Caribbean Surf Network

Judging Workshop

Dear Members

The Barbados Surfing Association will be hosting a Judging Workshop on Monday February 4th at 7.00 pm .The venue will be at the Barbados Olympic Association Headquarters Anyone interested in the judging criteria set out by the International Surfing Association are welcome to participate in this workshop. The information available is designed to assist in the understanding of the new ISA judging criteria. The workshop is not designed for the competitive surfer, more specifically towards the officials decision making criteria.

Surf Of The Year # 1

The next SOTY event is to be held on Long Beach Saturday Feb 2^nd & 3rd

PRESS RELEASE #1 JANUARY 2008

The Barbados Surfing Association started their Surfer Of The Year competition series this past weekend at the Drill Hall ( Brandens ) venue. Surfers of all ages came out to enjoy the first of the 5 SOTY events scheduled for the coming year. The first day of competition saw many talented youngsters make their first time entry into the competitive arena, displaying great enthusiasm and ability in the Menehune division. The first place medal eventually going to Dane Mackie narrowly taking the top honours from a well deserved second placed Che Allan. Close behind, the Third and Fourth placed finalists were Jacob Burke and Evan Moll respectively, demonstrating the depth of the upcoming talent at this under 11 age group.

Whilst Jacob was making his mark in the Menehune finals, his older brother Joshua Burke was giving the more experienced surfers in the U12 boys Division a run for their money. Along with the exceptional performance of Che Allen, the two youngsters battled through to the finals, where the more experienced Daniel Edghill and Gavin Fernandes finally won out in a very exiting final by utilizing wave selection and performing more radical maneuvers on their waves. After the final horn blew, Daniel Edghill won First, Gavin Fernandes Second and Joshua Burke and Che Allan were third and fourth respectively.

With the new format for the SOTY competitions, all Junior events run on the first day followed on the second day by the Open Divisions. The results of these SOTY Events being crucial to the selection of the Junior National team to travel to France for the ISA Junior World Championships in May, competitors are determined to demonstrate their individual skills and ability. For many of these youngsters there was much to prove as they entered the water for the beginning of the Junior U 18 boys, Junior U 18 Girls and the Junior U 16 boys heats each hoping for the results which would qualify each of them for the Squad from which the National Team will be selected.

Fine surfing performances were displayed by many of our juniors in the marginal 3 ft swell, with a few upsets along the way, losing some of the top seeded riders in the opening heats before reaching the finals. Personal bests were plentiful on the opening day In particular Gavin Fernandes made a notable start to SOTY series by placing in the finals of all the Junior boys events, U12, U16 and U18. A regular at the Brandons break, he impressed the BSA judges with good scoring maneuvers to stay ahead in the qualifying heats and progress to the finals of these fiercely contested and highly competitive divisions. Overall honours in the Junior U16 & U18 eventually went to Lewis St. John, who at present is taking a break from international surfing to concentrate on qualifying for the National Team travelling to France in May. Runner up in the U16 division was the SOTY Champion for 2007 Bruce Mackie. This was a fiercely competitive final with Lewis and Bruce taking the first and second place medals with Daniel Edghill and Gavin Fernandes, both under 12, taking the remaining honours.

Whilst in the U18 as solid performance by Matthew Kieffer placed second to Lewis St. John with Gavin Fernandes and Jordan Heaselgrave taking third and fourth.

The Girls U18 finals rounded out the first day of competition at the ‘Brandens’ break with Ametza Nicholls defending her 2007 SOTY championship against a talented field of young ladies all determined to take top honours. Similarly the results of these upcoming SOTY Girls events determine qualification to the squad for the National Team for the ISA world junior championships, everything for these young athletes is at stake. After the 20 minutes of non stop action, Ametza Nicholls showing why she is the defending champion, took first place with Chelsea Roett collecting a deserved second place medal. Chelsea Tuach snatched third place with a spirited performance while Jade Niccolls placed fourth and Alyssa Fernandes fifth.

