Entry forms for the 13th Annual East Coast Wahine Championships are ready! Print and mail yours in today. Deadline for entry is August 1st, or all slots filled. Guppy slots go quick, so don’t delay. Make sure to check your Saturday lunch choice. Pre-paid parking passes arealso available. Please visit our contest page for entry forms.

The 13th Annual East Coast Wahine Championships will be held August 8th and 9th in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina.

Divisions include amatuer competition in Shortboard, Longboard, and Bodyboard. Novice for surfer girls that have never been in a contest before- any size board is welcome. And our ever popular Guppy divisions-for our surfer girls ages 10 and under.

Event posters are ready and you can download one today! Please help us out by posting one in your local surf shop.

Entry forms will be on-line soon.

Thanks to all our sponsors- we appreciate your continued support!

Check out the contest page for more information coming soon!

Seventy year old Grand Legend Kitty Pechet didn’t let the 32 degree water temperature and 28 degree air temperature stop her from winning the Open Women’s title at the 41st New England Mid-Winter Regionals held February 20th in Narragansett, Rhode Island. Kitty is from Cambridge, Massachutes and if we can get a hold of her, we will find out more about this inspirational surfer!

Narragansett’s Courtney Sutherland placed second, with Sarah Lim of Conneticut in third.

Photo: McGovern

Stephanie Gilmore : photo ASP Covered Images

Team News

Rip Curl’s Stephanie Gilmore claims her second World Title

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 2 December, 2008 : – - Stephanie ‘Happy’ Gilmore has more to be happy about. Only 12 months after re-writing history as the only rookie – male or female – to claim an ASP World Title, the 20-year-old Australian has backed things up with yet another ASP Women’s World Title by emphatically winning the Roxy Pro at Sunset Beach, O’ahu, the second jewel of the Vans Triple Crown.

The prodigious regularfoot, hailing from Australia’s Gold Coast, has continued to pad her legacy as one of the most naturally gifted female talents of her sport. With one event remaining for the 2008 season, Steph has already netted 4 major event wins. Coming into Sunset, Steph held a slight ratings leads over former World Champions Sofia Mulanovich (PER) and Layne Beachley (AUS).

“I had no idea this was going to happen today when I woke up this morning,” Gilmore said. “Sofia went down and then Layne went down and I found myself in the Final with a chance to clinch it. It feels unbelievable….The second World Title definitely feels better than the first one,” Gilmore added. “I’m going to savor this one for a while and then readjust my goals for next year. There should be big celebrations on for tonight.”

And big celebrations there were. Amongst a varied cast of family, friends, fellow competitors, and Rip Curl crew, the World Title celebration lit up the North Shore skies.

Rip Curl congratulates Stephanie Gilmore for this monumental achievement. Check out Steph’s world champion microsite at: ripcurl.com/happygilmore

Pictured: Layne Beachley (AUS), 36, former seven-time ASP Women’s World Champion and current No. 3 on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour, officially announced her retirement from full-time competition today, effective at the end of the season.

MANLY BEACH, Australia (Friday, October 10, 2008) – Layne Beachley (AUS), 36, former seven-time ASP Women’s World Champion and current No. 3 on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour ratings, has officially announced her retirement from full-time competition, effective at the end of the year.

“I feel like now is a really good time, even though I am in my career best form, because I am an all-or-nothing kind of girl and to achieve the goals I set for myself in surfing, I have to give it my all and I’m not,” Beachley said. “I have to be honest with myself – I’m not commiting 100% time and energy and effort and focus into winning world titles. It doesn’t mean that I can’t win world titles, but my priorities are beginning to shift and my focus and my passion in business and charity work and my ambassador roles is beginning to have more appeal to me than competing for a living. I feel like I’ve achieved everything that I’ve wanted to and that it is good to go out while I’m still in top form.”

Beachley’s announcement comes as a surprise to the surfing community, given that the iconic natural-footer is surfing better than ever and currently challenging for the ASP Women’s World Title once again, sitting in No. 3 spot on the ratings at present.

“I feel like I’m surfing the best I have in my whole career,” Beachley said. “Nothing has really changed on tour except for my attitude. It’s my lack of commitment to winning. I base my choices off my experiences and my experience has told me that you have to be 100% focused and also love you’re doing. Even though I love what I do, I’m beginning to love what I’m doing out of the water more. My passion for competitive surfing has been diluted, and to achieve success and to win world titles, you can’t afford for it to be diluted too much. So now I’ve had to make a decision and I’m convinced I’m doing the right thing.’

