With round 1 done and a few lay-days down, according to Surfline, the surf is meant to get pretty massive at this week’s Billabong Pro surf comp at Teahupoo!

Surfline.com forecast for this week at Teahupoo

Commentators are talking about whether the event may need to get called off on the biggest days – or whether the competitors will be allowed to tow-in…could that really happen?

Well who do you fancy for the event? Suddenly who you’d back might change if the waves are really big.

The small wave aerial rippers might not be the obvious choice…

I’d always wager Kelly Slater could do well big or small, but could this be a good comp for the Hobgoods? CJ was killing it in round 1.

And what about veteran surfer Taylor Knox? He’s now 40, but still fit, he’s still on tour and he likes the big stuff.

Or maybe young gun Julian Wilson coud have his day… he seems to froth at the thought of sizeable surf.

Surfing is a sport fuelled by passionate individuals, but sometimes the passion can spill over…onto the streets, onto the beach, into competition heats…and even into parties.

In the world of surfing there are some that can blow your mind with their speed, power and flow…then chill your blood with their tough-guy reputation.

These are the guys you do not want to cross. They can carve a perfect line, but they aren’t scared to deliver a swift blow when required either.

Drop in on them? You’d have to have to be insane – or have a death wish…

Either way, it won’t end well…

So in no particular order here are Newquay Surfer’s top 6 tough guys of surfing.

1. Sunny Garcia

He's laughing now, but just don't upset him. Pic by Mike Manoa

Legendary Sunny Garcia embodies the fierce, competitive power surfer…he’s also hard as nails.

His passion is so intense it sometimes bubbles over and he’s not scared of a scrap either.

Coming from a broken home, Garcia found surfing as a refuge from fighting and poverty.

Standing at 5’10 and weighing in at 200lbs the Hawaiian legend is both a surfing champ and a seasoned tough guy who has done time.

Garcia once rugby tackled Brazilian surfer Neco Padaratz off a wave during a competition heat at the 2007 Pipeline masters, and then chased him to the beach.

Garcia is an obvious hard man of surfing and he is no stranger to controversy, so you can be sure he won’t walk away from a fight.

You have been warned!

2. Vince Collier

Vince Collier - hard as nails

It might be the culture or it might be the drugs, but there are certainly some tough guys in Santa Cruz. Perhaps one of the hardest is the godfather of the Santa Cruz gang Vince ‘Godfather’ Collier.

When Rat-boy, Flea and Barney were trouble-making teenagers, it was Vince Collier who kept them in line.

To take on that task, you’d have to be a badass!

Vince Collier recently asked: “Would you rather be loved, or feared?…FEAR ME!”

Check out Vince in the trailer for the Westsiders movie.

A mentor of troubled children, he was among the first chargers to tackle the giant surf at Maverick’s.

Legend has it that Collier was like a psycho baby-sitter pushing groms such as Pete Mel, Flea and Skindog into surfing Mavericks…to prove how mentally strong they were.

Clearly a hard man with a slightly sadistic edge, he’s not one to be messed with…

Ever!

3. Ian “Kanga” Cairns

Ian Cairns - surfing, by any means necessary

At his peak, 6’2″ Aussie surfer Ian Cairns clocked in at 190 pounds and during the mid-seventies, his surfing on the North Shore of Hawaii was unrivalled for its power.

In the classic surf movie “Bustin Down the Door” Cairns talks about being chased and assaulted by a Hawaiian shortly after Rabbit’s vicious bashing.

Cairns said that he decided that the only way to stop the bashing was to “kill the guy”.

As far as anyone is aware “Kanga” never killed anyone, but let it be known…when this man is pushed, he’d defend himself.

By any means necessary!

4. Richie Vaculik Vas

Richie Vas pic by Jetpilot

A member of the Braa boys gang brought up in Maroubra Beach, Richie Vas is a mixed martial arts fighter, and a big wave rider.

If that isn’t enough to send you running to the hills, then just make sure you don’t upset Richie – someone did once at Mick Fanning’s party and they ended up with their jaw broken in three places.

Standing at 5’6 and weighing 62kg Richie may not be a heavyweight, but he’s taken big wave beatings that could kill most mortals and he’s proven on more than one occasion that he can take a guy out with a single punch.

