Emerald Odyssey from Dillon Chang on Vimeo.
Surf Photo Friday - Role Models, Why They Still Matter
I opened the app to discover today's offerings---selfies, bikini photos, over-exaggerated poses, pets, last night's party pics---lined up like a never ending train of visual dominoes, same, same, and more of the same. But here's something, a group photo on Matt Biolos' Instagram.
"Big Thanks to @xococoho for coming down this morning and spending time with the girls from @shorecliffs_surf club. They were extremely pumped. You, Miss Coco, are a role model."
Seeing the bright faces and shiny smiles brought me back to being a young surfer myself. I was suddenly transported back to a day when I foolishly bumped rails with Shaun Tomson (while we were both sitting on our boards at Rincon). He could have called me an idiot, but he didn't. He smiled instead and I was an even bigger fan than before. I'll never forget the day, just as these young surfers will always remember the morning Coco Ho visited their local break and surfed with them before school.
Role models matter, more so today than ever before. Sexiest this, hottest that, Top 10 lists on every body part imaginable---I can't imagine what goes through the minds of young kids navigating a world where fame trumps everything else. False heroes with purchased social media followers and brain cell-killing reality shows are talked about ad nauseam while real heroes fly under the radar.
How many followers does your teacher have? Your doctor? Your local librarian? How about your parents or grandparents? While an educated guess would put their Klout scores in the single digits, their real life impact is immeasurable. They instruct, heal, love, and support us. In short, they're role models and often the most important people in our lives.
While the experiences of the surfing population are as varied as the sand on the beach, there's no single path that leads one toward becoming a person of influence. However, whether we're world champions or locals at the nearest beachbreak, it all starts with a warm smile, a word of encouragement, the sharing of a wave. With a good heart and generous spirit, we can all make a positive impact on those around us. Role models still matter---they always will.
Thank you for dropping by for another installment of Surf Photo Friday. Have a great weekend everyone ...and as always, thank you for your support of Jettygirl. Also, thank you to Matt Biolos for allowing us to share his photo for this week's feature.
Above: The photo says it all---100% pure stoke. When you're floating in the lineup, you see many things that don't get covered by magazines, aren't seen in photographs, and aren't really celebrated at all. A while back one of those special swing waves hit the lineup at Lowers. Kelly Slater was in position for a wave he clearly had his eyes on. The only other person nearby was a tiny little kid who was tentatively angling for the same wave. The World Champ gave the kid a quick nod, the grom quickened his paddling speed and was soon dropping into a beautiful 100-yard right. The moment won't be recorded in the halls of surf lore, but these small acts of kindness are what turn champions into legends.
Above: In one of my favorite post-heat photos, Brasil's Bruna Schmitz shares a smile with a couple of young fans.
Above: Courtney Conlogue poses with a group of kids who will no doubt remember the moment for the rest of their lives.
Photo courtesy of Matt Biolos
Previous Surf Photo Fridays | Surfing New Jersey's Polar Vortex Swells with the K Twins | Mele Saili and Hayden Lane, Cardiff Reef | Jill Manos Surfs the Freezing Water of Nova Scotia, Canada | Malia Ward, Chris Ward, & a Surf Photographer's Second Worst Nightmare | Chloe Buckley & the Tiny Five Hundred Dollar Wave | A Special Surf Session with Ashley Lloyd Thompson, Julie Cox, Alex Thompson, Chris Cuevas & Sheri Crummer | Kelly Nicely & the Pelican Session | Mary Osborne & Her Beloved 9'10" Cooperfish Single Fin | Kelia Moniz, Megan Godinez, Geodee Clark & Bruna Schmitz | Kamalehua Keohokapu | Claire Bevilacqua | Lulu Erkeneff | Alexa Frantz |Rebecca Woods | Silvana Lima | Alessa Quizon
Additional Resources:
Coco Ho on Instagram
Matt Biolos on Instagram
Shorecliffs Surf Team on Instagram
Kelly Slater on Instagram
Bruna Schmitz on Instagram
Courtney Conlogue on Instagram
* Like, tweet, post, pin, comment or whatever. Waves are meant to be shared.
Courtney Conlogue - Single Wave Thursday. One Ride, No Music, Just Surfing.
There are only seventeen surfers on the prestigious ASP Women's World Tour and lucky for us, world ranked #4, Courtney Conlogue, lives only an hour up the road from the Jettygirl office. While we don't get up to Orange County all that much, Courtney enjoys surfing some of our local breaks as is the case in the video below. On a morning that was actually a bit onshore and bumpy, Courtney consistently picked out the glassier gems where she proceeded to throw multiple hooks down the line. On this particular wave, as whitewater explodes on the outermost jetty, Courtney rifles off a couple of clean snaps before winding up for a massive fan off the closeout.
If you're like us and enjoy taking notes on how to improve your own surfing, one of the most important keys to Courtney's world class top turns is her commitment to the rail on her bottom turns. Leaning around sections will get you down the line but to throw eight feet of spray, it requires the type of leverage that results from deep, powerful arcs off the bottom. Try it next time you paddle out and see the difference a solid bottom turn will make. You may not be headed to the World Tour, but making it rain on your friends is pretty fun too! Thank you for the lessons, Courtney!
Film: Chris Grant | Sound: Pacific Ocean and a trusty Canon
camera
* To change the resolution to HD, click the little icon to the right of the clock on the YouTube player (you must hit the play arrow first to see the icons).
Previous Single Wave Thursdays: Justine Dupont | Silvana Lima | Courtney Conlogue | Erin Ashley | Brittani Nicholl | Alexa Frantz | Lindsay Steinriede
Additional Resources:
Courtney Conlogue - official Facebook page
Courtney Conlogue on Instagram
Courtney Conlogue on Twitter
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A few days into the 2013 Hurley Pro at Lowers, an official announcement was made from the booth declaring that the ASP Women's World Tour would be joining the men at the same event in 2014. Immediately, our hearts leapt with joy as one of our dreams over the years has been to see the women get the opportunity to surf a spot like Trestles in a World Tour competition. Within seconds of the announcement, Twitter, Facebook, and other social media outlets were buzzing with the news as posts were made from both fans and World Tour members alike.
