Saturday August 22 during the jury of International Surf Film Festival Ombak Bali 2009 selected the new Taylor Steele film ‘the Drifter’ as best surf film 2009 out of the ten films which were in competition.

‘The Drifter’ tells the story of world-famous surfing icon Rob Machado travelling through Indonesia to escape the entanglements of his life at home. As he wanders further and further into the outskirts of the South East Asian surf paradise, he’s pursued by the fact that you can’t escape from yourself.

The jury consisting of profesional surf photographer Mick Curley, surf film maker Renny Bee Febriani and former Rip Curl marketing manager South East Asia Clemens Berger were unanimous in their decision.

Quote from the jury:

“It is a great portrayal and artistic way of showing Indonesia and all its subtleties which makes it so unique. It is also an inspirational film and which makes you want to throw out your phone and go travel and explore.”

‘The Drifter’ encapsulates the true essence of adventure and soul searching which is something every surfer can relate to and wants to find. People that don’t surf will also enjoy this film immensely as it showcases Indonesia, tells a serious story of Rob Machado’s life with a great mix of humor thrown in to make this film one not to be missed and a joy to watch.”

The only independent surf film festival in South East Asia, Ombak Bali is a platform where national and international surf filmmakers can expose their films to an interested public. Surf cinema has taken a leap over the last couple of years with surf filmmakers exploring the documentary world and film makers exploring the surf world.

A cross-section of the ASP’s principle stakeholders convened two weeks ago on Australia’s Gold Coast for a two-day summit, dubbed “Rabbit Camp 2009” (after former ASP President Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew’s annual strategy sessions), where the group of event licensees, surfer representatives and ASP administrators collaborated in a discussion of several key issues regarding the future of the sport.

“It was fantastic to get such a diverse group of people together to push through some major initiatives that we’ve been working towards for the past 18 months,” Brodie Carr, ASP International CEO, said. “The input from the athletes and events was excellent, and while the confirmation process won’t be final until the ASP Board meeting this October, I can assure you that some exciting enhancements could be initiated as soon as next season.”

On top of the list for changes is a move towards a more unified one-world ranking tem that will combine both the ASP World Tour and ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) rankings. This will, in effect, allow for top performers on the ASP WQS to be advanced onto ASP World Tour events as the season progresses as opposed to the end of the year (as it currently does). The one-world ranking added to a review of possible changes on the ASP World Tour all geared at rendering the most exciting product possible for audiences to watch the world’s best surfers in the world’s best waves.

In addition to the progressive changes being made in the structuring of the ASP World Tour, a substantial increase in prize purse from the current US$340,000 at each ASP World Tour event as well as collective purse awarded to the year-end ASP World Champion will be instituted, further sweetening the pot for the world’s best surfers as they continue to break performance boundaries.

“The discussions held last week were positive and opened up the possibility for potential changes to be made down the track,” Kieren Perrow, current ASP surfers’ representative said. “The next step will be for Mick (Fanning) and myself to take the group’s notes back to the surfers, both ASP World Tour and ASP WQS, in the coming weeks to gauge response and work out what is in the best interest to the sport.”

ASPWorldTour.com, homepage of the ASP World Tour, will be further be utilized as the ultimate source of information regarding professional surfing, with group members decreeing that the site will be the primary hub of all ASP-sanctioned webs and that endeavors to bring the ASP’s global audience consistent, uniform productions will be intensified.

William Cardoso (BRA), 23, has won the first edition of the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) 6-Star Azores Islands Pro pres. by Nissan today after defeating fellow finalist and ASP WQS No. 2 Jadson Andre (BRA) in a 100% Brazilian final. Cardoso, who made the best out of the clean but tricky two to three foot (0.6 to 1 meter) waves on offer, clinches 2500 ratings’ points which rocket him from No. 31 to No. 14, a seventeen-places jump to get back into the race for the ASP World Tour qualification while Andre’s runner-up consolidates his No. 2 spot reaching 14663 points.

