Surphang Magazine Issue 6
Champ Chats PJ Potential
The Goss from 'Le Hoss'
Basking in the Basque
Surphang Magazine 'Keep your eye on the ball!' This summer, the eyes of the world will be on us. In fact that's been the case for a few months already and will be for a few more to come yet. Why you may ask? Well it's those small little events like the Jubilee and the Olympics that everyone's watching and when I say us, I actually mean the UK of course. From a fleet of boats floundering along the river in the rain to a flame tipped giant golden cornetto trundling up and down the length and breadth of the country, so far we have but seen only a mere morcel of the festivities to come. But has all this hype been too much? Is the real point of it all being lost in a plethora of pomp, ceremony and designer sportswear? Could it be that when it comes to important occasions and sporting events, the surfing community actually gets it pretty much right? After all, our competitors simply turn up on the beach, go and surf their heat, stick around if they make it through and then have a brief awards ceremony at the end of the contest for those who did good. No fuss, no unnecessary build-up just the 'closing ceremony' down the local afterwards!
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So this issue celebrates the focus of our surfing community. The surfers who do indeed 'keep their eye on the ball', going the whole way and earning that top spot, this time round, a gold medal at World Championship level. The surfers who rock up the day before the contest so they can surf themselves out on the competition peak and get to know its every strength and weakness in eager anticipation. The surfers who straddle every hurdle thrown in their way and prove they have the potential, grit and determination to go the distance. And the surfers, who come what may, will keep at it because they know that it's hard work, drive and focus that gets you to where you want to be – nothing more, nothing less. So sit back and admire the focus of the talent keeping their eyes well and truly on that ball!
One surfer who's always keeping at it – Miles Lee Hargreaves training at Le Penon, Hossegor Photo: Stu Gaston
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This Issue's Features
Champ Chats - going for gold
Kalani David won the U16s Gold Medal at the World Junior Surfing Games in Panama earlier this year. At the top of his game, who better a champ to pin down for a chat (took a while though)!
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Surphangaway
- Basking in the Basque Surely you're guaranteed a scorching summer in Spain? Well not necessarily but nonetheless Sopelana is the place to be as the contest season gets underway!
This Issue
HOT SHOTS - PJ Potential
As the ASP European Pro Junior tour soars through its summer season and eventually to its finale at Lacanau, who has what it takes to be the next up and coming star ready for the world stage?
The Goss from 'Le Hoss' There's always plenty going on down at the playground of European surfing so we've been catching up with those who know it all and more at Hossegor.
A beach day, Hossegor, France Photo: Stu Gaston
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Champ Chats Going for Gold Words and photos: stu gaston
Kalani David is one of the few surfers who can claim to be a World Champion. After rising above over 100 other young surfers in the Under 16 division from almost twenty countries across the globe, Kalani won the Gold Medal at the World Junior Surfing Games in Panama. He is literally at the top of his game and after working with him in California the week before he headed off to Panama, we knew we had to pin him down for a few words on his success. It's taken a while to nail the young Hawaiian down but we think you'll agree it's been worth the wait for a chat with this world champ!
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Kalani David high above the wave as he effortlessly rotates an air reverse.
Name: Kalani David Age: 14 Years surfing: 12 Where you live: North Shore Oahu Sponsors: RVCA, CONVERSE, NIXON, WATERMANS, FAMOUS, FCS, T&C SURFBOARDS Local break/s: Backdoor Favourite surfer? Jordy Smith Favourite place to surf? Backdoor Favourite surf movie? Modern Collective Favourite surf trick? Rodeo Flip Favourite board? 9'0" WAIMEA GUN
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Who in surfing inspires you most? John John Florence What song motivates you before a surf? Hopeless Housewife-Bad Religion When and where was your best surf session? Talk us through it. 15 foot Pipe. John John helped me get a bomb and pulled into one of my biggest barrel to date, and was super happy that whole week about it. What's the worst wipeout of your life? Trying to pull in to a 10 foot closeout at backdoor What do you prefer, free surfing or competitions and why? Free Surfing. There is nothing better then to have a good session with your mates! Now the past couple of months have seen you performing well on the competitive circuit, though becoming the Under 16 World Junior Champion must have been the highlight. Talk us through the contest out in Panama and the highs and lows that lead to you earning the title. My dad helped me stay focused. There was a party like every night so he helped make sure I stayed in the room and got to bed early! Though the night before my final, I had a nest full of crickets that wouldn't stop chirping haha and my coach Rainos Hayes was snoring very loud. I am glad my dad went because he had an extra room and I went into his room to actually get some sleep. But the party that was going all night was terrible. The worst music ever, and I just couldn't sleep at all. I only got 2 hours of sleep that night. I woke up at 4:30 and went surfing and practiced for a while. When I came in at about 8:00, I felt sick to my stomach. So I just drank a whole bunch of Emergen-C's and took a couple Ibuprofens. Somehow I came through with the win. Looking back, I probably woke up sick because I was so nervous and I couldn't have slept anyway!!!!
