Blog Roxy

Ben Skinner joins Olympic Athletes to launch The BLUE Mile – Race for the Environment

Professional Surfer Ben Skinner today joined Stand-up Paddle Board champion John Hibbard, Olympic Medallists and World Record holding athletes on Plymouth’s (UK) historical Mayflower Steps as Paul Deighton, Chief Executive of The London 2012 Olympic Organising Committee fired the starting canon to one of the UK’s most important races to date, the race for our oceans and environment.

As surfers and athletes including Beijing Olympic Medallist Windsurfer Bryony Shaw, 2009 Vendee Globe yachtswoman Sam Davies and World Record holding Freediver Sara Campbell converged on the water, it was announced that Plymouth (UK) has been selected as the host city of the inaugural BLUE Mile – Race for the Environment which next year will see thousands of participants across all ages, sports and abilities take to the water to complete one mile in, on or next to a BLUE environment in an incredible ‘race for the environment’.

The BLUE Mile, which will take place in the Summer of 2010, will see surfers, swimmers, sailors, rowers, paddle-boarders and other sports-people take part in a event that aims to encourage young people to get actively involved with sport and the environment.  The event will see Plymouth's Hoe transformed with the creation of the city's first natural sand beach to host a series of beach games to sit alongside a BLUE village which will include impressive experiential learning and activity zones.

Roxy Jam Biarritz: Day 2 Video

Johanne defay (reunion island), took the second place at the Vans pro junior

Johanne defay (reunion island), took the second place at the Vans pro junior this week-end. She showed us that she is also really strong in small waves, her backside surf was radical, she had a 6 pts and a 5,53 back to back. Marie dejean win the contest with a total of 12,50 Alizée Arnaud is 3rd and joanne panzini 4th.

Johanne is been twice second in pro junior this year, she still has 2 contests to go through in order to maybe have the title of the best junior (sopelana and lacanau)

Roxy Jam Biarritz: Day 1 Video

This year Roxy Jam Biarritz was so much fun. We made wrap ups from each day of the event, so even if you couldn’t make it to France you can still see the action. Below is day 1 of 4.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009 at 7:00 am and is filed under Events. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

4th International Naish 9.5 mile down wind race 2009.

Sunday the 12th of July the 4th Annual Paddle Championships were held in Maui. The race (from Moliko to the Harbor) was 9.5 miles long. About 300 people were participating; as well lay down paddlers as well as stand up paddlers. The wind was not as strong as it had been the previous 2 weeks and the wind swell was mediocre. That means on the water: more paddling and less surfing. The wind swell creates ‘chops ‘and little waves’ that you can ‘catch’. And if you catch those little waves, you ‘glide’ over the water and you go way faster than if you have to move forward by paddling stroke by stroke. Slightly on shore turning winds towards the end of the race made it tricky. Those who had gone away from the coast in the beginning could surf the wind swell ‘in’ towards the harbor and keep up their speed. Those who had taken a straight line to the harbor (staying parallel to the coast) were battling the side wind; loosing momentum that way. My line could have been better and it also could have been worse. All together I was very happy with my race with a time of 1 hour and 34 minutes. Andrea got first overall by the women (I can’t remember her time). Devin, my relay partner for the Molokai-Oahu race became first in her board and age class with a time of 1 hour and 28 minutes. I became first in my board and age class with a time of 1 hour and 34 minutes. We felt it was a great preparation (besides a  lot of fun!) for our next event. It was also a great race for my close friend and fellow Starboard SUP team rider Tiffany Ward. She got 3rd in her category. Smiles all around. Tomorrow Devin and me slowly start our training schedule again that will prepare us for the 32 miles.

Anne Marie Reichman

From South Africa straight to Maldives

I got in SA on the 24^th of June. It was my first time there. I thought I was going to a warm and very pleasant place as I heard, but in my only 5 days there the biggest storm of the year hit the coast. What a shame. A lot of wind and a very big swell came.

