Two sessions, two beers

Too much fun

Photos: Mike Smolowe | Model: Brianna Barnes | Hair/Makeup: Amy Hanlin | T-Shirt: Rip Curl, Fine Fin Organic Tee (red)

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Between midterms and college parties, surf happens

Like this.

Watching Joel Fitzgerald streak across an unknown Indo wave on an untested single-fin seems the most natural thing in the world. His first wave is a smoking double barrel. The show just evolves from there. Forget that the wave is sectiony, the boards are tricky and the whole place is completely new to him… He was born to do this. Son of The Sultan.

Joel first walked the track out to Uluwatu when he was 12 years old. Bali in 1985 was a galaxy removed from the Bali of today. No tours buses back then. The trail, the cliff, the cave… it was all still a cosmic experience. “I was pretty much shitting myself going through that cave the first time,” he says. “But dad was there and he made us do it.”

“Dad” is Indo pioneer, single-fin legend and Hot Buttered shaper Terry Fitzgerald. They called him “Sultan of Speed.” Joel and his brother Kye spent their formative years riding single fins, exploring outer Indo with TF and visiting the North Shore every winter… basically living the surfing lifestyle they were born into. When they came of age, they grabbed their thrusters went off in search of WQS glory. Seven or eight years of merry-go-round travel later, they got off the roller coaster wondering what happens next.

Some of Dad’s old boards were lying around the yard. The rest was only natural. Shaping singles… exploring Indo… living in Byron… If The Morning of the Earth ever comes knocking, Joel will be there to answer the door.
 

SURFING: What led you back to riding and shaping single fins?
JOEL FITZGERALD: Sometime around 2000, my older brother Kye started riding dad’s original Hot Buttered boards. It became all he would ride, to the point that he even got to a WQS semi-final riding an original 1972 Drifter board. We both started digging up all of dad’s old collection – whatever was under the house or in the rafters or sitting around the factory and just riding them until they broke. We did that until there were none left.
 

Was Terry upset about you kids smashing his collectable quiver?
Not at all. He made boards to be surfed. He just wanted them to be making people happy.
 

What was the allure of riding single fins?
They were just so trippy, and there was there was this weird prestige to them. In some ways, it was just the challenge of it that drew us to them. Turning and keeping them in control was so much harder, but once we figured it out it became totally natural. It turned into a love affair. It was so much more fun than riding our thrusters.
 

Why? What’s more fun about it?
Partly because it’s harder. But also because you can put more power into the board, move more water. You can rip the back out of a wave and it’s not going to spin out on you. Watching Kye ride them was always a huge inspiration.
 

Is being a single-fin shaper a way to differentiate yourself from other shapers?
Well, I don’t just shape single fins. I’m comfortable shaping anything from 4’11” to 9’6”, and I’ve built up a nice collection of templates. But I do enjoy the single-fins. It’s funny to think surfing spent nearly 20 years stuck in the mindset that thrusters were the only boards worth riding. That was a tough time for shapers to distinguish themselves when everyone was making virtually the same thing. It’s been slow going, but we’ve spent the last decade evolving back to shorter boards, new fin shapes and design concepts. There a lot more room for experimentation these days.
 

Are your single fins an evolution or flashback?
Probably a bit of both. A lot of my templates are still pretty true to my dad’s boards or Gerry Lopez or Dick Brewer designs. Because when you measure up some of those old shapes you realize just how much effort they put into those original designs and formulas from that era. I just like riding them because you can paddle in early, pull some different lines and use some different body mechanics. It’s all part of the experience.

[Check out Joel’s designs at www.joelfitzgeraldsurfboards.com]

It was this trip to Micronesia that Kolohe landed his second SURFING cover (May 2013)

Ain’t no questioning his forehand tube riding ability

Filmed entirely on the Solo Shot

Just set it and forget it!

PR in B&W

Que linda!

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At the recent Huntington High School Surf Team banquet, the running theme wasn’t surfing it was education. Coach Andy Verdone, who took this year’s team to the Sunset League title for the 22nd time in his storied career, continues to remind the kids that not everyone will be the next Kelly Slater, but if you get an education, you can do one better – be the CEO of Quiksliver and Kelly’s boss.

On hand to back up Verdone was Bob McKnight, co-founder and Executive Chairman of Quiksilver who gave an inspiring talk about surfing and business.

McKnight praised the value of education and noted that among Quiksilver’s top executives are former team riders who also hold MBAs. McKnight also commended the surf team experience, adding that the friendships made in surfing will be with throughout your life.

The Huntington Beach High School surf team banquet was held at Quiksilver’s headquarters in Huntington Beach, with dinner provided by Duke’s. Quiksilver has been a valued sponsor of the team for many years, noted Verdone.

“Our team would not be what it is without Quiksilver’s support,” said Coach Verdone.

Comprised of the biggest squad in years, the HB High Surf team won the Sunset League and currently preparing for nationals, which start next week.

During the banquet, various scholarships were awarded, including:

The Quiksilver scholarship for outstanding senior boy and girl went to Matt Passaquindici and Paige Ortiz who was also named Sunset League Most Valuable Female Surfer.

