What kit do we really need? :Top 10 surfer accessories

Theres a massive choice of surfer accessories and toys available on the market today, from the sublime to the ridiculous (perhaps Surfer Monopoly for the latter?), but what constitutes a useful item required by a surfer to live a fuller life? Firstly we aren't going to include the obvious items into our top 10, because, when breaking it down to the absolute, all we need is wax and a surfboard, without these we ain't going anywhere. Then the next step up the chain is a wetsuit and leash which are a must for certain conditions. Without these items theres no point going to the beach. What we are looking at is the peripheral stuff that although isn't an absolute must, but will make a surfers life much easier. Heres goes:

1. Access to the internet: Years ago surf forecasting was a matter of seeing if a pine cone was open or closed and occasionally checking out the pressure charts in the newspaper or on TV. Forecasting a classic day was more hit and miss but a certain level of understanding weather patterns brought its rewards. Now all we have to do is log on to the web and its all there, swell heights, swell period, wind speed and direction, tide times, air and sea temps and theres even some websites that add all this together and provide star ratings to tell us how good its going to be and remove the necessity to even think for ourselves. Its a bit souless I guess but useful nonetheless. Then theres info on where and when to surf. The internet now seems to list every surf break on the planet with details on how to get there, where to park, where to sit in the line up etc...again its pretty souless but the info is out there.
2. Tide timetable: The world over the tide state affects our surfing experience to varying extents and catching the tide right can mean the difference between an epic or a crap session.
3. Fins: Theres a massive choice of fins available these days and choosing the right ones can make a big difference to your surfing
4. Keypod: Most of us use a car to get to the beach and for years we've had the dilema of where to leave car keys when surfing and for years we've just hidden them someone on or near the car. This has given rise to endless key mishap related stories, so the use of a Keypod key safe is a real bonus. Lock your keys in it and attach it to something secure. Alternatively use a waterproof pouch and take a key with you.
5. Changing Mat: There are a range of changing mats available but the Northcore C-Mat is one of the better ones. Open it up into a large flat circle and stand on it when getting changed so that none of the crap from the carpark ends up on your wetsuit, your feet are protected (useful in a gravel carpark or on frosty/snowy days) and your wet gear is kept safe and away from everything else when the bag is closed.
6. Board bags: A good board bag means that you can travel and it limits the risk of your mate smashing your board when chucking it in the van or when a grumpy baggage handler throws it into a aircraft hold.
7. A Car: Unless you are fortunate enough to live within walking distance of a surf break, then access to one of these things is damn useful. Ideally though get a diesel and run it on bio-fuel
8. Aircraft: I'm not saying buy one of these but by using one we can experience the joys of travel and surfing in amazing locations. It goes without saying that flying isn't eco friendly so try and offset all flights by using a CO2 offsetting scheme.
9. Sunblock: Obviously only necessary closer to the equator or during summer, but without it we'd all be burnt to a crisp and be scratching mysterious skin growths.
10. Lockjaw board lock: When going surfing theres going to be times when you need to leave your surfboard unattended, so lock it up with a board lock otherwise some little scally with look after it for you. No board, no surf

You may agree, disagree or think other items should be added but in the end its down to personal preference....happy surfing :)

Aussie Bede Durbridge is Triple crown champ

Australian Bede Durbidge secured his second Foster’s ASP World Tour win and the Van’s Triple Crown of Surfing Series title with a victory at the Billabong Pipeline Masters, the 10th and final event on the 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour, today.

Durbidge posted 16.67 points out of 20.00 to finish first in the four-man final over Dean Morrison (AUS), Pancho Sullivan (HAW) and Joel Parkinson (AUS) respectively. The new ASP ‘Dual Heats’ format was used from Round 2 through the Quarterfinals and conditions at Pipeline, Backdoor and Off the Wall – the breaks within the contest zone today –were small and in the three-foot (one metre) range.

“I'm absolutely over the moon right now,” Durbidge said. “Obviously the conditions weren't classic Pipeline, but the competition was still pretty intense. We had the new dual heat format and a lot of guys were on the bubble for qualification so there were a lot of hungry guys out there in this event. I've just tried to keep a cool head all season whether it be with sponsors or freesurfing or heats and that was really my approach out there today. I'm absolutely stoked. It's a great way for me to finish the season and I'm looking to go even better in 2008."

Durbidge, who started the season unsponsored and financing his own way around the world, won US$40,000 in cash, a limited edition $25,000 Chevy Colorado truck and a custom $10,000 Nixon watch today. He is the first Australian to win the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing Title since Mike Rommesle did so in 1997. With the exception of American Kelly Slater who claimed the Triple Crown Title in 1998, a Hawaiian has taken top honors ever since.

