“I pretty much fell off the face of the earth and chased great waves around for 6 months.” -Machado

by Scott Bass
Scott@surfermag.com
SurferMag

DOWN THE LINE SURF TALK RADIO – LET THE SALT WATER NOSE DRIP POUR
http://www.xtrasports1360.com/cc-common/podcast/single_podcast.html?podcast=downtheline.xml

San Diego’s Rob Machado, one of the most stylish surfers alive, discusses last summer’s Indonesian sojourn and his new movie chronicling his experiences abroad.

You were drifting around Indonesia on a motor scooter most of last summer; tell us about your Indo experience cruising around Indo.

I prefer to call it a motorcycle. Motor scooter makes it sound like a Vespa or something. I actually bought a Honda CB 100. I cruised around filming for my flick. I spent about six months living…sort of based out of Bali. I ventured out to the outer islands from Sumba to Lombok to Java…spent a bit of time in Java. There are a ridiculous amount of waves there that you can find if you really want to find them.

You sort of did the unconventional surf trip, in that you veered off the beaten path. You hung out with the local people in, as you mentioned, rather remote regions. I see that you helped the local communities out over there too.

As the trip went on I sort of realized that to really get away you have to venture way out. My bike started breaking down, and I used public transport and got into some cool funky places and I did a lot of camping, and I removed myself from my normal routine and it was good.

Your movie is called, tentatively, THE DRIFTER. With whom are you working on this film project? Is this a Taylor Steele production?

Yeah, Taylor and I came up with it, and Hurley is backing it and gave me the opportunity to basically disappear in Indo for six months. I pretty much fell off the face of the earth and chased great waves around for six months.

Undoubtedly, you scored some great waves and some great tubes. Photos have already trickled into the pages of surf magazines and on websites. We’ve seen some insane barrels from your trip. The notion that time stands still in the tube, the old surfing cliché, do you think there is any truth to that?

Wow, that’s pretty deep right there. For me, it’s about not thinking. I like the idea of actually being on a wave…I think that’s the only time that I’m actually not thinking. That’s the magic of surfing for me. There aren’t too many things that you do in life where your brain shuts off and you acting on what you are feeling and you’re not consciously making decisions.

Seems like the free-surfing vibe fits you perfectly. But watching you surf in events, your level of performance surfing is higher than it’s ever been. Do you still enjoy competitive surfing?

Yeah. Occasionally. It’s still fun, and I like watching those guys. That’s where the best surfing in the world is happening. If you watch those guys: Mick and Joel and Kelly and Andy, and now Dane and Jordy, The stuff that’s going on is pretty radical, so it is fun to go in there and mix it up with those guys. It’s hard because those guys are on tour together all the time and constantly pushing each other. When you are not around that level of surfing all the time it is hard to maintain and stay at that level. I try and hang with those guys as much as I can; it is inspiring to see those guys in person that’s for sure.

So the guys at Cardiff Reef aren’t inspiring you too much then?

(Laughs) Oh, you know, not quite the same level. But those guys at Cardiff are cool.

You mentioned Kelly, and I’m wondering, earlier in the year, Slater played in the Pebble Beach Pro-Am and hit some great golf shots. Especially on number 17, the par 3, it’s 200-plus yards, he hit it into a strong 20-knot head wind. Kelly put his tee shot 8-feet from the hole and birdied. Being an avid golfer yourself and a friend of Kelly’s, did you see that shot?

No I didn’t see this year’s event. That’s cool. That’s heavy. Serious stuff.

The movie is THE DRIFTER. Where are you at with that?

We are elbow deep in the editing room right now, so we are looking at a summer time release, we hope.

Are you involved with the music on the movie?

Oh yeah, I’m involved, and it’s pretty exciting. We just had Warner Brothers music come on board so we’ll be adding some of their acts to the flick. I recorded some music. We recorded some music in Indo. We are throwing everything we can into the mixing bowl and see how it goes.

Rob, thanks for the time today. Can’t wait to see the movie.

Thanks for calling, and thanks for the inspiration at Cardiff (laughs).

Interview by Scott Bass
Scott@surfermag.com
http://www.surfermag.com/features/onlineexclusives/the_drifter_qna_with_life_glider_rob_machado/
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Thank you Rob Machado.

