Parkinson Wins at the 2009 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, While Slater is Knocked Out Again

At the second stop of the ASP 2009 at Bells beach Joel Parkinson wins again after the Gold Coast win last month. For Parkinson this win was sweet, "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.”



Not to be out done in this competition Adam Robertson, the young local, finished second. 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. 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.

2009 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Final Results:
1 – Joel Parkinson (AUS) 17.40
2 – Adam Robertson (AUS) 13.37

Also Jody Smith also had a really good run at Bells and probably the best result of his career finishing 4th. While Kelly Slater was knocked out again in round 2 for the second time this year, this time by Owen Wright.

Showcase Showdown 2009

On February 28th, 2009 Showcase Snowboards is holding their annual competition called the Showcase Showdown. The Showdown is a combined pipe/park comp that features the best pro riders in Canada. This is a really good event to attend because the level of riding is so good.

Showcase Showdown website

Usually this comp is held on Blackcomb mountain at the superpipe location but this year because of the shitty snow conditions it is being held at the base of Whistler mountain, next to the GLC. This will be even better because you don’t have to take the gondola then walk up to the Blackcomb superpipe.

So if you are in Whistler during the weekend of Feb 28th stop by the base of Whistler and watch the comp. Every year the park/pipe gets better and better. Here is a detailed schedule if you are interested.

http://ww1.whistlerblackcomb.com/showdown/09_ShowcaseShowdownSchedule.pdf

Kelly Slater Wins the 2008 Pipeline Masters

On Friday Dec 12th Kelly Slater won his 6th Pipeline Masters in Hawaii defeating follow American Chris Ward. Pipeline was the last stop on the ASP Tour and is the most prestigious event in surfing. Slater paddled out in eight to 10 foot waves at Pipeline four times today, beating Chris Ward (USA) 14.00 to 7.23 in the in the first man-on-man final* held at the venue in eight years. Slater’s heat totals in the three heats prior to the final were 19.00, 18.63 and 19.40 – all out of a possible 20 points.

This years Pipeline Masters victory was doubly sweet given Parkinson made headlines earlier in the week by earning the first-ever perfect 20 out of 20 heat total at Pipeline – only the second perfect heat total in ASP history under the two wave format. Also Parko won the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, which is the highest score for competitions at Haleiwa, Sunset Beach and the Pipeline Masters.

So now this the ASP Surfing tour all wrapped for 2008, this is how the final top ten standings look.

1) Kelly Slater (USA)
2) Bede Durbidge (AUS)
3) Taj Burrow (AUS)
4) Joel Parkinson (AUS)
5) C.J. Hobgood (USA)
6) Adrian Buchan (AUS)
7) Adriano de Souza (BRA)
8) Mick Fanning (AUS)
9) Bobby Martinez (USA)
10) Jeremy Flores (FRA)

At the age of 36, Kelly Slater’s 50-6 record is the most dominant in pro surfing history, which validates what we already knew, that he’s also surfing better than ever. But what does it all mean? Is Kelly Slater going to come back in 2009 to compete for his 10th ASP World Championship? I guess we will see on February 28 at the Quiksliver Pro, Gold Coast Australia, tour stop. I can’t wait for another year of the exciting ASP Tour.

CJ Hobgood Wins Billabong Pro Mundaka

It’s been a hell of a few days for Florida. Yesterday the newswire was abuzz with Kelly Slater’s ninth title, today it’s CJ Hobgood’s name who’s all over the headlines. With time ticking off the clock, and needing a solid score, a two-wave set rolled into the lineup. CJ paddled for the first, but with Parko holding down priority, the Australian was able to keep him off the wave by taking it for himself. Bad move. CJ got an absolute drainer with no time left on the clock, came flying out into the channel, broke Parko’s heart, and won the Billabong Pro Mundaka in the process. Parko may be a bit broken hearted, but it was a hell of a final, and after a few beers and some time there’s no doubt he’ll rebound. But for now, a huge congratulations goes out to CJ on a job well done.



But the big story of the Billabong Pro Mundaka was Kelly Slater winning his 9th world title.

Kelly Slater's 9TH ASP World Title

Kelly Slater Wins 9th World Title at the Mundaka Pro in Spain

K9, Nine lives, Revolution #9, call it what you want, Kelly Slater is a 9-time ASP world champion. Slater clinched the world title at the 9th ASP tour stop in Spain today by making it to round 4 where he was up against Tom Whitaker but lost. Whitaker has a perfect 10 ride and backed it up with an 8.00 for a total of 18.00. While Slater started out early with 9.33 but couldn't bust one out again finishing with a final score of 12.43.

But this is not about Slater winning this tour stop. It's about the world title and all he had to do was past round 3, which he did.

Also I just wanted to add this quote from the CEO of Quiksilver, which sums up the ability of Slater. "Kelly Slater is an extraordinary human being, physically and mentally. His talent and accomplishments are unmatched in surfing and perhaps in the history of sports," says Bob McKnight, Quiksilver President, Chairman and CEO.

Congrats Slater, hopefully he comes back to contend for a 10th world title.

Quiksilver Pro France 2008 - Ace's Wild over Slater

Kelly Slater was not able to wrap up his 9th ASP World Title in France this week as Adrian "Ace" Buchan edged him out in the finals, 15.74 to 15.16. It was close to the previous tour stop final with the exception that Slater could finish strong in the end. Buchan had two relatively high wave scores in the first 15 min of the finals at 8.17 and 7.57, which proved to be the only two waves he need to beat Slater. Kelly Slater did score an 8.43 with 13 mins left but couldn't come up with enough to beat Ace.

Quiksilver Pro France 2008 Finals Video Highlights - Ace vs. Slater

Also interesting that heavy hitters like Mick Fanning, 2007 Pro France winner, was knocked out of the compettion in the round 2 by Gabe Kling and Joel Parkinson beat by the wild card Michel Bourez. Actually Michel Bourez ended up finishing 6th, which is really amazing for a wild card but he did beat Kelly Slater last year so he has skills.

All in all it was another great ASP tour stop in France and all eyes will be on Kelly Slater in his quest for world title # 9 in Mundaka, Spain.

Boost Mobile Pro 2008 Final - Kelly Slater vs. Taj Burrow

Hello fellow boardsport enthusiasts just wanted to share with you some of the best competition surfing ever that when down in San Clemente, Lower Trestles, yesterday. It was 8 time ASP champ, Kelly Slater, against Taj Burrow.

The finals competition heat was 40 mins long and in the first 10 mins Taj Burrow busted out two amazing waves, 9.00 and a 9.63 out of 10 to put the pressure on Slater early. But that only seemed to fire up Slater because in the last 2 mins of the heat Kelly Slater ripped through the waves and scored a 9.27 to beat Taj by a total of 18.97 vs. 18.63...Slater had a 9.70 after Taj scored his high waves. It was definitely an amazing sight to see Slater work his magic in the dying mins of the competition and you can see it too in the link below.

Boost Mobile Pro 2008 Final - Kelly Slater vs. Taj Burrow

Kelly Slater is going for his unprecedented 9th ASP championship this year and it looks like he just might get....this is history in the making.