From laughing off a slashed throat injury surfing Ours, to professional cage fighting and big wave beatings…Richie is someone to watch out for.

5. Laird Hamilton

Thumbs up to super-heroes

Laird Hamilton is a big wave legend and co-inventor of tow-in surfing.

At 47 he is an icon of bravery, fitness and endurance.With balls of steel and an amazing strength of mind and body, he’s a powerhouse of a man…and surfer.

Growing up as the only blonde kid in his town on Oahu, Laird fought his way through school just to survive the bullying.

As he grew up, he found more and more extreme ways to test himself. From surfing 60ft Jaws, to stand up paddle boarding across the English channel…its no wonder Laird Hamilton is often referred to as a modern day superhero.

He’s no stranger to pain either. Allegedly over the years Laird has broken over 1000 bones in his body!

You may think to yourself ‘that’s his weakness!’…but you’d be naive.

Standing at 6’3 and 215lbs, he’d have a huge reach if it came to a fight.

Chances are you’d never get close enough to hit him, and even if you did…how do you think your force will compare to a 60ft big wave hold down?

There’s a simple rule to live by – don’t get into fights with superheroes!

6. Koby Abberton

Koby Abberton pic by AustralianSuperbikes

Like Richie Vas, Koby Abberton grew up in Maroubra, New South Wales and is a member of the Braa Boys surf gang.

A former Australian professional surfer, Koby Abberton rose to prominence in the surf documentary Braa Boys

A fan of big wave surfing, slab-hunting and certainly never one to run away from a fight, Abberton has had his fair share of run-ins with the authorities.

Koby’s tough upbringing lead him to live a life loyal to his mates…and he’s not scared of the law either. Arrested numerous times, Koby was incarcerated during the trial of his brother Jai Abberton and also more recently for assaulting an off-duty Harbor police officer in Hawaii.

If big-wave slabs, jail and Hawaiian cops don’t scare him…you probably won’t either!

So who do you think is the hardest pro-surfer?

Are there other names that should be on this list?

Let us know in the comments below!

Image by e-magineart.com

Yesterday the official Andy Irons (RIP) autopsy and toxicology report was released. Since his death on the 2nd November 2010, there have been a lot of rumours surrounding the cause of his untimely death. First dengue fever, then a possible prescription drugs overdose…

Andy Irons was a great surfer and will always be missed, at the time of his death his widow Lyndie was 8 months pregnant with Andy’s son to be (Andy Axel Irons).

Due to the media circus surrounding his death, a court injunction was sought in order for Lyndie to give birth in peace.

This week, a 13-page toxicology report has surfaced and two ‘independent’ forensic experts have interpreted the report.

Here’s what they concluded…

‘Heart failure primary cause of death’

Their conclusion is that Andy Irons died a natural death from a sudden cardiac arrest which was caused by a severe blockage of the main artery of the heart.

But how could that happen to a fit 32 year old surfer who could charge 15ft Teahupoo?

Well, the forensics mention a couple of things they feel contributed.

1. There is a history of heart problems in the Irons family. Andy had a grandmother who was 77 when she died of congestive heart failure, and a grand uncle who also died of heart failure…

2. Andy had contracted Typhoid fever 5 years ago, which apparently can damage the heart.

But it really was a drugs overdose…right?

In addition to the initial cause of death there were some other things they found in his blood. Tarrant County Chief Medical Examiner Nizam Peerwani, MD, lists a second cause of death as “acute mixed drug ingestion”.

Or to you and me…a drugs overdose.

Drugs found to be present in AI’s body

1. Methadone – Now the report states this is ‘an analgesic drug commonly used in the treatment of chronic pain’ (…cough, cough) Wiki states: An analgesic drug that is used as a substitute to treat morphine and heroin addiction.

2. Cocaine – benzoylecgonine present in the blood is consistent with use of cocaine at about 30 hours prior to death.

3. Xanax/ Alprazolam – A prescription drug used to treat moderate to severe anxiety disorders.

4. Methamphetamine aka Crystal Meth – One of the more nasty and notoriously addictive drugs to hit the US in recent years.

I’m not a medical expert, but I would wager if the average person consumed all those drugs they’d probably have a heart attack too…If Keith Richards from the Rolling Stones had died in the 1970s, his toxicology report could have looked pretty much like this – in fact Xanax is Keith Richards’ favourite drug…he even named his yacht after it.