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DEE WHY, New South Wales (Sunday, October 4, 2009) – Silvana Lima (BRA), 24, won the Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic this afternoon over reigning two-time ASP Women’s World Champion and current ASP Women’s World No. 1 Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 21, in stormy three-to-five foot (1.5 metre) conditions at Dee Why in an action packed Final, marking back-to-back wins for the hungry Brazilian after claiming the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.Gilmore jumped out to an early lead in the sea-saw battle for the 2009 Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic title, but Lima fought back throughout the heat, collecting a 7.77 and eventually securing the win with an 8.83 for a lengthy forehand barrel to post the highest heat total of the event, an impressive 16.60 out of 20, en route to her first victory at the event after three consecutive Final appearances.

“I can’t believe it,” Lima said. “I’ve been in the Final in this event three times and I finally won. I was feeling really confident. The waves here today were like the waves in Brazil and I’m always surfing in these conditions. The final was really good. Steph (Gilmore) got some good waves too and I was able to get two good ones.”

The back-to-back ASP Women’s World Tour wins secured by the hungry Brazilian have significantly tightened the ratings for this year’s ASP Women’s World Title and although Gilmore still holds on to the ratings lead, Lima is following closely in the No. 2 position.

“I’m definitely looking at the title, but it’s too early,” Lima said “There are still four contests left this year, so there is more work for everyone, but I feel so much more confident after my first win at Bells.”

Gilmore was in devastating form throughout the entire Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic, blasting some of the event’s top scores with a committed forehand attack on the steep Dee Why right-handers, but was unable to top Lima in the Final.

“To come back after such a long break and still make the Final, I’m pretty happy with that,” Gilmore said. “Silvana (Lima) beat me at Bells and her confidence is through the roof at the moment, so my challenge is to step it up another level. I did it in the Semifinals, but maybe I peaked too early.”

Gilmore, who fell to Lima in the Final at the last stop on the ASP Women’s World Tour, knows claiming this year’s ASP Women’s World Title will be no easy task and is preparing for the next four stops scheduled on the 2009 calendar.

“It’s definitely game on,” Gilmore said. “There are four events left and everyone is really fired up and off to Portugal, Peru and Hawaii, so I can’t think of a better way to finish off the tour.”

Sofia Mulanovich (PER), 26, was also on fire throughout the entire event, topping 2005 ASP Women’s World Champion Chelsea Hedges (AUS), 25, en route to her third place finish, but could not find a solid score in her Semifinal heat against eventual Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic winner, Lima.

“I couldn’t really find a rhythm in that last heat,” Mulanovich said. “I couldn’t land a turn, but it’s alright. I guess I was a bit nervous and the waves didn’t come my way, but it’s the same conditions for everyone. I’ll just look at where things went wrong and use that for next time.”

Mulanovich, who was the 2004 ASP Women’s World Champion, has now notched back-to-back third place results, leaving her in third overall on the ratings, but as a former champion, the Peruvian natural-footer knows she’ll need to win events this year if she is to claim another ASP Women’s World title.

“Silvana got me at Bells too,” Mulanovich said. “It’s the same result. A third-place is a good result and I need to work a little more on the mental side of things, but I know that, so that’s what I’m going to do. A third is good, but you need to win events to win the title. I’m still towards the top of the ratings and I’m just going to go from there.”

Melanie Bartels (HAW), 27, was a standout performer throughout the event’s entirety, ousting an international field of competitors including Rebecca Woods (AUS), 25, and Rosanne Hodge (ZAF), 22, on the way to her Semifinals berth. The talented Hawaiian struggled to find a solid score in her battle against Gilmore, bowing out of the Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic with a third place finish.

“I just wasn’t in rhythm out there and I couldn’t find anything,” Bartels said. “It’s tough out there, but I’m stoked that I made the Semifinals, it’s a good result, but I just wanted to surf well, I wanted to put on a good performance and I don’t feel like I did that, but that’s how it goes.”

The next stop on the ASP Women’s World Tour will be the Rip Curl Search in Peniche, Portugal, which holds a waiting period from October 26 through 30, 2009.

Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic Final:
1- Silvana Lima (BRA) 16.60
2- Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 12.67

Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic Semifinals Results:
Heat 1: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 15.17 def. Melanie Bartels (HAW) 6.87
Heat 2: Silvana Lima (BRA)10.60 def. Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 5.40

Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic Quarterfinals Results:
Heat 1: Melanie Bartels (HAW) 6.35 def. Rebecca Woods (AUS) 5.97
Heat 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 15.54 def. Coco Ho (HAW) 8.80
Heat 3: Silvana Lima (BRA) 12.57 def. Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 9.00
Heat 4: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 12.86 def. Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 8.10

ASP Women’s World Tour Ratings After Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic:
1 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 3241 points
2 – Silvana Lima (BRA) 2880
3 – Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 2139
4 – Melanie Bartels (HAW) 1983
5 – Coco Ho (HAW) 1723
6 – Rebecca Woods (AUS) 1711
7 – Paige Hareb (NZL) 1704
8 – Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 1519
8 – Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 1519
10 – Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 1512
11 – Samantha Cornish (AUS) 1308
12 – Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 1116
12 – Alana Blanchard (HAW) 1116
14 – Bruna Schmitz (BRA) 1110
15 – Amee Donohoe (AUS) 918
16 – Layne Beachley (AUS) 756
16 – Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) 756

http://www.aspworldtour.com/2009/news_show.asp?rEvent=&rcode=13257

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DEE WHY, New South Wales (Wednesday, September 30, 2009) – The opening day of the Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic saw current ASP World No. 5 Melanie Bartels (HAW), 27, and reigning two-time ASP Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 21, lead the world’s best women’s surfers through Round 1 in two-to-three foot (1 metre) surf at Dee Why.

“I wasn’t really focusing on redemption over Wright, but it was more about shaking off the first heat nerves,” Gilmore said. “Chelsea (Hedges) and Tyler are a couple of my favorite surfers and Tyler did so well here last year, so I guess it felt good to come back with a win after a long break. It’s a bit disappointing that we’re not surfing at the point this morning, but it’s (Dee Why) a great wave and who knows what’s going to happen later in the week, maybe we’ll be up at the point for the Final, that’d be awesome.”

Although the talented regular-footer felt pressure entering the Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic after a long mid-year break, Gilmore showed no sign of nerves and the poise shown by the defending ASP Women’s World Champion carried her directly through to Round 3.

“I think there is pressure after such a long break,” Gilmore said. “There’s sort of that safety net of Round 2, but I wanted to go out there and surf hard and my equipment is amazing at the moment and I’m stoked to be through to Round 3.”

Aside from the pressure of returning to contest mode after a long break, Gilmore also expressed the weight of entering an ASP Women’s World Tour event as the top seed.

“The pressure is always sort of there if you’re within the top five on the ratings, especially when you’re No. 1,” Gilmore said. “You’re expected to be fit and ready to go. I’m feeling fit and happy and I’m excited to be back in the action.”

Gilmore will have a Round 3 rematch against Wright when competition resumes.

Bartels surfed impressively throughout her entire opening round heat, but found her two best waves in the back half of her bout to claim the highest heat total of the day, an impressive 15.25 out of 20, while capitalizing on a rare barrel, leaving fellow competitors Rosanne Hodge (ZAF), 22, and Amee Donohe (AUS), 28, needing a combination of scores to top the Hawaiian standout.

“I’d been eyeing that little barrel out there,” Bartels said. “I was just waiting and that wave came to me and I was able to find that little barrel which gave me the good score. It’s been such a long time between events that I forgot I was surfing in a contest out there. I just tried to get a wave and surf.”

The explosive Hawaiian veteran started her year off strong with a runner up finish at the Roxy Pro Gold Coast before suffering a 17th place finish at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach. Bartels was elated to advance directly through to Round 3 at Dee Why and get the second half of her season off in the right direction.

“Bells is a very hard wave and it was really small when we surfed it, so it was tough for me,” Bartels said. “The waves out here are offshore and bigger than two-foot, so it’s perfect, I’m stoked.”

The Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic holds a waiting period from September 30 through October 5, 2009. Event officials will reconvene at Dee Why at 7am local time tomorrow to assess conditions for the potential start of Round 2 at 8am.

Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic Round 1 Results:
Heat 1: Rebecca Woods (AUS) 10.45, Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 9.15, Layne Beachley (AUS) 8.25
Heat 2: Melanie Bartels (HAW) 15.25, Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 11.05, Amee Donohoe (AUS) 10.85
Heat 3: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 14.00, Tyler Wright (AUS) 12.40, Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 12.05
Heat 4: Silvana Lima (BRA) 8.60, Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 8.60, Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) 4.70
Heat 5: Coco Ho (HAW) 10.65, Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 10.35, Alana Blanchard (HAW) 10.25
Heat 6: Samantha Cornish (AUS) 9.55, Paige Hareb (NZL) 7.85, Bruna Schmitz (BRA) 6.40

Upcoming Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic Round 2 Heats:
Heat 1: Amee Donohoe (AUS), Layne Beachley (AUS), Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS)
Heat 2: Chelsea Hedges (AUS), Bruna Schmitz (BRA), Alana Blanchard (HAW)

For additional ASP information log on to http://www.aspworldtour.com

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“There has been a big break on tour so it is somewhat fitting for it all to get back underway with the richest prize-purse on offer,” Beachley said. “It’s wonderful to have support from Australia’s leading bank, the Commonwealth Bank, and I’m looking forward to a terrific start tomorrow.”

After standing on the leading front of competitive female surfing for nearly 20 years, Beachely is now blending her competitive spirit while working hard to continue to create a future for the sport by founding events like the Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic.

“I really find myself in juxtaposition this time of year,” Beachley said. “Emotionally I am invested in staging a great event but also wanting to compete at the best of my ability. I’m really focused on running a wonderful event for the surfers, sponsors and fans.”

Paige Hareb (NZL), 19, is currently sitting in the No. 3 spot on the ASP Women’s World Tour and is the leading rookie after the first two events. The young New Zealand talent has been keeping busy after the lengthy break by competing on the ASP WQS while spending some of the down time at home.

“It’s been like one big holiday,” Hareb said. “I’ve still been doing the world qualifying series in between but had a three-week break in California and have also been at home a bit hitting the snow!”

Although Hareb exceeded her expectations in the first two events on the 2009 calendar, the young Kiwi is hoping the keep the ball rolling at this week’s Commonwealth Bank Beachley classic and is looking to climb to the top of the ASP Women’s World Tour ratings.

“To be honest I’m surprised,” Hareb said. “I’ll take it though and of course I’m going to try and stay there if not better it.”


There will be an official press conference Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 10:45am at Dee Why Surf Club. Surfers Layne Beachley, defending ASP Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 21, and defending Commonwealth Beachley Classic Champion Tyler Wright (AUS), 15, will be attending.

For additional ASP information log on to
http://www.aspworldtour.com
http://www.beachleyclassic.com/

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Team News

Mick’s hungry again with leap to #2 in the ratings

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 21 September, 2009 : – - Costa Mesa – Mick Fanning’s resurgence to the winner’s circle was an emphatic one. On the platinum-esque stage of so-Cal’s most high performance surf break, Lower Trestles, the 2007 World Champ scalped the 2009 Hurley Pro Trestles with an intensity that eerily resembled his ASP World Title form.

After taking out Kelly Slater in the semi-finals, Fanning found himself pitted against the always-exciting Dane Reynolds. However, it’s been nearly 2 years since Mick won an event, and with $105,000 on the line for the winner, Fanning wasted no time putting the final in a chokehold. A pair of mid to high 8’s left Dane combo’d, and Fanning officially became the winner of the richest event in surfing history.

“I’m overwhelmed,” Fanning stated. “I guess it’s more about building momentum again this year and getting the hunger back.”  The $105k was obviously nice, but for Mick, it’s the massive leap frog to #2 in the ASP World Tour rankings that makes it exciting. With 4 events remaining, Mick is very much back in the hunt to win the ASP World Title.

Surfersvillage.com

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We just went from one thing to the next, speaking about life and love and surfing. When we arrived at Thunders, the boat wasn’t there. They were surfing somewhere else. There were a couple of guys out so we unpacked our boards and paddled out. Within minutes everyone went in. We surfed these perfect little 3- to 4-foot barreling lefts with no one out, just us. There were no cameras. No one was watching. We were out there hooting each other into waves. When Gerry’s surfing, you can really just tell just how much he enjoys the actual act of riding waves. When you watch him surf you realize there’s something else going on there beyond what normal humans encounter—like he’s tapped into something that the rest of us are not.

Fifty years from now, Gerry will probably be remembered for his tube-riding, and the way he surfed Pipeline, but I think his contribution to surfing has been more than that. He’s inspirational, not just in the way he makes difficult situations look easy, but in his whole act from head to toe, from sunrise to sunset. There is a relationship he has with riding waves and with being in the ocean, there’s that synergy between the two, and you can just see it.


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SURFER MAG ARTICLE

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By Rob Machado

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Surfing Australia
Jan Juc Beach, Victoria
22 – 25 September 2009

Surfing Australia Sanction: Australia’s only National Grommet Event Series.