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CHAMP CHATS
One of Kalani's repertoire of airs at T-Street.
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You had to overcome some solid surfing from your contenders. How do you rate your surfing peers from around the world at the moment? INSANE!!! The level is higher than it's ever been I think.
CHAMP CHATS
You've been surfing against some of these guys most of your competitive life. There must be different levels of camaraderie or rivalry in the ranks. How does this affect the way you surf in a heat? It doesn't at all. I just try to stay focused and not think of rivalry So which of them did you least want to be drawn up against in a heat and why? I surf WQS's a lot and you get in the habbit of not even caring or looking who is in your heat. That almost goes against being prepared.
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Kalani busting an air reverse at T-Street.
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Kalani's got backhand airs pretty much wired too!
CHAMP CHATS And now being world champion, does that go down as your best victory to date? On the surf side maybe, I did have a QS event at Sunset Beach where I was pulling into 10ft barrels that you could fit a bus into. The memory flashes in my head every once in a while. I didn't win or anything, but it will be one of my best memories for a long time to come.
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Continuing Twenty Twelve as a champ then, what's next? What are your goals for the rest of this year? This will be the busiest year for me ever, but unfortunately I have an injured knee from competing in skate contests, so it might not go as well as I hope. And what about training? How do you keep on top of fitness and keep on pushing your surfing? I have a routine I have been using for many years. I'm not sure my routine would work for others. Everyone has certain things they do that work for what they need. Now you're already from Hawaii and you live for half the year in California with some top quality waves like Lower Trestles right on your doorstep! But what about plans for travelling? I have spent a third of 2012 in other countries outside the USA this year. Travelling can be the best and worst part of what I do. Finally, where do you see yourself in five to ten years time? I don't want to jinx the future with simple assumptions, but I hope to be one of the best at what I do.
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Kalani kicks that tail up top again.
CHAMP CHATS
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Basking in the Basque Words and photos: stu gaston
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Basking in the Basque with this line up on offer looks very pleasant indeed
surphangaway bask [bɑːsk] vb (intr; usually foll by in) 1. to lie in or be exposed to pleasant warmth, esp that of the sun 2. to flourish or feel secure under some benevolent influence or favourable condition The thought of spending a week basking in the Basque region of Spain sounds quite favourable indeed then! After all the mere mention of Spain in the height of summer suggests images of pure white sun beds set around crystal clear waters – or does that only happen in Benidorm? Anyway, the point is a week's surf trip of this sounds like bliss!
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surphangaway Well, whoever said the rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain obviously has never been to the northern coast of the country and arriving in the drenched, dismal and quite frankly dreary town of Sopelana soon shattered any dreams that this trip was going to involve any basking whatsoever! There was certainly no sign of the sun to create any sense of pleasant warmth and as for favourable conditions... well wind and rain are not a photographer's friends and so this was quickly becoming mission improbable if not down right impossible!
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Yeray Garcia punting off the favourable conditions on offer!
Day 1
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Day 1 Still at least the conditions were favourable for some as the wind and rain had whipped up a fair bit of choppy swell so the surfers in tow – UK Under 16 Champ Will Davey, top Tenerife surfer Lewis Leadbetter and the only born and bred Canarian from the pack, Mormaii sponsored Yeray Garcia – were making the most of the waves on ofer, especially as any kind of waves along this coast at this time of year are a bit of a luxury really! So once the deluge subsided, the lens had to do its best against the persistent drizzle to capture what it could as the trio tore apart the junky surf.
