Hope Goes Surfing

TWLOHA has signed CJ Hobgood for 2012 and together they are bringing Hope to the world of Surfing. Find out more at www.twloha.com

Kelly's First Wave as 11 x World Champ - This is Incredible

After the heat finished Kelly slotted into this wave. Everyone in the competitors area thought it was a closeout. Most people stopped watching. Even the live camera stopped filming it. However, someone on the beach filmed it. Seriously this wave made everyone's jaws drop, it left half of the tour in the comp area speechless. Watch this!

Remembering Andy Irons & Honouring 11 x World Champ Kelly Slater

RIP - Andy Irons (24.07.1978 - 02.11.2010) - Photo: Cestari/ASP

Already two days into the event and so much has already happened. The 2^ndof November marks the anniversary of the passing of one of the greatest surfers of our time, Andy Irons. We remembered this day by having a dawn paddle out before the contest start. The surfers and close friends of Andy came together in the water we formed a circle with white roses in hand. Then out of nowhere a curious seal popped up in the middle of the circle to say hi; it’s amazing that at any of these paddle outs there is always a dolphin, a rainbow or even a seal that seems to come out and join us during these solemn moments. In a strange way it is comforting. I said a prayer with everyone and we held a minutes silence for AI. It was a peaceful experience.

Andy Irons Paddle Out (L to R - Johnny Gannon, Abe Andrews, Taj Burow, Mick Fanning, Travis Logie & Kai Otton) - Photo: Nate Lawrence

Then the contest started. The energy in the air leading up to Kelly Slater’s heat was intense. Kelly had to make his round 3 heat to clinch his 11^th world title. Dan Ross, Aussie surfer from Yamba, NSW, was keen to make Kelly earn his win.

Dan Ross and Kelly Slater show some pre heat good sportsmanship - Photo: Kirstin/ASP

Rossy started the heat strong with 7.70 and backed it up with a 6.70. Kelly was looking for hollow waves to try and score big; however with the higher tide and wobbly sweep it was making it tricky to find the quality barrels that we had seen earlier in the day.

Dan Ross in Form and putting up a good fight against the champ - Photo: Cestari/ASP

Kelly managed to sneak out a frothy barrel scoring a 6.0, then Kelly quickly found a left which enabled him to unleash with some fierce backhand turns giving him a 7.53. Leaving Slater only needing 6.88 to take the lead. Kelly in the last 3mins of the heat found a right hander which enabled him to open up with a flurry of turns. He finished the wave strong and was awarded a 7.60 and finalised his 11^th World Title. Now Kelly Slater will be known as KE11Y. 

Kelly Slater on his winning wave - Photo: Nate Lawrence

There was much celebration to follow and while there is still many heats left of this event it seems as though the party is over for 2011. Everyone is starting to think about 2012 and the possibilities of a new world champ. And in the grand scheme of things there will always be winning and losing, there will always be champions, competitors and contests. But with the life and passing of Andy still resonating in our hearts and minds, the value of our time with each other is so much more important than all of this.

KE11Y - Photo: Nate Lawrence

This scripture gives me comfort and inspiration through this. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life: & I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.Psalm 23:6
Abe  

A.I. - Photo: Cestari/ASP

Serve from the Heart - Rip Curl Pro Portugal 2011

Sunset over Supertubos

The Ripcurl Pro Portugal is over, the waves have receded and the hype of the contest is a now a faint murmur of the amazing surfing that went down over the past 3 days. As I count my blessings and reflect on the week that was I can’t help but feel privileged to be able to serve God in this ministry.

The act of service is something I feel is a key component to chaplaincy. I was able to serve some of the surfers by caddying for them at this event which is something they really appreciate. And even if it is a small support role I might be able to offer them, the message it conveys to them is much more then just the action.

You may have heard the well renowned saying, ‘actions speak louder than words’. I firmly believe in this proverb and try to apply it in all situations. It is easy to say something, however to live it is whole other aspect.

While at the contest I was asked to do an interview for the Catholic magazine of Portugal. One of the questions the interviewer asked me was, “how do you speak of Christ to the surfers”. My response was that it is not so much to speak of Christ but to live it. I have found the more I show the surfers the heart of God through my actions and the message of Jesus through my servant heartedness, the more they open up to me about their lives and the more willing they are to ask questions about my thoughts on God or the world in which we live. If you lead with your actions then words will soon follow.

I also got to spend a little time with Nuno (the regional chaplain for ASP Europe). It is encouraging to see the chaplaincy growing globally in surfing and that I can play a part in developing this. It's interesting to see now that chaplaincy is something which is not just accepted in the world of professional surfing but rather embraced. So please continue to pray for Chaplaincy, not just on tour, but globally, that every professional surfer will know a chaplain and the next Mick Fanning or Kelly Slater will have the support of Chaplaincy throughout they're whole career.


Obrigado
Abe  


Adriano wins the Rip Curl Pro Portugal 2011

Julian Wilson pulls in

Insert Surfer Here

Perfection

Hurley Pro Trestles 2011 Black & White

Footage from the Hurley Pro Trestles 2011.

Teahupoo Free Surf 2011 Part 1

Teahupoo Free Surf 2011 Part 1 from Abe Andrews on Vimeo.

Billabong Rio Pro: The World Tour In Brazil

The 3rd stop on the ASP World Tour is in Rio De Janiero, Brazil.

This year Billabong is hosting the contest in on one of the worlds most populated coastal cities. The surfers and staff are excited to be travelling to this event and the anticipation is building.

Here is a quick look at what to expect at this contest.

2011 Billabong Rio Pro - Webisode #1 from Billabong USA on Vimeo.