Huge Christmas day swell in Hawaii

A massive swell hit the islands this christmas day with Peahi (Jaws) on Maui hit by waves with 50ft faces which were tackled in spectacular fashion by a host of tow teams. At the same time Waimea on Oahu's northshore was experiencing some of the biggest swell in years with 25ft sets pounding in with one wave completely closing out the bay and cleaning up every surfer out!

Biggest wave ever recorded-1720ft

The biggest wave on record occurred in Lituya Bay on the southern coast of Alaska in 1958. An earthquake measuring 8.3 on the Richter scale hit the area and shook loose an estimated 40 million cubic yards of dirt and glacier from a mountainside at the head of the bay. When the debris hit the water, a massive 1,720-foot wave was created and washed over the headland.

How did the scientists know the wave was so incredibly enormous? Simple. To measure the height of the wave, scientists found the high-water mark -- the line where the water reached its highest point on land. This probably is not the biggest wave ever, just the biggest documented. Three fishing boats witnessed the Lituya Bay event. Unfortunately, two people on one of the boats were killed. Incredibly, the other two boats rode the waves and their occupants survived.

*source: surfersvillage.com. Photo Byron Hale

Santa gets his priorities right

Every year Santa Claus manages to get his priorities right and gets in a quick surf before deliverying his presents, although all that paddling is keeping him slimmer than usual and the salt water seems to be playing havoc with his beard! Check out the video footage below of Santa captured surfing in France:

Oops! Santa's gone surfing from kevin Olsen on Vimeo.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM ALL AT EXTREMEHORIZON.COM

Saltwater Buddha: The Film

For those of you that read our review of the book Saltwater Buddha, by Jaimal Yogis, last year, you'll know that we're big fans, so were stoked to hear that a film is being made. Not only that some of the profits are going to benefit Save the Waves and Surfrider. Check out the trailer below along with links to the website and our review



http://www.saltwaterbuddha.org

http://extremehorizon.blogspot.com/2008/11/book-review-saltwater-buddha-surfers.html

Taj Burrow claims Pipeline Masters 2009

Taj Burrow (AUS), 31, has claimed the 2009 Billabong Pipe Masters, defeating fellow Finalist Kelly Slater (USA), 37, in clean three-to-five foot (1 – 1.5 metre) waves at the Banzai Pipeline.

The final event of the 2009 ASP World Tour season, the Billabong Pipe Masters culminated the Vans Triple Crown (an ASP Specialty Series), and provided non-stop, high-caliber action from the outset.

Burrow wasted little time in putting Slater on the ropes in the 35-minute Final, racking up a 7.00 out of a possible 10 on his opening ride for an electric air reverse followed by some solid forehand maneuvers. With deteriorating conditions, Burrow stayed busy before collecting a 5.83 for an incredible full-rotation alley-oop, putting the pressure on Slater as time ran out.

“There were perfect backdoor waves this whole event and then for the Final it went onshore,” Burrow said. “It was strictly turns. It was all about turns and hopefully doing a few airs and I sped down to my shortboard and my plan was to just to let loose. It was tough because I knew Kelly (Slater) could do anything. Even when there was 20 seconds to go and I had priority, I was still scared. I just had nothing to lose and tried to let loose.”

Taj Burrow : photo ASP/CI Cestari via Getty Images

Mick Fanning claims second World title at Pipeline

Mick Fanning (AUS), 28, has been crowned the 2009 ASP World Champion, following a stunning performance at the Banzai Pipeline on Saturday.

Heading into the final stop of the 2009 ASP World Tour season, Fanning held the ASP ratings’ lead over fellow Gold Coast surfer Joel Parkinson (AUS), 28, and with Parkinson’s Round 3 exit in today’s Billabong Pipe Masters at the hands of wildcard Gavin Gillette (HAW), 23, Fanning secured his second ASP World Title.

“I’m just a bit overwhelmed right now and I don’t quite know what to say,” Fanning said. “It was hard out there. I was trying to get ready for my heat and then Gavin (Gillette) got that one score as I was paddling out and, I don’t know, I just sort of slowed down.”

*Mick Fanning : photo ASP/CI Cestari via Getty Images

2009 Billabong Pipeline Masters kicks off in great surf

Round 1 of the Billabong Pipeline Masters, Event No. 10 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, commenced yesterday in clean six-to-ten foot (2 – 3 metre) waves at the Banzai Pipeline.

The third and final event in the Vans Triple Crown (an ASP Specialty Series), the Billabong Pipeline Masters plays host to two dramatic story arcs: the showdown for the 2009 ASP World Title and the requalification race for the 2010 ASP Dream Tour. Amidst the world’s best surfers exists a spattering of Pipeline specialists, making the competition field particularly challenging to navigate.

