We are now stocking XCEL wetsuits. Xcel Wetsuits Nominated for 3 SIMA Image Awards. Xcel wetsuit have now walked away winners three years in a row. Xcel Wetsuits proudly announces its two nominations for 2009 SIMA (Surf Industry Manufacturer’s Association) Image Awards. Xcel Wetsuits will defend its “Wetsuit of the Year” title, having previously won in 2008 and 2007 and nominated this year for the revolutionary XCEL INFINITI DRYLOCK fullsuit. Xcel Wetsuits is also nominated in the “Accessory Product of the Year” category for the INFINITI DRYLOCK boot.

Xcel wetsuits have built a solid reputation in the UK and Europe due to producing some of the warmest wetsuits on the market. The Xcel Infiniti range is constructed with super flexible neoprene and all the latest features which means no compromise on performance. Xcel wetsuits are for sure the best for cold water surfing.

Last minute Christmas Shopping

Don’t forget Freakfish Surf Shop gift vouchers are just an email away! 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Its never to late to do you shopping, Christmas Eve, or even Christmas Day!

You can get you gift vouchers here Freakfish Surf Shop Gift Vouchers

Christmas Clothing Clearance, Free delivery to UK and Europewith Extended Christmas Returns Period

Yes thats up to 80% off Surf Clothing

with Free Delivery to UK and Europe

Just in case you don’t quite get your Christmas pressy selection right, returns are excepted up to 31st January 2010

If you have abudget but aren’t quite sure what to get, used the advanced search and see whats available in your price range! Just enter a from and to price and Search!

All available at Freakfish Surf Shopon their website www.freakfish.co.uk/?ref=18

Surfingwith your Head In The Clouds

How about that, a 600 mile cloud travelling at 35mph. Sure does look impressive but I can’t say I’d be too happy about being up their in a glider!

Anybody actually done this?

You can read about this meteorological phenomenon on wikipedia, and there a whole host of details about cloud surfing in Burketown Australiaat
http://cloudappreciationsociety.org/mg1/

Here’s a video of cloud surfing!

[Photo credit: Aquashot/aspeurope.com by Masurel] Australian Drew Courtney, 31, won the Islas Canarias Santa Pro today.

Todaysmaiden WQS win for Drew takes him toNo. 9 on the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) ratings.

The back up venue of La Santa Lefthanders provided the surfers with excellent three to four metre surf .

I am speechless right now, its just amazing to win this major event and moreover in these waves, Courtney said. Its my first win ever in twelve years on tour and its been an epic day with great surf. It was a close heat and to finish on top is pretty amazing.

Courtney from New South Wales, linked a series of powerful top to bottom on the railmanoeuvres mixed with fast shallow water tube rides, resulting in a heat score of 19.23.

ISLAS CANARIAS SANTA PRO FINAL
1st, Drew Courtney(Australia) 19.23 pts
2nd, Bernardo Miranda (Brazil) 16.64 pts

Commonwealth Beachly Classic 3rd October 2009

25 year old Rebecca Woods knocked out her fellow Australian 37 year old Layne Beachley.
Rebecca (ranked ASP World No 8), eliminated the 7 time ASP Women’s World Champion Layne in Round three of the Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic Competition 3rd October 2009.

Stormy 1.5m conditions were host to the 2 rounds competed today. Australians Stephanie Gilmore and Tyler Wrights rematch resulted in a win for Stephanie.

It feels great to go in to the Quarterfinals and to get two wins against Layne (Beachley), Woods said. In these types of conditions, the waves are all over the place, so its really just a fight to get waves. Laynes been on tour for nearly 20 years and shes gotten the best of me in nearly every man-on-man heat weve had, so I wanted to go out there and give it one last shot, so Im happy with that.

Layne found it difficult in this heat achieving the lowest heat total of her career .5 out of a possible 20.

