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

Letters from Hawaii

John John on his 10point ride

The contest is finished and most of the surfers have made their way home to their loved ones and friends in one piece – which is a miracle in itself – as there were some nasty wipe-outs during this event. I thank the Lord that there weren’t many people that were seriously injured and apart from a few dislocated shoulders and some stitches, most of the surfers walked away unscathed.

 I had the opportunity to share some words of encouragement with the guys and pray for a few of them as well. The highlight was seeing some of these guys requalify for next year. It was a tense time as this is the final event for 2012 and for some of these guys not making the cut can possibly mean the end of their surfing careers. I was stoked to see Kieren Perrow and CJ Hobgood cement there spots back on tour for next year, they are great surfers and awesome human beings of character and generosity.

It is also great to see Kai Otton make the cut as a wild card for 2012. 

I am excited to see what some of the fresh faces on tour will bring next year. So we welcome Kolohe Andino and Yadin Nicol as they make their debut on the world tour. Our prayers are with Freddy P, Chris Davo and Dan Ross who unfortunately didn’t make the cut; we hope to see these guys back on tour soon though. Please pray for Jeremy Flores, Pat Gudauskas and Alejo Muniz who are all recovering from injuries. Pray that they will have rapid healing and be able to train and get ready for the New Year.

I look forward to now having a short break from events and spending sometime with my wife and family over Christmas. I also look forward to what God has instore for the Tour and Chaplaincy for 2012. I will be continuing in my role next year and look forward to sharing this with you every step of the way.

Thankyou for your support along the way and I pray God blesses you and keeps you safe over the Christmas break.

Much love and Merry Christmas.
Abe and Lize

Abe and Lize at the Christmas Parade Haliewa

The Kieren Perrow Fairytale – A story that is too good!

Kieren Perrow Big Takeoff at Pipe 2011

For those that don’t know the back story on the winner of this event, Kieren Perrow, here is a little insight into his win here in Pipe. Kieren, a Byron Bay local and surfers for the ASP has always been a standout at the infamous break on the North Shore of Oahu. Last year Kieren made it to the final against the Reunion Island young up and comer Jeremy Flores. Kieren was inform in 2010 to take out the Pipe Masters, however a bad wave selection and a switch of priority gave Jeremy the wave which sealed the victory for Flores. 

However, 2011 came around and Kieren now looking at a harder challenge of trying to requalify to make the tour for 2012. Kieren needed to make the quarter finals to secure his spot for next year. This is not an easy task when he drew Pipe veteran, Shane Dorian and Pipe winner for 2009, Taj Burrow for his round 4 heat. However, within the last 5 minutes of the heat, Kieren needing a high score found a wave, one which was so big that most human beings would be paddle for their lives to get away from it; however Kieren stroked into it and rode it like a true Pipemaster. He secured the heat win and his spot on tour for 2012. 

Now, Kieren goes on to make the final against fellow Aussie, and 3 times Triple Crown winner, Joel Parkinson. Although Kieren is probably one of the best big wave surfers on tour, he is also a much grounded family man and travels most of the year with his family to all of the events. Not only does he have good solid values and sense of courtesy and respect that most surfers in general lack, he also works hard behind the scenes to help better the sport of surfing and sits on the board of the ASP to represent the surfers to the professional surfing event organisers – not an easy task. With all of this in mind, Kieren has never won an ASP World Tour Event. He has been on and off tour a few times and has had to work hard to secure his spot amongst the world’s best surfers. But ask any Tour surfer and they will tell you that Kieren is one of the biggest chargers on tour and is a great competitor. 

 So Kieren has a huge task at hand, he does not want a second at Pipe again. His wife is nervous and everyone in the competitor’s area is nervous for him. Kelly Slater gives Kieren some last words of encouragement, he says, ‘no more bridesmaid, you win this.’ For Perrow, a 3^rd or a 5^th would be better than a 2^nd after his Pipe final loss a year ago. So Joel and KP paddle out. The heat starts and Kieren starts the heat with two good scores leaving Joel on the back foot chasing a score. Joel strokes into a couple of bombs that look too good, however, he just can’t find an exit and as the time ticks down it looks as though Kieren has sealed the deal. Joel needs a 9, he finds a wave at backdoor that could be the score, the wave stretches out and unfortunately Parko can’t get through it. The horn sounds to signal the end of the heat and Kieren Perrow wins to 2011 Billabong Pipeline Masters. A well deserved win!

