Does Bournemouth's artificial surfing reef work?!

I was recently sent a link to a new blog by its creator, concerning the recent official launch of Bournemouth's artificial surf reef, Europes first man made reef. The Reef has been a major talking point amongst surfers since construction was given the go ahead a few years ago and its been eagerly awaited promising to produce a classic wave. Well it appears that the reef isnt quite working as it should..."The quality of wave produced by the reef is extremely debatable and can in my opinion can only be described as a wedge"

make up your own mind by visiting http://bournemouthgreef.blogspot.com/2009/11/bournemouth-surf-reef-officially-opens.html

Big waves, Surf fitness and Agave surfboards

The guys a Surf Stronger who produce fantastic workout programmes on DVD for surfing fitness met up with Big wave charger Don Curry to talk about, waves, Agave wood surfboards and keeping fit for surfing monster swells. Check out this great interview below:

Surfing- the Million Dollar prize

The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing presented by Rockstar Energy Drink made history today, announcing the TRIPLE CROWN - TRIPLE THREAT bonus purse that makes this prestigious Hawaiian series the first $1,000,000 stop on the Association of Surfing Professionals Dream Tour. More than 150 surfers from 17 nations have a crack at the loot as the series kicks off this Thursday, November 12, at Haleiwa on Oahu's North Shore.



The TRIPLE CROWN - TRIPLE THREAT will award $50,000 to the men's Triple Crown series champion, an extra $50,000 for the Billabong Pipeline Masters winner, a $50,000 bonus to the ASP's men's world champion, and a $25,000 bonus to the women's Triple Crown champion. The $175,000 Triple Threat is in addition to the existing $825,000 in event prize money, making for a $1million total purse.

Mavericks big wave contest waiting period begins

The waiting period for the 2009/2010 Mavericks Surf Contest® presented by Sony Ericsson has officially begun. On a picture perfect Friday afternoon, more than two-dozen of the best big-wave surfers from around the world, along with family members, friends, and members of the media gathered on the beach at Pillar Point to celebrate the opening of the new 2009/2010 Contest season.



The only big-wave paddle-in contest on the mainland, the waiting period for this year’s Mavericks Surf Contest® will last from November 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010. During this window, the 24 invitees will wait for Mother Nature to conjure up the “perfect storm”
that will produce waves that are 30-40 feet in height. Once such a swell is on the horizon, the 24 contestants themselves will vote on whether to call the Contest to compete for a record-breaking $150,000 prize purse, including $50,000 to the Champion.

Heat One:
Evan Slater, Darryl “Flea” Virostko, Ion Banner, Dave Wassell, Grant “Twiggy” Baker, Tyler Smith

Heat Two:
Peter Mel, Shane Desmond, Zach Wormhoudt, Nathan Fletcher, Matt Ambrose, Anthony Tashnick

Heat Three:
Brock Little, Tim West Jr., Kenny “Skindog” Collins, Josh Loya, Greg Long, Carlos Burle

Heat Four:
Chris Bertish, Grant Washburn, Ryan Seelbach, Ben Andrews, Shawn Rhodes, Jamie Sterling

Album review: Primal Sky: Tim Smith

Theres a buzz in the US surf world centred around a new CD/album, by Tim Smith, called "Primal Sky, Caballero Del Mar". The word has been triggered by a number of tracks being used in surf movies, most notably "A fist full of barrels", (which first exposed the Mexican "Rincon" to the world). So we were stoked to receive a review copy of the album from Tim.

Whenever anyone listens to a new track or piece of music they instinctively, knowingly or sub conciously pigeon-hole it into a genre, especially surf music, however even after a few listens this album for me, defied definition, which although unfamiliar at first eventually allowed the music to wash over me without feeling the need to over analyse.

Tim Smiths sound is so unique and distinctive, however there are obvious influences, which include a chilled rock vibe and a definate latin flavour- no doubt infused by Smiths life in California. An affinity with the ocean also pervades a number of tracks which brings us to the surfing connection.



The sound of Primal Sky isnt immediate but slot it into the cars CD player on your next surf trip, soak up the sounds of a Californian summer and you'll understand why this album is gathering such a following.

*tracks can be downloaded here http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/primalsky/ (its an external link so has no affiliation with Extremehorizon)

Minor Disruption: UK Juniors live webcast surf comp

For the first time ever a UK junior contest will be streamed live online.

You can watch the event at www.tiger24.com on the 7^th and 8^th of November 2009.

The contest will run using ASP format with prizes aimed at developing the surfers’ careers. It’s also an opportunity to offer surfing to a much wider audience which. To be part of it you don’t have to be on the beach, you can be anywhere in the world - just log on and take a look.

How valuable is your wave?

Businesses close to famous surf spots know it, surfers know it but it seems the fact that a wave can create, boost or regenerate a local economy is lost on everyone else (look at what happened to Mundaka as a case in point). So Save the Waves have done a "Surfomomics" study of Mavericks to find out the economic benefits to Half Moon bay by having a famous wave on their doorstep:

" Save The Waves Coalition announced the preliminary results from its second 'Surfonomics' study, a measure of the economic value of the world-famous big-wave break at Mavericks in Half Moon Bay, California. The study found that the surfing site and area has an estimated economic value to visitors of nearly $24 million per year, based on approximately 420,000 annual visitors.

“Mavericks is an iconic, world-renowned surf break that’s truly unique,” said Save The Waves executive director Dean LaTourrette. “This study provides evidence of not just its environmental value, but of its economic value as well. This further reinforces the notion that it and other special coastal areas around the world need and deserve to be protected.”