Quik Pro France
Parking: 7/10 Get there at crack of sparrows and all good, the site’s nice and close to the Bourdaines car park. Any later than dawn and you'll be walking forever unless you can park French style- i.e in the middle of the road/roundabout/someone’s garden/where someone else is already parked...
Event site: 6/10 Reasonable. Good job on separating the VIP liggers area from the event/media bit. But putting the food bit at the top of the dune was a shitter for us photogs as it meant missing at minimum a whole heat to go get lunch. Surfers area didn't lend itself to photos/communication with the pros- bit of an ivory tower situ.
Food & Drink: 6/10 Not bad. Only one day disappointed- How you can burn rice, under cook potatoes and use only chicken knees/ankles all in the same meal was quite astounding. The queue of 'free lunch' liggers got outta hand at times leaving event staff/media/ASP dudes hungry.
Buff Factor: 2/10 Lots of free buff goods for everyone it seemed apart from the photogs who stood in the sun 10-hours a day making the images that the event is portrayed with. Not even an event t-shirt for us. Oh hang on we did get a key fob thing! Whooop!
Surf: 2/10 Piss poor. Considering what Hossegor and a decent swell can do and has done for this event it was pish. Not withstanding Quik have signed up for 9-more years...
Surfing: 7/10 Surfing good in gutless small waves is more impressive than surfing powerful ones really. So points here. Dane responsible for 6 of those points alone...
Controversy: 4/10 Lacking. Wardo no showed and was late. Kelly was late. Dane having a drinking comp and barfing in the bogs at Dick’s Sand Bar was prob the highlight. CJ’s quiver theft was the lowlight. Webcast had enough hardware to launch a cyber attack on the Kremlin but was unreliable and 'pretty shit' according to various sources. Not that I saw it cos I was on the beach. Beach commentary sucked arse on the last day- scores/situation/priority/English language all disappeared as Rock Food Roland dribbled on all day while we wondered what the hell was going on.
Judging: 6/10 Not too many bloopers although Jordy's 'tail still in the water' superman was over scored and the finals day 9s were a bit over the top. Heitor/Smith needs looking at and some other heats need a heat on demand review for other niggling issues.
Overall: 57/100 It was the world tour equivalent of a band aid on a cut. Pulled off quick and fast to minimise the pain caused but there's still a weeping wound underneath. Winging the media out the hotel with 5-days left to go on the waiting period was also a very low blow. When core media guys have come from Oz and the US on their own dime to cover an event the least they can expect is- a roof over their heads, coffee at the event site and the odd feed.
Billabong Pro Mundaka
Parking: 0/10 On a normal surfless day in Mundaka finding a park is a chunder. When there is a swell it’s impossible. When there’s a world tour contest on don’t even bother to think about thinking about it. I walked in from the bungalows up on the hill so didn’t have the stress.
Wristband Nazis On The Gate: 2/10 Depending on the situation they were cool or they were awful. I only got barred from the site once. An ASP photog nearly got punched out for trying to get some food. Least popular gate Nazis on the Euro leg by far.
Press office: 8/10 Great wifi site wide, cold drinks, food (at least for me) and coffee. Job well done with regards to info and great accom at the Mundaka Bungalows.
Event site: 7/10 Always a tricky one at Mundaka but they make the most of the space and thankfully this year split the VIP area from the media so liggers could lig and we could work.
Food & Drink: 3/10 Not that good and not that available, service also very poor. Coffee machines not well maintained either…
Buff Factor: 2/10 Again a buff free zone. Some photogs did score windcheaters but I came away with bugger all again.
Surf: 3/10 Mundaka kinda showed itself a little bit. Slopelana was okay but hardly a world class beachy. And let’s not mention the awesome show Mundaka put on a few days after the event finished… best in 3-years is the local’s call.
Surfing: 7/10 Good surfing despite the lack lustre waves. Bob Martinez and wildcard Reubyn Ash’s big alleys being the progressive highlights.