The HSS T-Shirt sales scholarship winners were Johnny Elles and Haley Handy.

Two students earned a free weekly breakfast at The Sugar Shack. These were Niley Smith and Alyssa Smith.

At the banquet each year, Coach Verdone interviews seniors and gives them a chance to share their thoughts on surfing or life.  Knowing the microphone was coming his way, senior Johnny Elles represented his team well with an excellent speech about his surf team experiences. He also thanked his coaches and most importantly his mom for their support and encouragement during his four years of surfing at Huntington Beach High.  Elles’ touching speech summed up Coach Verdone’s second goal for the surf team  – to build character, learn respect and commitment.

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Wildcards are like belligerent drunks that show up and disturb the peace at a sleepy Sunday afternoon barbecue. Sometimes, they are swiftly and effectively kicked out of the party as a result of their misbehavior. Other times, the wildcards stay around and rattle the hell out of partygoers, spoiling World Title aspirations and chucking cheeseburgers at everyone. The ASP World Tour is a comfortable little traveling colony, but it faces the burden of fiery and unpredictable wildcards at every stop along the way. And now is the time to iron your party shirt and put your Jaeger on ice because Hurley is cordially inviting you to bring the ruckus at the Lowers Pro in September.

From May 15^th to June 15^th, you can upload a video to TheHurleyPro.com. Video submissions should consist of eight waves, and must be set to the impotent tune of silence. Contestants are encouraged to select clips from waves that are somewhat akin to Lowers (nothing is truly akin to Lowers). Variety is also encouraged — there’s no fun in using eight clips of tail tosses. All footage mustn’t be used anywhere else.

To enter, you must meet only three qualifications: Be over the age of 13, an American citizen and not a Hurley team rider — which means that Zoltan Torkos, Dane Reynolds, your grumpy uncle who wears underwear under his wetsuit and everybody in between is eligible.

Sixteen surfers will be handpicked by a Hurley judging panel and announced on July 22. Hurley employs folks like the former ‘CTer and always smiling Pat O’Connel, and the former SURFING editor and always savvy Evan Slater. We trust their decisions like we trust Alana Blanchard’s bottom turn. And who knows, maybe we’ll even take a peek. After they’ve selected the cream, they pass the judging torch off to the Internet and its miscellaneous advocates.

The 16 sweethearts will then be paired into man-on-man showdowns. The general public, with its infinite wisdom, will pick who advances and who waits for Sal Masakela to call them and invite them to the next awkward X-Games Real Surf. Then there will be 8, then 4, then 2, then 1 battle-hardened winner that will take to the top seed in the first round of competition at Lowers.

By the time the Lowers contest rolls around, the marathon to win the title becomes a sprint and the wildcard might just have an instrumental role in who’ll cross the finish line first. Or they might just be physically removed by Kelly Slater. Put on that party shirt and rip a few shots, because it’s in your hands now. —Brendan Buckley

 
Hurley Pro 2013 Trailer

 

Highlights from another historical Teahupo’o session

Back arched, arms back

The End Of The Road, Day One

Video by Jackson Winner

Far from his Malibu residence, yet right at home

Dill on his trusty Fred Rubble

Video: Sean Benik
Surfers: Dylan Graves, Dane Gudauskas, Alejandro Moreda, Blake Jones
Location: Caribbean

The Caribbean edit from our July issue feature, Lava Lamp Brick of Piña Colada Deliciousness

D. Graves and D. Gudauskas show you the wayves

Sunday, May 12th, Santa Catalina, Panama – Following an incredible Final Day of great waves and tremendous surfing performances, the 2013 ISA World Masters Surfing Championship officially closed.
 

Team South Africa
 

Team South Africa is the new 2013 Reef ISA World Surfing Games Team Champion. South Africans is the winner of the Fernando Aguerre World Team Champion Trophy, named and donated by the long-time ISA President who was first elected in 1994 and has been diligently working on fulfilling the ISA’s mission of developing the sport of surfing around the world.

Additionally, the Team Champion received the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President’s Trophy and the “Copa V Centenario Del Descubrimiento Del Oceano Pacifico,” or 5th Century Cup of the Discovery of the Pacific Ocean.

South Africa’s Shaun Joubert is the new Men’s Reef ISA World Surfing Games Champion. With powerful turns and aerial tactics, Joubert earned the Gold Medal.

Australia’s Dimity Stoyle is the new Women’s Reef ISA World Surfing Games Champion. Stoyle earned the Gold Medal with a high scoring wave in the last minutes of her heat.
 

“Joubert and Stoyle, winners of the Open Men and Womens

Video: Bryce Van Leuven

A playful, feel-good edit from the North Shore

With curls to make Jerry jealous

Filmed by Noah Alani
Edited by Jacob Vanderwork

Shot on RED, so we get to enjoy all the details

Kolohe runs his Trestles routine to a tee

Julian called this maneuver a “Loop Revert”

It’s so smooth it’s almost deceiving

Gabe @ Sebastian from Benjamin Sitten on Vimeo.