Cardoso, who posted a good 13.57 point heat result in the final battle of the Azores Islands Pro including a 7.17 point ride, had defeated local favorite Tiago Pires en route to the final with the best scores of the day using his unstoppable powerful backhand attack, led the final from start to finish with smart tactics and wave choice reading the conditions perfectly to wait for the better waves and end-up winning his second ASP WQS title ever.

“I am over the moon right now, that win was unbelievable and I have made it all the way through to the crown,” Cardoso said. “It’s been a hard week with several close heats coming down to one wave many times and I have had big names on my way so to win this one after such an intense draw is just perfect. That board I have been surfing all week was working so well in the solid conditions and I am stoked.”

Twenty-year old Brett Burcher (Ulladulla, NSW) went home with the richest takings on the Pro Junior surfing circuit today, earning a massive $10 000 after defeating Tahitian born Tamaroa McComb (Burleigh Heads) during the Red Bull Junior Surf Masters Final presented by Mick Fanning at Cronulla.

In what couldn’t have been a more equally matched final, Burcher and McComb who advanced into the main event through the qualifying trials on Friday and went on to net the highest single wave scores throughout the two-day event, went toe to toe in a dramatic final that saw Burcher edge out McComb by the narrowest of margins. Burcher defeated McComb with a 15.65 heat total (out of 20.00) to McComb’s 15.25.

“I am so happy right now, this win is just huge for me,” Burcher said. “Tamaroa is an amazing surfer and he almost had me in that heat but I just kept my head and was lucky that I caught that set wave at the end.”

While Burcher took an early lead, a priority error around the halfway mark saw him slip into second place behind McComb who stormed ahead with an 8.50 (out of ten). It wasn’t until the final three minutes that Burcher stroked into one of the better looking waves of the afternoon – a long open-faced left hander – that allowed him four massive backhand snaps to earn an amazing 8.90 (out of 10.00)  to become the 2009 Red Bull Junior Surf Masters Champion.

With the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) 6-Star Azores Islands Pro crowning its champion tomorrow, all remaining surfers were psyched today to deliver their best performance and keep the title chase alive, knowing a win in this first ever ASP sanctioned event in the Azores would go down in surfing history books. From current ratings’ leaders to the few remaining outsiders, performance went through the roof today with massive airs and power surfing displayed by the variety of styles seen in the water, rising stars shining along with experienced soldiers.

Today’s action took the event down to its final-four contenders, the remaining heats of Round 4 being followed by the eight battles of Round 5 before moving into the exciting Quarterfinals where the levels of surfing left everyone breathless, wrapping-up an intense show, with Tiago Pires (Ericeira, PRT) dominating the day in the final bout against ASP World Junior champion Kai Barger (HAW) with a 18.00 point heat total.

Pleasing his Portuguese fans, the current ASP Top 45 member, 28, closed the show with a series of 8.50 and 9.50 point rides, the national surf star a.k.a the Portuguese Tiger advancing through to the Semifinals where he will be the favorite. Pires, who had scored the only perfect 10.00 point ride of the event earlier in the day, was in unstoppable form getting an immense support from the hundreds of spectators on the beach to keep his roll going before tomorrow’s showdown.

As the curtain closed on the Country Energy Australian Surf Festival nine Australian Surfmasters Titles were awarded at Lighthouse Beach today.

Having seen 344 competitors in 260 heats over the past two weeks with 23 Australian Titles handed out, the final day of competition was certainly one to remember.

Led by some amazing performances from a host athletes the biggest amateur surfing event in the country closed with a bang,

Mark Richardson (Palm Beach, QLD) was the king of Lighthouse Beach today, taking home his third Australian Title in the Open Men division.

“I’m lost for words,” the 37-year-old said, brimming from ear-to-ear.

“To have beaten the likes of my fellow finalists is something I’ll remember forever.”