In the warm-up sessions that took place in the days before this year's Hurley Pro, we had the opportunity to swim around with the world's best surfers from the Men's ASP World Tour. While we didn't hear every conversation going down, the topic we heard discussed most was how incredibly fun the waves at Lowers are. The lineup was crazy-competitive and ultra-crowded with everyone from Kelly Slater and Taj Burrow to ex-WCT'ers like Chris Ward who consistently picked off the best waves of the day. Floating in the channel with a camera, it felt like we were sitting at a surf movie witnessing the best that progressive surfing has to offer. Come 2014, the women will get in on it too.
If the swell cooperates at the event next September, we believe that the performances put on by the current members of the ASP Top 17 will be a watershed moment in women's professional surfing. There won't be hopping, groveling, or rolling the dice on which onshore peak to surf like some spots on the Tour schedule. Instead, there will be Lowers, a perfect pointbreak that's as close to high-performance heaven as we have in Southern California. The wave has something for every type of surfer on Tour and offers a canvas that is as equally friendly to the air game as it is to committed rail work.
Lowers is our favorite wave on the coast and we're so excited that the women will get the chance to surf it in 2014. We're not the only ones amping though. We asked a bunch surfers on the current ASP Women's World Tour to share their thoughts on the event and we also received feedback from some of the US mainland and Hawaii's best amateurs, many of whom hope to be joining the Tour themselves in the future. We'll step aside now and kick it off with our current World Champion, Carissa Moore.
"An event at Lowers for the women is such exciting news. It is such a high performance wave that I think will really suit the women and allow for next level surfing. It is so encouraging to see Hurley and the ASP make the effort to get us such an amazing venue for the 2014 season." - Carissa Moore instagram.com/rissmoore10
"The news of the Lowers event being locked in for our 2014 tour was really exciting to hear. With the talent level on the Women's World Tour at an all-time high, it is a perfect time to introduce a high performance wave like Trestles. It will be an awesome atmosphere to compete in alongside the Men's Tour event and I'm predicting that all the heats will be extremely close. I'm looking forward to putting together a great performance there. I can't wait for September to roll around again next year and give it everything I've got to lift the inaugural Hurley Pro Trestles trophy." - Sally Fitzgibbons instagram.com/sally_fitz
"I'm looking forward to surfing a location such as Lowers on the World Tour because it’s a wave that allows high performance progressive surfing. It’s a move in the right direction for the Women’s World Tour." - Courtney Conlogue instagram.com/courtneyconlogue
"Going into 2014 there are going to be a lot of positive changes for the Women's tour. That gave me motivation to want to re-qualify so I can be a part of such an awesome time for the sport of women's surfing. So far, I'm most excited about the added event at Trestles. Lowers is the skatepark of surfing and I'm looking forward to finally getting to compete again at that prestigious venue." - Malia Manuel instagram.com/maliamanuel
"I know there used to be a women's event at Trestles a long time ago. Ever since I knew that, I've been wishing that we would get it back and now it's here! I'm so thankful to still be on tour and to be able to get the chance to surf this fun, world class wave with one other lady in the water, eeek I'm getting excited just thinking about it!" - Paige Hareb instagram.com/paigehareb
"Too little too late for me as I won't be on your next year. But I am stoked to say that Trestles will definitely be one event I will tune into next year for the women. To be able to showcase their ability in actual waves instead of having tactical beach break conditions will be really exciting. Congrats to the ASP for getting that one on the schedule. Wish I could of hung on long enough to be there!" - Bec Woods instagram.com/becwoods
"I was so excited when I heard the news of Lowers! Next year is going to be my first year on tour and the timing could not have been better! I have surfed that wave a few times before and it is the most perfect wave! The crowd is insane, so just being out in the water with one other girl out is going to be so dreamy!" - Dimity Stoyle instagram.com/dimity
"Lowers is an incredible wave obviously and I am so so excited to compete there next year. It's going to be exciting for us to show everyone our best surfing in perfect waves. It's definitely a huge step forward in women's surfing." - Nikki van Dijk instagram.com/nikkivandijk
"The dream tour aptly named. It's a perfect wave, and the girls will be able to show their finest surfing!" - Johanne Defay instagram.com/johannedefay
"I heard rumors of Lowers being an upcoming event for the 2014 Women's World Tour when I was in France and Spain, and I was already freaking out about the rumor. When the ASP made the announcement I couldn't stop imagining how amazing it would be for the women to get to perform at such a perfect wave! The next thing I thought was this is definitely the next step to competitive surfing for women because Lowers is one of the most prestigious waves and it's a really big deal that the Hurley Pro wants to include women in the event! Many women on Tour will get a lot more publicity because of it!" - Tatiana Weston-Webb instagram.com/tatiwest
"I think it will be a great venue. Lowers is a world class wave, and you can pretty much count on it to produce swell. I think it gives the women a fair chance to demonstrate their talent and prove themselves. It's a great location, and I am really looking forward to watching the event. Hopefully one day I'll be right up there with them." - Nikki Viesins instagram.com/viesins
"I am overly excited to see that the women's tour has made its way to lowers. I have experienced heats there the past couple of years and it is one of the best places to have a contest. Lowers is such an amazing wave. The girls this year are so talented and I believe everyone has been waiting for this opportunity for them to surf such a rippable wave. Hopefully one day I will get the chance to join them!" - Tia Blanco instagram.com/tiablanco
"When I heard about the new World Tour event for the Women at Lower Trestles, I was shocked. I think it’s amazing that they are holding it at a world-class wave, and it gets to show the truth of about women’s surfing. Over the years we’ve been less prioritized and we should be treated as one with the boys, because every woman out there has the potential to do a man's job. If there's an amateur event at Lowers, why isn't there a pro event? Lowers is a rippable wave, and I'm excited to see my favorite surfers be out there for next year's season, and hoping I get to surf in that event sometime in the future. I’ve won a couple of National Titles there, and hoping to win a World Tour event at that same spot." - Mahina Maeda instagram.com/mahinamaeda
"When I heard the news about the Women's tour having a stop at Lowers I was ecstatic! I couldn't really even believe it. Lowers is one of the most perfect waves in the world. In my opinion it's the closest thing to a wave pool! This event is going to show the true potential of all the women on the tour. Hopefully one day I'll be surfing in it! Thank you Hurley for the amazing opportunity for the women. They're going to prove themselves ;)" - Dax McGill instagram.com/dax_mcgill
"I think the Women's World Tour coming to Lowers is something that has taken too long to happen! Everyone loves watching the guys shred one of the best waves in Southern California, but it's only fair to let the girls have their fair share of fun too! I'm stoked to see that girl surfers are getting more opportunities just like the boys." - Kylie Loveland instagram.com/kylieloveland
"I think that it's an amazing opportunity for the girls to really show off their competition strategies and skills. And it also represents the growth and uprising of women's surfing. I believe Lowers is a magical wave that will bring out the most talent in a contest and it is a big step for women's surfing to be a part of that." - Malia Ward instagram.com/malia_ward
Final Note: Thank you to the ASP, Paul Speaker, Jessi Miley-Dyer, Pat O'Connell, Bob Hurley, the Hurley brand, IMG, California State Parks and whoever else played an integral part in taking the ASP Women's World Tour to Trestles next year. With this move you have fulfilled dreams and undoubtedly stoked the imaginations of young athletes the world over who will get to witness the best female surfers competing in a truly, world-class venue.
