EARTHWAVE BEACH FESTIVAL

Guinness World Record attempt + Longboard and SUP contests
Surfing and sustainable lifestyle event
Saturday & Sunday, 25 & 26 September 2010

It was close, but the Guinness World Record for the most surfers riding the same wave remains 110 set at the 2009 Earthwave Beach Festival at Muizenberg Beach in Cape Town after today’s best effort at the same venue came in at 93.

Despite the ideal offshore winds and gentle rolling half metre waves, the unseasonable rainy weather reduced the field from last year’s record 443 to ‘just’ 228 participants. Even though nearly 50% of those who took part managed to catch and ride the same wave for the required five seconds, they could not improve on the existing record.

“What a fantastic effort by Cape Town’s surfing community,” enthused Dene Botha from Kahuna Promotions, founders of the Earthwave concept that leverages the immense interest around Guinness World Record attempts to highlight climate change and raise awareness of sustainable lifestyle options.

“We may not have been able to improve on the record, but the rain did nothing to dampen the spirits of the hundreds of people at the beach for longboard and SUP events and Earthwave’s program of environmental awareness was the best in the 4 year history of the festival,” Botha added

The two day event included stop No. 3 of 5 on the SA Longboard Series and the first course racing events at Muizenberg in the rapidly growing Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) discipline. These ran in conjunction with talks by organisations such as 350.org and the Climate Action Partnership, who calculated carbon footprints, displays on marine life by Save Our Seas and demos of wind turbines and solar panels by 3^rd Rock Energy.

Noordhoek local Justin Bing won the Open division of the longboarding ahead of Michael Grendon, Alfonso Peters and Dylan McLeod from Port Elizabeth. Bing moved into the lead on the series standings with the next event scheduled for the Eastern Cape in six weeks and inaugural national series will be finalised in Durban early next year.

Tarryn Kyte won the Women’s division, Muizenberg local Papi Makanyane took the Juniors, Deon Bing the Over 35’s and Gary Van Rooyen the O/50’s.

The super-fit van Rooyen also placed fourth in the Coreban SUP racing, behind winner Greg Bertish, runner-up Peter Peterson from Germany and Jono Rosslind, another competing in both events.

The host of activities during the festival included a Dig for Gold for the youngsters, spinning trials run by Spin 4 Charity, an outstanding display of big wave and Earthwave photographs by Nic Bothma, fund-raising by the Shark Spotters, who provided additional staff for the record attempt, and also the Sunflower Fund who do sterling work on behalf of those with leukemia.

Earthwave also featured a transformation component organised by Surfing South Africa and the Ticket to Ride Foundation, supported by Sport & Recreation SA and the Lotto, which brought 15 youngsters from Masiphumalele to the beach where they also received a hearty meal thanks to Compass Bakery.

The festival concludes with the Corona After-Party at the popular Brass Bell pub and restaurant in Kalk Bay featuring surf band the Little Kings, promos, the draw for the raffle and an auction of eco friendly items from Aidan Bennetts Design along with Corona and Monster Energy. This year there is a R10 cover-charge, the entire proceeds of which will be split between Spin 4 Charity, the Sunflower Fund and the Shark Spotters program.

The 2010 Earthwave Beach Festival is supported by Loaded Smoothies, Kustom footwear, Aidan Bennetts Design, Derevko Wetsuits, Hemporium, O’Neill, Caves Surfwear, Billabong, VonZipper, New Balance, Palmers, Zigzag, Empire Café, Rafikis, the Brass Bell and Octopus’s Garden, Bulk SMS, Compass Bakery, Monster Energy, Surfing South Africa, Corona and Wavescape, the official online and surf forecasting partner.

See www.kahunasurf.co.za/kp/earthwave-2010 for or the Facebook group Earthwave Beach Festival 2010 for further information and a gallery of images.

/ends

Issued on behalf of:

Company:         Kahuna Promotions
Contact:            Paul Botha
Email:               kahunasurf@mweb.co.za

Compiled & Issued by:Life’s a Beach Communications
Mobile:         +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email:           lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

EARTHWAVE BEACH FESTIVAL
Guinness World Record attempt + Longboard and SUP contests
Surfing and sustainable lifestyle event
Saturday & Sunday, 25 & 26 September 2010
Stage set for Guinness World Record attempt at Earthwave Beach Festival

The Earthwave Beach Festival got underway in sunny skies and light onshore winds at Surfer’s Corner in Muizenberg today with the opening rounds of stop No. 3 of 5 in the SALSA Longboard surfing series and the first of the Coreban SUP races setting the stage for a grand finale and the Guinness World Record attempt on Sunday.

The beach was a hive activity as Spin 4 Charity hosted spinning trials alongside talks on environmental topics by 350.org and others, spectators browsed through the incredible images on display by renowned photographer Nic Bothma, carbon footprints were calculated by CAPS, wind turbines and solar panels from 3rd Rock Energy were perused and free beverages were dispensed by Loaded Smoothies and Monster Energy.

Greg Bertish won the first leg of Coreban SUP races, powering around the ‘M’ shaped course to finish ahead of Ivan van Vuuren, Jono Rosslind and Justin Bing. Craft of all shapes and sizes were demonstrated, including an incredibly light, streamlined Kevlar racing model that drew plenty of attention.

Former SA champion Dylan McLeod (PE) advanced to semi-finals of Open division of the longboard event, as did Rosslind, who is competing in both events, and Durban’s Brad Weare. PE surfers Faye Zoetmulder in the Women’s event and Grant Beck in the Juniors will also be contesting their respective divisions on the final day.

Wavescape, the official online and surf forecasting partners of Earthwave, predict light cross-offshore winds for Sunday morning and Kahuna Promotions, organisers of Earthwave and the Guinness World Record for the most surfers riding on the same wave, are optimistic that the record of 110 set at last year’s event can be raised even higher.

Registration for the GWR event starts at 10am and the hundreds of participants are expected to line up on the beach at 12.30 before paddling out for the one hour attempt at 1pm. Approximately six to eight waves are expected to be ridden in the 60 minutes.

