at the Del Mar Fairgrounds at Wyland to discuss moving forward with the potentially harmful development project. Be sure to do your part to ensure that Trestles keeps its epic form.

Newest Member of the ASP Women's World Tour
Veteran campaigner and perennial threat on the ASP Women’s World Tour, Melanie Redman-Carr, gave birth to a beautiful baby girl this past weekend. The tenacious Western Australian was out surfing Saturday morning, went into labor Saturday night, before giving birth on Sunday morning. The bubba has come a couple of weeks early, so the happy parents were caught a bit off guard in terms of naming the little one, but you can be sure that the grommet will be mixing it up in the lineup in no time. Congrats Melanie!

ASP WQS Situation Room – Monday, February 4, 2008
Go Giants! Quite the upset in the States as New York took down a formerly undefeated New England in the Super Bowl, and the ASP events saw their fair share of upsets as well this past week. The Monster Energy Pro presented by Billabong saw Pipe Specialists Andy Irons and Rob Machado both suffer early exits due to poor surf, and across the pond, the Oakley Pro Junior at North Stradbroke Island is gearing up for what could be a solid week of surf. Read on readers…

A Good Year
This time last year, ASP World Tour campaigner Bede Durbidge had lost his main sponsor and was preparing to put up his own cash to support his worldwide campaign. Fast-forward a scant 52 weeks and Bede has landed a number of sponsors, claimed the Billabong Pipeline Masters, become the Vans Hawaiian Triple Crown champion, finished No. 5 in the world, and now, has married his longtime sweetheart Tarryn Pennell. In a beautiful ceremony last Saturday at Currumbin Alley, Durbidge and Pennell tied the knot with fellow ASP World Tour campaigners Taj Burrow and Mick Fanning looking on. Congrats to the happy couple!

it´s always summer inside!

www.strandleben-frankfurt.de

ASP International News (01/2008) IV

2008-02-18T06:05:00.000-08:00

ASP Champs Nominated for Laureus World Sports Awards
It’s not uncommon that our surfers are nominated and awarded prestigious accolades outside of the surfing community, and the Laureus World Sports Awards are no stranger to the ASP World Tour. Having already crowned past champions like Kelly Slater (2007) and Layne Beachley (2004), the prestigious awards have also named marquee athletes like Lance Armstrong, Tiger Woods, Roger Federer, among others to their mantle. Now, reigning ASP World Champions Mick Fanning and Stephanie Gilmore have been nominated and ASP caught up with the Aussies to get their impressions before next months awards presentation in Russia.

ASP WQS Situation Room – Monday, January 28, 2008
Well, we’re off and running this season and the 2008 Women’s ASP WQS got stuck into things with the Roxy Girls Festival at Phillip Island which enjoyed great surf throughout the event. Giant slayer and newly-crowned ASP Women’s World Champ Sally Fitzgibbons took out the field and has gotten herself off to a good start on her qualifying campaign. Congratulations are also in order for Brazilian Bruna Schmitz who made her first final as well as Hawaii’s Bethany Hamilton and usual suspect (and ASP Women’s World Tour stalwart) Jessi Miley-Dyer both making the semis – a personal best for Hamilton. We’re getting underway this week with the Monster Energy Pro at Pipeline, so read on for the full report…

Pipeline Comes to Life for the Monster Energy Pro
Pipeline is back on the menu this week for our competitors as the ASP WQS 3-Star Monster Energy Pro presented by Billabong is set to begin. Boasting an impressive field that includes former three-time ASP World Champ Andy Irons, Rob Machado, Jamie O’Brien, Bruce Irons, Derek Ho, among others, the Monster Energy Pro will not only provide the 136 competitors with an opportunity for valuable ratings points, but will also offer locals with a chance at a wildcard into the season-ending Billabong Pro Pipeline Masters, an elite ASP World Tour event. With plenty of energy in the North Pacific, the event could get some great waves, so be sure to catch all the action.

Training Day
With each passing day, the sport of surfing is growing exponentially – bigger events, bigger contracts, bigger superstars. So, it’s not surprising that athletes and coaches are beginning to take their jobs more professionally. Frankly, there is a lot on the line. A couple of weeks ago, Red Bull teamed up with ’QS veteran Andy King at the Surfing Australia center in Casuarina to hold the first Red Bull ASP WQS Selection Camp where an international field of some of the most promising young surfers on the planet headed to learn from established pros and coaches about how to crack the code. This…is their story.

Juniors Go Big
In a world where ASP World Junior Champs like Jordy Smith and Nicola Atherton qualify for the big show in one season, and newly crowned champ Sally Fitzgibbons takes out the first ASP WQS event of 2008 (which happens to be a 6-Star!), it’s not surprising that surfers competing on the ASP Pro Junior Series are being looked at as serious contenders. Oakley has thrown down a whopping $25,000US to own the biggest prize purse on tour this season. The ASP Grade-4 event will go down at the infamous Cylinder Beach on North Stradbroke Island for the fourth men’s event on the 2008 ASP Australasia Pro Junior Series.

it´s always summer inside!

www.strandleben-frankfurt.de

ASP International News (01/2008) III

2008-02-18T05:51:00.000-08:00

Al Hunt's Situation Room - Monday, January 21, 2008
The scant 28 days between when the 2007 ASP WQS finished and the ’08 season commenced were nigh unbearable for me, but thankfully, we’re back on the Grind following the completion of the ASP WQS 5-Star O’Neill SI Pro. Congratulations to Patrick Gudauskas who, in his first event since last season’s injury, collected the opening event of the season and is the current points leader on the 2008 ASP WQS. Bit of movement and bit of forecasting on my end so read on!

Bustin’ Down the Door
A film of monumental proportions and importance is poised to hit the big screen in the coming weeks, and if you don’t plan on seeing it, you need to reevaluate your life my friend. "Bustin’ Down the Door" features professional surfing icons Shaun Tomson, Mark Richards, Ian Cairns, Peter Townend, ASP President Wayne Bartholomew among others in the story of how this brash group of phenomenal surfers broke boundaries on the North Shore in the 1970s, ultimately establishing the first competitive circuits and creating the sport of surfing. Narrated by Oscar winner Edward Norton, "Bustin’ Down the Door", reveals an intimate look at the forefathers of professional surfing, both then and now.

The Champ is Injured
A couple weeks back, the ASP caught up with the ASP Top 45 to see how they would spend their New Year’s Eve. Spattered amongst the revelry and holiday was reigning ASP World Champion Mick Fanning and his intention to go snowboarding in Japan. Soon after, rumors began swirling that the fleet-footed Australian had suffered an injury and had broken a wrist. Reports to the contrary followed and amidst all the confusion, no one single strain of thought came out on top. ASP caught up with the Rip Curl crew and learn that the Champ suffered a minor injury his left scaphoid, but will be 100% by the start of the season.

The Year of Kiron
Hot off the heals of the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships, which saw upstarts Pablo Paulino and Sally Fitzgibbons take the titles, the No Fear/Koastal Kaos Pro Junior went off in macking Sunset Beach last weekend. Brazilian-born Kiron Jabour came out victorious and will set his sites on a berth at Narrabeen next January.

Breakfast of Champions
Okay, so we’ve seen how you have to surf to win events, but what about the behind-the-scenes stuff? What kind of training do you have to do to get yourself there, what equipment do you need to use, and maybe most importantly…what do you need to eat? ASP caught up with recent O’Neill SI Pro Champion and current ASP WQS ratings leader Patrick Gudauskas to find out what went down the gullet the morning he changed his destiny.

it´s always summer inside!

www.strandleben-frankfurt.de>>

ASP International News (01/2008) II

2008-02-18T05:04:00.000-08:00

Al Hunt's Situation Room - Monday, January 7, 2008
With only one ASP WQS event on this past week, the O’Neill SI Pro in Sebastian Inlet, not much has happened on the ’QS front. However, plenty has happened at the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships and that does have a bearing on the ASP WQS. The top finishers in Narrabeen receive special seeding on the grind which can take years off your qualifying campaign. We’ve also had some events moved around on the schedule as well as others pulled completely. Read on for all the details…

Twice As Nice
Brazilian powerbroker Pablo Paulino just capped off his second win at the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships, cementing his place in ASP History as one of the few who have accomplished such a feat. The victory went down in pumping (and what some are claiming as “epic”) six-to-eight foot (2 metre) surf at North Narrabeen, and Paulino defeated 17-year-old Hawaiian phenom Tonino Benson. The action was non-stop for the juniors this season and Billabong has all the clips and shots from what went down...

O’Neill SI Pro Cracks Away
On the other side of the planet, the O’Neill SI Pro (the first event of the 2008 ASP WQS season) is chipping away. The ASP WQS 5-Star event has enjoyed punchy surf over the first few days at Florida’s Sebastian Inlet with Kauai’s Sebastian Zietz and Floridian Sterling Spencer the standouts thus far. The top seeds will hit the water over the next few days to see who will emerge victorious and be the first to lead the ASP WQS ratings in the New Year. Catch all the action.

Moons Over North Narrabeen
For those who were glued to the webcast this past weekend to see who would be crowned the new ASP World Junior Champion, you may have noticed some exhibitionist behavior going down during the Panasonic Expression Session by a certain young Hawaiian who shall remain nameless for the time being. The diminutive culprit decided to free himself from the shackles of his boardies and proceeded to blast backside reverses for a good 15 minutes with the sun gracing his bare backside. Although he failed to walk away with any official awards, his fearless display rendered commentators speechless and attracted the eye of more than one of the many females on the beach.