Photos: Chris Grant / Jettygirl.com | Photo of Carissa Moore © Red Bull Media House
Hurley Winchester Wool Jacket - Fitted military jacket with removable hood. Houndstooth pattern with Hurley logo embroidery. Double breasted.
More in The Store >>
* Like, tweet, post, pin, comment or whatever. Waves are meant to be shared.
"An event at Lowers for the women is such exciting news. It is such a high performance wave that I think will really suit the women and allow for next level surfing. It is so encouraging to see Hurley and the ASP make the effort to get us such an amazing venue for the 2014 season." - Carissa Moore instagram.com/rissmoore10
"The news of the Lowers event being locked in for our 2014 tour was really exciting to hear. With the talent level on the Women's World Tour at an all-time high, it is a perfect time to introduce a high performance wave like Trestles. It will be an awesome atmosphere to compete in alongside the Men's Tour event and I'm predicting that all the heats will be extremely close. I'm looking forward to putting together a great performance there. I can't wait for September to roll around again next year and give it everything I've got to lift the inaugural Hurley Pro Trestles trophy." - Sally Fitzgibbons instagram.com/sally_fitz
"I'm looking forward to surfing a location such as Lowers on the World Tour because it’s a wave that allows high performance progressive surfing. It’s a move in the right direction for the Women’s World Tour." - Courtney Conlogue instagram.com/courtneyconlogue
"Going into 2014 there are going to be a lot of positive changes for the Women's tour. That gave me motivation to want to re-qualify so I can be a part of such an awesome time for the sport of women's surfing. So far, I'm most excited about the added event at Trestles. Lowers is the skatepark of surfing and I'm looking forward to finally getting to compete again at that prestigious venue." - Malia Manuel instagram.com/maliamanuel
"I know there used to be a women's event at Trestles a long time ago. Ever since I knew that, I've been wishing that we would get it back and now it's here! I'm so thankful to still be on tour and to be able to get the chance to surf this fun, world class wave with one other lady in the water, eeek I'm getting excited just thinking about it!" - Paige Hareb instagram.com/paigehareb
"Too little too late for me as I won't be on your next year. But I am stoked to say that Trestles will definitely be one event I will tune into next year for the women. To be able to showcase their ability in actual waves instead of having tactical beach break conditions will be really exciting. Congrats to the ASP for getting that one on the schedule. Wish I could of hung on long enough to be there!" - Bec Woods instagram.com/becwoods
"I was so excited when I heard the news of Lowers! Next year is going to be my first year on tour and the timing could not have been better! I have surfed that wave a few times before and it is the most perfect wave! The crowd is insane, so just being out in the water with one other girl out is going to be so dreamy!" - Dimity Stoyle instagram.com/dimity
"Lowers is an incredible wave obviously and I am so so excited to compete there next year. It's going to be exciting for us to show everyone our best surfing in perfect waves. It's definitely a huge step forward in women's surfing." - Nikki van Dijk instagram.com/nikkivandijk
"The dream tour aptly named. It's a perfect wave, and the girls will be able to show their finest surfing!" - Johanne Defay instagram.com/johannedefay
"I heard rumors of Lowers being an upcoming event for the 2014 Women's World Tour when I was in France and Spain, and I was already freaking out about the rumor. When the ASP made the announcement I couldn't stop imagining how amazing it would be for the women to get to perform at such a perfect wave! The next thing I thought was this is definitely the next step to competitive surfing for women because Lowers is one of the most prestigious waves and it's a really big deal that the Hurley Pro wants to include women in the event! Many women on Tour will get a lot more publicity because of it!" - Tatiana Weston-Webb instagram.com/tatiwest
"I think it will be a great venue. Lowers is a world class wave, and you can pretty much count on it to produce swell. I think it gives the women a fair chance to demonstrate their talent and prove themselves. It's a great location, and I am really looking forward to watching the event. Hopefully one day I'll be right up there with them." - Nikki Viesins instagram.com/viesins
"I am overly excited to see that the women's tour has made its way to lowers. I have experienced heats there the past couple of years and it is one of the best places to have a contest. Lowers is such an amazing wave. The girls this year are so talented and I believe everyone has been waiting for this opportunity for them to surf such a rippable wave. Hopefully one day I will get the chance to join them!" - Tia Blanco instagram.com/tiablanco
"When I heard about the new World Tour event for the Women at Lower Trestles, I was shocked. I think it’s amazing that they are holding it at a world-class wave, and it gets to show the truth of about women’s surfing. Over the years we’ve been less prioritized and we should be treated as one with the boys, because every woman out there has the potential to do a man's job. If there's an amateur event at Lowers, why isn't there a pro event? Lowers is a rippable wave, and I'm excited to see my favorite surfers be out there for next year's season, and hoping I get to surf in that event sometime in the future. I’ve won a couple of National Titles there, and hoping to win a World Tour event at that same spot." - Mahina Maeda instagram.com/mahinamaeda
"When I heard the news about the Women's tour having a stop at Lowers I was ecstatic! I couldn't really even believe it. Lowers is one of the most perfect waves in the world. In my opinion it's the closest thing to a wave pool! This event is going to show the true potential of all the women on the tour. Hopefully one day I'll be surfing in it! Thank you Hurley for the amazing opportunity for the women. They're going to prove themselves ;)" - Dax McGill instagram.com/dax_mcgill
"I think the Women's World Tour coming to Lowers is something that has taken too long to happen! Everyone loves watching the guys shred one of the best waves in Southern California, but it's only fair to let the girls have their fair share of fun too! I'm stoked to see that girl surfers are getting more opportunities just like the boys." - Kylie Loveland instagram.com/kylieloveland
"I think that it's an amazing opportunity for the girls to really show off their competition strategies and skills. And it also represents the growth and uprising of women's surfing. I believe Lowers is a magical wave that will bring out the most talent in a contest and it is a big step for women's surfing to be a part of that." - Malia Ward instagram.com/malia_ward
Final Note: Thank you to the ASP, Paul Speaker, Jessi Miley-Dyer, Pat O'Connell, Bob Hurley, the Hurley brand, IMG, California State Parks and whoever else played an integral part in taking the ASP Women's World Tour to Trestles next year. With this move you have fulfilled dreams and undoubtedly stoked the imaginations of young athletes the world over who will get to witness the best female surfers competing in a truly, world-class venue.