The Sydney-sider is the most accomplished female surfer in the history of the sport, winning a record seven ASP Women’s World Titles (1998-2004, 2006), scalping 29 elite tour victories, and collecting countless accolades as one of surfing’s most recognizable figures.

“There’s been millions of highlights,” Beachley said. “I think every time that I stopped in my tracks and had to pinch myself and ask ‘is this real?’ have been the highlights of my life. Finding myself in the most random places on Earth, donning a bikini with a board under my arm and just staring out into the ocean in disbelief that I get to do that for a living. One of the greatest achievements was winning my first event back in 1993 and winning my first ASP Women’s World Title back in 1998. Those were both enormous acheivements for me.”

While stepping away from full-time professional surfing, Beachley hasn’t ruled out donning the jersey again should she receive an invite, and will continue to be a force both in and out of the surfing world with her clothing line, her numerous charities and other high-profile projects.

“I have my own brand, Beachley Athletics, which I really want to put a lot more time and energy and effort into,” Beachley said. “I don’t think it’s achieving the success it deserves because I can’t commit enough resources to it. I have my charity, Aim for the Stars. I’ve just begun promoting my book, Beneath the Waves. I will still stage the Beachley Classic. I love women’s surfing. I’m really passionate about it. Just because I’m walking away from the Tour doesn’t mean I’m walking away from women’s surfing. I’ll still be there as a supporter and a believer and also pursuing a career in the media.”

Beachley is competing this week at her signature event, the Beachley Classic, held in Manly, Australia.

“I feel like I’ve created a legacy and that’s something to be incredibly proud of,” Beachley said. “I’ve instilled hunger and passion into the future generations of female competitive surfing coming up through the ranks. I know Steph (Gilmore) looks at me and wants what I got. It was Lisa Andersen before me that gave me the motivation to become seven-times ASP Women’s World Champion. That kind of drive and dedication that it takes to be a champion is the legacy I think I am leaving behind and it’s something I’m very proud of.

For more information on Layne Beachley, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

Greta Hesmer, age 8, attending second grade at Eaton Elementary School in Wilmington, North Carolina. This was Greta’s second year competing in the ECWC and she was the youngest entrant in the Grommette Shortboard division. She has been surfing since she was five years old and also enjoys skateboarding and fishing. She once caught four baby sharks, which she returned to the ocean.

Rachel Callaghan, age 13, attending 8th grade at Roland-Grise Middle School in Wilmington, North Carolina. This was Rachel’s second year competing in the ECWC. Rachel plays violin and piano and says competing in gymnastics has helped her surfing. Rachel is working on a project with her cousin called A.N.G.E.L. (A New Generation Expanding Love) that will deliver stuffed animals and books to an orphanage in the Philippines.

Cara Salerno, age 17, attending 11th grade at North Brunswick Township High School in North Brunswick, New Jersey. This was Cara’s first ECWC event and her first trip to North Carolina.  She placed 4th in Girls Bodyboard. Cara has been bodyboarding since she was eight years old and her current favorite move is the barrel roll. Cara, an aspiring photographer, is a member of the National Honors Art Society, and enjoys capturing the action of skateboarding on film.

Hilary Watters, age 17, attending 11th grade at Kellam High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia.  This was Hilary’s first ECWC event and she placed 3rd in Jr. Women Longboard and 4th in Girls Shortboard. Hilary comes from a surfing family. She’s been competing since age 10 and recently took 1st place in Women’s Longboard at the ESA Regionals. She taught surf lessons over the summer, but also has a passion for the snow. She’s been touring colleges near mountains and hopes her good grades and love for math and science will get her into a good college.

The ECWC was the first female amateur surfing contest on the east coast. It began in 1997 and encourages girls of all ages to experience the camaraderie of competition. The ECWC’s presenting sponsor is Billabong Girls. Billabong sponsors the world’s best female surfers, snowboarders and skateboarders, and is committed to supporting the progression of women’s surfing, and aspiring female surfers.