Her Name Is Sally
Sally Fitzgibbons, one of the most touted young talents to emerge from Australia in recent years, added another accolade to her growing resume with an emphatic victory at the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships yesterday in solid surf at North Narrabeen. The victory not only marks Sally as the undisputed ASP World Junior Champion, but also gives her preferred seeding into all ASP WQS events this season. Seeing as how last year’s champ Nicola Atherton qualified in just one season with the aid of her preferred seeding, we may see young Ms. Fitzgibbons displaying her phenomenal talents on the ASP World Tour very soon.

it´s always summer inside!

www.strandleben-frankfurt.de

ASP International News (01/2008)

2008-01-05T06:59:00.000-08:00

Al Hunt’s Situation Room – Monday, December 31, 2007
As 2007 winds down, I like to take time and reflect on how the ASP WQS tour is taking shape – new trends, patterns for success, changes in the wind. Over the past few years, we’ve seen the influx of big money events and surfers breaking point records on the grind, and we really don’t see any signs of slowing down. It seems that the dream life of being a professional surfer is just too appealing to most people and there are more and more competitors vying each and every year for a crack at the show. 2008 will be no different, and the ASP WQS will once again feature some of the most passionate competition on the planet. Check out my calls for the year ahead…

Party Like a Surf Star
The New Year is upon us and it’s a time to celebrate all the hard work and effort put forth in 2007 and welcome in ’08 with a bang. It’s a time to remember all the epic sessions, hard-fought heats, bitter defeats and sweet victories. Last week, we heard about how the ladies of the ASP Top 17 would spend the holidays, and this week we’ve caught up with a few members of the ASP Top 45 to hear how they will ring in the New Year. Read on to find out how Kelly, Mick, Taj and slew of others will bring in 2008…

Surf on Tap for ASP WQS 5-Star O’Neill SI Pro
The opening event of the 2008 ASP WQS season, the ASP WQS 5-Star O’Neill SI Pro presented by Ron Jon, may get some surf for the waiting period, meaning rippable peaks could be on offer for the pros to tear into at Florida’s Sebastian Inlet. Official forecasters for the O’Neill SI Pro, Surfline, are calling for substantial windswell to be gracing the East Coast which will be a good way to begin the 2008 ASP season. Read on for the full forecast…

Showdown in Sydney
It’s been a long breath between drinks, but the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships are finally upon us, and will begin competition this Thursday, Jan. 3, at North Narrabeen beach, Australia. 48 men and 18 women will vie to be the successors to the reigning ASP World Junior Championship thrones, currently held by Jordy Smith (ZAF) and Nicola Atherton (AUS), both of whom qualified for the Dream Tour this season. Expect big things to be coming out of Narrabeen this week and don’t miss a moment of action.

The Gateway
We’re on the verge of a new season, and the crew at ASP has been hard at work on some exciting new programs. In addition to a slew of new venues and events, expect to further interact with ASP surfers and become a part of the tour by signing up for Fantasy Surfer, ASP’s Myspace and Facebook pages as well as following the best surfers in the world in the best waves in the world on the webcast. The homepage is your gateway to all things surf, so check back frequently as we roll out all the new goods in 2008.

The garanty for the best in 2008!

ASP International News (12/2007) III

2007-12-25T14:32:00.000-08:00

Al Hunt's Situation Room - Monday, December 24, 2007
That is all she wrote folks. The season is finished, the fix is in, and our qualifiers for the 2008 ASP World Tour have been finalized. It has been a hard-fought battle for our campaigners and congratulations to those who have realized their dreams. Condolences to those who came so close yet haven’t broken down that barrier just yet. Good luck to everyone in 2008. There are more points available, more events on tour than ever before so we hope everyone is resting well over the holiday season as it will be game on come January.

Bede Durbidge - Vans Triple Crown Throwdown
A big congratulations goes out to Australian Bede Durbidge for his impressive win at the Billabong Pipeline Masters last Monday. The win also garnered the powerful natural-footer that 2007 Vans Triple Crown Award as well as bumped him up to World No. 5 to finish out the season. Not bad for someone who went most of the season without a sponsor. Durbidge is joined by perennial threat Megan Abubo (HAW) who took down the women’s division of the Vans Triple Crown. Congratulations to both our competitors and we’ll see you next season.

Billabong ASP World Junior Championships
Make no mistake, the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships is the most prestigious and important junior event in the world. No other event on the planet is as accurate a benchmark for future greatness as are the WJCs. Running from January 3 – 10, 2008 at North Narrabeen in Australia, the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships will look to crown successors to the thrown of reigning champs Jordy Smith (ZAF) and Nicola Atherton (AUS), both of whom qualified for the ASP World Tour within one season after winning at Narrabeen.

O’Neill SI Pro Kicks Off 2008 ASP WQS
Just a scant few weeks after the ’07 season wrapped in Hawaii, the O’Neill SI Pro presented by Ron Jon will kick off the 2008 ASP WQS. Newly upgraded to an ASP WQS 5-Star event, the O’Neill SI Pro will go down at Sebastian Inlet, Florida from January 4-11, 2008. Reigning ASP North America Men’s Champion C.J. Hobgood (USA) took down the event in front of his hometown crowd last year and will look to defend again this season.

Holidays with the ASP Top 17
It’s been a long, hard-fought season for all our surfers at every level of ASP competition this year, and with the holidays upon us, we hope that everyone enjoys the season with their friends and families and gets good waves wherever they may be. While the guys and girls are scattered to the four corners of the Earth, ASP caught up with a few of the ladies from the ASP Women’s World Tour to find out what they’ll be doing over the holidays…

...the best waves for you next year!
www.strandleben-frankfurt.de

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

2007-12-23T14:43:00.000-08:00

www.Strandleben-Frankfurt.de

Rinlo, Galicia, Spain (43°7'31"N,7°6'30"W)

2007-12-23T14:05:00.000-08:00

Where: NW Spain, close to the town of Ribadeo in the north-east of Galicia, right on the border with Asturias.

What: A relatively short, powerful point that breaks left off a small island and onto a rock bottom. It starts to work around 5-6ft and can hold up to solid 12ft. Works best at mid-tide, too high and you'll start to get backwash off the rocks.

Winds: Any south wind combination works as the spot is well sheltered by the steep, rugged coast, straight offshore is from the south.

Water temperature: 10°C (February) and 18°C (September).

Season: Autumn and winter are best as it needs a bit a swell to start breaking. Does occasionally work during summer months.

What board to bring: 6'3" to 6'8".

Swell window: A north west swell is best.

Where to stay: You're better off heading to the nearby town of Ribadeo, a 10 minute drive away. There you'll find a youth hostel and a few low-budget hotels to choose from. Otherwise there are several campsites west towards Foz but only open during the summer months.

Closest airport: 2 1/2 hour drive east from Santiago de Compostela (served by Ryanair) or west from Oviedo, Asturias (served by Easyjet).

Interesting facts: Originally a whaling port with more than 500 years of history, Rinlo continues to earn its livelihood as a small, picuresque fishing village and is proud to boast the oldest fisherman cooperative in the whole of Spain.

ASP International News (12/2007) II

2007-12-23T13:55:00.000-08:00

Al Hunt's Situation Room - Monday, December 17, 2007
Well, well, well…you have to love the holidays. It has literally been raining situations this past week, and frankly, I’m a bit exhausted from all the ups and downs. The Billabong Pro Maui has finished, and the women are set for 2008. The men, on the other hand, haven’t yet completed the Billabong Pipeline Masters, but there have been some major changes in terms of who is safe and who is in trouble for the Dream Tour next year. Read on to find out what has happened...

Steph Gilmore – New ASP World Champ
You’ve seen the photos; you’ve read the releases…19-year-old Stephanie Gilmore made ASP History last Thursday when she became the only surfer to ever claim the ASP World Title in their rookie season. The young Australian was a dominating force on tour this year, scalping four out of the eight events on the ASP Women’s World Tour. Gilmore was crowned following the completion of Round 3 of the Billabong Pro Maui at Honolua Bay, which saw rival contenders Sofia Mulanovich (PER) and Silvana Lima (BRA) both lose out early.

Go the Bull, Bull is King
The iconic Mark Occhilupo has retired after a stunning career that has spanned over three decades. After a meteoric rise to the top during the 1980’s, Occy took a brief sabbatical from the pro tour, only to come back with a vengeance and claim the ASP World Title in 1999. The Occ has inspired virtually every surfer on the planet, and his legacy is one that will forever resonate through the annals of surfing folklore.

Vans Triple Crown of Surfing Update
Hawaiian Megan Abubo claimed the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing Award last Friday for her solid finish at the Billabong Pro Maui. After an impressive win at the Reef Pro Haleiwa, Abubo was sidelined with a vicious abdominal injury at the Roxy Pro Sunset. The Hawaiian rallied in the final event of the season to finish equal 5th at Honolua Bay. For here efforts, Abubo received $10,000 as well as a new Chevrolet Truck. The men’s division of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing is coming down to the wire, and will be decided at the Billabong Pipeline Masters.

Cracking the Code
The world’s most prestigious junior event, the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships, just got another injection of distinction with the qualifications of the reigning ASP World Junior Champions, Jordy Smith (ZAF) and Nicola Atherton (AUS), for their respective Dream Tours in ’08. In one year, Smith and Atherton have cracked the ASP WQS code and will follow in the footsteps of past ASP World Junior Champions like Andy Irons (AUS), Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS), Adriano de Souza (BRA), etc. The next Billabong ASP World Junior Championships will begin January 3, 2008 in Narrabeen, and given the pedigree and accomplishments of the last two champs, expect a major showdown.

...stay wet!
www.strandleben-frankfurt.de

10 Jahre Ultras Frankfurt!

2007-12-14T03:46:00.000-08:00

NORDWESTKURVE FRANKFURT

10 Jahre Lebenstraum!

Alles Gute Jungs! ...keep on fightin'!

support your local!

www.strandleben-frankfurt.der

ASP International News (12/2007)

2007-12-12T09:42:00.000-08:00

Al Hunt’s Situation Room – Monday, December 10, 2007
The Fat Lady has yet to sing! Although the Grind has wrapped for the season, the Billabong Pipeline Masters will confirm or deny the fates of those who sit on the brink of qualifying for the 2008 ASP World Tour, the big show, the Dream Tour. We have 18 ASP WQS campaigners who have qualified (with a few double qualifiers from the ASP World Tour), as well as three others who are on the brink. It’s all coming down to the final event!

Vans Triple Crown Update
The race for the 2007 Vans Triple Crown is far from over as we wait to find out what will happen at the Billabong Pipeline Masters and Billabong Pro Maui respectively. Pipe has yet to run so we’ll see how Triple Crown leaders Roy Powers (HAW), Makuakai Rothman (HAW) and Mick Fanning (AUS) fare out there, but the Billabong Pro Maui has finished Day 1 of competition which saw ASP Women’s World Title contenders Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Sofia Mulanovich (PER) and Silvana Lima (BRA) all power through Round 1 as well as Vans Triple Crown frontrunners Mulanovich and Megan Abubo (HAW). It’s all happening in Hawaii – don’t miss a moment of action.

Paddle Out with the Champ
It’s not an easy thing, surfing a spot for the first time. Tricky paddle-outs, local customs, shallow spots in the reef and some unfriendly little fish below are just a few of the concerns if you’re unfamiliar with the break. However, if you had yourself a guide to help you avoid the hard lessons, then you’ll be sweet. Well, ASP has gone to the best of the best; we’ve lined up defending Billabong Pro Champion Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) to give us some tips on surfing Honolua Bay.