Photos: Chris Grant / Jettygirl.com | Photo of Carissa Moore © Red Bull Media House
Hurley Winchester Wool Jacket - Fitted military jacket with removable hood. Houndstooth pattern with Hurley logo embroidery. Double breasted.
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* Like, tweet, post, pin, comment or whatever. Waves are meant to be shared.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) North America
Vans US Open of Surfing
ASP Women’s World Championship Tour Event
ASP Men’s Prime Rated Event
ASP Men’s and Women’s 4-Star Pro Junior
Huntington Beach, California, USA
July 20 – 28, 2013
Carissa Moore Wins Vans US Open of Surfing, Takes ASP WCT Rankings Lead
Pictured: Carissa Moore (HAW), 20, your Vans US Open of Surfing Champion and current ASP WCT No. 1. Credit: ASP/ROWLAND
HUNTINGTON BEACH, California/USA (Sunday, July 28, 2013) - Carissa Moore (HAW), 20, has won the Vans US Open of Surfing over local favorite Courtney Conlogue (USA), 20, in peaky one-to-three foot (1 metre) waves at Huntington Beach Pier, taking the No. 1 position on the ASP Women’s World Title Race.
Stop No. 6 of 8 on the 2013 ASP Women’s World Championship Tour (WCT), the Vans US Open of Surfing plays both a crucial role in deciding the 2013 Women’s World Champion and qualification for next season’s ASP Top 17.
Moore got off to a dominant start in her final clash, earning an 8.17 and 7.83 to launch out to an early lead. The talented Hawaiian would hold on to the win despite a late-heat rampage from Conlogue, solidifying her third ASP Women’s WCT event win this year.
“To be honest I’m a little shocked right now because I thought Courtney (Conlogue) won when the crowd erupted on that last wave,” Moore said. “I let her go and I had priority and it was a bad decision, but I’m stoked that it worked out in my favor. I was happy to be in the final and Courtney’s in the title race and I had fun, but I was definitely nervous at the end of that heat. It’s such an honor to win this event in front of this big crowd. I feel amazing!”
Conlogue put in an amazing showing in front of her hometown crowd, besting then ratings’ leader Tyler Wright (AUS), 19, in the Semifinals. The regular-footer would fight hard to surpass Moore in the back half of the heat with her best two rides coming in the last five minutes. Unfortunately for the Californian, she was unable to surpass Moore’s opening heat efforts, finishing runner-up overall.
“It was definitely an amazing heat and Carissa (Moore), she’s been surfing really well,” Conlogue said. “With everyone screaming and the crowd on the pier I was definitely wanting to win. I was trying to be progressive and surfing the best that I could.”
Conlogue, who now sits at No 3 on the ASP Women’s WCT, is hoping to carry her momentum in to the final two events of the season in an attempt to rally for the 2013 ASP Women’s World Title.
“It feels really good to get second and I’m looking forward to going back to Europe,” Conlogue said. “Going to Hossegor is going to be exciting so it’s nice to get a result here and I’m looking forward to it.”
Tyler Wright (AUS), 19, was dominant throughout the Vans US Open of Surfing, earning her career-best result in Huntington Beach. The talented Australian’s run would end in the Semifinals, as she was stopped short by in-form local Courtney Conlogue, finishing equal 3rd overall.
“I did the best I could with what I had out there and Courtney (Conlogue) caught the best waves,” Wright said. “A 3rd is the best result I’ve ever had here at the US Open and I’m happy with that.”
Pauline Ado (FRA), 22, matched her career-best result and crucial points towards her requalification campaign with an equal 3rd place finish. Ado put in a stellar performance throughout the Vans US Open of Surfing, but was unable to surpass Moore in their Semifinals heat. Ado now sits No. 10 among the ASP Top 17 due to her efforts.
I’m a bit disappointed with my heat today,” Ado said. “I couldn’t find any good waves and feel like I didn’t surf my best, but I’m stoked on the result overall. I’ve had a great week at this event and a 3rd is putting me in a better position before the last two events in Europe.”
For Vans US Open of Surfing highlights log on to www.vansusopenofsurfing.com.
VANS US OPEN OF SURFING WOMEN’S FINAL RESULT:
1 - Carissa Moore (HAW) 16.00
2 - Courtney Conlogue (USA) 15.27
VANS US OPEN OF SURFING WOMEN’S SEMIFINALS RESULTS:
SF 1: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 16.07 def. Tyler Wright (AUS) 11.33
SF 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) 14.70 def. Pauline Ado (FRA) 10.23
ASP Women's WCT Top 5 Following the Vans US Open:
1 - Carissa Moore (HAW) 48,200 points
2 - Tyler Wright (AUS) 46,500 points
3 - Courtney Conlogue (USA) 40,100 points
4 - Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 39,400 points
5 - Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 30,450 points
* Like, tweet, post, pin, comment or whatever. Waves are meant to be shared.
Pictured: Carissa Moore (HAW), 20, your Vans US Open of Surfing Champion and current ASP WCT No. 1. Credit: ASP/ROWLAND
HUNTINGTON BEACH, California/USA (Sunday, July 28, 2013) - Carissa Moore (HAW), 20, has won the Vans US Open of Surfing over local favorite Courtney Conlogue (USA), 20, in peaky one-to-three foot (1 metre) waves at Huntington Beach Pier, taking the No. 1 position on the ASP Women’s World Title Race.
Stop No. 6 of 8 on the 2013 ASP Women’s World Championship Tour (WCT), the Vans US Open of Surfing plays both a crucial role in deciding the 2013 Women’s World Champion and qualification for next season’s ASP Top 17.
Moore got off to a dominant start in her final clash, earning an 8.17 and 7.83 to launch out to an early lead. The talented Hawaiian would hold on to the win despite a late-heat rampage from Conlogue, solidifying her third ASP Women’s WCT event win this year.
