NOMINEES REVEALED FOR 2009 BILLABONG XXL GLOBAL BIG WAVE AWARDS

The Biggest Waves and Best Rides from Around the World Vie for $130,000 as
Surfing's Top Big Wave Event Prepares for Annual Awards Ceremony on April 17

NEWPORT BEACH, CA -- (MARCH 25, 2009) -- The finalists for the 2009 Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards presented by Monster Energy were announced today following yet another remarkable year of surf. Following 12 months of enormous swell events from Europe to South Africa to Australia to California and beyond, over 550 entered images have been distilled down to this year's elite nominations. Video and still images of all the top rides are now available for viewing on the updated event website at BillabongXXL.com .

The winners will be announced on Friday, April 17, 2009 at the ninth-annual invitation-only awards gala at the Grove Theater in Anaheim, California before 2,250 surf world VIPs. The entire night's festivities will be webcast live on the event website and will also be the focus of a one-hour television special airing on the ESPN2 network on the evening of May 29.

The top prize in this Oscars of surfing -- the Billabong XXL Ride of the Year Award -- carries a $50,000 prize for the surfer with the single most amazing performance on a big wave captured on video. This year features a diverse array of epic rides, including a pair at Tasmania's Shipstern Bluff -- local surfer James Hollmer-Cross qualified with a thick double-tube ride while Gold Coaster Ryan Hipwood made entry by surviving a massive airborne leap down a heaving stair-step face. California's Greg Long became a finalist for one of the biggest paddle-in barrels ever seen during the Red Bull Big Wave Africa event at Dungeons, off Cape Town South Africa, while Hawaiian hellman Garrett McNamara is up for his backside vanishing act inside the spitting guts of Tahiti's famed Teahupoo break. And in a new twist to the Ride of the Year category, California's Brian Conley is nominated both for escaping a deep tube in Mexico, and for filming it as well, using a hand-held Point-Of-View camera throughout the ride.

The Billabong XXL Biggest Wave Award will likely generate double extra large debate as to which was the tallest face of the year. Two of the nominees come from Belharra, France and feature Benjamin Sanchis (France) and Axi Muniain (Basque Country, Spain) atop huge faces at the break which has been nominated numerous times before but has yet to win the XXL title. Another pair of massive contenders come from Western Australia's Cow Bommie with local Damien "Taco" Warr and Sydney surfer Mark Mathews in the right spot at the right time. The fifth nominee is Grant "Twiggy" Baker of Durban, South Africa for his wild ride down a bumpy, mountainous face at Tafelberg Reef off Cape Town -- a wave which has been widely acknowledged as the biggest ever faced on that continent. One of the five nominees will receive $15,000, a Honda Aquatrax watercraft and a HSA rescue sled in honor of their accomplishment.

This year, the Monster Paddle division has raised the bar ever higher as top surfers refocus their energies on stroking into bigger and bigger waves without the use of a jet ski assist. Three rides come from what may be the best day ever at Maverick's -- the legendary California big wave break just south of San Francisco -- with Grant Baker and Californians Nathan Fletcher and Derek Dunfee in contention. Also in the running is Axi Muniain for one of the first paddle-in rides at big Belharra, and James Taylor of Cape Town for a late, great drop at Dungeons during the day of the Red Bull BWA. Interestingly, three of the rides feature two surfers on the wave, but according to the XXL rule book, the surfer furthest back gets credit for the feat. Also of note is the fact that for the first time, two athletes have been nominated in both the Monster Paddle and Billabong XXL Biggest Wave categories: South Africa's Grant Baker and Basque surfer Axi Muniain. Some $15,000 is at stake for the largest wave caught by arm-power alone.

The Monster Tube Award features a number of amazing still images of the most stunning barrel moments photographed in the last year. In contention are Australians Kerby Brown at the Southern Bommie, Dylan Longbottom at Teahupoo and Ryan Hipwood at Shipstern Bluff. Also in the running are Hawaiians Garrett McNamara (for second wave at Teahupoo) and Mark Healey (for a mutant slab in the Pacific Northwest).