Its a demoralizing way to go out, but it doesnt depict my career at all, Beachley said. All I can do is laugh. To finish my career after winning seven ASP World Titles with a 0.50 heat total in my last heat is pretty comical, but very devastating at the same time.

Third Round Results from Commonwealth Beachley Classic

Heat results
1Melanie Bartels(HAW)8.10Win
1Rosanne Hodge(ZAF) 7.50Lose
2Rebecca Woods(AUS)7.00Win
2Layne Beachley(AUS) 0.50Lose
3Coco Ho (HAW)14.50Win
3Sally Fitzgibbons(AUS) 12.90Lose
4Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 8.60Win
4Tyler Wright (AUS) 8.45Lose
5Silvana Lima (BRA) 16.00Win
5Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) 10.50Lose
6Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 14.25 Win
6Samantha Cornish (AUS) 4.10Lose
7Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 13.15Win
7Paige Hareb (NZL) 12.25Lose
8Sofia Mulanovich(PER)14.25Win
8Alana Blanchard (HAW) 4.45Lose

Shopping for Uni – Part One

If you heading back to University, College or School, you ought to be taking care of those last minute essentials you’re going to need.

So how about a nice time piece?
Maybe a great looking classy watch for those of you who like to dress to impress, or maybe something a little more practical like a tide-watch, you’ll be able to keep an eye on the tides at your local break and make sure those long surf session are maximised ensuring you don’t turn up late to those all important lessons, (or parties).

And no “live life to the max” student can manage with a reliable alarm clock!

If you buy a Rip Curl watch from Freakfish Surf shop you’re entitled to 20% discount on out of warranty repairs, and replacement watch straps.

O’Neill Wetsuits Autumn Winter 2009/10 now available at Freakfish Surf Shop

We are really pleased with the new seasons range of O’Neill Wetsuits, boots, caps, gloves, and rash vests that have just come into stock.
There’s been a lot of interest in O’Neill gear this year with customers back ordering items, in advance of them coming into stock.
If your looking for a wetsuit to see you through the winter, head over to Freakfish Surf Shop there’s a great range available, including, O’Neill Mutant, O Neill Psychofreak, O’Neill Epic, ONeill Psycho I and O’Neill Psycho II.

You can view our whole range of O’Neill wetsuits here

TAPIA DE CASARIEGO, Spain (Saturday, April 11, 2009) – The first and crucial event of the ASP European Longboard Tour came to an end today, British surfers Ben Skinner (GBR) and Candice O’Donnell (GBR) dominating the LQS 1-Star Goanna Pro Tapia in consistent wind-blown five foot waves. Both event winners and runner-ups have secured their Oxbow World Longboard Tour (WLT) tickets and will represent Europe on the elite longboard tour along with Europe’s leaders Antoine Delpero (FRA) and Romain Maurin (FRA).

Ben Skinner (GBR), longtime top European longboarder, defeated inform Frenchman Alexis Deniel (FRA) in the final confirming his standout status through the event posting both highest wave score and heat result in the 30-minute decider. The British surfer finished the 2009 edition with an unstoppable 18.37 point tally (out of a possible 20). Skinner, who decided to make the trip to Tapia less than a week before the event started, leaves Northern Spain with the precious ticket for the Oxbow WLT, his main goal in the Goanna Pro Tapia.

“It is just perfect to end up the event with a win,” Skinner said. “I came here with a big result in mind and to win and get that qualification for the WLT is what I wanted most. I was feeling great with that new board and surfed as good as I could every day. I am going to celebrate that great event.”

Deniel, who secured his best result to date by placing runner-up to Skinner, showed how his hard work and training had paid off defeating fellow French favourite Damien Castera (FRA) on the way to the final, and secures as well a berth into the elite longboarding events this year. Deniel, who has been rising on the international stage since 2007, confirmed he had the talent and skills to reach the heights of the regional hierarchy and will be a serious asset for the European contingent aside the big names when the ASP World Longboard Tour (WLT) gets underway.

“I would have preferred to win the final but it’s already great to make it that far,” Deniel said. “I came with one thing in mind, reach the final, and I made it so I am pretty happy. It’s been a great event, there was a very pleasant atmosphere and we are all good friends so I am stoked to have made the trip.”

Remi Arauzo (FRA) and Damien Castera (FRA) both placed equal 3rd in the Goanna Pro Tapia, missing out the final despite showing exceptional surfing throughout the 3-dat event. Arauzo, who opened his run on Day 1 with the biggest heat score, was not able to counter Skinner’s final day assaults and will not take part in this year’s WLT events. Arauzo still showed again he was definitely ready to rise and the youngest favourite in the event should soon reach his ASP WLT top 32 goal.

The women’s division saw other British Candice O’Donnell (GBR) take the best over Netherlands’ Renate Moerman (NDL), both competitors getting their qualification into the Roxy Women’s World Longboard Championships (WWLC).
O’Donnell, who was surfing for the first time in a couple of years in an ASP sanctioned event, went through the trials’ heat then bested favourite Estitxu Estremo (EUK) before making the most out of the conditions during the final.

“I am so happy to get the title after coming all the way down from Great Britain,” O’Donnell said. “We had waves everyday and it was great fun to surf in the event. I had a great time and it’s a shame there wasn’t more competitors but I am definitely satisfied with that result.”

Renate Moerman (NDL) was not able to counter O’Donnell’s domination in the final, the experienced surfer and former ASP WQS European Women’s Top 25 member still placing second and securing her Roxy WWLC ticket.

“Stoked to make the final but very disappointed with that last heat because I was not able to show my proper surfing,” Moerman said. “I am happy I made the trip, I could have done better but it is a good result and I’ll take it for sure.”

MEN’S GOANNA PRO TAPIA RESULTS

Final

Heat: Ben Skinner (GBR) 18.37 pts Def. Alexis Deniel (FRA) 13.27 pts

Semifinals

Heat 1: Ben Skinner (GBR) 17.17 pts Def. Remi Arauzo (FRA) 14.17 pts

Heat 2: Alexis Deniel (FRA) 16.00 pts Def. Damien Castera (FRA) 12.60 pts

WOMEN’S GOANNA PRO TAPIA RESULTS

Final

Heat: Candice O’Donell (GBR) 10.83 pts Def. Renate Moerman (NDL) 5.07 pts

Semifinals

Heat 1: Candice O’Donnell (GBR) 7.00 pts Def. Estitxu Estremo (EUK) 5.50 pts
Heat 2: Renate Moerman (NDL) 12.17 pts Def. Myriam Imaz (EUK) 7.00 pts

BELLS BEACH, Victoria (Sunday, April 12, 2009) – Silvana Lima (BRA), 24, claimed her maiden ASP Women’s World Tour victory today, defeating reigning two-time ASP Women’s World Champion and two-time defending event winner Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 21, to take the Rip Curl Women’s Pro presented by Ford New Fiesta and become the first Brazilian in history ever to win at the iconic venue.

Event No. 2 of 8 on the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Rip Curl Women’s Pro culminated today with an action-packed Final that saw both athletes pushing the levels of high-performance surfing. Despite both surfers racking up high scores, it was Lima who would rise to the occasion and ring the bell for her inaugural win.

“This feels amazing,” Lima said. “This is the first World Tour event I’ve ever won and to win it at Bells Beach is like a dream. To be the first winner from Brazil to ring the Bell, it’s amazing. I am so happy. I hope everyone in Brazil stays up and parties big.”

The high-flying Brazilian wasted no time in racking up scores against Gilmore, opening with a 9.17 before backing it up with an 8.17 in the opening minutes of the Final to put her opponent on the ropes.

“Steph (Gilmore) is so good out there in any conditions and I knew I needed to get scores on top of her quickly,” Lima said. “I was able to get really strong waves at the start and my boards felt like they were working really well.”

The win rockets Lima into No. 2 on the ASP Women’s World Tour ratings, once again cementing her position as a legitimate ASP Women’s World Title threat.

