09
Apr
Courtney Conlogue (USA/Santa Ana/Orange County) won the Association of Surfing Professionals 6-Star rated Women’s Telstra Drug Aware Pro.
MARGARET RIVER, Western Australia (Saturday April 9 2011) - A USA double win at Margaret River today when Courtney Conlogue (USA/Santa Ana/Orange County) won the Association of Surfing Professionals 6-Star rated Women’s Telstra Drug Aware Pro.Her win culminated the event and backed up the earlier win by Damien Hobgood (USA/Florida) in the Men’s.Conlogue defeated fellow USA surfer Sage Erickson in a see-sawing duel which saw Conlogue seal the final late with a strong 5.7 ride to go with her high scoring early ride of 7 (out of a possible 10) to take the final on 12.70 to Erickson’s 10.93.
“It’s been fantastic here and I’m so stoked to win and especially share the winner’s podium with Damien Hobgood – really special day for me,” said Conlogue who won $15 000 in prize-money!
“The next month is so busy for me, I head to Bells Beach straight away then onto New Zealand, Sydney and Brazil and I’m confident right now but really the next event I start from ground zero with Stephanie Gilmore and all the world’s best there – I’ve never surfed Bells before so I’m heading there straight away to work it out but after today I’ll go with confidence,” said the 18 year-old.
Sage Erickson was also thrilled with her second place today.
“I started slow last year and finished well and I came here aiming to get a good result that I can build my season around and that’s how it panned out – I love the place, such a cool event for the girls and how can I not be happy,” said Erickson.
Earlier in the day in the diminishing but clean small waves, Conlogue eliminated Australia’s Rebecca Woods in her semi final while Erickson disposed of local favourite Felicity Palmateer with the Australian pair finishing in equal 3rd place.
The sport’s biggest names across Men’s and Women’s will compete at event #2 on the World Title Tour, The Rip Curl Pro, which begins at Bells Beach, Victoria in just over a week’s time (April 19-30).
Finals Results – Telstra Drug Aware Pro PRIME Men’s and :
Men’s – Damien Hobgood 12.83 (USA) Def Yadin Nicol 6.94 (AUS)
Women’s Courtney Conlogue 12.70 (USA) Def Sage Erickson (USA)
- 692 reads
19
Mar
Hawaii could see debris from Japan in 18 months
Paddling through debris : photo courtesy KFOL
It is uncertain how much debris from the devastating earthquake & tsunami in Japan will reach Hawaiian shores, but University of Hawaii scientists have created models tht predict the first waves of debris to arrive in 18 months.
This map is an oversimplification of ocean currents and features in the Pacific Ocean. There are numerous
factors that affect the location, size, and strength of all of these features throughout the year,
including seasonality and El Nino/La Nina.
The “garbage patch,” as referred to in the media, is an area of marine debris concentration in the North Pacific Ocean. The name “garbage patch” has led many to believe that this area is a large and continuous patch of easily visible marine debris items such as bottles and other litter—akin to a literal blanket of trash that should be visible with satellite or aerial photographs.
This is simply not true. While litter items can be found in this area, along with other debris such as derelict fishing nets, much of the debris mentioned in the media these days refers to small bits of floatable plastic debris. These plastic pieces are quite small and not immediately evident to the naked eye.
Eastern Pacific garbage patch - Concentrations of marine debris have been noted in an area midway between Hawai‘i and California within the North Pacific Subtropical High, an area between Hawaii and California. Due to limited marine debris samples collected in the Pacific it is still difficult to predict its exact content, size, and location. However, marine debris has been quantified in higher concentrations in the calm center of this high-pressure zone compared to areas outside this zone.
It should be noted that the North Pacific Subtropical High is not a stationary area, but one that moves and changes. This area is defined by the NOAA National Weather Service as "a semi-permanent, subtropical area of high pressure in the North Pacific Ocean. It is strongest in the Northern Hemispheric summer and is displaced towards the equator during the winter when the Aleutian Low becomes more dominant. Comparable systems are the Azores High and the Bermuda High." The High is not a stationary area, but one that rotates, moves, and changes.
Diagram source: Greenpeace
Marine debris is a historical problem that continues to grow. The world’s oceans and waterways are constantly polluted with a wide variety of marine debris ranging from soda cans and plastic bags to derelict fishing gear and abandoned vessels. Many animals, such as sea turtles, seabirds, and marine mammals, have been known to ingest marine debris, which may lead to loss of nutrition, internal injury, intestinal blockage, starvation, and even death.
Derelict fishing gear, such as fishing nets and lines, poses entanglement hazards for marine life, can smother the living substrate upon which it settles, and can serve as a vector for the introduction of alien species. Marine debris is an international concern not only because it washes up on beaches and shorelines worldwide, but also because debris can be transferred from one country to another via ocean currents and because it impacts commercial fisheries throughout the world. International cooperation is needed to create public awareness while developing ways to decrease the amount of debris in oceans around the globe.
- 641 reads
19
Mar
Coco Ho claims the Legendary Pacific Coast Pro
Coco Ho © Andy Larkman
Between WCT events in Australia surfer Coco Ho decided to pick up some new decorations for her book shelf. The Legendary Pacific Coast Pro was offering up a pretty trophy, so she took that.
At Merewether Beach the 19 year-old Hawaiian took control in the final early when she opened with a strong scoring 7.33 ride which was the finals top scoring and decisive winning ride. Final scores for their top two scoring rides saw Coco Ho on 11.83 to Courtney Conlogue on 10.00.