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As the wind whips up some waves, Will Davey whips out his fins.
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surphangaway Fortunately, favourable conditions welcomed us all by the second day of the week – sun and surf were on ofer and so the Canarian crew were once again quick to get amongst it!
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Yeray Garcia yet again punting off the favourable conditions on offer!
Day 2
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Day 2
Later in the afternoon though, things gradually began to hot up. Not thanks to the sun (as it once again was hidden behind a blanket of cloud) but because the Portuguese team arrived in town and so hit the surf in style.
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Hurley sponsored Portuguese team rider Joao Kopke carves it up.
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Portuguese RipCurl rider Francisco Alves and his backhand attack.
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The conditions were still typical contest fare, small and onshore but the standard in the water was moving to the next level as the lads from the Canaries vied for waves with the Portuguese guys. One early standout was Diogo Appleton from Carcavelos, Portugal who was demonstrating some pretty nifty progressive surf moves.
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Day 2
Portuguese team rider Diogo Appleton was turning heads with his progressive surfing.
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Day 3 By the third day, the sun was still nowhere to be seen but the surf at Sopelana was really starting to come alive. Even though it was still pretty much wind generated onshore slop, the standard of surfng was really raising the bar as gradually surfers from each European nation headed out and gave their own display of technique and talent.
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RipCurl sponsored Spaniard Alex Gironi kicks out a fan of spray.
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Lewis Leadbetter keeps the pre-contest training going with a nice little carve.
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O'Neill sponsored Spanish rider Ethan Egiguren mid air reverse.
Day 3
Local Spaniard Alex Iriondo lets his fins loose with a waft of spray.
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Day 3
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RipCurl sponsored French rider Tom Bellevergue aiming high.
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Diogo Appleton pushing limits with his progressive surfing.
Joao Kopke grabs the rail mid air reverse.
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Volcom sponsored Spanish team rider Marcelino Botin looking to impress.
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O'Neill sponsored Stu Campbell was out ripping by the time evening came.
Day 3
UK Champ Luis Eyre shows the younger lads how it's done.
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Day 3
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Volcom sponsored French rider Willy Aliotti rips up the early evening waves.
surphangaway So the sun might not have yet put in much of an appearance (and any thoughts of basking were still out of the question) but certainly everybody who was anybody in the European Pro Junior scene had arrived by the end of the third day of the week, all ready to go head to head as the Billabong Sopelana ASP European Pro Junior was to get underway the very next day.
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Warming up before his heat, Willy Aliotti makes the most of the small waves.
Day 4 At last, the sun graced us with its prescence, but typically the waves were now slightly lacking. So unless they had to surf in an early round heat, any self respecting surfer stayed on dry land until a quick warm up pre-heat surf was needed to ensure they'd sussed out the now less than favourable conditions.
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Day 5 On the ffth day, those in the know sought out a secluded reef break where the meagre swell size was at least magnifed to a surfable wave and by now the sun too was shining merrily away. So the dream of basking in the Basque was fnally realised.
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Oakley sponsored team rider Diego Mignot ripping on the nearby reef break.
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Oakley sponsored team rider Tom Simon truly basking in the Basque with a layback.
Day 5
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surphangaway The last day of the contest arrived and as the four fnalists battled it out for waves down one end of the beach, Michel Bourez's younger brother Kevin had a fun little peak practically to himself. After all most of the other surfers were either still in bed after a heavy night of partying or had moved on as indeed had the sun!
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RipCurl team rider Kevin Bourez effortlessly balances above a fun little wave.
Day 6
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Now a week in the Basque region of Spain isn't all about Sopelana. There's San Sebastian, Zarautz and of course the legendary Mundaka all along this dramatic coastline. But one thing's for sure, don't think you'll be going here to bask in the Basque – if you want to score this region at its best then don't go in the height of summer! We all know that the best European breaks are on fre when the autumn swells hit so wait a month or two, go then and hopefully you won't be too disappointed!
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Basked in the Basque? Well we've all seen a lot worse than this so can't moan really!
