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FRENCH DUO DELPERO AND DUPONT WIN LONGBOARD PRO ESPINHO

19/03/2018, International, Surfing, World Surf League, Article # 26127298

World Surf League

FRENCH DUO DELPERO AND DUPONT WIN LONGBOARD PRO ESPINHO

- POWERFUL SURF CHALLENGES EUROPE'S BEST LONGBOARDERS
- EDOUARD DELPERO AND JUSTINE DUPONT SIGNAL TITLE INTENTIONS
- MORE INFORMATION AND FULL REPORT AVAILABLE AT WORLDSURFLEAGUE.COM

Caption: Victors Edouard Delpero (FRA) and Justine Dupont (FRA).
Credit: © WSL / Masurel

PRAIA DE BAIA, Espinho - Portugal (Sunday, March 18, 2018) — The Longboard Pro Espinho finished today in size-able surf at Praia de Baia just a stone’s throw from the northern city of Porto.

Justine Dupont and Edouard Delpero of France took to the winners podium after a hard fought battle through two-days of size-able surf.

On the men’s side of the draw Edouard Delpero (FRA) consistently charged through his heats netting several of the event’s highest heat totals by snagging set waves and mixing critical turns with traditional noseriding, a difficult feat today in the challenging surf.

“I just wanted to surf well,” said Delpero of the final. “Ben (Skinner) surfed really good through the event. We both had a lot of trouble paddling out and we both got really smashed. In the two last heats I broke two of my boards, just snapped them.”

After surprise exits by in-form surfers Rodrigo Sphaier (BRA) and last year’s champ Emilien Fleury (FRA) the field was open for Delpero and Ben Skinner to advance throughout the day with Skinner taking out Edouard’s brother Antoine in Men’s Round of 16.

“To win would have been great,” said Skinner. “But to be in the final with Edouard is great too. He’s such an amazing surfer and to me, he and his brother Antoine are the two best longboarders in the world. And it was nice to at least take one of them down, but nice to surf against Edouard in the final.”

Event oddities included more several broken boards, a 15-minute paddle out attempt by last year’s champ Emilien Fleury (FRA) as well as an interference by Rémi Arauzo (FRA) in his heat Quarterfinal against Edouard Delpero.

“I was not sure I had priority,” said Delpero. “Like, he put the dog on me and I was going too fast to pull back so I just told myself that if I don’t have priority I’ll just go for it because I was going too fast and there was no way to stop. He didn’t hassle me for the waves so I don’t know why he did that.”

On the women’s side of the draw standouts Chloe Calmon (BRA), Lindsay Steinriede (USA)and Dupont all surfed well, with the conditions ultimately favoring the surfing of big-wave maven Dupont.

Having logged multiple winter sessions at Nazaré and Belharra, Dupont had one game plan in mind throughout the entire event - make it to the outside and get the bigger set waves. And remain calm while doing it.

“My strategy was to go outside and to take the best two waves and to make it through each heat,” said Dupont. “Not to stress and just to go heat-by-heat and to take it easy.”

The Longboard Pro Espinho ran from March 16-18, 2018 and the Junior Pro Espinho will run from March 21-25, 2018 in Espinho, Portugal. For all results, photos, video highlights and press releases, log on to worldsurfleague.com. 

The Junior and Longboard Pro Espinho are organized by GPDESIGN Brand Communication and Câmara Municipal de Espinho, sponsored by Camara Municipal de Espinho and Suported by Castros Iluminações, Hotels GroupM Espinho, PraiaGolfe Hotel, Padaria Pepim, Comercial Tec, CP-Comboios de Portugal, Greencoast Surfschool,  with media partners: RTP, FuelTV, Porto Canal, MegaHits, Surftotal, BeachCam, and SurfPortugal among others, official forecaster Magicseaweed.

MEN’S FINAL RESULTS
1. Edouard Delpero (FRA) 13.50
2. Ben Skinner (GBR) 6.26

MEN’S SEMIFINAL RESULTS
Heat 1: Ben Skinner (GBR) 16.26 def. Benoit Carpentier (FRA) 8.84
Heat 2: Edouardo Delpero (FRA) 17.83 def. Jack Unsworth (GBR)2.97

MEN’S QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:
Heat 1: Ben Skinner (GBR) 6.73 def. Ben Howey (GBR) 2.57
Heat 2: Benoit Carpentier (FRA) 13.10 def. Alvaro Fernandez (ESP) 7.50
Heat 3: Edouardo Delpero (FRA) 14.90 def. Rémi Arauzo (FRA) 6.17
Heat 4: Jack Unsworth (GBR)12.06 def. Augusto Olinto (BRA) 9.94

MEN’S ROUND OF 16 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Ben Howey (GBR) 9.84 def. Rodrigo Sphaier (BRA) 5.17
Heat 2: Ben Skinner (GBR) 14.73 def. Antoine Delpero (FRA) 12.00
Heat 3: Alvaro Fernandez (ESP) 7.40 def. Federico Nesti (ITA) 5.93
Heat 4: Benoit Carpentier (FRA) 9.23 def. Julian Schweizer (URY) 9.17
Heat 5: Edouard Delpero (FRA) 12.83 def. Evan Rogers (GBR) 2.67
Heat 6: Rémi Arauzo (FRA) 10.44 def. Emilien Fleury (FRA) 5.00
Heat 7: Augusto Olinto (BRA) 6.73 def. Moana Domenech (PYF) 5.74
Heat 8: Jack Unsworth (GBR) 5.84 def. Diogo Goncalves (PRT) 3.44