I went to a 5 star WQS in Ballito, which only had 2 days waiting period. as the waves were too big in the first day of competition the event was called of for the day. With only one day left and a lot of heats to be done it was obvious that the competition wasn’t going to be ended, and so it happened. They stop the competition in the round of 24 and everyone got equal 19^th place, including me. In spite of all the unlucky things I  had a blast with the Roxy crew at the Roxy house. Thanks for everything Roxy.

From SA I went straight to a boat trip in Maldives with a lot of friends, including my good friend and Roxy team rider Bruna Schmitz. We stayed 10 days on a fantastic boat. It was huge. I loved every single day. The waves were perfect, the crew was awesome and everyone was having so much fun. It was one of the best trips of my life. We surfed all day, ate marvellous fresh fish and danced a lot in free time.

I definitely invite you to go there. It’s the paradise.

Kiss kiss Francisca   

Last trips with Anne Marie Reichman

Lee-Ann Curren, Maud Lecar and Justine Mauvin surfing in the morning

This morning we woke up a 5am, we prepared the boat and the roxy jet ski

Lee-Ann was already in the water and told us it was very good
it is 6,  we are ready to go...
Sun is coming, it is still a little bit cold, how good it is in the middle of the summer when the meteo announce a 36° day

Jennifer Smith Wins 2009 Roxy Jam, Claims her second ASP Women’s World Longboard Title

Jennifer Smith (California, USA), 23, won the Roxy Jam in Biarritz today to claim the second ASP Women’s World Longboard title of her brilliant career after defeating fellow finalist and outsider Coline Menard (Reunion Island, FRA),21, in the final exchange of the 2009 edition. Smith, who dominated the final bout from the beginning until the end, confirmed her stellar Semifinal run where she managed to score a 9.25 point ride, the highest wave score of the event, defeating Menard confidently.

 

“To win a second world title is just unbelievable,” Smith said. “That heat against Chelsea (Williams)… I was ready to bow out in the semis and I had no idea I was going to get that wave and this score down. I was feeling pretty confident after that and when once I made the final I was definitely looking for the second title, for sure.”

 

Smith, who raised her world title trophy in front of a cheering crowd at La Côte des Basques, signed an unexpected stellar come-back on top of the international hierarchy today, after several months without a win.

 

“I had no expectations this year as I had not won an event in months, maybe a year,” Smith said. “I came over here to give my best and see what happens, and I made the final and won it. It’s just so good to get a second one. I am going to celebrate with all my best friends that are here tonight and fly back home tomorrow.”

 

With three favorites and one outsider in the Semifinals, the 2009 Roxy Jam witnessed spectacular levels of surfing through the four-day waiting period, the new 32-woman format bringing more intensity into the ASP Women’s World Longboard title race. Menard’s final berth showed again how strong the French female longboarders were getting with a second representative making the final in three years.

 

“The level of surfing has gone so high these days,” Smith said. “Everytime I see Coline (Menard) at an event, she has improved since the last time and it shows that the talent in Europe and worldwide is huge. The European girls are ripping with Justine (Dupont), Coline and the other Justine (Mauvin) who will soon come up. I think Coline will be better next year.”

 

At 21-years-old, Reunion Island resident Coline Menard became the second French representative to reach the final of the international event after Justine Dupont in 2007 who lost to Smith as well, Menard confirming her status of best up and coming competitor on tour.

 

“Making the final is a dream coming true for me,” Menard said. “Everything went my way except for the final where I didn’t really get the waves but Jennifer (Smith) was the best and she deserves to win. I had no pressure before the final, I knew it would be very tough and I tried to stay relaxed.”

Menard, who has been improving fast in the last couple of years, came to Biarritz hoping to better her equal 9^th place result from 2007 and ended runner-up in the most prestigious event.

