With the National Windsurf/Kitesurf/ SUP contest almost over, we are now kicking off with the Trials for the 4the stop of the Stand Up World Tour.

All the main contenders are here and ready. We have the top five Tahitians: Arsene Harehoe, Guillame Bourligueux, Tama Audibert, Thierry Domenech, and Patu.

Six Hawaiians: Kai Lenny, Ekolu Kalama, Robin Johnston, Ikaika Kawae, Kainoa McGee, and G-Mac. Dave Muir, last event winner (Tahiti) is with us again from Aus. From France we’ve got Remi Quique, Peyo Lizarazu, Xabi Lafite, and the winner in France, Antoine Delpero. However, missing due to unforseen visa issues are Hawaiian powerhouse Duane DeSoto and renowned Californian, Colin McPhilips, whose second place in France would have put him in a good position here in Brazil.

Strong Brazilian talent, fresh from the Brazilian Nationals Kauli Seadi, 3X Windsurf World Champion, won both the Windsurfing and SUP over Brazilian favorite, Leco Salazar… and is in the final stages of the Kitesurfing division right now.

The swell is switching from East to an ideal North on Monday, and it looks like Wednesday is going to give us the biggest and cleanest surf.

Now on hold for Trials, we are letting the Brazillians wrap up the Kite division of their Nationals, as the current wind conditions are better suited for it.

Traveling between 3-36 hours from different places, through different hubs, we all flew finally into Florianopolis, and took the same drive out. Landing in a city of a thousand buildings, crossing the beautiful bridge that overlooks a million homes, and harbor full of boats, we were surprised by the vast contrast of our destination. We made our ways in rental cars, vans and taxis for a couple of hours ride out to Ibiraquera.

We’re here in off-season, but this sleepy little beach town is a cracking holiday destination most of the year. Massive lakes border the towns and are separated by sand bars from the ocean. Little islands lay just off the long beach, the sand’s as soft as flour and the skies are foggy. Right whales are showing off as close as 20 feet from the surfers. This place is truly romantic. Just over the hill is the densely inhabited town of Rosa, which brags art venues and fine dining.

Taking a step away from the contest site, we went up to National Champion Kauli Seadi’s home he’s built on a private hill here overlooking the beach here at Ibiraquera. All glass, the light pours in from all sides and you can watch the surf from anywhere in the house or out on it’s wrap around balconies. From his self designed furniture to his giant bedroom hot tub, he’s got to just be laughing himself to sleep every night. Congratulations on your… life! More to come from Kauli as he faces up against the very best stand up paddlesurfers in the world.

Many thanks to Mormaii, for inviting us here, hosting this event back to back with their own. This is the friendliest, most capable crew, showing no signs of exhaustion after a week of constant work. Smiles and more smiles make us feel so welcomed and thankful. Mormaii has put us in lovely Pousadas, which are like B&Bs, all over the town. From the great breakfasts, lunches at the beach, and dinner at the various restaurants scattered through Barra de Ibitraquera that give you about five sides with each entrée … big athletes, big appetites, big smiles!

Next call is at 3pm Brazil time, although it is looking more likely that the trials will begin bright and early in the morning.

We will keep you posted, right here at www.standupworldtour.com

While all eyes will certainly be on Hawaiian Kai Lenny and France's Peyo Lizarazu as they meet again to do battle in Brazil, Hawaii's Duane DeSoto and Ekolu Kalama who have shown flashes of brilliance throughout this year are also looking to consolidate on their performances in the last 2 events of the year. However, will athletes such as Leco Salazar be able to cause some real upsets at the Mormaii Wave Contest, stop 4 of the Stand Up World Tour? 

Keep an eye on www.standupworldtour.com as we lead up to the Mormaii  Ibiraquera Wave Contest that starts this coming Saturday, the 4th September in Brazil.

JUDGING GUIDELINES 2010

The paddle is a tool and a big part of the sport therefore it is not just used to help catch a wave, but is necessary as a tool [aid] for riding the waves [similar to a Ski pole when skiing].

General Judging Criteria:

·      A surfer must demonstrate board handling skills in the transition phase [description below] and the surfing phase [description below] of their performance, for it to be considered complete. 

·      A surfer must perform radical controlled maneuvers, using the paddle as a key tool, in the critical sections of a wave with speed, power and flow to maximize scoring potential.  Innovative / progressive surfing as well as variety of repertoire [maneuvers], wave negotiation and use of the paddle to increase the intensity of the maneuvers, will all be taken into account when awarding points for SUP surfing. 

·      The SUP surfer who executes these criteria with the maximum degree of difficulty and commitment on the waves will be rewarded with the higher scores.