“To be honest I’m a little shocked right now because I thought Courtney (Conlogue) won when the crowd erupted on that last wave,” Moore said. “I let her go and I had priority and it was a bad decision, but I’m stoked that it worked out in my favor. I was happy to be in the final and Courtney’s in the title race and I had fun, but I was definitely nervous at the end of that heat. It’s such an honor to win this event in front of this big crowd. I feel amazing!”
Conlogue put in an amazing showing in front of her hometown crowd, besting then ratings’ leader Tyler Wright (AUS), 19, in the Semifinals. The regular-footer would fight hard to surpass Moore in the back half of the heat with her best two rides coming in the last five minutes. Unfortunately for the Californian, she was unable to surpass Moore’s opening heat efforts, finishing runner-up overall.
“It was definitely an amazing heat and Carissa (Moore), she’s been surfing really well,” Conlogue said. “With everyone screaming and the crowd on the pier I was definitely wanting to win. I was trying to be progressive and surfing the best that I could.”
Conlogue, who now sits at No 3 on the ASP Women’s WCT, is hoping to carry her momentum in to the final two events of the season in an attempt to rally for the 2013 ASP Women’s World Title.
“It feels really good to get second and I’m looking forward to going back to Europe,” Conlogue said. “Going to Hossegor is going to be exciting so it’s nice to get a result here and I’m looking forward to it.”
Tyler Wright (AUS), 19, was dominant throughout the Vans US Open of Surfing, earning her career-best result in Huntington Beach. The talented Australian’s run would end in the Semifinals, as she was stopped short by in-form local Courtney Conlogue, finishing equal 3rd overall.
“I did the best I could with what I had out there and Courtney (Conlogue) caught the best waves,” Wright said. “A 3rd is the best result I’ve ever had here at the US Open and I’m happy with that.”
Pauline Ado (FRA), 22, matched her career-best result and crucial points towards her requalification campaign with an equal 3rd place finish. Ado put in a stellar performance throughout the Vans US Open of Surfing, but was unable to surpass Moore in their Semifinals heat. Ado now sits No. 10 among the ASP Top 17 due to her efforts.
I’m a bit disappointed with my heat today,” Ado said. “I couldn’t find any good waves and feel like I didn’t surf my best, but I’m stoked on the result overall. I’ve had a great week at this event and a 3rd is putting me in a better position before the last two events in Europe.”
For Vans US Open of Surfing highlights log on to www.vansusopenofsurfing.com.
VANS US OPEN OF SURFING WOMEN’S FINAL RESULT:
1 - Carissa Moore (HAW) 16.00
2 - Courtney Conlogue (USA) 15.27
VANS US OPEN OF SURFING WOMEN’S SEMIFINALS RESULTS:
SF 1: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 16.07 def. Tyler Wright (AUS) 11.33
SF 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) 14.70 def. Pauline Ado (FRA) 10.23
ASP Women's WCT Top 5 Following the Vans US Open:
1 - Carissa Moore (HAW) 48,200 points
2 - Tyler Wright (AUS) 46,500 points
3 - Courtney Conlogue (USA) 40,100 points
4 - Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 39,400 points
5 - Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 30,450 points
* Like, tweet, post, pin, comment or whatever. Waves are meant to be shared.
FORD SUPERGIRL PRO FACTS
Background:
For the past 7 years, the Supergirl Jam Series has been the only large-scale all-girls action sports competition and lifestyle series. Developed as a celebration of female empowerment, the Supergirl Jam features the top female athletes in skateboarding, surfing, and snowboarding competing as well as a variety of girl-power activities at three events.
Date/Venue:
August 2-4, 2013 at the Oceanside Pier in Oceanside, CA
TV Coverage:
Six (6) hours of national television coverage on Fox Sports Net (FSN)
Digital:
The event will be live streamed across several action sports and surfing web sites. In addition, clips from the event will be distributed to a number of industry and general market sites.
Attendance:
25,000
Talent:
One Hundred (100) of the world's top female pros will compete in the largest field of any female surfing event in the world. Some of the world-class pros expected to appear include Carissa Moore, Coco Ho, Courtney Conlogue, Lakey Peterson, Malia Manuel, Alana Blanchard, Laura Enever, Sage Erickson, Sofia Mulanovich, Paige Hareb, Bethany Hamilton and many more.
History:
2013 is the 7th year of the Supergirl Jam series.
Sanction:
The event is part of the ASP World Tour and will be the only 6-Star Women's event in North America.
Festival:
Includes a surf industry and sustainability village, live music, seminars, yoga, fashion, fitness, autographs from the pros, free hair styling by Paul Mitchell, and other female-oriented activities.
Cause Partner:
The event supports several eco-awareness and women's organizations, such as the Surfrider Foundation, Girls Inc, and Boarding 4 Breast Cancer.
* Like, tweet, post, pin, comment or whatever. Waves are meant to be shared.
If you're on Instagram and enjoy checking out surf photos of your favorite female surfers, we'd be honored if you followed ours at http://www.instagram.com/jettygirlsurfmag. In addition, we'll be featuring a few giveaways through our feed in the next couple of weeks and we'd be stoked if you joined up so we could keep you posted as details unfold.
Surfers pictured (in no particular order): Harley Taich, Sally Fitzgibbons, Malia Ward, Erin Ashley, Margaux Arramon-Tucoo, Anastasia Ashley, Cori Schumacher, Alize Arnaud, Kylie Loveland, Shea Hodges, Jenni Flanigan, Chloe Buckley, Reika Noro, Steffi Kerson, Kyla Langen, Stephanie Schechter, Kaley Swift, Megan Godinez, Claire Bevilacqua, Bianca Buitendag, Lauren Sweeney, Alexa Frantz, Kelsey Harris, Mallory Eberlin, and Courtney Conlogue.
Surfers pictured (in no particular order): Harley Taich, Sally Fitzgibbons, Malia Ward, Erin Ashley, Margaux Arramon-Tucoo, Anastasia Ashley, Cori Schumacher, Alize Arnaud, Kylie Loveland, Shea Hodges, Jenni Flanigan, Chloe Buckley, Reika Noro, Steffi Kerson, Kyla Langen, Stephanie Schechter, Kaley Swift, Megan Godinez, Claire Bevilacqua, Bianca Buitendag, Lauren Sweeney, Alexa Frantz, Kelsey Harris, Mallory Eberlin, and Courtney Conlogue. A sampling of surf photos from Jettygirl's Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram feeds. Have a great weekend everyone 🙂
Erin Ashley - Photo: Chris Grant / Jettygirl.com
Low tide hues of green and blue. Erin Ashley.