Occy Retires from Pro-Tour

Occhilupo, who at age 41 is the oldest full-time competitor on tour, was 17 when he finished 16th in the world in 1983. The following year, he was rated No. 3 and the year after he would win at Pipeline. However, too much too soon would prove to be near-fatal for Occhilupo who battled demons and dropped off the tour in 1987. A decade of failed attempts to regain his winning form went by before a rejuvenated and focused Occhilupo retook the ASP World Tour by storm in 1997 and finished runner-up to Kelly Slater. In 1999, Occhilupo won three of his 12 World Tour victories to post one of the greatest comebacks in sporting history by winning the ASP World Title at the age of 33.

”I really love competing and I’ll definitely miss that as much as my friends I’ve made on tour,” Occhilupo said. “It’s just been such a good ride, it’s been about 15 years on and off, but the time I took off and then came back and won my World Title, that was probably the best. No regrets, it’s been sensational and just to have all my friends on the beach today, I know they probably had to get up early to make it down here this morning, but they’re all there so that’s something that I’ll treasure and remember forever.”

Stephanie Gilmore crowned 2007 ASP World Champion

Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) has just made ASP History as the first-ever surfer to claim the ASP World Title in their rookie season, having bested fellow contenders Sofia Mulanovich (PER) and Silvana Lima (BRA) in Round 3 competition today at the Billabong Pro Maui at Honolua Bay.

The 19-year old from Coolangatta, Australia, blitzed past opponent Rochelle Ballard (HAW) with a stunning performance to advance through to the Quarterfinals of the Billabong Pro Maui after rival Mulanovich went down to wildcard Keala Kennelly (HAW) in a surprise Round 3 elimination.

“Surprisingly, I did quite well to not watch Sofia’s heat at all, and I didn’t even know that Keala (Kennelly) had won until right before my heat was about to start,” Gilmore said. “That was interesting. I guess it was awesome for me. I was stoked. It pretty much just fired me up when I heard that, and then the next wave I got barreled.”

With Mulanovich eliminated, and following her phenomenal win over the veteran Ballard, Gilmore needed fellow rookie Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) to defeat remaining contender Silvana Lima (BRA) in the final heat of the day to seal the ASP Women’s World Title.

Europe's first artificial surf reef at Boscombe gets greenlight

Europe’s first artificial surf reef at Boscombe got the green light today. The Marine and Fisheries Agency has granted Bournemouth Borough Council a special environment licence to begin construction of the project. The Council is on course to start construction in spring 2008, with the reef anticipated to be completed in time for the October 2008 swell.

MFA chief executive, Nigel Gooding said: “We are delighted to be able to issue a licence under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985. “A number of complex issues to ensure the protection of the marine environment had to be considered. The MFA had to take into account the potential impact of the reef on local fishermen and any possible danger to navigation. All the issues have been resolved,” he said.

The Borough has also approved the reef in its statutory capacity as the Coastal Protection Authority. Specialist construction material for the reef will be ordered, including the ecologically sound geo-textile bags from Australia and the webbing base from New Zealand. Roger Brown, Head of Leisure Services at Bournemouth Borough Council, said: “Christmas has come early to Bournemouth. This is the fantastic news that everyone has been waiting for.

Pipe Masters Kicks off in Hawaii

Defending Billabong Pipeline Masters champion Andy Irons (Hawaii) bolted out of the gates with a blistering performance in the opening heat of the competition today. Making the most of the morning's clean waves of six- to eight-feet, a combination of solid scores earned at both Backdoor and Pipe netted him the highest heat score of the day: 17.5 out of a maximum 20 points.

"It's always good to be at Pipeline with three other guys out," said Irons. "Even though it's 4-feet, it's a pleasure to be out there. It's the end of the year, it's the last event, it's Pipeline and there's so much hype. It's one of the best waves in the world."

"It would be really nice to have big Pipe and Backdoor," said Kelly Slater. "I think when it's bigger it opens up the field a little more. When it's smaller like this it becomes easier for the tour guys." Current Vans Triple Crown Series ratings leader Bede Durbidge (Australia) continued his stellar run with a first round heat win against local Fred Patacchia, former world champion Mark Occhilupo (Australia), and Daniel Wills (Australia).

The men's Billabong Pipeline Masters runs concurrently with the women's Billabong Pro Maui, held at Honolua Bay, Maui. That event was postponed today due to small surf. These two events will wrap up the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing for 2007 and determine this year's Series champions. The women's Billabong Pro Maui will also determine the 2007 ASP women's world champion.

Assist Al Gore to get the World's governments to address Global Warming

In seven days 2007 Nobel Peace Prize winner Al Gore is going to address the UN Climate Change Conference in Bali, Indonesia. Surfersvillage and Earthwave have signed his petition showing their support for the important call for a visionary treaty to address the climate crisis. We hope you will too.

The world's elected leaders must take the steps necessary to solve global warming. It's not too late. We have the opportunity now to improve the Earth's future for our children, and their children. If we don't act, we will only have ourselves to blame. Please spend one minute of your time to sign the petition today.

We encourage you to forward this page to everyone in your address book. The Climate Crisis is the greatest threat the planet has ever faced!