Day 14 Update:
In a rather fitting tribute to the elite surfers who have attended Red Bull Project Air, Huey, the mythical God Of the Surf, has turned it on as a symbolic send-off for the remaining junior squad.
Two weeks ago, the cream of the crop – including world champions Mick Fanning, Sofia Mulanovich, Sally Fitzgibbons, Julian Wilson, along with South Africa’s Jordy Smith, France’s Tim Boal and Tahitian Michel Bourez – had their first surf together at macking overhead Lennox; riding boards that paid tribute to surfing’s past.
This afternoon, the young bloods of the sport – we’re talking the likes of Kolohe Andino, Conner Coffin, Cristobal de Col and Evan Geiselman – rode waves at the same break as the Red Bull cameras rolled in the fading light, book-ending what has been a world first.
Conner’s take on the camp echoed the feelings of every participant: “Among the best things is just getting to surf with everyone on the Red Bull team. Pushing each other, in the surf, on the ramp … it’s been awesome. Every time we surfed someone was trying to do something gnarly.”
The juniors will go their separate ways, but all will go back to school and all will compete in various events, primed and psyched for the year ahead.
A raw south swell that hit today will continue to kick and the Aussie leg of the ASP competition season is underway just an hour or two’s drive north.
Half the top 45 mens surfers will surf heats in a Qualifying Series event on Queensland’s Gold Coast within the next 48 hours while the world waits for the official kick-off of the World Tours with the Quik and Roxy Pro’s at Snapper beginning Feb 26th.
But first, for those surfers and crew still remaining, a bit of a wrap-dinner … and a thanks goes out to everyone working behind the scenes. Roll credits!
Kingy and wife Nadine, Ant Macca, Dan Ross, Dog Marsh, Besch, Sean Hayes, Shorty, Watto, JJ, Matt Taylor, Marcus, Jordan and the media crew, Linda, Alicia, Verena, Dan the chef, and the boys working hard to pull down the skate ramp!
(And for sure there’s one or two more, yikes, sorry! there’s always is!)
Day 12 Update:
Evan, fully tweaked Indy into the foam pit. / picture - © Shorty
The friendly rivalry that exists between Evan Geiselman and Kolohe Andino reached fever pitch today. Both surfers found themselves in the final against each other in this morning’s mock heats, going wave for wave and air for air.
An unlikely snaking interference (Kolohe on Evan) led to all-out debate on the shore as the coaches and team riders disputed the correct call. Evan rode the wave in front of Kolohe and pulled an air-360 in his face, but with the final verdict still pending, it has been decided to call in the third umpire for adjudication – the vision captured on Sean Hayes’ handycam.
It’s certain to make for some wild calls and heckling when the judgement is passed after dinner!
The contention continued on Red Bull’s customised skate ramp, with the boys calling moves then trying to nail them into the pit.
A gnarly 360 stale fish by Kolohe was overshadowed by a runaway skateboard that honed in on the head of cameraman Rick Rifici. Fortunately the ghost board never found its target, but it did slam direct into the glass of the expensive camera lens. Unbelievably, nothing was broken and according to Rick, the slow-mo footage is some of the coolest captured this week!
Rivals Kolohe and Evan / picture - © Shorty
An unfortunate fact of life for the junior surfers is the schoolwork they have to do on the road. When you’re a fledgling pro, grooming yourself for life on the world tour, sponsor commitments, training and photo shoots are always top priority, so during a little down time today a few of the groms hit the books.
“I try and do a couple hours every day,” said Conner Coffin. “But it can be hard to get motivated sometimes.”
No kidding, especially with distractions like jetskis and skateboard ramps to test your dedication. Every time Cristobal de Col jumps a flight he has to lug his books all the way from Peru. Bummer.
The tides are looking favourable for an early surf and the swell is predicted to jump within 48 hours.
Surf coach Andy King is calling for a ‘mini’ Hell Session tomorrow arvo from 2pm - a physical training intensive, slightly down-scaled from last week’s crippler that even had World Champ Mick Fanning sweating and panting.
Day 11 Update:
Kolohe busts the fins / picture - © Shorty
If there’s one constant in life, it’s change. So you can bet when Red Bull’s juniors are pulling on coloured jerseys on the ASP World Tour a few years from now, the way to win will be different to the way it is today.