MEN’S ROUND OF 24 RESULTS
Heat 1: Rodrigo Sphaier (BRA) 17.17, Antoine Delpero (FRA) 12.83, Joao Dantas (PRT) 10.33
Heat 2: Ben Skinner (GBR) 9.43, Ben Howey (GBR) 6.33, Thierry Andre (FRA) 3.83
Heat 3: Federico Nesti (ITA) 8.83, Julian Schweizer (URY) 7.83, Fabrizio, Gabrielli (ITA) 4.10
Heat 4: Benoit Carpentier (FRA) 10.97, Alvaro Fernandez (ESP) 6.00, Pier Loustau-Lasplaces (FRA) 0.00
Heat 5: Edouard Delpero (FRA) 17.47, Emilien Fleury (FRA) 4.23, Luis Cruz (PRT) 2.63
Heat 6: Rémi Arauzo (FRA) 11.44, Evan Rogers (GBR) 7.86, Aurelien Meynieux (REU) 6.50
Heat 7: Augusto Olinto (BRA) 9.76, Diogo Goncalves (PRT) 6.37, Juan Villasante (ESP) 3.76
Heat 8: Jack Unsworth (GBR) 8.07, Moana Domenech (PYF) 7.50, Robin Henry (FRA) 5.27

MEN’S ROUND 0F 28 RESULTS
Heat 1: Joao Dantas (PRT) 7.33, Ben Howey (GBR) 5.56, Wenderson Bludo (BRA) 5.53
Heat 2: Julian Schweizer (URY) 7.57, Pier Loustau-Lasplaces 2.07, Sebastiao Maia (PRT) 2.04
Heat 3: Emilien Fleury (FRA) 7.57, Aurelien Meynieux (REU) 6.84, Eduardo Bage (BRA) 6.00
Heat 4: Augusto Olinto (BRA) 10.00, Robin Henry (FRA) 4.36, Joao Gama (PRT) 2.44

WOMEN’S FINAL RESULTS
1: Justine Dupont (FRA) 10.40
2: Chloe Salmon (BRA) 0.90

WOMEN’S SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
Heat 1: Justine Dupont (FRA) 8.66 def. Lindsay Steinriede (USA) 4.57
Heat 2: Chloe Calmon (BRA) 5.77 def. Emily Currie (GBR) 4.27

Women’s Quarterfinal Results
Heat 1: Justine Dupont (FRA) 13.35 def. Kathleen Barrigao (PRT) 6.94 
Heat 2: Lindsay Steinriede (USA) 7.16 def. Nienke, Dulnemeijer (NLD) 2.03
Heat 3: Emily Currie (GBR) 5.23 def. Jennifer Pendlebury (GBR)2.30
Heat 4: Chloe Calmon (BRA) 9.10 def. Valentini Macroni (ITA) 2.97

Women’s Round of 12
HEAT 1: Justine Dupont (FRA) 8.60, Emily Currie (GBR) 6.40, Francesca Rubegni (ITA) 4.20
BIG, UNRULY SURF CHALLENGES EUROPE’S BEST LONGBOARDERS

BIG, UNRULY SURF CHALLENGES EUROPE’S BEST LONGBOARDERS

18/03/2018, International, Surfing, World Surf League, Article # 26117954

World Surf League

BIG, UNRULY SURF CHALLENGES EUROPE’S BEST LONGBOARDERS

- COMPETITORS SNAP BOARDS AT HEAVY BEACHBREAK
- EDOUARD DELPERO TAKES HIGHEST SCORE OF THE DAY
- MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT WORLDSURFLEAGUE.COM

Caption: Edouard Delpero (FRA) on the wave that earned him the highest heat total.
Credit: © WSL / Masurel

PRAIA DE BAIA, Espinho - Portugal (Saturday, March 17, 2018) — The Longboard Pro Espinho launched today in stormy windswell at the urban beach setting of Espinho, just a stone’s throw from Porto.

With surf ranging in the overhead to double overhead range, longboarders were faced with extremely challenging conditions. All the surfers rose to the challenge today with France’s Edouard Delpero and Justine Dupont putting on amazing displays of commitment. 

Edouard wowed the crowd with the day’s highest wave score, a 9.70 (out of 10). The Frenchman took off on a bomb out the back that was easily double overhead and proceeded to swoop and carve all the way to the shore break where he ended the ride with a dump floater.

“I started the heat slow and didn’t know where to sit, got the 7.7 and then had trouble getting back out,” said Edouard. “I almost got a barrel on my first wave but I didn’t want to break my board. It had an open shoulder and I managed to get a few turns and some nose rides and it was definitely a fun wave.”

Another stand out in the men’s was Rodrigo Sphaier (BRA) who scored the day’s second highest heat total with a 17.17 combined wave score (out of 20).

“It’s pretty hard to pick the right one and you have to be sure it’s the right one because there’s a lot at stake,” said Sphaier. “I’ve been working hard all year to be in shape and be in the right place when the right wave comes. And that’s it - wait for the right one and be patient. That’s my strategy.”

Ben Skinner (GBR) claimed his Round 2 heat win over compatriot Ben Howey and Thierry Andre (FRA) with a couple of mid-range scores that reflected the difficulty of the conditions. 

“Well it was tricky out there for sure,” said Skinner. “It’s really quite solid. It’s not big in size it’s just thick and powerful. And I was pretty much the only one sitting out the back and it was pretty scary but I got a couple of really good waves. In between the mayhem there’s some gold.”

The women’s side of the event went all the way through the quarterfinals with Justine Dupont, Emily Currie (GBR), Chloe Calmon (BRA) and Lindsay Steinriede (USA) advancing in the frustrating conditions.

With big sets bombing out the back early round surfers found an inside left during low tide that offered scoring opportunities away from the chaos.

In Women’s Heat 1 of Round 1 Dupont was tempted to charge the outside, but had difficulty.