“Fantastic to win here and the waves have been awesome for the girls– a six star event is really important to all of us and it feels like we’ve been treated to the best conditions all week” said Ho after her win. “I focused on trying to select a good wave early – the waves shift about out there and you need to be selective – the strategy worked as my first wave was easily my best and I think that won the final for me”
“It’s a good start the year for me – 5th on the Gold Coast was OK and winning here is a bonus – I’ll go back to Hawaii now and really freshen up before I return for Bells – I’ll go home feeling good after today’s win!” Ho surfed great all day and took out current world number two ranked surfer Sally Fitzgibbons in the semi finals earlier today.
Coco Ho © Andy Larkman
Conlogue (18 years/California/Santa Ana) was also in spectacular form today – her quarter final heat win over Australian young gun Tyler Wright included an almost perfect 9.97 ride, the events highest scoring ride to date.
“I’ve had a great day, could have been better in the final but I didn’t quite get the waves needed to win but overall I’m feeling great – It’s been an enjoyable event and the waves have been good to us!” The Burton Toyota Pro Men’s number one seed Taj Burrow put on a display for the large Newcastle crowd who are turned out to see the current world number 2 ranked surfer in action.
Burrow flared with some of his typically critical above the lip turns along with his fast and super fluid style to easily dispose of Indonesia’s top ranked surfer Dede Suryana. “I felt great out there, the waves are really good providing you chose the right wave – I can’t remember surfing Merewether before – I think I have once but it was a long time ago and it felt really good out there” said Burrow.
Burrow’s final turn in the heat was so committed it snapped his board in two and with seven minutes remaining he had established such a lead he elected not to paddle back out and left Suryana in the line-up along chasing a 9.33 to try and beat him.
“My boards feel great at the moment – that board that snapped was the one I won the Breaka Pro on at Burleigh – my back up board here is the one I finished second to Slater on at the Quiksilver Pro – that’s a special board that I’m sort of saving for Bells – it’s wrapped in cotton wool and I don’t want to ride it just yet so I’ll source a few back up boards over night for tomorrow’s finals here.”
In tomorrow’s round of 16 Taj will face exciting Gold Coast youngster Thomas Woods who earlier today shut down the last of the local hopes in Jake Sylvester who resides at near-by Bar Beach in Newcastle.
A full day of action tomorrow in the Burton Toyota Pro and to win the event the champion will be required to surf through four gruelling heats. The action will begin at 8:00am at Merewether and the waves are again forecast to be really good.
Courtney Conlogue © Andy Larkman
Final:
1st Coco Ho (Hawaii)
2nd Courtney Conlogue (USA)
Semi Final 1:
1st Coco Ho (HAW),
2nd Sally Fitzgibbons (AUST)
Semi Final 2:
1st Courtney Conlogue (USA),
2nd Sofia Mulanovich (Peru)
- 518 reads
15
Mar
Red Bull Butter Cup
Snowboarders slid and spun across the butter pad at Holiday Valley in upstate New York for the Red Bull Butter Cup. Rain couldn't keep over 100 snowboarders away from the course. Every once in a while, you just gotta get buttery.
Carly Harrington on the butter pad Photo: Bob Knab
Rain? What rain? Photo: Bob Knab
Justine Nadherny, Carly Harrington, Cadi Lynn were awarded for getting buttery Photo: Bob Knab
- 546 reads
15
Mar
Bethany Hamilton's Coconut Wire Update
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So, in between Soul Surfer movie promo trips, February was my month off. All I really wanted to do was SURF! And that's exactly what I did. I'm stoked cause I got a lot of good surf. (: It was nice to be home, cruise with my family, catch up with some friends and just have down time and rest.
On the 8th, I turned 21! Read the blog Birthday Poem: How Old is Bethany? about my day :) I guess for the average 21 year old it's exciting cause you're 'legal' to do all the adult stuff, like drinking. For me, alcohol is something that doesn't appeal at all. I've seen it lead people to bad decisions and sometimes cause problems in life: health problems, tearing families apart, and depression. For some people it's okay in moderation, but others can't handle the temptation and they can't control themselves. So I guess it's just a personal decision for each of us. Check out this month's Health Tip for more thoughts on alcohol.
This past month my friend Alana and I did a lifestyle video/photo shoot for Rip Curl. It was fun! Here's a few photos from the day (above). We'll let you know when the video gets posted. I'm now traveling across the USA on the 2nd promotional tour for the movie, then I head straight to Australia for a surf competition. I really appreciate your prayers and support! Have a great month.
Aloha, Bethany
Check out Bethany's blog:
http://www.bethanyhamilton.com/coconut_wire/11-03.htm
- 607 reads
09
Mar
Shred with the Women of Woodward
Ever want to progress in the park and on the slopes without guys gawking and wishing they had your mad snowboarding skills? Yeah, me too. Check out this great opportunity to shred with a crowd of rad ladies that will help you hone your skills and give you the confidence you want to tear up the snow to the fullest.
Woodward at Copper's Women's Winter Camps are for snowboarders and skiers looking to hang out with other women for a full day of fun and progression. Our camps are a great place for those new to the park and pipe as well as veteran jibbers and jumpers. The camps are taught by Gnu riders Terri Mayrer, Sandra Hillen and other Woodward coaches who are dialed in with progressive coaching techniques in the Barn and on the mountain. The Woodward Airbag will also be available for those looking for a softer landing when taking tricks to the snow the first time. There will be tons of awesome prizes including 2 Gnu Snowboards!
Camps run for 2 days, but you can sign up for just 1 day if you'd like:
Session 3: Mar 19-20...Last one of the year!!!!
1 Day w/ Lift Ticket: $129 w/o Lift Ticket: $99
2 Days w/ Lift Ticket: $258 w/o Lift Ticket: $198
*To Book, call 970-968-3400*
http://woodwardatcopper.com/site/ourprograms/womenscamp/index.html
- 431 reads