SUP Scoring Considerations

·      Good SUP transition time [end of one wave to paddle-in to next one] should be spent standing and paddling with good technique and stable wave negotiation. Kneeling, lying or sitting whilst paddling, unless necessary for safety is regarded as bad SUP form. Note the critical element: To the best of a rider’s ability he / she is expected to stand up on the board at all times throughout the heat, unless the situation of safety dictates otherwise.

·      Entry into the wave should be by paddling in the standing position to enable the maximum score.

·      Surfing - average scores for all maneuvers will be allocated unless the paddle is used as a pivot or tool in maneuvers, then power, radical moves, critical sections and degree of difficulty are the deciding factors.

·      Competitors will start from the beach unless instructed otherwise by the Contest Director.

·      “Using the paddle”: The paddle is correctly used in SUP surfing to do three main things: it is used in turns as a brace, a pivot, and a force multiplier. A surfer will be scored higher when he uses the paddle in some or all of these three ways to achieve sharper or more powerful turns. 

·      Tricks such as twirling or otherwise using the paddle in a non-functional manner will earn little or no extra score for the surfer.

·      Traditional long board surfing compared to progressive SUP surfing techniques: Because the paddle allows large SUP boards to be turned with high rates of speed and power, stand-up paddle surfing is deemed to be, at the competition level, a performance-centered branch of surfing, much like conventional shortboarding.  Footwork, nose riding and style points will be scored, but this will be done in their relationship to the criteria of degree of difficulty and critical nature of wave positioning.

·      If a rider cannot sustain the standing position throughout the heat [in transition and surfing], this will be regarded in the same manner as improper use of the paddle and judges will only allocate average scores to his / her performances at best. 

·      Right of way- The surfer closest to the curl or at the center of peak has unconditional right of way or claim to that wave once he/she has paddled into and initiated a turn in chosen direction or dominant angle of the break or wave from that position.

·      Interference Rule- Other surfers may not interfere with the surfer who has Right of way. An offending surfer will be penalized with interference call if the majority of the judges deem that the Right of way surfer’s scoring potential was hindered by the presence of offender on the wave or creating hindering of scoring situation by breaking down a section that the Right of way surfer would have made or used as scoring potential.

- Surfers can ride the same wave in same or separate directions and still not hinder each other, interference will only be called if there is hindrance of scoring potential on the surfer who has been deemed to have Right of way as stated above.

·      Interference Penalty- The offending surfer will be penalized by a 50% reduction in points on his second highest scoring ride at the completion of the heat which will count for heat point total.

·       ‘Oceanmanship’: riders should show good etiquette in the water: ie yielding to the surfer with Right of way, respecting and watching out for fellow competitors, especially when conditions are challenging.

Principal Scoring Points:

Judges analyze the following major concepts when scoring waves:

·      Commitment and Degree of Difficulty

·      Speed, Power and Flow

·      Innovative and Progressive Maneuvers

·      Combination of Major Maneuvers

·      Load bearing turns

·      Variety of Maneuvers

It is important to note that the emphasis on certain concepts is contingent upon the location and the conditions on the day, as well as changes of conditions during the day.

Scale Utilized:

0.0 - 1.9 = Poor

2.0 - 3.9 = Fair

4.0 - 5.9 = Average

6.0 - 7.9 = Good

8.0 - 10.0 = Excellent

Surfers and fans need to understand that certain aspects of surfing score higher depending on the location and the conditions at that location. For example, the same approach to stand up paddlesurfing in classic Sunset conditions will not score the same when applied to classic Teahupo’o conditions: Sunset will call for more Innovative, Progressive and turn based Maneuvers whereas classic Teahupo’o conditions call for more Commitment and Degree of Difficulty.

Surfers must perform to the Stand Up World Tour Judging Key Concepts to maximize their scoring potential.

Judges will utilize a 75-25% ratio being that surfers will only ever get a maximum of 75% (7.5pts) of the scale for surfing only one aspect of Modern or Traditional, up to an additional 25% (2.5pts) can be added when the two aspects are combined. Incomplete maneuvers will not be rewarded.

With just over 2 weeks remaining until stop number 4 of the Stand Up World Tour, that will take place in Ibiraquera, South Brazil, tension is mounting: this is a crucial stop for the overall world rankings for 2010, as all athletes will be given a discard after this event, thereby dropping their worst result.

This means that a good result is all the more important here in Brazil and that their will without doubt be a shift in the World Rankings following this event and leading into the Finals in California.