Bruna Schmitz - Photo: Chris Grant / Jettygirl.com
Do a Google search for Bruna Schmitz and you'll be wading through well over one hundred images before you get to a single photo of her surfing. This fact may be hidden from the general web searcher but her fins-free blasts are equally beautiful.
Ornella Pellizzari - Photo: Chris Grant / Jettygirl.com
I'm not sure if they had jack-in-the-box toys in Argentina when she was growing up but my favorite human version is Ornella Pellizzari. By far.
Dimity Stoyle - Photo: Chris Grant / Jettygirl.com
Dear Surf Industry,
You missed one.
The girl on the virtually sticker-less purple board is one of the best surfers I've ever seen. If you don't believe me, believe the legendary Jay Adams who I could hear whistling loudly after the first wave of her session featured a huge hook, a fins-free blast, a clean roundhouse, and a solid frontside air.
Next time you're calculating budgets and going over pie charts for your lifestyle surfers, perhaps you can carve out a slice for a surfer who actually blows minds instead of kisses.
Sincerely,
A fan of Dimity Stoyle
Kamalehua Keohokapu - Photo: Chris Grant / Jettygirl.com
When surfing is broken down to its simplest form, the common denominator we all share is that it's fun, pure fun. Facing an onshore closeout, this happy Hawaiian chucked her board up and jumped over the falls with an aloha-filled smile that warmed this particular photographer's heart. At this 1/1000th of a second in world history, the true meaning of surfing was never clearer. Kamalehua Keohokapu, surfer.
Courtney Conlogue - Photo: Chris Grant / Jettygirl.com
Today I was able to shoot with one of Transworld SURF's Hottest Girls in Pro Surfing. Had I known of the honor bestowed upon her by making the list, I certainly would have offered my congratulations. Then again, when stacked up against her drive and training for a world title, her amazing painting skills, her deep love of books, her selfless desire to help out with charitable causes, and the absolutely professional way she carries out her duties as an athlete and role model, I don't think the "hottest girl" thing would rank very high on her list of accomplishments.
Courtney Conlogue, turning heads in a way that any true surfer can appreciate, by laying down a solid turn on a solid wave.
Erin Ashley - Photo: Chris Grant / Jettygirl.com
Low tide hues of green and blue. Erin Ashley.
Bruna Schmitz - Photo: Chris Grant / Jettygirl.com
Do a Google search for Bruna Schmitz and you'll be wading through well over one hundred images before you get to a single photo of her surfing. This fact may be hidden from the general web searcher but her fins-free blasts are equally beautiful.
Ornella Pellizzari - Photo: Chris Grant / Jettygirl.com
I'm not sure if they had jack-in-the-box toys in Argentina when she was growing up but my favorite human version is Ornella Pellizzari. By far.
Dimity Stoyle - Photo: Chris Grant / Jettygirl.com
Dear Surf Industry,
You missed one.
The girl on the virtually sticker-less purple board is one of the best surfers I've ever seen. If you don't believe me, believe the legendary Jay Adams who I could hear whistling loudly after the first wave of her session featured a huge hook, a fins-free blast, a clean roundhouse, and a solid frontside air.
Next time you're calculating budgets and going over pie charts for your lifestyle surfers, perhaps you can carve out a slice for a surfer who actually blows minds instead of kisses.
Sincerely,
A fan of Dimity Stoyle
Kamalehua Keohokapu - Photo: Chris Grant / Jettygirl.com
When surfing is broken down to its simplest form, the common denominator we all share is that it's fun, pure fun. Facing an onshore closeout, this happy Hawaiian chucked her board up and jumped over the falls with an aloha-filled smile that warmed this particular photographer's heart. At this 1/1000th of a second in world history, the true meaning of surfing was never clearer. Kamalehua Keohokapu, surfer.
Courtney Conlogue - Photo: Chris Grant / Jettygirl.com
Today I was able to shoot with one of Transworld SURF's Hottest Girls in Pro Surfing. Had I known of the honor bestowed upon her by making the list, I certainly would have offered my congratulations. Then again, when stacked up against her drive and training for a world title, her amazing painting skills, her deep love of books, her selfless desire to help out with charitable causes, and the absolutely professional way she carries out her duties as an athlete and role model, I don't think the "hottest girl" thing would rank very high on her list of accomplishments.
Courtney Conlogue, turning heads in a way that any true surfer can appreciate, by laying down a solid turn on a solid wave.
A couple of weeks back, young California surfer Courtney Conlogue dropped by our local surf spot to put a few of her favorite surfboards through their paces. On this fun little right, punctuated at the beginning and end with the Harbor's fog horns, Courtney launches and lands a smooth frontside air. Single Wave Thursday. One ride, no music, just surfing.
* To change the resolution to HD, click the little icon to the left of the clock on the YouTube screen (you must hit the play arrow first to see the icons) ...HD is the best way to watch Single Wave Thursdays on Jettygirl.
Additional Resources: Courtney Conlogue on Facebook
Follow Courtney Conlogue on Twitter
Courtney Conlogue's Instagram
Stamps Surfboards - surf the same boards Courtney rides!
Courtney Conlogue's surf team profile page on Billabong Girls USA
Previous Single Wave Thursdays: Erin Ashley | Brittani Nicholl | Alexa Frantz | Lindsay Steinriede
Like, tweet, post or whatever. Waves are meant to be shared.
Additional Resources:
Courtney Conlogue on Facebook
Follow Courtney Conlogue on Twitter
Courtney Conlogue's Instagram
Stamps Surfboards - surf the same boards Courtney rides!
Courtney Conlogue's surf team profile page on Billabong Girls USA
Previous Single Wave Thursdays: Erin Ashley | Brittani Nicholl | Alexa Frantz | Lindsay Steinriede
Like, tweet, post or whatever. Waves are meant to be shared.
For Immediate Release
Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) International
ASP Top 17 Surfers Determined for 2013 ASP Women's World Championship Tour
COOLANGATTA, Queensland/Australia (Monday, October 1, 2012) – With the culmination of the women’s qualifying season, ending with the ASP 6-Star SATA Airlines Azores Pro last weekend, the ASP Top 17 have been confirmed for 2013.
The 2013 ASP Top 17 will be comprised of the top 10 finishers on the 2012 ASP Women’s World Championship Tour (WCT) rankings, the next six finishers from ASP Women’s World Rankings and the ASP Wildcard.