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PJ Potential
Words anD photos: stu gaston
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Hot Shots In 2011, Medi Veminardi made it to the top spot of the ASP European Pro Junior rankings and so from there, he moved on to the world stage of competitive surfng. But it had been a hard fought battle with some strong rivals in the form of Willy Aliotti, Vasco Ribeiro and Frederico Morais to name but a few. Now though it's happening all over again as the Twenty Twelve tour is well and truly underway with the fnal showdown to be staged at Lacanau in the middle of August.
Medi Veminardi making his mark on the ASP Pro Junior tour in Lacanau.
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Hot Shots
Ryan Callinan blowing up as he flew through to the final.
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Vasco Ribeiro dug deep to try and find something to get him past the semis.
Last year's Lacanau event had been full of well fought heats not least since the stakes had been sent to astronomic heights thanks to junior surfng heavyweights, Ryan Callinan and Gabriel Medina blowing in early for the following 6-star event. So some of the European elite, such as Vasco Ribeiro, PV Laborde and Angelo Bonomelli, fell at the semi fnals, unable to match the perfect heat scores of Medina, who was on a mission to rack up points to take him up into the Top 34 on the ASP tour. Willy Aliotti whacks out his tail on his way to the final of the Airwalk Pro Junior.
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Still this made for an exhilirating fnal as three aerialists from around the globe, in the form of Aliotti, Callinan and Medina, battled it out alongside the power surfng of Veminardi. On this occasion, it was the latest Brazilian phenomenon who was to take the trophy, but simply making it to the fnal had given Medi Verminardi the points he needed to put him in a strong position to go on to the fnal event of 2011 in Newquay. Aliotti too was still a serious contender and once they'd eliminated the other front runners at the Quiksilver Pro at Fistral, then the two of them went head to head where the surfer from the Reunion Island pipped the carismatic Caribbean to the post. And so Verminardi took the title but Willy Aliotti in second also secured himself the ticket to travel to the ASP World Junior events and so make his mark at top level surfng. 51 -
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Gabriel Medina doing what he does, flying through another final to the win!
Hot Shots
Willy Aliotti grabbed himself some valuable points in the final at Lacanau.
The final was far from stale once Ryan Callinan began to blow up.
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Hot Shots
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Willy Aliotti was second in 2011. Is he the man to beat in Twenty Twelve?
Now all eyes are on the Twenty Twelve tour but with only fve events, competition is set to be fercer than ever, especially as the frst 3-star event at La Cicer in Gran Canaria has already separated the pack and given the early season high performers a really strong position as to claw back any much needed points is only going to be possible by hitting those high earning top spots. So with that in mind, we've taken the rankings after the frst event, alongside last year's performance and combined all that with overall competition performance to help determine who might have some possible pro junior potential for making the top ten on tour this year or even clinching the ASP European Twenty Twelve title.
Willy Aliotti
Technically top of the pack after his ranking last year, and certainly at the top of his game competitively, he could be the surfer to beat if he hadn't sufered a foot injury at the start of the summer. This coupled with a disappointing place in Gran Canaria has left Willy with a tricky decision – focus on pulling himself back to the top of the pro junior pack or concentrate on moving to the next level and continue to make his mark in the ASP Men's events? After all, his recent win last month at the ASP Expression Session in Bundoran has certainly shown that he has what it takes to perform with the big boys on the QS stage. So only time will tell but one things for sure, you will be seeing a lot of Aliotti in the months to come!
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After a good start, is everything pointing in the right direction for Vasco Ribeiro?
Hot Shots
Vasco Ribeiro
The young Portuguese surfer had a good run In 2011, winning the 3-star event in La Cicer and making it to the fnal of the World Junior Surfng Games in Peru. Twenty Twelve has begun in a similar fashion with Vasco once again winning in Gran Canaria and fnishing third at this year's games in Panama. Will an extra year's experience on his side make the diference and see him onto the fnal podium? He's sure to be hoping so but at least this year Medina won't be knocking him out at Lacanau and putting a dampner on his title dreams!