Pictured: Malia Manuel, 14, made history today as the youngest competitor ever to win the Honda U.S. Open of Surfing pres. by O’Neill.

HUNTINGTON BEACH, California (Saturday, July 26, 2008) – Malia Manuel (Wailua, HI), 14, has claimed the GO211 LIVE featuring the Women’s Honda U.S. Open of Surfing presented by O’Neill over fellow finalist Coco Ho (North afternoon both young Hawaiians making ASP history as the youngest finalists ever at the Shore, HI), 17, in two-to-three foot (1 metre) surf at Huntington Beach Pier this U.S. Open.

The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) 6-Star event saw some incredible performances today, but none as impressive as the young Hawaiians taking down some of the biggest names in professional surfing.

“I’m so stoked right now,” Manuel said. “My sponsors gave me the wildcard into this event and I was just happy to be here. To get to surf against some of my heroes and to be in the Final with my friend Coco (Ho) is just something I would have never dreamed of.”

Sticking to her game plan throughout the event, Manuel started strong in the opening moments of the Final, securing two lengthy righthanders to post solid scores while her opponent struggled to find her footing in the challenging afternoon conditions.

“There weren’t many waves out there this afternoon which was too bad,” Manuel said. “I just got lucky that a couple linked up for me and I was able get some scores under my belt.”

Manuel issued huge upsets today, defeating former ASP Women’s World Champion and 2006 U.S. Open Champion Sofia Mulanovich (Lima, PER) in her Quarterfinals heat before posting a dominating heat win over current ASP WQS ratings leader Sally Fitzgibbons (Gerroa, AUS) as well as an impressive win over Ho en route to becoming the youngest U.S. Open Winner ever.

Ho issued her share of shocking upsets as well, defeating ASP Women’s World Tour veteran Melanie Bartels (Makaha, HI) and reigning ASP Women’s World Champion and defending U.S. Open Champion Stephanie Gilmore (Tweed Heads, AUS) on her way to the final. Ho’s potential sweep of both the women’s events was stopped by Manuel’s Honda U.S. Open Final victory.

“The conditions really came down to the one who got the wave with the wall,” Ho said. “I couldn’t find my feet and I had to watch her catch a really good right. It was just cool being in the Final, because it was my goal to just make the Quarters, so I’m over the moon.”

Fitzgibbons, who has already qualified for the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour, finished in equal third-place behind Manuel, increasing her ASP WQS ratings lead over the field.

“Malia was surfing really well and got off to a great start and just kept going from there,” Fitzgibbons said. “It was hard to play catch-up with the waves that were coming through and she’s the deserving heat winner.”

Fitzgibbons will take a break and miss the ASP WQS 6-Star event in Portugal to recharge, but will be back and ready for when competition resumes in Hawaii.

Gilmore, who finished equal third as well, was defeated in her Semifinals heat by event standout Ho. Gilmore put in a hard-fought battle against the young North Shore native, but could not find the score she needed to advance over her opponent.

“I’ve been watching Coco (Ho) the whole event and she’s probably my favorite up-and-coming surfer,” Gilmore said. “It was cool to have a heat with her and see what her strategies are. These are some really valuable points on my WQS seeding. I’m bummed I didn’t get the win, but that’s competition.”

Gilmore will travel from the Honda U.S. Open in Huntington to France for the next ASP Women’s World Tour event, where the Rip Curl Pro Mademoiselle will take place from August 28-September 1, 2008 in Hossegor, France.

The ASP WQS women’s competitors will head from Huntington to Portugal for another ASP WQS 6-Star event, the Billabong Girls Cascais Festival, which will be held in Guincho, Portugal from July 31 – August 3, 2008

In addition to the finale of the U.S. Open Women’s event, the ASP Grade-2 S3 Supergirl Pro Junior came to a close today with Honda U.S. Open Finalist Ho claiming victory over fellow finalists Nikita Robb (East London, ZAF), Sage Erickson (Ventura, CA) and Courtney Conlogue (Santa Ana, CA) with a come-from-behind victory over Robb, edging out prodigious South African by seven tenths of a point.

“To be here standing on the beach with the crowd with the Pro Junior Title and the runner-up finish in the WQS, I’m really happy.” Ho said. “It’s been a long week of surfing and I’m going to Indo tomorrow with all of the girls that surfed in women’s Quarterfinals and just going to relax after the week.”