What can we learn from this?

Andy Irons was a great surfer, a much-loved husband, he was a soon-to-be father and it’s a tragedy that his life was cut short, however when you consider the information in the report it does make you wonder what on earth is going on in professional surfing if someone can compete in the top ranks of world surfing and take loads of class A drugs?

What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.

The American philosopher Jim Rohn once said that ‘reasons come first…answers come second’ and this idea lead me to a big question…why do we surf?

Is it for the adrenalin rush surfing gives you, or a pursuit for inner peace? Is it escape from the daily grind or the fact that you can enter into a sub-culture with its own fashion, language and style. So, in no particular order, here are 57 1/2 reasons why people surf – see if you can find the best reason for you.

A surfing mentalist - by Billabong (video)

1. To look cool amongst your peers
Shallow as it seems, image plays a big part in surfing. Unlike some of the other water sports, surfing is generally regarded as quite cool – but then these people don’t see you rinsing out your pee-stained wetsuit, or watch your nose drain seawater all over dinner.

2. It can help you get laid more often
Being a tanned rock god/goddess of the ocean can have its upside, as pro surfers seem to attract pretty hot partners. Hopefully a bit of that Kelly Slater magnetism can rub off on you…though obviously, there are no guarantees.

3. You’re having a mid-life crisis
20 years of working hard in the corporate machine has left you soulless and metaphorically washed up. These days you feel like the walking dead, ready to turn to dust and you’re barely 40. Life is ticking by faster and faster, yet there’s so much you haven’t done…grey hairs are appearing, your kids don’t think you’re cool anymore, your partner won’t sleep with you and has threatened to leave…its domestic hell, and lets face it, you’ve become fu*kin boring. Surfing, is probably the only answer.

The Surfer: A great British surf comedy

4. You want to tick it off your bucket list
If you haven’t been to Thailand, sky-dived out of a plane or run a marathon by the time your 30 you’ll struggle to fit in these days. Surfing is another ‘to do’ on many people’s bucket list. It’s such a ‘must do’ that even the British prime minister David Cameron claims to surf – though you might want to call it dick dragging.

5. It’s a topic of conversation that can make you look good in job interviews
Brave, fit, healthy and an early riser – just some of the traits you could associate with a surfer – so a great hobby to mention during a job interview…but be sure to avoid conversations about the surf drug scene, and how you’ll always skip work if there’s a sick swell on.

6. Because Batman and The Joker surf
If superheros surf to protect the world, then so should you…no excuses!

7. It makes you more exotic
Being British just doesn’t seem cool anymore. But by dropping in lots of surf slang into your conversations, and adopting an affected Aussie twang into your accent you can quickly become more exotic and cool…it’s like your character is now shaped by many far away lands and nations.

8. Because it’s what real-life superhero Laird Hamilton does

9. Cos it’s a socially acceptable form of rebellion
Waving placards down Whitehall, fighting the cops or blowing up Tescos tends to get in the way of your career prospects. Release that inner rebel through surfing and feel good about yourself.

10. Now it’s OK to wear all the surf/skate fashion
Embrace surf culture, embrace the ocean and you can embrace designer surf labels. It’s now totally OK to dress yourself head to toe in global surf brands. From Quiksilver or Billabong hoodies to Volcom 2-piece suits, there’s almost too much stuff to chose from. You can also point at chavs wearing boardies and say stuff like: “…they probably don’t even surf”

11. You feel the need for a sub-culture
Fitting in with mainstream culture is ok to a point, but it can feel good to be part of something more niche. Life can be more fun in a smaller group where everyone has something in common.

12. You love wetsuits
A well-designed wetsuit should be comfy, warm, stretchy and snug. You can even get custom-made wetsuits here in Newquay too.

13. You can get a tan without appearing vain
The sight of men sunbathing in their speedos by the pool or on a beach is pretty scary – plus it spells VAIN. We all know fake tans just don’t cut it unless you live in Liverpool or Essex, so overcome the problem of looking like a pastey pom by getting a great tan surfing.

14. Develop strong shoulder and back muscles without going to the gym
Save yourself money on gym membership and get bigger shoulders and back muscles by surfing.

