The 2012 Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards is on fire. In the last weeks, a large fleet of international riders has produced new entries that might change everything in the last minute.

Bob Meistrell, co-founder of Body Glove, has passed away at 84.
Bob was hours younger than his brother Bill, who left the world of waves in 2006. The identical twins started Body Glove, in 1965. They wanted to stay longer in cold water temperatures. Robert Meistrell was a passionate diver and, above all, a waterman. Personal submarines were also part of his list of hobbies. He even discovered a gold coin treasure in a paddle wheel steamer that sunk off Crescent City, California.

Top seeds have fought back to earn a ticket to Round 3 of the Oakley Pro Bali 2013, at Keramas, Indonesia.
With clean four-to-six foot (1.5 – 2 metre) waves on offer at the primary site of Keramas, Kelly Slater smashed wildcard Jack Robinson by capturing the day's high 18.17 out of a possible 20 for a masterful display of forehand tube-riding and power turns. "There are some really good waves out there when they come. Still though, I'm two for two on slow heats. The waves are fun when they [ ... ]

The "ISAF Beginners Guide to Kiteboarding" is a complete wind riding manual for starters, with launching, safety, self-rescue and pack down lessons.
Aspiring kiteboarders can enjoy numerous experiences, setting personal goals at every level. Learning well is part of the process of becoming a good rider. The sport combines the best elements of windsurfing, sailing and wakeboarding all in one and not only offers the fastest performance but has the highest and longest 'airtime' potential.

The 7th Annual Kiteboarding 4 Cancer (KB4C) will take place in Hood River, Oregon, between 13th-14th July, 2013.
The largest amateur kiteboarding race in North America expects to attract 200 riders racing and raising funds for Athletes 4 Cancer's Camp Koru Survivorship Program. The Kite Derby challenges the tenacity of the most advanced and novice kiters alike with a six-hour endurance race. Kiteboarders race around a three-mile course on the Columbia River, spanning more than 100 miles per  [ ... ]

Giuseppe Zerillo and Pawel Gardasiewicz have been crowned the 2013 Raceboard Youth and Masters world champions, at Marina Julia, Monfalcone.
The final day of windsurfing races saw one more race being run, for a total of six counting for the overall results. Light wind specialists Giuseppe Zerillo and Pawel Gardasiewicz made it clear right from the start that they were in it to win it, taking bullets in every single race.

Antoine Albeau has conquered the 2013 PWA Catalunya World Cup, in Spain. The final took four hours to be completed, due to the gusty and shifty winds.
Albeau has tasted his inaugural season triumph, on the beautiful shores of Costa Brava, to halt Bjorn Dunkerbeck from claiming the title, for the first time, in three years. The French sailor demonstrated his perfectly timed starts time and time again, along with a phenomenal top speed to blow the competition out of the water.

The Jeff Wilcox Memorial Classic has been revived. One of the longest running independent bodyboarding events in Australia will be run for the 16th year, since 1990.
"You don't have to reach the top to be a champion, just be the best you can be". Jeff Wilcox's quote has never been so updated and real. Inspiring the new generation, that is what the event's all about. Jeff was a brilliant sportsman with amazing potential, excelling in bodyboarding and hockey. He passed away with only 14 years  [ ... ]

The King of the Box 2013 will attract more than 180 of Australia's best wave riders to the Box Beach, in Port Stephens, Australia.
The world's best bodyboarders have been visiting the Box Beach, in New South Wales, but this year the competition will be opened to surfers, too. An innovative contest structure will have a two-week waiting period to ensure the best possible conditions. The two selected windows are September 5th-8th or September 12th-15th.