Robb jumped out into a commanding lead to open the ASP Grade-2 Women’s Pro Junior, but was unable to stave off the young Hawaiian.

“I started off really well and after I got those first two good waves I couldn’t find anything else,” Robb said “All the girls that were surfing out there were such amazing surfers, so you can’t really take it away from anyone. Coco is surfing well and she’s on fire and it’s just one of those things”

Erickson and Conlogue had solid showings throughout the entire event, but were unable to capitalize in the Final.

The GO211 LIVE feat. the Men’s Honda U.S. Open of Surfing pres. by O’Neill moved through the Round of 24 today, narrowing it down to the sweet 16 for tomorrow’s culmination. Today’s action saw local standout Timmy Reyes (Huntington Beach, CA) and fellow Californian Nathaniel Curran (Oxnard, CA) dominated the Round of 24, both putting in impressive performances as they moved one step closer to clinching the 2008 Honda U.S. Open title.

Reyes, current No. 14 on the ASP World Tour, finished in first over event standouts Damien Fahrenfort (Durban, ZAF), who advanced in second, and Basque native Hodei Collazo (Basque Country, ESP), by posting a solid heat total of 16.67 out of a possible 20 point score.

“I was going to miss this event because the World Tour events are so close together,” Reyes said. “It’s home and you’ve got to make time for home. Obviously it brings a little bit of stress because you want to perform well in front of your family. I’m stoked with how things went today. I was in rhythm and that’s what you have to do.”

Curran posted the day’s highest Round of 5 heat total of 17.00 out of 20 points in an action packed heat against Chris Waring (Seal Beach, CA) and Tahitian Michael Bourez (PYF).

“I knew I had two okay waves and I was just trying to back it up with a bigger score,” Curran said. “I made it through my heat so I’m stoked. I’m rated fourth on the WQS right now and this will be a good score for me, so I’m super excited.”

The final day of GO211 LIVE feat. the Honda U.S. Open of Surfing pres. by O’Neill can be seen LIVE at www.usopenofsurfing.comFor any other ASP inquires, check out www.aspworldtour.com or www.aspnorthamerica.orgGO211 LIVE feat. the Women’s Honda U.S. Open of Surfing pres. by O’Neill

Results:
Final:
1 – Malia Manuel (HAW) 14.34
2 – Coco Ho (HAW) 7.90

Semifinals Results (1st advances)
Heat 1: Malia Manuel (HAW) 13.10 def. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 12.67
Heat 2: Coco Ho (HAW) 10.83 def Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 6.83

Quarterfinals (1st advances)
Heat 1: Malia Manuel (HAW) 15.83 def. Sofia Mulanovich (USA) 13.10
Heat 2: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 11.00 def. Samantha Cornish (AUS) 1.60
Heat 3: Coco Ho (HAW) 12.00 def. Melanie Bartels (HAW) 8.23
Heat 4: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 14.67 def. Bethany Hamilton (HAW) 9.17

S-3 Supergirl Pro Junior Results:
Final:
1 – Coco Ho (HAW) 14.07
2 – Nikita Robb (ZAF) 14.00
3 – Sage Erickson (USA) 12.26
4 – Courtney Conlogue (USA) 9.60

BIARRITZ, France (Wednesday, July 16, 2008) – Joy Monahan (Oahu,HAW), 22, became the 2008 Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Women’s World Longboard Champion today after winning the Roxy Jam event at La Cote des Basques in Biarritz. Monahan, who defeated runner-up Chelsea Williams (Gold Coast, AUS) in an exciting 30-minute final, posted a solid 14.10 point heat tally (out of a possible 20) to secure her first world crown in front of a cheering crowd.

Monahan, who placed 9th in 2006 and 5th in 2007, stepped up this week to seize the prestigious Roxy ASP Women’s World Championships and become the first Hawaiian female World Longboard Champion.

“I am super stoked, I cannot believe I won the championship”, Monahan said. “Chelsea is one of the best surfers in the world and it was one of the most difficult heats to win. I got good waves and was very focused for the win.”

Monahan, who defeated reigning ASP Women’s World Longboard Champion Jennifer Smith (USA) in Semifinal No. 1, was unstoppable in the last heat of the event putting together strong combinations of classical turns and modern style re-entries in the two foot (0.5 meter) contestable conditions.

