SurferToday.com | Surfing, Kitesurfing, Windsurfing and Bodyboarding News Center.
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Monday, 06 February 2012 09:35 |
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Paulo dos Reis has captured the 2012 Downunder Pro, at picturesque Jimmy’s Beach, Hawks Nest, Australia. The Brazilian racer dominated the four-day regatta by winning all 7 races over the event ahead of Jesper Vesterstrøm, from Denmark, and 56 other windsurfers.
"This was the first time I’ve come to Australia and I was very impressed with the hospitality and the great racing conditions. It was windy, and that’s the conditions I like, so I’m very happy to win and I will definitely be back next year", says Paulo dos Reis.
Sean O'Brien, event organizer and defending champion, was the first Australian over the line coming in a clear 5th overall and just 2 points behind 4th placed Mathias Pinheiro, from Brazil.
O’Brien becomes the Oceanic and Australian Formula Windsurfing champion for the 6th time now as international competitors are ineligible for the title. He has been racing in Hawks Nest for over 12 years now.
"We picked this beach to run the event for more than just the quality sailing it produces. It’s got a small town vibe which is great for families who compete, there’s plenty of other things to do for the non-windsurfers and the conditions this place produces are absolutely World-Class. I had a great event and punishing Mathias in the last race really capped it off for me", said O'Brien.
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Monday, 06 February 2012 10:02 |
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Australia has 2.5 million recreative surfers and the surf industry generates $3.3 billion a year for the Gold Coast economy. That is why local authorities and Tourism representatives are planning to invest in artificial wave parks and surf pools that may boost the surf circus and reduce the increasing case of surf rage in the line-up.
John Nielsen, the new commander of the surf study taskforce, believes that the technology has been evolving quickly and that new ways of riding waves should be explored.
"Wave pools will be operational on the Gold Coast within two years. We are already talking with operators who want to bring them here," he told the Courier Mail. "Can you imagine having wave pools with perfect waves, operating 24-7, and what that will do for the industry?"
Tension and fight for waves is escalating. Legendary Australian surfer Mark Occhilupo has already presented a solution for the problem - limiting the number of surfers heading out to the line-up through the keyhole, at Snapper Rocks, in order to halt the ultra-crowding issue.
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Last Updated on Monday, 06 February 2012 10:18 |
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Saturday, 04 February 2012 16:03 |
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Philip Edwards was the first surfer to ride Banzai Pipeline, in Hawaii, back in 1961. Phil, also known as "The Guayule Kid", was born on the 10th June 1938, in Long Beach, California.
Before completing 10 year of age, Phil Edwards was already feeling the attractionof water, ocean and waves. In those days, California was the Mecca of international surfing. The US West Coast had everything for everyone. Waves of all types, a vivid surf culture and an emerging surf industry.
In Dana Point, California, surfers tried to impress spectators with serious wave riding stunts at the famous surf break of Killer Dana, a spot for experienced watermen. Killer Dana was "the" surf spot where you might became the most influential surfer of all time, in a matter of day.
In 1953, Phil Edwards was ready to challenge Killer Dana. As soon as he catches and completes the first wave, something had changed forever in the sport of surfing. Phil was 15 years old and he had just cut back a wave.
"This was Phil Edwards' first attack on Killer Dana. Jim 'Burrhead' Drever took Edwards out with him and kept an eye on him. As the story goes, they took off on a wave together. Burrhead yelled, 'Head for the green!' when Edwards cut back toward the curl", explains Nat Young.
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Last Updated on Saturday, 04 February 2012 16:29 |
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