The 2012 ASP Women’s World Championship Tour, won by now-reigning five-time ASP Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 24, and ending in August at the Nike US Open of Surfing, ranked surfers based off their best six results from seven events.
TOP 10 QUALIFIERS FROM 2012 ASP WOMEN’S WCT RANKINGS:
- Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
- Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
- Carissa Moore (HAW)
- Tyler Wright (AUS)
- Courtney Conlogue (USA)
- Malia Manuel (HAW)
- Lakey Peterson (USA)
- Laura Enever (AUS)
- Coco Ho (HAW)
- Paige Hareb (NZL)
Full 2012 ASP Women’s WCT rankings can be found HERE
The ASP Women’s World Rankings rate surfers based on their top five results for the 2012 season from all ASP Star events.
TOP 6 QUALIFIERS FROM ASP WOMEN’S WORLD RANKING:
- Sage Erickson (USA)
- Bianca Buitentag (ZAF)
- Pauline Ado (FRA)
- Rebecca Woods (AUS)
- Alana Blanchard (HAW)
- Sofia Mulanovich (PER)
Full ASP Women’s World Rankings can be found HERE
The final position for the ASP Top 17 will be the ASP Wildcard, to be determined in the coming weeks.
The 2013 will first contest one another at the season-opening Roxy Pro Gold Coast next February.
For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com
COOLANGATTA, Queensland/Australia (Monday, October 1, 2012) – With the culmination of the women’s qualifying season, ending with the ASP 6-Star SATA Airlines Azores Pro last weekend, the ASP Top 17 have been confirmed for 2013.
The 2013 ASP Top 17 will be comprised of the top 10 finishers on the 2012 ASP Women’s World Championship Tour (WCT) rankings, the next six finishers from ASP Women’s World Rankings and the ASP Wildcard.
The 2012 ASP Women’s World Championship Tour, won by now-reigning five-time ASP Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 24, and ending in August at the Nike US Open of Surfing, ranked surfers based off their best six results from seven events.
TOP 10 QUALIFIERS FROM 2012 ASP WOMEN’S WCT RANKINGS:
- Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
- Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
- Carissa Moore (HAW)
- Tyler Wright (AUS)
- Courtney Conlogue (USA)
- Malia Manuel (HAW)
- Lakey Peterson (USA)
- Laura Enever (AUS)
- Coco Ho (HAW)
- Paige Hareb (NZL)
Full 2012 ASP Women’s WCT rankings can be found HERE
The ASP Women’s World Rankings rate surfers based on their top five results for the 2012 season from all ASP Star events.
TOP 6 QUALIFIERS FROM ASP WOMEN’S WORLD RANKING:
- Sage Erickson (USA)
- Bianca Buitentag (ZAF)
- Pauline Ado (FRA)
- Rebecca Woods (AUS)
- Alana Blanchard (HAW)
- Sofia Mulanovich (PER)
Full ASP Women’s World Rankings can be found HERE
The final position for the ASP Top 17 will be the ASP Wildcard, to be determined in the coming weeks.
The 2013 will first contest one another at the season-opening Roxy Pro Gold Coast next February.
For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) North America
Sage Erickson Claims ASP 6-Star Cabreiroa Pantin Classic Pro
Sage Erickson (USA), 21, on the road to victory at the Cabreiroa Pantin Classic in Spain. Credit: ASP/AQUASHOT
HUNTINGTON BEACH, California/USA (Sunday, September 16, 2012) – Sage Erickson (Ventura, CA), 21, has won her second consecutive Women’s ASP 6-Star event, claiming the Cabreiroa Pantin Classic Pro over European standout Alizee Arnaud (FRA), 22, in clean three-to-four foot (1 metre) waves to take the No. 1 position on the women’s ASP World Ranking.
Erickson was a st andout throughout the entirety of the Spanish event and displayed an impressive repertoire of backhand combinations on the running lefthanders of Playa De Pantin to secure her position atop the podium.
“This victory feels amazing, coming from California with a win and having so much support there and then coming here and you know the Spanish are so welcoming and their cheers have motivated me throughout the event. I’ve just been thanking God every heat, it’s been challenging conditions and he’s kind of helped me with my wave selection, so I’m just so grateful and excited to be back at number one!”
Erickson, who was responsible for several of the event’s highest scores, wasted little time in the final and built momentum in her run for the crown which culminated in a one-sided affair of Erickson’s 16.10 heat total to Arnaud’s 9.83 (both out of a possible 20).
“I’ve noticed great competitive surfers, they’ll start their heat strong with some good waves, so I think I just counted on having a quick start and then to build momentum throughout, not be chasing the scores but rather posting them early on.”
The Ventura native’s second major win marks a third consecutive standout performance among the world’s best female surfers which began at the Nike US Open of Surfing where Erickson finished equal 5th while defeating reigning ASP Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 24. While Erickson failed to requalify for elite competition via the ASP Women’s WCT on her rookie year, her previous win in Oceanside, California coupled with her victory at the Cabreiroa Pantin Classic vaults her to the No. 1 position on the ASP Women’s World Ranking over fellow Californian Courtney Conlogue (USA), 19, to secure her position on the ASP WCT for 2013.
“Courtney is such an amazing competit or and a dear dear friend in California, and you know to be in that number one spot in the World Qualifying series is so amazing. The group of women is so prestigious and to be on top feels amazing! This is my third year coming to Pantin and it’s been an amazing experience, there’s so much natural beauty here and where I’ve been staying the people have been so welcoming and that’s been wonderful. I love Pantin and Europe and I’m so happy to finally win here!”
Erickson will compete again at the ASP 6-Star EDP Surf Pro Estoril in Lisbon, Portugal from September 21 – 23, 2012.
For highlights of the Cabreiroa Pantin Classic Pro log on to pantin.aspeurope.com
For additional ASP information log on to www.aspworldtour.com or www.aspnorthamerica.org
Sage Erickson (USA), 21, on the road to victory at the Cabreiroa Pantin Classic in Spain. Credit: ASP/AQUASHOT
HUNTINGTON BEACH, California/USA (Sunday, September 16, 2012) – Sage Erickson (Ventura, CA), 21, has won her second consecutive Women’s ASP 6-Star event, claiming the Cabreiroa Pantin Classic Pro over European standout Alizee Arnaud (FRA), 22, in clean three-to-four foot (1 metre) waves to take the No. 1 position on the women’s ASP World Ranking.