“I wanted to get to the outside break but I didn’t make it, so I was really mad at myself,” said Dupont. “I saw the other girls get the little waves inside and I tried to get some little waves on the inside to get some points. You have to surf to the conditions. You have to adapt, so I adapted and made the heat.”

Perennial favorite Lindsay Steinriede took advantage of the inside lefts to win her quarterfinal, but she had to play cat and mouse with clean up sets.

“My strategy was to be patient and wait on the side and get over as fast as I could and pick those off and then get back over to the safe zone by the jetty, said Steinriede. “I only have one board, so my goal was definitely to get into the semifinals and just keep my board safe.”

Forecasters are calling for the surf to come down a notch, however the interval will jump up which means solid surf for tomorrow as well. Winds are expected to be relatively calm in the morning with moderate westerly winds clocking in midday.

The Longboard Pro Espinho is scheduled from March 16-18, 2018 and the Junior Pro Espinho from March 21-25, 2018 in Espinho, Portugal. For all results, photos, video highlights and press releases, log on to worldsurfleague.com the WSL app

The Junior and Longboard Pro Espinho are organized by GPDESIGN Brand Communication and Câmara Municipal de Espinho, sponsored by Camara Municipal de Espinho and Suported by Castros Iluminações, Hotels GroupM Espinho, PraiaGolfe Hotel, Padaria Pepim, Comercial Tec, CP-Comboios de Portugal, Greencoast Surfschool,  with media partners: RTP, FuelTV, Porto Canal, MegaHits, Surftotal, BeachCam, and SurfPortugal among others, official forecaster Magicseaweed.

UPCOMING LONGBOARD PRO ESPINHO MEN’S ROUND 3 MATCHUPS:
Heat 1: Rodrigo Sphaier, (BRA), Ben Howey (GBR)
Heat 2: Antione Delpero (FRA), Ben Skinner (GBR)
Heat 3: Federico Nesti (ITA), Alberto Fernandez (ESP)            
Heat 4: Julian Schweizer (URY), Benoit Carpentier (FRA)
Heat 5: Edouard Delpero (FRA), Evan Rogers (GBR)
Heat 6: Rémi Arauzo (FRA), Emilien Fleury (FRA)
Heat 7: Augusto Olinto (BRA), Moana Domenech (PYF)
Heat 8: Diogo Goncalves (PRT), Jack Unsworth (GBR)

UPCOMING LONGBOARD PRO ESPINHO WOMEN’S SEMIFINAL MATCHUPS:
Heat 1: Justine Dupont (FRA), Lindsay Steinriede (USA)
Heat 2: Emily Currie (GBR), Chloe Calmon (BRA)

LONGBOARD PRO ESPINHO MEN'S ROUND 2 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Rodrigo Sphaier (BRA) 17.17, Antoine Delpero (FRA) 12.83, Joao Dantas (PRT) 10.33
Heat 2: Ben Skinner (GBR) 9.43, Ben Howey (GBR) 6.33, Thierry Andre (FRA) 3.83
Heat 3: Federico Nesti (ITA) 8.83, Julian Schweizer (URY) 7.83, Fabrizio, Gabrielli (ITA) 4.10
Heat 4: Benoit Carpentier (FRA) 10.97, Alvaro Fernandez (ESP) 6.00, Pier Loustau-Lasplaces (FRA) 
Heat 5: Edouard Delpero (FRA) 17.47, Emilien Fleury (FRA) 4.23, Luis Cruz (PRT) 2.63
Heat 6: Rémi Arauzo (FRA) 11.44, Evan Rogers (GBR) 7.86, Aurelien Meynieux (REU) 6.50
Heat 7: Augusto Olinto (BRA) 9.76, Diogo Goncalves (PRT) 6.37, Juan Villasante (ESP) 3.76
Heat 8: Jack Unsworth (GBR) 8.07, Moana Domenech (PYF) 7.50, Robin Henry (FRA) 5.27

LONGBOARD PRO ESPINHO MEN’S ROUND 1 RESULTS
Heat 1: Joao Dantas (PRT) 7.33, Ben Howey (GBR) 5.56, Wenderson Bludo (BRA) 5.53
Heat 2: Julian Schweizer (URY) 7.57, Pier Loustau-Lasplaces 2.07, Sebastiao Maia (PRT) 2.04
Heat 3: Emilien Fleury (FRA) 7.57, Aurelien Meynieux (REU) 6.84, Eduardo Bage (BRA) 6.00
Heat 4: Augusto Olinto (BRA) 10.00, Robin Henry (FRA) 4.36, Joao Gama (PRT) 2.44

LONGBOARD PRO ESPINHO WOMEN'S ROUND 2 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Justine Dupont (FRA) 13.35 def. Kathleen Barrigao (PRT) 6.94 
Heat 2: Lindsay Steinriede (USA) 7.16 def. Nienke, Dulnemeijer (NLD) 2.03
Heat 3: Emily Currie (GBR) 5.23 def. Jennifer Pendlebury (GBR)2.30
Heat 4: Chloe Calmon (BRA) 9.10 def. Valentini Macroni (ITA) 2.97

LONGBOARD PRO ESPINHO WOMEN'S ROUND 1 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Justine Dupont (FRA) 8.60, Emily Currie (GBR) 6.40, Francesca Rubegni (ITA) 4.20
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ESPINHO SET TO LAUNCH EUROPEAN LONGBOARD AND JUNIOR SERIES

ESPINHO SET TO LAUNCH EUROPEAN LONGBOARD AND JUNIOR SERIES

14/03/2018, International, Surfing, World Surf League, Article # 26070331

World Surf League

ESPINHO SET TO LAUNCH EUROPEAN LONGBOARD AND JUNIOR SERIES 
- MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT WORLDSURFLEAGUE.COM

Caption: Vahine Fierro (PYF) captured the win in Espinho last year and went on to win the prestigious World Junior Championships.
Credit: © WSL / Lodin

PRAIA DE BAIA, Espinho - Portugal (Tuesday, March 13, 2018) — The Longboard Pro Espinho and Junior Pro Espinho are set to launch our European Longboard and Junior Qualifying Series in Northern Portugal. 