15. Eat and drink what you want
If you surf everyday you can pretty much eat and drink what you want and you probably won’t put on weight. Surf 2-3x a day regularly and you’ll have a super-human, carb-craving metabolism.

16. It is better than watching trash TV
Who would anyone watch trashy TV when they could be in the water surfing? Forget trash TV and hit the surf.

17. Surfing gets you away from ‘chavs’
If you find yourself surrounded by bling, guys with pitbulls and the constant thud of R&B coming from the back of Vauxhall Novas, then you’ve hit a new low and need to escape… Get away from the chavs in the surfing line up.

18. It gets you closer to nature
Life in the concrete jungle can be stressful – traffic, pollution, busy tube trains…mad people screaming at you in the street. Its left you far removed from nature and where you evolved from. So enjoy the peace and harmony of the ocean – go surfing.

19. It brings you closer to God
If you believe that there is indeed a power on earth greater than ‘Laird Hamilton’, then surfing may be able to bring you closer to your chosen God…Cameron Diaz certainly seems to think so.

20. Surfing allows you to tap into your deep inner self
Sitting on your surfboard in the tranquil ocean can help de-clutter your thoughts and allow you to listen to your inner voice…

21. Surfing is good for your posture
With stronger shoulder and back muscles surfers tend to slouch less and naturally adopt a more healthy posture.

22. Long surf sessions could help cure insomnia
Take to the surf for at least 2-3 hours a day and pretty soon those restless nights where you can’t sleep might be over.

23. Surfing is better than sex
It is a big claim (and I guess it depends on who you sleep with), but on those epic days most surfers would admit it atleast comes close.

24. You love the smell of surf wax
From bubble gum smells to exotic coconut, there are many different types of surf wax available to help you stay connected to your board. This year’s fave for the UK is cold water Sticky Bumps – nice ‘n’ sticky and good to sniff.

25. You are a water sign
Whether you’re a water sign, or you’re trying to impess a water sign – the ocean is a great place to be.

26. You own loads of board shorts
Head off to warmer climes to surf and you can use that drawfull of over-priced boardies for what they were designed for.

27. Surfers are sexy
Whether you’re a man or a woman, you’ll find a surfer that you think is really hot.

28. It raises your self-esteem
Getting fit and strong while you learn and refine your surfing skills can help make you feel good about yourself and make you more confident.

29. You can’t dance
Not everyone was destined to be the next James Brown, and while dancing may not be Occy’s thing either..he did have some awesome surfing moves to dominate the world with – Watch a clip of Occy on dancing with the stars.

30. Surfing is a safety valve
Sometimes we need to get away from work, the screaming kids or a nagging partner to feel calm. Surfing is a great way to achieve this, because if they can’t surf, they can’t follow you out back!

31. You will want to travel more
Unless your blessed with living on a Hawaiian island or in a coastal village in Indo, chances are that surfing will make you want to travel. Begin your constant search for warm water and uncrowded breaks. Be like a new Alan Whicker…but on fibreglass.

32. Rockstars and celebrity actors do it
Cameron Diaz and Eddie Vedder are two major stars who love to surf.

33. You like Jack Johnson’s music
If you’re a fan of Jack Johnson, then you should be a fan of surfing too. Hit the surf and hum along to Jack’s favourite tunes…while you try and get shacked

34. You wish you were born in the 1960s
Uncrowded breaks, cruising in a V-dub camper and discovering new surf spots to carve up on your 9’2 single fin with Micky Dora…the sixties was the era when surfing really took off, so why wouldn’t you want to be there?

35. Unleashing your inner ‘collector maniac‘
Surfing is addictive, and so is buying surfboards. First you have one…but then you want more. A mal for the small days, a gun for the bigger days…and then something for the hollow days, and so it goes on. Before you know it your re-mortgaging your house and living in a warehouse off the A30. But don’t worry about it too much, because you’ll still have your surf mates to share your OCD with.

36. You are a masochist
From fins in the face, to being scraped across a reef, to potentially life-threatening, hold-downs…surfing can be a dangerous sport. Experiencing a range of pain on a daily basis will become a habit you may learn to enjoy.

37. You are a sadist
On the other side of the coin, watching others suffer a bit of pain can be equally addictive and as Taj Burrow once said: ‘Watching your mates wipe out on heavy waves is almost as much fun as surfing” – well he could be right.