With the start of the Open and Masters divisions and day one of competition firmly behind, everyone was hoping for a marked increase in wave swell. Unfortunately this was not to be. The conditions remained small but surf able. The Sunday was a perfect day for the experienced competitive surfer to come out and show off their ability to perform on less than ideal circumstances, a perfect example of the preparation involved and wave knowledge necessary to generate the power and control required to succeed in these conditions.

In the Ladies Open young Chelsea Roett got down to business. Determined to improve on her second place finish in the Girls U18 she went to work on the 2007 Ladies Open Champion Ametza Nicholls, who unwilling to relinquish her title also got down to business. After a splendid display of competitive surfing by all the finalists, Chelsea Roett took first place, closely followed by Ametza Nicholls in second and Chelsea Tuach third, with Alyssa Fernandes Fourth.

As part of the BSA’s constitution to promote the sport of surfing in all its forms, not only in it’s focus on Junior Surfing with the view to improving the level of surfing in Barbados and enable our surfers to make a mark on the world stage, it was enjoyable to see the well respected Masters Division in the water. These competitors are an integral part of the association, without who’s wealth of knowledge and expertise, our junior surfers would certainly not make the progress they are achieving as rapidly as they have.

The Masters division was ably represented with a three man final, won by Wayne Roett, second place went to Nick Donawa and third place to Kenny Tuach. In the Longboard Division, Alan Burke took top honours with a fine display of wave riding and board walking. Jay Garrett placed Second, Wayne Roett third, Kenny Tuach fourth and Jade Niccolls the only lady in the event rounding out fifth spot in this Five man final. Although conditions were again far from ideal for the Bodyboard division, three contestants bravely ventured into the water to put on a very good showing of Bodyboard skills and techniques. First place was awarded to Jason Kistoo. Second Wayne Roett with third place awarded to the newcomer to competition Alex Ince, demonstrating a variety of maneuvers that could well have placed him higher but for an unfortunate interference call in the final minutes.

The Men’s Open Final was the highlight of the day. An epic in the water as Bruce Mackie sought to overcome his earlier problems as he faced off against Lewis St. John, the earlier winner in both the U16 and U18 boys finals. Also in the finals, looking to snatch the Gold were the experienced and competition hardened Alan Burke and Adrian Small. As the horn blew for the start of the 20 minute final, the waves were still breaking 3ft to 4ft , slightly bigger on the sets, not ideal conditions for these surfers. It was critical to get in that first good scoring wave. The natural instinct for that first scoring wave was unfortunately for Lewis St. John his downfall. Interference was called against Lewis St. John on Adrian Small in their first wave. A blow that would prove impossible to recover from. As the contest progressed, it became a battle for position and control of the wave. Competitors paddling left and right looking for best position on the all important high scoring wave. As the horn sounded the end of this very exciting final you could feel the buzz through the crowded beach of spectators as they awaited the final scores. In the end Bruce Mackie triumphed with a hard earned victory over the very close run second of Alan Burke. With an additional interference call against Lewis St. John on Adrian Small, highlighting the level of frustration, snatched third place from Adrian Small in fourth place.

During the awards, the BSA President Mr. Andrew Lewis made note of the special effort made by the judging officials, time keepers and volunteers who assisted during the 2 day event, with a special thank you, namely for Mr. Bas Visser, Heineken Brand Manager in Barbados for all his support and assistance in making the first Open Men’s and Ladies divisions SOTY event at ‘Brandens’ a great success.

The next SOTY event is to be held on Long Beach Saturday Feb 2^nd & 3^rd. Registration 7.30am, please be early.

So come out for a fun day and support your surfing association! See you all at Long Beach!!