Next week nominations will be announced in additional Billabong XXL categories including the Surfline Best Overall performance, Billabong GIrls Performance and the Verizon Wireless Wipeout of the Year. For the first time, the public will decide their favorite unsuccessful ride of the year by texting in their vote.

In all, over $130,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded to the world's greatest big wave surfers in this edition of the Billabong XXL Awards presented by Monster Energy. Verizon Wireless is the official communications provider and Honda is the official watercraft of the event. Surfline.com is the exclusive surf forecast of the XXL. The event is sponsored by Surfing Magazine, Air Tahiti Nui and High Surf Accessories.

For all details about the Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards, please see the website at www.BillabongXXL.com .

The nominees for 2009, in alphabetical order:

FIVE BILLABONG XXL RIDE OF THE YEAR AWARD NOMINEES
(Surfer prize $50,000 - Video prize $5,000)
Brian Conley (San Diego, California) at Boca Grande, Mexico on October 22, 2008.
(Video by Brian Conley)
Ryan Hipwood (Gold Coast, Australia) at Shipstern Bluff, Tasmania on October 11, 2008.
(Video by Tim Bonython)
James Hollmer-Cross (Hobart, Tasmania, Australia) at Shipstern Bluff, Tasmania on October 11, 2008.
(Video by Dave Otto)
Greg Long (San Clemente, California, USA) at Dungeons, South Africa on July 26, 2008
(Video by Fixerfilm/RedBull BWA)
Garrett McNamara (Sunset Beach, Hawaii, USA) at Teahupoo, Tahiti on April 8, 2008
(Video by Simon Saffigna)

FIVE BILLABONG XXL BIGGEST WAVE AWARD NOMINEES
(Surfer prize $15,000 and a Honda Aquatrax watercraft with HSA sled - Photo/video prize $4,000)
Grant Baker (Durban, South Africa) at Tafelberg Reef, South Africa on August 9, 2008.
(Photos by Nic Bothma and Alan Van Gysen. Video by Fixerfilm/Hutchmotion.)
Mark Mathews (Maroubra, N.S.W., Australia) at Cow Bommie, Western Australia on September 20, 2008.
(Photo by Jamie Scott. Video by Tim Bonython.)
Axi Muniain (Basque Country, Spain) at Belharra, France on January 16, 2009.
(Photo by Greg Rabejac)
Benjamin Sanchis (Hossegor, France) at Belharra Reef, France on January 18, 2009.
(Photo by Stephane Salerno)
Damien Warr (Yallingup, Western Australia) at Cow Bommie, Western Australia on September 20, 2008.
(Photo by Jamie Scott)

FIVE MONSTER PADDLE AWARD NOMINEES
(Surfer prize $15,000 - Photo/video prize $4,000)
Grant Baker (Durban, South Africa) at Maverick's, California on November 30, 2008.
(Photos by Nikki Brooks, Robert Brown, Todd Glaser, Seth Migdail, Fred Pompermayer and Frank Quirarte. Video by Eric Nelson)
Derek Dunfee (San Diego, California, USA) at Maverick's, California on November 30, 2008.
(Photos by Robert Brown, Todd Glaser, Fred Pompermayer and Frank Quirarte)
Nathan Fletcher (San Clemente, California, USA) at Maverick's, California on November 30, 2008.
(Photos by Robert Brown, Seth Migdail, Fred Pompermayer and Frank Quirarte)
Axi Muniain (Basque Country, Spain) at Belharra Reef, France on January 9, 2009.
(Photo by Greg Rabejac. Video by Fred Berho)
James Taylor (Cape Town, South Africa) at Dungeons, South Africa on July 26, 2008.
(Photos by Nic Bothma, Jeff Flindt and Alan Van Gysen. Video by Fixerfilm/Red Bull BWA)

FIVE MONSTER TUBE PHOTO AWARD NOMINEES
(Surfer prize $5,000 - Photography prize $2,000)
Kerby Brown (Kalbarri, Western Australia) at South Bommie, Western Australia on July 6, 2008.
(Photo by Russell Ord)
Mark Healey (Sunset Beach, Hawaii, USA) at Yeti, Oregon on September 24, 2008.
(Photo by Jason Murray)
Ryan Hipwood (Gold Coast, Australia) at Shipstern Bluff, Tasmania on October 11, 2008.
(Photo by Rodd Owen)
Dylan Longbottom (Gold Coast, Australia) at Teahupoo, Tahiti on April 8, 2008.
(Photos by Edwin Morales and Fred Pompermayer)
Garrett McNamara (Sunset Beach, Hawaii, USA) at Teahupoo, Tahiti on April 8, 2008.
(Photos by Tim McKenna and Fred Pompermayer)

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OCCY GROM COMP AT GOLDENWEST ST...FREE ENTRY!