Andy King is a former professional surfer who knows what it takes to win. King has overcome adversity, tasted competitive success and experienced the exhilaration of a 10-foot Pipeline tube spitting him safely to the channel. With his coaching hat fitted snugly to his melon, King today espoused the overall message of Red Bull’s Project Air as his young, eager charges listened intently.
Evan looking for the backhand air reverse / picture - © shorty
“At the end of last year, the ASP introduced changes to the judging criteria and I guarantee you that by the time you reach the elite level, they will have changed again,” said King. “The future of the sport will revolve around manoeuvres done in the air … ”
And while the waves of Tallow’s Beach in the lee of Cape Byron and its iconic lighthouse did not throw up much in the way of perfect air-ramps today, Red Bull’s junior surfers still managed to land a few with aplomb.
Hawaiian coach Shane Beschen summed it up rather succinctly: “For the conditions? There was some good sh#! going down!”
Kolohe Andino is among the most publicised teen surfers coming out of the USA’s fair shores right now, and along with a stylish frontside hack, the 15 year-old natural footer has a pretty mean aerial repertoire.
“I think right now, the judges don’t discriminate enough between the different grabs. If someone did a stalefish grab, which is probably the hardest, and someone else did an air reverse, they would probably give them the same score. It should be a three-point spread, at least,” reasoned Kolohe.
“I agree (with King), it’s headed the way of snowboarding. The more technical you are, the higher you should be scored. It’s probably just because they (the judges) don’t know the difference.”
Like each generation before them, the groms will change the way.
You can bet on that.
If there’s one constant in life, it’s change. So you can bet when Red Bull’s juniors are pulling on coloured jerseys on the ASP World Tour a few years from now, the way to win will be different to the way it is today.
Andy King is a former professional surfer who knows what it takes to win. King has overcome adversity, tasted competitive success and experienced the exhilaration of a 10-foot Pipeline tube spitting him safely to the channel.
With his coaching hat fitted snugly to his melon, King today espoused the overall message of Red Bull’s Project Air as his young, eager charges listened intently.
“At the end of last year, the ASP introduced changes to the judging criteria and I guarantee you that by the time you reach the elite level, they will have changed again,” said King. “The future of the sport will revolve around manoeuvres done in the air … ”
And while the waves of Tallow’s Beach in the lee of Cape Byron and its iconic lighthouse did not throw up much in the way of perfect air-ramps today, Red Bull’s junior surfers still managed to land a few with aplomb.
Hawaiian coach Shane Beschen summed it up rather succinctly: “For the conditions? There was some good sh#! going down!”
Kolohe Andino is among the most publicised teen surfers coming out of the USA’s fair shores right now, and along with a stylish frontside hack, the 15 year-old natural footer has a pretty mean aerial repertoire.
“I think right now, the judges don’t discriminate enough between the different grabs. If someone did a stalefish grab, which is probably the hardest, and someone else did an air reverse, they would probably give them the same score. It should be a three-point spread, at least,” reasoned Kolohe.
“I agree (with King), it’s headed the way of snowboarding. The more technical you are, the higher you should be scored. It’s probably just because they (the judges) don’t know the difference.”
Like each generation before them, the groms will change the way.
You can bet on that.
Day 10 Update:
There are some noticeable changes afoot at Red Bull’s Project Air.
The sun is shining brighter, the participants are much younger and the airs into the foam pit are getting higher!
Red Bull Project Air hell-raiser Curren Caples. / picture - © Shorty
Conner Coffin, 16, from Santa Barbara, California is among half-a-dozen grom’s from Red Bull’s Rising Team to arrive at camp following the departure of the open elite team two days ago, and the energy shift is palpable.
“I’m not going to say the older guys weren’t excited, but these young guys just dove straight into it,” said High Performance Manager, Andy Walshe.
“For them it’s less about narrowing their mental focus and preparing for any upcoming event, it’s really about throwing the doors wide open and having fun.”
Nursing damaged tendons in his right foot incurred during a month of all-time waves at his beloved homebreak, Rincon, Coffin was exploiting the luxury of soft landings into the foam pit.