38. British princes do it
Apparently the royal family likes to surf. Prince Charles is known to have surfed around Roche, North Cornwall and it also looks like prince William likes surfing as well. Who knows, he might have been trying to impress his wife-to-be Kate Middleton.

39. Chicks dig scars
Chances are that if you surf regularly you’ll get a few cuts and bruises along the way. But no fear…those reef scars and sea ulcers could drive some women wild.

40. It’s less dangerous than moto-cross
Practising airs and getting it wrong might land you in A&E occassionally, but its not as stupid-dangerous as moto-cross and trying to be Travis Pastrana. Misjudge that landing into your skip full of foam and your toast…goodbye bike, hello traction. So go surfing instead – you’ll have a better life expectancy.

41. Cheaper than kite surfing and windsurfing
Surfing kit can be alot cheaper than some other water sports. If the water’s warm, all you really need is a surfboard.

42. Impress the kids
When it comes to kids, no one wants to be boring. So who wouldn’t want to be seen as a cool parent or relative? Go impress the youngsters with your retro Mark Richards bottom turn or an Ozzie Wright kick flip.

43. It’s the sport of kings
If you know your history, you’ll know that surfing is in fact the true sport of kings.

44. Cos beer always seems to taste nicer afterwards
It’s a mystery of the universe, but whether it’s a smooth pint of Tribute ale or a Skindog surf beer – for whatever reason – beer always tastes awesome after a surf session.

45. Because you hate team sports
Lets face it, getting 22 people to turn up in the same place just so you can engage in a sport can be a massive headache…and what if you play well, but your team mates are rubbish? You lose, and that sucks. With surfing it’s just you and the ocean. Of course the ocean reserves the right to kick your ass whenever she wants…but hey, c’est la vie. If you’re independent, adverse to compromise and like doing things your own way then surfing could be the sport for you.

46. You wanted to kite surf but there isn’t any wind
If there’s not much wind but there are waves, then surf.

47. Someone bought you a surfboard as a present
Usually considered a BS reason for selling a board on Ebay, but lets assume it happens…someone has spent hundreds of pounds on a surfboard as a gift for you, on a wild hunch you might enjoy it. Surely you owe it to them and yourself to surf? I mean it’d be rude not to.

48. You live by the beach and everyone surfs
If you’re lucky enough to live by the ocean then make the most out of it and surf.

49. It means you can skateboard in the water
When the tarmac stops the ocean begins. For avid skateboarders, surfing can be a great extension of board skills learnt on land.

50. It’s a great way to mow down bodyboarders
Not to be done without very good reason of course…but if they stole your girlfriend, then perhaps…

51. We’re 90% water anyway
Whether its scientifically accurate to say ‘we are 90% water’ is neither here nor there – the point is we are mainly water. And if humans evolved from the sea…then it sort of explains why we love to spend time there.

52. Other people think you are adventurous
To some – i.e. the naive – a surfer is almost like a modern day hero.

53. Cos the minerals in the ocean are good for you
Let the minerals in the ocean make your skin healthy while you surf.

54. Get up close to sea life
If you’re a David Attenborough fan and love sea life, then you can get up close and personal to lots of it by going surfing. Most of them are friendly…though do keep a keen eye out for the men in grey suits…sometimes there’s a good reason to scarper.

55. To get barreled
You’ll often hear this cited as the number one high point of surfing. From Clay Marzo saying “I probably wouldn’t bother surfing if it wasn’t for barrels”, to Taj Burrow claiming “There’s nothing better than getting crazy barrels with your mates” – so evidently getting barreled is king. For some insane neck-breaking barrell footage, check out Taj and his mates in this video shot by Billabong.

56. You love Beetles and campervans
These vehicles are not known for their lightning speed or 1st class comfort, but they are inter-twined with the surf lifestyle and they look pretty cool too. The only negative is that Hitler is credited for designing the Beetle…but did he…really?

57.“Cos I’m always a better person when I come in” – Andy Irons
A real inspiration for this article. Below is a moving short film featuring the late, great AI made just before his death. You may have seen it before, but its good enough to watch again, and again, and again…

57 1/2. Because you only live once

Peace out…

ps: Did you find the reason why you surf in the list? Or are there other reasons that make you surf?

