Donkey Patrol | Surfing Travel | Surf Resort | Kandui Mentawai Islands Indonesia | San Diego

Well, The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach completed last week and not without a fair bit of drama. The surfers competed at FOUR different locations throughout the comp and it’s fair to say the waves were less than desirable. The waves were so bad I am actually surprised that Neco did not do better than he did. I would liken it to Bede’s win at the Pipeline Masters, it wasn’t exactly pipe, and this certainly was not Bells Beach but Kelly with a broken foot, took down an inform Dusty Payne and proceeded to slice and dice all the way to the winners podium.

As I predicted, A.I. seems to have found his footing, his confidence and some of his drive. I really hope he can get his eye of the tiger, F*ck the world self back. I think it would be a great story to see him back on top again.

Fantasy Surfer continues to shit the bed this year with their new website, it lost all saved teams for the entire league and everyone is in an uproar about it. I think its funny that all of their advertisements seem to be working just fine, while the core of their site is rotten. That is actually a good ad revenue strategy, get thousands of fanatic users with a core following, rebuild what you got them to love and make sure it does not work, then plaster the site with Google and sponsor ads. Then your thousands of fanatic users will check the site several times per day throughout the contest period to see if the site is fixed.I wish I would have ponied up and paid to do FASL this year as my teams for both events would have done very well.

Rip Curl also announced the location for the Search Event and it is going to be in Puerto Rico this year. The waiting period is October 30th to November 10th, and I am going to do my best to visit Stefan Summer and Sydney during this period as the contest will surely be near their casa. Hopefully the wife will let me go after the new baby arrives in Aug/Sept.

Rip Curl Pro 2010 – Kelly Slater Wins Bells

The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach is getting ready to kick off this week, and in fact the women’s event is underway as I type. The cast of characters is very interesting this year and while the forecast is not looking epic, I am betting the performance is going to be all time. I am predicting an Andy Irons comeback. Set your fantasy surfer teams now. Watch it live

And a quick video request for the Smythe:

Old new school vs. New new school. Yoda vs. Skywalker. Taj v.s Jordy

In yesterdays action, much like this hit YOU TUBE VIDEO, age and wisdom prevails over youth. Will this be Taj’s year?

Well with only a few hours to go until round 1, and trading still not open on the fantasy surfer website, I now feel confident that ASG is not going to make it happen for the first contest of the season. They need to hire data back, and get him to regulate.

Well, with a few days until snapper the verdict is still out on if Action Sports Group will complete the much needed revamp of the fantasy surfer website (fantasysurfer.com) prior to the first round of competition. I became skeptical when they missed their own deadline two weeks ago.  They later updated their site to allow for pre-registration, and to preview surfer values which is basically just a bs way of trying to buy time. Will they make the deadline, or will this failure help bolster more support for Fantasy Actions Sports League (fantasyactionsportsleague.com/surf). The cool part about FASL is that you can actually win money, the downside is it is fairly expensive. Only Time will tell. I am looking forward to the quiksilver pro 2010 at snapper rocks, and kicking off the new season.

PIPE MASTERS IS ON AT 8AM HAWAII TIME – Watch it Live

The Billabong Pipeline Masters is a prestigious event in surfing held annually at Banzai Pipeline in Oahu, Hawaii. It was established in 1970 and attracts the top 45 surfers from the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) as well as 16 surfers who compete in walk on trials. The event is the final leg of the Triple Crown of Surfing and the final event on the ASP World Tour. This years event will determine the world champion for 2009, and is a points battle between Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson

Year      Winner
1971      Jeff Hakman
1972      Gerry Lopez
1973      Gerry Lopez
1974      Jeff Crawford
1975      Shaun Tomson
1976      Rory Russell
1977      Rory Russell
1978      Larry Blair
1979      Larry Blair
1980      Mark Richards
1981      Simon Anderson
1982      Michael Ho
1983      Dane Kealoha
1984      Joey Buran
1985      Mark Occhilupo
1986      Derek Ho
1987      Tom Carroll
1988      Rob Page
1989      Gary Elkerton
1990      Tom Carroll
1991      Tom Carroll
1992      Kelly Slater
1993      Derek Ho
1994      Kelly Slater
1995      Kelly Slater
1996      Kelly Slater
1997      John Gomes
1998      Jake Paterson
1999      Kelly Slater
2000      Rob Machado
2001      Bruce Irons
2002      Andy Irons
2003      Andy Irons
2004      Jamie O’Brien
2005      Andy Irons
2006      Andy Irons
2007      Bede Durbidge
2008      Kelly Slater

JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Monday, July 13, 2009) – The Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay will commence this morning at 7:30am in clean three-to-five (1.5 metre) surf at South Africa’s iconic pointbreak.

