Slide Mag

O'Neill's Frickin Cold Coldwater Classic...

Final day highlights from the O'Neill Coldwater Classic. An event which needs to be renamed the "Oh My Goodness Can You Throw Anymore Frickin Weather At Us Classic" featuring as it did wind, rain, hail, snow, rain, wind, mud, wind, volcanic ash clouds, lava flows and a light shower of frogs. On the worst day I was wearing my Finisterre Merino base layers (shameless plug but they make rad cold weather threads) teamed with their Etobicoke coat, a micro-fleece, a big fleece and a waterproof shell (plus gloves and beanie) and after five hours stood on the reef I was still cold... Anyhoose, enjoy the viddy, one from O'Neill and one of Royds 9.43 from the semis shot by moi on the new fangled Canon 7D...

Taj Burrow Smokes Slater In The Pipe Final...

 
Taj Burrow has claimed his spot in the venerable fraternity that is the Pipe Masters. The surf may have been on the way out but Teebs was the man today, adapting from barrels early on to aerial flaring in the final. Kelly looked the dogs in the quarters and semi but it fell apart for him in the final and he didn't even break double figures...

Slide Mag's Guest Cameo Appearance In The Micktory!

 Now I don't usually do cameos in world champions new mini sites but seeing as it's Mick I thought I'd do it this once... I'm the speccy berk in the opening shot, just tastefully out of focus at the back... I don't normally rock a beard I'd just been on the road in Europe for a month and standards were slipping.

Billabong Pipeine Masters Highlights Viddy...

 For those of you that prefer a moving image here's the highlights reel from the epic day at Pipe on Saturday. You might want to add your own music to drown out the commentary and hair metal. Clip after the jump-

Pipeline Timeline Part 2- Micktorious...

 

And it came to pass that Joel Parkinson came up against Gavin Gillette in heat 15 who got a 9 for one wave and would've got an 11 for this next one had he not just been clipped right at the last minute..

Pipeline Timeline Part 1- The Bit Before Mick O'Clock...

 

It’s about time they changed the name of this event to the Backdoor Masters cos today was all about Pipe’s twisted little sister. A blessing for the natural foots and  a pain in the arse for the goofys as B-Door isn’t as backside friendly as Pipe. Trouble is Backdoor Masters sounds like the name of a bad porn film of the pain in the arse variety… Anyhoose- big things occurred today here’s the goss’ laid out in pictures and words-

Now I'm No Lawyer... But This Is The ASP Rule Book 2009.

 
But I think Sunny was ripped off. Kelly and Wardo were both late for heats in France and allowed to surf. Sunny would've won his Rd2 heat in fun Backdoor as well. It's not just about the event he was 2nd in the Triple Crown ratings which is $50,000 he won't be seeing now. What do you reckon?

Pipe Pipe Line Line... So Good They Named It Twice?

 
After one day of relative relaxation after the madness of the Eddie event we're straight into the Pipe comp... Here's some nugs from Day 1-

Crumbs Chief...

NS Day-3...The O'Neill World Cup is on and the waves are nasty. Sunset is showing a side only a mother could love. Big wash through sets, bouncy walls and a near impossible line up to read or find your spot. In other words a day when I'm supremely glad my genes are those of a surf photojourno scum rather than a WQS warrior. Sure they get laid more, paid more and are better looking but I was safe on the beach today not paddling around in the maelstrom dodging bombs.

Sunset Imminent...

Well, I guess it is every day. Heh heh. Anyhoose- The O'Neill World Cup at the legendary Sunset Beach should be kicking off soon, maybe today, if the hell swell that closed out the North Shore has backed down enough. I get there Monday so will be bloggin' the hell out of it from then. In the meantime here's a nice little teaser clip after the jump to remind you-

The Results Are In...

Had to wait until the mags came out in case this got used. Didn't make the cut in the UK due to space constraints but should be in ASL... Ladies and Gents the scores are in: The 3 big European World Tour events scored on the availability of coffee, food, parking, waves, controversy and more... In chronological order.

One QS Event Left... Who's In The Frame?

Ladies and gents we are approaching the last WQS of the year long grind. The end game where the winners achieve that coveted dream tour berth and will be bathed in golden light and kisses from fair maidens whilst the losers stand out in the cold rain, in a depressing communist country, little hands pressed against the grimy window of what could have been. If they'd only got through one more heat...

Super Supertubes Clip...

The good gravy from the super Supertubes day... Check it after the jump-

Mick... Again.

The surf dropped, the wind swung and Supers was back to being Pupertubes today so it wasn't exactly a world tour final of note. After yesterday's sublime sandy shacks no one really cared that much. Bede did Parko, Mick got a bye into the final cos Owen's ear is buggered from yesterdays Super's bitch slap so he was stoked and then he won. So it's all done. Euro leg c'est fini. I'm outta here tomoz for the fezza home thank firk... Final day pics on the Rip Curl link above...

Holey Sheeeeat!!!

There's been a lot of merde thrown at the ASP and the World Tour recently. Bad waves event after event, rebel tour rumours and interweb forum bitching. Today will hopefully remind people why the tour is a good thing- the world's best surfers in the world's best waves. Waves that us mere mortals would not have a hope in surfing. 10-point tube rides like this.

Portuguese Smog...

Been a rum old day at the Rip Curl Pro Search Peniche. That dastardly Portuguese foe- the fog bank has been playing havoc with us all day. Pity cos there were some fun waves at the Belgas site. Bit bigger than yesterday and not as shapely but still ultra-smashable.The call from 8.00 was every half hour or so until 2.00pm. A long time to be stood on a damp, noisey, draughty beach in the fog.

Only 3-Heats But A Shedload Of Action...

Twas a day that started with a 'Oh... That's not good.' Pushing the curtains back at the Hotel Soleil revealed a grey miasma (that's right- a miasma, google it) and any concept of surf contests went out the window. Fog ain't good. Unfortunately we still had to drag our sorry arses out of bed, scarf down a quick brekkie and lead boot it out to the event site in Cabbage Land. Even with signposts we took the wrong turn four times and drove about like eedjits. As semi-secret spots go it will be fine after the event as we can't find it when we know where it is with directions...

Wheely Big Airs...

Actual Waves For A Euro Leg Event Shocker!

It's a crazy concept I know but the World Tour actually got decent waves today. As in barreling, good, not-shit in anyway waves. The guys were getting kegged left, right and centre. Punts were hucked and made and life as a photographer was generally a joy rather than a chore. Half of Portugal came to watch and cheered whenever someone walked down the beach for their heat, came back or rode a good wave. All in all the best day of the European leg by a million miles...

Hmmmm...

So. The Rip Curl Pro continued today. The painful 'who gives an arse' Round 1 of the new short format was finished. I have decided that I don't like the short format. The classic model gives you all the best guys surfing in the first round. The short format gives them all a by into Rd2. Meaning the back 32 are scrapping for a spot in Rd2 and interest is low. Add fat, slow, unsmashable waves and it was a day that couldn't pass fast enough.