 

“I spent four months in Australia this year competing at all events to get experience and improve,” Menard said. “I didn’t get any big result but it definitely helped me build my confidence and by the time I got here, I was able to put everything behind me and surf relaxed through the event which worked out pretty well.”

 

Placing 3^rd after a dominating run from Round 1 up to the Semifinals was event favorite and last year’s ASP Women’s World Longboard No. 2 Chelsea Williams (Gold Coast, AUS), 23, the renowned powersurfer losing to Smith despite a solid performance and a 13.25 point heat score (out of a possible 20).

 

“It is very disappointing not to make it through,” Williams said. “I just couldn’t find the better waves and Jennifer (Smith) got that 9.25 and I knew it was going to be hard to catch-up by then. I just sat out there waiting and nothing came.”

 

Williams, the event’s best scorer with an impressive 16.50 point score (out of a possible 20) on Day 1 of competition, was much awaited on the highest step of the podium today but failed to counter Smith’s flawless attack and will wait another year before she can chase a first ASP World title in her division.

“I was feeling good before the heat and went out there with the same approach,” Williams said. “I didn’t get the opportunity to score and that 9 pointer was the turning point. I didn’t feel like it was going to happen for me.”

 

Justine Dupont (Lacanau, FRA), 17, was not able to advance to her second Roxy ASP Women’s World Longboard Championships’ final going down to fellow French surfer Menard in the first semifinal. Dupont, who was considered a favorite in her Semifinal duel, could not score any better than a 5.25 point ride (out of a possible 10) throughout the 30-minute semifinal.

 

“I am very disappointed with my performance and I didn’t enjoy my time out there,” Dupont said. “I made a first mistake and let the bomb go while Coline (Menard) was paddling into it. Then I waited for a good wave which came but I fell on the second turn and that was it.”

 

Dupont’s equal 3^rd place finish makes her one of the most consistent female longboarders in the world after a runner-up in 2007 at 15-years-old only and an equal 5^th last year.

ROXY ASP WWLC FINAL
1^st, Jennifer Smith (USA) 12.25 pts

2^nd, Coline Menard (REU) 9.55 pts

ROXY ASP WWLC SEMIFINALS
Heat 1: Coline Menard (REU) 11.75 pts   Def. Justine Dupont (FRA) 9.15 pts

Semifinalists Decided, ASP Women’s World Longboard Champion Crowned Tomorrow

BIARRITZ, France (Monday, July 13, 2009) - The 2009 Roxy ASP Women's World Longboard Championships entered its business end today with Round 2 and the Quarterfinals of the world title deciding event being completed in consistent three foot (one meter) waves at La Côte des Basques. Pressure was on all faces and competitors stepped-up to deliver spectacular surfing, event favorites taking a commanding lead over low-seeded surfers to advance through to the final-four of the 2009 edition.

From low-scoring tricky heats to fantastic performances, Justine Dupont (FRA) was the woman of the day, the 17-year-old Lacanau resident posting the two best heat scores of the day to make her intentions clear towards her maiden ASP Women's World Longboard title. Dupont, who had to display her best moves to defeat Kelia Moniz (HAW) in Quarterfinal No. 1, waited until the last two minutes of their encounter to get back ahead, leaving the water relieved.

"I am over the moon right now," Dupont said. "It was a very tough heat against Kelia (Moniz) who surfed well, and she is on the event poster so it put more pressure (laughs). I got that good wave right at the start but then it went her way and I had to wait a lot which reminded me of the final two years ago where nothing came and I stressed out a little."

Dupont, who hasn't done worse than a 5^th place finish since she started competing in the Roxy Jam two years ago, bettered her 2008 result today advancing through to the Semifinals for a shot at the title when competition resumes tomorrow. Dupont's performances in both short and longboard divisions have made her a favorite at any event she attends, her Semifinal match-up against Coline Menard (REU) promising a good exchange.