Longboarders will start their season first, from Friday to Sunday, March 16-18 and re-kindle the exciting battles of last year, led by the Delpero brothers Antoine and Edouard in the men’s, and multi European Champion Alice Lemoigne in the women’s.

With three events currently on the cards for 2018, each and every performance will count towards the regional title and the region’s top athletes will need to fend off newcomers and perennial threats to assert their rank on the European ladder.

Juniors will then take control of the lineup next week from Wednesday to Sunday, March 21-25for their opening event of the season as well. Reigning European champion Kauli Vaast will lead the field into this exciting new season with a lot of the top surfers graduating to the QS class, opening the door for new talents to shine.

The dynamic coastal town of Espinho has welcomed WSL competitions for the past four years and graced us with great conditions. The beautiful central beach break, located right in the city’s heart also allowed large crowds to come discover professional surfing in a friendly environment.

The Longboard Pro Espinho is scheduled from March 16-18, 2018 and the Junior Pro Espinho from March 21-25, 2018 in Espinho, Portugal. For all results, photos, video highlights and press releases, log on to worldsurfleague.com. 

The Junior and Longboard Pro Espinho are organized by GPDESIGN Brand Communication and Câmara Municipal de Espinho, sponsored by Camara Municipal de Espinho and Suported by Castros Iluminações, Hotels GroupM Espinho, PraiaGolfe Hotel, Padaria Pepim, Comercial Tec, CP-Comboios de Portugal, Greencoast Surfschool,  with media partners: RTP, FuelTV, Porto Canal, MegaHits, Surftotal, BeachCam, and SurfPortugal among others, official forecaster Magicseaweed.
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HONOLUA BLOMFIELD AND DANE PIOLI VICTORIOUS AT AUSTRALIAN LONGBOARD SURFING OPEN

HONOLUA BLOMFIELD AND DANE PIOLI VICTORIOUS AT AUSTRALIAN LONGBOARD SURFING OPEN

03/03/2018, International, Surfing, World Surf League, Article # 25957157

World Surf League

HONOLUA BLOMFIELD AND DANE PIOLI VICTORIOUS AT AUSTRALIAN LONGBOARD SURFING OPEN
- BLOMFIELD TAKES HER FIRST ALSO LQS TITLE
- PIOLI WINS HIS FOURTH ALSO TITLE
- MORE INFORMATION AT WORLDSURFLEAGUE.COM

Caption: Current Women's World Longboard Champion Honolua Blomfield (HAW) has taken out the Cancer Institute Women's LQS at Kingscliff.
Credit: © WSL /  Luke Sorenson


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Kingscliff, NSW/AUS  (Saturday, March 3, 2018) - Honolua Blomfield (HAW) and Dane Pioli (AUS) have taken out the Men’s and Women’s divisions at the Australian Longboard Surfing Open, World Surf League (WSL) Longboard Qualification Series  (LQS) event in Kingscliff.

Current Women’s World Longboard Champion Blomfield met former World Champion Tory Gilkerson (USA) in the Final of the Cancer Institute NSW Women’s LQS event. It was the first time the two met in a head to head heat and it was the 19-year-old Hawaiian that came out on top winning with a 14.10 (out of 20) heat total.

“We’ve actually never gone head-to-head,” Blomfield said “Tory is a really amazing surfer, this is our first time in a heat against each other. I have been coming here for three years and this is my first final here and my first win it feels so amazing. I always try to catch the first wave to keep my confidence and I did, then I just got on a roll.”

“Tory wasn’t really catching the good waves and I just kind of found them,” Blomfield continued. “But she is an amazing surfer I was really scared coming into this heat because she’s so awesome. I didn’t really have a plan. The waves are so hard out there - anyone could have won I guess I just tried my best.”

In the Volte Wetsuits Men’s LQS Final, Coolangatta native Pioli came up against Byron Bay local Jack Entwistle. Pioli got off to an impressive start in the challenging conditions, posting 7.33 (out of a possible 10) in the opening minutes and then just a few minutes later he picked up an 8.67 – which proved to be the winning wave of the 30-minute heat. Pioli finished the heat with a 16.00 heat total to take his fourth Australian Longboard Surfing Open title.

“I was so nervous I don’t know why I’ve done so many of these but maybe it was a good thing I was nervous,” Pioli said. “I got the first wave, I knew it was a decent score but because it was early in the heat I didn’t know if they were going to go into the sevens, then I got that seven.  I paddled straight back out and then Jack missed one so I ended up on the inside and that wave of the heat came and there wasn’t another one after it. I made the most of it. I was hoping to get into the nines but I got an 8.67 - I knew it was a good one.”

“There was no point hassling Jack because we’re mates so I let him go and if anything come I would have let him have it but unfortunately for him, nothing came but it was fortunate for me and I got the win.,” Pioli continued.
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TAYLOR JENSEN AND TULLY WHITE WIN THE JAMES BROS LONGBOARD CLASSIC

TAYLOR JENSEN AND TULLY WHITE WIN THE JAMES BROS LONGBOARD CLASSIC

14/02/2018, International, Surfing, World Surf League, Article # 25785026

World Surf League

TAYLOR JENSEN AND TULLY WHITE WIN THE JAMES BROS LONGBOARD CLASSIC 
- CURRENT WORLD CHAMPION TAYLOR JENSEN MAKES HISTORY AT INAUGURAL EVENT
-  TULLY WHITE SNAGS THE WIN OF HER YOUNG CAREER
- MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT WORLDSURFLEAGUE.COM

Caption:  3 X's World Longboard Champion Taylor Jensen has won the inaugural James Bros. Longboard Classic LQS.   
Credit: © WSL /  Paul Donovaro 


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Coolangatta, QLD/AUS  (Tuesday, February 12, 2018)  -  Reigning World Longboard  Champion Taylor Jensen (USA) and Aussie Tully White have been crowned the male and female champions at the James Bros Longboard Classic at Merewether beach in Newcastle.