While an attempt is made to count the surfers on each wave, it is photographic evidence that provides the final proof of how many surfers are up and riding five seconds after taking off. The official figures for the day will be announced at the Corona Earthwave After-Party at the Brass Bell in Kalk Bay.

The party starts at 5pm and features surf band the Little Kings, promos, the draw for the raffle and an auction of eco friendly items from Aidan Bennetts Design. This year there is a R10 cover-charge, the entire proceeds of which will be split between Spin 4 Charity, the Sunflower Fund, who will also be selling their Bandanas on the each during the day, and the Shark Spotters program which will have additional staff on duty during the GWR attempt.

The Earthwave Beach Festival offers fun in the sun for people of all ages, including a Dig for Gold with 50 valuable prizes ranging from branded wetsuits and sunglasses to apparel and footwear buried in the sand.

The Earthwave Beach Festival is supported by Loaded Smoothies, Kustom footwear, Aidan Bennetts Design, Derevko Wetsuits, Hemporium, O’Neill, Caves Surfwear, Billabong, VonZipper, New Balance, Palmers, Zigzag, Empire Café, Rafikis and Octopus’s Garden, Bulk SMS, Compass Bakery, Monster Energy, Surfing South Africa and Corona.

Contact kahunasurf@mweb.co.za for details on how to become part of this sustainable lifestyles initiative.

Ends

Issued on behalf of:

Company: Kahuna Promotions
Contact: Paul Botha
Email: kahunasurf@mweb.co.za

Compiled & Issued by:

Life’s a Beach Communications
Mobile:         +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email:           lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

EARTHWAVE BEACH FESTIVAL
Guinness World Record attempt + Longboard and SUP contests
Surfing and sustainable lifestyle event
Saturday & Sunday, 25 & 26 September 2010

Action aplenty as surfers challenge World Record at Earthwave Beach Festival

There will be action aplenty at the Earthwave Beach Festival at Muizenberg this weekend as Cape Town’s surfers try to break the Guinness World Record of 110 riding on the same wave alongside talks and displays on environmental issues, a photographic exhibition, contests for Longboard surfers and Stand Up Paddleboarders (SUP) and fund raising for worthy causes, before reaching a climax at a huge after-party on Sunday evening.

The fourth annual Earthwave event also features plenty of activities for youngsters, including a Dig for Gold with thousands of Rands in prizes, development surfing, a survey on starting a local surfers environmental organisation, calculating your carbon footprint, a tourism quiz with prizes, free books and CD’s on sustainable lifestyles, free beverages from Loaded Smoothies and Monster Energy and loads of give-aways, sticker showers and competitions.

The highlight will be the Guinness World Record attempt on Sunday, when even more than the 443 surfers of all ages who set the record last year are expected to take to the surf in sunny weather and ideal one metre rolling waves. Registration of participants starts at 10am and all participants line-up on the beach in a spectacular display of the diversity of the surfing lifestyle at 12.30.

Entering the surf at 12.55, half a dozen or more attempts will be made between 1pm and 2pm to get more than 110 surfers riding the same wave for 5 seconds or more. This all takes place under the watchful eye of the Shark Spotters (who will have additional staff on duty), a pair of Billabong / Monster Energy Jetskis in the surf and the reassuring presence of a flotilla of NSRI craft behind the break while highly trained paramedics from Medics in Motion and also the local Lifeguards are on-hand for any eventualities on the beach.

The Ticket to Ride Foundation will be bringing 15 rookie surfers from Masiphumelele to participate in the record attempt. Using surfboards and wetsuits kindly provided by Surfing South Africa as part of surfing’s national controlling body’s transformation program, which is supported by Sport & Recreation SA and the Lotto, the youngsters will also enjoy a hearty meal donated by Compass Bakery.

The festival gets underway at 8am on Saturday with a nationally rated Longboard surfing event run by the WP Longboard Club that has attracted top exponents from all over the country where the winners will be crowned on Sunday morning. The Coreban SUP races run between 10am and 12noon on both days and will utilise an ‘M’ shaped course through the surf that ensures spectators will be close to the action in this burgeoning watersport discipline.

All-day activities on both days include the works of renowned photographer Nic Bothma who will be displaying images from previous Earthwave events and also big-wave action around the Peninsula. There is also the opportunity to get some exercise and raise some funds for Spin 4 Charity, who will be conducting trials for the their own 24 hour Guinness World Record attempt at next year’s Earthwave festival.

Well known environmental organisations such as 350.org and the 90 x 2030 Project will be presenting talks on climate change and sustainable lifestyle options and 3rd Rock Energy will display solar and wind turbine energy generators. The Climate Action Partnership will calculate your carbon footprint, with prizes for those with the lowest impact on the environment, and there will also be a display and information on marine creatures by Save Our Seas and the Shark Spotters.

The event is supported by the City of Cape Town with the Environmental Resource Management Dept have providing copies of their excellent Smart Living Handbook in print and digital versions for those seeking the best way to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, along with copies of their guide to Western Cape Beaches. And Cape Town Tourism will be hosting a quiz with prizes just after 12noon on Saturday.

Spectators and participants alike can show their support for the meritorious efforts of the Sunflower Fund on behalf of leukemia sufferers by purchasing a Bandana at Earthwave and wearing it during the world record attempt.

Earthwave is supported by Loaded Smoothies, who will be dispensing their range of delicious and nutritious health drinks to participants and spectators, and will distribute tens of thousands of Rands of branded products in competitions, a raffle and competitions.

Products up for grabs include top-of-the-range footwear from Kustom, chairs using environmentally friendly materials designed by TV personality Aidan Bennetts, top-class Derevko Wetsuits, Hemporium bags and apparel made from environmentally friendly hemp, clothing and accessories from O’Neill, Caves Surfwear and Billabong, sunglasses from VonZipper, shoes from New Balance and surf wax from Palmers.

There are also magazines from Zigzag, vouchers from top restaurants such as the Empire Café, Rafikis and Octopus’s Garden, a year’s subscription of surf forecast SMS’s from Wavescape and Bulk SMS and much, much more.