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Hot Shots
Ramzi Boukhiam
A third place ranking after the frst event has given the Quiksilver sponsored surfer an early slice of the action and if Ramzi can maintain this form, then he may well stay high on the ratings. Only fellow Quiksilver team member Ribeiro and 2012 newcomer Vicente Romero stand between him and the title, two serious contenders if Boukhiam is to book his place in the tour fnal at Lacanau. 57 -
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Dimitri Ouvre
Yet another Quiksilver rider towards the top of the pack, as one of the older riders on tour, he will be keen to maintain the momentum that an early third place ranking has given him. Although he's not always made it as close to the podium places as he may have wished, his recent magazine coverage seems to suggest he's certainly got the backing he will need if he is to be taken seriously and go the distance!
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Will everything be pointing in the right direction for Dimitri Ouvre in 2012?
Hot Shots
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Gaspard Larsonneur will be giving it his all again in 2012.
Gaspard Larsonneur
The young Frenchman, previously with O'Neill but since snapped up by European clothing giant, Protest, has stepped up to the mark this year. Reaching the semi-fnals at La Cicer and being part of the triumphant French team at the World Junior Surfng Games in Panama has shown that Gaspard could be a serious contender if he can keep up his current competitive form for the season.
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Frederico Morais's powerful surfing could well be a force to be reckoned with!
Hot Shots
Frederico Morais
Another top dog from 2011, another one of the older crew and another surfer who will more than likely be giving it all he's got to get back to a top spot by the end of the season!
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Marcelino Botin has come back fighting in Twenty Twelve.
Marcelino Botin
Still with many more years to go on the Pro Junior circuit, this young Spaniard will be hoping to continue his strong start with some further signifcant placings.
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Alex Gironi will be grabbing every opportunity to go big in Twenty Twelve.
Hot Shots
Alex Gironi
A consistently high performer throughout last year's season, Alex will be looking to take advantage of his high seeding to keep himself fresh for the later rounds which should see him through to the high point earning stages of each contest. Maintaining this form may well help him go all the way and clinch a title or two in 2012.
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Ian Fontaine has flown through a final before. Can he do it again?
Ian Fontaine
Following his win at Sopelana last July, Fontaine looked to be a real contender in the title race. Certainly a much more consistant competitive streak in 2012 could see him well up the top end of the rankings as a force to be reckoned with!
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Tom Cloarec
After making it to the fnals at last year's season showdown in Newquay, Tom Cloarec claimed the recognition he truly deserves. He's been busy ever since working on keeping him and his brother in the spotlight with regular videos of their surfng adventures popping up on the internet. His competitive surfng has kept his name out there too with a solid performance in Panama. If Tom can take down a few top names on the way to a few more fnals, then he may well too be in the running for the Twenty Twelve title!
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Tom Cloarec will be wanting to climb the rankings again in 2012.
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Always up in the air, Lusi Eyre will be aimng high in the rankings again this year.
Luis Eyre
After successfully topping the podium in his native isle, current UK Pro Junior champ Luis Eyre will be seeking to take his winning streak with him when he once again performs on the European stage. With the advantage of actually having lived over in Portugal for almost half his life, he certainly has a fghting chance of giving his fellow Europeans a run for their money!
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Jose Ferreira
Another top ranking O'Neill sponsored rider, this Portuguese surfer will be ensuring he keeps his course pointing in the right direction by aiming for as many fnals as possible.
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Jose Ferreira will hope to be on fire and make the finals in 2012.
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Harry Timson has reached the top of his game in the UK. How will he do in Europe?
Harry Timson
Since becoming British Junior Champion towards the end of 2011, young 'Hazza' has spent the winter season away around the world training. From Australia to Hawaii to his second home in France, he's wasted no time in ensuring he's getting to surf the best waves on ofer. And it's certainly been paying of as regular online updates continue to reveal the extent of Harry Timson's talent in the water. So we could well be seeing the UK's top super grom becoming a serious European contender this summer.
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Borja Agote
Yet another top ranking O'Neill sponsored rider, the Spanish surfer will be seeking to improve on his fnal placing last year and be on the right side of the top twenty spots. He's got of to a good start so far and so will be aiming to keep on form as the season continues, maybe making some fnals too.
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Borja Agote will keep kicking that tail up to see how far it can take him this time around.
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Tom Simon will be aiming as high as he can get on the Twenty Twelve tour.