Contestants were greeted by waves in the 2-foot range breaking through Merewether rocks. Light onshore winds saw variable conditions as the tide ran out throughout the day. The one day World Surf League Longboard Qualifying Series 1000 event, held as part of the 2018 Surfest, saw 24 male and 8 female surfers vying for the honour of claiming the inaugural James Bros contest.

Three-time (2011, 2012, 2017) world champion Jensen’s first-ever surf at Merewether saw him collect the highest score in his opening round (16.00). He then backed that up with the highest score in the semi-finals (16.00), but waited for the final before racking up the day’s highest heat score (16.60) when he defeated Australian dual world champion Harley Ingleby (12.40). Jensen had the three top scores for the entire contest.

Thirty-three-year-old Jensen, who lives at Angourie for half the year and Oceanside California for the other six months, said conditions improved during the morning but deteriorated in the final. So how did he rack up the biggest score of the day in the final?

“I lucked into the first one (8.50) and almost got hung up on the top, but it ran really nicely. I realised my backup score (8.10) was not as good. It wasn’t the sets that were the best, you had to pick the waves that hit the bank the best as they seemed to offer the higher scoring chances. It was super consistent and fun. We had waves all day,” Jensen said.

He took home $US2000 for his win.

Tully White from Allambie Heights in NSW (10.55) defeated Noosaville’s (QLD) Emily Lethbridge (6.85) in the women’s final. Eighteen-year-old White, the reigning Australian open women’s national longboard champion, claimed her first WSL event title today.  

The goofy-foot, who lists the points at Noosa and Byron as her favourite surf breaks, is taking a gap year in 2018 after completing her HSC last year. She’ll concentrate on her surfing before commencing a university degree in marine biology in 2019. White said she enjoyed the conditions today that made her think closely about her surfing, tactics and wave selection, but she still had a ball.

All of the action at the James Bros. Longboard Classic LQS kicks-off tomorrow morning at Merewether Beach at 8:00 am. for more information and images heat to www.world surfleague.com or check out the free WSL App.

Surfest is supported by the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
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STAGE IS SET FOR INAUGURAL JAMES BROS. LONGBOARD CLASSIC

STAGE IS SET FOR INAUGURAL JAMES BROS. LONGBOARD CLASSIC

12/02/2018, International, Surfing, World Surf League, Article # 25769296

World Surf League

STAGE IS SET FOR INAUGURAL JAMES BROS. LONGBOARD CLASSIC
- WORLD CHAMPIONS PAST AND PRESENT TO HIT THE WATER ON DAY 1 OF COMPETITION
-  LONGBOARD CLASSIC TO BE THE FIRST LQS EVENT OF THE 2018 SEASON
- MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT WORLDSURFLEAGUE.COM

Caption:  Australian 2 X's World Longboard Champion Harley Ingleby will be one to watch at the inaugural James Bros. Longboard Classic LQS.   
Credit: © WSL /  Tim Hain


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Coolangatta, QLD/AUS  (Monday, JFebruary 11, 2018) -  With the festivities well underway at the 2018 Newcastle Surfest, the second World Surf League event in its schedule, the James Bros. Longboard Classic LQS event is set to kick-off at Merewether tomorrow.

Two-time World Longboard Champion Harley Ingleby (AUS) is stoked to see an international longboard event return to Newcastle. With small clean conditions forecasted, Ingleby will be a clear favourite to take out the event in it’s the first year.

“It’s great to have a new event on the calendar,” Ingleby said. “Having it attached to Surfest and the other WSL events is really cool as it should help it gain the attention it deserves. We used to have a Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) event in Newcastle back in the day and it always provided great waves, I’m excited to be heading back there to compete, it is always fun time. I hope the addition of this event is the start of something and we keep seeing LQS events pop up around Australia and the world.”

Ingleby won’t be the only Longboard royalty in attendance, with current World Longboard Champion, Taylor Jensen (USA) also among the field. Other LCT competitors include Nic Jones (AUS), Jack Entwistle (AUS) along with Nava Young (AUS) in the Women’s division.

WSL Longboard Commissioner Will Hayden-Smith is thrilled to see some of the sports biggest names make the journey to Newcastle for the inaugural James Bros. Longboard Classic.

“It’s a real testament to the James Bros. Longboard Classic along with the greater longboarding community to see some of the sports biggest names heading to the event,” Hayden-Smith said. “It’s going to be a really exciting way to kick off the 2018 season and I can’t wait to see the world’s best lighting up Merewether beach.”

All of the action at the James Bros. Longboard Classic LQS kicks-off tomorrow morning at Merewether Beach at 8:00 am. for more information and images heat to www.world surfleague.com or check out the free WSL App.