The 2010 Earthwave Beach Festival culminates in the Corona Earthwave After-Party at the recently renovated Brass Bell in Kalk Bay starting at 5.30pm on Sunday. Starring surf band Little Kings, the after party will also feature the Corona promo-girls, surf movies from the Wavescape Film Festival, more prizes and give-aways and the announcement of the official number of surfers on one wave earlier in the day.

For further information see the Program of Events at www.kahunasurf.co.za/kp/earthwave-2010 and the Facebook group Earthwave Beach Festival 2010 where video footage on how seriously participants train for the event, produced by the Fabulous Boomtown Boys, can be viewed.

The Earthwave Beach Festival is produced by Kahuna Promotions and proudly supported by Wavescape, the official online and surf forecasting partner for Earthwave.

Contact kahunasurf@mweb.co.za for details on how to become part of this sustainable lifestyles initiative.

/ends

Issued on behalf of:

Company: Kahuna Promotions
Contact: Paul Botha
Email:  kahunasurf@mweb.co.za

Compiled & Issued by:

Life’s a Beach Communications
Mobile:         +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email:           lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

Top Longboard surfers from all over South Africa are travelling down to Jongensfontein for the KG Classic, the first in the 5 event SALSA Longboard Tour. The Series winner will receive a Grand Prize at the last event, the SA Champs in Durban. Open Finalists at all series events receive cash prizes as well.

Contestants include KZN’s, Brad Weare, who is travelling to Peru later this year as part of the SA Team. Also surfing are WP’s Justin Bing, who competed at last years World Games in Costa Rica, Michael Grendon, who’s got a slot at the ASP Event in Makaha in November, and P.E.’s Dylan McLeod, who competed on the World Longboard Tour last year, in Japan and the Maldives.

A full field with International competitive experience.

Last years event was held in perfect 6-8 foot surf, and was won by Ludi du Toit from Jeffreys Bay, who returns to defend his title.

Current storm conditions are clearing for this weekends competition, with excellent contestable surf predicted once the cold front has moved past. There are a number of point breaks in the area, and the contest is mobile, dependent on the best surf on the day. It also forms part of the World Surf Day celebration.

Besides the Premier Open Division, there are rounds which include ladies, juniors, over 50’s and the Divas – ladies over 35. Over 80 surfers will be competing.

Of interest is the PDI contingent in the junior and Open Division. Previously they were part of development initiatives in WP Longboard surfing, but made the WP team on merit at the recent SA Champs. Alfonso Peters was the top performer at this event, and will be challenging for prize honours in the Open Division at the KG Classic.

He is being supported by SALSA to attend all the series events in the country, over the next year.

Issued on behalf of SALSA

The South African Longboard Surfing Association 

South Africa’s Rosanne Hodge matched her career best result on the ASP Women’s World Tour by clinching third place in the Rip Curl Women’s Pro Search event in Portugal yesterday.

Despite finishing third behind rookies Coco Ho (HAW) and Paige Hareb (NZL) in bumpy one metre waves at Belgas in Round 1 on Wednesday, the 22 year-old East Londoner revelled in the cleaner conditions at the same venue yesterday. Hodge started the final day of Stop No. 4 of 7 on the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour by winning her Round 2 encounter over Megan Abubo (HAW) and Rebecca Woods (AUS).

She then gained some revenge by ousting Hareb in Round 3 and followed that by squeaking past current ASP No. 5 Melanie Bartels (HAW) in the quarters before bowing out to former World champ and eventual event runner-up Chelsea Hedges (AUS) in the semis.

“I’m really very happy with my performance in Portugal,” Hodge said. “It’s been a very important competition for me with the WQS having already finished. I need some good results in the last four events and this event has given me a good start.”

The event was won by Ho, 18, who recorded her maiden World Tour victory by comboing  Hedges in the final to move from No. 5 to No. 3 on the ratings and into contention to clinch what would be an historic World Title in her home surf in December.

Hodge, in her third year as a full time campaigner at the highest level of women’s surfing, matched her previous best result achieved at the yearend event at Honolua Bay in Hawaii in 2007. This result moves her up one place in the rankings to No. 11 and a scant 7 points behind Jacqueline Silva (BRA) with three events to go before the top 10 ranked surfers automatically qualify for the World Tour the following year.

Hodge’s run in the event must have been watched with mixed feelings by close friend and fellow East Londoner Nikita Robb. Robb, 20, finished No. 9 on the 2009 ASP Women’s World Qualifying Series (WQS) and will qualify for her maiden season on the World Tour provided Ho, Hareb and Wood retain their places in the top 10 in the 2009 rankings.

RIP CURL WOMEN’S PRO SEARCH FINAL RESULTS:

1 – Coco Ho (HAW) 15.83
2 – Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 9.37

RIP CURL WOMEN’S PRO SEARCH SEMIFINALS RESULTS:

SF 1: Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 11.17 def. Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 5.10
SF 2: Coco Ho (HAW) 14.84 def. Silvana Lima (BRA) 8.66

RIP CURL WOMEN’S PRO SEARCH QUARTERFINALS RESULTS:

QF 1: Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 8.30 def. Melanie Bartels (HAW) 7.13
QF 2: Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 12.16 def. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 11.73
QF 3: Silvana Lima (BRA) 11.67 def. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 9.34
QF 4: Coco Ho (HAW) 15.06 def. Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 9.16

RIP CURL WOMEN’S PRO SEARCH ROUND 3 RESULTS:

Heat 1: Melanie Bartels (HAW) 13.50 def. Bruna Schmitz (BRA) 7.90
Heat 2: Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 9.74 def. Paige Hareb (NZL) 7.67
Heat 3: Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 17.70 def. Samantha Cornish (AUS) 12.40
Heat 4: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 14.83 def. Megan Abubo (HAW) 9.00
Heat 5: Silvana Lima (BRA) 13.40 def. Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) 13.13
Heat 6: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 17.67 def. Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 13.07
Heat 7: Coco Ho (HAW) 12.40 def. Amee Donohoe (AUS) 11.23
Heat 8: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 13.00 def. Alana Blanchard (HAW) 10.30