Come hang out with Occy April 11th at Goldenwest in Huntington Beach

That’s right. Occy will be here in Southern California and he’s coming down to Goldenwest St on April 11th. We’ll be running a Free Surf Contest for the Groms and giving out a bunch of prizes. Here’s the rundown:

What: Occy Grom Comp

When: April 11th, 2009
- 8 am - ?

Where: Goldenwest St, Huntington Beach

Divisions:
Boys 14-16
Boys 10 -13
Girls Open
Push in Division

Great Food provided by Chipotle

Media: Fuel TV, Surfline, Transworld Surf

Prizes from: Billabong, Globe, Hoven, Monster Energy Drink

Sign Up will be on the beach and there are Limited Entries, so get there early

Every Competitor receives a Billabong T - shirt

COME SHOW OCCY WHAT YOU GOT!

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HB Surf School Introduces Spring Break Surf Camps

Huntington Beach, CA) March 25, 2009 – The City of Huntington Beach and HB Surf School will be offering two surf camp sessions during Spring Break. The surf camps, run by Bill Sharp who heads the city’s Learn to Surf program, will run Monday – Friday, from 8:30 am – 11:30 am the week of April 6 - 10 and April 13 -17.

These one-week camps are designed to help advanced beginner/intermediate surfers take their skills to the next level. For those who have the basics down, this program will help improve overall paddling and board riding ability,=2 0master a variety of basic and advanced maneuvers, understand tides and swell, and learn important ocean safety. For those who desire to compete, competitive analysis and techniques will also be covered. There are no age restrictions but camp surfers should be proficient ocean swimmers.

Cost for the camp is $245 per person. Campers will receive a goodie bag and T-shirt and Del Taco lunch will be served on Friday.

The surf camp instructor is Bill Sharp, who also heads the Learn to Surf program for the City of Huntington Beach. Sharp, a former pro surfer from South Africa, has been coaching and teaching surfing for more than 30 years. He is the former coach of the South African National Surf team.

For more information about the camps, see The Sands community magazine online at www.surfcity-hb.org or email hbsurfschool@yahoo.com.

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SIMPLY SIMPO-The Brett Simpson Series Episode 2-Check it Out Now!

Simply Simpo - Episode 2 from LIEBER VISION on Vimeo.

Introducing Simply Simpo! A one-of-a kind web-episode series featuring HSS's very own Brett Simpson on his quest to qualify for the WCT. Brought to us by The Pursuit's very own Aaron Lieber who will be following Brett this year on his WQS journey. The series will feature free surfing, contest footage, and everything in between. Visit the Simply Simpo website for all the latest. Or, Click Here to buy Aaron Lieber's Pursuit. Go Brett!

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Congrats to Joel Parkinson on his Quiksilver Pro Win at Gold Coast Australia

KIRRA, Australia (Wednesday, March 11, 2009) – Joel Parkinson (AUS), 27, has won the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by LG Mobile, defeating fellow finalist Adriano de Souza (BRA), 22, in solid six-to-eight foot (3 metre) surf at Kirra.

After a 12-year hiatus, today’s action brought the ASP World Tour back to Kirra for the Finals of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast. Whilst it was not classic Kirra, the challenging conditions at the historic pointbreak offered churning barrels with massive scoring potential.

Parkinson, winner of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast in 2002, was fearless from the outset in the hard-fought Final, collecting an excellent 8.83 out of a possible 10 on his opening ride, breaking his board in the process.

The hometown favorite would return to the lineup to collect a bevy of high scores, including a 7.50 and an 8.17, before nailing his second perfect 10 of the day, pushing his heat total to an unsurpassable 18.84 out of a possible 20.