Surfest is supported by the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
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JAMES BROS. LONGBOARD CLASSIC LQS JOINS NEWCASTLE SURFEST IN 2018

JAMES BROS. LONGBOARD CLASSIC LQS JOINS NEWCASTLE SURFEST IN 2018

23/01/2018, International, Surfing, World Surf League, Article # 25562801

World Surf League

JAMES BROS. LONGBOARD CLASSIC LQS JOINS NEWCASTLE SURFEST IN 2018
- ONE OF AUSTRALIA'S MOST ICONIC SURF FESTIVALS ADDS A WSL LQS EVENT TO ITS SCHEDULE IN 2018
-  LONGBOARD CLASSIC TO BE THE FIRST LQS EVENT OF THE 2018 SEASON
- MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT WORLDSURFLEAGUE.COM

Caption:  Australian 2 X's World Longboard Champion Harley Ingleby will be one to watch at the inaugural James Bros. Longboard Classic LQS.   
Credit: © WSL /  Tom Bennett


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Coolangatta, QLD/AUS  (Monday, January 22, 2018) -  World Surf League Australia / Oceania are excited to announce the addition of a Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) event to the 2018 calendar. The James Bros Longboard Classic will run in conjunction with Newcastle Surfest at Merewether Beach on February 13 and 14. 

Surfest is an Australian surfing institution and already plays host to the Burton Automotive Pro 6,000 and the Grandstand Physio Women’s Pro 6,000 along with the NIB Pro Junior JQS. The addition of the LQS event is not only great for Newcastle Surfest but for the broader longboarding community.

"WSL is very excited to add a new Longboard QS to the calendar," Said WSL Longboard Commisioner Will Hayden-Smith. "Longboarding showcases the history and culture of our sport, and our fans love to see the traditional style of surfing as our surfers compete for spots at the Longboard Championship Tour.

Hospitality siblings Peter, Harry and George James – who own well-known Novocastrian eateries including Blue Door, Harry’s Schnitzel and Table One Espresso – have backed the event in its inaugural year. Peter James, a keen surfer himself, says the James Bros. Classic is a great opportunity to bring a new competition into Surfest.

“To be able to get behind a longboard event – and a new one at that – at Merewether beach as part of Surfest feels the right fit for us. It was an easy decision to become involved because we are committed to Newcastle and Newcastle has long been committed to Surfest. Merewether beach was just named in the annual rankings of Australian beaches as the number one city beach in the nation and to be able to contribute to its showcasing is a real pleasure,” Mr James said.

As part of the World Surf League’s Men’s Longboard Qualifying Series, the 1,000 event offers a prize purse of AU$5,000. The Women’s 1,000 event is also part of the Longboard Qualifying Series and AU$2,000 is up for grabs. While the majority of competitors will consist of Australian surfers in both competitions, there are early indications of international athletes getting ready to don the coloured singlet.

In a massive boost for the competition, current world longboard champion, 33-year-old Taylor Jensen from North America will surf in the event. The dual world champion boasts a massive number of competition victories, including a staggering six US national longboard titles, three Australasian titles and more than 50 professional event wins.

Surfest event director Warren Smith said that even after more than three decades of Surfest, it’s still a big thrill to see new events incorporated into Australia’s biggest festival of surfing.

“We haven’t had a WSL longboards event included at Merewether and to have the James brothers stump up to make it happen is another demonstration of the growing involvement of Newcastle businesses getting behind Surfest,” he said.

Entries for the James Bros Longboard Classic events close January 30 at 5PM EST.

Surfest is supported by the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
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TAYLOR JENSEN CLAIMS THIRD WORLD TITLE IN TAIWAN

TAYLOR JENSEN CLAIMS THIRD WORLD TITLE IN TAIWAN

05/12/2017, International, Surfing, World Surf League, Article # 25066795

World Surf League

TAYLOR JENSEN CLAIMS THIRD WORLD TITLE IN TAIWAN
- JENSEN BEATS EDOUARD DELPERO IN A SURF-OFF TO BE CROWNED WSL CHAMPION
-  MARKS THREE WORLD TITLES IN THREE DIFFERENT COUNTRIES FOR JENSEN
- MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT WORLDSURFLEAGUE.COM

Caption: Taylor Jensen (USA) garnered a remarkable third World Title after a showdown with Edoaurd Delpero (FRA) in Taiwan.
Credit: WSL/ Hain


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HUNTINGTON BEACH, California/ USA (Monday, December 4, 2017) – The World Surf League (WSL) North America office is excited to announce Taylor Jensen (USA) as the 2017 Men’s Longboard World Champion. Jensen claimed his remarkable third World Title at the Taiwan Open World Longboard Championship (WLC) in a surf-off against France’s Edouard Delpero (FRA). The Frenchmen claimed the event win after Jensen was eliminated in the Quarterfinals, but, because Jensen won the Kumul PNG World Longboard Championship earlier this year, the two went head-to-head to see who would claim longboard’s biggest title.
 

Caption: Jensen's arsenal of classic longboard style and power maneuvers put him atop the rankings once again.
Credit: WSL/ Hain
 
“This doesn’t feel real at the moment I’m totally tripping out on this,” Jensen said. “It has been an absolute rollercoaster of a week with losing in the Quarterfinals then watching everyone fall out -- then realizing I still had a chance was mind-blowing. For it to go down to a surf-off is really cool. I was a mess all week, not sleeping, and just constantly nervous. When I found out I would surf for the Title I just treated it as a normal final.”
 
The 33-year-old now joins some of the sport’s finest names such as Rusty Keaulana (HAW)and Colin McPhilips (USA) with three World Titles and can now chase history to join Nat Young (AUS) as the only other surfer with four. Jensen considers this his most treasured World Title after an incredible year witnessed two events decide the title and overcame his curse of close calls.
 
“It’s pretty special to get three Titles for sure,” Jensen said. “You honestly can't really compare yourself to those guys but to have the same accolades as the guys who I looked up to growing up is extremely validating. I can't even explain what a relief this one was and how much stress and pressure I was trying to unload during the event. The past few years were heartbreaking close calls for me in China. I lost by such small margins after having a lot of success in every other event all year and it was really eating at me. This one felt like redemption. I had a moment in the rocks by myself when I came in and I broke down in a wave of laughter, sobbing, and elation -- it was such a bizarre flood of every emotion. I'm honestly almost as relieved it's over as I am that I won the title.”
 