RIP CURL WOMEN’S PRO SEARCH ROUND 2 RESULTS:

Heat 1: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 17.00, Alana Blanchard (HAW) 10.17, Pauline Ado (FRA) 8.23
Heat 2: Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 10.66, Megan Abubo (HAW) 9.33, Rebecca Woods (AUS) 5.57

CURRENT ASP WOMEN’S WORLD TOUR TOP 5 (After RC Pro Women’s Search):

1 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 3793 points
2 – Silvana Lima (BRA) 3636 points
3 – Coco Ho (HAW) 2923 points
4 – Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 2691 points
5 – Melanie Bartels (HAW) 2535 points
11- Rosanne Hodge (East London) 1872 points

++++++++++++++++++

Jordy Smith takes 5^th in Portugal; jumps to No. 10 on World Tour

Jordy Smith posted the second best result of his 2009 ASP World Tour campaign when he reached the quarterfinals to place fifth overall in the Rip Curl Pro Search, the penultimate event of the year, in gaping two to three metre barrelling waves at Supertubos in Perniche, Portugal, on Tuesday.

Smith, 21, in his second year on the ASP Dream Tour, had a semifinal spot wrenched from his grasp when current world No. 4 and eventual event runner-up Bede Durbidge, needing a near perfect 9.67 point ride with two minutes remaining, successfully negotiated his way through a 30 metre curtain of water to be awarded a perfect 10 points by the judges.

Nevertheless, Smith’s haul of US $9 000 (approx. R66 000) and 732 precious ratings points sees the Durbanite handily placed in No. 10 on the rankings going into the last event in Hawaii in December, where he will be competing at Pipeline for the first time.

East London’s Greg Emslie advanced past Aritz Aranburu (EUK) to Round 2 where he was ousted by current ASP No. 9 Damien Hobgood (USA) in a low scoring match-up. His 17^th place finish in Portugal sees Emslie sitting right on the re-qualification ‘bubble’ for the 2010 ASP World Tour going into Hawaii. The 31 year-old needs to repeat his 17^th place at Pipeline to have a chance of forcing his way into the top 27 who re-qualify.

David Weare (Durban) was ousted in Round 1 to post his fifth 33^rd place finish of the year and needs to finish first or second at Pipe to climb from his current rating of No. 41 into a re-qualifying position.

CURRENT ASP WORLD TOUR TOP 10 (Following Rip Curl Pro Search):

1 – Mick Fanning (AUS) 7140 points
2 – Joel Parkinson (AUS) 6772 points
3 – Adriano de Souza (BRA) 6148 points
4 – Bede Durbidge (AUS) 6146 points
5 – C.J. Hobgood (USA) 5748 points
6 – Taj Burrow (AUS) 5524 points
7 – Kelly Slater (USA) 5514 points
8 – Bobby Martinez (USA) 5421 points
9 – Damien Hobgood (USA) 5116 points
10 – Jordy Smith (ZAF) 4828 points

South Africans

31 – Greg Emslie (ZAF) 3095 points
41 – David Weare (ZAF) 2540 points

+++++++++++++++++++++

First round exits for Saffas as Ingelby clinches ASP World Longboard crown

Matthew Moir, (Tokai), Justin Bing (Noordhoek) and Dylan McLeod (Port Elizabeth), the trio of South Africans who competed in the second leg of the 2009 Oxbow World Longboard Tour at Pasta Point in the Maldives, were all eliminated in Round 1 of the 32-man event.

Two-time ISA World champion Moir was ousted by wildcard Remi Arauzo (FRA); Bing, the 2009 SA Open champ was no match for newly crowned ASP World Longboard champion Harley Ingelby (AUS) and 2008 SA champ McLeod tasted defeat at the hands of former multiple ASP World Longboard champ Colin McPhillips (USA).

The event enjoyed excellent 1 – 1.5 metre waves throughout, starting on Monday and culminating yesterday with Kai Sallas (HAW) taking victory over Ingleby in the final. The World Title was decided over two legs with Ingelby winning the first event in Japan earlier this year.

OXBOW WORLD LONGBOARD TOUR MALDIVES RESULTS

FINAL

1 – Kai Sallas (HAW) 15.65
2 – Harley Ingelby (AUS) 14.00

OXBOW ASP WORLD LONGBOARD TOUR MALDIVES SEMIFINALS

SF 1: Kai Sallas (HAW) 14.50 D Ned Snow (HAW) 13.45
SF 2: Harley Ingelby (AUS) 14.80 D Antoine Delpero (FRA) 14.35

ASP Final World Longboard 2009 Ratings

1 – Harley Ingelby (AUS)
2 – Kai Sallas (HAW)
3 – Antoine Delpero (FRA)
4 – Phil Rajzman (BRA)
5 – Bonga Perkins (HAW)

South Africans

15 – Matthew Moir (Tokai)
25 – Dylan McLeod (Port Elizabeth)
35 – Justin Bing (Noordhoek) – one event only.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Brandon Jackson last Saffa left in O‘Neill Coldwater Classic Canada

Brandon Jackson is the last South African in the 19 surfers still in contention for the 6-Star rated Oakley Cold Water Classic Canada currently being staged at Tofino on Vancouver Island.

Jackson, 22, from Durban North, came into the event No. 20 on the WQS and needing to finish higher than 25^th to improve his ranking and have the chance to qualify for the 2010 ASP World Tour amongst the Top 15 in the yearend WQS standings. He is already guaranteed of a minimum of 17^th place and will be fully focused on advancing further when he takes on Charley Martin (GLP) and Killian Garland (USA) with the top two in the heat progressing.

Rudy Palmboom (Bluff), 16 year-old Beyrick de Vries (Umhlanga) and current WQS No. 10 Travis Logie (Durban) all reached the last 48 in the event which is billed as the ‘coldest surfing contest in the world’. Canada is Stop No. 4 of five on the O’Neill Cold Water Classic series that has seen events in Tasmania, Scotland and Cape Town and concludes in Santa Cruz, California next month.