MENEHUNE

1ST PLACE DANE MACKIE
2ND PLACE CHE ALLAN
3RD PLACE JACOB BURKE
4TH PLACE EVAN MOLL


OPEN LADIES
1ST PLACE CHELSEA ROETT
2ND PLACE AMETZA NICHOLLS
3RD PLACE CHELSEA TUACH
4TH PLACE ALYSSA FERNANDES



U18 GIRLS

1ST PLACE AMETZA NICHOLLS
2ND PLACE CHELSEA ROETT
3RD PLACE CHELSEA TUACH
4TH PLACE JADE NICCOLLS
5TH PLACE ALYSSA FERNANDES


OPEN MENS
1ST PLACE BRUCE MACKIE
2ND PLACE ALAN BURKE
3RD PLACE LEWIS ST.JOHN
4TH PLACE ADRIAN SMALL


U18 BOYS

1ST PLACE LEWIS ST. JOHN
2ND PLACE MATTHEW KIEFFER
3RD PLACE GAVIN FERNANDES
4TH PLACE JORDAN HEASELGRAVE


MASTERS

1ST PLACE WAYNE ROETT
2ND PLACE NICK DONAWA
3RD PLACE KENNY TUACH


U16 BOYS

1ST PLACE LEWIS ST.JOHN
2ND PLACE BRUCE MACKIE
3RD PLACE DANIEL EDGHILL
4TH PLACE GAVIN FERNANDES


LONGBOARD

1ST PLACE ALAN BURKE
2ND PLACE JAY GARRETT
3RD PLACE WAYNE ROETT
4TH PLACE KENNY TUACH
5TH PLACE JADE NICCOLLS

U12 BOYS

1ST PLACE DANIEL EDGHILL
2ND PLACE GAVIN FERNANDES
3RD PLACE JOSHUA BURKE
4TH PLACE CHE ALLAN

BODYBOARD

1ST PLACE JASON KISTOO
2ND PLACE WAYNE ROETT
3RD PLACE ALEX INCE

Barbados Surfing Association makes big plans for 2008

Barbados Surfing Association Updates

New committee and return of Surfer Of The Year contest to Brandons Beach

The Barbados Surfing Association held its annual General Meeting on, 5th December and elected the following Executive Committee: President – Mr. Andrew Lewis; Vice-President – Mr. Jason Kistoo; Secretary – Mr Paul Heaselgrave and Treasurer – Mrs. Rachel Roett. This Committee will be responsible for running the BSA’s affairs. Mr. Elvis Carter was elected Head Judge at the General Meeting along with Mr Nicholas Donawa as National Team Coach.

The BSA’s website bsasurf.net will now be administered by Mr. Jake Corbin and will be the main source of information for BSA members – mainly through the monthly newsletter which will continue to be sent out electronically. BSA Membership Forms will be available at the first contest venue (Brandons) and should be completed in full. Hard copies of the Newsletter will also be available at the First Contest and thereafter will be distributed electronically.

The Annual Membership Fee of Bds$50 and is now due and may be submitted by cheque addressed to the Barbados Surfing Association, #20 Sheraton Park, Christ Church or paid at the first contest. Upon receipt of these funds, Members will be issued with a Code of Conduct, Rules governing our surfing contests and Sanctions for breach of such rules.

Parents of Junior Surfers (18 years and under) must sign the Membership forms as well to ensure that their charges understand the rules and the consequences for breach of such rules. To address concerns submitted by our Head Judge regarding non-officials and competitors congregating in the Officials’ Tent thus disturbing the judges and the Tabulator and not allowing them to perform at their optimum, the following sanction will be introduced from this year:

Any non official/competitor who enters the Officials’ Tent will first be given a warning. A second infringement will incurr a $10 fine and a third infringement will result in disqualification from the event.

The main goals of the new committee will be as stated in the BSA’s Constitution i.e. “to promote the sport of surfing in all its forms in Barbados, to sponsor, hold and organize Surfing Competitions, to send selected members of the Association to Surfing Competitions wherever held, to raise monies by private or public functions or otherwise for the purposes of the Association and to accept contributions from members of the public for the purposes of the Association as aforesaid”.