Let us know in the commments below!

There has been a real surge in the popularity of stand up paddle boarding in the last few years. The sport has become more and more popular in Cornwall and perhaps nowhere more so than in Newquay.

With some talented local SUP-ers and shapers based in the town, the sport has gone from strength to strength. For some, this is a wonderful thing to see happening, but for others (including many shortboarders) it’s viewed with some cynicism.

As more and more people enter the line up to practice their new hobby on giant boards, can the shortboards and those on ‘big boards’ really live in harmony?

Image by Dave Young

Accused of wave hogging and being a potential danger to other surfers, stand up paddle boarding is not without its critics. But where have all the SUP-ers come from? Have people really traded in their longboards for something bigger…have windsurfers traded in their sails for a paddle…or is it just people ‘giving it a go’?

Whatever the reason, stand up paddle boarding is certainly on the up. So whether you love it or hate it, there’s plenty to talk about when it comes to SUP-ing…here are the NewquaySurfer arguments, for and against.

For Stand Up Paddle Boarding

1) Its harder than it looks
I’ve heard plenty of surfers moaning about stand up paddle boarding on the basis that its too easy to catch waves and therefore it’s a lesser sport than surfing. Having tried it a few times it’s not really that easy…it is genuinely harder than it looks.

2) Laird Hamilton says its cool… so it’s cool

Laird Hamilton on Maui

Big wave legend Laird Hamilton is a massive advocate of stand up paddle boarding. There are plenty of impressive videos of Laird charging heavy surf on SUPs posted on the web.  But Laird doesn’t limit his SUP fun for the bigger days either – whether it’s 20ft Jaws or a flat Hawaiian lagoon, Laird will SUP it.

It’s not uncommon to see pictures of Laird with his wife and the kids all stand up paddle boarding to the shops on Maui.

So, if Laird thinks its cool…it’s cool!

3) Stand up paddle boarding is cutting-edge
SUP-ing is a new sport, so those taking part and spreading the word are early adopters. By definition this makes stand up paddle boarders quite cutting edge if you think about it.

4) Its healthy – SUP-ing keeps you fit and strong

Iron man Damon Hollick looks tiny next to this SUP

Carrying an SUP to the beach is a workout in itself – the boards are insanely heavy. If you’ve never tried paddling into a wave on an SUP, then just try carrying one!

Some of the models do have a carry handle that makes them a little easier to transport but its still no walk in the park. To make matters slightly worse, if your learning on an SUP you’ll probably need the biggest size.

If you’ve never thought about driving your car right onto the beach and mowing down a load of tourists so you can stop 5 metres from the waters edge…you will now.

5) It’s a lesser evil than kayaks, windsurfers or kite–surfers

Surfers stop whinging, its better than 10 kayakers in the line up. There are still relatively few people in the water who SUP and its closer to the art of surfing than a number of other sports that require less skill, effort and commitment. Anyway…is SUP-ing really that different from longboarding?

6) You can surf more often and have more fun

Image by Mike Baird: Paddle boarding the flats of Morro bay

SUP-ing allows people to surf waves in all conditions. It’s pretty undisputed that even on small days you can have fun on an SUP. When shortboarders are grovelling for waves and sinking into the sea, the SUP-er can leave their frustrations behind and tear up small waves like there’s no tomorrow.

7) You can carry on enjoying surfing, even when you are older
You won’t be in your twenties, surfing every day and sporting 6 pack abs forever. So for those who can’t get in the water as much, or for folks who are getting older (with their shortboarding days closing behind them) SUP-ing is a great way to carry on surfing and to enjoy the ocean.

Against Stand Up Paddle Boarding

1) Stand up paddle boarders have a tendency to wave hog
Lets face it, even very gifted shortboarders will struggle to get onto waves anywhere near as early as those on stand up paddle boards. There is a feeling amongst many shortboard surfers that stand up paddle boarders hog waves and often ignore surfing etiquette.

Image by NewquaySurfer: 'Don't get in my way...cos I've got a paddle'

2) Just because Laird Hamilton does it, doesn’t make it cool
Laird Hamilton may not be your role model anyway…and after all he hydrofoils too, and you don’t do that….though it sort of looks like fun.