Capetonians Sean Holmes, Dave Richards and Damien Fahrenfort were all eliminated in the Round of 96.

See www.oneill.com/cwc/canada for more information and live scoring

+++++++++++++++++++++

For more information on the ASP Africa members, including profiles and rankings, visit www.aspafrica.com

Ends

Issued on behalf of:

ASP Africa
Contact:            Colin Fitch – Operations Manager
Tel:                   021 534 5738
Email:               aspafrica@mweb.co.za

Compiled & Distributed by:

Life’s a Beach Communications
PO Box 48272, Kommetjie 7976, South Africa
Tel:              +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Fax:             +27 (0) 86 684 6250
Mobile:         +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email:           lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

About ASP:
The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the governing body of professional surfing. Crowning surfing’s undisputed world champions since 1976, the ASP sanctions the following tours: the ASP World Tour, the ASP Women’s World Tour, the World Qualifying Series (WQS) and the World Longboarding, Junior and Masters Championships. The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.

Pictured: The wave on which 103 Cape Town surfers broke the Guinness World Record for the ‘most surfers riding the same wave’ at Earthwave in Muizenberg, Cape Town on Sunday
Photo: Lee Slabber

EARTHWAVE
Global surfing and sustainable lifestyle event
Surfers Corner, Muizenberg, Cape Town, South Africa
4 October 2009

Cape Town surfers break Guinness World Record at Earthwave on Sunday

More than 100 surfers rode a wave at the Earthwave beach festival in Muizenberg, Cape Town on Sunday to break the Guinness World Record for the ‘most surfers riding the same wave’.

“We estimated that there were more than 120 surfers on the fifth of the seven waves surfed at Muizenberg during Earthwave,’ said Paul Botha of Kahuna Promotions, the founders of the event that leverages the publicity generated by the world record attempt to promote awareness of climate change and sustainable lifestyles.

“However, the photographic evidence we have so far shows that there were 103 on the same wave, which is enough to overtake the record of 100 set by Earthwave Brazil in Santos last year,” Botha added. “We are still waiting for more images and video footage that we will submit to the Guinness World Record organisation in London to have the record ratified.”

In ideal sunshine conditions, a light offshore breeze and small 0.5 to one metre waves, a total of 443 surfers of all ages and abilities registered to try and bring the record back to Cape Town after Brazil had exceeded the 73 on one wave set at Muizenberg in 2006.

Five times the number in the water lined the beachfront cheering every attempt and urging their champions on as they rode the waves for five seconds before being counted, taking part in a host of fun-filled activities and fund-raising initiatives.

Activities included the inaugural Earthwave Longboard Classic, demos of SUP by Coreban, a talk entitled ‘Climate Change: How you can help’ presented by Augustine Morkel, estate manager of the internationally renowned Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, beach cleanups conducted by Ocean Minded, a Dig for Gold fund-raiser with prizes from the surf industry and local businesses and more.

The carbon footprint of the event was reduced by Metrorail allowing anyone with a surfboard to travel free on the train to and from Muizenberg while others could buy half-price fares to and from the destination. There were also specially demarcated bins to recycle the paper, plastic, glass and other refuse, minimal energy use and certificates of participation in the record-breaking event will be sent out digitally instead of being printed on paper.

The Earthwave event was also used as a forum to promote the Shark Spotters programme, the Save Our Seas Foundation, National Bandana day on 14 October for the Sunflower Fund and Cape Town Tourism’s ‘Live it, Love it, LOUDER!’ campaign for the city hosting the FIFA World Cup next year.

The action continues with an after-party tonight at the Brass Bell in conjunction the Zigzag’s celebration of the 200^th edition of SA’s longest established surfing magazine. The official numbers on the wave will be announced and SA’s funniest surfer, Mark Sampson will entertain.

Patrons will have the opportunity to win valuable prizes including R10 000 in accommodation from the Cape Villa Collection, a custom Natural Curve surfboard, Billabong watch, O’Neill wetsuit and a one-of-a-kind big-wave surfboard signed by the participants in last year’s iconic Red Bull Big Wave Africa event.

More on Earthwave, its aims and objectives, is available on the mini-site www.kahunasurf.co.za/kp/earthwave and on Wavescape.co.za, the event’s official digital media partner.

Earthwave is sanctioned by Surfing South Africa (SSA), the national controlling body for the sport and endorsed by the International Surfing Association (ISA) and Surfrider Foundation whose Argentina Chapter will be running the Earthwave event in that country.

Contact kahunasurf@mweb.co.za for further information on the Earthwave global surfing and sustainable lifestyles event and how to become part of this global movement.

/ends

Issued on behalf of:

Kahuna Promotions
Tel……..+27 (0) 21 783 4965
Mob……+27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email…..kahunasurf@mweb.co.za

Compiled & Issued by:Life’s a Beach Communications
Mobile:         +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email:           lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

Despite the near gale-force South East winds currently turning the surf into a churning mass of whitewater at Muizenberg, the venue for the Earthwave beach festival on Sunday, Cape Town surfers and the organisers are confident of breaking the Guinness World Record for the ‘most surfers riding the same wave’.

“Surf prediction guru, Steve Pike of Wavescape.co.za, tells us that the wind will drop on Saturday and Sunday will have very light winds, sunshine and small waves,” says Dene Botha of Kahuna Promotions, the founders of Earthwave. “This will provide ideal conditions for us to break the Guinness World Record of 100 surfers on the same wave set at Earthwave Brazil last year.”

With unprecedented interest in the record breaking attempt from the Cape Town surfing community, the organisers are expecting more than 350 surfers to lineup at 12.30 on Sunday before taking to the water between 1 and 2pm to try and reclaim the record they set with 73 surfers on the same wave in 2006.

“While the record attempt is the highlight of the day, there is an exciting program of events scheduled including talks and demonstrations on sustainable lifestyle choices to reduce our impact on climate change, Longboard and SUP events, a Diski Dancing demonstration, Miss Earth SA in attendance, thousands of Rands of prizes to be given away and a great after-party at the Brass Bell where the official results will be announced,” Botha said.