21 New Faces
We touched on it last week, but the Billabong Pipeline Masters will see 21 new faces thrown in amongst the ASP World Tour’s regular heavy hitters. Hawaiians Kalani Chapman, T.J. Barron, Sunny Garcia, Mikey Bruneau, Roy Powers, Jamie O’Brien, Gavin Gillette, Flynn Novak, Kainoa McGee, Danny Fuller, David Wassell, Tory Barron, Shane Dorian, Mikala Jones, Ian Walsh, Myles Padaca and Makua Rothman, Australian Laurie Towner, Tahitian Manoa Drollet, Californian transplant Gavin Beschen and Portugal’s Tiago Pires will join the Dream Tour members when Pipe commences, and look for them to shake things up.

Happy Holidays
We are well and truly into the month of December, and as the 2007 ASP World Tour comes to a close, the crew at ASP would like to wish everyone a happy holiday season. Although we still yet to wrap the final events of the season, the Billabong Pipeline Masters and the Billabong Pro Maui, ASP hopes everyone spends the holidays amongst loved ones and gets waves wherever they may be. Enjoy the final events of the season and we’ll see you in 2008.

it`s always summer inside!

surfeurope (12/2007)

2007-12-06T23:53:00.000-08:00

The 2007 Photo Annual - On the shelves 15th December
Featuring all the very finest imagery from the year of wave-riding that was two thousand and seven anno domini, Surf Europe's 2007 Photo Annual will make the perfect Christmas gift to self, colleagues, lovers, rivals, friends, foes, sea dogs, land lubbers, capitalist, hippies, legends, kooks, locals, blow-ins, big dogs, underlings, chargers, pea-hearts, aristocrats, plebeians, generals and foot soldiers alike.

Billabong Pipeline Masters, December 8th-20th 2007
Two days to go until the start of the Billabong Pipeline Masters, the final event of the 2007 Foster's ASP World Tour. White Lightning might have clinched the 2007 Foster's ASP World Title with one of the most impressive comebacks from injury in professional sport, but the highly coveted Vans Triple Crown of Surfing is still on the line. Watch the Billabong Pipeline Masters trailer and live webcast from Saturday onwards.

Tools of the Trade with Jeremy Flores
With a 3rd at Trestles and 5th places in Tahiti and Mundaka, Jeremy Flores is now in prime position to take out the ASP Foster's World Tour rookie of the year award. If you haven't already, check out the French surfing prodigy's Tools of the Trade with Aussie shaper Mark Phipps.

Hurley Sound & Vision, Vol. 1 Yadin Nicol
Now on Mpora Premium TV , the first episode in a series of quarterly Hurley teamrider films focuses on classic Aussie Yadin Nicol, who's energetic nature and positive vibes stretch far beyond any beach. Crack open a cold one, sit back and watch Yadin unleash his lighting fast, powerful, progressive surfing while his closest peers lend insight into what makes this million dollar maniac tick.

cheers to the surfeurope-crew!

All the best for 2008!

keep on ridin´!

ASP International News (11/2007) III

2007-12-06T23:45:00.000-08:00

Al Hunt’s Situation Room – Monday, November 26, 2007
The Reef Hawaiian Pro has finished meaning there is one more chance for surfers competing on the Grind to gain some ground in the ratings race, and that chance lies in the bombing west peaks of Sunset Beach for the O’Neill World Cup. That being said, the ASP WQS 6-Star Prime event at Haleiwa was not without its repercussions – we have new qualifiers for 2008 and a few that have been pushed off the fringe. Onward we march…

Vans Triple Crown Action
Into its 25th season on the North Shore, the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing has kicked off with Hawaiians Roy Powers and Megan Abubo taking out the first events of the season at the Reef Hawaiian Pro at Haleiwa. With their respective wins, both surfers have secured their places on the Dream Tours in 2008, but they’re also out in front of the ratings for the 2007 Vans Triple Crown Titles. Next up will be the O’Neill World Cup and Roxy Hawaiian Pro at Sunset Beach from November 25 through December 6 where our surfers will do battle at the second of three events on this season’s series.

Rookie Assault
The waiting period for the Roxy Pro Hawaii at Sunset Beach has started, and the collective surfing world is waiting to see if rookie sensation Stephanie Gilmore can make ASP history in claiming the ASP Women’s World Title in her inaugural year on tour. Will Gilmore usher in a new dynasty in professional women’s surfing? Will the old guard stave off the onslaught from the up-and-comers? It’s all happening here in Hawaii.

New in ’08
The new year is just around the corner, and ASP has grown its competition schedule exponentially, adding over 30 events in 2008. World Tour event, WQS events, Pro Junior events, Longboard events and Specialty events, the ASP has them all. A full schedule is available for download on the homepage at www.aspworldtour.com, but the link below highlights what’s new in ’08.

Holiday Shopping
Well, the Thanksgiving weekend has come and gone, and if you’re still searching for that perfect gift for someone special, look no further. This season, instead of buying someone a board they may snap first session out or a steamer that will be ruined as soon as they’re nibbled on by a white pointer, why not get them the gift of friendship? That’s right, we’re talking about the original-yet-inspired idea of referring your Myspace friends to join hands with the ASP. Befriend the likes of your favorite pros including Claire Bevilacqua, Layne Beachley, Bede Durbidge, Steph Gilmore, Jeremy Flores among others.

Be cool - keep warm!

support your local!

ASP International News (11/2007) II

2007-11-19T03:03:00.000-08:00

Al Hunt's Situation Room - Monday, November 19, 2007
The world I still holding its breath as the ASP WQS 6-Star Prime Reef Hawaiian Pro at Haleiwa put the men on hold last week, opting instead to finish off the ASP WQS Women’s season in solid overhead surf. Congratulations are in order for Megan Abubo who, with her win at Haleiwa, ensures her place back on the Dream Tour in 2008. The ’QS placings for the women have been locked in and we have new qualifiers and a few others who will have to wait to see what unfolds on the ASP Women’s World Tour to see if they’ll get their chance next season.

Leg Room
So by now, the world knows that mighty Mick Fanning has clinched the 2007 Foster’s ASP World Title, punctuating what some are claiming as the “most impressive comeback in professional sport,” after his near career-ending injury in 2004. We’ve seen iconic photos of his victory celebrations in Brazil and Australia, heard words from the man himself, but what of the hallowed ASP World Title Cup? The trophy that has been passed from champ to champ and must contain more magic than Harry Potter’s wand? Well, ASP did some digging and found that the trophy is alive and well, and even had its own seat for the flight back to Australia. Long live the Green and Gold.

Let’s Talk Turkey
Well a “gobble gobble” to you too. With Thanksgiving approaching us this Thursday, and our seasoned pros scattered to the four corners of the Earth like dust to the wind, ASP tracked down a few members of the ASP World Tour to find out the who, where, what of their respective holiday plans. Where will you be come Turkey Day?

Rookie Word Association
Florida’s Karina Petroni is the newest member of the elite ASP Women’s World Tour in 2008, following her incredible 3rd place finish at the Reef Hawaiian Pro at Haleiwa last week. The 19-year old is now the first East Coast female to qualify for the big show since Lisa Andersen. ASP caught up with Petroni in between celebratory sessions in Hawaii to play a little word association.

Just Sail Around and Stick A Flag In!
As the great comedian Eddie Izzard put it, “…that’s all Imperialism is really, just sail around and stick a flag in!” In keeping with the theme of ever-expanding horizons, ASP North America has just completed its first-ever WQS event in Barbados, at the infamous righthander Soup Bowls. The Reef Classic Barbados, an ASP WQS 1-Star event, was scalped by Puerto Rican Josie Graves following three action-packed days of competition.

...cold outside?

no problem!

come in and relax!

www.Strandleben-Frankfurt.de

it´s always summer inside!

ASP International News (11/2007)

2007-11-19T02:53:00.000-08:00

Al Hunt's Situation Room - Monday, November 12, 2007
Now we’re talking! First event of the Hawaiian winter season and the ASP WQS 4-Star Xcel Pro enjoyed great waves and some stellar performances. Big ups to Joel Centeio on his last minute victory, and we’ve seen him jump up the ranks a bit too. With only a few events remaining this season, our qualifiers for the 2008 Dream Tour are becoming finalized. Long live the Hawaiian surf season…you’ll find me at Lei Lei’s…

Trade Secrets
Two weeks ago, rookie sensation Stephanie Gilmore took down a rampaging Jessi-Miley Dyer, Peruvian icon Sofia Mulanovich and reigning and seven-time ASP Women’s World Champion Layne Beachley all in one day to become the inaugural Mancora Peru Classic Champion. How did she do this? Is she part of some secret Aussie training program that churns out super humans a la Bionic Woman? Is she actually from a distant planet far far away? ASP caught up with the budding superstar moments after her victory to find out what her secret is…

ASP World Junior Throwdown
Following the meteoric rise of reigning ASP World Junior Champion and record-breaking ASP WQS points leader, Jordy Smith, the entire world will have its eyes fixed on the hallowed sands of Narrabeen this January to see who will be the next torch-bearer at the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships. Following a full season of hard-fought regional ASP Pro Junior Tours, the qualifiers have been decided and the battle for the undisputed ASP World Junior Champion will surely provide some fireworks.

The Vans Triple Crown Cometh!
Hawaii has been long-touted as the epicenter of the surfing world. The birthplace of popular surfing, the Mecca for big-wave bravado, Hawaii is the rite of passage for all up-and-coming professionals. And the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing is the arena in which our gladiators do battle. With three events running from the ASP WQS 6-Star Prime at the Reef Haleiwa Pro to the ASP WQS 6-Star Prime at the O’Neill World Cup of Surfing at Sunset Beach to the season-ending Billabong Pipeline Masters, the Vans Triple Crown is a fitting finish to the ASP season. Day 1 of the waiting period is today so buckle up!

O’Neill SI Pro Upgrades
No rest for the wicked, the say, and the hard-fighting campaigners on the ASP WQS will open up the season with a bang in 2008. Just a scant three weeks from the season-closing O’Neill World Cup of Surfing at Sunset Beach, the opening event of the season, the O’Neill SI Pro presented by Ron Jon, has upgraded from a 4-Star to a 5-Star, which will mean that the race for the 2009 qualifying spots will waste no time in getting underway.

it´s always summer inside!

www.strandleben-frankfurt.de

ASP International News (10/2007) V

2007-10-31T10:19:00.000-07:00

Al Hunt’s Situation Room – Monday, October 29, 2007
Back-to-back ASP WQS wins for Brazilian Adriano de Souza, new cutoff points and the final countdown. With only a handful of consequential ASP WQS events remaining in the 2007 season, last week’s action has set the stage for the Armageddon events in Hawaii to close out the season. Who is safe? Who needs what? Where is my drink?