“I stopped skating for a while because I was always hurting myself. When I was younger, I broke my arm from skating and you’re always sore from going down, so I got to the point where I’d never really try airs anymore. I just started cruising and just hitting the coping or doing small tricks. But here, to be able to try airs and not kill yourself? Insane!”
An undisputed star of Red Bull’s customised ‘surf’ ramp is 14 year-old Curren Caples. Named after U.S. surfing legend Tom Curren, Caples dedicates hours to skating at home in Ventura and his experience has put everyone, thus far, to shame.
540 spins into the pit, stale-fish and indy grabs on the ramp plus a couple of rad drop-ins from the railing … all bloody entertaining stuff.
Kolohe Andino, small wave assault. / picture - © shorty
Someone even suggested Caples outskated Aussie Corbin Harris, the Red Bull pro brought in to tutor the big guns last week!
(Corbin, fancy coming back for an all-out jam to decide things? Ha ha, the grom is psyched!)
And if it appeared Mother Nature had relented following a week of savage rain and wild seas, this afternoon she proved there is still some bite left in her bark.
Kolohe Andino’s dad, Dino, was unceremoniously swamped by a one-foot wave as he piloted a jetski during a whip-in surf practice session with the junior squad.
As Dino floundered in waist-deep water and the capsized ski farted out blue smoke, no one knew whether to laugh or cry. Or cry laughing.
One thing is certain though, we could skip the next group “Hell Session”.
Have you ever tried to haul a half-tonne, water-logged ski up 30 metres of wet sand? Cue: the sound of six grommets and Red Bull’s coaches screaming “Heeeeave!”
Day 7 Update:
Fanning surfing tight and powerful / picture - © Shorty
There were no tears, but a few farewell hugs as Red Bull’s Project Air elite surf team went their separate ways today. The ASP World Tour kicks off in just two weeks with the first event held at Snapper Rocks at the southern end of Queensland’s Gold Coast, beginning Feb 26th and all surfers will move through their final stages of preparation.
Jordy Smith has fled to South Africa, where he will train under the supervision of the same dude that trains cyclist Lance Armstrong.
Michel Bourez is jetting back across the pacific to the Hawaiian Islands. Julian Wilson will be carefully removing the bandages that have been protecting the sprained ATFL ligament in his right hoof and get back n’ surfing.
Sofia and Sally have already unpacked their bags at different hotels overlooking the break at Snapper and Tim Boal will kick it just a little longer at Lennox and take advantage of Red Bull’s ongoing facilities.
Within 48 hours, a handpicked crop of the world’s most dynamic juniors will roll into town and into some serious air time. Expectations are high. Will they out-punt, out-rotate, out-do one another as they decode Red Bull’s Project Air? We’ll see…
The Elite airborn team / picture - © Shorty
Check these names: Cristobal de Col (PE), Wiggolly Dantas (BR), Connor Coffin (USA), Leo Fioravanti (ITA), Carlos Munoz (CR), Evan Geiselman (USA), Kolohe Andino (USA), Mauro Diaz (PR) and Kai Lenny (USA).
DAY 6 UPDATE:
Fierce competitiors Jordy and Mick / picture - © Shorty
At the heart of Red Bull’s Project Air is a single objective – exposing the elite surf team to new and innovative ways of progressing the most exciting move in surfing today, the aerial. And for each athlete, behind this objective lies a deeper, personal motive for taking part - competitive success. Today, at an isolated stretch of beach, the elite team competed against one another in simulated heats, bringing structure to their performances for the first time in 2010 after an extended hiatus. In two weeks, the race for the men’s and women’s ASP (Association of Surfing Professionals) World Titles will begin in earnest, so with Red Bull’s resources – coaches, cameras and jet-ski assist – the gang got down to business!
Heat 1 featured 2004 ASP Women’s World Champion Sofia Mulanovich vs 2009 Rookie of the Year Sally Fitzgibbons. Heat 2 featured Tahitian powerhouse Michel Bourez vs 2009 WT competitor Tim Boal, of France. Heat 3 featured reigning and two-time Men’s World Champion Mick Fanning vs South African wunderkind Jordy Smith.
What a lineup!