Surfers: Gabe Kling, Blake Jones, and Jesse Heilman.
Edit by Benjamin “Beeners” Sitten

Early May swell fires in Florida

Gabe drives south and puts on a power clinic at the Inlet

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Leader in Distinctly Designed Footwear Highlights Company-Owned Store Opening with an Outdoor Jam Session Performance by Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real

In-Store “Lo-Fi” Vibe Creates Unique Brand and Shopping Experience

IRVINE, Calif. – April 22, 2013 – Sanuk, a division of Deckers Outdoor Corporation (NASDAQGS: DECK), celebrated the grand opening of its first company-owned store at the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica on April 20, 2013. To celebrate Sanuk’s first flagship store, Deckers and Sanuk executives kicked it off with an official opening ceremony and topped off the evening with a fun-filled jam session by California-based musical artist and Sanuk ambassador Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real.

“We wanted to bring the Sanuk brand experience to life in a great shopping destination that represents what we stand for here at Sanuk, fun, humor and smiles.  I think we’ve found a great balance here at Santa Monica,” said Jake Brandman, Sanuk president. “As our first brand-owned store, we were able to bring the humorous aspect of the brand to life and create that deep connection with existing and new customers. We see this store as a place for us to explore alongside with our customers and showcase our innovative Sidewalk Surfers and absurdly comfortable Yoga Mat and Beer Cozy sandals.  This opening represents a great step in the evolution of Sanuk.”

The new store is approximately 1,000 square feet of retail space, featuring unique elements, a lo-fi design look and feel and offers exclusive products only available at the Santa Monica location. Upon entering the space, a collage installation featuring a collection of outdoor and indoor items creates a jumbled art décor, items that harken to a sense of fun, but with a twist and turn that has everyone looking for hidden nuances.

The store’s concept, a “Space to Play” is inspired by an unfinished basement or garage, that place where people sit back, relax and enjoy some relaxed moments with their friends. The store brings the brand’s emotion to life, featuring floating stud walls and many raw finishes, letting shoppers fill the space with their imagination. Creative solutions that will make the shopping experience unique are sprinkled throughout the store; one notable feature is the modular cleat system that will house many of the sandals and a pantry-style cabinetry that turns a traditional shoe wall into a self-service system.

Sanuk will offer a wide selection of styles and colors for both sandals and Sidewalk Surfers, featuring a mix of iconic favorites and latest bold designs for men, women and kids. The store also will feature exclusive merchandise such as branded sweatshirts, T-shirts, hats and accessories among many other products, further showcasing the breadth and growth of the brand’s collection.  Like the Sanuk brand, the store’s music selection will be an eclectic mix of everything from bluegrass, to reggae, to old school funk.

“The whole goal for this store was to create a space where we could play – we’ve taken all the classic Sanuk ingredients and stirred them up into a fresh recipe that we believe will set the tone for future Sanuk stores,” said Michael Minter, Sanuk global director of marketing. “The Santa Monica store offers an irreverent take on our brand and we’re excited to evolve the brand into an immersive experience.”

Sanuk is located on 1453 3rd St. Promenade in Santa Monica and store operating hours are from Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. For directions to the Santa Monica Sanuk store location, visit www.sanuk.com/stores. Come by and check in with hashtag #SanukSantaMonica and #SanukFootwear for upcoming specials.

For more information on Sanuk, please visit www.sanuk.com.

About Sanuk

Twice recognized at the SIMA Image Awards as the 2007 and 2010 Footwear Product of the Year, Sanuk makes creatively inspired and distinctively designed footwear for the global outdoor community.  Taking its name from the Thai word for fun, the brand is best known for its Sidewalk Surfers, often referred to as “Not-A-Shoes”, for their patented sandal construction which allows your feet to bend and flex in natural comfort. Founded by Southern California native and surfer Jeff Kelley, Sanuk sponsors a spectrum of premier athletes, including surfers Donavon Frankenreiter and Dave Rastovich and rock climbers Chris Sharma and Daniel Woods. Sanuk products are now distributed in nearly 70 countries worldwide. Smile…Pass It On!

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Find Sanuk Online:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sanukfootwear

Google+: https://plus.google.com/106013374917758619744
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sanukfootwear
Sanuk Tumblr: http://sanukfootwear.tumblr.com

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/sanukfootwear
Video: www.youtube.com/sanuk
Photos: www.flickr.com/photos/smile_pass_it_on
Website: www.sanuk.com

Stand up with Maddie and Hugh the manatee for humanity. Join us as Maddie and Hugh paddle upstream and discover some of the problems affecting the watershed and that are adversely impacting the ocean and its life forms.For the Sake of Hugh Manatee has vivid illustrations by Ron Croci and an attention getting story line that will compel you and your family to take action for clean water. Our world depends on it!

A large part of the proceeds will go to support The Maddie James Seaside Learning Center at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point, CA. The Center and its unique programming immerse all visitors, many of whom have never seen the ocean before, in hands-on experiences with the ocean and its marine life. Maddie passed away at the age of five due to an inoperable brain tumor, but her love of the ocean will live on forever through all that visit this very special place.

To learn more about the foundation please visit the website and view the video. Have some Kleenex on hand.  www.maddiejamesfoundation.org