The Beginning of the End?
In 1999, the immortal Mark Occhilupo stormed into the history books by claiming the ASP World Title. In the seven years since, the crown has been traded between dynasty headliners Andy Irons and Kelly Slater. Seven years since the green and gold, Australia, the lucky country, has held the most prestigious accolade in surfing. Now, with mighty Mick Fanning out to a substantial lead in this season’s race, will we see the Aussies take the title back in Brazil?

Untapped
This is the stuff of legends. An isolated pocket of South America, teaming with world-class lefthand pointbreaks, warm water and friendly people. That’s exactly what the best female surfers in the world, the ASP top 17, have gotten themselves into at this week’s Mancora Peru Classic. The sixth of eight events on this season’s ASP Women’s World Tour, the Mancora Peru Classic is in its inaugural year on tour, and the girls have been sinking their teeth into the rippable lefthanders of Mancora. Don’t miss any action as the world’s best let loose in South America.

The Highs and Lows with Bevo
Most recently clocking in more than 9,000 miles for the trip from hometown Perth to South America for the Mancora Peru Classic, ASP Women’s World Tour slasher Claire Bevilacqua knows a thing or two about life on the road. At 24 years young, Bevo has logged in more miles than most NASA astronauts, and ASP caught up with the prodigious natural-footer days before her debut in Mancora to get the highs and lows of life on the road.

Viva Brasil!
The ASP Foster’s 45 are back in Brasil this week for the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro. Beginning October 30th and running through November 7th, the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro will be the last opportunity for surfers to gain some ground in the ratings before the final event at Pipeline. Aside from the race for the Foster’s ASP World Title, the quest for requalification rages on and it will all go down this week in Brasil.

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL!

ASP International News (10/2007) IV

2007-10-22T11:46:00.000-07:00

Al Hunt's Situation Room - Monday, October 22, 2007
One week of events and some major drama going down inside the Top 15. We’ve just finished the La Santa 6-Star Prime and the Maresia 6-Star, won by Patrick Beven and Adriano de Souza respectively, and we have a new qualification cutoff and new players in the game. With only a handful of opportunities left this season, this week’s Situation Room takes a look at who the key competitors are in the hunt for the 2008 Dream Tour.

Battle Royale
The battalion of chimps that ASP keeps locked up in the counting room have been working overtime lately, and the productive primates have come up with some title scenarios in the quest for the 2007 Foster’s ASP World Title. There are three ponies left in the race, with Fanning way out in front, and Burrow and Slater nipping at his heels. Will the quest end in Brazil?

Unleashed
Former ASP World Champ and 6X Van’s Triple Crown Champion, Vincent Sunny Garcia, has been released from house arrest and will travel to Hawaii to compete in the 2007 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. Now that he is free to train and travel, expect to be seeing the patented Garcia power gouges popping up everywhere. Most recently competing in an exhibition event in San Diego, Sunny will be off to the North Shore to compete in the Xcel Pro presented by No Fear.

Slater, the Middle East and Supermodels
A day in the life of reigning and eight-time Foster’s ASP World Champion, Mr. Robert Kelly Slater, is anything but dull. Following a recent goodwill trip to promote peace through surfing between Israelis and Palestinians, Slater was detained by Israeli police following a scuffle with the paparazzi in the early morning hours. The champ was in the company of uber hottie Bar Rafaeli, and was released after questioning…an ice cold performance in Brazil should seem like a cakewalk compared to the Middle Eastern interrogation room.

The Cyber Army
In case you’ve been living under a rock the past 15 years, this interweb is kind of becoming a big deal, and ASP (always at the forefront of the technological revolution) are keeping pace with their own Myspace and Facebook pages. Get valuable information about the tour, swap stories with fellow fans and interact with marquee surfers such as Jeremy Flores, Bede Durbidge, Taylor Knox, Layne Beachley, Steph Gilmore and many more.

it´s always summer inside!

ASP International News (10/2007) III

2007-10-22T11:33:00.000-07:00

Al Hunt's Situation Room - Monday, October 14, 2007
Well, well, well…Out of the doldrums and straight into ratings action this week! Some interesting developments over the weekend with the completion of 4-Stars in the Canaries and in Santa Cruz, as well as the completion of the Billabong Pro in Mundaka. New faces in the ’QS Top 15? Yes. New Dream Tour campaigners safely inside the Top 27? Yes. Lowered qualification cutoff for the time being? Yes. Read on readers…

The Title Heads to Brazil
Sophomore sensation on the Foster’s ASP World Tour, Bobby Martinez, has successfully defended his title at the Billabong Pro Mundaka and jumped to 6th in the ratings. However, the real story coming out of Spain was Slater and Burrow making the Semifinals and Finals respectively and postponing Mighty Mick Fanning’s victory dance until at least Brazil. The pride of the Gold Coast sits on top of a healthy lead, and will have the opportunity to become the first Australian ASP World Champ since Occy reigned in ’99.

The North Americans Lock In
The ASP North America Pro Junior Series has wrapped with a stunning finish at the ASP Grade-3 Oakley Pro Junior in Santa Cruz. Which means…that the qualifiers for the prestigious Billabong ASP World Junior Championships are now locked in. Claiming the 2007 title was Adam Wickwire, who will also be joined by Nick Rozsa, Cory Arrambide, Chris Waring and Tanner Gudauskas. Get the full story of how the drama unfolded at Steamer Lane…

Rookie Gilmore Out in Front
2007 rookie phenom Stephanie Gilmore is leading the ratings after posting an emphatic win at the NAB Beachley Classic in Sydney over the weekend – which gives Steph a monopoly on the event having won the inaugural one last year. Gilmore rests a scant 82 points above Brazilian wunderkind Silvana Lima and will hope to stave off the rest of the girls (including former champs Mulanovich and Hedges) throughout the remaining three events this season. Check out Steph’s ripping…

The Lowe Takes a Bow
Dream Tour stalwart Mick Lowe has officially announced his retirement from full-time professional surfing, effective after the season-ender at the Billabong Pipeline Masters. The “keg-on-legs” had an incredible run amongst the surfing world’s best, posting elite tour wins in Hossegor in ’97, Tavarua in ‘’99 and Snapper Rocks in ’04. One of the greatest power surfers ever to step foot on a board, there has never been a lip too beefy to bash or a barrel to big to beckon for the big man.

support your local!
www.strandleben-frankfurt.de

ASP International News (10/2007) II

2007-10-18T12:54:00.000-07:00

Al Hunt’s Situation Room – Monday, October 8, 2007
The calm before the storm. After a relatively quiet run on The Grind the past couple of weeks, we’re gearing up for the last big run of events before the season finishes. After competing some smaller 2-Stars, we’ll have some potentially damaging 4-Stars this week in Santa Cruz and the Canaries, before we get into the big events the week following. There are still a lot of points available and much can change. Who will stay on top? Who will challenge the guard?

Pressure Cooker
The world has waited with bated breath as the drama continues to build in the off days at the Billabong Pro Mundaka. After running Round 1 at nearby Bakio Beach on Tuesday, competitors waited four days before Bakio turned on again for Round 2 on Sunday…and there were some HUGE upsets! With swell projected over the coming days, the ASP Foster’s 45 could be back on at the premier venue of Mundaka and there is a lot on the line. Will Fanning clinch in Spain? Will the challengers mount a late-season charge?

The Australians Sound Off
The ASP Australasian Pro Junior Series has wrapped and the Down Unda’ boys have locked in their qualifiers for January’s Billabong ASP World Junior Championships. Led by 2007 ASP Australasian Pro Junior Champion Mitch Coleborn, fellow qualifiers Julian Wilson, Heath Joske, Jayke Sharp and Beau Atchison will take on the world at the beachbreaks of Narrabeen in early January.

The Girls Hit Sydney
The girls of the ASP Women’s World Tour are in Manly Beach at the moment, preparing for the 2007 NAB Beachley Classic. Event No. 5 of 8 on this season’s tour, the race for the ASP World Title is a tight one with four surfers within striking distance of the ratings lead. Steph Gilmore scalped the win as a wildcard last season and will be looking to repeat in her campaign as a member of the elite, but there are plenty who would stand in her way.

Sending Shockwaves
In response to two powerful earthquakes having struck the region of the Mentawai Islands, SurfAid International is currently receiving donations for relief efforts where SurfAid has been and continues to provide humanitarian services. As a premier destination for several of our top tier and qualifying surfers, the Mentawai Islands hold a special place in all our hearts, and we’re all looking to do our part.

it´s always summer inside!

ASP International News (10/2007)

2007-10-18T12:48:00.000-07:00

Al Hunt’s Situation Room – Monday, October 1, 2007
Well, we have one more week before we kick start the last leg of the ’QS this season. And since I spent my week off watching Behind the Glory, I figured we could do our own version of Behind the Glory for our hard campaigning Grind competitors. This week, the Situation Room reviews the historical progression of Jordy Smith, Dane Reynolds, Jay Thompson, Tiago Pires and several others...

The Girls Get Rerouted
While the girls on the ASP Women’s World Tour gear up for the NAB Beachley Classic in Sydney next week, they’ll also be rearranging their respective schedules for the newly-added Mancora Peru Classic set for October 30-November 4, 2007. That’s right; the best surfers in the world will be spending their Halloweens gorging themselves on pumping lefthanders in Peru. ASP caught up with Peruvian national hero and former ASP Women’s World Champion Sofia Mulanovich to get the inside track.

Fanning Delivers in France
Once again, the Quiksilver Pro France featured stunning action, incredible waves and big upsets. Reigning and eight-time Foster’s ASP World Champ Kelly Slater suffered an early exit, leaving the door wide open for current ratings leader Mick Fanning to swoop in take the win and increase his lead. South Africa’s Greg Emslie finished runner-up, earning him the honor of being the Dark Continent’s first finalist in 20 years. Fanning now sits in position to be Australia’s first world champion since Occy in ’99.

My Cyber Squad Smashes Your Cyber Squad
Do you have your Fantasy Surfer Team updated? Because we all do, and the Billabong Pro Mundaka kicks off tomorrow. The boys have wrapped things up in the punchy beachbreaks of France and have headed to the thumping lefthander of Mundaka in Spain’s Basque country. Will the goofy-footers dominate on their forehand, or will the backhand tube-riding of Slater, Irons Fanning, etc. claim the event? Will the rookies takeover? Will Fanning clinch the Title?