Controversy: 8/10 The ‘Basque Fiasco’ existing at all is controversy enough. The ASP press conference also added a fair bit of interest to proceedings effectively nailing the door shut on the Rebel Tour.
Judging: 5/10 Kelly vs Adriano- KS, T Knox, comp director Mike Parsons and more thought Kelly got hosed in the semi. Others disagree, I thought Adriano took it myself- bigger turns on bigger waves.
Overall: 45/100 It was an event no one wanted to be at unless the star- as in Mundaka showed itself. It didn’t. It saved itself for the week after in a massive Mother Nature flip off. Ironically if the Euro tour had started a week later France and Spain woulda scored…
Rip Curl Pro Search Peniche
Parking: 10/10 Nice shiney parking pass laminate got us through every security cordon in the known universe. Parking was tops all over- for the Slide-mobile anyway.
Wristband Nazis On The Gate: 6/10 Points for the super friendly parking barrier man, always ready with a wave and a wink. Psychotic other guys lose points- not letting you into the area while 3 people without passes wander in behind them isn’t good guarding nor is letting you in all morning then cutting you off at lunchtime even though you are wearing an instantly recognisable Dizzy t-shirt and eye melting yellow coat…
Press office: 11/10 Media room in the hotel, yes hotel (the one where we got free brekkie, lunch and dinner) was all time. Wifi borrowed from NASA with 1Mb/s download speeds and a bar across the hall. If only every event could be like that.
Event site: 8/10 Supertubes site was awesome until a big swell smashed it into a million pieces then smashed those million pieces into another million pieces. Lagide site also great (apart from not being able to see the surf from anywhere!). Backbackup site at Belgas was super cool for something knocked up in a cabbage field.
Food & Drink: 10/10 Buffet breakfast. Three course lunch. Evening feed in the hotel or various other spots. Normally with free wine… Equals very happy media scum.
Buff Factor: 10/10 As mentioned before the buff quota was 0 to nothing at other events- RC came through with a buff pack of two tees, hoody and a cap. Not to mention the free hotel, food and piss. Awesome.
Surf: 8/10 The second to last day was all time but the finals were shite wave wise. Lagide was weak and the surf Tiago got knocked in at the Wall was well bum. That day at Supertubes, however, saved the Euro Leg and to a certain extent the ASP’s kudos at that point. Below sea level drainers with half a ton of sand mixed with each ton of water in the lip made for pure spectacle.
Surfing: 9/10 Two words: Owen Wright. This event showed the world the Top 45 better watch the hell out next season- kid’s gonna go far. Everyone else also stepped up with a brace of 10s on the crazy day and the freesurfing around the event was also stellar.
Controversy: 8/10 Kelly v Owen (why is it always him?) not to mention Owen v Damo. Anyone that suggests Owen threw Mick a bone for his free pass in the semi needs their head looking at. Either Owen is one of the finest mime artistes of his generation or he really did stagger out of the water with a blown ear and no sense of balance. It was heavy out there. That said in the wind slop of the final many thought Owen coulda pipped Mick with a couple of those big helicopters he’s so good at.
Judging: 5/10 Judging view on the good day was appalling for the rights. Moving the judges sounded like a good plan. Until they moved them 3-feet to the left of where they were before. Meaning Bede and Parko’s 10s could not be seen well. Parko’s was a def 10. Bede’s maybe a solid 9.
Overall: 85/100 Solid organisation, great hospitality, new spots for the tour and a belting day of world class beachbreak surf mean the Portugal event is the hands down winner of the ‘Best Event Of The Euro Leg’ award. I’ll think you’ll be looking a long time to find anyone that disagrees. Well, apart from maybe the guys that won’t re-qualify cos they had to surf in shit at the Wall and Lagide…
Parking: 7/10 Get there at crack of sparrows and all good, the site’s nice and close to the Bourdaines car park. Any later than dawn and you'll be walking forever unless you can park French style- i.e in the middle of the road/roundabout/someone’s garden/where someone else is already parked...