Stop No. 5 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay has seen the ASP Top 45 survive through four consecutive lay days, but today’s improved conditions will have the world’s best surfers in the water.

“We’ve got the ning of what could turn into a really good day of waves out there this morning and we’ll be getting underway at 7:30am,” Mike Parsons, Billabong Pro Contest Director, said. “Recent swell projections have prompted us to activate the new competition format so we can make the most of the conditions on offer, but we will not be running the dual-heat tem today.”

The new ASP competition format will see man-on-man, elimination heats from the outset of competition this morning, resulting in a day of dramatic match-ups.

First up this morning with be 2009 ASP Dream Tour rookie Tim Boal (FRA), 26, up against compatriot Michael Picon (FRA), 30.

The Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay will be web LIVE via www.billabongpro.com

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

The Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay can also be followed via your mobile phone. Anyone with a 3G or GPRS enabled phone can log onto asptogo.com from their mobile browser. Content is updated real time as per the web – event status, results, live scores, news, photos and video highlights along with ASP World Tour ratings tables.

For more information go to http://aspworldtour.com/2009/aspmobile.asp

BILLABONG PRO JEFFREYS BAY ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Tim Boal (FRA) vs. Michael Picon (FRA)
Heat 2: Jay Thompson (AUS) vs. Nathaniel Curran (USA)
Heat 3: Josh Kerr (AUS) vs. Nic Muscroft (AUS)
Heat 4: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Phillip MacDonald (AUS)
Heat 5: Dean Morrison (AUS) vs. Marlon Lipke (DEU)
Heat 6: Chris Ward (USA) vs. Torrey Meister (HAW)
Heat 7: Dustin Barca (HAW) vs. Sean Holmes (ZAF)
Heat 8: Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) vs. Ryan Payne (ZAF)
Heat 9: Tim Reyes (USA) vs. Devyn Mattheys (ZAF)
Heat 10: Dayyan Neve (AUS) vs. Heath Joske (AUS)
Heat 11: Heitor Alves (BRA) vs. Greg Emslie (ZAF)
Heat 12: Chris Davidson (AUS) vs. David Weare (ZAF)
Heat 13: Aritz Aranburu (EUK) vs. Michel Bourez (PYF)
Heat 14: Jihad Khodr (BRA) vs. Roy Powers (HAW)
Heat 15: Tiago Pires (PRT) vs. Ben Dunn (AUS)
Heat 16: Dane Reynolds (USA) vs. Drew Courtney (AUS)

BILLABONG PRO JEFFREYS BAY ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. TBA
Heat 2: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) vs. TBA
Heat 3: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. TBA
Heat 4: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. TBA
Heat 5: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. TBA
Heat 6: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. TBA
Heat 7: Kieren Perrow (AUS) vs. TBA
Heat 8: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. TBA
Heat 9: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. TBA
Heat 10: Mick Campbell (AUS) vs. TBA
Heat 11: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. TBA
Heat 12: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. TBA
Heat 13: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. TBA
Heat 14: Taylor Knox (USA) vs. TBA
Heat 15: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. TBA
Heat 16: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. TBA

mick fanning

BELLS BEACH, Victoria (Tuesday, April 14, 2009) – Excellent surf in the six foot (2 metre) range is on offer this morning at Bells Beach and Round 2 of the Rip Curl Pro presented by Snickers will commence at 7:30am.

Event No. 2 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, the Rip Curl Pro saw the elimination of 16 of the world’s best surfers in Round 1 last week, and today’s action will see the top seeds hit the water for Round 2

“The surf has arrived and we’re seeing consistent sets in the six foot (2 metre) range and we’ll be commencing Round 2 at 7:30am at Bells Beach,” Damien Hardman, Rip Curl Pro Contest Director, said. “We are monitoring nearby Winkipop should conditions improve over there, but at present, Bells is pumping and the boys will start out there.”

Round 2 of the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach will see the top seeds of the ASP battle it out with dynamic match-ups such as former ASP World Champion and past Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach winner (2001) Mick Fanning (AUS), 27, against Tiago Pires (PRT), 29, reigning nine-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 37, taking on lethal wildcard Owen Wright (AUS), 19, and current ASP World No. 1 Joel Parkinson (AUS), 27, up against 2009 Dream Tour rookie Michel Bourez (PYF), 23.