Hobgood Scalps ASP North America Men’s Title
Former ASP World Champion C.J. Hobgood, following an incredible year in North America, has scalped the ASP North America Men’s Title before the season has even ended. Bolting out of the gates this year, Hobgood claimed the O’Neill SI Pro (4-Star), the Jeep Body Glove Surfbout (4-Star) and the Honda U.S. Open of Surfing (6-Star), amassing such a lead the remainder of challengers cannot surpass him. ASP caught up with C.J. as he sojourned through the European leg of the Foster’s ASP World Tour.

online Surfshop Frankfurt am Meer:

...support your local!

Surfrider Foundation News 09/07

2007-10-18T12:39:00.000-07:00

Lasst das Meer nicht zu einem Mülleimer werden!

Durch die täglichen Handlungen jedes einzelnen, sind unsere Wellen, Küsten und Meere ständig in Gefahr. Jedes Jahr werden mehrere Millionen Tonnen Müll ins Meer geschüttet, was verheerende Folgen hat.
Seit mehr als 17 Jahren widmet sich die Surfrider Foundation Europe dem Schutz des "Blauen Planeten". Um unsere Mission voranzutreiben, verlassen wir uns auf die Unterstützung unserer Mitglieder. Mit Ihrer Unterstützung könnten wir z.B. ein weiteres Surfrider Labor errichten, welches das ganze Jahr über die Wasserqualität kontrolliert. Bald schon könnte Ihr geliebter Strand oder Surfspot in Gefahr sein. Helfen Sie uns, etwas zu verändern und werden auch Sie Mitglied der Surfrider Foundation Europe!

Strandleben Frankfurt ist Mitglied und unterstützt die Surfrider Foundation Europe!

http://www.surfrider-europe.org/
http://www.strandleben-frankfurt.de/

La Piste, Capreton, Les Landes, France (43°38'27"N,1°26'56"W)

2007-09-19T11:48:00.000-07:00

Where: Capreton, Les Landes

What is it: Beachbreak with punchy lefts & rights and with usually one or two peaks, which offer world-class waves. Generally works best at high tide, but can also generate good banks on any tide. The swallow inside sections and the bunkers have taken their toll over the years, don't underestimat the power of La Piste, the twin sister of La Gravière (http://www.strandleben-frankfurt.de/forum/showthread.php?tid=6 actually located at the exact same distance on each side of the 'gouf', the deep water trench off the habour).

Winds: E is straight offshore but anything with a bit of easterly will offer good conditions, especially light SE.

Water temperature: 12°C (February) - 22°C (September).

Season: Autumn/Winter are the best, especially autumn when sand banks had time to settle in during the summer flats. But it is a year-round reliable spot, often small in summer and ideal when conditions are a bit out of control up north.

What board to bring: 6'0" to 6'8". Don't really need bigger than that because over 8 feet the banks start to close out, on big days, La Piste is just about barrel riding.

Swell window: Works best on a west swell, too much south in the swell and the wave will loose its shape and become too fast. Swells usually last a day or 2 so you need to be on it.

Where to stay: It's ok to stay in your van on the VVF car park located a bit south from La Piste.

Nearest Airport: Biarritz airport, 30 km south.

Local golden rules: 1. Choose thr right tide, high tide will have fewer peaks but usually of better quality. 2. Look carefully at the swell direction, according to it, La Piste will be either as big as up uorth or a bit sheltered from the big swells offering some classic waves if the wind is right. 3. During the summer months, don't even consider surfing La Piste unless you want to lose your nerves or get injured. Definitely one of the most crowded sports in France. 4. Watch out for the bunkers! In no time the strong rip and/or heavy shorey can make you curse those nasty hunks of concrete and those who built them.

*Surfshop Frankfurt am Meer*

ASP International News (09/2007) III

2007-09-17T15:46:00.000-07:00

Al Hunt's Situation Room - Monday, September 17, 2007With not much WQS action going on this week, I figured I would do all our campaigners a favor and analyze a rarely talked about point. Today class, we’ll learn about “Sleepers”. “Sleepers” are what I call members of the ASP Foster’s 45 who come out of nowhere towards the end of the ’QS season and ruin everyone’s day. These elite tour surfers may be hovering towards the bottom of the ratings at the moment, but with several of them dropping 0’s over the next couple of months, there can be some serious shakeups in the ratings.

Timmy's Back California phenom Timmy Reyes is back on the Foster’s ASP World Tour after being out with injury all season. After sustaining a horrific knee injury while competing last October in Santa Cruz, Reyes went under the knife and through a huge rehabilitation program. Only back in the board for a short while, Reyes will return to competition at the upcoming Quiksilver Pro France, and rumor has it that the powerful natural-footer is in sizzling form. ASP caught up with Timmy a few days before he flew out to get the inside story…

Kelly Boosts into Record Books...Again Just when you thought the man had won every surfing accolade and record there is, Kelly Slater scalped another one over the weekend with his win at the Boost Mobile Pro. Slater’s latest victory marks his 34th career World Tour win, shattering the 33-win mark he previously shared with former three-time ASP World Champion Tom Curren. Curren held the record for 16 years before Kelly tied it at Bells in ’06, and it’s taken the Champ 18 months to break it.

Best of the Best Once again, the ASP swept the Surfer Poll awards last week. The gala event is arguably North America’s biggest “wear-yet-best-duds” occasion and went down Tuesday, September 11 at the Grove of Anaheim and everyone showed up. Collecting thousands of votes from surf fans around the world, the Surfer Poll Awards truly is a vote of the people, and the people have spoken. The current ASP Foster’s scalped 9 out of 10 for “Best Male Surfers” and the ASP Women’s World Tour campaigners received 4 out of 5 for “Best Female Surfers”.

European Vacation Following a stunning finale to the Boost Mobile Pro presented by Hurley at Lower Trestles, the ASP Foster’s 45 are jet-setting across the pond to the sands of Hossegor for the upcoming Quiksilver Pro France. The upcoming event will kick off the European leg of the Foster’s ASP World Tour which will play a pivotal role in the race for the 2007 Foster’s ASP World Title. Fanning is still out in front, but will Slater continue his campaign throughout Europe?

online Surfshop Frankfurt am Meer: www.strandleben-frankfurt.de

Colgate Windsurf World Cup 2007 auf Sylt

2007-09-13T11:02:00.000-07:00

Colgate Windsurf World Cup 2007 auf Sylt

Zehn Tage lang ab dem 21. September werden sich wieder die weltbesten Windsurf-Profis den deutschen Fans in Westerland auf Sylt präsentieren. Das „Wimbledon der Surfer" lockt jährlich mehr als 180.000 Besucher an. Als Teil der offiziellen Welttournee genießt der Colgate World Cup Sylt neben Gran Canaria, Lanzarote und Fuerteventura den höchstmöglichen Status „Grand Slam“.

Prominentester Teilnehmer beim Surf-Event auf Deutschlands nördlichster Insel: Der 35-fache Weltmeister und somit erfolgreichste Profi-Sportler der Welt - Björn Dunkerbeck!

In Westerland werden sich auch die erfolgreichsten Windsurfer aller Zeiten die Ehre geben. Robby Naish, langjähriger Rivale und Freund Dunkerbecks, kommt als Geschäftsmann seiner eigenen Surfmarke nach Sylt und ehrt am letzten Wettkampftag die Weltmeister. Bei den Damen gelten die spanischen Zwillinge Daida und Iballa Moreno als Favoritinnen. Aus deutscher Sicht ruhen die Hoffnungen im Slalom auf Bernd Flessner, dem zwölfmaligen Deutschen Meister aus Norderney, und im Waveriding auf dem Kieler Klaas Voget. Die Freestyle-Konkurrenz könnte von Normen Günzlein aus Scharbeutz und dem gebürtigen Rostocker André Paskowski aufgemischt werden. Der 16-jährige Oliver-Tom Schliemann aus Brandenburg wird nach seinem sechsten Weltmeistertitel bei den Junioren versuchen, auch bei den Herren ein gutes Ergebnis zu erzielen.

Und ganz egal, wer am Ende gewinnt, wenn die Sonne im Meer versunken ist, wird gefeiert – bis der Morgen graut und mit einem Lächeln im Gesicht der nächste Tag beginnt.

Auf dem laufenden bleibt ihr unter http://www.worldcupsylt.de/

...und das passende Outfit dafür unter http://www.strandleben-frankfurt.de/

so far, keep on ridin´!

online Surfshop Frankfurt am Meer - Strandleben Frankfurt - September 2007

ASP International News (09/2007) II

2007-09-12T12:22:00.000-07:00

online Surfshop Frankfurt am Meer: www.strandleben-frankfurt.de

Al Hunt's Situation Report - Monday, September 10, 2007 So you reckon you’re pretty good, do you? Think that because you sit up at night with your spreadsheets and your calculators that you have the ’QS all figured out? You think you have cracked the code? Let’s find out. On this week’s Situation Room, I break down the impact of the latest WQS results, the race for qualification as well as developments in the new cutoff point on the men’s and women’s Grind…

A Sunny Disposition Think you’ve got it rough? Has your life of studying or working or parenting made it so you can’t find time to surf? Well then, you need to harden up because you’ve got it easy compared to former ASP World Champion Sunny Garcia. Johnny Law has kept the Hawaiian powerbroker dry-docked since his last heat at July’s U.S. Open, but Garcia is back in the lineup at this week’s Boost Mobile Pro presented by Hurley. How did this happen?

Cornish Takes the Lead The ASP World Tour can be a harsh mistress – on the one hand, you’re surfing with the best of the best in dream locations; on the other, it can be pretty tough to stay there. Aussie standout Samantha Cornish knows all too well the pain of falling off tour after last season. However, the Aussie battler received the wildcard to come back on this year, and Cornish has gone from a question mark to leading the ratings after the halfway point. ASP caught up with Sam following her 3rd place finish last week in Spain to talk about her radical transformation...

The Renato Files Just when you thought it was safe to go online again, ASP’s own Jack Kerouac, the wandering madman, ASP World Tour Manager Renato Hickel, strikes again! This time, Renato takes us on a literary voyage spanning California’s gold rush pioneers to modern day wave hunters. And wouldn’t you know it; San Clemente and Lower Trestles play a huge part in the shaping of California’s history…looks like they’re still shaping today.