"It's still two heats to go before I can relax and the support I have is really great," Dupont said. "I am stoked to surf against Coline (Menard) who is a good friend of mine and I am just going to go out there relaxed to have fun with her. I can't wait to surf tomorrow in the Semifinals."

Both Dupont and Menard will meet in a 100% French Semifinal first thing tomorrow, a guarantee for the cheering crowds to see a French representative in the 2009 final of the 2009 Roxy Jam, and possibly a first ever ASP Women's World Longboard champion from France.

Other favorite to make her intentions clear today was unstoppable Gold Coast resident from Coolangatta Chelsea Williams (AUS), 2008 ASP Women's World Longboard No. 2, who got through both rounds confidently besting Isabelle Braly (AUS) and Roxy team rider and favorite Kassia Meador (USA).

Williams, who remains the event's best scorer with a 16.50 point heat result in Round 1, surfed well enough to secure her Semifinal berth and stay in the race for her maiden ASP Women's World Longboard title.

"I am still hanging in there after the Quarters so I am pretty happy," Willaims said. "Kassia (Meador) and I are usually relaxed and there wasn't any tension out there other than me being a bit nervous because I was waiting to hear a 7 or an 8 come through [for Kassia] in the end and it didn't happened, luckily."

Williams will match-up against Californian and 2007 ASP Women's World Longboard Champion Jennifer Smith (USA) when the Semifinals get underway on the final day. With both surfers being favorites for the 2009 crown, Semifinal No. 2 will be a much awaited and balanced clash of titans if the expected increasing waves deliver clean defined peaks at La Côte des Basques. Smith, who knows what it takes to clinch the prestigious crown and have her name next to surfing's world champions, may have a solid game plan.

"I know Chelsea (Williams) is able to score long nose-rides and that she can hang ten as well so I will definititely step up," Smith said. "I've had the title before and I won't be too disappointed I guess it goes wrong. I think this next heat that I am in is going to be a final, we've surfed each other in the past and she has beat me and I have beat her so it is going to really tight but definitely a great one."

The 2009 Roxy ASP Women's World Championships' showdown is scheduled for a possible 11.15 AM start, tomorrow Tuesday, July 14, 2009.

UPCOMING ROXY ASP WWLC SEMIFINALS
Heat 1: Justine Dupont (FRA) Vs Coline Menard (REU)
Heat 2: Chelsea Williams (AUS) Vs Jennifer Smith (USA)

ASP ROXY WWLC QUARTERFINALS RESULTS
Heat 1: Justine Dupont (FRA) 15.50 pts Def. Kelia Moniz (HAW) 11.65 pts
Heat 2: Coline Menard (REU) 9.25 pts Def. Geodee Clark (HAW) 8.55 pts
Heat 3: Chelsea Williams (AUS) 12.50 pts Def. Kassia Meador (USA) 12.15 pts
Heat 4: Jennifer Smith (USA) 12.50 pts Def. Julie Cox (USA) 10.65 pts

ASP ROXY WWLC ROUND 2 RESULTS
Heat 1: Justine Dupont (FRA) 16.00 pts Def. Yoko Furuchi (JPN) 8.50 pts
Heat 2: Kelia Moniz (HAW)  10.75 pts Def. Leah Dawson (USA) 10.30 pts
Heat 3: Geodee Clark (HAW) 8.90 pts  Def. Rachel Barry (USA) 7.10 pts
Heat 4: Coline Menard (REU) 10.70 pts Def. Summer Romero (USA) 9.15 pts
Heat 5: Chelsea Williams (AUS) 13.00 pts Def. Isabelle Braly (AUS) 6.75 pts
Heat 6: Kassia Meador (HAW) 9.25 pts Def. Miku Uemura (HAW) 8.05 pts
Heat 7: Jennifer Smith (USA) 13.75 pts Def. Kelly Nicely (USA) 10.90 pts
Heat 8: Julie Cox (USA) 7.15 pts Def. Yuko Shimajiri (JPN) 5.25 pts