Hawaii vs; France – the Kai Lenny / Peyo Lizarazu rivalry intensifies

There is a definite battle for pole position right now between Hawaii’s young superstar, Kai Lenny, and France’s Peyo Lizarazu. Kai’s first place in Sunset and 3^rd in France will put him in good stead. But his 17^th in Tahiti is definitely a throw out, providing he can put together a good result in Brazil. One thing Kai has shown throughout this year, is knowledge and experience way beyond his years, as well as a very complete skill set. He can never be counted out and is a strong prospect for the Championship crown

Peyo’s consistency is without doubt a threat for the young Hawaiian, with 2 podium results, and a quarterfinals finish in Tahiti, Peyo is a threat, with or without Kai in his way. His hard carving full rail turns and barrel riding have left a strong impression on all who have witnessed Peyo in action, and going into this event in the lead, he has to be feeling good.

Both Peyo and Kai have shown their mastery in small and big waves, rights and lefts, so it is going to be interesting to see how this next stop plays out and who will come out on top.

Hawaiian Warriors continue to threaten

Next in the rankings come Duane DeSoto, Ekolu Kalama and Arsene Harehoe. Duane showed moments of brilliance in France and Tahiti, after a slow start at home in the first event at Sunset Beach, and he will be looking to capitalize on the momentum. Despite being knocked out in the quarterfinals in Tahiti, he also put on a performance that will go down in history in the opening round, showing clearly that he is a force to be reckoned with. Likewise in France, he put on a display that is still being talked about with a 5^th place finish. If he can maintain consistency through Brazil and California, he has the potential to do great things this year.

Likewise, Ekolu Kalama has shown moments of brilliance this year, with a great start at Sunset Beach and dominance in the giant surf, followed by a disappointing European showing, but coming back with some spectacular rides in Tahiti. Although he fell to the same fate as Duane of searching for barrels that didn’t open up for him in the quarters, Ekolu once again showed his skill and himself as a real threat for the Title. All the other Hawaiians should also not be counted out – in particular Robin Johnston who has showed real consistency and put on great performances at all 3 of the events so far this year, showing mastery in all conditions, big and small. Kainoa McGee is also never to be counted out, with his gregarious approach both on an off the water…

Tahitian experience and excellence

Arsene Harehoe, Tahitian legend, has been consistent through the Polynesian legs of the Tour, but like Ekolu, having a disappointing showing in the colder smaller French stop. There is no doubt that his experience and phenomenal wave knowledge will stand him in good stead coming in to Brazil and he remains a real threat to all Contenders. The other Tahitian Contenders are also not to be counted out, from Guillaume Bourligueux and Patuariitea Laux, to the emerging Tama Audibert who recently finished runner up in Tahiti following a wildcard entry.

Australian powerhouse

Coming out of a win in Tahiti, Dave Muir is also on a roll and a danger to all in his way. Despite a slow start in Hawaii and France, Dave resurged with a vengeance in Tahiti, dominating the event from start to finish, despite strong competition wherever he looked. Dave will be looking to capitalize on his performance in Tahiti during the next 2 events for a shot at the Title.

French talent looking to come back into the running

Likewise, Antoine Delpero: the Frenchman displayed talent and flare in his spectacular win at home in France, as well as a mastery of all forms of Stand Up Paddlesurfing, mixing a longboard approach with critical banking turns. After a disappointing showing in Tahiti, he will be looking to make up for it in Brazil and California: both locations are beach breaks, so he will feel very at home in conditions in which he has shown he excels….definitely someone to watch out for. Another French talent that will come into play again in Brazil is Xabi Lafitte, wildcard and 5^th place finisher in France and cousin of Peyo, Xabi has a complete skill set, and the real potential to do damage in this world class fleet

Californian looking to stake his claim

Finally Colin McPhilipps, coming into the race in France and battling Antoine in the Final until the very last minutes of the heat, has shown he is a fierce competitor: the 3 World Championship Titles speak for themselves. What’s more, his more aggressive, less traditional longboard style is well suited to stand up paddlesurfing and we have witnessed some mind-blowing turns from this southern California athlete. He is to feat for all those who come up against him.

There are so many more threats to be considered, but all will be revealed from the 4^th September onwards, as the best in the world descend on Ibiraquera in South Brazil for the 4^th stop of the Stand Up World Tour. There are also bound to be some surprises coming from Brazil itself, a country that is already well known for its surfing talent…..

We will be launching the all new www.standupworldtour.com prior to the event, providing a far more visual and up to date access point for everything to do with the Stand Up World Tour and its athletes. So keep an eye on www.standupworldtour.com for the daily highlights, updates and news from the Stand Up World Tour as we head towards a very climactic close to an incredible 2010.

Aloha