Defeating Josh Johnson-Baxter (VIC), Eli Criaco (Coolum, QLD) and Jirrah Laws (VIC), who finished second, third and fourth respectively, Richardson was in amazing form from the get-go.

“The level of surfing in this event was first class,” he continued.

“I wasn’t even good enough to qualify for the Queensland team and here I am with the Aussie flag draped around me!”

Fellow Queenslander Dimity Stoyle (Buderim, QLD) continued where she left off yesterday with a commanding performance en-route to her maiden crown.

“I can’t believe I won my first Australian Title,” said the 17-year-old with glee.

The world’s best surfers are preparing for an assault on one of the world’s most high-performance waves as the Hurley Pro Trestles, Event No. 6 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, bringing the ASP Top 45 to Lower Trestles from September 13 – 19, 2009.

The site of some of the most electrifying performances in the sport’s history, the cobblestone A-Frame not only provides the ideal canvas for the world’s best to unleash upon, but Lower Trestles will also play a pivotal role in the hunt for this year’s ASP World Title.

Joel Parkinson (AUS), 28, current ASP World No. 1, has had a landmark season in 2009, collecting three wins, a 3rd and a 9th en route to his position at the top. Although currently sitting a comfortable 1,402 points ahead of the nearest challenger, the phenomenal natural-footer has been guarded this season when commenting on his ASP World Title campaign as well as details regarding his preparation.

“When you do something that excites you and you enjoy doing it, then it is not hard to stay focused on what needs to be done,” Parkinson said. “As far as preparation is concerned, I have just continued with what I have been doing all year, but at the same time you just think about the opportunity of surfing a wave at Trestles and there’s that excitement again.”

Having proven victorious at the venue before (2004) and given his near-unstoppable form in 2009, Parkinson remains an event favorite going into this season’s Hurley Pro Trestles, and the high-performance lefts and rights will allow the well-built Australian to utilize his impressive repertoire of tricks.

“I think one of the necessary ss of any professional sportsperson is adaptability,” Parkinson said. “Being able to adapt to different environments, opposition and conditions. I think about the wave at Trestles and I believe my surfing can adapt to it pretty well. I know I am looking forward to it.”

C.J. Hobgood (USA), 30, former ASP World Champion (2001) and current ASP World No. 2, will be first in line of those looking to put a halt to Parkinson’s juggernaut run this season. The ultra-fit goofy-footer holds an ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) event title at Lower Trestles (2007), but his results at the elite level of competition at the venue have been mixed with two 5ths in ’07 and ’05, a 33rd in ’06 before a 17th last season.

Breezes gusting over 40 knots made racing an impossibility on day five of the 2009 IWA Junior, Youth and Masters World Championships at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA).

Although the RYA Events-run Championship has basked in glorious sunshine all day today (Friday 28 August), the average wind speed rarely dropping below 30 knots meant the sailors were consigned to the shore before the call was made to abandon racing at around 3pm.

It means that the race for the 2009 IWA Junior, Youth and Masters World Championships titles go down to the wire with all medal positions being decided on what is set to be a thrilling final day of racing tomorrow.

Britons currently head the pack in three of the six Championship title races.

Sam Sills leads the Techno boys’ Under 17s contest by seven points, Kieran Martin boasts a six-point advantage at the top of the boys’ Under 15 leaderboard and Sills’ identical twin sisters Imogen and Saskia are locked in a head-to-head battle for the girls’ Under 15 crown, Imogen currently just a point ahead of her sister in first place.

Italy’s Veronica Fanciulli has a nine-point lead in the girls’ Under 17 competition meanwhile Olivier Pinlou, one of four Frenchmen nestled in the top five placings, is in pole position in the Raceboard Youth division. Britain’s newly-crowned RS:X Youth World Champion Izzy Hamilton remains the top ranked female.

