Jeremy Flores claims Surf Europe Readers' Choice Awards. Marc Lacomare takes the New Kid On The Block award.
The spiritual home European surfing awoke this morning to something of a headache, as an unseasonably large west swell bore down on the famous pine fringed coast of Les Landes and the dust settled on a night of high revelry at the Casino d'Hossegor.
European pro surfers, surf industry bigwigs and assorted good time seekers enjoyed the stellar hospitality of the Casino late into the wee hours last night to celebrate the continued evolution of surfing on our shores, with online voters across Europe and beyond honouring their favourite Male and Female Surfers, Best Video Part, Best Photo, New Kid on the Block and Lifetime Achievement in the Inaugural Surf Europe Readers' Choice Awards.
"I just want to thank everyone who voted for me," a dapper M. Flores said after exiting the stage,"It means a lot not just to try to win contests but to be recognised by the public also. I'm super stoked. I think this is a great night for European surfing, for all of us."
Flores took the top award from TIAGO PIRES (POR) in second place with the voters, who, proudly accepting the honours in front of his mum also echoed Jeremy's sentiments about the growing strength of the European collective.
Fellow Top 45 surfers MIKY PICON (FRA) and ARITZ ARANBURU (EUK) took 3rd and 4th spots respectively, with MARLON LIPKE (DEU) coming home in 5th place with the voters, recognizing his recent stellar performances on the WQS as he attempts to be the first German to qualify for ASP World Tour.
MARC LACOMARE (FRA) took out the New Kid On The Block award as he continues his impressive rise into the pro ranks, the local teenager receiving huge applause from a packed house, as did local charger and French 1988 National Champion SEB ST JEAN (FRA) who picked up a well-deserved Lifetime Achievement award in recognition of decades of performance surfing and dedication to the powerful surf of Hossegor and surrounds.
The ever smooth surfing of JONATHAN GONZALEZ (ESP) was a clear winner for Best Video Part for his section in Euroforce the Actionmentary, the under-spoken Canarian's acceptance speech unsurprisingly being the shortest of the evening, while Biarritz teen sensation LEE ANN CURREN won the no.1 Awards for the Ladies.
Full Honours List:
Men
FLORES
PIRES
PICON
ARANBURU
LIPKE
BOAL
BOUREZ
GONZALEZ
BEVEN
MUJICA
Women
LEE ANN CURREN
PAULINE ADO
CAROLINE SARRAN
NKOTB
MARC LACOMARE
Lifetime Achievement
SEBASTIEN ST JEAN
Best Photo
CARLOS PINTO/PATRICK BEVEN, Coxos. (cover SE58)
Best Video Part
JONATHAN GONZALEZ, EUROFORCE THE ACTIONMENTARY
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Vicente Romero crowned European King Of The Groms
Vicente Romero from Spain has been crowned European King of The Groms Champion.
He had the highest scoring wave of the final. Surfing strongly on a solid 4ft (1.5m) left, he tore three great off the lip manoeuvres and landed a mini air, which added to his 13.17 heat score. His fellow finalists put on a great show to produce a fitting climax to what has been a truly spectacular event. "I am proud to win today," he said after his victory. "I am happy for me and Spain . We win in the cycling and in the football. It was a wonderful final. I'm really looking forward to surfing against the top 16 in the world. I will go in with no stress, no worries so let's see. I'm excited to surf alongside Kelly Slater and Mick Fanning." He finished his winner's speech with a "Merci a todos!"
The final day of competition at this year's KOTG event has again raised the level of junior surfing in Europe . The sun was scorching, the waves solid, and the crowds lined Le Prévent Beach at Capbreton to watch the action. President of Quiksilver Europe, Pierre Agnes, at the prize presentation thanked everybody for coming to his home-town to make the event special.
The best 32 European surfers aged 16 and under fought it out today but only the top two have earned prestigious wild cards into the World KOTG final. The Europeans will be up against the best young surfers from around the globe who will be here to compete during the Quiksilver Pro France in September. Joining Vicente as a World KOTG finalist will be Dimitri Ouvré from Guadeloupe , who came second today. "I know I was first at the beginning of the heat," Dimitri concluded. "I had two good waves but at the end of the heat I saw Vicente get good waves so I knew I had to do more. I started to stress." Dimitri is a fast and stylish surfer and surfed two strong lefts. He has surfed solidly throughout the event and we look forward to seeing how he fares against global competition.
In third place was the highest rated local surfer, Mark Audo. Mark's surfing was fast and fluid and he was clearly frustrated in the final, as he couldn't find the waves he wanted. Mark looked obviously disappointed but said, "I want to applaud the top two. It was a great competition and I'd like to say thank you and ‘bon surf' to everyone."
Toby Donachie the highest place British surfer really made a name for himself here in France and drew a lot of local support. He had a great event but in the final things didn't go his way. He couldn't find the open-faced waves to do his trademark forehand snaps, or bigger power turns. Yesterday he scored a nine-point ride but after coming through the repercharge rounds today, he couldn't quite continue to find his rhythm. Toby said, "I was stoked to be in the final against such high level surfing. I was pretty tired I think I peaked in my last heat, but I didn't mind having to surf all those heats as I just love surfing.'
The expression session was a crazy spectacle. Surfers were flying through the air trying to outdo each other and the public judged the winner. The loudest cheers went out to William Aliotti. He took his place at the prize giving alongside the four finalists. Colourful confetti and champagne (alcohol free!) was exploding everywhere and the top two surfers went home with limited edition black KOTG surfboards. The colourful and classy prize giving ceremony watched by a crowd of hugely enthusiastic spectators could easily have been mistaken for an ASP World Tour event. It is very likely we will see these young guns taking the place of the likes of Kelly Slater et al on that podium in the years to come!
Quiksilver King of the Groms PARTNERS
Orange, partner of the King of The Groms 2008
Energy, creativity and audacity are words that Orange recognises and that have helped it choose to link up with the King of The Groms 2008, a competition for riders under 16.
Orange will use its technological expertise to support the event and will put in place the technical infrastructures it requires (press room equipment, commentators stands, technical areas, web-streaming and ADSL lines...).
About Suzuki
Suzuki makes the next strategic step in rejuvenating the brand. Therefore the cooperation with Quiksilver, one of the world's most successful lifestyle and core sports brands, is just the right step to take. The world market leader in the minicar segment will be present at all sponsored skate and surf events as well as in all communication channels of Quiksilver like www.boardriderstv.com and other selected media. Moreover Suzuki will be providing 20 Suzuki Grand Vitara during all of the skate and surfing events throughout Europe to make sure riders and organizers are at the right place at the right time.
Have you ever loved something to the point that it becomes what you live for? Meet Clay Marzo whose passion for surfing is so pure it defies description.
Take a visually stunning and emotionally powerful journey through his life. See Clay literally come alive in the ocean as he destroys the waves of Tahiti, Fiji, Hawaii, France, Spain and Australia with his wildly creative surfing. You'll also experience inspiring testimonials about his incredible talent from the most legendary surfers in the world. The story also showcases an awareness-raising glimpse into his life and mind as he comes to understand both the gifts and challenges of living with Asperger's.
This is a surf film unlike anything you've ever seen.
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