Caption: Taiwan delivered pristine conditions and the three-time WSL Champion put on a showcase throughout the event.
Credit: WSL/ Sorati
 
It’s been nothing short of an amazing career for the Oceanside, California, resident, who splits time living in Australia, with World Title wins in three different countries.
 
“I was the first to win in Italy and the first to win in China so it is really cool to be the first to win in Taiwan,” Jensen continued. “This is definitely the sweetest of all of them. I came to this event with a lot of fire in me and I have worked super hard. Winning in PNG definitely got me pumped up at the start of the year and I’ve just had to carry and manage that motivation throughout the year. This win has definitely alleviated the frustration of the last few years and to get it in great waves in a beautiful place like this is really special for me.”
 

Caption: A massive finals day at Taiwan that ended on the podium with an event winner and World Champion.
Credit: WSL/ Hain
 
The now three-time WSL Champion is set for time away from the jersey during the offseason with plenty on his agenda. While 2018 is still a question mark for Jensen as he prepares for what’s next, his ambitions take him far out of the water with more to be done.
 
"I'll take some time away from the surf I think, just detach and relax,” Jensen said. “Try to let it soak in, then I know I have some new prototypes I’ve been working on with Firewire at home waiting for me that I'm super excited about. I haven't made any decision regarding a run at another title, but by no means am I finished. I have more to accomplish both in and out of the water and I am excited to start working on new projects and toward new goals.”
 
Other notable finishes at the Taiwan Open World Longboard Championship included Cole Robbins (USA) finishing with a Semifinal result in the men’s event. San Clemente, California, natives and WSL Champions Rachael Tilly (USA) and Tory Gilkerson (USA) each finished with a Semifinal appearance in the women’s event as Lindsay Steinriede (USA) earned runner-up to eventual winner and World Champion Honolua Blomfield (HAW).
 
For more information, please visit www.worldsurfleague.com or download the WSL App to get updates on your mobile device.
 
2017 Final Men’s Longboard Championship Tour Rankings:
1 - Taylor Jensen (USA) 15,200 points
2 – Edouard Delpero (FRA) 15,200 points
3 – Kai Sallas (HAW) 13,200 points
4 – Phil Rajzman (BRA) 12,000 points
5 – Antoine Delpero (FRA) 11,700 points
 
2017 Final Women’s Longboard Championship Tour Rankings:
1 – Honolua Blomfield (HAW) 16,500 points
2 – Chloe Calmon (BRA) 13,300 points
3 – Crystal Walsh (HAW) 13,200 points
4 – Lindsay Steinriede (USA) 13,200 points
5 – Kaitlin Maguire (USA) 11,700 points
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TAYLOR JENSEN WINS THIRD WORLD LONGBOARD CHAMPIONSHIP AT TAIWAN OPEN

TAYLOR JENSEN WINS THIRD WORLD LONGBOARD CHAMPIONSHIP AT TAIWAN OPEN

03/12/2017, International, Surfing, World Surf League, Article # 25053731

World Surf League

TAYLOR JENSEN WINS THIRD WORLD LONGBOARD CHAMPIONSHIP AT TAIWAN OPEN
- EDOUARD DELPERO (FRA) WINS TAIWAN OPEN WLC EVENT AND FINISHES YEAR SECOND IN WORLD RANKINGS
-  BRAZILIAN PHIL RAJZMAN (BRA) FINISHES RUNNER-UP AT TAIWAN OPEN WLC
NEWSFEED CONTAINS: TAYLOR JENSEN (USA), EDOUARD DELPERO (FRA), PHIL RAJZMAN (BRA)
- MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT WORLDSURFLEAGUE.COM

Caption:  The Podium at the Taiwan Open World Longboard Championship including event winner Edouard Delpero (FRA), Taitung Governor Justin Huang, 2017 World Longboard Champion Taylor Jensen (USA) and event runner-up Phil Rajzman (BRA).  
Credit: © WSL /  Tim Hain


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Jinzun Harbour,  Taitung/Taiwan  (Sunday, December 3, 2017) -  Taylor Jensen (USA) has made history at the Taiwan Open World Longboard Championship (WLC) by winning his third World Title in a winner-takes-all surf-off against Edouard Delpero (FRA). It is only the second time in WSL / ASP History that a World Championship has been decided by a surf-off – as the two surfers finished the season in equal 1st place on rankings. It was a thriller heat with the two trading clean 4-to-6 foot waves at Jinzun Harbour.

After being eliminated in the Quarterfinals of the Taiwan Open WLC event earlier in the week, Jensen had a long wait to find out his fate.  When Edouard Delpero beat Phil Rajzman (BRA) in the final of the Taiwan Open, he joined Jensen on top of the Rankings, meaning that the event needed to run one more heat to decide the 2017 World Longboard Champion. Delpero had just won his first WLC event and was on a roll, but after a number of close second-place finishes over the last two years, nothing was going to stop Jensen from claiming his third Championship.

“This doesn’t feel real at the moment I’m totally tripping out on this,” Jensen said. “It has been an absolute rollercoaster of a week with losing in the quarterfinals then watching everyone fall out, then realizing I still have a chance was mind-blowing. For it to go down to a surf-off is really cool. I was a mess all week, not sleeping and just constantly nervous than when I found out I would surf for it I just treated it as a normal final.”


Caption:  Your 2017 World Longboard Champion Taylor Jensen gouging in the pocket during the surf-off at Jinzun Harbour.  
Credit: © WSL /  Tim Hain

Jensen has won World Championships in 2011 and 2012 in Italy and in China but rates this close call in pumping Taiwan waves as his sweetest yet. Taking out the Kumul PNG World WLC event earlier this season, Jensen was in the box seat heading to Taiwan.