CJ Hobgood talks about TWOLHA in Risen Magazine

CJ Hobgood is surfing for more than just a trophy. He recently started flying the flag for To Write Love On Her Arms (TWOLHA) an organisation centred around raising awareness about depression, self harm and suicide. Check out the interview by clicking here or go to www.risenmagazine.com to read more.

Rip Curl Pro Portugal 2011

The Rip Curl Pro in Peniche Portugal 2011 saw some epic sufing in some of the beast waves at Supertubos. Check out some of the action.

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

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CJ Hobgood Interview at Quiksliver Pro NY

After 12 yrs on the ASP World Tour CJ Hobgood shares about what his surfing stands for.

From Paradise to the Big Smoke

The View from the Empire State Building

NY, it is a place of yellow taxi's, hot dog stands and home to over 8 million people. The Quiksilver Pro in NY is, if anything, a surfing success. Although it had much speculation when first announced, it has delivered waves and crowds to match.

NY Loves Surfing

The surfers have been stoked to go somewhere different and their ladies have been equally stoked. The surf as you would imagine is like the waves you could score at any known beachy around the globe, however it is within a 40min train ride of the world's most famous city.

Quiksilver Store Times Square

It is amazing the looks you get when you jump on the subway with a surfboard in hand. I had a conversation with a surfing enthusiast of sorts, who basically spoke to me for 45mins about his whole life story and I exercised the art of listening whilst the rest of the train looked on.

To see how surfing has reached all corners of the globe is awesome and even in NY you can find surf shops. Times Square is home to both Quiksilver and Billabong surf stores.

Bring a Board to NY

The surfers are now global commodities and they are the advertising billboards of the ocean. It is obvious that with this pressure of international fame comes underlying insecurities of unmet expectations. It can be a seesaw of emotions trying to perform as well as pleasing sponsors. Focusing on an impending heat can be difficult with cameras recording your every movement, then to surf in front of the masses with an announcer breaking down your every move in the water can be hard to block out. And if you lose you still have to come in a face all those fans who are so eager to meet you and sign autographs and pose for photos with people you have never met all with a smile on your face. Then to go and face your coaches and sponsors with professionalism and stature all whilst the people around you are celebrating for the other guy, the winner, and telling you what you could have done differently to win your heat, with phrases like, “if only you didn’t go that wave” or “maybe if you hadn’t fallen on that good one” leaving you questioning your own abilities as surfer and a person, thus all you really want to do is get out of that place and forget what just happened.

Owen Wright Staying Focused for his Upcoming Heat

I see this all too often, and to tell you honestly, it takes character and determination to be able to deal with all outside influences in order to remain balanced. Some people wonder why there are amazing surfers out there who don’t compete, more often than not it is because they can’t or don’t want to deal with all of the above additives that come with competing.

Kelly Slater with a Massive Alley-Oop

Is there a solution to all of this? No, well not an instant remedy. However, having people around these guys who support and nurture regardless of the outcome is what these guys need. I hope at the end of the day that is what I can do for the surfers on tour. Keep them on an even keel so they keep afloat. It takes time, patience and diligence but in the end if I can help someone be a better person and a better competitor, then that is a job well done.   

Owen Flies with Style: Frontside Slob Grab

I Am Second - Bethany Hamilton

Bethany Hamilton is an inspiration to many. After losing her arm due to a shark attack she stayed true to what she loved and never gave up. Bethany has worked hard to be able to compete against the best surfers in the world despite only have one arm. Although she has had to overcome this huge adversity, Bethany continues to win heats and surf with more passion and drive than ever before. Bethany credits her accident not as a tragedy but as a triumph and thanks God for his provision regardless of her circumstances.

Check out her "I Am Second" clip below





A movie based on Bethany's story is out now - Go to www.soulsurferthemovie.com

Adriano De Souza Wins Billabong Rio Pro

Adriano De Souza took out the Billabong Rio Pro in tricky conditions for the final of the 3rd event of the World Tour 2011.

The young Brazillian Adriano, defeated Aussie surfer Taj Burrow in front of a massive home crowd. It was a tearful final for current world number 1, De Souza who surfed his way to victory with 15.63 points over Taj's 12.17 points.

Check out the final here.