The day’s activities start at 8.30am with the Earthwave Longboard Classic run by the WP Longboard Club while displays and presentations on sharks by Save our Seas and the Shark Spotters program and on preserving our waterways by Ocean Minded, demos of SUP equipment with free lessons by Coreban and beach competitions are staged.

Environmental initiatives include a talk on “Climate Change – how can you help” by Augustine T Morkel, Estate Manager : Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens scheduled for 11.30 and Kirstenbosch is also donating packs of indigenous plant seeds for all who participate. Ocean Minded will coordinate a beach cleanup and refuse at the event will be collected in specially demarcated bins that separate paper, plastic, glass and organic waste for recycling.

To further reduce the carbon footprint of Earthwave and to relieve traffic congestion and parking problems, Metrorail will allow anyone with a surfboard to travel free on the trains to and from Muizenberg on the day and have instituted ‘buy-one-get-one-free’ tickets for spectators. Metrorail also will be bringing a group of youngsters from disadvantaged communities to the event to participate in the free surfing lessons from the Roxy and Surf Shack surf schools.

And another 40 disadvantaged youngsters who are proficient surfers will have their participation in the Guinness World Record attempt sponsored by attorneys Bowman Gilfillan, Rafikis Restaurant and Cape Town Tourism, who will also be staging a demonstration of the Diski Dance as part of their ‘Live it! Love it! LOUDER!’ campaign to promote the City’s hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Children can participate in the Dig for Gold, where prizes exceeding R20 000 will be buried in the sand, and there will be give-aways and raffles with great prizes from the likes of Billabong; Xcel Wetsuits; Von Zipper; Derevko; O’Neill; Empire Café; Palmers; Natural Curve; The Academy; Loumill Laundry; Oxbow; True Blue Travel and many, many more!

Registration for the GWR attempt will open at 10am and participants are urged to come early to avoid the rush before everyone lines up with their surfboards at 12.30. The finals of the Longboard event will be run after the record attempt and then all over-18’s will move to the Brass Bell in Kalk Bay for the after party which is being held in conjunction with the Cape Town celebration of the 200^th issue of Zigzag, SA’s longest running surfing magazine.

The party will include a comedy spot by Mark Sampson, SA’s funniest surfer, and an auction of unique items including a stay for four in a five-star villa valued at R10 000 donated by Cape Villa Collection. The official numbers on the same wave will be announced after consulting photographic evidence and everyone will await the announcement of the numbers achieved at the Earthwave events in Brazil and Argentina that are expected around 9pm that evening to find out if the world record has been broken.

Earthwave is sanctioned by Surfing South Africa (SSA), the national controlling body for the sport and endorsed by the International Surfing Association (ISA) and Surfrider Foundation whose Argentina Chapter will be running the Earthwave event in that country.

Contact kahunasurf@mweb.co.za for further information on the Earthwave global surfing and sustainable lifestyles event and how to become part of this global movement.

Issued on behalf of: 

Kahuna Promotions
Tel……..+27 (0) 21 783 4965
Mob……+27 (0) 82 687 8434
Email…..kahunasurf@mweb.co.za

Compiled & Issued by:

Life’s a Beach Communications
Mobile:         +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email:           lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

EARTHWAVE
Global surfing and sustainable lifestyle event
Surfers Corner, Muizenberg, Cape Town, South Africa
4 October 2009

 Cape Town surfers determined to recapture Guinness World Record at Earthwave

 Since declaring their intention to recapture the Guinness World Record for the ‘most surfers riding the same wave’ at the Earthwave festival to be staged at Muizenberg Beach on Sunday 4 October, Cape Town surfers have been putting in hours of preparation for the event.

 A crew from The Fabulous Boomtown Boys, headquartered right on Muizenberg Beach, captured footage of a clandestine training session earlier this week with all the participants having that steely look in their eyes that has seen South African sportsmen excel in various sporting codes around the globe.

 “We’re stoked Westley Durand of Boomtown brought this situation to our attention,” said Dene Botha of Kahuna Promotions, the founders and organisers of Earthwave.

 “It just shows the lengths Cape Town surfers are prepared to go to get that record back from Earthwave Brazil. With finely tuned athletes like this amongst the hundreds of participants of all ages and abilities expected to take to the surf at Muizenberg on 4 October, that record will soon be back where it belongs, right here in Cape Town!” he added grinning.

 For a sneak peak at how the Capetonians are preparing, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utKxYbQW2GQ

After raising the record from 44 to 84 surfers on one wave at Muizenberg in 2006, Earthwave was founded to challenge other surfing organisations worldwide to make an attempt on the GWR, celebrate the global surfing lifestyle and promote awareness of climate change, all on the same day. Earthwave Brazil raised the record to 78 in 2007 and then to 100 last year.

 Earthwave will take place at Muizenberg; Quebra Mar in Santos, Brazil; Mar del Plata in Argentina and in Tahiti on 4 October this year.

 The Muizenberg event features Longboard and SUP events, heaps of fun beach activities and competitions with thousands of Rands of prizes donated by surf industry and mainstream companies, environmental talks, demos and initiatives with Miss Earth South Africa, Chantal Grantham, attending and followed by a huge after-party at the Brass Bell in Kalk Bay.

To reduce the carbon footprint of the event, ease parking and traffic congestion, Metrorail will allow anyone with a surfboard to travel free to and from Muizenberg on the day, along with various other initiatives such as ‘buy-one-get-one free’ tickets and their ‘hop-on-hop-off’ fares. Call Toll free on 0800 65 64 63 or email railtourism@metrorail.co.za for details.

 For further information see www.wavescape.co.za, the official digital media partner for Earthwave, and the Facebook group Earthwave 2009.

