The start of the 2015 Samsung Galaxy Championship Tour is just around the corner, with the Quiksilver Pro and the Roxy Pro set to kick off the season at the Gold Coast. But with a few weeks to spare, surfers focused on the here and now, socially. Here were the hot topics from the past week.
Happy anniversary to you my love @hanaleireponty. You know you've got a special lady when she lets you chase waves on your anniversary and Valentine's Day! - Instagram / Patrick Gudauskas - WSL
ValentinesDay
Love is in the air and surfers are already sharing their Hallmark moments. Cooper Chapman, Sally Fitzgibbons and Patrick Gudauskas (pictured) all sent out good vibes to family, friends and significant others. If you're not into the mushy stuff, getting in the water and off the web was a good bet for V-Day.
Israel
Images surfaced this week of a surf comp in Ashdad, Israel, that went down in the dark. Nearly 40 Israelis took to the Mediterranean Sea after sundown February 4 with only the floodlights and the moon guiding their way. The event takes place annually at Gil Beach and, judging by the photos alone, it's a unique event.
@BethanyHamilton
She wasn't showing then, but Bethany Hamilton surfed the Women's Pipe Invitational with a baby on board, so to speak. - WSL / KC
Good wishes abounded for Bethany Hamilton (HAW) this week. The Hawaiian inspiration turned the big two-five February 8 and then posted this video on Twitter announcing that she is pregnant. Just back from their appearance on CBS's Amazing Race, Hamilton and husband Adam Dirks are on to their next adventure, with a baby boy due in early June. If you do the math, that means Hamilton was pregnant when she took third place at the Women's Pipe Invitational in December!
Making Waves: Love, Lights and Little Ones
Paula Lehman
The start of the 2015 Samsung Galaxy Championship Tour is just around the corner, with the Quiksilver Pro and the Roxy Pro set to kick off the season at the Gold Coast. But with a few weeks to spare, surfers focused on the here and now, socially. Here were the hot topics from the past week.
ValentinesDay
Love is in the air and surfers are already sharing their Hallmark moments. Cooper Chapman, Sally Fitzgibbons and Patrick Gudauskas (pictured) all sent out good vibes to family, friends and significant others. If you're not into the mushy stuff, getting in the water and off the web was a good bet for V-Day.
Israel
Images surfaced this week of a surf comp in Ashdad, Israel, that went down in the dark. Nearly 40 Israelis took to the Mediterranean Sea after sundown February 4 with only the floodlights and the moon guiding their way. The event takes place annually at Gil Beach and, judging by the photos alone, it's a unique event.
@BethanyHamilton
Good wishes abounded for Bethany Hamilton (HAW) this week. The Hawaiian inspiration turned the big two-five February 8 and then posted this video on Twitter announcing that she is pregnant. Just back from their appearance on CBS's Amazing Race, Hamilton and husband Adam Dirks are on to their next adventure, with a baby boy due in early June. If you do the math, that means Hamilton was pregnant when she took third place at the Women's Pipe Invitational in December!
Cooper Chapman
Fierro and Chapman take Ride of the Day honors on Day 3.
The EDP Billabong Pro Ericeira resumed in firing surf yet again, and there was plenty of drama.
Rights fire down the Ribeira point for three more rounds of competition.
It was abbreviated day at the EDP Billabong Pro Ericeira in Portugal, but there was no shortage of dramas as the stakes continue to rise.
Day One of the EDP Billabong Pro Ericeira saw tricky conditions and a number of CT surfers bow out early.
News
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.
The scale was elevated nearly to its max with breakout performances from Sebastian Williams, Hayden Rodgers, Kei Kobayashi, Jake Davis and
Seven to Live Broadcast Four Major Australian Events Along with WSL Finals in Fiji -- WSL Recap Shows to Play on Seven Network Free-to-Air
Showcases from Gael Jimenez, Nesher Diaz, Jafet Ramoz, Max Munoz, and Vali Olea set the pace heading into the top-seeded Round of