Down the Barrel Sports Media Giant ESPN has just completed its first full length surf feature with past and present ASP legends Kelly Slater, Joel Parkinson, Rob Machado and Kalani Robb all taking center stage. “Down the Line” is already receiving critical acclaim with nominations for several film awards pouring in. The documentary chronicles King Kelly’s record eighth Foster’s ASP World Title, the Australian super force, post tour life and shoots on location in Tahiti, California, Spain, Australia, among other dream venues.

online Surfshop Frankfurt am Meer: www.strandleben-frankfurt.de

Strandleben Frankfurt wird Deutschlandvertretung für Fabiola Molina

2007-09-12T11:35:00.000-07:00

Strandleben Frankfurt freut sich über die neue Zusammenarbeit mit Fabiola Molina, die mit ihrem Namen seit ein paar Jahren schon in Brasilien ihre Beach und Swimwear Kollektion erstellt. Fabiola ist langjähriges Mitglied der brasilianischen Schwimmnationalmannschaft und kennt deshalb die hohe Anspruchsfähigkeit von Strand- und Poolbekleidung. Die Artikel sind hochwertig verarbeit - durch Schnürung auch der Oberteile ermöglicht sicheren Halt auch bei Sprüngen und Wellen - und die Farben behalten auch trotz Chlor- und Salzwasser ihre Leuchtkraft. ...endlich gute Bikinis und Badehosen aus Brasilien in Deutschland!

Wir freuen uns auf die Zusammenarbeit! (www.strandleben-frankfurt.de)

Frankfurt am Meer, im September 2007

ASP International News (09/2007)

2007-09-05T11:28:00.000-07:00

Al Hunt's Situation Room - Monday, September 3, 2007
That’s all folks! Pack in the baguettes, burn your berets and delete the underground techno from your play lists. The European vacation is over and the top of the WQS ratings is temporarily set before we finish out the year. Jeremy Flores wrapped up the European leg of the men’s Grind with a win at the 6-Star Billabong Buondi Pro in Portugal, however the next big developments for our global campaigners will be at the World Tour level. Who will double-qualify? Who needs to man up? Read on and find out.

A Long Walk to Liencres
Oh, the life of a touring pro! Our girls have just finished up in Brazil and have traversed the Atlantic on their way to Spain for the Rip Curl Girls Festival, but not without some “Fear and Loathing”-like experiences first. This week’s adventure included a bloodied world champ, a dingy hospital, whitewater rafting, newborn babies, Buckingham Palace and Nelson Mandela (in the flesh) – that you thought your lives were hectic!

Labor Day with the Pros
Today is Labor Day in the U.S; a holiday which began in 1882 giving a day of rest to the “working man.” And amidst the legions of bricklayers and plumbers, teachers and stockbrokers, our surfers should receive a day off too. After all, they put in countless hours, gorging themselves on flawless waves, attracting legions of fans, making tons of…hmmm. Anyways, we caught up with some of our guys and girls to find out what they’re doing on their most-deserving day off.

Who’s the Boss?
Think you know the boys better than they know themselves? Maybe you do, but we want to see you prove it. That’s right – it’s time to put all those hours of job-jeopardizing webcast watching to good use and take on the world yourself. Before the upcoming Boost Mobile Pro presented by Hurley starts, be sure to register and pick your team of 8 on Fantasy Surfer. Play for prizes, play against friends, create clubhouses and talk smack with other cyber gurus worlds away. And if your mom asks what all this is going to accomplish, tell her you’re learning about budgeting – she’ll be so proud, she’ll probably bake you cookies.

Andys and Parkos and Tajs, Oh My!
The wait is over. ASP Foster’s 45 stalwarts Andy Irons, Joel Parkinson and Taj Burrow will be releasing their much-heralded Trilogy this week, unveiling the global premiere in San Diego. From acclaimed producer Taylor Steele, the man who has helmed some of the greatest surf vids in history, this movie of epic proportions will showcase the ripping of some of the finest surfers to ever step foot on a board. U.S., Australian and European tours are scheduled to follow.

"...support your local!"

BILLABONG PRO MUNDAKA [October 1st - 14th Euskadi 2007]

2007-09-05T11:23:00.000-07:00

Mundaka, Euskadi (North of Spain)

October 2-14, 2007. 8th stop on the ASP Fosters World Championship Tour (WCT) USD $ 300.000 prize money. Live on http://www.billabongpro.com/

The $300,000 USD Billabong Pro Mundaka is the 8th (out of 10) event on the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Fosters World Championship Tour.
The event will be held at Europe’s best left-hand wave in the fishing village of Mundaka, renowned worldwide for its long and hollow wave barrelling over 200 meters in the river mouth of the Guernika river.

The world’s best 45 surfers will be charging Europe’s Best Left over a twelve-day waiting period, in order to allow the best surfing conditions possible.
The Billabong Pro Mundaka is crucial in the world title race, as shown last year when Kelly Slater sealed his 8th world title at Mundaka with still two events to go until the final.
Halfway through this season, five surfers are within a 1000 point range from each other, with Australian Mick Fanning in the lead, followed by Taj Burrow (Aust), Andy Irons (Haw), Kelly Slater (USA) and Joel Parkinson (Aust).

Alongside the world’s elite of surfing, three surfers are invited to compete in the best surfing conditions. Local surfer Hodei Collazo has received again a wildcard. Last year, thousands of spectators were cheering when he surfed head-to-head against Kelly Slater in Round 3. Local Tahitian charger Manoa Drollet will experiment the hollow tubes of Mundaka for the first time in his career. The natural-footer is rarely seen in competitions but will never turn his back on a magical barrelling wave.WQS charger Tiago Pires will also be in the line up of this year’s Billabong Pro, a foretaste of next season as Tiago is already qualified for the 2008 WCT.
The Billabong Pro Mundaka will officially start on October 2nd, with the inaugural ceremony, and will run whenever conditions allow until October 14th at the latest.

At the start and end of the competition, surfers and officials will be greeted by the Aurresku, an honorific and traditional dance, and the 2007 winner will be carried by the local surf club members to be thrown in the port. Alongside the competition, Billabong will set up a giant screen in the middle of the village, broadcasting the event during the day, and presenting exclusive film screenings.Trilogy, a surf film by Taylor Steele starring Andy Irons, Taj Burrow and Joel Parkinson will be premiered for the first time in Europe on October 5th and 6th.

Billabong Pro Mundaka can be viewed LIVE and free on the internet on http://www.billabongpro.com/.

See all the action from the Billabong Pro from the comfort of your own home with six different camera angles, LIVE interviews with the worlds elite and LIVE commentaries in English, French, Spanish and Portugese.

"...support your local!"

ASP International News (08/2007) III

2007-09-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

Al Hunt’s Situation Room - Monday, August 27, 2007
Arguably the most pivotal event on this season’s 'QS has just wrapped and what a difference a week makes! The Rip Curl Pro Super Series in Hossegor concluded last week and we, the people, are left with some revealing facts. Fact #1: Jordy Smith WILL be on the Dream Tour next season (I can aready hear Top 45 boots shaking). Fact #2: there are only three 6-Star PRIME events and three 6-Star events left on the men's WQS (it’s time to man up boys). Fact #3: despite initial assumptions, mixing bourbon and crepes is an awful idea (does anyone have an antacid…or a bucket?)

Don’t Call it a Comeback!
After four years of being absent from the winner’s dais, 26-year-old stunner Samantha Cornish scalped her first elite tour win in ages last week at the Billabong Girls Pro in Itacare, Brazil. Nearly a no show from this season’s Dream Tour, Cornish has been putting her wildcard to good use, jagging a 9th and then a 3rd before last weekend’s big win. "To be up there in the world title race with the likes of Stephanie Gilmore and Chelsea Hedges is an honor and a privelage and I'm going to go for it too." If the Cornish juggernaut continues its current momentum, the world title race will certainly get hotter.

The Euros Are Locked and Loaded
By mid-January 2008, the world as we know it may be gone. In its place will be one filled with frogs’ legs and techno music and the unmistakable musk of unshaven female body hair. The European hordes are bearing down upon this Earth, and with Reunion Island’s Romain Cloitre claiming the ASP European Pro Junior title over the weekend, all hope may be lost. The stalwart natural-footer now heads up the region's representatives at January’s Billabong ASP World Junior Championships, and the talent pool has never ran deeper. Huey help us all.

Bobby Paddles Outside
If the surfing world had a Paris Hilton Award, Bobby Martinez would surely be a frontrunner. And no, we’re not comparing young Mr. Martinez to that brainless waste of space for any of her MANY shortcomings, but because Bobby has been on everyone’s media radar in the past few months. Nabbing cover shots from here to Timbuktu, the ’06 Rookie of the Year has managed to become the latest fixture in Outside Magazine. Read all about Bobby dishing on tour life, his signature DVD and definitely covering what’s “hot.”

Pure Gold
While California is experiencing its worst summer in history, European beaches are being plagued by erratic tides and the global surfing community is attempting to deal with all sorts of bizarre “global climate change” issues, Australia’s Gold Coast, Huey’s own personal little slice of heaven, has been going off its head - naturally. Solid 5 metre swell has been pounding the points with the usual suspects Mick, Dean, Bede, Occy and Parko all getting some sick tow-in pits. Even Sydney blow-in Tommy Whitaker got himself a few, although he copped three broken boards in the process. These boys better pray that September's BMP has a barrel or two on offer.

ASP International News (08/2007) II

2007-08-21T04:40:00.000-07:00

The Situation Room
The ASP WQS 6-Star Sooruz Lacanau Pro has just finished with South African phenom and current ASP World Junior Champion Jordy Smith not only taking down the event, but also grabbing the ratings lead with a staggering 12,200 points. The race is far from over though and with the Rip Curl Pro Super Series in Hossegor offering the biggest points purse of the season up next, this week’s action will be critical to the ’08 Dream Tour qualifications.

South of the Border
Look out below! The women of the elite ASP Top 17 have descended from their Swiss Family Robinson-style tree houses for day 1 of battle in the punchy beachbreaks of Prais de Tiririca for the Billabong Girls Pro Brazil, stop No. 3 of 7 on this season’s ASP Women’s World Tour. Two Aussies in Hedges and Gilmore currently lead the ratings, but Brazil could prove to be a turning point in this season’s race for the Title.

Out of the Dark Ages
It only took them 45 years, but North America’s East Coast Surfing Championships (ECSC) will be webcasting this season’s competition for the first time ever. The event, which runs from August 22-26, 2007, hosts a bevy of divisions including an ASP WQS 2-Star Men’s, a 1-Star Women’s, a Grade-1 Pro Junior as well as a regional men’s longboard event all going down at Virginia Beach, Virginia. Be sure to catch all the action.

Does Jimmy Choo Make a Beach Thong?
It won't be long before we see the formerly sweet and innocent longboard girls of the ASP World Tour transformed into grill-sporting, Bentley-driving money moguls as the nosesliders are about to do battle in yet another event this season with the first annual Roxy Jam Honolulu from August 23-25, 2007. Going down at Queens in Waikiki, the longboarding lasses will be competing for a $5,000 prize purse as well as airfare for two to September's Roxy Jam Cardiff in California.