Tom Simon
Although he didn't get very far up the rankings last year, Tom will be coming back with another year's experience to fall back on. It's certainly earnt him a good starting position after the frst contest in the Canary Islands so this young surfer from Reunion will be looking to follow in fellow islander, Remi Veminardi's shoes as the tour continues.
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Diego Mignot
After a terrifc stint in Panama, reaching sixth in the Under 16s of the World Junior Surfng Games earlier this year, Diego has continued to reach the fnals of most if not all the French contests he has entered this year. Certainly his current form should see him as one of the younger surfers making an impressive mark on the tour this year. 83 -
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Diego Mignot will be demonstrating more of his powerful surfing this summer.
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Nomme Mignot will no doubt nail some impressive surfing on this year's tour.
Nomme Mignot
Another young French surfer who was responsible for the country's exceptional performance at the World Junior Surfng Games in Panama earlier this year. Nomme placed ffth in the Under 16 division and will now be looking to take his top form with him as he tackles the mightand talent of the top European Pro Junior surfers this summer
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Diogo Appleton
A Portuguese surfer who proves that you don't have to have a sticker on the nose of your board to be a good surfer. Diogo turned heads with his progressive surfng last year and will certainly continue to do so this time around. If he can keep it all together, he's sure to go far in 2012.
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Diogo Appleton will be kicking out more of a display on this year's tour too.
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Miguel Blanco will chuck out plenty more spray on his way up the 2012 tour ratings.
Miguel Blanco
Another Quiksilver sponsored rider who made the top twenty last year, this Portuguese surfer will be keen to maintain a good ranking in 2012.
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Manex Bikuna
A repertoire of solid power surfng took this Spanish surfer well up the rankings in 2011 but he'll be hoping for an even higher result after this summer's contest tour. 91 -
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Manez Bikuna will be hoping to carve his way through the competition this summer.
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Alex Iriondo will be working the waves as much as he can again on the Twenty Twelve tour.
Alex Iriondo
Alex has been snapped up by Quiksilver after his impressive performance on the King of the Groms circuit and so will be hoping that he can take that level of success onto the tour this year.
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Natxo Gonzalez will give it all he's got to be riding high again for this summer's contests.
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Natxo Gonzalez
After a very succesful result in his hometown of Sopelana where he made the fnal, Natxo will be hoping to go one step further this year and possibly clinch a contest titile or two.
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Leonardo Fioravanti will most likely fly his way up the rankings this summer.
Leonardo Fioravanti
This Italian surfer is currently the only European surfer listed in Surfer Magazine's Hot 100 of the Worl'ds Best Young Surfers. So Leonardo will be wanting to take this accolade further and edge his way well up the rankings.
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Francisco Alves
After a promising run in 2011, culminating in a wildcard for the Rip Curl Pro Portugal event at Supertubes in Peniche, Francisco will be hoping to gain even greater momentum as he takes the experience of surfng against the top surfers on tour and brings it back onto the Pro Junior stage in 2012.
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Francisco Alves will be giving it all he's got this time around.
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Pedro Correia
This talented Portuguese free surfer has had considerable magazine coverage over the winter months as numerous shots of him busting some sick aerial manoeuvre in a hot sundrenched surf location have hit the pages of his nation's surf media. Pedro will certainly be hoping he can take this standard of surfng through to his competitive mindset in 2012. 101 -
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Tomas Fernandez
One of the young crew of Portuguese surfers coming up through the ranks, Tomas will be looking to improve on his ranking from last year and head up higher in the2012 table.
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Charly Quivront
Volcom are very selective with who they sponsor so if the black and white stone appears on the nose of a board, then you know the surfer riding it is going to be someone to look out for. This young Frenchman may well see his name rise through the ranks in 2012 but if not then it won't be long until he follows in his fellow team rider Willy Allioti's footsteps!
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Aldric God
Yet another Quiksilver sponsored rider, this Young Frenchman's surfng speaks for itself with numerous podium placings already in 2012. So Aldric will be praying that he can continue his successful competitive streak as he takes on the big boys on the tour.