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 16 September, 2009 : – - Australia’s best 16 year and under surfers are amped and ready to unleash their surfing prowess at the opening event on the 2010 Rip Curl GromSearch Series presented by SNICKERS which begins next Tuesday at Jan Juc beach on Victoria’s Surfcoast.
 
With a record 120 field for the Victorian leg of the National series things are sure to be tight for the battle to claim opening series honours. Top 10 surfers from last year’s 16s boys division Connor O’Leary (Cronulla) and Niki Hoskin (Lennox Head) will look to hold off a new wave of competitors including groms that have been elevated from the 14’s division.

Soli Bailey (Byron Bay), Harrison Mann (Torquay), Noah Deane (Coolangatta) and Tylah Hutchinson (Nth. Beaches Sydney) all finished in the top 5 of last year’s 14’s ratings and are poised to challenge in the 16’s division after another year of practice. A year is a long time in grommethood!

Surf Coast residents Harrison Mann with brothers Sam and Jamie Powell (Jan Juc) will lead the local charge with strong support from Phillip Island and Mornington Peninsular surfers trying to keep the title on home soil.

Niki Van Dijk (Phillip Island) heads up the girls division after a stellar 2008/09 season including a last gasp win in the International final. She will be challenged by Coolangatta twins Brodie and Amiya Doyle and Lauren MCaleer (Nth. Beaches Sydney) with crowd favourite Zoe Clarke (Jan Juc) nipping at their heels.

All winners of the 16’s division get an invite to Bell’s for the National Final and following on from last year the highest placed non event winner on the GromSearch Ratings will also get an invite.  Eventual ratings winners of the 14’s divisions will get a two board quiver from one of Rip Curl’s leading shapers.

The ever popular SNICKERS EXPRESSION SESSIONS will be run every day & encourage any participants to have a go with prizes and awards for notable performances from all age groups. Event partners FUEL TV and WAVES MAGAZINE will be covering all the activities…

In a new development for 2009/10 Rip Curl and Strapper Surf have combined to offer an introductory day to competition for any local surfers aged 16 or under.

Dubbed the GROMSEARCH ‘FRESH START’ – the concept is to encourage any young surfers in the region, who haven’t competed at this level before, to bring their gear to the event and have surf. The “GromSearch Fresh Start” surf will be scheduled from 11am on Wednesday, September 23.

“We want to give as many groms as possible the chance to come to the beach and be a part of our event, without being judged under an official contest format,” said Mark Flanagan, Rip Curl Event Manager. “The GromSearch ‘Fresh Start’ is free, all kids will be given prizes and it’ll be a great no-pressure introduction to a surfing event.”

All local surfers are welcome with “on the spot” sign-in at Jan Juc beach before 11am on September 23. The GromSearch ‘Fresh Start is held in conjunction with Surfing Victoria, ensuring safe and suitable conditions for all participants. Please note, the GromSearch Fresh Start is dependent on conditions. Please check ripcurl.com.au or onsite at the Jan Juc contest site on the day for updates.
 
Rip Curl GromSearch Series, Australia’s premier Grommet Surfing Series, is made possible thanks to the support of Rip Curl, SNICKERS, Surfing Australia, Waves Surfing Magazine and Fuel TV. 
 
www.surfingaustralia.com :

What’s your take on this?
Post your thoughts: SV Forum

More Australasian Surfing News available here
Check the latest Australasian Surf Reports and Forecasts 

Steve Robertson

Groms – Surfersvillage

www.PeaksandBarrels.com

Posted via email from PeaksandBarrels’s posterous

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Marc Lacomare : photo Aquashot/ASP Europe

Islas Canarias Santa Pro Junior

ASP Grade 3 Junior Mens event
Realejos, Tenerife
2 – 6 September 2009

Live Coverage  |  Results/Photos/Videos etc

Big Names Make The Show, Santa Surf Pro Junior to Finish Tomorrow

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 5 September, 2009 : – - Los Realejos, Tenerife Canary Islands — Eight heats were held for the second-to-last day of the ASP Grade-3 Santa Surf Pro Junior, last event of this year’s ASP European Junior tour, taking the prestigious event into its Man-on-man battles leaving three heats only for the final day tomorrow.