Showdown in Portugal
The final event of the ASP European Pro Junior Men’s Series will be go down this week from August 23-26, 2007 at the reeling righthander of Ribeira d’Ilhas in Ericeira, Portugal for the ASP Grade-2 Billabong Pro Junior. After four events of the ’07 season, including the ASP Grade-3 Rip Curl Pro Junior which wrapped last week, it’s Reunion Island’s Romain Cloitre who’s out in front with a sizable lead. Portugal’s Pro Junior will be the deciding event in who qualifies for the prestigious Billabong ASP World Junior Championships in January.

Hedges On Fire After 4 Month Hiatus
Chelsea Hedges hasn’t competed in four months, but her Round 1 performance at the Billabong Girls Pro Brazil today could have fooled us. The former world champ rocked up to the beach, threw down a 9.5 and a 9 point scoring ride, and then had enough breath left to tell us about how much of a rock star her current co-ratings leader Stephanie Gilmore is! Hedges, the 2005 ASP Women’s World Champion, shares the World No. 1 spot with travel-buddy and rookie title contender Gilmore. The day’s high scorer is well aware that she cannot give Gilmore an inch, and as her Round 1 performance proved, is thoroughly enjoying the challenge.

Upcoming Events
Billabong Girls Pro Brazil
August 20-27
Itacare, Brazil

Rip Curl Super Series
August 20-26
Hossegor, France

45th Annual East Coast Surfing Championships
August 22-26
Virginia, USA

Sunshine Surfmasters pres. by Toohey's Extra Dry
August 24-28
Western Australia, Australia

BPI Cascais Girls Pro pres. by Rock Sisters
August 20-21
Cascais, Portugal

Billabong Pro Junior
August 23-26
Ericeira, Portugal

Roxy Jam Honolulu
August 23-25
Honolulu, Hawaii

ASP International News (08/2007)

2007-08-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

The Grind Just Got a Lot Harder
A lot of early claiming has gone down about WQS surfers already “locking” in their qualifications for next season and with a bevy of marquee names hovering around the Top 20, the surf media has been frothing. However, whereas in past seasons the cutoff has been in the 8,000-9,000 point range, the addition of the 6-Star Prime events has upped the ante on the Grind. As ASP WQS Tour Manager Al Hunt puts it, “There’s approximately 20% more points up for grabs this season which means the cutoff will most likely go up 20% too – 10,000 points at least.” The season is far from over.

The Yanks Are Coming
The ASP WQS 6-Star Yumeha Billabong Pro Japan wrapped up last week with Floridian Gabe Kling taking out North Carolina’s Ben Bourgeois in the first all-American man-on-man final of 2007. This latest push from the U.S. highlights an already-solid season on the 2007 ASP WQS for the Americans which sees Ben Bourgeois (4), Dane Reynolds (8), Gabe Kling (11) and C.J. Hobgood (17) all cracking the Top 20 for the men and Karina Petroni (11), Kyla Langen (12) and Julia Christian (16) getting it done for the women. Will there be a changing of the guard in ’08?

God Save the Queen - ASP WQS Lands in England The Grind has just traversed the Eurasian continent from Japan and planted its flag in the sands of Newquay, England for the Rip Curl Boardmasters, an ASP WQS 5-Star men’s and women’s event. The Boardmasters comes at a vital time for those attempting to qualify for the elite ASP World Tours in '08. The 5-Star points could prove critical as the boys head into the lengthy European leg and the girls will enjoy their biggest payday until the season ender in Hawaii. The RC Boardmasters will run through August 12, 2007.

Brazilian Wax
It’s been four months since they last did battle, but the ladies of the ASP Women’s World Tour are suiting up again for the Billabong Girls Pro in Itacaré, Brazil from August 20-27, 2007. Australian compatriots Chelsea Hedges and Stephanie Gilmore head into South America tied for the ratings lead, but former ASP Women’s World Champs Sofia Mulanovich and Layne Beachley are nipping at their heals. Will someone break away from the pack in Brazil? Will Beachley defend her event title? Be sure to log on to the LIVE webcast beginning August 20.

Usual Suspects to Terrorize Boost Mobile Pro Draw
The ASP Foster’s 45 are sleeping a little less easy now that the three wildcards have been decided for September’s Boost Mobile Pro presented by Hurley. Joining former ASP World No. 2 Rob Machado will be California phenom Dane Reynolds and reigning ASP World Junior Champ Jordy Smith. Both Reynolds and Smith received their entry through July’s Boost Mobile Shootout in Huntington Beach, defeating Shane Beschen and Brett Simpson in the four-man final. With the '07 World Title race getting tighter by the event, these three wildcards could easily cause some upsets.

Porthleven, Cornwall, England (50°4’55“N,5°19’13“W)

2007-07-30T11:47:00.000-07:00

Porthleven

Traditional Cornish pups, wholesome pasties and arguably England´s best righthander near Albion´s extreme SW tip.

Where: Porthleven, Cornwall
What is it: A relatively short righthander, with hollow take off and even hollower end bowl, works best at high, but can be surfed through the tide. It isits on an unforgiving wave cut platform, we´ve all been thankful for having to wear wetsuits many times.
Winds: NE is straight offshore but also good with light E or N.

Water Temperature: 9°C (February) – 17°C (October).

Season: Autumn/Winter are the best, especially autumn when you can score glassy days and warm water. Winter early morning sessions can be cold, but worth it once you´ve tapped the frost off you booties.

What board to bring: 6’0” to 6’8”. You don´t really need bigger than that because the wave can be really fast and hollow, especially on west swells.
Swell window: Works best on a west swell, too much south in the swell and the wave will lose its shape and became too fast. Swells usually last just a day or two, you need to be on it.

Nearest airport: Newquay airport is the nearest (40 mins drive), Exeter is the nest best (2 ½ hours).

Interesting facts: Porthleven is still an active fishing community, and the only west-facing harbour in Cornwall, it´s pretty impressive to watch big winter storms hitting the harbour. It also has the highest ratio of blokes to girls anywhere in Europe… well that´s what it feels like anyway.

Burrow Beats Slater to Win the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay!

2007-07-23T06:08:00.000-07:00

JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Saturday, July 21, 2007) – Australian Taj Burrow beat eight-time Foster’s ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) to win the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay today. The victory is Burrow’s second on the 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour and has moved him to World No. 2 on the ASP ratings.

"It feels amazing!” Burrow said. “I’m so stoked to have won two events. I’ve had so many bridesmaids over the last couple of years and to get this monkey off my back, it just feels really good! Burrow overcame current ratings leader Mick Fanning (AUS) and World No. 5 Joel Parkinson (AUS) en route to his victory over Slater today. “I had a pretty tough draw, but if you start getting hard guys early in you just gain momentum and confidence and everything,” Burrow said. “It was a pretty gnarly draw but it all ended up working pretty well!"

Burrow featured in the final at the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay last year but finished 2nd. His win today is his first at the venue.

"This win is huge for me,” Burrow said. “It’s one event that I’ve always just loved. I love coming here and I always feel comfortable. The water is the same temperature as home, the weather is pretty similar and any kind of right hander like this gets me pretty excited! It’s an event that I’ve always wanted to do well in and it has all come together!"

Current world No. 1 Mick Fanning (AUS), world No. 7 Damien Hobgood (USA) and world No. 3 Andy Irons (HAW) have also won events this year, but Burrow is the only surfer with two in his scoreline this season.

“I had a 1st and 3rd and then a 9th and a 17th, which isn’t so good,” Burrow said. “The whole event I’m going, ’Win this thing and you’ll have a 1st, 1st and a 3rd!’ I just kept thinking that and I’m pretty stoked because I have three keepers now. I’m bummed about those other ones, but this is all I can do at this event so I’m stoked!”

Slater, who won the event in 1996, 2003 and 2005, caught 12 waves to Burrow’s four but still needed a combination of excellent scoring waves to beat Burrow. “The mind even got tired out there,” Slater said. “I was just tired, I don’t know the last time I surfed four heats in a day. In the final I was going to need a wave that scored 8.00 plus to keep in that heat and I didn’t have one. I had one in the beginning which I fell on, which might have kept me in there with a chance. I was just tired mentally and physically at that point and Taj put it together. He made me sit out in the water and wait a bit which I was kind of bummed about. But it paid off for him.”

Slater’s final berth today is his first of the 2007 season. The reigning world champion featured in five finals last year. He won the first two events of 2006 but finished runner-up in Mundaka, Spain; Lower Trestles, California and Pipeline, Hawaii.

“It’s a little bit frustrating but I have had a number of finals go my way too,” Slater said. “I think I’ve won four out of five finals I have been in in the past and now I have only won one out of the last five, or two out of the last six. That’s a little frustrating, but I guess it is something for people to talk about. If I let it get to me, it’ll put a little pressure on me, but sometimes that’s the thing to get you going. I was thinking in the water, ‘Maybe this 2nd will bring me to life, more than winning would.’ This will probably get me a bit more motivated for the next one.”

Slater peaked in the Quarterfinals when he scored 19.23 out of 20.00 possible points – the highest heat total of the event. His 9.70 and a 9.53 in that heat were the 2nd and 3rd highest wave scores of the event –only Burrow’s perfect 10.00 in Round 2 was higher.

Slater has moved from 6th to 4th in the ratings with his result in Jeffreys Bay today and can now be considered a threat in the 2007 ASP World Title race. “It looks like a few people are shaping up to be in the hunt,” Slater said. “Mick is still the runaway guy, but me and Taj gave ourselves a move here. I’d imagine both of us moved up a spot here. I definitely got myself going in a positive direction and it is just playing catch up now. I’d probably be somewhere close to Andy, so it will be a little more interesting from now on. If Mick doesn’t get his result at Trestles, I am sure that the rest of us will be looking to get something good.”

Slater sought sweet revenge in Semifinal 2 when he narrowly beat Dean Morrison (AUS) 13.83 to 13.76. Morrison beat Slater in Round 4 at the last Foster’s ASP World Tour event in Chile. Morrison took out Irons in the Quarterfinals today but came up short in the Semis.

“It’s always hard when one guy thinks he got the short end of the stick, but it happens to everyone at some point,” Slater said.Semifinal 1 served as a replay of last year’s Billabong Pro JBay Final but with Burrow getting the better of Fanning this time. “Taj surfed insanely the whole event, so he surfed good, it was just one of those heats,” Fanning said. “You get to the semis and you want to make that final, but it just gets you more fired up really.”