Wristband Nazis On The Gate: 8/10 Not one peep out of any of them about checking wristbands etc. So good work on recognising a hard working member of the media fellas- either that or they were all useless workshy fops.
Press office: 9/10 Awesome as always- Salut Cathy and team. Heat sheets, cold drinks, coffee, wifi and a smile in the morning no matter what the stress levels.
Event site: 6/10 Reasonable. Good job on separating the VIP liggers area from the event/media bit. But putting the food bit at the top of the dune was a shitter for us photogs as it meant missing at minimum a whole heat to go get lunch. Surfers area didn't lend itself to photos/communication with the pros- bit of an ivory tower situ.
Food & Drink: 6/10 Not bad. Only one day disappointed- How you can burn rice, under cook potatoes and use only chicken knees/ankles all in the same meal was quite astounding. The queue of 'free lunch' liggers got outta hand at times leaving event staff/media/ASP dudes hungry.
Buff Factor: 2/10 Lots of free buff goods for everyone it seemed apart from the photogs who stood in the sun 10-hours a day making the images that the event is portrayed with. Not even an event t-shirt for us. Oh hang on we did get a key fob thing! Whooop!
Surf: 2/10 Piss poor. Considering what Hossegor and a decent swell can do and has done for this event it was pish. Not withstanding Quik have signed up for 9-more years...
Surfing: 7/10 Surfing good in gutless small waves is more impressive than surfing powerful ones really. So points here. Dane responsible for 6 of those points alone...
Controversy: 4/10 Lacking. Wardo no showed and was late. Kelly was late. Dane having a drinking comp and barfing in the bogs at Dick’s Sand Bar was prob the highlight. CJ’s quiver theft was the lowlight. Webcast had enough hardware to launch a cyber attack on the Kremlin but was unreliable and 'pretty shit' according to various sources. Not that I saw it cos I was on the beach. Beach commentary sucked arse on the last day- scores/situation/priority/English language all disappeared as Rock Food Roland dribbled on all day while we wondered what the hell was going on.
Judging: 6/10 Not too many bloopers although Jordy's 'tail still in the water' superman was over scored and the finals day 9s were a bit over the top. Heitor/Smith needs looking at and some other heats need a heat on demand review for other niggling issues.
Overall: 57/100 It was the world tour equivalent of a band aid on a cut. Pulled off quick and fast to minimise the pain caused but there's still a weeping wound underneath. Winging the media out the hotel with 5-days left to go on the waiting period was also a very low blow. When core media guys have come from Oz and the US on their own dime to cover an event the least they can expect is- a roof over their heads, coffee at the event site and the odd feed.
Billabong Pro Mundaka
Parking: 0/10 On a normal surfless day in Mundaka finding a park is a chunder. When there is a swell it’s impossible. When there’s a world tour contest on don’t even bother to think about thinking about it. I walked in from the bungalows up on the hill so didn’t have the stress.
Wristband Nazis On The Gate: 2/10 Depending on the situation they were cool or they were awful. I only got barred from the site once. An ASP photog nearly got punched out for trying to get some food. Least popular gate Nazis on the Euro leg by far.
Press office: 8/10 Great wifi site wide, cold drinks, food (at least for me) and coffee. Job well done with regards to info and great accom at the Mundaka Bungalows.
Event site: 7/10 Always a tricky one at Mundaka but they make the most of the space and thankfully this year split the VIP area from the media so liggers could lig and we could work.
Food & Drink: 3/10 Not that good and not that available, service also very poor. Coffee machines not well maintained either…
Buff Factor: 2/10 Again a buff free zone. Some photogs did score windcheaters but I came away with bugger all again.
Surf: 3/10 Mundaka kinda showed itself a little bit. Slopelana was okay but hardly a world class beachy. And let’s not mention the awesome show Mundaka put on a few days after the event finished… best in 3-years is the local’s call.