As Red Bull coach Andy King explained: “This was a chance for the guys to get rid of the cobwebs, to really introduce the aspects of the revised 2010 judging criteria which includes ‘flow’, the ability to ‘link’ manouvers and innovation, and, most importantly, put all the theory and physical testing they’ve done this past week into practice. They took it all very seriously!”
Results?
Fanning vs Jordy – 1 heat apiece.
What an explosive match-up! Mick went to town, linking his turns all the way to the beach and thowing in incredible variety. Air reverses, standard reverses and lightening-fast cutbacks, were all done with aplomb.
Jordy: “I tried a couple airs ‘cause the wind was pretty good for it, and it paid off, I got a 7.0 and a 7.5 in my first heat to win. The second heat, not so good … ”
Mulanovich vs Fitzgibbons – 1st place, Mulanovich.
The Peruvian looked dangerous on the longer lefts – of course! That’s exactly the stuff she grew up surfing. Fitzgibbons answered back on the shorter rights, but her potential for moves was restricted. Good effort though. A tight encounter.
Boal vs Bourez – 1st place, Bourez (just!)
Bourez opens with a 9.0 point ride and Boal, the Frenchman is immediately on the ropes! But Boal doesn’t go down without a fight, nailing two 6+ rides. At the final hooter, Bourez hangs on, just, and contemplates his lucky escape.
“It was close, I couldn’t find another good wave, my heart rate went up so I started breathing, doing what Mike (Gervais) had told us to do … and get myself back into my optimum performance zone. It worked,” said Bourez.
Tomorrow the team will pose for a group photo before heading their separate ways, making room for the arrival of the elite junior squad.
DAY 5 UPDATE:
Fanning was on fire, despite the cliche / picture - © shorty
The very simple theory behind Project Air is to perfect a move on the skate ramp, and take it out to the ocean and nail it in the surf. Quite clearly, everyone is going to be doing bigger moves and airs in contests in the future, and this is a way for the Red Bull athletes to get a step up. Good idea…
Jordy rotates off the ramp into the foam pit - / picture @ shorty
On day 5 the surfers tasted some good waves, and also had some good attempts on the ramp. During a strong south swell, Snapper Rocks on Queensland’s Gold Coast has two levellers, the current pulling hard around ‘the rock’ and the crowd desperately trying to survive it. Everyone is out there, hoping for the ‘one’ – a frothing, spitting barrel on takeoff, that then doubles up through the inside and runs on down past Little Marley.
Today, Red Bull’s elite surf team got their first real taste of Snapper in 2010. Within two weeks, thousands of adoring fans will fill Snapper’s beach, as they cheer on the world’s highest ranked professional surfers in the Quiksilver Pro, and six from seven of Red Bull’s Project Air participants are guaranteed to be in that spotlight.
Fanning, the hometown hero and two-time winner of the event, sits at the top of the heap and his appearance today at Snapper was like watching Moses part the Red Sea.
As he made his way from the carpark to the lineup, friends greeted him warmly while strangers ogled his every move. Once in position at the spot he knows best, he deftly tore apart every wave he could get his board into.
South African Jordy Smith also challenged from deep, wearing one wave to the head and he very nearly muscled his way from the bowels of another. It would have been one of the tubes of the session if he made it, but there are some situations even Jord’s remarkable 6’2” girth cannot win.
1200cc of engine power came into play this afternoon back at secluded Lennox. Sally, having progressed from the flats of the skateboard ramp, to the roll-in, to airing into the foam pit, hit the waves absolutely psyching. When the 1200cc jetski roared to life, Sally was hanging onto the rope behind – water-ski style – and was whipped into the junky shore pound on her surfboard.
One broken stick during the air session / picture - © shorty
As the cameras rolled, 19 year-old Sally leapt for the heavens while executing a textbook frontside grab, a replica of the dozens she had just executed in the stenchy afternoon heat on the skateboard ramp.
Former world number two surfer, aerial innovator and coach, Shane Beschen, was beside himself.
“It was sick, to see the whole theory suddenly manifest before our eyes. This is the first step for Sally being able to bring it into her game in the competitive arena.”
Sally agreed it represented an incremental, yet important progression; “There’s very few airs that are done in competition,