Michael Picon (FRA), 30, current ASP World No. 39, is in need of an impressive result in the final event of the year to secure his position amongst the world’s elite in 2010. Today, the Frenchman put the rest of the draw on notice, first eliminating wildcard Manoa Drollet (PYF) before posting the highest heat total of the event, a 19.76 out of a possible 20, for a brilliant backhand tube-riding approach to take out Josh Kerr (AUS), 25, in the final heat of the day.

image* Phil MacDonald : photo ASP/CI Cestari via Getty Images

Greg Long takes the 2009 Eddie

8 December, 2009 : - - Waimea Bay -- After 25 years with most of those spent waiting, Waimea Bay delivered an event of legendary proportions today at the Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau, Fueled by Monster Energy. It was 25 years to the day since the first 'Eddie' was held and waves of up to 50 feet poured in to Oahu's North Shore as if on cue.

With younger brother Clyde still in the lineup, at age 60, joined by the contemporary top guns of big wave riding, a packed arena celebrated every gutsy ride in brilliant sunshine befitting of a tribute to local hero Eddie Aikau.

When all was said and done, it was California's Greg Long, 26, (San Clemente) who made a late charge in the final heat of the day to claim the $55,000 winner's purse. Long committed to an unbelievable never-say-die attack, securing all four of his top scores - several of them death-defying and one of them a perfect 100-point ride, in macking 40- to 50-foot waves. It was the high point of his career to-date - pretty incredible given that he only rode Waimea for the first time this week.

Nine-time world champion Kelly Slater (Florida, USA), who won here back in January of 2002, placed second after leading the score board from the first second heat of the day. Long turned the tables on him in the final hour of competition. All Slater could do was look on in as much disbelief as the frenzied crowd who were at that point ready to celebrate with anyone. Slater earned $10,000. Third was Hawaii's Sunny Garcia, earning $3,000. Fourth was defending Eddie champion Bruce Irons (Kauai), $3,000.

The Quiksilver Eddie 2009 could go today!

One of the Hawaii's biggest swells in years is starting to hit with huge waves pulsing through Waimea Bay at 4pm yesterday. Invitees and Alternates of The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau, fueled by Monster Energy, are put on an incredible afternoon display where a 30-foot-plus set closed out at the Bay

Contest Director George Downing has announced that the event is 90 per cent likely a "GO" for today. The final call to officially call the event ON is still pending.

Powerstroke bungee Cord: Great new surf training product

Check out this great new product which Extremehorizon Distribution are working with....its a brand New Surf training Tool called "The Power stroke bungee cord". Its a resistance training tool for improving all upper body strength for surfing.

If used regularly it will improve all the major muscles involved in paddling for surfing. The powerstroke bungee will also improve aerobic surfing fitness and major muscles for surfing paddle power.




"Power stroke bungee" comes with 2 inter changeable 3m bungee cords with 2x handles the cord can be attached almost any where for a surfing work out! Its a great price and will help your surfing. For more info visit http://www.extremehorizon.com/surf-shop/power_stroke_bungee_cord_surfing_training.html

Will the Quiksilver "Eddie" GO next week?!

The official opening ceremony for The Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau, Fueled by Monster Energy took place yesterday at Waimea Bay, December 3rd at 2pm. The official holding period is from December 1, 2009, through February 28, 2010.

Big surf is expected to hit the north shore of Oahu and the Hawaiian islands this weekend and into early next week. Waves could top 20 feet today on the north shores of O'ahu, Kaua'i and Maui, the National Weather Service said yesterday. But even bigger surf may be on the horizon. An accompanying surf forecast said there is a "strong potential for warning level surf late this weekend into the middle of next week."

Some surf forecasters and big-wave watchers are suggesting that waves having 40-foot faces are a possibility, with the surf being the biggest it's been in 15 years

Mindless slaughter of pilot whales in Denmark

I have to admit that this story came as a shock, especially as its right on our doorstep. We all know that Japan hasnt the best track record when it comes to hunting for whales and dolphins for "research" but I was astonished to hear that Denmark also participate in a barbaric act of slaughtering Pilot whales in the Faroe Islands. The story is even more tragic as the killing is seen as a right of passage to manhood and not even for subsistance. The following is from CNN:

"Every year in the Faroe Islands in Denmark (a European Union country), slaughter approximately 950 of the famous and intelligent Calderon dolphins (long finned pilot whales).

The hunts, called "grindadráp" in Faroese, are non-commercial and are organized on a community level; anyone can participate. The hunters first surround the pilot whales with a wide semicircle of boats. The boats then drive the pilot whales slowly into a bay or to the bottom of a fjord where they are then butchered with hooks.

Most Faroese consider the hunt an important part of their culture and history. Animal-rights groups criticize the hunt as being cruel and unnecessary, while the hunters claim in return that most journalists do not exhibit sufficient knowledge of the catch methods or its economic significance.

As of the end of November 2008 the chief medical officers of the Faroe Islands have recommended that pilot whales no longer be considered fit for human consumption because of the levels of toxins in the whales".

The EU needs to pressure Denmark to outlaw this barbaric practice immediately

Click here to join: Calderon Dolphin Facebook Group

or sign the petition:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/stop-the-calderon-dolphin-slaughter-in-denmark