3) Stand up paddle boarding is an old mans sport that won’t get you laid
Stand up paddle boarding tends to score low in the cool stakes and this is partly to do with its image as a middle-aged pastime. Lets face it, your never going to look that cool riding knee high waves with a small boat under your feet holding an oar. And collapsing on the way to the beach underneath a 15-stone SUP probably won’t wow many members of the opposite sex either.

4) SUP-ing is less skilful than shortboarding and longboarding
SUP-ers paddle with an oar, stand on top of a small boat of a board and most can’t turn or carve on a wave. Elegant and edgy SUP-ing is not!

Image by NewquaySurfer: Can all these boards really get along?

5) It’s an expensive hobby only for the well-off
A new SUP will cost roughly twice as much as a new shortboard. This tends to align the sport with other yuppy-elite past times such as windsurfing, golf and ascot. Added to the fact that you need something roughly the size of a bus to transport one around, it’s probably time to take that job in the city you’ve always avoided…yet another dagger into surfing’s hippy dream.

6) SUP-ers are hijacking surf spots
More than a handful of SUP-ers on a break and it ruins it for everyone else. If you travel a fair bit overseas, you will have probably seen certain breaks now totally dominated by stand up paddle boarders. The situation has got so bad in some spots that it is virtually impossible to surf a shortboard – even if conditions are hollow, barrelling and perfect for shortboarding.

7) Major health concerns: Get hit by an SUP and it might kill you!

Image by NewquaySurfer: Imagine if this was the last thing you ever saw.

This is a major objection by virtually everyone else stood in front of a SUP-er heading towards shore. Whilst the same could be said of a longboard or epoxy mal, stand up paddle boards are perhaps one of the most dangerous objects you could have coming right at you in the surf. This is made worse by the fact that some SUP-ers don’t wear ankle or knee leashes in the ocean.

When the surf goes overhead accidents can happen and the sight of stray SUPs smashing up people and their surfboards is sadly becoming more and more common.

Conclusion

So what do you think? Is stand up paddle boarding a great invention and a fun new form of surfing? Or is it the spawn of the devil and something you loathe to see in the water?

Let us know in the comments below!

English Nationals Surf Competition Postponed

Well the bad news this weekend in Newquay was that the English Nationals at Watergate Bay was cancelled due to poor surf. It would be fair to say that the surf picked up a bit towards Saturday afternoon but the morning conditions from Friday through to Monday were pretty dire…
Read more on the BBC website here

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Braa Boys, Slater & Taj surf OURS

Mark Mathews, Taj Burrow, Richie Vas and Kelly Slater Surf Ours. Some sick action in this video – the ‘invite only’ break looks particularly heavy and dangerous in this video footage by Jacob Wooden

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The 2011 Billabong XXL awards held this week in California

The winners were:

• Danilo Couto – Ride of the Year
• Benjamin Sanchis – Biggest Wave
• Shane Dorian – Monster Paddle
• Shane Dorian – Monster Tube
• Mark Mathews – Wipe-out of the Year
• Keala Kennelly - Girls Overall Performance
• Sion Milosky – Mens Overall Performance

Check out Benjamin Sanchis’ biggest wave video on the Billabong XXL website here

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Sally Fitzgibbons makes ASP Women’s World No. 1 position

20 year old Sally Fitzgibbons is on fire at the moment. After her convincing win at Bells Beach a couple of weeks ago the young surfer has gone on to win the ASP Subaru Pro TSB Bank Women’s Surf Festival in Taranaki, New Zealand. ASP rookie Tyler Wright (who is still only 17) is also looking like one to watch this year with a 3rd place finish.

Read more on Surfer here

JLC becomes a pro -surfer? Well sort of!

Some folks may have seen this when it was originally broadcast on Sky TV in 2009. Its Justin Lee Collins / JLC’s brave attempt to learn to surf from scratch and then enter a UK PST surf comp a few weeks later (having spent some time away from the ocean in between).

Silly idea? Yes… Impossible to compete with pros in that time? Well…Yes. But that said, there is some good stuff in here, and I think the comedian/ presenter does genuinely capture the essence of why people get drawn into surfing…especially in the early stages. It certainly helps to show the common battles any beginner faces in the water – physical and psychological.