Fanning’s consistency remains unchallenged this year but he knows as well as anyone how critical it will be to maintain his current form.“I’ve had three 3rds and a 1st and a 2nd, so it’s a good start, the pressure is more on those guys who have to pick up results,” Fanning said. “I’ve just got to keep getting them.The Foster’s 45 will now enjoy a six week break before reconvening at Lower Trestles, California in September.

Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Final Results:

Taj Burrow (AUS) 16.50 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 6.17

Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Semifinal Results:

Heat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) 17.67 def. Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.17

Heat 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 13.83 def. Dean Morisson (AUS) 13.76

Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Quarterfinal Results:

Heat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) 17.33 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 16.50

Heat 2: Mick Fanning (AUS) 14.93 def. Daniel Wills (AUS) 12.34

Heat 3: Dean Morisson (AUS) 12.66 def. Andy Irons (HAW) 11.50

Heat 4: Kelly Slater (USA) 19.23 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 15.33

Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Round 4 Results:

Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 13.66 def. Taylor Knox (USA) 7.00

Heat 2: Taj Burrow (AUS) 16.00 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 9.17

Heat 3: Daniel Wills (AUS) 15.83 def. Travis Logie (ZAF) 11.10

Heat 4: Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.66 def. Pancho Sullivan (HAW) 4.84

Heat 5: Andy Irons (HAW) 13.66 def. Fred Patacchia (HAW) 6.13

Heat 6: Dean Morrison (AUS) 12.50 def. Bobby Martinez (USA) 5.17

Heat 7: Kelly Slater (USA) 16.17 def. Luke Stedman (AUS) 12.23

Heat 8: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 15.00 def. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 14.53

Foster’s ASP World Tour Ratings after the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay:

1. Mick Fanning (AUS) 4860 points

2. Taj Burrow (AUS) 4286 points

3. Andy Irons (HAW) 3921 points

4. Kelly Slater (USA) 3840 points

5. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 3804 points

6. Damien Hobgood (USA) 3599 points

7. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 3057 points

8. Daniel Wills (AUS) 2942 points

9. Dean Morrison (AUS) 2838 points

10. Travis Logie (ZAF) 2810 points

ASP International News (07/2007) II

2007-07-23T05:59:00.000-07:00

WHAT THE WORLD'S BEST SURFERS DO WHEN IT'S FLAT
If Mick Fanning jumped off a bridge would you? Well he did… sorta, and can you blame the guy? There’s a lot of pressure involved in defending a Billabong Pro JBay title and holding down the No. 1 spot on the ratings. It’s no wonder Fanning flung himself off the world’s highest bungee jump to take his mind off things! Round 4 of the Billabong Pro in Jeffreys Bay is up next and Mick’s got Pancho Sullivan. Make sure you logon to watch it LIVE!

Watch Fanning fling himself off a bridge: http://63.251.200.193/jbay07/backstage.asp?rLingua=gb&rCode=8474

HONDA US OPEN REVS UP IN HUNTINGTON
As the 2007 ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) hurtles towards the halfway point, the 6-Star Honda U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach is gearing up to be one of the most crucial stops of the summer. Boasting 6-Star events for the men and women, a men’s longboard event as well as the ASP Grade-2 Lost Pro Junior, the U.S. Open will provide 10 days worth of action at the hallowed beach breaks of Huntington Beach Pier. ASP Foster’s 45 surfers such as Tom Whitaker, Cory Lopez, Bruce Irons, Adriano de Souza and Jeremy Flores will do battle with a swath of hungry WQS campaigners like Jordy Smith, Dane Reynolds, etc. On the girls side, the U.S. Open is the biggest ’QS of the season (along with Margaret River and Haleiwa) and will see former ASP World Champ and last year’s event champ Sofia Mulanovich attempt to defend her title against an onslaught of up-and-comers including Leilani Gryde, Karina Petroni, Nicola Atherton and Tammy Lee Smith. The Trials begin Friday, July 20, with the main event starting the following Monday.

BABY PARKO PART DEUX
Waiting around for waves can be nerve-wracking enough, but doing so while your missus is nine-months pregnant and about to pop is another story altogether! Foster’s ASP World Tour No. 5 Joel Parkinson is going to make it home just in time to be by his wife Monica’s side when she’s induced in Australia on Tuesday. “The JBay waiting period ends Sunday, I’m home Monday night and it’s straight to the hospital Tuesday morning!” The baby will be Joel and Monica’s second; their daughter Evie Kate will be taking on big sister duties shortly!

INTRODUCING YOUR NEWEST WORLD CHAMP!
Back to Back! The Americans have scalped back to back ASP World Women's Longboarding Titles with Californian Jen Smith claimed the second annual accolade at this year's Roxy ASP Women's World Championship in Biarritz. Staving off 14-year old French phenom Justine Dupont, Pacific Beach's Smith showcased her fancy footwork in front of the packed European crowd. Two ASP Women's World Championships, two American Champs...the world takes notice.

Andy Irons Defeats Damien Hobgood for Rip Curl Pro Search Chile Crown!

2007-07-03T00:37:00.000-07:00

AI wins!

Andy Irons has gone and done it again!

AI over Damien Hobgood in the Rip Curl Pro Search Chile finals!

Andy's photo-ops will involve a Chilean Alpaca vs. last year's Mexican Sombrero, but the outcome is sure to be the same - FIESTA!

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH FINAL:

Final: Andy Irons (HAW) 16.84 def. Damien Hobgood 8.67 (USA)

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH CHILE SEMIFINAL RESULTS:

SF 1: Andy Irons (HAW) 16.33 def. Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.33

SF 2: Damien Hobgood (USA) 13.13 def. CJ Hobgood (USA) 12.00

The Location:

Chile borders the South Pacific Ocean and sits between Argentina and Peru in Southern South America. It is a big and diverse country, meaning that its coastline offers up a variety of different surfing scenarios. The central and south regions of Chile hold mostly left-hand point break, while Northern Chile – the location for this year’s Rip Curl Pro Search – is known for heavy reef breaks, recommended for very experienced surfers only. As a final note Rip Curl would like to thank the locals again for sharing their home with us this year.

The Wave:

Spot 1: The wave we’ve chosen to test the Foster’s ASP Top 45 this year is world class. Known as the “South American Pipeline”, the wave is a right and left-hand reef break that spits out big heavy barrels over shallow reef and rock.

The left is a big, short barrel that demands a quick pull-in and check out, while the right-hander is a long tubing ride that can peel off for up to 120ft (40m). The best swell period is between May and September, taking advantage of the solid South Pacific swells.

Spot 2: The swells during June-July get very big quite regularly, so we’ve chosen a back-up spot for when the waves get too big for Option 1. This spot is known as one of Chile's biggest, hollowest, and most dangerous waves and only breaks when conditions are perfect. If word-of-mouth and photos are anything to go by, this wave is one heck of a beast…

www.ripcurl.com

www.frankfurt-am-meer.de

ASP International News (07/2007)

2007-07-03T00:24:00.000-07:00

GLOBAL DOMINATION FOR IRONS

Hawaiian phenom Andy Irons has scalped his second consecutive Rip Curl Pro Search Globe trophy and the new piece of hardware has the champ grinning from ear to ear. "They’re the best trophies – they’re epic," Irons beamed post-victory. "They’re my favorite trophy and I’ve got one for the living room and one for the mantle now." Following a week's worth of high-drama, Irons bested a rampaging Damien Hobgood to claim this season's Rip Curl Pro Search Chile title. The victory, while rocketing him into 3rd on the Foster's ASP World Tour ratings, didn't come easy as Irons had to negotiate frosty water temps, shallow skin-claiming reef and board-crunching closeouts. Next up for the boys of the ASP Foster's 45 will be South Africa for Stop No. 5 of 10, the Billabong Pro J-Bay.

SLATER SNAPS RETIREMENT RUMORS

For those who have been watching the Rip Curl Pro Search Chile webcast this past week, you undoubtedly tuned in to one of the best heats of the season as Australian phenom Dean Morrison dispatched of King Kelly Slater in a barrel shootout to end all barrel shootouts. Both surfers were performing at supernatural levels that left spectators around the world frothing. However, as the story progressed, it took a downright turn into the fictional world when Australian newspapers began “reporting” that Kelly had surfed his last heat and that he had retired from professional competition. The Champ has flatly denied the rumors, and with J-Bay, Trestles and France looming on the Foster’s ASP World Tour schedule, it’s unlikely that we’ll be competing sans Slater in the near future. However, with Kelly currently claiming the 6th spot on the ASP World Tour ratings, will a 9th Title be in the works this season?

AFRICA RISING

The 2007 Mr. Price Pro is underway now and will be the latest staple in South Africa’s latest power surge towards surfing greatness. Taking place between July 1st and 8th, 2007, the ASP WQS 6-Star men’s and 5-Star women’s event will play a crucial role in competitors’ respective quests towards the elite Foster’s ASP World Tour and ASP Women’s World Tour. Although the region has always been renowned for epic waves and has produced past champions such as Shaun Tomson and Martin Potter, South Africa’s latest trend sees five surfers competing at the elite level in Greg Emslie, Ricky Basnett, Royden Bryson, Travis Logie and Rosie Hodge as well as burgeoning superstar Jordy Smith currently leading the ratings on the WQS. The Mr. Price Pro will offer the springboks yet another chance to showcase their wares at home, as well as provide the rest of the WQS combatants a chance to earn some valuable ratings points. Be sure to catch all the action LIVE starting July 1st.

THE SWOOSH HITS THE LINEUP

Question: What do Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Lance Armstrong and Roger Federer have to do with surfing? Answer: They are all members of the Nike family which is jumping into its first ever surfing event with the Nike 6.0 Pier Pressure Pro Junior at Huntington Beach on July 7 and 8, 2007. That’s right – one of the biggest sporting entities in the world is keen to enter the competitive surfing world and they’re beginning by backing North America’s best up-and-coming junior surfers as they compete for one of five regional qualifying spots into the prestigious Billabong ASP World Junior Championships in January. The event will be webcast LIVE, so be sure to catch all the action as North America’s finest slug it out in the rampy beachbreak peaks of HB for the Nike 6.0 Pier Pressure Pro Junior.

VOTE YOUR WORLD CHAMPS INTO ESPY-VILLE

Our ASP World Champs Kelly Slater and Layne Beachley own 15 world titles between them. The folks at ESPN reckon they deserve some mainstream recognition and we agree! Both are on the bill as potential ESPY winners in 2007 (The ESPY's are ESPN and the sporting world's version of the Oscars). Kelly's earned a nod for Best Record Breaking Performance and Best Male Action Sport Athlete. Layne's looking at a nomination for Best Female Action Sport Athlete. Voting in each of the ESPY categories is open through July 7th so do your thing and rock the vote!

www.aspworldtour.com