Parkinson now sits atop the ASP World Tour ratings, in excellent position for his 2009 campaign for the ASP World Title.

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST FINAL RESULTS:

1 – Joel Parkinson (AUS) 18.83

2 – Adriano de Souza (BRA) 11.30

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST SEMIFINALS RESULTS:

SF 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 19.93 def. Mick Fanning (AUS) 17.66

SF 2: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 14.84 def. Taj Burrow (AUS) 5.34

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New O'Neill Hyperfreak Boardshort

Made to outperform and outlast any other stretch fabric, the HyperFreak 4 -way stretch material features a unique memory composition that allows it to snap back to its original shape over and over again. It is an incredibly durable fabric which and has been specially treated with a water - resistent finish that allows for extremely fast dry time. It is an unbelievably lightweight boardshort with an incredible amount of stretch. These boardies are inseam-free to provide the user with the ultimate in rash-free experiences! It has a lycra lined superfly closure, and a fit which has been customized to accomidate the extreme stretch fabric. Details include 22" Outseam features engineered printed boardshort with superfly 2.0 closure, locking drawcord, not inseam, welt zip pockets, screened and embroidered logos. If William Wallace surfed, it would be in these bad boys. Check out the all new Hyperfreak performance boardshort at HSSsurf.com

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Quiksilver Pro Semi-finalists Decided

The Quiksilver Pro is set for a fairytale finish with the semi-finalists of the season-opening ASP men’s world tour event being decided in cyclonic tubes at Coolangatta this afternoon.

Australian surfers dominated today’s quarterfinal action with three of the four winners coming from the land Down Under.

With the Gold Coast tipped to be lashed by a rising swell tomorrow, contest organizers’ are hopeful of holding the last three heats in epic barreling conditions.

Up first will be an ‘All-Coolie’ semifinal with Mick Fanning facing off with Joel Parkinson.

The second semifinal will see Brazilian Adriano De Souza clash with Aussie Taj Burrow.

Get set for some incredible surfing...

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST SEMIFINALS MATCH-UPS:

SF 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Mick Fanning (AUS)

SF 2: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Taj Burrow (AUS)

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TAJ Zero Gravity Boardshort

The Zero Gravity boardshort is made from Airlite Stretch material making them one of the comfiest boardshorts around. The comfier you are the longer you can surf. Details inlcude Taj Burrow Signature Series Boardshort with an exotic all over print, applique / embroidery detail and new 21" fit. 100% Polyester. Fast Dry airlite stretch / 22" Out Seam.

Check out the all new Zero Gravity boardies at HSSsurf.com.

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Semifinalists Decided At Roxy Pro

Gold Coast, Australia (Friday 6th March, 2009): THE stage is set for a groundbreaking finish to the Roxy Pro, with surfing’s established stars to go head-to-head with a new wave of teenage rookies after semi-finalists were decided in rising 1-metre waves at Duranbah on the southern end of the Gold Coast today.

In a battle of old versus new, two-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore (Coolangatta, Aus) will take on rampaging rookie Paige Hareb (New Zealand) in semi one, while world no.7 Melanie Bartels will face off with young gun Coco Ho in an all-Hawaiian second semi when competition resumes.

Reigning world champion Gilmore confirmed her position as the queen of women’s surfing, recording a near-perfect 9.73 to eliminate former world champion Chelsea Hedges (Coolangatta, Aus) in the biggest heat of the day.

Gilmore, who in 2007 was upset by Hedges in the quarterfinals of the Roxy Pro Gold Coast, turned the tables on her opponent, going to town with some powerful, stylish surfing to prevail in the highly-anticipated quarterfinal clash with a two-wave combined total of 15.83 to Hedges’ 14.83.

Check all the latest Roxy gear online at HSSsurf.com.

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Huge Wetsuit Sale March 6th - 8th

Who: The neoprene deprived.

What: HSS Wetsuit Sale; All brands.

When: This Friday, Saturday and Sunday; March 6th - 8th

Where: All store locations including online at HSSsurf.com

Why: Save 20% Off Mens! 30% Off Boys! And 40% Off Womens Wetsuits

Huntington Surf & Sport
300 Pacific Coast Hwy
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
(714) 841-4000

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