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Nelson Cloarec
Like his older brother Tom, Nelson has been busy boosting his online prescence with regular video updates displaying his skills on a surfboard. So alongside contest results that regualrly see him hitting the top spot, this upcoming Frenchman will be doing all he can to claw his way well up the Pro Junior rankings in 2012.
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Andy Criere will be hoping to cruise well up the rankings in 2012.
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Andy Criere
All good things come in threes and so here's the third French surfer with the stone stuck to the nose of his board. Andy had a good year in 2011, fnishing up as national champion so he'll be keen to keep that winning steak on the tour this year.
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Tom Good will be giving it all he's got to get to the top of the tour in Twenty Twelve.
Tom Good
A winter of training both home and away should put Tom in a good place to take on the might of Europe's best young surfers. With some good results last year, Tom will be keen to follow in the footsteps of fellow Brit Lewis Clinton who made it as far as the fnal in the Sopelana event last time round. So Tom will be wanting to do as good or better and maybe clinch a title.
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Will things be looking up for Toby Donachie on the 2012 tour?
Hot Shots
Toby Donachie
Another surfer who has been boosting his media prescence with numerous online videos over the past few months, Toby Donachie was ready to prove he has what it takes to compete alongside the Best Pro Junior surfers from across Europe this summer. That was until another injury struck. So only time will tell if he can make a recovery and progress up the rankings in 2012.
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Hot Shots
Timothe Bisso
One of the many surfers on tour from the outer reaches of the European limits, this young ripper from Guadeloupe turned some heads last year with his stylish free surfng. So if he can keep his head in the competitive forum then he may well work his way up the ranks in Twenty Twelve.
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Timothe Bisso will be wanting to stay on top of his game this summer.
And so there we go. Just a few of the scores of European Pro Junior surfers who will be doing all they can to pursue their dreams and rise as high up the rankings as they can manage. But of course there can only be one tour winner and who that will be, no-one yet knows. But one things for sure, all of these guys will be names to follow in the future as they realise their full surfng potential.
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The Goss from 'Le Hoss' Words anD photos: stu gaston
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Leonardo Fioravanti landing a fun sized backhand air reverse at Bourdaines.
The Goss
There's always plenty going on down at the playground of European surfing, Hossegor in south west France. So we headed down at the start of the season to have a gander at what was going on before it started hotting up for summer!
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The best place to start if you're on the hunt for fresh surfing talent is always the Volcom house though at this early point of the season, all was relatively quiet with only up coming French rider, Charly Quivront in residence.
Charly Quivront training hard at Les Bourdaines in Hossegor.
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But even he was soon heading off, returning home further north up the French coast. Still he ventured out one last time at Bourdaines even though the surf was fairly small and windblown and scored some fun waves for his efforts!
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Charly Quivront going big at Bourdaines before he goes home.
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Meanwhile, the very talented surfer, Leonardo Fioravanti was also out in the average onshore surf, making it look much better than it was with constant aerial antics, though an awkward landing brought him in early as he explained that his knee had been causing him grief and so he was off for physio the next day. But back in the water a few days later proved that it will take more than a nagging knee to stop him from going all the way and becoming one of, if not the best grom in the world of surfing this year! 125 -
SM Leonardo Fioravanti flies through one of many air reverses during the session.
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Up at the northern end of the Hossegor beaches, another French hopeful is also out busting some big moves. Local lad Arthur Lassee has been training hard over the past twelve months and it has certainly been paying off. He's made the finals of every contest he's entered and has gone on to win over half of them too!
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SM Arthur Lassee effortlessly appears to levitate above the wave, such is his level of talent.
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So on his current form, we should be seeing plenty more of Arthur over the coming months and certainly he's going to be a name to look for in the future!
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Back at Bourdaines, the locals weren't the only ones trying to get the most out of the surf on offer. Some of the Jersey crew had also popped over in the hope of finding waves better than off their own island shores.
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Finlay Clayton releases those fins off his backhand.
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SM Dan Wickens rips apart a fun left hand peak at L'Albret.
However, the mainland Brits who'd popped over for a taste of what summer's supposed to be like had found themselves a fun uncrowded peak a few miles north of the Hossegor area itself at L'Albret plage.