Erickson was a st andout throughout the entirety of the Spanish event and displayed an impressive repertoire of backhand combinations on the running lefthanders of Playa De Pantin to secure her position atop the podium.
“This victory feels amazing, coming from California with a win and having so much support there and then coming here and you know the Spanish are so welcoming and their cheers have motivated me throughout the event. I’ve just been thanking God every heat, it’s been challenging conditions and he’s kind of helped me with my wave selection, so I’m just so grateful and excited to be back at number one!”
Erickson, who was responsible for several of the event’s highest scores, wasted little time in the final and built momentum in her run for the crown which culminated in a one-sided affair of Erickson’s 16.10 heat total to Arnaud’s 9.83 (both out of a possible 20).
“I’ve noticed great competitive surfers, they’ll start their heat strong with some good waves, so I think I just counted on having a quick start and then to build momentum throughout, not be chasing the scores but rather posting them early on.”
The Ventura native’s second major win marks a third consecutive standout performance among the world’s best female surfers which began at the Nike US Open of Surfing where Erickson finished equal 5th while defeating reigning ASP Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 24. While Erickson failed to requalify for elite competition via the ASP Women’s WCT on her rookie year, her previous win in Oceanside, California coupled with her victory at the Cabreiroa Pantin Classic vaults her to the No. 1 position on the ASP Women’s World Ranking over fellow Californian Courtney Conlogue (USA), 19, to secure her position on the ASP WCT for 2013.
“Courtney is such an amazing competit or and a dear dear friend in California, and you know to be in that number one spot in the World Qualifying series is so amazing. The group of women is so prestigious and to be on top feels amazing! This is my third year coming to Pantin and it’s been an amazing experience, there’s so much natural beauty here and where I’ve been staying the people have been so welcoming and that’s been wonderful. I love Pantin and Europe and I’m so happy to finally win here!”
Erickson will compete again at the ASP 6-Star EDP Surf Pro Estoril in Lisbon, Portugal from September 21 – 23, 2012.
For highlights of the Cabreiroa Pantin Classic Pro log on to pantin.aspeurope.com
For additional ASP information log on to www.aspworldtour.com or www.aspnorthamerica.org
Notes from the Sand:
Courtney Conlogue's Frontside Air in the Round of 24 Presented by InsuranceSurfers.com The Paul Mitchell Supergirl Pro was an incredible event to watch. It's unusual to have eighty of the world's best surfers descend on your local break at one time but for the week of the Supergirl Pro, that's exactly what happened. After the madness of the US Open at Huntington, the City of Oceanside provided a welcome relief for many of the pros and I heard that sentiment repeated continuously throughout the week. Although there were some funky winds here and there, the ocean delivered fun waves throughout the event and the performances were top notch. While it is important to cover the event's final results (Congratulations Sage and Paige!), we thought it would be fun to look at some of the "sidelights" that aren't necessarily reflected on the podium at the close of the event. We've titled this brief series "Notes from the Sand" and we knew straight off there was only one place to begin ...and that's with Courtney Conlogue's frontside air in the Round of 24. I was standing on the beach talking with the current women's Pipeline champ, Bianca Valenti, when Courtney took off on this right. Our hour and a half conversation suddenly became quiet as Courtney projected out of the lip and into the air. I would have normally bunched up all the whitewater photos together into a "she made it" collage but Courtney's determination to pull this off was so remarkable that I feel every frame should be shown. When she landed in the trough, she was completely laying down flat on her back for what seemed like an eternity. Even though Courtney disappeared into the foam, I kept shooting as I could tell she was going to put every stomach crunch she's ever done into good use and will herself to ride it out. She pulled it and the beach erupted. The judges responded quickly with a 9.70 for the one heavy move. Courtney's air marked her as the surfer to beat and ignited performances for the rest of the event. In the heats that followed, surfers were going way bigger than they were before and the feeling on the beach was electric. I know many believe that women's lifestyle coverage is more important to the industry than heat performances but on this day, throwing caution to the wind ruled the day. Frolicking for the lens is fine and it's a necessary part of marketing but watching an athlete unleash her training, skill and determination on an oncoming section will always bring this photographer to his feet. - Chris Grant
Additional Resources: Five Minutes with Courtney Conlogue
Courtney Conlogue on Jettygirl's YouTube Channel
Courtney Conlogue on Facebook
Follow Courtney Conlogue on Twitter
Courtney Conlogue's Frontside Air in the Round of 24 Presented by InsuranceSurfers.com The Paul Mitchell Supergirl Pro was an incredible event to watch. It's unusual to have eighty of the world's best surfers descend on your local break at one time but for the week of the Supergirl Pro, that's exactly what happened. After the madness of the US Open at Huntington, the City of Oceanside provided a welcome relief for many of the pros and I heard that sentiment repeated continuously throughout the week. Although there were some funky winds here and there, the ocean delivered fun waves throughout the event and the performances were top notch. While it is important to cover the event's final results (Congratulations Sage and Paige!), we thought it would be fun to look at some of the "sidelights" that aren't necessarily reflected on the podium at the close of the event. We've titled this brief series "Notes from the Sand" and we knew straight off there was only one place to begin ...and that's with Courtney Conlogue's frontside air in the Round of 24. I was standing on the beach talking with the current women's Pipeline champ, Bianca Valenti, when Courtney took off on this right. Our hour and a half conversation suddenly became quiet as Courtney projected out of the lip and into the air. I would have normally bunched up all the whitewater photos together into a "she made it" collage but Courtney's determination to pull this off was so remarkable that I feel every frame should be shown. When she landed in the trough, she was completely laying down flat on her back for what seemed like an eternity. Even though Courtney disappeared into the foam, I kept shooting as I could tell she was going to put every stomach crunch she's ever done into good use and will herself to ride it out. She pulled it and the beach erupted. The judges responded quickly with a 9.70 for the one heavy move. Courtney's air marked her as the surfer to beat and ignited performances for the rest of the event. In the heats that followed, surfers were going way bigger than they were before and the feeling on the beach was electric. I know many believe that women's lifestyle coverage is more important to the industry than heat performances but on this day, throwing caution to the wind ruled the day. Frolicking for the lens is fine and it's a necessary part of marketing but watching an athlete unleash her training, skill and determination on an oncoming section will always bring this photographer to his feet. - Chris Grant
Additional Resources:
Five Minutes with Courtney Conlogue
Courtney Conlogue on Jettygirl's YouTube Channel
Courtney Conlogue on Facebook
Follow Courtney Conlogue on Twitter