From the sixteen men who competed today, four only remain in contention for the title after a series of exciting exchanges and solid scoring battles taking place throughout the day, the consistent three to four foot (1 to 1.2 meter) waves delivering another opportunity for the Under-21 competitors to deliver their best surfing.

After claiming his maiden ASP European Junior title yesterday thanks to his closest ratings rival Jatyr Berasaluce (EUK) loss, the unstoppable Capbreton resident Marc Lacomare (FRA) secured his ticket for the Semifinals of the event, showing he would stay focused until the last minute of the season after besting other ratings top surfer Medi Veminardi (REU) in the Quarterfinals.

I paddled out very relaxed with no pressure at all and I must admit the waves really came to me so I was a bit lucky, Lacomare said. For both heats I managed to be focused while knowing I had not much to lose, we both chose a different peak so it was a real exchange and I think we both gave it our best and I ended winning which is great.

Lacomare, who is aiming at a win in Tenerife, is already guaranteed to be seeded into this year’s ASP World Junior Championships (WJC), and will be watching the intense battle for the final ratings Top 4 taking place tomorrow between potential qualifiers Laborde, Martin and Morais.

I am thinking that Medi (Veminardi), Charles (Martin) and PV (Laborde) are really performing well here so I wouldn’t be surprised to see the guys finish atop, Lacomare said. But I must admit the Portuguese guys have been rising pretty fast and it would be great to see some new faces around. The guys, Morais and Ribeiro, have had a great finish this year and I don’t think they were much expected at this level But they are here and stronger than ever.

Only surfer to counter the French assault today was rising Portuguese rider Frederico Morais (Ericeira, PRT), 17, the solid and stylish competitor besting other inform man of the year Damien Chaudoy (REU) in Quarterfinal No. 3. Morais, whose performance in 2009 has pushed him upfront on the regional stage leading the resistance against France’s domination along with Basque surfer Jatyr Berasaluce (EUK) and fellow Portuguese and 15-year-old Vasco Ribeiro (PRT), will face experienced competitor Pierre-Valentin Laborde (FRA) in Semifinal No. 2 tomorrow.

Guadeloupe native Charles Martin (GLP), 18, who went won the ASP Grade-2 Pro Junior event at Lacanau in August, confirmed he was back for good amongst Europe’s leading Under-21 surfers by making the Semifinals of the event today. Martin, who missed the first part of the year due to school obligations, will wrap-up his 2009 season with a major result whatever happens tomorrow when he faces grand favorite Lacomare in the first semifinal.

Missing a second consecutive final today was Maxime Huscenot (REU), 17, the defending event champion losing to Pierre-Valentin Laborde (FRA) in the last bout of the day in a close heat that saw Laborde get away with the win by less than a point difference. Huscenot, who made his way through to the Man-on-man battles with solid surfing throughout the week, was not able to counter the Hossegor native who has been showing great competitive approach in the event.

Laborde, who landed at Tenerife ranked No. 14 and knowing he would need something close to a miracle to hope for any Top 4 finish, is currently climbing up the ratings heat after heat and could achieve one of the best comebacks ever seen on tour if he wins the ASP Grade-3 event tomorrow.

The heat against Maxime (Huscenot) was really tensed because both of us were going to keep our ASP WJC hopes alive or not, Laborde said. I started fast with a couple of medium scores but I knew Maxime could come back any time so I am glad things stayed still. I know the conditions should remain the same tomorrow and my next opponent Morais is dangerous. I already have my best result of the year so I am happy already, but qualifying for Narabeen would be unbelievable.

The final day of competition will see the crowning of the ASP Grade-3 Santa Surf Pro Junior Sunday, September 6, after the last three heats of the 2009 edition are completed. A call will be made in the morning to decide on the start, at 11.15 AM.

Results, news and photos of the ASP Grade-3 Santa Surf Pro Junior are available at aspeurope.com

SANTA SURF PRO JUNIOR SEMIFINALS
Heat 1: Marc Lacomare (FRA) Vs Charles Martin (GLP)
Heat 2: Frederico Morais (PRT) Vs Pierre-Valentin Laborde (FRA)

Previous reports:
# 1 : Junior revolution returns to Tenerife for Santa Pro Junior
# 2 : Santa Surf Pro Jr kicks off at Tenerife, Bulard rips Rnd 1
# 3 : Laborde leads charge Day 2 of Canarias Santa Pro Junior
# 4 : Last Sixteen Decided in Santa Surf Pro Junior at Tenerife  

 

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