Swellnet, official foreers of the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, are calling for surf to maintain throughout the day with swell on offer throughout the week.

Up first today will be former ASP World Champion C.J. Hobgood (USA), 29, against Mick Campbell (AUS), 34, in the opening heat of Round 2, ning at 7:30am.

The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach pres. by Snickers will be web LIVE via www.live.ripcurl.com

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

RIP CURL PRO BELLS BEACH ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Mick Campbell (AUS)
Heat 2: Chris Ward (USA) vs. Taylor Knox (USA)
Heat 3: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Dayyan Neve (AUS)
Heat 4: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Michel Bourez (PYF)
Heat 5: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Tiago Pires (PRT)
Heat 6: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Tim Boal (FRA)
Heat 7: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Jordy Smith (ZAF)
Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Owen Wright (AUS)
Heat 9: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Adam Robertson (AUS)
Heat 10: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Jihad Khodr (BRA)
Heat 11: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Drew Courtney (AUS)
Heat 12: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Kekoa Bacalso (HAW)
Heat 13: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Jay Thompson (AUS)
Heat 14: Tim Reyes (USA) vs. Kieren Perrow (AUS)
Heat 15: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Dean Morrison (AUS)
Heat 16: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) vs. David Weare (ZAF)

After several lay days and the completion of the women’s event, the men’s should hopefully be back underway soon. There are 5 days left in the waiting period, and 2 days of competition to get through. I have highlighted my picks for the best heats of round 2, the remaining heats don’t seem very exciting. I am starting to doubt the new format.
RIP CURL PRO BELLS BEACH ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Mick Campbell (AUS)
Heat 2: Chris Ward (USA) vs. Taylor Knox (USA)
Heat 3: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Dayyan Neve (AUS)
Heat 4: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Michel Bourez (PYF)
Heat 5: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Tiago Pires (PRT)
Heat 6: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Tim Boal (FRA)
Heat 7: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Jordy Smith (ZAF)
Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Owen Wright (AUS)
Heat 9: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Adam Robertson (AUS)
Heat 10: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Jihad Khodr (BRA)
Heat 11: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Drew Courtney (AUS)
Heat 12: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Kekoa Bacalso (HAW)
Heat 13: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Jay Thompson (AUS)
Heat 14: Tim Reyes (USA) vs. Kieren Perrow (AUS)
Heat 15: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Dean Morrison (AUS)
Heat 16: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) vs. David Weare (ZAF)

If you haven’t set up your Quik Pro team yet, you’re running out of time! Luckily, we’re here to let you know this is your last chance. The ASP just announced the first round match-ups, and there are some mouth-watering battles about to be fought, so get on it!

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Jeremy Flores (FRA), Roy Powers (HAW), Tim Boal (FRA)
Heat 2: Bobby Martinez (USA), Ben Dunn (AUS), Dustin Barca (HAW)
Heat 3: Mick Fanning (AUS), Jordy Smith (ZAF), Tiago Pires (PRT)
Heat 4: Adriano de Souza (BRA), Heitor Alves (BRA), Phillip MacDonald (AUS)
Heat 5: Adrian Buchan (AUS), Damien Hobgood (AUS), Drew Courtney (AUS)
Heat 6: C.J. Hobgood (USA), Taylor Knox (USA), Marlon Lipke (DEU)
Heat 7: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Dane Reynolds (USA), Aritz Aranburu (EUK)
Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA), Kieren Perrow (AUS), TBA
Heat 9: Bede Durbidge (AUS), Dayyan Neve (AUS), TBA
Heat 10: Taj Burrow (AUS), Mikael Picon (FRA), TBA
Heat 11: Luke Stedman (AUS), Dean Morrison (AUS), Greg Emslie (ZAF)
Heat 12: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW), Mick Campbell (AUS), Kekoa Bacalso (HAW)
Heat 13: Chris Ward (USA), Nathaniel Curran (USA), Nic Muscroft (AUS)
Heat 14: Kai Otton (AUS), Chris Davidson (AUS), Josh Kerr (AUS)
Heat 15: Tim Reyes (USA), Michel Bourez (PYF), David Weare (ZAF)
Heat 16: Tom Whitaker (AUS), Gabe Kling (USA), Jihad Khodr (BRA)

Trading is open at Fantasy Surfer, so go register now!