Surf News, 2 May, 2012 : - - Lower Trestles -- The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) PRIME Nike Lowers Pro returned to the high-performance pointbreak of Lower Trestles in San Clemente, California in two-to-four foot waves today. In an event often dominated by aerials, today’s action saw power-surfers earn the day’s top scores amidst standout performances from an array of international competitors.

Taylor Knox (Carlsbad, CA), 40, has infamously struggled with wave-starved heats at Lower Trestles over the years and his Round 2 heat at the Nike Lowers Pro proved to be no different. In the dying minutes of the heat, a flurry of waves graced the Lowers lineup and Knox wasted little time, carving up the highest single-wave score of the day with his signature arcing turns of 9.57 out of 10 en route to his Round 2 victory.

Ocean and waves have a very positive impact in the emotional health of human beings. The European Centre for Environment and Human Health has studied over 2,750 participants and has concluded that a simple walk along the beach or coastal area is enough to boost positive feelings.

Scientists found that all outdoor locations were associated with good vibes, but visits to the coast were most beneficial and visits to urban parks least beneficial.

This finding remained when the researchers took account of factors like people’s age, how far they had travelled, the presence of others and the activity they undertook.

The Waikiki Paddle Festival is a major new Stand Up Paddle event presented by Quiksilver Waterman Collection.

It’s all happening on the 5th and 6th of May on the beautiful sands of Waikiki.

Click to get all the Waikiki Paddle Festival race info (format, course layout, prize money and more…).

Or simply just WATCH the video below of Jamie Mitchell and Peter Mel announcing the Waikiki Paddle Festival. The video contains a tonne of info about the event, including the exciting new race format and the big prize purse that’s on offer.

Talk Story Series ftg. KonaRed Ambassador Jamie Mitchell| Hosted by Jodi Wilmott
Doors open at 6p – Show starts at 8p
$5 Donation to charity
Australia’s Jamie Mitchell is a defending 10x world champion paddleboarder, decorated big wave rider, and dedicated ocean athlete. Growing up on the Queensland Gold Coast, Mitchell was a state champion swimmer who turned his back on the pool to find international success in the ocean and on the waves. His professional dedication to training and technique is legendary in the world of watermen, and his affable personality have made him a favorite around the globe. Jamie is in Hawaii this week to launch his movie and compete in the Quiksilver Waterman Waikiki Paddle Festival.

The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) PRIME contest is one of only two events of the highest caliber on the US Mainland this year, and touts a $250,000 prize purse with a highly coveted one-of-a-kind 14-karat gold railroad spike trophy worth more than $30,000.

“Lowers has been an instrumental part in building Nike’s legacy in surfing and in the progression of the sport,” says Zach Boon, Nike Action Sports North American Brand Manager. “It’s an honor to be in our fifth year of this heritage event, and we look forward to elevating the stage for the surfers yet again.”

The 2012 Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards are next Friday, May 4 at the Grove Theater in Anaheim, California and feature the greatest big wave surfers and their amazing rides on video, all competing for over $120,000 in prizes.

Media wishing to attend and document the event and who have not checked in yet, need to apply ASAP with names and their requirements. Media credentials allow access to the red carpet area for interviews with the world's best big wave stars and access to the photo pit area below the stage during the announcements of each winner, check-giving and speeches.

Visit Makapu'u soon and enjoy the fruits of labor produced by the 687+ volunteers that participated in the historic clean up on April 22 Earth Day 2012. Their (your) efforts removed 3,652 pounds of debris from the coastline and have created new stewards for the coastline.

Surfers eluded government Code Red advisory to tackle mega Teahupo'o

Surf News, 25 April, 2012 :  Today marks the premiere of 'Code Red' on YouTube’s action sports channel Network A. 'Code Red' documents the historic events of August 27, 2011, when the Billabong Pro Tahiti was called off due to surf in excess of 20 feet detonating on the shallow reef at the heaviest wave in the world: Teahupo’o.Told through the eyes of relative new-comer Laurie Towner and the veteran Dylan Longbottom, the film details how they and a handful of the world’s best big-wave chargers eluded the government’s “Code Red” advisory to tackle some of the largest barreling waves ever surfed.Watch the global premiere here:“I don’t know if there will ever be a bigger swell than that swell at Tahiti…”

ALOHA...well, we "found" a pretty nice spring time Haleiwa swell to finish up the 2011-2012 HSA season and now it's time to toughen up on some lefts (any lefts) and get ready for HSA's 2012 Skull Candy State Championships at Ala Moana. If you've qualified for the "States" get your entry form in FAST and take advantage of plenty of surf coming for both north, west and south shores in the days ahead before the 4-day Championships kick in APRIL 26-29. That's this Thursday-Sunday.

One of Hawaii’s early pro surfers who experienced much success on the international scene and in huge waves. Abellira is one of surfing’s most enigmatic and fascinating characters. His genius on the waves carried over to the surfboard shapes he created starting in the late ’60s and continues to craft on the North Shore to this day. The nephew of legendary Hawaiian musician Kui Lee, Reno’s story is richly Hawaiian and unique in the world of surf.