Focus will continue to be placed on Junior Surfing with a view to improving the level of surfing in Barbados and enable our surfers to make a mark on the world stage. Some of The BSA’s Events Scheduled are listed below. Members will be reminded/notified via Newsletters by email or via BSA website when further events are planned:

EVENTS

SURFER OF THE YEAR SERIES
SOTY 1 JANUARY 19/20 BRANDONS
SOTY 2 FEBRUARY LONG BEACH
SOTY 3
SOTY 4 To Be Announced
SOTY 5 (Nationals) }
SURFER OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2007 FEBRUARY To Be Announced

SCHOOL CHAMPIONSHIPS March 16 / 17 BRANDONS

FUND RAISING EVENTS
TREASURE HUNT MARCH
CRUISE ON COOL RUNNINGS MARCH
FUND RAISING DANCES APRIL / OCTOBER
REEF BOWL To Be Announced

OVERSEAS CONTESTS
ISA WORLD JUNIOR SURFING CHAMIPIONSHIPS MAY 24 – June 1 FRANCE
ISA WORLD SURING GAMES OCTOBER 10 - 19 PORTUGAL

Contests will be governed by ISA rules which can be viewed on our web-site bsasurf.net. Contests will start at 8:00 a.m. Entries will close at 7:30 a.m. on the morning of the contest. Contests will continue to run over two (2) days the divisions contested on SATURDAY will be the Under 18 Boys & Girls, Under 16 Boys, Under 12 Boys & Girls, Menehune (under 11) with the finals run also on Saturday time permitting and on SUNDAY the Open Men & Ladies, Longboard, Bodyboard, Masters with the finals of these divisions run on Sunday.

As can be seen we have introduced a Menehune Division for the beginner surfers. This division is strictly for the young inexperienced surfers.

DIVISIONS CONTESTED:
Open Men
Junior Boys – Under 12
Under 16
Under 18
Open Ladies
Girls - Under 12
Girls - Under 18
Menehune Under 11
Long Board
Body Board
Masters (35 years and over)

No Division with less than three (3) competitors entered will be run. The Annual Membership Fee of Bds$50 must be paid in order to be eligible to participate in any contest. Entrance fees are $25 for the first Division and $15 for each additional Division. Providing there is space in the required Division, you may enter after the 7:30 deadline but you must pay a late entry penalty fee of $25 for each Division to be entered.

Awards will be given for the Surfer of the Year Championships and the School Championships. Sponsorship will be sought so that prize money will also be awarded in the Open Divisions of the Surfer of the Year Contests.

Team members for overseas contests will not only be picked on the basis of points accrued in the SOTY events. During the selection process consideration will be given to their commitment to training and also their dedication to the success and well being of the team. The team members will also be called upon by the association from time to time to assist in accomplishing the goals set by the BSA and the team's management.

The Under 18 Boys and Girls and the Under 16 Boys for the Quilsilver ISA WJSC will be selected from a squad of 5 persons per division which will be chosen after SOTY 2 based on the combined scores from the first and second SOTY events. The BSA will be following the updated ISA Points system. In addition, team members will be required to undergo training as required, drug tests in keeping with the BSA’s and ISA’s zero tolerance policy and to abide by the BSA’s Code of Conduct.

Before closing, the BSA Executive Committee would like to thank you for your support in 2007 and extends best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous 2008! So come out for a fun day and support your surfing association! See you all at Brandons!!

Jamaica's Quashi Surfboards go big at Florida Surf Expo

Industry News

JAMAICA’S QUASHI SURFBOARDS SPLASH IN AT FLORIDA SURF EXPO

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 16 January, 2008 : - - Jamaican Surfboard Brand “Quashi Surfboards” had its first showing at the 2008 Surf Expo in Florida. Jamaican Surfboard Shaper Patrick “Quashi” Mitchell and Jamaican Surfing Icon Billy Wilmot, partners in the upcoming fledgling Jamaican company, were very upbeat about the impact that the brand had at the world famous trade show.

The Booth featured Quashi’s 2008 line of high performance surfboards, pulsating reggae music including a live acoustic set by Billy Mystic, a surfboard illustration session by top Florida tattoo artist Mark Longnecker of Endless Summer Tattoos and samples of Jamaica’s world famous Baba Roots. Quashi Team Riders Icah Wilmot, Jamaica, and Tony Chavez, USA were also there signing autographs and attracting sponsors.

“The Quashi booth was definitely the belle of the ball” said Mr. Wilmot. “We had a continuous flow of people to the booth and we have created quite a few interesting and promising relationships with distributors, shop owners and many fans of our brand. But you know it is all about the follow up now and then the ability to service the demand you have created”.