With three races still required before the second discard kicks in for the Raceboard Masters, Joao Rodrigues’ (POR) position at the head of fleet looks marginally more comfortable as the biggest threat to his title challenge, Nikos Kaklamanakis (GRE), still needs to lose one more Did Not Compete (DNC) score to be in with the chance of toppling Rodrigues from the perch on which he has sat all week.

Tom Naylor (GBR) in fourth overall is the highest placed Grand Master, Jean Asia (FRA) in ninth the highest ranked Veteran and Annette Kent (GBR) in 20th the top female.

The finalists for this year’s Red Bull Junior Surf Masters Final presented by Mick Fanning were decided in clean contestable surf at North Cronulla today, with just ten of the 24 qualifiers advancing into the main event tomorrow.

Attended by 2009 ASP World Champion Mick Fanning (Tweed Heads, NSW), the trials saw determined performances from Australia’s top emerging junior surfers with Tamaroa McComb (Coolangatta, QLD), Noah Lane (Rainbow Beach, QLD), Ty Watson (Currorong, NSW), Dane Atchison (Copacabana, NSW), Cooper Chapman (North Narrabeen, NSW), David Vlug (NSW), Mitch Crews (QLD), Brett Burcher, Sam Lendrum (Nords Wharf, NSW) and Jake Sylvester (Coolangatta, QLD) advancing into the main event.

Competing in grueling 70 minute heats, the ten advancing surfers outclassed the competition to avoid elimination in the unique ‘Torched’ format that saw the lowest scoring surfer eliminated from the event in 25, 20, and 10 minute intervals, until just two surfers remained.

Conceptualised by Fanning himself, the event is the only one of its kind to utilise this format, presenting a new challenge to young competitors.

“I like that it’s only one wave counting so there’s no time to sit there and try and tap it all the way to the beach, you have to go all out on every wave ” explained Fanning. “This is definitely a stepping stone for the WQS and the kids really seem to be enjoying the contest and the new format and that’s our goal.”

Tahitian born surfer Tamaroa McComb set the benchmark for the day’s performances, emerging as the top scorer with his incredible 9.75 ride (out of a possible ten) to earn the first of the day’s slots into the main event.

“I’m stoked I made it, it was pretty hard and I’m feeling really tired now,” said McComb. “It definitely gets better heat by heat as you warm up and I was just making sure I went on waves I could do three maneuvers on.”

Werri Beach Red Bull Surf Masters top qualifier Ty Watson maintained his recent winning form to advance in first place during the second heat of the day ahead of Dane Atcheson and shared McComb’s sentiments.

It was another day of intense competition for the Azores Islands Pro, fifteen heats being completed in four foot (1.2 meter) tricky conditions where patience and heat tactics made a clear difference. While the event moved into its last twenty-four-man round today after completing Round 3, some exciting clashes took place at Ribeira Grande as the number of potential title contenders dropped again from fourty-eight to twenty-two. As two days only remain before the first ever Azores Islands Pro champion is crowned, the weekend showdown is already guaranteed to deliver world-class levels of surfing.

While current ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) leaders were advancing easily through to Round 4 of competition, elite ASP Top 45 members Heitor Alves (BRA), Aritz Aranburu (EUK), Nic Muscroft (AUS) and Drew Courtney (AUS) were all eliminated. Leaving no chance to their opponents today were much expected surfers Jadson Andre (BRA) and Dion Atkinson (AUS), the two men ruling proceedings with the best heat results of the day to advance through their respective battles.

Jadson Andre (BRA), 19, a surfing prodigy that appeared on the international stage last year, struck again today to secure his Round 4 berth with a solid 15.76 point total ahead of Yadin Nicol (Western Australia, AUS). Andre, renowned for his spectacular progressive surfing, popped up a couple of flying maneuvers to set pace during his thirty-minute game posting an 8.17 point ride to seal the deal and find himself amongst the last twenty contenders for the crown.