Surfing: 7/10 Good surfing despite the lack lustre waves. Bob Martinez and wildcard Reubyn Ash’s big alleys being the progressive highlights.
Controversy: 8/10 The ‘Basque Fiasco’ existing at all is controversy enough. The ASP press conference also added a fair bit of interest to proceedings effectively nailing the door shut on the Rebel Tour.
Judging: 5/10 Kelly vs Adriano- KS, T Knox, comp director Mike Parsons and more thought Kelly got hosed in the semi. Others disagree, I thought Adriano took it myself- bigger turns on bigger waves.
Overall: 45/100 It was an event no one wanted to be at unless the star- as in Mundaka showed itself. It didn’t. It saved itself for the week after in a massive Mother Nature flip off. Ironically if the Euro tour had started a week later France and Spain woulda scored…
Rip Curl Pro Search Peniche
Parking: 10/10 Nice shiney parking pass laminate got us through every security cordon in the known universe. Parking was tops all over- for the Slide-mobile anyway.
Wristband Nazis On The Gate: 6/10 Points for the super friendly parking barrier man, always ready with a wave and a wink. Psychotic other guys lose points- not letting you into the area while 3 people without passes wander in behind them isn’t good guarding nor is letting you in all morning then cutting you off at lunchtime even though you are wearing an instantly recognisable Dizzy t-shirt and eye melting yellow coat…
Press office: 11/10 Media room in the hotel, yes hotel (the one where we got free brekkie, lunch and dinner) was all time. Wifi borrowed from NASA with 1Mb/s download speeds and a bar across the hall. If only every event could be like that.
Event site: 8/10 Supertubes site was awesome until a big swell smashed it into a million pieces then smashed those million pieces into another million pieces. Lagide site also great (apart from not being able to see the surf from anywhere!). Backbackup site at Belgas was super cool for something knocked up in a cabbage field.
Food & Drink: 10/10 Buffet breakfast. Three course lunch. Evening feed in the hotel or various other spots. Normally with free wine… Equals very happy media scum.
Buff Factor: 10/10 As mentioned before the buff quota was 0 to nothing at other events- RC came through with a buff pack of two tees, hoody and a cap. Not to mention the free hotel, food and piss. Awesome.
Surf: 8/10 The second to last day was all time but the finals were shite wave wise. Lagide was weak and the surf Tiago got knocked in at the Wall was well bum. That day at Supertubes, however, saved the Euro Leg and to a certain extent the ASP’s kudos at that point. Below sea level drainers with half a ton of sand mixed with each ton of water in the lip made for pure spectacle.
Surfing: 9/10 Two words: Owen Wright. This event showed the world the Top 45 better watch the hell out next season- kid’s gonna go far. Everyone else also stepped up with a brace of 10s on the crazy day and the freesurfing around the event was also stellar.
Controversy: 8/10 Kelly v Owen (why is it always him?) not to mention Owen v Damo. Anyone that suggests Owen threw Mick a bone for his free pass in the semi needs their head looking at. Either Owen is one of the finest mime artistes of his generation or he really did stagger out of the water with a blown ear and no sense of balance. It was heavy out there. That said in the wind slop of the final many thought Owen coulda pipped Mick with a couple of those big helicopters he’s so good at.
Judging: 5/10 Judging view on the good day was appalling for the rights. Moving the judges sounded like a good plan. Until they moved them 3-feet to the left of where they were before. Meaning Bede and Parko’s 10s could not be seen well. Parko’s was a def 10. Bede’s maybe a solid 9.
Overall: 85/100 Solid organisation, great hospitality, new spots for the tour and a belting day of world class beachbreak surf mean the Portugal event is the hands down winner of the ‘Best Event Of The Euro Leg’ award. I’ll think you’ll be looking a long time to find anyone that disagrees. Well, apart from maybe the guys that won’t re-qualify cos they had to surf in shit at the Wall and Lagide…