Mr. Mitchell was very pleased with the response from the potential buyers. “Over the many years of working to promote Jamaica and our brand of Surfboards (Quashi) we have made a statement, but this time, at the expo, we have sealed the deal that we are here to stay and we are a force to be reckoned with. Jamaican surfing has arrived and the industry is very interested!

Our product has been tried tested and proven by team riders in Jamaican conditions as well as by team riders in Trinidad, Costa Rica, Barbados, Europe and the USA and is now ready for the world.”

Quashi has two production facilities in the USA. One in California and now one in Florida. This year the company will establish the first state of the art surfboard factory here in Jamaica bringing to an end over 40 years of local “back yard” surfboard production.

“We have been having meetings with JAM PRO and the Sports Development Foundation to initiate a strategy to take on the enormous potential benefits that exist in the surf industry which encompasses everything from surfboard manufacturing to vacation packages.” Said Mr. Wilmot.

“We need to finalize the necessary agreements to facilitate the import of a computer aided shaping machine and the many other raw materials used in the surfboard manufacturing process.” With the existence of the free trade agreement in the Caribbean, Quashi will be poised to capitalize on the existing and potential market that exists across the region

The surfing world has long had an ongoing love affair with Jamaica’s culture and music. The presence of the Quashi brand at this prestigious show has established our image in this new and vibrant industrial arena.

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Hang Up board system officially launches at Surf Expo..

Industry News

Hang Up System officially launches at Surf Expo

The January Surf Expo in Orlando saw the official release of the Hang Up System for Surfboards in North America. It was nothing short of a huge success as more than 200 stores took orders forms for the system and currently about 80 stores already converting some or all of their retail surfboard presentation to Hang Ups.

Many of the retailers that visited the Global Surf Industries booth at the show said that it was the best innovation they has seen there. The device allows for surfboards to be hung by their fin system using the patent pending Hang Up hook. The system gives stores a huge amount of flexibility in where they can display boards in their stores.

“I would like to see the board room out the back of the store become a thing of the past” said Mark Kelly – President of Global Surf Industries. “ More and more stores are seeing that hardware is where it is at. With the distribution of surf clothing going way outside the surf channel the one thing that surf stores can excel at is specialty advice and sales in the hardware area. Having hardware up the front of the store makes sense”.

The retail market has been screaming for a professional surfboard display system for a long time. Many of the racking systems that are available now take up huge amounts of the retail floor and actually end up damaging the boards. The Hang Up system can be used on any hanging rack that is high enough off the ground. You can even use regular slat wall fitting.

“The system is so sturdy we hung our SUPs off it at the show. People were amazed at the space saving properties as well. We received nothing but positive comments and orders at the show. ” Said Kelly. The system has three separate hangers for surfboards with FCS, Futures or Longboard boxes. The Hang Up system is exclusively sold by Global Surf Industries and their network of international distributors around the world.

For more information on the Hang Up system go to surfingindustries.com/hangups

www.surfindustries.com/hangups

Surfers flee great white shark at Phillip Island, Australia

Shark News

Great white shark seen off Phillip Island

Surfers village Global Surf News, 10 January, 2008 : - - A Massive great white shark has sparked an air search off Phillip Island. The creature, believed to be bigger than 5m long, was spotted by surfers about 2.30pm. The shark was seen off Surf Beach.

Surfer Louise Parsons said she dashed from the water after seeing the animal, which is believed to have been seen around the area for the past six months. "I thought, ‘gee I'm drifting towards that rock quickly'. Then it turned on it's side and I thought, ‘oh my God!," she said. Ms Parsons paddled her board to shore before yelling at the other surfers to clear the water.

She said the shark - witnessed by 10 people at the beach - would have been almost twice as long as her three-meter surfboard. "If it wanted any of us, it would have taken us," Ms Parsons said. "I'd have said the length of it was longer than a station wagon."

Ms Parsons said she feared for her surfing friend Janine Pike as the creature turned away from her. "It swung on its side and headed straight for her but she couldn't hear me because there were waves breaking," she said.