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The Wickens brothers from Constantine in Cornwall had popped over for a week away from the rain and wind typical to a Bank Holiday in Britain and weren't at all disappointed with the warmth and waves that they found back in France.
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Cam Wickens airing with ease off the fun punchy French waves.
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The Goss Rip Curl sponsored Dan, the younger of the brothers, was seriously ripping on the fun left hander that they'd discovered just down from their campsite and it was easy to see why the surf company giant had snapped up this talented teen rider.
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Dan Wickens wafting out some spray on the fun French waves.
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Yet older brother Cam, sponsored by European clothing giant Protest, wasn't letting his younger brother steel all the limelight and so suddenly decided to find a hidden talent for taking to the air, one which he exploited to the max while the lens was there to snap it all up!
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Cam Wickens had his airs well and truly tweaked by the end of the week!
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The Goss Still both the Wickens had more than their fair share of fun lefts and it was amazing how just a week surfing decent quality continental waves had a significant effect on the quality of each of their surfing. No doubt they will be back over again next summer for much more of the same!
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Dan Wickens loving the lefts as big brother, Cam looks over his shoulder.
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Finally fellow Brit and Surfing GB Junior team member Miles Lee-Hargreaves had also chosen to head down to Hossegor for a couple of weeks. But for him this was no holiday as his sponsor Billabong had some big plans for their team rider.
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Miles Lee-Hargreaves was another Brit abroad honing his aerial techniques.
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So two weeks centred in Hossegor saw Miles given some top training from the Billabong team coaches before gaining some useful insight into the intricate daily workings of a global surf company giant.
Miles Lee-Hargreaves makes a tidy grab off a punt at Le Penon.
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It's obvious that with such solid support from his key sponsor, Miles's surfing career is in safe hands so expect to see much, much more of this south coast shredder in the years to come!
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Miles Lee-Hargreaves carves his way through Hossegor's waves.
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Of course by now Hossegor will be welcoming its usual summer crowds, waves may well become a luxury as the summer high pressures dominate the Atlantic but there'll still be plenty worth seeing both in and out of the water. So if you're heading down that way over the next few months then enjoy all that this European surfing playground has to offer!
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STOP PRESS
Luis Eyre, current UK Pro Junior Champion, has just reached the final of the second event on the ASP European Pro Junior tour giving him a significant boost to his current ranking and leaving him as top Brit on the tour at this stage of the tour. All eyes will now remain on Luis for the remainder of the tour as it moves to Spain before returning to France for the finale in Lacanau. So here at Surphang we're stoked for our first cover boy and hope he can go all the way!!
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Luis Eyre and his trademark air reverse at Sopelana last year.
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T H E
G A L L E R Y Francisco Alves chucks out a massive fan of spray at Sopelana. Photo: Stu Gaston
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Appleton in lay back. SM Diogo Photo: Stu Gaston
Joao Kopke and his powerful backhand. Photo: Stu Gaston
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T H E
G A L L E R Y Francisco Alves carving in Northern Spain. Photo: Stu Gaston
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Alex Iriondo releases his fins at Sopelana. Photo: Stu Gaston
Ethan Egiguren mid air reverse at Sopelana. Photo: Stu Gaston
Lewis Leadbetter punting. Photo: Stu Gaston
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T H E
G A L L E R Y Luis Eyre doing what he does best. Photo: Stu Gaston
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Stu Campbell mid air at Sopelana. Photo: Stu Gaston
Kevin Bourez in a perfect wave-top balance. Photo: Stu Gaston
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Surphang Magazine
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Willy Aliotti takes flight at South Fistral. How will he find his return journey this year as he takes on some serious surfing stars at the Boardmasters? Only time will tell! Photo: Stu Gaston
Next Issue Well that's six issues down so it's time to take a summer break! In the meantime, there's the Boardmasters event in Newquay that will bring some serious surfing talent to our shores at the start of August. Then a jaunt across the channel will see that similar level of talent take on the fun French peaks of Lacanau. And if that wasn't all enough, the end of August will see us all glued to our screens to watch the Billabong Pro at Teahupoo. So there's plenty to keep you all busy while we're gone but we'll be back in late September, bigger and better than ever! Watch this space!
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Thanks for reading the Sixth issue of
Surphang Magazine