“The World Title is always my goal, every year,” Lima said. “Last year was a really good year for me, but I couldn’t win an event. Now that I have a win, my confidence is very high and I look forward to the next event.”

Gilmore was the form surfer of the morning, eliminating Paige Hareb (NZL), 18, in a close Quarterfinal before racking up the highest single-wave score of the event (a 9.60 out of a possible 10) in her Semifinal bout, but was unable to find a rhythm against her South American opponent in the Final.

“Silvana (Lima) finally got me and she was ripping,” Gilmore said. “Her win was well-deserved and I hope it creates a great rivalry for the year ahead.”

Despite her runner-up finish, Gilmore has further established her stranglehold on the ASP Women’s World Tour ratings lead heading into the mid-year break.

“Of course I’m disappointed not to come away with the win but runner-up is still a solid result for me,” Gilmore said. “Bells is one of those places that makes you hungry to come out on top and it would have been amazing to get three in a row. Congratulations to Silvana though and I’ll look ahead to the rest of the year.”
Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 18, 2009 ASP Dream Tour rookie and last year’s ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) No. 1, put is a solid performance at the Rip Curl Women’s Pro, ousting veteran Jacqueline Silva (BRA) and former seven-time ASP Women’s World Champion Layne Beachley (AUS), 36, from competition before falling to Gilmore in today’s Semifinal.

“I had an okay start but Steph (Gilmore) really came steaming back with some big scores,” Fitzgibbons said. “There were definitely a few waves I would have loved to have been on, but that’s how our sport goes and the ocean wasn’t in my favor this time around. Last year was a good year for me so I am trying to take confidence from that to find a big result as the year progresses.”

Sofia Mulanovich (PER), 25, former ASP Women’s World Champion, put in another strong performance at Bells Beach, taking down Samantha Cornish (AUS), 28, before falling to eventual winner Lima in the Semifinals.

“It is still a pretty good result and I am happy for that,” Mulanovich said.
“I couldn’t do anything out there so it was frustrating. I was a bit nervous and couldn’t really read the waves that well. I was just falling off, getting stuck on my turns and once you do it once, it gets stuck in your head so it is a little bit psychological. I am always stoked to come back here though. I love this wave and I love this place.’

RIP CURL WOMEN’S PRO BELLS BEACH FINAL RESULTS:

1 – Silvana Lima (AUS) 17.34

2 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 13.06

RIP CURL WOMEN’S PRO BELLS BEACH SEMIFINAL RESULTS:

SF 1: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 16.60 def. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 11.67

SF 2: Silvana Lima (BRA) 15.00 def. Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 7.57

RIP CURL WOMEN’S PRO BELLS BEACH QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:

QF 1: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 14.50 def. Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 12.00

QF 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 8.43 def. Paige Hareb (NZL) 7.50

QF 3: Silvana Lima (BRA) 7.23 def. Rebecca Woods (AUS) 7.07

QF 4: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 12.83 def. Samantha Cornish (AUS) 7.50

RIP CURL PRO BELLS BEACH ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:

Heat 1: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Mick Campbell (AUS)

Heat 2: Chris Ward (USA) vs. Taylor Knox (USA)

Heat 3: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Dayyan Neve (AUS)

Heat 4: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Michel Bourez (PYF)

Heat 5: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Tiago Pires (PRT)

Heat 6: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Tim Boal (FRA)

Heat 7: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Jordy Smith (ZAF)

Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Owen Wright (AUS)

Heat 9: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Adam Robertson (AUS)

Heat 10: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Jihad Khodr (BRA)

Heat 11: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Drew Courtney (AUS)

Heat 12: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Kekoa Bacalso (HAW)

Heat 13: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Jay Thompson (AUS)

Heat 14: Tim Reyes (USA) vs. Kieren Perrow (AUS)

Heat 15: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Dean Morrison (AUS)

Heat 16: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) vs. David Weare (ZAF)