Welcome to the first installment of the World Surf League's Making Waves, a new series to bring you what's trending each week. The Internet didn't disappoint, jumping on stories from big waves in Ireland to mobile apps and facial hair:
Luck of the Irish
XXL waves hit Éire this week, blowing up the Twitter-sphere with photos of the big wave sessions that are expected to continue through the weekend. Andrew Cotton (GBR), who's been scoring big at Nazaré was one of the big call-outs with #Mullaghmore.
Andrew Cotton rides out a dark barrel during a winter super session at Mullaghmore Head.
Mullaghmore Head has recently emerged as a choice destination for XXL surfers. Already, it has produced its fair share of submissions for the 2015 XXL Big Wave Awards Ride of the Year category.
Hawaii Happenings
The forecast is looking good for two Hawaiian big wave events: The Big Wave Tour's Pe'ahi Challenge and the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau.
A sneak peek of Oahu's premier big wave event in honor of the legendary Hawaiian waterman Eddie Aikau.
Jaws has already had a couple Super Sessions, resulting in some jaw-dropping clips for the XXL Big Wave Awards.
Surfing to Go
Sally Fitzgibbons announced plans to release a new mobile app. - WSL
News broke this week that Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) is releasing a mobile app named for her. Sally Fitzgibbons Surfing lets you surf like Sally, but mainly with your thumbs. Users will have the ability to perform "360 Kick Flip, Airwalk, 720 Backside Grab, Whale Slide and the Fitzy Spin," according to her website. The official release date has not yet been made public yet.
Chia Chin
Kolohe Andino (USA) posted this gem on Twitter and Instagram this week:
Andino's follicle growth spurt / @kolohe_andino - WSL
Apparently, Brother hit the reef chin-first while surfing in Indonesia. Too far from land for a doctor, the boat's captain performed an impromptu surgery. The result was as eye-popping as the story itself.
Andino fans raged with comments like "I think there's a big in there" to "Can I pet your chin?" Jealousy trumped vanity among the pro-shave crowd, which was impressed with his ability to grow facial hair with such ease and abundance. Maybe it's good luck: Andino won the WSL opening event, the Qualifying Series 1,000 Shoe City Pro in Huntington Beach, Calif.
So what would you do: Rock the beard -- or shave it all clean?
Let us know below and get social with the World Surf League on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat (user: worldsurfleague) and tumblr.
Making Waves: Trending Surf News Jan. 12-16
WSL
Welcome to the first installment of the World Surf League's Making Waves, a new series to bring you what's trending each week. The Internet didn't disappoint, jumping on stories from big waves in Ireland to mobile apps and facial hair:
Luck of the Irish
XXL waves hit Éire this week, blowing up the Twitter-sphere with photos of the big wave sessions that are expected to continue through the weekend. Andrew Cotton (GBR), who's been scoring big at Nazaré was one of the big call-outs with #Mullaghmore.
Mullaghmore Head has recently emerged as a choice destination for XXL surfers. Already, it has produced its fair share of submissions for the 2015 XXL Big Wave Awards Ride of the Year category.
Hawaii Happenings
The forecast is looking good for two Hawaiian big wave events: The Big Wave Tour's Pe'ahi Challenge and the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau.
Jaws has already had a couple Super Sessions, resulting in some jaw-dropping clips for the XXL Big Wave Awards.
Surfing to Go
News broke this week that Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) is releasing a mobile app named for her. Sally Fitzgibbons Surfing lets you surf like Sally, but mainly with your thumbs. Users will have the ability to perform "360 Kick Flip, Airwalk, 720 Backside Grab, Whale Slide and the Fitzy Spin," according to her website. The official release date has not yet been made public yet.
Chia Chin
Kolohe Andino (USA) posted this gem on Twitter and Instagram this week:
Apparently, Brother hit the reef chin-first while surfing in Indonesia. Too far from land for a doctor, the boat's captain performed an impromptu surgery. The result was as eye-popping as the story itself.
Andino fans raged with comments like "I think there's a big in there" to "Can I pet your chin?" Jealousy trumped vanity among the pro-shave crowd, which was impressed with his ability to grow facial hair with such ease and abundance. Maybe it's good luck: Andino won the WSL opening event, the Qualifying Series 1,000 Shoe City Pro in Huntington Beach, Calif.
So what would you do: Rock the beard -- or shave it all clean?
Let us know below and get social with the World Surf League on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat (user: worldsurfleague) and tumblr.
News
Finals Day is set at La Zicatela after a showcase from defending event victor John Mel posting a 9.00, cover time for Will Deane and Rey
In the final heat of the Round of 16, John Mel secured his place back into Finals Day at La Zicatela with a lofty full rotation to earn a
More aerial antics from John Mel and Hayden Rodgers tipped the scale alongside breakthroughs for Dylan Hord, Sam Reidy, and more with
A dominant showing from Sebastian Williams headlined Day 2 action alongside Hayden Rodgers, Kei Kobayashi, and Jake Davis with excellence
Day 2 witnessed fireworks and Sebastian Williams led the charge with a 9.75 utilizing his aerial antics.