“I was the first to win in Italy and the first to win in China so it is really cool to be the first to win in Taiwan,” Jensen continued. “This is definitely the sweetest of all of them. I have had a few close calls recently and it has definitely taken a toll emotionally. I came to this event with a lot of fire in me and I have worked super hard. Winning in PNG definitely got me pumped up at the start of the year and I’ve just had to carry and manage that motivation throughout the year. This win has definitely alleviated the frustration of the last few years and to get it in great waves in a beautiful place like this is really special for me.”


Caption:  Your 2017 World Longboard Champion Taylor Jensen chaired to victory at Jinzun Harbour.  
Credit: © WSL /  Tim Hain

Although Delpero came short in the surf-off he won the Final of the inaugural Taiwan Open World Longboard Championship. The stylish Frenchman won at Jinzun Harbour in 2016 and was always going to be hard to beat. Delpero leaves Taiwan with his first WLC event win and finishing the year in second spot on the WSL Longboard Rankings.

“This has been a great event for me,” Delpero said. “I have worked really hard this week to get to the final. I was always aiming to win but never expected to be in a surf-off for the World Title. I love Taiwan and the Taitung area – I have amazing memories here and always get incredible surf. I’m already looking forward to coming back next year.”  


Caption: Edouard Delpero (FRA) chaired to victory at Jinzun Harbour after winning the Taiwan Open WLC.  
Credit: © WSL /  Tom Bennett

In the final of the Taiwan Open, Delpero came up against 2007 and 2016 World Champion Phil Rajzman (BRA) from Brazil. Rajzman was Jenson’s only hope to clinch the title without a surf-off and looked a solid chance to win the event. In the final, Rajzman struggled to find the rhythm he had in earlier rounds and went down to Delpero with a heat total of 11.03 and finishes the season rated 4th in the world.

“Edouard was surfing incredibly all event and really deserves the win,” Rajzman said. “I struggled to find good waves in the final which was hard because I would have loved to have won the event. Winning and giving the title to Taylor would have been special for me but to have a surf off is really exciting for the sport and both Taylor and Edouard deserve to win the title.” 


Caption:  Phil Rajzman (BRA) on the noes during his second-place finish at the Taiwan Open WLC.  
Credit: © WSL /  Tim Hain

The 2017 Taiwan Open World Longboard Championship runs from November 23 - December 3, 2017. For more information, highlights and images, head to www.worldsurfleague.com and on the WSL App.


World Title Surf-Off Heat Results

Heat 1: Taylor Jensen (USA) 14.50 def Edouard Delpero (FRA)  13.16

Taiwan Open World Longboarding Championship Men's Final Results

Heat 1: Edouard Delpero (FRA) 15.83 def Phil Razjman (BRA) 11.03
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ANTICIPATION BUILDS AS LAY-DAY CALLED AT TAIWAN OPEN WORLD LONGBOARD CHAMPIONSHIP

ANTICIPATION BUILDS AS LAY-DAY CALLED AT TAIWAN OPEN WORLD LONGBOARD CHAMPIONSHIP

01/12/2017, International, Surfing, World Surf League, Article # 25026147

World Surf League

ANTICIPATION BUILDS AS LAY-DAY CALLED AT TAIWAN OPEN WORLD LONGBOARD CHAMPIONSHIP
- MEN'S SEMIFINALS ON STANDBY DUE TO STRONG WIND
-  WORLD TITLE YET TO BEDECIDED
- MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT WORLDSURFLEAGUE.COM

Caption:  Edouard Delpero (FRA) will take on Harley Ingleby (AUS) in Semifinal 2 when competition resumes at the Taiwan Open WLC. 
Credit: © WSL /  Tim Hain


LOCATION:                 Jinzun Harbour, Taitung / Taiwan
EVENT WINDOW:       November 23 - December 3  
TODAYS CALL:           Men's Round Four Is ON! Possible event finish today!  
CONDITIONS:            Gale Force Winds 5 - 6 Foot waves


Jinzun Harbour,  Taitung/Taiwan  (Friday, December 1, 2017) - With only three heats left to surf at the Taiwan Open World Longboard Championship the tension is building as we draw closer to determining the 2017 Longboard World Title. As strong northerly winds batter, Jinzun Harbour contest directors have been forced to call a lay-day and wait for conditions to settle over the coming days.

“Today was a tough call – we have really strong winds but there’s a couple of waves out there,” said WSL Longboard Commissioner Will Hayden-Smith. “The forecast is showing that the winds should reduce in intensity over the coming days and with two days left in the window and only three heats to surf it should be worth the wait. We are about to crown our men’s World Champion for 2017 and want to do so in the best conditions possible. It is extremely exciting to see what will unfold in the coming days.”

There are only four surfers left in the event and four in the title race. With Taylor Jensen (USA), the rankings leader eliminated in the Quarterfinals, Phil Rajzman (BRA), who is not a chance at winning the world title, is one of Jensen’s only hopes. If Phil wins this event, Jensen holds onto top spot on the rankings and leaves Taiwan as World Champion.  If Harley Ingleby (AUS), Edouard Delpero (FRA) or Cole Robbins (USA) wins the event, it will go down to a surf-off between them and Jensen. 

The 2017 Taiwan Open World Longboard Championship runs from November 23 - December 3, 2017. For more information and LIVE ACTION of
the head to www.worldsurfleague.com and on the WSL App.

Taiwan Open World Longboard Championship Men's Semifinal Match-Ups

Semifinal 1: Cole Robbins (USA), Phil Razjman (BRA)
Semifinal 2: Harley Ingleby (AUS), Edouard Delpero (FRA) 
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