 Ends

Issued on behalf of:

Kahuna Promotions
Contact: Paul Botha
Tel:  +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Email:  kahunasurf@mweb.co.za

Compiled & Issued by:

Life’s a Beach Communications
Mobile:         +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email:           lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

Pictured: Some of the more than 300 surfers who participated in Earthwave 2007 head out to try and break the Guinness World Record for the ‘most surfers riding the same wave’ at Muizenberg
Photo: SurfPix.co.za

EARTHWAVE
Global surfing and sustainable lifestyle event
Surfers Corner, Muizenberg, Cape Town, South Africa
3 & 4 October 2009

Anticipation mounts for Guinness World Record attempt at Earthwave

A flood of enquiries about participation in the attempt to break the Guinness World Record (GWR) for the ‘most surfers riding the same wave’ have been received from Cape Town surfers for the event that will be held at Muizenberg on 4 October as part of the Earthwave global surfing and sustainable lifestyle festival.

“We’ve received dozens of enquiries about the Guinness World Record attempt at Earthwave next month,” says Paul Botha of Kahuna Promotions, the founders of Earthwave. “After raising the record from 44 to 73 at Muizenberg in 2006, the Cape Town surfing community is amping to break the current record of 100 surfers on the same wave set at Earthwave Brazil last year.”

The world record attempt is the highlight of the Earthwave global environmental initiative which has been expanded to a two-day beach festival on the weekend of 3 & 4 October. The 2009 event includes a longboard surfing event; demonstrations in the fast growing Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) discipline that will culminate in the Coreban Expression Session featuring some of the country’s top exponents; free surfing lessons provided by the surf schools in the area with classes specifically for women conducted by the Roxy Surf School and a host of other fun beach activities for people of all ages.

Tens of thousands of Rands worth of prizes and give-aways have already been donated including a Natural Curve longboard shaped by Durban based SA champion Hugh Thompson along with surfing equipment and accessories from such famous brands as Billabong , Xcel, Palmers, Derevko and New Balance which will be used for Dig for Gold, raffles and other fund-raising competitions.

As usual the business community of the Deep South is heavily involved in promoting their products and services at Earthwave with early adopter David Jones from the Empire Café in Muizenberg challenging all other restaurants in the area to equal or better his donation of R250 cash and a meal voucher for R250.

Environmental initiatives at Earthwave range from providing clearly demarcated bins for recycling of paper, plastic, glass and other refuse to reducing paper usage by handling the entries and prized certificates for participating in the GWR digitally. Negotiations are in progress with Metrorail to allow all train passengers travelling to Muizenberg with surfboards to ride free of charge on the weekend while carpooling will be encouraged to further reduce the carbon footprint of the event.

There will also be exhibits and presentations on how to lead a more sustainable lifestyle, including a talk by Augustine Morkel, Estate Manager at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens titled ‘Climate Change: How can you help’. Miss Earth South Africa 2009, Chantal Grantham, who will be representing the country in the environmentally themed Miss Earth pageant in the Philippines at the end of October, will also attend Earthwave to present awards and support and encourage ecologically sound initiatives.

Environmentally conscious apparel and footwear brand Ocean Minded, whose products utilise recycled materials, will be coordinating beach cleanups with prizes for participants and conducting a presentation in the marquee tent educating the public on the importance of looking after our waterways.

Earthwave will also be partnering with Cape Town Tourism’s ‘Live it! Love it! LOUDER!’ campaign for the 2010 World Cup that will see soccer ambassadors providing tips and tricks on the beach, giving away signed soccer balls and other memorabilia along with demonstrations of the ‘Diski Dance’. CT Tourism is also sponsoring the participation of a group of youngsters from disadvantaged communities to attend Earthwave and entering a corporate team in the world record attempt.

The schedule for the festival sees the longboard contest, SUP demos, exhibits, presentations and free surfing lessons on the Saturday. The final of the contest, the SUP Expression Session and a Celebrity Surf Off featuring high-profile personalities will take place on Sunday before an expected 400 or more surfers take to the waves at approximately 1pm for the Guinness World Record attempt.

The Earthwave festival culminates in the after-party at the Brass Bell in Kalk Bay where the official number of surfers on one wave will be announced after consulting photographic evidence. The function will include the Cape Town launch of the 200th edition of Zigzag, SA’s premier surfing magazine, along with videos of the day’s action and plenty of specials available while waiting for the results of the Earthwave Brazil and Argentina attempts which should be known around 9pm.

Comprehensive information, images and videos on Earthwave are being uploaded on Wavescape.co.za, SA’s biggest and longest established surfing web portal and the official digital partner for the event.

About Earthwave

Earthwave is an environmental initiative founded at Muizenberg in 2006 that leverages the immense interest in Guinness World Record attempts to provide the opportunity for stand up surfers of every age and ability and on any equipment to celebrate their lifestyle and make a statement about reducing their impact on the environment.

Earthwave is sanctioned by Surfing South Africa (SSA), the national controlling body for the sport, whose website will be used to handle online entries to reduce paper usage, and endorsed by the International Surfing Association (ISA) and Surfriders Foundation whose Argentina Chapter will be running the Earthwave event in that country.

The event provides unlimited sponsorship opportunities for companies and organisations keen on promoting their environmental credentials or simply wanting to showcase their products and services to a receptive audience at the beach and through the saturation media coverage.

See the Earthwave group on Facebook for more information or www.earthwave2007.com for highlights of previous year’s events, where you can sign up for future media releases. The 2009 Earthwave website will be launched shortly.

Contact kahunasurf@mweb.co.za for further information on the Earthwave global surfing and sustainable lifestyles event and how to become part of this global movement.

/ends

Issued on behalf of:

Company: Kahuna Promotions
Contact: Paul Botha
Tel: +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Email: kahunasurf@mweb.co.za

Compiled & Issued by:

Life’s a Beach Communications
Mobile: +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email: lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

Pictured: Rosanne Hodge in action on the final day of the Billabong ISA World Surfing Games in Costa Rica on Saturday where the East Londoner clinched the silver medal for South Africa

Photo: Sanchez / ISA

Billabong ISA World Surfing Games
August 1-8, 2009
Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica

Rosanne Hodge was the star of the South African surfing team at the Billabong ISA World Surfing Games in Costa Rica when she grabbed the silver medal in the Grand Final of the Women’s division on Saturday.

Team South Africa, supported by a grant from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF), narrowly missed out on three further medals in the team event, Open men and Aloha Cup competitions, finishing in fifth place in each category.