Sure, there are a few cringy surfing cliches banded about here and there – but that’s entertainment for you. Overall its a feel good TV show on British surfing filmed at Watergate Bay, Newquay and North Devon. Making appearances are a few local Newquay folks too: Russell Winter, Chris Thomson of Errant as well as Josh Hughes – looking very fresh faced. The episode is on YouTube in 5 parts so I thought I’d just paste it all in one place to make it a bit easier to watch. Enjoy

Oh yeah…if you take a look you’ll see JLC is still listed on the UK Pro Surf Tour website >> here – haha

Video footage of the women’s 2010 Animal surf competition held at Fistral beach, Newquay. The video includes surfers Tassy Swallow (1st( who won the competition  – as well as Joanne Dennison (2nd), Beth Mason (3rd) and Nicole Morgan (4th place).

It also features Gabi Rowe receiving her award for highest scored wave as well as surfer Laura Crane, Gwen Spurlock and more.

Watch video below!

On Sunday the 14/11/2010 the Cornish weather gave us a bit of everything it had during the Animal 2010 competition final day. In the afternoon the sky was a dark-grey , rain poured down whilst a moderate onshore wind made filming very difficult.  Then as the day went on things calmed down a little – though it was certainly a cold one for those watching, photographing or filming on the beach – but the waves were fairly decent for a competition, so the surfers certainly made no complaints!

2010 Animal Open Womens Final Results

1. Tassy Swallow (St. Ives)
2. Jo Dennison (Freshwater)
3. Beth Mason (Swansea)
4. Nicole Morgan (Northern Ireland)

The music featured in this video is the track ‘Stand in your mold’ by The Drowning Men. You can buy their music on Amazon here.

Images from the 2010 animal open surf competition at Fistral beach, Newquay. Includes pics of Mark ‘Egor’ Harris, Gwen Spurlock, Laura Crane, Nicole Morgan, Jo Dennison, Beth Mason, Micah Lester, Jayce Robinson, Reubin Ash, Toby Donachie and 2010 womens winner Tassy Swallow & mens open winner – Reubin Pearce…

Andy Irons RIP

The surfing community is in mourning by the sudden death of 3x world champion Andy Irons. On Tuesday the 2nd of November 2010 the world began to hear the tragic and very sad news that legendary pro surfer and world surfing champion Andy Irons had suddenly died.

Watch a photographic tribute to Andy Irons on the ASP website

Whilst Irons has in the past had issues relating to substance abuse… rumours that a drugs overdose in Miami, Florida took his life have not been confirmed. The Sydney Morning Herald has reported that those close to Irons dismiss he was battling a drug problem, yet authorities may be investigating the possibility, because according to the newspaper: “A quantity of methadone, plus other medication, was found on a bedside table in the Dallas hotel room in which the Hawaiian surfer was found dead”.

Another Australian newspaper takes a similar line with the article  “Drug theory on surf world champ’s death” as does a news piece entitled “Andy Irons’ death drug related?” on Breaking Global News.

All other international news sources at the time of writing however, have been in unanimous agreement that Irons died from Dengue fever on his way back to Hawaii from the WCT Rip Curl Pro Search in Puerto Rico. Irons had already withdrawn from the event due to illness and it is thought the disease was acquired in either Portugal or Puerto Rico… Dengue fever is transmitted by mosquitoes, which occur in the tropics and it is well known to be life-threatening.

Rip Curl officials said Irons withdrew Sunday, citing an illness he contracted during an event in Portugal. However Puerto Rico is known to have suffered an outbreak of Dengue fever in 2010 with 21,000 reported cases in 2010 v 3,326 in the previous year ( based on medical statistics, Puerto Rico on paper at least – looks like the more likely place to contract the illness…).

According to reports, he was too sick to board his flight from Dallas to Kauai so he had booked a hotel room…where he was later found dead.

Andy Irons leaves behind a pregnant wife, family and world full of friends and fans…he was a great surfer and will be sadly missed.

RIP Andy Irons

• Official ASP website news
  

• Sydney Morning Herald (AUS) tribute article on Andy Irons
  

• LA times article (USA) on the sad news

• TMZ (USA) piece on the news

• Daily Telegraph (UK) report of the death of surfer Andy Irons

• What is Dengue Fever? Article by WAtoday.com.au (AUS)

• ABC News report (USA) on the death of Andy Irons

Watch the  “I surf because” video below: