Happenings
Ed's Wrap Up of the season in 3.44 minutes sooo much fun in Japan
Ed Richards has spent the last few months in Japan, from all reports he has had a blast, no wonder he is enjoying himself with this crowd, Room Swap!! kids try this at home....go on..
SURFEST 2011
Dion Atkinson (South Australia/Seaford) won the Association of Surfing Professionals 4 – Star rated Burton Toyota Pro supported by Flint Clothing defeating Tom Whitaker in a controversial final that was marred by an interference call against Whitaker in the opening minutes.
"I simply didn't see Dion there, I should have looked harder but the wave was a good one and I was too focused on getting the wave and didn't realize he was there – it was that simple – I should have looked a lot harder" said Whitaker after the final.
Despite the interference, it was a worthy maiden ASP win for 24 year-old Atkinson who prior to today's final had placed 2nd in three ASP World Tour events.
"So happy to finally win an event" said Atkinson whose year is off to a flying start following a second placing in Brazil last month.
"I couldn't believe the early interference, it was a major error by Tom and after he interfered I realized I was in a great position to win but I had to focus, calm myself down and do the job and win the final – it was nerve wracking for a while!"
Final scores in the final for each top two scoring rides saw Atkinson on 12.03 to Whitaker on 6.97 noting that Whitaker's second scoring ride was penalized 50% and his opening ride was not scored.
Atkinson's two scoring final rides of 6.20 and 5.83 reflected his professional workman like approach to winning the event knowing that two good scores would do in the circumstances.
The number one seed Taj Burrow sent controversy through the event during his quarter final when he was eliminated due to a priority paddling interference which saw him penalized by losing his second scoring ride and handed the heat to Lincoln Taylor. Burrow was in front before his indiscretion and held the heats top scoring ride of a 7.83 and looked safe.
However, he failed to check the priority disk late in the heat after paddling for a wave which saw him lose priority.
"I thought I still had priority, sure I paddled for a wave but I didn't feel I committed to it, I heard no announcement that I'd lost priority so I took the next wave – I wish the announcer had have told me the priority situation but that didn't happen and I blew the heat" said Burrow who will now head for a refreshing training trip to Fiji before heading back to Margaret River for the upcoming Prime rated Telstra Drug Aware Pro in Western Australia in just on two week's time.
Equal third places were shared by Queensland pair Bede Durbidge and Lincoln Taylor. Both semi finals were extremely one-sided and Durbidge and Taylor required combination of scores against Atkinson and Whitaker respectively.
The Ra Girls Surf Show was hailed as one of the best stand alone girls event for some time here in Australia, event organisers and top 16 Pro’s Amee Donohoe and Bec Woods said “the event went better then planned with great weather and thanks to cyclone Vania the waves were perfect” Run at Copacabana Point (Becs home break) in 3 tov5 ft lefts the action didn’t let up the entire weekend including an expression session that saw Adrian Buchan (mens world Number 7) Matt Wilkinson (no. 24) and FLINT Team rider Jake Thompson (age 15) rip the punchy lefts.
The international field of competitors ensured the highest quality of surfing and the swell continued to increase through Sunday and with consistent 5ft sets in the final that was eventually won by the Central Coasts own Jess Grimwood who we are also proud to announce is Flints newest team rider. If that wasn’t enough Jess donated her $1500 winners cheque to the QLD Flood Appeal.
Go Jess, great to have you on the team
Interview with Australian Snowboarder Ed Richards - What to take when heading overseas snowboarding.
Hey Ed, your heading to Japan, what’s your rule of thumb when travelling over seas?
When I head overseas for the season I like to pack light but ensure you have everything for all kind of conditions. Your board bag should be a little longer than your board, lightweight and be able to fit in everything and It’s best to have wheels, this year I have chosen the 3CS Featherlite 158cm wheelie bag.
What boards do you take?
2 snowboards, I like to take an all round board suitable for jumps, rails, freeriding, street jibs, pow and anything in between. The Bataleon 154 Evil Twin is a great all round board so I have one packed. I also like to take one that is a little longer which is suitable for bigger jumps and pow. The Bataleon 155 Riot is good for this so slipped one of them in too.
What other gear
1x pair of boots. There comfortable and well fitted with no heel lift so am happy with one. Umm…. 2 sets of outerwear. One set that will battle all elements, I like the 3CS Sweede Vader Jacket and the 3CS Operations Pant they are rated 15 000 waterproofing and 10 000 breathability or above.. so will be sweet, The I am taking is more of a shell for warmer conditions. The 3CS Scout Jacket and the Vigilante pant are what I choose to pack.
Other gear?
1x goggles with interchangeable lenses is usually enough however if you don’t like fiddling around then two pairs are good. One lens should be gold/silver mirrored for sunny days and the other yellow/orange for flat light. A clear lens is also good for resorts that have night riding.
What about Binding, what’s your choice there?
1set of bindings. You can always change the bindings on your boards to suite the conditions. They should fit your boot well, have no overhang, be lightweight and strong with the option of forward lean.
Do you have other gear and accessories?
I have packed 2 pairs of gloves. One pair that are thick, durable, warm and waterproof. I then also like to carry a pair of pipe gloves for spring riding. 1 Collapsible shovel. Essential if you want to be heading out into the backcountry and hitting street jibs which is pretty fun in Japan. Thermals. Its always good to throw in a few pairs of thermals for those -20 degree days. Flint make thermals that are super warm and long-lasting, I also have Snowboarding socks, Not essential but you will notice a slight difference. The extra padding helps. A couple of different beanies to mix and match with your outfit and a helmet. Its always good to feel that extra bit safer. Plus Its always good to throw in a few extra hoodies in case one gets wet.
So off to Japan, when do you go?
Now, but I am heading to Mexico for a few weeks first for a rest and some fun barrels and then to Japan for the season.
Anything Else?
Enjoy the shred, I will, thanks Thanks for your time Ed
FLINT is stoked to announce their major Sponsorship in the all girls surf event January 2011, The Ra Girls Surf Show.
The event is the brain child of ASP Women’s World Tour top 16 surfer and FLINT Team Rider Amee Donohoe and Fellow ASP Competitor Bec Woods who are keen to bring this Festival Style Event to the Central Coast. Held over 2 days 15th &16 Jan 2011 covering a range of divisions from the groms through to the opens the event promises to host a number of the worlds best surfers all vying for the chance to win part of the $20,000 worth of prizes.
The event held at Copacabana / McMasters Beach is a great choice for waves over the summer period as both options ensure quality waves regardless of the conditions and act as a great arena for spectators to watch all the action. Including Expression Sessions with many of the worlds top 16 Riders, skate ramps and clinics, market stalls, live music and DJ cranking out tunes all weekend, open air theatre at night, Zomba, surf lessons and a whole lot more.
More event info at www.ragirls.com
Quick Clip thanks to Uncut Productions
2010 WINTER STARTS TO SHAPE UP
After a very...... very slow start to the Australian 2010 snow season things have finally started to fire up. In a way its been good for many riders to polish up their act in the park and the resorts have pulled out all the stops to get the most out of what is available giving riders more opportunity for variety. Nothing better then some freshies though and so far this August mother nature has delivered with the average depth going from 35cm to over 1 meter. Things are looking good for the remainder of the season too with fall likely to continue.. Ed Richards is enjoying the season here with a "Frontside Truck Driver" on a perfect day..
Flint Team Rider Amee Donohoe featured here surfing in the US at jettygirl.com..... Amee rips hey!! no wonder she is ranked amongst the world best womens surfers and is admired by everyone she comes across.
The 2010 summer photo shoot was so much fun, with a perfect sunny day and light wind the setting was perfect, even our chief photographer was happy with the lighting. The images are used for the 2010 summer look book, posters and various advertising and was a huge success and all completed in just 2 days in a secret location on the east coast of Australia
Footage of the 3 Bills Rail Jam thanks to ESS Boardstore
2010 3 Bills Rail Jam
The 2010 3 Bills Rail Jam had a solid dose of Australian snow conditions with plenty of percipitation coming from the skies to cool down the smoking hot action. This year a whole new set up was put in place with a quater pipe at the end of the down box to give the riders alittle more opportunity to show off their bag of tricks
Here is some footage of the 2009 event... Just as hot as this year
News Flash
Flint Clothing is very excited to anounce that Amee Donohoe has joined the team. Amee is currently ranked number #9 on the womans world surfing tour. More details and a feature to come shortly. We are stoked to have her on the team ;)
funny how that can happen
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