Ms Parsons said she had surfed Phillip Island for 20 years but not seen a shark for about five years. Woolamai Beach Surf Lifesaving Club lifeguard Chris Stevens said a plane had been sent up to look for the shark but nothing was seen. "If it was there, we would have closed all the beaches in the area," Mr Stevens said. He said a big, old great white had been seen in the area for the past six months.

Whatever, wherever, whenever If it happens in surfing, we've got it covered.

The complete year in surfing from around the world



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• Contest results, region by region, from smallest to biggest
• The SV Almanac: week by week, all the surfing news
• Analysis and opinion by surfing’s leading opinion makers
• Photo essays from the best surf photographers around the world
• Profiles of all the leading surfers of 2007
• Inside the industry: who’s movin’, who’s shakin’
• Ocean environmental issues, weather and swell reports
• Official ASP year review
• Official ISA year review
• The only global directory of surfing products and services

BIG3 Board/Sports/Beach Expo hits the Goldie Feb 20,21

The BIG3 Board, Sports and Beach exhibition will provide the perfect atmosphere for manufacturers and distributors to all meet in the one location and present their product range to an exhilarating audience creating a conducive environment and bringing the best quality and quantity buyers in the industry, delivering excellent results..

BIG3 Expo presents a unique blend of surf, skate, swim, sport, youth culture and fashion. The biggest trade show of its kind in Australia covering over 6,000 sqm of exhibition space at the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre, Broadbeach, Queensland.

Got a hot new surf, skate, beach, sport or style brand to launch in the Australian market? The BIG3 Expo is the place to do it!!

BIG3 is now accepting applications for 'FRESH' , a focussed section within the BIG3 expo allowing you to launch your newest most innovative and fashion forward products to the market. Limited space available!

SOTY 1

January 9th, 2008.
Hi Guys,
First of all Happy New Year!!!!!!! It's 2008 and the season has started, unfortunately due to circumstances which we have no control over the BSA's website is still not operational. We would like to apologize for this inconvenience as we know this is our main means of communication to our members and to the general public. We at the BSA would like to assure you that we are working to resolve this matter and we will do everything in our power to notify everyone of the association's Agenda.

Now onto our schedule for 2008, our first installment for the Surfer of the year series has been scheduled for the 19th & 20th of January respectively at Brandons Beach.
Members please be notified that renewal fees for 2008 will be received at this event and any new persons interested in joining the association can also sign up.
The format for this year will be slightly different as we will now separate the Junior events from the Open events, on Saturday 19th, all Junior classes will be contested right up to the finals and on Sunday 20th, Open events will be conducted. Entries will be taken on both days and the contestants have up to 8:30am to sign up for their respective categories, please note we will not be receiving any phone entries for this first event.

Category list for January 19th,
Boys & Girls under 18.
Boys under 16.
Boys & Girls under 12.
Combined boys & girls under 11.

Category list for January 20th,
Open Men & Women.
Masters 35 years and over.
Open Longboarding.
Open Bodyboarding.

FCS introduces R-2 fin designed by Rusty Preisendorfer

Industry News

FCS introduces the R-2 designed by Rusty Preisendorfer

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 8 January, 2008 : - - FCS is proud to release the R-2, part of an ongoing collaboration with master shaper/ designer Rusty Preisendorfer. “Rusty has always been one of the shapers most involved in the evolution of fin design. He’s provided great insight to the performance sum of the hull and fin equation. With his vast design knowledge and surfing ability he’s able to take feedback from his team riders and create solutions by thinking outside the box,” said FCS’s Tyler Callaway.

According to Callaway, “The R-2 is a perfect example of Rusty's creative thinking. His idea was to drop the core mat out of the tip of the fin to engineer a stiffer base and more flexible tip that adds forgiveness to critical maneuvers and drive out of turns.”

Rusty says: "I was after a lightweight fin with soft, yet crisp flex to the tip. Fill is the key word: a lot of the lightweight fins out on the market have lightweight filler in them such as core-mat. I was after the flex characteristics of an all glass fin with a thinner, more tapered tip. The presence of the filler limits how thin the fin can be. With an all glass fin, the taper can be controlled. My thoughts were to pull the filler out of the tip of the fin so we could get more taper but keep the fill in the bottom 2/3 of the fin where the biggest weight saving, would be anyway."

