vancouver island

on thursday at 6 pm: barely one-foot lines at our rivermouth point – long, graceful, but deeply disappointing – calm atmospheric conditions, beneath mostly low cloud ceiling – estevan point, some 200 km up the coast (50km further than tofino), showed a nice 4 foot ridge last night on cam – a bit murky right now at 430 am – hurrah ! strong marine wind warning in effect at our straits mouth – winds southeast to 25 knots – please stay tuned ….

Parkinson Defeats Victorian Wildcard Robertson to Claim Rip Curl Pro

Joel Parkinson (AUS), 27, has claimed the 2009 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach presented by Snickers, Stop No. 2 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour. Photo: ASP/ CI/ SCHOLTZ via GETTY IMAGES

BELLS BEACH, Victoria (Friday, April 17, 2009) – Joel Parkinson (AUS), 27, has claimed the 2009 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach presented by Snickers, defeating fellow Finalist Adam Robertson (AUS), 26, trials winner and event wildcard, in pumping six-foot (2 metre) conditions at Bells Beach.

The second stop on the 2009 ASP World Tour, the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach enjoyed pristine conditions for the business end of competition, with capacity crowds turning up to watch the current ASP World No. 1 battle the local Victorian in a historic Final.

Today’s victory marks the second time Parkinson has hoisted the bell (the first being in 2004), and the reputation and acclaim associated with the iconic event is something every surfer dreams of.

“Winning at home is probably the most special win you can have but this is the most special trophy you can have,” Parkinson said. “There is not another trophy in surfing that holds the prestige and honor list that this has. To be back on the trophy again and to hold it for a year is going to be amazing.”

Parkinson’s win today makes it two for two thus far on the 2009 ASP World Tour ratings, cementing the stylish natural-footer’s place atop the ratings in the hunt for the ASP World Title.

“I took confidence from home and now from here I’ll take more,” Parkinson said. “People can get caught up in the whole world title race, but I always said I wanted start the year with some results – I just never thought I would start this well. There are a lot of really hungry, angry surfers that are behind me and will come out so strong in the next events. I’m just showing up to the next event with my same game plan and taking things step by step. I’ve said since the Gold Coast that the World Title is a marathon, not a sprint. There are still eight events.”

While Robertson opened up strong, it was Parkinson’s forehand flair and precision that saw the Gold Coaster net an impressive 17.40 out of a possible 20 heat total for the win.

“Robbo (Adam Robertson) and I were having a great time out there,” Parkinson said. “We were talking about what it takes to win and having a wonderful Final. I have to really pay Robbo a huge compliment because of his effort out here. For a wildcard and coming through the trials, he surfed so many heats, (I think nine) and what’s he accomplished is just so admirable.”

Robertson’s effort at the 2009 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach will go down in history, as the young natural-footer’s runner-up finish is the highest ever by a Victorian at the prestigious competition.

“I guess I just got on a roll in the heat against Bede (Durbidge) and the waves were really good and they suited me,” Robertson said. “I just had to roll with it and I am really happy with the result.”

Throughout the course of the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, Robertson went toe-to-toe with the world’s best surfers, eliminating Kekoa Bacalso (HAW), 23, Tom Whitaker (AUS), 29, Bede Durbidge (AUS), 25, among others in the process. Despite not having a major sponsor, Robertson’s nine-heat effort proved to all that he’s capable of world-class surfing

“It’s great, I feel good, I feel fit and I feel like I am surfing well,” Robertson said. “I just have to take that into the WQS (World Qualifying Series) now so that I can qualify for the ASP World Tour. The prize-money will help, but a little bit extra is always good, a bit of sponsorship. But that’s okay, it is really hard right now for a lot of people to get a sponsor, not just myself. My goal is just to go good and win prize money and keep going. I will just keep that mentality until someone comes along and if sponsorship doesn’t come along then I’ve just got to keep going good.”

Fredrick Patacchia (HAW), 27, secured an equal 3^rd at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach (his best finish to date) with no-nonsense power surfing on his backhand before going down to Robertson in the Semifinals. Despite failing to see a Finals berth, Patacchia’s stellar start to 2009 has him sitting No. 3 on the ASP World Tour ratings.

“I am totally stoked with my start to the year,” Patacchia said. “Being a backsider out here is difficult, but I have been watching guys like Occ (Mark Occhilupo) and Tom Carroll all my life and it just takes time to figure it out. It is tricky. It is one of those waves you can surf your whole life and still have a shocker.”

Jordy Smith (ZAF), 21, former ASP World Junior Champion and ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) No. 1, is into his second season on the ASP World Tour and today’s finish matched his best result. The powerful natural-footer went on a tear through today’s proceedings, eliminating former ASP World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS), 27, in the Quarterfinals before falling to eventual winner Parkinson in the Semifinals.

“This is the best result of my career so far,” Smith said. “I think it is equal with what I got at J-Bay as a wildcard. I can’t complain. I’ll maybe have a little fun tonight, a little party and celebrate with the winner. It has been pretty much good waves all week so I have been stoked to be down here. Congratulations to Joel (Parkinson), he made the Final and he surfed really well. I think this year is his year, he is certainly a world title contender.“

Highlights from Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach pres. by Snickers will be available via www.live.ripcurl.com

The next stop on the 2009 ASP World Tour will be the Billabong Pro Teahupoo from May 9 – 20, 2009.