“I was very surprised to defeat Jennifer (Smith) in the semi-finals”, Monahan said. “I had a great week in Biarritz and it ends up perfectly. It is like a dream coming true and it is great to bring this world title home. So stoked.”

With Carissa Moore (HAW) winning the ASP Grade-2 Pro Junior and Joy Monahan (HAW) the Roxy ASP Women’s World Longboard Championships, Hawaiians dominated the 2008 Roxy Jam and will be back next year to defend their respective titles.

Chelsea Williams (AUS), 22, who was a favorite towards a possible ASP World title in Biarritz, finishes runner-up  of the 2008 edition and betters her 2007 equal 3rd. Williams, who was the last Australian representative in the event, was a standout throughout the Roxy ASP WWLC  and posted two of the best three heat scores of the event including an impressive 15.00 point result to defeat Leah Dawson (USA).

“I  won most of the heat, but Joy got two good ones in the dying seconds”, Williams said. “I tried to take the bigger waves at the very end but it was not enough. I am still happy with my result and hope I can do better next year.”

Jennifer Smith (Ca, USA), reigning ASP Women’s World Longboard Champion, was stopped in the Semifinals by Monahan, forgetting her second consecutive title hopes. Smith, who was one of the event’s top scorers with a solid 14.75 point heat tally (out of a possible 20) obtained in Round 4, was not able to counter Monahan’s assault.

“I guess I cannot win everything but I definitely enjoyed this contest”, Smith said. “I will come back next year and try again. I was here for a repeat but Joy (Monahan) is an amazing surfer. She really deserves to be crowned champion.”

Leah Dawson (USA), other semifinalist of the Roxy ASP Women’s World Longboard Championships, secured her best result to date with an equal 3rd. Dawson, who placed equal 9th in 2007, created the upset of the final day when she defeated French favorite and 2007 ASP Women’s World Tour No. 2 Justine Dupont in the Quarterfnals in a close heat.

Dupont, 16, who placed 3rd in the ASP Grade-2 Roxy Pro Junior Tuesday, lost by 0.90 points and was disappointed with the result.

“I am very disappointed because I surfed this morning before the event and I was confident”, Dupont said. “I think I was not patient enough to wait for the better waves and a bit tired after  my performance in the final of Roxy Pro Junior yesterday.”

The Roxy ASP Women’s World Longboard Championships will be back next year at the beautiful beach of La Cote des Basques in Biarritz.

All news, photos and results at www.roxyjam.com and www.aspworldtour.com

RESULTS
Final
Heat : Joy Monahan (HAW) 14.10 pts Def. Chelsea Williams (AUS) 13.50

Semifinals
Heat 1: Joy Monahan (HAW) 13.50 pts Def. Jennifer Smith (USA) 12.20 pts
Heat 2: Chelsea Williams (AUS) 15.00 pts Def. Leah Dawson (USA) 7.35 pts

Quarterfinals
Heat 1: Joy Monahan (HAW) 16.25 pts Def. Rachel Barry (USA) 8.85 pts
Heat 2: Jennifer Smith (USA) 14.40 pts Def. Kassia Meador (USA) 9.75 pts
Heat 3: Leah Dawson (USA) 11.65 pts Def. Justine Dupont (FRA) 10.75 pts
Heat 4: Chelsea Williams (AUS) 12.65 pts Def. Julie Cox (USA) 8.20 pts

Billabong Girls Beach Break 08
All-girls surf camp series

Learn to surf or push your surfing skills to a new level with Billabong!  Make a break for the beach and come out for a day of surf instruction, ocean safety, yoga and surfer nutrition lesson.  Meet some of the Billabong girl?s team of pro surfers who will be on hand to personally make sure you have fun and catch waves with style.
Billabong pro surfer Connie Arias will be attending the Virginia, New York, Flordia, and South Carolina camps. Team rider Keenan Lineback will be at the Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina camp and Longboard Champ Schuyler McFerran will be attending the Texas, and California based camp days. Coming all the way from Australia , surfer Paige Houden will be at the Huntington Beach, CA camp day.

Don’t miss your chance to attend one of these camps! Space in limited sign up now.

To see a list of locations and to register online click the link below.
http://billabonggirls-usa.com/beach%5Fbreak/