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.”

Nelscott reef big wave event goes off

Nelscott reef, 1km offshore from Lincoln City, Oregon scored an epic glassy 30 ft swell last thursday. Andrew "Cotty" Cotton from Devon was representing the UK...

Paddle in results:

Results
1st Anthony Tashnick-California
2nd Kealii Mamala-Hawaii
3rd Chris Bertish- South Africa
4th Travis Payne-Oregon
5th Greg Long-California
6th Gary Linden-California
7th Mark Visser-Australia
8th Shane Desmond-California
9th Mike Parsons-California

Rip Curl Portugal semis and finals today

Supertubos, Peniche/Portugal - The Rip Curl Pro Search is headed to Supertubos this morning and started at 8.30am with the Men's semi-finals. It's an all-Australian affair for the final three heats, with Bede Durbidge up against current ASP World No. 2 Joel Parkinson in Semi 1 and Current ASP World No. 1 Mick Fanning against Wildcard Owen Wright in Semi 2 - if Owen elects to surf this morning after perforating his ear drum yesterday. The finals will follow so it should all be over today

*Pic: ASP

Supertubes is firing for todays Rip Curl WCT

Round 3 is on today at Supertubes, Portugal which is firing at 6-8ft. Check out the live event at:

http://live.ripcurl.com/?aid=532

WCT Rip Curl Peniche 2009

The last event of the European leg of the ASP tour in Peniche Portugal is set to kick off this morning in clean 3ft waves after a lay day yesterday when a 15ft swell hit which saw some of the pro-surfers towing in and surfers across the Atlantic coast catching huge waves including 25ft sets at Aileens in Ireland.

*image ASP/Getty

Nelscott Reef big wave comp gets green light

Nelscott Reef Big wave comp has the green light for go this Thurs 22nd Oct with a classic 17ft, 15 sec swell forecast, which should produce at least triple overhead waves!

The Nelscott Reef Tow In Classic has become one of the world’s premier tow in events with contestants traveling from all over the world to compete. This big wave contest is held 1/2 mile offshore of Lincoln City, Oregon at Nelscott Reef. With a holding period of Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, organizers wait for a swell large enough to produce 30 foot or greater waves.




http://nelscottreef.com/

Adriano de Souza takes 09 Billabong Pro Mundaka

Adriano de Souza (BRA), 22, claimed his inaugural ASP World Tour win today, taking out the Billabong Pro Mundaka, eliminating fellow Finalist Chris Davidson (AUS), 33, in punchy two-to-three foot (1 metre) waves at the backup venue of Sopelana.

Stop No. 8 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, the Billabong Pro Mundaka experienced an array of conditions for the event, from clean surf on the opening day at Mundaka to a lengthy seven-day wait before a marathon 24-heat session yesterday, culminating into today’s dramatic finale.