Team USA cruised to victory in the team event, their first team gold medal since the corresponding event in California in 1996, with France confirming the emergence of Europe as a surfing power by taking silver, defending team champions Australia slipping to third and Hawaii clinching the copper medal just ahead of South Africa. This was a two place improvement by the SA team who placed seventh in the corresponding event in Portugal last year.

Hodge (East London) started the final day confidently, posting rides of 6.20 and 7.0 out of 10 to win her heat in Round 5 of the Qualifying stream and advance directly into the Women’s Grand Final along with second placed Sage Ericson (USA). The pair was joined by ASP World Junior Champion Pauline Ado (FRA) and the in-form Courtney Conlogue (USA), winner of the US Open Surfing event in California two weeks back, who advanced from the Repecharge rounds.

The 25 minute final saw Hodge lead early on before Conlogue took control with 18 minutes remaining by recording rides of 5.60 and then 7.0 points. Hodge fought her way back into contention with a 5.56 but the American clinched the gold with an excellent 8.20 with four minutes on the clock, leaving Hodge needing a near perfect ride of 9.64 and Ericson and Ado needing to improve on both their rides.

Hodge’s silver medal was one better than her bronze in the 2006 ISA World Surfing Games in California in 2006, the last time SA’s sole contender on the ASP Women’s World Tour represented her country.

Brandon Jackson came within one place of medal in his first ISA World Surfing Games when he finished fifth overall in the Open Men’s division. The 22-year-old from Durban North fought his way through to the last four in the Repecharge rounds before slipping to third spot behind Jeremy Flores (FRA) and Ben Bourgeois (USA).

Flores, the current ASP No. 16, went on to win the gold medal, finishing ahead of Cory Lopez (USA) and Gabriel Villaran (PER), who had advanced from the Qualifying stream, with Bourgeois in fourth.

The Longboard title was won by Antoine Delpero (FRA) who relegated Harley Ingleby (AUS) to second place with Ben Skinner (UK) and Tony Silvagni (USA) taking third and fourth. Justin Bing (Noordhoek) was SA’s top finisher in equal ninth spot with Michael Hill (St Francis Bay) ending equal 15^th.

Team SA narrowly missed out on the final of the Aloha Cup tag team event when they ended third in their semi-final on Friday. Australia went on to win the final, their only gold medal of the event, with France, Peru and Tahiti taking silver, bronze and copper respectively.

Video highlights, photos, news and full results of the 2009 Billabong ISA World Surfing Games in Costa Rica can be found at www.billabongpro.com/isa09

Billabong ISA World Surfing Games

Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica

Team Results:
Gold – United States – 14910 points
Silver – France – 13280 points
Bronze – Australia – 10996 points
Copper – Hawaii – 10856 points

South Africa: 5^th – 10666 points

Open Men
Gold: Jeremy Flores (FRA)
Silver: Cory Lopez (USA)
Bronze: Gabriel Villarán (PER)
Copper: Ben Bourgeois (USA)

South Africans:
Brandon Jackson – 5th
Rudy Palmboom Jnr. – 29th
Ryan Payne – 33rd
Damien Fahrenfort – 49th

Open Women
Gold: Courtney Conlogue (USA)
Silver: Rosanne Hodge (ZAF)
Bronze: Sage Erickson (USA)
Copper: Pauline Ado (FRA) 

South Africans:
Nikita Robb – 8th 


Longboard 

Gold: Antoine Delpero (FRA)
Silver: Harley Ingleby (AUS)
Bronze: Ben Skinner (GBR)
Copper: Tony Silvagni (USA)

South Africans:
Justin Bing – 9th
Michael Hill – 15th Aloha Cup
Gold: Australia
Silver: France
Bronze: Peru
Copper: Tahiti

South Africa – Equal 5th

FINAL TEAM STANDINGS

1 – USA – 14910 points
2 – France – 13280 points
3 – Australia – 10996 points
4 – Hawaii – 10856 points
5 – South Africa – 10666 points
6 – Peru – 10180 points
7 – Costa Rica – 9650 points
8 – Venezuela – 9040 points
9 – Brazil – 9000 points
10 – Puerto Rico – 8820 points
11 – New Zealand – 8100 points
12 – Argentina – 7160 points
13 – Tahiti – 6688 points
14 – Ecuador – 6170 points
15 – Panama – 5952 points
16 – Italy – 5670 points
17 – Mexico – 5560 points
18 – Japan – 5324 points
19 – Chile – 5208 points
20 – El Salvador – 4784 points
21 – Ireland – 4568 points
22 – Austria – 4320 points
23 – Barbados – 4128 points
24 – Germany – 4024 points
25 – UK- 3810 points
26 – Guatemala – 3696 points
27 – Switzerland – 3440 points
28 – Jamaica – 2912 points
29 – Canada – 2784 points
30 – Nicaragua – 2656 points
31 – Colombia 2544 points
32 – Trinidad & Tobago – 2240 points
33 – Bahamas 2240 points
34 – Rep. Dominican – 1680 points
35 – Aruba- 384 points

About Surfing South Africa (SSA)

Surfing South Africa is recognised by the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA) and the International Surfing Association (ISA) as the governing body for surfriding in South Africa.

 Six provincial organisations and three national associations are affiliated to Surfing South Africa which coordinates and manages all aspects of surfriding from grass roots level through to the selection of National teams.

About the International Surfing Association (ISA)
The International Surfing Association (ISA) is recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the World Governing Authority for surfing, bodyboarding and surfriding.  It was originally founded as the International Surfing Federation in 1964 and has been running World Championships since 1964 and the Junior World Championships since 1980.

 /ends

Issued on behalf of:

Surfing South Africa
Contact:  Robin de Kock
Email: surfingsouthafrica@gmail.com

Compiled & Distributed by:

Life’s a Beach Communications
PO Box 48272, Kommetjie 7976, South Africa
Tel:              +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Fax:             +27 (0) 86 684 6250
Mobile:        +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email:          lifesabeach@mweb.co.za