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com  

RIP CURL PRO BELLS BEACH FINAL RESULTS:

1 – Joel Parkinson (AUS) 17.40

2 – Adam Robertson (AUS) 13.37

RIP CURL PRO BELLS BEACH SEMIFINAL RESULTS:

SF 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 16.33 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 15.24

SF 2: Adam Robertson (AUS) 13.87 def. Fred Patacchia (HAW) 12.73

RIP CURL PRO BELLS BEACH QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:

QF 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 13.17 def. C.J. Hobgood (USA) 8.66

QF 2: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 15.50 def. Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.16

QF 3: Adam Robertson (AUS) 14.26 def. Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) 12.33

QF 4: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 14.13 def. Kieren Perrow (AUS) 12.17

Morning pic round-up: far north Collaroy etc

After getting out of the water at Dee Why, I made a loop via Edgecliff Blvd on Collaroy Plateau for a sort of big picture take on the Collaroy to Narrabeen stretch. Northy looked fairly depopulated through the binos. In fact there weren’t too many in the water along the entire stretch, and yet there were nice lines stacking in. From the look of it, the swell was focused more toward north Collaroy. In fact, I saw a guy get a nice long left just north of the Flight Deck. The most populated stretch seemed to be from around Mactier St up to the southern end of Gardens. But when I say populated, I’m talking only a scattering. There were numerous peaks that seemed to have only 3 or 4 working them. Maybe everybody’s surfed out…

Nice corduroy effect there Huey!

Around 1100 these were coming through.

BSR 2009 04 17

BSR pic of the day

Bali Surf Report
Date = Fri, 17 Apr 2009
Time = 09:00 AM
Location = Padma – Legian
Size = 2-3 ft
Surfers = …
Tide = low tide
Wind = onshore wind
Weather = bright
Water = calm, swim able
Wave = still no good condition

Legian: High tide at Legian can serve up some of the most power-packed beachbreaks in the world. Always bigger than Kuta, although it usually closes-out on low tide. It also closes out on high tide if the swell is over 8 feet. Because Legian is in the curve of the beach, it collects the compressed energy of all swells. If Kuta is only 3 foot, sometimes Legian can be mignificent at 4 – 6 foot. A handy hint is that Kuta Reef is often about the same size at Legian. A hot crew of young Bali locals surf here regularly, so smile, share and be friendly to enjoy your sessions here.

Morning pic round-up: Dee Why

As with yesterday, your correspondent found himself beguiled by the possibility of a wave at the point. So, after grabbing a few shots, I went for surf. Not as good as yesterday, but there were still a few fun sets and the vibe was stoked. A worthy expenditure of a couple hours I thought.

Late morning, the breeze was into it a bit and the tide starting to make them fullish.

Dee Why point at around 0815

Morning pic round-up: Freshy & Curly

Freshy seemed a bit better than yesterday. But again, it was tending toward closeouts much of the time. As usual, if you were in the right spot, at the right time, a wave there was as fun as a wave anywhere else!

Curly was strangely subdued. There were plenty of folks in the water, but the middle of the beach which had been pretty fun looking yesterday was afflicted by a lull that outlasted my picture taking patience. Got a snap anyway to give you an idea of how it looked from the south end. Though judging from wozthatyou.com’s contribution, the north end was a different story.

That'd have to be a happy camper at Freshy (a little before 0800)

Around 0800 it was looking like this near the middle of the beach.

Morning pic round-up: Manly

Hello Friends,

Another bout of picture taking by yours truly… started at Manly around 0730 and took pics for about 20 minutes. It was pretty consistent, but not quite at the pace of yesterday. Size was down too, but it was still clean and pretty fun looking – if a wee bit soft. Seemed to me that fishes and mals were had the edge overall. Didn’t take a close look, but it appeared that there were a number of folks hooking waves out at the Bower as well.

Nice use of a little stall to set up the section, midway between Queensy and North Steyne this morning.

Goin' for a reo halfway between Queensy and south Steyne.

Again, there were some zippery sections on the inside at Queensy.

Looks like they had a few fun ones out there this morning.

Between north and south Steyne.

Avalon to Narrabeen Rpt

More of the same. Offshores, glassy, headhigh, clean, crowded

C C

Fine, dry and cool on the Central Coast this Friday morning.  The swell is smooth at 2 – 3 feet from the east southeast.  There is a light west southwest breeze forecast to go southeast later.  Low tide 0815 and high tide around 1420.  Local barometer 1010hpa, 93% humidity, 10 degrees C.  Have a good weekend.

Good news, waves again this morning

Hello Friends,

When I first looked at it this morning there wasn’t enough light to take a picture for you, but I could see that we have waves again. 20 minutes later, when the light had improved, there were at least 30 folks in the water chasing the aforesaid waves. Methinks it will be similarly crowded wherever you go today.

Low tide is at around 0830 and the swell is currently around 1.5 metres from the SE at 10 seconds.

Here’s the Bureau’s call:

Sydney Coastal Waters, Broken Bay to Port Hacking and 60nm seawards:
Friday until midnight: Wind: S/SW 10/15 knots, tending S/SE at 15/20 knots in the afternoon.Sea: about 1 metre rising to 1 to 2 metres in the afternoon.Swell: E/SE about 1.5 metres.
Saturday: Wind: S’ly strengthening to 20/30 knots.Sea: rising to 2 to 3 metres. Swell: E/SE increasing to 2 to 3 metres.
Sunday: Wind: S/SE 25/33 knots.

More from me later, as I’m off for a survey of the beaches south of here. I will probably file a short vid report, so check the link bottom right and when it changes to today’s date, you’ll know it’s up there.

At 0630 there were at least 30 folks chasing peaks like these at Dee Why.