Q&A:

FCS: What team rider(s) feedback was most valuable during the development?
Rusty: JOB and Kerrzy

FCS: Who should ride this fin? (Size range)
Rusty: 150 to 190 or 200lbs.

FCS: What kind of performance should they expect?
Rusty: A fin that is solid at rail set and has good rebound on release (unweighting). At the same time the fin tip needs to be soft enough to be forgiving on reconnects (airs, reverses, slides). The molding process provides a consistency and accurateness. Like a composite hull, this type of construction creates the opportunity for a lightweight, durable product where flex characteristics can be modified by what gets put in the mold.

FCS: Care to comment on tail flex patterns?
Rusty: Glass-ons do impact longitudinal flex because the entire base of the fin and then some, if you consider the filler is anchored to the bottom. FCS is the least invasive box system on the market and would have less influence on longitudinal flex in the fin region.

Billabong ASP World Jnr Champs nailed with solid surf

BILLABONG WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS SLAMMED BY SOLID SURF

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 4 January, 2008 : - - Sydney Australia – An increase in swell to two and a half meters saw junior surfers face not only the possibility of elimination but also, raging currents and an exhausting paddle out, on Day 2 of the Billabong World Junior Championships, at Sydney’s North Narrabeen beach, today.

Former ASP World Junior Champion and current World No. 28 Adriano de Souza (BRA) set the tone with the day’s highest scoring heat, his intimate knowledge of the ASP World Tour format, earning him a 14.00 (out of a possible 20.00) heat total and a spot in Round 3.

De Souza’s return to North Narrabeen for the fourth consecutive year is indicative of the calibre of surfer the event attracts. His competitors at North Narrabeen this week, likely to be his rivals on the Men’s ASP World Tour in the years to come.

“It’s good to see all the guys ripping, they smoked me in the first round,” De Souza admitted. “I’m here because these are the best juniors in the world and they’re my age. It’s my dream to win at Narrabeen again and to earn the same number of titles as Joel Parkinson (the only two time winner of this event).”

UM Surfboards signs US Pro Jnr Champ Adam Wickwire

Team News

UM Surfboards Signs 2007 US Pro Junior Champ Adam Wickwire

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 3 January, 2008 : - - San Diego, Ca - UM Surfboards is pleased to announce the addition of Adam Wickwire to its Professional Team. The young Floridian has been on quite a winning steak as of late, but this is no surprise to those in the know.

So, yes, he is the new US Pro Junior Champ, and his clothing and wetsuit sponsor, Rip Curl, have been flying him all over the world just so he can style on perfect waves for their cameras. Not to mention, as of this moment, he's over in Australia competing in the World Junior Championships. Overall Adam is stepping into his ripper boots and they are fitting well.

“What a great way to start 2008”, says Mark Teperson, UM CEO. “We are extremely excited and very fortunate to partner with Adam who has so much potential and talent, and be a part of this next phase in his career as he transitions over into the WQS, helping the brand achieve not only the domestic, but also the international recognition it deserves.”


"Everything is working for me now," says Adam. "I started getting boards from UM a few months ago and we've come up with a design that really fits my style. The waves I surf in Florida are quick and punchy; the board Mike and I have come up with can turn on a dime but it also flies over the flat sections--a great combination for beach breaks and most of the spots I'll be surfing on the WQS."

Look out for Adam’s pro model which will be available in the Spring of 2008.

About UM Surfboards Inc -- Originally founded by shaper Michael Walter more than 20 years ago, UM Surfboards has moved from Michael’s backyard into a top of the line factory in the valley of Oceanside, California, filled with numerous shaping rooms and its own dedicated glassing department.

With Michael designing and shaping surfboards of the highest level of quality and integrity, the UM following has grown over the years and continues to do so exponentially. UM Surfboards Inc forms part of the UM Designs Group of Companies.

www.umdesigns.com